Word-Filled Wednesday ~#90~ God's Good Purpose for You

". . . [W]e constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of His calling, and that by His power He may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith." ~2 Thessalonians 1:11

"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.

"Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." ~2 Corinthians 12:4-7

Did you know that God has a purpose for YOU? Yes, He does! How exciting that THE God of all, Who created everything that is, knows us personally and has a purpose for each and every one of us. 

Astounding. Simply amazing.

What are the desires of your heart? What talents do you have that will benefit your family . . . your neighborhood . . . the Body of Christ . . . "for the common good"? 

The Lord put those talents and gifts into your heart for a reason and it's our job to discover what that is. Max Lucado, his book Just Like Jesus said, "The longings of your heart are not incidental, they are critical messages. The desires of your heart are not to be ignored, they are to be consulted. As the wind turns the weather vane, so God uses your passions to turn your life. God is too gracious to ask you to do something you hate.” [emphasis mine]

Yes, the Lord coupled the desires of your heart with the talents and skills that He has blessed you with. Now . . . What are you going to do about it?

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><  

The Simple Woman's Daybook ~#194~ 6/17/14

For Today . . . 

Outside my window . . . gorgeous, lovely, sun-shiney day! Pleasant temperature, light breeze, just a nip of humidity ~ like being at our friends' cottage on Lake Erie.

I am thinking . . . that I wish I didn't have to work on this gorgeous day; my weedy little yard garden is calling me.

I am thankful . . . for my godly, loving husband, THE Man, who is such a godly, loving daddy. And that I had a precious, loving Daddy. Had a great Father's Day, yesterday.

From the kitchen . . . a loaf of my flax bread is about to come out of the oven. The house smells yummy.

I am wearing . . . jean skirt, olive top, brown drapey.

I am creating . . . a peaceful, Christ-centered home.

I am going . . . to work a different schedule today.

I am wondering . . . when everything will fall into place for my plans & project.

I am hoping . . . it's SOOOOOON!

I am looking forward to . . . getting started.

I am learning . . . different options.

About the house . . . general pick-up, laundry.

I am pondering . . . dreams of my plans coming true.

I am reading . . . all sorts of websites for my project.

One of my favorite things . . . what great "friends" my daughters are. It's truly a blessing to see.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . family time, work, planning and seeking, writing project . . .

A favorite quote for the day . . ."Sin is a joy-buster." ~From Sunday's sermon.

Scripture thought . . . "Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil." ~1 Thessalonians 5:21

A picture thought for you  . . . 

 These are the photos our girls put up on their respective Facebooks 

for THE Man for Father's Day.

Love AND lots of humor.

Connect with and read 100's of other Daybooks at Peggy's Simple Woman's Daybook!

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

I Have Nothing . . . Except All That is Necessary

The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, 'Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the LORD. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves.'

"Elisha replied to her, 'How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?'

"'Your servant has nothing there at all,' she said, 'except a little oil.'"
~2 Kings 4:1-2 [emphasis mine ~ KW<><]

Bad economies effect everyone ~ and even in the best of economies there are people who, for whatever reasons, struggle with providing for their families. 

Saving money and wanting to take care of my family the best that I could on one income is the biggest reason I started cooking for from scratch and making my own house-hold products, skin and health care, and home remedies. Then, when my husband was laid-off and our finances where devastated in '99, my homemade everything . . . was in large part why we still have our home, today (before I went back to working outside the home). (You can read about this and my thoughts on handling hard times HERE.)

One of the things that is so appealing and convenient about making your own house-hold, home-care goodies is that on any given day, you already have the ingredients on-hand to make what you need. Just like the woman who came to Elisha for help . . . 

She was in dyer straights, for sure, but it took Elisha to make her focus on what she already HAD rather than what she DID NOT HAVE. And don't forget that we serve a mighty God Who owns the cattle on a thousand hills! (Psalm 50:10) He ultimately supplies all of our needs and sometimes it takes someone who has once walked in our shoes to help us SEE what we actually have.

So, when Elisha asked her, "what do you have in your house?" all she could think of was "nothing . . . except a little oil." A little oil. To her, that little bit of oil and maybe a pinch of flour was all she had to feed her family with; but . . . Elisha was about to give her a great lesson in how God can make our faith into something tangible.

God caused that little bottle of oil to flow until it filled every jar in her house! "They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. When all the jars were full . . . " (2 Kings 4:5[b]-6) Did you get that? "When ALL the jars were full"! We don't know how many jars she had, but it was enough that after she sold some to completely pay off her bills that Elisha told her "You and your sons can live on what is left." (2 Kings 4:7[b]) She already had all that was necessary.

