Saturday, November 1, 2008

Persecution Coming?

“Will there be persecution coming to the Church in America?” This was the question posed to a panel at the Revival Conference in Atlanta,Ga this past October. Paul Washer shown here answers the question. It's sobering.

http://downloads7.sermonindexmedia3.com/17/SID17663.wmv

Monday, October 27, 2008

Working on my "Feminine Appeal"

Just wanted to share a little bit on a book that me, my sister, and a friend of mine are working though called "Feminine Appeal:Seven Virtues of a Godly Wife and Mother" by Carolyn Mahaney. We meet once a week and talk about the chapter we read that week and share our areas of weakness and some strengths as well. This book has challenged me. To some degree, I knew the importance of being a good wife and mom. But as the author challenges us from the Word of God using Titus 2:3-5
3Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
I quickly realized...I don't know much. So many times I don't really grasp that this calling of being a wife and mom IS a HIGH calling. Even though I don't consider myself to be close to being a Feminist...Feminist thinking has crept into our culture so much...even church, that as a whole... women have neglected their highest calling. One thing she points out is since the Feminist Movement and women started leaving the homes, there seems to be a rise in the unhappiness that women feel. To tell it plainly, women are more unhappy nowbecause they are assuming a role they should not, and are neglecting the role that God designed them for. Why is it so many women are dealing with depression and running to self-help books and conferences. Could this be part of it? I think so.Yes, they may be married and may even have children, but are they really laying down their lives for their family? In Genesis it talks about how Eve was created to be the Adam's help meet. Did you read that? That was one of the main reason's God created us, to help our husbands. Is our daily life reflecting that. After God, are they truly the next priority?
Then there is the high, and at times difficult calling to Motherhood. As a new mom, Carolyn Mahaney's insights have been amazing to me. They have helped so much.
One aspect that I know Adam really appreciates is being a manager of the home. By nature, I do not love to clean. I like things to be clean, but I am not a huge neat freak. But things are changing. I realize it's very important to my husband, but also, it's a good testimony. Until I read her chapter on being a keeper of the home, I didn't realize the impact of having a god-honoring home. So I went to the library and got some books on cleaning and organizing. It's been a good help.
I could go on and on, but I just wanted to share with you some things I am learning. I think all of us have been nicely challenged by this book. I highly recommend it. You will be a better person, a better woman of God if you obey what God says.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Cute, Modest clothes

So I found out about this woman, whom I think is a Christian, and she makes really cute and MODEST clothes. Her stuff is a little more than what I would prefer to pay, but she has some really cute items on her site. I just thought I would post her site cause it's always better to do business with people who are using their gifts in a God-honoring way!

http://www.christa-taylor.com/

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Reality Check

I have a sickening feeling in my stomach. I went over to the Voice of the Martyr's website and I really began to get a reality check. I take it for granted so many times the freedom we have here. Go to the website and read the stories of what other Christian's are going through for the Cause and Glory of Christ. My heart goes out to them and their families. But what is interesting is that while my heart may break for our fellow brother's and sister's in Christ, I'm sure many of them are broken about the spiritual condition of their persecutor...as God is also.
The thing is, while we enjoy our freedom here in America, it can be stripped away from us in an instant. We tell God so many times that we would do anything for Him. Would we risk being horribly tormented, rather than our Bibles be burned? Suppose some terrorist with a machete said to deny Christ or they would kill our children, could we stand for Christ? I just don't know. I do believe that if it came down to it, if our hearts are truly set on the Lord, some how, some way, He would give us a supernatural strength to stand. Thankfully, times like that are not here, right now. We may face what seems like persecution to us, but nothing compared to what many others across the world face. Some times it's hard to truly stand with lost family members or lost friends.
I am speaking to myself when I say we really need to start living in a way that is less selfish and self-glorifying. Stop being so concerned about materialism and being so self absorbed. We cannot live this Christian life in a half-hearted way. It is ALL or NOTHING.
My challenge to you (and myself):
1.Dig deeper in the Word of God and make time to pray everyday.
2.Pray for the persecuted church- read these stories and it's a sure way to get your eyes off of yourself.
3.Pray about what you can do to help or encourage these saints who are standing for Christ in other countries. The website will give you suggestions.
4.Every day we are given opportunities. Lift up Christ every chance you get. We may not have these freedoms forever. Use them while you can. That way, if those freedoms are ever stripped away, you will be able to stand no matter what. Even if you are threatened with horrible things, by God's grace you will continue to be able to stand your ground.

