The Act That Has Communal Repercussions

Every Friday @ 12:30pm (CST), you can hear a weekly challenge from me on Faith Music Radio.  My podcast is called Posted by Rebekah. You can listen online HERE or download the free app for your smartphone.  I would love for you to join us, listen and take the challenge!

Tune in any time of the day to Faith Music Radio for uplifting Christian music and talk. 

Here is today's podcast in blog post form. :)

There was a thought that I read recently that I really liked.  It said, “Though following Jesus is most often an individual act of faith, that act always has communal repercussions.”  Truth statement.

Let me tell you an amusing story.  Well, I think you will find it amusing – I didn’t so much!  We home school at the church building and one day, I was in the back warming up some leftovers for my lunch.  I grabbed the container out of the microwave and started walking.  The container was so hot that I ended up dropping it onto the floor!  No joke, the sauce from the lasagna flew up and hit me in the face.  And burned a spot right under my nose!

Really?  How does this really happen?  I guess you have to be extra talented to have that happen to you!

You see, your life and your acts of faith are like that lasagna sauce.  When you step out of faith, you are heating up the sauce!  You have put action into the equation.

Now comes the silly illustration – your faith – your lasagna sauce – is now gonna fly and hit someone else around you.  I told you it was silly but it is true.

When you step out on faith and you follow Jesus, someone will always be watching you and it will have repercussions.  Good repercussions.

Who is watching you today?  It could be someone that you have absolutely no clue is watching you.  I had a friend from college recently tell me – “Thank you for your example.  I looked up to you as someone I wanted to be like.”  I’m 38 and she just told me this – college was a few years ago now.  LOL! 

What we don’t realize is our influence has the possible implication to “splatter” far and wide – farther than we could ever imagine!  Every decision in life is a chance to influence.

So today’s challenge is:  Don’t be afraid to take that step of faith to follow Jesus.  Remember – That act always has communal repercussions!

Will you take the challenge?

Five Things I am Loving this Week

From our valley to yours...happy Saturday!  Here are five things I am loving this week...

Snow-capped mountains.

I love any view with snow-capped mountains.  Even the reflection here is beautiful! :)

The old hymns.

There is something about the old hymns that I love.  The words are so rich.  So deep.  I have been wanting to incorporate something with the hymns in my devotions and this week I came across this website.   It has a section called Hymn of the Week  - For hymn study.  It is perfect - it has the video to listen to - the stories behind the hymn - the words to the hymn.  

Foundations 101.
Our Foundations 101 class that my husband teaches at our church.  This is a sign of new folks interested in Sierra View and wanting to learn more about what we believe and why.  Starts tomorrow!

Clearance candles and wax melts!
I got the wax melts for $.50 (original $2.00) and the candles for $4.00 (original $14.94).

Rain.

Recipe: Grecian Pasta and Chicken Skillet

I made this recipe on Monday and enjoyed it!  It is easy and cooks up in one dish.

Grecian Pasta and Chicken Skillet

1 can (14 1/2 oz) reduced sodium chicken broth

1 can (14 1/2 oz) no salt added diced tomatoes, undrained

3/4 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch pieces

1/2 cup water

1 garlic clove, minced

1/2 tsp. dried oregano

4 oz. multigrain thin spaghetti

1 jar (7 1/2 oz) marinated artichoke hearts, drained

2 cups fresh baby spinach

1/4 cup roasted red peppers

1/4 cup sliced black olives

1 green onion, finely chopped

2 tbsp. lemon juice

1 tbsp. olive oil

1/2 tsp. pepper

reduced fat feta cheese

In a skillet, combine the first six ingredients; add spaghetti. Bring to a boil.  Cook for 5-7 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink and spaghetti is tender.

Stir in artichokes, spinach, red pepper, olives, green onion, lemon juice, oil and pepper.

Cook and stir 2-3 minutes or until spinach is wilted.

Top with cheese - if desired.

Makes 4 servings - 373 calories per serving.

January Days

Coffee is the old school energy drink.  I like coffee.  I like old school.  I like coffee cups!

Monday, my husband left early with Jake and an old college friend from Australia, Terry Jordan, to go skiing at Northstar.  We have had a great winter so far with snowfall totals in the Sierras.  I saw that Northstar has received 254 inches of snow so far this season!  If that seems unbelievable to you, their average is 350 inches of snow for a season. My husband said it was the best skiing he has done in years!  So as I watch the news about the epic blizzard in the East, I chuckle.  

Meanwhile while he was enjoying the gorgeous mountains, we were plugging away at school.  LOL! Time for another grading period to end so I spent time this week finishing those up.  

After school, Addie went with me to run a few errands.  It is nice that she sits in the car with the little ones and I can run in and do what I need to do.  I got my weekly grocery shopping done at Winco, couponing deals at CVS, returned an item at the Parable Christian Bookstore and went tanning.

