Stone Soup Saturdays - Blessings!

Welcome to the 1st Stone Soup Saturday!  The ingredients of this particular entree are called Blessings, and as we come upon each Saturday I will individually name the unique contents that make up this Soup.  This flavor-filled recipe is found in God's Word, specifically in Ephesians 1:3-14.    I encourage y'all to dive in throughout the week and spoon out this fresh dose of yumminess in order to investigate for yourselves ;o)

Definition of Blessing:  a source of happiness or gratitude.

There are so many things out there that can bring us happiness, would you agree?  However, and I don't mean to put a damper on this, these things and this happiness are only temporary (Matthew 6:19).  There are far better and forever lasting blessings that we can claim and hope for that are not of this world.  Let's take a look at Ephesians 1:3 today:

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." 

I notice here that if we are in Christ; if we have put our faith and trust in Him and have accepted Him as our Lord and Savior....that friends, we are RICH!!!  We have a plethora of riches we may not be aware of, and so starting next Saturday we are going to get aware of a handful of these gems.  Be alert and ready!  I'm super excited to rediscover them myself.  Many of these we may already be aware of, but have we truly grasped their meaning?  Have we assuredly claimed them for ourselves?  What do ya say to uncovering the true source of happiness?!

Challenge:  *Reflect on a few of the blessings you possess in your own life (write them down for reminders) and then thank our gracious God for them and Praise Him with all you've got!

My prayer for you:
      God, thank You for each life that is reading these words today.  May you touch them in a special way this week; that their hearts will open to Your word; that they will find joy in knowing You as Lord; and that they will put their trust in You only in all things and in all circumstances in life, for this is what You have willed us to do in Jesus Name.  Amen!  (ref. I Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Enjoying My Kup...
           Cindy    

A Bit of Navel-Gazing...

Introspection was a part of my day today and so was surfing around the innards of my computer, and as a result I came across a written form of this navel-gazing from a few years back.  It seems as if I've not left that time since some of the same feelings are still within.  May I share the following:
 

     As I enter round number…. well who’s counting…in the ring of life facing yet another trial, I am reminded in James 1:3 that when my faith is tested my endurance has a chance to grow.  What timing!  Does this encourage me?  I suppose the word “endurance” needs further review if it is going to be fully understood in this context.  Two such definitions published by American Heritage Dictionary says that endurance is

“power of withstanding hardship or stress”. 

Another definition causes me to chuckle for it says 

“continuing existence”. 

I guess that makes sense when I look at today’s society.  Just continuing to exist is endurance in itself, especially now in the 21^st century when life is going at maximum speeds and burnout is prevalent  with chaos rapidly growing.  

This endurance is pictured perfectly when it is tested in a marathon runner.  Will her body withstand the stress that is involved in this vigorous movement and the length of time it takes to reach the finish line?  It makes me think of endurance as muscle, or when in altitude the body gets acclimated after a few weeks.  So does this mean that the more one is tested in the trials the less stressful it is to push through them?  Not that it is any lighter or easier, but we have more “muscle” to push through.  “Muscle” meaning “Faith”.  Our faith grows like a muscle getting stronger in time and through the levels of difficulty that trials may offer.   I believe this is the picture that the Apostle Paul is trying to paint to his readers.  Life is like a marathon.  It has obstacles, trials, or stress that must be faced on a daily basis, and depending on the reaction of the runner when faced with these obstacles, determines the outcome (which can include her own health and the health of the people around her) of her race at the finish line.  Will she become a stronger person allowing the “muscle” to grow?  Will she finish strong?  Will she end up lost having given up in the rocky part of the path needing a search and rescue team to find her?  Will she be dazed and confused wondering which way is up and fighting the current that is overtaking her…depression?  The reaction of the runner is so very important in a race, of any kind really.  She must be alert and ready to steer clear of danger having hidden God’s Word in her heart; she must be ready to withstand bad weather or ward off negative shouts from the sidelines having clothed herself with Armor and Righteousness; she must be ready to run through tunnels of darkness having had sweet communion with her Lord as He leads the way; she must be ready to receive the praise and cheers of others with a humble heart as she worships and offers these accolades as an offering of praise and sweet aroma to the One who is deserving.  This sounds like a runner I’d like to mirror.

