Sir, Your Breath Stank...

My dad and I were in the kitchen cooking dinner together the other night. Yes, I was in the kitchen helping my dad make dinner (be amazed). My dad and I don’t do it very often, so it was a treat for us. Anyways, we were making spinach and artichoke dip to take to Kathy’s for thanksgiving. (A new recipe for me, but it was fun.) We were mixing all the ingredients when it was time to add the garlic, which has a very strong smell might I add. That’s when my sister called from the living room, “That smells good, what are you making?” I have to agree with her, garlic does smell good when it’s being cooked; And I know you have to agree with me when I say it taste good too.
Allow me to refresh your memory. Imagine garlic bread in the oven. The smell of garlic and melting cheese wafting your way. Now imagine eating it. The toasted French bread, topped with melted butter and garlic, and the melted parmesan cheese on top of that (mm-mm good). Now imagine the smell of your breath after the ordeal. Yes, you read correctly, the smell of your breath.
Now lets turn this around and look at sin. Yes, you read that correctly too. At times it looks like so much fun! I mean, the peer pressure is on when all your friends start talking about it and doing it. And remember, I’m not talking about one specific sin, I’m talking about all of them, even our little white lies. It can be so tempting, and in today’s society it’s everywhere, available, and acceptable. But not in God’s eyes. Hebrews 3:12, 13 says, “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing form the living God; But exhort one another daily, while it is called today, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Sin is deceitful. There is no question about it. It may look appetizing now, but in the end, your breath is going to smell terrible. We need to remember that when we’re making ourselves look bad, we’re making God look bad too. And we all know how unattractive bad breath is. Romans 12:2 says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” This dark world needs a light. But if we’re scaring people away with our bad breath, how are they going to see the only perfect light that God is? I think it’s time to use a little mouthwash, and let our perfect, all-powerful, and awesome Dentist do some work on us.
~ Taylor*
P.S.- I have to give props to Tori and her stand on the twilight saga. Go Tori for keeping herself clean! :)

Two Roads

As I walk down this road with a weight on my back, it gets heavier as my pain and sorrow grow. I drag the chains attached to the shackles on my wrist, and with each step comes more pain as my bleeding feet search for relief only to step on searing coals. The snakes bite at my heels, as the sun beats down on me. I can not see. I think I am blind. I stumble and fall, just to rise again with this unbearable load and more pain than ever. I seek friendship and love only to be spat upon by those around me. My throat is dry, my tongue is swollen, as my thirst for water is grows. I'm starving, and exhausted. I feel as if I can't go on. I want to cry, but tears no longer come. I want to scream, but can no longer breathe.

As I stumble to my knees, I hear voices of those singing. How could they be so happy in the midst of all this misery? I look to my right, and there is another road where they are walking the other way. There was dancing, singing, and the sound of endless laughter on that road. They were full of joy. The burden was easy, and the yoke light. There was a river of love flowing. A fountain of peace. Their thirst was quenched, their hunger no more. Life everlasting hung about that road. But alas, the abyss that separated me from that road.

I got to my feet, and kept walking the wide but lonely road set before me. Heading straight for the great dark gate at the end of the way. O, how I long to be on that other road! How I long to be happy and ridden of this load! As I neared the gate, I could hear the screams of those suffering. I could smell the burning sulfur as the gate grew closer. Why can't I be on that other road?! Why can't I die now?!

As these fears clouded my mind, a man dressed in white approached me. He had holes in His hands and feet. His eyes were gentle, and His voice comforting as He spoke. "Come."

"How Lord?" I said.

He replied, "I have made a way." He pointed to the road I had seen before, but now there was a bridge in the shape of a cross.

As I turned onto that road, my burden was lifted, and my chains were gone as the shackles fell from me. The pain was no more, and joy filled my soul. I was forgiven and alive at last! The road was narrow, but I had family to walk along side me. My thirst was quenched as grace and love overflowed. I was energized and had a burning passion inside of me. I shouted and sang with fellow believers beside me, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty! Who was, and is, and is to come!"

Once again, I looked to my right. To the road I had left. The road that others were still

walking...

How then can they call upon the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to the?

- Romans 10:14

Twinkies and Root Beer

A little boy wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a six-pack of Root Beer and he started his journey.
When he had gone about three blocks, he met an elderly man. The man was sitting in the park just feeding some pigeons.
The boy sat down next to him and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the man looked hungry, so he offered him a Twinkie.
The man gratefully accepted it and smiled at boy. His smile was so pleasant that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered him a root beer.
Again, the man smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word.
As it grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave, but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the man, and gave him a hug. The man gave him his biggest smile ever.
When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, "What did you do today that made you so happy?

"He replied, "I had lunch with God." But before his mother could respond, he added, "You know what? God's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!"

Meanwhile, the elderly man, also radiant with joy, returned to his home. His son was stunned by the look of peace on his face and he asked," Dad, what did you do today that made you so happy?"
He replied, "I ate Twinkies in the park with God." However, before his son responded, he added," You know, he's much younger than I expected."

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Embrace all equally!
~author unknown~

Cookies

I know, strange name for a post. You’ll get it by the end. Casey made cookies Saint Pattie's day to give to the people in assistant living, and so did Tori. When we went to Tori's to package the cookies, it struck me how different all the batches turned out. So yeah......

What defines a cookie?

Its shape?

Its size?

Its color?

