Most every day since I met my husband, I at one time or another drive down the Old Jonesborough Highway. There is this magnificient willow tree that sits on the corner of Mayfield and that road. I love to watch the wind twist thru it's branches.
What most don't know is that the year I met my husband, something happened and knocked that tree down. I'm not sure what it was, I just remember driving by and commenting about how sad it is that such a beautiful tree was destroyed.
The tree laid there for quite some time. Eventually someone chopped it up, leaving only a stump. One day as I was driving past I noticed there as a sprout poking out of the broken stump. "How funny I thought, that tree is destroyed and it's still trying to grow"
I didn't think about it much until the other night when it was going to storm and the wind was blowing crazy. My husband said to me when we drove past, "look at that willow tree showing off"
That tree wasn't showing off, God was. I imagine He shakes His head often at us and our lack of faith. That tree is a living reminder. It is a standing witness of how very limited our understanding of His healing power is. We see something destroyed, broken and grieve it's loss instead of realizing that God made that tree. God made that tree and HE IS ABLE to RESTORE IT.
I have spent years a walking broken tree, feeling sorry for myself, being angry at God for allowing me to be broken. What I am learning is that yes, my tree was broken. Yes it looks from a distance a lost cause. BUT, if you will only step close enough you will see that there is an ever so tiny sprout rising out of that brokenness.
When you see me having joy when all looks lost, please know I'm thinking and hoping for the day when, when you have hardly thought of me at all, you look and say "look at Jessi showing off"
Not showing off what I can do, but rejoicing in what He has done, is doing every single moment I trust Him.
Monday, August 08, 2011
Whispers from the Valley Part 2
Part two, not sure if it should be one or two, but here it is. Maybe someday I will figure it out.
How should you, as a Jesus follower, handle those who judge you for past and present behavior?
I read something the other day that really struck me, and as someone who has been a MAJOR FALLER in the past few years, it really spoke to me and I wanted to share it with you.
The alcoholic is like a tornado roaring his way thru the lives of others. Hearts are broken. Sweet relationships are dead. Affections have been uprooted. Selfish and inconsiderate habits have kept the home in turmoil. We feel a man is unthinking when he says that sobriety is enough. He is like the farmer who came out of his cyclone cellar to find his home ruined. To his wife he remarks "don't see anything the matter here, Ma. Ain't it grand the wind stopped blowing? " Alcoholics Annonymous Fourth Addition
(Ok so if you know me, and know what a tornado I have been, you know it didn't just speak to me, It got out a big loud speaker and blasted me, followed by beating me over the head repeatedly. )
OUCH OUCH BIG FRIGGIN OUCH!
Geez I'm amazed at my own selfish and prideful attitude.
I am a faller, not a flier. I used to get so tore up when people reminded me of that, but I am working on being truly grateful for those reminders. (Ok ok so, and especially because I am working so hard right now, part of me wants to jump up and down and make people see it. Part of me gets heartbroken or angry when they don't.)
Last night I was reminded of a most precious prayer by a friend of mine a few years ago. She was getting ready to sing and was nervous. We were praying and she said "Lord help me not be prideful" NOT "Lord help me not be afraid". I didn't realize the awesomeness and depth of that statement until last night. As I am struggling with the consequences of my actions, lots of feelings rise and fall. Last night her sweet voice replayed in my mind. Lord help me not to be prideful. If it were not for pride, I would not feel hurt and anger. I would be able to see the destruction that I caused, purposefully and not. I have no right to even ask forgiveness. I have no right to judge how someone else handles the pain my actions caused them. God has forgiven me. I have forgiven me, but that forgiveness does not erase the pain I have caused.
So as a faller, I think that your job is to let people feel. It is to let them grieve and hurt and be angry. Make it right where you can, if you can. More than anything, when you are reminded of what you've done, where you have been, PRAISE HIM.
Praise Him that you aren't there right now. Pray for healing in the hearts of those you have wounded. Most of all, keep moving forward. It is only in moving forward that anything will ever get any better. Nothing good comes from bitterness and anger. Nothing good comes from self pity and pride."But for the grace of God, there go I." I am humbled that I am given even one more moment, that I was spared a fate so many suffer, that He would save and love a wretch like me...
How should you, as a Jesus follower, handle those who judge you for past and present behavior?
