Bible Study: Romans

I thought it would be great to share the Bible studies I am working through here on the blog. Lately I have been reading Romans and have been really gleaning a lot from it. I certainly am not an expert on the Bible, but I attempt to do as I feel God would have me do, which is to read His word and continue to do so, learning more each time I re-read that which I have already read. It is amazing how I can read a verse over and over and still gain new insight each time, through the Holy Spirits guidance.

OK, let's start off with Romans, chapter 1. Today I am reading Romans 1:1-17.

One of first verses that strikes me in the book of Romans is:
(Rom 1:5) through whom we received grace and apostleship, unto obedience of faith among all the nations, for his name's sake;

I love that Paul starts off by telling us who we are in Christ. We have grace... we have apostleship BECAUSE of Christ. Not due to any of our works, but through Christ alone do we have these things. Our faith is part of our obedience to God, to mirror Christ in us. By being faithful to Christ we obey God.

Next Paul speaks of our calling as Christians...
(Rom 1:6) among whom are ye also called to be Jesus Christ's: (Rom 1:7) to all that are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

We are called to be Christ's, we are called to be saints. What an awesome calling from God, our Father!

In verses 8 - 13 Paul speaks of wishing that he could be with his Roman brethren, and also the fact that as Christians they are comforted by one anothers faith. Just as we today should and can be a comfort to our fellow Christians, if only simply by our shared faith in Christ. Paul also encourages fellow Christians to bear spiritual fruit that it might be evident.

I really love this verse...

(Rom 1:16) For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

How many people today claim to be Christians and are ashamed to proclaim the Gospel as pure truth? Too many I think. It us such a shame because God's Word IS truth, it is THE truth. And it is also power, because without the power of His Word, without reading His Word and hearing His Word, we could be saved. To hear His word is power and to believe (along with confessing and turning away for our sins) brings us salvation.

It is by faith in Him that we live...

(Rom 1:17) For therein is revealed a righteousness of God from faith unto faith: as it is written, But the righteous shall live by faith.

I'll be continuing this study in Romans on my next Bible Study post. Please study along with me and feel free to leave any additional thoughts and insights in the comments section.

New Skirts!

Our third daughter turned 4 on Monday. She received a package in the mail from Grandma and it was a new skirt, handmade by Grandma! Of course, like most Grandmothers, my mother can't send a gift for one grandbaby without sending one for all. So, all 4 girls now have pretty new skirts! I really love these because not only are they colorful and bright but they are nice and long and modest. It is so hard to find pretty modest things in the stores any more, we are always happy for clothes that the girls can not only feel good about wearing but that will cover them nicely.

I have found a few cute skirts at Wal Mart recently. We also love to use the culotte pattern from Christian Womanhood. Their patterns are only $1.00! I have one in each girls size and have made several for them. I also like to use old pairs of jeans to make skirts. What I do it take the jeans and cut them off right below the pocket line in back, just straight across. I then attach a piece of fabric that I have seamed together and gathered across the top and hemmed across the bottom to the jeans. You can add two layers of fabric (one longer than the other). There are so many ways to make cute skirts for little girls, there is really no reason to give in to the immodest fashions that are available in stores today.

Menu Planning Monday

I was blog surfing recently and saw this event on Organized Junkie and thought it would be fun to participate. I don't always plan my menus on the same day of the week but it just so happens that his week I am doing so on a Monday. I have been menu planning for a long time now and although it's easy for me to do it's always nice to see what other are planning and get new and fresh ideas.

My challenge this particular two-week period is that the budget is a bit tighter than normal AND we have a birthday to celebrate this week. Here is what I plan to prepare for the next two weeks. I plan to use my crock pots quite a but due to a long list of things to do before we get under way with our new homeschool year.


Monday - Lentil Stew, Homemade Bread
Tuesday - Pizza for the Birthday Girl (Her choice, store bought or eat out)
Wednesday - Spaghetti, Garlic Broccoli
Thursday - Chili Burgers, Corn, Mashed Potatoes (Crock Pot)
Friday - Orange Hoisin Chicken, Brown Rice, Asian Mixed Veggies (Crock Pot)
Saturday - Pinto beans and butter beans, Greens, corn bread, rice
Sunday - Leftovers
Monday - Green Rice Casserole, BBQ Pork -n- beans with hot dogs (Crock Pot)
Tuesday - Chicken Parmesan, broccoli, linguini
Wednesday - Chicken Sate, cauliflower, Rice and Peas
Thursday -hot dogs, scalloped potatoes, Green Beans (Crock Pot)
Friday - Homemade Pizza, Salad
Saturday - Japanese Beef Curry with Rice, Asian Mixed Veggies (Crock pot)
Sunday - Leftovers

Funny Girl

Sometimes I wish I could video tape my children all the time. Some of the things they do and say are so funny!

Our 1 year old still sleeps in our bedroom. When she was put to bed tonight, I ended up going back into the bedroom to get something. She was still awake and when I left the room I left the door partially open. She then began to call "Mama! Mama!" I then returned and asked her what was wrong. I checked her blankets and fluffed her pillow. But she began to say "Out!' So I asked if she wanted to get out. She frowned at me and said "Mama out!". I asked, "Do you want Mama to get out?" She then says "Yeah, Mama out!" So I left the room closed the door and all was quiet. I guess she just didn't want Mommy coming back into the room while she was trying to settle down and go to sleep.

I can't believe I was kicked out of my own bedroom by a one year old! LOL! :0) Babies are so funny!

Following God's Call

Sometimes it takes me a while to really hear God when He calls me to do something... Was it just me? Did I just imagine that I heard Him call me? Does He REALLY want me to do that? It certainly is not just my imagination! But often times my flesh gets in the way and I fail to heed His call. Today was a day like that.

I've had a recipe blog for some time now and I enjoy working on it. But I continue to feel convicted in my heart that now that my time is more limited I should combine my recipes and all other thoughts, ideas, feelings, knowledge and such about life as a Christian woman (wife, mom, friend, etc.) all into ONE blog.

It wasn't just today that I have had that thought. As you can see if you look at my blog archive, I stated this blog some time ago. That was when the conviction started. However, due to the normal routine I had fallen into in our daily lives and the relaxation I felt when working on an "already established" blog on my favorite topic (food), I neglected to update this one. I felt it would be too much work to create something new and different than I was used to.... felt that I didn't have the time. How wrong I was!

I know that if God desires something that it is up to me to follow His calling. And so today I humbly return to this new blog with many ideas and a vision to continue chronicling our day to day lives... our comings and goings. Our successes and failures. Our joys and defeats. All those things that make up a Christian family that is seeking to follow that Lord in all we do. It may take me some time to get things in order here but I know that God will provide the ideas, time and inspiration as I supply the effort and obedience that He desires.

If you're a regular over at Chef Michele's Adventures, I pray you will continue to join me here. My goal is to post here frequently on various topics and I may just include a recipe here and there as well. :0) Stay tuned...