Food

When I was a young girl of about maybe 10 I started making my own eggs. Later on I would say maybe in my late teens and early twenties my mom would have me make the side dishes during Thanksgiving. 

My mom and I would watch a lot of cooking shows. She would get ideas and then try them out. I still remember when she used orzo pasta to make a chicken egg bake it was really really good. 

Thinking about the changes in cooking since the advent of the internet and social media platforms like YouTube and Instagram and even Facebook there are more recipes out there. You can travel the world food-wise from the comfort of your own kitchen. 

I've had the opportunity to learn how to make food from Thailand, Vietnam, China, Japan, South Korea, Russia, Germany, France, England, Ireland, Nigeria, Mali, Liberia, South Africa, Mexico, Puerto Rico, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Argentina, and yet I still want to cook more, travel more. 

I like to show hospitality through food. So what am I called to do.... 

To do everything to the glory of God. 

Do the hard thing

1 Peter 4:7-10 ESV

The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:

I have been distressed and in mourning over things. My church is going through some stuff. It has been hard. What should I say about it I have not really talked to anyone but my husband and those who are affected and I am glad that I did. I have been wearied.

Lord's Day

I have been very reticent. It's hard when lately I have not wanted to go to church. I guess just conflict has me just burdened and depressed. When I am downcast my body ails me. Sucks. I have been though encouraged to know truths about God and His presence which is always there.

Psalm 139:4-5,9-10,15-16 ESV

Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether. [5] You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. 

[9] If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, [10] even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. 

[15] My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. [16] Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

I will rest in that God despite my lack of faith is always with me. Though I am faithless He remains faithful.

To God be the glory for His steadfast love upon the children of man.

Missions

I have for a long time been invested in missions. When I became a believer truly a believer I realized the necessity of evangelism. I was listening to a radio show called Way of the Master radio, that later became Wretched radio. I listened sermons. God took hold of me and impressed upon me the need for the proclamation of the Gospel. I went out with my church at the time, on their designated night to go out then later with my small group. I was given many opportunities to go out and share the Gospel. During this time I saw different film, I may have heard what God has been doing in the nations. I went to different countries and more and more in seeing God saving a people who never heard of him before. If God means for me to go for missions He will make it plain but for now I will pray for workers to go into the field. I will pray for the salvation of the lost. I shall not elevate myself. I am not special or super spiritual but I want to live my life daily giving my life as a living sacrifice to my heavenly Father because of what Christ through the Holy Spirit has done in my life.

Random Thoughts

I have been up thinking. I am not harboring unforgiveness towards anyone but in light of conversations I have had with my husband I worry about the women who stay in dead end relationships with no end in sight. I once talked to an older lady and she was with a man 20 years...... I was taken aback and actually asked point blank, "Why have you not gotten married?".

I read this post on Facebook by a guy that when he met his wife within 2 weeks they were talking about marriage. I think there are reasons why guys string women along whether intentionally or unintentionally. You may stay because you feel sorry about their past. You may have grown to love them just like mold grows on surfaces. How can you tell if your relationship is like this?

- The man has not assumed the responsibilities of adulthood

- There is no clear direction as to where the relationship is going

- You are not a priority

- He is not pursuing you, you are pursuing him.

When one meets a guy serious about marriage and you, he will want to see you all the time. He will seriously pursue you. He will pray with you.

I guess I just end up feeling bad for the women who wait and wait thinking that one day they will get engaged or one day they will get married to the guy that they are with. One day he will realize that I am the one when it's just deceiving oneself. Love is shown clearly. Love lasts infatuation does not. A man will seek early on before the heart is engaged to discern whether or not marriage will be in the cards. If not he will let them know and cut things if, if it is yes then he will court the woman to gain her heart. He will treat her like a precious gift.

An Assault on Christianity

I am against Critical Race Theory. I am against Diversity Equity and Inclusion because they go in hand. Instead where I stand is on loving my neighbor and even in seeing their culture knowing that in the Kingdom of God there will be people from every nation, tribe, and tongue. I want churches to just stand of the word of God without bringing erroneous ideas into the church. 

I kind of wish that the church would remember what God instituted in the early church and live by it. 

Acts 2:42 ESV

And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

So as a church let us know the issues and yes be made aware but let us be more devoted to what the bible says.

1 Timothy 4:13 ESV

Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.

So all to say this system has made a shipwreck of people's faith. 