I found this selfie from my teenager later on. :)

There wasn't many deals to do with the coupons I had so I bought six boxes of cereal - $1.99 each and Palmolive for $.49.

The girls wanted to make treats so they concocted these. :)

Chicken stir fry for dinner.  An old standby! You can find the recipe HERE.  

Tuesday was another storm.  Our temperatures have been warmer so we received rain in the valley.

Getting our church videos done with the husband.

Worked on grades for Summer.  Babysitting.

Beef and broccoli for dinner.  (Somehow broccoli was in every recipe this week!  LOL!)  You can find the recipe HERE.

Wednesday - much of the same.  School and babysitting. :)  We moved into the Fellowship Hall for school trying to condense our space used.  When the weather warms in the spring - we hopefully can move back to the outside classroom.

Sunshine again!  

Finishing up grades for Autumn.

Funny baby.

After school, I put together beef and tater casserole.  I was missing the french fried onions - boo!  How can I never remember where the french fried onions are in the store?  You can find the recipe HERE.

Then it was back to the church for a children's ministry meeting at 4pm.  Then back home to get ready for work. Off to work at 6pm.

Wednesday night, I took a fill-in shift for Senior Helpers from 7pm-7am.  I made it through the night with some Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and some HGTV.  :) 

So glad to be off work Thursday morning!  This was a pretty shot I took with the city...mountains and the sunrise.

Thursday was busy.  I got home, showered and got ready for the day.  School at 8:30am along with babysitting.  I had a doctor appointment at 1:40pm which my husband took children duty.  Got back about 3pm - home and then found out we were going to dinner with a couple from our church.  

My husband and I enjoyed dinner at Olive Garden with Bob, Linda and Rich.  I had the steak gorgonzola fettuccine alfredo.  Yummy!  Then home to crash. :)

Friday was school and all three kids that I babysat.  After school, we went to McDonald's with their Christmas gift cards.  The two for $2 deal is good - mozzarella sticks are yummy!

Fill up the van with gas for the week - $2.29 is our "low" price.  Dollar Tree and the library.

After the babysitting kids had left for the day, my husband and I went on our date.  Chiropractor and Red Robin.

They have a deal - two Tavern burgers and an appetizer or dessert for $15.  They were really busy and the burger was ok - a little dry.  A little disappointed but we weren't out too much I suppose.  LOL!

This looked like a rough Friday night.  LOL!

Saturday was clear but windy!  I had a lazy morning working on the computer and drinking coffee and such.  

Then it was off for the day!  Stop at Fed Ex to pick up an envelope for the church.  Baby shower for Angela at Olive Garden.  The girls were so excited to go.  As I was asking them what side they wanted with their kids' meal, Sierra asked if there was any other options besides grapes or broccoli.  "Do they have olives," she asked.  LOL!

After the shower, I stopped by Raley's to register the girls for spring softball.  With the schedule so busy with practices and games, we can only have two of our girls play at a time in one season.  Summer will be playing t-ball and Autumn will be playing 10-U.
They are doing a fundraiser if anyone is interested!  It is a very cool app for your phone with coupons for cities all over the USA.  It is only $20 and good for 12 months. :)

For dinner Saturday, it was broccoli-cheese soup and turkey bacon BLT's.

Sunday...I just love the hymns.

Sunday preparations, choir practice, praise and worship for the first part of the service, nursery duty.  Salisbury steak, baked potatoes and corn for lunch.  (The girls prepared the potatoes the night before - simply turn on the crock pot and bake!  I put the frozen salisbury steak in the second crock pot in the morning and it is ready by lunch.)
Then review lesson for Awana large group and watch the Denver game.  Back early for Awana that evening.

Not sure how the dog's leash got in my Awana tub!  LOL!
That was my week...hope you have a blessed week!

Five Favorites for the Week

My first favorite thing this week is the weekend.  Saturday to be accurate. :)  No school...no babysitting...home.

Pretty sunrises.  Especially after a LONG night of work - this refreshes the soul.  It says, "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."

The library.  I love the library. :)

Little hands. :)

Love!

When my daughters set the table "fancy" for dinner. :)

Have a great weekend!

Friday's Challenge on Posted by Rebekah

I was listening to a podcast recently and they were discussing the story of the blind man.  If you read the story in the Bible in Luke 18:35, Jesus says this, “What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee?”

To us today in the culture and times that we live, doesn’t that seem like a silly question? I mean, the guy is obviously blind!  Who wouldn’t want to be healed of blindness and receive their sight?  

They explained that back in those times – being a beggar was actually considered an occupation.  Passerbys (unlike our culture today) would give to the beggars because they were commanded to give alms to the poor.  So beggars were actually doing a service to the community.  Interesting, isn’t it?  When the passerbys would give to the beggars, the beggars would stand up and offer polished prayers asking God to bless you and your family.  This fulfilled your religious duties.

