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Category Archives: Everyday things

Do you ever throw a fit with God?

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I love watching my daughter parent my one-year-old grandson. She’s a great mom – loving, kind, and patient. But of course challenges pop up constantly.

Micah smile

Micah is a happy, sweet boy! Most of the time.

Recently for instance, Micah has been throwing a fit whenever something doesn’t go his way. And not just a pouty face with a few tears. These are lay down on the floor, kick your legs, and bellow fits.

Toddler tantrum

Micah in the midst of a toddler fit!

For fun, she sent me a list of some things that set him off. (And by the way, I did get my daughter’s permission to share!)

Things she wouldn’t let him do:

  • Grab the hot pot on the stove
  • Pull an electrical cord out of the outlet
  • Shut a door with his fingers in the hinges
  • Dig in the trash can
  • Pull the lamp off the table
  • Lick the bottom of Dad’s shoes
  • Suck on the acorn he found in the yard
  • Tear a page out of her Bible

Things he did and then didn’t like:

  • Pulled the stopper out of the tub and lost all the water
  • Crawled under the ottoman and got stuck

Things she did he didn’t like:

  • Shut the fridge door
  • Shut the dishwasher
  • Made him ride in his car seat

Even though Kelley acts completely in Micah’s best interest or to prevent unneeded destruction, he rebels. Kelley sighs; I laugh. (Nanas can do that.) But, Kelley is handling it well. Micah will soon learn that this kind of behavior is not productive.

Trying to Manipulate

When we were toddlers, most of us eventually learned that tantrums and fits were not acceptable behavior. Most of our parents did not fall for that kind of manipulation. We never allowed our children to manipulate us like that. So why do we still sometimes try it with God?

  • God, if you’ll do this for me here, then I’ll obey you in that.
  • If you’ll let me get away with this one time, I won’t ever do it again.
  • I can’t believe you aren’t going to let me have that!

The Perfect Parent

God is the perfect, ultimate parent. He only acts in love toward us and for our good.

Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that me may share in His holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.  Hebrews 12:10-11, NIV

Whether God withholds something we want, stops something we’re doing, or does something we don’t like, we can fully trust that it’s for our good. Even if it seems painful at the time.

God is working for our spiritual health and eternal welfare. Yet sometimes we end up on the floor, kicking our legs, and throwing a fit. Wait… maybe that’s just me.

Don’t leave me hanging! Tell us about a time you threw a fit with God!

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Pride goeth before a puncture wound

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I’ve finally stopped limping. It’s been two weeks since my small accident at a women’spride ministry event.

When I first touched the wrought-iron creation, I made what turned out to be a prophetic observation. “This thing could be the murder weapon in a CSI show. The newspaper headline would read: Woman killed with centerpiece at charity event.” Then we all laughed.

The 3-foot tall iron “tree” was the centerpiece on our table at my church’s annual table top dinner. Its pointy branches held vases with fresh flowers and plates laden with luscious homemade cookies and pastries. Beautiful to look at, but dangerous to carry while wearing high-heeled boots and an “I’m strong enough to do it myself” attitude.

When the event ended, clean-up got underway. I offered to carry the 25-pound deadly weapon to my friend’s car for her because, “I work out.” The length of the branches meant I had to hold it in front of me with my arms almost straight. As I followed Sherry down the sidewalk out to the parking lot she encouraged me to be careful and watch my step. I remember thinking, “She doesn’t realize how strong and agile I am.”

That’s when it happened. Just about the time that prideful thought popped into my mind, my toe caught a jut in the concrete. Thankfully I didn’t fall, but in the course of the awkward forward stumble, one of those hard, pointy branches caught the bend behind my left knee. My skirt and my boot made it through unscathed, but my flesh and my pride both suffered a beating.

God continues to remind me how dangerous pride is in the lives of His children. “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov 16:18). Pride keeps our eyes on us and off Jesus causing us to stumble through life – sometimes literally!