Ephesians 6:13 (New International Version)


Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.



http://www.persecution.com/

Monday, September 29, 2008

A MUST READ Article

Hey everybody! Just wanted to share this with you. God has truly gifted my husband to write some really thought-provoking and God-honoring articles. I want to encourage you to read this article below. In case you didn't know, you can check out his blog on the right side of the screen ("If My People").
Be challenged by what you read.
http://ifmypeople.wordpress.com/

Saturday, September 27, 2008

A MUST SEE movie!

I'm sure many of you have heard of the movie Fireproof. My sweetie and I went to see it on our date night last night. Everyone needs to go see this movie...especially couples. It's one you can totally leave the theater with a wonderful feeling, and being better having seen it. If your marriage is struggling, this movie offers hope. If your marriage is great, this movie can likely enhance it. For many reasons it truly is set apart from any Hollywood production, one being that to truly love your spouse, Christ must be the center. Go see it! NOW!

Here is the trailer

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

I'm Back!

Hey everyone! It's been a while, huh? As you can see, I'm not the best blogger out there! Not too consistent! We have been busy around here. Last week we were at the Isle of Palms and it was wonderful! The weather was great. The time with family was great. All the food was great. The date with my hubby was great. I didn't want to come home! I was telling my sister that anytime I have to leave from a vacation, I seriously get that homesick feeling. I don't know why, but I do. She said she gets it too. Is that just us or do you experience that too?
We came home Thursday and my sweetie still had a few days off so he began demolishing our back porch so that we can tun it into a deck. I think it will be so nice when it gets finished.
Sunday we had church in Charlotte. Our church along with some people from another church got together to take a stand when Mr. Obama came to town. People, this is a scary guy. His "followers"are scary too. But we must trust God. He is in control. No matter what comes, trust Him! Our family left around 2, but some hung around until 4. Here is a video of what happened after we left.


I don't know what lies ahead for us as a nation. Now more than ever, I feel I must have time with God daily. Now more than ever I feel compelled to read about the persecuted church, about martyrs. I want to finish this race well. I want to stand strong. I want to be an example to my baby girl, and show what it really means to have faith in Christ. I want to support my husband in the stand that he takes. I want him to know he must stand for Christ at all costs. That is a VERY hard thing to think about. But my comfort is in knowing that this is not our home. It won't be long. But knowing it won't be long makes us realize the great urgency in making sure we have done all we can to show Christ to lost family and friends. Oh how I wish we could MAKE them become children of God! Lord break our hearts!

Monday, August 11, 2008

Recipe of the week

A good one I found on the label of a can of Mexican Festival Rotel (chili's and diced tomatoes)


Rotel Fiesta Chicken

1/4 cup all purpose flour

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

6 boneless, skinless

chicken breast halves

1 tbsp. vegetable oil

2 cans Mexican festival rotel, undrained

4 green onions, sliced

1 can (2 1/4 oz) sliced ripe olives, drained sour cream (optional) shredded cheddar cheese (optional) cilantro (optional)


Combine first 3 ingredients. Roll chicken in flour mixture. Brown chicken in oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add tomatoes, green onions and olives. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes or until sauce has thickened. Serve chicken mixture over yellow rice and top with sour cream cheese and cilantro if you want.

Makes 6 servings.

Saturday, August 9, 2008

I love saving MONEY!

