Faithful Grannies- Christian Work From Home Parents and Grandparents

Thought For The Day

2012-01-08T01:27:00.000-08:00

Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves."

Life Quote

2012-01-07T01:20:00.000-08:00

Your time is limited, don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma, which is living the result of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinion drowned your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition, they somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."
Steve Jobs

Thought For The Day

2012-01-06T01:03:00.000-08:00

Remember to always say I love you. Love can be a non verbal word.

Boomers Caring For Aging Parents

2012-01-05T10:01:00.000-08:00

Boomers Caring for Aging Parents

As your parents age, it may be necessary for you to begin to assume the role of caregiver. It becomes more important to pay attention to what they are and are not capable of taking care of on their own. Through frequent visits, you can begin to assess the home situation, and begin to assume the role of caregiver where necessary.

Speak to your parents openly when possible about the role you will be assuming, and how you will be helping them to take care of their finances, equipping their home for safety, and helping them with their day-to-day routines. Beginning to assume the role of caregiver for your aging parents can be a difficult process, but clear communication along the way can help. Organization and diplomacy will go a long way towards a smooth transition.

As you begin assuming a helping role in your parents’ lives, it is important to gather necessary information. Designate a binder to store medical and personal information for the household. If you aren’t living with your parents, you may want two identical binders, so you have one copy in their home and one copy to keep with you. In each binder, store important information such as doctor’s names and contact information, pharmacy contact information, lists of medications and dosages, insurance policy information, etc. This information will come in handy when you are scheduling appointments and speaking with professionals.

You will also want to equip your parents’ home for safety. Many volunteer agencies will provide a safety check of your home, or you can do this on your own. Install safety equipment such as bathroom grab bars. Switch out lamps for higher watt light bulbs to aid visibility. Anchor rugs and cords to avoid falls. Consider widening doorways if a walker or wheelchair is used in the home. Take the time to place a list of emergency phone numbers near each phone, with numbers listed in a large bold font. These precautions will extend the amount of time your parents can live in their home independently. The goal is to make the home as safe and accident-proof as possible. Be sure to ask your parents for their input throughout this process – they know what areas of the home they struggle to get around in.

If your parents’ mental health begins to decline, you may want to consider becoming their power of attorney. This would allow you to make financial decisions for them, and help you to better manage their assets. Even if you are not a power of attorney, sit down with your parents and discuss financial paperwork, wills, and what types of accounts they have. Be sure that all this information is written down in a central location. If you are going to help them with financial activities, or if you will need to manage their finances if they become disabled, you will need access to this information. Be aware that this will be a difficult conversation to have, as your mother or father will not want to admit that they are losing focus and cannot do activities that they were once capable of. Reassure them that you merely want to help them, and are not trying to take over their life.

Throughout this process, pay attention to your parents’ desires and fears. Be sure to validate the way they are feeling, but help them to understand that you are helping them to stay in their own home by acting as their caregiver. Honor their wishes when possible, and when it is impossible, treat them with respect. Taking time to explain why you are doing things the way you are will help a great deal when you are caring for your aging parents. Remember, they are used to caring for you, so this is a difficult transition for them as well.

Marcia Ripperger is a work at home mom and grandmother in Minnesota. She is the owner Work At Home Choices LLC and of a Christian Work From Home Moms website at Faithful Grannies http://www.faithfulgrannies.com bringing generations of Christian Work From Home Moms, Grandmothers, Parents, Boomers and Families together while providing resources, inspiration and affordable advertising while balancing the work at home experience. She holds a degree in Business and is a CMOM.

Article Source CWAHGrandparents.com

Todays Thought For The Day

2012-01-05T01:59:00.000-08:00

Todays Thougth For The Day: Even in the darkest of times there is someone who will always make you smile, someone to help you through.

Todays Thought For The Day.

2012-01-04T21:57:00.000-08:00

♥♥♥ TODAYS THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: When U welcome a new day w/ an embracing smile, a loving heart, an inspiring mind and a caring spirit, you will have the finest day of your life.

Christian Quote Of The Day

2011-07-31T10:38:00.000-07:00

Life Without God

Life without God is like a pencil without lead ... it's pointless. ~Anonymous

Thank You

2011-02-08T08:27:00.000-08:00

Thank you everyone for your paticence. I have made a great recovery from my breast cancer and reconstruction. It was a long road however one that I kept marching down. The best gift was all of you in my life. Your phone calls, visits, cards and words of hope & love.

Hugs

2011-02-08T08:26:00.001-08:00

A hug is like a boomerang - you get it back right away.
Bil Keane

Positive Attitude Tip

2010-05-19T03:17:00.000-07:00

Positive Attitude Tip

How many times we have seen people looking for happiness in vacations, in making more money, in material things only to be disappointed. Happiness truly does come from within. No one or no thing can give it to you. It is an attitude that you decided upon. You and only you can be happy.

The Mountains of Truth

2010-04-10T05:49:00.001-07:00

On the mountains of truth you can never climb in vain: either you will reach a point higher up today, or you will be training your powers so that you will be able to climb higher tomorrow. - Friedrich Nietzsche

2009-12-30T16:51:00.001-08:00

I asked Jesus "How much do you love me?" Jesus replied "This much," and He stretched His arms, and died on the cross. If you believe in God, put this as your status. 97% of you won't. Jesus was thinking of you when He was crucified! 3% of you will stand up for your Lord and post this as your status.

Thought for the Day

2009-12-30T16:41:00.000-08:00

Thought for the day. "Instead of pointing a finger. Extend a open hand."

Seeds and Faith

2009-12-13T17:35:00.000-08:00

Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. - Galations 6:7-10

We're always sowing seeds in life
By everything we do and say,
So let's make sure the fruit we reap
Comes from the good we do each day. - Hess

The seeds we sow today determine the kind we'll reap tommorrow.

Life Quote

2009-11-02T11:33:00.000-08:00

Work like you don't need the money, love like you've never been hurt and dance like no one is watching.

- Randall G Leighton

Christian Quote of the Day, Contentment

2009-10-07T01:01:00.000-07:00

Christian contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to and delights in God's wise and fatherly disposal in every condition.
Burroughs, Jeremiah
Contentment

Friendship

2009-10-06T18:55:00.000-07:00

If it's very painful for you to criticize your friends - you're safe in doing it. But if you take the slightest pleasure in it, that's the time to hold your tongue.

Alice Duer Miller

Grandparents Day

2009-10-06T07:47:00.000-07:00

Today is Grandparents Day! I Like the new holiday. I was very lucky to have 5 living grandmothers till age 16. My last grandmother passed away when I was 38. Photo of me @ age 8 with my grandmothers and great grandmothers.

Christian Quote of the Day, Children

2009-10-05T19:49:00.000-07:00

What a mercy was it to us to have parents that prayed for us before they had us, as well as in our infancy when we could not pray for ourselves!
Flavel, John

Christian Quote of the Day Prayer

2009-10-04T19:45:00.000-07:00

To pray is to grasp heaven in one's arms; to embrace the Deity within one's soul, and to feel one's body made a temple of the Holy Spirit.
Spurgeon, C. H.

Friendship and Life

2009-10-03T18:46:00.000-07:00

In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.

Albert Schweitzer

FRIENDS

2009-10-01T18:44:00.000-07:00

It's the friends you can call up at 4 a.m. that matter.

Marlene Dietrich

Eunice Kennedy Schriver

2009-08-11T16:39:00.001-07:00

Christian Mother,Grandmother,and Parent

“I look at life as a gift of God.
Now that he wants it back
I have no right to complain.”

By: Joyce Cary
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We are all ships returning home
laden with life's experience,
memories of work, good times and sorrows,
each with his special cargo;
And it is our common lot
to show the marks of the voyage,
here a shattered prow, there a patched rigging,
and every hulk turned black
by the unceasing batter of the restless wave.

