Sovereignty of God {{Exposed}}

Some weeks we see the need for God's sovereignty more than others. We might catch ourselves joyfully living life one day with little thought to God's divine ordination of circumstances while the next day, in the difficult moments, we are constantly reminding ourselves that God has a plan and a purpose for everything; nothing is untouched by the sovereign will of God. We must realize that, in both the good and the bad, God's sovereignty never changes and isn't dependent on whether or not a thought crosses our mind concerning our dependency on Him.

“What defines us as Christians is not most profoundly that we have come to know him but that he took note of us and made us his own.”
― John Piper, Think: The Life of the Mind and the Love of God 

I am thankful that God saved me. I am thankful that out of the billions of people in the world, He called me His own and sealed me a place with Him forever. I am thankful that every moment of my life has been pre-planned. I am thankful that God is not dependent upon my frail humanity for anything. I am thankful that God is king. I am thankful that He holds the whole world within the palm of His hand. 

"Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand or marked off the heavens with the span of his hand? Who has gathered the dust of the earth in a measure or weighed the mountains in a balance and the hills in the scales?"

- Isaiah 40:12

Because God's sovereignty touches every aspect of our lives, this means we are free to live a fear free life."Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” - Deuteronomy 31:6. God's plan for your life can not me thwarted. He will not withhold any perfect thing from you that He has already planned to put in your path, nor will any difficulty you face be unmanageable for His mighty power. ALL things work according to His perfect plan. 

"But who are you, a mere man, to talk back to God? Will what is formed say to the one who formed it, "Why did you make me like this?" Romans 9:20

Who are we to decide when and if we God can be in control of our life? Let me guarantee this, even in the moments when you think you have gained the upper hand, God is still God and is greater and mightier than ever. We are but dust, miniscule and powerless in comparison to Him. Find rest in the knowledge that you aren't in control of your life...your main objective should be to live a life that Glorifies the Lord and leave all the rest to Him. 

“If there is one single molecule in this universe running around loose, totally free of God’s sovereignty, then we have no guarantee that a single promise of God will ever be fulfilled.”
― R.C. Sproul, Chosen by God

e strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6) - See more at: http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Christianity/2008/09/How-to-Face-Fear-10-Bible-Verses-To-Inspire-Courage.aspx?p=5#sthash.sopygeFa.dpuf

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4) - See more at: http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Christianity/2008/09/How-to-Face-Fear-10-Bible-Verses-To-Inspire-Courage.aspx?p=2#sthash.1iSugjfP.dpuf

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4) - See more at: http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Christianity/2008/09/How-to-Face-Fear-10-Bible-Verses-To-Inspire-Courage.aspx?p=2#sthash.1iSugjfP.dpuf

Real {Raw} Food ~ Recipes for Inspiration

www.abc.net.au

     Inspired by questions about where I find my paleo recipes and ideas, I thought I'd take some time and make a resource list of blogs and recipes that have great paleo recipes and information. Realizing that this way of eating may seem a bit over the top because of the expense of it (nuts, meat, and veggies aren't necessarily the cheapest things to buy), I do believe that if your a careful shopper and only eat the amount needed to satisfy yourself, your pocket book won't be overly strained, if strained at all. You see, if your eating quality over quantity, the less food you will need to consume (buy) to get the "full" feeling and the more nutrients you'll get in a smaller portion of food, the less you'll have to eat, eventually leading to a healthy more energy filled body.

   $$$ Budget tip $$$

   Cut out desserts ~ I know, I know....the desserts look extremely yummy and when you already feel like your only eating meat and veggies, a nut based dessert made with {RAW} sugars looks amazingly, mouth wateringly, over the top yummy! I get that...BUT if your trying to be budget conscious, cutting the ingredients out of your shopping list required to make many of these desserts will help you save. If getting our weekly dose of sugar in is a must, and yes, I do like my sugar as well, then maybe pick one recipe out and splurge. Pick a night when you can enjoy it most, either by yourself in your closet hiding from everyone else so you don't have to share (did I REALLY just say that! :P), or get together with some close friends who maybe share your food habits and have a social night all in the name of loving {Raw} desserts.  BONUS - eating less desserts and  processed sugar over the long run will help you achieve a more healthy you.

