Winter Weather Precautions

 Ole' man winter has reared his head! Make sure you take precautions. Check on elderly or single neighbors. Keep your pets in a safe place with plenty of water they can drink making sure it is not frozen. Assuming you have already closed the vents under your house and unplugged your hoses, tonight is a good night to start leaving your faucets dripping and the cabinet doors open. Make sure you have a clean furnace filter. Locate your snow shovel and your ice melt. But most of all, if you're going to be shoveling snow do it WITH CARE! This is the kind of weather that can bring on heart attacks so when you get tired STOP/REST. THAT Is being a hero! TIP: If you cannot keep your bathroom cabinet door all the way open because you're afraid you'll get up in the middle of night to go to the bathroom and run into it, a kneeling foam pad from the Dollar Tree is great to hang on a knob in your bathroom to prop open the cabinet door so the heat can keep it warmer and help the pipes not to freeze. 

Spring Treat? Swanky Tulip Tearoom Billings, Missouri

 A 5 star review of Swanky tulip tearoom and Home Decor by Debbie R.:

https://www.yelp.com/biz/swanky-tulip-tearoom-and-home-decor-billings?hrid=W9BGVjX7CtCDxaue6Z_RuA&utm_source=ashare&ref=yelp-android

Little Debbie dough

Have you ever heard of little Debbie cookie dough? Neither had I until I accidentally made it this afternoon! Turns out a LOT of people knew this, but since I didn't thought maybe you hadn't either so I am posting it here. :)

Pick up a Box of little Debbie brownies. It can be Christmas brownies or regular it doesn't make any difference.

Now you don't want to just try to cut them out because usually they're too thick for a cookie cutter and they will stick even if you spray it. Squash them up and roll it into a ball, it will feel similar to cake pops, just a bit drier. 

Then dust your surface you're going to roll it out on with powdered sugar and simply press the little Debbie dough flat. You can just use your hands.

Then you don't even have to spray your cookie cutter, just dust the top of the dough with powdered sugar too and press away with your cookie cutters. I had no trouble with it releasing easily. 

That's it and I can tell you I'm going to be using little Debbie dough for a lot of projects! That is if I can keep from eating it! 🍪

I've bet there's a lot of things you can do this with. Use your imagination! Be sure and share your hacks in the comments below!

It's all fun and games until someone comes up with an idea! Then it is ez4u2do!

Eric, the plumber who does it right!

 

Eric, the plumber who does it right... from a good firm handshake, wearing shoe covers, laying protection on your driveway, fair pricing, great personality, to timely responses, Eric is the plumber who does it right! If you are in need of a plumber, looking to find a new plumber or if you are new to the area, you owe it to yourself to connect with Eric at Precise Plumbing. He is a master plumber who lives up to his company's name. My plumber was retiring and recommended Eric and I am so glad he did! He came out immediately, gave me a bid and was able to install a new water heater the very next day. I also had him replace 3 bathroom faucets and he finished everything quickly. If you are looking for a referral on a top notch plumber....here you go. Note: There are several companies in the area with similar names so make sure you get the right one. Precise Plumbing Eric Rassmuson 417 409 3401 https://www.preciseplumbingmo.com/ Be sure and check them out on Facebook too. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088591911486&mibextid=ZbWKwL

A good flush always beats a full house. No wonder plumbers are so good at card games. lol

Don't toss that bean water! (Aquafaba)

I have developed an interest in aquafaba over the last couple of years. Aquafaba is the term used for the water in which chickpeas, and other legumes have been cooked/canned. It looks and reacts very much like egg whites and serves as such in recipes.  Last year I made my first aquafaba meringue cookie! It was delicious! Going to have to start working with aquafaba more often. It is super high in protein! And yes it is as good as it looks...

I have made many successful dishes with chickpeas and always feel bad tossing the water with all those nutrients! So today I decided to make Flutternutter Cookies. The flutternutter cookies were ok, not my favorite but the Easy Vegan Aquafaba Marshmallow Creme is great! You could put in it between your favorite cookies, with the cold weather coming you could use it to top your hot chocolate or use it on your holiday sweet potato casserole! 

