Never Alone Fall/Winter 2015 What’S Inside Features 6 a Servant’S Heart, Bishop Meet a Service Dog and Have Many of Your Questions Answered

Women’sBlessed E-Magazine LivingFall/Winter 2015

How to 12 Steps to Improve your Marriage Embracing Solitude 20 Recipes

Sister -in- Focus Her Roller Coaster Life plus Medical Team Issue 7 in Guatemala Never Alone Fall/Winter 2015 What’s Inside Features 6 A Servant’s Heart, Bishop Meet a service dog and have many of your questions answered. 16 The Sacrificial Leaf His Creation speaks of His Grace – the gospel in a leaf. Home+Family 29 Sister-in-Focus MS has not slowed down this racing ministry mom, Lisa Shaw. 36 My Witnessing Story Could God be preparing you for the mission field? Sandy Andrassy spells out the pros and cons of mission work from her recent trip to Guatemala.

52 The Joy of Solitude Making time for solitude is valid to a healthy spiritual life. 56 Set Free Pam Durham’s testimony will help you believe in miracles. 68 SSoJ/E God wants to bless you and does everyday. Don’t miss any of them. 84 Our Favorite Invention — 14 Mind Your Marriage 28 Single Parent Corner 94 Homemade for 104 Bond Appétit The Church Have you ever felt alone even in your How God will be the husband for a Health Guests are coming – are you ready for How wonderful that Jesus formed His Church as a own home? single mother. Makeup that you can make yourself. those with special diets? Body. 25 Out of the Box 44 Reel Gems 99 Grace-filled Garden- 118 From the Prepper’s 101 The Unity of Diversity Give your guests the spa treatment Enjoy a Romantic movie that er Pantry As they scream about diversity from the rooftops, with these 10 hostessing ideas. reminds you of how much Christ Raised beds might just be the ticket for German Potato Salad from your we can question what they mean. loves you: A Walk in the Clouds. your green thumb. pantry. 120 Creativity Personalized knitted baby quilt and for security, copper-lined wallets. Soul+Spirit Life+Work

Extras 46 Her Master’s 65 Penny’s Two Cents Business Worth 26 God Modeled Love 126 Highlighted Bios Teamwork thrives with this family Trusting God with your precious ones, A heartfelt prayer. Jennifer Baringer and Jeanie business — White City Historical your children. Holzmacher Antique Mercantile 51 Thank You Note 127 Index of Writers’ A thank you note to our Abba Father. Work 18 Be Blessed 72 For the Love of 59 Techie Granny 88 Be Well! All the articles sorted by writers’ Elizabeth distinguishes how Christ will Hebrew Beware of beast technology. God wants you to eat His way – it’s names. alter us as we approach His altar. The Fall Feasts are worthy of healthier for you. Article includes 3 celebrating. healthy recipes. 55 Wanted 128 Closing Wanted: How has God answered a Vocabulary quiz – are you disenfran- 20 Penny’s From Heaven 78 Question Everything 124 Plan of Salvation prayer in your Life? chising others by your word choices? Life lessons from a garden. They are all around us: Angels. The Gospel in the Old Testament

Front Cover Photo by Susan Hopek 2 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | Back Cover Photo by Jessica Grant | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 3 Mission Statement: Editor’s Welcome To bless ladies by showing Jesus fleshed out in the lives Staff: of other women by sharing articles of His Presence in Editor & Publisher: Jill Bond their lives that agree with the Scriptures. [email protected] Blessed Living Coming Up in Our Next Issue: Asst. Editor & Designer: Bethany Bond Publishing Date — If The Lord wills… Associate Editors Women’s E-Magazine Penny Cooke Spring/Summer 2016 Jill Patrice Bond Susan Hopek

Theme: Prayer Works Writers How to request prayer support Sandy Andrassy Praying for your marriage Jennifer Baringer Welcome! Penny Cooke Your answers to prayer Kathy Diggs & Pam Durham rending recently was a Give yourself time to pray w/Crockpot-friendly recipes Elizabeth “Liz” Dolica story about a couple who We’re introducing three new col And More… have spent $75,000 in the B. Abbey Gayle umnists to you: Jennifer Baringer, - last few years traveling Gloria van der Gott, and Jeanie Dora Grace back and forth to En Holzmacher. I think you’ll enjoy their Jeanie Holzmacher gland to visit a particular- pub. To them it is the quintessential new columns: Single Parent Corner, Visit Our Links for Updates: Susan Hopek T Question Everything (intensive Bible British pub where the patrons are Bitsy LaPortal truly welcomed. They like that pub so study), and Be Well! (Biblical healthy much, they are trying to transfer their living). Blog — blwemag.wordpress.com Lisa Shaw jobs from America to Great Britain just With only two issues this year, we Anne Marie Trense to be near that establishment. wanted to fill it extra full, so I think E-Magazine URL — www.blwemag.com you’ll be pleased with the addition of Gloria van der Gott When I heard about their tale, the Facebook Page — www.facebook.com/BlessedLiving- song from an old television show, two more columns with recipes, two Hana Whitefield Cheers, came to mind, about going to craft projects, and some feature WomensEMagazine articles that will warm your heart. a place where everyone knows your Twitter — www.twitter.com/@blessedLivingWE Photography name. How sad that the best the You’ll find inspiration from Anne world has to offer is a pub… Marie’s trip though a local estuary. Try Pinterest — Blessed Living Sandy Andrassy to keep from tearing up with Pam’s Jennifer Baringer When there is a deeper, richer, YouTube Channel — Blessed Living better place to go to feel welcome, amazing testimony (Set Free). Enjoy discovering what SSOJ/Es are and Bethany Bond your local church. No one need ever Penny Cooke feel alone, when there are other start your own search. Meet a marvel Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine is published by a fel- ous servant of God, my service dog, believers around. And when it comes - lowship of women who attend a wonderful church of the Jessica Grant to knowing your name, I’m thrilled Bishop. Join us as we marvel at how Susan Hopek beyond ecstatic, that my the Body of Christ operates in contrast Treasure Coast of Florida. This magazine is an independent with the perversity of diversity. You’ll Kathleen Kexel my name. Lord knows even have your vocabulary run project and is not an official publication of that church. As we delve into this issue, Never Lisa Shaw Alone, through the ringer with my closing Anne Marie Trense may I invite you to embrace thoughts. that you never need be alone – and Blessed Living is a publication of The Bonding Place, LLC. Each writer that comes through Christ alone. And then there’s our Sister-in-Fo cus, Lisa Shaw, and how God has retains full copyright of her articles. They have given permission for We are blessed beyond measure - Art that our readership has expanded to worked miracles in her life and renews The Bonding Place, LLC to publish their articles in this e-magazine. Bethany Bond her even as she battles Multiple more than 75 countries. So, you are For reprints of individual articles, please contact the writer directly for Lynn Marie Carlsen (Reel Gems Logo) not alone, sweet lady, you are joined Sclerosis. I pray you will enjoy all these permission. This e-magazine is offered freely to the public and you may by other ladies all over the world in wonderful ladies’ words, the beautiful reading this magazine. photographs, and Bethany’s artwork. distribute freely. Please share the links to our magazine with anyone Contributors Join us because, dear Sister, you are and everyone. You are welcome to print copies – as long as it is an never alone. Lisa Careccia exact copy with the copyright clearly visible. No commercial reprinting Jessica LeMaster allowed – you may not sell any of this e-magazine. Design and full mag- Southern Belle Jill azine copyright to The Bonding Place, LLC. All rights reserved. All errors are ours. Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 4 All Glory is God’s. 5 Feature

know he’s gorgeous, gotten the best of both breeds. accessibility in your state before you but please don’t pet About any breed can be a good go to the expense of purchasing, him. He’s working.” service dog depending on what training, and certifying any other If I had a dollar for behaviors are needed for the friend species. “Ievery time I’ve said that . . . and it’s a companionable size. A larger But here’s the catch – they have to A Servant’s Heart, I guess the first thing you need to dog for a large man, a medium dog be real service dogs. know about service dogs is that they for a lady, a smaller-sized dog for a PLEASE, if you know anyone who are working dogs. When they are child. Even a tiny Chihuahua was thinks she is pulling a fast one with working, please, PLEASE do not pet trained for a woman who had sei- the airlines by passing off a pet as a Bishop them. zures. The dog could get to a specially service animal, because she doesn’t Why? That’s the second most asked made pill dispenser and force it in her want to leave Muffy at the kennel, ask question besides, “May I?” lady’s mouth while she was seizing. her to stop. Or if a friend is doing this They are trained to concentrate on That four-pound wonder dog saved even locally in stores and restaurants, their master, their charge, their her mistress’ life. please help us by asking her to stop. handler. They are juggling a whole lot Service animals aren’t limited to By “us,” I mean the real service dog of commands in their mind at any dogs, though they’re my choice. I community. given moment. They are assessing any recently met someone who was in the Those of us that need a trained dangers to their friend/handler and process of getting a service goat – it service dog do not want to lose our making sure they are obeying the had a rapport with the autistic child best aide. We don’t want a Federal current order. that nothing else did. She told me Bureau of Service Animals started that Petting them ruins their concentra- that a woman who was experiencing would make these wonderful animals tion so much that they are trained to PTSD used a therapy chicken. too expensive or too difficult to get. I pull away from anyone trying to pet Okay, that leads me to the differ- can’t imagine the layers of red tape I’d them. They aren’t being rude, they are ence between a therapy dog and a have to go through to retroactively staying focused. service dog. A therapy dog is trained certify Bishop to some federal Yes, trainers are allowed to pet to be petted. They are the dogs that bureaucrat. their dog as part of the training volunteers will take to hospitals and Unfortunately, some people have process – affirmation. And the charge, senior centers just so the patients can found the websites that we use to get the disabled person can pet them as pet them – all as part of therapy. They new supplies for our animals. Vests often as they want to. So, don’t think don’t go through all the extensive don’t last forever. They order cards, or we’re being cruel to you when we pet training of being a service dog. Their tags, or vests and place them on their him and don’t allow you to. We’re accessibility is limited. pets and then pass their canine baby reinforcing his good behavior. Legally, a service dog cannot be off as a service animal. Now for so many of the other denied entrance anywhere. (Though 1. The person/handler has to have a questions we get asked every time we people use other animals for service recognized ADA disability (both my go out. Bishop is so friendly and they should check the laws in their son and I do). If they don’t have a likable, he is a magnet for attention state. According to titles II and III of real ADA disability they are and I don’t mind answering questions. the ADA only dogs are recognized as committing fraud. He’s a retrievador – Half -Golden service animals.) The simple defini- 2. The animal has to have been Retriever and Half-Golden Labrador. tion: “A service animal is a dog that is trained to assist concerning that Many have found that particular mix individually trained to work or person/handler’s disability. to produce excellent service dogs. The perform tasks for a person with a It’s those dog-lovers, and I can theory is that he won’t have some of disability.” There is a provision about appreciate that they do love their the maladies that pure-breeds can get miniature horses, but I’m not up on canine, that put us all in jeopardy. like hip dysplasia. He seems to have those rules. So, check about legal They should pony up with the fees for 6 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 7 travel or leave their best friend in the unnoticeable. had two local restaurants that refused car. need for them. Autism is now as learns the basic obedience lessons of care of others when they can’t travel Bishop has never even whimpered service to us. We could have pressed And to the next question we often common as one in fifty-seven. a family pet and gets a good founda- together. That applies even to just when working. Once in a checkout the point and stated the law, but get: Now that we have Bishop, I don’t tion of love. going to the local store. It’s against line, the woman in front of me quickly that’s not our style. There are plenty of Yes, he gets time off. In fact he has know how we managed without him Their second year of life is spent the law. They could be required to do turned and as she did her huge purse other restaurants that do want our many more hours in a week as just a all the previous years. He is a marvel with a service trainer. These can be 30 hours of community service for hit Bishop hard in the face. Even business. beloved family pet, then as Bishop, and never ceases to remind me of both volunteers or paid staff who doing that or even far stiffer penalties though we were several feet back (I I pray for those owners that refused the wonder dog. how good our Lord is to provide him spend that year getting the dog depending on the state. know to give us room), she walloped service because the next family with a It is almost as if he has two person- to us. And provide him, He did. acclimated to a myriad of social We’ve had several incidents locally him good. And it was one of those real service dog might bring charges. alities. When his vest goes on, he I had been researching all our settings. You may see a dog with a that bear repeating. large tote bag type purses. The owner could get up to a year in changes posture and he is at work. options for a service dog for years. vest, “In Training.” This trainer goes In a large grocery store, we were He didn’t yelp or even moan. He jail and more than $100,000 in fines. The second that vest comes off, he None of the programs I researched somewhere every day just training the doing our shopping. Bishop was just sat back on his bum and looked at Allergies are no excuse. If you own a becomes a squirrel-chasing, back-rub- seemed to fit our family. I can’t travel. dog how to behave in a variety of behaving perfectly – all within his me for a command. business or rental property check the bing, 4-year-old puppy. Many services require the disabled stores, restaurants, clubs, etc. For tight training constraints. As we Well, the woman was mortified at laws before you charge extra for a We’ve even had guests in our home person to travel to the training facility instance one trainer was telling me turned an aisle, we heard a lot of what she’d done. She cried. service dog or refuse service. For who have seen Bishop working with for weeks or even months to go that she takes the dogs to a variety of yapping. A lady had two Yorkies (cute I assured my dog he had not done instance, hotels and landlords cannot us at church functions and then asked through the “how to use the dog” church services because she doesn’t as they were) in her cart. They were anything wrong and he was a “good charge the usual “pet deposit” for a where he was. They didn’t even training – getting the dog and friend/ know the religion of the person going ballistic over our 60-pound dog. boy.” service dog. recognize the fun-loving, curly-tailed handler accustomed to working getting the dog – some churches We continued on our way. Bishop It took many more minutes to calm Yet, in dozens of others establish- dog that greeted them at the door as together. have communion at the front with the didn’t even acknowledge them. She the lady down than Bishop. I guess ments in our area, they welcome us – the same dog. So, we found a wonderful trainer clergy going to each person, some sit had gotten two little vests so she with all his experience with a host of almost cooing. For example, a hostess That covers most of the general who could train us both here locally. It in their seats while deacons pass trays could go shopping with them. It was humans, he understands we make who showed us to a table was going questions we get. Now for the ones was the most expensive option, but around, some have a table in a corner their horrid behavior that had mistakes. He is instant in forgiveness. on about how gorgeous Bishop was. we get about one-third of the time for us it worked the best. We would of the Church – the sacraments are everyone turning and looking – giv- We have been in restaurants when She was concerned because it was from people who have more than a get a dog, absorb all the vet bills, and done differently with different congre- ing service animals a bad name. the waiter didn’t even know we had nearly 100°F outside. She went to the passing interest in Bishop. They want pay for all the training. But then gations. These trainers are amazing Several people came over to us and him, until we were leaving. kitchen and got him a bowl of water. I to know how they might become part Bishop is ours. and prepare the dog in a general apologized for her and commented He has a command, “Make small.” felt so bad having to explain to her of the process or how to get a dog Let me explain a sample program: sense for about any social setting. on what a great job our dog was He can curl up in the tiniest of spaces, that he wouldn’t take it. He didn’t. The (their nephew has autism, or their Dogs are bred by breeders special- Then for their third year, the dog is doing. They knew we had a real even under my chair when we’re in a whole time we were there he never daughter has just been diagnosed ly to be service dogs. put through a rigid program of service dog. doctor’s office. I try to keep those touched the water. with a mobility-condition or . . .). The dogs best suited are given to training specific to one person. They When a service dog is out, his “make small” times as short as But I can assure you, as soon as we As more and more people see the volunteer families for one year (like a are taught each behavior that their carriage should be so in line with his possible for his sake. were in the car he got some ice water. benefit of these service animals, there boy scout or 4-H’er earning merit friend will need — be it opening and charge that he is silent and often Speaking of restaurants, we’ve only He is allowed to eat and drink in our is going to be more and more of a badges or patches) where the dog closing doors, administering medi-

8 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 9 Aside: It was through our dog that we found our current church home. Bishop had to first graduate from puppy school and in that class one of the other puppy-moms told us that her church welcomed special needs members. During the first visit to a Sunday service we knew we were “home.” And the funny thing (as if there is ever a coincidence in God’s Kingdom) the family that adopted Bishop’s brother goes to that church and his “grandmother” is a volunteer with Trent’s programs. There are more than a hundred churches within an hour’s drive of that Humane Center. Another “God-incidence.” God is so good.

amazing behavior. He is trained room with me and very few cine, bringing the phone, stability We’ve got the best of all those difficult part was the rest of the hour that there is a hierarchy of places have a “family unit” for training, or even bathroom skills. programs. We prayed first. We really lesson was training us to enforce the commands to obey. Sometimes families like ours. I couldn’t even After all that, the dog finally meets sought how God was going to answer behavior and continue the training all the “FIRM” rules trump verbal go in a ladies room myself and his new friend and they work together the need we had. week. We humans took more work commands. Here’s an example: leave Trent to wander in a store. until they both are comfortable with Just before ordering a puppy from than the dog did. My problem is too We were a few minutes later Now I have Bishop and he each other. a breeder for thousands of dollars, we many words. We all learned (dog and than we normally are going to a knows, “bathroom.” I feel Trent is Depending on the program and felt led to check out the local Humane people) voice and hand signals for Sunday meeting and all the safe and I don’t have to stop the dog, these relationships can last Society to perhaps save a dog. I went, each behavior and to stay consistent. handicap parking spaces were shopping to go home myself. 3-6 years. As long as the dog is still but I thought that no one in his or her Over a period of two-and-a-half years taken. We had to park across the I love this story – one time in healthy and the situation is beneficial. right mind was going to give up a he was trained. lot. After the service, when we a restaurant, while I waited Then come the wonderful volun- Golden. He’s our dog, so we won’t have to were leaving, a car slowed down nearby for Trent, a man came out teers who take in the retired service My daughter and I went up and say goodbye to him in four or five to a roll and signaled for us to of the men’s room and grabbed dogs and give them purpose and down the aisles. There were adorable years when some program says it’s cross in front of them to get to his wife. “You won’t believe it, make them still feel useful but dogs and I wish I could have given retirement time. When “work” gets too our car. Bishop dug in. He Lassie’s in there and he’s the without the everyday stress of them all a home, but none of them much for him, we’ll use him to help grabbed the grass and stayed smartest dog I’ve ever seen.” working. were the size or temperament we train his replacement, and then he’ll firm. He looked at me like I was I just smiled as they headed And there are dozens of variations were looking for. get to be just a much-loved family crazy. His eyes were screaming, over to me to ask. And I an- and nuances depending on the Just as we were about to leave, pet. “You don’t walk in front of a swered, “No, please don’t pet program. There are programs that do Bethany stepped through the back of With the option we chose, we bear moving car!” I knew the car was him . . .” it all, the breeding to the in-house the cages to a service area and there all the expenses. Except for the just barely rolling, but he won’t © 2015 Jill Bond, All Rights training and retired dog monitoring. was a bonus cage – on the other side additional training and service budge. In his mind it was Reserved. There’s even a program that rehabili- of the concrete wall. There were two supplies (e.g., vest) his expenses are moving. Once they passed and If it would help, feel free to tates prisoners to do the dog training. Golden Retriever/Lab pups. the same as for a pet: food, grooming, the next car came to a full stop, copy this article and give it to These animals seem to help everyone We rushed to get our name locked treats, and veterinarian bills. we crossed. He got up and anyone interested in service along their paths to cope. on him – the one with the little white Service dogs are required to be moved just fine. Amazing. dogs. Or just give them the link. What can you do to help? There are programs that “own” the collar. (He’s got a few hundred hairs groomed at least once a week. I He has kept me from falling I Please don’t edit my words to 1. Spread the word about service dogs – dog and do monitor check-ups that on the nap of his neck that are white.) mistakenly thought that meant a full don’t know how many times. say something I didn’t write. and ask your friends to stop masquerading both dog and friend are meeting the I know that God grew him just for bath. After a few weeks of this, even When my eyesight is really bad (I Bishop, Trent, and Jill Bond their pets as service animals. requirements – as often as every us. He was perfect…and cute. using a pure dog shampoo, his skin have a strange eye condition – I are a team you’ll see around 2. Volunteer with any reputable service month. It took years of training but Bishop was irritated. Our trainer didn’t realize can see sometimes and can’t town shopping, eating in dog program in any part of the process. Some programs are very strict and is trained to assist both Trent and me. my ignorance and explained to me others), he leads me to just the restaurants, and enjoying the 3. Help a family pay the expenses of the some have a little more play. We couldn’t handle two dogs, so that grooming didn’t always mean right spot. He has saved Trent park. They don’t mind spreading animal. Some programs are completely Bishop is cross-trained. bathing. His skin soon recovered and from walking into traffic, and the good news about God’s 4. Donate to a reliable service animal free to the user/friend depending on We hired a professional trainer who so did his mood. from getting too far from me. marvelous creatures, service program. grants, donations, and volunteers, each week would review the lessons It amazes me at how he adapts and And to think that the main dogs. So, don’t be shy, just ask 5. Make those of us and our dogs feel while others will “sell” you a service from previous weeks and then teach takes care of both of us. Trent has reason I wanted him was just to that question you have. welcome – in your business, in your church, dog for $5,000-$12, 000 or more. Bishop a new command or modify an autism and me with my bag of tricks. take Trent to the bathroom. Read about an added bonus in your clubs, and at the park. Sounds odd to me, but maybe it’s the already learned command. That was Before closing, I want to explain Trent is 6-feet, 220 pounds so I on page 127. BLWE best option for some families. easy. He learned quickly. The more “Intelligent Disobedience.” It is an can’t take him into the ladies

The Sacrificial Leaf

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky proclaims the work of His hands. kayakers paddled through the the salt, holes form in this special leaf. this 100% God, 100% man named Psalm 19:1 NIV brackish waters of the St. Lucie Inlet Through this unique design, the Jesus Christ lived a perfect life and Park led by two young ladies with the rest of the plant is saved by the heaped our sins upon Himself and For His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power Florida State Parks system. sacrificial leaf, and the mangrove’s died in our place. and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the cre- Throughout our trip, the guides jutting root system serves as the Even the black outlined holes ation of the world, being understood through what He would periodically stop to tell us protective nursery for the young fish burned through the leaf by its effort has made. As a result, people are without excuse. fascinating facts about the amazing seeking sanctuary among its roots. to get rid of the salt reflect the way Romans 1:20 HCSB wonderland we were immersed in. This eventually helps to form larger Christ accomplished paying for the Each tidbit they shared made me landmasses by collecting soil within stain of our sin debt. He willingly ...the earth is full of the Lord’s unfailing love. marvel at my Amazing God. the web of its roots. allowed nails to be driven through His Psalm 33:5b HCSB As we glided by yet another When the guide finished sharing all hands and feet to undergo the outcropping of red mangroves, one of this with us, God made sure I did not crucifixion, the fulfillment of the kind Then all the trees of the field will know that I am our guides shared with us about the miss the message of how clearly this of death the Bible foretold would be Yahweh. sacrificial leaf that makes the man- remarkable plant reflects the Gospel necessary for our Savior to endure. Ezekiel 17:24a HCSB grove able to thrive in the salty/fresh – He had one of my fellow paddlers Through Christ’s sacrificial feat we water combination called brackish slowly repeat the phrase “sacrificial are saved from death and are given a he other night I had the privilege of water, which kills most other plants. leaf” in an almost awe-like tone. new life in Him just as He came to life viewing an amazing sunset. The glory of If you are familiar with the red Instead of being swamped in after dying for us. the Lord was unmistakable in the master- mangrove tree, you know it has dark life-threatening water, each person When we know Christ we are never piece God had painted across the sky. I green leaves and unusual tubular ever born has been placed on a planet alone. Instead we are rooted in His Tmarveled at the stunning array of colors in His pallet roots that seem to stride across the swamped not by salt, but by sin. And love. We can grow and thrive in our that evening and could not help but praise my water. For this reason the Seminole as if this was not bad enough, our faith and be a witness to Him wherev- Beautiful Creator. Indians called it the walking tree. own sins are added up on top of this er we are planted. This evening I saw the fulfillment of God’s promise If you examine the plant closely, until we are literally seeped to our And like the roots of the mangrove, to Noah as a gorgeous rainbow graced the somber sky. however, you will notice one leaf is neck in sin. when we share how Christ has saved Every time I gaze at a flower, I am in awe of the yellow and has a hole in it that looks Even though God lovingly created our life by taking the punishment for complexity God graces upon a fleeting flower. like it has been outlined in black. us, our perfect God cannot stand our our sins on the cross, others can seek The more I learn about the body and through That leaf is called the sacrificial leaf, sinful condition. Because He is also sanctuary from sin as they root their science, the more I am humbled by the wisdom of the and it literally saves the life of the rest just, He must deal with our sins and faith in Him. Ultimate Designer. of the tree. It looks like it is dying, has to enforce the consequences of God’s fingerprint is embedded in everything He because it is actually sacrificing itself this condition. According to God’s © 2015 Anne Marie Trense, all rights created and everything truly does glorify Him by to take care of a huge threat that Word, the Bible, “The wages of sin is reserved. revealing His character. would otherwise kill off the rest of the death…” (Romans 6:23). Anne Marie Trense can often be During a kayaking excursion I look last year, I plant – the salt found in the brackish But instead of us having to die, God found outdoors bike riding and learned that God goes even deeper and has revealed water. Himself left the splendor of heaven to praising God for His marvelous works. the entire Gospel message through a plant commonly Instead, the sacrificial leaf absorbs be born as a man to die in our place. found throughout our local Florida waterways. all the salt that has been collected by So like the leaf that sacrifices itself to On a perfect November morning our little group of BLWE the entire plant. In order to get rid of save the life of the rest of the plant, 12 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | Photos Provided by Anne Marie Trense | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 13 if you are trying to force it...alone. “Inward peace comes with absolute surrender to the Mind Your Marriage Alone…nowhere to turn? ABSO- will of God. You need to come to a simple calmness of LUTELY NOT! spirit which comes from giving up everything to God. The God sees! God knows! God cares! reason you feel so agitated is that you do not accept The world offers all kinds of mostly everything that happens to you with complete trust in unhelpful advice and clichés, but the God. The moment you stop wanting things to be your Feeling Word of God offers comfort, hope, and way, you will be free from so much worry and concern.” encouragement: God is the One who — Francois Fenelon, The Seeking Heart s there anything worse than feeling alone because you are actually …sticketh closer than a brother physically alone? Some hard truths — marriage does answer for your own words, choices, Alone Proverbs 18:24 KJV I think so. not make itself. (Duh!) Certainly one and actions. There can be times in a marriage when you feel more alone when your willing participant cannot make a In addition to praying for your and has promised to Ihusband is physically present in the home than when he is not. healthy marriage. It is sad but true that spouse as described above, what are There is that strong desire for connection and intimacy (the capacity to be real When even God and one willing participant some other practical things that you …never leave you nor forsake you. with each other), but it is just not there. The normal life that you yearn for and want cannot make a thriving marriage. can do? to cling to feels like it has been turned on its end. It is particularly painful and Joshua 1:5 NIV To have a marriage that is anywhere 1. Encourage yourself like David did enormously draining. It can lead to feelings of extreme discouragement and even near a “ten” it must include God and in the Psalms. Meditate and speak God also anger if left unresolved. Hubby’s both spouses all working together as a out the additional wonderful words Moments that a married couple would usually look forward to — evenings, team. “A chord of three strands is not of truth and promises from the Word …hate[s] divorce… weekends, holidays, special occasions, family gatherings, and even vacations — quickly torn apart.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12) of God found on Page 17. can become something to dread or endure. Home? Malachi 2:16a NASB So, the downside is that we can only 2. Make a decision to persevere. Do do what we can do. But guess what not withdraw or retreat. Do not so don’t head for the hills but look — the upside is that we can only do scrap all that you have invested in I’m not talking about the common or valued. You are, in fact, feeling be breeding all kinds of yucky, decay- what we can do. When you stand your marriage. Remember, you variety, short-lived silent treatment that unloved, disrespected, rejected...and ing stuff. …unto the hills, from whence cometh before God, you will only have to made covenantal vows to God as may follow a disagreement. I’m talking alone. At times, you can almost see, feel, [your] help. about a distance that can’t be mea- Marriages go through seasons, and and smell the decay, but your spouse Psalm 121:1 KJV sured with a tape measure, but it is just because of The Fall, on this side of may not seem to notice it at all, or, if he as real as if there were miles separating heaven that is pretty much inevitable. does, he may be relying on some Lean heavily into your Heavenly Father. you and your spouse. Or maybe it feels Marriages go through mountaintop well-worn defense mechanisms in an Cry out to Him. Don’t bash your spouse. like an invisible, impenetrable wall has seasons, valley seasons, and seasons effort to avoid confrontation. Pretty Pray for him. Ask God to give you been erected. everywhere in between. Obviously soon, you’re not going forward in your compassion for him and reveal why he Communication shuts down. Oh, major life events, good or bad, might marriage, you’re not even stagnant, you is acting the way he is. there may be small talk — that neces- hurl you into a whole new and totally are slipping backward, and you feel Ask God to heal and redeem sary superficial communication like unexpected season in your marriage. overwhelmingly alone in the relation- anything in his past that may be “What’s for dinner?” or “Did you feed But I’m not talking about that either. ship. causing him to act the way he is acting. the dog?” but it doesn’t go any deeper What I am talking about is a longing for Because this often occurs just below Ask God to create a recognition of sin than that. your marriage to be a “ten,” when right the surface, as an undercurrent where resulting in a cascade of Godly sorrow, There may be the conventional now it feels like maybe a “three,” and no one can see, it may go unnoticed by and for an awareness of the ominous “Good morning,” “Have a nice day” and even that might be a stretch. the outside world — making it all the cloud that is hanging over your even a kiss goodbye, hello, and good- Your husband may not be united in more clandestine and crazy. The one marriage. night and maybe even an obligatory that desire; he may be oblivious to it, or person that you look to most for It’s much better if he hears from the phone call during the day (to get that he may be in denial to a need for any comfort and companionship is the one Lord. Ask God to draw your husband to “What’s for dinner?” issue resolved). improvement or change. He may causing major pain, stress, and distress Himself and, this part is hard, pray for The phone conversation may even somehow be seemingly satisfied with in your life. The confrontation that you that even if he doesn’t draw closer to end with a “love you,” but somehow superficial communication and just would gladly welcome just to get you. Your motives must be pure and that just hurts even more because going through the motions — leading things out in the open and hopefully not selfish — having your spouse’s best you’re just not feeling loved, honored, to a stagnation that you know will soon dealt with is just not happening – even interest at heart. 14 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 15 well as your spouse, and God will love for you. In addition, there is where you need to trust God to work honor your obedience. Know you are wonderful Christian music out there things out for good. He can. truly in God’s hands, so you can let that will encourage you, comfort 9. Choose love instead of anger. Pray go of the responsibility and stress of you, and lift your spirits. for yourself. Ask God to give you God does nothing but trying to control the outcome. 6. Assess your expectations. Does wisdom, guidance, and strength. If in answer to prayer. Remember, He is carrying you. that mean you have to lower your negative emotions have crowded 3. If there are children still living in expectations? I heard one speaker out feelings of love toward your —John Wesley your home, unless they are mention that when talking about spouse, ask God to regenerate or pre-toddlers, they are well aware disappointment in relationships. It restore the love. Trust me, He is of the instability. They may even sounded like a helpful approach at faithful to do this. sense the volatile undercurrent that the time, but do we want only the 10. After prayer, carefully and gently is present leading them to have low hanging fruit? So, maybe the attempt to open the lines of Scripture and Words of Encouragement feelings of insecurity and fear. Do idea is not to lower expectations but communication with your spouse. “The Lord is my strength and song, bestowed on us, that we would be called 3 “The steadfast of mind You will everything you can, age-appropri- to analyze and adjust them accord- Confess your culpabilities to him. And He has become my salvation; This children of God; and such we are. For keep in perfect peace, because he trusts ately, to protect them and help them ingly. Maybe the first adjustment is Pray with him, if he is willing. If your is my God, and I will praise Him; My this reason the world does not know us, in You. to feel secure. Remember, relation- to settle for a marriage that is an spouse will not open up to you or is father’s God, and I will extol Him.” because it did not know Him. 4 “Trust in the Lord forever, for in ship challenges are a part of life, and “eight” or a “nine.” (Since marriage is not open to listening, it is time to Exodus 15:2 1 John 3:1 God the Lord, we have an everlasting your actions and words are model- the union of two imperfect people.) bring in a third party. That might be R o c k .” ing to them how to handle them. 7. Reach out. Do not isolate. Pray to your pastor, or a strong Christian Let me hear Your lovingkindness in Marriage is an unconditional Isaiah 26:3-4 Pray, for God will protect your God and ask Him to show you a couple that you trust, or a recom- the morning; For I trust in You; Teach commitment between two imperfect children from being spiritually or select few people to confide in, to mended Christian counselor — even me the way in which I should walk; For people. When my anxious thoughts multiply emotionally scarred. (By the way, seek wise counsel from, and to agree if you go alone. to You I lift up my soul. within me, Your consolations delight pets are affected too. They are very in prayer with. There are also 11. Know that you are not alone in Psalm 143:8 God helps me. my soul. sensitive to negative vibes going on ministries that are eager to pray with your suffering. Your spouse may be Psalm 94:19 in the home.) and for you. In my own personal suffering silently as well. Sadly, God loves me with a perfect love. You pushed me violently so that I 4. Take advantage of resources that experiences with trials, I have found many, many marriages are in these was falling, But the Lord helped me. O may Your lovingkindness comfort are based in sound Christian that God moves most when I move very circumstances. So, while you are There is no fear in love; but perfect Psalm 118:13 me, According to Your word to Your doctrine and content. You can most — by reaching out. praying for your own marriage, lift love casts out fear, because fear involves servant. begin with this very publication of 8. Take ownership for your responsi- up others too. punishment, and the one who fears is God loves me with an everlasting Psalm 119:76 Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine bility. How has your tone been 12. Finally, count your blessings… not perfected in love. love. which is designed to direct you to when speaking to your spouse? Do they are there. 1 John 4:18 Beyond all these things put on love, living a blessed life. Based on its you have a tone specially reserved Know this with 100% accuracy: If The Lord appeared to him from which is the perfect bond of unity. theme of “Never Alone,” this particu- for them? Do you nag and nitpick you are a born-again believer, there will Now may the God who gives per- afar, saying, “I have loved you with an Colossians 3:14 lar issue is replete with encourage- relentlessly? Do you ever use be a time when you will have a mar- severance and encouragement grant everlasting love; Therefore I have drawn ment. There is also plentiful solid positive words of affirmation? Is your riage that will definitely be a “ten,” only you to be of the same mind with one you with lovingkindness. I press on toward the goal for the programming available on Christian love conditional? Are you treating it won’t be on this side of Eternity and it another according to Christ Jesus. Jeremiah 31:3 prize of the upward call of God in radio, television, and online. (Use your spouse with respect? Are you won’t be to your current spouse. It will Romans 15:5 Christ Jesus. discernment.) So many times I have maybe even dealing with a conse- be as the Body and Bride of Christ to The Lord is for me; I will not fear; Philippians 3:14 been greatly encouraged by hearing quence of getting ahead of God’s Jesus, our Lord and Saviour. “Can you get through today with What can man do to me? a timely program or song that perfect plan for your life by accept- Me?” God Psalm 118:6 Let us not lose heart in doing good, seemed custom-made and timed for ing a marriage proposal without “For your husband is your Maker, for in due time we will reap if we do not my immediate need. Seek out prayerfully considering it with God? Whose name is the Lord of hosts; And God’s great love is sustaining me. My soul, wait in silence for God grow weary. Christian books and devotionals that That is a harsh consequence. This is your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel, only, For my hope is from Him. Galatians 6:9 speak to your circumstances and where you need extreme faith to Who is called the God of all the earth.” See how great a love the Father has Psalm 62:5 needs. confess, repent, and to honor God Isaiah 54:5 NASB 5. Praise God. Yes, Praise God. Give by honoring your commitment to © 2015 B. Abbey Gayle, All Rights Him glory for His presence and His Him and to your spouse. This is Reserved BLWE All Scripture on this page are NASB 16 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 17 Be Blessed

