#5 - Apple Pecan Turkey Salad for Two

Here's the Dish

This apple pecan turkey salad recipe is packed with flavor, but not all of the unhealthy fat that is generally in chicken or turkey salad. This recipe is full of chopped apples and pecans, and the dressing is a creamy and  made with Greek yogurt, which makes it healthy and packed with protein. I personally like this turkey salad by itself, or wrapped up in a pita or low carb wrap! This recipe is also a great way to use up your leftover Thanksgiving turkey or chicken in a quick and easy way!

 

 

Ingredients

1 cup	Cooked turkey, diced or shredded (or cooked chicken breast) 1
1/4 cup	Plain low fat Greek yogurt
1/4 tsp	Lemon juice
1 small	Apple, diced
1 stalk	Celery, diced
1/2 tsp	Salt
1/4 tsp	Pepper
1 pkt	Stevia (optional)
2 tbs	Chopped pecans (or nut of choice)
Optional:	1/4 cup dried cranberries

 You can use leftovers from my crockpot turkey recipe, store bought turkey, or even rotisserie or crockpot chicken. This recipe is great for using up your Thanksgiving leftover turkey as well!

 

 

Method

The estimated total time to make this recipe is 5-10 minutes.

     

Add everything to a medium bowl, and mix well to combine.  Enjoy immediately at room temperature, or serve chilled over a bed of lettuce, stuffed in a whole grain pita, or just as is with a side of whole grain pita chips or crackers!

 

 

Nutrition Breakdown

2	Servings
215	Calories
8 g	Fat
10 g	Carbohydrate
2 g	Fiber
6 g	Sugar
25 g	Protein
5	WWP+*

*Weight Watchers Points per serving

 

 

12 Traits of a Godly wife

Earlier last year I read the book, "Becoming the woman God wants me to be", and it was a 90 day guide and broke down a lot of the Proverbs 31 verses.  While reading this today on the computer, I realized it was a lot like what the book shared about in a more quick easy way on becoming a Godly woman or wife.  I would recommend on reviewing these 12 traits and possibly working on ones that may not be applied to your life or even work on them more better if they are applied.


You only get one chance in life to build a wonderful, Biblical marriage. It is worth the wait. Don’t squander one of the greatest areas of life by doing your own thing instead of God’s.
What traits should a woman strive towards to become a godly wife? Here are twelve:

1) A Godly Woman Always Seeks to be Modest in Her Dress. Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent. (NIV). (Proverbs 7:10)
By contrast, the ungodly woman’s clothing points to herself and her body instead of her Father in Heaven and His holiness. Remember the words of Paul in the New Testament? God emphasizes a beauty of the unseen character. The flesh flaunts the body, God beautifies the spirit. I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes (1 Timothy 2:9, NIV).

2) A Godly Woman Always Seeks to be Holy in Her Conduct. Come, let’s drink deep of love till morning; let’s enjoy ourselves with love! My husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey… (Proverbs 7:18 – 29, NIV)
A Godly woman fears the Lord. She seeks God’s will over the approval of anyone else on earth. Her fear of God makes her aware of the future consequence of her choices. A godly woman avoids any present situation that would be destructive for her future usefulness to God. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, NIV)

3) A Godly Woman Always Seeks to be Truthful in Speech and Motives. With her enticing speech she caused him to yield, With her flattering lips she seduced him. Immediately he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, Or as a fool to the correction of the stocks, Till an arrow struck his liver. As a bird hastens to the snare, He did not know it [would cost] his life. (Proverbs 7:21-23,NKJV)
This deceitful woman is an ugly woman because she is self-driven and wants her way. Her words and actions lead the man on a path to destruction. A beautiful woman wears heavenly beauty as God’s Word describes it.

4) A Godly Woman Seeks to be Gentle and Quiet. The woman Folly is loud; she is undisciplined and without knowledge. (Proverbs 9:13, NIV) She is loud and defiant, her feet never stay at home (Proverbs 7:11 NIV)
This includes disrespect, hostility, aggressiveness and cunningness. All of these qualities are bad news.
And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. (2 Timothy 2:24, NIV)
Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. (1 Peter 3:4, NIV)
Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror. Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered. (1 Peter 3:1-7)
Moms and dads, what kind of women are you raising? A wise woman or a foolish one? Does she dress in a way that draws a young man to think about her body and its enticements or her spirit and its beauty? Does she have a holy hatred of sin? Does she use her powers to get her own way? Does she manipulate by tears, looks and whatever it takes to accomplish her ends? Is she argumentative, easily quarreling and fighting with you or her brothers and sisters?
Or is she peaceable, gentle and easily entreated? If negative traits become ingrained in her character, the future could be at stake. One gifted expositor in writing about these verses said, “ …we may say with a surgeon’s frankness, her home will be like Scarlett’s — troubled, torn down, and literally Gone with the Wind.”

5) A Godly Woman Seeks to Care for the Home. She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands. (Proverbs 31:13, NKJV)
She manages her home well (Titus 2:5.) She loves to tangibly serve others with food and skills. She has a home that is open and hospitable and she is given to ministry to the sick and needy and less fortunate.

6) A Godly Woman Seeks to Serve Others. She also rises while it is yet night, and provides food for her household, and a portion for her maidservants. She extends her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy. (Proverbs 31:15, 20, NKJV) She has learned the love of Christ for others.

7) A Godly Woman Strives to be a Person Who Can be Trusted. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life (Proverbs 31:11-16).

