Saturday, March 30, 2013
bloglovin--blog claiming!
I just claimed my blog on bloglovin, blogspot is going away, however, I have laid claim to just about everything ladolceveda--<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/5344285/?claim=kmxbf2kjpdy">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Low Carb Spice Muffins
Oh, my goodness--I've been playing around with low carb baked everything. And I've come up with a go-to breakfast muffin. I used apple pie spice in this recipe but you could use pumpkin pie spice too, I'm sure. Also, you could add some chopped fruit or pureed pumpkin, which of course would add more carbs--so it's up to you. Here's my recipe...
1/2 cup flax meal
1/2 cup coconut flour
1 cup almond flour
1/4 t salt
1 T baking powder
1 1/2 t nutmeg
2 t cinnamon
1 t apple pie spice
1 cup Splenda
1 stick (1/2 cup) melted butter
4 beaten eggs
3/4 cup water
Makes 12 muffins
Mix all dry ingredients well, add everything else, mix well. Fill muffin tin.
I use parchment paper muffin cups--they are amazing to bake with. Bake for about 20 minutes or so.
Use the toothpick test for doneness.
Eat them up for breakfast or an afternoon snack! PS--they freeze great! Microwave for 30 seconds or so. :)
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Impatiently Patient
Maybe it was a good thing that I didn't have time to delve into my bible study book this past week. Maybe God was protecting my heart. I think so anyway. I believe that about Him. He's always there, always protecting me, always shielding me from experiencing overload or too much pain at one time. There was something in that particular study that He wanted me to learn alright, but the timing of it had to be just perfect. I had barely cracked open my book when my phone rang.
It was one of those scary calls. My mom was in the hospital, and in serious condition. Fortunately I didn't have anything really important on my calendar, so as I waited by the phone for more information on her prognosis, I prayed--all day. I'm going to step out on a ledge a little bit here. I am hoping that if my sister ever reads this blog post she understands why I am sharing this little story. It really isn't about her at all, but more about what God has taught me about myself in these last couple of days.
As my sister was explaining to me over the phone the details concerning our mother, well, she was bugging me. She used some profanity, she spoke in a disrespectful manner and was misunderstanding some of my most basic of questions. In my opinion we did not have a good conversation. So the next day when we once again spoke on the phone, I let her know what my phone boundaries where. I think she was a little shocked at first but as time wore on I think she began to understand, and we ended up having a really good talk. We spoke civilly to each other, clearly and without judgement. It was nice to be heard rather than to be talked at.
Today, unbeknownst to me--God had a plan for my time at bible study. He was going to show me some things, He was going to give me some very clear insight into this little personality of mine. And boy, did He ever. I learned today that I do not have patience with others. That I am not merciful. And that I don't like to put up with people who irritate me. And, as I said earlier, my sister was plain old irritating me. Like sandpaper against sandpaper--was she ever going to smooth out? I really did wonder this!
I also realized this morning that God has been nothing but patient with me! He gently broke it to me that I was the one who needed smoothing out. I was the one who needed to change, not her. God is working out something in me, He is slowly changing me. Ever so gently. Had I started reading this bible study chapter last week, had I seen the video before talking with my sister over the phone about our mother--I really don't think I would have understood this most important teaching from God. This life lesson would have been lost on me. I think I would have missed it. Yes, I am that hard-headed. I was thinking a little too highly of myself. I was living a lie.
So there you have it, my confession. I am impatiently patient. I prayed for quite awhile this afternoon, and I caught myself asking God to hurry and make me a more patient person. Have I not learned anything? I am happy that He loves me, I could almost hear Him chuckle at my nonsense. I have much to learn, and I thank Him everyday that He is my father, whom is so very patient with me. And when my sister called back this afternoon with some good news concerning our mom, we had a very good conversation. We talked for a long time. We shared some things. And I was patient. And God was gracious.
It was one of those scary calls. My mom was in the hospital, and in serious condition. Fortunately I didn't have anything really important on my calendar, so as I waited by the phone for more information on her prognosis, I prayed--all day. I'm going to step out on a ledge a little bit here. I am hoping that if my sister ever reads this blog post she understands why I am sharing this little story. It really isn't about her at all, but more about what God has taught me about myself in these last couple of days.
