Purpose

I was spending time pondering on life and this year during this week. I was asking God what he would have me do, invest in, step back from, that sort of thing. He replied with one word. "Purpose" 

I felt him speak so strongly, with such clarity into my heart- "search for your purpose in me and you will find all the answers to your questions" 

I stood still, contemplating that word. Then I looked it up, to get a deeper grasp of its true meaning and objective. Just spend a moment looking at this with me:


Purpose: The reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists.


motive, motivation, grounds, cause, occasion, reason, point, basis, justification.


intention, aim, object, objective, goal, end, plan, scheme, target; ambition, aspiration.


determination, resolution, resolve, steadfastness, backbone, drive, push, enthusiasm, ambition, motivation, commitment, conviction, dedication; informal get-up-and-go.


Our purpose in this life, has been drawn up and hand sketched by our heavenly Father, some live life, never discovering their purpose and potential, others may scratch the surface, but get put off by what it may entail, and some find their purpose, live it its full potential. I want to be in the latter category! 
I believe we are created for divine purpose and when we tap into that, live in harmony with it, we will find true contentment. Everything else will somehow fit and work with that ultimate purpose. 
I have been personally challenged to seek my purpose in God.  


I have many ideas and gifts that I am already aware of and use, but what is the ultimate purpose for me being given those gifts? Its exciting to think that God has placed something so special in every individual heart. He has given us a purpose in this life. A purpose in him. 


My prayer is that I wont live in the mediocre, but that i will cling to that which is true and alive. 


be blessed this week!

Free stuff, odds and ends.

I was looking into organic beauty products and found this site:

naturismo

They offer a wide range of organic skincare products, make up, bath and body, mother and child, Hair, items for Men. They also offer free samples. You get to choose 5 samples for free, you just pay postage, Some product samples have a small payment on them, but a lot were free.

Here are my free items.

So far I have tried the foundation-beauty fluid, the lipstick was great, very moisturizing and natural looking. If you want a more natural skincare routine, give them a try.

From the hair section I chose this SOS dry conditioner, to soothe and condition scalp and hair.

Its a bit of a scatty blog today, piecing bits from last year in with my days recently. I realized that I didn't post many Christmas photos, so here is one of Jessie-Jane and Ellie-Faith on Christmas morning, with their new baby change bags-complete with fabric nappies for their dollies! they went down a treat!

I love this picture, peeking into their world of make believe and fun!

Saturday morning, reading the children's bible and yummy breakfast.

Mummy was unwell, but Ellie took care of me! 

Ellie using her workbooks.

Jessie having to use her brain and crack the alphabet code, to read the Christmas letter.

Lots of hearty winter soups have been made. My blender was very happy!

Winter Veg soup, prior to blender. 

I hope you are all being blessed this week, 

I am being challenged to press in, get my ears closer to my saviors voice.

Fight anything that seeks to hinder me in my purpose.

We all have one! 

Blessings,

Healthy living.

Morning everyone!

This is a piece from my morning.

Winter blues and winter weather can bring skin change, a feeling of sluggishness,

and generally the season of flu and feeling a little less than on top form.

I personally suffer from dry skin and have to adjust my skin care routine slightly in these winter months. I am using totally organic and home made products now.

As I have got older James and I have become more 'health aware'

I think becoming a mother and a wife made me think a lot more about what we eat as a family

and how we keep healthy.

As a rule, we tend to eat a very Mediterranean diet.

We love Olives, watercress, garlic, fresh vegetables, grilled meats etc.

There is an increasing awareness for the benefits

comparison of Organic food products,

fortunately the supermarkets now have a wonderful selection of organic products, that are of good

quality and also affordable. I used to find the organic products were very expensive in comparison.

Most products on the market have an organic alternative.

Most of the products in Asda have an organic alternative, not all state it on this list, but the eggs, tomatoes etc are also organic.

I recently had to re think my diet and change what I ate as I discovered I have a wheat intolerance.

At first it seemed that I would not be able to eat anything, but also, a great 'free from' range exists in supermarkets these days.

I have found it to be a far healthier diet, cutting out wheat based breads, pizza bases, pastas & snacks etc.

Something I recently discovered was this:

It is called a '9 bar'

It is made with Mixed seeds, sunflower, pumpkin, poppy, carob, honey, oil and hemp.

It is gluten free & also dairy free.

I found it a great breakfast bar and as a snack.

Seeds and flax have a good source of omega 3, which are good for skin cells.