May we be thankful for fair weather and smooth seas,
and in times of storm have the courage
and patience that mark every good mariner;
And, overall, may we have the cheering hope of joyful meetings,
as our ship at last drops anchor
in the still water of the eternal harbor.

By: Max Ehrmann

I Believe

2009-08-11T10:15:00.001-07:00

"I believe life is more than survival...I believe in hope and freedom...I believe in the message of the cross. What do you believe?"

Faithful Grannies Christian Parents

Faithful Grannies Recommended Summer Reading List

2009-07-25T07:36:00.000-07:00

Summer Reading List

Need a new book for your nightstand? Then check out these books. Every couple weeks we will submit new reviews for books we love so you can find a page turner of your own. Settle in and find a new story to enchant you.

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruis Zafron
This novel, set in Barcelona in 1945 when the city is still healing from the Spanish Civil war, is about a boy, Daniel, who finds solace in a mysterious book entitled The Shadow and the Wind by Julien Carax. When Daniel sets out to find the author's other works, he makes a shocking discovery—someone is systematically destroying every copy of every book Carax has written. In fact, Daniel may have the last book in existence. Soon his innocent quest opens a door into one of Barcelona's darkest secrets‹an epic story of murder, madness and doomed love.-- Carlos Lamadrid; available at Amazon.com

Body Surfing by Anita Shreve
This is just one of those perfect summer reads. A young widow works as a live-in tutor for a wealthy family one summer in their beachfront New Hampshire house. She quickly exhibits both a unifying and polarizing force on the family: two brothers compete for her affections, their kind-hearted father and sister fill a void in her life, and their mother¹s inexplicable disapproval foreshadows the book’s unexpected ending.-- Amanda Greene; available at Amazon.com

Chocolat by Joanne Harris
Set in a small town in France during Lent, Harris tells the story of newcomer Vianne Rocher and the spells ¬both literal and metaphorical ¬that she casts over the seemingly narrow-minded, church-going people of Lansquenet. Vianne, with the help of her six-year-old daughter, Anouk, opens up a chocolate shop in the middle of town, tempting each person with her magical ability to detect one’s favorite candy. Enraged by her unconventional methods and the fact that she stays open on Sundays, the priest, Francis Reynaud sets out on a personal mission to destroy what he sees as Vianne’s deliberate disobedience of his life’s work. Harris eloquently depicts the unraveling of Reynaud’s control ¬ over himself and the town ¬ with Vianne¹s mission to reach out and warm the hearts of the people of Lansquenet, making this a modern classic, sure to inspire every type of reader. -- Ashley Bell; available at Amazon.com

Home - Christian Inspriational Poem

2009-07-15T02:50:00.000-07:00

Home

There is a place where the pain will cease
No tears, anguish, pain or disease
He is preparing it now as I write this poem
Then when it's time, I will hear "My child come home."
I'll answer the call and be on my way
No doubt in my mind, no haste, no delay
I long for that moment to be in that place
where I see my Savior, my Lord, face to face

Written and submitted by Joy Gerard

Mom's Time-out

2009-07-14T01:58:00.000-07:00

Mom's Time-out Is Too Nerve Wracking
by Lisa Barker
I just wanted a LITTLE break. Not that 'me time' that is so fashionable these days, just a bathroom break. Can't a grown woman go to the bathroom alone and have 15 minutes of peace and not have a nervous breakdown?

Mistake number one: I went to the bathroom and did not take my three-year old with me. I didn't want to play twenty questions about Mommy's bodily functions and, quite frankly, I get stage fright.

So I tiptoed down the hall to my room to use my bathroom. (I never use the main bathroom. That's the one the kids use and, unless we have company, it's in no state for the feint of heart. Truly gross things happen in there and I try not to guess how. I just don a suit like those people from the Center for Disease Control wear and hose it down with bleach once a week.)

Success! I'd made a clean get away without my son noticing. He'd finally landed (literally) on a pile of toys and seemed to be settled for the moment. It's a rarity with him and, mistake number two, I was foolish to think it would last. He has the attention span of a gerbil on speed.

The first thing I heard was the sound of heavy furniture moving. In no position to hurry, I bellowed through the walls that separated me from my child. "What are you doing out there?"

There was a moment of silence and then I heard a tinkling sound. Was that glass?

"What's going on out there?" More silence. More sounds of heavy furniture moving.

What is he DOING? He's only three and barely weighs as much as a paperweight. I heard the rustling of what sounded like a rather large brush on the laminate floor...something that sounded rather suspiciously like the Christmas tree being moved.

Mistake number three: I panicked and my son knew it. He heard it in my scream.

I heard little cowboy-booted feet running from the kitchen to the living room and down the hall to a room that he KNOWS he's not supposed to go into. The door slammed.

There were tense moments of utter silence punctuated by me bellowing my son's name and then straining to hear what he was up to. No answer.

I rushed like a fireman on call. I barreled out of the room and there he stood with the biggest, cheekiest grin on his face. A cursory scope of the house revealed nothing out of the ordinary. And still there was that big grin on his face.

"What have you been up to?"

"Nothinnnnng."

Forget Mom's time-out. I just can't take it.

What's Related:
A Perfect Parenting Plan
Despite Some Mature Moments Kids Will Still Be Kids
The Wandering Child: Keeping Your Growing Toddler Safe
The Bathtub (Humor)
More Parenting Humor

About the Author:
Lisa Barker of Greenfield, California is a syndicated humor columnist and mom of five. Her latest book is "Just Because Your Kids Drive You Insane ... Doesn't Mean You Are A Bad Parent!" See www.JellyMom.com for more information

LOVE, THE ONLY TRUTH

2009-07-12T08:38:00.001-07:00

Love is the gift you give to another that knows no reason and knows no bounds. It is that idyllic belief that somehow comes true when you lean on someone and they on you. It is through that union that you create a bond that no one else can break. It is also through that union that you achieve because you have each other when others have only themselves or no one else to lean on. The person you love is often the person who angers you the most, the person who frustrates you the most and the person you look at, from time to time, and wonder about. But it is with the same eye that you feel anger, frustration and wonder that you look in amazement and disbelief. This is the time when you look at what that other person can do, at what they can accomplish and what they can create, and you sigh to yourself and feel wonderfully proud.

Yes, love is an amazing thing. Love can cure when doctors say there is no hope, for the purity of love is indeed divinely and universally unlimited and boundless with abundant possibilities. Love can lift you to the great heights and love can heal and cure what no one doctor or man can deny. Love is likened to the cool touch of linen sheets which feel so welcoming before you close your eyes at night and breathe in the scent of the person who lies beside you, for even when they are not there, their scent is, their warmth is and their essence remains. And you place your hand on their spot and you dream dreams of sweet comfort while a tear rests on your cheek and you know that living in you is the love of your other half which makes you whole.

Love is the endless sense of hope that searchers never find. Love is the truth that can only be sensually felt and never quantified or measured for it is intangible, as is spirit. For we say unto you that verily, you are love, and all you can give, when all has been taken, is love, and only then can you stand before your creator and say, "I am humankind, in your image and the love you feel for me, I truly understand, for there is nothing else left for me to give. So, let me give my love back unto you."

Yea, it is at this moment of recognition that one realizes that they have never been alone, for when they stand in love they stand in the midst of creation. Yea, they stand in the image of universal perfection for the purest gift of all has led them on the greatest journey of discovery. The path honed and carved out by two as one, against all odds, seemingly immeasurable odds, when only they believed in each other and even the doubt they have momentary felt falls aside when they say, the power of their love for each other unfolds endless opportunity before them. This gift of love cannot be purchased, it cannot be adorned for standing naked in the light, love shines such radiance that the beauty contained within emanates singular, righteous innocence.