8) A Godly Woman Seeks to be Prudent in Financial Matters. She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard. She makes linen garments and sells [them,] and supplies sashes for the merchants. (Proverbs 31:16, 24, NKJV) She is a saver not a spender. She can see beyond today alone.

9) A Godly Woman Seeks to be a Hard Worker. She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms. She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hand holds the spindle. (Proverbs 31:17,19, NKJV) God puts a premium on hard work and so she moves toward it not away. There is no slothfulness, indolence or lack of motivation.

10) A Godly Woman Seeks to Do the Right Thing and Have a Good Reputation. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.(Proverbs 31:23)
Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. (1 Timothy 3:7)
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her(Proverbs 31:28).

11) A Godly Woman Seeks to Internalize Biblical Wisdom. She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue [is] the law of kindness. (Proverbs 31:26, NKJV). The Word is in her heart and life and so it comes out of her mouth. And when it does it is dressed in the clothes of the Spirit, gentle and kind.

12) A Godly Woman Seeks to Live Out the Secrets of Womanhood. Strength and honor [are] her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come (Proverbs 31:25, NKJV). The future smiles at her and her children bless her.
Is there any comparison? This kind of woman and daughter is a blessing to all. A builder of the home, family and community.

 

 

Here's the book that I read.  It honestly changed my life.  It opened my eyes to the strength of a woman to how I dress and how I act and everything else.

#4 - Ezekiel Bread

Im not a big bread person, but sometimes I like to enjoy me a fast Turkey burger and because bread is pure sugar pretty much (starch) my Dr recommended Ezekiel Bread.  Here are some facts about it.

Awareness of the harmful effects of wheat has increased quite a bit in the past few years.
Given that wheat is a large part of most people’s diets, many are looking for healthy alternatives.
Several people have asked me about Ezekiel bread, which is different from most other types of bread.

What is Ezekiel Bread?

Ezekiel bread is different for several reasons.
Whereas most breads contain added sugar, Ezekiel bread contains none.
It is also made from organic, sprouted whole grains. The sprouting process changes the nutrient composition of the grains significantly.
In contrast to most commercial breads, which consist primarily of refined wheat or pulverized whole wheat, Ezekiel bread contains several different types of grains and legumes:

• 4 types of cereal grains: Wheat, Millet, Barley and Spelt.


• 2 types of legumes: Soybeans and Lentils.

All the grains and all the legumes are organically grown and allowed to sprout before they are processed, mixed together and baked to produce the final product.
I’d like to point out that wheat, barley and spelt all contain gluten, so Ezekiel bread is out of the question for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.


There are many types of Ezekiel Bread and you will find it in the frozen section of the grocery store.  I do know Wal-mart does not carry it here locally.  You will keep it frozen due to the sprouting.

My short and sweet testimony!

Lately I have been reminded of where I am at in life.  I think of where I have came from and all that I have faced in my life.  I cant say I faced more than the average person, but I definitely have had my share of storms.  I have met alot of new people the past year, who may not really know my story, so I've been wanting to write my whole testimony, but decided I want to make it more short and sweet and if anyone has any questions, I'm an open book and would love to share more.  Each storm and each lesson in this life has made me who I am today.  Some of them I took the long road, some of them needed to happen just because and I believe some of them were so I could help others.  I wouldn't take anything in my life back or change it.  I would like to of changed the way I handled certain situations, but then again I wouldn't of had this season of growth from the past year.  So again, it all happens the way it should......

The beginning.....

I was born in Dallas Texas, and lived there till I was 6 years old as an only child.  My mother wanted to start a new chapter in her life after her mom, my grandmother passed away.  My mom didn't have much and we moved to Wichita Falls and we started at the bottom with just the two of us.  A year went by, my grandpa retired from the business he owned in Dallas and sold his house and came and lived with my mother and myself.  

When I was 8 years old, 2 days before my 9th birthday, my preacher came to my house and that's when I accepted Jesus in my heart.  The following Sunday I was baptised and let me tell you......I cried when I got saved and when I got baptised and to this day I cry like a baby when someone accepts Jesus in their heart (getting teary eyed now).  

When I was 10 years old my mom bought our house, the house to this day I still live in.  I was raised by a loving mother who lived and breathed me which now I have learned wasn't all that good.  My grandpa was also very active in my life as a coach for my softball-years and was a great and loving grandfather.

Somewhere around my early teen years, my mom found out she had melanoma (skin cancer) on her arm.  She got it cut off and didn't have to take treatment.  A year or so later, she found out she had ovarian cancer.  The Dr's did a bad surgery on her where they couldn't open her up anymore and so she then had to do treatment.  What's weird is as I'm writing this, I really cant remember much.  My mom kept alot of stuff from me and acted fine and happy majority of the time.  My mom always knew I worried to where it made me sick.  My mom was my best friend and I could tell her anything.  She never put pressure on me and let me be me.  My mom never tried to make me into someone I wasn't, but at the same time kept on the right track.  My mom always stood up for me and wanted the best for me, even to this day I hope I can be half of the woman and mom she was to me.

Age 16.....

 

In March of 2001, I met my first boyfriend,  Mark online.  We started to talk, write letters and buy calling cards so we could talk on the phone (way before phones and video chat).  He lived in San Antonio and I lived here in Wichita Falls.  We were both Juniors in High school at the time.