Ok, now that I’ve pursued a better understanding of “endurance” I will go on with this “round” in the “ring-pin” of life I am now facing.  I should know this by now as trials have become “normal” for me.  But I am never too mature (ha!) or old in my faith that I cannot allow for sweet reminders.  Forgetfulness has become part of my “growing up” and so God’s Word will always be a shower of refreshment.

So what am I now (well it was then) facing in the “ring pin”?  The lesson is Contentment and Security of being Settled.  Maybe this will always linger around the “pin” (and I can attest that it has), because it doesn’t seem I am able to shake off the opposing difficulties:  Discontentment and Insecurity of being Unsettled (and I'll admit there's a lot to that statement...and I've written a bit about it in the post Dry Stones).  What to do?  How to react, like the runner previously mentioned?  Will a “place” or a “house” ever bring me what I need?  Will a state-of-mind or an emotion do this?  Will a friend or a family member ever really satisfy the hunger?  Could Discontentment be related to Envy or Covetousness?  

Oh boy!  Well that's another sermon writing all together.  It goes back to the previous post on Need and Want (There's a Certain Security In Knowing..). 

“Want” offers discontentment.  
“Need” replenishes Security. 

Enjoying My Kup...
                  Cindy

Stone Soup Saturdays

The Lord reminded me ... again ... this morning during my time with Him of the verse in Joshua 4:9 that says, 
 
"Joshua set up the twelve stones that had been in the middle of the Jordan at the spot where the priests who carried the ark of the covenant had stood.  And they are there to this day."

On several occasions in the recent past I've been nudged to write about the stones in my own life.  I've written about a couple of them in a previous post ... Two Stones ... but since then I've been at a loss.  There are so many stones of remembrance that I could write about, but this morning the Lord guided my thoughts to a place in my life back in 2002 when He inspired me to write a 12 week devotional for a group of people.  If I heard correctly I believe this devotional is supposed to be unburied out of the archives of my computer and revisited again to share with you.  Therefore, on Saturdays I will bring to you what the Lord inspired in me those 9 years ago ... some meat and vegetables from God's Word, with personal stones to spice it up ... hence the name Stone Soup Saturday!  Sound appetizing?

Be sure to come back on Saturday to get your appetizer of what's to come ... oh and don't forget to invite your friends, and maybe even your friend's friends ;o) 

Enjoying My Kup...
                     Cindy 

Backyard Re-Vamp!

I have to admit I'm extremely excited about this project that I'm in the middle of doing.  However, I can really kick myself for not taking pictures of the "before".  One needs a vision to really appreciate the hard work that is put into a thing, ya know?  I do have one...only one...picture that was taken way before we moved in... a completely different angle and entirely different part of the yard that I've been working on, but if you can put your imagination to work you just might get that vision needed.

To my dear friends...and landowner's...credit the piles of wood and limbs ...and shopping cart...were removed before we arrived ;0) and at the same time Steve and I shared with them that we'd like to take on the project.   So, now that all this has been put into right perspective, I have myself a blank slate.  

Although most of my sweat has been put into the area behind the person taking the picture ... where a grove of banana trees resided with deep holes that were dug by big desert tortoises (they have since found other homes) and an overgrown geranium bush speaking "trim me, transplant me, do whatever it takes to make me pretty again!", I did spread that loving sweat to other parts of the yard that is displayed in the above picture...

This bush was formed into a tree...it will bloom pretty orange flowers.  I hear there's an alligator lizard that lives behind it.  I have yet to see it, but I'm suspecting my dog has spied it ... she's occasionally high-tailin' it right out to that spot!

Palm is trimmed, flower bed is turned over, and new free plants are in the ground.

Lemon tree is freshly trimmed and the underbrush is no longer an issue!

Now for the unseen section of the re-vamp...

Geranium plant pulled out and some saved in water to transplant, and underneath all of that I found what you see now coming up... camalilies ... can't wait until they bloom!  Oh, excuse the pile of dead geranium branches ... green waste bin is full.

