tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55136389703910964332012-02-03T18:42:38.295-06:00Charityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217265438533155701noreply@blogger.comBlogger681100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-89381877772767291732012-02-03T08:23:00.003-06:002012-02-03T08:35:46.259-06:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Q8BLGBape0/TyvwkK0IAEI/AAAAAAAAACo/9Tsm5q2s4H8/s1600/DSC05067.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Q8BLGBape0/TyvwkK0IAEI/AAAAAAAAACo/9Tsm5q2s4H8/s320/DSC05067.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704917857163804738" /></a><br /><br /><div>The only thing these Border Collie puppies bring to mind is toddler! No kidding. This is what toddlerhood was like for this mom. Only with puppies there's more than I ever had at one time. I compare these 4 cuties to having 15 month quadruplets. They are going to their "forever homes" soon, and then I will enjoy the quiet. Yes, I will. For now though, we laugh, stumble (because they are forever at our ankles), fill their bowl with puppy food (alot), and snuggle. There is the problem of my tomatoes. They love to eat my tomato plants. I keep telling myself that Spring is coming and I can plant more. Aren't we blessed to enjoy God as we care for these little creations of His? </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-8938187777276729173?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908497752990617554noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-42983237445017165432012-01-10T17:30:00.003-06:002012-01-10T17:37:25.837-06:00"What makes sin sin is not first that it hurts people, but that it blasphemes God. This is the ultimate evil and the ultimate outrage in the universe."<div><br /></div><div>"The glory of God is not honored.</div><div>The holiness of God is not reverenced.</div><div>The greatness of God is not admired.</div><div>The power of God is not praised.</div><div>The truth of God is not sought.</div><div>The wisdom of God is not esteemed.</div><div>The beauty of God is not treasured.</div><div>The goodness of God is not savored.</div><div>The faithfulness of God is not trusted.</div><div>The promises of God are not relied upon.</div><div>The commandments of God are not obeyed.</div><div>The justice of God is not respected.</div><div>The wrath of God is not reared.</div><div>The grace of God is not cherished.</div><div>The presence of God is not prized.</div><div>The person of God is not loved."</div><div><br /></div><div>John Piper, Overview of Romans 1-7, 09/02/2001</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-4298323744501716543?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908497752990617554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-60483641955765386602011-12-09T06:30:00.005-06:002011-12-10T06:45:36.392-06:00<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><img src="http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:w13bVdYcUwGcFM:http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/henry-wadsworth-longfellow-186.php" alt="Thumbnail" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; "> </span></div><div><br /></div><div>We are joyously singing Christmas carols again this year. My ipod is chocked full of music and I keep it playing all day long. It has occured to me this year that God has protected the theology throughout the generations in these most beloved hymns. Delight your heart for a moment on some of these you're sure to recognize.</div><div>"Joy to the world, the Lord is come!"</div><div>"Yea Lord, we greet Thee. Born this happy morning!"</div><div>"O Come to us, Abide with us, Our Lord Emmanuel."</div><div>"Thou didst leave Thy throne, and Thy kingly crown, when Thou camest to earth for me."</div><div>"Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing."</div><div>"Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see."</div><div>"Pleased as man, with men to dwell. Jesus, our Emmanuel!"</div><div><br /></div><div>My favorite carol is "I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day". It was originally a poem with 7 stanzas bemoaning his sadness at the state of the world. America was in the midst of Civil War. Longfellow's wife Fanny had tragically died in a fire, and he felt no peace at Christmas. Of course, the best is usually the last. Don't miss the significant last stanza which places all hope in God's Sovereign control. Hallellujah!</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: x-large; " >"Christmas Bells"</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><div style="text-align: center; font-size: large; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; ">(The original poem, complete with all seven stanzas)</span></div></span><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><div style="text-align: center; font-size: medium; ">"I heard the bells on Christmas Day</div><div style="text-align: center; font-size: medium; ">Their old familiar carols play,</div><div style="text-align: center; font-size: medium; ">And wild and sweet</div><div style="text-align: center; font-size: medium; ">The words repeat</div><div style="text-align: center; font-size: medium; ">Of peace on earth, good-will to men!</div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><div style="text-align: center;">And thought how, as the day had come,</div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><div style="text-align: center;">The belfries of all Christendom</div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><div style="text-align: center;">Had rolled along</div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><div style="text-align: center;">The unbroken song</div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><div style="text-align: center;">Of peace on earth, good-will to men!</div></span><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><div style="text-align: center;">Till, ringing, singing on its way,</div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><div style="text-align: center;">The world revolved from night to day,</div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><div style="text-align: center;">A voice, a chime</div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><div style="text-align: center;">A chant sublime</div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><div style="text-align: center;">Of peace on earth, good-will to men!</div></span><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><div style="text-align: center;">Then from each black accursed mouth</div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><div style="text-align: center;">The cannon thundered in the South,</div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><div style="text-align: center;">And with the sound</div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><div style="text-align: center;">The carols drowned</div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><div style="text-align: center;">Of peace on earth, good-will to men!</div></span><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><div style="text-align: center;">It was as if an earthquake rent</div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><div style="text-align: center;">The hearth-stones of a continent,</div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><div style="text-align: center;">And made forlorn</div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><div style="text-align: center;">The households born</div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><div style="text-align: center;">Of peace on earth, good-will to men!</div></span><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><div style="text-align: center;">And in despair I bowed my head;</div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><div style="text-align: center;">"There is no peace on earth," I said;</div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><div style="text-align: center;">"For hate is strong,</div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><div style="text-align: center;">And mocks the song</div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><div style="text-align: center;">Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"</div></span><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><div style="text-align: center;">Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: </div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><div style="text-align: center;">"God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!</div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><div style="text-align: center;">The Wrong shall fail,</div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><div style="text-align: center;">The Right prevail,</div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><div style="text-align: center; ">With peace on earth, good-will to men!"</div></span></span></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-6048364195576538660?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908497752990617554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-40571870787528317912011-12-08T16:23:00.003-06:002011-12-08T16:39:05.080-06:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HLUuuYiGbcs/TuE5hmUkcYI/AAAAAAAAACc/iK0EcecREzY/s1600/DSC02007.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HLUuuYiGbcs/TuE5hmUkcYI/AAAAAAAAACc/iK0EcecREzY/s320/DSC02007.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683887454103564674" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; ">Mandy the Beloved Alaskan Husky</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >2008-2011</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >We just lost a little bit of our hearts with the loss of Joseph's dog Mandy May.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" >Mandy's Motto for Life</span>: Play Hard, Eat Hardy, Love Everyone, When No One Is Looking Chew It Up, Go After All Animals...Especially Skunks, Run Like The Wind...</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-4057187078752831791?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908497752990617554noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-89963613342825322632011-12-02T07:22:00.002-06:002011-12-02T07:36:54.370-06:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yyPISvfnbyU/TtjUK3JTFqI/AAAAAAAAACQ/2LsyjmYFPzI/s1600/DSC02201.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yyPISvfnbyU/TtjUK3JTFqI/AAAAAAAAACQ/2LsyjmYFPzI/s320/DSC02201.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681524212994610850" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D;mso-themecolor:text2">As the season progresses, may we consider the life changing truth of God coming down to earth to be born, live, die, and resurrect. Oh that my heart would be joyful as I contemplate his birth. The birth of Jesus...had to happen because of an ugly thing. Sin.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D;mso-themecolor:text2"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span">“In other words, He has blessed the world...the world of sinful men with His kindness and His favor. It is God who has provided all the food the sinner eats. Every delicacy, every taste you enjoy, every beautiful scene you've ever seen, every good feeling you've ever felt God gave you that. It is God who has granted every beauty, it is God who has given wisdom to our minds, coordination to our bodies, to allow us to think and to feel and to work and to play and to rest that life might be full and useful. It is God who made love. It is God who made laughter. It is God, of course, who gives us joys in life, little children, friends. It is God who gives each man the special skill, each woman the special ability that makes him and her who they are and no one else. And by which they excel in some very special way and thus no self-respect and self-worth. It is God who made man to have a basic care for himself and each other so that life is filled with those kinds of good things that we all enjoy. It is God who preserves us from getting every disease and dying every death. God literally surrounds the ungrateful sinner with His providential care and when we continue in sin, we defy that goodness and we express ingratitude for that kindness.” John MacArthur 1984</span></i></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-8996361334282532263?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908497752990617554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-3431448987115475962011-11-23T13:42:00.002-06:002011-11-23T13:46:31.233-06:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mZerYJtUo4U/Ts1M3V4gMuI/AAAAAAAAAxI/tPwOL7Bqw5Y/s1600/DSC05108.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 105px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mZerYJtUo4U/Ts1M3V4gMuI/AAAAAAAAAxI/tPwOL7Bqw5Y/s400/DSC05108.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678279218834715362" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-343144898711547596?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Charityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217265438533155701noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-36029230082251707522011-11-04T07:20:00.002-05:002011-11-04T11:11:12.112-05:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_E-A1SsXTDw/TrPZTI13NOI/AAAAAAAAABs/ntk1yEYb8dw/s1600/DSC04945.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_E-A1SsXTDw/TrPZTI13NOI/AAAAAAAAABs/ntk1yEYb8dw/s200/DSC04945.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671115278603728098" /></a>Micah 6:8<div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><i>"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what the Lord requires of you, but to do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with Thy God."