And we say to you as you would say unto another, place your hand in mine and walk by my side. Do not stand in my shadow, do not lead me where I do not want to go, but journey by my side for the discovery is ours to explore together. Memories of love are memories that endure forever.

Memories of love hold the power to lift up and heal. Memories of love bring forth spring and the blossoms of radiant beauty that make summers come forth from dullness. Love finds itself on the soul-level and oftentimes makes no sense for what you see in each other no other can see, until they see how you look at each other. Remember those early days and the time you first looked at each other and you saw the hope of the world held within the eyes you gazed? That light still flourishes, that light still burns and that love will always lead your way.

Love is sacrifice, there is a seriousness to betrayal where love is concerned. Once there is betrayal, again it is only the very singular aspect of selfless love that will lead you to forgiveness. Those who love often sacrifice of themselves to those they love to ensure their happiness and well-being. Ah, but this is pure love, not the love of image of appearance. In this third dimensional reality, appearance is the temptation that intercedes in your reality. For careers and success, relationships are entered into and again and again we see the failures and complications that come from that false foundation.

What makes one a success and builds one's life is a partnership based on trust and mutual concerns, and those concerns that we speak of are the concerns that bind one person to another for the caring they share for one another. You see that gathering and paring for reasons that, externally motivated, will be laced with complications. So often there is an emphasis on the physical, and yes truly there will likely always be this side to your behavior because it fits into the third dimensional reality. However, you cannot groom a soul, you cannot reshape a belief system and you cannot change an attitude. But you can improve the exterior self to align with the improvement of self that comes through hand in hand with love. Ah yes, the aspect of love that exists within the power of love can cause all things to bloom and realize their full potential. For we say verily unto you that the magic within love is the unheard melody you hear within your soul. Follow the melody of love and enjoy your journey of wondrous discovery as your dreams come true.

The Writings of David Reid Lowell

Fun outdoor activities for your kids

2009-07-10T17:26:00.000-07:00

Fun outdoor activities that will motivate your kids

- These days it's not uncommon for children to spend more time in front of the TV and computer than they do playing outside. When the weather is nice, this leaves many parents a bit perplexed.

Keeping kids physically active is an important part of a well-rounded and healthy lifestyle. So how do you get your kids excited about going outside? Here are some ideas sure to get you and your kids fired up about outdoor fun.

1. The many benefits of a garden

Involving kids in planting and nurturing a garden is a good way to get them outside and teach them responsibility at the same time. Start by researching appropriate planting times and plants that will grow in the hardiness zone where you live. If it's too late in the season for planting in your area, consider taking the kids to a local farm that allows you to pick your own fruits, berries or vegetables.

After you're done, take the fun one step further by picking a healthy recipe you can all make together. Fruits are great for all-natural frozen popsicles, salads and bakery items like muffins. Veggies can be easily used in pasta recipes or as side items.

2. A simple walk has never been more fun

A family walk is not only quality time spent together, but it gets muscles moving. Enjoy your community and take a walk to your favorite park, playground or beach. If you have little ones, use a wagon like the Radio Flyer Pack 'N Go Canopy Wagon. It's a great alternative to strollers with a 360 degree view and tots enjoy the fun ride. Plus this wagon features a canopy to protect riders from the sun's harmful rays and a storage bag that can keep water and other supplies cool.

Make an afternoon of it and pack a picnic lunch. Don't forget to keep it healthy -- make sandwiches ahead of time, pack fruits, snacks and other favorites along with water and juice boxes so everyone stays hydrated as they play.

3. Plan a nature treasure hunt

It's no secret that kids love games. A game of tag or soccer is always fun, but how about planning a unique activity to get them excited about being outdoors? Consider planning a scavenger hunt that incorporates items from nature.

Plan ahead and create a list of things that you could find in your area. Include some easy-to-find items and others that are more difficult to locate. To make it more educational, add photos to items on the list they might not recognize so they can learn as they hunt. For example, add a photo of different kinds of leaves, flowers, rocks or feathers and have the kids seek them out.

4. Organize a group scoot

A great alternative to bikes is the scooter, and kids are taking notice. First, make sure your child has a safe scooter to ride on. The Radio Flyer EZ-Rider is the first and only scooter made specifically for intermediate-level riders, designed to help children master balance while allowing them to keep a steady pace. The extra-wide wheels, low deck and rear foot brake ensure safety. Always remember a helmet is a smart idea no matter what type of scooter your child rides.

Once your young rider is ready, get a group of their friends together and go on a group scooter adventure. Choose a specific name for your group and ride through the neighborhood or park. Don't be surprised if it becomes a weekly activity.

Today's kids might need a little encouragement, but once you get them involved in some exciting and new outdoor activities, they'll be asking to play outside more often rather than sitting in front of the computer or television. To learn more about fun outdoor activities, visit www.radioflyer.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Christian Quote of the Day Contentment

2009-06-16T15:37:00.000-07:00

Contentment:

Christian contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to and delights in God's wise and fatherly disposal in every condition.
Burroughs, Jeremiah

Christian Quote of the Day

2009-06-15T15:34:00.000-07:00

Quote of the Day
The Lord knows them that are his by name, but we must know them by their character.
-- Henry, Matthew

What is Success

2009-05-29T08:02:00.000-07:00

What is success? I think it is a mixture of having a flair for the thing that you are doing; knowing that it is not enough, that you have got to have hard work and a certain sense of purpose.
Margaret Thatcher

Christian Work From Home Moms & Grandparents

Success

2009-05-28T07:59:00.000-07:00

Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom.
George S. Patton

Christian Work From Home Moms and Grandparents

Christian Quote of Day

2009-05-27T07:42:00.000-07:00

The world cannot bury Christ. The earth is not deep enough for his tomb, the clouds are not wide enough for his winding-sheet.

- Thomson, Edward

Christian Quote of the Day

2009-05-22T06:13:00.000-07:00

Topic for Today: Jesus Christ

Remember, Christ was not a deified man, neither was he a humanized God. He was perfectly God and at the same time perfectly man.

Spurgeon, C. H.

Christian Work From Home Moms and Grandparents

Christian Quote of the Day

2009-05-21T06:15:00.000-07:00

Topic for Today: Holiness

A holy life is not an ascetic, or gloomy, or solitary life, but a life regulated by divine truth and faithful in Christian duty. It is living above the world while we are still in it.

Edwards, Tryone

Christian Quote of the Day

2009-05-20T06:18:00.000-07:00

Topic for Today: Love For God

The more a true saint loves God with a truly gracious love, the more he desires to love Him, and the more miserable he is at his lack of love to Him.

Edwards, Jonathan

Christian Work From Home Moms and Granparents

Christian Quote of the Day -

2009-05-19T06:22:00.000-07:00

Topic for Today: Incarnation

He was created of a mother whom he created. He was carried by hands that he formed. He cried in the manger in wordless infancy, he the Word, without whom all human eloquence is mute.

Augustine of Hippo

Christian Work From Home Moms and Grandparents

2009-05-17T06:03:00.000-07:00

Business Building with Twitter

Every business, whether online or offline can benefit from using Twitter. No matter what the nature of your business is, what type of product you manufacture or sell, or whether you are in the service industry, every company and business needs advertising. This is how Twitter can benefit and builds every business; through free advertising and marketing. It doesn’t matter what your company or business is, every business and organization needs a marketing strategy, promotion, and to increase its customer base. Twitter not only does this, but it does so easily.

A comprehensive marketing strategy is one of the most important tools every business must utilize. With the technological advances provided today, every company has the ability to reach numerous customers worldwide. It doesn’t matter if you work online or offline every company needs customers. When determining your marketing plan it’s important to consider all mediums available. Online marketing provides many advantages including the low and inexpensive cost, the ability to reach people on a global scale, and the ability to advertise your business services 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

One of the best benefits of building your business with Twitter is the fact that you can stay in touch with customers on a local or global scale. Your company might not be online, but if you have a mail order service, then your customer reach must be great. Likewise, if your business only serves those in the local community, staying in touch with your customer base through Twitter is an excellent option. It’s easy to add your twitter name to business cards and once you do, you’ll find that it doesn’t take long before your customers, friends, and even new ones begin following you. Regardless of the nature of your business you can add product updates, sales, coupons, special offers and marketing promotions all on Twitter.