Here is the recipe for the Fluffernutter Sandwich Cookies [Vegan, Gluten-Free] 
(I did not use her marshmallow cream recipe here, I used the easy one instead)
http://www.onegreenplanet.org/…/fluffernutter-sandwich-coo…/
Here is the recipe I did use for Easy Vegan Aquafaba Marshmallow Creme
https://itdoesnttastelikechicken.com/easy-vegan-marshmallo…/

Going to have to try breads with it next! Do you have a favorite recipe using aquafaba? Please share it in the comments below....who can't use a good recipe?!
Keepin' it short, but gettin' it done.

Fall hugs to you and remember, it's all fun and games until someone comes up with an idea! Then it is ez4u2do!

👀 Dollar Store Crafts by Nicole Clayton 👀

 Are you looking for something cost effective and quick for a Christmas gift? Well who isn't right?! How does less than even $4 per gift sound? Dollar Store pins are popular right now so check out my niece Nicole Clayton's projects

                     ❣️ 

Here are her instructions: 

I made these today, from all dollar tree items. $7 total for two. If anyone wants to make some, all you do is buy a picture frame, a gift bag that has areas that could have lights, strands of battery powered lights and a package of batteries. Cut the bag to fit in the frame. Arrange the lights on the back where you want them to shine through and tape them down. Put the back on the frame, and I taped any remaining lights to the back as well, pop in the batteries and voila!! I think they’re pretty neat!!

NOTE! there is no need to cut holes to put the lights through, just tape them to the back. She also says not all dollar stores have these bags so check for them near you. This would be cute as a baby gift with a baby themed sack, birthday gift with the birthday boy/girl's interest on the sack.
A great big thanks to Nicole for sharing! It would make a great teacher's gift too!

BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE!
How about some great holiday pillows on a budget price...it is like wish .com prices with al mode looks!

Also another thing I’m doing I bought the really nice cloth placemats at dollar tree and I’m sewing them together and making pillows for my couch


Ok, when you order now you get the second tip for free and you only pay shipping and handling! ok this is all free! lol 

This is still drying. But it’s a $2 dollar project. 

Dollar tree soap dispenser. Gift tag. Mod podge.

Thank you Nicki! These are great ideas and they definitely are ....

ez4u2do !

Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas everybody! 

How to use coffee in your daily makeup routine!

A new caffeine addiction that anyone can have with no side effects!

You've probably seen this done with rice, however my daughter brought me some

coffee beans for my compost bin that she said was older and she didn't feel was fresh enough to use. Well, the aromatic fragrance washed into my nose and voila!.. an idea was born! Hope you like it! If you try it let me know! Short post here, just wanted to get this out there!

Hugs to you all and remember, it's all fun and games until someone comes up with an idea!

then it is ez4u2do!

Let's all kiss and makeup!

Dancing with the Scars. Hurt by hate. How do you recover from pain?