How sad is this.

Yet I will say what Joshua said.

Joshua 24:15 ESV

And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

I don't want this faith just to be a Sunday thing but may the word of God permeate my being and let it flow out in an everlasting fountain. 

Impatience

I am not one to wait patiently for anything. God knows I am one to call back and ask. To prod people along...... I am really bad at that. The good thing is my husband tells me to wait and God blesses it. So here I am Lord I will wait upon you for the desires within me. For answers to prayer. That You do as You will. 

Passing Time

 It is very strange to think how fast time is passing. I got married almost a year ago. I have had the privilege to see my youngest brother get baptized. I just also realize how fragile life is. I have had a few health concerns but I trust that my God will only provide the days He as appointed to me. He has blessed me a lot. I want to treasure each day but not cling to closely to life and some longings that I have. God has brought me a loving spouse, family, and more greater than all that salvation. I have some prayer that God has not answered yet but I know that He can, that when the time comes my God will be with me.

Faith Demands More

Today I am pondering. Thinking about the Christian Life and it's progression. I think it is very easy to just point out errors in the beginning of someone's Christian Life. It is a fine line between judging things according to God's law and being ungracious. 

That scripture is very clear but a person who is born again does not suddenly have right theology but the foundation should be there, repentance and faith. 

I was watching how the Lord has been softening someone's heart and I've also seen how people who have come to know Jesus even though they need to be taken aside like Apollos and taught right theology but it should be a cause for rejoicing that God will make himself known to another person who did not deserve his grace. 

The Christian walk has to be categorized by a renewed life, filthy speech will leave, impure thoughts will be a cause of grief and shame, and a love and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ will cause them Joy. 

So here I am just thinking about salvation, about sanctification, about having grace for new brothers and sisters, yet also the need for discipleship. How will we grow in the Christian faith unless we are taught.

Honesty and Vulnerability

I love people, I know that is hard to imagine considering what an introvert I am and how exhausting I find people sometimes. I love some in an I want to take care of you kind of way, some I love in a tough love kind of way. I have been an enabler at times other times I have been very tough for the sake of wanting to see loved ones build better lives for themselves. I always have so much advice to give but I have learned the hard way to stop and listen and now I realize people need to see the need for change for themselves. Each day is a chance for God to change us more and more to the image of Jesus Christ. God meets each one of His children in the midst of all of life's circumstances. Whether they are drowning in sin, or have everything and find a dissatisfaction in it. I used to wonder about how some people who have so much can suddenly commit suicide and I realized something. You have the money, you have the cars, you can even be at the top of your career, but then once you achieve it what is there? Soul satisfaction is not achieved. In my life I had at times worked hard to achieve my so-called potential, been in gifted classes, on the dean's list but once I achieved them I am thinking now was it worth it. Only those things that were given away did I feel like it was worth the effort. It blessed others. The bible said its better to give than to receive. Now I just want to love well, to point people to Christ and not be drawn into victim mentalities, blame games, and excuses why specific people aren't doing what they ought. 

Writing and Living

I used to write a lot more. Pouring out small victories, my sorrows, difficulties, and happy moments. I went to sleep to early on Sunday and now it is 1 am on Monday the one good thing about today is that I shall be working from home this relieving me from getting up early to drive to work. New job, new duties, and in my hobby new breads to bake, foods to cook. Church has been wonderful and I have finally started talking to people again. I love the body and today I was encouraged once again to love those who are lost and do not know the Lord Jesus. Knowing that if I love them I will want to share Jesus with them. God is good. I am feeling tired now. I guess I may be able to get some sleep.

Life as I knew it

Marriage is definitely different than I thought it would be. I thought it would be living like a 50s housewife 24/7. Yet I did not factor in my job, my homemaking skills. I crochet, cook, bake, read. Marriage now in living it 8 months is serving and loving. Sometimes just being next to my sweet husband. Sometime calling him over to be my taste tester.

A Life Pleasing to the Lord

I want to be the kind of wife that is a help to her husband. I work full time but once I get off of work I realize that being a wife also has the responsibility to please her husband. So I find myself busy for hours after I get off.

I have a calling to care for my home, my husband. Change has come. I thought in my single days I was okay. I am encouraged to walk the narrow road that leads to life. Eight months of marriage. I have experienced so much this year and I am praying that God continue to work in me what is pleasing in His sight.