What do you have that is necessary? A few herbs and spices? Then you can make tasty seasonings to change-up a tired old recipe; you can make healing herb tea blends. 
 
Do you have any baking soda and liquid castile soap? Then you have the makings of the best soft scrub cleaner you've ever used. Do you have aloe vera gel and tea tree oil? Then you will never have to make hand sanitizer again. Do you have liquid castile soap, tea tree oil and a water source? Then you can make the best disinfecting spray cleaner ever. Add several drops of your favorite essential oil (or blend) to distilled water in a little spray bottle and you have just made your new favorite air freshener. Do have coconut oil and arrowroot powder in your cupboard and an empty deodorant stick? Then you have the makings of homemade solid deodorant. Do you have a hand-full of dried chamomile and coconut oil? Then you can make a very simple, soothing, healing chamomile salve for your family's boo-boos and dry skin. 


Just when we start to panic, just when we think, "I have nothing;" that's when we discover that we actually have all that is necessary.

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

The Simple Woman's Daybook ~#193~ 6/10/13

For Today . . . 

Outside my window . . . rain & gray skies.

I am thinking . . . about all I have to do this week.

I am thankful . . . for my awesome DD#2 who stood up for herself against a workplace bully & a manager & owner who wouldn't do anything about it ~ again ~ & she gave her 2-weeks notice. Prayers for a new job appreciated.

From the kitchen . . . almond butter & grape jelly on homemade bread.

I am wearing . . . dark olive capris, dark olive tank top, black drapey.

I am creating . . . a peaceful, Christ-centered home.

I am going . . . to work a different shift today.

I am wondering . . . when a prayer will be answered & a dream come true.

I am hoping . . . it's SOON.

I am looking forward to . . . getting started on the dream.

I am learning . . . to lead in a different way.

About the house . . . general pick-up, schedule change.

I am pondering . . . plans.

I am reading . . . Country Sampler magazine's new issue.

One of my favorite things . . . helping people learn that they CAN take care of themselves & their families w/home remedies, homemade home care products, homemade skin care products, etc.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . family time, work, doing some homeschool assessments for local homeschoolers, research . . .

A favorite quote for the day . . ."Jesus Christ redefined greatness as SERVICE" ~from Sunday's sermon, regarding the Scripture below. . .

Scripture thought . . . "Not so with you. Instead whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." ~Mark 10:43-45

A picture thought for you . . . 

Connect with & read 100's of other Daybooks at Peggy's Simple Woman's Daybook!

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

Homemade Deep Tissue Oil

According to my stat reader & the Popular Posts (near the bottom of this page), one of my most popular posts has been the Mustard Poultice for Chest Congestion. Below is an oil recipe that will do much the same thing and is a little less messy.

Now, keep in mind that this will take 6 WEEKS to cure. So, be sure to make this in plenty of time so that you will have it on-hand for winter colds and seasonal allergies.

Also keep in mind that this is strong and very effective. Just as some may not be able to tolerate the mustard poultice on their skin very long, some of you may have to dilute this oil with just a bit (a ts or so) of olive oil.

You will need:

~a glass pint canning jar
~1/4 c dried habenero peppers
~1/4 c grated ginger root
~1/2 c calendula flowers
~St. Johns Wort flowers
~Arnica flowers
~olive oil
After 6 weeks you will need:
~1 oz botanical menthol crystals
~4 oz wintergreen essential oil
~2 oz peppermint essential oil
~strainer or cheese cloth
~small food funnel
~glass bottles with good lids, a gasket lid or dropper bottles ~ preferably amber-colored bottles

Directions:

1) In the canning jar, put in the habenero peppers, ginger root, calendula flowers, ST. Johns Wort flowers and Arnica flower
2) Cover with olive oil; at least 6 oz
3) Let set for 6 weeks; giving it a few shakes once per day
After 6 weeks:
1) Strain out herbs
2) Heat the oil until just warm, add the botanical menthol chrystals ~ cover the pot for just a moment in case it fizzes, then . . .
3) add the wintergreen and peppermint essential oils; stir well
4) using a small funnel, pour the oil into your desired glass bottles, make sure they have a good lid. 

This wonderful oil will keep for years. Again, for children or people with sensitive skin, you may want to dilute it with just a little bit of olive oil.

