The Betrayal - Friday's Peak Into the Archives

As we prepare for this Easter season I thought I'd re-share this post from Easter in 2008.

(Original Post: The Betrayal)

Being Palm Sunday, I thought I would blog about my Bible study last week. I was studying Mark, and the events leading up to Christ's death and resurrection. It never ceases to surprise me that I am struck with awe and a new sense of love for my Savior when I ponder these events and consider the life-changing impact on my life on earth and my spiritual destiny!

The portion of the Bible study that really struck me last week was in Mark 14 and the whole betrayal. I would assume Judas Iscariot comes to your minds immediately, but this time consider this: all of Christ's disciples betrayed him! Their fear and anxiety surrounding the events of that day were enough to drive them away from Christ. And for Peter, even claim he knew the Christ personally!

The question I was left pondering after I read this scripture was, How have I betrayed the Lord in word or deed lately? Ouch. Somehow it's much easier to judge those disciples and think, "What a bunch of unfaithful cowards Jesus' closest friends were!" Let's examine ourselves this time and consider ways we've been unfaithful to our Lord.

Zechariah 1:3 "[...] 'Return to me,' declares the Lord Almighty, 'and I will return to you,' [...]"

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Spring Is Coming! - Return to the Archives

Oh how much has changed since last year! It is sunny once again outside, which is lovely. But we return to the "archives" today. This time last year we were about to find out that another precious blessing would be ours in nine short months! We were contemplating other changes... and for some strange reason we also started searching for a family pet. Perhaps the pet was an expression of us wanting change? Who knows. It was fun while it lasted. March of last year was also when we sent in our initial inquiry to Mission Aviation Fellowship. It was a busy month. I am so pleased to see the sun outside TODAY, March 2010. Faith and Wesley are playing with Little People on the floor, which is a joy to watch, when they aren't competing for the same toys!

So a visit to the past - 

"Spring IS Coming"

(Original Post March 6, 2009)

You may be wondering, "What's with the toilet on the porch?" We are still in reno mode... going on year #4, and my dear husband bought us a new toilet this week! This is old one; my guess is it's waiting for the dump. This old toilet uses 13 litres per flush, and our NEW one only uses 4.5 per flush, which is significant when your home uses a septic system.

Anyhow, enough about toilets.

As I type this, my DS is in my lap with fingers on the keyboard. Makes it a little difficult to type correctly. this morningwheniwok eup, i was so pleased to see the sun! even at 6:15 am it was starting to rise. I love this time of year when the days begin to get longer. I kissed my husband off to work and tried to convince my 3 year old DD that it was 'mommy's quiet time.' She cuddled under a blanket on the couch in the living room and waited for it to be 'morning.'

By accident I met a friend on facebook. She is in Africa right now serving at an orphanage/boarding school. We have had several people from our church go over to Africa and Burma in the last months, and with facebook and the limited access they have to it while they're over there, it just doesn't seem so far away now. To have up to date information about what's happening with them is so precious, and i'm sure their families appreciate it even more!

Lord, we pray for those dear children. They have access to your word and to your gospel message. May your Spirit move in their hearts and draw them to Yourself. Become real to them, and help them realize their very real need for You in their lives. Also for those ministering to them, remind them to lean on You for their strength. Blessed is the man who depends on You for his strength, who puts his confidence in You. He is like a tree planted by the water and sends out its roots to the streams. It does not fear when the heat comes, it does not worry in a year of drought. Its leaves are always green, and it never fails to bear fruit.

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Friday's Archive Visit - a Yummy one!

This mix is especially yummy! And if you've ever enjoyed a chai latte at Starbucks and turned around and bought those boxes of chai tea concentrate at the store, you'll enjoy this homemade mixture!

(Original Post: October 22, 2008)

In the last while I have taken a liking to chai lattes or frappes before bed during my son's final nighttime feeding. I find chai tea so comforting!

I'm really into making 'homemade mixes.' Having muffin mix on hand, or homemade seasoning blends in my pantry that I know I'd pay much more for at the store, is so exciting to me! ;) There's that frugal side to me coming out again.

Instead of buying those expensive tetra packs of chai concentrate from the store, I decided to try and make my own version today! To my delight, it worked out great! And was SUPER EASY! I will definitely keep this one on hand. :)

Karina's Chai Tea Concentrate

1 1/2 C Water

1 1/2 C Milk (I use skim milk)

10 "Stash" Chai Tea bags

1/2 C Honey

Bring milk and water to a boil on the stove, while heating add honey. Once boiling, remove from heat and add tea bags. Steep for 5 minutes.

Remove tea bags and pour concentrate into an icecube tray and FREEZE, or store in your refrigerator without freezing.

To make, use 3 cubes per 8oz drink and add 1 cup of hot milk. Sweeten if you wish.

Karina's Chai Frappe Recipe

Banana

6 iced chai tea cubes

1 Cup Milk

1 TB Honey

1/8 tsp Cinnamon

Add ingredients to blender and blend to a smoothie consistency.

Makes about 2 servings.

I do not have cardamom spice on hand right now, so I haven't tried to make my own chai from scratch. That will be my next venture. For now, I favour "Stash" chai tea blend. It is spicy, and delicious!

What are your comfort teas? Do you make your own tea from scratch? I'd love to hear your recipes. Leave a comment.

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Friday - Going to the Archives

Friday today! A look into the past -- February 2008:


(Original Post)

Philippians 3:1-21

I don't think it's any small coincidence that I find myself pouring through the tiny book of Philippians over and over again. I am continually blessed as the Holy Spirit reveals another facet of His Word that is applicable to my life at each given moment.

Our Garments
(verse 1-11) There is nothing we can do to earn righteous standing with Christ. We are to trust Him and that His sacrifice was complete. It is our righteous covering! "I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness," (Is. 61:10a NIV)

Our Inspiration
(verse 12-14) Because of what Christ has accomplished on our behalf, not because we deserved it or earned it in any way, shape, or form, Paul presses on to obey God more and more, out of love and thankfulness, in each moment. Paul never admits to attaining perfection, or a perfect relationship with Christ. He is always pursuing a deeper relationship with Christ. "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead," (Phil. 3:13b NIV) Paul made some major mistakes in his life, as we all do, but that didn't stop him from trying to change his actions and become obedient to God. Each day is a new day! PTL

Our Focus
(verse 17-21) Paul's focus was on what is eternal. He bore earthly suffering and hardships because he remembered it wasn't his final home. Earth wasn't the end for him, and wasn't what ultimately mattered. His true citizenship was in heaven with Christ and other saints.



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