Twitter is a micro blogging platform. This means that it is similar to a regular blog only smaller in size and function. When you communicate on Twitter you are giving short messages in a form similar to status updates. You can state anything from what you are doing at the moment, to new products your company is unveiling. Since it is micro blogging, you don’t need to worry about composing lengthy articles or newsletters to stay in touch with your customers or to promote your company.

Twitter is free to use and this is one of its greatest advantages as a marketing tool. It requires very little time to send out a “tweet” and you don’t need to lose valuable time that would be spent working to update your Twitter posts. Another factor to take into consideration is that you can tweet from a mobile phone or Black Berry. For those who might not have access to a computer 24/7 the ability to make calls from your mobile phone is a tremendous benefit. The ease and convenience of keeping in touch with your customers and the simplicity of attracting new ones through Twitter makes it an incredible business building tool that can be used by everyone, regardless of the nature of their business.

Christian Quote of the Day

2009-05-16T05:50:00.000-07:00

Christian Topic for Today: Adversity

They gave our Master a crown of thorns. Why do we hope for a crown of roses?

Luther, Martin

My Two Cents

2009-05-15T06:13:00.000-07:00

Recently,I had to change Internet cable services. One former provider promised to send me a postage-paid box to mail their equipment back to them. I waited. No box came. I phoned. The promised box still did not arrive, but I did get a bill for the equipment! I was so furious.

After 2 hours on the phone with no resolution and wanting to get this resolved, I decided to return it at my own expense. I sent several faxes and made unknown number of calls asking if they received it - but no reply. Then I got a refund check for $.02 for the returned equipment! An experience like that can be frustrating. A simple transaction was complicated by poor communication.

Sadly, some people in our churches may encounter an impersonal response to their needs. Weather seeking marital counseling, childcare, guidance for a troubled teen, or a loving community, they come away feeling uncared for.

All churches are not perfect, but they faithfully help others. The church at Jerusalem "divided (their goods) among all, as anyone had need" (Acts 2:45).

Good communication is the starting point for learning others' needs. This enables us to provide personal and practical help to people when they need it. Resources, both material and spiritual can then be directed to each person as the object of God's personal love.

God cares for you - care for others.
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so. - Proverbs 3:27

Source: Christian Work From Home Moms and Grandparents. - Faithful Grannies.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

All who serve within the church
Should show by word and deed
A sensitivity to those
Who have a special need - D.De Hamm

Christian Quote of the Day

2009-05-14T07:12:00.000-07:00

Topic for Today: Affliction

The furnace of affliction is a good place for you, Christian; it benefits you; it helps you to become more like Christ, and it is fitting you for heaven.

Spurgeon, C. H.

I Can Only Imagine

2009-05-13T12:44:00.000-07:00

I can only imagine
What it will be like
When I walk
By your side

I can only imagine
What my eyes will see
When your face
Is before me
I can only imagine

I can only imagine

[Chorus:]
Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still
Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine

I can only imagine

I can only imagine
When that day comes
And I find myself
Standing in the Son

I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever
Forever worship You
I can only imagine

I can only imagine

[Chorus]

I can only imagine [x2]

I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever, forever worship you

I can only imagine

This is one of my most famous songs! Enjoy!

Mothers and Wives

2009-05-10T12:39:00.000-07:00

Whether it's Mother's Day or Christmas. I enjoy pondering the fact that Jesus had a mother. When we look at the New Testament accounts of the life of Christ, we don't have to search far to see the important role his mother had in his life. Over time though, her role changed. The way she handled that shifting role leaves a great example for us.

Mary's love for Jesus was obvious. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes in Bethlehem. She and Joseph fled with him to Egypt. They watched his wisdom and independence blossom. In Jesus' adult years- when Mary witnessed him turn the water into wine at a wedding - her role as a mom seemed to change. She stepped back and acknowledged his authority. She continued to follow him on his trips as he ministered to people around him. On one of those trips, when he announced that his mother and brothers were not connected to him by flesh and blood but those who were part of the family of faith (Luke 8:31), she was presented with another aspect of her role change: in addition to being Jesus' mother, she was his disciple as well. It's obvious that she accepted that position, because she followed Jesus to his death and stood at the foot of his cross. After the Resurrection, Mary was also present in the upper room, where she waited for the Holy Spirit along with the other disciples.

When we struggle as moms, when we're unsure of our roles, when we need wisdom and help for a particular stage, it is so comforting to remember that the one to whom we pray is also one who had a mother!

Source: Christian Parents - Faithful Grannies - Christian Working Moms

Working for the Lord

2009-05-09T11:11:00.000-07:00

Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do as though you where working for the lord rather than for people. Colossians 3:23

Source: Christian Work From Home Moms and Grandparents - Faithful Grannies.com

God.Com

2009-05-06T18:34:00.000-07:00

TO: God.Com
Dear Lord,

Every single evening
As I'm lying here in bed,
This tiny little Prayer
Keeps running through my head:

God bless all my family
Wherever they may be,
Keep them warm
And safe from harm
For they're so close to me.

And God, there is one more thing
I wish that you could do;
Hope you don't mind me asking,
Please bless my computer too..

Now I know that it's unusual
To Bless a motherboard,
But listen just a second
While I explain it to you, Lord.

You see, that little metal box
Holds more than odds and ends;
Inside those small compartments
Rest so many of my friends.

I know so much about them
By the kindness that they give,
And this little scrap of metal
Takes me in to where they live.

By faith is how I know them
Much the same as you.
We share in what life brings us
And from that our friendships grew.

Please take an extra minute
From your duties up above,
To bless those in my address book
That's filled with so much love.

Wherever else this prayer may reach
To each and every friend,
Bless each e-mail inbox
And each person who hits 'send'.

When you update your Heavenly list
On your own Great CD-ROM,
Bless everyone who says this prayer
Sent up to GOD.Com

Amen

Christian Quote of the Day

2009-05-05T19:40:00.000-07:00

Quote of the Day
Tuesday, May 5th, 2009

We know God but as men born blind know the fire: they know that there is such as thing as fire, for they feel it warm them, but what it is they know not. So, that there is a God we know, but what He is we know little, and indeed we can never search Him out to perfection; a finite creature can never fully comprehend that which is infinite.

- Manton, Thomas

Christians

2009-05-03T07:33:00.000-07:00

Christian Quote of the Day - May 3, 2009
Topic for Today: Christians

You are those worthies "of whom the world is not worthy," Hebrews 11:38. You are the princes "that prevail with God," Genesis 32:28. You are those "excellent ones" in whom is all Christ's delight, Psalm 16:3. You are His glory. You are His picked, culled, prime instruments which He will make use of to carry on His best and greatest work against His worst and greatest enemies in these latter days.

Brooks, Thomas

Christian Parents Families Grandparents Children and Generations To Be

Christ: His Coming Kingdom

2009-05-02T07:46:00.000-07:00

Christian Quote of the Day - May 2, 2009
Topic for Today: Christ: His Coming Kingdom

Christ hath told us He will come, but not when, that we might never put off our clothes, or put out the candle.

Gurnall, William

Christian Parents and Families

Boomers and Empty Nesters

2009-05-02T06:49:00.000-07:00

I have found a great site for Boomers and Empty Nester's. Check it out. http://gypsynester.com/Breaking the Empty Nester rules and celebrating life without kids.

