The Struggle With Sin Romans 7:15-20

Anne of Green Gables is one of my all time favorite movies.  She goes from being an unwanted orphan to a beloved daughter, friend, teacher, and wife.  Along the way, Anne had many lessons to learn.  She had a problem with controlling her temper and holding grudges.  Ouch!  One of the reasons I am drawn to her character is because she demonstrates many of the qualities I possess.  At one point in the movie, Anne is reminded by her school teacher of something she had once quoted.  "Tomorrow is always fresh with no mistakes in it." 

Too often, I "lose it".  I allow things to frustrate me, and my response is either to blow it or bury it (until I eventually blow it).  Why do I continue to struggle with this sin?  Can't I just acknowledge it, confess it, and ask God to zap it away?  Why does it have to be so hard?  Oftentimes, even after I have dealt with an issue, I will continue to beat myself up over past regrets and try to work so hard to "fix" it.  Then there is yet another sin to be dealt with... pride!  For when I think I have it under control and try to handle it in my own power, I have become prideful.  It is only through His strength that we are made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). 

Paul reminds us in Romans 7, that sin is a struggle.  It always will be!  But if we are saved, we have a new desire.  We love God's Word and hate our sin.  We stand before Him blameless.  Through Jesus, not by our own works, we are clean.  Our salvation is not dependant upon us, but Him.  Yes, we will struggle.  But praise be to God we do not live under condemnation anymore.  (Romans 8:1)

This week, I have had to remind myself that each day is precious.  How I spend each day counts!  The love I show (or don't show), the people I minister to (or choose not to minister to), the attitude I carry (good or bad), is the only memory I will leave behind.  Do others see Jesus in me? 

Remember... no matter what you've done or where you've been, "Tomorrow is always fresh, with no mistakes in it."

Enjoy this video as you remember that each day is a precious gift from God.
This Day

Surgery postponed!

I mentioned in my last blog about our daughter having to undergo foot surgery to correct a bunion on both of her feet.  We went Thursday for a second opinion, and this Dr. wants us to wait and check her again in 12 months.  He showed us in her x-rays where her growth plates were not fully fused and cautioned the surgery at this time may lead to another surgery later in life.  During the next 12 months, the appearance of her feet may worsen, along with the pain.  But we trust this opinion and will wait to be reevaluated in a year.  Thank you for all of your calls, texts, and emails concerning this situation.  Your prayers and encouragement mean more than you'll ever know. 

Bitter, or Better? 1 Thessalonians 5:14-18

As I sit to write this morning, I am reminded of just how ungrateful I have been this week.  I've been quick to compare myself to others and focus only on what was going on in our house on the corner.  But this morning, The Lord reminded me that things were not as bad as I had allowed myself to dream they were. 

This week has brought about many emotions that I had allowed to take root and consume me.  Monday, I sat with my thirteen year old daughter in the podiatrist office as we received news that she will be facing surgery on both of her feet to correct a bunion.  Most times, this surgery is optional, but in her case, they are severe and have to be corrected as they are causing other growth problems.  School has also had its share of challenges, as I'm sure you home school moms can relate to.  Some days are just smoother than others!  Our ten year old and eight month old are battling colds and seem to be as sensitive as their mom.  All a great reason to throw a pity party and crawl back in bed, right?  Wrong!

This morning, a dear lady we know is having surgery to remove cancer.  She will be facing a long road of recovery.  Saturday evening, I read through tears about the agony of a mother watching her two year old son battle surgery and chemotherapy to treat eye cancer.  Sunday evening during our church service, a lady shared her experiences on the mission field this summer.  We viewed pictures of people who were severely handicapped and in more physical frustration than many of us could ever dream about. 

Monday morning, I reminded my daughter that what she was facing had been planned out for us before we knew it!  We had not yet learned of this foot problem before we chose to follow the Lord's direction in home schooling.  She will not have to face the added challenges of sitting out of sports, missing class, or struggling to get around without our help.  And that reminder was directed back to me this morning as I sat ashamed of the way I had acted earlier this week.

Many of you are facing challenges far greater than my family and I have ever had to endure.  And you may question those hardships.  But learn from what I have far too often failed at and don't let those questions control you.  When you are discouraged, focus on others and your problems won't seem so big after all. 

How are you handling the problems facing you? 
Do you allow them to consume you?
Are they making you bitter or better?

Is it worth it? 1 John 2:15-17

Today is the big day!  Everyone is all dressed and ready for family pictures.  You have chosen khaki pants and white shirts as your color scheme for the year, and your setting will be a lovely wooden dock overlooking the lake of shining waters.  After managing to keep your two year old clean for over an hour now, you have finally reached your destination.  With great anticipation, you step out of your car to make your way over to the famous lake.  For a moment, all seems right.  But looking up, you stop dead in your tracks.  The only way to cross over to the lake of shining waters is to trample through a large pen of hogs who have been wallowing in thick, gooey mud.  Now you face the dreaded question.  Is it worth it?