As my sister was explaining to me over the phone the details concerning our mother, well, she was bugging me. She used some profanity, she spoke in a disrespectful manner and was misunderstanding some of my most basic of questions. In my opinion we did not have a good conversation. So the next day when we once again spoke on the phone, I let her know what my phone boundaries where. I think she was a little shocked at first but as time wore on I think she began to understand, and we ended up having a really good talk. We spoke civilly to each other, clearly and without judgement. It was nice to be heard rather than to be talked at.
Today, unbeknownst to me--God had a plan for my time at bible study. He was going to show me some things, He was going to give me some very clear insight into this little personality of mine. And boy, did He ever. I learned today that I do not have patience with others. That I am not merciful. And that I don't like to put up with people who irritate me. And, as I said earlier, my sister was plain old irritating me. Like sandpaper against sandpaper--was she ever going to smooth out? I really did wonder this!
I also realized this morning that God has been nothing but patient with me! He gently broke it to me that I was the one who needed smoothing out. I was the one who needed to change, not her. God is working out something in me, He is slowly changing me. Ever so gently. Had I started reading this bible study chapter last week, had I seen the video before talking with my sister over the phone about our mother--I really don't think I would have understood this most important teaching from God. This life lesson would have been lost on me. I think I would have missed it. Yes, I am that hard-headed. I was thinking a little too highly of myself. I was living a lie.
So there you have it, my confession. I am impatiently patient. I prayed for quite awhile this afternoon, and I caught myself asking God to hurry and make me a more patient person. Have I not learned anything? I am happy that He loves me, I could almost hear Him chuckle at my nonsense. I have much to learn, and I thank Him everyday that He is my father, whom is so very patient with me. And when my sister called back this afternoon with some good news concerning our mom, we had a very good conversation. We talked for a long time. We shared some things. And I was patient. And God was gracious.
Galatians 5:22-23
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The Fruit of the Spirit
22 By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.Wednesday, March 13, 2013
What You Do Next
To quote someone whom I deeply admire--what you do next says what you really believe about God.
I remember years ago my ladies Bible study at church started a new book. It was Henry Blackaby's study called Experiencing God. I thought it sounded pretty interesting. Experiencing God--sounds good, right? I was anxious to see what this Bible study was all about. Very long story short, it changed my life.
I'll be honest with you here--at first, I didn't care for it at all. Not at all. It was a little too basic for me. It was the 1 2 3's and the A B C's of Christianity, and after all, I had been a Christian for years! I thought to myself--I am beyond this--I need something deeper, something meatier, something that I can really sink my teeth into. However, even though I was a little more than delusional about my walk with God, I was a good little girl, I went with the flow, and with eyes rolled up to the sky, I endured. I began the study with a closed heart and closed ears. But, at least I went, right? I didn't complain, I didn't say anything to anyone, I just did my first lesson and showed up to class.
It's so funny and interesting to me how God works in our lives. We see ourselves one way, and yet He sees us in quite another. By week 3--I was a complete mess. For although this was a basic study--in the sense that it began at the beginning of how God wants us to live for Him, it was also one of the most challenging studies I've ever endured. Notice I've said I--maybe not everyone who has ever gone through this study was impacted the way I was. I just realized while writing this that I'm using words like--endure, challenge and impacted. Yes, it was all those things for me and more. And when I had finished with that book, that study, that basic body of work--God had changed my heart forever. He took me back to the basics that I somehow had missed.
I wonder now all these years later what my life in Christ would be like had I not gone through that study. I think that God would have worked it into my life somehow, someway, at some other time. I needed it. I needed a different perspective on who God really is and how God really works. There were many quotes that stood out to me during that study. Many of which I have drawn upon throughout these last couple of decades. I have at times been stopped dead in my tracks because God will bring to my mind one of these life changing one-liners that Blackaby is so famous for. One being--what you do next says what you really believe about God.
So, what do I really believe about God? I guess that depends on what I do next! Do I listen to God? Do I pray? Do I trust Him? Do I serve Him with my whole heart? Do I have faith in Him? Do I walk with Him daily? Is He my everything? Or, do I waver in my faith, and walk in fear? Do I put prayer off for a more convenient time? And after praying, do I get up and take those burdens with me rather than leave them at His feet for Him to deal with?
