I see in the news that our country is inundated with storms, winds, tornadoes, large hail, floods, and fires. I think God is speaking to us, warning us. I pray we listen.
The news carried images of the utter devastation resulting from multiple tornadoes. I feel for those people. I once had a house flooded out on me. And I once had a house burn down. I understand the “everything gone” feeling. I also know how God swoops in.
I heard yesterday of one family who hunkered down during a tornado: a furnace flew over them, and got stuck just above them. The furnace stayed there, and protected them from the debris raining down all over. Sometimes I see in the news that a house had the roof and walls ripped away, but fragile items on shelves were left intact. How does a tornado do that???
Of course, it’s God. You hear of the devil being in the details. He may be, but he has no power over the details. God is in the details, and He has power over every little thing. My mind explodes at the minute details God controls all the time everywhere. Which house will be blown to bits, and which house, right next door, will be untouched? Who will be protected by a furnace He fixes into place, and who will be felled by a tree or a car? How many raindrops will God allow to fall into a certain river, and how high above flood level will He direct it?
And which people will God send to help? Which people will give to the need? Which people will be shaken to their cores, and through that life-changing experience, will turn their eyes to their Creator?
Dear God, we have turned our backs on you. We have made and worshiped the false gods of self, media, lust, people, sex, power, and money.
Jeremiah 4.22 For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.
And yet You love us, You invite us to repent and return to You, and You will receive us with open arms.
Jeremiah 3.12 – 14 Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the LORD, and I will not keep anger for ever. Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD. Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion
See how God loves us! See His eternal mercy! See how forgiving and gracious and loving He is.
Isaiah 17.7 At that day shall a man look to his Maker, and his eyes shall have respect to the Holy One of Israel.
Children of God, our LORD speaks to us. He does not call those He does not know; He calls His own.
John 10.27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me
Return to Him. Follow Almighty God to the letter of His Word.
This opportunity was included in my weekly email from Wardee Harmon of Traditional Cooking School. Here is her information:
Free #LifeSkillsNow Online Summer Camp for Kids
enroll now for early bonus sessions!
Are you looking for wholesome, useful, and valuable activities for the kids and grandkids this summer?
Check out the completely free #LifeSkillsNow online summer camp… and you’ll get QUICK, curated videos that send your kids off to make what they just learned.
With guest teachers, including me (I’m teaching sourdough waffles and pancakes), your little ones all the way up to teens will learn practical life skills like cooking to laundry to emotional intelligence and critical thinking and more!
And it’s not just for kids, either. The whole family can join in!
Not available then? Replays are available with the optional All Access Pass.
When you click the link, you will find more information about the webinar, including guest speakers. Here is the schedule for the week, as listed on the web page:
Schedule
Monday, May 6
THE WELL @ 9:30 am EST: LIVE Morning Prayer and Workshop Introductions.
WORKSHOPS:
You’ll Be Equipped as You Go: Trusting God to Take the Lead,Melody Alisa
How to Pause in God’s Presence with an Imperfect Schedule,Liv Dooley
4 Ways to Discern the Voice of God, Dominique Nicole Young
5 Truths To Believe About The Love of God, Kia Stephens
THE OVERFLOW @ 8:00 pm EST: LIVE evening event for All-Access ticket holders.
Tuesday, May 7
THE WELL @ 9:30 am EST: LIVE Morning Prayer and Workshop Introductions.
WORKSHOPS:
Faithful Ambition: Trusting God as a High Achiever, Leslie Limardo
How to Discover Your Purpose in a Busy Season, Brittany Ann
Committed to the Call: Develop the Faith, Confidence, and Plan to Build the Business of Your Dreams, Tatiana Muse
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome to Life Authentically, Shala Wilson Graham
THE OVERFLOW @ 8:00 pm EST: LIVE evening event for All-Access ticket holders.
Wednesday, May 8
THE WELL @ 9:30 am EST: LIVE Morning Prayer and Workshop Introductions.
