A Sacrifice of Praise

For me going through a trial is easy in the beginning. When I'm faced with a trial the first thing I start to do is listen my praise & worship music. I start to quote Scriptures while I go about my daily rituals. I might even stop in the middle of doing laundry and rejoice by doing a Texas-two step (dance). Why? Because I know that trials don't last forever. But what about the trial that seems to have no end in sight?

During this journey with Christ, I have gone through some trials that were long. It was difficult for me to praise God in the midst of them. Those Scriptures that were being quoted started to cease because my flesh got tired and weary. Then one day it dawned on me that I need to praise no matter what my circumstances were, how much money I had or didn't have in the bank or what my present surroundings looked like. I had to offer up a sacrifice of praise. How do I offer a sacrifice of praise? I couldn't really answer that question until I understood what it meant to offer a sacrifice of praise.

Sacrifice - The act of making an offering to a deity, in worship or atonement. To give up,
yield or relinquish for the sake of something else, as a person, thing, or idea.

Praise - To express adoration of; glorify.

I realized in order to continue offering up an expression of adoration and glorifying my Lord, I had to deal with me first. Praise to God begins with self.

Psalms 103:1-2, Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits.

Oh at times how I quickly forgotten all His benefits. Just like an earthly child has benefits from his or her natural father, I have benefits because of my Heavenly Father. The opposite of Praise is forgetfulness. To forget the benefits of the Lord is to disregard His covenant Lordship.

Praise is due to God because He answers prayer!
Praise is due to God because He is the King of Kings!
Praise is due to God because He is the creator of all things!

The commitment to praise the Lord requires a disassociation from dependency on other people. You can't look for man to praise God for you because you're "going through." He's your God. He's your Savior. He's your Deliver. Praise Him because he is worthy!

Psalm 18:3 - I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised;
So shall I be saved from my enemies.

The saints from old had a saying that would always get me on the right track. They used to tell me "I dare you to praise God and see won't He come through for you!" Today, I daring you to praise God and see what happens.

A Page From My Journal

I found some old journals and just thought I'd share a page from it. It was written May 16, 2005.

Lord as I sit here in my van waiting for Ruthie to finish her dance class, I feel You. I feel You through the wind. I know it might sound weird to other people, that's why I'm only telling You.

Father I love Your presence. I feel as though Your sitting here with me. Sometimes Lord I dream about running to the mountains just to be alone with You. While we're there You're sharing secrets with me. You're giving me people to pray for. But more than anything else Lord, it's You and me.

I see us walking down a path with beautiful flowers surrounding us.

You know Lord, I feel so safe with You. "Thank You" for protecting me.

I have to come to reality soon. Ruth's dance class is almost over, and back to being a mom. Father my husband and children are such a blessing. "Thank You" for them!

Jesus + Sandra = True Love & Forever Lasting! :)

Quick Greek Pitas

1 pound ground beef
1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
4 green onions, chopped
1 can (2 1/2 ounces) sliced black olives, drained
1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves, divided
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 large tomato, diced
1 cup plain nonfat yogurt
1/2 cup mayonnaise
6 (6-inch) pita bread, warmed
1 cup crumbled feta cheese
lettuce

Cook and stir ground stir until crumbly and no longer pink. Drain ground beef. Add spinach, green onions, olives, 1/2 teaspoon oregano and pepper; cook and stir 2 minutes. stir in tomato.

Combine yogurt, mayonnaise and remaining oregano in a small bowl. Split open pita bread; line each with lettuce leaf. Stir cheese into beef mixture and divide among pita pockets. Serve with yogurt sauce.

*These were so yummy and have become a family favorite. I did a couple of things different from the recipe. I did add more seasoning to my ground beef and added a little yogurt & mayo mixture to the to the ground beef.

This is the cookbook I got the recipe from.