So, when Jesus asked this blind man if he wanted to be healed, that was a very legitimate question.  Because if he said yes, he was giving up his profession – his way of life – his means to provide for himself.  To us-being healed, it would be a no-brainer.  To the blind man, it was a huge step of faith.  And it was Jesus asking this question – are you ready to take on the responsibility that comes with the grace of God?

Have you ever asked God for something?  What about healing of a broken relationship?  God, please heal my broken relationship!  But in reality, are you ready for the responsibility that comes on your part in that relationship?  Because great relationships just don’t happen.  God, please help me to get out of debt!  But are you ready to take on the responsibility of being obedient to God in giving Him the first 10% of your income?  Foregoing pleasure to make it happen?  God, please give me a ministry to serve You!  But are you ready for the responsibility that comes with the title?  Probably not.

You see, God will do these things for you.  But He first wants to see if you are ready for the responsibility.

So today’s challenge is count the cost before you ask for what you think you want.

God wants to know if you really want the responsibility – or just the grace.

Will you take the challenge?

Rainy January Days

Thank you for stopping by today!  I hope wherever you call home that you are sitting with a warm blanket and a hot cup of coffee in hand.  Enjoy!

Monday - my husband had kid duty until I got of my shift with Senior Helpers at 8am.  When I got home, I put dinner in the crockpot and it was off to school.  While the girls did their videos (baby holding, of course!), I cleaned the church building.  Might as well get it done and over with right away in the week!  

This was what I felt like Monday afternoon!  Holding babies are a good excuse to sit down for a minute. :) Finish the chicken and dumplings, laundry and housework and then off for a Monday night shift - 8pm-8am.

This is my client's dog, Lily.  She wanted to sit with me.

I took this photo when I left work at my client's home.  So beautiful!  I love mornings. :)

When I got almost home, I took this photo of Peavine.  The fog gave everything a gorgeous look that day.

I got the girls started on school and the hubby took duty.  I had our annual caregiver meeting for Senior Helpers from 10-11:30am.

Because of a late start to school with me working, I decided to work on our daily quizzes and tests at home after lessons.  Of course with a cup of coffee. :)

Then it was back to work for a third (and last!) night for the week.  Lily decided not to leave my side the entire night.  A buddy and Fixer Upper made it for an good night. :)

On my way home, Wednesday, I caught a pretty rainbow through the raindrops.

Do you see it!  I like how this photo turned out focusing on the rain drops yet there is the rainbow behind the rain.  :)

While sisters were at piano lessons, I caught Miss Summer wearing her sister's glasses.  Ha!  She looks too cute.

Piano lessons - 1-2:30pm

Meeting - 5pm

Youth Group 6-7pm

Crazy day!  I will admit - I crashed about 7:30pm.  I couldn't push myself any farther!

Another storm came in with us waking up to more snow.

I just love having a mountain view!  I picked our house for a few reasons - and one was the view. :)

Thursday was school - meet with the United Blood Services representative at 11:15am.  I am the coordinator for our church's blood drives.

Thursday was taco night at our house. :)  Yum!  I also love refried beans with cheese.  I just use a can of beans and add a can of diced tomatoes to the refried beans.  Makes them go farther and a little thinner.  Use diced tomatoes with green chilies if you like more spice.

Taught Autumn how to make pumpkin bread - always a treat the kids enjoy.

The hubby and I  went out that evening to the chiropractor and then a short date at Starbucks with my gift card. :)

Silly girl.

And once again, we woke up to more snow Friday morning.  This is the year for lots of storms. :)  Regular day of school and babysitting.  Then home to make ham and bean soup with cornbread muffins.

The weather quickly warmed and it was a high of 56 on Saturday.  My husband had the men's prayer breakfast at the church at 8:30am.  I took my father-in-law to the hospital to have an MRI done.  Hospitals are never a quick thing.

Nice and spring-like day!

When I got home from the hospital, I dropped off my FIL and daughter and turned right around to go back to Wal-Mart and CVS.  My husband said he would like to go with me which was very nice.  He talked my ear off while we shopped.  I did a couponing deal at CVS for diapers for an upcoming baby shower.  Couponing helps not only your family but it enables you to bless others as well while on a budget.  We also went to True Value for a few items for the church.  We always manage to make errands into mini dates. :)

When we got back from the stores, I made two quiches.  Ham, onion, spinach, cheese, tomatoes - yum!

The finished result!

My husband went to the airport to pick up an old college friend that flew in from Australia.  Summer and I cuddled on the couch and watched the Packer game.  Some days you just need stuff like this. :)

Then it was browsing my favorite magazine and signing off sections in the girls' Awana books.

Sunday was prepare for church and put cream cheese potato soup in the crock pot for lunch.  Choir practice, praise and worship, nursery.  The girls had a couple friends over for the afternoon.  I made grilled cheese to go with the soup.

I worked on church items in the afternoon and cut coupons/organized my binder.  

Then it was back to church for Awana and to teach my Cubbies class.

I hope you had a great week as well!