Fear and it's Buddies Part 3

In case you missed it, we talked about fear and it's buddies, then we took a closer look at those buddies. Now we are applying scripture to fear. 

Are you struggling with fear right now?

Hear are two great questions to ask yourself:

1. Are you trusting God right now?
2. Has God left you alone in this situation?

    If you're honest with yourself, the answer is no for both. It's not easy, trust me, I KNOW!! *smile* Like I said before my struggles with fear/worry is like a roller coaster ride. But when we fear, ultimately we are NOT trusting God, plain and simple. 
     Also the situation may not be easy but God has NOT left you alone. I can't think about what if my husband doesn't get a job up here soon. I don't have the strength for the alternatives at this time. Just like I can't think about where is the money going to come from to pay our bills. It does nothing but cause me anxiety. Remember: Matt.6:25, "Therefore do not worry, saying, "what shall we eat? or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'"  Matt 6:31, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day [is] its own trouble."Matt.6:34, and  Luke 12:22, just to name a few. I have to keep my eyes focused on God and trust that He will keep His promise to provide for us. I don't say these things lightly, it's hard, REALLY hard!

Let's look at some scripture:

Fear robs us of faith, Jesus said it Himself;

But He said to them, " Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?" Matt.8:26

     I love the following verse! God gave it to me while I was on bed rest with Josiah while in the hospital. At one point I became unstable and I was afraid I was going to lose him. I asked God to have mercy and save our son, but I also acknowledge that he is God's child and I would "understand" if He took him home. The fear would rise up and I would lay our son's life at the foot of the cross and "the peace of God" would wash over me. It was like nothing I had experienced. 

     Once again the other day when I cried out to God over being fearful, "the peace of God" washed over me. Both times the trials were still there and I could have chosen to dwell and be afraid. But I didn't! I chose to submit to God's authority and acknowledge I am not in control, He is and whatever his will is, it is PERFECT! We need to remember He says to be anxious for what?! NOTHING!! (easier said then done *wink*) In EVERYTHING come to to God in prayer and supplication, but with THANKSGIVING.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:6-7

It alienates the truth. God tells us to meditate on what is true. So if fear removes truth, then we should not meditate on our fears.

Finally brethren, whatever things are true....meditate on these things. Phil. 4:8

It victimizes the person. Remember God does NOT give us a spirit of fear (that is straight from Satan)!

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Tim. 1:7

It robs your memory. What do we need to remember? 

1. NOT to fear!
2. NOT to be dismayed.
3. Cast any and all fears upon Him. Lay them at the feet of the cross.
4. God is ALWAYS, ALWAYS with us!!!
5. He will ALWAYS be our God.
6. That He will help and strengthen us because He cares for us.

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

     No I haven't conquered fear unfortunately. Today once again, I am struggling with it! It's the end of the month and very little money has come in, I can see my husband struggling and that breaks my heart and also leads to fear. Once again I have to stop, repent, ask God to remove my fears, and meditate on His truths! I just want you to know that you are not alone and that we have to stay focused on Christ (I am so blessed that He met me among my fears the other week). 

There are more verses then just the ones I posted. Are there any verses in particular that help you with fear, worry, anxiety? I would love for you to share them!!

For His Glory,

Fear and it's Buddies Part 2

In case you missed the first post on fear, we talked about me struggling with fear and God meeting me at my fears and bringing me to listen to Revive Our Hearts (which she was talking about fear and it's buddies). Today I taking a closer look at those fear buddies.

1. It distorts Reality

      The decision my husband made and the ugly fear that arose after lead me to believe my husband was sabotaging he chances of getting a job up here. I know he misses the South and wishes we could live closer to his family. I understand, I DO! But unless God provides a miracle (if it is His will), we can't move and be together ALL of us as a family down South at this time. 

     I starting thinking that he didn't REALLY want to find a new job up here! He kept forgetting to send out a thank you note to an interview he had, had about a week before. THEN when I mentioned it, he didn't respond. So the fear kept growing..."SEE he isn't sending a note in. He's ignoring my request. He doesn't want to try and stand out. He doesn't REALLY want to get a job up North!!"

