New Blog

I've started a new blog for the next season in my life.  Come follow me at:

http://theheartofachristian.blogspot.com/ 

The Flesh

The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”  (Matthew 26:41)


It saddens me deeply when people live constantly in the flesh and deny the Spirit. It is our own selfish flesh desires that get us into trouble and create situations that hurt others.  When we are wondering what happened in our life maybe we should be asking ourselves if we made those decisions in the spirit or the flesh.  


I am not excluding myself here either.  I need to constantly ask myself that question.  Am I denying myself for God's Glory?  Am I taking up my cross?


I am also reminded of John 3:30:
"He must become greater; I must become less."


Before Christians were called Christians they were called "People of The Way".  Look closely we are not people of "a" way but "The" way.  It is God's Way and there is not another path that results in salvation and righteousness.  


When we focus more on God and less on ourselves we are truly living for Him and living in the Spirit.  We can read the word but not live in the Spirit so it is important to experience the word of God.  Do not just read The Bible but let His truth transform you.

A New Season

I'm entering a new season of my life.  God is transforming my life in such a wonderful way I can't really describe it in words.  He is taking a lot of bad and turning it into good!!  I've taken some time off from writing because I'm in school and spending more time with God.

I hope to write more often to write about how God is taking hold of my life and using it for His will.  Lots of design changes are to come as well!!

Random Thoughts

Ok so I know it's been a while since I have posted anything.  Sorry about that.  I'm currently going through a very hard trial in my life.
I've been attending a life group the past few weeks that have helped me to open up to others and to also allow the Holy Spirit to really remold me.  My plan is not his plan.  Instead of being the leader over the holy spirit I need to be a follower.  You see I tend to be like a nagging wife.  Saying things like this:  "But God your word says this....so you must do this..."

So everyweek I come home after group and it's all silence.  Complete silence.  My son is in bed so it's just me listening to the peaceful sounds of the fish tank.

A few days earlier God reminded me of a wish I asked for.  I said, "God use me to do your will".  Wow He sure has answered that prayer.  Of course it's not been in the way I imagined it would be.  Do you ever think God please help me.  How many of us want the full glory of God to come upon us but they pull slightly back and say stop that's too much?

Fall Time

I love this time of year.  Football has officially started, my son is in school, and all the beautiful things that happen in fall.  Even though I currently live in a warm climate I still see a change in the air.  There is something fall like about the clouds even if it's still 87 degrees out.  The breeze is a little different and I'll be excited when next month we will be able to go to the pumpkin patch.  I love the messy job of scraping out all the pumpkin seeds from the pumpkin and baking them.  It's a fun project to do with any toddler just as long as your outside.  :)

I really love putting up fall decor as well.  There is something renewing about fall leaves to me.  The beautiful transformation leaves make is just so dang pretty.  I am a creature who loves and even craves change so maybe that is another reason why I really love fall.  To me it's just another leg of the journey but change brings a new opportunity to be better for God.

Today I got a request to post my famous pumpkin bread recipe as well.  I'm really looking forward to making it.  I make it a lot during the fall months.  Not only does it taste yummy but it makes your whole house smell so good.  To me scents of fall like cinnamon, cloves, and pumpkin are so very comforting.

Without further ado.  I present the best pumpkin bread recipe ever!!

 Bella Pumpkin Bread

• 3 cups white sugar
• 4 eggs
• 2/3 cup water
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon ground saigon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
• 1 cup vegetable oil

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour two 7 x 3 inch loaf pans.
2. Mix oil, sugar, and eggs together in a large bowl. Mix in pumpkin puree and water. Stir together flour, soda, baking powder, salt, and spices. Add to the pumpkin mixture, and mix until just combined. Divide batter into prepared pans.
3. Bake 50 minutes to 1 hour. Cool on wire racks.

Faith Like a Child

Ever since I read the book "Heaven is for Real" I've been seriously thinking about what Jesus said about having "faith like a child".


Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it."
-Luke 18:17


However, during dinner while my son was physically dissatisfied with what I made for him I realized something.  I'm sure when God asks me to do something or directs me in a direction that I don't want to do, I act exactly like my son.  I'm sure I throw temper tantrums screaming, "No, no I don't want to" or "but why do I have to".   Sure we might be tired when God asks us to do something but He expects us to obey Him, after all, He first loved us.


I can't expect my son to obey me without first obeying my heavenly Father.  I must be the example otherwise I'm just a dictator.  


And the people said to Joshua, “We will serve the LORD our God and obey him.”
-Joshua 24:24

Another "family" member lost

It has taken me a few days to even begin to write this post.  I was deeply saddened (as I'm sure we all were) when the news reported the loss of 30 of our military members.  I was getting ready for a meeting at church when I saw the breaking news.  Then a friend of mine texted me to ask for prayers as a family member of hers was on that helicopter.  My heart just broke and tears starting flowing.  I ended up being late to the meeting because I wasn't sure I could even go on with my day.

Of course I realized I have no control over the situation so I just started praying for all the families.  Then I asked for prayer at the meeting for all the families who lost someone.

I'm still not able to talk about it without crying but hearing how confident some of the men were in their lives, specifically their Christian walk, is just awesome.

The EOD tech that died was a local to where I live so his life and family is all over the news.  He is apart of our military family and my heart just breaks for them.

It just makes you realize how precious life is and it makes me re-evaluate how I am spending my time.  God Bless our Troops!!!



Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
-John 15:12-14