rememberAlterations back to my early childhood years and think of my gentle, tenderhearted mother and my aunt. They were both blessed with the wonderful talent of sewing, always making me lots of pretty things to wear. IBut their specialty was alterations. They were expert “alterers.” Whether a tuck at the waist, a hem shortened or lengthened, a seam taken in or let out, they could always take an old garment, give it style, and make it look brand new. Jesus also specializes in alterations. He makes all things new (Revelation 21:5) He touches, changes, modifies, adjusts, transforms, renews, revives, regenerates, and restores. We come to Him unaltered, blemished, dirty, unclean, and calloused, bearing hardened hearts. He then begins to alter and prune. (John 15:1-8) The true vine and the vinedresser begin their supernatural work in the branches — you and me. They prune back for greater strength and useful- ness to produce richer and more excellent fruit for a bountiful And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and harvest. things new. And He said unto me, Write: for these words are is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, Not only is Jesus an alterer, but in Him we have an Altar true and faithful. and they are burned. (Hebrews 13:10) – the sacrificial cross of Christ. It is a place of Revelation 21:5 KJV 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask surrender and sacrifice. It is a place of bleeding. It is a place of what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. safety and refuge, hope and strength, worship and healing. It is a 1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so place where we can take the things of the earth to the doors of 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: shall ye be my disciples. heaven. It is the place where we say “yes” to be His bride, the place and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may John 15:1-8 KJV of love. bring forth more fruit. There is one thing that God will never alter … “my covenant 3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which will I not break or alter,” says the Lord. (Psalm 89:34). unto you. serve the tabernacle. May this be the prayer of our heart every day: “As I kneel before 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit Hebrews 13:10 KJV the altar Lord, alter me!” of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye Be Blessed, abide in me. My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is E. D.. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, gone out of my lips. and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Psalm 89:34 KJV © 2015 Elizabeth Dolica, All Rights Reserved BLWE me ye can do nothing. 18 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 19 Penny’s from Heaven

After Before Harvesting Lessons from My Garden Before

He Walks with Me and Talks with Me

serenity. outcome. (Revelation 20:10) In spite of my schedule, I determined to start a garden And so it hit me as I executed my retribution on those this year. Already I’ve heard Him speak to me as I planted, aphids—it is simply for the sake of revenge. Revenge serves watered and watched it grow. Not only am I learning lessons absolutely no purpose other than to make the avenger feel about how to garden, but I’m learning spiritual lessons, too. better—temporarily. My First Lesson was when aphids (tiny nutrient-suck- Not a particularly deep theological lesson, but a good love contemporary Christian music. But as I ing, virus-injecting insects also example of God speaking in the began writing this article, I was reminded of a known as plant lice) took over my The grass withers, the flower fades, but the quiet of a garden. And it reminds sweet old hymn I grew up singing, In the Garden, cucumber and squash plants, even word of our God will stand forever. me, God cares about those little which begins, “I come to the garden alone…” (C. though I had tried to fight them off Isaiah 40:8 ESV details and lessons that are personal IAustin Miles, 1912). Perhaps you’re familiar with it. with an organic pesticide, and even to each one of us. As I recalled the words, I noticed the writer came though my soil was fertilized and the plants had been Second Lesson: I planted the cucumbers and squash alone, but was not alone. Jesus met him there. And in extremely healthy. way too close together, so it was hard to get over and under the solitude and quiet of the garden, he heard the Nonetheless, it was evident they were not going to make each of the leaves to spray, which were a tangled up mess. I Lord speak. (Matthew 14:23) it. They were infested and according to what I was learning, I had ignored what I read about how many seeds to plant and The hymn goes on, would have to pull them all out and throw them away. how close. Even so, I found myself giving them one last douse of This reminded me of our overcrowded schedules. “Busy” And the voice I hear falling on my ear… spray. I sprayed and sprayed and sprayed, even though I is an epidemic today, and many people’s lives have become and He walks with me and He talks with me… knew it was useless. It was as if I was saying, “There… take like tangled up vines with too much to do too close togeth- that…and that…!” er. (Ecclesiastes 2:22) This has resulted in not finding the Many of us today are “never alone.” Our busy, loud, As I drenched those plants, God’s still small voice an- time to be in God’s Word and prayer. Enough said here—see crowded world keeps us from hearing God’s still small swered a question I had often thought about—why satan Third and Fourth Lessons. voice speak to us as the writer refers to in the hymn. would continue to taunt and persecute us when he knows Third Lesson: The Word of God is like fertilizer. We can’t (1 Kings 19:12) Our calendars are over-booked and in the end he loses anyway. What does vengeance accom- just fertilize when we first plant. We have to keep the overwhelming. We have no space in our schedule or plish? Why bother when you’re already a cooked goose (or nourishment going as it is used up by the plants. It’s that our minds, and too often no time for a garden or its After spoiled fruit in this case)? It’s not like it will change the way with our spiritual nourishment. We will become weak 20 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | Photos Provided by Penny Cooke | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 21 n he arden More Damage from the Cuke I T G By C. Austin Miles

I come to the garden alone While the dew is still on the roses And the voice I hear falling on my ear After The Son of God discloses.

(Refrain) And He walks with me, and He talks with me, And He tells me I am His own; 10 Then the disciples went back to their homes. And the joy we share as we tarry there, 11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she None other has ever known. wept she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body Before He speaks, and the sound of His voice, of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. Is so sweet the birds hush their singing, 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She And the melody that He gave to me said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not Within my heart is ringing. know where they have laid Him.”

14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus stand- Refrain ing, but she did not know that it was Jesus.

15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom I’d stay in the garden with Him Though the night around me be falling, are you seeking?” Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to and wilted Christians if we don’t read the Word regularly, nor have. (1 Peter 5:8-9a) But He bids me go; through the voice of woe Him, “Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have will we produce fruit that is nourishing or even useful, if any We can’t be careless because tenacity is hard or we don’t His voice to me is calling. laid Him, and I will take Him away.” at all. But what is fertilized regularly grows beautiful, feel like it. We have to deal with every sin and temptation. 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to Him in healthy, and plentiful. We can’t let just a little sin in. Never underestimate how Refrain Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). We need the nourishment of God’s Word. ( ) something so small can damage and destroy. satan will find Matthew 4:4 John 20:10-16 ESV Just as fertilizer won’t work in the bag, our Bible doesn’t whatever unsprayed leaves are in your life, just as the tiny C. Austin Miles (1868-1946) was a church music director work on the shelf. We must open it and allow it to pour over aphids found the leaves I neglected to spray. As small as and hymn writer (formerly a pharmacist). One day he had prayer and the Word before, during and following each our heart and nourish us deep within. Too many people they are, they are tenacious and so is he. We must be, not as an extraordinary spiritual experience. He saw a vision of storm. (1 Thessalonians 5:17) today leave God’s Word ignored and neglected, and conse- tenacious, but even more tenacious and diligent and Mary Magdalene walking into a garden where she met I was looking so forward to sharing my produce with quently un-harvested with little to no fruit in their lives. You determined to deal with the enemy and make him flee. with Jesus and heard Him speak her name. This left Miles’ family and friends. But instead, I get to share this, which is know, the fruit of Galatians 5:22-23— love, joy, peace, (James 4:7b) How can we do that? See the Fifth Lesson (as heart beating heavily and his nerves shaking and tense. much more valuable: Our spiritual life is like a garden. We patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and well as Third Lesson above). Soon, a new song began to fill his mind and he quickly cannot just plant it and forget it. Nor can we tend it occasion- self-control. These cannot be artificially cultivated, and you Fifth Lesson: The insecticide represents prayer. Every wrote the lyrics to In the Garden. He composed the music ally. To enjoy the beauty and the harvest, we must keep up don’t want to be found lacking in those fruits when the aspect of our life must be covered in prayer—often! Quick that evening, and the song was published the same year. with it constantly. We have to keep up with the weeds and enemy tries to suck the life out of you. (John 10:10) momentary prayers and prayers at meal times are great, but pests (flying, crawling and walking), water, fertilizer, etc. Fourth Lesson: The aphids not enough. We must be fervent and Good things do not come easy, but the rewards of the represent satan and sin in our diligent and leave no part of our life harvest will be so abundant and worth it! Kiss of the sun for pardon. lives—you know, those nasty unprotected, just as I needed to Oh, there are so many other lessons we can harvest from a destructive pests from the first Song of the birds for mirth. spray not only the surface but under garden, but perhaps I’ll leave them for next year’s crop. I’m lesson. We cannot just be a little You’re closer to God’s heart in a garden each leaf and even the stalk. sure this is just the beginning of my gardening lessons. If careful to avoid sin, we must be Than anywhere else on earth. (Ephesians 6:10-18) you’re a gardener, I bet you have a few of your own. tenacious about it. Truthfully, if I had — Dorothy Frances Gurney We tend to get serious about If you don’t have a garden, you can. Designate space in been as tenacious in trying to reach prayer when things get serious, but your schedule. It’s your own private property and He won’t and spray each leaf as I was with my sometimes it will be too late, just as come uninvited like those pests. He longs to walk with you vengeance spray, perhaps I would have won the battle and it was for my poor plants. If we do not have enough protec- and talk with you. (Isaiah 30:18a) saved my plants. Not only was I skipping some leaves that tion (prayer and the Word) when the rains of life come, they Oh, the joy you’ll share as you tarry there with Him! It is were hard to reach, I hadn’t sprayed as often as I should will wash away much of it, so we need to be “doused” in truly a joy like none other.

And after He had dismissed the crowds, He went up on the Journal – Continue the en ways to make your guests feel like they mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, He was 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His hospitality legacy by are wanted, loved, and most welcome. Treat there alone… might. leaving a journal in the them like they’re at a luxury spa by preparing Matthew 14:23 ESV 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to room for guests to write in. the place for them. stand against the schemes of the devil. It will save them from T Stationery – Save them …and after the fire a still small voice. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but having to write a thank you the trouble of finding the 1 Kings 19:12b KJV against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic note when they get home. local post office. Have powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces some stamped postcards and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the of evil in the heavenly places. from the area ready for lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may 1 2 8 them to use. were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to ever. stand firm. Revelation 20:10 ESV 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and 7 having put on the breastplate of righteousness, What do people get for all the toil and anxious striving with 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. which they labor under the sun? Local Publications – Give Allergies – Check with Local Restaurants 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with Ecclesiastes 2:22 NIV your guests a stack of local your guests before they – Chances are good they which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; magazines, restaurant come about any allergies. won’t be eating with you 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the But He answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread menus, and brochures to They may be allergic to each meal, so providing Spirit, which is the word of God, Fresh Flowers – Fresh alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” points of interest in the feather pillows or to nuts, coupons for local restau- 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and sup- flowers add just that extra Matthew 4:4 ESV local area. for example. rants is a nice thought. plication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making touch to let guests know they are welcome in your The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came supplication for all the saints,… home. that they may have life and have it abundantly. Ephesians 6:10-18 ESV 5 6 9 John 10:10 ESV pray without ceasing, 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil 1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV 10 prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith… Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore He exalts himself to show mercy to you… 1 Peter 5:8-9a ESV Basket of Toiletries Spa Items – Travelers are Sleeping Aids – Jet lag is Isaiah 30:18a ESV – With all of the hullabaloo sometimes charged for a real thing. Sleeping in a ... Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. at airports, it is a nice extra suitcases, so they strange bed can be Candy – For that extra James 4:7b ESV thought to include bath might have to leave troublesome. Provide a feel of staying in a spa or items for your guests to behind some creature sleep aid option for your comfortable Bed & Break- save them the hassle of comforts like a nice fluffy guests like a mask, sooth- © 2015 Penny Cooke, All Rights Reserved fast, set a few pieces of packing shampoo, condi- robe or slippers. Try having ing teas, earplugs, lavender Penny is looking forward to taking what she’s learned candy on their pillow (just tioner, and body wash. some options available for scents, or even over-the- about gardening and trying again this fall and learning remember to consider them. counter supplements like some more lessons. allergies/diets/messy © 2015 BLWE Staff, Melatonin. BLWE BLWE children). All Rights Reserved 24 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 25

Father,

You not only modeled giving love – sacrificially and unconditionally, You also modeled receiving love – by not demanding our love for You or creating us to “automatically” love You. In Your great wisdom and perfect love, You gave us free will as to whether or not we will return the love You have so freely given us. Thank You for Your Divine Integrity and for modeling both the giving and receiving of love. Heal our wounded hearts, Father, when love is not returned. Give us mercy, compassion, and forgiveness towards those who wound us — just as Jesus modeled on the Cross. In Jesus’ precious Name.

Amen.”

BLWE

Sister -in- Focus By Myself ingle parenting can be a daunting task, difficult and tiring. With no one to tag team or relieve you, it But Not can feel like a very isolating life. I was tempted during those years to jump into unhealthy relation- Roller lone Sships trying to relieve my loneliness. There are many reasons A people are single parents and “by themselves,” but that Coaster doesn’t have to mean being alone. I went through divorce in my early thirties. Being a Chris- tian, it was the last thing I wanted. I had two children and a Life determination that no matter what, God was going to work this out the way I thought He should. My husband would realize the error of his ways, the abuse would be miraculously turned around, and healing would take place in our marriage. It didn’t go down the way I planned. I found myself a single parent, doing what was meant for two by myself. Early on in being single again, when I feared I would be alone, God reminded me in Isaiah 43:1 that He had redeemed me, He knew me by name, and I was His. This was huge for someone who had been isolated for so long in an abusive situation. Not only did God rescue me from abuse, but He redeemed me and called me by my name. He was with me in my new position of life. I was not alone. Regular study time in the Bible and persistence in prayer grew me stronger in my faith during this season of life. “But I need Jesus with skin,” I would often pray. To this need, God provided dear friends and a church family. This was big. Encouragement, accountability, camaraderie, and healing were wrought through these relationships. I grew spiritually, emotionally, and (with my work-out buddies) physically too. I had to step out and work on building relationships, it wasn’t always easy. This is my plug for small groups, Sunday school, and ladies Bible studies. Getting involved on some level to grow relationships with others is imperative. Making good choices here is also important. Is there a small group at church meeting at a time that works for single parents? If so, join. If not, look at the needs around you and help start something new. I came to single-parentness by way of divorce, some come as a widow or widower, others by an unplanned pregnancy. However you got here, just remember that you are not alone. God called you by name, you are His. Not only is He here for you, so are His children, your sisters and brothers in Christ.

have the pleasure of introducing you to my friend Lisa Shaw, as this month’s Sister-in-Focus. Lisa and I met about 18 years ago when her husband, Todd, came to our church as Youth Pastor. I had the pleasure of serving with the youth under PastorI Todd, and I (and my daughter who was in the youth group at the time) loved them both very much. We all had a great time together on Sundays and Wednes- days, going on youth trips, and other events. Lisa also had a heart for women’s ministry and I served with her there as well. This was surely one of the things that bonded us together, as I had worked in women’s ministry in my previous church and also had a heart for it. We made many memories together that we will always cherish. I wish I could have sat down for coffee with Lisa to talk about this article, but they now live in Virginia and I’m in Florida. So I “interviewed” her via email and Through prayer and support from my where I was baptized, and they invited home as weekend relief parents, and what she sent back was so well done, we thought we’d let her speak to you herself. family, God gave me the strength and Todd and me to church. I knew we became foster parents to two beauti- So here is Lisa’s story in her own words. I know you’ll enjoy getting to know her just courage to face that challenge. had to accept their invitation as I ful young ladies – Starla, 19; Rachael, as we did. Before surgery, I had perfect peace laughingly said the pastor, with his 13. – the kind that passes all understand- ex-marine tenacity, would hunt us After Todd’s graduation, I became LOVE roller coasters! I am talking been alone, although I keep telling support from my maternal grandpar- ing. When I awoke, the nurse said that down if we didn’t show up. It was pregnant and had our first child, about the newer, faster, loopy Him, “I don’t need any more charac- ents, we enjoyed a happy life with the doctor thought things looked there that we got involved in youth Jason. A couple of months later, Todd ones that are nothing but pure, ter!” Christian influences. I enjoyed church, different. He had asked that the tumor ministry, and we will forever be received a job offer in South Florida exhilarating fun; not the older, From growing up in a broken home loved Bible drills and mission groups, be retested and it was then benign. indebted to Jimmy and Dee Goude- and, with two weeks of whirlwind Iwooden ones that beat you up and to rebellious teen years; from cancer and was baptized at the magical age She further stated that they don’t lock and Wendell and Winnie Pace for packing, off we went. require a visit to the chiropractor to miraculous healing; from mistrust of nine (when all good Baptists “walk make mistakes like that and she their support and encouragement. It was in Jensen Beach that we met afterward. in relationships to a solid, loving the aisle”). would have to list it in my file as a After college graduation, we our first Florida “Grandma,” Eilene. (It It’s the same with life. We all favor marriage; from health struggles with Though I knew the Way, I strayed as “medical miracle.” How cool is that? married and I got involved with the SC just so happens Eilene Eiler was our the fun and excitement and prefer to both our kids to my current battle a teen, experienced a tumultuous Weeks before leaving for college, I Association of the Blind reading for Sister in Focus in Issue One.) She avoid the trials that take a beating on with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), it would relationship with my mother, and had met the man of my dreams. We their radio programs. After a few offered her rental apartment until we us. However, unlike with roller seem to some that God was not to deal with issues regarding the worked near each other, asked friends years, Todd received the call into could find something bigger, listened coasters, we don’t always get to present at times. They would be failings of my father. God showed me about the other, and finally went on full-time ministry. Although we loved for us to get up so she could play with choose the experiences in our lives. wrong. He has been walking with me how He could accept me as I was, our first date. We survived two years helping at church, he felt God’s pull to Jason, and was a huge spiritual We have choices to make, but some the whole way and I have learned to welcomed me back into fellowship of my being an hour and a half away, go back to school and become a encouragement to us. things are thrust upon us by others. trust His Sovereignty and Plan, even with Him, and used cancer to restore $300-400/month phone bills (that was youth pastor. That led us to Alabama We also were blessed with the Then there are the trials God allows when I don’t understand or agree with my relationship with Mama. He before unlimited long distance and to live for five years, just across the most dedicated leaders, Penny being to “create character.” it. allowed me to accept Daddy as he cell phones), frequent trips up and Florida border where he attended among them, who joined us in I’ve made good and bad decisions, My childhood was, unfortunately, was (a fallen, but fun man), and I down the highway, followed by my school. working with some wonderful had blessings and curses, but through very similar to many today. My began to look at life in a whole new decision to move back home and He worked part-time, I worked students. We all learned a great deal all the ups and downs, I’ve watched parents divorced when I was very way. transfer to the local university. full-time, and I began to understand from each other as we served togeth- God uphold His promise of working young and we struggled with the Just prior to my senior year of high Upon my return, I had the opportu- the importance of the helpmate role er. We had one mom who hosted so all things for my good (Romans 8:28). I normal difficulties of a broken family. school, I began to experience unusual nity to work with my uncle in his law and of making our home a peaceful many boys after school on Wednes- can thankfully say I have felt His But with Mama’s sacrificial dedication back pain. A tumor was discovered firm and met their sweet new recep- haven. We met some great friends and days before the mid-week service that presence and peace. I have never to my sister and me, along with and exploratory surgery planned. tionist. Her husband was the pastor ministry mentors, served in a girls’ she had to borrow the church van to

30 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 31 transport them, others who organized hugging on the older folks. He had overwhelming, I began Morning Glory Flash forward several more years, I Watching your child suffer is never Even though I’ve given up women’s events so successfully we barely had and still has a way of making people Ministry, a newsletter that went to as began experiencing back pain, easy. Harder still is explaining how ministry, leading Bible studies, to show up to make them happen, smile just a little brighter. many as 150 ladies in several prisons numbness in my legs and feet, and God has a plan for the pain and that Morning Glory newsletters, homes- and others who babysat our son so A few years later, Todd and I led a around Florida. My lessons from this was diagnosed with MS. Looking back, she must trust Him to triumph over chooling, and driving, God has been Todd and I could have time to our- couple to Christ and this friendship experience included appreciating the we realized a similar episode had such trials. I am proud to say that she faithful to provide enough opportuni- selves. opened the door for Todd to become worth of all people, understanding the occurred 12 years prior, but it was graciously rose to the challenge. ties to make me feel useful. I am still It was there I also got the bug for involved with one of his passions importance of extending God’s grace undiagnosed at the time. I don’t understand why God allows involved with Angel Tree as the area women’s ministry. Those were some again – racing. From this association, and love, and the value of forgiveness, As scary and frustrating as this these trials. A wise, older lady once coordinator, I correspond with a few of enchanted days of ministry and I’m we began a non-profit organization to plus I felt I received more encourage- disease is, God has used it to increase shared, “When we can speak the world the Morning Glory ladies, have begun grateful for the friendships that have raise funds to serve the racing com- ment than I gave. my faith and strengthen my marriage. into existence in six days, we have the taking photographs at the sports endured. munity and traveled 35-40,000 miles After ten years in Florida, we I am blessed with a husband who right to question God.” games I can attend with Krista, and I Two years later, God led us to Ocala, per year from Homestead, Florida, to decided to get more centrally located loves and cares for me, gave up I have taken that to heart choosing even get out for date nights occasion- Florida. He provided another set of New York and over to Wisconsin and visited Virginia a few times. serving at the races to stay close to to trust Him and His plan and enjoy ally. great leaders and another “Grandma,” following two different circuits. We Having fallen in love with the moun- home and serve me (he started On His presence daily. I argue with Him at Along this roller coaster life, I try to Elsie. Being away from family was went from 7 attendees at the first tains, moderate weather, and the Track Repairs and Renovations), and times and tell Him the way I’d handle enjoy the blessings, tackle the chal- difficult, but God brought people into chapel service (four of whom were our small-town feel, we packed our who makes sure I feel special every things differently, but ultimately I just lenges, and enjoy feeling that I am our lives to help fill the gap, offer family members) to 75-125 with over belongings, shipped them ahead of day. have to trust Him as I prioritize my never alone as I take this ride with my support, and impart wisdom for the 400 salvations during the 15 years of us, and showed up for closing only to In the midst of all my struggles, we activities to accommodate my fatigue hands raised in the air! journey. service. Oftentimes, we became the find the owners decided not to sell. discovered Krista had severe scoliosis and limitations to accomplish whatev- © 2015 Lisa Shaw and Penny Cooke, It was here we had our second church family for the racers. Being “homeless” (staying with and required back surgery. Thanks to er He has for me to do for each new All Rights Reserved. child, Krista. The kids loved going to During this time, I also got involved friends and family) for 2.5 months, the support of Shriners Hospitals for day. Penny has been blessed knowing church and appreciated the generous with Angel Tree, a ministry of Prison God had a different plan, showed His Children, she underwent the major These days, my goals are simpler. I Lisa and her family over the years, and folks who spoiled them. One especial- Fellowship. I met a dear lady incarcer- sovereignty, and provided a better surgery two years ago and recovered want to serve my husband, support it’s one of those friends who even ly sweet memory is of taking Jason by ated locally, began writing; then home on more land off the Blue Ridge beautifully. She went on to attend Jason in his last year of earning a though you may not get to talk often, a class of adults who offered him a visiting which led to meeting other Parkway. I continued in women’s public school for the first time when I degree in Police Science with plans to it’s like no time passed when you do. cookie each Sunday morning. He ladies in need of encouragement. ministry, led Bible studies, and formed could no longer homeschool and become a State Trooper, and encour- Would you say a prayer for Lisa, about loved the cookies, but he also loved When writing individually got a homeschool support group. played three sports this past year. age Krista with school and sports. her MS, and for her sweet family? BLWE

32 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | Confounding Contradictions having an elderly gentleman think I’d Further imagine when she hits a mud gooched his bottom at the beach, I puddle that causes her feet to fly out Life isn’t always as it seems and realized that what I did had a great from under her with said gangly arms every situation can’t always be gift impact on our children and others. and legs flailing as she tossed her wrapped, tied with a bow, and Jason had toddled up and grabbed books and landed face down in the presented with an easy answer. him, but I was the first one he saw mire. Yes, that was me! I was so intent Contrary to what you’ve always been when he spun around! Another time, on getting to my destination that I told, there are times you simply must Krista began “lecturing” me as she missed the puddle. How embarrassing go against the grain and do what shook her little finger at me. As cute and messy! you’ve been told not to do. Here are a as she was sassing at me like an adult, I learned that day that slowing 1 2 few that have presented challenges 1) Garlinda and I knew I had to nip that in the bud down is okay, even if it causes one to for me along the way: LaVonte’. really quickly. I could just see her miss the bus. So often, we over-sched- It’s okay to be selfish. Not really, 2) Graduation Day -- This was the culmina- doing that as a teen and that image ule, over-manage, and plan too but we do need to take care of tion of years of dedication to education and was not what I wanted for her. carefully that we miss that which ourselves in order to take care of goal-setting for Garlinda Lewis just prior to release I loved gooching Jason and still do, should slow us down. God shows us others. This applies especially to wives from transitional housing. but I had to teach him what was red flags that signal trouble ahead and mothers who seem to be told to 3) On Track Ministry fundraiser. Garlinda’s mom, Barbara appropriate where and with whom. I that we might ignore if we are too put everyone’s needs above their 3 (deceased), and sister, Rhonda, joined us for our ministry also had to examine myself in regard busy to notice. He also presents own. Yes, we need to care for those for fundraising banquet. Her daughter, LaVonte’, played the clarinet to Krista’s finger-shaking to modify opportunities to serve along our whom God has entrusted to us, but for us with 2 friends from her high school band. how I was instructing her. Not every day lives, but we often miss we also need to take time to rest, 4) 2006: Last visit for kids with Garlinda. We began visiting her at everyone appreciates the same them because we are so busy and relax, and restore ourselves. Only 4 5 Lowell Correctional Center in Ocala, Florida when Jason was 4 and humor or methods that we do so we focused on our own plans. It’s okay to when we are fully charged will we Krista was 18 months. She and Jason would play chess together and need to be selective with our words slow down, look around, be cautious, have the energy to properly serve she was taken by surprise one day when he beat her! Never underesti- and deeds. help others, and miss a few buses. others. (Jesus, not only rested Himself, mate the goofy kid! but admonished the apostles to rest a 6 5) LaVonte’ with grandparents, Reuben and Barbara Williams at her while.) Discipline your son, and he will give but they who wait for the Lord shall high school graduation. So proud of her and honored to be includ- you rest; he will give delight to your renew their strength; ed in their family celebration. She has gone on to get her Master’s heart. they shall mount up with wings like And He said to them, “Come away degree in counseling and is now working on her doctorate. eagles;… by yourselves to a desolate place and Proverbs 29:17 ESV Can’t wait to call her DOCTOR Cummings! rest a while.” For many were coming Isaiah 40:31a ESV 6) Lisa’s last photo with her dear friend, Garlinda. This was Sometimes it’s okay to miss the and going, and they had no leisure even just before Lisa’s family moved to Virginia. She was bus. Picture a gangly fifth grader, 5’6” © 2015 Lisa Shaw, All Rights Reserved to eat. supposed to visit and share coffee, talk on the in 3” cork platform shoes, sporting all Lisa Shaw has many more gems of Mark 6:31 ESV porch, and listen to the birds. Lisa and of 85 pounds of skin and bones, and applied wisdom. We’ll offer some Garinda will have to visit in carrying her schoolbooks while more in the next issue. Don’t laugh at what’s cute at 2 if Heaven. running in the rain to catch the bus. BLWE it’s not also cute at 10 or 20. After 34 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 35 My Witnessing Story

