A REASON FOR WHOLE GRAINS

2019-01-05
Home/Family
The benefits of whole grains today are well known.

Think of this: whether it is spiritual or physical wisdom we seek the Bible is the ultimate Science Book, the go-to for final truth. The information Scripture gives for our health is significant when I'm considering health for myself and my husband. The Bible is the ultimate authority on human behavior; it gives us the Ten Commandments; the Gospel, the way to eternal life through forgiveness because of the work of Jesus on the Cross. But the Bible is concerned with health and beauty, too. Consider: "Thus were you decked with gold and silver; and your raiment was of fine linen, and silk, and broidered work; you did eat FINE FLOUR, and honey, and oil: and you were exceeding beautiful. . ." (Ezekiel 16:13) . Remember, "fine flower" in those days must have been whole grain flower, not "white" flower.

We can find ways to get whole grains into our system! Whole grains contain protein, minerals, Vitamin E (it's good for your heart). Who knows what we will miss when we eliminate them. Google "Old Ways Whole Grains Council" for fascinating information.

Try Darrel's Unleavened Bread and other whole grain Passover Bread recipes.

DARREL'S UNLEAVENED BREAD

1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup olive oil
1 cup water
1/8 cup honey (for Passover meal omit honey)
Mix oil and flour first-stir. Put water and honey in and whisk, it will he runny. Spread thin on baking sheet. Bake as hot as you can about 500-600 degree oven for 6 to 7 minutes.

We girls can live our best lives; we take pride in how we care for ourselves and those we love. My strong advice: live by the hints and instruction in the Bible . . . for your lifetime. At times the hints are found in the most unlikely places. When you purposefully live by God's instructions to you in Scripture, then everything that happens is "God's fault". We have "walked by faith." Jesus is the spiritual example of healthy food, "The Bread of Life".
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YOUR INNATE POWER

2019-01-09
Female Role/Calling
At about fourteen years into our marriage the old Dodge was still around, its heart beating on five cylinders. We lived as far West as our city goes from Eric's workplace. The drive straight East into the sun on Route Fifty took my husband an hour every morning. When he got there his days were filled with high pressure and low praise. He came home straight toward the western sun every evening. The sun visor was long gone. Ten years he commuted in that old car. The air conditioner never worked. He was hot and sweaty and grumpy when he arrived home at night. Exactly how hot that old station wagon got on a 95 degree day I didn't know, but he was in need when he arrived home.

Never did he complain; but his fair Swedish skin was always more red than normal on those hot days. I grieved for his suffering. I began to understand that I could do something about it. I could make coming home his highlight for the day. I began to pour out my complaint to God about that car. Finally we saved enough to buy a newer old car; one with air conditioning, electric windows, radio and tape deck (do you remember "cassette tapes"?).

Compassion will bring pain, because you will feel the pain of your husband and of those around you. Allow it. The grieving, the brokenhearted, the poor, the sick, those who are afraid or lonely and our husbands' sometimes silent pains are real. Your husband needs you. You are his other self, the very touch of God to him. Whether he shows it, or even knows it, he is in need of someone who makes him the most important person in the world. Will it be you, his wife?

Your compassion grows strong when your heart is warmed by enduring adversity together. It is a gift from God.

If your man will reach high and go far, it will be because you believe in him. Learn to believe in his designated place. Tell him so. Encourage him when he fails. Your house can be the place he looks forward to, because you are there. As the song says, " . . . it's her warm loving that keeps me returning again and again." And as the Bible says, " . . .the heart of her husband doth safely trust in her . . ." (Prov.31:11)

WHAT DO YOU THINK?
- - Does a husband's hardship justify a high handed, hurtful attitude toward you?
- -  How should you respond when a husband arrives home angry?
 - -Sometimes you must think, "What about me, what about the children?" When does "What about me" go out of bounds?
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DON'T BE JEALOUS OR THREATENED BY ANYONE EVER!

2019-01-14
Female Role/Calling
With our first child, I gained fifty pounds during pregnancy, with the second, sixty, with the third ... dare I admit it? I gained seventy pounds carrying him. Now, he was worth it! But I found myself overweight and not losing it quickly like after the birth of the first. I was busy with three young boys and didn't realize how overweight I'd become until I saw a few pictures of my new self.

Beautiful, slim girls threatened me. I was jealous of their look, their clothes, their style and so I was silently critical. I can't think of one that appeared to "show off". All the angst was in me!

Then, slowly, I began to get back to exercising. My husband, Eric had followed Dr. Kenneth Cooper's book "Aerobics" and I got ahold of the book his wife, Mildred Cooper, wrote, "Aerobics for Women". That book changed my perspective, changed my future.

An Aerobics Gym opened a couple of miles away; I joined and after a few months worked my way to Instructor. That was the beginning of a hobby: a love of trying to improve my health, normalize my weight, enhance my personal style.

You are created in the image of God! Does this sound simplistic? Think about it. What had to happen to bring you into being ... go back centuries ... or just go back one generation. You are a one and only ... go, do, become the best you can make yourself. Yes, it takes study, discipline, vulnerability and wisdom. You will need one or more friends (husband, sister, daughter, child hood friend ...  a truthful, loving person) who believe in you. But the journey, when you get a clear picture in your mind of your best self, will be a worthwhile adventure.

When you are threatened, feel small, think "I'm worthless" – just don't. Be an overcomer. "Wow, Lord, you made me. I have these innate interests, drives, gifts. The path of my life has brought me to this place! There is a purpose for me ... which is for me alone and no person on earth can fill exactly the place God created for me."

When I lost the weight, gained strength and flexibility, my jealousy went away. I had worked very, very hard to grow in this direction. Vision can be like a clear picture in your own mind! Follow the example of the wise woman described in Proverbs. No need to compare ourselves with anybody!
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YOUR GIFTS AND INFLUENCE AND THE CHURCH

2019-01-24
Uncategorized
God has given gifts to every person; to women as well as men:  Could the Body of Christ be weakened because there are "Controllers" in the Church?  In my memory are many illustrations of them, but instead of looking like a tattle-tale, I'll do what I love to do best:  try to understand the Bible.

"He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.  And he gave SOME, apostles; and SOME, prophets; and SOME, evangelists; and SOME, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:  that WE henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: from whom the WHOLE BODY fitly joined together and compacted by that which EVERY JOINT supplies according to the effectual working in the measure of EVERY PART, makes increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." (Ephesians 4:10 to 16) (emphasis added).

Note that "some" can mean any of these:  masculine, feminine; this, that, one, he, she.  I derive my definition from Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries.

And this:

"If therefore the WHOLE CHURCH be come together into one place . . . EVERY ONE ("hek'as tos: man, woman) of you has a psalm, has a doctrine, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation.  Let all things be done unto edifying."
(I Corinthians 14:23 to 26) (emphasis added).

With our gifts and influence, as we try to be a peacemaker and hunger and thirst after righteousness, Jesus promises that you and I who "do these things" will be filled, blessed.

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