Foods I've Found to be My Best Friends

~Eggs

~Spinach - yes, I even eat it for breakfast and actually enjoy it

~Canned chicken

~Tea after breakfast

~Goat Cheese (my paleo weakness, cause it doesn't really count for paleo!)

~a hand full of nuts

~balsamic vinegar (for salads)

~sausage links (pre-cook them, then freeze ...when needed defrost in microwave for a quick meal)

~celery with nut butter

~Salads with meat on top for lunch

Awesome Websites with Great Resources

Whole9 - Great Resource

Paleomg - Great resource

Thanksgiving Paleo - really good recipes -

Pinterest - Paleo Recipes (search for almond flour recipes, coconut flour recipes or any nut flour recipes and they usually fit.)

Primal Palate

100 Top recipes - I think most of this food looks amazing

Real Food Freaks

Paleo Meal Plan Sample - Paleo Diet Lifestyle

Recipes I've Tried and Loved

Paleo Coconut Cream Pie

Great Breakfast Granola

Paleo Pecan Pie

 P.F. Changs Paleo Lettuce Wraps {{probably one of my most favorite things to eat, it

so good}}

Paleo Pumpkin Spice Doughnut Holes

Stuffed Dates - Amazing!

1stwebdesigner.com

       The great thing about making a lifestyle change is the fact that we can accept our humanness and mistakes are guaranteed to happen. I will be the first to admit that eating this way isn't always easy....I've accepted the fact that I will not follow this 100% perfectly. Yes, that's my goal, but I'm not going to stress over it! So, be free to experiment, search the web for fun recipes, and make this fit into your lifestyle!

Waiting on God's Timing - A Lesson for Life

   Ever feel like your life is going 70 MPH in a 25 MPH speed zone? In our world, where everything is instant, it's hard to slow down, take a look around, and wait on the Lord's timing. I know that for myself, being a girl that enjoys things to happen quickly, I've definitely had to work on waiting for the Lord's timing and have regretted when I have not done so. Maybe that's why some of my favorite passages of scripture have to deal with trusting in the Lord or waiting patiently on Him!

~**~

   If we look closer at scripture, it's easy to see that waiting on the Lord is a major theme for many people in the Bible. Specifically, I think of David: anointed at a young age by Samuel to one day be king over Israel, his battle with Goliath, his struggle with Saul, his eventual exile both in his own country and in the foreign land of the Philistines, and his a continual respect for the Saul, God's anointed.Over and over we see that David's life was characterized by waiting for God's timing...not his own.

   In 2 Samuel chapter 2, the process of waiting continues, this time we see David waiting for the right time to take the throne over all of Israel, not just over Judah. Instead of forcing the nation to give him immediate control of the nation, David asks the Lord for wisdom and direction and then follows what the Lord directs. We see a humbleness in his willingness and desire to inquire of the Lord. Now, some might think..."well, it couldn't have been very long before David took the throne of Israel after Saul died. There probably wasn't much patience he had to exercise there." This though is not the case, in all reality, it took seven years and six months, on top of the decade or more he had already been waiting. What a great example of patience!

 
   Eventually, in God's perfect timing, the pieces of the puzzle fell together in a perfection that can only be matched by God. Though opposition arose against him in the form of Ish-bosheth, one of Saul's sons, we see that God's hand was still sovereign. "Ish-bosheth's kingship was brought forth out of man's power, not God's. His anointing was an open act of rebellion against Jehovah..." (Joe Bellanti)* and his kingship would eventually crumble. Even through the opposition of one wrongly appointed king, David waited on the Lord. He knew God would fulfill his kingship at the exact moment it needed to happen.

     Personalizing all of this, do you actively seek wisdom from the Lord? Are you in prayer about the decisions in your life - the big and the small? Remember, "God's timing is wrapped in His incomparable wisdom" (Joe Bellanti)*, and we have access to that wisdom as His children! Stop in the mad rush of life, read the word, prayerfully ask for guidance and wisdom, and see where the Lord will take you. David was blessed when he waited on the Lord...and so will you and I be if we are humbly approaching His throne of grace and willingly accept what He has for us.

~**~

"But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings like eagles;

they shall run and not be weary;

they shall walk and not faint."