And lastly, my favorite part, the banana tree transplant.  My hope is that the lovely telephone pole will be hidden as soon as these beauties grow ;0)  Side note:  The rock in the middle is one of the "artifacts" I found under the mounds in the banana grove.  So, therefore, it is on display to remind me...well, of the goodness of the Lord in the strength He gave me to do such a job.  (I shan't forget that my dear husband helped with diggin' the 2 ft holes to plop the trees in ;o)

 I will certainly keep y'all updated on the progress of the yard.  Today, instead of yard work, my girls and I took a long dip in the ocean to cool off...

 You don't see any of us because one of us is under this ocean foam finishing the wave out, one is drying off from doing the same from another wave, and one is taking the picture with wet hands having already done the first.  You'll just have to take my word for it ;o)


Enjoying My Kup...
                  Cindy

There's a Certain Security in Knowing...

  ... that I have a profound need for God.  Not just any need. Not like one would need a brush to untangle their hair, or a fork to eat spaghetti…but an all-consuming need like no other.

It’s a need that does not nor will not ever compare to the “needs” of “the world”.  This need cuts deep within.  There’s no word for it.  This need goes deeper than thirst or hunger will ever go.  The Bible uses these two analogies to try and touch the feeling one might have when we all need God…but it’s only an analogy.  An understatement to the actual need I have.  I can’t quite explain it, or describe it other than the ache that haunts or drives me to His Word in the sleepless nights.  No one, no thing in this world can or will ever satisfy this need.   Oh, there are times when I’ve tried to feed the ache within with sugared-up satisfaction, but very temporary an attempt it was.  This need is very hard to ignore, because there’s an ache that comes alongside and reminds me that I have a need.  Often times when I’m not aware, or “alert” as the Bible calls it, some feeling called “want” lures me into its deceptive direction camouflaging itself as “need”.  Oh how absolutely pleasurable it is ….at the moment…until it bites me in the behind, none too proud as the haughty eyes and the sneering tongue hisses its victory toward my direction.  The direction that evidently was the incorrect, Godless one.  If only I had heeded to His Word and to His still small Voice.

Going back to the need of a brush and a fork, why have we needed these items exactly?  Did not God create us with fingers?   Ok, spaghetti gets a little messy …among other meals… and I can’t stand to get my fingers all sticky and messy; where did that irritation come from?  Adam, did he have utensils to eat with?  Did Eve have any foreign object to comb her long (I only imagine) hair of its tangles?  Probably not!   In fact, I believe they hadn’t a want in the world; and their need would have been fellowship with the One who created their beautiful features.  I wonder how long that lasted before the enticing, scandalous suspect named “serpent” came slithering  (or should I say tip-toe, as he had legs back then…too bad for him) into the glorious garden to rip away all the innocence and introduce the word “want” to our ancestors?  What I inherited, what has been passed down to me is very, very bad and I have had a choice to accept it or stop the nonsense that “want” brings into this life.  It turns heads, it stops people in their tracks, and then causes the one’s behind them to take a trip (and not one to the Bahamas either.  More like the ER with a broken nose or tailbone or worse…. bruised egos!) right into the pavement!!  Not a pretty sight.  

 Contrary to popular belief “want” is NOT the band-aide to society’s hurts; “want” is NOT  deservable (i.e. “I know I don’t  NEED it, I want it and I DESERVE it.  I’ve had a hard day, or I’ve worked so hard”…blah, blah, blah.); “want” gets too much credit for things ….well just that!  Too much credit, that’s why this world is in so much debt!  Thank You, Lord that I’m out of it ... barring the medical/dental pile-up ... and I'm still going to thank Him in advance for taking care of that!

 

My conclusion is that “Want’s” qualities or character are greed, cravings, lust, conceit, filthiness, wandering, incomplete, unsatisfied, and discontent.  I’m sure there’s more.  The result:  humiliation, failure, loss, grief, sorrows, and again, I’m sure, there’s more.  This is called the “Pit Of Destruction”.   At the end of all this mess lies “NEED” for ONE and only ONE saving Grace called Jesus.   Why?  Because we will NEVER see the light in the “pit” until we are out of the “pit”; and we will NEVER get out of the “pit” until we confess that we have NEED for Jesus.   And there lies the SECURITY of knowing that I have a profound need for HIM!!    Amen!

