2015 Bible Memorization Challenge

   Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.  

                                                                         Psalms 119:11

Beginning with the new year, I thought it might be helpful for myself (and hopefully to others as well!) to start off the year with a goal to memorize a certain amount of Bible verses during January, and possibly into February as well. I will plan on making a weekly post with suggested verses to memorize (I realize at times I might list verses that you already have memorized, which in that case, I will just leave it up to you to choose your own). It's completely up to you if you'd like to work at your own pace--maybe memorizing more or less than what I suggest. Remember that it is far better to memorize less and retain it, than to memorize too fast and forget most of it!

Most of all, it's my desire that this would be done to glorify God. As the Psalmist said:"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."  Psalm 119:11 God uses His Word to sanctify and comfort His people. 

"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth."  John 17:17   

"That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." Ephesians 5:26-27

"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." Romans 15:4

It's important to have God's Word hidden in our hearts! 

"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrews 4:12 

 "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." James 1:22 

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:" 1 Peter 3:15

  "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time." Colossians 4:5   

If we are a child of God, our testimony is weakened, and we are often cast down and discouraged when we don't meditate on God's Word throughout the day. If we don't know God's promises by heart, how will we be encouraged by them? If you are presented with an opportunity to share the Gospel with someone, can you quote the Bible fluently?

  "And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

  And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." Revelation 12:10-11

Often when I have been discouraged, the first part of the above verse (verse 11) has been such an encouragement to me, and I've been so thankful that I've had it memorized. Praise God for the precious blood of the Lamb of God!

Helpful Tip:

One of my favorite ways to help memorize Bible verses, is to write out the verse(s) I am trying to memorize on a small chalkboard, and place the chalkboard in a place where I will see it every day.

If you would like to join me this coming month, or have any suggestions for memorizing, I would love to hear from you!
 

A Hymn Of Encouragment

We'll Come Forth As Gold

L.M.D.

(8.8.8.8. D.)

The earth is full of toil and strife.

Grief and pain are in this life.

We feel heartache and frequent sorrow.

We cry out with breath we borrow;

"Lord, be near us for we are weak.

We bow down humbly at thy feet.

Please give us strength to persevere.

Help us trust thee and cast out fear."

The path before us is unclear.

Sometimes the future looks so drear.

If we rely on mortal flesh,

We will soon be in great distress.

Cling to the Lord and seek his face,

He will guide you and grant you grace.

He can supply joy in trials,

And patience for our journey's miles.

God never leaves nor forsakes us.

We can cling tight to this promise.

The Lord will faithfully provide.

At his voice the storm will subside.

The God we serve is in control.

Each trial has a divine role.

We'll come forth as glittering gold,

With grateful hearts and joy untold! 

  What More Do You Want?  

From: Echoes of Grace - Living Waters

A man told me one day how he got peace with God. For years his wife, a Christian, took him here and there to hear the gospel preached. He knew the plan of salvation well, and, being afraid to die in his sins, he became increasingly anxious to have peace with God.

"About three months ago," he said, "I stayed behind at the close of a gospel meeting and told the preacher what I wanted."

The preacher asked him: "Did the Lord Jesus die for you?"

"Yes, I believe He did," he answered.

"And was He raised for you?"

"Yes," he said again.

"What more do you want?"

At once he saw the truth. He accepted the blessing by faith, and he went away rejoicing in salvation.

The Lord Jesus Christ had died for him, and was raised for him. What more did he want? Surely nothing!

And what more do you want? And what more can you have? Surely nothing!

If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that
 God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Rom. 10:9.)

Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and 
that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. (1 Cor. 15:3,4.)

Christ Alone Can Save!

Reformation will not save you. 
  

Religiousness will not save you.

Repetition of prayers will not save you.

Rivers of tears will not save you.

Rules and regulations for your life will not save you.

If any of these, or all of these combined, could have saved you, Christ need not have died. But "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:12

My First Seed Catalog Of The Season!

 My first seed catalog of the season came today! I can't wait to sit down with it and start planning my garden and writing my wish list for the year! :)

Does anyone else get excited when the seed catalogs start coming in the mail?

Tips For Taking Fish Oil Supplements

Fish Oil Supplements

After finding out we were expecting I searched for a good prenatal fish oil supplement to start taking. Every time I took it, though, it made me nauseous. It didn't help that I was feeling pretty sick already due to first trimester morning sickness. Ugh. 

