Author Archives: Marie

Unknown's avatar

About Marie

Happily married to the same awesome guy for many years. Love God, reading, cats, and travel. Avid crafter especially counted cross stitch and crochet.

6 Steps To Memorizing Scripture

Posted on by

Over the years it has become very important to me to memorize scripture.  The value of doing this is without measure.   There is more to memorizing scripture than just the words.  It is really necessary to  know what it means and to find ways to apply it to your life.  Years ago I determined to find a way to both memorize and give it meaning.  Using a journal specifically set apart for this method this is what I do:

Write it down…not just read it but write it down.

Think about it…what words stand out, why did I choose this verse, does it have a connection to my life circumstances, will it have an impact on my future?

Determine what God is trying to tell me.

How can I apply this to my life, my family, my career…

Pray about it.  Give it back to God while conversing with Him.

Pay attention to life circumstances.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve memorized a verse then been made aware of it in the day to day ‘stuff’ of life.

Here are 7 scriptures that I have found to be very beneficial.

favorite-bible-verses

We are told, very clearly, in Psalm 119:11 why we need to memorize His Word (or hide it in our hearts, if you will).  It’s so we have a constant supply of God-given inspiration and information to keep us from sinning.thy-word-have-i-hid-in-my-heart

I do hope you are memorizing His Word.  Let me know what you’ve planted in your heart in the comments.  Perhaps you’ve memorized something that I need to add to my ‘arsenal’.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

Transform Your Troubles

Posted on by

cloud-705728_960_720Life is full of challenges and some of them we simply can’t handle ourselves.  So what do we do?  Call a friend… Think it through… Plan revenge… Perhaps but there is a better way.  Read on, I think you’ll find that if you practice these steps your issues/troubles/challenges will end up where they need too, at the feet of Jesus.

 

First and always run to Jesus.  Not walk, not crawl, run!  Get there as fast as you can.  David says it so clearly in Psalm 31:1

                                                                    psalm-31

Then, cast your cares on Him.  He wants us to give Him our problems and challenges. Why? Because He cares.  Because He truly knows what is best for us and will provide for us.                                                                                                                                 1-peter-5

Although we tend to discount fasting as a way to overcome there is nothing wrong with giving up a meal and spending that time totally focused on Him.  Luke 4 tells us Jesus fasted for 40 days.  Moses fasted.  Daniel fasted.  Paul fasted.  Why?  Because they needed answers and they needed them from God.

And pray!  I could leave it there but prayer is the real answer.  Whenever we’re talking to God/Jesus we’re praying.  We are told 121 times in the NIV to pray.  311 in the King James.  122 times in the RSV.  I don’t think He could have made it any clearer.  We are to pray!!!                                                                                                                                            pray

Then, and finally, listen.  Listen to the sweet, satisfying voice of the Spirit.  Listen and respond.  Follow His leading.  Don’t hesitate.  Be still and know that He is God! (Psalm 46:10)

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

Tasty Tuesday’

Posted on by

Healthy eating is really important to me.  I’m always on the look-out for recipes that have no wheat and no refined sugar.  Here’s a really yummy upgrade to Tuna Melt.

portabella-tuna-melt

 

Portabella Tuna Melts (Makes 4)

4 large portabella mushroom caps with the gills removed

1 can tuna in water

1 diced celery stalk

1 diced green, yellow or red sweet pepper (Each will give a different flavor when baked so try them all and see which one you like best.)

2 T Olive Oil based Mayonaisse

4 slices swiss cheese

Heat your oven to 450 F.

Place mushroom caps on oil sprayed sheet, sprinkle with olive oil and freshly cracked pepper, and broil for 8 minutes.

Mix tuna, celery, and pepper with Mayonaisse

Remove mushrooms from broiler and Lower heat to 350 F. Spoon tuna mixture into them. Top each with 1 slice swiss cheese.

Broil for 6 minutes.

Serve with a nice green salad and sliced strawberries macerated in honey or maple syrup.

One serving is two (2) melts.

This such an easy meal and it could be changed up with chicken and colby-jack cheese instead of tuna and swiss.

Until next time…Bon appetit!

Marie

Friday Faves

Posted on by

 

There has been some really good reading in several blogs this week.  I’m limiting my sharing to three but there so much more out there.  Be sure to click on the picture to take you to the blog.  Read on….

dreamAre you happy when other’s get what they’ve been dreaming of? Are you dreaming a big enough dream that only God can help you with?

 

 

 

sabbath-rest-300x199What is the Sabbath? How should it be observed?  When should it be observed?

 

 

gluten-free-ranch-potato-biscuits1I’ve been looking for a good biscuit recipe that doesn’t have wheat in it.  This looks really yummy so I’m going to give it a try.  I’ll let you know how it turns out.

 

 

 

bible-1166241_960_720Are you taking time in your day to just read God’s Word?  Not study it but read it for the pure joy of connecting with Him.  I highly recommend choosing any translation that really ‘speaks’ to you and read away.

 

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

 

My Dining Room Table

Posted on by

My dining room table is a collecting spot, a study place, and a mentoring area.  It is used for family conversations, sorting notes, having coffee with friends, and yes, even for the rare times we want to eat there.  Today it has many jars of canned tomato juice and green beans waiting to be put away, a plastic container that is ready to be returned to a sweet friend who gifted us with some yummy Cinnamon Apple Coffee Cake, and a glass carafe from the coffee maker that ‘died’ and I don’t know what I’m going to do with it.  What’s on yours?

In Psalm 23 we are told that God prepares a table for us.  David was also very specific about where this table was placed – – in the presence of our enemies.  What does that mean?  Why, in the midst of a battle, would someone do that?

psalm-23God prepares the table for me.  While I’m watching and waiting.  He sets out the gleaming silver, the shining glass, the sparkling crystal.  He provides the absolute best for me while my enemies are watching, their eyes popping out of their heads, and their mouths watering.  The battle is still going on around me and He serves a sumptuous meal, complete with my favorite dessert.  Why?  Because he wants them (my enemies) to see how He provides for me.

My enemies, your enemies are real.  Perhaps it is the stress of your job…Perhaps you have experienced the meanness of one you thought was a friend… Perhaps someone has spread some vicious, untrue gossip about you…

God is calling you to the table.  While there He will serve you in the way only He can.  He is a compassionate listener and will delight in having coffee with you.  He knows your favorites and will serve you with love and grace.  His merciful meatloaf is better than anyone else’s.  He dishes up a forgiveness fruit compote that will ‘knock your socks off’. The water in your cup is full of life and never goes dry.

I can hardly wait for Him to seat me.  How about you?

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie