Trying new things

To many people's surprise, I am somewhat apprehensive when it comes to trying new things. I'm not afraid of change so much as afraid of failure.

But that's a topic for another day altogether.

So when I decided to attempt making my own laundry detergent, I really had to work myself up to it. And thanks to a dear friend, I had all the ingredients necessary. So, I did it and I am going to share the easy process with you!

 Here's what you need:

1 Fels-Naptha Soap Bar (Rural King for about $1.79) 

4 Cups hot tap water

1 Cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda 

1/2 Cup Borax

 1- 5 gallon bucket

 Empty, clean laundry detergent dispenser 

Grater (if I would've been thinking I would have bought one from Dollar Tree)

Saucepan 

Long spoon or stir stick 

Here's what you do:
-Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.

-Fill a five gallon bucket half full of hot top water.

-Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved.

Fill bucket to the top with more hot water.(I forgot to take a picture of this step, but, is it really necessary?) Stir, cover and let sit over night to thicken.
 -Stir and fill a used, clean laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and add fill the ret of way with water.

-Shake well before each use (will gel).
Optional: you can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled.
Yield: liquid soap recipe makes 10gallons.
5/8 cup per load for top load machines
1/4 cup per load for front load machines

Easy as that!!

I try so hard to come up with quick, fun, encouraging, light hearted things to share on my blog. It doesn't happen as often as I want.
Sometimes that is because I've blogged on my church's website and it sort of steals the thunder. It's all good! I enjoy blogging there, too.

That's why, for my blog today, I am sharing that blog. You can read it by clicking here!

I hope you find it as awesome as I did!

Timing

One thing I have learned is that there are no coincidences. Nothing just "happens", but everything happens for a reason and all things are brought together for a purpose.

Since starting my studies with Illinois School of Ministry, every class has somehow related to what is happening in my personal life and in my church. So why should this one be any different?

January is a big month for us at GCFirst! We are spending this month in an Awakening! 21 days of prayer and fasting is where we believe the start to an awesomely blessed new year starts!

From our kids fasting video games, movies, television to our youth fasting Facebook, video games, television to our adults fasting their own games, food and so on, the people at GCFirst are making their relationship with God top priority.

So, what does this have to do with my ISOM class this month? Well, I will tell you.

My class this month is Relationships and Ethics in Ministry, by T. Ray Rachels. This study has been encouraging and eye opening to me as I read about ways to maintain my family relationship while being in ministry and even how lay people in the church view my position and how I should reach out to them.

But one section of this study is about personal priorities. We all know without proper priorities, we can fail in areas we need to be strong in. Prayer is one of them ( and here it comes all together!).

I am going to share some tips given by Mr. Rachels regarding a prayer life.
1. When you pray, write down your words.
       Being ready to pray at any time is important, and let's face it, if the need hits while driving down the highway, we're not going to be writing things down. However, during our personal study time, writing down our words keeps us focused and more precise in our petitions and gratitude. Prayer is a discipline, "and writing your inner thoughts gives a direction that otherwise is too easily confused."

2. Whey you pray, learn to listen.
      "Someone has said that when some people pray, they hammer so loudly that they never hear the architect who is discussing the plans." God doesn't need loud, booming voices that ramble on and on. Sometimes, our most productive times in communication with Him begin simply with, "Here I am. Speak to me."

3. Practice what you pray.
     "Be willing to back your prayer with action."According to Rachels, we are the limits God places on himself. We can't ask God to put love in the hearts of those around us and practice prejudice ourselves. We can't pray that our church impact our community and yet, not be involved in the process.

4. Do not pray lazy prayers.
    "The soft and sloppy prayer is an insult to God's integrity and to yours." Wow. "Prayers deserve intensity because you are dealing with power that can change the world." I'm pretty sure I need to add nothing to this. I'll allow you to think on this one on your own.

5. Believe God is attentive.
    Prayer is not a time for anxiety. When we bring ourselves- our needs, desires, hurts, fears- before God, we can leave them there. We don't have to worry! We can trust that God hears our prayers and then get on with the matter of living. "In simple terms, trust in the Lord and then act like you do."

6. Know the God to whom you pray.
    "A young cynical medical intern, known for his atheism, once mockingly asked the hospital chaplain to pray that he might receive money because he was very low on funds. The chaplain replied, "If you had just met the chief surgeon, would you have asked him for money?"
    "Well no," he replied, "I would wait until I knew him a little better."
    "Exaclty," answered the chaplain and walked away."
We will NEVER stop learning about God. We can't ever forget that. Read the Bible. See the gorgeous sunset and be grateful.