Another great blog is Boomers Cafe jamed packed with information on Boomers and living at this time in our lives. BoomerCafé™ … it’s your place. In fact it’s the original place on the Internet that focuses on us: baby boomers with active, youthful lifestyles and gives all baby boomers a “voice.”

Finally anouther one is Mr. and Mrs. Boomer Sharing, solutions and resources for our generation. Mr. and Mrs. Boomer is here to serve as a community for baby boomers, those born between 1946 and 1964. We’re a married baby boomer couple who figured everything we are going through, others boomer couples must be going through.

These 3 are great and I encourage you to check them out. We all age differently and with a great deal of fun.

Christian Quote of the Day, Mustard Seed

2009-05-01T03:59:00.000-07:00

Romans 1:17
And Jesus said unto them, "If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to younder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible to you."

CWAHMoms and Grandparents

May Day History

2009-04-30T02:05:00.000-07:00

The tradition of Maypole and greeneries | Maypoles and trees | Roots of May Day celebration in America

Well, it is a fact that May Day, which the children do enjoy with all vibes, is not an overly prominent holiday in America. Yet, it does have a long and notable history as one of the world's principal festivals. The origin of the May Day as a day for celebration dates back to the days, even before the birth of Christ. And like many ancient festivals it too has a Pagan connection.

For the Druids of the British Isles, May 1 was the second most important holiday of the year. Because, it was when the festival of Beltane held. It was thought that the day divides the year into half. The other half was to be ended with the Samhain on November 1. Those days the May Day custom was the setting of new fire. It was one of those ancient New Year rites performed throughout the world. And the fire itself was thought to lend life to the burgeoning springtime sun. Cattle were driven through the fire to purify them. Men, with their sweethearts, passed through the smoke for seeing good luck.

Then the Romans came to occupy the British Isles. The beginning of May was a very popular feast time for the Romans. It was devoted primarily to the worship of Flora, the goddess of flowers. It was in her honor a five day celebration, called the Floralia, was held. The five day festival would start from April 28 and end on May 2. The Romans brought in the rituals of the Floralia festival in the British Isles. And gradually the rituals of the Floralia were added to those of the Beltane. And many of today's customs on the May Day bear a stark similarity with those combined traditions.

May day observance was discouraged during the Puritans. Though, it was relived when the Puritans lost power in England, it didn't have the same robust force. Gradually, it came to be regarded more as a day of joy and merriment for the kids, rather than a day of observing the ancient fertility rights.

The tradition of Maypole and greeneries:
By the Middle Ages every English village had its Maypole. The bringing in of the Maypole from the woods was a great occasion and was accompanied by much rejoicing and merrymaking. The Maypoles were of all sizes. And one village would vie with another to show who could produce the tallest Maypole. Maypoles were usually set up for the day in small towns, but in London and the larger towns they were erected permanently.

The Maypole tradition suffered a setback for about a couple of decades since the Puritan Long Parliament stopped it in 1644. However, with the return of the Stuarts, the Maypole reappeared and the festivities of May Day were again enjoyed. One of the great Maypoles, was
The changes brought about by the Reformation included attempts to do away with practices that were obviously of pagan origin. But the Maypole, or, May tree, was not issued in practice at the behest of the second Stuart.

Although they succeeded in doing this, Maypole with most of the other traditions, many still survived. And Maypole is one of them. In France it merely changed its name. In Perigord and elsewhere, the May Tree became the "Tree of Liberty" and was the symbol of the French Revolution. Despite the new nomenclature, the peasants treated the tree in the same traditional spirit. And they would dance around it the same way as their forefathers had always done.

Maypoles and trees:
Trees have been linked to a part of celebration, perhaps, to the days ancient New Year rites. The association of trees to this celebration has come riding on the back of the spring festival in ancient Europe. Trees have always been the symbol of the great vitality and fertility of nature and were often used at the spring festivals of antiquity. The anthropologist E. O. James finds a strong relationship between the ancient tree related traditions of the British and the Romans. According to James' description, as a part of the May Day celebration, the youths in old Europe cut down a tree, lopped off the branches leaving a few at the top. They then wrapped it round with violets like the figure of the Attis, the ancient Roman god. At sunrise, they used to take it back to their villages by blowing horns and flutes. In a similar manner, the sacred pine tree representing the god Attis was carried in procession to the temple of Cybele on Rome's Palatine Hill during the Spring Festival of March 22.

Roots of May Day celebration in America:
The Puritans frowned on May Day, so the day has never been celebrated with as much enthusiasm in the United States as in Great Britain. But the tradition of celebrating May Day by dancing and singing around a maypole, tied with colorful streamers or ribbons, survived as a part of the English tradition. The kids celebrating the day by moving back and forth around the pole with the the streamers, choosing of May queen, and hanging of May baskets on the doorknobs of folks -- are all the leftovers of the old European traditions.

Christian Quote of the Day, Unfailing Love

2009-04-29T02:02:00.000-07:00

Psalm 143:8
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.

Christain Work At Home Parents

Christian Quote of the Day, Incarnation

2009-04-28T01:32:00.000-07:00

Christian Quote of the Day
Topic for Today: Incarnation - Jesus Christ

The glory of the incarnation is that it presents to our adoring gaze not a humanized God or a deified man, but a true God-man - one who is all that God is and at the same time all that man is: one on whose almighty arm we can rest, and to whose human sympathy we can appeal.

Warfield, Benjamin B.

Christian Quote of the Day, Emotions

2009-04-27T10:28:00.000-07:00

Christian Quote of the Day
Topic for Today: Emotions

Confidence that one's impressions are God-given is no guarantee that this is really so, even when they persist and grow stronger through long seasons of prayer. Bible-based wisdom must judge them.

Packer, J. I.

Christian Quote of the Day, Perseverance

2009-04-26T06:53:00.000-07:00

Christian Quote of the Day - April 26, 2009

Topic for Today: Perseverance

True grace always produces vigilance rather than complacency; it always produces perseverance rather than indolence.

Bridges, Jerry

Christian Quote of the Day, Spiritual Hunger

2009-04-25T10:20:00.000-07:00

Christian Quote of the Day
Topic for Today: Spiritual Hunger

Oh for a heart to praise my God, A heart from sin set free, A heart that always feels they blood So freely shed for me.

Wesley, Charles

Christian Quote of the Day

2009-04-25T06:51:00.000-07:00

C S Lewis
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen. Not only because I see it, but because I see everything by it.

Christian Work From Home Moms and Grandparents

Christian Quote of the Day, Crossroads

2009-04-24T18:56:00.000-07:00

When you are at crossroads and need to make a decision, what do you do? Turn to God for divine intervention. We pray to God to help us through tumultuous times. When you read these quotes from the Bible, you will know that God influences our life in many ways.
Ephesians 5:25

Christian Parents

Quote Of the Day

2009-04-24T09:38:00.000-07:00

A father is someone who carries pictures where his money used to be. Amen!Quote Of the Day

Boomers Back in the Job Market: Stay Ahead by Getting Your Hearing Checked

2009-04-24T09:35:00.000-07:00

Boomers Back in the Job Market: Stay Ahead by Getting Your Hearing Checked

Impressive resume … check. Perfect interview suit … check. Hearing aid … uh, how’s that again?

If you’re among the millions of baby boomers that the recession has driven back into the job-hunting workforce, don’t overlook one of your most important professional assets -- your ability to hear clearly.

About 15 percent of people aged 45 to 64 have some degree of hearing loss, according to the Better Hearing Institute. Yours could directly affect your ability to be competitive in the work marketplace and hinder productivity in a new job or career. With Better Hearing Month approaching in May, it’s a good time to protect your competitive edge by ensuring your hearing is as good as it can be.

Consider these important facts about hearing loss and how to deal with it:

* When was the last time you had a hearing test? Can’t recall? You’re not alone. Just 13 percent of general practitioners screen adult patients for hearing loss. While children might be routinely tested a few times throughout their school career, adults tend to overlook the possibility of hearing problems. Because hearing loss usually occurs gradually, over time, you may not notice a problem until it has become advanced.