For the kiddies:

We are blessed that we don't have children who are too fussy about what they eat.

From babies, they have generally eaten what we will be eating- I used to just blend it

and not season what they ate.

There are a few things Jessie has a dislike to, like spicy food, but on the whole,

they eat very well. For on the go snacks and lunch box food, there are some great healthy,

organic options, dried fruits, fruit bars, smoothies..

Something we like at the moment, (although the range is aimed at babies/toddlers)

is the Ella's kitchen range. Pure, organic products, in a squeezy container, for drinking.

They do savory meals-designed for babies,but Jessie and Ellie enjoy the fruit puree.

It is just like a fruit smoothie-to go!

So, thats a few of my healthy eating ideas.

Stay Happy, stay healthy, be blessed and anointed and filled with the knowledge of God!

blessings,

Help Haiti by leaving a comment!

A blog I follow- Bring the rain 

are raising money, by people leaving comments- tell your friends and drop by and comment!

Share and share alike.

We had a friend who came to cook us a nice Jamie Olivers recipe the other day,

I watched and took mental notes as she prepared the meal.

"I like to gleen recipes from people " I said to her,

"So do I , but I never remember them unless It has written down" she replied. 

So I was thinking, just for fun, on this post we can share a favourite dish.

If you follow, or just pop by, add a dish that we can all enjoy!

Heres a favourite in this house.

Greek & bean Salad with grilled chicken.

Ingredients

• 3 vine ripe tomatoes, cut into chunks
• 1 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2  seedless cucumber, cut into bite-size chunks
• 1 small red  pepper, seeded and chunked
• 1 small green  pepper, seeded and chunked
• 1 cup Kalamata black olives
• Several sprigs fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 2 (1/4 pound) slices  Greek feta
• 1/4 cup (a couple of glugs) extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed in palm of your hand
• coarse Seasalt and pepper
• 1 tin of mixed organic beans.
• 2 cloves garlic
• breast of chicken (per person)

Cut all the salad into the bowl, including the feta and olives.

Add olive oil, balsamic vinegar, sea salt, pepper and oregano in a small jug.

Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss into the salad.

Grill the chicken breast,(cook in the flavour with oregano and finely chopped garlic.)

cool slightly.

Warm the mixed beans.

Serve

Use pasta bowls, serve out the salad on the bottom, followed by a healthy portion of warm beans,

add the grilled chicken to finish the dish.

Serve with a nice glass of red wine or fresh lemon water.

Enjoy!

Craft For Haiti

How can we help Haiti?

There are many ways to send donations-via church, or direct.

Another great idea that I found is through ETSY craft for Haiti.

If you are crafty in anyway or have craft to sell, all money raised goes to Haiti.

Also look at this link which explains the CRAFT HOPE

Please pass this on to any crafty moms or friends you have.

Blessings,

Haiti

I don't suppose the Haiti earthquakes has slipped under the nose of anyone recently.

The news is covering the disaster every evening. The harrowing images and scenes of the chaos

fill the TV screens. Aid is yet to reach Haiti, and the government is non existent.

Last night a lengthened coverage showed scenes of men and women sleeping rough, rummaging through brick rubble in search of water and food. Riots were breaking out as shops were being uncovered and produce was fought over. It had become survival of the fittest.

Amongst many thoughts, compassion for these people rose within me.

It was clear that they were fending for themselves in some areas.

There was no one to lead them, provide for them, hold them and comfort them.

It reminded me of the verse of scripture.

MATTHEW 9:36 

36-When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

It is obvious to see what is happening and how those who have no one to lead  them, can start to create chaos. Life becomes all about fending for yourself, looking after your own kind and surviving.

This is not only true in this instance, we see it all over the world.

Generations with poor leadership will lead to chaos and ruin.

How we have been blessed! We have a great advocate, who is our eternal shepherd.

"In your unfailing love you will lead

       the people you have redeemed.

       In your strength you will guide them

       to your holy dwelling."

Exodus 15:13

When the world around us fails and crumbles, we have a hope in God.

We can know his peace amongst tragedy.

My prayer is that God will rescue the people of Haiti, that they will find him in this disaster.

That those who are, at this time, crying out for a saviour, will know the comfort of this psalm:

Psalm 23:4

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Fresh look.

Hope you all like what I've done with the place!

Fullness

2 Corinthians 3:17
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom

'Sometimes we can tie ourselves in knots.

Sometimes we can become burdened by pressures and false expectations.

Sometimes we fool ourselves into thinking we should be different.