7. Be obediently patient.
   God's timing is so unlike ours. His view from eternity is much better than our view from the clock.
       "He asks for strength that he might achieve.
         He was made weak that he might obey.
         He asks for help that he might do greater things.
         He was given infirmity that he might do better things.
         He asks for riches that he might be happy.
         He was given poverty that he might be wise.
         He asked for power that he might have the praise of men.
         He was given weakness that he might feel the need of God.
         He asked for all things that he might enjoy life.
         He was given life that might enjoy all things."

8. God already knows your thoughts.
    Ever had someone, maybe your child, come to you and share something with you that, really, you already knew? Wasn't some major revelation but more of a cementing of your relationship? That's how it is with God. "Your prayer is not the unveiling of your secret. It is rather the establishment of your relationship. Praying is participating in a miracle."

So, as I hit the floor on my knees this new year, I pray that you, too will find time to spend in quality communication with God. Use these tips to keep your focus on Him and to make the best of each opportunity that you have to talk with your Heavenly Father.

Some "new" favorite things.

I don't know everyone who reads my blog. I pretty much know the people who are subscribed to my blog.
The point is, it's Christmas! And in our culture it is acceptable to give a gift to the people you are in contact with. While I can't possibly "give" all of you something tangible, I would like to offer you this.

Got iTunes? Listen to podcasts? I have recently subscribed to two podcasts and I'm so thrilled about them! So my gift to you is the advice to subscribe to these FREE (don't you love that word?) podcasts.

1. Air1-Brant Hansen.
The radio station that can be found here, has a WONDERFUL guy on their afternoon show. Brant Hansen has an amazing testimony. He's hilarious. He's thought provoking. He has Aspergers. His podcast is the talking parts of his radio show and you will absolutely love it!!! What a guy.

2. In The Loop with Andy Andrews.
Andy Andrews is a wonderful author who writes about ways to get through this life with positivity and hope. I guess technically he's an inspirational speaker. But not in your "prosperity" sort of way. To me, he's an encourager. This podcast, In The Loop, is so enlightening, encouraging, entertaining, etc. There are even opportunities through Andy's facebook page and twitter to ask him questions that might just be answered on the podcast! The host, Andy Traub, is engaging.

So, my gift to you this season is the gift of encouragement through the words and entertainment of Godly men who are using their gifts and talents for the glory of God.

I hope you enjoy these as much as I have!

Now, for a little bit of fun, I leave you with this:

Lessons learned

You know those days when you would swear your children are not paying attention and you KNOW that nothing is being retained as you talk to them? 

I knew you would.


As a parent, things happen that you don't always want to share...whether it be a mistake you make or a big whopper your kid gets into, sometimes you just want those less appealing moments of parenthood to go away.


Well, I had one a few weeks age but I am going to share because the end result is...well...wonderful!


A few weeks ago, I was taking Ty and Noah somewhere in the van and all of a sudden from the back seat I hear the dreaded words that most parents cringe and dread. "MOM! Noah just stuck up his middle finger at me!"


Okay. So, first, Ty didn't even know what that meant but knew it wasn't nice.
Second, Noah has no clue what it means either. 
Third, one more reason sending your kids to school sucks!


Sorry. I digress.


"What?!?! Noah I can't believe you did that! Why in the world would you do that? You are grounded! Spankings all around."
                          Is what I wanted to say.


"Noah. That isn't nice at all. I don't ever want to see that again." Is how I really responded. 
But his response very nonchalant "k."
 So I said, "I don't think you understand. This is a better-ask-Jesus-to-forgive-me-now kind of bad. So you probably need to pray right now and ask Him to forgive you." And immediately the tears roll. 


Flash forward to this past week. You see, when Donny was younger he cut the tip of his index finger off and when the weather starts to get dryer and cooler, it chaps and cracks. In the van the other day, Donny was messing with the touch screen in the van and used his middle finger to tap on the screen. He said that Noah told him he's not supposed to use that finger and "you'd better not let mom catch you using that finger."


Lesson learned. 


Amen.

Tuesday Morning Thoughts and Ramblings

I have blogged about this topic before but it seems to come around often and rather than brush it under the rug or check it off of the proverbial "to-do" list, I am going to hit it head on.

Again.

Has common sense left our minds? Is character something we are no longer concerned with? 

When did it become okay to act like a fool in public? Or, in today's world, social networking?

As a kid I remember my parents expecting me to be on my best behavior at all times but especially when we walked out of our front door and into the community. Poor behavior and choices were not tolerated. Oh, that word. Don't even get me started on tolerance. My Dad read a quote before (I have no idea where it came from), "A man of tolerance is a man without convictions." But, I digress, that is an entirely different subject altogether. 