Be Careful Little Tongue What You Say

Gossip Corner

by Ellen Bailey

Do you have a gossip corner inside your home A place to spread rumors or create your own A place where prattle can be spread around town A place that allows others to drag someone down Unfounded gossip can travel in many directions Overcoming obstructions and evading correction It can negate happiness and put sorrow in its place It can erase a smile and put tears on someone's face Smearing others and tarnishing their reputations Should be left to those of a younger generation We who are older and are supposed to be mature Should not abet in spreading this kind of manure Quell the gossip that tries to enter into your home Do not give it more legs on which to further roam Replace it with mentions of truly honorable deeds And demonstrate to others your personal integrity

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As keeper of my home, it's my duty to guard what comes into my house. There are so many things that we wouldn't dare allow to come into our house. Some of the obvious are R-rated movies that would cause sleepless nights to our young children and make our teenagers hormones rage off the charts. We wouldn't allow secular music to enter our homes and fill our kids minds with fantasies that are unrealistic and cause us to think about past relationships when "our song" would come on. Especially those slow jams from the 80s. I for one check every piece of garment that my kids buy from the store. There's no room in the drawers and not enough hangers in the closet for immodest clothes and pants that will fall to the ground because the proper size wasn't purchase.

As I keep a watchful eye on what comes into my home, some things come in that I can't see. They travel in through the hearts of those who enter my home. Whether it's someone who lives here or someone else who brings it in. They are invisible and unless I'm God, which I'm not, I can't see them. One of those things is gossip. When we hear the word gossip right away red flags go up and we disassociate ourselves from that word. In reality, who wants to be known as a gossip or even associated with one. No one. But the sad truth is.....we have all been there and done that. Praise God for growth and the truth that resides in His word.

I remember once while teaching Sunday school many years ago, a little boy looked up at me and said, "Sister King you're really nice and I don't know why my mom talks about you."

I would like to caution you to be careful what you say around your children. If they don't repeat what you say about someone, their actions will show towards that adult that you're talking about.

There have been many wonderful children who have walked away from the Lord. Not because of what mom and dad did in the home, but because of what mom and dad said in the home. What they said about other people sitting around the dinner table and on the phone. What's a child to do when parents have another couple over from for coffee and they hear them talk about Brother and Sister John & Jane Doe. Guard your home! Don't allow anything to enter your home that does not glorify God and/or His people.

There are many quotes regarding gossip:

Whoever gossips to you will gossip about you.
Spanish Proverb

The only time people dislike gossip is when you gossip about them.
Will Rogers

Gossip is always a personal confession either of malice or imbecility.
Josiah Gilbert Holland

Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip.
Will Rogers

Never tell evil of a man, if you do not know it for certainty, and if you know it for a certainty, then ask yourself, 'Why should I tell it?'
Johann K. Lavater

Proverbs 26:20 - Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.

A Birthday Wish For My Little Sister

Today is my youngest child's birthday. Sarah turned 11 today. My oldest daughter Ruth wrote a special birthday tribute to her. I thought I'd post it here and share this special bond between 2 sisters that are 8 years apart.
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(Psssst!! Read this to Sarah) =)
Happy Birthday Little Sister! Well, I guess you are that little anymore huh? 11 years old. Girl, you're getting old! But as beautiful as ever (we can thank Mom for those cute genes she gave us ;)
I remember when Mom and Dad brought you home from the hospital. You were so small and fragile and cute. And I wanted to be their little helper, so I picked you up and carried you to their room to give you a bath....of course I must have done something wrong because Mom and Dad started to freak out when they looked up and saw me holding you. It was all a blur, but I remember hearing that I wasn't holding you up right, or that I could have dropped you, etc. Afterwards when they saw me balling my eyes out in my room, they came in and explained how important is was that I was careful when I held you. Sarah, when I picked you up for the first time that day, my heart jumped. Here was my sister. I wanted to talk to you, and wanted to show you how to do things. I wanted to be the best big sister for you.
And day after day, I would come and check on EVERY time you were sleeping just to watch you breathe. I would sit there for the longest periods of time watching you open your mouth, and turn over in your basinette. I would pat your back when you woke up, and fix the little strands of hair on your head so you would stay looking like an angel while you slept.
I remember wanting to always be the one who fed you. Sarah, there were days though that I wanted to just put your baby food on the counter and walk away! You would spit it right out and smile. Like you knew that I didn't want you to do that, and it was a game. I laugh now because of how cute I remember you being.
Even when you got a little older, and you started to get really bossy, I still loved you.
And then I went off to college. And it didn't hit me until the day before I left that you really loved me too. You cried, and that made me cry. Being away from home this last year was really hard. I missed out on watching you go from being a little girl to being an almost (and I mean almost because you are not grown yet!) pre-teen.
But I'm so glad to have you nearby. I love hanging out with you, laughing, tickling (even though I say I don't like to be tickled), joking and making fun of the boys, swimming, watching a movie and eating popsicles. I love spending time with you.
So! All of that is to say that I am thinking about you today. It's your special day and I hope it is extra special for you =)
Happy 11th Birthday Sarah Esther King =)

