Word-Filled Wednesday ~#96~ Our Eyes are Upon You, Lord

"'We do not know what to do but our eyes are upon You.'

"All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the LORD . . . This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged . . . For the battle is not yours, but God's.'" ~selected verses from 2 Chronicles 20:12-15 

"The he [an angel] continued, 'Do no be afraid Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. Now I have come to explain to you what will happen . . ." ~Daniel 10:14(a)

Have you ever been in a situation where you have just simply been . . . stuck? Praying, praying praying, doing all that you know to do, a need to fill, encouragement all around that what you are praying for is needed and beneficial . . . but nothing happens? Frustrating.

Well, before you give up, consider that two of the most faithful men of God experienced the same sort of problem. Both experienced a great need for the Lord's intervention and for guidance as to what to do. Daniel fasted and prayed for three weeks (21 days) over an issue and yet, even though the need was great, no answer came. Jehoshaphat knew that a great army was coming to destroy the people of Judah; recognizing that there was no place to run and that ONLY the Lord could save them, "all" they could do was to look to the Lord for His answer, for His deliverance.

And you know what? BOTH were answered! Both were reminded that the battle ~ and the victory ~ are the Lord's. Daniel, in particular, found out that the Lord had answered his prayer the very moment it was prayed, but one of the devil's minions was sent to stop the answer from coming to pass. God then sent Michael, the Archangel, to fight the demon "prince" and make sure that Daniel's answer came through. Can you imagine? God will make sure that our prayers are answered, even if He has to send mighty angels to deliver that answer!

But I have a feeling that most of us are more like Jehoshaphat; we pray and still we come to our whit's end, we gather praying friends and family around us and then "all" we can do is stand there before the Lord and look up. When the reality is: simply standing before the Lord is the best place to be. That's the seat of honor. 

That's the front row seat to watch the Lord fight our battles and work out all things for our good.

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

To All of My Writer-Friends . . .

From one writer to another . . . uh . . . to another . . . 

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

Ideas, Plans and Prayers

Gathering ideas . . . making plans . . . sending up many prayers . . . 

 For plans like . . . 

A sweet little kitchenette that's a
good place for demonstrations

 And something like this 
for sales and product displays

Let's hope so :-)

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

Homemade Herbal Eye Wash and Poultice

From time-to-time, everyone needs a good eye wash. Whether it's simply for tired eyes, to wash out dust particles or an eyelash or for conjunctivitis ~ a.k.a. ~ the dreaded pink eye.

This herbal eye wash is great for all of that, including pink eye.

You will need:

~EITHER an eye cup, a well sealing bottle w/an eye dropper, a well cleaned and sanitized used eye dropper bottle or a new essential oil bottle
~1 TB powdered comfrey root
~1 ts powdered organic goldenseal
~1 c boiling water

Directions:

1) Mix together the herbs and the boiling water.
2) Strain through a VERY FINE strainer, coffee filter, or 2-3 layers of muslin or cheese cloth

• BE SURE to stain the liquid as well as possible, you do not want any herb particles washing into your eye

3) Allow the wash to cool to room temperature
4) Using your eye cup or dropper, wash your eye(s) several times per day; as often as needed

My favorite type of eye dropper bottle is the type used by Similasan ~ a homeopathic company. Their products are great, but there's nothing like making your own. 

Their bottles have a dropper-top ~ all you have to do is tip the bottle & squeeze the top. Love it. The dropper/lids screw right off, so they are easily washed and re-used. You can also use a new or well cleaned essential oil bottle, as they have a built-in dropper top as well. 

Another way to use this mix:

For really severe pink eye, you can use this same mix as an eye poultice by~

1) mixing the herbs w/a little bit of warm water
2) mix into a paste
3) cut a piece of gauze large enough to cover the infected eye
4) spread some of the paste onto the gauze and lay the poultice over the eye
5) use as often as needed

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><  

Word-Filled Wednesday ~#95~ The Sweet Aroma of Christ

"But thanks be to God, Who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life." ~2 Corinthians 2:14-16

"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." ~John 8:32

Were you raised in a Christian family? Have you gone to church all your life? Did you accept Jesus as your Savior and Lord at an early age? Praise the Lord ~ what a blessing. Everyone has sin to repent of and the need to be forgiven, but some of us had the blessing of getting there before some of the rest of us.


