Stripes

1 Peter 2: 24

" who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness- by whose stripes you were healed. " -NKJV

In this Lenten season, I hope you are taking time to examine the sacrifice of Christ's death for us. Of course we truly remember his sacrifice on Good Friday (this year it's Friday, March 25th), but daily we need to come to God and appreciate how our Lord, a sinless man, took upon himself the sins of the world and paid the ultimate price. The wages of sin is death. Through his death our payment has been made. Through his stripes we are healed! 

Stripes, when I hear this word, I immediately think of the movie starring Bill Murray from 1981. Not very biblical, I know. Certainly not a Christian flick, so irreverent and funny in it's time. I also think of...you guessed it...clothes. I own a loft of striped tops and dresses. They remind me of the nautical look that I love. I was recently running (literally running, the family was out in the car waiting) through my local Target when I spotted an adorable striped dress that I had to have. What I like about this particular dress is the 3/4 sleeve that I can wear now in the cooler months, and feel comfortable well into spring or even a cool summer evening. Wear it now with tights and booties, in the spring and summer with some strappy sandals. So versatile!

Womens A Line Long Sleeve Swing Dress Black/White- Le Kate- Target

Here's what I'm wearing today, an oldie, but a goodie.
Classics never go out of style!
similar top here- Talbots

And...stripes from the past!!!

I pray you have a terrific Tuesday! 

Just another snowy Monday

Philippians 4 : 4
" Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! "


Because today is President's Day, and nobody has anywhere they have to be, the snow is actually quite lovely. It's even getting warmer. A balmy 28* instead of yesterday's 8*.  Rejoice! Not only that, but yesterday we had a lovely Valentine's Day full of chocolate, some fun gifts...and love. I will say it again: Rejoice!!

Here are some cute pics from yesterday...Rejoice!!!

My day started with some breakfast in bed.
My favorite 9 year old made me coffee and waffles with strawberries.

Here's what I found on the dining room table for my girls!

And then I found this on the other side of the table!
Yay, Daddy!! Mommy likes.

I think my new mug sums up my family. We are all different, but together we are the perfect blend.
Happy Belated Valentine's Day and
Happy President's Day!

I pray today, that in all things, you rejoice. And when you think you might be done, rejoice again!

Rejoice in the Lord always.

Blue line

John 15: 13
" Greater love has no man than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. "


Today we are in shock here in my little town. Two of our very own brave deputies were taken by gunfire yesterday. Nothing like this has happened in our county in over 100 years. As the wife of a law enforcement officer, it really hits home. While I realize the danger that my husband puts himself in everyday, it hasn't been since the Baltimore riots last year, that I have felt so anxious about what my husband does. I know he would do whatever it takes to come home to his family, but I know too, that there are people out there that don't put any value on life and wouldn't hesitate to take away the life of my husband, one of his brothers or sisters in blue, or for that matter, anyone else. It is a miracle that no one else was injured yesterday, as this tragedy took place in a busy local shopping center.  While tragedy could befall any one of us on any given day, most of us do not have jobs like our military, police, fire, and EMT's; a job where you are literally running towards danger to help those in need. Today I would specifically ask for prayers of comfort for the families and friends of these brave men who laid down their lives for their fellow man. I ask that you would also pray for the Harford County Sheriff's Department in this time of tragedy. Lord, protect and sustain these brave men and women who serve our community, and for all of those who go out everyday to protect and serve our state, our great nation, and the world. Amen.

Love you!

Psalm 18: 1
"... I love you, Lord, my strength. "


Pretty simple isn't it? I think God makes it so simple that even I understand it. "... Love the Lord with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind...".(Luke 10:7) . I love you, Lord!

I can't keep the joy away from me today. I am just overflowing with joy! You get some joy, you get some joy, everybody gets some joy! (a little take on Oprah, lol!). I can't explain it any other way, except I just have the love of Jesus in my heart. So look out for me today, you're going to get some joy!

My favorite 9 year old photographer took some pics of me in my new T-shirt from For Keeps Clothing Co.
I love it! So here are some pics and here is a pic of the cutest little photographer I know!

This was our favorite pic.
I took a picture of my photographer.
What a cutie pie!!

OK, so I took a selfie too!
Love You!

I pray you have a terrific, wonderful, joy filled weekend!!!

Super food

1 Corinthians 9: 25
" Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that does not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. "


I didn't remember this Bible verse (the context, not the verse)!! I love it! I would love to wear a crown around the house for a while, just to let the people I live with (you know, the commoners) get a real appreciation for my "forever" status. Of course it would only be temporary, I probably couldn't wear it to the grocery store or to the library. It might confuse people. Oh well, such is life for accolades here on earth. For every trophy I've earned or every award I've won, they are truly temporary. I will wear my forever crown when I go home to Jesus. Can I get an Amen?!

If you were looking at the title of this blog post to see some super healthy menu, I am so sorry. You have come to the wrong post. I have football on the brain, and even though I won't be at a big party, I love a good theme. This Sunday won't be any different. It's football party food all the way, baby!

For starters...

 Chipped Beef Cheese ball

2- 2 oz pkg air dried beef
1- 8 oz pkg cream cheese softened
2-4 tbsp of prepared horseradish (depending on the amount of heat you like)

Chop the beef into small pieces. Set aside. In a bowl combine cream cheese horseradish and half of the chipped beef. Mix until well blended (this is when I taste it to see if there is enough "heat"). Refrigerate the cream cheese mixture and the other half of beef for at least an hour. When set, roll cream cheese mixture into ball (or football shape). Roll cream cheese ball into remaining beef. (For football shape, you may have to press the beef into the cheese ball. Serve with some tasty crackers.