My mom fought her cancer for 2 years.  I got mad at God when I was 15 when my mom was dieing and she told me that she's going to stop her treatment.  I told my mom that I was mad at God cause He could fix her.  She didn't want me mad at God and told me that she would pray for me and asked me to pray about the situation for comfort and peace.  A few days later, I remember pacing back and forth in my room, I knew deep in my heart I needed to go tell my mother it was okay for her to die.  Do you know how hard that is for a 15 year old, only child, to her only parent?  I went and told my mom with tears down my face and I remember we had alot of moments where we would cry together about what we were facing.  I could share so much more, but this would be super long.....but when I went and told my mother that it was okay for her to die, we sat down and cried and she said she has noticed a difference in me and I told her I wasn't mad at God anymore.

My mom passed away a month after I turned 16, a few days after Thanksgiving.  We really thought she was going to make it past Christmas, but God was ready for her!  When my mom died, Mark wrote a letter to his mom and dad expressing what happened (he didn't share his emotions very openly).  His dad and him came up here to meet me for the first time, because he wanted to be there for me.

Age 19.....

 

After High School, Mark ended up moving up here to be with me and we started college.  When I was 19, I started having pains on Fathers Day that were in my lower abdomen side.  I didn't think nothing of it, but by the next day I ended up going to the ER.  I found out that I had a tumor on my right kidney that was double the size of my kidney.  They said that it had been growing for about 2 years.  A few months later I ended up having my right kidney removed and it was cancerous.  By the grace of God they got it all and I didn't have to take any chemo.  It was so scary, because just a few years before I watched my mom go through all that she had.

Age 22.....

Mark and I got married in 2007 when I was 21.  We had a good first year of marriage and knew we wanted to start having a family soon.  We got pregnant with twins the day before our one year anniversary.  We didn't know we were having twins until one day I started having pains.  I ended up miscarrying and the next day we went to the Dr and the Dr wanted to make sure my insides looked okay and there he was.  My baby boy so big with a great heart beat.  His daddy and I cried as we saw him floating around in my belly.  The Dr said I had an "invisible twin" from the sonogram we saw before a few weeks prior.  We were ecstatic!!  We miscarried the first twin at 6 weeks and we were doing so good with his baby brother.  Twelve weeks came along and I go see the Dr and the Dr releases me from a high risk pregnancy because the babies heart beat was so strong.  A week and 3 days later my water broke.  I delivered our baby boy at 13 weeks and 3 days.  He looked just like his daddy!  We named him Mark Jr and we ended up naming our 1st twin Adam William, which that would of been my name if I was a boy.

We ended up having infertility issues for the next couple of years of not getting pregnant.  We didn't understand and we struggled alot.  I ended up getting on Clomid which ended up helping us get pregnant a few months later.  That pregnancy ended as an Ectopic pregnancy which led me to get 2 chemo shots of Methotrexate in my back to dissolve the baby wherever they may of been.  I had the Dr look 2 times to make sure there was no baby growing, it was my biggest fear of making a choice like that.

Age 25.....

 

After the Ectopic pregnancy, my life changed for the worse.  My husband cheated and walked away.  I think at this point, with all that I have endured before, this was the worst of them all.  I never had someone give up on me, never leave me or abandon me on purpose.  It changed me completely.  I lost 20 pounds in 2 weeks.  I started to do things that I never thought I could ever fathom of doing.  Months later, I started to go to bars, I got a tattoo, and I got into a relationship with a married man and committed adultery.  His wife had left him and my husband left me a month apart, so it was not a healthy relationship at all.  I remember praying for God to harden my heart, but instead I would lay next to this man at night and cry, because I felt so far away from God.  I never had been that far away before.  God did an amazing thing and changed this mans heart and he left.  

Age 28.....

 

I wasn't living the best godly life, but I wasn't getting into trouble like I was.  I was close to God, but of course we could always be closer.  I was living.....not good, not bad, I was lukewarm.  I still hadn't faced my issues and I know I tucked all the hurt, pain and trust issues deep down.  Then this man walks into my life when I wasn't ready.  I remember telling him that I wasn't ready and asked him where he came from?  I saw every sign, things kept getting revealed to me, I prayed and I really felt in my heart that this was the man God had for me.  I was excited but scared, because like I mentioned, I was still holding on and all these issues that I never faced.  I was horrible in the relationship.  I was horrible in all my relationships, because I just tucked away everything. We were going to get married the end of the year, but as the year started and we started to make plans, I told him.....This is the 3rd year!!!!  If you have noticed while reading this blog post, I have put the year that the horrible storms have came my way and its every 3 years.  He assured me that it was going to be a good year, but a few months later we ended things.  I knew it was time that I faced my issues and be molded into the woman that God wanted me to be.  It was a bittersweet year.  I had alot of ups and down and alot of emotions.  I was unsteady most of the year, but looking back I can see why.  I was growing, I was learning and I was facing so many years of hurts, fears, worries that was embedded in me. It might sound like not so bad of a year compared to the years before, but I think this was more of a spiritual storm than physical or emotional or even mental. 