Others of us had the mixed blessing of having come to the Lord later in life. I was 23 years old when accepted the Lord and had lived a life of great sin, of which I had no excuse except for my own sin nature. To the world, I was "normal" ~ I had great parents who loved me, taught me morals and some of the things of the Lord; I had great friends (and thankfully, many have come to the Lord in the years since I did) but many of those friends were living the life I was living ~ well intentioned, but we were "the blind leading the blind." (Luke 6:39) 

Since the time I became a Christian, I have noticed that there are occasions when I am not "welcome" among some company ~ unsaved family, old friends . . . If any conversation lends itself to the mention of Jesus or what He is doing in my life, it's as though I just set off a stink bomb in the middle of the room ~ noses turn up, feathers get ruffled, snide "jokes" are made, and some even walk away cursing. Just at the mention of Jesus' name. Have you noticed that about yourselves? 

But it's not us, it's the fragrance of Jesus that we carry into our fallen world. Spiritual warfare rages all around us, even among some of the people we love the most, and that warfare causes our godly "aroma" to waft through the air like the stink of a fresh skunk on a country road.

And then to others ~ those who already know Jesus as their Savior OR those who are beginning to listen to the wooing of the Holy Spirit ~ we are the sweet aroma of the earth after a sweet, spring rain. We are the aroma of One Who loves them with an everlasting love and wants every living soul to fall in love with Him. We are the aroma of the One Who holds the keys to their eternity ~ Who can forgive them and wash away the stench of their sin. 

If you know Jesus as your Savior, you carry around the precious aroma of salvation, of forgiveness, of light in the darkness, of real truth ~ you carry around the sweet "offense" of the presence of Jesus wherever you go (Is. 8:14). What a privilege.  

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

The Simple Woman's Daybook ~#198~ 7/22/13

For Today . . . 

Outside my window . . . dark and cool; heavy rains all day, bringing in a cool front. I usually write my Daybook in the morning before I go to work, but today was a crazy day ~ from the beginning ~ so I'm writing it before I go to bed.

I am thankful . . . for the rain.

I am thinking . . . that I am happy for the Brits and their new prince, who was born today to Prince William and Dutchess Kate.

From the kitchen . . . stir-fried garden fresh zucchini, long grain and wild rice w/sun-dried tomatoes, my version of fried chicken: boneless/skinless chicken breasts fried in olive oil w/Spike seasoning and my favorite herb mix sprinkled on both sides. YUM.

I am wearing . . . jean skirt, bittersweet top, black drapey.

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

I am going . . . to talk to someone very important on Wednesday!

I am wondering . . . how the Lord will bless the out-come.

I am hoping . . . for answered prayer.

I am looking forward to . . . getting it done.

I am learning . . . that ONLY GOD can do this.

About the house . . . supper dishes washed, doing a little blogging, answering e-mails, checking Facebook, reading a little news before bedtime.

I am pondering . . . daydreams.

I am reading . . . some favorite news sites.

One of my favorite things . . . when an old favorite song that I haven't heard for years pops up on the radio; happened at work today and took me back to a wonderful time.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . family time, work, an important appointment, doing several homeschool assessments, writing an article, blogging, Sunday worship.

A favorite thought for the day . . . remembering what God has done for me in the past assures me of what He will do for me in the future. ~Me :-)

Scripture thought . . . "You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.'" ~2 Chronicles 20:17 [emphasis mine]

A picture thought for you . . . 

 Congratulations to William and Kate and all of Britain, 

on the birth of your new prince. May he ever draw

closer to the Lord Jesus Christ and lead his 

country for the glory of God.

Read 100's of other Daybooks and register to start your own at Peggy's Simple Woman's Daybook!