</i></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Recently, Nate discovered this verse in the melody we used to sing it to. He was enthralled with it. Quickly, he ran and found his Bible, turned to the verse, and wanted the "girls" to echo him. We did our best. My heart was thrilled! </div><div><br /></div><div> Justice....Mercy....Humility....</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-3602923008225170752?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908497752990617554noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-60955941425999192882011-10-18T14:47:00.003-05:002011-10-18T15:10:47.891-05:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-efOLJVdyebE/Tp3dMuMMmmI/AAAAAAAAABg/D8jp2uxE6Yo/s1600/DSC01401.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-efOLJVdyebE/Tp3dMuMMmmI/AAAAAAAAABg/D8jp2uxE6Yo/s200/DSC01401.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664927116929309282" /></a><br />I love fall. In Minnesota, fall meant trees painted in lovely reds, oranges, and yellows...simply breathtaking. In Iowa, fall meant nippy mornings and searching for mittens in the bottom of drawers. In Montana, fall meant brown, dry wheat fields and dropping temperatures. In Arizona, fall meant...hmmm....not much. In Wisconsin, fall meant simply delightful times picking apples in Bayfield and watching the parade march down main street with Lake Superior glittering in the frosty air as a backdrop. Somewhere in my memory, I see Mary Beth marching with her little bitty violin and Kip following along as chaperon. In northern Texas, fall meant days at the park with 4 little ones and a much desired change in weather. In Montana again, fall meant beautifully decorated lawns and fall dances. In Alaska, fall meant the short summer was gone and winter would be here tomorrow. The fireweed was gone, and the mountains were white. It meant get prepared ASAP! Now in southern Texas, fall means joy, beauty, a second chance to grow something in my garden, dogs running around in ecstasy and growling their happiness to me every time I walk outside. It means I reminisce the past and honestly I do miss the beauty of the north. Thank-you Lord for this exquisite and delicious day.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-6095594142599919288?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908497752990617554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-51146497420693103342011-09-29T07:29:00.003-05:002011-09-29T07:37:52.947-05:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wMzR9tyYiN4/ToRmTBH24sI/AAAAAAAAABY/2c_ZpcxA-64/s1600/DSC02481.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wMzR9tyYiN4/ToRmTBH24sI/AAAAAAAAABY/2c_ZpcxA-64/s320/DSC02481.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657759508789125826" /></a><br />"Methinks it is a token of healthy and gentle characteristics, when women of high thoughts and accomplishments love to sew; especially as they are never more at home with their own hearts than while so occupied." Nathaniel Hawthorne, <i>The Marble Faun,</i> 1859<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-5114649742069310334?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908497752990617554noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-76648960776892990582011-09-27T07:21:00.004-05:002011-09-29T07:39:52.485-05:00<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CRfuLkcnWCQ/ToISsiW2pKI/AAAAAAAAABQ/1gsFDx0b3qM/s1600/dandylions.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657104638276969634" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CRfuLkcnWCQ/ToISsiW2pKI/AAAAAAAAABQ/1gsFDx0b3qM/s400/dandylions.JPG" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div> </div><div>Another distinct characterization of unforgiveness that I have had to deal with in my own life is to open my eyes to the realization that unforgiveness is just down right selfish. I can just hear the little Vege Tales character saying, "You are sooooooooo selfish!" Yep, that's me. Selfish!</div><div> </div><div> My natural sinful state makes me prone to prideful self arrogance that is easily angered and certainly does not want to forgive. "How could anyone offend such a great person such as I?" But, that isn't where we as Believers in Jesus have to live is it? </div><div> </div><div><em>"And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender hearted, <font color="#ff6666">forgiving one another</font>, as God in Christ forgave you."</em> Ephesians 4:30-32 </div><div> </div><div>Oh for the faith and courage to live in this world taking on a spirit of humility and self sacrifice. Then, when the offenses come, they go in one ear and out the other...hardly significant enough to think about.</div></div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-7664896077689299058?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908497752990617554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-88856041386938522742011-09-24T16:46:00.000-05:002011-09-24T16:45:00.083-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YIq7Ytk5Qo4/Tn5NKTzXm_I/AAAAAAAAAu8/Cf9pTVaOrJE/s1600/DSC04971.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YIq7Ytk5Qo4/Tn5NKTzXm_I/AAAAAAAAAu8/Cf9pTVaOrJE/s400/DSC04971.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656043021533682674" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-8885604138693852274?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Charityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217265438533155701noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-38169236233202093252011-09-24T16:23:00.003-05:002011-09-26T14:16:04.406-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HydqfRyG0_M/ToDM3UK5zjI/AAAAAAAAAvk/KE7N99pO2TM/s1600/DSC04892.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HydqfRyG0_M/ToDM3UK5zjI/AAAAAAAAAvk/KE7N99pO2TM/s400/DSC04892.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656746382656654898" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-3816923623320209325?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Charityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217265438533155701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-29443829469386682572011-09-22T08:03:00.005-05:002011-09-22T08:32:48.189-05:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cZeXx4bNMy8/Tns4xLvgjaI/AAAAAAAAABI/ceKJJ-ga2JU/s1600/DSC04903.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cZeXx4bNMy8/Tns4xLvgjaI/AAAAAAAAABI/ceKJJ-ga2JU/s400/DSC04903.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655176174710590882" /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >September in the Hill Country has been beautiful. Along with cooler temps, some rain, soccer, changing leaves, and the exotic aroma of pumpkin bars wafting through the house it is also my mother in laws birthday. Every year I work hard to find her something that will truly surprise her. This year it is a scarecrow. She lives in Minnesota where the air is crisp and delicious in September. Hopefully, "Scarecrow Joe" will find a happy place to sit out the autumn at her house. Happy Birthday Betty!</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-2944382946938668257?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908497752990617554noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-67292612378069695462011-09-20T09:54:00.004-05:002011-09-22T08:35:00.815-05:00<div><div>A biblical doctrine of forgiveness begins with the commandment <em>"Thou Shalt Not Kill"</em> Exodus 20:13. Sounds harsh doesn't it? Embracing solid doctrine can be harsh. It often separates me from the world. Sometimes it separates me from my peers or family. Even more important though, it changes my life, and it brings me closer to the One who loves me beyond my wildest imagination. </div><div> </div><div><em>"Thou shalt not kill"</em> means of course we are not to murder. We are also not to entertain any of the thoughts that partner up with murderous thoughts. Things such as: "She makes me so angry!" "I was happy until she showed up!" "I hate her!" etc. Though we might say something like that, most of us would never think they were murderous thoughts would we? They are. Given enough time and sin these thoughts would brew into a poisonous concoction of hate, evil, and murder. </div><div> </div><div>The good news is that we don't have to give in! Thank-you Lord for your Holy Spirit who tells me how to think about others who've wronged me or even wronged my loved ones. Jesus told us to love our neighbor as ourself. So, what does that look like?</div><div> </div><div>I think one particularly helpful thing for me to focus on is to see the offender as made in the image of God. I can love her/him for the precious creation they are. Obviously, a believer bears the holiness of God imparted to them at salvation. But, even the unbeliever bears something of the image of God. The God of all creation designed her, created her, and has a purpose for her life. I can respect that in the offender and love her.</div><div> </div><div>Lastly, I have a hard time believing someone else couldn't forgive me don't I? I mean I respect myself, don't harbor grudges against myself, love myself, and desire God's best for myself. I seek to see the image of God in myself. Therefore, I can do the same for others. I choose to respect them, not harbor grudges, love them, and desire God's best for them.</div><div> </div><div>What freedom! Thank-you Lord!</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-6729261237806969546?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908497752990617554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-57678975903705216882011-09-15T14:14:00.007-05:002011-09-15T14:35:19.739-05:00<div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e4x7K9G3GE4/TnJSsVweFUI/AAAAAAAAAAw/iOrqLc1vQdc/s1600/2%255B1%255D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652671404011558210" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e4x7K9G3GE4/TnJSsVweFUI/AAAAAAAAAAw/iOrqLc1vQdc/s320/2%255B1%255D.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;">"Every man, though he were born</div><div style="text-align: center;">In the very belfry of Bow</div><div style="text-align: center;">And spent his infancy climbing among the chimneys,</div><div style="text-align: center;">He has waiting for him somewhere a country house</div><div style="text-align: center;">Which he has never seen,</div><div style="text-align: center;">But which was built for him</div><div style="text-align: center;">In the shape of his soul.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It stands patiently waiting to be found;</div><div style="text-align: center;">And when the man sees it he remembers it,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Though he has never seen it before.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> "<i>The Surrender of a Cockney</i>" an essay by G.K. Chesterton (1974-1936)</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank-you Lord for bringing me to the house in the shape of my soul. </div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-5767897590370521688?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908497752990617554noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-20837749297196134092011-09-13T06:45:00.004-05:002011-09-22T08:34:36.461-05:00<div>A few years ago, I took a concealed weapons class with my husband. We had fun taking the class together. The first day was all lecture and the second day was at a shooting range. I wasn't comfortable with the shooting range. I had to wield the pistol for about 6 hours and follow every command I was given. </div><div> </div><div>I passed the course and received my permit. But in the days ahead, I realized something important. In order to be proficient with that pistol, I needed to practice. Daily practice handling a handgun was just not on my list of "to-doe's". I soon came to the realization that I was more of a menace to myself and everyone else than I was helpful. It isn't a good feeling knowing how to use that pistol, but not really being very good at it. </div><div> </div><div>It's kind of like dealing with others when they have wronged me. Taking it upon myself to bring "justice" when I have decided injustice has reigned. There is a better way.</div><div> </div><div>Paul tells us in Romans 12:14, 19 to <span >"Bless those who persecute you, bless and curse not. Never take revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God. For it is written, vengeance is mine. I will repay says the Lord."</span> </div><div> </div><div>When I don't forgive, when I harbor anger, hostility and bitterness, I am presuming to take the Lord's sword of divine judgement into my feeble hands. On second thought, I don't want that sword. </div><div> </div><div>He isn't indifferent or slow to act. He has a plan to work all things out for my good (Romans 8:28-29). Isn't it a true fact that God is far better able to deal with the offender than I am? He is far better able to deal with consequences to sin than I am. After all, he sees the bigger picture...I am limited. He is the highest authority...I have no authority. He is impartial and just...I am partially selfish. He is eternal...I am focused on today.</div><div> </div><div>Through the power of the Holy Spirit, it is my responsibility to choose forgiveness when another has offended me. I can leave vengeance in the hands of Lord.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-2083774929719613409?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908497752990617554noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-21789926565199811052011-09-09T07:33:00.007-05:002011-09-22T08:35:13.510-05:00<div><span style="color:#6600cc;">Thomas Watson: "We need not climb up into heaven to see whether our sins are forgiven. Let us look into our hearts and see if we can forgive others. If we can, we need not doubt that God has forgiven us."