I am so grateful that God gave me the time to face them.  I am so grateful that God let me grow and that He patched up my open wounds that I placed a band aid on.  I feel now that I can do anything!!! I feel like I can be a wonderful friend, girlfriend, wife, mother, granddaughter, stranger to anyone!!! I'm not perfect by any means, but I feel like I made it!!! I made it past this storm.  I know there will be more in this life, but I'm that much stronger to get ready for the next chapter God has given me.  Like I mentioned at the beginning, if I never went through any of those things, I wouldn't be me, here....NOW!  More importantly, I want everyone to know, its all from God!!!  God has given me the strength to face each and every one of those, He has given me the grace to have second chances in life.  He has given me a season of growth and helped me face all my issues and also issues that I didn't even know I had. More than ever though, because of my trials and storms, I can now help people who have 

*Lost a parent (even young kids who struggle with loss of a parent)

*Faced or facing cancer themselves

*Miscarriages

*Infertility

*Infidelity

*Committing adultery yourself

*Losing what God gave you

*Second Chances

*Waiting on God

I am now in a waiting period.  I felt like all last year I was in a waiting period, but it was all a growth season.  Now I wait and I'm okay with waiting.  I finally am content and I'm trusting God.  I know God has me in His hands and I am wanting to help people who might be starting this season in their lives.  

 

I wrote this days ago, and then the enemy attacked me and I questioned posting this, but I know I need too!  Theres so much that I would like to share or say, but that's what the book will be about, hopefully one day when God is ready for me to sit down and write it!

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

This is by Rick Warren.  I got this in an email and wanted to share.  As most of you know last year was a season of growth for me and while reading this it really struck home.  I know a few friends who are wanting to go through a change and to get closer to God, as I hope we all strive to do.  Just remember when we rely on God for everything and it includes facing our weaknesses and sins, just know that's what God wants all along.  He wants us to walk with Him and be Christ like.  He wants us to cry out to Him and He wants for us to take some time with Him and Him alone so He can mold us into that person He created for us to be. Also, remember that sometimes in life, things just-take-time, but once you go through it, its so worth it! I know its a little lengthy, but if you really are wanting to get your life straight or simply just be a more wholesome person walking with Christ, then this article might just benefit you!!! 

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Most of us are interested in change. Moreover, God wants us to change. A life that is never willing to change is a great tragedy — a wasted life. Change is a necessary part of a growing life, and we need change in order to remain fresh and to keep progressing.

But often the new ideas we gain from books or seminars just don’t seem to last. Maybe we will be different for a while, but then discover that the new methods do not have a permanent effect. The main reason for this is that we work on the exterior, our outside behavior, instead of on the interior, our motives. Any lasting change must begin on the inside, and that is a work of God.

In the story of Jacob we can see the process God uses in helping us become the kind of person we have always wanted to be. The situation recorded in Genesis 32 was a turning point for Jacob and serves as a dramatic example of how God can change us.

The Four-Step Process

Jacob was a somewhat shifty fellow. Even his name means “cheater” or “schemer” in Hebrew. But a life-changing experience transformed him into a new person, and he became Israel, the man after whom the entire nation of Israel was later named. After that experience Jacob was never the same again.

In this story we have a clear expression of the four-step process God uses to help us become the kind of people we want to be. It is a truly encouraging message — a message that says we don’t have to stay in the rut we are in, that God will help us to change, to overcome that weakness or sore spot in our life. We just have to let him. So how do we let God do that?

Genesis 32 relates that while Jacob was alone one night, someone (an angel, according to Hosea 12:4) appeared and wrestled with him until daybreak.

When the man [the angel] saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, Let me go, for it is daybreak. - Genesis 32:25-26

You may be asking, what does a wrestling match with an angel several thousand years ago have to do with changing me today? There are some important insights in this incident that show clearly the four steps required for transformation.

These four steps or phases are crisis, commitment, confession, and cooperation.

Crisis

The first step is crisis. Jacob had a long wrestling match with an angel, and the angel was struggling, but it was a no-win situation for them both. By daybreak the angel was getting tired of the struggle because he saw that he could not win. It was a situation beyond his control.

The lesson we see in this is that when God wants to change us, He starts by getting our attention, by putting us in a frustrating situation that is completely beyond our control. We cannot win, and we just keep getting more and more tired in the struggle. God uses experiences and problems and crises to get our attention.

If we are experiencing a crisis right now, it is because God is getting ready to change us for the better.

We never change until we get fed up with our current situation, until we get uncomfortable and discontented and start feeling miserable. When we become uncomfortable and miserable enough, we finally are motivated to let God do something in our lives.

We won’t change until our fear of change is exceeded by the pain we are experiencing.

Commitment

The second step in being changed by God is commitment.

When the angel asked to be let go, Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me” (Genesis 32:26). Jacob was committed; he was persistent; he stayed with the situation until he worked it out. He was in a situation he didn’t like. It was frustrating and it was getting him down, but he was one hundred percent committed to staying with the situation until God turned it around for good.

Here is the lesson we learn from this: After God gets our attention with a problem, He does not solve it immediately. He waits a little longer to see whether we really mean business.

Most people miss God’s best for their lives because they give up too soon; they cop out; they become discouraged. When God allows a problem in their lives, instead of hanging in there and saying, “God, I’m not going to let go of this until You bless me, until You turn it around,” they give up and end up missing God’s best.

Even if we really want to change, we need to remember that we didn’t get into our present mess overnight. Our attitudes and actions and habits and fears and weaknesses took years to develop, and sometimes God has to remove them layer by layer.

Usually it takes a while for God to change you.

Whatever you do, don’t give up. There is hope. Hang in there. Be committed to getting God’s best for your life.

Confession

The third step in being changed by God is confession.

The angel asked Jacob, “What is your name?” And he answered, “Jacob” (Genesis 32:27). What was the purpose of the angel’s question? It was to get Jacob to acknowledge his character by stating his name, which means “cheater” or “schemer.”