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

Kentucky Wilted Salad

As far as our American family tree blooms, both sides of my family hale from the beautiful hills and hollers of Eastern Kentucky. In my humble opinion, Kentucky is one of the most beautiful states in our Union. Lush greenery, mineral-rich fields and water sources, and some of the kindest, funniest, most pleasant people you could ever meet.

Lots of wonderful memories.

As a first generation Buckeye (Ohioan), I cook more like a Kentuckian. One of my favorite dishes to eat is also one of the simplest: Wilted Salad. 

You will need:

~a large head of Romaine and/or Bib lettuce (Red Leaf Romaine makes a lovely presentation)
~1-2 c dandelion greens
~1/2-1 c chopped green onions (scallions) 
~1 c bacon grease, warmed
~2-3 ts sugar (I use Turbinado sugar [Sugar in the Raw])
~salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

1) tear or shred all lettuce and greens
2) mix all lettuce, greens and onions together in a large salad bowl
3) stir sugar into bacon grease until it dissolves
4) pour over salad and toss
5) serve; salt and pepper to taste

Now . . . you know me . . . sometimes I just can't leave well-enough alone O:-) so from time-to-time I do a little "improving" upon my dear wilted salad.

If you wish, add sliced mushrooms, spinach, bean sprouts, boiled egg slices and/or seasoned croutons to your wilted salad.

Enjoy this simple staple.

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<>< 

Word-Filled Wednesday ~#94~ The Least of These

"Whoever steals a man and sells him, and anyone found in possession of him, shall be put to death." ~Ex. 21:16

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' . . . He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'" ~Matt. 25:40 & 45 

Our church is wrapping up a three-week series on hard topics: racism, homosexuality and, this week, human/slave trafficking. We are blessed to attend a church led by pastors who lovingly, passionately handle the hard things with grace and Biblical truth. 

As Christians, we see that slavery can come in many different forms. We probably know and love someone who is caught in some sort of slavery, whether it be one of the ones listed above or drugs, alcoholism, gambling, porn, an obsessive quest for popularity, rage, the need to control, the need to be perfect . . . all of which are games that the devil plays.  

What can we do to help? First and foremost: pray. Pray that their chains, real or imagined, would be broken. Pray that if they are involved with someone who is leading them into a life of sin, that all ties will be cut and that they will be separated from them and pray that they would invite Jesus to be their Savior and Lord and that the Holy Spirit would fill the emptiness with Himself. Scripture tells us that if the Holy Spirit doesn't fill the emptiness, then things can get even worse. "When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.' When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order . . . And the final condition of that man is worse than the first." ~Matt. 12:43-45

Yes, slavery takes many forms ~ we may even be slave to something ourselves. Pray that chains will be broken and that true freedom will be found in the loving arms of Jesus Christ ~ the One Who destroyed the chains of death, hell and the grave ~ the One Who loves you and wants you to experience real freedom in Him.

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

Blessed . . .

What a perfect mid-summer day . . .

• 
  

   

  
  

  
  

  low humidity, temps hovering just below 80*, turquoise blue sky w/dots of fluffy clouds, sweet breeze . . . .

  
  

  
  

  

  I hope you are enjoying yours, too. Happy weekend!

  Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

Help for Chronic Ear Infections

Whether one is a child or an adult, ear problems can plague anyone. Children are more susceptible, but adults can get them, too, especially if water has gotten into the ear after swimming, or a shower, and left to fester or after a cold or flu.

I very best way, in my humble opinion, for quick relief is to use an herbal anti-biotic ear oil. 

You will need:

~4-6 cloves of garlic
~5 oz of olive oil
~20-25 drops of eucalyptus essential oil
~15 drops of grapefruit seed extract
~small baking dish
~measuring cup with pour-spout
~small funnel
~1 oz-size amber dropper bottle

Directions:

1) chop up the garlic cloves as fine as you can
2) place the chopped garlic in your small baking dish and cover with the olive oil
3) set your oven at it's lowest temperature and place the mixture in it over-night
4) the next morning, strain the oil, pressing well to get ALL of the garlic oil out as you can, into a liquid measuring cup w/a pour-spout
5) add the eucalyptus oil and grapefruit seed extract to the oil; mix well. Using one of those "baby" whisks works best
6) using the small funnel, carefully pour the blended oil into into the amber dropper bottle

To Use:

Drop 2 drops into ear as much as needed, a minimum of 4 times per day during the height of the infection. Keep using for a week after you think the infection is gone. Just like taking all of your meds after an illness has passed, use for a while after your ear feels better to keep the anti-biotic of the garlic fighting any lingering infection.