This will be your new "go-to-fix-anything" oil :-)

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><
{See disclaimer at bottom of this page}

Sweet Scottish Scones

I so enjoy exploring my Scottish heritage. Although MUCH time has passed since my Scottish ancestors crossed The Pond, there is an old saying that says: "A Scot is a Scot, even unto an hundred generations."

I'm counting on it. ;-)

Every culture and country has it's own favorite foods ~ one of the most fun ~ & fearsome ~ things to try!

I don't make these as much as I used to, but a real favorite of mine are Sweet Scones.

You will need:

SCONES
~8 c. flour (I use bread flour for a higher, flakier rise)
~a pinch of sea salt; to taste
~1/3 c. sugar
~4 ts baking powder
~1-1/2 sticks of butter
~3 eggs
~1-1/2 c. milk (if you have dairy problems, vanilla-flavored rice milk works well)

GLAZE (if desired):
~1 egg, beaten with a pinch of salt blended in
~Sugar
~Butter, jam, jelly, honey, whipped cream for your desired topping

Directions:

1) In a large bowl, with a whisk, combine flour, salt, sugar and baking powder.
2) Make a "well" in the center and pinch in the butter.
3) Beat the eggs with the milk and pour into the the flour mixture. ~IF you add berries, currants or nuts of any sort, this is where you would fold them in.
4) Mix to form a soft dough and turn out onto a floured bread board; knead light, just until you can shape the dough into a ball.
5) Place dough ball either into a lightly sprayed 10" cast iron skillet OR onto a baking stone; take a knife and "cut" across the dough ball to make 6-8 wedges. 
6) IF you use the glaze, this is the time to brush the tops with the egg mixture & sprinkle with sugar.
7) Bake at 475* for 10 minutes or until golden brown.
8) After you take it out of the oven, break apart at the "cut" and serve with your favorite topping.

There are so many variations of this, feel free to try your own. I have to admit that more often than not, I will skip the glaze and add blueberries to mine. "Yum" only BEGINS to describe it.

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

Word-Filled Wednesday ~#89~ Entertaining Angels?

"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it." ~Hebrews 13:2

Have you ever struck-up a conversation somewhere ~ in line at the grocery, a visitor at church, a customer at your work-place ~ and thought to yourself: "There was just something different about that person." Maybe it was something in their eyes, something in the calmness of their demeanor, something in their conversation that brought it all back to the Lord. 

Something. 

You may have been talking to an angel of the Lord. An angel sent to encourage you or to strengthen your resolve to step out and do right. An angel sent by the Lord just for you. 

Just for you.

The Lord IS so good to us. He knows what ALL of His children need and when we need it. He sent His angels to attend to Jesus' needs after He was tempted by the devil (Matt. 1:13), an angel was also sent to strengthen Jesus while He was agonizing in prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:43). And He sends His ministering angels to serve all of us who are Christians (Hebrews 1:14).

What a blessing to know that God loves us so much that He sends His children heavenly reminders of His love, encouragement and comfort. 

One day, when we are escorted to heaven (Luke 16:22), maybe all of those encounters will be revealed to us. I'll bet there were more than we ever imagined. 

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

The Simple Woman's Daybook ~#192~ 6/3/13

 For Today . . . 

Outside my window . . . cloudy w/the occasional peek of sun. Unseasonably cool ~ high around 70* today.

I am thinking . . . that I can't believe my Daddy passed away 14 years ago, today. At time, it still seems like yesterday; at other times, it seems like forever.

I am thankful . . . that my children knew my parents & were able to enjoy them.

From the kitchen . . . yogurt w/cherries.

I am wearing . . . jeans, black tank top, black drapey, black scarf.

I am creating . . . a peaceful, Christ-centered home.

I am going . . . to go to work when my family comes home from work. It's a "tag team" kinda day.

I am wondering . . . which doors will open.

I am hoping . . . that I find them soon.

I am looking forward to . . . heaven.

I am learning . . . to move past the closed doors in search for the open ones.

About the house . . . general pick up from a messy weekend, laundry . . .

I am pondering . . . what's next.

I am reading . . . I Peter.

One of my favorite things . . . Oreo's dunked in milk.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . family time, work, planning & exploring, fact-gathering, researching for some up-coming blog posts . . .

A favorite quote for the day . . . "REALITY CHECK for those who say they don't like church because they have been hurt by someone in the church: on THIS SIDE OF HEAVEN you WILL be hurt by the church! BUT as the priesthood of believers, we are called to step out & help our brothers & sisters 'get right.' The Body of Christ is about redemption, forgiveness & sanctification." ~Notes from Sunday's sermon.