This is, by far, my favorite cheese ball. My mom and I have been making it forever. We don't even use a recipe. For this Sunday instead of a ball shape, I'm going to shape it like a football.

Main Course.

Ham, Apple and Cheddar Sliders

I saw this episode of "Valerie's Home Cooking" a couple of months ago, and have made this for my family already.
My 14 year old son loves it!

I'm going to bake a ham and slice some up thin for the sandwiches, that way I'll have plenty of ham leftover for another meal or two.

Dessert.

No-Bake Sweet-and-Salty Cereal Bars

I found these cereal bars scrolling through Facebook yesterday.
I made them right away, but with some modifications for my little one with peanut allergies.
See recipe here- http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/no-bake-sweet-and-salty

First off, no peanuts! Also, I substituted semi-sweet chocolate morsels for the candy-coated chocolate (these aren't safe because they are processed with other products that have peanuts). The chocolate morsels will melt a little bit, but they were still delicious. And finally, I took just a pinch of sea salt and sprinkled it the top to add a touch more salt to my "salty" because I had eliminated the salty peanuts.
   

Here's my version. Delicious!

I'm looking forward to a super Sunday! What team are you rooting for? I'm torn this year, my team's not playing and there are reasons I like both of the teams that are (I like the uniform color of the Panthers!). Please comment below and let me know your team or even your menu, I'd love to know what you have planned.

Have a blessed day!

Groundhog Day

James 5: 16
" Therefore confess your sins to each other and  pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. "


Just like in the movie Groundhog Day, I find myself in the predicament of having to ask for forgiveness every day: over and over again!.  Fortunately, I don't have to relive the same day over and over again (although sometimes it feels like it!).  Usually confessing my sins and asking for forgiveness either to God or to someone that I have erred against, makes me feel better and sets things right. In a perfect world, once you've done your part in the repentance/forgiveness role, everyone should have a nice hug and move on in joy and peace, right? Unfortunately we don't live in a perfect world. With God, if you are truly repentant you're good, but not always with people. We cannot expect to be forgiven in the way we would like to be forgiven. Forgive doesn't mean forget. While we can be truly sorry that we have hurt someone that we love, that doesn't mean they will forget our error. Sometimes that is healthy, especially if you are in an abusive relationship, but sometimes it means we truly aren't forgiven. What can we do? Just keep praying, just keep praying, what do we do we pray!! Don't let the bitterness in someone else's heart pull you off of your knees. We still need to pray for reconciliation, and seek it when appropriate, but we can't  allow ourselves to be consumed with guilt, regret, sadness, or self loathing. Forgive others as God forgives you, but remember to forgive yourself as God forgives you, too.

Today I'm sad. I won't give up the fight (the battle is already won!), but I'm just a little melancholy. "Weeping may tarry in the night, but joy comes in the morning. " (Psalm 30: 5b- ESV).  Probably tomorrow morning...
It really is Groundhog Day today, and good news, an early spring!! That certainly is something to find joy in. Here are some other things that bring me joy...

Coffee!

I got one of these little guys for Christmas.
What a wonderful way to have a hot cup of coffee in the afternoon without brewing an entire pot.
Keurig K10 MINI Plus Brewing System

New clothes!

I think I need another scarf!
An elephant scarf with pom poms and it's blue...need I say more?
Navy Elephant Pom Pom Infinity Scarf- The Pink Silhouette

Food!

Salted Pretzel Brownies-Ree Drummond
food network- The Pioneer Woman

The Beach!

I need this!!
Ocean City, MD

I pray you have a terrific day. 

Remember, Ephesians 4:32 "Be kind and compassionate to one another,forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you."

Self-ie

Luke 9: 23
" Then he said to them all: ' Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. ' "


In this era of "selfies" this is probably a tough verse to wrap our minds around. Does that mean, I don't take care of my physical appearance or try to look nice? No. On the contrary, my body is a temple of the Holy Spirit (see 1 Cor 6: 19). I am charged by God to take care of it. And, when I balk at putting pictures of myself on my social media, I need to remember this, "He has made everything beautiful in it's time." (Eccl. 3: 11).  We have to walk the fine line of putting ourselves first, and putting God first. He alone can see our hearts. I pray today that as you see your reflection in the mirror or in a "selfie" you've taken, you see how beautiful you are in your Father's eyes. Deny yourself, but don't deny who God made you to be. After all, we are precious in his sight.

Even though we've been cooped up for months (well, maybe days,but it feels like months!), I do try to look presentable.  I don't want to scare away my husband, the children, or the neighbors, after all! So here are a few things that I liked enough to take a picture of, and something I thought would be cute for a casual Valentine's Day.

This top is Macbeth Collection- Margaret Josephs
The BFF Blouse Margarita Casablanca.
I really liked the splash of color on a cold, gray winters day.

I LOVE this nail pen!
Sally Hansen- I Heart Nail Art Pens are easy to use and comes in lots of great colors.
Definitely use a clear top coat when you get your desired design.

I can't wait to add this Tee to my collection.
How perfect for a coffee lovers Valentine!
For Keeps Clothing Company

I pray your week is full of beauty and love. Happy February!