I read something the other day that really struck me, and as someone who has been a MAJOR FALLER in the past few years, it really spoke to me and I wanted to share it with you.
The alcoholic is like a tornado roaring his way thru the lives of others. Hearts are broken. Sweet relationships are dead. Affections have been uprooted. Selfish and inconsiderate habits have kept the home in turmoil. We feel a man is unthinking when he says that sobriety is enough. He is like the farmer who came out of his cyclone cellar to find his home ruined. To his wife he remarks "don't see anything the matter here, Ma. Ain't it grand the wind stopped blowing? " Alcoholics Annonymous Fourth Addition
(Ok so if you know me, and know what a tornado I have been, you know it didn't just speak to me, It got out a big loud speaker and blasted me, followed by beating me over the head repeatedly. )
OUCH OUCH BIG FRIGGIN OUCH!
Geez I'm amazed at my own selfish and prideful attitude.
I am a faller, not a flier. I used to get so tore up when people reminded me of that, but I am working on being truly grateful for those reminders. (Ok ok so, and especially because I am working so hard right now, part of me wants to jump up and down and make people see it. Part of me gets heartbroken or angry when they don't.)
Last night I was reminded of a most precious prayer by a friend of mine a few years ago. She was getting ready to sing and was nervous. We were praying and she said "Lord help me not be prideful" NOT "Lord help me not be afraid". I didn't realize the awesomeness and depth of that statement until last night. As I am struggling with the consequences of my actions, lots of feelings rise and fall. Last night her sweet voice replayed in my mind. Lord help me not to be prideful. If it were not for pride, I would not feel hurt and anger. I would be able to see the destruction that I caused, purposefully and not. I have no right to even ask forgiveness. I have no right to judge how someone else handles the pain my actions caused them. God has forgiven me. I have forgiven me, but that forgiveness does not erase the pain I have caused.
So as a faller, I think that your job is to let people feel. It is to let them grieve and hurt and be angry. Make it right where you can, if you can. More than anything, when you are reminded of what you've done, where you have been, PRAISE HIM.
Praise Him that you aren't there right now. Pray for healing in the hearts of those you have wounded. Most of all, keep moving forward. It is only in moving forward that anything will ever get any better. Nothing good comes from bitterness and anger. Nothing good comes from self pity and pride."But for the grace of God, there go I." I am humbled that I am given even one more moment, that I was spared a fate so many suffer, that He would save and love a wretch like me...
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Homemade Laundry Detergent
I use the Dugger Family Recipe for my laundry detergent and love it!
Here it is....
4 Cups - hot tap water
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar (.45 cents)
1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda* ($2.99-makes at least 6-7 batches)
½ Cup Borax ($4.29-makes 20 batches
- Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.
-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.
-Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel)
-Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.
-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.
-Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)
-Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)
*Arm & Hammer "Super Washing Soda" - in some stores or may be purchased online here (at Meijer.com). Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent - It must be sodium carbonate!!
If you have none of the ingredients and are starting from scratch it will cost you about $8 to get started. The first batch makes 10 gallons of detergent. Take a second and figure out how much ten gallons of your favorite laundry detergent would cost...I love Gain, a gallon of Gain cost me about $5 at Walmart, when it's on sale. So...the same amount of Gain would cost me at least $50. That doesn't even include the fact that once you buy the arm and hammer and borax, it is several batches before you have to buy more.
I've read that basically it is 10 times cheaper to make your own...nice!
Here it is....
4 Cups - hot tap water
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar (.45 cents)
1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda* ($2.99-makes at least 6-7 batches)
½ Cup Borax ($4.29-makes 20 batches
- Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.
-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.
-Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel)
-Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.
-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.
-Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)
-Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)
*Arm & Hammer "Super Washing Soda" - in some stores or may be purchased online here (at Meijer.com). Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent - It must be sodium carbonate!!
If you have none of the ingredients and are starting from scratch it will cost you about $8 to get started. The first batch makes 10 gallons of detergent. Take a second and figure out how much ten gallons of your favorite laundry detergent would cost...I love Gain, a gallon of Gain cost me about $5 at Walmart, when it's on sale. So...the same amount of Gain would cost me at least $50. That doesn't even include the fact that once you buy the arm and hammer and borax, it is several batches before you have to buy more.