      

     Here I was packing and planning, all the while in the back of my head, telling God all of this (much to my shame). Then about an hours later, as I'm still crying out to God. My husband with a "skip in his step" whips up a Thank You note and gets it ready to mail out!!!

     It may not seem like a big thing, but that had been the "last straw" to "confirm" my fears...aka distorting of reality! God showed me through that one simple act of changing my husband's heart to stop and prepare a Thank You note (he really had meant to earlier, but kept forgetting), that fear was distorting my reality over my husband's thoughts and actions.   

2. It victimizes the person.

     Fear can cause a pity party for oneself, a victim mentality. One evening in particular I was really fretting and fearing over this whole job situation (or lack there of) and the decision my husband had made. It was taking a toll physically and mentally. I was tense, my stomach hurt, I had a headache, I wasn't smiling, and my mind was just RUNNING with my fears. Finally I had had enough and pray out to God to forgive me and remove this fear. I didn't want tears and fear anymore! He is in CONTROL! "PLEASE God REMOVE this dread from me!!!" And He did! I was in awe! I felt so much calmer and relaxed! One moment I couldn't seem to stop thinking about my fear that next it was hard to recall. Did I still remember what had caused me to fear? Yes. Could I have chosen to turn my attention back to it and dwell? Yes. But one moment it seemed I had no control of my fear, the next I could choose to dwell or not. I choose NOT to be a victim and instead live in God's freedom. 

3. It puts stress on the body, physically, emotionally, spiritually.

     Isn't that the truth! Fear can give me headaches, upset stomachs  heartburn, exhaustion, cause tension and in turn impatience with my family. Not good! The list could go on. That's NOT what God wants for us!

4. It alienates the truth.

     Of course believing my husband was intentionally trying not to get a job up North is not the truth. I had also starting thinking that if my husband's decision had caused him to not get the job God intended to provide him with, that God will be angry and punish us. That HE wont provide another job up North, that He is not for us.

     1. First if he did lose out on the job that God was going to provide, I have to trust God. My husband is the head of the home, it is his decision (especially since he will be working at the company), and that decision is between him and God (though of course our sins effect others and not just ourselves). So the truth is I'm to submit to my husband.

     2. God LOVES us and provide for us! Even when we sin and face consequences God is so merciful and forgives. HE is STILL there! 

What shall we then say to these things? If God (be) for us, who (can be) against us? Romans 8:31

     God met me at my fear once again. Right before we left for GA, my husband informed me that he has another interview this coming Thursday. No it doesn't mean that God will give him the job, if it's outside of His will. But once again He answered my fear buddy. I forgot that God is good and faithful. I was fearful and dwelling on the fear that, God would punish us with no job prospects in the near future and He in turn provided Joseph with another job interview! *smile*

5. It cripples you.

     For some people fear can be SO strong that they are afraid to leave their homes. I am terrified of heights and I literally can't move. But fear doesn't just cripple us physically, it also cripples you emotionally and spiritually. It drains me of giving the best of me to my family. It also stops me spiritually, I have to go back to God's word and what it says about fear and God's faithfulness. In what ways has fear crippled you?

6. Fear replaces faith.

     When we let fear creep in most often, if not always it pushes out or replaces our faith. We cannot trust God and also live in fear. It's not easy for me to say that! I find myself worrying and fearful often. :( I am learning through our trials though, that when fear starts to creep in...PRAY!!! I might not be able to stop and read my bible at that moment or even get on my knees to pray, but I can pour out my heart/thoughts/fears, etc to God as I'm going about my day. I am learning to recognize my sin (fear) and repent of it, work (really hard) at not dwelling on what is causing me to fear, and asking God to remove me fear. Like I already said, one day my fear was very strongly replacing my fear and after crying out to God (I was only able to stop and pray very briefly, the rest of the time I spent talking to Him while being a mom and wife), He replaced my fear with faith in Him! Isn't God amazing?!?!

7. It disappoints.

     It's like Karin says, "Fear gives nothing back!" Everyone and everything will/can disappoint us, except....GOD! We have to remember that our HOPE comes from GOD ALONE. But Fear in particular will disappoint us, it has NOTHING good to offer! I mean fear had me distorting the image of my husband in my mind (it still does at times)!