2. It’s A Jungle Out There... Flores, Petén, Guatemala

friend calls to me across …suffer hardship with [us], as a and begin to prepare her to answer the crowded atrium at good soldier of Christ Jesus? God’s call to serve in medical missions, church: “I’m coming this 2 Timothy 2:3 NASB. my mind wandered back to an 1. 3. year! When is the trip? incident experienced in Asia only a AAre we heading to Guatemala?” I silently regard her with both few years before. (Fear not, I’ll get As the aroma of freshly brewed thankfulness for her willingness to back to our adventure in Guatemala coffee pulls me into our newly serve, as well as something akin to momentarily.) refurbished café, I can’t help but pity. She has no idea, but I know that I was traveling back to a mission wonder if my friend’s enthusiasm will exposure to the desperate needs base from a remote village where I wear thin after we treat the 657th located just a short plane ride away thought we had completed a very patient, around day number four, with may change her forever. Her once effective day of service. As I turned temperatures soaring past 100 carefree, engaging personality will from my front seat position to review 5. degrees, with jungle humidity likely be tempered by the urgency of evening plans with the team, I was hanging heavy in the air. Or — will a woman on a mission! informed that “Cynthia” was on the 4. she deliver on her promise to As I engaged my friend in Q & A floor of the van. Indeed, our youngest

Captions to photos on page 36 medical, dental, and eyeglass provision 7. & 9. 5:00 AM – Life begins early in Flores, Petén, Guatema- 1. Most visitors to Petén, Guatemala travel to that location la to view the ancient Mayan ruins at Tikal. The more 8. I couldn’t help but notice this moving situation. A young 7. 6. adventurous portion of our team climbed this pyramid family patiently waited for their turn to see the dentist. following the week-long medical provision. The husband stood patiently, probably for several hours, 2. Prayer is the best prescription to add to nursing and with his wife and child. This was unusual because young medical care husbands in rural Guatemala are not known for such 3. Experienced 4-handed dental care was modeled for attentive dedication. His desire to see that his family was pre-medical and pre-dental students well-cared for was an encouragement. In addition to 4. Ankle deep water providing extractions and care for infection, a restorative 5. Treatments continued as this sweet 90-year old had dental clinic has been prepared adjacent to Hospital wounds cleaned and bandaged. She confided that she Shalom. We pray for the day when the villagers trust us had also been a nurse when she was young, working in a enough and have the resources to travel the short hospital. Calculating back, that must have been around distance to receive care similar to what we have all come 1945, the year that Guatemala became a founding to expect here in the U.S. 8. 9. member of the United Nations. 6. We were soon set up and saw the villagers in triage,

Photos Provided by Sandy Andrassy 36 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 37 unique skill set for the Lord’s work. This article is meant as an introduction, and I heartily refer you to more complete treatments of the complex issues surrounding the effective delivery of best practice medical missions, found in the references (Fielding, Fikkert, and Lanier). Did you say you have no Right: These boys are medical training? No problem! literate and were reading Medical teams are unable to the Amazing Gospel comic function without the collabora- book. The pictures alone tion of a number of non-medi- tell the story of the Gospel, cal servants such as translators but with the words as well, (i.e. - learn Espagnol), as well as these boys may have taken those that can easily learn in the Good News, in eyeglass dispensing prior to context, for the first time in tionally, all medical teams tend to attract curious Above: Moving on to departure. And no team is their lives! children. What a perfect opportunity for those who can another village, this time a complete without a number of bring creative ways to share the gospel with children. church had donated their team member, age “just turned” 18, come to the end of herself. Actually, a folks dedicated to crowd Remember: If we fail to leave the Gospel behind in sanctuary for the day-long was curled up in a fetal position on good place to be since the sooner we Actively mentoring our next management. It’s either that – the villages where we serve, our team’s purpose has not clinic. This boy stood on a the floor, between the seats. realize we simply cannot serve generation to love and serve the Lord or we may find our target been fulfilled. Preaching and healing were Jesus exam- five gallon drum to peek “Cynthia says she’s not looking out without the Lord, the better. Jesus Christ by providing them with people group cutting holes in ple, but physical healing alone is short-lived indeed. in and check out our the windows anymore and she’s not Twelve hours later, after much hands-on learning experiences, along- the roof, like others we’ve (Fielding, 2008) Spiritual healing will last into eternity. services. talking to anyone,” reported one of prayer, calls back to the U.S., hugging, side Christian mentors in their chosen heard of (Mark 2:1-12). Addi- Often, the short-term door of physical healing can be the vet techs. “Cynthia” was an massaging, hydration, and tears, fields provides a truly practical and Left: In under five unusually gifted pre-veterinary Cynthia was talking again. She generationally sustainable way to minutes, hard-packed student, who, at her tender age was completed her short term service with communicate both the responsibility mud floors and bits of only one year away from university flying colors, and a year later became and joy of the position in which many grassy areas under our graduation. A bright future awaited the “number one pick” at Ohio State Americans find themselves: We have medical tents were her, if the Lord provided a way for us University’s School of Veterinary much to share but lack information flooded with ankle deep to pull this sweet thing back from the Medicine. regarding which nation, tribe or water. Dental provision brink of compassion fatigue and But having remembered this fine people group is most in need, or continued, uninterrupt- psychological collapse. She had spent outcome, it was still an occurrence more importantly, how to best help ed under challenging the past several days vaccinating that gives me pause to consider and them, without unintentionally circumstances. I tried to cattle, water buffalo, goats, and even exhort my newest team members to hurting their God-given potential forget what the rain chickens brought to us in burlap both begin and end their mission and future development as a water then soaking into sacks! Earlier that week monkeys had team training with rigorous spiritual unique culture. (Fikkert, 2009, and my tennis shoes was been throwing fruit at us from the preparation. As we serve around the Lanier, 2000) mixed with…since the trees above as we protected our world, meeting healthcare and spiritu- The pictures in this article provide area we were temporari- barely sterile fields while doing minor al needs, we acknowledge that we are a brief look at a few “days in the life” of ly occupying had been a surgery on some of the needier in a battle. But I am excited to say a “best practice/evidence based” barnyard menagerie animals. Our equipment was margin- that I know for certain that medical mission team. I hope they only a few hours earlier! al but sufficient to accomplish the compel you to your knees in prayer to task. “the battle is not [ours], but God’s. ask the Lord if this type of service may Cynthia, however, had evidently 2 Chronicles 20:15 KJV provide an outlet for you to offer your 38 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 39 the opportunity to establish the trust needed to earn the right to Left: Our final share the really good news. As a missionary friend has often remind- patient of the day, ed me: “They won’t care how much you know until they know how the local pastor, much you care.” (Spurrier, 2010) submited to an Finally, in addition to medical, dental, ophthalmic, and nursing ear-irrigation, a services, prayer for the sick of mind and body can provide a truly helpful procedure to lasting solution for those we serve. improve his hearing. As a registered nurse, I’ve had the distinct privilege of providing

Above: Tim and Doris Spurrier, 27 year missionary veterans to Guatemala — New Covenant World Missions, Hospital Shalom

coordination for more than 25 medical mission teams during the past 11 years. Six months prior to the departure of each team, my colleagues begin their “training triathlon” - physically, medically, and spiritually. I’m relieved that regardless of our Left: In case you’re wondering, destination or changing team membership, the a side-effect of team-based foundation of our preparations continues to be medical missions is developing a summarized in the thoughts expressed in 1 bond with your brothers and Thessalonians 2:8 NIV: sisters that will last a lifetime. Medical missionaries have some of so we cared for you. Because we loved you so the best dispositions imaginable. much, we were delighted to share with you not only Can you tell which one of these the gospel of God but our lives as well. “bandits” is really a financial planner? How about the engineer? In this case, both of them served It’s difficult, and hopefully impossible, to remain expertly to coordinate the eyeglass dispensary.

Left: Triage nursing: Meeting basic healthcare needs and referring for medical care as needed.

Above: We were grateful to receive the prayers and blessing of this local pastor who, along with staff from Hospital Shalom, had worked so diligently to prepare the way for our team. He enabled his village to receive what may be the only healthcare available in their village in 2015, although they now have a strong connection to the missionary hospital.

40 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 41 unchanged once you’ve seen, heard, children of both nutrition and healthy Before After touched, and hugged God’s beautiful brain development. people of Mayan descent, living in the I always look forward to the first northern jungle region of Guatemala: glimpse of a village receiving its first The Petén. medical team. Are the people ready and In a typical village in the Petén, waiting or do they remain fearful of motherhood often begins around age outsiders, reminders of the recent, 12 or even younger. The average length 30-year civil war still fresh and painful? of education for this population is Many village women continue to wear usually through grade six. Both young the military dog tags of their husbands, men and women may have a desire for fathers, brothers, and sons tragically Above: Sacpuy cemetery, Petén education, but the only avenue that lost between 1970 and 2000. As we Guatemala where above-ground holds out hope for the future is often arrive at our first village, the cemetery is caskets must be used due to the combined with thoughts of illegal close by. It is a painful reminder of the heavy rainfall. Left & Above: A wonderful product from immigration. STDs are commonplace, cruelties inflicted on this agrarian the UK – “Eyejusters”® enables provision of as is worm infestation, robbing little people. new, adjustable, distance vision eyeglasses https://www.eyejusters.com/technology/

Below: Medical care covers everything from chronic asthma to diabetes to acute surgical assessment and transport back to Hospital Shalom

Above: There’s nothing like the love of a father to demonstrate the loving-kindness of Jesus, our heavenly father.

…Christ in you, the hope of glory Colossians 1:27b ESV

Left: The language of sports can often initiate cross-cultural relationships and friendships with ease.

Please pray for the people of Petén, Guatemala. Spanish is the national language, but their native or heart language is often Q’eqchi’. I am told that translation of the Bible into Q’eqchi’ has recently been accomplished, but oral communica- References: tion of the Gospel is still needed due to persistent illiteracy. There are over 500,000 souls living in this remote space that Fielding, C. 2008. Preach and Heal: A Biblical has become a crossroad between Mexico and Columbia. There are approximately 850 Christian missionaries in Guatema- Model for Missions. International Mission la, but only a small handful of them, about 15 total, are located in the Petén. Doing the math, that would be a little over Board. © 2015 Sandy Andrassy, All Rights Reserved 33,000 Guatemalans per missionary. An ongoing task for Tim and Doris Spurrier, founders of Hospital Shalom and New Fikkert, B. 2009. When Helping Hurts: How Sandy can be reached at [email protected] and anyone interest- Covenant World Missions, is to provide discipleship for local pastors including seminary level education. Please pray for to Alleviate Poverty without Hurting the Poor... ed for more information can go take a look at the Hospital Shalom website: the completion of this task and for those that are willing to give their lives in long-term service for the sake of sharing the and Yourself. Moody Publishers. http://www.newcovenantworldmissions.org/HospitalShalom.html Gospel in northern Guatemala. Lanier, S. 2000. Foreign to Familiar. McDou- BLWE gal Publishing. 42 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 43 A Walk in

the Clouds tions. He boards a train and accidentally meets Victoria loves us no matter what we have done, and He always sees Aragon (Aitana Sanches-Gijon) and their chance encounter beyond what we are and what our potential is in Him. Walk in the Clouds ties in fortuitously causes Paul to have to board a bus where they Throughout the movie the demonstration of Paul’s pure perfectly with this edition’s meet once again. and consistent loving devotion gives Victoria the courage theme of Never Alone. When During the bus ride thugs start bothering this young she needs to finally tell her family the truth. it first came out in 1995 the lady, and Paul’s protection of her ends up ejecting him and She declares “Paul Sutton, you’re the most honorable famousA movie critic, Roger Ebert gave it the bullies from the bus. Undaunted Paul begins walking man I have ever known.” four out of four stars for its cinematic toward his destination and again comes across Victoria who Although Paul’s character is remarkable, the Bible splendor and for beautifully portraying is literally waiting for a miracle as she dreads telling her declares that no man is truly good (Romans 3:23) and only an all too rare love story of innocence family that she is pregnant and unmarried. Paul then Christ is sinless and perfectly pure (2 Corinthians 5:21). and trust in a world that has all but volunteers to pose as her husband for a day and then Amazingly when we are in fellowship with Him, we become forgotten what idealistic love is about. pretend to leave so that her dignity is preserved. more like Him (1 John 1:7) just as Victoria was transformed Although I have seen this movie By now you are probably asking yourself how such a plot by her time with Paul. And finally, just as this movie spins a countless times since its release, for me it could possibly reflect the Gospel? beautiful love story in which commitments are honored, never ceases to amaze me with the way Paul Sutton represents Christ, and Victoria depicts His nothing can surpass the greatest love story of Christ and His it beautifully illustrates how Christ woos bride, those who have trusted in Him as his or her Savior. commitment to never leave nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5, our souls to a saving relationship with When Victoria was hopelessly trapped in her sin, Paul Isaiah 41:10) so that we never have to experience being Him. Because of the powerful way that it stepped in to redeem her reputation and was willing to take alone or unloved when we know Christ as our Savior . depicts the Gospel, I award A Walk in the the rap for her condition which is similar to how Christ Although I love this beautiful movie, it is not for Clouds Reel Gems status. swapped His righteousness with us and took on our sin (2 everyone. A Walk in the Clouds takes a pro-life stance, Ironically, A Walk in the Clouds is not Corinthians 5:21). shows the consequences of actions and choices and has a Christian movie. Later as the two fall in love with one another, Paul reigns standards shared by Christians all while heralding the It opens with Paul Sutton (Keanu in his screaming passions and does not sleep with Victoria, importance of family, young viewers would rightly grapple Reeves) anxious to get home to his bride because He is still married and refuses to hurt Victoria in with the fact that Victoria and Paul purposely deceived her that he had met and married only days that way. Doing the right thing for the right reasons reminds family. They also might find the war flashbacks a bit too before being shipped off to battle during me of how Christ, all God and all man, did not fall to tempta- intense. Also, the initial scene with Paul’s war bride are way World War II. Sadly Mrs. Betty Sutton tion and lived a perfect life to sacrifice Himself for our sins. too racy for an otherwise innocent romance and seem to be (Debra Messing) is not there at the dock From the moment that they meet, Paul is always defend- thrown in only to get the PG-13 rating. Get past this brief to meet him, because she has not read ing this young lady, painting a beautiful picture of how opening scene, and you will be blessed by this tale of loving any of the letters that he had written to Christ wants the best for and protects those He loves. devotion that mirrors Christ’s love for us. her during his four years apart including Even when Victoria is at her lowest point, Paul proclaims the one telling of his return. to her accusing father that he knows “She is so easy to love. © 2015 Anne Marie Trense, All Rights Reserved After their brief reunion Paul leaves I know that she is good, and strong and deserves all the love Anne Marie Trense was blessed to have been romanced for a while to figure out how to reconcile this world has to give. Can’t you see that? Can’t you see how by her husband of 25 years and her marriage to him helped his dreams of having a loving family with special she is?” her begin to understand the verses in the Bible that a wife who does not share his aspira- BLWE These words so lovingly spoken remind me of how Christ speak about Christ’s unconditional love for His Bride. 44 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 45 Her Master’s Business

y mother had no retail experience except “Mshopping.” So, begins the story of a very successful retail business that has One of the original photos of when the building was first constructed back in been in operation since 1998. 1901. Photo provided by the White City Historical Antique Mercantile staff. Cathy Wells and a friend started the process of buying the White City items for sale, displaying them magazine, were praying about which landmark booth retail business back appealingly, and then reaping the business to approach for this “Never in 1998. But she was hampered at rewards. Alone” issue, the Mercantile came to every turn. It finally became such a Kathy laughs that some of her mind immediately. One of our writers closed door that she stopped the sale. vendors when they get their check, go had a booth with them several years Her friend opened a shop down the shopping in the store for items they ago and seconded the idea. road as its sole proprietor. want from other vendors. I visited the store and boldly asked One week later, every aspect of the This is such a sound business point-blank if they were Christians. I so White City business just fell into her model. It reminds me of the verses enjoyed the instant, no holds barred, lap. She and her mother, Leonora Gast about iron sharpening iron, and that answer of “Yes!” followed by immedi- bought it, and now it has been a White City’s Best Kept Secret two are better than one. ate stories of how the Lord had worked source of income and blessings for in their lives and their business. four generations of Cathy’s family. She White City Historical Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man While most people appreciate the changed the name slightly for legal sharpeneth the countenance of his Christian music they play in store, reasons to: White City Historical friend. they’ve only had one complaint. That Antique Mercantile. Antique Mercantile Proverbs 27:17 KJV testifies to the atmosphere of the She looks back and sees it as God place. You can tell they care for their protecting her. Her friend and she of being firm, when firmness is antique store. With the “newer” keeps track of every sale and cuts a Two are better than one; because vendors and customers just by the were unequally yoked, spiritually needed. addition on the west side, they have check for the vendor from their they have a good reward for their very feel, smell, and sound of the speaking. Cathy realizes the Lord Let’s travel back to 1901, when the 3,200 sq. ft. and more than sixty proceeds minus the sales tax and labour. place. saved her from all kinds of awkward building was put up. It started as a vendors. commission fees. Ecclesiastes 4:9 KJV I learned the hard way about their or testimony-challenging situations. general store downstairs with a family It’s what some call a “booth store.” For someone who wants to go into going the extra mile. One day while Her friend was out of business within apartment upstairs. If you check out Vendors rent space in the store and business but isn’t scoped for incorpo- I had never asked them if they were headed to a doctor’s office I saw a a year, and yet God is still blessing the northeast corner of the store you’ll display their own wares for sale. The rating, renting a building, setting up Christians, I just could tell. Many wicker chaise lounge that would have Cathy for her faithfulness. see a small room that used to be the vendors do their own pricing and the tax structure with the state, customers just start right out talking been perfect for my porch. I couldn’t In 1999, Leonora died on her giant icebox. The front porch served as research. The Mercantile sells it. getting licenses, paying fees, and to them about the Lord. stop or I would hav been late for my favorite holiday, New Year’s Eve. a meeting place for town residents. It’s a brilliant arrangement for both dealing with all the other red tape, Not only do they have some appointment. Life happened and I Cathy’s daughter, Carrie Melton In the years since, it’s been a parties. The vendors pay a monthly fee this mode of business is ideal. plaques that are joyous reminders, but didn’t get back to the store for a week stepped in to help out and to be the western store, feed store, and even a that ranges from $25 a month for The sweet ladies at the Mercantile their very treatment of me as a and it was already sold. I guess it is bulldog. That bulldog nickname came furniture store. It was in 1993 that the shelving space to $3.50 per square have handled all that. You’d get to do customer shouted to my soul that they blessing someone else. I mentioned it about because Carrie has that talent owners at that time converted it to an foot for a larger area. The Mercantile the fun part of business, collecting were sisters. So, when we, here at the to Cathy and she told me she would

Photos by Bethany Bond 46 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 47 amazing solution. during hurricane evacuations, the have held it for me However, occasionally they feel like government is widening the road to if I had just called they are on the front lines of Spiritual four lanes. The Mercantile will not be her. Now I know. I Warfare. lost. It’s not closing down. The roadwork won’t make that Here’s just one of those stories: For will absorb the front parking lot, but mistake again. years, Carrie sometimes brought her they’ll still have the two parking lots on Not only will they daughter with her to work. One day, she either side of the building. That section hold an item for a day or so ...great grand- got a check in her spirit when a man of road isn’t scheduled for improvement for you, they also keep a “wish list.” It novelty. Old mother was the first female started talking to her little girl. They for two more years, but when the area is serves both vendors and customers. I buildings were registered birth in Miami. Cathy was barred him from the premises. Later blocked you can come up the side road: used it to get a vintage-looking air built to be comfortable year round – born and raised down there until they found out he was arrested for Elm Avenue. popcorn popper for a price that was a air flowed. I was there in July when when they “moved up north,” to our being a pedophile. Become a vendor: If you are interest- fraction of a new one from a typical our humidity was nearly 80%, and it area. Her family was in the fishing Their inventory is constantly changed in selling some of your collectibles, chain store. And it was new – labels was okay. With fans blowing the air all nets industry. Now both Cathy’s and ing with many vendors offering seasonal turning your garage sale hobby into a still on it. around it was just fine. You couldn’t Carrie’s husbands are in law en- items. I know because I’m a regular part-time business, or make homemade One question they get asked do that for one minute in a modern forcement — that and the Lord’s customer. Many of the props you see in crafts, may I recommend you put your about every day is about the carved structure – where you’d feel like you protection have kept them from this magazine, we got from their shop. name down on the waiting list at White Indian near the register – it reminds were in a sauna. I’ve heard quite a few being victims of crime. Though they Four times a year, usually before City Historical Antique Mercantile. It is you of a typical old general store you other customers remark about it, have had some interesting close holidays, they host a customer apprecia- an easy way to go into business, and might have seen in a movie. He’s not remembering how his or her school, calls. tion Open House – serving refresh- there might be many tax advantages for sale. He’s Chief Fog – Fog for house, or church, wasn’t air condi- They are very sincere about their ments. your accountant might be able to use. “Favor of God.” tioned back then and no one cared. Faith and keep the daily operations To find out about specials, open For instance, writing off the mileage on And to the two other questions The buildings were designed differ- in His Hands. Their hours don’t ever houses, and other happenings you can your car for the travel each time you they get comments or questions ently. interfere with church services. either sign up in person to their email replenish your booth. With their hours about: “No, the air conditioning isn’t As lovely as many of the curios, When they have a vendor or listing the next time you are in the store, (open Saturday and Sunday) you might broken” and “No, the display cases bookshelves, and display cases are, potential vendor who tests their or like them on Facebook. be able to have this side business in aren’t for sale.” unless there is tag on them, they not patience or seems “iffy,” they pray If you’re familiar with White City (the addition to your regular work to bring in I laugh because we old-time for sale. The front porch, though, is about it. Time after time the community between Port St. Lucie and extra income. Floridians remember when “air crowded with furniture that is for sale. problem disappears often without Fort Pierce with all those giant oak Become a customer: If you are conditioned” signs on motels, Speaking about us multi-genera- them having to say a word. The trees), you’ll notice the major road looking for a missing dish from a set that restaurants, and theaters were a tional Floridians, Cathy’s great, great vendor leaves or God provides an construction on Midway Road. For safety broke, if your nephew collects certain

48 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 49 Feature themed action figures, if you want to spruce up your holiday teamed with her mother, daughter and granddaughters, and decorating, if you like finding real bargains, or even if you most importantly being led by the Lord, is still making many just need to buy a rare kitchen gadget, may I suggest you happy customers and vendors for eighteen years. give the Mercantile a walk-through. They have vendors specializing in nautical items, shabby chic, china, perfume White City Historical Antique Mercantile Behold and bottles, cookie jars, movies, dishes, kitchenware, wall art, 1000 West Midway Road quilts, Americana, vintage clothing, scarfs, purses, figurines, Fort Pierce, FL Sci-Fi memorabilia, and so much more. 772-461-9003 For example, I recently found a designer, all-leather https://www.facebook.com/whitecitymercantile Be Grateful handbag (as good as new) for $40 that retails for around $300 in those stores in the mall. If you enjoy online shopping M-F: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm but don’t like that you can only examine the merchandise Sat: 10: 00 am – 4:00 pm 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! from a little photo, you’ll love being able to actually touch Sun: 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living and inspect the items in a real store before you buy. Don’t hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, forget the wish list they keep. © 2015 Jill Bond, All Rights Reserved 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or The ladies will treat you well, wrap your items to protect Jill’s husband can trust her in the mall, she isn’t really fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, them, and may have a story or two to tell you. It’s the kind of tempted to overspend. Ah, but when she’s headed to a used 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the service I remember getting in all my hometown stores bookstore, a hobby center, or a booth store, he knows she’ll coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last decades ago. That’s just part of why three times they have be tempted so prays she’ll restrict herself to a preset limit. time. been awarded first place in the Reader’s Choice Awards from She fights a possible generational sin. If shopping were ever 1 Peter 1:3-5 NIV the Hometown News for Best Antique Store. an Olympic sport, her grandmother would have won It isn’t a fluke that a woman, with no business experience, more gold medals than anyone. BLWE Father, …Thank You for You - for making Yourself known to me. …Thank You for Your great mercy – for not giving me what I deserve, and that Your mercies are new every morning. …Thank You for my new birth – my spiritual birth, and that Your Holy Spirit dwells in me to guide me, teach me, comfort me, and convict me. …Thank You for my living hope – my Blessed Hope, Jesus Christ. He is alive, He is seated at Your Right Hand, He is interceding for His Church, and He is coming back for us. …Thank You for the inheritance that You are keeping in heaven for me – an inheritance that I am totally unworthy of outside of the righteousness I have obtained through my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. …Thank You that I am shielded by Your power through faith – and even my faith is a gift from You. …Finally, Father, thank You for the sacrifice of Your Son to pay for my sins thereby insuring my salvation through a confession of faith in Him. It all begins and ends with You, God. Thank You!!!

BLWE © 2015 Susan Hopek, All Rights Reserved Photo by Susan Hopek 50 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 51 Solitude and silence are necessary soul to be restored, for your cup to be Feature and healthy. It allows us to reflect and filled to overflowing (or does He have But He would withdraw to desolate refocus. It helps awareness, discovery, to “make” you do it)? places and pray. and creativity. Solitude enables us to I invite you to reflect on the Luke 5:16 gain insight, renewed perspective, and following examples of how Jesus and The Joy of Solitude better decision-making. It provides a others went away from the crowds to The next day, as they were on their Finding Rest For Your Soul sense of calm and well-being. be “alone” with God. journey and approaching the city, Peter But most of all, solitude provides went up on the housetop about the sixth the opportunity to hear God’s still hen I was a young girl, teachers frequently asked my mother Now Moses used to take the tent and hour to pray. small voice. It allows His peace and what I was daydreaming about. I was often caught staring out pitch it outside the camp, far off from Acts 10:9 rest to flood our longing soul with life the window. the camp, and he called it the tent of and renewed hope. It enables us to At home, I used to love to sit on the staircase of our home and look meeting. And everyone who sought the 9 I, John, your brother and partner sense His direction and purpose. Wout the window, which was at about the third step. I was a deep thinker even then. I Lord would go out to the tent of meet- in the tribulation and the kingdom Being alone allows us to realize we remember loving the song In My Room by the Beach Boys because I could so relate to ing, which was outside the camp. and the patient endurance that are in are never alone. the words. My favorite line: “…do my dreaming and my scheming, lie awake and pray.” Exodus 33:7 Jesus, was on the island called Patmos So often, Jesus went off by Himself My room was another favorite place to stare out my window, think and pray. on account of the word of God and the to be alone and pray – to fill up – to But today, daydreaming does not seem as common, and solitude is not very 9 There he came to a cave and lodged testimony of Jesus. recharge. In doing so, Jesus not only popular. There is little time in our schedules for it. Our world is noisy. We are no longer in it. And behold, the word of the Lord 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s could better speak to His Father, but comfortable with silence. We have many competing distractions. We are always came to him… [as] day, and I heard behind me a loud voice He could better hear His Father speak multitasking, and there is little regard for Sabbath rest. We’re busy caring for everyone 12 …a low whisper. like a trumpet… to Him. and everything else but our own soul. In our technological world, we’re in touch with 1 Kings 19:9, 12b Revelation 1:9-10 When was the last time you everyone but ourselves and our God. We’re in such constant touch, we’ve forgotten enjoyed solitude? How long did it last how to be alone. You are a hiding place for me… How do you seek to have solitude and how long between times of I love this month’s theme, Never Alone. It’s a comfort to know God never leaves us, Psalm 32:7a in your life? What benefits could it solitude? What benefits did it afford and we’re never alone, but it’s a concern when we’re never alone. We won’t even have for you personally? you? How comfortable are you with realize we’re never alone if we’re – never alone. Are you with me? We won’t sense His And after He had dismissed the silence? Presence if we’re always running here and there and don’t stop to be still and know crowds, He went up on the mountain “… in quietness and trust is your We must take time to allow the Lord that He is “God with us.” (Psalm 46:10, Matthew 1:23). by himself to pray. When evening came, strength.”… to fill our cup in order to have any- So I want to give you permission — permission to take time to be alone. Permis- He was there alone. Isaiah 30:15 thing of value to pour out. sion for solitude. Permission to daydream and even to pray. And permission to not Matthew 14:23 and says, feel guilty about it. Psalm 23:1-3a 5b “There are times when solitude is And after six days Jesus took with better than society, and silence is 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall Him Peter and James, and John his wiser than speech. We should be not want. brother, and led them up a high moun- better Christians if we were more 2 He makes me lie down in green tain by themselves. alone, waiting upon God, and gather- pastures. He leads me beside still wa- Matthew 17:1 ing through meditation on His Word ters. spiritual strength for labour in his 3 He restores my soul… And rising very early in the morn- service. We ought to muse upon the 5 … my cup overflows. ing, while it was still dark, He departed things of God, because we thus get and went out to a desolate place, and the real nutriment out of them. . . . Do you need to lie down in green there He prayed. Why is it that some Christians, pastures beside still waters for your Mark 1:35 although they hear many sermons, 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Interesting: silent and listen have the same letters 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30

Photo by Susan Hopek All verses are ESV 52 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 53 make but slow advances in the divine life? Because they neglect their closets, and do not thoughtfully meditate on God’s Word. They love the wheat, but they do not grind it; they would have the corn, but they will not go forth into the fields to gather it; the fruit hangs upon the tree, but they will not pluck it; the water flows at their feet, but they will not stoop to drink it. From such folly deliver us, O Lord. . . .” — Charles H. Spurgeon

© 2015 Dora Grace, All Rights Reserved Dora Grace still loves solitude (and praying!) and still gets caught staring out the window, often daydreaming about her next article. BLWE Photo by Penny Cooke Wanted: Your story of how God answered a prayer in your life.