</span></div><div> </div><div>This thing of forgiving is difficult for us women. It didn't take long for me as a mother to see the difference between my sons and daughters when they were in the midst of a spat. The girls were challenged with deep hurt, bitterness, and grudges. the boys usually whopped the provoker once and then declared themselves best friends. Oh, for the grace to forgive like my boys do! </div><div> </div><div>So girls, we must admit how hard forgiveness is for us. We remember, re-live, and play the drama over and over. All to our shame. Let us learn to extend Jesus' sweet grace and forgiveness toward those who have wronged us. Let us not be concerned at all with "the deed", but be concerned with our sweet response. God's glory is all that matters here and in eternity. </div><div> </div><div>We can forgive because we are forgiven! Hallelujah!</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-2178992656519981105?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908497752990617554noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-44477834645111010152011-09-05T19:58:00.004-05:002011-09-05T20:05:44.766-05:00<div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UB8Ojdl9-Zw/TmVxiPTRoOI/AAAAAAAAAAo/7c2rtQWiNa8/s1600/DSC03120.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649046140643025122" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UB8Ojdl9-Zw/TmVxiPTRoOI/AAAAAAAAAAo/7c2rtQWiNa8/s320/DSC03120.JPG" /></a>Survivors of the hottest dryest summer on record in Texas. </div><div align="center">These brave children are fighting most temptations to complain. </div><div align="center">Here they are pictured attempting to play outside!</div><div align="center">l to r: Elsa Rose (2), Gabe (4), Mikey (6), and Nate (9).</div><div align="center">Way to go Texans!</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-4447783464511101015?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908497752990617554noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-2960593472259064482011-09-01T17:09:00.002-05:002011-09-01T20:26:36.241-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VKbcjbggpJ4/TmADlXjWTMI/AAAAAAAAAuY/8ZdekBnuQ6M/s1600/DSC04888.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VKbcjbggpJ4/TmADlXjWTMI/AAAAAAAAAuY/8ZdekBnuQ6M/s400/DSC04888.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647517873234922690" /></a> <br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-296059347225906448?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Charityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217265438533155701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-29495345941606505562011-08-31T17:54:00.005-05:002011-09-22T08:35:30.888-05:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-udLU8T8gFFw/Tl7BlqstsOI/AAAAAAAAAAY/nLFL0l2NQW0/s1600/DSC02293.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647163835630334178" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-udLU8T8gFFw/Tl7BlqstsOI/AAAAAAAAAAY/nLFL0l2NQW0/s320/DSC02293.JPG" /></a><br /><div>The Lord's prayer in Matthew 6 reminds us to <span style="color:#ff0000;">"forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors."</span> These "debts" are sins toward God that I owe because I have violated His laws. In showing us how to pray, Jesus wanted us to know that we are to forgive always, everytime, no matter what. Why? Because we have been forgiven the greater debt. Our debt toward a pure and holy God is hugely more serious than my fellow man's debt toward me because I'm not pure or holy. The words immediately following the prayer in chapter 6 reiterate the meaning. <span style="color:#ff0000;">"For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."</span> Now, we can <strong>know</strong> that God does not withdraw our justification if we live in unforgiveness (John 5:24, Romans 8:1, Eph. 1:7), but our feet aren't washed. Remember Peter and his dirty feet? Jesus told Peter he didn't need his entire body washed but only his feet. Peter's dirty feet are symbolic of the daily defilement that grinds into our soul's in this sin stricken body and in this sin stained world. I'd like clean feet I think. We must forgive over and over and over and over and over...</div><div> </div><div> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-2949534594160650556?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908497752990617554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-38066926721668553392011-08-23T19:12:00.006-05:002011-08-25T14:50:51.554-05:00<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s27oSG8xlxo/TlZJ0kDY-bI/AAAAAAAAAAQ/h4ZB04UKK1Q/s1600/DSC04875.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644780350335416754" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s27oSG8xlxo/TlZJ0kDY-bI/AAAAAAAAAAQ/h4ZB04UKK1Q/s320/DSC04875.JPG" /></a><br /><div><div>This cake is fast becoming my favorite cake to make for birthdays. I made it in February for Mary Beth's birthday using strawberries and in August for Charity's birthday using raspberries. The raspberries were our favorite. I also add a tsp of almond extract to the icing just because we like it. Any flavor would be acceptable. The stems and leaves are easily piped on with Wilton's <font color="#009900">kelly green</font> decorator's icing from the grocery store and a thin writing tip. Also, use good chocolate for the cocoa and chocolate chips...always worth it! <em>Bon Appetite!</em></div><div> </div><div><strong>Chocolate Raspberry Cake</strong></div><div>3 cups flour</div><div>2 cups sugar</div><div>2 tsp. baking soda</div><div>1 tsp. salt</div><div>1/3 cup cocoa</div><div>Blend the above ingredients well by hand. Make 3 holes in batter. In the first hole, put flavoring (vanilla, almond, coconut etc.), in the second hole put 2 Tbls. white vinegar, and in the third hole put 3/4 cup canola oil. Pour 2 cups ice cold water over all. Mix until well blended by hand. There is a chemical reaction which happens with the process of mixing that makes this crazy cake taste so crazy good. Don't skip the hand mixing, and fill all the holes as quickly as possible. Prepare a 9 x 12" pan or 2 8-9" circle pans for layering (my favorite) and bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. </div><div> </div><div><strong>Icing</strong></div><div>6 Tbls. butter</div><div>6 Tbls. milk</div><div>1.5 cups sugar</div><div>Bring above ingredients to a boil in shallow pan. Boil one minute stirring constantly. Remove from heat and add 1/2 cup chocolate chips. Beat until melted. Let icing cool until it's of spreading consistency. I usually "pour" it on halfway between hot and completely cool. It almost has a fudge taste. mmmmmmmm :)</div><div> </div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-3806692672166855339?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908497752990617554noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-26409129478336556062011-08-23T07:20:00.003-05:002011-08-23T19:10:23.645-05:00<div><div>When harsh experiences come our way in the form of gossip, slander, lost reputation, lies, etc. it is challenging to be a forgiving person. "What did I do to deserve this?" There is a better way. There is a higher road we must walk. Christ was slandered. He was wrongly accused. His reputation as a good teacher was lost. Lies surrounding the Son of God swirled through the houses and synagogues. He knew the sting of cursing words and hiss of vile gossip. Did He give in to defeat? No. He took up the cross and marched to calvary. He made a way for you and I to be forgiven! Because we are forgiven...we are free. Free to forgive. We are NEVER more like Christ than when we forgive!</div><div align="center"><font style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><em>Ephesians 4:32, 5:1</em></font></div><div align="center"><font style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><em>"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children."</em></font></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-2640912947833655606?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908497752990617554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-60916434690496611472011-08-09T19:52:00.002-05:002011-08-09T20:04:48.312-05:00<div>You would think that after being a Believer of Christ for 40 something years I would have this forgiveness thing down. But I don't. In fact, over the past year I have run into several situations that have driven me once again to the foot of the cross crying, "Help me Lord! I don't know how to do this!" And once again, our good Lord has given me teaching, direction, wisdom, faith to forgive. Seventy times 7 is just a whole lot of forgiving. In reality, it's so much forgiving that I can never find myself at the end. </div><div> </div><div>So, after a very long absence on this very lonely blog I am back. In the days ahead I will share how I have grown in my forgiveness to look more like the Christ who forgave me. </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-6091643469049661147?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908497752990617554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-36485282535372407312011-05-31T15:02:00.000-05:002011-05-31T15:01:38.078-05:00Some may call it foolishness, but the way of the Norwegian is to pass on their traditions. Good traditions. After a hard morning of gardening with their Auntie Ticky, our half Mexican Norwegians enjoyed one of the best Jacobson traditions - taking a coffee break. Here's the littlest of the bunch chugging down her drink. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CCAAQDwLDzE/TeVIIKQJMBI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/gO3o7rVUZK0/s1600/DSC04283.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CCAAQDwLDzE/TeVIIKQJMBI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/gO3o7rVUZK0/s320/DSC04283.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612971815615410194" /></a><br />and here's the other two rascals.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v1X2wE9vhW4/TeVHSlUc4lI/AAAAAAAAAsI/LEmqq-KfL8I/s1600/DSC04285.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v1X2wE9vhW4/TeVHSlUc4lI/AAAAAAAAAsI/LEmqq-KfL8I/s320/DSC04285.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612970895168299602" /></a><br /><br /><br />They greatly enjoyed their children's Lattes. <br /><br />To make one yourself, follow the recipe: <br />1 Tablespoon coffee syrup (we used caramel)<br />4 ounces warm milk <br />2 Tablespoons regular coffee<br /><br />First, you must warm the milk up in the microwave to a mildly hot temperature that the kids can stand. Then add the syrup and coffee and give it a quick stir. <br /><br />That's it! Quick and easy and they feel so grown up!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-3648528253537240731?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Charityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217265438533155701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-4930425498506387292011-05-15T23:26:00.003-05:002011-05-15T23:31:42.124-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yAT7OeOPJKc/TdCn-UmZiUI/AAAAAAAAApo/KDSYU2cb8Ww/s1600/DSC03897.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yAT7OeOPJKc/TdCn-UmZiUI/AAAAAAAAApo/KDSYU2cb8Ww/s400/DSC03897.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607166225199761730" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-493042549850638729?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Charityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217265438533155701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-58714750366157739482011-05-07T14:58:00.002-05:002011-05-07T15:00:02.590-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w06s_LiRZto/TcWki1tW58I/AAAAAAAAAos/_4sc0T4jOAM/s1600/DSC03987.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w06s_LiRZto/TcWki1tW58I/AAAAAAAAAos/_4sc0T4jOAM/s400/DSC03987.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604066229772281794" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-5871475036615773948?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Charityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217265438533155701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-68197868625017701522011-05-05T10:35:00.003-05:002011-05-05T10:41:50.411-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Ti3z6PSfwk/TcLE_mNUc0I/AAAAAAAAAok/PGYa-OWzw6E/s1600/DSC04035.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Ti3z6PSfwk/TcLE_mNUc0I/AAAAAAAAAok/PGYa-OWzw6E/s400/DSC04035.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603257483269534530" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-6819786862501770152?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Charityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217265438533155701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-76096813482455486662011-05-04T18:16:00.002-05:002011-05-04T18:20:26.972-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7FLazB5qJ-M/TcHenlfOI2I/AAAAAAAAAoc/M1FnKFR8eV4/s1600/DSC04030.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7FLazB5qJ-M/TcHenlfOI2I/AAAAAAAAAoc/M1FnKFR8eV4/s400/DSC04030.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603004183084933986" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-7609681348245548666?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Charityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217265438533155701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-29291772307952967242011-05-03T12:33:00.004-05:002011-05-03T12:52:33.414-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5WVqSSJhEVQ/TcA_2eWeFgI/AAAAAAAAAoU/-2Ba1h4G1HI/s1600/DSC03892.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5WVqSSJhEVQ/TcA_2eWeFgI/AAAAAAAAAoU/-2Ba1h4G1HI/s400/DSC03892.