Happy Resurrection Day!

To read the account of Christ's crucifixion and resurrection, click here.

Healthy Minute- Colon Cleansing

Our colon is also known as our large intestines. This part of the body is the last step in our body's digestive tract. When working properly, it maintains our body's fluid level, absorbs nutrients, and holds the waste that's ready to be eliminated from the body.
Over time, our colon gets gunked up from all the "food" we've been putting into our body. The answer to this is a colon cleanse. A colon cleanse can help with constipation, nutrient absorption, digestion, immunity, and more.
Some people are for colon cleansing and some are against it. The ones who are against it say that you shouldn't mess with "Mother Nature". Well, the food we eat isn't exactly created by nature; it was manipulated and manufactured in a laboratory. This is going to mess with your body in ways you can't imagine.
There are 2 basic ways to go about cleansing the colon- I call them front door and back door. Front door is done through herbs and supplements. Back door is done through enemas or irrigation. I prefer the front door method. 
Now, our body becomes gunked up over time, and it's important that our cleanse is something that is gentle and takes time. If you're looking at getting a 7 day cleanse, then you're going to be looking at something unhealthy. Proper cleaning of anything takes time!
You don't have to get a cleansing system. You can do a few things at home to help clean your body- fiber, water, omega fatty acids (cod liver oil), more raw fruits and vegetables, and probiotics. That, and laying off the processed and artificial foods.
If you want a packaged cleanse, the one that I have used (and it worked wonders!) that was gentle on my system is Dr. Natura. You can use this cleanse for 1 to 3 months, and there's nothing that is really disgusting to do in this cleanse. When I used it I did the Colonix with the Toxinout.
Whatever program you choose to do, please read all the reviews. Do your own research to find what is best for you!
For more information on the benefits of colon cleansing, please check out the video below:

Raising Maidens Of Virtue book review

What comes to mind when you hear the word "maiden"? Some medieval girl? A young woman with modest dress? I'm sure it's something close to a fairy tale princess.
When thinking about how to raise our daughters, we want to instill a beauty that is more than skin deep. A lovely lady-like quality that makes her as kind as she is beautiful. That's what Stacy McDonald has tried to bring to our attention in her book Raising Maidens Of Virtue.
This book is meant for mothers to read and study with their daughters. Each chapter deals with a different lady-like, godly virtue for young women to strive for. The end of each chapter has questions for both to answer and suggested Scripture verses for you both to look up.
I believe that this book will not only strengthen the bond between mothers and their daughters while instilling feminine qualities into both of your hearts and minds, but it will also bring you both closer to the Lord as well.

Pancakes & Waffles

These are 2 separate recipes, but they are the best homemade breakfasts you will ever taste!
Pancakes:

2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 TBS sugar
2 TBS baking powder
2 eggs
2 cups milk
4 TBS sour cream
4 Tbs butter, melted and cooled

Mix all ingredients together. Cook in a greased pan over medium low heat.

Waffles:

1 3/4 cups flour
1 TBS baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 3/4 cups warm milk
1/2 cup coconut oil, room temp

The coconut oil when room temperature will be in liquid state and will mix much easier. If you warm the milk a little, it'll keep the coconut oil from solidifying again. Mix together well and cook in a waffle maker.

Is Anything Too Hard For God (song)

Isaac And Rebekah (poem)

Isaac wiped his sweaty brow and walked toward his tent.

His mind was on a servant whom his father had just sent

On a journey to find a willing wife, a bride for his son.

And thinking back to the farm, he thought of the work to be done.

 

Rebekah was headed toward the well with a water pot to fill,

She saw a stranger sitting there, quiet and very still.

Perhaps this stranger needed some help and hoped to find it there,

She never once thought that she would be the answer to his prayer.

 

Both Isaac and Rebekah worked in their father's fields

Obeying what was asked of them; their lives they would yeild.

They may have thought about the day they'd have a family

And dreamed about the one who someday soon would be

The love of their lives and the apple of their eye.

It was a lovely dream as they watched the days go by.

Learning to be patient is not an easy task

And waiting for a promise is a difficult thing to ask.

 

Isaac was now forty and his mother had passed away.

His heart felt like a hole was there, growing worse each day.

Did God have someone for him- a help meet for his life?

Would she love him and be good to him? Would she be a godly wife?

 

Could Rebekah know this stranger would guide her to her mate?

She'd never even met this guy! No letters. No pictures. No dates.

Never had she doubted that God could and would provide

A godly man to serve Him with and in His will abide.

 

God had led them to each other as they worked to do His will.

He made sure they were perfect, each need they could fulfill.

Isaac's heart was mended; God's promise was so much more

Than either one of them could dream or even have prayed for!

One of the first love stories shows how a happy marriage starts 

From working for our Savior and having a patient heart.

If we just do what God asks and serve him while we wait,

He will provide our every need- even our perfect mate.

Funny Happenings- Opposites

For the first 5 years of a child's life the mother teaches them. They learn their colors, their numbers, what foods to eat, how to ask for things, and other simple, valuable tools.

My friend is trying to teach her children to eat good foods- fruits, vegetables, unprocessed things, etc. When they start to whine at the dinner table, she tells them, "You can eat your food, or you can go to bed."

Along with good eating habits, she's also been working on opposites. This was their conversation:

Ashley: "What is the opposite of stop?"

Logan: "Go!"

Ashley: "Yay! Yes! What is the opposite of up?"

Logan: "Down!"

Ashley: "Good! What is the opposite of eating?"

Logan: "Go to bed!"

Believer's Heritage- George Lisle

George Lisle was born in 1752 in Virginia. Being an African American during this time, he was born into slavery. He was taken to Georgia. 