Jacob remembered the heartache he had caused by his scheming against his brother Esau, so when the angel asked, “What are you really like? What’s your character?” Jacob’s reply was saying, “I am a cheater. I am a schemer.” Jacob admitted his weaknesses because even though he was a cheater and a schemer, he was also honest with himself. When he identified himself as “Jacob,” he was admitting his character flaws.

This is an important part of God’s process for changing us, because we never change until we honestly face and admit our faults, sins, weaknesses, and mistakes. God will not go to work on our problem until we first admit that we have a problem. We need to say, “Lord, I’m in a mess. I have a problem, and I admit I made it.” Then God can go to work.

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to make excuses for our problems? We become experts at blaming other people and may say something like “It’s not my fault, you know. It’s really the environment I was brought up in — my parents caused it.” Or we might say, “The situation I’m in right now is caused by my boss at work.” Why do we act and talk this way? Because it is hard to admit fault in ourselves. And it can be scary to ask for help.

Why should we confess our faults to God — to let Him know what’s going on? No, He already knows. When we tell God we have sinned, it is no surprise to him; He knew our problems all along. We confess to him because he wants us to say, “You are right, God, I have a problem. I’ve blown it.” It is humbling to admit our mistakes, but once we do, God gives us all his resources and power to help us change for the better. At this point we can start becoming the persons we have always wanted to be.

If we don’t learn the lesson now, we will have to learn it later, because God is going to teach it to us one way or the other. We can save ourselves a lot of trouble by responding properly when the crisis first comes along.

Cooperation

The fourth step in being changed by God is cooperation.

God began changing Jacob as soon as he admitted who he was and began to cooperate with God’s plan. Jacob called the place where he wrestled with the angel “Peniel,” meaning “the face of God” (Genesis 32:30). Jacob had come face to face with God.

Every one of us must eventually come face to Face with God, and when we do that, God can change us.

God said to Jacob, “Now we can get down to business. I want you to relax. Just cooperate and trust Me, and I will make the changes that you want made, and I will bless you.”

God didn’t say, “Jacob, try real hard and use all your willpower to become perfect.” That doesn’t work, and God knows it.

Willpower simply does not make permanent changes in our lives.

That is attacking the outward circumstance. It is the internal motivation that makes the permanent changes, and that is what God works on.

Let God Do It

God always knows how to bring out the best in your life, and He knows how to do it better than you do. If you let Him, He will use whatever is necessary to accomplish this goal, because He doesn’t want you to waste your life.

Do you want God’s blessing on your life? Take the situation that is making you miserable right now, commit it to God, and say, “God, I am going to commit it to You. I am going to hold on to You until You turn this problem around for good.” Then confess the errors that you need to confess, and cooperate with God.

The Bible says, “The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip” (Genesis 32:31). While they had been wrestling, the angel dislocated Jacob’s hip, and as a result Jacob walked with a limp for the rest of his life. This is significant, because that thigh muscle is one of the most powerful muscles in the human body. When God had to get Jacob’s attention, he touched him at a point of strength. When we start thinking, “This is what I am really good at, this is what I am really strong at,” God may have to touch that very thing to get our attention.

Don’t Run, But Stand

Jacob often got himself into trouble because he was a cheater, and he often reaped what he sowed. But every time he got himself into a mess, he ran away from it. He just copped out. Finally, God said, “I know how to take care of that temptation — I’ll put a limp in his walk.” Never again could Jacob run away from a difficult situation. For the rest of his life he would have to stand and face his problems — not in his own strength but in God’s strength. God often puts an obvious weakness in people whom he blesses, and often the weakness is some kind of physical problem.

Do you want God to change your life? He will — in His own way. He will use the processes of crisis, commitment, confession, and cooperation. And when He does the changing, it will become permanent. You will not have to worry about your willpower and staying with it because you will be cooperating with God, relaxing and trusting Him.

Maybe you have been limiting God by making excuses, blaming other people, or rationalizing. It is hard to drop your mask and say, “God, I have a weakness. I have a problem.” Until you do this, things will just stay the same as they are now. When you do this, you are changed for the rest of your life.

The good news is this: Beneath all those things you know about yourself that you do not like, God sees an Israel. He sees the prince or princess in your life. He sees what you can become. He sees your potential, and he wants to change you from a Jacob to an Israel.

Let God do His changing!

#3 - Weights

When I'm at home and like to get a mini workout in, I like to grab my 5 pound weights and do a lot of arm and back exercise's with them.  Its simple and yet I work on toning the arms.  Its something small while watching TV or want to get your blood flowing that wont take long and yet you can feel the burn.

Today I got a surprise!!!

Today started as any other original Tuesday (my Friday).  I got up, put on my make-up, curled my hair, cooked me lunch and listened to my sermons.  My grandpa and I pray together most days about having safe travels, blessings, praise and anything else that comes across our minds before I leave.  As I'm walking out to get in my car, I noticed there was something on the hood/windshield of my car.

A dozen white roses, with a note that said Rachel.

Thoughts of confusion started to run through my mind.  I looked around and didn't see anyone.  I started thinking of people who have came into my life recently and people from the past.  I didn't really have time to think, but took the note with me to try and decipher the handwriting.  I was just blown away while driving, who this could be from.  I know that my ex-husband is the only person who knew that my favorite was white dozen roses, and he had bought them for me a few times,  but I knew it wasn't him.  I opened up the card all it said was this:  Zephaniah 3:17, from your Heavenly Father.