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602548141541692930" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-2929177230795296724?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Charityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217265438533155701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-80821722153182132112011-03-08T16:42:00.002-06:002011-03-08T16:51:30.371-06:00Not many people can get me to think, "I wanna be old!" I recently had to read an article on retiremnt for my <em></em>Resource Management for the Aging<em></em> class. I chose a article by John Piper called <em></em><a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/online-books/rethinking-retirement">Rethinking Retirement</a><em></em>. This book/pamphlet/article was super encouraging and inspirational to me. Makes me wish I'd die a martyr. Also makes me want to live life 100% for God. You've got to read <a href="http://cdn.desiringgod.org/pdf/books_brr/brr.pdf">this </a> though. Ok, gotta get back to passionately pursuing my homework for the glory of God!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-8082172215318213211?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Charityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217265438533155701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-1740053313480642742010-11-24T06:00:00.001-06:002010-11-24T06:00:05.263-06:00Joyfulness: taking pleasure in the things of God and focusing on others rather than ourselves as a result of our view of God.<br /><br />Romans 8:32 – “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”<br /><br />How can I, right now, give selflessly as Christ did?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-174005331348064274?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Charityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217265438533155701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-38461426758382923732010-11-23T06:00:00.002-06:002010-11-23T06:00:04.694-06:00Joyfulness: taking pleasure in the things of God and focusing on others rather than ourselves as a result of our view of God. <br /><br />1 Corinthians 15:3 – “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scripture.” <br /><br />In light of this verse, do I have any excuss, any reasons at all not to be joyful? <br /><br />What can I do to keep this undeserved grace in the forefront of my mind all day so that I am joyful?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-3846142675838292373?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Charityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217265438533155701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-12712139754707310272010-11-22T06:00:00.001-06:002010-11-22T06:00:08.136-06:00To refresh you on the Instructions, here they are again: <br /><br />1. Read through the character and definition of the character trait. <br /><br />2. Each day, read one verse and its question.<br /><br />3. If desired, memorize the verse for the day.<br /><br />4. Answer question.<br /><br />5. Throughout the day, meditate upon the verse and apply what you learned from reading/memorizing the verse and answering the question. <br /><br /><strong>Definition</strong><br /><br />Joyfulness: Being joyful is taking pleasure in the things of God and focusing on others rather than ourselves as a result of our view of God. <br /><br /><strong>Verse</strong><br /><br />2 Corinthians 9:7 – “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”<br /><br /><strong>Question</strong><br /><br />What can I meditate upon today to spur myself on to give with a glad heart?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-1271213975470731027?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Charityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217265438533155701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-21950753086604232772010-11-19T10:19:00.004-06:002010-11-19T10:28:46.506-06:00For a Home Ec. class this week, I had to make an outline of a spiritual growth assessment. So, for the next few weeks, I'm going to be posting the section for the day. Please read the purpose and instructions for this assessment below. I'd love to have you join me in this! You can be looking for the first characteristic with its first verse/question on Monday!<br /><br /><strong>Purpose</strong><br /><br />The purpose of this assessment is to help you to grow spiritually in five particular aspects of your life. These five aspects are your joyfulness, controlling your tongue, being loyal, setting good priorities, and the strength you need for your life. Along with each aspect of your spiritual growth are questions that should help you to think through how you can grow in the particular principle. They can also be used by directly applying what they say to your life. If you are truthful in your answers and pray to God for the ability to follow through with applying what you are learning to your life, then you should grow more spiritually by completing this assessment. This assessment is designed to last five weeks and five days each week.<br /><br /><strong>Instructions</strong><br /><br />You are to do one characteristic each week. The first verse and question are to be answered the first day, the second verse and question are to be answered the second day and so forth. The assessment is to be done five out of the seven days of the week. The days can be chose according to the individual’s preference. <br /><br />1. Read through the character and definition of the character trait. <br /><br />2. Each day, read one verse and its question.<br /><br />3. If desired, memorize the verse for the day.<br /><br />4. Answer question.<br /><br />5. Throughout the day, meditate upon the verse and apply what you learned from reading/memorizing the verse and answering the question. <br /><br />6. Continue for the following four days of the week.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-2195075308660423277?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Charityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217265438533155701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-51025297426357002702010-11-01T16:00:00.002-05:002010-11-01T16:50:53.684-05:00This is absolutely amazing. Last night I went to a Reformation celebration put on by Dr. Pleu from The Master's College. The highlight of this annual celebration is singing the infamous "reformation polka." About 99% of the people at this party are music majors (thus all of the worry about how high or low they are singing). Once you get passed the disturbing sight of Dr. Pleu in a wig, you'll really enjoy this song. Here's Luther's story..... <br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TKYbPRJOtJk?hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TKYbPRJOtJk?hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Here's the words.<br /><br />When I was just ein junger Mann I studied canon law;<br />While Erfurt was a challenge, it was just to please my Pa.<br />Then came the storm, the lightning struck, I called upon Saint Anne,<br />I shaved my head, I took my vows, an Augustinian! Oh…<br /><br />Chorus:<br />Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation<br />Speak your mind against them and face excommunication!<br />Nail your theses to the door, let’s start a Reformation!<br />Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation!<br /><br />When Tetzel came near Wittenberg, St. Peter’s profits soared,<br />I wrote a little notice for the All Saints’ Bull’tin board:<br />“You cannot purchase merits, for we’re justified by grace!<br />Here’s 95 more reasons, Brother Tetzel, in your face!” Oh…<br /><br />Chorus:<br />Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation<br />Speak your mind against them and face excommunication!<br />Nail your theses to the door, let’s start a Reformation!<br />Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation!<br /><br />They loved my tracts, adored my wit, all were exempleror;<br />The Pope, however, hauled me up before the Emperor.<br />“Are these your books? Do you recant?” King Charles did demand,<br />“I will not change my Diet, Sir, God help me here I stand!” Oh…<br /><br />Chorus:<br />Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation -<br />Speak your mind against them and face excommunication!<br />Nail your theses to the door, let’s start a Reformation!<br />Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation!<br /><br />Duke Frederick took the Wise approach, responding to my words,<br />By knighting “George” as hostage in the Kingdom of the Birds.<br />Use Brother Martin’s model if the languages you seek,<br />Stay locked inside a castle with your Hebrew and your Greek! Oh…<br /><br />Chorus:<br />Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation -<br />Speak your mind against them and face excommunication!<br />Nail your theses to the door, let’s start a Reformation!<br />Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation!<br /><br />Let’s raise our steins and Concord Books while gathered in this place,<br />And spread the word that ‘catholic’ is spelled with lower case;<br />The Word remains unfettered when the Spirit gets his chance,<br />So come on, Katy, drop your lute, and join us in our dance! Oh…<br /><br />Chorus:<br />Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation -<br />Speak your mind against them and face excommunication!<br />Nail your theses to the door, let’s start a Reformation!<br />Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-5102529742635700270?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Charityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217265438533155701noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-91903806458602425112010-10-31T22:45:00.004-05:002010-10-31T22:50:57.232-05:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oj44lPIEa5E/TM445JrUVqI/AAAAAAAAAnM/QoF63l2BU7M/s1600/luther2%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 234px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oj44lPIEa5E/TM445JrUVqI/AAAAAAAAAnM/QoF63l2BU7M/s400/luther2%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534423546586224290" /></a><br />"Out of love and zeal for truth and the desire to bring it to light, the following theses will be publicly discussed at Wittenberg under the charimanship of the reverend father Martin Luther, Master of ARts and Sacred Theology and regularly appointed Lecturer on these subjects at taht place. He requests that those who cannot be present to debate orally with us will do so by letter."<br />"In the Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen."<br /><br />1. When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, "Repent," he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-9190380645860242511?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Charityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217265438533155701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-35010007484216618222010-10-28T12:36:00.004-05:002010-10-28T12:46:36.016-05:00Try #14 I've got a heart looking shadow across the top!!!!!!! Ok, grab a magnifying glass and look. It's pretty spectacular!<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oj44lPIEa5E/TMm1Kl4255I/AAAAAAAAAm8/skB76R3zjIw/s1600/DSC03276.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oj44lPIEa5E/TMm1Kl4255I/AAAAAAAAAm8/skB76R3zjIw/s400/DSC03276.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533152810775275410" /></a><br /><br />Try #15 So, I didn't follow the directions for pouring, but was coming up with some pretty cool squiggly lines when . . . plop went the foam on top of everything, so I went to etching a design with a bobby pin that was laying around. Here's a "Hi You!" cup of coffee :)<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oj44lPIEa5E/TMm2ov-p0wI/AAAAAAAAAnE/NBfOpswgpQI/s1600/DSC03279.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 385px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oj44lPIEa5E/TMm2ov-p0wI/AAAAAAAAAnE/NBfOpswgpQI/s400/DSC03279.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533154428391641858" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-3501000748421661822?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Charityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217265438533155701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-54029343382980178842010-10-27T13:14:00.004-05:002010-10-27T23:10:36.186-05:00In chapel today, the speaker brought to our attention this quote by Charles Spurgeon. Hell doesn't even cover our sins . . . ever. The only way we can escape our sin is through Christ and He chose us when we chose our sin. Thank you Lord for your Grace to me!<br /><br /><br />Oh! our monster sins, our horrible sins, our damnable sins! <br /><br />Hell itself cannot put our sins away! There <br />are the devil and his angels for whom hell <br />was made, for whom the fire was first kindled, <br />and its pit first digged; but they are as great <br />sinners after these six thousand years as they <br />were when first they were cast down from heaven! <br /><br />And so those lost ones whose spirits have <br />been in hell since the time of Noah's flood, <br />they are still sinners, and after all the ages <br />of suffering they have endured, not a sin less <br />is upon them now than there was at first! <br /><br />Ah, dreadful thought! <br /><br />If you are ever cast into hell, though ages <br />on ages may lapse, and the wrath of God be <br />poured out upon you to the uttermost, there <br />will never be the destruction of a single sin <br />or particle of a sin by it all. <br /><br />Sin cannot be put away until the penalty is borne <br />to the end, and that can never be by finite man.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-5402934338298017884?