Pride creates an unrealistic, inflated view of us and thus an inferior view of God. When I’m prideful, I think too much of myself and too little of Christ. I end up choosing my own way instead of God’s way. That’s very dangerous!

When we humbly work to keep our pride in check we can begin to have a proper view of God. As our understanding of God expands, so does our trust in and dependence on Him. We choose God’s way over our own way. And that’s the best – and safest – way!

How has pride caused you to stumble in the past? How do you work to stay humble?

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My Top Ten Chocolate Favorites

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Chocolate is my love language and I speak it fluently. That’s why I’m so excited that the chocolate holiday (aka “Valentine’s Day) is almost here.

Chocolate truffles

Mocha Truffles – rolled but not yet dipped

Unfortunately, a cruel irony has beset me. I have a dentist’s appointment on February 14th. However, I plan to soldier on. There will be plenty of time to celebrate chocolate’s rich, creamy sweetness before and after my time in the chair.

In honor of the big day, I’m sharing my ten chocolate favorites! (In no particular order)

  1. Dairy Milk chocolate bar
  2. Hershey’s Best Brownies (recipe below!)
  3. Starbuck’s Peppermint Mocha
  4. Cadbury Mini-Eggs – only available around Easter
  5. Lindt Milk Chocolate Lindor Balls
  6. Mocha Truffles (I shared the recipe in December!)
  7. Warm Chocolate Melting Cake – ate it every night on our last Carnival Cruise
  8. Chocolate Fountain – my favorite thing to dip are small squares of Rice Krispy Treat
  9. Fudge Richey – from “Susie’s South Forty” in Midland, Texas (Ladies, it’s chocolate-covered fudge!)
  10. Nestle’s Semi-Sweet chocolate chips – they’re great by the handful and you can add them to anything!

I want to know your chocolate favorites! Share names, recipes, or links! Let’s really indulge ourselves between now and Valentine’s Day!

Here’s that recipe I promised:

Hershey’s Best Brownies

I got this recipe off the back of a canister of Hershey’s cocoa many years ago. However, the chocolate chips are my addition!

  • 1 cup butter
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • 4 eggs
  • ¾ cup cocoa
  • 1 cup flour
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 cup chocolate chips (Nestle’s Semi-Sweet of course!)

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Melt butter in a large bowl. Stir in sugar and vanilla. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well. Add cocoa, beat. Add flour, baking powder and salt. Beat well. Mix half the chocolate chips into the batter and spread into a greased 9×13 pan. Sprinkle remaining chocolate chips on top. Bake 30 minutes only!

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14 Ways to Show Love to Those You Love

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Years ago, country singer Clint Black wrote and recorded a song titled “Something that We Do.” Whether he intended it or not, the lyrics reflect a principle about the nature of love taught in the Bible. Here are a few lines of the song:

ValentinesCandyI remember well the day we wed
I can see that picture in my head
Love isn’t just those words we said
It’s something that we do
There’s no request too big or small
We give ourselves, we give our all
Love isn’t someplace that we fall
It’s something that we do

Sounds a lot like something the apostle John said: “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:18, NIV). So, if love is action, how do we love? Below are 14 ways from Scripture that you can actively show love to the people you love.

