A Little Dress Up

A little dress up...I've pondered upon that title for a bit.  When I think (or hear) that phrase it throws me back to my childhood...those idyllic days which the haze of years softens and makes poignant.  I think about my grandmother and the shoes and clothes which she allowed me to use to play dress up.

I began percolating on the idea for this blog a few weeks back...someone asked me about attending an event which would be on October 31st - and dressing up.  "Don't you want to let your counter-self come out?"

Counter self?  Or alternate?  Or pretend to be someone I'm not?  I'm having a hard enough time trying to be Christ like!

I've posted in the past about the paganism of halloween - I could list a plethora of sites which are either for or against or, God help us, complacent about the issue.  However, as I researched, I believe the Lord took me in this direction.  To challenge myself and others about how much we are (or sadly, are not) reflecting Him to a lost and dying world.

The real question becomes, as Christians, and as those who are seeking to set an example of Christ, to follow in the footsteps of the disciples, are we giving a proper example of Him?

Some try to pooh-pooh the 'wickedness' of the day/night, stating we are to 'claim' or 'reclaim' and 'Christianize' and use every opportunity to present the gospel.

I agree with using every opportunity to present the gospel, calling people to repentance and belief in the Lord; however, looking like, mimicking the world to 'win' souls isn't what the early church folks did...they were set apart.  They were, are you ready?  Persecuted for being different.

Not just persecuted (you know, loose your family, home, work, etc.), but they gave their lives for the sake of the Gospel.  They didn't join in on the pagan holy days, they were set apart.  If they had participated previously, they renounced and repented and forsook their previous ways.

So...how different does the 'church' look today?  The bride is hosting trick or trunk days, dress up as your favorite Bible character, have a fall festival.  We aren't being very set apart or different.

We all are works in progress and God works dross out at different levels, speeds in each vessel He's chosen...the question becomes, are we truly seeking to reflect Him?  To pray about what we're doing?  Whether or not our actions, behavior, words, etc. really represent Him?

Or are we rather, white washing practices, behavior, etc. in an attempt to make ourselves 'feel' better so we can participate?  Does the 'world' really see much difference in us?  How salty are we?

As a note...pagans, and yes there really are folks out there who claim 'pagan' as their religion (the military now recognizes halloween as a 'holy day' for them), not to mention witches, etc. which claim 10/31 as a high holy day.  There is a lot, and I mean a LOT of wickedness which is perpetrated during those 'special days.'

I exhort you brethren, search out the Scriptures, test, check and see if He has given you liberty to look like the world, to masquerade about during particular times of the year looking no different from those who are lost and dying.

Lord, open our eyes and ears to see and hear where we compromise with the world, the times and places, where we, in an attempt to gratify our flesh (or others) capitulate and join in.  Lord, you've called us to be set apart and holy unto You...chosen vessels, fit for heaven.  O' Lord, cleanse us, Your bride, help us to turn from our complacency, our willful disobedience, our lazy ignorance of You and Your Word.  Cleanse us O Lord, help us to be Your light set on a hill, reflecting You in truth, honesty and integrity in every area of our lives.

Crash and Burn

This morning:  The thought which ran through my mind, "Lord, I 'feel' like I am crashing and burning in my relationship with you.  I 'feel' like I've lost my first love."

I had received a new issue of Leben magazine and while reading the article on Robinson Crusoe, (with a look at the author Daniel Defoe) came across this:

"In time, a pattern of spiritual progress or decline thought to be common to all Christians became the template (talking about autobiographies). That template organized a man's spiritual life along these lines:

1. The work of God's providence in the man's life before he came to Christ.

2. The steps by which God's providence prepared the man for conversion.

3. The time and manner of the man's conversion and the things that immediately followed.

4. The predictable, but sad and long spiritual decline that would follow.

5. The man's recovery from that decline and the renewal of his commitment to Christ.

6. An account of some of the things that followed in the next few years.

7. A description of the man's current spiritual condition with accompanying observations and thanksgivings."

Where am I on that scale?  Number 4 'jumped' out at me.  The really sad thing?  I've been here before.  Is this process circular?  I feel dry, parched, distant.  I know God didn't move.  He's right where He's always been.  Its me...what's wrong with me?  Why do I have these ebbs and flows in my relationship with Him?