That is the question my husband and I were faced with on Thursday evening as we sat down to watch a movie together.  We had rented a movie that had a "good Christian message".  Looking forward to our night of relaxation, we began to watch the DVD.  The movie seemed to be off to a pretty good start.  A little predictable, but still interesting.  Then came a party scene that became way to graphic.  Just as you think, "Okay, we get the idea", you are led to yet another "scene".  Good movie with a great message?  Not if I have to trample through the mud to get to the point.  Is it worth it?  That's a question only you can answer.  If the Holy Spirit is present and truly guiding your life, then you will know when it's time to say no. 

We live in this world, yes.  But we are called to have standards that reveal there is a change within us.  Not a list of rules that make us feel good and righteous, but an openness to hear the Holy Spirit guide us into truth when we have tricked ourselves into believing that what we are doing is "ok" or just a "bad habit" when in reality it is sin.

Oftentimes, I am pained by how much sin I have allowed in my life.  Don't be discouraged!  God is a God of love and forgiveness.   Recognize your sin, confess it, learn from it, and move on.  You can't live in the past, but you can learn from it and use it to point others in the right direction.

ARROZ CON POLLO (Chicken and Rice)

1 lb. chicken breasts
4 T. butter
season salt, pepper, garlic salt (to taste)
2 (5oz.) package saffron-seasoned yellow rice
1 can whole kernel corn (drained)
1 can black beans (rinsed & drained)
1 (16oz.) jar salsa
1-2 c. grated cheddar cheese

Boil chicken breasts, butter, season salt, pepper, and garlic salt in 6 c. water until fully cooked.  (Approx. 20 minutes for boneless breasts and 40 minutes with a bone.)
Cut up chicken into bite size pieces, reserving chicken broth. 
Cook yellow rice according to package directions using the reserved chicken broth. 
In a large pot (or crock pot), mix chicken, cooked rice, corn, beans, salsa, and cheese.  Add the remaining chicken broth to the empty jar of salsa.  Cook until heated through, adding remaining broth as needed to keep the rice mixture moist. 

I figured since I was posting a recipe today, I would use the one that we are having for dinner this evening.  Our family enjoys this as a main dish.  However, we often eat this on soft tortilla shells with sour cream.  Either way, it is a delicious Mexican dinner that is quick and easy to clean up!  You can add sauteed onions and peppers or fresh tomatoes as you wish.  Great to make when having friends over for dinner.  Enjoy!

Rise and Shine 1 Corinthians 3:11-12

This morning, my husband and I were discussing the difference between "morning people" and "night owls".  You see, he is "one of those".  And I, most certainly, am not!  My mother knows exactly what I'm talking about because she too is very much a morning person.  You know the kind; they wake up with a cheerful song and expect you to be just as enthusiastic as they are.

Or, maybe as a morning person you have to face the frustrations of living with a night owl.  10 o'clock rolls around and we're up for a game of Scrabble.  Or how about a ride around town.  You look at "us" as though we've lost our mind while you are making your preparations for bed.

Our discussion this morning led me to a realization.  I had far too long used the excuse of "I'm just not a morning person" to dictate my choice of behavior.  Do I greet the morning with a cheerful song?  No.  Will I ever?  Probably not.  But does that give me an excuse to be grumpy?  Absolutely not! 

James 1:14 reminds us that we are tempted by our own fleshly desires.  If, when I wake up, I make the decision to live for my flesh, then that is the man I will feed.  If, however, I choose to ask The Lord to use this day to serve Him, I will feed the new man (2 Corinthians 5:17). 

How we allow the morning, or evening, to rule us will most certainly "rule us".  Don't allow excuses to control and dictate your behavior.  Why do we sin?  Because we allow our fleshly man to control us.  Or, because the enemy tempts us and we allow that temptation to take root and grow.

Learn to greet the morning with a smile in your heart.  No need for a cheerful song or sprint around the block.  Just an attitude of gratitude for a brand new day to serve Him!

How is your attitude each morning? 
What needs to change?
The "blame game" is over.  Now it's up to you!

Lord, thank you for revealing to me this area of sin I have allowed to control me.  Forgive me for excusing this behavior and have mercy on me as I begin each day.

Mocha Chip Scones

Mocha Chip Scones

1/4 c. brewed coffee
2 T. heavy cream
2 eggs, lightly beaten (separately)
1 tsp. vanilla
3 1/2 c. Bisquick
1/2 c. sugar
3/4 c. white chocolate chips
3/4 c. chocolate chips
1 T. heavy cream
coarse sugar crystals

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
In a small bowl, combine the coffee, cream, 1 egg, and vanilla.  Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine baking mix, sugar, white chocolate chips, and chocolate chips.
Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and work into a crumbly dough.  On a lightly floured surface, form dough into a 9 inch disk.  (1/2 inch thick)  Cut into 12 wedges and place on ungreased cookie sheet.  Combine the 1 T. cream with the egg.  Brush scones.  Drizzle coarse sugar over scones. 
Bake for 18-20 minutes.


These are a family favorite!  I would often prepare these for our youth on Sunday mornings and they were commonly referred to as the "giant chocolate chip cookies".  Enjoy with your favorite cup of coffee!