Our next issue will have the theme of “Prayer Works” and we want to place mini-articles of answered prayers throughout the pages. Please send your story to blwemag@ yahoo.com and put “Answered Prayer Article” in the subject line.

a We are looking forward to reading ss a s

a about the numerous ways God has C answered prayers in our readers’ lives. aren K

rovided Word Count Suggestion: 50-250 words. P hoto P

God’s forgiveness. Some find it hard to believe that God could forgive Set Free them for such a horrible sin. Some Pam Durham’s Testimony cannot forgive themselves. Some have stuffed the pain down so deep they don’t even realize they are still suffering from this decision. Because woman who has had an abortion may be it is a secretive sin, it is so hard to locked inside a spiritual jail cell. Satan has open up to others. convinced her that there is no way out. She can She thinks there must be some- never be free. She’s different from everyone else. thing wrong with her if she is still ABut God has a different message for her. struggling with the guilt, anger, and Listen to my story: shame. She thinks that as a Christian I was born in the Bible Belt. I was a little girl with brown she’s supposed to be filled with joy hair to match my big brown eyes. I was an only child. My and peace. father was nonexistent. He was married, but not to my Also there is the fear of rejection. mom. My mother struggled through many broken relation- We fear the church is either so ships. Our life was unsettled, moving us every couple of opinionated it’s judgmental, or it’s so years. apathetic it’s pathetic. It started, at least the earliest I can remember, at the age This is where CARE (a ministry of of two. CNPSTC) comes alongside the church. Hands meant to bring comfort undeniably brought forth CARE stands for Confidential Abortion pain. Arms intended to protect me, restrained me forcing Recovery Ministry. me to do the unthinkable. What should I do? There was the answer is no! It just added to the pain CARE is a safe place to share those What started with my grandfather spread like an infec- fear of what friends would think and of an already broken child. And worse hurts; a place to open up that deep tious disease. It must have been a generational curse. It the fear of the effects this would have yet, it enabled the perpetrators to wound that we have been covering seems once you’re a victim you’re marked with a “Scarlet on my family. My grandmother had continue their abuse. It also, enabled with a bandage. It’s a place to clean Letter.” such high hopes for me. With the others to continue to look the other out that infected wound and apply I thought, “Pick me, I hurt. You can’t hurt me anymore.” persuasion of my parents, I entered way. God’s healing balm, His Word, into it Or could they? Was it a dare? Was it a challenge? the hospital to have an abortion. The second thing I want to make We provide confidential counseling to I wanted to get out, but I didn’t know how. There was Let me make two things perfectly clear is for you to understand that help others heal. We share our joy, one perpetrator after another. I became hardened in order clear: some girls choose abortion because sorrow, and tears with them. We walk to survive. There were no more tears. Pain begot pain. First, two wrongs don’t make a they feel that there will be no one them through a powerful Bible study Michael Kelly Blanchard describes her feelings this way: right. Not only was I forced to deal there to support them. to set them free — free to have joy “The trouble with me is I can’t seem to trust. with the terror of incest, I had to deal That is what Care Net Pregnancy and peace, free to reach out to others, My wounds just bleed and won’t heal up. with the guilt, the regret, and the Services of the Treasure Coast (CNP- and free to grow in God’s grace. I don’t know where I’d be if I’d never been touched. remorse of killing my first-born child. STC) is all about. CNPSTC is here to I am so grateful to: But I know I don’t like me much.” Make no mistake about it: help those in crisis pregnancies, as A God who so patiently waits for There came an unexpected weight gain, which caused I suffered guilt. well as much, much more. the one who will dare say, Lord, here I my grandmother to become alarmed. At the age of 13, I suffered regret. For Christians who have had am send me. when most young girls were anticipating their first date, I I suffered remorse. abortions, they know what they have A God who sees the whole picture. found myself in my second trimester of my pregnancy. Was abortion an easy solution? The done is a sin. They have asked for A God who grieved with me as a

56 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 57 hurting little girl fell prey to man’s stubborn will. A God who can use the pain, the indescribable Techie Granny pain, in anyone’s life and enable them to use it to minister healing to others. A God who forgave all our sins enabling us to forgive others — even these sins. Digital Nightmares There is no sorrow that God cannot heal and There is no damage that He did not feel Moment by moment He’s there where you hid, Tenderly holding you close as you cry Other Binary Jesus the Lord of the lonely inside Jesus the Lord of love crucified. — From the song by Michael Kelly Blanchard, Mantraps “The Trouble with Me” Beware of Geeks Bearing Gifts

Not only did I receive healing for my abortion, I p to now I’ve been pretty surgery techniques, treatments, and have, by God’s grace, been able to forgive the pro-tech with this equipment have improved many lives? perpetrators. God has healed the relationships that column. I appreciate all Ah, but you knew it was coming . . . satan would have liked to have destroyed forever. the benefits technology but … Uhas brought into my life. I’m now in While all these tech wonders are so By walking in forgiveness for myself and choosing forgiveness for others, I have good relationships touch with friends I had lost track of wonderful, there is a dark side to the with those men who are still a part of my life. decades ago. We can share prayer tech world. It has been my privilege to share my testimony requests within minutes of receiving Internet addictions spring to mind and to share the intimate details of my past in them. We can see videos of our immediately – how many families have hopes of helping those of you who are suffering. grandchildren at every stage of their suffered financial or emotional lost I make the “choice” to become vulnerable to help growth. We can write typo-free pages because a member liked the “girlie others. The day I sought healing, I set my pride and while making simple corrections. pictures” or the digital gambling or shame aside, I recognized my failure, and I reached Do you remember that white goo some online second life more than he out for help. Fortunately, for me there was someone that we painted like nail polish on our did his own family. And I shouldn’t just there who was committed to Jesus Christ and His term papers to cover those misspelled say “he” I know of a woman who left ministry of hope and healing. Now I do the same. words? Or how hard it was to correct her family to run off with some dream With God’s grace and the loving support of my those NCR reports (No Carbon Re- date she met online. husband, I have been able to turn tragedy into quired)? Even if the activity is quasi-sound, triumph. With God’s continued blessing and Did you ever serve on a prayer not evil, and perhaps even good, it still direction I will be His vessel to continue to turn chain – you know when you got a call, can drain so much time from the real others’ tragedies into triumphs. Are you hurting? you stopped what you were doing and world. I’ve seen families in restaurants Allow Him to set YOU free! called the next three people on the not talking to each other at all, but chain, who then called the next three each posting to their 458 “close” © 2015, Kathy Diggins and Pam Durham, All people – that in theory should have friends about the wonderful time they Rights Reserved. gotten the prayer request to 100 were having at that restaurant – in- Pam first shared her testimony during the people in ten minutes, but in reality it stead of having that wonderful time Sanctity of Life Sunday of 1996. That was a year took days because of busy signals and right then. Ignoring the live people after she began ministering through CareNet. dropped calls? sitting next to them, they checked Kathy Diggins listened to Pam’s testimony and So, yes I agree that, as a Christian, I emails, or zapped pixelated enemy wrote it so we can all be blessed through this can see so many advances in technolo- batozoids. miracle of God. Contact your local CareNet for a gy that are blessings. Can’t we all Have you seen the revised “Rock- loving response. BLWE agree that the developments in well Thanksgiving” illustration for the www.carenettc.com 58 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 59 modern world – even Grandma has a Bluetooth earpiece and each family member is digitally distracted from real human interaction? But beyond just the time sump that technology can be, it can be used to serve the enemies of God. Here are some terms I’m going to throw out at you that you might not know, but trust me there are thousands and thousands of people to the source – even a physical being noted, recorded, labeled, and to predict coming trends, any public interested in them: appearance at your bank might not stored. moods or interests, basically, the • Clickbait and phishing hurt. They might not even know that I ordered an item that I have never zeitgeist (the “group-think”). • 100% Keystroke Recording, someone is phishing in their financial ordered before or will never need to Some financial wizards claim that Internet Spiders, Mastering pond. order again. It was a simple piece of their spidering programs can pick the the Human Domain tempted to click it. one of those things. But, I guess some- There are even “apps” that will craft equipment. After ordering it next big stock and advise their • Human Gene Manipulation Don’t. one is anxious to learn that the man mirror real sites. If you don’t know the from the supplier, I checked on our readers accordingly. You’ve seen the and Mapping, Transhuman- First notice how vague the words who lost 40 pounds overnight was in source, don’t put it on your phone. church’s Facebook page to see if any “trending now” lists. How many of ism, and Super Soldiers are, or how misleading. With some of a car wreck and had his leg amputat- Because once they are on your phone prayer requests had come in. Instant- those are calculated with actual • Geoengineering and Geneti- these cases an advertiser is paying a ed. One day there were two of those they have access to all your contacts ly, the side panel had four ads for the figures or are they leading the masses cally Modified Food “per click” fee. Instead of paying $5000 kinds of magazines side by side. One and accounts. Friends have been hit item I just ordered. That freaked me to make something “news.” • Opening Dimensional Portals a month for an ad on a site, they will showed a young couple that I figure is with what looked like a Facebook out a little. I went to manage some- Again, we’re honest – you and me. and other conCERNs pay the site host ten cents per click. famous (but I never heard of them) post, but wasn’t. thing on my Kindle library and there We have nothing to hide. And that’s just to name a few. So, the more clicks that happen, the giving marriage advice of how That brings me to a side note were ads for the same item. Here was That’s not the point. The point is more the host site gets paid, and the wonderfully they loved each other. – don’t let any app save your pass- a singular order and within minutes I when I type a journal entry I don’t Clickbait and Phishing more the advertiser has a chance to The one beside it had the same word. It is more work for you, but type was getting ads from different sites want it going into some Big Brother draw you in deeper to their sales couple threating each other with Clickbait. Let’s start with the easy those squiggles and alphanumeric beyond those two mentioned. database somewhere. Can an elec- pitch. divorce. I guess I’m not in those “buy one: clickbait. That’s the Internet characters in each time. Think what a They share what they know about tronic mind distinguish my creative You might see this also as a draw to me” headlines’ target group. Those are equivalent to “more news at eleven.” field day someone would have with you. They keep track. writing in a fictional narrative from a phony or overplayed articles. Wouldn’t the non-electronic versions of I did it once. All day long the news your phone if your purse was stolen. Harmless you think? Well, it might diary entry of a real event? you want to read an article titled, clickbait. mentioned a story about a break- And keep a hard copy of those just be annoying at first, but when we Some day in the future we’ll be the “Pope will Baptize an Alien”? You click An inbred-cousin to clickbait is through cure for a condition a friend passwords. An old address book realize that even what we order is not hunted – Christians. it only to find an article about some phishing. It is a simple matter of had. I stayed up all through the eleven works great for this – use the alphabet private, then how can we “surprise” I’m not ashamed of the gospel and papal encyclical about welcoming copying an image of a logo for o’clock news (back before DVRing). tabs to organize them. our loved ones with a gift if the item I pray that there is enough evidence undocumented workers to your anyone to masquerade an email, Finally, the story came on and it was Beware of clickbait. Report phish- keeps popping up on our computer just in my daily walk to convict me of church. hyperlink, or even a whole website to three sentences long. “Scientists are ing to the ones being spoofed. Don’t screen with each site we visit – even being a Christian if I’m ever on trial for And just an aside. In all the look like an official correspondence. looking for a cure for Type II diabetes. save passwords digitally. on the shared computer. Still not that. But if history is any indication, as hundreds of hours I’ve spent in Be safe, never use the hyperlink in an They might have a breakthrough life-threatening, but think about how in Nazi Germany and the Russian shopping queues waiting to buy my email or on a website that you don’t 100% Keystroke Recording, within the next five years. Scientists at these invasions of our privacy could Gulags, people weren’t shipped off groceries, new towels, or whatever, know is golden. Internet Spiders, Mastering the Whatabout U have isolated a gene really impact our lives and you’ll because of their Faith, but for some I’ve seen those tabloids stacked on If you need to update something Human Domain that might have potential.” What a appreciate the gravity of Internet other offense like being “emotional racks. You know the ones that offer on your online banking account – go waste of my time. I fell prey to the This threesome is a doozy. Basically Spiders and Mastering the Human unstable.” I heard someone call the stories like, “My Son is Elvis Come directly to the known site – the URL “more news at eleven” bait and switch. in a few words: Nothing is private any Domain. future internment camps as “goo- Back,” or “UFO or Swamp Gas?” or you know is safe – and work from Basically that’s what happens as more. Internet Spiders are digital KGB gle-logs” playing off the similarity to “How to lose 40 pounds overnight.” In there. Just as your bank is never going you check your mail or open some Unless you only use a non-elec- agents that monitor human thought gulag, and emphasizing how we all those times, (when you’re this old, to call you and ask you for your social websites. There may be a banner ad or tronic typewriter or a pen, every as expressed in posts, comments, might put ourselves at risk with each it’s a lot), I’ve never once seen anyone security number, they aren’t going to a floating menu about something that keystroke you type, be it on a comput- blogs, emails, tweets, web searches, keystroke. in front of me in line or behind buy do the same with an email. Go directly sounds so exciting that you are er keyboard, tablet, or smart phone is and tweets. That information is used Could your private thoughts, or 60 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 61 lives from what we read, when human networks of who we read, how fast we read supports whom and who is (e-readers), every one of our leaning toward surrendering, human contacts (friends and betraying their own, or followers), our interests (what fighting to the last man. we follow, what we search for), As we want our troops to For example, to fluoresce cancer cells or nerve cells for better what we buy and how often be safe when engaging the Geoengineering & Genetically Modified Food treatment. But others have gone on a wild goose chase to we buy it, and even what we enemy, what happens when make glowing puppies, monkeys, and other animals. I remember contrails – those momentary vapors that were eat (those frequent shopper the troops aren’t ours and yet This subject is getting more and more attention. Back in left in the clear blue sky after a jet passed overhead. What we cards). have the information to make the late eighties, Star Trek friends were introduced to the see today goes well beyond momentary vapors. Okay, so you While the novelty of critical command decisions? “Borg,” a race of beings that were a prime example of what think I’m a nut. Before you disregard it all, please do a little managing our steps, heart What happens when that humans might become if we keep tinkering with add-ons. research and remember that you didn’t see giant grid pat- love letters shared with your spouse, or your idle rate, and calories is helpful to human domain isn’t terrorists, Think of it as the Six Million Dollar Man without the “good terns in the sky when you were a child. Contrails didn’t linger ramblings be used to hurt your loved ones or yourself? our own private health but it’s you and me? guy” fighting for “good causes” safety checks. around for hours and hours. Chemtrails do. By keeping track of all your keystrokes you could get management regime, how Here are some other I have no problem with hearing aides, eyeglasses, and Chemtrails are just a part of the overall geoengineering an email that is more sinister than phishing. It will look soon until Obamacare or some developments you might want even artificial limbs. But when we cross the gap to dream of agenda. Do your own research about HARRP (High Frequency like a normal email from one of your contacts. For other Government Nanny to look into: the GWEN uploading our very consciousness into a cyber-being, I’m Active Auroral Research Program in Alaska) and all its sister example: your grandson isn’t going to email you from a System denies us medical System, Ghost cell towers, and questioning who the author of these plans are. stations around the world. Yes, weather can be altered. And Timbuktu jail asking you to route him bail money via a service because we haven’t even smart streetlights. Some of the leaders at high tech companies (whose we must pray about the “who” that’s doing the manipulating. Nigerian prince. If it says, “Don’t tell Mom and Dad,” you done our 10,000 steps each products you maybe using every day) are working toward an When you do your research use Christian sources, not the know it is a sham. day, or our heart rate doesn’t Human Gene Manipulation and apotheosis – the singularity when man and machine are one usual mass media who can spin a lovely day out of a hurri- My husband just got an email that looked like it was reach a bureaucrat’s ideal, or Mapping, Transhumanism, and – when a computer not only has artificial intelligence, but cane. from Christian friends of ours. It read just like a letter we splurge and have a dessert Super Soldiers has the essence of who you are. Technology’s dark side has another evil child: genetically from them. Supposedly they were on a mission trip in one day? When do those Have you seen the photo- It’s their way of getting “immortality” without all that modified food. I’m not talking about Luther Burbank and his the Philippines and needed some more money, asking private weekly reports of our graph of the mouse with what surrendering to Jesus stuff. The enemy has no limits to the Shasta daisy, but those changing our health by changing the us to donate to their work. He knew it was a scram, but exercise/calorie count stop looks like a human ear lies he tells. it gave him a reminder to pray for our friends who are being private? I’ve got a growing out of his back? On The barrier between gene knowledge and custom currently at home, just a few miles from here. It’s that tracker on my wrist that helps one hand it seems wonderful ordering your next child should not be crossed. Don’t think keeping every keystroke that allows thieves to mimic me stay within my doctor’s that medical researchers are that is some sci-fi theme that is hundreds of years away. The even the style of friends’ emails. They have gotten very recommended limits, but I finding alternatives to hu- current research is troubling enough today. clever. don’t want to justify that to man-to-human transplants. I can’t help but wonder if that mark of the beast that we Besides talking to each other about emails back and some medical board. But on the other hand, I get a read about in Revelations (13:1, 14:11, 15:2; 16:2 and 19:20), forth, my husband and I include a “safe word” in our That is all part of the weird feeling about it. When it might not be a form of technology that not only is a “buying/ emails – that way when an email says, “Honey, I think “Mastering the Human Do- comes to injecting men with selling” implant, but what if it changes the DNA of the those this article is worth some more research. What do you main” – that computer the “glow worm” gene, I’m who take it? think?” he knows it is from me – when that special word program the military uses to hesitant. When it comes to Some people would line up if this little “mark” promised to appears in the posting. But with 100% keystroke find out what it will take to full-on gene manipulation to extend their life, take away their diabetes, or cure their tracking, how long until a supercomputer figures out conquer the human equation the point where the subject’s malady. our code? Well, then we’ll change it. in a conflict. They can see the humanity is in question I apply In reality it would just be an empty promise, because they When in doubt, don’t open the email – use some- buildings and the fortresses the brakes; I halt at the door of will not like the real results. Think about that verse of men thing novel – like a phone call to validate that your when they are planning a transhumanism and the great wanting to die, but could not (Revelation 9:6). Could a relative or friend sent it. campaign, but how do they beyond of super soldiers. transhumanistic mark be a part of that? We live in a bizarre world when “Privacy” proves the plan for the child who will Back in 1956, Osamu Have you seen the video where Bill Gates, the Windows “right” for a woman to murder her own child, and yet, strap a bomb to their chest Shimomura got the brilliant maven, talks about the real reason for his vaccination we have no provision of privacy for our purchases, and seek out soldiers’ help, idea to isolate the protein that program? It is to reduce the earth’s population. What a notes, and reading. and then become another makes jellyfish glow (GFP) and humanitarian. https://youtu.be/gROhNaJoGzI As the world becomes more and more electronic, suicide murderer? then to inject those molecules At what point is an altered human, no longer a human? the quantum computers can map every aspect of our They try to find out those into suspect areas in a human. Just because they can, doesn’t mean they should. 62 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 63 Penny’s Two-Cents Worth

very food we eat. want to find the origin of life. They Never, Ever, Alone There have been many grassroots are opening portals. Trusting God in Good-Byes campaigns in various states to require The opening of dimensional any product with GMOs to be labeled. portals is a real reason for all of us On July 23, 2015, a bill passed the US to step up our prayers. For various House of Representatives so that the stated reasons, there are some FDA must allow, but not require, GMO people who want to open these food to be labeled as GMO. Many see portals from our side. They think this as a federal law banning GMO they will gain knowledge. requirements in individual states. It sounds like that first lie that According to congress.gov: “This bill the serpent told Eve, that she advantageous. preempts state and local restrictions would gain knowledge by eating the Keep a tight-rein on what you let on GMOs or GMO food and labeling forbidden fruit. out into the blogosphere. I applaud requirements for GMOs, GMO food, I like learning new things, don’t get those parents who are keeping the non-GMO food, or ‘natural’ food.” me wrong. But there are some things photos of their children private. I Calculate the rise in cancer rates, that are not worth pursuing. commend you if you show restraint autism, learning disabilities, and other The thousands of scientists, on posting about something every conditions and you’ll soon see why so engineers, and technicians have been two hours of your day. And while you many of us are duly concerned about working decades to expand scientific are at it, honor your friends privacy turned back and looked one Australia. His Bible? What about a tooth brush?” the technological “advances” done to knowledge. I wonder how many of settings – don’t be the one to endan- more time as we walked to the Who wants their child that far “He’ll be given everything he our air, water, and food supply. these clever people know that science ger their safety by posting something taxi. Tears filled all our eyes as we away? Especially your only daughter needs, Ma’am.” is a religion itself. Some worship at the about them being in Europe for three Opening Dimensional Portals waved goodbye one more time, who is your best friend and the last And as I shut the door, I let the dam throne of scientific breakthroughs weeks — announcing to potential and ConCERNs about the LHC Iand one more time again… one to leave home. But I was grateful break with deep, tear-filled prayers. without a care as to the repercussions. theives that their home is empty and She turned and went back inside for her dedication to the Lord at a Trust. That’s what it’s all about. According to their own website, Don’t let their technobabble ripe for the pickings. the apartment building as the driver young age, and I didn’t want to stand Trust that they are never alone. the largest machine in the world is the distract you. Don’t think that they are Just like that ancient horse full of drove us away. in the way of her passions and dreams Trust that the One who loves them Large Hadron Collider – it is so large it more intelligent than you so they soldiers at Troy, don’t fall for it. Don’t I was trying to hold back the tears or the Lord’s plan for her life. more than I do will keep their hearts is in two countries. It is 27-kilometers, should be trusted. Don’t buy their let in any super soldiers or nano-pro- the whole way to the airport, through I had already had some practice and minds in Christ Jesus. costs billions and billions of Euros, sham of numerous Ph.D.s making grams into your life as gifts from the the long line at international security with heart-wrenching goodbyes with Trust that when they’re lonely or and is seeking answers that WE them superior morally to you. They geeks. and boarding. My heart was heavy, my two sons. My heart sank when my sad, the Comforter will be with them already know the answer to. They could get so intent on discovery that and it was hard to hold it in. oldest son told me he wanted to join wherever they go. they don’t realize that the “new” facts © Bitsy LaPortal, All Rights Reserved Once on the plane, I finally hid my the United States Marine Corps. And Trust that even in danger or are as old as time immortal. Though she’d rather point out the head in my husband’s shoulder and then one night at dinner time, three uncertainty, He will strengthen them Be wary of scientists whose moral good aspects of technology, Bitsy has let some of the tears flow before they Marines showed up at our door and help them and uphold them with compass is fixed to a phony pole. many reservations about our growing burst out of me like a gushing fire unannounced to pick him up to go to His righteous right hand. lack of privacy and the nefarious In closing hydrant. I didn’t want the woman on boot camp at Paris Island in South Trust that everything we taught aspects of living along side a digital the other side of me to see me crying. Carolina. I tried to be strong as I didn’t them was enough. Now it was time Though we have more gadgets universe. You can share your concerns However, she later revealed she had want to embarrass him in front of for them to put it into practice. than Dick Tracy ever dreamed of, and with her at BitsyLaPortal@yahoo. seen. She understood when I told her those valiant men, so I hid the tears God’s got this. GMO we can ask “Scotty, to beam us up” on com and use the “safe words” Blessed why. with a proud smile. I gave him my As I write, school is just about to our smart phones, and we can Living so she’ll know its legit. We had just left our daughter alone blessing as he left with nothing but start again for the 2015-16 school video-chat with our friends around halfway around the world at the Bible the clothes on his back. year. I wonder who might be reading the world, not all the advances are BLWE college of her dreams in Sydney, “Not even his Bible? He can’t take this. Maybe you just said good-bye to 64 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 65 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord old he will not depart from it. your God is with you wherever you go.” Proverbs 22:6 ESV Joshua 1:9 ESV And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and Philippians 4:7 ESV your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4 ESV “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dis- Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your m ay e d .” God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you Deuteronomy 31:8 ESV with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 ESV

Questions to ponder: - What are you doing to discover I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. and develop your children’s talents 3 John 4 ESV and passions? How can you be praying specifically for your children today and for their future? - What are you doing now to prepare your children to leave you one day? How are you preparing yourself (and your marriage) for them to leave you? What interests do you have in addition to your children? - How will you trust God with your children’s future when it comes? Do you trust that your kids, and you, are never alone?

your baby as he/she headed off to Psalm 16:5 in the NLT version says, You realize prayer is all you’ve got kindergarten for the first time. Maybe when prayer is all you’ve got. They will have their own choices to when they were young. I never your baby just got married this “You guard all that is mine.” But the Lord did guard—all three of make, and I must trust them to make thought any of them would actually summer, or even entered the military. my children. From the difficult them with His help. My daughter move to Australia. © 2015 Penny Cooke, All Rights Maybe someone’s baby is just I have held on to that promise so untying of aprons strings in kinder- loved her experience at college in Our nest is empty now. And Reserved entering those dreaded teen years many times, especially when my garten to them being in places far Sydney and grew immensely. My though I hate the distance, and I miss There is no greater joy than your and entering middle or high school. second son was addicted to drugs. away where I didn’t know what they oldest son was protected in many them so much, and I want life to be children walking in Truth . (3 John 4) Or maybe you relate to saying There were times I didn’t even were doing. He was with them when I dangerous situations all around the nice to them, and tears fill my eyes as I Penny is thankful to God for His good-bye as your baby just left for know where he was. Times he wasn’t wasn’t, and He had more control to world. And that son who had a drug write this, I still can trust… faithfulness in answering her prayers. college far away. in his room because he had snuck out watch over them than I ever had, even addiction? He became a pastor. And …trust that they, and I, are never Her children are all married to I’ve known parents who said they his window. Times he was arrested when they were by my side. And you’ll never guess where he lives – ever alone. Believers and are busy serving the would not support such far-away and in a jail cell. Times he moved out, whether they live in the room down Australia! Lord and having families of their own. ventures. But we have to trust they are and we didn’t hear from him for the hall or half way around the world, I used to read Alexander and the …And behold, I am with you al- Praise God! “never alone,” and the One who is with months (talk about heart-wrenching they belong to Him and they are Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad ways, to the end of the age. Praise God! them will never leave them. goodbyes). Times of many tears. never alone. BLWE Day (Judith Viorst, 1972) to my kids Matthew 28:20 ESV 66 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 67 Feature marriage. My husband had this album message on it – just the word “Jesus” originated in my own life was divinely on an eight track, and we listened to it artfully written in black, followed by a ordained. It was on June 28, 2008. Not in the car often. (Do a search if you red filled-in heart. Yeah…so…and??? that I hadn’t experienced them before, SSOJ/E have no idea what an “eight track” is.) Well, after taking note of the banner but I didn’t have that special name for Precious Gems From Your So there I was, thirty-some odd and smiling, song number seven them yet. Ever-Present Abba years later, admittedly enjoying and began to play: “Jesus is Just Alright!” That day, I read a short devotional jamming to these long ago familiar That is a SSOJ/E! written by a recent widow who had songs I was hearing while time and That is a long example with a lot of been struggling with the loss of her miles were passing behind me. Just as details that may seem extraneous, but husband. She told about what she song number six ended on do you realize how many choices termed “a smile from God” that gave the CD, I went under an were made as well as the timing that her courage to go on, and she overpass. The over- had to line up for that to happen? I concluded the devotional with a short pass had a small never took a statistics course, but one-sentence prayer that ended with, white banner with all the variables involved, “…I praise You [God] for the encour- hanging from it (including rest stops) I would say agement of sweet surprises.” (Fay with a the odds of that being a coinci- Angus, Daily Guideposts 2008, June simple dence were very slim. So, what I 27th entry.) used to call a “God-incidence” I now Thus, my term “SSOJ/E” was call a SSOJ/E. birthed. hat in the world does SSOJ/E is my shorthand version Now to the “divine” part of that that mean?” you may of “Sweet Surprises of Joy/Encour- experience. Again, lots of details, but wonder. agement.” I have assigned that idiom necessary: Well, if you phrase the to those “sweet” visits or touches from 1. My dog was crying to go out “Wquestion that way, I could not answer without God just to remind me that He is here very early that morning—very saying, “That’s just it; it isn’t in the world or of this with me, that He loves me, and that unusual. world. What it actually is is from out of this world, He knows what I need when I need it. 2. I could not fall back asleep so I supranatural.” Even the way identifying an SSOJ/E decided to have my devotional Let me start out by describing a recent SSOJ/E that I had: I was making a ten-hour drive to the north Georgia mountains. Usually I make that ride with my husband who does the driving, meaning I can nod off every so often, if need be. Occasionally when making the ride together, I will put some clean YouTube videos on of comedians or old TV programs to pass the time and, more importantly, keep us alert. Driving alone was not going to allow that, so I grabbed some “Greatest Hits” CDs that I had most likely acquired from yard sales or rummage sales to bring along in the car. They were from groups that were popular during my adolescence and early adulthood – a time before I became a stronger Christian who now listens almost exclusively to Christian radio and music. I brought them along, thinking they would be a fun and nostalgic pick-me-up if I started to feel a little draggy – which I did about three hours out from my destination. Without taking my eyes off the road, I reached across the seat and randomly grabbed one CD, listened to it, then another, listened to it, and then I grabbed another – Best of the Doobies. I especially enjoyed this one, because it brought me back to a time early in my

Photos Provided by Susan Hopek 68 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 69 sung at the exact time in the song. Not to us, O Lord, not to us, I guess you could argue that some Come on. On top of that, I then But to Your name give glory of these Sweet Surprises of Joy/ looked at the title of the devotional Because of Your lovingkindness, be- Encouragement could be a stretch (which I often skim right over), and it cause of Your truth. and occasionally just mere coinci- was, “God’s Grace and Holiness.” Psalm 115:1 NASB time. 9. Later that morning, I was go to a nearby coffee shop and write dence. Maybe, but I will end with this ‘Nough said. 3. Since my husband was still sleep- reflecting on that devotional, out my thoughts so that I could try to final example that happened just this I could go on and on, but the last ing, I could not read my devo- thanking God for the times in process them. When I was putting my morning, again, during devotional thing I ever want to do is make this © 2015 Susan Hopek, All Rights tionals in our bed, where I the past that I had similar order in at the counter I noticed the time. about me. What I want to do is boast Reserved ordinarily would have. experiences of sweet surprises name tag on the employee taking my I woke up about an hour later than about our God and His goodness. I am Susan’s prayer for all her readers is 4. Because of the early hour, the of encouragement. I was also order. His name was Justus Storm, as usual, got my tea, and started reading not special. I’m sure these SSOJ/E are that they will recognize each SSOJ/E only place I could find to have wondering if I had ever missed in “just a storm.” God was putting a from my daily devotionals. I had my there for all His children. He wants to that our loving God sends their my devotional time without any, realizing that you have to message right in my face. (I still favorite Christian radio station on in coddle you in His great love and make way and that they will pause long awakening anyone was in the be tuned in to them and to look wonder if he was a genuine employee the background and picked up my His presence known and felt. He enough to receive the blessing and back office, which also served as for them. Immediately, I thought or an angel sent by God.) Charles Stanley reading for today. The wants to beautifully bless you with return praise to Him, as He gently a very cluttered catch-all room. back to that Nicole Sponberg Other times I have been crying out Scripture for this devotional was Titus gifts of joy and encouragement. reminds you that you truly are NEVER 5. The only good spot in the room CD and its title: “Resurrection.” to God while driving. More than once, 2:11-12. Exactly as the announcer on Go through your day with a alone. We would love it if you would that I could find to put my tea 10. Making the connection, I even though it was a sunny day, while the radio said “Here is Point of Grace peaceful sense of expectation. Ask share your SSOJ/E with our staff. We mug on was a CD case lying on realized then and there that our driving over a bridge, I saw just a singing, ‘There is Nothing Greater God to give you a keen awareness of may even devote your responses to a a shelf that I was sitting next to. loving God had given me small patch of a rainbow right in front Than Grace,” I turned to Titus 2 in my His SSOJ/E. Listen and watch. And feature in our next issue. The shelf had only been there another beautiful sweet surprise of me. Bible and began to read, wait. BLWE for two weeks, and I had of encouragement, and it was For the record, sightings of rain- Finally, don’t forget to thank Him recently been moving my CDs confirmed by another devotion- bows, birds and butterflies just plain “For the grace of God has appeared, and praise Him for His SSOJ/E! around. al I read that day defining the bring me joy. bringing salvation to all men.” 6. Of the literally hundreds of CDs word “resurrection” as that I find hearts everywhere, lots of in the room, a CD by Nicole which seems like an ending but them – especially at times when I am Sponberg “happened” to be the is only a beginning — and a hurting. I have found heart-shaped one that was sitting there in its beautiful beginning at that. I rocks on the beach, at a fishing hole in case ready to be used for a hated that my granddaughter’s the mountains, and in the intricate coaster. other grandmother died, but quilting of my comforter that I never 7. This was bittersweet, because God sweetly reminded me that noticed before while kneeling at my the woman who gave me this she is in His Presence and she bed in prayer. CD was my granddaughter’s will never again experience any Then there was the time after (and only grandchild at the kind of pain, but only love. That Christmas that the fluorescent light time) other grandmother. She brought me joy and encourage- was malfunctioning in the walk-in had recently died at a young ment. closet and would not turn on, but it age of cancer. Although I wasn’t did go on when I brought in the angry with God over her death Since then, I have faithfully tried to Nativity. or questioning His power or document each SSOJ/E that I experi- So many SSOJ/E’s have simultane- ability to heal her, I had been ence. I have hundreds. They come in ously involved the Word of God and questioning “why?”— trying to so many diverse ways, and many music and/or Christian radio. Just last understand and make sense of times when I am distressed or discour- week, I had a Christian radio station it. aged and in need of some divine on while I was getting settled into my 8. Since I hadn’t done my devotion- encouragement or a divine blast of devotional time and realized the song als the previous day, I was joy. playing on the radio was “Word of The potential for joyful surprises lurks reading the devotional for June One time, greatly distressed over a God Speak.” Many, many other times, around every corner of almost every day. 27 that I mentioned above on severe problem in a relationship, I a Christian song would be playing and June 28. decided to grab pen and paper and the verse I was reading was being — Thomas Kinkade 70 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 71 For the Love of Hebrew