I do not believe in coincidence, rather divine appointments.  This video came up in my inbox:

This is War, Paul Washer

What's he saying right out the gate?  One great love, to love the Lord our God with all our spirit, soul, strength and mind.

Mar_12:30  And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 

Next exhortation - one great passion and he quotes:

Mat 6:33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

While he is evidently speaking to men, these admonitions are applicable to all, regardless of gender, age, marital status, etc.

How often do I keep these words before me?  Really meditate upon them?  Do them?

Separation from that which displeases God - do I even inquire as to what will please and glorify Him?

Next?  A great commission - Go Tell.  Fight for the faith.  How equipped am I?  If I were in a battle (and we all are, all the time) what would I have to defend/offend?  I'm feeling pretty bare in the weapons department right now.  Where is my passion for knowing Him, for reading His word, for studying Him?  O' Lord, renew me, give me a passion for You, Your Word, Your righteousness.  Cleanse me, wash me fresh, renew a right spirit within me.

Help me Lord to love You, to desire You, to thirst after You.  Let this be my cry:

Psa_42:1  As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

Homemade Dishwasher Soap

I haven't made dishwasher soap in a while - I seem to remember NOT having good success, but may try one of these in the future.

From Towards Sustaintability

Homemade Dishwasher Powder and Dishwashing Liquid

I thought I would share two more home made kitchen recipes that I made yesterday...

Dishwasher Powder
1 cup Borax
1 cup bi-carbonate soda (baking soda NOT baking powder)
1/4 cup salt
1/4 cup citric acid
30 drops citrus essential oil (I used lemon)

Mix thoroughly and store in an airtight plastic container. Use 1 tablespoon at a time.

I tried out the dishwasher powder this morning, and it cleaned everything really well - no greasy spots - and didn't leave a residue on anything. I worked out the cost as as approximately $4.61 per kilo. The environmentally-friendly EcoStore powder I was using costs $15.90 for a kilo, and you use the same amount per wash, so there's a big saving there! Plus I now use plain white vinegar as a rinse aid, instead of the commercial stuff, so I am saving lots of money now.

*Update 1* This powder tends to clump over time in storage. I get around this by giving the container (an old EcoStore powder bottle) a really good shake each time I use it, to break up the clumps, otherwise it will set hard over the course of a few weeks.

**Update 2** I no longer use Borax in the mixture, I just leave it out, and it works equally as well as it did before.

From Tipnut - visit the website for options and comments incorporated into the article from readers, especially if you're having trouble with cloudy residue.

Powder #1:

1 cup Washing Soda
1 cup Borax

Powder #2:

1 cup Baking Soda
1 cup Borax

For the above two mixes:

Blend thoroughly and store in a plastic container, use approximately 2 TBS per load.
Use vinegar in the rinse compartment as a rinse agent to help prevent residue.
Try adding 2-3 drops essential oil.

Powder #3:

1/4 cup Washing Soda
1 TBS Liquid Dish Soap

Use the above for each load you run.

Liquid:

1 part baking soda
1 part borax
1 part water
1 drop lemon or orange essential oil per cup of detergent
Mix the ingredients thoroughly and store in a sealable jug.
Use 2 to 3 TBS per load.

If you’re having a cloudy residue problem:

Try adding a few drops of liquid dishsoap to the powder compartment when you add the powder (just 2 or 3 drops will do).

You could also try cutting back on the amount used (ie. if you’re using 2 TBS, try cutting it back to 1 – 1 1/2 TBS).

Make sure to use vinegar in the rinse cycle.

For a liquid soap to handwash items in the sink, you can try the recipe found here at diylife.com.

Butter - God's Good Fat

Ahh...we used to make butter - such an enjoyable and tasty delight! This article is a worthwhile read, especially if you've been indoctrinated by fat and/or cholesterol = bad. Food as God made it, or produced without wine, dine, refine to it, is good.  I've used a food processor - 3 minutes to make butter.  Amazing!

Kitchen Notes ~ Making Butter by Michael Chu

Sometimes, buying cream in bulk is too good of a deal to pass up. For about the price of two cups (470 mL) of heavy cream at the supermarket, you can pick up a half gallon (8 cups) at the local wholesaler. But, unless you're cooking for a party, that's a lot of cream to use up before you hit the expiration date. After you've made a couple cream pies, clam chowder, and topped your angel food cake, you realize that you've only used four cups of cream! What do you do with the rest? Well. . . I make butter.