Nonsense, right?A cookie is a cookie, no matter what
Shape,

Size,

Or color.

But each cookie has its own purpose.

Maybe it’s looks,

Or it just tastes good.

Whatever the case, cookies are always made to fulfill a certain purpose. No matter what shape, size, or color.

Now let’s take a look at Christians……

We come in all shapes,

Sizes,

Colors,

Ages,

And denominations.

Even with all of our differences, we are apart of the same body,

and we worship the one true God.

We learn more about Him in His number one best seller,

Pray to Him,

And believe in Him.

Can you imagine how boring it would be if we were all the same, like we were a bunch of robots?

God Made us different on purpose, But He wants us to use our differences to glorify Him.

Ephesians 3:10 says, 'His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms.....'

I don't see him mentioning any specific denomination, did you?

Anyways, just as it said there, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known. So lets get going cookies! Err... I mean.... Church.

SAY WHAT!!!

Alright, this one is kind of scary, but one of the most amazing things I think has ever happened to me. Anyways, I was working Thursday. I wasn't having a very good day, so I was kind of looking forward to closing. But five minutes to closing, two big groups of people came in (grr). So instead of sweeping and getting ready to close up, I was back in the kitchen doing dishes. So here I am, totally ticked off, and totally angry at the world. I mean, really angry. That's when a voice, clear as day, and louder than my own thoughts, yelled at me, in the back of my head, and said, "WHY ARE YOU BEING SO NEGATIVE!" That one sent chills down my spine. It was like God had just hit me over the head with the frying pan I was washing. But in that moment, it made me stop (I mean, it literally made me freeze right where I was) and think. That's when I realized that I had so much to be thankful for! And I was sitting there pouting? I had to take a moment to thank God, and apologize. Immediately after that (literally), my day brightened up. I realized how great the day was actually going. By the end of Thursday, I was amazed at how great my day was. I had to thank God again. So I wanted to say, no mater how bad it seems your day is going today, look for the little blessings, and maybe you'll see that they were the big ones. God Bess!
- Taylor*

A Little Bit More Than Smoldering

My sister and I couldn’t be more opposite when it comes to weather. She loves it cold, and I love it hot. So it would be no surprise that while Casey and Connor were out playing in the snow, I was sitting next to a nice comfy fire… O yes, just me, my fuzzy slippers, a book, in a comfy chair, next to a nice roaring fire. But starting a fire isn’t easy (that’s why we let our dad do it). So once Poppa has it started, we have to keep it going. Periodically throwing a log on it, or fetching firewood from outside (in the nasty cold). So if you neglect it, it begins to smolder, die out, and get cold. Now here’s my question: What fire are you feeding on the inside? Are you feeding hatred, bitterness, or selfishness? Or do you feed love, forgiveness, kindness? How much time do you take to read God’s word, or pray to Him? It all comes back down to the heart issue. When you read the Bible, you're feeding that fire in your heart. When you neglect your fire, well, it smolders and begins to die. Thankfully God doesn't forget us even when we forget Him, and it just takes one step to get back to Him. I like to think of Him as the one who starts the fire and helps us keep it going. God could have made us like robots, but he didn't! It's our choice to worship Him or not. In other words, we have to step aside (take the time) to let Him throw the log on it. Lets pray that our heavenly Poppa keeps our fire alive! Lets stay in His word, and keep praying.

- Taylor*
Ephesians 5:13-20 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead be filled with the spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Forts and Lawn Mowers

Another work day. It was going kind of slow, so it was a little boring, and here I was caught up and ahead on everything. That's when Pete showed up with Luke. The first thing Luke did when he came in was run to the kitchen, grabbed me by the hand, and started to pull me outside (It was pretty funny). That's when Pete said, " Hey Luke, why don't you go show her your fort." (Fort?) So Luke dragged me all the way outside to this little corner in the garden where there was a medium sized rose bush. Behind the rose bush was hollowed out, and trimmed back for a cool little hiding spot. So we spent the next half an hour in this little fort. I tried to get him out of his little chair to play ball outside of it, but he didn't want to come out. So we just sat there with a couple of cars. Now at the same time the neighbor had been mowing his lawn. So when he finally made it to the side of the yard that we were on, Luke jumped up from his seat and ran away from the fort as fast and far as he could go! Pete was coming out right then, so when he saw Luke running he just laughed. Now there was a fence between the fort and the lawn mower, but Luke didn't want to go back in for the rest of the day! It's the same way with our christian walks. We get so afraid of people, friends and family. We're afraid of being rejected. To the point that we're looking ridiculous, like a toddler running away from a loud noise! God put us on this earth to share the good news. Not to run away at the first sight of trouble. People in other countries get killed for sharing His word with others. Why have we become so comfortable? So many people don't know Jesus and are going to hell, and we don't want to take the risk of losing a little "popularity"? Think about it. If everyone in America got out of there little comfy chairs, started praying and sharing the good news. I can't even begin to describe the amazing things that could happen! You don't have to go to another country to do a missions trip. Your missions trip starts as soon as you walk out your door. Lets stop being so afraid all the time, and start getting out of our comfort zone. God said that he would be with us to the very end of the age! So what do we have to be afraid of when God is on our side?

- Taylor*
(I'd encourage you to read all of chapter 17) 1 Samuel 17:45-47 David said to the Philistine, " You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord's, and He will give all of you into our hands."
*Bonus Verse* - Mathew 28:19, 20 ".....Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."