Sometimes we are blinded.'

  God has been pulling at my heart strings this new year, asking me to look at everything I do, from a different perspective.Often, we cant see the wood for the trees, but his word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. I feel like he is preparing me for newness of life. A time to really live in his Freedom. 

 James 1:25

But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.

Sometimes in order to simplify things, we need to trust that God is in control, trust our own convictions and trust our hearts. Being completeely honest, not only to ourselves, but to those around us. We wont always be understood, sometimes our actions may seem odd to onlookers, but if we are following the spirit of God, the truth of his word and the desires that he has placed in our hearts, then the path will be clear and we will have the freedom to walk in it.

Know his truth.

Know his spirit.

Know your heart.

Walk in it.

Psalm 43:3
Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.

Truely live!!

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Seasons

This morning, I am mostly thinking about seasons. 

Many seasons in life come and go.

Seasons bring and seasons take away.


 Sping brings new growth and takes away the sharp chill of Winter.

I feel I am in a new season, but I dont recognise which.

I need to sit at Gods feet and wait for him to speak.

To tell me what has to leave in this  season and what fresh things will grow.

Everything has its place. 

Ecclesiastes 3

A Time for Everything

 ¹ For everything there is a season,

      a time for every activity under heaven.

 ² A time to be born and a time to die.

      A time to plant and a time to harvest.

 ³ A time to kill and a time to heal.

      A time to tear down and a time to build up.

 ⁴ A time to cry and a time to laugh.

      A time to grieve and a time to dance.

 ⁵ A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.

      A time to embrace and a time to turn away.

 ⁶ A time to search and a time to quit searching.

      A time to keep and a time to throw away.

 ⁷ A time to tear and a time to mend.

      A time to be quiet and a time to speak.

 ⁸ A time to love and a time to hate.

      A time for war and a time for peace.

Snow prints.

I was walking home in the snow the other day. I had this overwhelming sense of God being all around me. I could feel his presence pressing into me and I felt hugely peaceful and full of warmth. I smiled to myself. I was looking down at my spotty wellies as they crunched into the snow underfoot.

As each foot lifted, it left it's mark in the virgin snow. I looked around me to see other footprint trails, some heading off  in the opposite direction, some very tiny prints, some dog paw prints. Every print was different in some way. The pattern on each shoe differed in some way, and no trail was in exactly the same place as another.

 This made me think, how we all make our mark in life. Even when we are simply walking through life, we can't help but leave a print or an impression on someone. Everyone of us has an individual mark to make, sometimes it can seem that we arn't affecting or touching anyone, but we are. Often in our own feelings of insignificance, we are leaving a mark somewhere. Good or bad, we all have footprints that we leave in the memories and thoughts of others. My question is, 

  " What kind of impression will you leave? Will it be one of love, understanding, faith, hope and challenge or will it be one of despair, hatred, worry, gloom and sadness?"

 We can't help making footprints in this life, but we can make a choice on how they look when looked upon in the light of eternity.

Blessings,

Worship God with our lives.

Do we Worship God with our lives?

I was reading this passage this morning:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+24&version=NIV

It is the story of Abraham sending his Chief servant  Eliezer in search of a suitable wife for his son Isaac.

It made me think about the hand of God in that situation. God had promised Abraham, that he would send an Angel ahead of the servant, to bring a wife home for Isaac.

What caused Rebekah to say yes?

 ( Eliezer was sure that God had already prepared the heart of one woman in response to his quest.)

Did she recognize the hand of God in the situation?

 How often do we embrace divine appointments?

 How do we respond when destiny comes calling?

The Angel went up ahead- leading the servant Elizer to a family belonging to Abraham.

 (Abraham's niece - Rebekah.)

What did the Angel do when he went up ahead?

What caused Rebekah to offer the camels extra water and then to offers a place to stay to this man?

God had cleared the way, preparing the hearts of all those to be involved. But, Rebekah still had to agree to this plan!!

( 58So they called Rebekah and said to her, Will you go with this man? And she said, I will go.)

What is worship?

Part of Worship is to give honor and respect to something or someone.

 Honor  is to accept something as valid and to conform to its request or demands.

This year....

We could be like Elizer;  we could feel we have things to achieve and we may not know how these things will be come to be.  Through prayer and trust we can believe that God has pathed the way ahead of us.

We could also be a lot like Rebekah. We need to bow our knee at what God sends our way. We need to say yes to the plans that God puts in our path. Unexpected or preconceived, the answer we give, should always be , " Yes lord!"