Enjoying My Kup...

                   Cindy

The Grinch or The Glad

"This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
(Psalm 8:24)

But I'm really, really tempted to be "grinchy" instead.  

Remember in the movie "The Grinch" when he cries, "Oh the noise, noise, NOISE!"?   

Well, this morning my husband and I were awakened way too early by the very noisy trash truck, in which sent us in a whirl of panic as our brains registered "oh no! The trash cans weren't put out!!!",  and then in another instant I exclaimed, "But it's only Monday!" as I'm running to the front of the house looking out the window to find that everyone else missed the "Monday Memo" as well.  

They come on Tuesday.  


What in my little world are they doing here?  (Later, I hear the neighbor behind us rolling in her bin ... of what? I have no idea!) This is a mystery.

Because it's that kind of morning, in the next minute or so a noisy helicopter flew inches over our house...or so it seemed.  

And because we needed one.more.interruption that just about took me out of my skin, not 5 minutes later the doorbell sounds off ...  twice!  Steve's turn to jump out of bed...and of course, no.one.is.there...of course! 

Are we being ...oh what's that latest term used?... punked? tricked? skunked?... whatever! It's all the same to me...stinky!

Anyway, NOT a good way to start a day. 

However, if the good Lord says that this is the day that HE made, then I suppose I do need to rejoice and be glad in it.

So, to put me back onto the right path for today I decided to dive more into scripture to find more of that rejoicing word, and a few other verses came into view, and a few other thoughts came to the forefront of my mind.  May I share?

"He turned the sea into dry land, they passed through the waters on foot - come, let us rejoice in him."  (Psalm 66:6)

"..rejoice that your names are written in heaven." (Luke 10:20b)

"Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.'" (Luke 15:6)

Here are 3 reasons for me to rejoice based upon the above three verses:

      1.   God made a way for me that was dry and protected and ready to be walked in.
 
      2.   God chose me and I accepted and because of that my name is written in the Book of Life.  By grace I have been saved...with no strings attached, except that of faith.
 
      3.  God does not give up, but goes after those who lose their way ... thank God for second chances!

Furthermore, "Rejoice in the Lord always.", as Philippians 4:4 tells me ... and when the scripture reads "always", I believe that means always. 

So, therefore, be gone temptation-of-being-grinchy, in Jesus Name!  For today I will rejoice!

Enjoying My Kup...
                       Cindy



  

All About Cats and Dog!

Either I've not much to write about today or this topic is consuming.my.life.  

derfs...(from Kitten named "Almond Joy" herself).

(YAY!  I FINALLY figured out how to post a picture!!!  So behind times I know.  Now maybe this blog will get a little more exciting ;o)

This is "Joy" tangled in computer chords seconds before trying her paws out on the keyboard.  (Opps..didn't mean to capture somebody's...ahem...underwear!)
   

 (Picture quality not so great I know, but what can you expect from a phone camera?  I'll work on that ;o)
 These towels were folded and placed neatly on the stairs.  Yeah, not anymore.  Notice mama cat named "Hershey" is paying no attention watching her two culprits "Baby Ruthie and Heath".  (Are you catching a candy bar theme here?)

And just when I can't take anymore of this kitty nonsense I find the following nestled near my computer desk:

Now they're precious, right?  Heath and Joy are enjoying nap time after having been fed.  


Hershey still has 2 more for you to meet:

This is "D.C." (for Dark Chocolate).  Soo tired from play-time.  

 And "Wonka"...still in play mode. 

Finally, there is "Millie" (the candy theme started post dog)

 our spunky long-haired Dachshund who is not so long-haired anymore...and she loves it!  She loves tolerates her kittens as well.  