The Fall Feasts Enjoying the Hebrew Fall Feasts with a Gentle Heart

Also their months are different from the Julian calendar Back to New Year’s Day. The Feast of Trumpets is a blast. that so many countries use. The seventh month is also Okay, too puny. But it is a day for rejoicing. It’s a time to give known by its popularized name Tishrei. So for them Rosh a rip-roaring slew of praises to Ha Shem. It’s a day to set love the fall. But the focus of that delight has changed 23 Adonai said to Moshe, Hashanah starts on Tishrei 1. aside work. Isn’t that a great thing? Stop letting your drastically since I was a child. Back then I was looking 24 “Tell the people of Isra’el, ‘In the seventh month, the You might also discover that on some Hebrew calendars mechanical devices rule your thoughts – turn off your forward to cooler weather, the latest clothes for the new first of the month is to be for you a day of complete rest for they will have two dates for a one-day holiday – that comes cellphone, leave the TV unplugged, and instead fill your school year, football season, and the fall carnivals, remembering, a holy convocation announced with blasts on from uncertainty about the phases of the moon in their area thoughts, reading, and words by celebrating Adonai. IThanksgiving, and Christmas. the shofar. or as it is in Jerusalem. To play it “safe” some celebrate it on Yes, there are all kinds of traditions that different Jewish Now a different feeling stirs my heart. I’ve since learned 25 Do no do any kind of ordinary work, and bring an offer- two days. There are also variations as to if they are Sephardic, sects do. But as I read what Kadosh Israel (Holy One of Israel) of the Fall Feasts that G_d gave us: the Feast of Trumpets, ing made by fire to Adonai.’” Ashkenazi, Orthodox, Conservative, Reformed, Reconstruc- says we should do, it is a solemn rest, sound the trumpet, Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Booths. You might know Vayikra (Leviticus) 23:23-25 (CJB) tionist, Hasidic, or use some other subgroup delineation. and present a holy convocation to Yahweh. He also adds them better by their popular names of Rosh Hashanah, Yom It can get very technical and even convoluted at times instructions for presenting a food offering. Kippur, and Sukkot. Now what does that mean to us? By checking a Jewish with those who follow this to the sliver (of the moon). For It may be very Gentile of me, but this is a good time to Let’s look at these one by one. calendar, you can find what day that will fall on each year. most of us, that level of calculations, knowledge of the give to your local food pantry, or make a meal or dessert for For 2015, it’s September 13-15. If you are confused about if Hebrew Mazzaroth, and lunar alignments is beyond our a neighbor. We don’t really make “shew bread” in Nob or Feast of Trumpets it is the 13th, 14th, or the 15th, let me explain. A Hebrew calling. I read tens of thousands of words on the subject and Shiloh anymore, so I take those words to mean it’s time to (A.k.a., Yom Teruah, Rosh Hashanah, Jewish New Year, Yom day starts at sunset and ends at the next sunset. So, in this left praising the Lord that He didn’t give me a spirit of fear or give a food-related offering – send a box of goodies to Hadin, Creation of Adam and Eve Day) case Yom Teruah starts at sunset on what we westerners call one of minutiae. Let those who revel in hair’s breath calcula- someone, bake a cake (without the file) for a prisoner, or Foremost, let’s look at what G_d told us about this feast: September 13th and continues overnight and ends at tions have their fun. make a financial donation to a food-bank ministry. sunset on the 14th or 15th. Clear as mud, right? As for me and my house, we’ll celebrate the Lord on the Some Jews are confused about this feast because for all averaged day around the right time. We trust Jehovah to the other ones there’s a stated purpose of why or what they pour Grace on our humble offering, even if we get the are celebrating. So, some have come to the conclusion that Before anyone accuses me of major part of our Faith’s history, I Enjoy Ephesians 2:1-10 for the whole timing a smidgen off. it is about noise and shouting – really praising El Shaddai being a Judaizer, Pharisee, or have no qualms about sharing some passage. Acts 15:11-35 offers the I don’t want us in this column to get bogged down in loudly. This holiday also has the name “Yom Teruah” or “Day proselytizer of Judaism, I am enjoy- of the highlights of G_d’s instruc- results of the Jerusalem Council. “how they do it” but focus on what G_d’s Word tells us to do. of Shouting.” They reference Joshua 6:5 and the shofar and ing the feasts not because my tions to the Hebrews. There are Yeshua (Jesus) not only celebrat- I will mention some “traditions” of various Jewish sects, but shouting as the walls of Jericho fell down. They salvation is dependent on obser- possible hazards for anyone who is ed these feasts to their fullest for information purposes only – explaining some interesting vance of the Torah (Law), but susceptible to a “works” religion, but observance, but He fulfilled the applications, etc. I have often found that the traditions are “Clap hands, all nations, shout to G_d, with a singing because my walk with Adonai is I trust the Holy Spirit to remind you Spring Feasts during His first too intertwined with the very religious, man-interpreted or voice!” deepened as I learn more about the that it was by Grace you have been coming, and we look to Him to fulfill man-made laws that Jesus condemned so often (e.g., Scriptures. When I think of these saved through faith …not a result of these Fall Feasts upon His return. But Mattityahu (Matthew) 23:2-36). as in Psalms 47:2. feasts as learning experiences of a works …so that no one may boast. that’s for another article. 72 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 73 Feast of Trumpets Day of Atonement Feast of Booths

1 5 10 15 22 7th Month

In Vayikra (Leviticus) 23:24, the words actually used are there are two days that are considered starts of a new year. Zichron Teruah. Teruah means shout, alarm, signal, sound, A rabbi explained it to me as how we have January 1 and war cry, or battle cry. I like that it is both a celebration sound might also have a fiscal year for accounting purposes. I and a war-cry, because we are in a Spiritual battle. So nodded that I understood, but I didn’t. And after studying praising G_d is in effect serving as a battle-cry. Zichron numerous theories on the subject, I think when Ha Shem means memorial, reminder, or remembrance. When the called it the seventh month, He didn’t mean first month. (If word Yom is used, it simply means “day.” you want a deeper study, see if you find any parallel to Akitu I think Yom Teruah would make a better “National Day of – the Babylonian New Year’s festival.) are: 28 You are not to do any Prayer” than the arbitrary first Thursday in May. But that’s Rosh Hashanah means “Head of the Year.” That’s why I Tashilikh – They kind of work on that day, be- just me – liking Elohim’s choice of timing over our congress’s prefer “Feast of Trumpets” or in transliterated Hebrew: Yom will go to a source of cause it is Yom-Kippur, to make capriciousness. Teruah. flowing water and atonement for you before Adonai How did it get to be called New Year’s Day? Why is this important? There are many who are looking to throw bread or pebbles your God. This happened with the Babylonian influence of using the Year of Jubilee and learning about the Sh’mitah. These into the water that 29 Anyone who does not deny pagan names for dates. The Scriptures use First Month, seventh and fiftieth years are fascinating and wonderful to symbolize “casting off” himself on that day is to be cut off Second Month. So, those names like Nisan, Elul, Tishri were use in your life. But does a Jubilee start on the Day of their sins. Some consider from his people; developed from the names the Babylonians used for their Atonement (Re: all the Autumn 2015 excitement) or does it it an individual action and 30 and anyone who does any kind of months (Jerusalem Talmud, Rosh Hashanah 1:2 56d). start on the 1st day of the 1st month? I invite you to research others do it with the work on that day, I will destroy from among his Otherwise, why in the world would a G_d-fearing people this yourself, if you are so inclined. community. people. call a month Tammuz (4th month) after a pagan god of Not like the drunken revelry that seems to sweep over Special Food – Apples, 31 you are not to do any kind of work; it is a permanent grain? Western cultures every December 31, Jews consider their honey, and pomegranates (Sweet new year); some eat regulation through all your generations, no matter where you Unfortunately I didn’t find this little nugget of truth out New Year’s Day to be a time of setting their souls right by the head of a fish to demonstrate that they want to be live. until I had made some door banners for three of the “Jewish seeking forgiveness and confessing their sins. They do “the head and not the tail.” (D’Varim (Deuteronomy) 32 It will be for you a Shabbat of complete rest, and you months.” That’s what I get for assuming that my “Jewish” something similar to the Western mindset of resolutions, it is 28:13 & 44) are to deny yourselves; you are to rest on your Shabbat from calendar was honoring the Lord. a period of introspection, regretting the mistakes of the For me, though the symbolism is sound, I shy away from evening to the ninth day of the month until the following Our calendar is just as pagan – Thursday comes from previous year and making plans for changes for the upcom- “religion,” instead I choose the relationship Yeshua offers. evening.” Thor’s day. Saturday is Saturn’s day named after the planet, ing year. This concept is worthy in itself for every day of the Yom Teruah is a FEAST – so enjoy it. Vayikra (Leviticus) 23:26-32 (CJB) which was named after the Roman god. And so forth. year. It is considered the beginning of the “Days of Awe” – For more study may I suggest you research the events I tried using just 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc. for a whole year, but all the ten days between Trumpets and Atonement. that have happened on the First of the Seventh month This day is so grand in all its levels and intricacies of I ended up doing was writing down two dates – one that I It is also considered to be the “birthday” of Adam and Eve, throughout history? meanings, I want to save it for a whole column itself. For liked (Biblical) and the translation for all my contacts who or rather the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve. now, I invite you to drink in the beauty, the holiness, and the had no idea what I was talking about. It is the same concept This idea is so gift-wrapped in an enigma, saturated in Day of Atonement (a.k.a. Yom Kippur, Yom reverence of this awesome day. See also Vayikra (Leviticus) as how “Nisan” appears in the book of Ester (Esther 3:7) the tradition, encapsulated in ritual, and wrapped around a Ha-Kippurim) 16 for even more details. writer is talking to a just-out-of-captivity audience. I don’t dead fish that I don’t want to give it much space here. I do Please don’t get sidetracked with wearing tennis shoes have an easy solution for you. not intend to mock those who celebrate it or use it as time 26 Adonai said to Moshe, instead of leather to aggrieve yourself, but do consider G_d does also use “Abib” for the first month— signifying to educate about creation, but to align it with the seventh 27 “The tenth day of this seventh month is Yom-Kippur; fasting. If you are only going to fast one day a year, this is the newly-ripened young ear of barley or corn. month seems too precocious to me. you are to have a holy convocation, you are to deny yourselves, the one. For 2015, the Day of Atonement begins at sunset Back again to that New Year’s Day aspect and we find Some of the traditional activities that various sects do and you are to bring an offering made by fire to Adonai. on September 22 and ends at sunset on the 23rd. 74 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 75 The Complete Jewish Bible (CJB) is other terms to remind you that Jesus Jesus, and Ruach HaKodesh for the a wonderful way to read the Scrip- was Jewish. In other words, he Holy Spirit. It was the usual version of tures. David H. Stern has translated doesn’t westernize, Anglicize, or choice in the mishpochas where the the Hebrew and Greek into English transliterate the nouns as much as we Whitefields were welcomed like but retains the Hebrew-ness of the do. family. Mishpocha means “family” and text by using the Hebrew names for For example, he uses Moshe for it was used as we Gentiles would use people, event, holidays, and some Moses, Miryam for Mary, Yeshua for “congregation” or “Church body. “

In the first month, the month of 5 also one male goat as a sin offering public assembly; do not do any kind of Nisan, in the twelfth year of Achash- to make atonement for you. ordinary work. verosh, they began throwing pur (that 6 This is to be an addition to the 37 “’These are the designated times is, they cast lots) before Haman every burnt offering for Rosh-Hodesh with of Adonai that you are to proclaim as day and every month until the twelfth its grain offering, the regular burnt of- holy convocations and bring an offering month, which is the month of Adar. fering with its grain offering, and their made by fire to Adonai — a burnt Ester (Esther) 3:7 drink offerings, according to the rule offering, a grain offering, a sacrifice and for them; this will be a fragrant aroma, drink offerings, each on its own day — Adonai will make you the head and an offering made by fire to Adonai.” 38 besides the Shabbats of Adonai, not the tail; and you will be only above, B’Midbar (Numbers) 29:1-6 your gifts, all your vows and all your never below — if you will listen to, ob- voluntary offerings that you give to serve and obey the mitzvoth of Adonai Verse for logic behind calling the Adonai. your God. Feast of Booths “The Going Out of the 39 “’But on the fifteenth day of the D’Varim (Deuteronomy) 28:13 Year.” seventh month, when you have gathered the produce of the land, you are He will lend to you, but you will not Next, the festival of harvest, the first- to observe the festival of Adonai seven Feast of Booths lend to him; he will be the head and fruits of your efforts sowing in the field; days; the first day is to be a complete you the tail. and the last, the festival of ingathering, rest and the eighth day is to be a com- Sept 28-29 – Oct 5 (October 6 is Simchat D’Varim (Deuteronomy) 28:44 at the end of the year, when you gather plete rest. Torah – Day of Celebrating the Torah) – Also in from the fields the results of your 40 On the first day you are to take called Sukkot or Feast of Tabernacles and the Feast of Trumpets efforts. choice fruit, palm fronds, thick branch- “going out of the Year” 1“In the seventh month, on the first Sh’mot (Exodus) 23:16 es and river-willows, and celebrate in day of the month, you are to have a the presence of Adonai your God for This feast commemorates the wandering of the Israelites My husband varies the Bible studies using stories of the holy convocation; do no do any kind of The Feasts of Booths seven days. in the desert and is also a celebration of the ingathering of Hebrew’s journey from Egypt to the Promised Land as his ordinary work: it is a day of blowing the 33 Adonai said to Moshe, 41 You are to observe it as a feast agricultural produce. anchoring verses. It is a very joyous time and even thinking shofar for you 34 “Tell the people of Isra’el, ‘On the to Adonai seven days in the year; it is a permanent regulation, generation We thoroughly enjoy this holiday. I’m reminded of my about it makes me smile. 2 Prepare a burnt offering to make fifteenth day of this seventh month is a fragrant aroma for Adonai — one the feast of Sukkot for seven days to after generation; keep it in the seventh husband taking our grandchildren around the yard, cutting The eighth day is also a Holy convocation and is added to young bull, one ram and seven male Adonai. month. down branches, palm fronds, and stalks of flowers to make ‘Booths.” It’s popular name is Shemini Atzeret. On the next lambs in their first year and without 35 On the first day there is to be a 42 You are to live in sukkot for seven our sukkot or booth. Since we aren’t “under the law,” our day, Simchat Torah, congregations celebrate by rolling the defect — holy convocation; do not do any kind of days; every citizen of Isra’el is to live in booth wouldn’t pass any Rabbis succor, but it works for us. Torah back to B’resheet (Genesis). Rejoicing in the Torah is a 3 with their grain offering, consist- ordinary work. a sukkah, We take a section of our screened in porch and make “walls” touching celebration. They will start their “Portion” reading ing of fine flour mixed with olive oil 36 For seven days you are to bring 43 so that generations after genera- of hanging fronds and branches. We adorn them with all over again for another year. – six quarts for the bull, four quarts for an offering made by fire to Adonai; on tions of you will know that I made the flowers. the ram, the eighth day you are to have a holy people of Isra’el live in sukkot when I Some of our friends make full booths outside, and In Closing 4 and two quarts for each of the convocation and bring an offering brought them out of the land of Egypt.; alternate male members of their family sleeping out there Abba didn’t create these feasts to constrict us or burden seven lambs — made by fire to Adonai; it is a day of I am Adonai your God.’” each night. It gives the family a very real sense of what the us. Each one of them serves to remind us of Him in a real Vayikra (Leviticus) 23: 33-43 wandering was like. 3-D, hands-on, and kinesthetic way. We actually walk © 2015 Hana Whitefield, All Rights Reserved. We enjoy our meals outside in our homemade “Tiki hut” through, or eat in, or experience to some small degree what Not wanting to add any burdens to you, Hannah invites you to investigate the joy and pageantry of the Falls Feasts to for the days of the Feast of Booths. Homemade or store- He did to bless Israel and pave the way for our Yeshua add depth to your understanding of what a mighty G_d we serve. She warns that you don’t get bogged down with bought Ezekiel bread seems very apropos for this feast in Ha-Mashiach. Scripture-less traditions, but savor the majesty that YHWH gave us. She has chosen to go with style of leaving the BLWE my mind. vowel out of the word: “G_d” in respect to her Messianic friends who consider it blasphemous to spell out His name. All Scriptures are CJB 76 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 77 Question Everything the White House? Is it foreign agents very vital vision for us facing the “She is too.” who spy and connive to defeat our latter days. “She is not.” country? That must have been some tussle. “Is too!” Enjoy the Truth in Ephesians 6:11 Talk about the “Fight of the Century.” “Is not!” & 12. Daniel did his part by fasting and I don’t remember it coming to Angels praying. That’s where we fit in. blows, but I remember remarking 11 Put on the whole armor of God, Another glimpse of the true battle that the adults who ended the that ye may be able to stand against the was permitted to Elisha’s servant, confrontation didn’t know the Biblical assaults of the devil. when the King of Syria was warring answer either. I think I was more and 12 For we wrestle not against flesh against Israel. He wanted to silence disappointed in them for letting him and blood, but against principalities, Elisha, and he sent a great army to believe a lie. “Let it go, Gloria, if he against powers, and against the worldly capture him. Elisha’s servant was wants to think his grandmother is governors, the princes of the darkness terrified and cried out. now an angel, what harm can it do?” the of this world, against spiritual wicked- I still think that kind of thinking ness, which are in the high places. Then Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, can do a lot of harm. It leaves us I beseech thee, open his eyes, that he vulnerable on the battlefield. Fallen Do you remember the story of may see. And the Lord opened the As I matured, I began to realize how Daniel prayed and fasted for eyes of the servant, and he looked, and how much the world’s notion of three weeks before he saw the behold, the mountain was full of horses angels was distorted by common manifestation of his plea? (Daniel 10). and chariots of fire round about Elisha. misconceptions ranging from Ones The whole chapter is wonderful, but 2 Kings 6:17 “whenever a bell rings, an angel gets let’s examine verses 12, 13, & 14. it wings,” through the female-looking God answered Elisha’s prayer and angels on the top of Christmas trees, 12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, He struck the human soldiers with to those ridiculous chubby babies Daniel: for from the first day that thou blindness. Then in an act of supernat- with hummingbird wings people didst set thine heart to understand, and ural kindness and forgiveness, Elisha refer to as cherubs. to humble thyself before thy God, thy did not ask that those soldiers be In my late twenties, I pleaded with ith a theme like Never Alone can’t you just have learned to fight it by doing a simple and yet, very words were heard, and I am come for killed, but instead they were treated the Lord to give me His view on those imagine a deep powerful movie trailer complex thing: They call on the name of Jesus. And instantly thy words. with a feast and returned to their heavenly beings I was supposed to be voice narrating: their abduction stops. 13 But the prince of the kingdom of master. Verse 23b tells us the result: recognizing on the battlefield. Back in In a world where Jane is never These ETs don’t drink beer and make Elliot drunk; they Persia withstood me one and twenty those days, we didn’t have so many Walone, she fears sleep. She knows they are just are demonic creatures who want to ruin as many people as days: but lo, Michael one of the chief …So the bands of Aram came no wonderful websites to do our waiting to take her up, up, to their metal tables to possible and keep them from the true Light of salvation. princes, came to help me, and I re- more into the land of Israel. searching, so I got my chain-reference probe her very soul . . . ? Have you done a study about these other beings? mained there by the Kings of Persia. Bible and went through every one of Okay, we all get a good guffaw about aliens and those First, the good news: we are not alone. Not as humans. 14 Now I am come to show thee I believe if we keep our prayers the links having to do with angels or who see spaceships. There’s something wrong with them. That is a good thing. what shall come to thy people in the focused on what is really going on we messengers of God. Then, to make Well, that is what we’re taught to think. Aren’t we pro- You see, of course, God is not human. And with Him we latter days: for yet the vision is for can make a difference. If we do our sure I hadn’t missed anything, I used a grammed to snicker? are never alone. I think most of us have that idea covered. many days. part of the battle, we can equip the hardcover concordance and did a Yep, I agree. It does seem fantastic. Way too out there. But What I want to focus on here are His messengers, His court soldiers who are actually fighting the word search for each mention of any if we look at the facts, we have to come to one conclusion. entourage…His angels. God had dispatched the messen- war. verse having to do with a heavenly You see, we aren’t alone. But not like those sci-fi writers There are dozens and dozens of references to angels in ger angel to respond to Daniel’s It was second grade and we were being. tell us. They have it all wrong. It isn’t beings from Planet the Bible. He isn’t moot or mute on the subject. request on the first day. The messen- having a deep theological debate. My As I organized my research it Zeta-Centuri we have to be concerned about. Why should we care? Because God cares. They are God’s ger encountered stiff opposition by buck-toothed friend was told his became more and more clear how It’s those beings who joined Lucifer and started the first creation also. They serve His purpose whether they want to spiritual warriors for 21 days. Then grandmother became an angel when much the enemy had done in our civil war. or not. Michael, one of the primary immor- she died. I told him, “No, we don’t culture to mock or distort the whole I promise not to go all Roswell or Hanger 51 on you. But When we do battle, who are we fighting? Are we fighting tals, joined him in the fight and he become angels. God made them cadre on both sides. there are people who think they have been abducted. Some the latest bill before congress? Is it the current resident of was able to reach Daniel to give him a different.” Immediately was gone any idea of 78 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 79 ladies in flowing skirts with giant Then those pesky little depictions And He rode upon Cherub, and did wings – so popular even today in of cherubs were next. When I say fly, and He came flying upon the wings Just as we humans have designed erellam (H691). all-inclusive term for their off- jewelry, coffee mugs, stationery, “cherub,” what have you been proof the wind. armies with officers and enlisted, Principalities or Rulers (Ephesians spring. It can get confusing when cross-stitch patterns, and especially grammed to see in your mind’s eye? generals and privates, the heavenly 1:21, 3:10) arches or archais (G746). reading different researchers. [One during Christmas pageants. There is It’s okay. We all have seen so many Though there is debate about that armies have their command structure Archangel (1 Thessalonians 4:16; is a nephil, two or more are only one mention of women with renderings of corpulent infants it is verse — if it means God is borne also. Jude 1:9) – always singular – so nephilim, not nephilims.] One huge wings in the Bible and they hard to delineate that image with through the heavens by the highest of Here are some terms that are used maybe only Michael. Some think, other term used is Gibborim – gib- aren’t on our side: what cherubs really are. Try this verse His creatures, the cherubim, or, if it and very often not used with their based on the apocrypal Book of bowr (H1368). Read Zechariah 5:5-9: on for size: means cherubim are assigned as His Biblical definitions – but we can learn Tobit, that Gabriel is also an Ben Elohiym – sons of God, same as token of vengeance and His “Wrath” and improve on all the misinforma- archangel. Archangelou or archan- in Job 1:6 (Not the sons of Seth). 5 Then the Angel that talked with And he put the Cherubims within rides on them — it is pretty obvious tion. Start a log of your own to keep gelos (G743). Rephaim – used for the gigantic races me, went forth, and said unto me, Lift the inner house, and the Cherubims they aren’t minor little beings. track of how the Bible uses these Angels – malakhim in the Hebrew – it of the Canaanites. (Joshua 12:4) up now thine eyes, and see what is this stretched out their wings, so that the If those didn’t start to chip away at terms and how they could apply to means messenger, angel, or and a close term is also used in that goeth forth. wing of the one touched the one wall, those Valentine’s Day card illustra- your life. theophanic angel. There are more regards to the spirits of the 6 And I said, What is it? And he said, and the wing of the other Cherub tions, then this one will definitely rock than 200 references to angel in KJV departed dwelling in Sheol or This is an Ephah that goeth forth. He touched the other wall: and their other your boat, Ezekiel 28:14: of this Hebrew word. The Greek Hades (Psalm 88:10, Proverbs 2:18) said moreover, This is the sight of them wings touched one another in the midst The Home Team word for angel is aggelos (isagge- rapha (H7496). through all the earth. of the house. Thou art the anointed Cherub, that These terms can be convoluted los) meaning messenger, envoy, Strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4) 7 And behold, there was lifted up a 1 Kings 6:27 covereth, and I have set thee in honor: because an immortal can serve its one who is sent, an angel, or a ochyromaton (G3794) – sometimes talent of lead: and this is a woman that thou wast upon the holy mountain of purpose and be a messenger for God, or messenger of God. There are 186 translated as fortresses. sitteth in the midst of the Ephah. Yes, I fully realize that verse is God: thou hast walked in the midst of it can fall and while it is still the same references of it in the New Testa- Watchers –another name for the 8 And he said, This is wickedness, talking about the golden cherubim on the stones of fire. “being” it has redefined itself. So, be ment. Some other terms used are angels who came to Earth to and he cast it into the midst of the top of the Ark of the Covenant, but aware that some of these names can abbiyr and elohiym. corrupt mankind and pollute the Ephah, and he cast the weight of lead God inspired those sculptors to Lucifer himself was a cherub – defi- really be on either team – depending on Additional data – Maimonides, a human gene pool (Daniel 4:13-14, upon the mouth thereof. produce them. I think He got it right nitely not benign, cute, or cuddly. its obedience to YHWH. Jewish scholar, wrote a list of ten 23) – not to be confused with those 9 Then I lifted mine eyes, and – no little bumblebee wings in the Am I being mean to burst your Seraphim (Isaiah 6:1-7) seraph classes of angels from his lifetime Christians who use the term looked: and behold, there came out picture. bubble? Well, I’m sorry, but the sooner (H8314). of studying the Scriptures. So, “watcher” as someone who is two women, and the wind was in their Now here’s more than just a we all start reconnoitering the enemy, Cherubim (Genesis 3:24; Exodus there are plenty of resources for monitoring God’s end time events. wings (for they had wings like the wings representation of a cherub – Psalm the sooner we can really start to use 25:18; Hebrews 9:5) keruwb you if you want to study this topic. The word “watchers” is used of a stork) and they lifted up the Ephah 18:10: that supernatural armor God details (H3742) or in Greek: Cheroubin Just be forewarned about Rabbini- throughout the books of Enoch between the earth and the heaven. for us in Ephesians. (G5502) Someone once explained cal writings – how good of a and Jubilees. Grigori from the Greek to me the cherub guarding the scholar could they be, if they in Hebrew/Aramaic: ‘iyr (H5894). Garden of Eden as “picturing an missed that Jesus was the Messiah? Demons – disembodied spirits who erupting volcano.” 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. have to inhabit something to have Thrones (Daniel 7:9; Colossians 1:16; 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the assaults of the devil. form (Remember the verses about 1 Peter 3:22; Revelation 4:6) korce The Away Team 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, and against the worldly governors, the legion who pleaded with Jesus (H3764) thronos (G2362), exousia The away team has entities who the princes of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness, which are in the high places. to be allowed in the herd of pigs (G1849), dynamis (G1411) The started as those described above on the 13 For this cause take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to resist in the evil day, and having finished all after leaving the demoniac in Luke Revelation passage is describing Home Team, but they distorted their things, stand fast. 8:26-39?) In verse 29 it is called an God’s Throne, but it is important to true estate and transformed their 14 Stand therefore, and your loins girded about with verity, and having on the breastplate of righteousness, unclean spirit and a demon in understand the beings who are likeness to the ugly, distorted vocabu- 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace. verse 36 (daimonion – evil spirits or surrounding it and are able to be in lary of the fallen. 16 Above all, take the shield of Faith, wherewith ye may quench all the fiery darts of the wicked, the messengers and ministers of His Presence. Nephilim are in the news more this 17 And take the helmet of Salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. the devil) Acts 16:16-18 gives an Ophanim (Ezekiel 1:15-21) from year than three decades ago. 18 And pray always with all manner prayer and supplication in the spirit: and watch thereunto with all perseverance and example of a fortuneteller who was the Hebrew word for “wheel” (Genesis 6:4 and Numbers 13:33) supplication for all Saints. freed from a spirit. That quite upset Erelim (Isaiah 33:7) known for Nephiyl (H5303) – some writers/ Ephesians 6: 10-18 her owners because without an evil courage and understanding – nick- speakers use this term for the fallen The “H” and “G” numbers in the article are the corresponding references in Strong’s Lexicon spirit inside her, she was worthless named the Jewish Valkyries erel or ones themselves and/or as an

80 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | Photo by Jessica Grant | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 81 a compendium of angelology, but just a mere taste to whet answer many of your questions about the activity that your appetite to dig deeper and to study about these beings happens all around us that few of us see. (I did “fast-forward who are all around us all the time. Start your own search through a few paragraphs that were “too much information” for me.) to them. antichrist, apollyon, beast, beelze- you read the 44 verses in the Bible using a reliable search engine; I know you are in for an This time of year we’ll hear Christians singing and reading bub, belial, deceiver, devil, dragon, about the “Angel of the Lord,” recog- eye-opening, spirit-gratifying trip. I know the Holy Spirit will … 16 And it came to pass that as we enemy, father of lies, god of this nize the Christophanies among the not steer you off course. went to prayer, a certain maid having age, king of Babylon, king of the verses, list the super powers of the 13 And straightway there was with the Angel a multitude of a spirit of divination, met us, which bottomless pit, king of Tyre, lawless realm (including walking through So that you won’t be taken captive …according to the ele- heavenly soldiers, praising God, and saying, gat her masters much vantage with one, leviathan, liar, lucifer, man of walls), and get to know more about mental spirits of the world.... 14 “Glory be to God in the high heavens, and peace in divining. sin, murderer, power of darkness, the multidimensional, multi-sentient earth, and toward men good will.” 17 She followed Paul and us, and prince of the power of the air, universe God has created for us Col 2:8-10 ESV cried, saying, These men are the roaring lion, ruler of the darkness, Back to the idea of little green men Luke 2:13 &14 If you have time to read another book this year besides servants of the most high God, which ruler of demons, ruler of this world, and aliens from Orion’s Belt, I don’t your Bible, may I recommend Dr. Michael Lake’s The Shinar It’s about time we started listening. show unto you the way of salvation. satan, serpent of old, son of think we should spend a moment Directive (ISBN 978-0-9904974-3-1) from Defender. It will 18 And this did she many days: but perdition, star, tempter, thief, and worrying about them. It’s those wicked one. interdimensional ones who we know Paul being grieved, turned about, and © 2015 Gloria van der Gott, All Rights Reserved Sharon and Derek Gilbert, Doug Hamp, Dr. Michael Heiser, Legions – There are many “human” are defeated that should be the said to the spirit, I command thee in Gloria relies heavily on the Bible. She adds Bible study Doug and Joe Hagmann, Tom Horn, L.A. Marzulli, Chuck agents who have succumbed to intended targets of our combat the Name of Jesus Christ, that thou tools appreciating concordances and dictionaries. She also Missler, G. H. Pember, Cris Putnam, Gonzo Shimura and Basil, demonic possession and who work prayers. Not in our power, but we come out of her. And he came out the benefits from The Shinar Directive (above) and Steve Quayle’s Rob Skiba, Gary Stearman, Chris White, and since the full time for lucifer and his cadre. should be pleading with God to same hour. books: Genesis 6 Giants and Aliens & Fallen Angels. growing list is at least three times this long, she’ll stop there Think of them as a “6th column.” wrestle and weaken them. We have to In addition, she’s read and reread dozens of other books but wants you to know there are many more wonderful Lucifer – (heylel) the father of lies Those saboteurs that malign God’s keep in mind that even Michael didn’t and articles and listened/watched hundreds of hours of Bible scholars who have spent years studying this topic and ( ). Don’t take wrestling Chosen with lies and propaganda wrestle with them without the Lord’s John 8:44 podcasts/videos by Stan Deyo, Russ Dizdar, Dan Duval, can provide you with lots more information. with the devil lightly. You have to – today’s media is full of these covering ( ). Jude 1:9 David Flynn and his twin, Mark A. Flynn, Dante Fortson, BLWE be prayed up and completely types and you might have a few The unsaved seem to be getting humble before the Lord when trying to disrupt your local church. more and more fascinated about coming against this enemy of God. (See Mark 5:9) astrobiology and an earthly-history 8 Beware lest there be any man that spoil you While blinded by his pride, he is How many angels are there? Well, riddled with “little green (or gray) through philosophy, and vain deceit, through the the source of your own pride and there are twice as many on God’s Side men.” The oldest science society, The traditions of men, according to the rudiments of the can destroy you with it. His lies are as those that fell. There are an innu- Royal Academy (UK), (of all the topics world, and not after Christ. legion, but he must be stupid to merable multitude of the good ones. they could have used,) chose astrobi- 9 For in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the God- think he will win. Yes, he is defeat- (Hebrews 12:22) ology as their theme for their 350th head bodily. ed, but he isn’t in the Lake of Fire anniversary. The television show 10 And ye are complete in Him, which is the head of yet. He has to be that dumb to But ye are come unto the mount “Ancient Aliens” is on its eighth season. all principality and power. have been God’s chosen cherub Sion, and to the city of the living God, The length of a listing of television Colossians 2:8-10 and yet think he could “will” his the celestial Jerusalem, and to the com- and movies with either a supernatural way to usurp God. (Isaiah 14:13-14) pany of innumerable Angels. or extraterrestrial theme would be There are many verses in the pages long. Bible about this “nachash,” so I Two things most people under- And rarely do those writers get it think God wants us knowledge- stand about angels seem contradicto- right. We have the answer – it’s real, able. For example, the term “satan” ry, but make the facts even more it’s a war, and its outcome is already used as a name for the enemy compelling: 1) They can terrify people decided. God wins. occurs 55 times in 49 different when they make an appearance You do understand that, don’t you? Bible verses. (Daniel 10:7 & 9; Luke 2:9) and 2) you We don’t need battle cruisers, the He (or a like form of his evilness) can entertain them unaware – they Force, a computer virus, or nukes to also is described with these names/ can “appear” without manifesting defeat them. God already has, and all titles: abaddon, accuser, adversary, their full selves (Hebrews 13:2). of creation will know it on that angel of light, angel of the bottom- I invite you to do your own re- Glorious Day. Photos By Susan Hopek less pit, anointed covering cherub, search and enjoy every minute of it as This article was never meant to be All Scripture is GNV (1599 Geneva Bible) unless otherwise noted. 82 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 83 hopping. We learned to hit the ground Feature running. PCS stands for Permanent Change of Station. Civilians would call that changing jobs and moving to a new town or country. A private joke was that some “clerks” in the Pentagon were stamping orders or making Our Favorite Invention choices about troops/airmen/sailors next assignments – balancing the military’s needs with personnel qualifications. In reality, God – the Church was doing it even better and on a grander scale. He was keeping his churches/chapels God wove a perfect structure as Christ’s Body and empowered it with the Holy Spirit supplied and balanced.