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Charityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217265438533155701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-52180215282921873412010-10-25T22:41:00.003-05:002010-10-25T22:50:42.639-05:00I just read Deuteronomy 10:12-22 for my Old Testament Survey. It hit me that it is kind of funny that Moses would lay out what God requires of His people before giving this amazing and wonderful description of who this God is. To my own shame I don't practice this myself, but it seems to me that if you really know and believe that God is all these later verses says He is, what other reaction would you have but to fear, love, and serve Him? <br /><br />Take a look into Moses' description to the Israelites of the God of Israel who we are mercifully allowed to call our God too.<br /><br />“And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the LORD and His statutes which I command you today for your good? Indeed heaven and the highest heavens belong to the LORD your God, also the earth with all that is in it. The LORD delighted only in your fathers, to love them; and He chose their descendants after them, you above all peoples, as it is this day. Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be stiff-necked no longer. For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe. He administers justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing. Therefore love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. You shall fear the LORD your God; you shall serve Him, and to Him you shall hold fast, and take oaths in His name. He is your praise, and He is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things which your eyes have seen. Your fathers went down to Egypt with seventy persons, and now the LORD your God has made you as the stars of heaven in multitude."<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-5218021528292187341?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Charityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217265438533155701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-22368430123966296862010-10-25T14:18:00.003-05:002010-10-25T14:37:42.604-05:00Ever since I saw my first picture of coffee art and especially after I saw my first cup of coffee with the art creatively drawn on top, I've wanted to learn to do it myself. Yesterday was the day. I was going to figure it out. I dutifully googled "how to do coffee art." I came up with multiple YouTube videos, articles, and pictures on how to do this beautiful art. I knew that I would not be perfect and that I would probably fail the first time, so, after making my espresso and steaming my milk, I wasn't too surprised to find that as I gently poured it into the cup and wiggled it back and forth, nothing happened. The cup of espresso gently blended together (completely) with the milk I poured in. Fail. However, I am not a perfectionist, so I took it with a smile and enjoyed my late with no art on top. I researched a little more and found that I had not quite heated the milk up properly. OK, I think that probably would make a difference. So yesterday afternoon I gathered some friends together and made four separate lattes and tried four separate times to create some sort of art on the top. I had a fail, another fail, another fail, and another fail. Today, sadly instead of posting on how I learned this wonderful new technique, I will just show you this wonderful picture of someone else's talent. <br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oj44lPIEa5E/TMXbrQCERuI/AAAAAAAAAm0/Iln0gianLgc/s1600/coffee_art_02.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 305px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oj44lPIEa5E/TMXbrQCERuI/AAAAAAAAAm0/Iln0gianLgc/s400/coffee_art_02.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532069253379016418" /></a><br /><br />Now isn't that pretty?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-2236843012396629686?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Charityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217265438533155701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-72553113103249235212010-10-15T18:49:00.003-05:002010-10-15T18:59:19.046-05:00Sinclair Ferguson's 20 resolutions on taming the tongue all derived from the book of James.<br /><br />1. I resolve to ask God for wisdom to speak out of a single-minded devotion to him. (1:5) <br /><br />2. I resolve to boast only in the exultation I receive in Jesus Christ and also in the humiliation I receive for Jesus Christ. (1:9-10) <br /><br />3. I resolve to set a watch over my mouth. (1:13) <br /><br />4. I resolve to be constantly quick to hear and slow to speak. (1:19) <br /><br />5. I resolve to learn the gospel way of speaking to both rich and poor. (2:1-4) <br /><br />6. I resolve to speak in the present consciousness of my final judgment. (2:12) <br /><br />7. I resolve never to stand on anyone’s face with the words I employ. (2:16) <br /><br />8. I resolve never to claim as reality in my life what I do not truly experience. (3:14) <br /><br />9. I resolve to resist quarrelsome words as evidence of a bad heart that needs to be mortified. (4:1) <br /><br />10. I resolve never to speak decided evil against another out of a heart of antagonism. (4:11) <br /><br />11. I resolve never to boast in anything but what I will accomplish. (4:13) <br /><br />12. I resolve to speak as one subject to the providences of God. (4:15) <br /><br />13. I resolve never to grumble. The judge is at the door. (5:9) <br /><br />14. I resolve never to allow anything but total integrity in everything I say. (5:12) <br /><br />15. I resolve to speak to God in prayer whenever I suffer. (5:13) <br /><br />16. I resolve to sing praises to God whenever I’m cheerful. (5:14) <br /><br />17. I resolve to ask for the prayers of others when I’m in need. (5:14) <br /><br />18. I resolve to confess it whenever I have failed. (5:15) <br /><br />19. I resolve to pray with others for one another whenever I am together with them. (5:15) <br /><br />20. I resolve to speak words of restoration when I see another wander. (5:19)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-7255311310324923521?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Charityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217265438533155701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-12690135165686176692010-10-13T07:38:00.003-05:002010-10-13T07:43:35.610-05:00Reading today through the 1st chapter of Isaiah I found this:<br /><br /><em>"Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean.</em><br /><em>Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes.</em><br /><em>Cease to do evil. Learn to do good;</em><br /><em>Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor;</em><br /><em>Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow."</em><br /><em></em><br />This should be enough to keep me busy the rest of my life.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-1269013516568617669?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-75945790210177498422010-10-12T17:07:00.001-05:002010-10-12T17:10:54.569-05:00Guard us Lord, from the Judas kiss;<br />Keep us Lord, from the way of Cain;<br />From the error of Balaam; From the rebellion of Korah.<br />We confess that we are Jezebels at heart, every one of us;<br />We are Icabods; We are Hamans;<br />We are Tobiahs and Sanballats; <br />We are Abimelechs and Absaloms;<br />We are Chedoloamers and Eglons.<br />Indeed, we are all Adams.<br />How can it be?<br />The seeds of destruction have been sown, even as You have blessed us:<br />Though You have offered us sweet fountains of life,<br />We have thirsted for the bitter waters;<br />Though You have laden high the festal table,<br />We have hungered for thorns and thistles.<br />How can it be?<br />We have become adepts:<br />In a reverse alchemy,<br />Turning gold to base,<br />Turning blessing to cursing.<br />We are waterless clouds and fruitless trees;<br />We are wild waves and wandering stars.<br />Meet us here, Lord:<br />Give us Gospel sanity,<br />That we might yet again relent; <br />That we might yet again repent.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-7594579021017749842?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Charityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217265438533155701noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-37034960357463497802010-10-10T01:03:00.003-05:002010-10-12T23:23:55.601-05:00This week I've been to three separate Bible Studies at three separate universities because of outreach week. Anyway, at each one, we sang this song called "Jesus Thank You." You can find it <a href="http://www.sovereigngracestore.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=M4130-07-51">here </a>and listen to a sample or buy the song if you want to. It's a Sovereign Grace song, and I've heard it many times in Chapel and at my fellowship group, Crossroads, at Grace Community Church. This song really says what I've been feeling in my heart these past few days. So, it's a new favorite :) <br /><br /><br /><em>The mystery of the cross I cannot comprehend<br />The agonies of Calvary<br />You the perfect Holy One, crushed Your Son<br />Who drank the bitter cup reserved for me <br /><br />Your blood has washed away my sin<br />Jesus, thank You<br />The Father’s wrath completely satisfied<br />Jesus, thank You<br />Once Your enemy, now seated at Your table<br />Jesus, thank You<br /><br />By Your perfect sacrifice I’ve been brought near<br />Your enemy You’ve made Your friend<br />Pouring out the riches of Your glorious grace<br />Your mercy and Your kindness know no end <br /><br />Lover of my soul<br />I want to live for You</em><br /><br /><br />© 2003 Integrity's Hosanna! Music (ASCAP)/Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP).<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-3703496035746349780?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Charityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217265438533155701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-80447042039159360432010-10-09T01:15:00.004-05:002010-10-09T01:47:27.464-05:00This week, or at least since Wednesday, Master's College gives their students the opportunity to do outreach with local churches. I joined a team that went with Grace Community Church. We have had an amazing time so far visiting different Bible studies, evangelizing at different colleges, packing spaghetti noodles for the Children's Hunger Fund, visiting people who can't leave their home . . . Today we were at UCLA evangelizing and spreading the word about the Grace On Campus Bible Study group that is affiliated with Grace Community Church and meets at UCLA every Friday night. <br /><br />This afternoon, we split up into groups of two people and went and passed out flyers for the Bible study and tried to start conversations with people about the gospel. Me and the fellow TMC student I was with met a guy who was a professing pagan and a worshipper of Poseidon. I really know nothing about Poseidon, but I just googled it and now I'm really shocked. We had quite the interesting conversation with this guy. It's a long story, but I'm just gonna tell you the most amazing part that really affected me. At one point, he said "You two are good people, you're wrong, but you're doing good things." To that we both promptly responded that we weren't good people! No way! He said something like "Well, live in that guilt if you want to. It's so much like Catholocism, you just wallow in your guilt." I thought about it for a couple of seconds and then said "But I don't feel guilty!" At this point in the conversation, Wagner, the guy I was with was giving the gospel and was explaining how Christ took our punishment. Later, I was thinking about it and we were talking it over and I realized that I had never thought about that. Yes, I am a sinner, I totally admit that I am depraved, ungodly, horrible person. But I don't feel guilty! My punishment has been paid for. I am cleansed completely! "My sins are paid for in full." I've said it a thousand times if I've said it once, but it took a Poseidon-worshiping Pagan-professing guy at UCLA to teach me that I have no guilt or reason for guilt as a true Christian. I have peace in Christ. I do feel bad when I sin, but after I confess my sin my guilt is gone. I am ashamed that I have dishonored God, but I have no lasting guilt at all. I go on and glory in God because I know that the price is paid. What is there to be guilty about? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-8044704203915936043?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Charityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217265438533155701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-58684535881203170722010-09-30T01:06:00.003-05:002010-10-12T23:24:27.691-05:00Here are a few thoughts after a sermon in chapel this morning by Rick Holland. The sermon was the 2nd of a series the college is doing this week on the trinity. This one was The Trinity: The Son<br /><br />“Your life is to be consumed in Jesus.”<br /><br />I have legs so that I can serve and walk places for Jesus <br />I have attention so that I can think upon Jesus<br />I have teeth so that I can smile at Jesus and because of Jesus<br />I have sorrow so that I can greater appreciate Jesus’ sacrifice<br />I have joy so that I can rejoice in Jesus<br />I have a brain so that I can think about Jesus <br />I have gratitude so that I can give thanks to Jesus<br />I have pain so that I know I can be fulfilled in Jesus <br />I am given abilities so that I can perform them for Jesus <br />I can make coffee so that I can serve Jesus through making coffee<br />I like coffee so that I can praise Jesus for His grace to me<br />I have eyes so that I can see Jesus one day<br />I have love so that I can love Jesus<br /><br />That's just a beginning, you can go on forever and ever. Everything that you have is a gift that is given to you to bring you back to Jesus. Think about it, anything, everything big or little . . . try it for five minutes. For everything you are doing: Why did God give me that particular emotion/action/thought process etc?