A little encouragement

I wanted to post this and allow you to print it up (simply copy and paste onto a word or publisher type document). I thought it was very encouraging and is a great reminder to have by your kitchen sink or bathroom mirror for those times when discouraging and damaging thoughts come into our minds.

Phillipians 4:8

Think about these things…
True... That which is in accordance with reality as God sees it
Noble... That which is dignified, upright, and untarnished
Right... That which is according to what is just, good or proper
Pure... That which is spotless and untainted; without any impurity
Lovely... That which is delightful and beloved
Admirable... That which has a good reputation and is admirable
Excellent... That which is superior, above the norm, and virtuous
Praiseworthy... That which qualifies for commendation and would elicit applause

Tuesday Bible Study 12-16

Well Ladies, the hard decision has been made to cancel tomorrow's bible study due to road conditions. I know that the main roads are fairly clear, but many side streets are not which makes it hard for some of us to get to the main roads. There are also those who can't make it in due to school closures or late starts and how that affects having kids home from school.

So I am sad to say that this will be it for the year. We will resume in January with chapter 5.

I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and New year! I pray that the Lord will bless you richly as you gather with family and friends this Christmas season and remember that the real reason we celebrate is because of Christ's birth. He was born to earth to save us and redeem us and that is the only gift we really need!

a daughter of the King,
Jena

...But a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

This week we talked about having the fear of the Lord in our lives. We talked about how in our culture today it is not considered a compliment to be called "God-fearing." Proverbs 31:30 says, "Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." Do we fear the Lord the way we are commanded to? Have we become casual in our approach to worship and respect of who God really is?

We found out that there are essentially two types of fear that we are to have when it comes to the God of the universe. There is the fear that means to tremble, terror, fearful of, even- to be in dread. This fear is mostly for those who do not know God as "Father" and are living a life apart from Him and will, if they ultimately reject him, spend eternity apart from him. But as Christians we too are to have a "healthy fear" of God, knowing that he has the power to judge, condemn and punish sin. There will be a time when we will have to give account for what we have thought, said and done here on earth. Even the things done in secret. (Ecc. 12:13,14 and Hebrews 4:13)

The other category of fear has more to do with reverence and respect, worship and honor. We read in Isaiah 40:12-26 an awe inspiring account of who God is as Creator and the power and might he has displayed in his creation. We learned that fearing the Lord is the foundation for salvation because it is the beginning of wisdom (Psalm 111:10). It motivates us to do what pleases him and obey the commands he set out for us as protection. And not that we aren't covered by grace but that we desire to please the Lord in all that we do. Just as a child desires to please his/her earthly father and mother.

I hope each of you were challenged to take that personally into your own life and do just what Philippians 2:12 says..." to continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling."

Remember to memorize Jeremiah 6:16 as well as a verse of your choosing. We will be saying these to our neighbors at our next bible study. You can do it!

a daughter of the King,
Jena

Your Assignment

These next two weeks we are studying chapter 3, Fear The Lord, of Ancient Paths. Come ready to discuss what the Lord has been revealing to you. We had a great discussion time last Tuesday and missed those of you who couldn't make it.
Also I am challenging you all to memorize Jeremiah 6:16, as well as a verse of your choosing. (motions really do help!) We will be saying these verses to our neighbor when we meet back up on the 18th so be prepared! :)
And lets not forget to continue to life each other up in prayer- for the various needs relationally, health wise and regarding the economy.

a daughter of the King,
Jena

An amazing story!

I have a very special woman that I want you to meet. Her name is Gianna Jessen and she has cerebral palsy. She also survived an attempted abortion when she was delivered at 7 1/2 months gestation.

I know this is a very sensitive subject and I want to be sensitive to those of you who may have experienced this at some point in your own life. My heart feels deeply for you and I pray that this broadcast will only help bring healing and forgiveness to you that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ can give.
He desires to restore you to wholeness and loves you right where you are.

Here is the link to the broadcast that Focus on the Family aired with Gianna Jessen and her incredible story of faith and forgiveness.

http://www.focusonthefamily.com/popups/media_player.aspx?ShowPath=focus on the family daily&broadcastDate=2056-01-01


If you wish to listen to another broadcast with guest Gianna Jessen, Focus on the Family has another powerful broadcast through Citizen Link that is political in nature. It has severe implications on our upcoming election for President of the United States. I ask that you prayerfully listen and consider what you hear.

http://www.citizenlink.org/dailybroadcast/A000008451.cfm



a daughter of the King,

Jena

Chicken Tortilla Soup

This is a great, easy recipe that I do in my crock pot in the morning and by dinner it is done and tastes great! Candice

Chicken Tortilla Soup

5 boneless chicken breasts
1-15oz can Mexican stewed tomatoes
1-can Rotel Tomatoes (this will make it spicy, I use 1 can of diced tomatoes so the kids will eat it)
1-15oz can tomato sauce
2-15oz cans black beans, drained
1-15oz can corn, drained
2 tsp. cumin
1- cup of mango salsa (or any kind, I use pace)
1lime
2- cups of chicken broth
1tsp. chili powder
1- 4oz can diced green chilies
¼ tsp pepper
1tsp salt
1 can of enchilada red sauce
1lg. green pepper diced
1 medium sized yellow onion, diced
1cup of water
1 bunch of cilantro

Place the chicken breasts in a crock pot (I put them in frozen). Squeeze the lime on top. Sprinkle with cumin. Empty all contents of the cans on top of the chicken. Cook 6-10 hours. This makes a lot; but only gets better each day it sets. I chop about half of the bunch of cilantro and throw it in with everything else. Garnishes: avocado, sour cream, chips, shredded cheese. After a few hours, when I know the chicken is cooked I take it out and shred it, and then put it back in the crock pot. Hope you all enjoy!!!

Good Mom, Bad Mom

There is a link to a great website with devotionals down on the right hand side. It is a link to Proverbs 31 Ministries. Here is the link for today's devotional- http://proverbs31devotions.blogspot.com/.
A good friend of mine sent this to me and others via email this morning and I thought it was so good I wanted to make sure everyone was able to read it. I have enjoyed many of the Proverbs 31 devotionals and I encourage you to take 15 mins out of each day to read them and ask for God's wisdom, strength and grace in your life as you raise your little (and bigger!) ones.

Let's also be praying for tender hearts as we gear up for bible study next week. And that we will allow the Lord to speak to each of us and teach us as we study His word. Praying for all of you today!

a daughter of the King,
jena