Multitude Monday and its’ Menu Musings

“One of the things you do when you are full of the Holy Spirit is spill over with gratitude to God for everything (Ephesians 5:20).”  -John Piper

179. Spirit’s stirring in worship

180. home’s haven of rest

181. the next thing

182. people to love and

183. to love me

184. longing for heaven

185. hope in brokenness

186. husband aware of my needs and

187. his sensitivity to them

188. glory in creation

189. routine

190. phone conversation into the wee hours

191. God’s Word alive and active and

192. breathing new life

193. noisy house

194. giddy girls

195. tea parties

196. ruffles

197. fun fabric

198. humility quenching roaring flames

Breakfast Cookies

(yes, for a nutritious breakfast and delicious with a glass of soy milk! Your kids won’t believe they are allowed to eat cookies for breakfast)

3/4 c butter
1 c packed brown sugar
1/2 c raw sugar
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 c flaxseed meal
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 T molasses
1/2 c raisins
1 1/2 c flour
2 c rolled oats
In a large mixing bowl, beat butter with a mixer for 30 seconds. Add brown sugar, raw sugar, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon. Beat until combined. Beat in the eggs, vanilla and molasses. Beat in the flour. Stir in the oats, flaxseed meal and raisins.
Drop dough by rounded teaspoons 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Sprinkle raw sugar on top. Press down gently with the tines of a fork. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until edges are golden. Cool on a wire rack.

Only Love Remains

I love this song by JJ Heller and especially the powerful lyrics. You can listen to her for free over at Grooveshark.  May God use it to help you enter into worship this day…

Scenes of you come rushing through
You are breaking me down
So break me into pieces
That will grow in the ground
I know that I deserve to die
For the murder in my heart
So be gentle with me Jesus
As you tear me apart

Please kill the liar
Kill the thief in me
You know that I am tired of their cruelty
Breathe into my spirit
Breathe into my veins
Until only love remains

You burn away the ropes that bind
And hold me to the earth
The fire only leaves behind whatever is of worth
I begin to see reality
For the first time in my life
I know that I’m a shadow
But I’m dancing in your light

Teach me to be humble
Call me from the grave
Show me how to walk with you upon the waves
Breathe into my spirit
Breathe into my veins
Until only love remains

Just Call Me Perfect

I am a perfect mother.

Oh? What? You didn’t know that? I’m surprised since I try so hard to broadcast that fact to everyone. That’s why I rush my kids out the door so we won’t be late. That’s why I spit on my hand and wipe their faces so that they won’t look messy. That’s why I whisper harshly to my children, telling them to behave in public.

And all that trying to “be perfect” only increases my imperfection.

How many of us fall into the trap of believing that we need to be “perfect moms” who raise “perfect children?” That we need to mother a certain way, dress a certain way, keep our homes a certain way and discipline a certain way. That our kids need to behave a certain way, look a certain way and speak a certain way.

Those are called puppets, not children. And we are actors, not mothers.

Perfection vs. Balance

The world calls us to be “perfect” mothers, but I believe God calls us to be “balanced” mothers.

A “perfect” mother puts appearance above relationship. A “balanced” mother sacrifices appearance for relationship.

A “perfect” mother seeks approval from others. A “balanced” mother seeks approval from God.

A “perfect” mother finds reward in perceived success. A “balanced” mother’s reward is a peaceful heart, family and home.

A “perfect” mother perpetuates the lie and spreads disillusionment. A “balanced” mother breaks the lie and spreads hope, truth and inspiration.

The Challenge

The challenge for us today is to focus on being balanced rather than perfect. That every moment we’d love our children more than our clean house or the approving look of a stranger. That our confidence, strength, hope and identity would be found in God and the trust He’s put in us by giving us His perfect little gifts that look to us and call us “Mommy.”

How To Be A Balanced Mother

Here’s the problem. I can’t be a balanced mom. Neither can you. We can’t do it alone. As humans we crave the approval of others. Until we migrate our identity from this world to the arms of God, we will strive to be perfect mothers. That’s why I’m so passionate about spending time praying and reading every morning. Before the voices of others crowd out His, we need to hear from Him that He has given us everything we need to love well. We need to be reminded that we are precious, beautiful, powerful and worthy of the love of the Almighty, Everlasting God. Because once we hear that….who cares what anyone else thinks.

And that, right there, my friends is a truth that demands a good fist pump.

Simple Start

In reality, though, words are cheap. Action speaks loudly. So, here are 2 simple things you can do to take action towards being a balanced mom:

1. Take 1 minute right now to pray that God would begin to change every facet of your heart so that it can reflect His. No one tries to balance with their eyes closed. No, they have a focal point. Pray that God would be your focal point today. And, yes, you only have to pray for 1 minute.  Because doing something little is bigger than doing nothing at all.

2. Download the eBook Maximize Your Mornings. Resolve to get up 5 minutes earlier tomorrow morning so that you can start your day focusing on Him.

God has called you to this journey of motherhood. Give it all you have.

(Post written by Kat over at “Inspired to Action”)

Death, Where Is Your Sting?

If you’ve lived long enough, you’ve been touched by death in some way or another. We as Christians don’t live in a shadow of fear, but rather in the somber reminder that death is the final enemy we will fight in this life. But Oh glorious day when we step into the river Jordan where death can sting no longer!