  1. Help them out of a tight spot – When Jesus attended a wedding with His mother, she asked Him to help the hosts when they ran out of wine. We may not be able to miraculously solve a problem, but God has gifted us in other ways to help. (John 2:1-11)
  2. Get them help when you can’t help them – A paralyzed man received healing from Jesus because his friends dropped him through a roof at Jesus’ feet. They were willing to do whatever it took it to get help for their friend! (Mark 2:1-12)
  3. Pray for them – The Bible is full of people praying for the ones they love. The church prayed for Peter in jail (Acts 12:5). Jesus prayed for the disciples (John 17:6-19). Paul prayed for the Ephesian believers (Eph 1:15-23).
  4. Rebuke them when needed – Sometimes the best way we can love someone is by confronting their sinful, destructive behavior (Proverbs 27:6, Matthew 18:15-17).
  5. Freely forgive offenses – Jesus eliminated the limit on forgiveness when Peter asked how many times he should forgive (Matthew 18:21-22). Some hurts seem unforgivable, but with God’s help it’s possible to “promote love” through forgiveness (Proverbs 17:9).
  6. Humbly serve them – Jesus set the example (John 13:1-17). He calls us – His followers – to also humbly and graciously serve others (Gal 5:13).
  7. Meet their physical needs – Scripture is clear. If we see a brother in need, have the means to help but don’t, then our love for God should be questioned (1 John 3:17).
  8. Rejoice and mourn with them – We show deep care for others when their hurts and joys are also ours. Don’t hold back. Let the tears and the cheers flow! (1 Cor 12:25-26).
  9. Show kindness to someone they love – King David expressed his deep bond of friendship for Jonathan by caring for Jonathan’s crippled son Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:1-13).
  10. Intercede with others on their behalf – Could your influence help a loved one? Barnabas smoothed the way for Paul with the Jerusalem church leaders (Acts 9:27-30). Paul wrote to Philemon appealing for Onesimus the runaway slave (Philemon 8-11).
  11. Help two quarreling loved ones work – Does strife exist between two people you love? Be a mediator and help them mend their relationship. Paul asked the believers in Philippi help two women in their church (Philippians 4:2-3).
  12. Introduce them to Jesus – Does a loved one desperately need to know Jesus? Share the Good News! Andrew introduced his brother Peter to Jesus (John 1:35-42).
  13. Encourage and disciple them in their relationship with Christ – The author of Hebrews tells us to “spur one another on to good works” and “encourage one another” daily (Hebrews 10:24-25).
  14. “Lay down your life!” – Seems pretty drastic, but that’s exactly how Jesus showed His love for us (John 15:12-13). The basic principle has much broader application than actual physical death. Jesus calls us to unselfishly seek put others ahead of ourselves.

Wow! Buying a card and a box of chocolates is a lot easier. But Hallmark and Hershey doesn’t say love like real love in action. Show somebody you love them today!

Who can you show love to today? How will you show it?

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Saran Wrap for the Soul

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Public toilets are a necessary evil. “Evil,” because many are less than clean. “Necessary,” because I need them frequently.

Thankfully, my mother taught me the fine art of hovering when I was still a young girl. This skill has served me well and I have perfected it. I can get close enough to prevent splashing and still avoid actually touching the toilet seat.

Recently I saw an amazing new feature on a public toilet. If it catches on, my “hovering” muscles may atrophy. I had just gotten off a plane in New Orleans, hustled to the ladies room, and hurried into the stall. Prepared to “take the stance,” something unusual caught my eye.

Clean, clear plastic covered the toilet seat. The writing on the back of the toilet read: “Before use, wave hand in front of green wall mounted sensor or press green button for fresh sanitary seat cover. Stops automatically.”

So, I waved my hand and like magic the plastic scooted away and fresh plastic took its place over the seat. Then I confidently took care of business. No hovering muscles required.

That toilet seat was truly protected. The plastic covering guarded it from all kinds of outside evil. Constant protection produces constant clean. The person who thought this up is a genius.

Wouldn’t it be great if we could cover our souls with plastic wrap? It’s a big, bad world out there. Temptation constantly bombards us. Sometimes we turn away and stand firm in obedience to God. Other times, we hover too close. Instead of running we allow ourselves to be “dragged away and enticed” (James 1:14), yielding to temptation and falling headlong into sin.

In the paths of the wicked lie thorns and snares, but he who guards his soul stays far from them.

Proverbs 22:5, NIV

Unprotected souls are easy prey for Satan’s schemes and our own sinful desires. But when we keep constant guard over our hearts and minds we protect ourselves from many pitfalls. Know your weaknesses and take measures to guard against them. Be aware of the areas where you are apt to fall and avoid those things. Cover your soul with Saran Wrap.

What are some areas of weakness for you? What measures can you take to protect yourself from temptation?

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