God's Trinket Boxes

By Pat

In my china cabinet is a little pottery item made for me by my daughter many years ago when she was a child. It consists of misshapen cords of varying lengths and widths, all coiled together into a little round trinket box, complete with a lid perched precariously on the top. Separately, these pieces amount to little except a seemingly jumbled mess, but together it is solid and strong. It has withstood several moves and endured many bumps, but yet it as sturdy as it can be. It sits proudly in the china closet holding...nothing. It is empty. I have no need to place anything in it, although if needed, I certainly could. But I like it just the way it is.

When my daughter gave it to me, she thought it was just beautiful. She knew exactly what it was and she worked hard to make it. The flaws were invisible to her...all she saw was that the pieces all somehow fit together and it was ready for me to use. She saw it exactly as it was meant to be. She was very proud of her handiwork! And, as a mother, I loved it.

In some ways, this little trinket box reminds me of me. I, too, am made up of a variety of things that make me who and what I am. I, too, at times am a jumbled up mess. I have strong points, weak points, broken parts, scars and battle wounds. Although to the world (and to me) I may not seem to be perfect and beautiful, God sees me differently. He made me, and to Him I am a work of art. To Him, we are ALL works of art. The pieces that comprise us may not be perfect, but somehow they fit together exactly the way God meant them to.

Like little empty pottery vessels, we must remember that no matter what we look like, or how we appear to the world, we have to trust that God knew just what He was doing when He put each of us together, and as long as we remain empty each morning, God can use us and fill us with exactly what He wants us to hold. He keeps us right there in His china closet and fills each of us as He sees fit. So be ready! Let God fill you up!

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." (Psalm 139:14)

Pat is a good friend who is passionate about her faith and her family. She works from home supporting a family business, and loves to read, write and garden when she can, and spends every spare moment with her grandkids.

One Word At A Time: Pets

By Alan

"All Dogs Go to Heaven" - The popular Don Bluth movie (no, it was not Disney) continued a long line of tales, cartoons, and stories that gave animals voices, personalities, and even alluded to having eternal souls. Do dogs go to Dog Heaven? Do cats go to Cat Heaven? Do Dogs chase cats in Dog heaven? That would make Dog heaven into a Cat Perdition.

Maybe heaven would be where all the animals hang out together with perfect peace.

We humans, (Americans in particular) have a special relationship with our dogs, cats, and other domesticated animals. Sometimes we love them more than our fellow man. We weep when we see a tragedy involving a pet, yet we're supposed to giggle when we see a human do something careless (but fatal) on TV.

We love them so, we sacrifice so much for them to live and thrive, and we grieve desperately when they are injured or succumb to the end of life like all other living things. Does that give us incentive to create a heavenly story end for our pets?

Click to read more ...

Waterworld

By Jay Cookingham (Soulfari)

"Filthy water cannot be washed." - African Proverb

Depending on our body size, our bodies contain 55% to 75% water. Experts suggest that approximately two liters (around seven glasses) of water a day is the minimum to maintain proper hydration and health.

Our bodies are walking, breathing water worlds.

Today many kids will die because the water in their world is unfit to drink. They will die from waterborne illnesses that are cause by drinking dirty, contaminated water.

charity: water reports it this way...

4,500 children die each day from diseases caused by a lack of safe drinking water and proper sanitation. In Sub-Saharan Africa, a baby’s chance of dying from diarrhea is almost 520 times greater than here in the US. Illnesses like diarrhea are caused by drinking contaminated water and kill more than 2.2 million people each year. That’s the equivalent of 20 jumbo jets crashing every day. Children under five are the most susceptible to water-borne disease; their developing bodies often fail to withstand the amount of parasites normally found in contaminated water sources. 

God reports on it this way:

"The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the LORD will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them." (Isaiah 41:17)

God’s heart is moved and so should ours. Let’s not forsake them.

charity: water is a non-profit organization bringing clean, safe drinking water to people in developing nations. Just $20 can give one-person access to clean water. Pray and then please go and support the 30-Day project over at charity: water.

God bless you…Jay

I was born and raised in Poughkeepsie, New York, just about 80 miles north of the Big Apple. My family and I live in Hyde Park, New York, the former home of Franklin Roosevelt, but I didn't let that stop us from living there. Seriously, it's a real nice town, rich with history. My wife Christine and I have been happily married for 28 years and have seven (yes seven) children, five boys and two girls. I am passionate about my relationships, with God and my family, they are the fuel for my creativity and the drive to finish strong.

Fingerprint Friday: Rainbow Endings

By Ginny (MAD21)

The girls and I were on our way home from a pretty perfect day with friends last week when I looked out my window and spied this fingerprint. We were so excited, and just couldn't believe our eyes. It was the most amazing rainbow I believe I have ever seen. It was solid from beginning to end, top to bottom. You could even see a few shades of purple!! Definitely a perfect ending to a perfect day.

Fellow blogger Beki at The Rusted Chain has a really great weekly post she does every Friday called "Fingerprint Friday." We are to look around and see where we can see God's fingerprints. Is it in nature? Kids? Animals? Anywhere? Go find out where Beki saw God this week, and be sure to check out the other bloggers who linked their stories as well.

Tasty Bites: Bountiful Bean Salad

By Beth V

My next couple of recipes are going to be summer salads that are perfect for making ahead and keeping in the fridge to munch on at family meals or to bring to your next summer potluck picnic. Theses are tried and true recipes that have been raved over and requested again and again.

Today’s recipe is from my sister, Bonnie. It is super-nutritious with beans, corn, mozzarella, tomatoes, scallions, red onion and cilantro all bathed in a delicious homemade balsamic vinaigrette. It is fresh and healthy with a superb combination of flavors. 

First, we are going to make the deliciously simple balsamic vinaigrette. Grab a large jar with a tight-fitting lid and add 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar ( I like Balsamic Vinegar of Modena, inexpensive and found at Wal-Mart and most grocery stores), 2 tablespoons spicy brown or Dijon mustard, ¾ cups oil (more on this in a minute), ½ tsp salt, a couple of shakes of pepper and 1 tablespoon of sugar. The sugar is optional. I think a little extra sweetness adds to the dressing, but feel free to omit it or replace it with Splenda or another substitute. Put the lid on and shake well to combine. Now, a note on the oil - I prefer to use half extra virgin olive oil and half canola oil. The canola has the same types of unsaturated, omega-3 fats as the olive oil. The reason behind this is that the olive oil congeals under refrigeration, so the dressing needs to come to room temperature a bit before it can be shaken up. The addition of the canola oil keeps the dressing from congealing and also reduces the cost of the dressing as a side-benefit. You will use half the dressing in this recipe, use the rest on your favorite salad or store it in the refrigerator for 3 weeks or more for the next time you make this yummy salad.

Click to read more ...