 I'm a bit attached to all these creatures, but sadly, the kittens.must.go.  After 7 weeks of nurturing and feeding them, playing and traveling with them  (and yes, I know, we should have never named them...), one dog and one cat ... and well, four of my own race is enough in this little world of mine to clean up after live with.  Wouldn't you agree?  So within this next week I suppose my house will become less active...

except for the dog-eating-cat's-food issue!

For one last bit of cuteness:

 Wonka  finally wound down...in the trash basket ;o)


Enjoying My Kup...
               Cindy 

A Lil' Of This and Lil' Of That!

I'm not sure, at this point, what to write about; so I'll just begin writing about a lil' of this and a lil' of that.  And while I am typing I will be praying that these words will somehow be inspiring to my readers so y'all will want to come back ;o)

Yesterday I painfully willingly deactivated my Facebook account and because of this I may not be a candidate for the ads-on-my-blog job thing that I wrote about in my previous post...I don't know, we'll see.  Eventually, I will re-activate a new account, but until then I'm taking a break indefinitely.  Allow me to share a few verses out of God's Word that relates to the reason that I am breaking free of FB for a while:

"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.  
Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you.  Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm.  Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil."
                         Proverbs 4:23-27

My shield has been dented ... so much so that I have felt it immensely as the vibrations from the arrows traveled through-out my body. 
                   It needs repaired. 

My sword has been dulled by the intense battle fought this past year.  
        It needs sharpening...on both sides.  

My belt has been loosened by the spirit of deception.  
       It's buckle needs stronger reinforcement.

My breastplate covers that which has been broken...the heart.
      Apparently, it needs thickening and I need purifying.

My feet are calloused and ugly and have tread through fields of wasteland and uneven ground.

Oh, for a pedi-cure! For a little Grace...and peace.

Though, one thing I know for certain...

The surety of my helmet. 
It fits perfectly because of God's perfect love.  

(see Ephesians 6:14-17)

To sum it up...2011 has been a tough year and I'm praying it only gets better.  But it has had it's awesome moments as well, and I realize I need to focus more on those points (I'm gathering that some of you might be thinking this as well). However, God has a work to do in my life and I'll be the first to admit that.  So therefore, I desperately need this break.

Facebook is not the culprit, it's only been one of the tools used.  Unfortunately this blog can be a tool too as the whole world is able to access it.  But I love to write and I won't be defeated for God is my Defender and Protector.   

Meanwhile, during this break, I will be catching up on my Armor Skills that God has gifted me with, as well as gardening,  quilting and prayerfully finding a job.  

Now I am asking you a favor.  Since I am not able to post this to Facebook at this time would you  pass this right along to your Facebook friends or whomever you'd like to pass it to.  I would indeed appreciate it ;o)  I appreciate you!

Enjoying My Kup...
                  Cindy

In A Quandary of Sorts...But God Is Bigger!

My heart is a bit heavy right now as I think about finding a job.  It's burdened not only because I haven't had to "go out" and find one for quite a few years and the uncertainty of how I'm going to go about doing so weighs on my mind, but also, the fact that a job will most likely interfere with our schooling efforts...of any kind (ie..Steve is currently researching the options of Christian schools in the area...and I wasn't going to look for a job because of the tuition of these options...I was looking to help with everything else!  Is there an option of raising my family for pay?!).  If I home-school (and this is my preference) then I'd need to find evening work or in-home childcare of one child...which I am inclined in doing because this is familiar to me (the latter that is).  If the girls attend an institution other than home then there is the transportation to and from and being home when they are.  There is no WAY I'm leaving them home alone in an area that I'm unfamiliar with ... teenage girls + a whole lot of teenage+ boys in the neighborhood = too much unfriendly and unwanted opportunity.  Know what I mean?  I'm not saying that I'm fearful...in fact, I refuse to live in fear.  Our present home has bars on all the windows that will be taken down eventually because I don't desire to live in fear.  I serve a big God that is able to protect my family and has protected us all these years.  I trust in Him alone.  What I am saying is this limits the hours that I can work because I need to be doing what I am called to be at this season of my life..and that is...a wife and a mother....which is work, right?