Dancing with the Scars. Hurt by hate. How do you recover from pain? This was taken from the Men's Volleyball Championship video, you can watch it at http://www.npconline.tv/ and it should be the middle video of Dancing with the Scars. (see photo below) Message starts at 19 minutes in. Here are some highlights.
We change through pain, we change through anger. When we begin from a place where we are scared or angry we can go from a place that we are looking good like we have our act together to something changes. When you're angry things can change, your heart rate can change, your breathing changes, the chemicals flowing through your body changes. When anger is a part, it turns into hate. HATE-IS JUDGEMENT THAT POINTS JUDGEMENT AT SOMEONE. What you are saying is not only am I angry, I think you did something wrong and I am angry with you about that. If you are a Christian you will have a hard time with this because as Christians we don't believe we hate anybody because you have been trained not to hate anybody. It doesn't mean you don't hate anybody, it just means that you tell yourself you don't hate anybody. You might use different words for it, but it is the same thing. You might call it, we are just experiencing some tough love with that person right now and that can be slang for hate. Not that tough love is always hate but we can use the term that way. Or I am just going to have to show them some really strong boundaries right now. Nothing wrong with boundaries, love me some good boundaries but sometimes followers of Jesus use those words to make us sleep a lot better with the hate that we allow to live in our heart.Who is somebody in your life that you have anger toward and you know they were wrong? Let's not talk theoretical, let's talk about your life someone in a relationship with you that you have anger that is pointing judgement toward them. Lord help me to get beyond this anger, beyond this hate because if I don't I am going to be paralysed in my future, I'm not going to be able to get to my future because of what is going on in my heart right now. Hate is always hungry. waiting to be fed. you have to feed your hate or it dies . Don't rehearse how you were wronged. they were wrong I was right. We call it forgiveness sometimes but if we think and judge them, it is hate. Sometimes the longer the time passes between the hate, the more right we feel we were and the more wrong the think they were in our mind because you are feeding the hate. We don't call it hate, we say, it's alright, I am over it, I forgive them. But anytime we have anger pointing toward somebody and we are judging them, it is hate no matter what we call it.
In your life how do you feed hate? do you rehearse the story, check out their facebook? Hate enables us to smuggle our past pain into our future. Hate is the great smuggler. It can sneak it's way past your guard and set itself into your future. You've already had enough past pain, don't bring it with you. When we hate, we fill in every gap with suspicion (and subterfuge or lying by omission to get our own way) 
Anytime you have a conflict in a relationship you have a choice you fill in the gap of what you don't know with either a suspicion or trust. (Andy Stanley) We do that with every relationship. When we don't know what was the intention we fill in the gap , Here's what hate does, it fills in the gap with suspicion every time. Everytime hate judges you on your action and assumes the worse intentions behind the actions. We judge ourselves based on our intentions and then judge others based on their actions on what we think they might have intended. That's what hate does. 
There is a story of a pod of frogs and they are in this forest. In the forest there is a pit and 2 of the frogs fall in the pit. The frogs up top are yelling "oh no you are never going to get out! You are going to die! Well the 2 frogs in the pit were leaping with all they got, they are jumping and jumping and the frogs up top are yelling you might as well give up, you are not going to do it, until finally out of sheer exhaustion and discouragement from hearing the pod of frogs discouraging him, one of the frogs just lays down and dies. The second frog keeps leaping and leaping as the frogs on top keep saying "you might as well give up it;s never going to work, it's never going to work, you're just going to die!" And this frog jumps keeps jumping and jumping until finally it miraculously just jumps up and over the pit and out on the top. The frogs said "Oh my word, we thought you were going to die!" And at that point the frog had read their lips and reminded them that "guys I'm deaf ok, I didn't hear what you were saying before, I thought you were cheering me on and that's why I had the strength to jump out of there!" 
and that's where we need to understand. If you don't know the communication you fill in the gaps. Is this person trying to get me to die or survive? If you fill in the gaps with trust you are going to be able to get out of that pit.And I guarantee you this hate or a broken relationship will create a pit in your life. In order to get out of there you have got to stop interpreting the negative things even if they are feeding you negative things stop interpreting it that way otherwise you get stuck in this pit.