I started to think what was Zephaniah!!?? I assumed it was a book from the Bible, but I don't know why, it just wasn't ringing a bell to me.  (All those years of private school, ha)  I'm trying to google and drive (not smart) and it wasn't loading....of course not!  I get to work, walk in and tell my co-workers and so they get excited (women of course) and start googling Zephaniah 3:17.  

 

The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing."

 

One of them pulls it up and stares at it and says, that's not romantic.  I was just glad it was a book from the Bible.  Then I start looking at the card more and I thought, I don't know any man who puts a slash through their 7's.  I start texting a couple of friends who I think it might be and then I got a hit!  One of my dear friends told me this:   The Lord laid that on my heart last week that He wanted to give you roses....I was just the vessel.  That's from your husband.

I instantly felt loved from God.  My God who pursues ME!! Who loves ME!!  Who is romancing Me!! Who is sweeping ME off MY feet!!  I don't deserve anything from Him and yet He loves me so much that He wanted to give me roses.....just because!  I think that's what He wanted all along in my life.  I was always thinking that it was a mans job to do those things, but God wanted me to see that He can do way more than what any man can.  He provides for me, protects me, comforts me, helps me, encourages me, blesses me, guides me and everything else!!  A man can and will do that one day, but not like how God the creator can!!  Not like how God who made ME can!!  Maybe this is my lesson all along, for me to allow God to romance me to where He is all I want and need and then He will place that hunk-of-a man-of-mine into my life!

One of my prayer requests this week was: I want my eyes to be so much on God that God will have to show me my future husband when its time.  Until then, I want my God to be my husband.  I want to be His bride!

Isaiah 54:5  

For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called. 

So for my friend to pick out the dozen white roses, not knowing that was my favorite, I know was a God thing. 

To my Dear friend:

 

My dear friend, 

Thank you for listening to Him and going out of your way to purchase and taking the time to give them to me.  I hope God pours abundant blessings on and in your life!!  Thank you for allowing God to use you to make me feel that much more special from God.  I love you and I'm glad your part of my life!

 

It blows my mind at how many Christians don't see it as stealing and lying!

How many blessings do you think we get stripped of daily because of our selfish, greedy desires?



I had to go to Sam's today to get some things and when it was time to check out, one of my items wasn't ringing up, it said the item wasn't found.  So I apologized to the guy behind me, but he was in no hurry because he was waiting on some pizzas to be made.  They had to call in the back to get a code and so after a few minutes of standing there, he got it and rang it up.  The price was $7.00 less than what it should be, so I spoke up and said, "This isn't right."  The guy asked me, what was wrong and I told him that its supposed to be $20.00.  The guy behind me said, "What!!  Your telling him it cost more?"  I looked at him, I smiled and I said, "Hey, I'm honest!"  The guy that was checking me out said, "Well I guess you got it for this price today."

So it started making me think.  If the price was $7.00 MORE than what it should be, we would be quick to say, "THAT'S NOT RIGHT", and we would demand the price to be what it should be, but because we are getting something cheaper, a lot of people zip their mouths and don't say anything.  I have been around MANY Christians who do this and I don't see how they don't realize that they are lying, stealing, being dishonest, because they know the truth.  I don't think I would be able to sleep if I didn't at least, AT LEAST, inform them that it is wrong.  I have actually had people change the prices to the original price it should be, and I CANNOT be mad at that. 

How many times have you gone out to eat and you noticed that they didn't charge you for your drink?  Did you tell them?  I sure as heck do and 90% of the time they know it or they just say forget about it, but there are that 10% who simply made a human mistake and you never know if their job is on the line, and they went back and corrected it.  I CANNOT be mad at paying for what I used or what I purchased.  It blows my mind at how many Christians don't see it as stealing and lying.

I think sometimes God just made me completely different than most people.  I don't like to sugar coat things, I am a straight forward person and I tell it how it is.  I know in the long run I will be at peace, God will be proud of me and I will get blessings.

Let me ask you:
What if during those times like I just mentioned when you have a chance to speak up and speak truth, that this was God testing you?  What if you could save $7.00 NOW, but because you spoke up and  it changed to the right thing for you being honest, God blessed you TEN FOLD then the $7.00?  How many blessings do you think we get stripped of daily because of our selfish, greedy desires?

I have seen people where when they go out and eat and they tell the food place they want water and then go to the soda machine and get soda instead of water, that's stealing, its lying!  I've seen people buy things from a store knowing they are going to return in, wear it and then return it, I find that stealing.  I've seen people use things that wasn't for them to benefit themselves, which was illegal, its lying. 

I have had people tell me, "Girl, you are just too honest!"  WHAT???????  Is that even such a thing?  I mean, I totally get that people struggle with certain things, but why is it hard to be honest?  I think that's a big part of what's wrong with this world.  Something that seems small to some people, like not speaking up over an un-paid drink, SHOWS ME, what else can they lie about or be deceiving about?  If people only saw that when someone sees if you can do something so small, then you can do something big too!

I really want to trust people.  I want people to trust me.  I want to be around a million dollars and someone leave me there alone and know that I wouldn't take a dollar.  I want my husband to know that I will ALWAYS be open and honest with him and I want my friends to know that they can trust me with anything!  I would like that too from people.  I want to be shown that the people I'm around and people who come into my life are honest and want to strive to do the right thing!  So much respect and honor lays into their personality when that is shown! 