Isaiah 40:31

 ~**~

We must wait for God long, meekly, in the wind and the rain, in thunder and lightening, in the cold and  the dark. Wait and He will come. (Unknown)

~**~

After being encouraged this morning by my pastor's sermon in this area....the song "Holy Lord" is ever so much sweeter. What an awesome (awe-inspiring) God we serve. If we just wait upon Him, His holiness and glory will shine in and through us as we are faithful to follow His will in our lives. 

Great are You Lord.
Worthy of praise.
Holy and true;
great are You Lord, most holy Lord.

~**~

* If you liked what you read here, let me encourage you to listen to this sermon preached by my pastor. You will be greatly encouraged, I have no doubt! Many of my thoughts came from his message, which I was deeply encouraged by.

Your Looking For What in a Spouse? ~ Part 2 of 2

"A husband is to take on the responsibilities of leadership, a wise husband realizes real leadership requires a lot of listening." Dennis Rainey

   Last week I wrote a post concerning what young women should be looking for in a spouse. I based what I wrote off of a radio broadcast put out by Family Life Today. You can find the link here for the one I used to write this post. As I've listened to these broadcasts, I've come to the realization that though each one is specifically geared to separate genders, I as a girl can been encouraged specifically when listening to the one geared toward guys. I've seen I have lots of room to grow in being a woman that lives in a way that honors the Lord. So, weather your a guy or a girl, may you be encouraged!

~~~

   Biblically, the man is held accountable as the leader in his home. Men need to step forward and be the man God calls them to be, and women need to encourage them in this. Genesis 2:18 says, "Then the Lord God said,  "“It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for^e him.”" A women's main objective is to be the cheerleader (helper) for her husband.

     1) A girl should have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. (Note: same as previous article has for first)

        ~  2 Corinthians 6:14 says, "Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?" If a young women is not bowing before and acknowledging that the Lord is her God and King, will she do it later in marriage? 

    2) Beauty is deeper than the skin

      ~ Alistair quickly made the point that just because beauty is deeper than the skin, it doesn't mean that you need to be searching for someone who is unattractive, just don't make that the priority. The priority should be looking for a girl with a meek and quiet spirit.

      ~ A natural radiance comes from time spent with the Lord, not from a bottle (of makeup). 

      ~(side note) If your a girl reading this, remember, God has created you just the way you are. Though it's not wrong to put time and energy into your outward appearance, don't bash yourself just because you don't look like the girl next to you. We are each unique and are all created in the Image of God!

  
  3) A girl should be an initiative taker with an attitude of submission 

       ~She works hard with her own initiative. She can pick up and finish a task without needing to be told. 

       ~ She should not be a bossy self opinionated person, she should serve willingly. A good way to know if a woman is cultivating this is to look at her relationship she has with her father.

      

   4) A girl should be a builder of confidence in others (eventually her husband)
       ~ She should dress in a way that shows she's not trying to be deliberately seductive. 
       ~She encourages him

   5) She displays {Kindness} that touches others
       ~ She shows this by expressing compassion and by holding a special tenderness towards others.
      ~ She's not afraid of being distinctly different that the opposite sex...she embraces her femininity. 

    6) She has a sense of humor that would help a marriage brave adversity.
      ~ A couple that can laugh together can get through rough spots much easier.

    At the end of the broadcast, Dennis Rainey came on and summed up this topic with his own list of things a girl should possess if your considering her as your spouse. At some level, I found them a little more helpful and to the point....enjoy! :)

  ~ Fears God and hopes in the Lord
  ~Honors her parents - it's easy to bring extra baggage into a relationship, don't let this be an area where that is the case. Look for someone who is good with relationships.   
  ~ Ability to ask for forgiveness and admits when she is wrong
  ~ She has a desire to be a wife and mother - not career oriented. She views her #1 ministry to be her husband and children. Ephesians 5 and Titus 2 are excellent chapter in the bible to do a deeper study on this.
  ~ Her character is displayed in her modest dress
  ~ She knows how to follow a man - she has a vice president mentality. A young woman needs to be able to follow even in decisions she doesn't agree with. She views her husband as the head of the home. 


~~~

     I know I have been encouraged by this, and I hope you are to. As a young lady, I hope I can better prepare myself for one day being married. Practice by learning to be in community with others by loving God who will help you love others!

  ~Blessings~

Our Plans Are Not Our Own