4. Hate is the costume that fear wears. Why? Because it is way less venerable to say I am nervous, it easier to say that person is a jerk. We don't like to say I am nervous of what they might treat me like, so we puff up like a puffer fish, we yell, we get angry. It is just a costume that fear wears. 
So what do we do with hate? few things, let's start with Matt. 5:8 Blessed are the pure for they shall see God. Purity is somehow connected to clarity. When my heart is pure my mind is clear. When I have hate in my heart I see really fuzzy. If I don't handle all my relationships in holistic manner the whole picture is going to get muddy. So what do we do about hate? 1. don't ignore it... investigate it. Why did that make you feel that way? Get all the wisdom you can from the situation. What happened, why did it happen, what can you learn about you, what can you learn about others, Hate has caused a billion problems but it has never solved one of them. Not one problem has been solved because someone got "just mad enough" 2. Don't let it go..let it grow.. let hatred do something to grow into a different format. When you begin to explore hate or anger in your life. guess what your are going to discover at the end of that? That there is a worry, a sadness, and when you are not blocked by this anger and you stop puffing up with pride to be right, when we get beyond that and grow beyond that, we see that hate grow into sorrow, like ouch I was hurt. and that's not fun. But now when you are not in anger, the doctor, scripture calls him the Great Physician, is able to now come and begin to clean my wounds when I am not trying to protect myself with anger. Don't let anger or hurts prevent you from enjoying your future, but if you will take an investment and let it turn into sadness I promise you it won't stay that way. Now you won't have to puff yourself up with that prideful vengeance but now you can get on your knees and say Jesus I am vulnerable , I was hurt, and now God is the mender, the restorer, the binder of the broken heart. It's not going to be instantly easy, you won't just go out and suddenly feel all happy. for some of you it is going to feel like I am in 3rd grand again and I didn't get picked in PE ,that's why I am so messed up with that persons comment. Then I realize it's not even about that persons comment. It's about this hole in my heart that I have ignored. It reminds me of rejection and then I am able to deal with that and let God fill those things.Then I can come back and say alright that person probably didn't even mean to make me feel that , they had no clue that would even make me feel that way. Now I can fill in the gap with trust and not suspicion and I don't need to have an anger judgement pointing toward them. Keep moving to the other side. Don't let it go, let it grow. 3. I have to own my piece to own my peace. For me to get through hate I have to know what I am contributing to it. And this is the great shock and awe of most people, especially Christians. Go to the video and check out his pie chart it is a good lesson for owning our part of the issue. (at 53 minute mark) Goal: Now none of my energy is going to judging others, but raised to God asking him to fill the hole in my heart that is making this anger and hatred. Why would we do that as a follower of Jesus, because that is exactly what Jesus did for us. When you are in the middle of it, it is hard to see it. Hate is a scam,it makes you feel you are right, like getting a great deal on a car online and they will drive the car to you from the state it is in as soon as they receive the money. Hate is a scam, every single time. And it is hard to recognize a scam when you are right in the stinkin' middle of it. If you are a follower of Jesus today, you got to get through this, keep walking through it, journey through it, your future is too important to bring this with you. Jesus says this is how we become more complete, more like Him. If you are not a follower of Jesus, this is what Christianity is all about, Jesus loved us even when we were in the wrong. He offered us another opportunity, what do you do with that? You invite Him to forgive your sin and begin that journey with Him. Reflect that kind of love. Father, We don't naturally ascend to these standards, this goes so against our human heart, our emotions, our nature, but God our future is too important to be stuck with past pain. I pray that you will help those of us here today that are gripping onto being wronged, gripping onto an offense, even if it was true, Lord that we would not let that become our prison for the future. God that we would be able to journey across that and to find freedom and healing in those relationships so that we can experience wholeness with you and reflect wholeness toward others. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. To which I add "God help me to be scandalous in my love for others, even when I take the hurt and internalize it. Help me to give it all to you so that you can fill any gaps with trust in my heart when I am hurt. Help me to realize that the person hating has gaps too."