As I leave, I'm always reminded of the movie, "The Family Man", when Nicholas Cage is in the store and the Angel counts back money wrong on purpose to the girl and she's hesitant, but she still takes it and walks away.  What if God is testing us in those times???  What would you do???






I do not want this to be a bashing of a blog, but I just really, really, REALLY want people to get blessings and to see where as a fallen world we can view things the wrong way.  More importantly, I don't want anyone to do the right thing to get something.  What's wrong with just doing or saying the right thing anymore?

# 2 - My Craving when wanting something sweet

This may or may not be the healthiest choice when I want something sweet or a little snack, but I eat it anyways.  I love to get a bowl, put some plain Greek yogurt in it, add some frozen fruit (thawed of course) and drizzle some honey over it to make it sweet and if I'm in the mood, add the Chia seeds!

I will grab some fruit and put it in the microwave for 30 seconds to a minute before adding it to my yogurt so its soft.  Each microwave is different of course, but I like it a little frozen.






Things I use:

When I became a woman

When I became a woman, I put away childish things,

but before I became a woman I didn't fit the shoes of a King.

 

When I became a woman, I learned to put God first,

instead of putting man and things of this earth.

 

When I became a woman, I finally loved myself,

I've realized my value, my beauty and my self worth.

 

When I became a woman, people rolled their eyes at me speaking about Jesus,

to make their lives straight and who can heal their broken pieces.

 

When I became a woman, I had to learn to be content with Jesus alone,

not to search, seek, or place things before the One on the throne.

 

When I became a woman, I had to be stripped of everything I knew,

I had to face lies, deception, deep hurts, open wounds and everything that was untrue.

 

When I became a woman, I realized I have no control,

to let go, trust God is what makes us truly whole.

 

When I became a woman, I used to have my own set of plans,

to get married, have children, but God said, "Not Yet".

 

When I became a woman, I learned to give and trust God that He will provide,

before I was selfish, scared and thought what was mine, was mine.

 

When I became a woman, I wanted to learn more about Gods divine plan for
my life,

I started to read the Bible, books, listen to sermons and to walk right.

 

When I became a woman, my love for going to church grew,

I enjoyed going every Sunday, sitting on the back pew.

 

When I became a woman, I wanted my life to have a purpose,

I wanted to leave this world knowing that it wasn't worthless.

 

When I became a woman, I picked up my Cross and put down my shame,

My sins were forgiven in Jesus Name.


-Joy Rachel-


 

 

Twilight Saga......Not the blog post that you think!!!

Before I begin on what I want to talk about, I need to put some things out there that I'm sure you will be thinking as you begin to read what I write.

 

As you know the title of this blog is "Twilight Saga", so you are correct that its about the movies.  Now I love the movies, I own all of them, its a cute story line and I'm a sucker for romantic style movies.  This is not by any means of me bashing the movie or degrading it any way.  This really isn't even about a "religious" belief, but just a view on how I saw it through a different pair of eyes the past 2 days.  Yes, I still will watch the movies. No, I don't think there is anything wrong with them.  Now to begin!! :)

 

So most of you know who read my blog, know that God has been doing His work in me lately.  The past month or so, God has been really opening my eyes up to the way I view man and I wrote a blog on idolatry.  

 

While watching the first movie of the Saga series, we see Bella fall in love with Edward.  It was a passionate, yet weird attraction that they find that they couldn't live without each other.  The typical "Awww, how sweet, I want that to happen to me", high school girl giddy emotion.  So while watching the second movie, New Moon (the series was on for the weekend, so I decided to DVR them and watch it, even though I own them, cause I'm weird like that) we see Edward break  up with Bella.  We see Bella go into this deep depression and she didn't know how to go on.  She lost who she was and didn't care about life.  Her identity was in who?  Edward!!!  I TOTALLY have been where she was at.  Most of us have experienced a heartbreak or two in our lives and it stinks, but we somehow get the strength to get up and move forward.  

As I sat there watching her, I noticed what most non-believers and I can honestly say BELIEVERS do.  She put her trust in MAN so much that when he left, her world fell apart.  THEN, after some time, to pass the hurt and heartache she reaches out to who???  Another man, Jacob!  Yet, that man couldn't fulfill or heal her hurt and pain.  She even admits that she feels bad for using him. It was only temporary like everything on this earth is.  She really didn't even know who she was without Edward.  I really understand loving someone so much that you don't know how you could live without them, but the truth of it all is, you can!!!  

So my question would be this.  What if we changed the story a bit and added God in there?  What if we put Bella in a church surrounded by a church group and women her age where she had a shoulder to cry on and a Christ centered atmosphere?  What if Bella simply ran to God after this heartbreak?  What if God was all she needed? I'm not saying her heartbreak would of been easier, but her dependency of happiness in a man wouldn't be there.  *Raising my hand*  I'm guilty of doing this, not once, not even twice, but three times.  FINALLY I understood and God has been showing me that I will be let down every time if I depend on man or earthly things to make me happy.  Its not saying that us Bellas or even us Jacobs will be hurt, let down or disappointed in a human, but that when we put our trust in the ONE and ONLY person who can FULLY satisfy us, we will have this peace, this comfort in knowing that everything will be okay.  We will know that God is the creator and He wants our attention, our love, our trust in Him. 