So, that brings us to Paul and his tidy explanation of how wonderfully the Body t would have been enough had Jesus just redeemed who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! works when eyes see, ears hear, and legs walk us on the cross, but He also gave us the Holy Spirit and 11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can – well, he did say it better in He birthed the church. one keep warm alone? 1 Corinthians 12: . We don’t want to diminish any of His amazing work 12 And though a man might prevail against one who is 12-31 The benefits of being active in His Body are onI the cross, but we choose to praise Him for that church alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly so manifold, that we encourage you to fulfill idea. broken. your destiny. Be the surest foot, see farther, Have you had a call from another believer just at the right Ecclesiastes 9-12 ESV moment? breathe new life like the freshest lungs, speak with a praising tongue, and if you’re the Admittedly, that is not about the Church per se, but God appendix – well, do that to the best God has From Jill: I had just gotten the news that I had lost the is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow so His wisdom given you. baby in my womb. I was crying out to God for peace. The prevails. Sometimes you might never know, on this phone rang and I just wanted to ignore it. But I took it. It was The Lord knows we are social beings, we’re sheep. Have side of heaven, how your prayers, how your a sister-in-Christ who didn’t even know about my situation, you ever heard us referred to as “sheeple”? in His infinite note to a missionary, how your email to a but God had placed me on her heart. When I heard her wisdom, He knitted us together into a functioning whole. Christian author, how your financial support, voice, my heart sank. She was pregnant and due in a month. Though some of us have felt, too often, like the appendix and how your boots-on-the-ground in the I didn’t want to hear from a mom-to-be bubbling up with in the Body of Christ (doctors don’t know what it is there for mission field will spur someone else to do joy. So, when she started rambling about how she had been and are quick to remove it), God knows why He placed each good works. So, when you read an article that pregnant with twins, I was shocked. I knew nothing about person in each working slot of the Body. “twins.” One son died in the first trimester, but the doctors was just at the right time (See Susan’s SSOJ/E article) take a minute and send that writer a were able to save the other son. She went on about how From Hannah: We’d seen it so many times it became thank you. It might just be the ticket for them God was getting her through it. I just quietly listened with almost commonplace. When we were in the military, we to write another article. tears going down my cheeks. I knew God knew my pain and were used to monthly Hails and Farewells. Families were Post praise reports to your body of friends. He used His Body to comfort me. leaving for a new duty station and new families were Upload a video documenting what God is arriving. In our churches, God’s timing was perfect. For doing in your life or showing you in His Word. That’s His Body working, as it should. example, one Sunday after the service, we gathered to pray This same kind of thing has happened many times in our over our praise team/choir director leaving to head back From Gloria: I thank those delightful lives. We love a call, email, letter, or card that starts with – stateside. We all privately prayed also for God to send a marines who have an unearthly ability to lift “I’m not sure why I’m calling/writing you, but God put you replacement. The very next Sunday, a new family came my mood any time of day. I have downloaded on my heart and . . .” forward and joined the church. They had just PCS’d to a the Marines at Camp Pendleton, California That’s just one way He operates in His body. nearby base. When asked their area of ministry, the father singing “Days of Elijah” and within a few immediately said that the Lord had been using him as the measures of the song I’m singing along with 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward choir director at their previous church. Yes! those amazing men. Whatever gloom and for their toil. When you are in a church whose majority are military despair I’d been feeling disappears — no 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him families, you don’t wait around for “leanings” or church Photo By Jessica Grant 84 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 85 12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and weaker are indispensable, matter if was hearing some report of a there that you can’t get in a chat warrior friends at Bible study. So, one all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it 23 and on those parts of the body that we think less honor- new deadly chemical being placed in group. of the ladies encouraged the others is with Christ. able we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts our food, or some bill passing in and they went to her house for lunch. 13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body— are treated with greater modesty, congress, or some decision of five From Jennifer: I needed to share They weren’t a burden but brought Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of 24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But black-robed judges in DC. I don’t care my home in order to afford to go back their own lunches. It did wonders to one Spirit. God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the how foolish I look doing the arm and finish my college degree. As a free her from feelings of isolation and 14 For the body does not consist of one member but of part that lacked it, motions and praising God right along single parent with two small children to elevate her spirit. The local group many. 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the with them. and a full time job, I had no wiggle became boots-on-the-ground for her. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not members may have the same care for one another. A big “Oorah” to the Marines who room in my budget to convert the belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member love our Lord like that. Thank you to garage into a room for myself when I That’s His Body working, as it the body. is honored, all rejoice together. the guy who uploaded it and thank gave up the master bedroom to my should. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do 27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually mem- you to the guy who filmed it and new roommate. not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part bers of it. thank you to God for dropping it in Somehow the men’s ministry at my From Bitsy: Years ago I could put of the body. 28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, my lap. His Body – awesome! church found out about my need and on Sandy Patty’s album (an LP) to hear 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of https://youtu.be/6woSL6yC9wA on a beautiful Saturday morning nine Lift Up the Lord and my whole of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. or ten men showed up at my home to attitude would switch to praise, and sense of smell? 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do That’s His Body working, as it convert my garage into my new room. my petty little complaints would fade 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each all work miracles? should. They enclosed the laundry room and away. one of them, as He chose. 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with The joys of being active in His Body added doors; they ran electricity, 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? tongues? Do all interpret? in a local setting are also amazing hung drywall and painted, all in one “This is the place and the Lord is here 20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. 31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you beyond description. It’s in the local day. All I had to do was hang some His love is all we need 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” a still more excellent way. body, the “church” in your hometown, curtains and see how God was Lift your voice and sing this song nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 1 Corinthians 12: 12-31 ESV where you are going to be a blessing building my faith through the love of The song of the redeemed 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be and be blessed. Join a small group. my church family. Let’s celebrate and join our hands Attend a Bible Study. If your church Lifting up our King Sidebox from Bitsy doesn’t have these, start one yourself. That’s His Body working, as it ‘Cause love is what we bring” It’s those close friends who are should. Since I like to help you with technology, here’s some tech advice. If you really like a song or video, you can download it to sisters and brothers that will respond God didn’t mean for us to ever be Now days I just listen to her song your desktop so you don’t have to even have an Internet connection to hear it. There are many ways to do this. Please honor to the urgings of the Holy Spirit and alone. off of the YouTube video: copyrights when doing this. Here are six ways you can use to download media: give you that nod from the Lord that Alone we can make mistakes. https://youtu.be/ldY2hC-pxDo 1. I usually use keepvid.com it is so easy to use. It gives you many options for downloading. Here’s a tutorial: will make your day and help keep you Alone we can get confused. Alone we Check out the sidebox, if you don’t https://youtu.be/LJcJQqf5pxc on the right path. There’s an intimacy can grow bitter. already know how to download a 2. You can do it for free by inserting an “ss” right after the “www.” Before the “youtube.” For example for the Sandi Patti video YouTube video. you’d insert the “ss” so it reads as https://www.ssyoutube.com/watch?v=ldY2hC-pxDo and click enter. From 3. Or use http://en.savefrom.net — and click enter. https://youtu.be/IubsfPD9U9Q for a tutorial. Pat: She Rejoice you are never alone. You 4. Go to www.youtubeinmp4.com, and copy and paste the URL of the video you like into the field. That easy. had been are part of the most marvelous Body https://youtu.be/MFJWGAEqBgU spells it out step by step. house- – enjoy the cells around you and drink 5. Google chrome users can go to En.savefrom.net and download a program “savefrom.net” and it will give you a built-in bound for in the encouragement, wisdom, and extension to click to quickly download files. There are a few steps, but it spells them out. It only works with Windows, not months love. Apple. https://youtu.be/L-9IXwC3v5s walks you through it. with medi- In closing, remember: wherever 6. To download to your iphone, use the Dropbox and Puffin Free apps – save the URL and then paste into Puffin – savefrom – cal issues you are, you and Christ are the choose the quality and then save once it has exported. It will be in your videos app. https://youtu.be/2OSkwyt5vvs and majority. will walk you through it. missed © 2015, Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine, All Rights Reserved. her prayer Our staff, acting like the Body, jointly put this article together for you. We’d enjoy hearing from you and your “Body” story. blwemag@ yahoo.com BLWE

86 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 87 Oats are always good to have on the pantry Teff is also an ancient grain from Ethiopia. It is a tiny Be Well! because of the ease in preparing and adding grain that is gluten free and has a mild flavor and has a to so many healthy recipes. Having organic texture like grits or cream of wheat. Excellent source of oats on hand is even a smarter choice. Oats calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, and vitamin B6. It is are a good source of iron and protein and the also loaded with protein. Choose this instead of grits base for delicious breakfasts and snacks. and cream of wheat and you will be pleasantly sur- God Wants Us to Take Care of prised. Our Bodies

hat does this passage of Scripture mean to you?

1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by Wthe mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2 NASB

How are we to be living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God? As Christians, we have a new responsibility in Farro is an ancient grain used in soups, salads, and stews. Tastes that we are to no longer conform to the ways of this nutty and has a chewy texture. world. Each day as we read God’s Word we will learn His ways and the ways He designed for us to live and grow in faith. take care of the innocent. (Exodus …“Behold, I have given you ev- In fact, His love is so great, He What happens when God’s ways contradict common 20:13, Matt. 25:40) ery plant yielding seed that is on the offered up His Son, Jesus Christ, as a ways of the world in which we are living? Do we ignore Why would the Bible urge us to surface of all the earth, and every tree substitute for our penalty. Because of (maybe not intentionally) what God’s Word says offer our bodies as living sacrifices? I which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be Jesus, we are no longer under the law, because we have become so accustomed to the ways believe there are two very good food for you.” but under grace. of this world? reasons for this urging. I believe this is where a lot of us First, an acceptable sacrifice is This was God’s perfect diet for us make the mistake in thinking that we It is hard to step out in faith and trust the Lord when our habits or worldly beliefs seem to be right and without stain or blemish. We need to and He provided Adam and Eve all the can eat whatever we want to eat and fitting. repent of our sins and ask the Lord to fruit they could eat in the Garden. disregard what the Bible says about The world says to accumulate and save our earthly remove our sins on a daily basis. This After the flood, inGenesis 9:2-3, what God gave us for food. This is also treasure and the Bible says to give and to store up way, we have fellowship with Him. God allowed us to eat meat, grain, where we can begin “conforming” to Secondly, our physical bodies need and vegetables. In fact, the ways of the world because the treasure in heaven. (Luke 6:30, 2 Corinthians. 9:6, Leviticus 11 to be sacrifices, as well. We need to gives us a wonderful outline for what world does not have a Godly under- Matt. 6:19-20) The world says it is okay to get even when you have keep away from those things that meats God considers clean and what standing as we do as Christians. been wronged, but the Bible says to love your neighbor might harm our bodies,; such as He considers unclean. He outlined worrying, not getting enough rest, what would be a beneficial diet for us and to turn the other cheek. (Mark 12:31, Luke 6:29) All things are lawful, but not all The world says it is the woman’s right to choose and and eating food that is not technically because He knew we would not have things are profitable. All things are we know the Bible says we are not to kill but rather to food as God designed. that understanding ourselves, and lawful, but not all things edify. In Genesis 1:29b NASB, it says: because He loves us dearly. 1 Corinthians 10:23 NASB

Photos Provided by Jeanie Holzmacher 88 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 89 How many of us are totally fine 19 Or do you not know that your Choose to eat mostly lean, white Scrumptious Oatmeal living our lives in the first part of this body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who meats (and pork is not the other white Raisin Protein Balls verse, yet struggle with the part about is in you, whom you have from God, meat). Eat ancient grains that are high Want a sweet healthy all things not being profitable nor and that you are not your own? in protein and fiber like farro, barley, treat to curb those midday edifying? 20 For you have been bought with and lentils. (Ezekiel 4:9) cravings? These delicious oat- Some of us go through our lives a price: Therefore glorify God in your Drink plenty of water every single meal raisin protein balls will ignoring the second part because it body. day. A healthy guideline is to take your do the trick. They are raw and means we have to have some restraint I Corinthians 6:19-20 NASB weight and divide it by two and are loaded with healthy and some accountability. convert to ounces. For instance, someone who grains, seeds, dried fruit, There is freedom in knowing that I would like to offer up some very is 150 lbs would need 75 ounces of water. This is good fat, and protein. I like to Jesus’ death on the cross for us covers practical ways you can begin to apply the minimum amount of water you make these to start the week us with grace and we are delivered these Biblical principles to your lives should drink in a day. Add more if you and then keep them in a from the law, but there is even more beginning today and then you can work out or drink caffeinated beverag- tightly locked container in freedom in getting to follow God’s begin to teach them to your friends es. Avoid processed foods and fast the refrigerator. When I get recommendation for healthy living and family. foods as these have little to no benefit that craving for something and learning how to present our First, begin to have a closer relation- for you at all. In fact, these foods cause sweet, I can grab one or two bodies as acceptable sacrifices to God. ship with the Lord by reading His Word illness and food addictions. and know that I am satisfy- This freedom brings healing, joy, daily. This will give you more under- Begin today to make a mind and ing that sweet tooth while and rest! standing of His ways and will keep you body transformation in the way you nourishing my body. The things that cause our bodies from falling into temptation. You will feed your body. God has a perfect plan harm are the same things that can also begin to recognize things that are for our lives and His Word can guide 1 cup organic Oatmeal become strongholds for sin in our false teachings and not of God. you to a healthier way — a more holy (I use Bob’s Red Mill) lives. When we choose to eat whatever Second, trust Him. Cast your worries and acceptable way — to present your ½ cup Almond Butter we want or choose not to exercise or on Him and know that He will take bodies while we are here on earth. 1/3 cup raw local Honey choose not to get a good night’s sleep, care of you. Pray and ask the Lord to Believe that the Lord will help you ¼ cup extra virgin we are hurting our bodies. help you make good and beneficial to gain understanding and trust that organic Coconut Oil Many of us are sick not because choices for you and for your family. His ways are far better than our ways. ¼ cup Chia Seeds God allowed the sickness to come, but Third, begin to eat and drink those You will be rewarded greatly with ½ cup Raisins we are sick because of our ignorance things God identified as food. Eat fresh better health and an even greater 1-2 Tablespoons and disobedience. (Proverbs 14:12, fruits and vegetables every single day. ability to serve Him and bring glory to Cinnamon (depend- 15) Him! ing on your taste) ¼ teaspoon Nutmeg ¼ teaspoon ground Ginger 1 scoop Vanilla Protein Powder

1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl until combined. 2. Form into 1-2 inch balls. Refrigerate on a plate until set and then store in an air tight container in the refrigerator.

Caution! You may want to eat them all… but, limit yourself to 2 per day. Enjoy. 90 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 91 Yummy Maple Spice Chia Pudding with Vanilla Cashew Cream This delicious dessert is so good for you that you can eat it first. In fact, I will eat this for breakfast. Chia seeds are loaded with protein and become quickly gelati- nous when mixed with a liquid making it a easy and quick dessert to make.

Cashew Cream: Begin by soaking 1 cup of raw cashews for 4 hours or overnight in water. Drain off ½ the liquid and place cashews and remaining liquid into a high-speed blender. Add ½ teaspoon Prepare farro according to direc- vanilla and 1 Tablespoon of raw local tions. Stir in the spinach and allow to honey. Blend until smooth and creamy. wilt slightly. Season with salt and Set aside. pepper and drizzle with olive oil. Drain and cover to keep warm. For Pudding: 1 ripe Banana To Roast Vegetables: 1 cup cashew milk (almond or 1. Preheat oven to 400° F. coconut milk can also be used) 2. Put vegetables into a roasting 2 Tablespoons real Maple Syrup pan and drizzle with olive oil and 1 Tablespoon ground Cinnamon sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss Pinch of ground Nutmeg until all are well coated. Add in the *2/3 cup ground Chia Seeds (I grind fresh rosemary and roast until them in a spice grinder.) vegetables are fork tender and slightly caramelized, stirring occasionally Place all ingredients except chia seeds during roasting. into a high-speed blender. Blend until 3. Spoon farro/spinach mixture smooth. Add ground chia seeds and blend into chunks Warm Farro & Root Vegetable onto a large serving plate or into a until smooth and thick. In the bottom of 2 2 large Red Beets- peeled and cut Salad casserole. On top of this, add roasted pretty glasses, place a layer of fresh into chunks Serves 4 vegetables, feta cheese, walnuts, and raspberries (or any other favorite seasonal 4 Carrots- cut into chunks Farro is an ancient grain of the cranberries. fruit). Spoon pudding over the berries and Extra Virgin Olive Oil Mediterranean and it has a nutty flavor 4. Garnish with some more fresh top with remaining berries. Pour vanilla 1 teaspoon sea salt with a chewy texture making it a perfect rosemary and serve immediately. cashew cream over the top and refrigerate grain for soups, stews, and salads. Farro 1 teaspoon fresh Black Pepper until cold and set. 3-4 sprigs of fresh Rosemary is loaded with great nutrition, too, This is also delicious cold as a This recipe makes two large servings or 1 cup Walnuts — coarsely providing a good source of iron, protein, nutritious lunch salad during the 4 small servings. (I use ramekins when chopped and fiber. I like to make a big pot of it week. I like to put it on top of fresh making four servings.) 1 cup dried Cranberries early in the week and then I will add it to spinach and squeeze fresh lemon *You do not need to grind the chia ½ to 1 cup block Feta Cheese- recipes throughout the busy week. juice on top. Delicious! seeds if you do not want to. If the chia This recipe would make a wonderful crumbled (to your taste) seeds are left whole, you will have a addition to your holiday meals. 3 cups fresh Baby Spinach © 2015 Jeanie Holzmacher, All pudding with a little texture as opposed Salt and Pepper- to taste Rights Reserved. to a smoother pudding. Both are great 1 cup Farro Extra Virgin Olive Oil – to drizzle Teacher, “Be Well! A Biblical BLWE and very yummy! 3 medium Sweet Potatoes cut Approach to Wellness” 92 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 93 slathered with paint. I’m not at peace with the Homemade for Health stage moms who makeup their preschool girls to look like magazine cover models – for the “Little Miss My Dress Cost $2,000 Dollars Pageant.” Yet, beyond the fact that a confident person Made-Up Makeup with sparkling eyes and a welcoming smile is far more beautiful than any Max-Laudered-Clinqued Easy, Homemade Cosmetics woman is the fact of how makeup is a “Catch-22.” As demonstrated with the faceless woman above, the more women tug at their skin to apply creams, ointments, powders, and goops, ’m supposed to drop And you, O desolate one, After years of having her eyebrows the more they have to tug their skin to wash off this off for Joan. Could what do you mean that you dress in waxed, Joyce has no eyebrows. After the creams, ointments, powders, and goops each you point her out to scarlet, decades of gluing on false eyelashes, night. me?” the young lady that you adorn yourself with orna- she has no lashes of her own. After Each of those tugs, scrapes, and rubs damage “Iasked the greeter in the foyer. ments of gold, squirting medication/treatments in the tiny fibers of the skin. The more you put on “Sure, she’s in the large room on that you enlarge your eyes with her eyes, her pupils are too pale to be under-eye mask, the more you’ll need under-eye the left sorting gear for the sale. You’ll paint?… noticed. Her lips are now permanently mask to hide the damage of putting on un- recognize her as the one who looks Jeremiah 4:30b ESV dyed the same color as her skin. After der-eye mask. like she’s been in the presence of God. pounds of paste and cold cream, her I know that sounds simplistic, but think about She just glows.” but let your adorning be the hidden skin looks plastic. Basically, without it. The young lady entered the huge person of the heart with the imperish- makeup Joyce is scary. Before she For some I-was-a-stupid-youth reason, I room filled with more than a dozen able beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, takes an hour to put on her face, she agreed to be a clown for a charity night at the ladies all sorting through stacks of which in God’s sight is very precious. looks like one of those “Night Gallery” FSU Circus. Yes, at the time Florida State had a donated items preparing for the paintings of a faceless person. Please 1 Peter 3:4 ESV circus each year. And my dad thought he was church’s upcoming jumble sale. don’t make me name her; we’ll go But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, paying for an education. She stopped, looked around the with “Joyce.” But after she draws on and make no provision for the flesh, to I got all dolled up from orange wig to floppy room, and then walked straight to eyebrows, paints on lips, and even gratify its desires. shoes. A volunteer made my face up starting Joan. puts in colored contacts, and a dozen Romans 13:14 ESV with a layer of shortening (yes, right out of the “The lady in the foyer’s description other maneuvers with the dexterity of pantry-ready can) and white paste makeup, and was perfect. I recognized you immedi- a surgeon, she emerges with a face. So, it is with fear and trembling then the ludicrous eye doings and ridiculous ately.” With the exception of others like that I write this issue’s column. I don’t smile. Then the red ball nose had to be “glued” want to be anything like Azazyel of her, it is rare that I’ve seen any woman on. Photo by Jessica Grant “Amanda’s husband collapsed at the book of Enoch teaching women who would not look better with less the ballgame. He’s in a coma,” Clarissa to use paint and to beautify their makeup. Simple Advice added to the prayer list as her turn eyebrows. (Enoch 8:1) Not just because of the faux look There was this girl at my college. A week didn’t go by that someone didn’t ask her what she did to make her skin so came up. So, in my meager attempt to that makeup gives someone, but lovely. Each co-ed seeking advice expected to hear the name of a slew of products, a complicated process of salves, balms, The Bible study facilitator asked, deflect banishment from either sides because of the deeper reasons. The and tonics, a regime that would consume hours of prep time. A few heeded her responses, but most thought her skin “Amanda? Do I know Amanda?” of the makeup camps, let me proceed. soundest one is found in many verses. regime was just impossible to execute. “You know, the woman who wears Some women are blessed with There are many personal reasons She’d answer, “Drink lots and lots of pure water. Eat fresh food. A little sun and gentle cleansing.” She rarely wore all that makeup – like she’s in a faces. While others have so distorted that a counselor could tally many makeup or needed it – just some moisturizer for her lips. pageant or something.” their faces from years of cosmetic billable hours with a client that needs A perfect example of one of her mini-seminars was around the swimming pool. She had brought bottles of water to Everyone nodded; they immediate- abuse that they almost have to wear makeup to feel comfortable. There are drink and had thinly sliced a summer squash for her snack. Those seeking a deeper cosmetic knowledge were slugging ly knew who Amanda was. makeup to compensate. In a weird, those girls who want to hide behind down soft drinks, beers, and other sundry beverages; going through bags and bags of chips; and munching on candy bars. parallel universe that would be akin to the tubes of goo either because of All the time wondering why her skin was clear, bright, and blemish free. They had been so programmed to believe that Sounds made up. But both stories taking more of the poison to cure the some false idea of beauty, susceptibil- there was some miracle ointment that would give them cover-girl skin, that accepting that what they put in them was far are true – the exact words and names poison – “hair of the dog” is the ity to advertising, or peer pressure. more important than what they put on them was unbelievable. were changed. expression, I think. They honestly think they look better No wonder the cosmetic business brings in more than $55 billion a year. 94 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 95 All I could think of was if I a quarterly facial – done by a professor, who of homemade skin care. When you are ready, was scrubbing to just-shy of knows what she is doing. (Yes, she really is a give a careful search on the Internet, and you’ll Brillo-ing my skin to get it professor at a local college.) find many options. clean from a one-time I think if most women actually analyzed application, what must 1) what is in the makeup they are applying and Face Scrub happen to the skin of those how it was developed, Your favorite soap or cleanser who use that much makeup 2) what lifestyles were funded with its advertise- Sugar every night or every day? ments, This is easy. Just make lather with some of I know you don’t wear that 3) what causes the companies supported with your soap, sprinkle in some table sugar. Clean degree of grease paint every their profits, away any old skin. All the residue will rinse away day. At least I hope not. But if 4) what animals were tortured during the test quite easily. The sugar dissolves in the rinse you add up the thousands of phrase, and water. times you do that over your 5) the testimony of their use to easily influenced That too simple? Okay. Find a good PURE life, you’ll see why some young girls, soap/cleanser. You can get some through Along with the other volunteers, women have the skin (and few Godly women would buy commercial health-food stores, farmer’s markets, good it was for a good charity after all, we wrinkles) of other women twice products. Or at least they’d be very selective if boutiques, or make your own*. You can use ran, cartwheeled, and scooted into their ages. they did. liquid or bar. Keep a small jar or shaker of table the big tent. I was assigned a So, if I can’t talk you into You can make your own without funding that sugar near your toiletries. Moisturizer Pulverize the cleaned egg- section of the crowd. wearing less makeup because worldly system, without adding dyes and When your face needs more than just a Jill’s Gel (see Issue 1) shells in a coffee grinder until the Within the first few minutes, I you’re pretty just the way God solvents to your skin, and without taxing your cleaning with the soap/cleanser, add a little bit After trying many different consistency of fine powder. Mix was done. Let me explain. made you, then do it because budget. of the sugar to the lather and then wash your concoctions, ointments, and different shells to reach the I got down on my haunches and you’ll look better when you are in Yes, you can make your face. It works great. salves, I don’t know of any that desired shade. Apply sparingly to did some “clown face” antics for this your 50s and later if you tame the own concoctions. work better than this simple gel. your skin as you would any face adorable kindergärtner. She was makeup addiction early on. Here are just half-a-doz- Face Mask Here it is again – in a quick powder. enthralled. I was thinking, “This will Okay, enough with the guilt. en, methods I use. I have 1 raw egg, separated recipe. To good to be true? It works. be okay. This is easy. I can do this. I’m not saying, as some will dozens more but that Wash your face until it is really clean. Then 1 Cup Aloe Vera Gel (home- Here are some more details. It’s for a good cause.” chastise me about, that you can’t would overwhelm beat the egg yolk with a fork. Smooth it all over made is best, but a pure Save your eggshells when you Then for some reason, surely she do anything. I’m just asking for you. Perhaps this your face avoiding your eyes. Let it dry. Or even store version will work) crack eggs. Clean them really well. had a reason, she took her hand less. sampler will open better yet, dry it with heat from a hair dryer or ¼ Cup glycerin (available at Smash them a little with your and did a 360° hand wipe around But there are times you might your mind to the near a heat exhaust. Once it is dry and crackly, drugstores) hand. Put them in a container and my face. Her hand was covered with want to wear some protection for concept rinse it all off. ¼ Cup Food-grade Hydrogen freeze until you have enough to a Technicolor blur of grease paint. your skin – let’s think of it as Beat the egg white – just a little with a fork Peroxide (35% – do not make the powder. You’ll be She looked at her hand, looked at protection rather the false face, – enough to break the long strands. (Chalazae, dilute) buying eggs to match your skin me, and started screaming. I can of, well, a false face. cuh-LAY-zee. Those tethering mucin fibers are Essential Oils (optional – tones – or use a combination of only imagine the scare she had as We do need “proof” that the egg is fresh.) Smooth it all over your choice for specific white and brown eggs to get your my face morphed into a kaleido- to wash our your face avoiding your eyes. Let it dry. Or even concerns) shade. Don’t use eggshells from scope of reds, whites, blues, and faces clean. better yet, dry it with a cool fan. Vitamin E (optional – for boiled eggs – it’s too difficult to greens. So, do it Once it is dry and crackly, rinse it all off. longer “shelf life”) get the film layer (membrane) Thus ended my ten-minute well with Your face will feel wonderful and have a great Mix together thoroughly in a separated. You want just the outer career as a circus clown. (Yes, it’s a Side Note: healthful glow. Your skin loved the saturation of protein, jar – shake it well. Store in the shell. true story.) Yes, I know that ingredi- oils, and moisture. refrigerator. Use as you would any Your skin will love the almost The problem was it took me Enoch is not canon. ents. skin moisturizer. It works for pure calcium. It will cover a more than a week to finally feel like But it is an interesting Here’s dozens of other applications also. blemish and nourish your skin at my skin was clean. I found out why reference that even Jude * I don’t want to get into making your own my the same time. Cleaning at the they put on the layer of shortening. quotes from. I only mentioned soap here. It is beyond the scope of a mere dis- Powder end of the day is simple. About It was to make cleaning up after- it because if you’d use the works of magazine article. There are hundreds of wonder- claimer Eggshells (organic, free- any skin color is doable – just mix wards easier. “Easier than what?” I Josephus or other non-canonical ful do-it-yourself videos on YouTube to walk you statement: I range, etc.) and match your organic eggshells wondered. I couldn’t imagine it sources for historical reference, then you through making your own soap, in addition to thoroughly enjoy to get the shades you want. being more difficult. might gain some insight from adding Enoch books and websites. (and other manuscripts found among the Dead 96 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | Sea Scrolls) to your reference library. | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 97 Blush/Shadows it would feed your skin. Vegetable, Fruit, Flower I realize some of you are Grace-filled Gardener Powders going, “That’s crazy.” But Okay, I’m going to get it think about it. It’s your skin. now. So far everything I’ve mentioned is within most Lip Glaze/Gloss bounds. Now I’m starting to Coconut Oil cross that “makeup” barrier Bees Wax of adding color. So, please Vegetable/Fruit ignore this if you are in the Powders (for color) absolutely no-makeup It is just a quick fix to add some beet or rose powder Raised Bed Gardening camp. y favorite way to to a Tablespoon of Coconut If you don’t want to garden is using raised Oil and you have a very make your own vegetable/ beds. Here are the first fruit/flower powder, you healthy lip protector/ one of our photographers Skin is not an impenetra- dozen benefits that moisturizer. can buy some of it at health Mcame quickly to mind: — Jessica Grant. She makes ble barrier. It is designed to food stores. For example, Or you can use Beeswax her own hair spray using “breath” in a fashion and to 1. It’s easy on your back. beet powder. To get the or a combination of the distilled water and sugar. secrete fluids and to absorb 2. It’s handicap accessible. shade you want, just mix two. Boil the water. Add some others. 3. It lets you completely control the eggshell powder with beet There are more elaborate sugar (the more you put in Don’t you want what soil/medium. powder. ways to make your own the stickier it will be for your skin is taking in to be 4. Pesticide runoff from neighbors You can get about any lipsticks – even with tube hold). Let it cool. Add your 100% healthy for it? is not an issue. tint you like by dehydrating forms you can order from favorite essential oil for 5. Drainage is never a problem. vegetables, fruits, or craft houses. Lots of scent. Place it all in a mister © 2015 Jill Bond, All Rights 6. Weeding is a breeze. flowers. Then pulverize the methods are just a few for use. Store it in the Reserved 7. Square-foot planting works dried produce to a fine clicks away. refrigerator. It will last for Jill Bond is not a profes- great. powder. There are shades of about two weeks. You’ll sional skin care technician, 8. It‘s attractive in your yard. roses that make wonderful Sweet Hair Spray want to experiment to find nor is she a chemist. She 9. Rabbits can’t reach your lettuce. “blush.” Distilled Water the best ratio for the perfect only plays one at the 10. Irrigation can be automated There is nothing in it that Sugar hold for your hair. bathroom sink as she easily. your skin would reject. And Essential Oil measures, pours, and mixes 11. It doesn’t take up a great deal This comes to us from In Closing up strange concoctions in of space. Because I have an inner her attempt to avoid paying 12. You can rotate your crops each ear issue, sometimes I used $100 an ounce for some season. to wear a Scopolamine wrinkle cream or slathering patch. That little patch, the on “this season’s BLWE The major drawback is that you size of a small circle ban- color.” either have to build them yourself, dage would slowly release assemble a kit, or hire someone to put My Favorite Makeup Counter the medicine into my blood Have you seen the them in. stream. YouTube video of a 50s We did a combo of two of those I mention that to remind commercial where the three options. We purchased a “kit” for you that your skin is advertiser applied radioac- the bed section of the planter – within absorbing all the chemicals tive dirt to the model to the same price range of buying raw of the makeup you are prove the cold cream did an lumber, and the sawing was done for using. Think about the amazing job? us. My husband did buy lumber to “patch” that people wear to https://youtu. make the risers, legs, and supports. stop smoking. be/9Q1gksqqhLU My dear husband cut 2 fence posts