WORKSHOPS:
Empowered Hearts, Radiant Lives: A Workshop for Happy Wives, Debra Cheek
Sacred Spaces: A Christian Woman’s Guide to Create an Intentional Home, Susan Seay
Becoming a Confident Wife with G.R.I.T., Ayanna Hall
The Inner Work Required for Healthy Parenting, Tyra Lane-Kingsland
THE OVERFLOW @ 8:00 pm EST: LIVE evening event for All-Access ticket holders.
Thursday, May 9
THE WELL @ 9:30 am EST: LIVE Morning Prayer and Workshop Introductions.
WORKSHOPS:
Overcoming Burnout When Life is Busy, Kirstyn Mayden
Experiencing God When Grieving, Natasha Smith
Resting Well: Revive Your Life, Renew Your Energy, and Restore Your Sanity, Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith
Be Still My Soul: Living a Life of Peace and Stillness, Patrice Burrell
THE OVERFLOW @ 8:00 pm EST: LIVE evening event for All-Access ticket holders.
Friday, May 10
THE WELL @ 9:30 am EST: LIVE Morning Prayer and Workshop Introductions.
WORKSHOPS:
Building the Courage to Boldly Be Who God Created You, Nicole O Salmon
Healthy Habits To Nourish Your Life, Shannon Parker
“Here I Am”: Overcoming Shame to Return & Remain with God, Titania Paige
Prioritizing God When Life is Busy, Courtnaye Richard
THE OVERFLOW @ 8:00 pm EST: LIVE evening event for All-Access ticket holders.
Are you frustrated with the daily joy-robbers of life? News headlines. Disobedient, snarky children. A demanding boss or co-worker. Friends who don’t understand you. Illness. Discontent with your circumstances.
So many factors can rob us of the joy in life.
Would you like to have greater joy, less illness, better sleep, and more happiness? God shows us the Way. Read on.
John 16.33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
God has shown us that we will have struggles, deprivation, trials, and forces against us in this world. But He has also shown us that He has designed us to live in peace and joy in every circumstance.
God designed us to yearn for Him. Because He is our Creator, it is His personal design within each of us that gives us the basis for how to live in such peace.
First and foremost, peace is a right relationship with God. That can only come through Jesus Christ. John 14.6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
In addition, God has given us His Word and His Spirit so that we can read and learn His design and how to live, day by day, in that glorious peace.
Because God loves us so much, He has outlined in detail the way to attain peace in our lives. When we obey God’s Word, He blesses us. It’s because His Word shows us how best to live – how to attain that perfect peace. God always blesses obedience. He blesses with love, peace, joy, circumstances, hugs, perspective, flowers, sunrises, or whatever other means He deigns to provide. We are all different, and God provides blessings perfectly tailored to each of us.
How to start obeying and receiving that peace?
Start with giving thanks. 1 Thessalonians 5.18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Do you have shelter? Give thanks. Do you have friends or family who love you? Give thanks. Food to eat? Clothes to wear? A job? Are you married? Single? Have a pet? Give thanks. Studies show that people who are intentionally grateful are healthier and happier. Start a list, either in mind or written, of things to be grateful for. Keep it up.
Honor God. Love Him above all else. Discover the joys of your position as slave to Almighty God. Matthew 22.37-40 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
A major way to honor God is to honor His name: Exodus 20.7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
Psalms 148.13 Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.
Let the Word of God be your joy and delight. Psalms 119.1-4 Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. Blessed are they that keep His testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity: they walk in His ways. Thou hast commanded us to keep Thy precepts diligently.
Keep the Sabbath: Isaiah 58.13, 14 If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
Take a day of fasting unto the Lord: Isaiah 58.5-8 Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD? Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.
Learn from God. Isaiah 30.20. 21And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers: And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.
Psalms 32.8I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
We can’t obey God if we don’t know how to do it. Leaning on our own understanding is not obedience – that’s putting ourselves up as god. No, in order to know how to obey God, we must read His Word. God perfectly outlines how we are to live and do and have our conversation. It’s how we can live in our greatest peace and joy. He really wants us to have perfect peace.
Isaiah 26.3, 4 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.