I just wanted to be short and sweet with this blog post, something that was really laid on my heart as I sat there and watched her.  If you seen the movies you know how it all ends, but one thing that is kinda disturbing if you look at it from a Biblical point of view, is that she is willing to die whether or not she knew she would go to Hell for this person.  They mention a few times throughout the Saga, that all the vampires are soul-less and they will all go to Hell.  She was willing to go to Hell, (not knowing for sure or not) for Edward.  That's a big no no!!!  

With me personally, I will not change my religious views, my Biblical doctrine for any man.  I will not talk down on any other belief, but will stand firm for what I believe in.  I don't even like the word "religion" to be honest, because that's not what Jesus is about.  There is only one way to the Father and that's through Jesus Christ, accepting Him in your heart, believing that He died and was raised again for your sins.  I would love to encourage or help anyone who is interested in Salvation and what My God can do for you.  He can turn any hurt, pain, suffering, financial troubles, health problems, struggles, battles, addictions or whatever you may be facing and turn in into a beautiful testimony and pull you out of your situation.  

I'm going to leave with this note.....Every single thing on this earth will pass away.  Nothing will be here forever, except Gods word (Luke 21:33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away).  Your husband, wife, parents, children, house, car, job, health will all be gone one day, so I would like for you to look at what or who you put your trust in?  Who or what holds your true happiness, your true identity?  If you still are searching for any of those things to make you happy or to satisfy you, I can tell you who the one and only person should have it and that's GOD, Alpha and Omega, The beginning and the End, I AM!

#1 - Chia Seeds

I decided as 2015 starts, that I want to post each week of this year things that I use or of foods, recipe ideas, work regimens or different ways of becoming healthy and losing weight.

My first thing I want to post this year is Chia Seeds.  I have done research on Chia seeds and I have recently purchased some.  I have read where you can put just a tablespoon in shakes, soups, yogurt, and any kind of meals and not taste it.  The good thing about it is that its a filler.  Also, I was told by a friend that you can mix some with water and it will form into a gel, that it will actually be used as the filler so you wont eat as much. In theory, chia seeds are supposed to expand in your belly, helping you to feel full, eat less, and ultimately shed pounds.

Now I'm not depending on this for me to lose weight and I wouldn't recommend anyone else using it for that purpose, but the fact that it has a lot of good nutrients and antioxidants wont hurt to eat.

Here are some good reasons to eat Chia Seeds.....

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Chia seeds are rich in polyunsaturated fats, especially omega-3 fatty acids. Chia seeds' lipid profile is composed of 60 percent omega-3s, making them one of the richest plant-based sources of these fatty acids -- specifically, of alpha-linolenic acid, or ALA. The omega-3s in chia seeds can help reduce inflammation, enhance cognitive performance and reduce high cholesterol.

Fiber

Fiber is associated with reducing inflammation, lowering cholesterol and regulating bowel function. Chia seeds are an excellent source of fiber, with a whopping 10 grams in only 2 tablespoons. That is one-third of the daily recommended intake of fiber per day.

Antioxidants

Chia seeds are rich in antioxidants that help protect the body from free radicals, aging and cancer. The high antioxidant profile also helps them have a long shelf life. They last almost two years without refrigeration.

Minerals

Two tablespoons of chia seeds contain 18 percent of the DRI for calcium, 35 percent for phosphorus, 24 percent for magnesium and about 50 percent for manganese. These nutrients help you prevent hypertension and maintain a healthy weight, and are important for energy metabolism and a part of DNA synthesis.

Satiety

Satiety is the feeling of being full and satisfied, which helps lower food cravings between meals. The combination of protein, fiber and the gelling action of chia seeds when mixed with liquids all contribute to their satiating effects.

Gluten-Free

Chia seeds contain no gluten or grains. Therefore, all of the nutritional benefits of chia seeds can be obtained on a gluten-free diet.

Egg Replacer

The outer layer of chia seeds swells when mixed with liquids to form a gel. This can used in place of eggs to lower cholesterol and increase the nutrient content of foods and baked goods. To make the egg replacement, mix 1 tablespoon of chia seeds with 3 tablespoons of water and let sit for 15 minutes.

Can Be Digested Whole

Unlike flaxseeds, which are also high in omega-3 fatty acids, fiber and minerals, chia seeds do not need to be ground in order to obtain their nutrient or egg- replacement benefits.

Dyslipidemia

A study published in the "British Journal of Nutrition" showed that chia seeds as a dietary fat source can lower triglycerides and cholesterol levels while increasing HDL or "good" cholesterol. The study also found that when substituting chia seeds for other fat sources, such as corn oil, the ALA was able to prevent high triglyceride levels and reduce central obesity.

Blood Sugar Regulation

Chia seeds can play an important role in regulating insulin levels. They can reduce insulin resistance and decrease abnormally high levels of insulin in the blood.

What Is Chia?

Chia is an edible seed that comes from the desert plant Salvia hispanica, grown in Mexico dating back to Mayan and Aztec cultures. "Chia" means strength, and folklore has it that these cultures used the tiny black and white seeds as an energy booster. That makes sense, as chia seeds are a concentrated food containing healthy omega-3 fatty acids, carbohydrates, protein, fiber, antioxidants, and calcium. 

Chia seeds are an unprocessed, whole-grain food that can be absorbed by the body as seeds (unlike flaxseeds). One ounce (about 2 tablespoons) contains 139 calories, 4 grams of protein, 9 grams fat, 12 grams carbohydrates and 11 grams of fiber, plus vitamins and minerals.