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><   

Word-Filled Wednesday ~#93~ Facing the Lions, Do it Anyway

"Now Daniel so distinguished himself . . . that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom . . . [The other leaders] could find no corruption in him, because he was trust-worthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. Finally these men said, 'We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.'

"So [they] went to the king . . . 'the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god . . . except you, O king, shall be thrown into the lion's den' . . . 

"Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had before." ~Selected verses from Daniel ch. 6.

Unless you live, work or go to school in a completely Christian environment, chances are that on some level you daily face the lions of the corruption and animus of unbelievers who would just love nothing more that to see you fail. Or better yet, deny your God. 

Daniel and his three friends, having basically been kidnapped from their godly household and made to work for a hostile, pagan government, were constantly watched to see if they would fail. Those who were against Daniel even set him up to disobey the rules. I'm sure this was no surprise to Daniel. So what did he do? Not only did he continue to pray, He threw his window open wide ~ where he could be seen AND heard ~ and prayed to the One True God that he served! 

In case you don't know the story, Daniel was arrested and thrown into a den of lions for continuing for pray to God as he always did ~ his enemies hoping he would be eaten alive ~ but his God ~ OUR God ~ caused the an angel to shut the lions' mouths. Daniel's bold faith was rewarded by God.

In our part of the world, we will probably never face real lions, but we do face other "lions" who may seek our failure of faith. The Lord is asking us to be bold in our faith; to be consistent in our devotion to Him. Not as a show, but in Lifestyle Evangelism ~ If you pray in restaurants before your meal, don't skip it just because you may be eating lunch with an unbeliever, pray anyway. If a relative, co-worker or classmate is going through a hard time, offer to pray for them right where you are. Few will turn it down. 

Expressing your faith is only a "show" if it is not how you sincerely live your life, that is of no "threat" to anyone; sincere expression of faith is all the Lord wants this dying world to see from us. Even if the world doesn't like what they see, do it anyway.

Blessings from Ohio . . .  Kim<><     

The Simple Woman's Daybook ~#197~ 7/8/13

For Today . . . 

Outside my window . . . rain clouds moving in . . . again. The forecast is rain all week.

I am thankful . . . for a church that is not afraid to preach the truth.

I am thinking . . . out sweet daughters.

From the kitchen . . . granola bar for breakfast.

I am wearing . . . black jeans, heathered brown shirt, black drapey.

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

I am going . . . to make people healthy & beautiful at the health food market. :-)

I am wondering . . . what's the hold-up?!

I am hoping . . . that the Lord causes all the pieces to come together, SOON.

I am looking forward to . . . doors that open.

I am learning . . . to hang on.

About the house . . . general pick-up; wondering about the timing of the next project.

I am pondering . . . connections.

I am reading . . . Ezekiel.

One of my favorite things . . . gathering with old friends. It's great to just pick up where we left off.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . family time, work, plans, blogging, polishing off an article . . .

A favorite thought for the day . . . "Our own pride OR humility will dictate our view of others." ~From Sunday's sermon.

A Scripture thought . . . "And they sang a new song: 'You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because You were slain, and with Your blood You purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation." ~Rev. 5:9 [emphasis mine] ~~There will be NO RACISM in heaven!!

A picture thought for you . . . 

 My daughters & I. lol

Read 100's of other Daybooks & register to start one of your own at Peggy's Simple Woman's Daybook!

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

Celebrating Freedom!

John Adams, upon our Independence, once wrote these words in a letter to his wife regarding how we should celebrate our annual Independence Day: 

"I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty; it ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more."