During that study, God illuminated areas in my life that he wanted to clean up. Yes, that's exactly what He wanted from me, He wanted me, with His help, to clean up my act. He wanted me to actually walk with Him rather than just say I did. He has taught me over these last decades to trust Him completely, to spend hours praying, to get up trusting, to lean into Him, to hang onto Him, and to never ever stop. For me--it was all about faith, all about prayer, all about service, all about worship. It's all about taking life one day at a time, and sometimes 1 hour at a time. It's all about keeping my eyes fixed on Him, it's all about knowing--knowing that He is the great I AM, He is my Father, He loves me, He walks with me! And, I will never be alone. Whatever comes my way, I will have my God by my side. He is mine and I am His and what I do next in this sweet life of mine--says what I really believe about Him.
I remember years ago my ladies Bible study at church started a new book. It was Henry Blackaby's study called Experiencing God. I thought it sounded pretty interesting. Experiencing God--sounds good, right? I was anxious to see what this Bible study was all about. Very long story short, it changed my life.
I'll be honest with you here--at first, I didn't care for it at all. Not at all. It was a little too basic for me. It was the 1 2 3's and the A B C's of Christianity, and after all, I had been a Christian for years! I thought to myself--I am beyond this--I need something deeper, something meatier, something that I can really sink my teeth into. However, even though I was a little more than delusional about my walk with God, I was a good little girl, I went with the flow, and with eyes rolled up to the sky, I endured. I began the study with a closed heart and closed ears. But, at least I went, right? I didn't complain, I didn't say anything to anyone, I just did my first lesson and showed up to class.
It's so funny and interesting to me how God works in our lives. We see ourselves one way, and yet He sees us in quite another. By week 3--I was a complete mess. For although this was a basic study--in the sense that it began at the beginning of how God wants us to live for Him, it was also one of the most challenging studies I've ever endured. Notice I've said I--maybe not everyone who has ever gone through this study was impacted the way I was. I just realized while writing this that I'm using words like--endure, challenge and impacted. Yes, it was all those things for me and more. And when I had finished with that book, that study, that basic body of work--God had changed my heart forever. He took me back to the basics that I somehow had missed.
I wonder now all these years later what my life in Christ would be like had I not gone through that study. I think that God would have worked it into my life somehow, someway, at some other time. I needed it. I needed a different perspective on who God really is and how God really works. There were many quotes that stood out to me during that study. Many of which I have drawn upon throughout these last couple of decades. I have at times been stopped dead in my tracks because God will bring to my mind one of these life changing one-liners that Blackaby is so famous for. One being--what you do next says what you really believe about God.
So, what do I really believe about God? I guess that depends on what I do next! Do I listen to God? Do I pray? Do I trust Him? Do I serve Him with my whole heart? Do I have faith in Him? Do I walk with Him daily? Is He my everything? Or, do I waver in my faith, and walk in fear? Do I put prayer off for a more convenient time? And after praying, do I get up and take those burdens with me rather than leave them at His feet for Him to deal with?
During that study, God illuminated areas in my life that he wanted to clean up. Yes, that's exactly what He wanted from me, He wanted me, with His help, to clean up my act. He wanted me to actually walk with Him rather than just say I did. He has taught me over these last decades to trust Him completely, to spend hours praying, to get up trusting, to lean into Him, to hang onto Him, and to never ever stop. For me--it was all about faith, all about prayer, all about service, all about worship. It's all about taking life one day at a time, and sometimes 1 hour at a time. It's all about keeping my eyes fixed on Him, it's all about knowing--knowing that He is the great I AM, He is my Father, He loves me, He walks with me! And, I will never be alone. Whatever comes my way, I will have my God by my side. He is mine and I am His and what I do next in this sweet life of mine--says what I really believe about Him.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
What's In A Name
I don't know if I read this or heard it. I just know that sometime in the last couple of weeks this thought has been rattling around in my brain. I've been thinking about the way God named people, or more specifically how he changed people's names at different times in the Bible. I then, of course, thought about my own name and how different it is compared to my friends or family member's names. My thoughts then took me into the direction of--who really named me? God? Or my mother?