* Hearing loss is not just a senior citizens’ problem. The majority of people with hearing loss -- 65 percent -- are below retirement age. More than 31 million Americans live with hearing loss, and 15 percent are aged 45 to 64.

* While certain professions are at increased risk of hearing loss, like firefighters, police officers, factory workers, farmers, construction workers, military personnel, heavy industry workers, musicians and entertainment industry professionals, hearing loss can affect anyone in any profession. Our world in general is far noisier and louder than it was even just 20 years ago.

* Even mild hearing loss can seriously impact your ability to communicate and be productive. Hearing loss can hinder your ability to listen well during an important job interview, or make you miss vital information during a meeting, phone call or teleconference.

* Hearing loss may be irreversible, but does not necessarily have to be continually degenerative. Getting your hearing loss diagnosed and treated early can help slow or even halt its advance.

Only a health care professional can diagnose hearing loss and prescribe a treatment, which may include wearing a hearing aid. Hearing aids can help -- discreetly, subtly and effectively. Many modern hearing aids are minimally visible and designed to help the wearer hear more clearly, even in situations where older models might not have worked as well, such as a crowded restaurant.

In addition, new technology from industry leader Starkey offers patient-proven features such as PureWave Feedback Eliminator, which eliminates the annoying whistling often associated with hearing aids; Acoustic Scene Analyzer, which instantly adapts the hearing aid for the greatest comfort and clarity even in the noisiest environments; and T2, a breakthrough technology that allows a hearing aid wearer to use a cell or touch-tone phone to conveniently switch modes or adjust volume without the need for additional hardware.

Employers consistently rank superior listening skills among the most-desirable traits a job candidate can offer. But the best listening skills in the world are useless if you can’t clearly hear what’s being said. If you’re experiencing hearing loss, a hearing aid can help you compete in a tough job market. To learn more about Starkey’s products, visit Starkey.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Quote of The Day

2009-04-23T09:40:00.000-07:00

A true friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart.

Mothers Day Gift

2009-04-22T09:43:00.000-07:00

Stumped for a Mother’s Day Gift? Consider This

She never missed a soccer game and personally helped you handpick the prom attire that wowed all your friends. She never spent a dime on herself so that she could save up for your college education.

You know you can never really repay Mom for all she’s done for you over the years, but Mother’s Day is the one day a year you at least try to let her know how much she’s appreciated. And although you know she’ll be happy with whatever you give her, this year you want to do something truly memorable.

At a loss for gift ideas to really express how much Mom means to you? Here are a few tips and suggestions to keep in mind:

* Don’t just give her money. In a recession, it may seem like money would be a practical, appreciated gift, something everyone needs and everyone can use. In reality, though, parents rank grown children as the givers they least want to get money from, according to a national survey by Momentum Research, commissioned by the Web site Gift Elan.

If Mom really needs some help in paying for necessities, go the extra mile to help her in a way that won’t hurt her pride. Contact her utilities or car finance company and arrange to pick up some payments, then slip a homemade “paid-for” certificate into her Mother’s Day card. Prepay her cell phone contract for a year. Look for ways to help that don’t involve just handing her money.

* Every mom is a homemaker, even if she works full time outside the home. Helping her make her home more enjoyable for her and inviting for guests is a great way to repay her. Does she need some yard work done? Load the car with the necessary tools -- and the grandkids -- and spend the weekend with Mom helping her beautify her yard.

Is she pining for a new look for her kitchen but doesn’t have the budget to remodel? If you’re a seasoned do-it-yourselfer, you can help her retile, install a backsplash and any number of other low-cost projects that will spice up the look of her kitchen. Even if you’re not a handy person, you can still help her out by painting, switching out cabinet hardware and installing some new fixtures.

* Jewelry remains a timeless gift for women of all ages, and mothers are no exception. The Momentum survey also found that mothers score jewelry high on the list of gifts they want to receive from their grown children, and their preference for jewelry gifts actually increases as they get older.

It’s important to purchase the right kind of jewelry gift. Keep in mind that Mom’s taste might be different from yours -- and she might not appreciate a naval ring, nose stud or showy cocktail ring. When it comes to buying jewelry for mothers, play it safe with a piece that is sure to be as timeless, classic and enduring as motherhood itself.

“From June Cleaver to Marge Simpson, pearls have come to epitomize the essence of motherhood’s purity and beauty in America’s pop culture psyche,” says pearl expert Jeremy Shepherd. “A simple strand of pearls, a pair of pearl stud earrings or a classic pearl ring can tell Mom that you really see her as the essence of perfect motherhood.”

If Mom’s a traditionalist, go for classic white akoya or freshwater pearls. If she’s more adventurous and likes color, you can add flare to your pearl gift by choosing one of the numerous unusual colors -- from shimmering gold to glistening green-black -- now available in cultured pearls. And you don’t have to spend a fortune or endure high-pressure sales tactics in a jewelry showroom to find just the right pearl gift. Web sites like www.PearlParadise.com have made it easy and cost-effective to give memorable pearl gifts.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Christian Quote of the Day, Discipleship

2009-04-21T01:26:00.000-07:00

Christian Quote of the Day
Topic for Today: Discipleship

Our Lord made discipleship hard and lost many prospective followers because he called them to a pilgrimage, not a parade - to a fight, not to a frolic.

Havner, Vance

Christian Quote of the Day, Prayer

2009-04-19T10:22:00.000-07:00

Christian Quote of the Day Topic for Today: Prayer

Prayer is not intended to change God's purpose, nor is it to move Him to form fresh purposes. God has decreed that certain events shall come to pass through the means He has appointed for their accomplishment.

Pink, A. W.

2009-04-16T09:35:00.000-07:00

Create an Authentic Cinco de Mayo Experience at Home
- In Mexico, the heart of the family resides in the kitchen where friends and family share the comforts of great, flavorful meals. A number of influences from Mexican and Latin culture have affected Americans in how we celebrate, cook and eat. And more of us, no matter what heritage, are spending more time dining at home with our families. With the popularity of Mexican and Latin dishes on the rise, Cinco de Mayo is the perfect opportunity to celebrate spending time with family while enjoying an authentic Mexican meal in your own kitchen.

“When I am not in one of my restaurant kitchens, I love creating a meal with my husband using authentic ingredients from our Latin heritage to create approachable and comforting meals to share with our family and friends," says Michelle Bernstein-Martinez, James Beard award-winning chef and author of Cuisine A Latina. "As a chef, I like to use local ingredients, as well as foods from other cultures, or inspired by other cultures, to create a layer of flavors. Incorporating Latin cheese varieties is one way I add layers in rich authentic dishes."

Bernstein-Martinez has a few tips and suggestions on how you can create your own http://www.sargento.com/authenticmexican/">Cinco de Mayo experience:

* Add your own twist.

To take a traditional meal and make it your own, incorporate traditional Latin ingredients such as chilies and Mexican cheeses, then add your favorite in-season go-to ingredients. For example, tortilla chips may be a great traditional accompaniment to a cheese dip, but consider adding fresh green onion sticks or sweet potato fries alongside a basket of chips to add variety to your typical chip and dip platter.

* Use authentic ingredients.

Luckily, many cultural influences have made an impact at local grocery chains. Now you can find unique blends of spices, produce and other fresh ingredients without making a special trip to a boutique market. For example, cheeses such as Manchengo, Queso Quesadilla and Anejo Enchilado can be found in http://www.sargento.com/authenticmexican/">Sargento Artisan Blends Shredded Authentic Mexican Cheese. The combination of these cheeses offer great melt and flavor to deliver a comforting and delicious dish.

* Offer a mix of dishes.

To keep conversation lively and guests satisfied, offer an array of dishes and build on each one.