Things I learned while taking a break from facebook.

A couple of months ago, while I went off Facebook, I decided to log what I was learning... And here it is. I have learned don't wish for a moment , wish for a lifetime! I've learned that you really can type the letters lol on a post while you're crying, I've learned that it's OK to cry, be sad and wish things were different even when you know they're the way they are supposed to be. I learned that there is no limit to the number of times you can lose the TV remote.

I ponder the thought that there should be a remake of an old song except this time call it "this boy is a woman now." Clearly my mind has had time to wander. If Heidi Klum went from a 10 to a 9.99,

I'm now off the charts, and not in the good way.

I have learned that I do not want to show nipples in public in the downtown square area. Unless someone from Skin Wars is going to paint it into a minion. And no one else wants me to either , I am sure. And I think that the skin wars artists should also paint the butt cracks that are always showing in the low jeans into something creative while they're at it.

I've learned when I heard an ad about cinnamon rolls and they said the words doughy, flaky and happy that they were not talking about the seven dwarfs family. I've also learned that as you age sometimes your brain just automatically changes the lyrics to a song to fit what age you are. For instance the song " watch me whip watch me nae nae", well when I caught myself singing it, I was singing watch me slip watch me nae nae... Lol well hope I don't do the slip part!

For those of you that speak Shakespearean :)

I've learned that you can't plug your phone charger into your remote control for the television. After watching Project Runway I have learned what my avocados goiters are. I have learned that fortunately you can also forget some of the things you have learned.

 Michael Kors so cruelly put it, with "avocado dinner napkins" (a.k.a. "avocado goiters") tucked into the hip? 

 I have also learned that when you have an interest in something, you can't just jump in everything you want to try because it takes energy, money and time. This gets more valuable the older you get so you become more choosy about how you use it out of necessity. I learned that if you sit on a fork, spoon and knife wrapped in a napkin and don't even know it or if you stick ear buds in your top and don't even know that ,you're probably not the princess and the pea. I've learned that yoldeling is probably not something I want to spend a lot of time learning even though I like the outfits. I've learned it's fun to give away one of your really cute pair of stilettos that are new and see a friend wearing them and it look even better on her! What I've learned is warming up your lotion for your face foundation before you put it on feels luxurious!

I have learned never to wipe off a kiss on the cheek no matter how sloppy it is, because it will sink in and become a smile later!

I've learned that I think I need a security blanket, and perhaps a chocolate pacifier. What I have learned... You know how some places let you have your own beer stein kept in their facilities and then when you come in they serve you in it? We need a dessert shop that way! And of course they must be true, mostly chocolate desserts! That's what I've learned. I learned that you kind of forget what it's like to be one half of a couple after alone for a while. But after all the precious memories of being in a wonderful marriage, your relationship will always be there in your heart. I have learned that using my cell phone more does not make me clean up my emails any better. Even though it should. I've learned that pajamas can be daytime attire! I've learned that no... I don't have to put on my big girl panties, you're not the boss of me and sometimes I just need to be a little girl for a bit.

 I've learned, after catching up on reruns of TV shows I was behind on, that I want to bring back an old saying ...gag me with a spoon!

 I've learned that Jabba the Hut is something you can call yourself after a particularly filling Thanksgiving dinner per Mindy Kaling. I've learned that while reading library books that have been read many times you can tell what a previous reader was eating when they read it much to my chagrin! I've learned if you freeze grapes, they taste like little miniature ice creams.

 But that's not the fun part, the fun part is popping one in your mouth putting a sheet up to your nose and breathing ! You would be amazed at how much cold air comes out! I know small things amuse small minds... I've learned that Superman can't really fly so be your own Superman.

 I've learned that some things really do taste as good as thin looks! I've learned that if you watch the show hoarders you may become very depressed from it but your house would be a lot cleaner. I have learned a new appreciation for oxymorons. For example to be a belly dancer, you really don't want a belly. I've learned that almost everyone knows some sign language, at least the dirty words. I have learned that closing my Facebook account for a while so I can catch up on things around the house has introduced me to Instagram... And I'm still learning everyday...