8. It robs your memory

     I am still a work in progress. I still struggle with fear/worry on and off. Sometimes I feel like a roller coaster! Each time I have to confess my sin and be reminded of the truth. Fear robs our memories. How quickly I forget God's truths and all that He has done. Even this past week, when I still struggled with fear creeping in, I kept forgetting how God met me right there last week to show me that He is still in control! No for us I don't know what the future holds. I can't plan and "control" (which is really hard), but I can lean on Christ and daily go to His word to refresh my memory! *smile* That's one reason I am so happy to share my struggles and God's faithful with you, because I can also go back and be reminded, so that I wont forget!

What about you, is there something that is causing you to fear? Can you apply the "fear buddies" to your situation? Can you think of any others to add?

In the next post we will look at scripture and regards to fear.

For His Glory,

Fear

SOOOOO I struggle with....FEAR, always have.

As Karen Loritts so plainly puts it:

"My biggest problem in life is I’m a worrier. I worry about worrying. The other problem I have is fear."

Sadly, I can totally relate. How about you? 

Lately I have REALLY been struggling with; 

     My husband made a decision regarding a job that has lead to fear and anger (in myself), after asking a friend/mentor for prayer and guidance. I got down on my knees and wept for forgiveness. My husband's decision is between him and God. But my thoughts and actions are between ME and God! I sinned by being fearful and angry. 

     I am still struggling with fear on and off and have to hold my thoughts captive and ask forgiveness. Once again Karen puts it so plainly,

So I did all the right things, but I could not shake this whole attitude in my bosom that fear was gripping me.

     I was really struggling just earlier this evening. God laid it upon my heart to listen to Nancy Leigh Demoss on Revive Our Hearts and I am SO glad I did! They were talking about fear and bitterness, how perfect!!

I want to share with you 8 truths about fear and it's buddies that Karen talks about on Revive Our Hearts.

1. It distorts reality.
2. It victimizes the person.
3. It puts stress on the body, physically, emotionally, spiritually.
4. It alienates the truth.
5. It cripples you.
6. Fear replaces faith.
7. It disappoints.
8. It robs your memory.

     Next week we will talk about those 8 buddies in more depth and I will share with you how God has been meeting me with my fears. *smile* I can't wait to share!!

     But now I am off to finish getting ready to leave for Georgia, 4 am will come too early! *wink*

For His Glory,

Working from Home

     As you most likely know, my husband lost his job 3 days after Christmas and well, he hasn't found a new one yet. We are trusting and leaning on Christ to provided for our needs.

     After looking into and trying it out, I have partnered with Women Earning Six Figures and am really excited about it! *smile*

     We are a group of women (and men) who are looking to supplement or replace our income. 

Work at home the way you want to with:

No Large Investment

No Carrying Inventory

No Taking Orders or Making Deliveries

No Billing or Collections

No High Pressure Sales

No MLM

No Risk!

   

     If you are interested in more information from working at home at your own pace/schedule, you can check out My Website and can request more information.

Do you work outside the home? If you are a stay at home mom like me, do you do anything part time or from home?

For His Glory,

The MIGHTY Dandelion Day 3-Parts and Preservation

I'm so excited, here is my first vlog!! 

As promised in the video, I made a chart on preparations, dosage and usage.

Preparations and Dosage for Internal Use:

Indicated Internal Uses:

I just LOVE the Dandelion! *smile*

What about you, have you found a new love for Dandelions?

For His Glory,

Dandelion Wine Day 2

There are MANY, MANY things you can do with Dandelions. Today I am going to share a recipe for Dandelion Wine. I have never made it before and didn't know you could. I came across this recipe in one of my herbal books, so I thought I'd try it.

Dandelion Wine

2 quarts fresh Dandelion flowers (make sure they haven't been sprayed).

2 quarts spring water

1 Orange

1 lemon (wash fruit to remove any chemical residues).