1. Offer a mix of spicy and mild dishes as well as a mix of cold and hot.

2. Keep one or two guest favorites on the table throughout the party.

3. A good table staple should not need reheating or should be kept in a hot-dish to avoid extra work to replenish.

This recipe for a Spicy Cheese Fondue by Bernstein-Martinez is the perfect dish to keep on the table throughout the evening and offers a nice blend of traditional authentic ingredients to serve with tortilla chips or your favorite appetizers.

Recipe:

http://www.sargentocheese.com/recipes/1664/spicy-cheese-fondue-chips/">Spicy Cheese Fondue
1 cup heavy cream
Salt to taste (optional)
1/2 teaspoon ancho chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 cup Sargento Artisan Blends Shredded Authentic Mexican Cheese

Directions:
1. Heat heavy cream in saucepan on high. Add spices and season with salt, if desired. Add cheese and stir until melted. Remove from heat and serve warm.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Christian Quote of the Day, Self Pity

2009-04-14T10:19:00.000-07:00

Christian Quote of the Day -
Topic for Today: Self-Pity

As Christians we should never feel sorry for ourselves. The moment we do so, we lose our energy, we lose the will to fight and the will to live, and are paralyzed.

Lloyd-Jones, D. Martyn

Christian Quote of the Day, Importance

2009-04-12T10:18:00.000-07:00

Prayer honours God, acknowledges his being, exalts his power, adores his providence, secures his aid.

Bounds, E. M.

Easter Morning

2009-04-11T08:16:00.000-07:00

The fasts are done; the Aves said;The moon has filled her hornAnd in the solemn night I watchBefore the Easter morn.So pure, so still the starry heaven,So hushed the brooding air,I could hear the sweep of an angel's wingsIf one should earthward fare.~Edna Dean Proctor, "Easter Morning"

An Easter Carol

2009-04-10T08:20:00.000-07:00

Tomb, thou shalt not hold Him longer;Death is strong, but Life is stronger;Stronger than the dark, the light;Stronger than the wrong, the right...~Phillips Brooks, "An Easter Carol"

Easter

2009-04-10T07:26:00.001-07:00

The resurrection gives my life meaning and direction and the opportunity to start over no matter what my circumstances. ~Robert Flatt

Fun and Learning with Kids in the Kitchen

2009-03-28T06:37:00.000-07:00

Fun and Learning with Kids in the Kitchen

It's fun, it's messy, and it means time with an adult -- no wonder most kids love to cook. Kitchen duty provides plenty of learning opportunities for kids too. Problem is, for many parents, the goal of cooking is getting something on the table, pronto. And that's OK -- whipping up a nutritious meal using a mix or livening up leftovers together can also be a fun learning experience.

Here's how to make the most out of cooking with a pint-size helper:

* Look for the lesson. No need to get preachy, but take advantage of the learning potential. Besides kitchen safety and cooking techniques, your child can also practice reading, basic math skills (everything from number recognition to division), and how to follow directions.

* Listen. While mixing ingredients, your child might just decide to open up about the school bully or that upcoming, worrisome test. (Somehow it's less intimidating than sitting down for a serious "talk.")

* Encourage easy creativity by stocking up on an array of spices. Try asking your kids things like: "Want to try cardamom instead of cinnamon on those apples?" and "How about adding some zip to these leftover mashed potatoes with a little garlic powder?"

* Explore other cultures. Spice blends like Indian curry and Mexican seasoning are an easy way to introduce ethnic flair -- and conversation -- to dinner.

* Choose dishes that are fun to make, nutritious, and bound to succeed. Pass down family favorites or try new recipes when time permits. Or go quick and simple with convenient mixes. Frontier Natural Products Co-op offers quality, healthful bulk mixes for soups, dips, beverages like lemonade and cocoa, salsas, soy burgers, falafel and taco filling. And its Simply Organic line has meal-size quantities of everything from baking and dip mixes to gravies, pasta sauces, taco mixes, dressings and marinades.

* Take advantage of broth powders. Just add water and you're on your way to homemade soup. Have your child toss in leftovers from the week and a few spices, and you've got yourselves a budget-friendly, healthful dinner.

* Sprout seeds. Show your child how to start a batch of sprouts and rinse them twice a day until they're ready. (It's an easier way to teach responsibility than a family pet!)

* Introduce your child to related life skills, like meal planning and nutrition, grocery shopping and budget management, table setting, and gardening. Visit the farmer's market and the food co-op together.

* Use cooking as a springboard. "Kids can learn about important topics like organics, food miles, and ethical sourcing at an early age," says Kathy Larson, vice president of Sustainability and Education at Frontier Natural Products Co-op. "You might explain that you purchase your produce from a local farmer who sells at the co-op, for example -- or that you order your coffee, tea, spices, sprouting seeds and other cooking ingredients from a company that helps the farmers who grow their products and makes business decisions with the environment in mind."

* If you find that your child is eager for more time in the kitchen, devote some of your weekend to baking a cake or making cookies from scratch. (That'll give you plenty of time to talk about why cakes rise or the concept of that Fair Trade cocoa you're using.)

Cooking side-by-side with your child means you can set the timer for quality time and make every minute count. You'll find more tips on cooking with kids -- and kid-friendly recipes -- at www.frontiercoop.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Best day Of My Life

2008-10-20T08:12:00.000-07:00

Best day Of My Life

Today, when I awoke, I suddenly realized that this is the best day of my life, ever! There were times when I wondered if I would make it to today; but I did! And because I did I'm going to celebrate!

Today, I'm going to celebrate what an unbelievable life I have had so far: the accomplishments, the many blessings, and, yes, even the hardships because they have served to make me stronger. I will go through this day with my head held high, and a happy heart.

I will marvel at God's seemingly simple gifts: the morning dew, the sun, the clouds, the trees, the flowers, the birds. Today, none of these miraculous creations will escape my notice.

Today, I will share my excitement for life with other people. I'll make someone smile. I'll go out of my way to perform an unexpected act of kindness for someone I don't even know.

Today, I'll give a sincere compliment to someone who seems down. I'll tell a child how special he is, and I'll tell someone I love just how deeply I care for her and how much she means to me.

Today is the day I quit worrying about what I don't have and start being grateful for all the wonderful things God has already given me. I'll remember that to worry is just a waste of time because my faith in God and his Divine Plan ensures everything will be just fine.

And tonight, before I go to bed, I'll go outside and raise my eyes to the heavens. I will stand in awe at the beauty of the stars and the moon, and I will praise God for these magnificent treasures.

As the day ends and I lay my head down on my pillow, I will thank the Almighty for the best day of my life. And I will sleep the sleep of a contented child, excited with expectation because I know tomorrow is going to be the best day of my life, ever!

Christian Quote of the Day

2008-10-20T07:41:00.000-07:00

Christian Quote of the Day
Topic for Today: Heart

See that your chief study be about hour heart; that there God's image may be planted; that there His interests be advanced; that there the world and flesh are subdued; that there the love of every sin is cast out; that there the love of holiness grows.

Edwards, Jonathan

The Best Day of My Life

2008-10-20T06:43:00.000-07:00

The Best Day of My Life

Today, when I awoke, I suddenly realized that this is the best day of my life, ever! There were times when I wondered if I would make it to today; but I did! And because I did I'm going to celebrate!

Today, I'm going to celebrate what an unbelievable life I have had so far: the accomplishments, the many blessings, and, yes, even the hardships because they have served to make me stronger. I will go through this day with my head held high, and a happy heart.

I will marvel at God's seemingly simple gifts: the morning dew, the sun, the clouds, the trees, the flowers, the birds. Today, none of these miraculous creations will escape my notice.

Today, I will share my excitement for life with other people. I'll make someone smile. I'll go out of my way to perform an unexpected act of kindness for someone I don't even know.

