Repurposing and Preventing Waste...Good Money Savers

I know I already posted today but I wanted to share a few things with you today. So here we go:

Since my sons and I all lost our jobs the end of last year. And since then only my youngest son has found a job- things have been tight around here. God has provided for the money to pay our bills and also my sons bills, but that money is running down. But I continue to trust that God is in control.
One of the things that I have learned and have been doing more and more of - is to look at ways to save money. And it is surprising the things that you come up when you start paying attention. You learn to make do with what you have more often. And example of that is - we have a container that we store our large utensils in, but I have more than what my one container will hold. Well I had seen on someone's beautiful blog that they had found a beautiful vintage pitcher and used it to hold the utensils. Well I loved the idea and I really wanted to copy their idea. My husband and I actually went to a local Antique mall looking for one. But did not find one that would work. I did find a cute Avon bottle that was a small little pitcher. So I told my husband that we were successful in our trip because we had found a pitcher...lol. Anyway so I just decided to let it go. Yesterday I finally came up with a wonderful idea! I have a medium sized cookie jar - kind of a beige color with some pink designs along with a heart(which I love) on it. I don't use it for a cookie jar because when I make cookies I make a small batch what ever I think we will want and then what ever is left over - I put in a Ziploc bag to keep them fresh. I am very picky about my cookies - I love fresh cookies. After a day or so - they loose their appeal. Anyway so I took the lid off of it washed it up and then I filled it up with the utensils and it works great. And best part is - no money was spent!

Then I noticed that I had a bowl with about 9 apples in it. Well I had bought a good sized bag and we had eaten some and then just hadn't eaten the rest. They were starting to lose their appeal. Well I decided first of all to make a batch of apple muffins-my mother in laws secret recipe - hence the name of our baker was "The Apple Cake Shop." Anyway so I peeled and chopped enough apples for that batch and then peeled and chopped the rest of the apples and I measured them out into the correct amount of apples needed for a recipe of Apple Muffins/Cake and put them into separate Ziploc freezer bags. And then I put them into the freezer. I have done this before and it has worked well. When you are going to use apples in a recipe that you are going to be baking anyway - you can freeze them. If you are still hesitant to try it. Just try it one time and see. Maybe with your recipe it won't work as well but with this recipe it works good. So I made 2 dozen apple muffins and then I have enough apples in the freezer for 2 more batches of Apple Muffins/Cake.

Anyway so you can see there are many ways to save money around the house - sometimes by reusing something you already have and sometimes by not wasting what you have. And what's neat is that it is fun to figure these things out.

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Before I end this post about saving money - I do want to share something with you all. I made up 2 batches of home made laundry detergent, this time I did something a little different and had a little different results. I had shared how I had put the mixture of the ivory soap, washing powder and borax in the blender. This time I used 1 bar of ivory soap and 1 bar of Fels Naptha and this soap is softer than the ivory soap. Anyway I would recommend you blending it in a blender one half of recipe at a time and make sure the blender is dry. I tried to blend one batch and I am not sure if it was moisture in the blender or if the Fels Naptha so being so much softer made it kind of harden at the bottom of the blender. When I did the next batch - I halved the recipe and it did much, much better. So I just wanted to write a little note to let ya'll know you might want to be careful if you use the softer soap and a blender.

What are ways you save your family money?

Passive or Active?

Passive faith but praises in the light,
When sun doth shine.
Active faith will praise in darkest night–
Which faith is thine?
–Unknown

 

This really gives you something to think about.

Hope you all are doing well.

Monday our temperatures got all the way up to 88 degrees. Then Tuesday our highs were only about 58 degrees- a 30 degree drop. I am enjoying our weather 60-70 during the days That is great weather. Enjoying this while I can since summer will be here before we know it and these will be the days I dream of.

 

 

Prayer Warrior Battle Skills...series

Prayer Warriors by Ron Halvorsen

(click on the above link if you would like to check out this book or even get yourself one)

 

This is the book that I have been reading. It has a lot of valuable information in it.

 

    Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

1 Peter 5:8

 He knows that he is lost and wants to take as many of us as he can. He was able to get 1/3rd of the angels and believe me he is powerful and very cunning...

He uses whatever means to ensnare us, remember the quote I shared yesterday?

 

In my book Prayer Warriors, Ron Halvorsen shares with us about 7 battles skills and I thought it would be a very good idea for me to do a series on them. Especially in the days that we are living in now, it is very important for us to be prayer warriors.

 

"So many Christians are being destroyed because they are.....

uninformed.......

unprepared....

uninvolved...

 

Paul, throughout His epistles speaks of the reality of these spiritual battles. He uses vivid word pictures: a wrestling match, a boxing match, a personal war, a universal battle being watched by heavenly witnesses. Using these word pictures, Paul challenges us to....

"Fight the good fight." 1 Timothy 6:12

"Be a soldier of Christ." 2 Timothy 2:4

"Put on the full armor." Ephesians 6:11, 13

 

This real battle is won on our knees, in the spiritual trenches and foxholes of our prayers closets.  In prayer, we communicate with the Source of our victory- the Lord Jesus. This is why we call for Prayer Warriors - to win present and future battles. We must remember this crucial fact: Our Commander never asks us to go into battle without armor, weapons, or training in battles skills."
 
This conflict is between God and Satan and we get stuck in the middle of it. God loving us so much that he sent His son to die on the cross for our sins so that we can go home to live with Him in Heaven some day. The other side of conflict -does not really care about us at all at - he only wants to attempt to take us out of the hand of our creator, he was able to deceive 1/3 of the angels and they were in the very presence of God Almighty - how much easier it would be to deceive us frail humans.