I suppose I'm obliged to talk briefly about how butter isn't actually bad for you and how natural saturated fats can actually be beneficial to your body and, maybe, even necessary for good health. I'll try to keep it short: In an earlier article on the topic of Saturated Fats, Cholesterol, and Heart Disease, I wrote about the misinformation concerning saturated fats (the family of fats that butter belongs to) and questioned the link between cholesterol and heart disease. Scientific studies that make a distinction between natural fats and processed fats show that previous evidence that linked fat consuming with obesity and heart disease may not be as straightforward as the commonly believed notion that fat consumption increases weight gain and the risk of heart disease. More and more often, as studies are being conducted more accurately (by not lumping processed fats with natural fats in the same category of study), it is being shown that there is either no correlation between natural fat consumption and obesity and in some cases an argument can be made that the consumption of natural fats can actually promote weight loss! Cholesterol has been "feared" in the last thirty years because it is suspected to be an indicator of heart disease. However, as study after study shows that blood serum levels of cholesterol are less accurate at indicating risk than a meteorologist is at predicting weather two weeks in advance. In fact, cholesterol is a fundamental building block of the human body necessary for proper operation of our brains, maintains a healthy digestive system, is a fundamental building block for many hormones, and serves as the body's main healing agent. It is in this capacity (as a healing agent) that has perhaps caused the most confusion in the understanding of how cholesterol works in the human body. When large amounts of cholesterol are found in the brain of someone afflicted with Alzheimer's disease or who has suffered a stroke, is the cholesterol the cause of the problem or is it there because the body is trying to fix a problem? Many researchers are beginning to believe that what is readily accepted in the medical community (that cholesterol contributes to heart disease, strokes, Alzheimer's, etc.) may in fact be a misinterpretation of the facts. Cholesterol is often found in the plaque that forms on the interior lining of arteries, but more and more researchers believe that the cholesterol is being used by the body to fix damage caused by other substances (such as polyunsaturated fats that have broken down releasing free radicals). Additional research has recently shown that the consumption of cholesterol helps to regulate blood serum cholesterol levels as well. Not only does feeding dietary cholesterol to individuals with low serum level increase their cholesterol, but feeding dietary cholesterol to those who have high cholesterol levels actually brings the level down. High serum level of cholesterol are typically caused by the body's overproduction of cholesterol and the dietary intake of cholesterol provides triggers to the body to reduce the excess production. It should also be noted that dietary cholesterol accounts for less than 1% of the cholesterol circulating in the blood and is less than 0.2% of the total body pool of cholesterol in the average person. 

It turns out that butter is excellent source of vitamins, anti-tumerogenic fatty acids, anti-microbial fatty acids, and dietary cholesterol. Cream has the same properties as butter, but butter is like concentrated cream - with all the health benefits, plus it cooks up real nice and lends wonderful flavors that can't be duplicated no matter how much companies try to mimic the flavor with margarine. 

Making butter is simple and easy (with modern appliances). You can churn the butter from cream in a blender, food processor, mixer, or even some bread machines. All you need is a machine or device that will agitate the cream so that the fat globules in the cream are destabilized. This causes the fat globules to start to clump. This clumping first enables tiny air bubbles to be trapped in the cream forming a relatively stable foam that we know of as whipped cream. When the agitation continues, the fat globules begin to clump so much that the air and fluid being help in place cannot be contained any longer. The foam seizes and the fat network begins to break down into large fat clusters that we call butter. In this example, I'll use a standing mixer to produce almost a pound of butter.

To finish the article and learn how to make butter click HERE.

Now I’m an Unwilling Obamacare Outlaw

At what point will the American people decide they want to be sovereign citizens versus slaves?

October 2, 2013 By Operation Rescue ~ Article by Troy Newman

Today I’ve become an outlaw; a dissenter; an enemy of the state. Without my consent, the U.S. Congress passed a law that forces my conscience and conviction into an inescapable corner. I do not want to be in this position. I did not ask for it. I have not even taken a single action that would put me on the wrong side of the law – yet, somehow, here I am suddenly “breaking” it.

Eighteen years ago, I left my full-time job with an aerospace firm in San Diego to become a full-time ordained minister. When I left my employment, I also left my health insurance. Since my new position as a minister scarcely paid the bills, my family relied on God’s provision to cover all of our healthcare needs, as well as everything else in our lives. Again and again, God showed Himself faithful, and I slowly learned over the next two decades to put all of my trust in Him.

