Encouraging Deep Roots

Each year I set goals and strive to achieve them.  I've done it different ways throughout the years and for the past few I have set my goals according to categories.  Generally, the categories were things like physical, spiritual, household, marriage and so on. This year a friend shared a new concept with me and I absolutely loved it.  The idea is to pray and think about a word that you want to be your theme throughout the year.  It could be a word such as thankfulness, kindness, love, or any other concept that you want to work on throughout the year. I started thinking and praying about it.  I took stock of what areas of my life are strong and what areas are weak.  I looked at what might need to be tweaked.  And after reflecting on it, I felt like I needed to make the following word my theme and goal for 2015. Intentional I want to be intentional in the coming year in the choices I make, in my walk with the Lord, and in every sin...

Ephesians 4:22-24 (NIV) ~ You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;   to be made new in the attitude of your minds;   and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Exercise more.  Get in shape.  Lose 5, 10, or 50 lbs. Most people make goals or resolutions for the upcoming year and often these physical goals are on the list.  I know that I usually have some sort of exercise goal on my list of things as well.  I do believe it's important to take care of our bodies and be in the best shape and health possible. Besides the physical goals, I usually have a few others too.  In fact, I love looking forward and starting out the new year with new direction. This passage in Ephesians is a reminder that we are to also work on setting new goals for our spiritual life as well.  So often, this gets ove...

This has been a week of both family and focusing on the things that matter most to me and it's been good.  The past few days have been spent away from the computer and it's made me realize how much wasted time there can be.  Instead of filling my life with fluff I want to make each moment count.  Sometimes you need to get rid of the distractions to hear what God is saying!    This week I'm thankful for blessings 2331 through 2340. 2331.  A wonderful Christmas Eve service and Christmas Day. 2332.  The smell of fresh baked bread. 2333.  A relaxing afternoon in the fresh air. 2334.  Warmer weather and no snow! 2335.  Taking a road trip together to visit family. 2336.  Board games and lots of laughter. 2337.  Great conversation. 2338.  Time away from technology and focusing on God's word. 2339.  A mother-in-law who loves caring...

  It's funny how I can just want to throw in the towel, give up and not do one more thing and then, I'll get a second wind, renewed energy and all the things I thought were impossible to get done, happen. That is exactly what has happened to me since Monday.  I thought, "This is it, no more baking."  Then I took a couple days off.  Yesterday, I spent the afternoon at the mall with Dan & Emily so she could get her shopping done.  It was fun and relaxing.  There was no pressure.  It was just a laid back kind of day. And bam!  My energy is back.  So I decided to spend most of today baking our favorites.  So far this season I have made: Cinnamon pinwheels Peppermint chocolate crunch cookies Swedish ginger thins Andes mint cookies Chocolate candy cane kiss cookies Today will be spent making the following: Bizcochitos Brandy snaps Spritz Christmas meringues and a variety of sweet breads to give as gifts.  ...

I overslept this morning and I woke up feeling like a truck has hit me.  My head is aching, my arm hurts and every muscle is sore.  I don't even know why I feel this way as I'm not sick.  I had multiple, intense dreams all night so I have a feeling that I really didn't get the solid, deep sleep I need.  Whatever the reason, it certainly leads to a very sour attitude in me.  I feel like a grouch.  I want to snap at everyone who even walks into the room.  But then I was reminded of the verses found in Luke's gospel. Luke 2:8-11 ~ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. The s...

Isaiah 49:14-16 ~ "But Zion said, 'The Lord has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me.' Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me." It is hard to find true love in this world.   We long for someone to say, “I love you.”   We desire for someone to love us unconditionally.   Yet, for most of us, there are so many lies ringing through our heads saying, “You are not good enough.”   “You are not smart enough.”   “You are worthless.”   “You are not wanted.”   “You are not loved.”   Do you ever feel this way?   Alone?   Unimportant?   Unaccepted and unloved?   Are you, as the song says, “Looking for love in all the wrong places?”   “Looking for love in too many faces?   No one person will fulfill this need for love in our lives. ...

I put all the names in a basket and drew one out this morning.  And the winner of the package of Christmas goodies is..... Kathi D Congratulations, Kathi!  Your package will be mailed out on Monday morning. Of course, because I have such a hard time not feeling bad for everyone who didn't win and I'm in the Christmas spirit, I decided to choose two more names.  They'll get something as well.  Those two are... Elizabeth D and Sandy Just email me your addresses at Groh5ofus@aol.com and I'll get these in the mail to you. Have a Merry Christmas!