And, as a nation, we have done a very good job at doing those very things. So, as we are celebrating this most important day in our great country's history in our most "American" way . . . while we are playing games, enjoying picnic foods, roasting hot dogs and making s'mores around the fire, while we are enjoying the grand illuminations in the night sky . . . LET US NOT FORGET to thank Almighty God for the gift He has given us in being citizens of this great nation. Let us pray for His mighty hand of protection upon our nation from those in high positions who would try to rot us from within and that He would allow us His grace and mercy to correct ourselves. And MOST OF ALL, let us pray His protection and blessing upon the military men and women who serve to protect and defend us and our interests so that we can live free because of the brave.

Have a great 4th of July.

God bless America!

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

Word-Filled Wednesday ~#92~ More are with Us Than Against Us

"When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. 'Oh, my lord, what shall we do?' the servant asked.

"'Don't be afraid,' the prophet answered. 'Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.'

"And Elisha prayed, 'O LORD, open his eyes so he may see.' Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha." ~II Kings 6:15-17

This past Sunday, as our worship leader, Greg, was leading into the song "Mighty to Save" by Hillsong, he asked the congregation, "How many of your have every watched 'Mighty to Save' on Youtube?" Three hands went up. He then made the observation that when he watched it, he noticed that, at that time, there had been MORE THAN 19 million views. The point being that if only 3 people from our service had viewed that video, then there were obviously MORE THAN 19 million other believers out there! 

It immediately made me think of Elisha and his servant. They were, seemingly, up against great odds. Their lives were in danger simply because Elisha was a man of God who spoke God's word with boldness. 

Historically, all of two of our Founders were men of great faith ~ many were even ordained ministers ~ and even the ones who didn't share our faith respected the teachings of Christianity. Those teachings represented the freedom of every man through faith in Jesus Christ that our country was founded upon. Even though England's King sent his great army to fight against "mere" civilian soldiers, with the help and protection of God, our rag-tag armies found that more were with them than against them. 

As Christians, we it hard to get past seeing what goes on in our physical word, but God has a plan! He works in every realm ~ especially the spiritual ~ and His works are all around us. Whether we see them or not . . .

"Those who are with us are more than those what are with them."

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><  

July ~ August 2013 Issue of The Christian Women's Voice is Ready!

The July~August issue of The Christian Women's Voice magazine is ready . . . 

This issue, my frugal living article is about making your own tinctures, complete with recipes and a list of herbs and their uses for your tinctures.  

Click on the magazine cover & stop by the website to get yours, TODAY!

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

The Simple Woman's Daybook ~#196~ 7/1/13

For Today . . . 

Outside my window . . . gray & cloudy from the rain that went through & from the rain that is still to come. Just saw two robins hopping around on the other side of my window, looking for their breakfast of worms.

I am thankful . . . that I don't eat worms.

I am thinking . . . about how I am going to fit in all that I have to do, today, around my work schedule.

From the kitchen . . . last night's fresh loaf of bread. With my schedule, I have bake it whenever I can.

I am wearing . . . jeans, black Healthy Alternative t-shirt, black drapey. It's always so cool inside the store, the drapies are just enough.

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

I am going . . . to work the day-shift, today. Making people healthy & beautiful :-)

I am wondering . . . when I will be able to do that for myself?

I am hoping . . . it's soon.

I am looking forward to . . . family time, tonight.

I am learning . . . that connections are very important.

About the house . . . general pick-up from the weekend.

I am pondering . . . that, with God, more are with me than against me.

I am reading . . . II Kings 6

One of my favorite things . . . comments from my dear readers! :-)

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . family time, work, planning & preparing, July 4th celebrations at 2 different picnics, Sunday worship.

A favorite thought for the day . . ."Christians are a CLOSE community, but not meant to be a CLOSED community." ~from Sunday's sermon.

Scripture thought . . ."After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the Word of God boldly." ~Acts 4:31

A picture thought for you . . . 

 God bless America!

Read 100's of other Daybooks & register to start one of your own at Peggy's Simple Woman's Daybook!

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><