Today, I’m reminded of death’s sting as a family friend’s battle with cancer has ended.    Those left behind rejoice that her suffering is ended and that she is with the Word- become flesh, the God-man – come so that “He who believes in me, shall not die, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

For those of us who still march onward with this gift called life, let us live in hopeful expectation but also bearing the great responsibility to live out hope to a hopeless world. And may we march with the reality that our lives are a gift – and our days are numbered. Surely this would change the redeeming steps we trod. (if you haven’t watched this, it is worth the 50 minutes. It will forever change you. And if you have watched it, watch it again to serve as a reminder.)

As you walk , leaving behind redeeming footprints today, may the Word of God be your hope. For there is no greater hope.

“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning or crying or pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.’” Revelation 21:4-7

And may our hearts be even more burdened today, than yesterday for those whose eyes cannot see the great saving truth.

“But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for the murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” Revelation 21: 8

We cannot miss this terrifying end to this passage in Revelation. Dear friend, do not take your hope, shove it in your pocket – going on with your life and with your precious salvation and not sharing its’ hope with others. Put truth before those who don’t know it, drop to your knees with pleading prayers – lest those we know and love be handed their portion of destruction. Put away fear and rejection and stand in the courage of the Gospel.

“The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for ‘In him we live and move and have our being.’ ” Acts 17:24-28

Charlotte Mason kind of day

“She wanted all children to know about their heritage of being made in God’s image – sinful obviously, but nevertheless able to enjoy to their own best ability in a fallen world and in many diverse life circumstances, the life-giving relationship with God through the Savior, and also relationships with others, nature, art, and music.”

-Elaine Cooper (“When Children Love To Learn”)

On this first day…

On this first day of February, I start anew. I keep pressing on with a pleading prayer that I will never be the same person tomorrow that I was today. Always plodding onward, soaking myself in grace so that it drips off – just enough for pastor husband and my 3 precious little ones to splash in  it as well. Splash in grace…we all need that.

So today I walk forward in love.  I feel sin’s tension and resolve not to let it strangle me. I walk forward into 30 days of loving my husband. O how I love him so – the man plucked out for me and me for him. A friend to walk with, a companion to dance with to life’s beat. The one who knows sin’s stain on me and loves me anyway.

Multitude Monday and its’ Menu Musings

161. Marriage unity

162. Church family

163. candlelight family dinner

164. dis-comfort to point me to Jesus

165. Sunday night prayer with my husband and

166. dreaming about the future with him

167. playing with the girls on the floor

168. warm house

169. dinner dates with Kevin

170. soft, chewy cookies

171. worship in song

172. friends that care and

173. the Spirit to help me love those that pierce

174. 6 year old grace and forgiveness

175. little hands that reach up for mine

176. rejoicing together as a family over baby’s first steps

177. fellow friends in ministry

178. God’s faithfulness over faithless feelings

we had this for dinner the other night and it was delicious….

Creamy Barley With Tomatoes and Greens

Serves 4Hands-On Time: 30mTotal Time: 30m

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• kosher salt and black pepper
• 2 cups quick-cooking barley
• 1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 8 cups torn mustard green leaves (from 1 small bunch) or spinach
• 3 ounces Brie (rind removed), cut into small pieces
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan (2 ounces)

Directions

1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 6 to 8 minutes.
2. Add the barley, tomatoes, wine, and 2½ cups water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the barley is tender, 12 to 15 minutes.
3. Add the mustard greens, Taleggio, and ¼ cup of the Parmesan and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mustard greens are tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Divide among bowls and sprinkle with the remaining ¼ cup of Parmesan.

20, 30, 40

We hauled all 3 girls off for their 6 year, 4 year and 15 month appointments. Whew! Glad that’s over, 7 shots, 2 urine samples, 2 hearing checks, 2 eye checks and 3 weight and height checks later (not to mention tummy pokes too!). But we are so grateful for their good health, we certainly do not take that gift for granted. Our 3 little peanuts all remain under the 25th percentile for their ages.  Here are the stats…

Ashtyn Grace: 6

41 lbs (24th percentile)

Jada Love: 4

30lbs (9th percentile)

Elliana Joy: 15 Months

20lbs (17th percentile)

Fat Quarter Happiness

I love fat quarters. They are these adorable, in-expensive “little” wads of fabric that fit in your hand. I’ve always had a fascination for little things – and I think I especially like fat quarters because they don’t overwhelm me like 3 yards of fabric overwhelms me. I took a little trip the an adorable quilt shop a few blocks from our house and found some adorable Amy Butler fat quarters that I couldn’t pass up. And then my brain started going – wondering if I could come up with some dresses to make out of these nifty pieces of fabric. I went to work….and an hour later came up with 3 adorable “pillowcase” dresses (the latest thing  in children’s fashion it seems). And since these dresses are out of our budget at the boutiques (they often go for around $50 a piece), I happily discovered that for $15, I made 3 dresses! Not bad.  And since I don’t consider myself a skilled seamstress (remember?), this type of project is nice and simple, just the way I like it. So here’s what you can do with 2 fat quarters…

1. Make a cute little curtain

2. Or a nifty pillow case

3. Or an adorable little dress that turns into a cute top when your little one grows!

and…..take the leftover scraps and make a matching hair accessory.

Be careful, it’s slightly addicting…

15 Months and…WALKING!

Our little sweetie is 15 months old. How in the world has she gone from THIS

to THIS?

a walking(her first steps!)…

talking…

clapping (clapping for herself here after she took her very first steps on her own!)

mohawk wearing….

cutie pie!