3 cups brown sugar or turbinado

1/2 pack of yeast (1 1/2 tsp)

Carefully remove any trace of stems from flowers (that will be in tomorrow's video). Place in some sort of large crock or non-metallic container. Thinly slice the orange and lemon, and add to the flowers, along with sugar. Bring water to a boil, and pour over the flowers, fruit, and sugar. Cover loosely and let set two days, stirring occasionally.

Water, sugar, dandelion flowers, orange and lemon soaking

After 2 days:

Strain the liquid out of the flowers and fruit into another crock pot style  container (mine is a crock pot).

Squeeze out with spoon.

Next add the yeast and stir until dissolved. 

With yeast.

Yeast dissolved.

Cover loosely again, and allow to ferment in a warm place for two weeks. Mine is sitting in a closet in our dinning room.


Well....that's as far as I've gotten! I will give you the rest of the recipe and will later tell you my outcome. I really wanted to try this. I mean wine from dandelions?? Crazy! I'm curious as to how it will be. Here's the last of the instructions:

Skim off any foam, and carefully pour off wine, trying not to disturb any sediment. Use immediately, or store in the refrigerator in tightly sealed bottles (not sure where I will get some). One cup of crushed fresh Red Raspberries may be used in place of the citrus.

What do you think?? Have you had dandelion wine? Will you try this recipe?


For His Glory,

The MIGHTY Dandelion Day 1

It's that time again...Dandelion season!

What?!?! You mean to tell me Dandelions are more then just an annoying weed? Yes, yes they are an AWESOME herb! I am so glad God made this "weed" persistent! 

I am devoting a week to this MIGHTY herb. Though I could certainly spend more time talking about it and sharing all it's wonderful uses.

What I want to cover:

~Benefits

~Ways to preserve

~Blog/video demos and instructions on varies ways to use them.

     -Dandelion Oil

     -Dandelion Wine

     -Dandelion Jam

     -Cooking with them

     -Tincture

     -Tea

Here is what some herbal books had to say:

The How to Herb Book:

• One of the best blood purifiers and builders available.
• High in vitamins and minerals, especially calcium.
• Contains all the nutritive salts for the blood. Dandelion restores and balances the blood so anemia that is caused by deficiencies of these blood salts disappears.
• Overweight people when losing weight can become over acidic. These acids in the blood are destroyed by dandelion.
• One of the best liver cleansers. It increases the activity of the liver and the flow of bile into the intestines.
• Increases activity of the pancreas and the spleen.
• Good for the female organs.
• Helps open urinary passages.

Has been used in the following:

Acne	Age spots
Anemia	Appetite
Arthritis	Asthma
Blood purifier	Eczema
Liver cleanser	Yellow jaundice
Low blood pressure	Weight loss

Practical Herbalism:

Dandelion is commonly thought to be one of the “bitter herbs” recommended in the Bible. Its young leaves have been gathered and eaten as a pot herb or as an addition to salads for centuries.

It has been used to aid digestion, relieve liver distress, and to treat all manner of ills from dropsy, jaundice, and kidney stones to warts and psoriasis. Culpeper states, “It is of an opening and cleansing quality, and therefore, very effectual for the obstructions of the liver, glass, and spleen. It opens the passages of the urine, both in young and old, powerfully cleanses, and doth afterwards heal them.”

Dandelion is an extremely effective diuretic, but without the common side effect of mineral depletion prevalent with diuretic drugs.

Dandelion is rich in many nutrients, particularly in bio-available minerals.

It enriches breast milk in nursing mothers, benefiting both mother and child.

The plant helps control blood pressure by reducing excess fluids in the body as well as by the presence of mannitol, a substance commonly prescribed in Europe for hypertension.

Nutritional Herbology:

Contains bitter compounds that enhance the efficiency of the body’s eliminative and detoxifying functions. These compounds help restore normal liver function, increase the production of digestive fluids and enzymes, particularly bile, increase the flow of urine and have a laxative effect. Dandelion is an excellent herbal source of sodium, iron and vitamin A.


Isn't the benefits of the Dandelion amazing?!


For His Glory,

THM "Fooled Ya Pizza"

Since we are home sick today, I thought it would be a nice day to share one recipe out of the Trim Healthy Mama cookbook.