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-5868453588120317072?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Charityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217265438533155701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-20868131951850230682010-09-27T14:26:00.003-05:002010-10-12T23:24:49.835-05:00"God is everything: goodness, loveness, kindness . . . ." - 7 year old Caleb yesterday when telling me about his Bible lesson from Sunday school.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oj44lPIEa5E/TKDwDRcXRmI/AAAAAAAAAms/8zZgoq_3mBg/s1600/DSC02550.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oj44lPIEa5E/TKDwDRcXRmI/AAAAAAAAAms/8zZgoq_3mBg/s400/DSC02550.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521677082168870498" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-2086813195185023068?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Charityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217265438533155701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-82972219391015107472010-08-24T17:34:00.006-05:002010-08-27T13:08:38.391-05:00Girls Coffee Break is a great way for us to share what we’re up to with all of our great friends. Us not posting this summer was not our way of saying that we haven't been up to anything. Quite the opposite! We were too busy! This summer we have been anything but bored. Another reason we haven’t posted is that we weren’t quite ready to tell everyone that our days are filled to the brim with making this house a home for a LOT of people. It was sort of hard to describe to our readers why in the world we made 7 duvet covers this summer. Why we had so much paper work that we were continuously signing, faxing, and re-faxing. Why we had a whole extra big bedroom that wasn’t furnished for a few months and then suddenly was furnished with two twin beds that we obviously didn’t need. Why we were forever and always painting, remodeling, decorating, re –doing, and making a fuss about having EVERYTHING done by the end of summer. So, what is the big secret? Well, we have some very exciting news! Mom’s pregnant with triplets!!!! No, just kidding! (I’ve been dying to tell someone that, so you are my guinea pigs) Sort of true though . . . The truth is, we’re adopting 3 boys! Not quite triplets, but just as scarry. The oldest is 11, then 9, then 7. We met these boys just a couple of weeks ago and they are already a part of the family. In about an hour and 20 minutes, we will welcome these 3 into our home to stay. Forever. I am now the sister of FIVE brothers! My mom and dad are now parents of EIGHT children! Yikes! Well, we are as excited as can be and over the next few weeks we’ll try to share some things that we’ve learned this summer as well as a great duvet pattern and some more fun things. God has really blessed our family in this process and we are so excited to welcome David, Jesse, and Caleb into our family for good. <br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oj44lPIEa5E/THRJ5I9lxmI/AAAAAAAAAmk/z7iWRcikOpo/s1600/DSC02773.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oj44lPIEa5E/THRJ5I9lxmI/AAAAAAAAAmk/z7iWRcikOpo/s400/DSC02773.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509109490188142178" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-8297221939101510747?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Charityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217265438533155701noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-69094811548103632972010-08-24T17:28:00.003-05:002010-10-12T23:25:14.884-05:00Preparation <br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oj44lPIEa5E/THRINbiGVzI/AAAAAAAAAmc/zn6IsMayWTk/s1600/DSC02546.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oj44lPIEa5E/THRINbiGVzI/AAAAAAAAAmc/zn6IsMayWTk/s400/DSC02546.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509107639747237682" /></a><br /><br />THREE new pillows<br />THREE new towels<br />THREE new toothbrushes<br />A picture of Jesus with some BOYS<br />Oh, and what does that certificate say?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-6909481154810363297?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Charityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217265438533155701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-89021720138640464392010-06-06T16:54:00.005-05:002010-10-12T23:25:37.368-05:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CjaXblQJLoY/TAwa682hEVI/AAAAAAAAABs/VauDN0IIiV0/s1600/DSC02166.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479784446672572754" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CjaXblQJLoY/TAwa682hEVI/AAAAAAAAABs/VauDN0IIiV0/s400/DSC02166.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CjaXblQJLoY/TAwZrJ_ihJI/AAAAAAAAABk/752rlEOSzog/s1600/DSC02166.JPG"></a><br /><br /><div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-8902172013864046439?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-65028001554468383052010-05-31T08:18:00.003-05:002010-05-31T08:23:56.562-05:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oj44lPIEa5E/TAO4NkpIL0I/AAAAAAAAAmM/aUrIVYYWuyk/s1600/american_flag_soldier.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oj44lPIEa5E/TAO4NkpIL0I/AAAAAAAAAmM/aUrIVYYWuyk/s400/american_flag_soldier.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477424115126644546" /></a><br /> “Remembering our heroes, the guarantors of our freedom, does not in any way more hallow their service or sacrifice; it does not in any way magnify the significance of their accomplishments in the protection and preservation of our liberties; it does not add to their valor, their honor, or their eternal reward; rather the great benefit of memorializing our American heroes is in the hope settled in our own hearts, the resolve established in our own souls, and the steadfastness confirmed in our own lives: when we remember who they were and what they have done for us all, only then will we be capable of laying hold of our hope and attending to our responsibilities as the trustees of freedom’s future; we look to the heroes of yesterday in order to insure that there will be heroes tomorrow.” ~Theodore Roosevelt<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-6502800155446838305?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Charityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217265438533155701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-85745304703328892282010-05-19T16:11:00.004-05:002010-10-12T23:26:29.882-05:00<div align="left">I know that God runs everything. I know that all that happens to me or my family runs through the protective care of His Sovereign fingers. I know that all those things, good and challenging, are for my good and for His glory.<br /><br />Sometimes though, when those seemingly sad things happen I can despair and forget my hope. I want Him to remove them NOW! I try to figure what I've done wrong, so I can make it right...cuz then maybe the bad will go away.<br /><br />In the providence of His good will, I have been learning something new. Waiting on our good God to bring us through trials is at times exactly what we are to do. Sometimes, it is not His desire to "take them away". There are times when the darkness is just going to linger. This does not mean we are to give up, but to expectantly wait on His deliverance while we continue to obey His word.<br /><br />David's Psalm 40:1-3 say he <span style="color:#000099;"><em>"waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. he put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord."</em><br /></span><br />So, it seems to me I should cry out to God and then I wait patiently for Him.<br /><br />"We fight for joy. But we fight as those who are saved by grace and held by Christ." John Piper<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><em>Give to the winds thy fears,</em></div><div align="center"><em>Hope and be undismayed.</em></div><div align="center"><em>God hears thy sighs and counts thy tears,</em></div><div align="center"><em>God shall lift up thy head.</em></div><div align="center"><em></em> </div><div align="center"><em></em></div><div align="center"><em>Through waves and clouds and storms,</em></div><div align="center"><em>He gently clears thy way;</em></div><div align="center"><em>Wait tho His time; so shall this night</em></div><div align="center"><em>Soon end in joyous day.</em></div><div align="center"><em></em> </div><div align="center"><em></em></div><div align="center"><em>Far, far above thy thought,</em></div><div align="center"><em>His counsel shall appear,</em></div><div align="center"><em>When fully He the work hath wrought,</em></div><div align="center"><em>That caused thy needless fear.</em></div><div align="center"><em></em> </div><div align="center"><em></em></div><div align="center"><em>Leave to His sovereign sway</em></div><div align="center"><em>To choose and to command;</em></div><div align="center"><em>So shalt thou, wondering, own that way,</em></div><div align="center"><em>How wise, how strong this hand.</em></div><div align="center">Paul Gerhardt 1656</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-8574530470332889228?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-9465927977122088952010-05-14T22:12:00.005-05:002010-05-14T22:35:19.788-05:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oj44lPIEa5E/S-4VJzazIrI/AAAAAAAAAl8/ltkDf2_bepA/s1600/power-women-in-affiliate-marketing.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 277px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oj44lPIEa5E/S-4VJzazIrI/AAAAAAAAAl8/ltkDf2_bepA/s320/power-women-in-affiliate-marketing.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471333855467348658" /></a> The past two weeks, my mom and I have spent all our time cleaning the house. Of course, cleaning is a never ending project, but we really went through and deep cleaned every room. It was a second wave of our "moving-in" process. We actually finished this endeavor on Wednesday, took yesterday off, and touched up today. Tomorrow, we are having some new friends over and will hopefully be able to bless them with a clean, scorpion free, spider free, not so furnished home. We are really looking forward to it. <br /><br />Through the endeavor of cleaning a big house, I have come to rely a lot on google. It's silly maybe, but you can find so much stuff on there! Really, you can. Cleaning product staples in our home have been bleach, vinegar, simple green, and Windex. However, I discovered (or re-discovered) through google articles another cleaning product that we rarely use. I have never thought that baking soda was that great of a thing, except in chocolate chip cookies. However, I have come to realize that it takes smells out of sinks, used couches with old musty smells, carpet with cat nastiness etc. It's really quite a wonder. It also cleans a pan right up if you bring some water and a handful of baking powder to a rolling boil. My mom (Lisa) decided that it was like a magic dust for me. I throw it into the dishwasher, into dirty pots, onto smelly carpets, and anywhere else I feel that it might just do some good. I even used it to clean off that really nasty sticky grease stuff that collects on top of cupboards. Voila! Everything is like new again! So, if you're like I was, and thought that baking soda was an old cleaner and really doesn't work, give it up. It's absolutely amazing! <br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oj44lPIEa5E/S-4UkWwyl6I/AAAAAAAAAl0/aXOqqurseTs/s1600/baking-soda.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oj44lPIEa5E/S-4UkWwyl6I/AAAAAAAAAl0/aXOqqurseTs/s400/baking-soda.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471333212119799714" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-946592797712208895?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Charityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217265438533155701noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-20729184923148254162010-05-09T22:36:00.004-05:002010-05-09T22:46:58.782-05:00Happy Mother's Day Mommy! <br /> <br />I love you sooooooo much! <br /><br />Thank you for <br />Making us breakfast, lunch, and dinner<br />Folding 5-15 loads of laundry for us each week!<br />Teaching us school<br />Cleaning up our house<br />Reminding us to take our shoes off at the door<br />Washing our sheets<br />Giving tons of kisses and hugs<br />Sewing our duvet covers<br />Reading us books<br />Mopping the floor<br />Unpacking zillions of boxes and making all of our "junk" into a beautiful home!<br />Modeling a God fearing woman for all of us to look up to and copy<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oj44lPIEa5E/S-eBaZVwDpI/AAAAAAAAAls/qiMLfw-qS0w/s1600/DSC02142.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oj44lPIEa5E/S-eBaZVwDpI/AAAAAAAAAls/qiMLfw-qS0w/s400/DSC02142.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469482562943454866" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-2072918492314825416?