Scripture thought . . . "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him Who called you out of darkness into His glorious light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy . . . Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us." ~1 Peter 2:9-10, 12

A picture thought for you . . . 

 I LOVE this kitchen ~ the sink, the colors, the style ~ 

it calls my name. *sigh*

Connect with, read & start your own Daybook but going to Peggy's Simple Woman's Daybook!

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

The Dandy Dandelion

For some reason, the "decision makers" of long ago decided that those cute little yellow "flowers" that pop up all over our yards and our children gave us as bouquets (unless you nuke them with some herbal or chemical concoction) are bad and ugly and really shouldn't be there AT all.

I don't know who it was, but it seems like so many of those "decision makers" are people who do not know, nor care to know the benefits of God's creation. You know, kind of like those people who move to the country because they want to get away from the crowded city and then complain that the country is too . . . rural. :-/

Dandelions are really an incredible creation. They are one of the best over-all tonic herbs, especially for women from puberty through menopause. They are considered one of the most effective digestive bitters, as they help with all digestive ailments and can be taken daily to restore good health, rejuvenate and maintain all-around good health. All parts of the dandelion can be used as either a capsule, tea or tincture.

Dandelion is considered by many as the safest and most effective diuretic; cleansing and restoring (cools) the liver, urinary tract (a great urinary tract infection zapper!), relieves constipation.

It is great for vascular issues, too; vein health, releaves vascular and stress headaches.

Used as a tea or tincture, dandelion is very well known to fight infections, rashes and herpes (including "fever blisters") by drinking several cups per day either as a tea or 2 dropper-fulls of tincture in a glass of cold water. Suffering from a cold or sinus infection? Add some of the herb or a dropper-full of  tincture to your chicken noodle soup.

Every woman can benefit from dandelion at all phases of life. Dandelion strengthens this entire female reproductive system; it is so rich in vitamins and minerals and it restores over-all balance, especially if your menses are not regular. It delivers some of the highest quality calcium, magnesium, iron and vitamins A and C into your system. It also helps to maintain proper potassium levels. The calcium it supplies is especially important to menopausal women to prevent calcium loss and bone problems. And as a bonus, it helps with hot flashes.

Those little yellow "flowers" in our yards start looking prettier and prettier all the time.

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

Word-Filled Wednesday ~#88~ Spending Time with Your Father

"I sought the LORD, and He answered me;

He delivered me from all my fears.

Those who look to Him are radiant;

their faces are never covered with

shame.

This poor man called, and the LORD 

heard him;

He saved him out of all his troubles."

~Psalm 34:4-7

"He does not ask much of us, merely a thought of Him from time to time, a little act of adoration, sometimes to ask for His grace, sometimes to offer Him your sufferings, at other times to thank Him for the graces, past and present, He has bestowed on you, in the midst of your troubles to take solace in Him as often as you can. Lift up your heart to Him during your meals and in company; the least little remembrance will always be the most pleasing to Him. One need not cry out very loudly; He is nearer to us than we think" ~ Brother Lawrence; The Practice of the Presence of God

Words are important. Do you have children? . . . Parents? . . . Cherished friends? How would you feel if those you loved didn't talk to you? Or what if they only spoke to you when they were in trouble, sick, mad or worse yet, only when they wanted something? Even though being ignored until "necessary" would probably hurt, I'll bet you would treasure every word your loved one said to you, when they finally contacted you. 

How is your conversation with the Lord? Do you pray regularly or do you converse with Him in your mind? Not every conversation with the Lord HAS to be "official" prayer, you can talk to Him anywhere you are. A couple Sunday's ago, I was excited that our Pastor Tom brought up how Brother Lawrence trained himself to make his thought-life an on-going conversation with the Lord. I read Brother Lawrence's book, The Practice of the Presence of God, early in my Christian walk and that was one of the first disciplines I adopted ~ to transform my thought-life into conversation with the Lord. 

Why should we wait until "the time is right" or conditions are perfect? In many seasons of our life, those times and conditions can be few and far between. Why not talk to the Lord while you are driving to work or school? While you are in the shower (by-the-way, the acoustics in the shower are great for singing praise songs :-D) . . . while you are waiting for an appointment . . . washing the dishes . . . taking a walk . . . asking for wisdom and guidance while conversing with an unbeliever . . . thanking Him for breath in your lungs and a heart that beats for Him.

Quiet time set aside for earnest prayer is vital, but the Lord treasures our conversation and any conversation will do; and like any loving Father, He LOVES talking to the children He adores.

Blessings from Ohio . . .  Kim<><