When my children were born, the money to pay the doctors was delivered too. When someone was sick, or needed stitches, or a broken bone set, or a minor surgery, God would provide the means necessary to cover the medical costs incurred.

Thankfully, all seven of us have been relatively healthy. We eat right, we exercise, and we don’t participate in risky lifestyles. (Though, some might argue that it was hazardous for 5 members of our family to pursue our black belts in martial arts.)

For the record, I’m not opposed to insurance. I have insurance on my house and car. I have a term life insurance policy in case the Lord takes me home a little early. But, when it comes to health insurance, each year I have weighed the costs and have opted to take a pay-as-you-go approach. For my family, that approach works, just as it works for hundreds of millions of people around the globe every day.

I also do not think I’m invincible. I am fully aware that this body of mine will not go on forever, but my life is in the Lord’s hands, and I believe history shows that there are far worse possibilities than death – like living under a totalitarian government with no respect for our belief of freedom.

Left unchecked, this new healthcare law is fully capable of leading the United States into becoming a police state. That may sound crazy to some – like I should be wearing a tinfoil hat or something – but I’m a student of history, and it doesn’t take long to see the scope of past civilizations that have been seduced into surrendering, first, their rights, and then their lives, all under the offer of some so-called protection.

I’ve read the healthcare law; it isn’t going to protect, save, or help any of us. What it is going to do, however, is strip away our rights and directly fund abortion. I have consulted with several experts and law firms on the imbedded abortion funding in the new healthcare law, and I can say with certainty: ObamaCare forces us to pay for abortion.

So, let me be very clear on this new healthcare: I may be the very person Congress is claiming to help, but I don’t want or need their assistance regarding my family’s health. I am a free citizen who pays my medical bills as they come. Furthermore, I am absolutely morally opposed to funding baby killers. In fact, I have spent the last two decades fighting to stop abortion, and I will be damned if I’m going to give them any money now.

This is not the case of a rebel searching for a cause. This cause found me when Congress decided our Constitutional rights and our pre-born children were expendable. I wasn’t a criminal yesterday, or for the past 18 years, but somehow today I find myself on the other side of the law. So be it. I’ve seen all the chest thumping coming from Washington, and I’ve heard all about “red-lines” and “no negotiations,” but I’m just a simple man with a simple plan.

I’m not buying a healthcare policy that will fund abortion, and I’m certainly not paying any penalty for freely choosing to do so. At some point, they may lock me up. Before that, I’ll probably get some threatening letters and a few visits from the healthcare cops. At the end of the day, however, my answer will be the same:

I trust in the Lord and I comply with all just laws, but I will not comply with any unlawful mandate to participate in the killing of innocent children.

If you feel the same way, I encourage you to look at A Pledge for the Preservation of Life and Liberty. If you are able, add your signature, and be one of the first to tell Congress: Thanks, but no thanks. We prefer a respect for life and our nation’s hard-earned religious freedom!

Giving

I couldn't figure out a stellar title, hence just giving.  I haven't even thoroughly researched the word or where it's used in the Bible.

I don't see myself as being particularly good at giving - and when I do, I don't do it as a means of 'checking' off a box or garnering attention - at least I hope not.

In fact, blogging about my recent act of giving never crossed my mind, until I'd begun the process.

We have several ladies in our church who've donated hair to Locks of Love and I'd previously considered it; however at the time I had a perm (and yes they'll take permed hair) and thought they wouldn't accept any chemically treated hair (they take dyed hair too).

I've been measuring to ensure I had at least 10 inches, with some to spare, because frankly I'm sort of attached to my hair!  Or my hair is attached to me!  :-D

I noticed some split ends and thought I'd pop into the hair salon (I normally have friends trim it for me) and see about getting about 2 inches trimmed.  The stylist said the split ends weren't bad and asked if we wanted to do the donation cut today.  Hmmmm...I'd pondered that, I'd even had my ruler out and measured, a couple of times!

So I said yes...let's go for it.  The salon indicated there was another organization which accepted donated hair, Wigs for Kids, which I'd never heard of; however, their donation size minimum was 12 inches.

Locks of Love is 10 inches and frankly I wasn't quite ready to part with 12 - seems the LOL wants an inch above the ponytail so 11 inches.  Wow...was I ready?  I thought so.