I've read that basically it is 10 times cheaper to make your own...nice!
Make your own sour cream!
Easy Homemade Sour Cream Recipe
Making home made sour cream doesn't take long and you'll really notice the difference in taste compared to the store bought variety.
Ingredients
1 cup whipping cream
1/4 cup buttermilk
Mix heavy cream and buttermilk in a screw-top jar. Allow the mixture to stand at room temperature overnight until it thickens. Chill sour cream well before using then store in the fridge.
OK if you are a polar bear like me and keep your house chilly, then room temperature is too cold for making your own yogurt or sour cream. Instead put the jar into the oven with the oven light on. That makes it the perfect temp! Just make sure you don't invite the husband, Brad Hacker over because he is a oven light turning off fiend and will delay your yogurt!
Making home made sour cream doesn't take long and you'll really notice the difference in taste compared to the store bought variety.
Ingredients
1 cup whipping cream
1/4 cup buttermilk
Mix heavy cream and buttermilk in a screw-top jar. Allow the mixture to stand at room temperature overnight until it thickens. Chill sour cream well before using then store in the fridge.
OK if you are a polar bear like me and keep your house chilly, then room temperature is too cold for making your own yogurt or sour cream. Instead put the jar into the oven with the oven light on. That makes it the perfect temp! Just make sure you don't invite the husband, Brad Hacker over because he is a oven light turning off fiend and will delay your yogurt!
Pina Colada Muffins
These muffins are super yummy, but I think could use some more sweetness so you may want to increase the amount of suger. I am a sugar addict though....
Pina Colada Muffins
1/2 cup white sugar
1/4 cup margarine
1 egg
1 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon rum flavored extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 (15 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
1/2 cup flaked coconut
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease a muffin pan, or use paper liners (These muffins are super moist and stick A LOT to the paper so next time I make them I wont be using the papers).
In a large bowl, combine sugar, margarine, egg, sour cream and rum extract. Beat together until smooth. In a medium bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Blend into egg mixture. Stir in pineapple and coconut. Divide batter into 12 muffin cups.
Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the tops spring back when lightly tapped.
Pina Colada Muffins
1/2 cup white sugar
1/4 cup margarine
1 egg
1 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon rum flavored extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 (15 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
1/2 cup flaked coconut
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease a muffin pan, or use paper liners (These muffins are super moist and stick A LOT to the paper so next time I make them I wont be using the papers).
In a large bowl, combine sugar, margarine, egg, sour cream and rum extract. Beat together until smooth. In a medium bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Blend into egg mixture. Stir in pineapple and coconut. Divide batter into 12 muffin cups.
Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the tops spring back when lightly tapped.
AMISH WHITE BREAD RECIPE
I found this recipe on AllRECIPES.COM, and it is super delicious! I can't keep it made! My kids are running thru it faster than if I had made brownies!!!! You gotta make you some!
Ingredients
2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
2/3 cup white sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
6 cups bread flour
Directions
In a large bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water, and then stir in yeast. Allow to proof until yeast resembles a creamy foam.
Mix salt and oil into the yeast. Mix in flour one cup at a time. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Place in a well oiled bowl, and turn dough to coat. Cover with a damp cloth. Allow to rise until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
Punch dough down. Knead for a few minutes, and divide in half. Shape into loaves, and place into two well oiled 9x5 inch loaf pans. Allow to rise for 30 minutes, or until dough has risen 1 inch above pans.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes.
Ingredients
2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
2/3 cup white sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
6 cups bread flour
Directions
In a large bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water, and then stir in yeast. Allow to proof until yeast resembles a creamy foam.
Mix salt and oil into the yeast. Mix in flour one cup at a time. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Place in a well oiled bowl, and turn dough to coat. Cover with a damp cloth. Allow to rise until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
Punch dough down. Knead for a few minutes, and divide in half. Shape into loaves, and place into two well oiled 9x5 inch loaf pans. Allow to rise for 30 minutes, or until dough has risen 1 inch above pans.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Whispers from the Valley Part 1
My dreams have gone from poetry to paragraphs, and I figure I'll start writing them down. Decided to call them Whispers From the Valley, as for the most part it's going to be based in Jesus Following, and all that and I NEED for you to know that I am not yelling from a mountain top when I am talking about who it is we, you AND I should be. I am whispering from the valley. Together, we can keep walking forward...