Jeremy Rabe FYI Guy loves Celine Dion!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KT2AgcOJm2c&feature=youtu.be

Hello, We are reaching out to Jeremy's VIP fans and asking for your help.  Because of you and your support Jeremy and the FYI GUY LIVE show is gaining traction.  He sincerely loves each and everyone one of you for your support. As you know Jeremy's biggest dream is to connect with Celine Dion.  Jeremy has put together a video that we hope can reach her or her staff.  We believe that If this video spreads across the Social Media wires it will be seen by those close to Celine. So, please take just a minute to go to the FYI GUY Facebook page and share Jeremy's Celine Dion video post.  We are trying to share it every where, so Post it on Facebook, Tweet it, share it on YouTube.  Then sit back with us and watch our message spread to Celine! Celine Dion - A Valentine from FYI GUY Jeremy Rabe http://youtu.be/KT2AgcOJm2c Thank you for your continued love and support for Jeremy and the FYI GUY Show. Sincerely, The FYI GUY Production Team

Forward to the past!

FACT: The world population is rapidly ageing, Boomers are the next "older" generation

Between 2000 and 2050, the proportion of the world's population over 60 years will double from about 11% to 22%. The absolute number of people aged 60 years and over is expected to increase from 605 million to 2 billion over the same period.

The functional capacity of an individual's biological system increases during the first years of life, reaches its peak in early adulthood and naturally declines thereafter. The rate of decline is determined, at least in part, by our lifestyle and environment throughout life. Factors include what we eat, how physically active we are and our exposure to health risks such as those caused by smoking, harmful consumption of alcohol, or exposure to toxic substances.

http://www.who.int/ageing/about/facts/en/

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Back to the Future, great movie right? But it is now 2015

 (as in the movie time travel) and I think it is time to go Forward to the Past! By that I don't mean we can ignore our aging bodies or do something other humanly to regain our youth. What can we do then? We can realize that we have less Sundays in our lives than ever before and also know that IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO START TAKING CARE OF OURSELVES! Hate workouts? Me too...some of them. I love walking the Botanical gardens, so I do. Find something you like and do it, just MOVE. Why? If you don't, someone may have to move you around later. Yes that could happen anyway, but if you HAVE the choice, and you do, why not start now? Maybe all you can do is sit in a chair and raise one leg a few inches at a time, that is great! It will work! Keep at it!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In true baby boomer style, however, they will probably do these things in a new way. Boomers are expected to live longer than any previous generation of Americans. Of the 3.4 million born in 1946 -- including Bill Clinton, George and Laura Bush, Donald Trump, Susan Sarandon, Steven Spielberg, and Sylvester Stallone -- 2.8 million are still alive. The men can expect to live another 22 years, the women another 25.

One big question looms over these developments: Will those years be vigorous and healthy, or will baby boomers sink into the pain and disability of chronic disease? A lot hangs on the answer."The influence of aging on society depends on which view you accept," Gary Burtless, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, tells WebMD. "Longer life spans would be a burden if additional years were spent in a frail, dependent condition, but I don't hold that pessimistic view. I think there's a lot of evidence that people are healthier mentally and physically than they used to be."

http://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/features/growing-old-baby-boomer-style

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Another thing we can do is start to take nutrition more seriously! Yes we all have our "family favorites" but unless you were raised by a health nut, I imagine "favorites" doesn't translate into healthy very well. Sure it may be chocked full of protein, and.....wayyy to much cholesterol? Great for fiber, overpacked with salt? 

I recommended Recipe for Rehab to help you translate some of your favorites into healthy family favorites. You are what you eat...and think.

http://www.tvguide.com/shows/recipe-rehab-439888/

Listen to Zig Ziglar http://www.learnoutloud.com/Podcast-Directory/Self-Development/Instructional/Inspiring-Words-of-Encouragement-Podcast/22316,  or

Nick Vujucic  https://www.youtube.com/user/NickVujicicTV

or somewho who is encouraging you to overcome old, mediocre habits and starting today...one small step at a time, rebuild your body and strength. Do everything you can to make sure that you can take care of yourself for as long as you can and still be able to do those things you want to do! 

Don't care to do it for yourself? How about for your children and grandchildren? 

Will today's children die earlier than their parents?

