questions for my heart, my convictions, my priorities and my purity

Love these questions passed on through preaching from the word from our pastor...

my heart
Have I ever fully surrendered my heart and life to Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord--my gifts, goals, desires, will and future?
Are there areas in which I have a double heart--trying to be pleasing to God and approved by others, asking for His will but doing mine, being a "good Christian" while actually pursuing the "good life"?

my convictions
What are the scriptural convictions that govern my behavior, finances, marriage, morals, political persuasions and recreation?
Am I lovingly seeking to lead my marriage and family to be built upon righteous principles?

my priorities
If someone looked at my schedule and spending patterns for the past 60 days what would they see as my top three priorities?
What changes or choices do I need to make to live out priorities honoring to God and His kingdom?

my purity
Am I involved in any activities that are unholy to God and contrary to His Word, and therefore make me vulnerable to temptation?
What action steps am I taking on a regular basis to keep my heart and mind pure?

It's  great when I can think through these questions prayerfully and ask God to lovingly reveal areas of my life that need particular attention or change.

Another Family Favorite

Ok  ...  so soon  ... I will be trying a gf rendition of this favorite family recipe .... I got the idea to try corn taco chips as the beginning layer to this pie from Brian at Fillmore House B&B here:

http://www.fillmorehousebandb.com/

I will let you know how it turns out but for now I share the recipe for all and I'm linking up to:




Taco Pie
Ingredients:
1 pkg, flour tortillas
1 lb. hamburger
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of celery soup
1 can mild enchilada sauce
1 can taco sauce
1 pkg. shredded cheddar cheese

Brown the hamburger and then drain. Add all of the soups and sauces. Grease a 9x13 pan and begin to layer. Tortillas, hamburger mixture, and cheese until pan is filled. Bake at 350 degrees fro 30 minutes or until cheese on top is melted.

enjoy ....

"above all, love each other deeply, ... offer hospitality to one another ... each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering

God's grace in its various forms ..." I Peter 4:8-10

I am my Father's daughter

just hit me this morning .... I have an overwhelming knowledge and  feeling of God's love for me today.

Wholeheartedly feeling I am adopted ... I am my Father's daughter!

"he predestined me to be adopted as his daughter through Jesus Christ in accordance with his pleasure and will--" Ephesians 1:5

Home, House, Household

5 Minute Friday linking up here:
 

 
Start

Home is where my heart is, not the structural home of my youth which was 3804 Thomas Ave just one block from Thomas Beach, Lake Calhoun. Nor is it the structure for the apartment on Blasidell where I lived as a single, young, woman. It's not the structure of the duplex on Chicago Ave where my husband and I set up our first home after we were married. Nor is it the structure of the houses on 4th Ave, 68th Place, or Nathan Lane where we raised our five children but rather home is where I found my heart this morning. .. 

I opened my patio door of our townhouse in Plymouth and found my heart praising the one who created the day before me

I found my heart praying for family members, as I washed the dishes, left dirty in the sink since last night

I found my heart reading and hearing from the God I love and who loves me more, as I prayed for friends

Home is finding my heart, looking forward to a night away  at the Fillmore House B&B in Lanesboro, MN

"She watches over the affairs of her household ..." Proverbs 31:27b

Finish

June Post

I thought I would start out my post today by titling it June Post. I did this because I realized once again that even though I have been writing in my journal I have yet to post in June 2011 .... so what is one to post just to post. The way I see it is there is always a reason for writing and today my reason for writing is because I want to. What a great reason to write not because I have too but because I desire to write.

I found myself feeling the same way about washing the kitchen floor today. You see, because my husband takes care of the home, he is the primary one who washes the kitchen floor. Today, I looked down at the floor which was a bit dirty ... not by any means filthy and bothering me but just a bit dirty. I thought to myself I could bless my husband (his love language is is acts of service) and wash the kitchen floor because I wanted to but not because I had to.
2 things happen when I wash the kitchen floor:

1. I do it on my knees
2. I pray

"Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed." Acts 9:40 We really do not know what Peter had prayed but we know that he felt it important to pray from the kneeling position.

Then I looked over at the chair in my living room piled with laundry. Again, I  could let it sit for another day or two or I could fold the laundry because I wanted to do it today.

I guess this turned out to be a somewhat productive and enjoyable day ... as I forgot to mention that it stared with a wake-up call from my grandson at a time I was sure I did not want to get up and out to of bed on this rainy day.

I sat and read while Sid rode his new bike in the garage 'cause it was raining outside. He kept saying over and over "I like my new bike. It is special" To which I remarked each time he stated this, that he is special!