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Charityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217265438533155701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-6887782587771917922010-05-01T17:40:00.008-05:002010-05-01T21:51:31.579-05:00Hey there everyone! I have been thinking and thinking and thinking this last week trying to come up with something to blog about. I know, that's really lame, but seriously, I couldn't think of anything. Moving into a new house is exciting for us, but does not create much exciting conversation for those outside the house. We have been painting and getting rust off of some metal yard furniture for the past two weeks. Not exactly the most interesting thing for me to blog about unless you too are trying to get rust off of metal furniture. Anyway, I finally figured out something to write about. 2 things actually :) Only one today though. <br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oj44lPIEa5E/S9znUcdXFPI/AAAAAAAAAlE/xWB8Y_TqfRk/s1600/banner9.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 392px; height: 72px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oj44lPIEa5E/S9znUcdXFPI/AAAAAAAAAlE/xWB8Y_TqfRk/s400/banner9.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466498386143679730" /></a><br /><br />Josh Harris is a preacher at Covenant Life Church in Maryland. If you've never heard of him, you may recognize his popular book's title <em>I Kissed Dating Goodbye</em>. It's a fantastic book. All about why Christians should not give their heart away to a boy or girl before they get married to them. It's just great. Anyway, Josh Harris' church puts on a conference every year called NEXT. You can see all about it at www.thisisnext.org . Although I have never been to this conference, it looks really good. According to the site, "Next isn't built on 'new.' It isn't about the next trend or fad. Next is built on the old, treasured, and true. It's about rediscovering old truth and recommitting to it." What I have learned about this church and its ministries is that they work hard to teach and practice biblical doctrines. They do not follow the fads of "common christianity" today, but learn from great Christians of history. The important thing is unity between brothers and sisters in Christ to live their lives to glorify God. <br /><br />Another one of my favorite preachers C. J. Mahaney preaches there. There are other great preachers too that you can read about at the website. Last year I was bummed that I couldn't go (reason being that I live far away from Maryland, have no money, transportation, or place to stay), so I instead had a great time listening to many of the sermons from the conference. All of them that I listend to were so encouraging and challenging. So if you are looking for some good sermons by some good pastors with firm doctrine, check out some of these sermons from last year and the new ones that will come out this year. They are made available on their website underneath "resources." <br /><br />Hope you enjoy them as much as I did!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-688778258777191792?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Charityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217265438533155701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-45247283911475905972010-04-15T17:42:00.002-05:002010-04-15T19:49:48.365-05:00I've been thinking about children a lot lately. Children that are abused, hated, cast off by their parents or whoever is taking care of them. It's not fair. Children of all people. They have no way of defending themselves or of even understanding what's going on. So, what can I do about it? Very little. There are a few things I can do in my own humble little way through Christ's strength. However, nothing that I can do will even pale in comparison with what needs to be done. Is it a hopeless situation? No! It isn't! When I was a little girl, my favorite song in the whole wide world was "Jesus Loves the Little Children." I started thinking about that song the other day and it led me to google images along those lines and to look up a <a href="www.gty.org">John Macarthur sermon </a>on the subject. (John Macarthur is the most godly person I know and he has studied the Bible more than anyone else I know, so I usually go to his sermons for biblical guidance). Although I can't really do anything about the situation, Jesus still loves these children and He watches over them in a special way. The Bible is full of verses that portray God's love for children and his vengeance on those who mistreat them. Even when a child is being mistreated and no one seems to notice, God does and He is completely sovereign over the situation. Back to my search, here is what I found: <br /><br />1. A great sermon entitled <a href="http://www.gty.org/Resources/Sermons/2342_Jesus-Loves-the-Little-Children?q=jesus+loves+children">Jesus Loves the Little Children</a><br /><br />2. Some pencil sketches by a lady named <a href="http://www.keatonprints.com/">Jean Keaton</a>. Maybe you've heard of her, but I never had. I don't like all of her pictures, but I did think that it was precious the way she captured Jesus' love for children in these pictures. <br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oj44lPIEa5E/S8eVfA096lI/AAAAAAAAAkg/vQKlyhTLxTs/s1600/playful_boys_keaton_l.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 236px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oj44lPIEa5E/S8eVfA096lI/AAAAAAAAAkg/vQKlyhTLxTs/s320/playful_boys_keaton_l.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460497433240660562" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oj44lPIEa5E/S8eVZbRy45I/AAAAAAAAAkY/pRqhBBYZ8pg/s1600/k1babeup.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 208px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oj44lPIEa5E/S8eVZbRy45I/AAAAAAAAAkY/pRqhBBYZ8pg/s320/k1babeup.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460497337261679506" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oj44lPIEa5E/S8eVN7qPScI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/CwOVJKSZJwA/s1600/jesusandbaby.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 178px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oj44lPIEa5E/S8eVN7qPScI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/CwOVJKSZJwA/s320/jesusandbaby.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460497139795708354" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-4524728391147590597?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Charityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217265438533155701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-33215553159937505752010-03-17T15:28:00.007-05:002010-03-17T16:00:11.585-05:00It's only March, but I think Spring is in the air!<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oj44lPIEa5E/S6FCqcxU0gI/AAAAAAAAAkA/m10vjGLTXTE/s1600-h/DSC01873.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 271px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oj44lPIEa5E/S6FCqcxU0gI/AAAAAAAAAkA/m10vjGLTXTE/s320/DSC01873.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449710321140027906" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oj44lPIEa5E/S6FBligMkaI/AAAAAAAAAjw/7X71LRlEe4U/s1600-h/DSC01899.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oj44lPIEa5E/S6FBligMkaI/AAAAAAAAAjw/7X71LRlEe4U/s320/DSC01899.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449709137267823010" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oj44lPIEa5E/S6FBcLQRXnI/AAAAAAAAAjo/Gf4NwYoHE4o/s1600-h/DSC01896.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oj44lPIEa5E/S6FBcLQRXnI/AAAAAAAAAjo/Gf4NwYoHE4o/s320/DSC01896.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449708976408190578" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oj44lPIEa5E/S6E9Xn_lZFI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/uHJ3Hoe2E-g/s1600-h/DSC01889.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oj44lPIEa5E/S6E9Xn_lZFI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/uHJ3Hoe2E-g/s320/DSC01889.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449704500176970834" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oj44lPIEa5E/S6E8ICg5NsI/AAAAAAAAAjI/Uy1LQaRzxwI/s1600-h/DSC01875.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oj44lPIEa5E/S6E8ICg5NsI/AAAAAAAAAjI/Uy1LQaRzxwI/s320/DSC01875.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449703132906469058" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-3321555315993750575?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Charityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217265438533155701noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-9349962234955307592010-02-27T07:34:00.004-06:002010-02-27T08:34:51.637-06:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CjaXblQJLoY/S4ksmpjjO-I/AAAAAAAAABc/k-T2hXac7ww/s1600-h/2%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442930667155569634" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CjaXblQJLoY/S4ksmpjjO-I/AAAAAAAAABc/k-T2hXac7ww/s200/2%5B1%5D.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I remember a popular song from my childhood in the 70's called <em>Our House</em> by Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. It went something like..."<em>Our house is a very very very fine house, with two cats in the yard".....</em> not deep, but sweet. That song is running through my mind this morning as I sit in our new house with boxes scattered everywhere. Our new house is a gift from God.<br /><br />We left Montana in 2007 and headed for Alaska. I loved my house in Montana. It was ours, all 25 acres had our imprint on it. It was a gift to our family. But an opportunity in Alaska came our way. Kip my adventurer wanted to head for Alaska. Next thing I knew, I found myself in a blue house we "borrowed" from the clinic where he worked. It was God's provision for us. It was alot like us - in need of an overhaul. It kept us warm (well, sort of), but was less than beautiful. The Lord did some work in my blue heart about that blue house. Until finally He gave me fortitude to fix it up. Off we drove to Home Depot which was only a four hour drive! We bought paint, ordered carpet, and began the tedious face lift. Since we were to be in Glennallen, AK for only two years I decided to look upon it as a ministry not only to my family, but to the next medical worker living in the "blue house".<br /><br />Home is where I've poured my heart. I take the admonition of Titus 2:2-4 seriously -that the young women be encouraged to <em>"love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers..." </em>I love working in my home. Leaving my palace is hard because that is where my life is.<br /><br />Back to the needy "blue House". We scrubbed, painted, carpeted, and generally gave it a face lift until one day I said, "O.K. this will do fine." Then, we just lived there happily for the 2 years we were to be in Glennallen, AK.<br /><br />Now, we are in Texas. We fearfully add the words "to stay". Kip and I are hoping this is our last move. We want to give our children and grandchildren a place to call "home". We want them to have a place to go where they are welcome and loved beyond measure. Our moves have been enriching experiences for them. Each one possesses dear remnants in their hearts of a culture they would know nothing about had they not had the experience in that particular place. But, now...if the good Lord wills it, we stop.<br /><br />To our children and children's children...this is your house. Come and find solace. Come and grow. Come and find Jesus. Come and have your wounds soothed. Come and pray. Come and find rest. Come and find laughter. Come and find love.<br /><br /><em>James 1:17 "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning."</em> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-934996223495530759?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-42991052942193007792010-02-16T11:07:00.002-06:002010-02-16T11:36:10.906-06:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CjaXblQJLoY/S3rXa5W8tII/AAAAAAAAABU/LWqIO0E2iKA/s1600-h/WeeMee_18401653_for_schneidy48.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 116px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 128px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438896357076939906" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CjaXblQJLoY/S3rXa5W8tII/AAAAAAAAABU/LWqIO0E2iKA/s200/WeeMee_18401653_for_schneidy48.jpg" /></a><br /><div>If anyone out there has visited <em>Girls Coffee Break</em> to see what the story break is about, you have already figured out the stories disappeared. My apologies for the inconvenience. One night as I sat viewing the details for posting videos on U-Tube, I had a strong conviction that Mrs. J was treading into unknown territory. The most horrifying vision came upon me....that most dreadful fear of being sued by Sandra Boynton! Could I imagine anything worse in life? My response was to ask Charity to kindly (and quickly) pull the two stories I had managed to get posted off immediately. I am in the process of trying to find out if <em>Story Break</em> is breaking any copyright laws. It does feel a little ridiculous asking permission to read stories. After all, I've been reading to children for, well, quite a few years now.<br /><br />Little ones, I will be back as soon as possible. I am making plans to read three more Sandra Boynton books, but I'm not telling which ones. After that, a great picture book from 1950. It is so old, I wasn't even born then! But talk about funny! I'm laughing just thinking about it. I'll give you a hint...<strong>buttons in the back instead of the front!</strong> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-4299105294219300779?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-90533913106469009262010-02-13T08:34:00.007-06:002010-02-13T09:09:11.765-06:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oj44lPIEa5E/S3a-TLoxZhI/AAAAAAAAAiw/-9CBVY9ap4c/s1600-h/3.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oj44lPIEa5E/S3a-TLoxZhI/AAAAAAAAAiw/-9CBVY9ap4c/s200/3.