Author Archives: Marie

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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.

Lighting The World

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Mother Theresa once said, “To keep a lamp burning we have to keep putting oil in it.”  The same applies to life.  Unless we continue to learn, to grow, to excel, to know, we will stagnate and become just an empty lamp waiting …

oil_lampThere are several Bible verses that refer to lamps.  Proverbs 31:18b tells us ‘her lamp does not go out at night’.  This is not a reference to the night-light we use to get us to the bathroom in the middle of the night because our bladders are shot from childbirth or our bodies are aging.  The night lights of ancient times were kept lit so a weary traveler would know a welcoming home.  The use of lamps in this verse suggests we are not only to be hospitable but ready to be hospitable.

table-lamp-960976_960_720Psalm 18:28 tells us we do not keep our own lamps burning.  God does.  That is a truly interesting statement.  When we have reached some maturity in our life walk with Jesus, we start to learn that our lives are all about Him.  He is not only the Light of the World but the individual Light of our lives.  As we grow, more wicks are added to our lamps making us a brighter and brighter light.  (Ancient people added more wicks to their lamps to create a brighter glow.)

 

flame-1362921_960_720The Parable of the Ten Virgins is another well-known lamp story (Matthew 25:1-13).  The point of this parable is obedience.  The virgins who were not prepared, had to go and get more oil.  When they returned they could not enter the feast because the doors to the banquet were closed. (I really doubt anyone could have heard them knocking with the celebration that was going on.) Had they followed the instructions to keep their lamps trimmed and full they would have been attending the feast of a lifetime.  So will we, if we continue filling our minds with His Words and Ways.

Heavenly Father, how humbled I am when I realize You are the One filling the lamps.  Oh Lord, fill mine to overflowing with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control.  Let my lamp continue burning brightly until I am finally admitted to the Wedding Supper of the Lamb.  In His perfect Name make it so.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

I’m Praying For You

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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Today I’m praying for you.  I may not know you personally or you may be among my group of besties but I AM PRAYING for you.  Here are the requests I am making before the Throne:

Father in Heaven, grant every man and woman the ability to know You more and more.  Open hearts, minds, and souls to Your incredible love for each of us.  Make us aware that in Your Word we were not only created by You but created in Your image. (Genesis 1:27)

Creator of all that is, was, and is to come, help us know the great value You place in each of us.  Help us understand deeply in every cell of our bodies that You take great joy in Your sons and daughters.  You are the Redeemer of not only our souls, but our lives, our pasts, and our futures.  You see us during our times of deepest fear and greatest joy.  Help us know and understand Your great love for us.  (Psalm 31:7)

Abba, Father, I know You hear each of us.  You hear our praise. You hear our needs. You hear our nearly silent pleas for mercy. You hear us when we regret our sins. You hear us when we have no one but You.  Oh, Lord, hear this prayer.  Grant each of us the ability to totally trust in You. (I Chronicles 5:20)

I lift this prayer before the Throne of Grace, in the Precious Name of Jesus, my Lord, my Provider, my Savior…     Make it so!

This post is linked to Literacy Musing Monday’s.

Friday Faves

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I found some awesome posts for this week’s Friday Faves.  Just click on the picture and it will take you to the post.  Enjoy!

PossibleIt’s OK to be angry.  There are things we should be angry about.  Stay humble and watch your words.  Check out Deb’s list of ways to use our righteous anger at Counting My Blessings.

 

1John2_27You’ve heard the excuses. So have I. The Bible is too hard to understand. The words don’t apply to now.  There are too many contradictions. (Really, show me where!)  Seeking to Know the Truth addresses these excuses and encourages us to keep on reading and studying the Word.

 

Mom-and-Dad-on-cell-phonesCell phones are not a problem unless…  It amazes me that people have to be told to put their phones away and/or shut them off during worship, class, in the doctor’s office, at dinner…  Enjoy (or be convicted by) Tiffiney’s words on this issue; Momma, Please Put Down Your Phone.