Since I can no longer have grain (it's causing my blood sugar to drop and weight to stick on my rear *wink*)... what's a girl to do during "pizza nights"???? Augh! Everyone else is eating pizza!! 

Thanks to Serene and Pearl, I can now join my family and eat pizza!. Ya! They have a recipe in their new Trim Healthy Mama cook called, "Fooled Ya Pizza." The crust is made with cauliflower. 

Cauliflower?!? 

YES, cauliflower you heard me correctly. *wink* 

Umm...that doesn't sound too appealing!

 Wait! I know it doesn't, but my husband and I decided to try it and to our surprise it was actually good! *smile* You should try it. No really you SHOULD! Here is is:

Fooled Ya Pizza

1. Lightly steam 1 (16oz) bag of frozen cauliflower. (I only had a head of fresh cauliflower and used that.)

2. Put lightly steamed cauliflower in colander and press out as much water as possible. (I used a big spoon to press it with.) The less water the crispier it will be.

3. Transfer cauliflower to a food processor and pulse a few times, NOT to much. You want rice-size pieces.

4. Add 3/4cup egg whites and pulse again a few times. (You can also just use 3 eggs. That's what I did.)

5. Add 2 cups grated part skim mozzarella cheese, pinch of sea salt, dash or two of Italian seasoning, and a little onion or garlic powder to taste.

6. Mix ingredients together well with a spatula inside the food processor.

7. Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper and grease parchment well (this is important or the crust will stick.).

8. Plop entire mixture onto the middle of the tray and start spreading it outwards with a spatula or with your hands until it covers most of the sheet. Try not to have a thicker middle than sides. (If you have a perfectionist husband like mine, you wont have to worry about that! He spent quite a bit of time fixing my spreading job. *smile*). Keep pressing until mixture almost touches the edges of the sheet. This crust is better thin, but don't let the edges become wispy thin or they will get too dark when they cook (it puffs up a bit after cooking).

9. Bake at 450 for 20 minutes. (Pearl turns hers over after 15 minutes to crisp the bottom. She flips it including the parchment paper, then removes the parchment paper. I did NOT do that).

10. Cool crust for several minutes before topping. 

Once crust has cooled you can top it with pizza sauce, a little more cheese (you don't need much, since the crust already has it). Add any toppings you want and broil it in the oven until toppings are done.

You need to cut this pizza into smaller, rather than larger pieces. This makes it easier to hold them in your hand. Very large pieces are slightly droopy. Also if you don't have a food processor, just chop the cauliflower into rice size pieces.

     It was actually very good. I don't think I got enough of the water out, because it fell apart easier then they mentioned. We cut it and ate it with a fork. But the taste was great! My oldest didn't even know it was cauliflower, and now I can eat pizza with the family. 

Your turn! What did you think?

For His Glory,

Contentment

It is so easy to be discontent. Go tells us not to covet.

Several years back God brought it to my attention that I was coveting, wanting to own a home. I still struggle with being discontent over not owning my own home, with a yard and woods for the kids to play in.

I have been struggling with fear and worry and well...discontentment over my husband not having a job. There is no steady source of money coming in at this time! I realize that I have been thinking, "well if he had a job...if only he had a job...if he got a job...why hasn't God provided a job?"

The other day after hearing a friend talk about her husband working late and her having to care for the kids alone, I thought, "Well at LEAST he has a job. I would rejoice if my husband had a job to work late at." But God brought to my attention that even in that thought I was being discontent!

He reminded me of my sin from the above quote. Then later that day during family bible and prayer time I started to fret and be discontent and what happened?! My husband randomly (without knowing my thoughts) asked God to give us contentment in all things! Ah! Another reminder from God. 

I am thankful that my husband is finally here with us as a family! I'm thankful that once again God has provided the funds to pay our bills! I'm thankful that everyone is healthy! I'm thankful that we have running vehicles and gas to put in them! I could go on and on.

Yes, my husband still does not have a job, it is frustrating and can be scary! BUT, it could be so much worse! I am in the middle of reading a book about the slums in India and I am reminded to be CONTENT and THANKFUL!

How about you, are you struggling with discontentment?

For His Glory,