I think I can attribute this quality to my thrifty sister who taught me a thing or two about bargain shopping. I gotta tell ya...for me it's really fun! I love finding ways to cut down on costs and still not feel like I'm missing out on too much. The more bang for the buck- the better! So I am going to pass along some really great websites for saving money.
If you have a baby go to www.diapers.com. On your very first order you get $10 off (plug in PAIG5972 so they know I referred you and I get $1 credit each time you order). Plus if you spend over $49 you get free shipping! I was able to get 268 PAMPERS' diapers for $43! And it was at my house in 2 or 3 days! Very cool!
The next site my husband heard about somewhere and I love it! It's http://www.couponmom.com/
It's so great. You get emails once a week of coupons that you can print from your computer. There are also a ton of money-saving tips on there as well. One of their emails told me about a place called www.restaurant.com. You can get gift certificates to restaurants in your area that you can print from home for cheap. Couponmom.com will even send you a promotional code to save even more at this site too! Let me give you an example. Yesterday coupon mom sent me a one day promotion that restaurant.com was taking 80% off of their normally low price. So I ended up getting 3 NICE gift certificates for a TOTAL of $6!!! One to Dressler's restaurant worth $25, one to Max's Alley, and one to Fuji San (japanese). You have to get a certain amount at these restaurants (say $40 or $50 before you get $25 off...but thats a $40 or $50 meal for $15 or $20! Great for date nights!
If you have any great money saving ideas or sites then pass 'em along!

Friday, August 1, 2008

Recipe of the week

Granddaddy Lawrence’s Banana Bread



2 cups plain flour 1 cup sugar

1 tsp. soda ½ tsp. salt

Mix dry ingredients together. Make a hole in the center and add:

½ cup oil 2 eggs

2 very ripe bananas ½ cup milk

1 tsp. lemon juice ½ cup nuts

Blend it all together. Bake in greased loaf pan at 325° for 1 ¼ hour.

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

A photoshoot with Daddy

Last night Adam was taking tons of pictures of Olivia (he made them kinda artsy in Photoshop). He surprised me with the cutest screensaver of her...here are a few of the shots. Enjoy!




She is MAD!




Friday, July 25, 2008

Recipe of the week

I know its not Thanksgiving or Christmastime yet...but I am actually cooking a turkey as I write this. I figured it was something that I could invest a day in cooking and have dinner for about 3 or 4 days with! I made it back in December for some young folks that we hang out with. This was my first turkey and I can't take the credit...but it was soo good. The credit goes to Tyler Florence on the Food network. It was so tasty...

Maple-Roasted Turkey with Sage Butter
Recipe courtesy Tyler Florence


1 sticks unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1/4 bunch fresh sage, finely chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 (12 to 14-pound) fresh turkey, giblets, neck, and liver discarded
8 strips bacon
1/2 cup maple syrup
2 tablespoons hot water

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and remove the top rack of the oven.

Put the butter and sage in a mixing bowl and mash with a fork or spoon until the sage is well incorporated. Season with salt and pepper.

Rinse the bird thoroughly inside and out with cold water, and pat dry with paper towels. Sprinkle the cavity and skin liberally with salt and pepper. Using your fingers, gently lift the skin from the turkey breast and slip the remaining seasoned butter under, massaging the breast meat as you go. Truss the bird by crossing the legs over one another and tying with a piece of kitchen twine. Shingle the bacon strips over the breast so it's totally covered. Put the turkey on a rack in a large roasting pan, cover the turkey with aluminium foil, and place in the oven.

In a small bowl, stir the maple syrup with 2 tablespoons of hot water to thin. Roast the turkey for 2 hours, basting with the maple glaze every 30 minutes. Continue cooking until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the meaty part of the thigh registers 170 degrees F. The thigh juices will run clear when pricked with a knife, about 3 hours total (15 minutes per pound). About 1/2 hour before you think the turkey is done, remove the foil so that it can brown. When done take the turkey out of the oven and put the roasting pan on the stovetop. Transfer the turkey to a serving tray to rest at least 20 minutes before carving. Serve with Turkey Gravy.

Visit to Great Grandaddy's house





On Tuesday, Olivia and I visited my granddad's house. You can tell it really made his day!

Friday, June 27, 2008

Liv's first beach trip!

Here are some picture of Olivia's first trip to the beach! We had a great weekend in Atlantic beach (NC).













Long awaited pics!

Hey everyone- I know I must have the most boring blog out there! I don't post much and I never had any pictures up. Well no more my friend. Here is my family. Enjoy!


Here's Olivia fresh outta the oven!