"God never gives us discernment in order that we may criticize, but that we may intercede."
— Oswald Chambers
Being human means interacting with other humans. Being an imperfection means sharing that imperfection.
Watching someone fail has become entertainment for most. Our tv and radio is full of examples of the latest imperfect human. You only have to scroll down a moment on facebook or news stories to see, or hear it, in some way or another.
Photographers vie for photos of love child
"Oh my gosh did you see what __________ did saturday?"
Mayor cited for patronizing
"She did ______________ and claims to be a Christian?"
Pop star checks into rehab
"Whatever, spare me, I know who they really are, and they are pathetic. _________ just doesn't see the real ________ yet"
Marriage ends after rumors of infidelity
As an avid faller, and collector of fallen things, I have been searching for what my response as a Jesus Follower should be.
The above quote says it best I think.
"God never gives us discernment in order that we may criticize, but that we may intercede."
— Oswald Chambers
Knowing someone's failures, their dirty little secret, their brokenness, isn't so that we can judge them. It isn't so that we can gossip. It isn't so that we can make snotty and sarcastic little remarks. Pastor Reggie Weems said it best one sunday a few years ago at Heritage. He said "but not for the grace of God would you be the person you are judging" Ouched me then, ouches me daily.
So why then? It is simply and only for two reasons.
1. Prayer. God allowing you to see someone's lacking is His trust in you to uplift and pray for them. OUCH. I am queen guilty of failing at this. I have been at times quite vile in my response to those who I feel wronged or hurt me or someone I love. I am ashamed. I ask God daily to remind me of His grace so I can allow it to permeate to the world around me. I don't wanna be that bitter judgmental person anymore. I want to be His Eyes and His Hands.
2. To help. If you know someone's struggling with...lets say...alcoholism, it is not your place to mock them and their efforts to improve. It's not your responsibility to share their failures with others. Pray for them. Share God's word and hope with them. Remind them of who they were and can be. Don't accept less of them. God never accepts less of you...Without those people in my life I would NOT be here. I don't forget that for one moment!
Any pointing of fingers should be in God's direction with your uplifted hands.
"God never gives us discernment in order that we may criticize, but that we may intercede."
— Oswald Chambers
Being human means interacting with other humans. Being an imperfection means sharing that imperfection.
Watching someone fail has become entertainment for most. Our tv and radio is full of examples of the latest imperfect human. You only have to scroll down a moment on facebook or news stories to see, or hear it, in some way or another.
Photographers vie for photos of love child
"Oh my gosh did you see what __________ did saturday?"
Mayor cited for patronizing
"She did ______________ and claims to be a Christian?"
Pop star checks into rehab
"Whatever, spare me, I know who they really are, and they are pathetic. _________ just doesn't see the real ________ yet"
Marriage ends after rumors of infidelity
As an avid faller, and collector of fallen things, I have been searching for what my response as a Jesus Follower should be.
The above quote says it best I think.
"God never gives us discernment in order that we may criticize, but that we may intercede."
— Oswald Chambers
Knowing someone's failures, their dirty little secret, their brokenness, isn't so that we can judge them. It isn't so that we can gossip. It isn't so that we can make snotty and sarcastic little remarks. Pastor Reggie Weems said it best one sunday a few years ago at Heritage. He said "but not for the grace of God would you be the person you are judging" Ouched me then, ouches me daily.
So why then? It is simply and only for two reasons.
1. Prayer. God allowing you to see someone's lacking is His trust in you to uplift and pray for them. OUCH. I am queen guilty of failing at this. I have been at times quite vile in my response to those who I feel wronged or hurt me or someone I love. I am ashamed. I ask God daily to remind me of His grace so I can allow it to permeate to the world around me. I don't wanna be that bitter judgmental person anymore. I want to be His Eyes and His Hands.
2. To help. If you know someone's struggling with...lets say...alcoholism, it is not your place to mock them and their efforts to improve. It's not your responsibility to share their failures with others. Pray for them. Share God's word and hope with them. Remind them of who they were and can be. Don't accept less of them. God never accepts less of you...Without those people in my life I would NOT be here. I don't forget that for one moment!
Any pointing of fingers should be in God's direction with your uplifted hands.
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