And then just a couple of days ago I found this cute quote on Pinterest saying--
Dear Parents, Thank you for giving me such a weird name.
Sincerely, the child who doesn't have a customized key chain.
Yes, my name is weird alrighty. Strange, different, unlike, dissimilar, unusual, and odd, and yet it is mine. Like I've mentioned previously, I've decided to embrace my name. I've decided to like it. It is peculiar--unless of course, you understand the meaning--the definition of, the true interpretation of--my name. And that is what I believe God was trying to get through to me these last couple of days. I believe that He was saying to me--I named you. I gave you that name for a reason. Now it's up to you to live up to the name that I've called you!
We are told in the Bible that He calls us by name. We are told in the Bible that He has at different times renamed people. So, it is my belief and understanding that names just might be of some importance to God. I'm kind of wishing that I had thought about this a little more before I named my own children, but, oh well. Anyway, this is about my name. I am smiling while I write this. I wouldn't want anyone to think I was being serious right then. I do tend to have a sarcastic sense of humor. So, I will let God take care of showing my children what he wishes them to know about their names. It could be that their particular names mean something that I am totally unaware of at this time. Maybe I'll look into that some day. But, I digress.
I am quite certain that when my parents named me all those many years ago--they did not know that "Veda" means life. I think I was somewhere in my 20's when someone from another country gave me that bit of information. Life. I think that fits. I looked up the word life and I really liked these 3 definitions--they resonated with me.
5 vivacity, animation, liveliness, vitality, verve, high spirits, exuberance, zest, buoyancy, enthusiasm, energy, vigor, dynamism, elan, gusto, brio, bounce, spirit, fire; movement; oomph, pizzazz, pep, zing, zip, vim.6 moving spirit, vital spirit, spirit, life force, lifeblood, heart, soul.7 person, human being, individual, soul.
I loved reading these definitions. And with all my heart I truly believe that God gave me my name. So then, I have a lot to live up to, don't I? And, I have a lot to live for. I am thankful for my name. It fits.I never knew that before. It really does fit. My life. My sweet life, living it for my God. Joyfully and happily.Prayerfully and thankfully.
And then just a couple of days ago I found this cute quote on Pinterest saying--
Dear Parents, Thank you for giving me such a weird name.
Sincerely, the child who doesn't have a customized key chain.
Yes, my name is weird alrighty. Strange, different, unlike, dissimilar, unusual, and odd, and yet it is mine. Like I've mentioned previously, I've decided to embrace my name. I've decided to like it. It is peculiar--unless of course, you understand the meaning--the definition of, the true interpretation of--my name. And that is what I believe God was trying to get through to me these last couple of days. I believe that He was saying to me--I named you. I gave you that name for a reason. Now it's up to you to live up to the name that I've called you!
We are told in the Bible that He calls us by name. We are told in the Bible that He has at different times renamed people. So, it is my belief and understanding that names just might be of some importance to God. I'm kind of wishing that I had thought about this a little more before I named my own children, but, oh well. Anyway, this is about my name. I am smiling while I write this. I wouldn't want anyone to think I was being serious right then. I do tend to have a sarcastic sense of humor. So, I will let God take care of showing my children what he wishes them to know about their names. It could be that their particular names mean something that I am totally unaware of at this time. Maybe I'll look into that some day. But, I digress.
I am quite certain that when my parents named me all those many years ago--they did not know that "Veda" means life. I think I was somewhere in my 20's when someone from another country gave me that bit of information. Life. I think that fits. I looked up the word life and I really liked these 3 definitions--they resonated with me.
5 vivacity, animation, liveliness, vitality, verve, high spirits, exuberance, zest, buoyancy, enthusiasm, energy, vigor, dynamism, elan, gusto, brio, bounce, spirit, fire; movement; oomph, pizzazz, pep, zing, zip, vim.6 moving spirit, vital spirit, spirit, life force, lifeblood, heart, soul.7 person, human being, individual, soul.
I loved reading these definitions. And with all my heart I truly believe that God gave me my name. So then, I have a lot to live up to, don't I? And, I have a lot to live for. I am thankful for my name. It fits.I never knew that before. It really does fit. My life. My sweet life, living it for my God. Joyfully and happily.Prayerfully and thankfully.
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