Back to the point! I am not perfect and neither are my kids. Do they always behave the way I would like them to? Absolutely not. But I love them enough to tell them when they are out of line and then direct them in the right way. And as a youth pastor, I feel a certain responsibility to my students to do the same. 

So that's what this is about.

Social Networking is not a tool for us to use to bash or tear down others or ourselves. If anything, for those of us who profess Jesus as Lord, it is another tool to be His hands extended! It's another way for us to get The Word out! 

So many people I know who say they are followers of Christ go on Facebook or Twitter and fill their pages with garbage. In this case, the saying of "Garbage In-Garbage Out" is visible. What we fill our lives with, comes out in one way or another. 

You may say you love God and you follow Him but your actions and words must back that up. And let's face it, so many times, that is not the case.

Matthew 7:16-20 says, "You will recognize them^(A) by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? ¹⁷So,^(B) every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. ¹⁸A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. ^19(C) Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ²⁰Thus you will recognize them^(D) by their fruits." (from biblegateway.com, ESV)

We cannot expect to impact the world around us for Jesus if our words are hurtful, angry, bitter, filled with jealousy or malice. And this is most relevant when looking at how we behave online. 

People will know us by the fruit we bear. 

What kind of fruit are you bearing? A nice, juicy Honeycrisp apple or a bitter Crab apple?  Are you sweet grapes from the vine or a stickerburr from the thistle? Do you bring life and hope or death and despair? 

Does everything thing we say need to be a scripture verse? No. But shouldn't those around us know that we are different because we refuse to gossip and belittle those around us? Absolutely! Shouldn't our words and conversation be seasoned with salt in order to preserve life? Of course!

Is the fruit you are bearing from the tree of life or a rotten tree that will be torn down and cast in to the fire?

Proverbs 11:30 English Standard Version (ESV) ³⁰The fruit of the righteous is^(A) a tree of life, and whoever^(B) captures souls is wise.

 

I want to capture souls.
God, may the words of my mouth, or my fingertips on a keyboard, be words of life. Let me be a light for You at all times. Regardless of my circumstances, I want to always be a beacon of hope pointing and leading straight to You.

It may be a crazy life. But it's my life.

Hi. How are you?

I haven't blogged in a while. 

I like to blog. I WANT to blog. I just don't always know WHAT to blog.  


Ever had one of those days where you realized you haven't had the chance to talk to a friend, your mom, your sister or whoever in days? And so you call and end up talking about nothing in particular? Yeah, that's sort of how this feels. So, in the same way that I would call up my friend, I will share with you.


Cause, we are friends...right? Um, right? Whew!


Life has been crazy the past month! Church, family, church, family, church...this has been my revolving door. I love it, don't get me wrong. I wouldn't trade it for anything. I am just learning to balance the new way of church in my life. 
All of my life I have attended church. And all of my adult life I have worked AND attended church. But being in a ministry position adds a whole new dynamic to the equation and balance is vital. 


Kids...oh kids...I am convinced I now understand why animals eat their young. Oh, I know some of you are thinking that I am horrible...and you may be right but you can not deny that you have thought something similar! I love them. I wouldn't really eat them...that's just nasty. I wouldn't even trade the little punks! I just have some questions.
Why can't my boys just pick up their room? Why can't they just focus for 5 minutes on reading a 
 book? Why can't they walk and not run? Why can't they understand that there is a time for an outside voice and in the car, church or during dinner time isn't one of them?
Toddlers...what a work out! Into everything. Climbing on everything. Learning something new every 5 minutes! Exciting and exhausting all at the same time.
Never a dull moment in a house with 3 boys. Two of whom are red heads.


Teenagers. Oh how I love teenagers. Now is the time you can say I am insane or crazy but I do much better with teenagers than, I think, any other age! It is my spiritual gift. Loving the unlovable.  
I read a quote earlier today from Rick Warren. 

 "Our society cannot teach our youth they're merely animals then be shocked when they act like it."

Wow! There is power there and it just might preach!


School. Although my school is not what many would consider traditional, it is still school. ISOM, is wonderful! Godly instructors, leadership and an environment that is so perfect for anyone at any level. I am eager to continue to learn how to better my ministry.

One thing that has been made so much more real to me in the past month is this: Jesus' return is nearer today than it has ever been and if we plan to make an impact on this world, it must start today. It must start right now. We can't afford to wait! What kind of a person am I if I know the answer to life, and keep it to myself?

I've blogged before about the power of music in my life. So, to close this long, breathy blog out, I will share a couple of songs that are so powerful in my life.

Enjoy!!