This argument has great evidence for yes and no but it is for certain that  though they may live longer their quality of life may be low.

http://www.makemedicinebetter.org/2011/10/us-children-are-now-projected-to-die-before-their-parents/

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-28191865

Maybe we should say for ourselves, you are what you eat and what is eating you (take your thoughts captive!) but for our children, whom we are molding we must say you are what we teach you and feed you. This is an awesome blessing and responsibility! 

http://www.eatright.org/kids/article.aspx?id=6442460425

Can I really make a difference?

Yes! Choosing healthy foods and being physically active may not come naturally to everyone. But, like just about anything, these healthy choices can be learned and become a habit. As a parent or caregiver, you are a role model and have the ability to influence your child’s environment. Even small changes in your family’s eating and exercise habits can have a big impact on your child’s health.

http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/kids/eating-nutrition/healthy-eating/nutrition-healthy-eating-for- kids.html

Let's start today, do one thing, however small. Your body will reward you huge for that one small thing! I am juicing today. That is my one small thing.

3 sweet potatoes, 2 apples, 12-16 oz. strawberries and a splash of cinnamon! EZ

 Post on facebook what one small thing you did today for yourself to make your "forward to the past" better and you will not only encourage yourself but inspire others as well!

Love you guys and want to see you out in public, not in the nursing home, let's start now, let's to it today, one step at a time,and let's do it together!

It's all just fun and games until we all work together, then it can be fun, games and healthy! Plus it is EZ4U2do!

Christmas is not about spending!

Don't end up with a big debt after Christmas! Shop wisely! That's a tip  from Thrifty Barbie! 

I like the word but and I cannot lie!

This morning, as I listened to the wind howling and the water pit against the window pane, winter seemed to be taking it's last breath before releasing it's hold on it's season. You know when you are on your computer and it says  "power 10%, recharge now"? Well it was as if winter had gotten that message and there was no recharging so it was letting go.

 My battery was deplete as well, since last week was a busy one, so I decided to stay in this morning and huddled under the covers trying to get my battery back from 10%, ( my body's battery, not my computer's :) . So I was worshipping with others online via my tv.  We were studying Ephesians 2: 1-9. When we got to 2:2 I was so excited, I know my pastor always says "when you see the word therefore in the Bible see what it's there for." Today I read:

2 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved,through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,which God prepared in advance for us to do.http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+2

I had read it so many time before but suddenly...the BUT jumped out! There is nothing I can offer God but myself.  He, on the other hand, gave His all for me! I am a sinner, not was, not will be, but am..because I am in human flesh. BUT God in His great love sent Jesus to reconcile me to Himself when I trust in Christ. Perfection cannot dwell with imperfection of which I am. But God made a way for me to be reconciled to Him so that we may abide together (believe me, I have not forgotten how lonely it is without Him)! That way is Jesus. I am not deserving, nor entitled nor able to earn it, BUT because of His great love for you and for me, I may lay it all at Jesus feet and trust in Him and be reconciled with my Father.

We are quick to use attention getting, even shocking words in our tv shows, movies, songs and lives as if they were the word but.  Obviously I used that ploy in the title of this post.  I remember the old saying "you will do it, no buts about it!" That was not particularly a but I wanted to hear.  Today...it was a joy to hear the word, it reminds me that, while I am to be as much like Christ in my behavior as I can be, I am OK with God because of that word.

We hear this word so often today, but in a different context. For instance:

or how about..

There are so many places in scripture where the word but is an encouragement, such as: Romans 8:26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans
and 

24For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

...But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, … to save much people alive (Genesis 50:20).

Nevertheless the Lord thy God would not hearken unto Balaam; but the Lord thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee (Deuteronomy 23:5).

...but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever (Psalm 73:26).

http://www.mwtb.org/site/moments-for-you/back-issues/third-quarter-2000/but-god-verses.html

I could go on forever, but will instead say that I hope you know how much you are loved and cared about, but if you don't, trust Him, He is worthy! God bless you and yours.

Because He first loved us!

 

Debbie