Next week we will have our Battle Skill 1 - about "Putting on God's Armor" see you then.

He Provides....

 

 

Sabbath afternoon I walked out to the mail box. As I was looking through the mail - I noticed a personally addressed letter to me. As I opened it up - I began to cry. A blue piece of card stock had been cut and folded in half - as I opened it I noticed some cash. 

 

" This is an anonymous gift. I've been blessed by people in the past when I had need, and I want to pass it on to you."

~ Was written in pen.

 

What a blessing! I cried as I walked up to the house. As I entered the garage door-into the kitchen my husband walked into the kitchen to ask if there was anything good - and as soon as he saw me crying he got concerned. He was thinking something bad had happened.

 We have had a lot of bad news and bad things going on -

so you begin to brace yourself for what is coming next.

I quickly said no - it's good - and I handed the envelope to him.

Later when my son came by - I let him see it - it touched him also.

God is in control.
God is helping provide what is needed.
We are still waiting for some doors to be

opened...

We wait....

And God provides....

And we continue to thank Him and praise Him for all His blessings.

And we continue to believe.

The money in the envelope will cover my sons car payment due next Friday. Edited to add - he pays his car payment every two weeks so this money covered one of the car payments for this month
Praising God! :O)

 

Your Goliath...

Your Goliath doesn't carry sword or shield; he brandishes blades of unemployment, abandonment, sexual abuse, or depression. Your giant doesn't parade up and down the hills of Elah; he prances through your office, your bedroom, your classroom. He brings bills you can't pay, grades you can't make, people you can't please, drugs you can't resist, a career you can't escape, a past you can't shake, and a future you can't face. David shows up discussing God. 'The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of the Philistine.' (17:37). God will deliver you from your Goliath too.. trust Him.

 ~~ Max Lucado.

Boy - isn't this the truth?...

What Seventh Day Adventist's Believe.....#25

(A personal note is at the end of this post)

Fundamental Belief #25

 Second Coming of Christ:

 The second coming of Christ is the blessed hope of the church, the grand climax of the gospel. The Saviour's coming will be literal, personal, visible, and worldwide. When He returns, the righteous dead will be resurrected, and together with the righteous living will be glorified and taken to heaven, but the unrighteous will die. The almost complete fulfillment of most lines of prophecy, together with the present condition of the world, indicates that Christ's coming is imminent. The time of that event has not been revealed, and we are therefore exhorted to be ready at all times.

    looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

Titus 2:13

 

so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.   

Hebrews 9:28

 

"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.   

John 14:1-3

 

Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."   

Acts 1:9-11

 

    And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

Matthew 24:14

 

    Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.   

Revelations 1:7

 

    But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.   

Matthew 24:43, 44

 

But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.   

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

 

Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed-- 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory."

1 Corinthians 15:51-54

 

    and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.

2 Thessalonians 1:7-10

 

And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.   

2 Thessalonians  2:8

 

    Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle. 15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, "Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe." 16 So He who sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped. 17 Then another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. 18 And another angel came out from the altar, who had power over fire, and he cried with a loud cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, "Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe." 19 So the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses' bridles, for one thousand six hundred furlongs.   

Revelations 14:14-20

 

    Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. 17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, "Come and gather together for the supper of the great God, 18 that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great." 19 And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. 20 Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21 And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.   

Revelations 19:11-21

 

(The next 3 are whole chapters to look at so I have just set up links so you can go look at the chapter and that way it does not take up so much room on my blog.)

 

Matthew 24

 

Mark 13

 

Luke 21

 

    But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!   

2 Timothy 3:1-5

 

    But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.   

1 Thessalonians 5:1-6

 

 

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Looks like we have 3 more weeks left of this series and then I will start the Bible Marking Series. I really think that you will enjoy it so be sure and come back and check it out.
I hope you all have a wonderful week end! :O)

Drawing Nigh to God.....series

Drawing Nigh to God

by Minnie E. Dauphinee

 

The Secret of Victory .....God's Mighty Weapon

 

"The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty 

through God to the pulling down of strong holds"

2 Corinthians 10:4

 

In the Christian warfare against evil, carnal weapons are useless; only spiritual weapons - the Word of God, prayer, faith- which come from God, have power to tear down the strongholds of Satan. Paul witnessed their power even in the conversion of members of the household of Nero, "that monster of cruelty and vice.

Though every one of God's spiritual weapons is essential, Paul admonishes us to take "above all" the shield of faith. In ancient warfare, as long as the soldier had a shield to protect himself he felt safe from the enemy's attacks. In spiritual warfare, as long as the Christian has the protecting shield of faith he is safe from Satan's attacks.

Spurgeon once used this illustrations:
"Satan said, 'One day you shall be poor and starve.'  'No,' said the believer, handling his sword well, ' God hath said, " I will never leave thee, and they water shall be sure." 'Ay,' said Satan, 'but thou wilt one day fall by the hand of the enemy.' 'No,' said faith, 'for I am persuaded that He which hath begun a good work in me will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.'

" 'Ay,' said Satan, as he shot another arrow, 'but you are weak.'  'Yes,' said faith, handling his shield, but "my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." ' 'Ay,' said Satan, 'but thy sin is great.' 'Yes.' said faith, ' "but He is able to save to the uttermost them that come unto God by Him." ' "

It was with the Word of God and the shield of faith that Jesus resisted Satan in the wilderness. With these same weapons - we may be "more than conquerors" in the Christian warfare.