 

 

aAre you like me and have an abundance of plastic water bottles?  Here are some great ideas for other uses.

Strangers and Pilgrims On Earth

 

 

675-x-975-The-15-Minutes-That-Change-Your-MarriageRay and I are talkers.  We talk about everything.  It’s one of the aspects of our marriage that has kept us together for more than 40 years.  Alicia, over at Your Vibrant Family suggests this 15-minute habit, used daily, is extremely important to your connection as a couple.

 

 

There are so many excellent bloggers on the internet.  I am often convicted by their words and learn so much from them.  What a blessing they are.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

Tasty Tuesday

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It’s Tasty Tuesday! I have several recipes to share that have been shared with me on Facebook and Pinterest.  Just click on the picture and it will take you to the site where you can get the recipe.  Enjoy!

Sloppy Jose' Quesadillas

Sloppy Jose’ Quesadillas

These quesadillas look really yummy!  My sweety shared this recipe.  I’m seeing that as a request to have it for dinner soon.

 

 

 

Chicken Taco Bowl

Chicken Taco Bowl

If I had to choose one appliance in my kitchen that I couldn’t live without it would be the slow cooker.  I use it for dinner, dessert, hot beverages…you name it.  Ray and I both like Southwestern style cooking and this recipe is really delicious.  Be sure to cook the rice separately.  Otherwise, it will become mush.

 

Sweet Tea Sangria

Sweet Tea Sangria

I really like fruity drinks.  We don’t drink alcohol so when I make Sangria I use non-alcoholic white grape juice from our local winery.  Using honey to sweeten the tea is another way to give it flavor.  It’s really delicious!

 

 

 

 

Cheesy Tater Tot Breakfast Bake

Cheesy Tater Tot Breakfast Bake

Breakfast for dinner is a favorite around here.  Whether it’s scrambled eggs and toast, a simple bowl of cereal, or something more elaborate there’s never a complaint.

 

 

 

 

 

Pineapple Upside Down Bundt Cake

Pineapple Upside Down Bundt Cake

It wouldn’t be a recipe collection without a great dessert.  I saw this recipe a while back and loved the way Pineapple Upside Down Cake looks when baked in a bundt pan.  Don’t forget to add a scoop of ice cream.  My mouth is already watering.

 

 

 

 

 

I grew up praying before our meals and learned these beautiful words from my grandmother…

Heavenly Father, bless this food to Your glory and our good.  Amen

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

3 Words

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Have you noticed how many 3 word admonishments, commands, and connections there are in the Word?  Starting with the Father, Son, and Spirit before time began and ending with the Holy Threesome when time, as we know it, ends. Three wise men.  Noah had three sons.  Job had three daughters.  Daniel prayed three times a day.  Jesus answered satan’s three temptations by answering with three scriptures.  Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months.  Three witnessed the transfiguration.  Three heavens. Three crosses.  Jesus rose on the third day… and more.

The number three is significant because it represents completeness.  Not just the single number but all its multiples.  For example there 27 books in the New Testament which is represented mathematically as 3x3x3. God’s completeness is shown in many ways.  Time is shown through yesterday, today, and tomorrow.  God’s people are called, chosen, and elect. Man is body, soul, and spirit.  We serve God in thought, word, and deed.

God’s word is full of three phrase commands.  Take a look at these…

Micah 6:8 tells us to live justly, love mercy, and walk humbly.

In 2 Timothy 1:7(The Message) we are to be bold, loving, and sensible with what (gifts) God has given us.  In the same chapter, we are to not be afraid because the Spirit gives us power, love, and self-discipline.

How about Deuteronomy 30:16?  For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to Him, and to keep His commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.  This one is a command with a promise…

Love. Obey. Keep.  =  Life.  Increase.  Blessings.

And just one more three to complete this post.  The only attribute of God that is mentioned in groups of three in the Word is Holy, Holy, Holy.

Blessings upon blessings to you and yours!

Marie

All quoted verses are connected to BibleGateway.com.  Check it out! It’s a great resource.