(Sid looked at me and laughed and would say it again ... I think he wanted to hear me say how special he is to me)

sleepover with my grandson
a new bike
a rainy day
a clean floor
a happy husband
laundry done
simple gifts!

God's grace one day at a time
profound gift!

Pursuing God in Conversation

God spoke a book and God lives in the words He spoke!

He is constantly speaking to me using His Words!

today He said in John 1:12 that I am His child

and in John 15:15 he said that I am His friend

and in Romans 5:1 He said that it is just as if I had never sinned

and in Matthew 5:13-14 He said I am the salt and light at my work place

#2 Accelerated Program

Phase Red Day 2


Dear Dad and Mom,


I'm coming to the end of my 2nd day. It's been a little more challenging now that I have actually started basic. I got smoked for about twenty minutes the other day 'cause my battle buddy talked during chow. We were in the pit today for a while too. I hope everything is going well at home. How's everyone doing? Yesterday I had a really hard time 'cause the drill sgt. got right in my face and screamed. There is this accelerated program that they select 20 privates to go thru a quicker training and usually graduate 5-6 weeks early. I'm going to try my hardest to get into it. They make the decision after the third week. If you guys send me anything please make sure it's stuff I need, like calf high white socks, soap, deodorant, toothpaste. stuff like that. I get to go to church tomorrow.I'm so happy. Hopefully I'll be able to call you guys soon. We will be getting our weapons soon. They don't give us much time to do stuff we want so I have to write this letter in class. Privates are just asking questions so it's not big deal. Please write soon. I need to know that all of you are doing well, It's important to me. Please pray that I'm able to prove myself to the drill sgts so I can  come home sooner. It's my number one goal right now. Tomorrow I get to sleep in until 6 am. I'm happy about that. After my first 3 weeks, I have a chance of using my cell phone a little bit. I miss you guys so much ... so so much. It's pretty sad 'cause I haven't even been gone for 2 weeks. Well I don;t know what else to say. I guess I'll just talk to you guys when I do. I miss you all and I love you Ash

I am happy to be thinking already mid May about Memorial Day

(a time when we remember our soldiers)

In honor of this time of year I am writing and posting past letters home from my soldier

who is set to deploy in the beginning of 2012.

At one time that seemed like a long time away

but now it seems closer than I really want to think about.

Feel free to read some other great posts by women

impacted by the war here:

Guest post at Sugar in My Grits

I remember praying


3 John 3:4 “I have no greater joy that to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”

then she made a decision to follow Christ

I remember her baptism on Easter Sunday

then at 14 years of age she joined the Plymouth Explorers .... read the rest of my post here as I have been invited to be a guest this Memorial Day Weekend ...

http://mommiesblog2011.blogspot.com/

Thanks Jessica for allowing me to be a part of your event .... Blessings, Beth

my mom's reciepe for Hershey Pie

I was over at my daughter's the other day and she showed me this family recipe book that she is making on her computer. It was a combination of several recipe's she has collected in her almost 5 years of marriage.

 I was impressed to say the least and I thought mmmm ... ah ah how could I copy her idea?

Then I found this blog during some computer time and decided to link up every once in a while and post one of my favorites so ... today I'm linking up my Hershey Pie recipe here:




From the Kitchen of Kay Walker (my mom)

Hershey Pie
Ingredients:
20 large marshmallows
1/3 cup milk
1 large Hershey chocolate bar (plain or almond)
1/2 pint heavy whipping cream
1 graham cracker crust 8 oz

melt first three ingredients on low heat stirring often. Once melted take off heat and let cool.
Stir in heavy whipping cream until well blended. Pour into graham cracker crust.
Refrigerate until firm. Serves 8.

"Hey God, I loved my mom and loved that she passed this recipe on to me. I appreciate You providing me a convenient store to pick up all these ingredients easily. Now since I want to glorify You with my body, help me to eat only a small piece of this pie on special occasions. Help me not to over eat ... thanks, I love You!"

In His Arms, Beth

Conversation in my head

Sometimes it's good just to write down on my heart the conversation I am hearing in my head ....

"Beth, you are my disciple and you have been justified and are complete in me. I love you!"

Happy Wednesday!


and a part of me wishes I had woken up to these voices ....

yet an even bigger part of me is praying for North Minneapolis and the destruction they have experienced due to the tornadoes.

thankfully my daughter's home was protected they have just been inconvenienced by no electricity since Sunday

Who and what are you praying for today?

Remaining In His Arms again and again,
Beth