Prize31

by Prize31 | January 31, 2012

One Mile ‘Til Empty by Gloria Toti

“Oh no!”

“You’ve got to be kidding!”

“Why today of all days?”

I will admit that in the moment my attitude was not the best. I was in a hurry. My very stretched schedule did not need any more stretching.

Rush here, rush there, rush, rush, rush…

I usually try to avoid days like these by planning ahead.

But you and I know that sometimes LIFE just happens, and there is no getting out of its way.

The day started out good, don’t get me wrong. Since my son’s ski accident, I have found myself spending more time with him, and I love that! I don’t mind being the designated driver, really.

I dropped him off at Tech and made my way to the office. Three hours later, I am back in route to pick him up, and then IT HAPPENED.

I noticed that I didn’t have much gas.

My mind kicked into gear with the blaming game. “I told you to get some yesterday, but you didn’t listen.” I quickly came to my defense and sharply replied that I would have refueled if I hadn’t been so tired.

I knew the fix was an easy one—just stop and get gas.

Why was I making a big deal over this?

My mind was caught in an eddy—the thought process was ugly, and I literally wanted to throw a fit.

I actually thought about NOT stopping for gas. Yes, I know that is crazy thinking. I am just being honest. I was in a bad way…

Of course, I quickly realized that it wouldn’t be long before I would be found walking while clinging to that bright-red, plastic container that would be screaming to the world that I had run out of fuel.

Good grief—it took me less than five minutes to refuel.

I continued driving toward Tech, and my very active mind started talking… this time the topic was MY LIFE, your life, ALL OF OUR LIVES.

I knew God was up to something… I was no longer pouting; I was listening.

I was reminded that no matter how awesome my car is—it cannot refuel itself. It takes my cooperation. My car has so much potential but can be relinquished to a piece of steel and rubber in the junk heap of life if I am not attentive.

I was gently reminded that my mind, my spirit, my attitude, and my outlook could go from operable to inoperable really fast without the right kind of fuel from HIM.

God, thanks for your patience with me. Even when I was caught in the act of throwing an adult-styled tantrum, you were purposeful in your pursuit of me.

Who is this God that He is mindful of man?

I am embarrassed to say that I was forced to stop and refuel my car, but my sincere desire is: When it comes to the things of God, I pray that I am never forced to stop and refuel my life!

MAY IT ALWAYS BE A DELIGHT AND NEVER A DUTY

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BLOGGER ID:

Did you really just have one mile left before you ran out of gas? No, but if my mind had not readjusted, I could have gotten there really quick. The only difference between 10 and 1 is a zero.

Have you ever run out of gas? I almost did one time. I couldn’t believe I was right in front of a gas station with one-mile left to travel before I ran out. I was feeling pretty foolish for not stopping when the little gas tank reminder came on a few miles back. I don’t know why I am freely telling all today.

What have you learned lately? Desire is not enough, we must take action.

Have you ever run out of gas? Tell me what happened so I don’t feel so bad…

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by akismet-7c43d7bcadd9b9d1d3d67227dfed9873 | January 30, 2012

Holy Ground by Deanna Duncan

When I close my eyes, I can see the day perfectly.

The sun was gently shining. A cool breeze whispered by, laden with the sweet scent of the heirloom roses which seemed to shout for joy with their colorful blossoms. A bluebird softly sang overhead.

We were in the most beautiful spot–the garden of our first home. A wall of wisteria perfumed the air, the iris, now spent, still stood in green glory while the age-old Mulberry trees and Jack Black pines softly shaded us.

The pots were overflowing with bright blossoms and the wooden bench just begged you to sit down and enjoy the beauty.

In my mind, there could be no better place to dedicate our child to the Lord.

Surrounded by four generations, I declared the spot Holy Ground.

Now, a by-stander would have described the scene as follows:

It was really weird. All these people were standing in this postage stamp sized yard in front of a house with peeling paint. You really couldn’t hear very well because the neighbors had parked all these cars in their yard and kept gunning the engines. A few stray dogs strolled by. It seemed like a dirty neighborhood filled with sad, old houses.

Despite what the bystander saw, we stood on Holy Ground.

In fact, you could be standing on Holy Ground right now, too.

Just follow me a bit here.

For something to be “Holy” it must be dedicated or consecrated to God. To experience “Holiness” we must be devoted to the service of God.

We know that God created all things. There is a part of His Divine Nature in all things because they were a spark of His imagination.