Just minutes after the birth, you can tell we are just in awe of everything!





Not lookin' too happy!





I think she's in love with her daddy already!




Adam with his mom, Olivia's Grammy




With Grandpa Lawrence

Adam and my mom...or Nana




1 week old Olivia with her Uncle Charlie and Aunt Beth






With Granpa and Kitsy Tennant




Still in awe!




With Uncle Dustin.




With Aunt Ashlie and Cousin Chase




Monday, June 16, 2008

Watch out!

I don't know if many of you have heard of the Florida Outpouring. So many Christians are flocking to this but I want you all to check out this link! Adam and I both had a weird feeling when we saw him on TV, but this video is crazy. Listen to the Way of the Master Radio clips to; they are very informative. It's a great online radio program too! I just want you all to be aware.
Florida outpouring

Recipe of the week

This is one of Adam's favorites.


Lemon Chess Pie

4 eggs
1 2/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp. lemon juice
1/3 cup butter
4 tbsp. milk
1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon Vinegar
9 " pie crust


Mix all ingredients together and pour into pie crust. Bake at 350 for 40 minutes.
Also good served with whipped cream.

Hope this makes you laugh!

Friday, May 23, 2008

Recipe of the week

With this being memorial day weekend and I know you may want to do some grilling- here is a marinade that my father-in-law past down. I know it says its for flank steak, but you can use it on whatever you want. I tried it with London broil and it was fabulous!


Flank steak & marinade


2 lbs. Flank steak
1 cup Soy Sauce
1 cup Pineapple juice
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup brown sugar
5 Tbsp. Sesame oil
2 Tbsp. McCormick Jerk Seasoning


Marinade meat & chill for 1 hour, up to 8 hours. Cook steak as desired.

Just some thoughts-

Hey everyone! I can't believe it's Friday again already. I remember talking with my sister before Olivia came along and she told me that after you have a baby, you lose your concept of time. How true that is! My days just seem to run together. I am looking forward to the weekend!
Tomorrow we are headed to Fayetteville to see Adam's mom and then Sunday we head to Greensboro to see his brother Eric before he moves off to Milwaukee. Then back here Sunday so we can hopefully sleep in on Monday.
Yesterday, I heard the news about Steven Curtis Chapman's little girl Maria being killed in an accident. It really broke my heart. I guess that since we are all brothers and sisters in Christ,it really felt like this was someone that I knew. And now that I am a mom, I can't imagine the pain of losing a child. Let's all be sure to lift our brothers and sisters up in prayer. They will need it more than we can know.
Well I better get going! Lots to do today!
Til next time-
Paige

Friday, May 16, 2008

Recipe of the week

So I love cooking and baking! Once a week I will post some of the gems I have received that has been tried and tested...mainly by my hubby :)...and feel free to pass along some of your good ones to me too! Here's the first one that is a big hit, especially this time of year. Thanks to my friend Tamarie for this one- It is yummy!

Strawberry Cheesecake Trifle

2 lbs. Strawberries - sliced
3/4 angel food cake- cut into squares

1 can Eagle brand milk
8 oz. cream cheese
12 oz. cool whip
1 small box Vanilla instant pudding
3/4 cup water

Cut berries and cake.
Mix Cream cheese & milk to smooth consistency. Add package of vanilla instant pudding and water and mix it. Add cool whip (4 oz, then beat, another 4 oz, beat more,etc).

Spread thin layer of mixture across bottom of bowl. Stack layer of cake, then berries...cream,cake, berries, etc.

She's out of the Bed...

So last night, we successfully got Olivia out of our bed! I got the Babywise book yesterday and read a little bit in it and just tried to apply a few strategies and it worked. She didn't sleep through the night, but she only woke up once to eat. YAY! This could be the start of something beautiful!
Til next time...

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Welcome to my blog!

Hey everyone! Thanks for stoppin' by! I am very new at this whole bloggin' thing, but hopefully you will just get to know me better and see what's going on in my life. I am a relatively new wife(just over a year) and a very new mommy! So I am sure you will see very high and low points. But this is a place I can be real, be myself and share the things that God is doing in my life as well! I hope you are encouraged!

Monday, May 12, 2008