Read God’s Word. Try out obedience to it. See the blessings He will pour out upon you. Some of tithing can be considered to be obedience to God’s Word – giving back to Him some of what He has given us. Micah 3.10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
John Gallagher from Learning Herbs is another person I follow. He and his “tribe” offer a lot of knowledge on herbs and how they interact with people and each other. I received this in an email:
Sleep, Stress & The Blues with Thomas Easley
In this webinar, Thomas answers 3 important questions….
How can I get more restorative sleep naturally?
Which herbs can address stress and improve resilience?
What are the “mumbly-grumps” and how do I get rid of them?
By the end of the presentation, you’ll have heard every single one of the tips that Thomas shared with me so you can also learn how to get deep sleep naturally. Thomas also shares his favorite herbal tonic for the nervous system and how he uses it.
If you’ve never heard Thomas speak, this is an excellent opportunity. Hope to see you there! In health, John Gallagher LearningHerbs
PS…
In Sleep, Stress & The Blues, Thomas shares how “sleep debt” works.
Long term sleep debt leads to a myriad of health problems that include anxiety, inflammation, and depression as well as nervous system, blood sugar, and immune system issues.
Listening to Thomas for an hour on this webinar can help you get deeper and more restorative sleep without having to buy any products.
Thomas will also provide a PDF handout with all his tips.
I received an email this morning from Wardee, whom I read a lot because she offers so much good stuff:
I’m hosting a free one-hour online workshop next week to help home cooks make a healthy Traditionally-Cooked dinner in 30 minutes or less. No complicated techniques or recipes… and you can work around special diets, picky eaters, or a limited pantry. Also… no need to spend anything extra on “healthy” ingredients because we’ll use what you already have… even leftovers. Would you like to join us (as my guest)? Click here for more info or to save your seat (free, but pre-registration is required). Hope to see you there…God bless you!
P.S. I won’t be recording the workshop, it’s a live thing. Yet since it’s online, you don’t have to dress up or leave your house. And your camera won’t be on, so no worries about that, either. Hope to see you there. 🙂
I like a hot cuppa mid-morning, and I like it to be pretty healthy. This fits the bill.
This combines into a powder you can measure into a cup and add hot liquid: water, coffee, or dairy or non-dairy milk. There are lots of other add-ins, if you like. I use Ancient Nutrition brand for powdered bone broth and collagen.
Prep time: about 5 minutes
Yield: about 2 cups of powder
Servings: about 16
Ingredients:
1/3 cup
instant coffee
1/3 cup
raw cacao powder
1/3 cup
Dandy Blend
1/3 cup
sucanat
1/3 cup
cocoa butter
3 scoops
vanilla bone broth powder (about 3/4 cup)
2 teaspoons
stevia powder (I use Sweet Leaf)
4 tablespoons
maca powder
1/4 cup
powdered collagen
Directions:
Measure all ingredients into a food processor; process until all is combined, and the cocoa butter is well incorporated. Store in a jar at room temperature. To Drink: Measure about 2 tablespoons (give or take, according to taste) of the powder mixture into a 12-oz mug. Add boiling water and stir to dissolve. I like to add the water to half or 2/3 way full, mix, then add non-dairy milk to complete. Use hot coffee instead of boiling water if you like a stronger coffee taste. Optional ingredients to add to the food processor: – powdered gelatin (same nutritional value as powdered collagen) – other adaptogens, such as slippery elm or ashwagandha – powdered lucuma – powdered mushrooms – carob instead of cacao – sea, Himalayan, or Celtic salt
Some people like to add more to their hot cuppa: – butter – coconut oil and/or coconut butter – vanilla – wet sweeteners, such as maple syrup, honey, molasses, or date syrup
I read a lot from Wardee Harmon: I appreciate all she freely gives in her articles and e-mails, and I trust the information she doles out because 1) she’s a true Christian and 2) she does her diligent research.
This article on pressure cookers was included in her most recent e-mail. It’s very comprehensive (for stove top and electric pressure cookers), it includes safety and use information, and she also tucks in a whole bunch of recipes!
Here is the article; I highly recommend this good read.
Maggie Tiggles 