Bring my sons from afar

any my daughters from the ends of the earth–

everyone who is called by my name,

whom I created for my glory,

whom I formed and made.

Isaiah 43:6-7

When we accept our birthright given to us by God, we consecrate ourselves to Him. In other words, we experience Holiness.

Now, this next idea really changed my life:

What makes something holy is not the place, but our attitude.

Moses and Joshua both came face-to-face with God and were commanded to take off their shoes because they were on holy ground.
Joshua, before the command was even given, had already fallen face down. His attitude said, “this is Holy.”

I firmly believe that God is everywhere, in everything and that my purpose here on earth is to praise Him.

That means that anything, anywhere and at any time can be Holy. All we have to do is acknowledge that God is here.

Doing laundry? Holy time.

Cooking dinner? Pure Holiness.

Sitting in a traffic jam? Holy.

It just depends upon your focus. If you focus on the distractions around you (like the neighbors who park their truck with hand painted flag on it in the middle of their grass) you will miss the holiness of God’s creation starting you straight in the face.

So, close your eyes and declare this spot Holy.

Tomorrow, at the grocery store, praise God and declare that moment “Holy.”

Moment by moment and location by location let’s all just reclaim everything in our lives Holy. After all, it’s what we were created for.

Have a blessed day!

Deanna

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by Prize31 | January 27, 2012

The Recipe Box: Superbowl Snacks

On Sunday, February 5th, the New England Patriots and the New York Giants will face off in Indianapolis for the Superbowl game. Whether you’re interested in the big game or not, it’s always a good excuse to have some friends over and enjoy some good food! Here are a few recipes to try out this year while watching the game.

Brown Sugar Smokies

1 pound bacon

1 (16 oz) package of Little Smokies sausages

1 cup brown sugar, or to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cut bacon into thirds and wrap each strip around a little sausage. Place the wrapped sausages on wooden skewers, several to a skewer. Arrange the skewers on a baking sheet and sprinkle them liberally with brown sugar.

Bake until bacon is crisp and the brown sugar melted.

Serves 12

Jalapeno Popper Spread

2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened

1 cup mayo

1 (4 oz) can chopped green chilies, drained

2 ounces canned diced jalapeno peppers, drained

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Stir together cream cheese and mayonnaise in a large bowl until smooth. Stir in green chiles and jalapeno peppers. Pour mixture into a microwave safe serving dish, and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Microwave on High until hot, about 3 minutes.

Baked variation: If you would like to brown the cheese, bake at 375 degrees for about 30 minutes.

Serves 32. Makes 4 cups.

Party Pinwheels

2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened

1 (1 ounce) package ranch dressing mix

2 green onions, minced

4 (12 inch) flour tortillas

1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced

1/2 cup diced celery

1 (2 ounce) can sliced black olives

1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

In a medium-size mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, ranch dressing mix, and green onions. Spread this mixture on each tortilla. Sprinkle red pepper, celery, black olives, and cheese (if you’d like) over the cream cheese mixture. Roll up the tortillas, then wrap them tightly in aluminum foil.

Chill 2 hours or overnight. Cut off ends of the rolls, and slice the chilled rolls into 1 inch slices.

Serves 15.

What will you be serving up Superbowl Sunday?

recipes from allrecipes.com

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by Prize31 | January 26, 2012

Guard Your Boots by Rachel Flores

I come home from work to see a tail-tucked Leila creeping up to me. “Leila…” I say in my stern voice, although I’m not even sure what she’s done yet. As I walk into our bedroom I see it. The newest canine addition to our family has lovingly chewed up my favorite pair of boots. Are you serious? I want to yell at her and tell her she ate my favorite shoes, but I don’t because:

I realize she is a dog and can’t understand English
Yelling won’t bring back my boots which now have a heel dangling by a thread
It’s my fault

Leila has already chewed up a bag, Kleenex, socks, and a book. So, I should know by now to close the doors when I leave and put up anything that has been dropped on the floor. Yet somehow I get so lazy that closing a door becomes too much, simply because she hasn’t chewed anything up recently.

It’s this way in my life when it comes to temptation. Sometimes I get so comfortable thinking “I’m safe, how could Satan get to me?” and I leave my most prized things unguarded… my heart, my tongue, my patience, you name it. Then I’m surprised when they are attacked. God has already told us, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” So I should take Him up on that offer, for the rest of my life. I want to be more intentional in defeating Satan every day and not leave myself unguarded due to laziness.

Maybe also close a door or two every day to protect the rest of my wardrobe.