My Prayer For Homekeepers

Humbly I bow before You Father
On my bended knees I pray.
Matters of my heart are many, I have so much to say.
Encouragement my sister she needs,
Keeping her home with a family she feeds.
Embracing the changes occurring in her life,
Everyday she's serving as a mother and trying to be a virtuous wife.
Please Lord give her the strength to endure,
Even in her darkest hour You're there for sure.
Remind her of the great job she's doing,
Still on today Lord, let her hear You wooing.

By: Sandra King
Written on January 11, 2005

There are times I've neglected the most important relationship in my life. My relationship with the Lord. No, I haven't fallen off the band wagon or ran away from home to go find myself. But, as a keeper of my home, my days are filled with the many tasks that are set before me. I'll admit that days have gone by without me stopping to talk with the Lord. What I mean is, I can go without days going into my prayer closet. That secret place where I can just pour my love on the Lord.

When my husband makes a request for me to spend time with him, I'm quick to respond to his needs. What about the Lord? I must take the time to spend and go into that secret place. How can I do that with the kids and my husband wanting my full undivided attention? Let's not forget the house that needs to be tended to and meals that need to be prepared.

This morning I went to that secret place. Although physically I didn't go, but my heart was there. While making blueberry muffins and eggs this morning, my heart just became full. Full of love for my Heavenly Father who just wanted to talk to me even in the midst of making breakfast for my family. I stopped for just a quick minute and shared with the Lord out of a heart with gratitude. So much gratitude that words of expression couldn't flow from my lips. God knew that my words were few, but the tears were many. Expressions from a heart so in love with Him. Not only for what He has done, but for who He is.

Getting Settled

On June 30th we set out on a new adventure. We were so excited because it meant that things had fallen into place for the move. We were transitioning from Idaho to the state of Washington.

On June 29th, we started loading the big yellow Penske truck. We were so blessed to have people there to help us, especially the teenagers that had frequented our home on many occasions. It was bitter sweet for me. I love the people in Idaho and will never forget them. Some friendships that were made there will last a lifetime.

We love our new place. It's better than I could have possibly imagined. Don had talked to me about what we could afford before I started looking. In the back of my mind I was thinking, "It sure would be nice if he could add a little more $$$ to that figure." He expressed his desire to continue having me keeping our home and being here with the kids even though they are getting older. As always I trust my husband because I know he will always do what's best for us. I wanted to honor him and my Lord by coming under his submission.

God came through in a big way for me. We found this place by "accident" but we know it was God ordained. It's only 2 years old. In a gated community. On the very outskirts of town which is where we wanted to be. Granite counter tops with stainless steel appliances with tile flooring. The balcony is to die for with a view of beautiful evergreen trees. They painted accent walls with the colors of my choice. There's a pool and a gym. This place will be our home for the next year at least.

So we are getting settled. I can finally see the carpet on the floor. The boxes are quickly vanishing away. My kitchen is as cute a button with all my cow stuff and farm animals. I love walking by the curio cabinet and looking at my collection of porcelain dolls. I love this place and I'm content with the simple things in life.

Throughout this time I learned that by honoring my husband, God will honor me with the desires of my heart. I'm constantly redoing this lesson over and over again. Maybe it's because submission is not an easy thing to do. I have to deny my flesh sometimes and not tell the brother what I really think. So that means I have to watch my tongue and guard my heart. When I speak words, whether good or bad, they go into eternity and I can't take them back. I want the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart to be acceptable in His sight.