The Unity of Diversity Or is it the Perversity of Diversity?

and belief because it doesn’t believe what they believe. I 28 Come unto me, all ye that are weary and laden, and I don’t think they even realize the backwards logic of their will ease you. statement. 29 Take my yoke on you, and learn of me that I am meek They might have as well have said: “We started our and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. company with the policy to support equal rights for all 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden light. except for those people who don’t agree with us on every Matthew 11:28-30 viewpoint.” So basically, if they were true to their own policy, they couldn’t sponsor themselves. We are not alone on earth. We live with people from all hen a friend was getting certified as a walks of life, colors and shapes. That’s a good thing. Jesus teacher, she had to take a full 3-hour loved them so much He did the unthinkable – He took on credit course on “diversity.” The problem their sins and sacrificed Himself. was that the most bigoted person she had That fact would make any Christian the most loving everW met was the teacher. person alive – if they fully embrace Christ. (4” x 4”) in half, giving him 4 posts for each corner. He laid 10 pounds of Black Hen He didn’t see himself as a bigot though. He was tolerant. Somehow the enemy has twisted, as Scripture said he slats across the frame and cut an 8’ x 4’ piece of plywood in 6 pounds of Worm Castings He was tolerant of anyone who held his beliefs. If you would, love into “hate.” That which is the most loving thing half – giving him the platforms. For drainage, he drilled 40 pounds of Mushroom Compost didn’t agree with him and his position then you were the you can do for a person – share the Truth of the Gospel – has holes throughout the plywood. To all of that he only needed bigot. become hate speech. a few 2-by-4s to anchor the legs and as a base for the slats. That combination will stay potent for about two to three That is such a Beware of those who Next, he assembled the kit – but you could do it yourself seasons, then you’ll need to either replace it entirely or firebomb of a word to scream for diversity of with redwood or other lumber suitable for outdoors. supplement the soil. When it comes down to it – the only diversity will be use, “bigot.” beliefs, of clubs, of I’m purposefully not giving exact steps to build these Since the initial set up, we’ve gotten a great compost pit those who are united behind the antichrist vs. Recently I canceled organizations, of raised beds, because each set I have is slightly different. going and a friend with a farm, so we can supplement our those who are redeemed. my subscription to a classrooms, and of You’ll have to make adjustments for height, slopes in your soil quite easily. You’ll need to add organic matter to feed company that otherwise pulpits. yard, and available footprint (long and skinny, square, or your plants. I was pleased with. They pulled their advertising from a When it comes down to it – the only diversity will be rectangle; availability for covering it with netting; balance of Christian company. Why? Here’s a quote from their email to those who are united behind the antichrist vs. those who sunlight and shade; allowances for shadows from buildings, Using raised beds makes for a wonderful, alternate me: are redeemed. fences, or trees; and other factors that are unique to your gardening idea. I invite you to give it a try, and enjoy the Christ said that people are either for Him or against Him. situation.) harvest. “In 2012, we started (company name withheld) to make ( ) One thing to remember when you purchase the lumber Matthew 12:30 (product withheld) accessible for everyone, and wholehearted- The world’s cry of diversity is really a cry for a one-world is to make sure it is untreated – you don’t want any chemi- © 2015 Jill Bond, All Rights Reserved ly support equal rights for all. So while we respect (Christian government, a one-world economy, and a one-world cals leaching into your vegetables. Though her mother had the greenest thumb around, Jill company’s name withheld) right to express their viewpoints, we religion. For the medium, I followed the suggestions of the struggles with daily maintenance issues of having a lush cannot sponsor anyone who alienates specific groups, beliefs, How can we separate ourselves so we aren’t unequally friendly and helpful gardeners at Nelson’s Family Farms: garden. She needs easy-to-plant, easy-to-weed, easy-to- or orientations — as it goes against our company mission.” yoked with unbelievers, those who worship at the feet of 3.8 cubic feet of Peat Moss keep-up style gardening. We wouldn’t call her a lazy diversity and perversity? One way is to disenfranchise 22 pounds of Vermiculite gardener, but one who really depends on GRACE. BLWE So, in other words, they will alienate any specific group yourself from any entanglements. 25 pounds of Black Kow All verses are GNV unless noted 100 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 101 When another publisher bought both on the same list. But when you Arizona. They all look the same with one of my publishers, the connection can, shop elsewhere, buy from a the same chain businesses. He that is not with me, is against me: and he that was untenable for us. The new private vendor; support a company So, one area I’d like to see a little gathereth not with me, scattereth. publisher not only was hawking that has Godly morals. more bona fide diversity in is with Matthew 12:30 books of questionable viewpoints, but For instance, when I have a choice I businesses. It’s those large mega-cor- also even had some that were choose to shop at Hobby Lobby® for porations that have the extra money Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that pro-witchcraft. My loving husband my craft supplies because of their to spend on causes that are antitheti- which is evil, and cleave unto that which is good. bought out my contracts and all the pro-life stance. cal to a Biblical worldview. Romans 12:9 stock of books, so I wouldn’t have a One quick note, as much as I prefer In closing, may I just ask you to legal contract with them. to shop at home-owned stores over think, before you buy, about how Woe unto them that speak good of evil, and evil I realize sometimes that isn’t an the big chains, I do know that some of what you are spending might be of good, which put darkness for light, and light for option — being able to nullify a the stores that look like a chain, really giving someone else more money to darkness, that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for contract. I suggest you do the best aren’t. For example, chances are good defeat your church, challenge your sour. you can and pray about it. that your local Ace Hardware store is pastor, or make the words you recite Isaiah 5:20 Boycotting is a way of not funding locally owned. The owner just pays from Scripture a “hate” crime. That that beastly system. There are numer- fees for the group advertising, faux diversity will morph into a sick Be not unequally yoked with the infidels: for ous ministries that print lists on their products, and use of the name – a unity – so that everyone will have the what fellowship hath righteousness with unrigh- websites of sponsors of various laws, franchise. same thoughts, those prescribed by teousness? and what communion hath light with amicus briefs, campaigns, and causes. I saw a sci-fi movie once on regular an evil entity. darkness? You can then boycott or support as television so it was rated PG, and all Except for we who are called by the 2 Corinthians 6:14 you are convicted by the Holy Spirit. the restaurants were called “Taco Bell” Name of the One who is I admit it is almost impossible to because there had been a mass Cause not your commodity to be evil spoken of. completely disentangle yourself from consolation of fast food joints. (I’m not …the same yesterday, today, and Romans 14:16 some of the major corporations who recommending the movie, so I won’t forever. advocate polices of death, because even name it.) I mention it only to Hebrews 13:8b(HCSB) No servant can serve two masters: for either we are down to sometimes only two point out that when you exit many of he shall hate the one, and love the other: or else choices like the major computer the Interstates you won’t be able to We know a different and a divine he shall lean to the one, and despise the other. Ye operating companies and they are tell if you are in Texas, Virginia, or unity – the unity in Christ. cannot serve God and riches. Luke 16:13

Predictive Recital And it was given unto him to make war with the I suffered silently because no amount of explanation or the pagan rites. But because it was glorifying an Saints, and to overcome them, and power was given was even being heard. I was called a bigot. Not because African heritage scene, everyone, riddled with misplaced him over every kindred, and tongue, and nation. of what I did, it was for something I did not do. guilt for century-old offenses, leapt into a thunderous, Revelations 13:7 I didn’t give a standing ovation to a pagan dance standing ovation. performance at a school recital. I was appalled and still am – I couldn’t care less about It was back in 1977, and I attended my college’s dance the amount of pigment in someone’s skin, but as a majors’ end-of-term performance. It was wonderful. Each God-fearing woman, I could not advocate idolatry. I was Photo By Jennifer Baringer scene and style was different, from ballet, to a “Fred and the only person in the audience who did not stand. I © 2015 Gloria van der Gott, All Rights Re- Ginger” ballroom dance, and even a 50s-sockhop heard about it for the rest of the week from my dorm served extravaganza. mates who saw it. Fortunately they were fickle freshmen Gloria loves the diversity God has placed Each of the dozen vignettes was rewarded with hardy and went on to harass someone else the next week. in creation – the huge variety of vegetation, “Our only justification for depriving someone of his liberty applause. That experience has stayed with me because it animals, and vistas. It’s the perversity of is because he deserves it. Otherwise, there will come a time Then the big finale came on. It was a pagan-worship- seemed to be a glimpse into the future. It won’t be diversity as satan whispers in ears of the when Christians are arrested because their beliefs in moral ing, syncopating bacchanalia bordering on becoming an enough that we don’t participate in godlessness; we’ll be God-less that has her praying over- absolutes makes them appear dangerous.” orgy. They didn’t hide the idol worship, the witch doctor, assaulted for not giving it a standing ovation. time. BLWE C. S.. Lewis

I left my career to marry Alan, there was a huge (3’ x 5’) chocolate cake – they had splurged to get the more expensive type. I couldn’t have a bite. In 2000, though I had wristbands Ready for Guests? warning of my severe seafood allergy, Making Your Special Guests Feel Special when I was woken from major surgery, the nurse insisted I eat something. I took a sip of her offered “potato soup.” It wasn’t potato, but clam chowder. he holidays are coming and that usually And she did. With one exception, she used two Within an hour of having major means guests – we’re not alone. One of the tablespoons of butter in a dozen muffins. She didn’t think abdominal surgery, I went into nicest things you can do, besides having guests that little bit would hurt (disregarding the mother’s convulsions. My overnight stay over, is to accommodate their preferences – warnings) and just knew that the muffins would taste changed to a whole week for recovery. Twhen possible. Whenever you invite someone, immedi- better that way. So, when we had a family over for ately ask about food allergies, restrictions, and favorites. The son had one bite. How much casein could that one of our Thursday night dinners, I We visited a wonderful family whose son had autism. be? Poor child, he reverted back to low-functioning asked my usual questions about diet. Let me clarify that he was diagnosed with autism, but autism for about three weeks until his system was The son and husband were glu- when they went with a very strict no gluten, no casein completely GFCF (Gluten-Free, Casein-Free) again. That ten-free. No problem. I made a special diet, he was symptom-free. It was a miracle. cautionary tale was told to me by the upset mother who dessert and served them gluten-free One year, family friends really wanted them to come instead of enjoying the holidays with her family and bread and spaghetti. Their son was so to their house for a holiday meal. Though the mother friends had to settle the son’s hurting/severe “isms.” blown away that we would accommo- tried to talk her friend out of it, stressing the mandates I can relate. I learned early to not break an allergy date him he said, “But even Grandma about the diet, the invitation was accepted with full barrier. I can remember as a child going to parties and thinks we’re crazy about our diet and Photo by Penny Cooke assurance that the friend would follow all the restrictions there wouldn’t be a thing I could eat or drink except won’t make anything special for us. to the letter. water, and it was suspect. Even at the farewell party when Here this lady did and she’s not even guests when they say they have an way to meeting special require- family.” allergy or sensitivity. It can be a ments. With today’s markets, it is so easy matter of life or death. Some Tip: Write in your cookbooks to accommodate special diets – there allergies are so severe that even or your recipes. Make notes. I’m are many substitutes and ways to exposure of using the same spoon always trying to up the ante make your guests not only feel in two different mixes can send toward health, but when I hit my welcome, but stay healthy. someone into anaphylactic shock. family’s limit I stop. For instance, I Besides buying “gluten-free” And if you can’t handle their reduce the sugar and increase the alternatives, there are many options needs/restrictions, tell them. I’ve alternative – with some recipes it for addressing special diets. It’s easier taken my own food to occasions 100% alternative, but even with than it was two decades ago when we because I didn’t want to stress the those I can reduce the sweetness. tried it for our Trent to no avail. There’s hostess. Your allergic guest would Sweet can be almost addictive. The carob for those allergic to chocolate. rather do that than risk any less sweet we need something to To add a nutty-crunch to casseroles or cross-contamination. be the more we can pick up on the salads for those with nut allergies, use I’m including recipes here that other flavors. So, try reducing from water chestnuts, raw carrot chunks, or are splurges for the holidays – des- 6 packets of Stevia to 5, if they still some whole grains. There are healthy serts, sides, and dressings. Altering like the recipe, try for 4 next time. and delicious substitutes for sugar. recipes with meat replacements, But write it down on the recipe, so Below are some recipes to help vegetable choices, and careful you’ll know the next time you you with custom diets. And believe salad ingredients will go a long make it.

104 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | MOL=More or Less | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 105 1 2 1 Carob Banana Pops /3, /3, 1 /3 Tablespoons Milk pop pan, 18-20 for the mini-muffin with Pumpkin Sauce [MOL] (any alternative milk pan. that our guest can consume) 8. Serve some now, and freeze the For those with chocolate allergies, this is an rest in airtight containers for later. option. See notations about other substitutes. It could work for those with milk Banana-Pumpkin Sauce 9. Prepare sauce. You could make it allergies and gluten issues. all ahead for later use, but it is so easy ½, 1, 2 frozen Bananas to make I recommend you make the ¼, ½, 1 cups Pumpkin puree (see arob anana ops sauce in single batches just before C B P Issue 5 for tips about pump- x1, x2, x4 serving. If you plan to freeze the sauce kin) 20, 40, 80 Yields in Pops – Or for later use, I recommend you add ½, 1, 2 teaspoons Pumpkin Pie about 12, 24, 48 using 1-2 teaspoons of lemon juice to help Spice or Cinnamon/Nutmeg mini-muffin tins keep the bananas from browning. ¼, ½, 1 cups Oat Flour 10. Blend all the sauce ingredients 1. Preheat oven to 350° F. 1 together until smooth. You can add a /8, ¼, ½ cups Carob Powder (1/8 2. Prepare pan with a non-stick cup is the same as 2 Table- drop of honey or other sweetener if spray. Either use a cake pop pan or a spoons) you desire. If your blender has a small muffin tin. (They will look different, 1, 2, 4 Tablespoons Tahini (for cup/mug pitcher option, use it for this but still work.) 1 cup Peanut Butter and mix. Stir in chocolate chips. those with allergies, dou- small quantity. No Flour Peanut Butter & 3. In one bowl, mix all the dry 1 beaten Egg Roll teaspoonfuls into balls ble-check that this is okay) 11. Serve warm with sauce. Or Chocolate Chip Cookies ingredients. 1 cup Sugar and flatten with fork. Bake about ¾, 1½, 3 teaspoons Baking Soda thaw and serve cold, or heat in One of our writers benefits from a glu- 4. In a separate bowl, mix the wet 1 tsp Baking Soda 10 minutes at 350° F. (That 3 teaspoons is 1 Table- moderate oven for 3-5 minutes and ten-free diet. Though I’ll never be able to eat ingredients. these cookies because of my peanut allergy, 1 cups semi-sweet Chocolate Makes about 2 dozen. spoon) serve with sauce. 5. Mix the two solutions together. my husband would give them two thumbs Chips 1, 2, 4 large Bananas, ripe up, except he’s using that hand to eat anoth- 6. Place in pan. (Fill bottom half of She says: “You’d never know ½, 1, 2 Tablespoons Coconut er cookie. pop pan, or 2/3 of mini-muffin tin) Mix peanut butter and sugar. there was no flour in them!” Sugar (or your favorite sugar 7. Bake for 15-18 minutes for the Add beaten egg and baking soda substitute)

MOL=More or Less 106 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | Photo by Dora Grace | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 107 Aunt Millie’s Date Squares forks until mixture is crumbly. Or just use your hands. 8. Press half of flour mixture into prepared baking This recipe allowed me to add some alternative grains (millet) for dish(es). the usual chopped nuts in snack bars. These are a treat. Though they are loaded with sugar, they still are a mite-bit healthier than 9. Spread the date mixture over the pressed crust layer. those commercial snack bars with a boatload of chemicals, preser- 10. Stir the millet into the second half of the crumb vatives, and additives. You can use organic ingredients, fresh-milled mixture. grains/flours, and other A+ ingredients. These freeze so well that I 11. Sprinkle crumb mixture over filling. make the x4 recipe. Cut and bag the squares for a wonderful lunch snack. They thaw in a few hours, or I like them even straight from 12. Bake at 350° F for 25-30 minutes – until lightly brown the freezer. in color. 13. Cool on a rack. x1, x2, x4 14. Cut into rectangles. For steps 1,2,3. 15. Serve warm with whipped topping or ice cream. OR 1, 2, 4 pounds pitted Dates, chopped (Buying dates just bag and tag them and store them in your freezer for a already chopped is so much easier – it is worth the great treat anytime. slight increase in cost) Notes: 2 1 • You can cut the butter into the mixture with a food /3, 1 /3, 3 cups Brown Sugar (or substitute) 2 1 processor – it might take you several bucket loads – /3, 1 /3, 3 cups Orange Juice (You’ll cook it, so you don’t have to use the expensive fresh squeezed remember to only pulse a few times. You want it to unless you want to.) be crumbly not smooth. 1, 2, 4 Tablespoons Vanilla (the real stuff) • If you are using a metal or silicon pan, then you need ½, 1, 2 cups Brown Sugar (or 1. Preheat oven to 400° F. Prepare For steps 4 … to adjust the temperature and check the time. 375° F. Cowboy Cookies For an explanation about varying temperature and equivalent) cookie sheets with parchment paper, 1½, 3, 6 cups Flour – equivalent of All Purpose (Fresh Though I mentioned this recipe in Issue timing for various types of pans/dishes see Issue 3, ¾, 1½, 3 cups White Sugar (or baking sheets, or non-stick spray. milled Soft wheat) 6 – Versatility, I’ve decided to write it out equivalent) 2. Sift the first 4 ingredients in a 1½, 3, 6 cups Oats (fresh flaked is best, but use what page 71. for you here because of its versatility you 2, 4, 8 Eggs bowl – or just fluff with a wire whisk. you choose) can mix/match ingredients to fit around 3 /8, ¾, 1½ cups Molasses Set aside. 1, 2, 4 cups Brown Sugar (or substitute) specific dietary needs. If you are grinding 2, 4, 8 cups Oats (Freshly flaked is 3. In a separate bowl, cream the 1, 2, 4 teaspoons Cinnamon your own flour, use a combination of soft better than packaged, but go shortening and sugar by hand or with ½, 1, 2 teaspoons Baking Soda grains — spring wheat instead of a winter with what you have.) a mixer until smooth. If you are 1 or hard wheat – because of the reduction Dash, /8, ¼ teaspoon Salt (make a healthy choice of gluten and for softer cookies. Extras making the x4 batch, you’ll need the here) 1, 2, 4 cups of Raisins (or other mixer or a very strong arm. 1, 2, 4 cups Butter, cold, cubed (organic is x1, x2, x4 dried fruits like dates) 4. Beat in the eggs and molasses. preferable) 3, 6, 12 dozen cookies – yield will 1, 2, 4 cups of Butterscotch, 5. Stir in oats. ¼, ½, 1 cup of Millet (or for those that can vary according to the amount Chocolate, Candy pieces – all 6. Stir in your choice of “extras.” I’ve handle it, you can add the same amount of of “extras” you add or leave or just one done all the above and sometimes chopped walnuts.) out. ½, 1, 2 cups Coconut (flaked) just what I had on hand. Every batch ½, 1, 2 cups Cocoa or Carob turns out great. 1. Preheat oven to 350° F. 1¾, 3½, 7 cups Flour (Freshly Powder (MOL – depending on 7a. Drop by Tablespoons-full onto 2. For each multiple, prepare a 13” x 9” glass ground whole wheat) (soft will how strong your ingredient is) cookie sheets. Garnish with half a baking dish by spraying, lining, or greasing. work better than hard wheat) or ½, 1, 2 cups Nuts or a crunchy walnut if desired. 3. In a saucepan (Dutch oven for x4 recipe), combination of grains – even All substitute like Millet 7b. Or drop by ice cream scoop for combine the dates, sugar, and Orange juice. Purpose will work) ½, 1, 2 cups grated fresh Carrots large cookies — they will need to 4. Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer 1, 2, 4 teaspoons Soda ½, 1, 2 cups grated fresh Zucchini bake longer, about 12 minutes. for 4 minutes until the dates are tender. Stir con- 1, 2, 4 teaspoons Salt (Less if you Squash 8. Bake 8-10 minutes stantly. are using a “real salt”) ½, 1, 2 cups of whatever ingredi- 9. Enjoy a cookie that is a bit 5. Remove from heat. Add the vanilla. 1, 2, 4 teaspoons Cinnamon ent you think might work (Test healthier than the standard box fare 6. In a bowl, fluff with a whisk the flour, oats, (MOL) a small batch first.) that’s customized to you and your sugar, cinnamon, soda and salt. ½, 1, 2 cups Shortening (or guests’ special diets. 7. Cut in the butter using a pastry blade or two equivalent) 108 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | MOL=More or Less | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 109 usually opt for Apple Cider Vinegar or could substitute, if you like, wheat- wine vinegar. White vinegar being free soy sauce, gluten-free steak one of most concern. Balsamic sauce, or a dash of hot sauce if vinegars, though made with grapes, Worcestershire sauce is an issue for might have been in casks sealed with your guests. A dash of cloves can add wheat or rye flour. Malt vinegar is a a hint of the same flavoring. Some- definite “not for the gluten-sensitive” what. as it is made from barley-based ale. What you don’t use of a home- arrot ressing made dressing on the day you mix it C D up, store in airtight container in the This is great dressing for salad that is predominately lettuces. Depending on the refrigerator, but only for a week or so. quality of your blender, you might not have Remember you didn’t add any to mince or finely chop the produce for the preservatives — that’s why we like it. dressing. Or you might need to really chop it fine. Gluten-free Salad Dressing or French Dressing Just plain delicious Salad ¾ cup Red Wine Vinegar Dressings This French Dressing is gluten-free when 1 cup of Sugar (or equivalent of a you substitute gluten-free catsup for the Something some people don’t substitute) regular one: realize is that your salad may be the 2 ribs Celery, chopped perfect dish for someone with ¼ cup of Onion, chopped fine 1 cup quality extra-virgin Olive allergies, until you add the dressing. 1 Carrot, small, chopped Oil (The good stuff) There are gluten, peanut oil, soy, and ½ teaspoon Salt ¾ cup Sugar or Sugar Substitute dyes in some prepared dressings. But ¾ cup quality Oil (vegetable, (gluten-free) not to worry, making your own olive, your favorite) 1 dressing can be quick and less /3 cup Catsup – make sure it is expensive then commercial brands. really gluten-free Almost all of the dressings I make ¼ cup ACV (Apple Cider Vinegar) Combine the first six ingredients myself are gluten-free, peanut-free, – I use the Bragg brand (all but oil) in a blender. Process until and dye-free automatically — that’s 1 teaspoon Worcestershire smooth. Once it is smooth, start the beauty of making it yourself. Sauce* (again, make sure it is pouring in the oil with a light, but Don’t opt out of any of these allergen free – you’d be steady, stream. It will thicken some- because they are “gluten-free” as if surprised what’s in the what. that means, they are “taste-free.” I “normal” version.) make these even when gluten isn’t an issue for anyone at the table. Whisk together ingredients until For these small amounts, I use the smooth. blender “cups” that came with my *Worcestershire sauce varies but Ninja® blender — no need to use the the standard ingredients are garlic, large pitcher. soy sauce, tamarind, onions, molasses, Caution about Vinegar: Since lime, anchovies, and seasonings. It’s grain-based vinegar can be classified those “seasonings” that are propri- as “gluten-free” if it tests less than 20 etary that you have to really watch for. parts per million, be careful for those Some of the flavorings might include: who are hypersensitive. It might be pickles, peppers, soy sauce, cloves, best to skip any of the dressings that and lemons. Notice also the molasses call for vinegar, or be 100% certain it is (a no for diabetics) and anchovies a non-grain vinegar. That’s why I (vegetarians don’t eat them). You 110 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 111 Raspberry Vinaigrette 1 Tablespoon Herbs (Basil, Parsley, et al) – use this amount of fresh or 1 teaspoon dried – you can use one To be honest, I play around with this recipe each time, depending or half a dozen if you like. on what produce I have on hand and my particular mood. I might chop up any fresh produce and blend it smooth and add it in. ½ cup Raspberries (fresh or frozen), or raspberry Please see the note above about vinegars — ascertain that your vin- nectar, or raspberry juice. egar is 100% gluten-free, not just mostly gluten-free. But basically here’s what you can do: Process all the ingredients in your blender until smooth. ½-3/4 cup quality Olive Oil (Best you can afford) ¼ cup Apple Cider Vinegar or Raspberry or Pome- Once you get the hang of it, you’ll be substituting other granate Wine Vinegar (check it) juices for the raspberries (orange, peach, apple) and having 1 teaspoon Salt fun throwing in some produce to add body to the mix. 2 Tablespoons Honey, or other liquid sweetener (double-check for those with medical conditions)

You-Can-Do-It Blue Cheese Dressing You could add garlic powder (check that no gluten-based product was used as a non-caking Ah, my favorite is Blue Cheese Dressing, but it’s my nemesis because agent) – or better yet, 1/8 teaspoon of finely it has more calories than all the food on the rest of my plate. You can lower the calories, and flavor, by using no-fat or low-fat ver- chopped fresh garlic. sions of the mayonnaise and sour cream. Some like to add up to 2 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce (see cautions on page 110). And yes, there is a red flag about blue cheese (and most cheeses) since cheese cultures can be grown using a medium containing gluten like rye bread. There is a difference between something labeled “gluten-free” and 100% no gluten. So if your guest has Celiac Mix all the ingredients except the cheese with a spoon in disease they should be okay unless the label flat out states an ingre- a bowl, then sprinkle in the crumbled blue cheese. Enjoy. dient on their “no” list. For the autistic child, even as small amount This is so thick, you could use it as a dip. If it is too thick for as 20 ppm, could trigger them. So, if that is the concern, you might you, then add a little bit of milk or water. Just a little at a want another option for a dressing. And of course, if they are casein free, cheese is out completely. time until you reach the desired consistency. 1 cup *Mayonnaise or *Miracle Whip® (low fat works *Make your own Mayo if needed, or go with a product okay) that is 100% gluten-free. Miracle Whip® is gluten-free 1 cup Sour Cream (low calorie versions are fine) because it doesn’t contain any ingredients that have gluten, 1 Tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar but not certified gluten-free. However, cross-contamination ½ teaspoon Salt may be an issue, and the vinegar they use may be iffy. ½ teaspoon Pepper 6 ounces of Blue Cheese (crumbled)