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by Prize31 | January 25, 2012

Reader Profile: Colleen Conely

Today, we introduce you to someone you may recognize even if you’ve never met her. As a member of the Praise Team, she’s often on the platform during the weekend services helping lead the congregation in worship. If you have the privilege to know her as a friend, you know her to be a loving mother and wife, a friend that always has an encouraging word and a fierce prayer warrior. Take a few minutes and get to know a little about today’s Reader Profile, Colleen Conely.

Tell us a little about yourself and who’s in your house.

I am married for 14 years to my wonderful husband and friend David. We have three children that we homeschool, and I work as a nurse in the ICU here in Lubbock. We have a border collie, a boxer, a ragdoll cat and 2 bunnies.

How long have you attended Trinity Church and in what areas do you serve?

I started attending Trinity in 1990 when I was going to nursing school. Over the years, I have been involved in the singles’ group, children’s ministry, the choir and Women’s ministry. We have also helped at the Storehouse and in the ministry of helps when needed. Currently, I am on the praise team.

What are you listening to and reading lately?

I like to listen to the praise and worship radio on Pandora, and I am reading Six Ways to Keep the “Little” in Your Girl by Dannah Gresh.

Tell us something you enjoy doing as a family and something you and David enjoy doing just as a couple.

As a family, we like to go to the Lady Raider basketball games. We like to play dominoes and go on adventures. As a couple, David and I like to go to quiet places and talk.

What is something you look forward to in 2012?

In 2012, I am looking forward to traveling with my family, and I would like to do the new Beth Moore Bible study, James.

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by jenbellriley | January 24, 2012

What Bessie the Cow and I Have in Common by Jennifer Bell Riley

I blame the Container Store for my writer’s block.

As I was knocking out my Christmas list, they gave me a coupon for a year’s subscription to Real Simple. My first issue arrived the week I was writing my January post. Topic: Purpose.

I read something that set me back.

“Persistently dwelling on distressing situations from the recent or distant past (called rumination, as in that things a cow does when it constantly rechews food) can be one of the most destructive mental habits.”

Sometimes a benefit, sometimes a detriment—I have a very analytical mind. I constantly rerun situations in my mind. Yes, I have something in common with cows, it appears. I ruminate.

“Why did I say that….”

“Did she mean….”

“Why did that happen….”

“Why did he say that….”

“Should I have….”

“Was this God’s purpose….”

It became really clear in reading the article, and yes, ruminating about it for weeks, that I won’t fulfill God’s purpose for my life if I am constantly rechewing events and conversations I can’t change.

To be honest, I haven’t even begun to conquer this habit. I’m immersing myself in scripture and praying through the times when I instinctively do this. Do any of you struggle with this? What has helped? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments or you can message me through Facebook.

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What is my favorite podcast? Dr. Randy Carlson’s Intentional Living. Great show with common sense approach to solving problems with purpose.

Where do I get inspiration for parenting with purpose? I love the Epic Parent.tv blog. I can relate to almost everything he writes about! And he is a masterful title writer.

Who do I owe a favor? Our awesome editor, Anne. Thanks for working with me on my writer’s block and giving me an extension!!!

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by Prize31 | January 23, 2012

Don’t Take It for Granted by Michelle Smith

For as long I can remember my daughter has stood in my doorway as I get ready for bed. Sometimes we talk and sometimes she just stands there and quietly watches. The other night as she stood in her usual spot my heart began to ache as a much younger image of my daughter flashed before my eyes. I began to cry as reality began to set in. In less than six months she will be married and will no longer stand in my doorway. How many times had I taken those precious moments for granted? She is not even gone and I already miss her deeply. Maybe I am just being sentimental as that day fast approaches or maybe there is a lesson to be learned.

In the pursuit to find purpose for my life, I often find myself feeling discouraged, frustrated, and inadequate. I have worn myself out doing all the “Christian” like things that I thought I was supposed to do. In the process my family, the one’s I love most and am spiritually responsible for, are the one’s who sometimes receive the least of my time and attention.

The Bible says that we are to love God with all our hearts, soul, mind and strength. It has taken me some time to realize that it is not in the “doing” that we find our purpose, but instead it is in “just being” that we fulfill our purpose. We do not have to go out and DO this spectacular thing, but instead we just need to simply BE. Whatever season in life you find yourself in, cherish it and do not take those precious moments for granted.

Have you allowed precious moments to pass you by? What can you do to make sure you do not miss out on the moments that matter most?

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