Either way we (he) decides, an extra income needs to be rolling in ...and quickly.  (Don't get me wrong, I am extremely proud of my husband and the hard work he puts into his job, but the fact of the matter is where we live geographically super exceeds our single income.)

This morning I applied to an online ad company that posts family oriented ads on blogs...and the idea of it is that it pays the blogger per page view.  Meaning, every time you, the reader, clicks on a post on my blog it counts towards an income for me.  So, if they deem my blog worthy to post their ads and you see ads on my blog then you will know that I am not only blogging for fun, but for a little extra income.  Please don't be offended by this, it would be something that I can thoroughly enjoy...writing!  But your help is essential in my making a few extra bucks...reading!  I know this is very premature as the possible acceptance may take up to 45 days.   I'm just warning you of my motives upfront.
 
Anyhow,  

"'I know the plans I have for you', says DECLARES the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"  Jeremiah 29:11

God just reminded me of this verse and so I had to share it.  Therefore, I will rest in Him and not worry.  My hope is in Him.  I know that as I seek Him first the above topic that my heaviness is entertaining will be taken care of...on all accounts.

Enjoying My Kup...
                       Cindy 

A Little Moving Excitment

Steve and I made it to California, moved in and three quarters unpacked; but all this not without a little excitement along the way.  

There were different levels of excitement, one being that of delight.  We finally got our Honda Pilot back the day after we packed the truck and hauled out of Questa, NM on the last day of June.  Talk about hangin' till the very last minute. However, the timing of it all was in God's hand because He was working on the behind-the-scene-dealings of us only having to pay 10% of the total bill...which was huge!  Yes, you read right, Honda America paid the rest..that's 90% of the bill...praise God!  My car runs like new and I had forgotten how much I really enjoyed driving it. 

On the other hand, the levels of excitement fluctuated drastically when a large shredded Uhaul tire came at me on the highway just 30 minutes from Flagstaff, AZ where Steve and I were to stay the night that evening.  An instant "Lord please keep him safe" blurted out of my mouth as I watched Steve calmly steer the truck to the side of the road.  After phoning (what DID we do without cellphones?) the truck company's customer service we waited about 2 1/2 hours for "Help" to change the tire.  We did this in heat and because of this I was extremely grateful for the newly repaired Pilot that provided AC.  Have I mentioned yet, that we were traveling with one dog and one mama cat and five of her kittens?  The AC was a blessing!  That was day 2 of our travels.

Day 3 we started later in the afternoon as we knew the Mojave Desert was going to be a scorcher to travel through...hence, the later, the better, the cooler...sort of.  Side note:  Steve traveled in the truck with his AC off to save on gasoline! 

So, we pass the AZ/CA board with an "Ok" and a smile from the boarder patrol (I observed another moving truck ahead in another lane and the patrol was confiscating their household plants...I learned to adopt mine out a long time ago) and move forward into the dry wilderness, and not maybe 45 minutes had passed and "BOOM!" another blow-out with more shredded tire coming at me and another prayer sent up for safety.  What?!   Same tire position.  Come to find out the last tire put on was a re-thread.  Ugh!  So Steve called the 800 number again ... and again we waited...and we waited.  The sun was going down behind the mountains, which meant the heat was going away slightly.  Steve was sitting with me in the Pilot with the AC on and we were having a ...date?  watching the sun go down, looking at the stars, playing on our phones updating everyone on the excitement of our day...and we were waiting.  After four and a half hours later three men showed up with a brand spankin' new tire!  And we were off to try and make it all the rest of the way to Carson, CA.  We had, I think, 4 hours left, and thanks to my very first energy drink we made it by 4 a.m. Sunday morning the 3rd.  

Then to top it all off, we start to blow up the air mattress to get at least a couple of hours sleep before reuniting with our girls, (at this point it had been a month since we'd seen them!) and I distinctly remember charging the blower up before we left, the motor dies and the mattress is flat and our bodies just collapse on the hard, carpeted floor as we laugh at all the excitement that had taken place over the past 3 days....zzzzzzz.  Sleep finally came over us.

Now for some more excitement...finding me a job.  Oh joy!

Enjoying My Kup, 
                 Cindy