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437742836847044114" /></a> Do any of you out there have a memo board or bulletin board like this? I know they used to be all the rage, and you can still get them at Walmart and other stores, but I just figured out how you can actually make them. It is super easy, and although it does not necessarily give you time to take a coffee break, it will give you a place to <em>have</em> your coffee break as you can take all of the stray papers off of your coffee table etc. and stick them in this handy little board :) As I said before, it is really easy to make. The ones I have made have been around 14x16 inches, but you can really do it any size. Directions are for 14x16 inches.<br /><br />What you need: <br />1. Picture frame, plywood, or any other hard thing that you could use as the backing<br />2. Quilt batting - don't worry about it being really nice batting, because you won't be washing this board.<br />3. Really cute fabric that has the right colors for the room you are putting it in.<br />4. Ribbon that matches your fabric - preferably thin ribbon <br />5. Buttons (optional)<br />6. Glue - I used hot glue and tacky glue<br />7. Hanger - you don't need this if you are using a picture frame, but you will if you use plywood.<br /><br />My directions are going to be pretty general, so you will have to work out the details. Sorry, but I do not have exact measurements etc. <br /><br />1. Glue a thick layer of quilt batting to the front (glass) of your picture frame and let it dry. I believe I had 4 layers of batting on mine. This creates a nice cushioned board when you are all done.<br />2. Cut your fabric so that you have an extra inch on all sides. For a 14x16 inch frame, you will have a 16x18 inch piece of fabric. <br />3. Lay the fabric face down on the table and the frame face down on the fabric. Glue one side of the fabric neatly to the frame and then let it dry. I used hot glue for this part.<br />4. Stretch the opposite side tightly - very very tightly - and glue to the other side of the frame. Make sure that you don't have any wrinkles or creases form.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oj44lPIEa5E/S3a-635fSQI/AAAAAAAAAi4/Wc6tJxB4cz4/s1600-h/6.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oj44lPIEa5E/S3a-635fSQI/AAAAAAAAAi4/Wc6tJxB4cz4/s200/6.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437743518743218434" /></a><br />5. Glue the other two sides also, making sure to stretch tightly. For the corners, I did hospital bed corners to make it look neat (my dad's a nurse, what would you expect?) but that part is up to you.<br />6. After it is dry, trim the excess fabric off. You may need to also touch up on your glue job.<br />7. Apply your ribbon diagonally, three in each direction - refer to picture. Make sure that you stretch this really tight too. It will make the cushion part of the board "bubble up" which is really cute; it will also hold the pictures/papers so they won't fall out.<br />8. If you would like to, apply buttons to your board at all or some of the points where the ribbons cross. A dab of hot glue works best for this, but you may be able to get the tacky glue to work too. <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oj44lPIEa5E/S3a_ZGlVcQI/AAAAAAAAAjA/tmWT-Ui4KgQ/s1600-h/DSC01840.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oj44lPIEa5E/S3a_ZGlVcQI/AAAAAAAAAjA/tmWT-Ui4KgQ/s200/DSC01840.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437744038081294594" /></a><br /><br />9. If necessary, attach the hanger.<br />Enjoy your board!<br /><br />Hope it turns out!<br /><br />By the way, you can click on the picture for a larger view.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-9053391310646900926?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Charityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217265438533155701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-69343041390557254842010-02-11T11:41:00.003-06:002010-02-11T11:55:51.331-06:00Ok, so I don't like it when people say they Love this or that thing usually. I do not really love knitting. I really really LIKE knitting though! I love my family, I do not love my knitting. Now that that is said, you know that you don't have to take me seriously. <br /><br />Have you ever heard of Knitting Daily? They are the coolest website. You can join for free and get all kinds of amazing knitting patterns. Also, there is a crochet line that you can join called CrochetMe. The links are www.knittingdaily.com and www.crochetme.com You don't have to go to them if you don't want to, but I really like them. Like I was saying, you can get all kinds of patterns - ones you can buy and lots of free ones too (that WORK!). Enough promoting, back to my original reason for posting. With the risk of being looked at as really "out of touch with reality" by you all, I'm going to share yesterday's knitting daily email. I thought it was funny. Maybe you who knit (or crochet) will find this funny too. <br /><br /><blockquote>When most people talk about their Valentine, they're usually talking about a person. Well, one of my Valentines this year is going to be to my knitting! I love it so much, let me count the ways:<br /><br />1. It fills my life with color.<br />2. It encourages my creativity.<br />3. It keeps my hands busy.<br />4. It introduces me to new people who share my love for the craft.<br />5. It loves to travel.<br />6. It likes the same TV shows that I like.<br />7. It keeps the same schedule as I do; if I want to knit in the middle of the night, it's there for me.<br />8. It likes to change bags as much as I do!<br />9. It challenges me.<br />10. It keeps me company, even when I'm cranky.</blockquote><br /><br />Is that funny? Maybe not. I still think it's funny though!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-6934304139055725484?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Charityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217265438533155701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-81099913334004415322010-02-03T10:44:00.003-06:002010-10-12T23:27:27.505-05:00Our family is in transition at the moment, excitedly anticipating moving into a new home at the end of February.<br /><br />My menu planning was taking a dive downward as I tried to juggle all the duties a cross country move entailed. That is until I stumbled upon an old fashioned idea worth bringing out again.<br /><br />Each night of the week has a name. Of course, you would want to vary this according to your family's favorites.<br /><br />Monday is <em>Mexican Night</em><br />Tuesday is <em>Pasta Night</em><br />Wednesday is <em>Soup Night</em><br />Thursday is <em>Chicken or Fish Night</em><br />Friday is <em>Pizza Night</em><br />Saturday is <em>Crock Pot Night</em><br />Sunday is <em>Grilled Meat Night</em><br /><br />I've been at it for 2 weeks now, and the ease with which I plan the weekly shopping list is amazing. Now I can group all my wonderful Italian pasta dishes for use on Tuesdays. I can collect the tasty soups I've tried for Wednesday. If I want to make fresh bread during the week...I can easily see which recipes it would be most helpful with.<br /><br />Just an idea, and I'm sure wouldn't work for everyone. It's predictable, yes. But it doesn't seem to be boring because with a myriad of recipes the family hasn't even noticed.<br /><br />Not true exactly...they noticed pizza night!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-8109991333400441532?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-57778311769933371782010-01-21T18:48:00.002-06:002010-01-21T19:04:50.374-06:00I am a staunch advocate of reading to children. My own five children have been read to profusely, they have been made to read to each other, they have all read aloud to the family, and been made to listen to books they couldn't even quite grasp yet. For those they weren't ready for, they simply picked up on as much as they could get and put the rest in their quick little minds for later use. <br /><br />When I was a young mother in the 1980's looking for answers to my many parenting questions, I stumbled upon a great book. <em>Honey For a Child's Heart</em> gave me much needed insight into the world of children's literature. Through Gladys Hunt's instruction I grasped the importance of making books and reading an integral part of our home. <br /><br /><em>Honey For a Child's Heart,</em> published in 2002 is worth your time whether you are a new mom or one that's "been around the block". Give your family the gift of good literature. Gladys Hunt's book is the best place I know to start.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-5777831176993337178?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-73882456621525886492010-01-19T14:35:00.006-06:002010-01-21T19:15:32.659-06:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CjaXblQJLoY/S1YZYTK4_-I/AAAAAAAAABM/LnRDIOxWwjo/s1600-h/DSC02620.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428554306095218658" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CjaXblQJLoY/S1YZYTK4_-I/AAAAAAAAABM/LnRDIOxWwjo/s320/DSC02620.JPG" /></a> Thank-you for your faithfulness...We will miss you.<br /><em>"You won't EVER see another one like 'im"</em> Travis speaking about Old Yeller<br /><div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-7388245662152588649?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-6474453933223209702010-01-19T14:22:00.001-06:002010-01-21T18:46:15.159-06:00<div align="center">Among the books in our home right now, is a hardback copy of <em><em></div><blockquote><blockquote><p align="center">C.H. Spurgeon Autobiography: Volume 1</p><p align="center">The Early Years</p></blockquote></blockquote><div align="left"></em></em>I try to read at least a couple of pages each morning during my devotion time. I immensely enjoy reading Spurgeon's own words, penned by his own hand, and flowing from his own heart. Spurgeon weaves his story in all the richness that is Spurgeon. All is done so that we are pulled to the core of his life, that of glorifying Christ. Archibald Brown has described Spurgeon this way: </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">"In his heart Jesus stood unapproached, unrivalled. He worshiped Him; he adored Him. He was our Lord's delighted captive."</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">As I read, it is not Spurgeon I see, but God. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">I look forward to sharing some of the precious stories from Spurgeon's childood here on Girls Coffeebreak.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-647445393322320970?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-48995442180916486332010-01-15T11:01:00.003-06:002010-01-15T11:06:56.069-06:00If you look over to the right, you can see that we have added a list of books. These are books we have been reading recently. Every now and again, we are going to post our thoughts on one of these books, and we welcome your input too. Maybe you've read one of these before or maybe you'd like to read it along with us. Whatever the case may be, we look forward to discussing these books with you over a good cup of coffee. Below every post, you can find a place to put your comments, feel free to do so, so that we can all enjoy a wholesome God-honoring discussion of these books together. Looking forward to the first "Book Nook" post tomorrow!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-4899544218091648633?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Charityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217265438533155701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-54420922279758705982010-01-14T17:10:00.002-06:002010-01-14T17:14:57.936-06:00"<em>There is nothing wrong with change, if it is in the right direction.</em>" Winston Churchill<br /><br />Then why is it so hard? My entire life is changing. My children are growing up before my eyes. Things I thought would last forever don't. Birthdays are somewhat bothersome to me. It never used to be this way. It's easy to let fear creep in and take up housekeeping in my heart. I don't know the outcome of all the changes. I don't know what it will all "look like" when the changes are complete. I don't even know if I like the changes. But in it all, I can find hope because the God of the Universe directs my every step. His Sovereign control over my life is a source of great strength and comfort. He who never changes knows just when to throw me the lifeboat and reel me in to safety. Hebrews 13:8 tells us that, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." So, bring on the changes! Re-location, New House, New Job, New Church, New Friends, New Hairstyle maybe?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-5442092227975870598?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513638970391096433.post-36938882481622083572010-01-14T15:30:00.003-06:002010-01-14T17:11:41.896-06:00Mom and I love to sit down with a good cup of coffee and take a quick break from the days work. We talk about how God is working in our lives, how we need to respond to God's work in our lives, and how we are encouraged or discouraged. We study the Bible, read good books, laugh, cry, pray, and sip on our coffee together. We don't promise that this blog will be up to date or on the edge. However, we do promise that we will try to glorify God in everything we talk about whether that be telling you a story we thought was funny, talking about a verse that encouraged us, sharing lessons we learned, or giving you directions on making a great cup of coffee. So, sit down with us, grab a good cup of coffee (or if you don't like coffee, we'll settle for tea) and join us for a coffee break.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5513638970391096433-3693888248162208357?l=girlscoffeebreak.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Charityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217265438533155701noreply@blogger.com0