112 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 113 Ice Cream and Sherbets for the frozen state on Fudge-sicle or *Orange-sicle or Diabetics (or Non-diabetics) purpose. Just thought ______-sicle you’d want to be aware My son Stuart has Type I Diabetes This is so easy. But it is not healthy at all, so please at how much faster and most of the commercial ice cream use it as a once-in-a-blood-moon treat. homemade melts was sweetened with aspartame (a compared to commer- 1 pkg (4-serving size) of Chocolate Instant product we avoid). He loves these cial brands. Pudding (Your choice of flavors lends a recipes and it allowed him to feel Note 3: If you want wide variety) treated like everyone else. These a variety of ice creams 3½ cups Milk (Your favorite type of milk) recipes are also great for the dieter and sherbets for your and those with hypoglycemia. If you guests, then plan can afford the calories and prefer Blend until smooth – either shake in a jar or ahead – be sure to sugar, you could make all these use your blender – you want it smooth. But it allow time for your ice recipes the regular way. only takes a few seconds in a good blender. cream freezer’s drum to Homemade ice cream is so easy to Then pour it into your ice cream freezer’s refreeze. Mine takes make, you just have to start a few drum. It takes my freezer about 20-25 minutes about 10 hours. I make hours early. It will be far less expen- to thicken and then it is ready to “ripen” in the a flavor in the morning, sive than commercial brands – but the regular freezer before serving. those “orange creams” we had as children. You can have fun then one at night, and key is you’ll be able to pronounce *To make the orange-sicle, use instant vanilla pudding with variations with different flavors of pudding and milk/ then I can make each ingredient, control the amount and substitute half the milk with Orange Juice – it tastes like juice combinations. another version the of sugar or dairy, and not have to run next morning. to the store to have it. Ice cream freezers are well worth ¾ cup sugar or sugar substitute of your choice Note 4: My unit cream freezer, pour the half-n-half, Eggnog Ice Cream the investment. No longer do we have 1 cup Milk (or substitute – I use 2% organic) makes one quart – so all these recipes vanilla, and, if desired, a couple squirts The simple method is to just sweeten your eggnog (if necessary) to lug blocks of ice and sprinkle salt 2 cups Heavy Cream work for that amount. If your unit of honey. Sprinkle in the Stevia (or and run it in the machine – if it is too “eggnoggy” or your eggnog is on the ice as we turn and turn and ½ teaspoon Vanilla varies, you’ll need to keep the same sugar). Swish together. Freeze using really strong, then substitute one or two cups of cream or milk for turn the handle on an old ice cream the eggnog. If you want a richer version, here’s one that takes a few ¼ teaspoon Nutmeg (freshly grated is wonderful) (MOL) proportions, but increase or decrease your ice cream freezer device – follow- churn. The new models are wonderful. more ingredients, but is well worth the extra effort. Since we aren’t 1 teaspoon Rum Extract (if desired – some people like as needed. ing the manufacturer’s directions. This cooking the eggs, play it safe and use a pasteurized egg product. My unit has a drum that stores in the it) recipe churns quicker than the other freezer. Whenever we want to make asy easy anilla ce ream recipes; it is thick in about 20 minutes. ice cream, we pull it out, load up the E -P V I C : ½ cup egg product – one that is pasteurized (those 1. Combine the egg and sugar – beat until it is pale This one is so easy; you don’t even have to The ice cream is soft serve at this ingredients, insert the paddle, place yellow and thick, about 2 minutes. dirty up any extra dishes, but the freezer stage. For a harder ice cream, we put “egg in a carton” products — you can get some that on the cover and turn on the motor to 2. Stir in milk, cream, extracts, and nutmeg. itself. If you are new to making your own the ice cream in an airtight container are cage-free, no hormones, et al.) whirl for about 30 minutes. ice cream, this is an easy start. It doesn’t 3. Refrigerate for a and freeze it for 2-3 hours in your have the layers of flavors that you’ll like few hours if you have in the more complicated recipes, but it is regular freezer before serving – the Note 1: If you have time, it “creams” time. If not, go with it. still better than commercial brands – and hardening stage. better if you can make the mixture healthier. 4. Process in ice cream ahead of time, refrigerate it for hours, freezer machine for For variations: You can substitute and when it is VERY cold, then pour it 25-30 minutes. 1 quart Half-n-Half (Your favorite one cup of the half-n-half with juice or into your freezer and get it freezing. 5. Allow ripening in variety) fruit puree OR during the last ten Note 2: Those two hours of time in regular freezer for at 4-6 granulated Stevia packets (or minutes (depends on your freezer) our main freezer, after it is churned, is least 2 hours before if sugar isn’t an issue for you, 3/4 sprinkle in chunks of your favorite called “hardening” or strangely, serving. cup sugar, or equivalent of your fruit or add-ins (for those who love “ripening.” It melts very quickly, very favorite option to sugar) bits of candy in their ice cream). For quickly straight from the ice creamer. 1-2 teaspoons Vanilla example, I like to drop teaspoons of Hardening it will help lengthen that Squirts of Honey (optional) an ALL fruit jam during the last ten melting time. But it is still homemade minutes — it comes out marbleized — we didn’t add all those extra Directly in to the drum of your ice and delicious. chemicals that “stabilize” and prolong MOL=More or Less 114 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 115 Deluxe Vanilla Bean Ice Cream egg mixture. Stir. Add a little bit more little more to keep it from sticking on Sherbets for the Diabetic until the eggs are tempered. Stir all the bottom. This recipe is more complicated but it is Sherbets are easy to make and you can exper- the egg mixture into the cream better than any premium commercial brand iment to your heart’s content. Basically you on the market. With the basic Vanilla mixture in the pot. Note: Real vanilla bean is expen- combine 1-2 cups of juice/fruit of your choice, recipe, you can spice it up or down, twist 7. Cook over low heat until mixture sive, so I take the leftover bean and add enough milk (or milk substitute) to make and turn it to make any specialty flavor you is thick enough to coat a spoon. Stop. clean it thoroughly. Once completely 4 cups, sweeten it a little, and blend it in your love. Note: I’ve reduced the normal 3 cups of blender. Then process it in your ice cream It will thicken as it chills. You want it dry, it will make some wonderful cream in standard recipes to bring down the freezer as you would for ice cream. I haven’t calories and fat. But you can really splurge like thin pancake batter, not pudding. vanilla sugar for sweetening a host of found a fruit we didn’t like yet. and use 3 cups of cream instead of the milk/ 8. Refrigerate until cold. This step is things like your coffee, tea, juices, or cream combination. vital. It has to be VERY cold before you other recipes. To one cup of sugar (or Check the juice, concentrate, nectar, or fruit that you use to make sure someone along the 1½ cups Milk put it in the ice cream machine. favorite substitute) insert 1-inch processing line didn’t add sugar to it. With 1½ cups Cream 9. Once cold, pour into machine sections of vanilla bean (fresh or fresh fruit, you are okay, but if you’re using 1 whole Vanilla Bean (about 6”) and let it whirl for about 30 minutes. slightly used, cleaned and dried). Stir. canned or concentrate – get the sugar-free or no-sugar added versions. The reason I use 2 large *Eggs 10. It is delicious now and very Every few days shake the container. the concentrated form is because it gives you 3 *Egg Yolks – (yes, that’s right soft. For a firmer consistency, ripen in This can be a constant friendly treat that extra burst of flavor. These homemade – 5 eggs total needed) regular freezer for several hours. – as the flavor fades, just add more sherbets have more zing than store-brought ¾ cup granulated Sugar or 11. Enjoy! You will be amazed at vanilla bean and as you use the sherbets. If you can’t find no-sugar added, or sugar-free versions of the concentrate, then equivalent – I use Stevia – how wonderful it tastes. sweetener, add more of it. And there’s use juice or the fruit itself. coconut taste, use a Pineap- coloring food that are whole- about 6 packets, but use what one less commercial artificial product ple/Coconut blend.] some without all the added you or your guests can handle you’ll need to buy. *Since we are cooking this recipe, 1 cup fat free/no added sugar chemicals.) For a solid color, Note 2: To distinguish between General directions for all four you can use real eggs. You don’t have Vanilla Yogurt (Or for more add dye while blending. If you 1. Carefully split open the bean freezers, I used the term “regular of the sherbets: to have a pasteurized product. In the pitcher of your blender, pour intensity of flavor – use a like a streaked or marbled and scrape out the seeds. Don’t freezer” to mean the one above, **For the photo-shoot version, I in the concentrate/juice/nectar/fruit. flavored yogurt) effect, add the coloring discard the seeds. You want those in below, or beside your refrigerator as tried making this using a quality pan, Add milk (and yogurt if listed) to reach 2 cups Milk (MOL) during the last few minutes of the recipe for that speckled look. opposed to the speciality ice cream not my double boiler and it worked the 4-cup amount. Add sweetener, if 3 Tablespoons (packets) granu- churning. 2. Bring the milk, cream, vanilla freezer/machine. fine. I just had to watch it and stir it a needed. Blend until smooth. Process in lated Stevia, sugar, honey, or *Using a full cup of limeade makes bean seeds, and the whole your ice cream freezer – following sweetener of your choice a very potent flavor. If you want a bean to a slow boil using a manufacturer’s directions. My unit takes (MOL) tamer version, use only ½ cup of double boiler** using about 30 minutes. limeade concentrate and 3½ cups medium heat. Stir occasional- milk. ly. ime or emon herbet L L S To make lemon Sherbet, just use 3. Turn it down to simmer 1 Limeade concentrate (thawed) Orange Sherbet lemonade concentrate. for 30 minutes – stirring occa- 1 can of Orange Juice Concentrate (about a ½ to 1 cup*) sionally. or use fresh OJ 3 cups Milk (MOL) 4. In a separate bowl, mix 3 cups Milk (I use organic 2%, you 3 Tablespoons (packets) granu- Raspberry Sherbet the eggs, yolks, and sugar can use any milk substitute you lated Stevia, sugar, honey, or 1 cup Raspberry juice or frozen using a mixer until they are prefer) sweetener of your choice Raspberries thick, smooth, and pale 3 Tablespoons (packets) granulat- (MOL) 3 cups Milk (MOL) yellow – about 2 minutes. ed Stevia, Sugar, Honey, or Optional – green food coloring 3 Tablespoons (packets) granu- 5. Remove the vanilla sweetener of your choice (MOL) (This version comes out a very lated Stevia, sugar, honey, or bean from the cream mixture pale green, so if you want that sweetener of your choice using tongs. Or use a strainer intensity of color use a food (MOL) with a large mesh, you don’t Pineapple Sherbet Or Pina coloring that fits any dietary © 2015 Jill Bond, All Rights Reserved. want to strain out the seeds. Colada Sherbet restrictions. There are many Jill is the author of two cookbooks, 6. Temper the egg mixture 1 cup Pineapple Juice Concentrate who cannot handle standard and has taught thousands how to with the cream mixture. (If frozen, thaw it) [You can use food dyes, so be aware. There mega-cook. She offers a $5 discount Slowly pour some of the canned pineapple, fresh are sites on the Internet that on her books to this maga- BLWE warm cream mixture into the pineapple, or for that added offer wonder alternatives for zine’s readers. Just ask. 116 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | MOL=More or Less | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 117 From the Preppers Pantry

German Potato Salad from the Pantry urricanes, blizzards, power failures, budget 1 Tablespoon Bac’Uns® (Non-meat bacon bits, or if issues, or whatever the reason, we should you have them turkey bacon bits.) (Optional) all have a prepared pantry, a “Preppers Pantry.” Many of us do, but then don’t have 1. Gather ingredients. a Hclue as to how to make those “From the Pantry” foods 2. Slice potatoes into coins. palpable. 3. In a jar or shaker container, mix flour, vinegar, and I’m starting this food column just for using those supplies broth – shake enough for flour to completely dissolve. – getting more taste out of dehydrated or canned ingredi- 4. In a pan over heat (gas, grill, 12 volt pan, what have ents. you), heat the liquids and onion until thick enough to coat Of course, this recipe isn’t “healthy.” But when you can’t back of a spoon. get to the store or farmer’s market for fresh, at least you can 5. Stir in spices (salt, pepper, celery seed). rely on canned and dehydrated stocks. 6. Gently stir in potatoes. Heat thoroughly. 7. Before serving, sprinkle in bacon bits and parsley. 1 can of potatoes (14 oz) 8. Serve warm. 2 Tablespoons of ACV (Apple Cider Vinegar) 2 Tablespoons of flour (You can use that old white 4 servings. Again, this is pantry food. This will not be as stuff. I know it isn’t healthy, but it stores and when good as made-from-fresh ingredients, homemade German the power is out . . . ) Potato Salad, but it sure tastes better than just plain canned 2-3 Tablespoons of brown sugar (or white if that is potatoes. what you have – honey would even work or your favorite sweetener.) Bac’Uns® are a trademarked product from Frontier® 1 cup of beef broth (Make one cup using your dehy- Co-op – a great source for spices and dehydrated items for drated powders – follow the instructions on the your pantry. I also use American Survival Wholesale for package.) Or veggie broth (if going vegetarian) organic supplies. 1 onion (if you have one from your garden, if not use © 2015 Jill Bond, All Rights Reserved 2 Tablespoons dehydrated onion flakes) Known for having a year’s worth of food in her ½ teaspoon ground black pepper freezer, Jill is the creator of Mega-Cooking™. She also ½ teaspoon salt likes having a prepped-out pantry. She’ll share her ½ teaspoon celery seed (Optional) pantry-rotation plan of using the stored goods before 2 Tablespoons parsley (again fresh from you garden, they go bad and doing test-runs of recipes before the or use 1 Tablespoon dehydrated parsley) power does indeed go out. BLWE

118 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | MOL=More or Less | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 119 Supplies: Creativity Needle Size: 7 Yarn: Your choice of baby yarn in what colors you want. 2 skeins of around 550 yards worked for 12 blocks of each color. Adjust amount of yarn for amount of colors and size of blanket you are making. Steps: Cast On: 36 sts (Note: Leave a 12+ inch tail.) Rows 1-8: Moss Stitch Row 9: Moss Stitch first 5 sts, knit to last 5 sts, Moss Stitch last 5 sts. Row 10: Moss Stitch first 5 sts, purl to last 5 sts, Moss Stitch last 5 sts. Repeat Rows 9 and 10 26 times. Rows 37-44: Moss Stitch Bind Off. Cut yarn from skein leaving a 12+ inch tail.

Finishing Once all of the blocks are complete, choose placement of each piece and begin sewing blocks together using the long tails left at the Cast On and the Bind Off.

Personalize You can incorporate letters into the blocks to personalize the blanket for its recipient. Use a crochet hook and segment of yarn that will contrast against the background. Starting at the most convenient point of the letter where you will be able to complete the letter without lots of backtracking, bring a loop of the yarn through from the back of the project to the front. Make certain to leave a tail that you will be able to weave in and lock the letter from unraveling. Keeping the loop on the hook, punch the hook through to the back of the block and grab the longer Colorful Blocked half of the yarn. Bring it forward to the front, just like the starting loop, and pull it through the first loop. Continue this motion (just like making a single Baby Blanket crochet chain) until you have completed the letter. If necessary, you can use a large needle to weave the working portion of the yarn to a new point of the This pattern can be done with single color, two-tone, three-tone, or letter. This would be useful for “E”s, “H”s, and “T”s. even a multitude of colors. Divide the 36 blocks accordingly for as When finished with the letter, use the large needle many colors as you choose to use. If you plan to use only one color, to weave any loose yarn tails back through the the blanket can be finished as a single piece of cloth (no assembly reverse side of the block. Working the tail through during finishing). the letter will help to strengthen the emblem. © 2015 Bethany Bond, All Rights Reserved BLWE 120 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 121 Duct Tape Aluminum Sleeve/Card Holder Creativity This isn’t fully shielded, but it is better than no shielding at all. Cut open an aluminum can. Flatten it as best you can. Mark off a rectangle about a quarter of an inch all around your card. Set your card aside. Fold the aluminum so you have two sides folded over. So it is double. Cut around only three sides. Place a protective strip of Duct tape along the edges that will remain open (top or sides -- it’s your choice) so it won’t cut you. Duct tape two strips along the cut edges to make seams. That’s it. You can be creative and use decorative tape or go for a “high-tech” look with the traditional silver. Copper Wallets What’s protecting your wallet?

hat’s a Copper Wallet and why do you It’s not a 100% cure for those scanners, but it will do a lot need one? Let me Explain… better than leather. I found that thickness (.025mm) was By the time a friend got back home ideal – from filling her car up with gas, someone • Thick enough for fair blockage, hadW spent nearly a thousand dollars from her account – they • Not too heavy to carry, and had cloned her card with a wireless reader. Thieves have • Not so thick that I couldn’t cut it to the size I wanted. learned how to put a small sleeve over card scanners, then There are dozens (hundreds) of wallet patterns on the park within 100 feet and get all the pertinent information off Internet. So, if this style doesn’t have all the bells and your card with their devices. whistles you like, adapt another style adding space to insert With this project, we’ll be making a copper-lined pouch the copper sheeting. Just realize because of the metal to serve as a wallet. inserts, you can’t flip on invert it. The panels don’t give like This wallet won’t help you when you take the card out of fabric would. So, don’t use any pattern that requires you to it, but while it is in the wallet, it is shielded as best as we can flip it inside out or outside in. with today’s technology. In addition to making it a purse-worthy wallet, I decided You might have heard of aluminum wallets, but copper is to give it some razzmatazz. actually a much better shield. Lead would be ideal, but do I bought a cane caddy at my local pharmacy, but it wasn’t you want to carry around a five-pound wallet? shielded, so I used it’s basic design and modified it for the Someone just walking past you in a store, park, or mall home sew-er -- that’s the cane option. can, with a small hand-held device, get all the strip information off all the cards in your purse. And you wouldn’t even Our Techno-granny, Bitsy advises: If you know some- know it until you checked your bill or have gotten a call one who must have a leather wallet, encourage them to from your bank. insert copper sheeting into the dollar slots – shielding their After attending a safety lecture with a deputy sheriff and cards. Or at least into getting protective card sleeves from reading Bitsy’s article (Techie Granny), I thought this copper their bank or a security-minded website. wallet would be a good project for us against tech- © 2015 Jill Bond, All rights Reserved no-thieves. The step-by-step instructions for this project are available With more than fifty years of sewing experience, Jill still enjoys it. It’s especially rewarding when you can custom design First, I ordered Copper Sheets, 4x5”, .025mm thick online at our website at https://blwemag.wordpress. something to your exact needs. She’d be thrilled if you make this, and if you’d send her a picture. She’d be even more thrilled and picked it up at my local hardware/home supply store. com/2015/09/10/bl07-creativity-copper-wallets/. if you told your friends to shield their cards anyway they can. BLWE

122 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 123 Plan of Salvation Tanakh (The Hebrew Bible) Fulfillment in B’rit Cha- dashah (New Testament) 1 Where is the Messiah to be born? Micah 5:2 or (5:1 in Jewish Bible) Matthew 2:1 Witnessing From the Tanakh 2 Descendant of Abraham Genesis 12:1-3 Matthew 1:1 The Gospel in the Old Testament 3 From the Tribe of Judah Genesis 49:10 Luke 3:33 he was livid. She demanded she be excused from from the Tanakh (a.k.a. Old Testament). 4 Of the House of David 2 Samuel 7:12-13 Luke 3:31 the assignment because of her freedom of Start by asking if they believe God teaches about a 5 Virgin Birth Isaiah 7:14 Matthew 1:18, 22-23 religion. She couldn’t believe her professor’s coming Messiah. 6 God in the Flesh Isaiah 9:6-7 (9:5-6 in Hebrew) Matthew 1:1; John 1:14 response. The answer is invariably, “Yes.” (If not then you’ll need to 7 Prophet Like Moses Deuteronomy 18:15 John 6:14 SShe was in the prestigious Juilliard music program. She go even more basic – because there are some Jews who are 8 Humility of entering Jerusalem on Zechariah 9:9 John 12:12-14 was assigned one of the alto solos of George Frideric “culturally” Jewish and not religious at all.) a donkey Handel’s Messiah for her course credit. So, build on that. “What does the Bible say about the 9 Crucifixion of Messiah Psalm 22 Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke She was Jewish. How dare she be made to sing a song Messiah?” 23, John 19 about Jesus. Here is a table of prophecies and the verses that add 10 Suffering Servant Isaiah 53 John 1:1, Luke 23:33 and Her professor asked her if she could sing a song from the dimension after dimension, and confirmation after confir- several more Tanakh. mation, that only one Person has ever fulfilled all those 11 Messiah to be raised from the Psalm 16:10 Acts 13:35-37 She said, “Of course.” prophecies: Yeshua Ben Joseph or, in reality, Yeshua Ben dead He said, “Every word you will sing is from the book of Elohim. 12 Messiah to ascend to heaven Psalm 68:18 Luke 24:51; Acts 1:9 Isaiah. It’s in the Tanakh.” I’m also including the New Testament verses that give the 13 Betrayed for 30 pieces of silver Zechariah 11:12-13a Matthew 27:3-5 She left in a huff. fulfillment – let the Holy Spirit lead you as to reference those 14 A priest after the order of Gen 14:18 Hebrews 6:20 She went home, read Isaiah, and matched it to her or not. I’m only mentioning 20 here, but there are more than Melchizedek singing assignment. 350 prophecies Jesus fulfilled. So, use your favorites to 15 They pierced His hands and feet Psalm 22:16 John 19:34, 37; 20:27 She asked her Rabbi about Isaiah 9 and 53. personalize your message. 16 Not a bone broken Numbers 9:12, Exodus 12:46 John 19:31-36 He told her there were other sections of the Scriptures Perhaps you can tie it all up with the invitation of Jeremi- 17 The serpent on a pole as an illus- Numbers 21:9 John 3:14-18; 12:32 worthy of study, hemmed and hawed, and ultimately ah 29:11-14a as an introduction to the sinner’s prayer. tration of Christ being lifted up changed the subject. 18 Declared the Beloved Son Psalm 2:7 Matthew 3:17; Romans 1:4 After a deeper study, she prayed. She is now a Messianic 11 “For I know the plans I have in mind for you,” says 19 Forsaken because of the sins of Psalm 22:1 2 Corinthians 5:21 believer singing praises to Yeshua out of the whole Bible. Adonai, “plans for well-being, not for bad things; so that you others can have hope and a future. 20 His blood poured out when they Psalm 22:14 John 19:34 Jesus is throughout the whole Bible, from Genesis 1:1 to 12 When you call to me and pray to me, I will listen to you. pierced His side Rev 22:21. 13 When you seek me, you will find me, provided you seek © 2015 Hana Whitefield, All Rights Reserved — You have Hana’s permission to use this freely How then do you witness to someone who doesn’t give for me wholeheartedly; Hannah invites you to adapt this outline to your own style so that you will feel comfortable presenting your Messiah to any credence to the New Testament? You can use the same 14 and I will let you find me,” says Adonai.… any Jewish friends. Remember you won’t be alone when speaking; the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) will give you the Scriptures that Peter, Stephen, and Paul used. They preached CJB BLWE compassion, love, words, and supernatural unction to change a life.

Jeanie Holzmacher was born American diet of fast and processed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and at the foods and that is what she was age of ten, her family relocated to feeding her family. She began to sunny Stuart, Florida almost forty make a change. She started making years ago so her father could start his meals for her family that were not out Podcasts If you haven’t found our podcasts, of a box and she began to purchase medical practice. She grew up in a then we invite you to subscribe easily My Best Witnessing Tract Christian home, but it wasn’t until she food the way God made it. Over time, using iTunes, Stitcher, or YouTube. You she began to see they were getting can follow us directly from Blog- was almost nineteen years old that TalkRadio or download the mp3 files An Extra Tidbit about Bishop she made a life-changing decision to sick fewer times and their allergies from our website. By using our (See Page 6) follow Jesus with all her heart. were going away. They spent less “magazine-on-tape” feature, you can time in the doctor’s office and more rest your eyes and catch on your When her daughters were young, reading just by listening. If it wasn’t enough all that Bishop does Jeanie began to take a closer look at time living life. for us, God also uses him as our entrée what she was feeding her family to Today, she teaches others how to to witnessing to others. People just live a healthier lifestyle. Jeanie gears Writers Wanted see if she was doing the best she Has God been doing a work in you naturally gravitate to him. So, we take could to protect them from illness. most of her teaching to Christians that you want to give Him credit for? those opportunities to talk about God Ever have a nudge to put it into Because she grew up in a medical because she feels we should have a and His gift of Bishop and then we can words? We are open to submissions, go deeper. People seem so much less family, Jeanie naturally turned to better understanding of how we especially for the Her Master’s threatened when we mention church, medicine as the treatment of choice should take care of our bodies Business and My Witnessing Story. because God’s Word shows us exactly Check with our web page for upcom- when we talk about how Bishop helps for everything. Over time, she ing themes, deadlines, and submis- how we can do that and how we with Trent at church functions. That questioned if this was what she sion forms. We’d like to hear how God allows me the opening to talk about should live. She is thankful for all the is magnifying Himself in your life. should be doing for herself and her our marvelous Savior. So, in a way, family. They were constantly sick and Lord has taught her throughout her Bishop is my best witnessing tract. suffering from allergies, just to name life so far and she prays her life will be a few. She grew up on the standard an obedient offering to Him! Index of Writers’ Work Sandy Andrassy: My Witnessing Story Jennifer Baringer: Single Parent Corner, Highlighted Bio Jennifer Baringer has lived in South Bethany Bond: Creativity, Layout, Design, Artwork, & Photography unless otherwise noted. Florida for as long as she can remember. She Jill Bond: Editor’s Welcome, A Servant’s Heart: Bishop, Her Master’s Business, Homemade for Health, studied elementary and learning disability Grace-Filled Gardner, Bond Appétit, From the Prepper’s Pantry, Creativity & Closing Thoughts education at Palm Beach Atlantic University and Penny Cooke: Penny’s From Heaven, Sister In Focus, & Penny’s Two-Cents Worth enjoyed a career as a mom, public school Kathy Diggs & Pam Durham: Set Free substitute teacher and educational specialist for Elizabeth “Liz” Dolica: Be Blessed Florida Power & Light. B. Abbey Gayle: Mind Your Marriage Jennifer blogs and writes about women’s Dora Grace: The Joy of Solitude issues, and her travels on the No Ka Oi, the 37’ Jeanie Holzmacher: Be Well! & Highlighted Bio Tartan sailboat she shares with her husband, Susan Hopek: God Modeled Love, Thank You Note, & SSoJ/E Russ, one large dog and one fat cat. Home is Bitsy LaPortal: Techie Granny wherever they drop anchor. Together, these Staff: Out of the Box & Our Favorite Invention – The Church former single parents have 4 grown children and Lisa Shaw: Sister in Focus Anne Marie Trense: The Sacrificial Leaf & Reel Gems 7 grandchildren. Gloria van der Gott: Question Everything & Unit of Diversity You can contact or follow Jennifer at www. Hana Whitefield: For the Love of Hebrew & Plan of Salvation jenniferbaringer.com

Don’t Fret – There’s a glossary just circus slang of Forty Milers for tist husband is completely left out. a click away. those who are new to circus life He’s definitely not dumb, just all tage one of taking and have never been more than crafts that I do are either “needle- normal boys — right 40 miles from home. point” or “quilting” – the two words from their mamma’s • Some who are deaf refer to in his sewing lexicon. “Shibboleths” is a word for those words that cooking and jalopy those who aren’t as: hearie. Let’s see if there are any are “defining” words that, either by how you ridingS — to being able to stab • Even the Amish, as gentle and shibboleths that would make you use it, pronounce it, or define it, lets insiders another human with a bayonet is peace loving as they are, call feel like an interloper. know if you are “in the group” or one of those to convince that innocent, non-Amish, English. Here are some questions that “others.” It comes from Hebrew, and by how wouldn’t hurt a dog, young man • To the Roman, any one not you might know one of the words someone pronounced Shibboleth you could that he isn’t really killing another Roman was a barbarian. (That’s in its subculture usage – while tell if they were an Ephraimite or not. For man, but a sub-human – a.k.a. all it originally meant.) most will be for “those people who instance, I knew a girl who used her purse to “the enemy.” Those drill sergeants You can probably think of a are into . . .” know if someone else was “one of her class” didn’t talk about Hans or Haruto, phrase or two that the “in” group or not. It had a big “A” charm on it (Designer: who had just left their mamma’s uses to distinguish “not one of us, Can you imagine how frustrating a Etienne Aigner). She’d ask them if they knew cooking also. No, the trainers used Dear” to the others. Sometimes Pollyanna would be to a polymath? who the designer was. She’d get one of three words like Kraut, Gerry, Chink or these aren’t meant with any What split personality would reside in answers, “No,” “Ag-ner,” or the correct, Gook. hostility or affront, but are merely someone who was into Zen and “Awn-yeah.” Depending on their answer, she The military knew the art of informative. also knew what Zenzizenzizenzic knew what vocabulary to use with them and connotation – that skill of maneu- Maybe we need to change our really means? where to file their name in her mental vering language for a given use of language and choose more Which is larger a Lake Wobegon Rolodex®. Shibboleth is the term for those outcome. inclusive terms than our usual powdermilk biscuit or a whisker winnowing words – that exclude or include Name the group and they have vernacular. Just saying . . . biscuit? others. a term for outliers – they range Words can unify. Words can Do you know the difference between from benign to derogatory. distinguish. Azimuthal and Abysmal? Hat Trick? to ever know – all within English I’m not advocating the • A tribal Dakota, Cherokee, Some words can make us feel Which was more evil the Anakim, the Which would make a more interesting dictionaries. removal of a micro-culture’s inside Arapahoe, or Shoshone might stupid just because they aren’t in Anunnaki, the Anasazi, or the Stasi? mini-lesson: Mitchell-Hedges, But isn’t it perplexing how joke, I’m just suggesting that we call them paleface or wasicun our wheelhouse. My dentist can Would you rather smell petrichor, Michelson-Morely, Fibber McGee & much our language defines us. use the appropriate vocabulary in • Mountain folk have adorable talk for an hour with her assistant, Caron’s Poivre, or Steak au Poivre? Molly, or a Bain-Marie? When we choose to use a pejora- the nomenclature of our reader names for outsiders: flatlanders, while my head is tilted back and Which is scarier: Jade Helm, Helm’s OBE, BPOE, FOB, ELI5, TBT, MMORPG tive term instead of an ingratiating without coming off as pompous, touristers, or “Yank-keys.” While my mouth is pried open. She is Deep, or deep vein thrombosis? – what acronyms do you use or charitable term, we are setting elitist, or down-right malapropian. the non-gracious mountaineer speaking English, just very specific Would you choose to go with a Skeuo- regularly? our souls on edge. After all, folks, we’re not alone. would call them acrophobics. terminology about tools, condi- morph, a WYSIWYG, or a Trompe- Have I included enough range With our very words we are tions, and procedures – jargon that l’œil design? between twaddle and any sesqui- blessing or cursing others. We are • Geeks might refer to the non-ITs © 2015 Jill Bond, All Rights Reserved I haven’t taken the time to master. Which is harder to learn Leet, 1337, pedalian favorites? including others or excluding in their midst as users, techno- She’s interested to hear how many We all have them – insider Argot, Klingon, or Padonkaffsky? them. We are attempting to phobes, or jocks. of those shibboleths you knew words. Okay, which would you rather listen Okay. Now do you feel com- impress or improve. So, much rides BLWE • Non-Japanese – Gaijin; – [email protected]. Non-Gypsy – Gadjo or Gadgie; My daughter and I can hold a to: a Theologaster or a Stratocast- pletely defeated and ignorant? on each word we choose to use Non-Spanish – Gringo; Non-Ha- conversation about crafting with er? There is nothing wrong with being and how we amplify each of its waiian – Haole; Non-Muslim terms like intarsia, Fair Isle, Scher- Which is older: Neolith or Lilith? ignorant. There are volumes of phonemes. (i.e., You can say, “I’m – Kaffir; non-Chinese – quilo. enschnitte, Ikebana, Daguerreo- Would either of these be impossible words that I’m completely ignorant sorry” and mean the exact oppo- • Professions have it, too. There’s type, Intaglio, and my rocket-scien- for you: the First Arabesque or a about and many I don’t even care site.) 128 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | Click here for a supplement glossary | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 129 To the one who alone does great and wondrous things, for His gracious love is everlasting Psalm 136:4 ISV