Living as a Victorious Christian Woman

Have you been to any garage sales yet? The next time you head out, look for things you can cover with chalkboard paint! That's how I made this cookie sheet message board. Just about any solid surface can be covered with chalkboard paint. The spray can kind makes it even easier! Plan on painting several coats to make it smooth and even. For example, the cookie sheet that I used for my message center had a pretty nasty burn mark on the back from a label. But after two coats of paint (probably could have done three), you couldn't even see it! Follow the directions on the paint container for use. And wear gloves...trust me. You could write messages on my finger right now on the splotch I accidentally painted. You'll probably also want to work outside to keep fumes to a minimum. Just keep your item away from falling leaves, birds and any assorted bugs that might want to walk across your wet paint. The finished product is the perfect chalkboard surface. My amazing husband even dr...

We had already made the decision. This poor, diseased rose bush was going to come out. I had pruned it within an inch of its life to get rid of the speckled leaves. It was just time. And then there were a dozen tiny buds on each of three stalks. At first I didn't even notice them. And then they exploded into petals of soft pink that make my day every time I see them. We had written off this pitiful rose bush because it wasn't looking or producing the way we assumed it should. But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7 It's one thing to have a judgemental eye about the productivity of a plant, but it's quite another when we're looking at people. We assume age, health, position, finances and first impressions dictate how effective someone will be in serving the L...

What brings you delight? Family? Food? Stuff? There's nothing wrong with any of these delights, but they're not in line with God's desires for our lives. Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Psalm 37:4 Make this a weekend of delight - in God first and foremost. Then He will provide the rest as He sees fit. And His delights don't have to be stored in the garage!

Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands. Proverbs 14:1 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. Luke 6:48 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. 2 Kings 20:1 So will I break down the wall that ye have daubed with untempered morter, and bring it down to the ground, so that the foundation thereof shall be discovered, and it shall fall, and ye shall be consumed in the midst thereof: and ye shall know that I am the LORD. Thus will I accomplish my wrath upon the wall, and upon them that have daubed it with untempered morter, and will say unto you, The wall is no more, neither they that daubed it. Ezekiel 13:14-15 I ...

I read an article the other day about the lengths people will go to pampering their pets. There are animal-only travel services, tricked-out toys, food that goes beyond 5-star restaurants and spa services that I wouldn't even treat myself to. I don't believe for a minute that animals know the difference between bottled water and tap water - despite what some of these owners believe! It seems more than a little excessive, especially with the current economic conditions. But the pet owners treating their birds to an aviary day care and their dogs to fur dying, it's just one more way to share their love with their four-legged companions. I don't know about you and your pets, but my girls have different definitions of pampering. And they have nothing to do with coordinating clothes, expensive food or accessorizing. Bailey considers spending the entire day in her back yard as pampering. She'd rather chase squirrels and protect her yard from birds than anything else in th...

This ravioli bake is one of those super-easy, last minute meals that is fun for kids but filling enough for adults. It only takes a few minutes to prepare and a half an hour of cook time! Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds ground turkey 3/4 cup water 1 1/4 package taco seasoning 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 40 oz can meat ravioli or 1 package frozen meat ravioli 1 16 oz jar pasta sauce 1. Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease a 9x9 inch baking dish. 2. Brown the ground turkey in a large skillet and drain off grease. Add water and taco seasoning. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. If using frozen ravioli, heat and combine with pasta sauce. 3. Cover bottom of baking dish with ravioli. Layer 1/3 of the turkey mixture on top of the ravioli, then layer on 3/4 cup of mozzarella cheese. 4. Continue layering with ravioli, turkey mixture and 3/4 cup of cheddar cheese. On the top layer, combine the remaining mozzarella and cheddar cheese. 5. Bake, uncovered, for 25-30 m...

One of my favorite church projects is these gift baskets! Our Ladies' Sunday School Class gives a basket to each missionary wife that comes to visit us. We want to pamper them and thank them for the support they give their husbands. That's very important to us. The ladies in the class donate all kinds of travel-sized toiletries, books, note pads and little treats. Then they all get wrapped up in a basket! It's such a joy to be able to surprise a traveling missionary's wife with something special, from our hearts. And our church helps support 110 missionaries in 52 countries, so we put together many of these baskets each month. Each basket begins with tissue paper and netting. This makes a great, sturdy foundation to build on. Our baskets come from thrift shops, craft store sales and our ladies' homes, so we have a great variety to choose from. The tissue paper comes in bulk from the dollar store and the netting is always on sale at our local craft store. We love bei...