I know it is common for fish oil supplements to cause nauseousness. I have been given some tips from others and found these things to really help. If you are having trouble taking fish oil supplements I hope these suggestions will help you, too.

1. Take your fish oil supplement with a meal. This seems to help quite a bit.

2. Store your fish oil supplements in the refrigerator. This has been the single most helpful suggestion. For some reason keeping my capsules cool makes them stop causing me to be queasy when I take them.

3. If your daily dose is two capsules take them at different times during the day. I don't know why I didn't think of this on my own. It makes sense to break them up into smaller portions at a time.

If you are curious, this is the prenatal fish oil supplement I am taking. I have not noticed any changes since I have been taking it, but I hope it is doing it's job. We will see if the baby comes out with a full head of hair. :)

Refried Beans

Refried beans are super simple and super delicious!

They are inexpensive and very versatile. They can be a main course simply dished up in a bowl plain, (they are that yummy), or, you can top them with cheese, sour cream, salsa, lettuce, olives, etc.... Wrapped up in a tortilla they make great bean burritos. They are, also, an excellent way to stretch taco meat. 

 Soaking the dry beans in water with baking soda added is an important step. It makes the beans more digestible, ie.,  less gassy.

The ham shanks in this recipe provide a wonderful smoky flavor to the beans, and are relatively cheap, (my local grocery store sells them for $0.99/lb.). The little scrap pieces of ham left on the bone once the beans have been cooked can be saved and eaten with another meal.

So,without further ado:

Simple Refried Beans

  1 lb.(2cups) dry pinto beans

2 small ham shanks

1/4 cup oil or lard

1 large onion, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

about 1 1/2 tsp. salt

 

Rinse beans and pick out any shriveled beans and rocks. Put beans into a bowl and cover with several inches of water. Stir in about a 1/2 tsp. baking soda. Soak beans 12 -24 hours. Drain and rinse beans. Put into a crock pot with the ham shanks; cover with an inch of water. Cook on low 5 hours. Heat oil in skillet. Saute onion and garlic in oil. Spoon beans into skillet with a slotted spoon. Mash the beans until smooth with a potato masher. Add the salt and mash a little longer. Turn off heat and enjoy!

Rinsing the dried beans.

Soaking the beans with baking soda.

Draining the soaked beans.

Cooking the beans in the crock pot with ham shanks.

Chopped onion and minced garlic.

Mashing the beans.

Adding "about 1 1/2 tsp." salt. Like my measuring spoon?  :)

 Yummy bowl of warm refried beans! Mmmmmm!

How I Make Laundry Detergent

Ingredients:

Grate Soap:

Measure:

Stir:

Homemade Laundry Detergent

1 bar Fels Naptha (5.5 oz.) soap

1 1/2 cups Washing Soda

1 1/2 cups Borax

Grate the bar of soap; mix with 2 quarts of water and slowly heat until the soap is dissolved, stirring occasionally. In a 5 gallon bucket put the washing soda and borax; stir in some hot water until the powders dissolve. Pour the dissolved Fels Naptha soap into the 5 gallon bucket. Fill the bucket up with warm water. Stir well. Use 1/2 cup in each load of laundry.

This is really cheap and it works well! 

Search Me, O God

Lord, search my soul, try every thought;

Though my own heart accuse me not,

Of walking in disguise,

I beg the trial of Thine eyes. 

Doth secret mischief lurk within?

Do I indulge some unknown sin?

O turn my feet whene'er I stray,

And lead me in Thy perfect way. 

Author Unknown

Home Remedy For Earaches

This is a simple home remedy for earaches that has helped me a great deal.

Garlic Oil

1 clove garlic, crushed
1 - 1 1/2 tsp. extra virgin olive oil

In a small bowl mix garlic and oil together. Let sit for a few minutes (3-5) to allow garlic to infuse the oil. With head tilted to one side put a few drops of the oil into the hurting ear. Make sure the oil trickles all the way down the ear canal. The oil trickling down may feel quite unnerving, but it usually will bring immediate relief when it reaches the ear drum. Put a piece of cotton ball or wadded up tissue into the ear to keep the oil from running out. I put this into my ear periodically when I have an earache throughout the day and especially at bedtime until my earache is gone.

 Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to take the place of your personal physician’s advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.