He was saved in Savannah in 1774, and he continued to worship God in the "white" church for the next four years. His master was a deacon in this church who gave him his freedom and encouraged him to preach to other slaves. In 1775, he was ordained as the first black Baptist minister in America. In 1777, he went on to help with the Baptist congregation and founded the African Baptist church in Savannah, Georgia. He even led his wife, Hannah, to the Lord.

When his former master died in 1778, George and his wife, along with their 4 children migrated to Jamaica. He indentured himself to on a British ship to pay back the $700 he borrowed to move to Jamaica. After 2 years, he was given a certificate of freedom.

An ex-slave preacher drew a lot of attention at the local racetrack in Kingston, Jamaica. Never before had the slaves of Jamaica seen a black man preach Christ. He soon had a congregation, and purchased land not far from Kingston where he built a chapel and established the first Baptist church in 1780. He is the first known Baptist missionary from America.

He worked doing different jobs like farming and delivery. He found support from another immigrant named Moses Baker. Moses was an African European barber from England. He came to Jamaica in 1783, and was led to the Lord by George. He eventually became a pastor himself in Jamaica.

Most of his members couldn't read, so he would read aloud to his congregation from the Bible every week.  He employed a teacher to teach the children who could come. His work changed over 400 lives of black people in Jamaica. 

But, the Lord had more plans for George. In 1792, George travelled to Sierre Leone, Western Africa. He helped to set up a Baptist mission there, too.

He came back to Jamaica, but troubling times were upon them. He was separated from his family and imprisoned in chains in 1802. In 1805, Jamaica passed a law making it illegal to preach to slaves. From 1802 until his death, there was much persecution and murder of Christians in Jamaica.

George died in 1828.  The emancipation of slaves in Jamaica passed by Parliment in 1833 is attributed to George's mission work. But more importantly, many blacks throughout America, Jamaica, and Western Africa have come to find freedom from their sins through the work of George Lisle.

Is Your Mind Thinking Right? (video sermon)

Sometimes God's working on us is a painful process. When we find out the reasons why, it should bring about thanks and gratitude. But, sometimes we just get mad at God for not giving us what we want. Sometimes, we even go about to take what we want even though the Lord said "no".

God is always right. What he says to do is right. Always. If we don't understand it, His way is still right. We need to adjust our way of thinking so that our thoughts are in line with His ways.

Let's take Paul for an example. When he was Saul he went around persecuting Christians. God pricked his heart, but allowed him to continue with his torture while He dealt with his heart. Later, when Paul wanted to go to Jerusalem, God told him 3 times "no", yet Paul went his own way. What happened to Paul? 3 days of blindness and a Roman prison changed his thinking.

We don't have to go through the troubles associated with disobeying God if we only change our thinking. We are suppose to walk by faith. What if God has different plans for your life.

Standing Alone

Having friends and family is a blessing that we all enjoy. However, there will be times when we must be willing to stand alone.

Hudson Taylor was wiling to trust God to go to China alone. He learned that God's work done God's way will never lack God's supply.

Elijah learned that 400 prophets of Baal couldn't best God. And he had to learn this lesson alone.

David Livingston left for Africa by himself. He learned to rely on the verse "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world".

Daniel faced the lions alone and he learned that one man with God is really never alone.

Being alone is something that many people fear. However, it's the time when we can hear God best!

I Samuel 3:2-4- And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see; And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep; That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.

Samuel was alone and quiet when God chose to talk to him. When God speaks to us, it's like with Elijah- a still, small voice. So often we get so many people around that we can't hear him.

Luke 1:8-12- And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course,  According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.  And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.  And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. 

Being alone is not something to fear. Every now and again we need to get alone with just God and listen. What is it God wants?

Many people say, "I'll stay around my friends until God tells me what to do". God wants to talk to you, but he's not going to shout over your friends. Some say, "I'm hanging with my family. If God wants to tell me something, He will". And more justify themselves by staying where God told them not to and proclaiming that they haven't heard from God.

Are you willing to wait alone for the answer? Are willing to separate yourself so that God can talk to you without distraction? Are you willing to serve God even if it means your friends or family won't be serving with you?

Psalms 27:14- Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.  

David is giving you some practical advice here- wait on God. Was David sitting on a hammock waiting? No! He was out protecting Israel and fighting God's battles.

You think God's going to give you the answers you seek when you ignore Him and do your own will? IS God going to show you what path  take when each time He tells you something you follow your own desires?

Are you willing to stand alone? There are many characters in the Bible who were willing to serve God alone- Elijah, Elisha, Jeremiah, Paul.

Maybe God wants you to serve him alone-

He's promised never to leave you- Hebrews 13:5

He's promised never to forsake you- Psalms 27:10

He's promised nothing will separate us from His love- Romans 8:35-39

Is He enough for you?

When everyone else falls down to the world's ways will you stand alone like the 3 Hebrew children?

When God's enemies advance and His army is cowering, will you step forward like David?

When even your family decides to turn back will you do God's will and go ahead alone like Moses?

When God calls to a foreign field will you go alone like Paul?

Many times God wants to see if you're willing. He doesn't always keep us alone. But what if that is His will for your life? Are you willing to do His will even if it means you'll be alone?

I know many people who have answered this question "no". And they are living unfruitful lives of self indulgence with a hole in their heart and a feeling of a life worth nothing. When you stand before God will He say "I would have blessed you beyond your wildest dreams, but you weren't willing to leave so-and-so behind to serve me"?

The decision isn't made when the question is asked. It's made by the small choices in service Christ from years earlier. It's made by doing right even when no one is looking. You'll know the answer to the question even before the question is asked.

In the words of Amy Carmichael- If you refuse to be hurried and pressed, if you stay your soul on God, nothing can keep you from that clearness of spirit which is life and peace. In that stillness you will know what His will is.