First step, ponytail the hair, braid, then cut.  Not a problem.

I am well within the 11 inch range!

Which actually left me with hair about shoulder blade length...which is where I should have told the stylist, just even it out and I'll let it grow and donate again.

She suggested layering it so it would lay better, to which I agreed.  I don't know how experienced she was; however for future reference I will N-E-V-E-R allow someone to 'style' or 'cut' my hair that I haven't already established a rapport.

My hair...grief...I didn't realize how much my hair meant to me, how much it made me, well me.

I had to take off my glasses while she cut, so it was difficult to tell exactly what she was doing, but it got shorter and shorter and...you get the idea.

I haven't measured, but guesstimating my shoulder blades are approximately 4 inches from my shoulders, which is where the LONGEST of my hair now resides.  I combed my hair in the parking lot to get rid of the extra hairs and there were 3 inch sections coming out!  Not to mention all those little pieces that invariably get 'stuck' on your head.

I was sniveling on the way home about not EVEN being able to make a ponytail!  Arrived home...looked in the mirror, I mean REALLY looked and started bawling.  I'm not talking about crying, sniff, sniff, I'm talking bawling.

Washed my hair out - to get rid of all those bits and pieces - put it up in a towel (it actually fits now, previously several inches used to dangle out).  Got online to explore the LOL and WFK sites.  Self talking, it will grow back.  Started reading and watching testimonials.

I didn't realize that many of the children assisted have a type of disease which makes their hair (not just on head either!) fall out.  Eyelashes, eyebrows, etc.  I know hair can be a vanity, truly it can and I'm hoping neither I, nor  those who are receiving the hair, are vain about it.

It is a humbling thought for me as I worked through my 'loss' to realize how many have to deal with the complete and unrecoverable loss of their hair.   My hair, God willing, will grow back.  Will I donate again...yes, yes I think I will.  Will I allow an unknown and untried stylist to hack at my hair?  No.

I'm prayerful that this small amount of hair I've given (it takes 6 or more ponytails to make a wig) will be a blessing to some young person.  Next time...more length to the donation and less to the stylist shop floor!  Oh...and I did manage to make a ponytail with what I've got left...its small, but its a start!

The Art of Manliness

Warning - this site could be addicting. :-)

I'm not quite sure how I originally stumbled upon this site - this original article 'grabbed' my attention.

So ladies wonder how a man might critique you as a possible future mate?

Dating Advice from 1944: How to Pick Your Right Girl - here's a few snippets to whet your appetite:

• Could you spend seven consecutive evenings in her company without being bored? (If the answer is affirmative, it is a good sign.)
• Is she a good sport?
• Is she hard on other people? (Don’t judge by her behavior to you.)
• Would she put up with all your faults if she knew them?
• Do you know her faults? Are you willing to live with them?
• If you marry her, will you also be marrying her family?
• Is she quarrelsome? (The Bible warns, “It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop than with a brawling woman in a wide house.”)

Its quite an interesting site...I'm not sure where they land theologically - but all in all a great site for men (or for women who want to better understand)!

A sampling of just a few of the pages I've browsed through - there are literally HUNDREDS of offerings.

How A Man Handles Miscarriage - I thought this one was EXCELLENT - I will definitely keep this one in mind should the unfortunate need arise.

It's amazing to read how men handle, think about stuff - I've always perceived them as such stoic beings, very little emotion, almost robotic.  This will be a refreshing adventure.

Next up...A Resolution for Romance: The 52 Loves Notes Challenge

"One of the marks of being a great man is the ability to love the same woman for over 50 years. That’s manly–hands down."

"The Challenge

The instant communication tools of today have nearly obliterated the love letter, which is a crying shame. Don’t get me wrong, I really love the tech wonders of our day. Email? I love it–so useful. Texting? Same deal. Twitter? Addictive as all get out. These are all fantastic tools for communicating with co-workers, making plans with friends–even asking for the grocery list.

At the end of the day, though, a well-written love letter communicates deep affection in a way that a bazillion texts, emails, and tweets never can."

Well ladies (or gents) there is the gauntlet thrown down, or maybe its the hammer and/or spatula.  I'm taking this as an opportunity to connect with others.  Maybe not sending 52 notes in a year, but taking time to try and really connect, not just electronically. 

Intentional, being intentional in the relationships God currently has in my life, thankful for them and letting them know.