Today, I'll give a sincere compliment to someone who seems down. I'll tell a child how special he is, and I'll tell someone I love just how deeply I care for her and how much she means to me.

Today is the day I quit worrying about what I don't have and start being grateful for all the wonderful things God has already given me. I'll remember that to worry is just a waste of time because my faith in God and his Divine Plan ensures everything will be just fine.

And tonight, before I go to bed, I'll go outside and raise my eyes to the heavens. I will stand in awe at the beauty of the stars and the moon, and I will praise God for these magnificent treasures.

As the day ends and I lay my head down on my pillow, I will thank the Almighty for the best day of my life. And I will sleep the sleep of a contented child, excited with expectation because I know tomorrow is going to be the best day of my life, ever!

Christian Quote of the Day

2008-10-19T07:19:00.000-07:00

Christian Quote of the Day
Topic for Today: Jesus Christ: Deity and Humanity

Christ's humanity is the great hem of the garment, through which we can touch his Godhead.

Glover, Richard

Christian Quote of the Day

2008-10-18T07:20:00.000-07:00

Christian Quote of the Day
Topic for Today: Jesus Christ: Deity and Humanity

Christ uncrowned himself to crown us, and put off his robes to put on our rags, and came down from heaven to keep us out of hell. He fasted forty days that he might feast us to all eternity; he came from heave to earth that he might send us from earth to heaven.

Dyer, W.

Christian Quote of the Day

2008-10-16T07:38:00.000-07:00

Christian Quote of the Day

Topic for Today: Family Life: Influence on Children

Godly parents do not inflict upon their children the cruelty of telling them that they should do "just as they please".

Hendricksen, William

Christian Quote of the Day

2008-10-15T07:15:00.000-07:00

Christian Quote of the Day

Topic for Today: Jesus Christ: Deity and Humanity

A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said wouldn't be a great moral teacher. He'd be either a lunatic - on a level with a man who says he's a poached egg - or else he'd be the devil of hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was and is the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse... But don't let us come up with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He hadn't left that open to us. He didn't intend to.

Christian Quote of the Day

2008-08-01T00:52:00.000-07:00

Christian Quote of the Day
Topic for Today: Godliness

If society is to be awakened one day from its deep slumber, it will only be done by Christians who have first woken up themselves to the full splendor of their privilege and who have taken seriously the call to live wholly and entirely for God.

Roberts, Maurice

Home for the Summer: Ten Happy, Healthy Ideas for Kids

2008-07-31T20:36:00.000-07:00

That last school bell has rung and the kids are back home, enjoying all the pleasures that summer vacation offers. But there’s got to be more to life than sleeping until noon and sipping lemonade by the pool. Here are some more ideas to make sure your kids stay happy and healthy this summer.

1. Block the sun. Sunlight is great; but too much exposure can be dangerous. Cover the kids with generous amounts of waterproof sunscreen -- SPF of 30 or greater -- 30 minutes prior to any sun exposure. Be sure to reapply it every 30 minutes for maximum protection.

2. Take a hometown vacation. With gas prices soaring, summer vacations may need to be spent a little closer to home. Check out your hometown’s restaurants, museums or parks together as a family and pretend you’re tourists for a few days.

3. Keep active. Keep the kids up and moving with some fun games such as badminton, swimming or soccer. And, of course, never underestimate the power of a good old-fashioned game of hide and seek or catching fireflies at dusk.

4. Pick some produce. Fresh fruits and vegetables are aplenty during the summer months. Gather the kids to visit a local farm or check out the local farmers market. With so many delicious choices this summer, your kids may actually eat their vegetables!

5. Stay hydrated. Enjoying the summer heat can sometimes lead to dehydration. Be sure to keep plenty of filtered water on tap and instead of letting the kids grab for sodas, enjoy some healthier treats such as juice spritzers or frozen fruit juice popsicles.

6. Start a reading club. Don’t let those brain cells get lazy during the summer. Reading is a great way to keep your kids’ minds active. Gather some of your children’s friends for meetings to discuss fun summer reads. If food is involved, turnout will be much higher -- guaranteed.

7. Record some memories. Make this a summer to remember. Arm the kids with a video camera to make family movies. Or, take still pictures and create an online scrapbook that you can share with friends and family.

8. Breathe easy. Hot, summer weather forces us to keep our doors and windows shut tight, trapping allergens and airborne molecules in our homes and in our lungs. Keep your home’s indoor air healthy by installing a whole-home air filtration system, such as AccuClean from American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning.

9. Go around the world. Take a trip around the world without leaving your own home. Pick a different country or culture each week. Read books and create maps of the area. Wrap up your week of study by creating and enjoying a traditional meal from the region.

10. Have fun. Don’t over schedule your summer. Instead, use summer vacation to lighten your family’s load, kick back, and enjoy these long, golden days. Memories are created, not scheduled, so start creating some today.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Heart

2008-07-31T16:57:00.000-07:00

There comes a point in your life when you realize

who matters,

who never did,

who won't anymore...

and who always will.

So, don't worry about people from your past,

there's a reason why they didn't make it to your future.

'Be kinder than necessary
because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

Quote For The Day

2008-07-31T14:56:00.000-07:00

The key to realizing a dream is to focus not on success but significance - and then even the small steps and little victories along your path will take on greater meaning.
Oprah Winfrey

Make the Most of Your Child’s Sports Experience

2008-07-31T13:12:00.000-07:00

Make the Most of Your Child’s Sports Experience

As children venture back to school, they get many opportunities to participate in sports. No matter what the activity, you can help your child understand how to make the most of the experience.

Dr. Kevin Sverduk, chair of the graduate program Sport-Exercise Psychology at Argosy University, Orange County, shares his insights for parents. “We place emphasis on applied sports psychology in our programs. In other words, the psychology of human potential and performance,” he says. “We look for ways of helping individuals do what they do to the best of their ability. Not just in the performance, but in the whole experience. It’s important for athletes of all ages to raise enjoyment of the activity to the fullest level.”

For many children, participation in sports has become more about winning and losing rather than playing “They harbor expectations about the outcome of the game -- from themselves, or from their parents or peers. People tend to worry about things they can’t control. They worry about whether they’ll win or make the shot instead of focusing on effort, attitude, and motivation,” Sverduk says. “This is the paradox of control and paradox of success. The way to give yourself the best chance of achieving success is to stop thinking about it. If you focus instead on things you have control over, you can increase the likelihood of success.”

Sverduk recommends talking with your child to shift the focus of the sport away from the results of the game. “Parents can help kids re-focus to things like, energy, effort, and concentration,” states Sverduk. “If someone is upset over a loss, you can ask, ‘Are you upset because you did all you could and you lost, or because you didn’t do all that you could and you lost? Why be upset about losing if you didn’t work your hardest?’” This can help a child understand that the responsibility as a team member is to control only the things he or she can control to the best of their ability.

Parental involvement in sports helps to shape the child’s value system. “A parent’s primary question after a game teaches the child what is important,” says Sverduk. “It’s far better to ask, ‘Did you have fun?’ or ‘What did you learn?’ than ‘Did you win?’ When parents value improvement and fun over the score of the game, the child begins to place more emphasis on learning and enjoyment. The shift emphasizes the process of the sport rather than the results of the game. It comes back to placing value on things that the child can control,” he continues.

Sverduk suggests that parents talk with kids about competition. “The original definition of the word ‘competition’ was ‘to move forward with others.’ Our culture has reshaped the meaning, and we now think of competition as moving against others, which breeds anxiety and fear,” he says. “But if you think in terms of playing the game with the goal of elevating the skill level of all participants, it breeds involvement, empowerment, and enjoyment. Competition is all about the challenge and doing your best. Winning is important, but it’s not enough.”

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Quote For The Day

2008-07-30T14:14:00.000-07:00

In the beginning there was nothing. God said, 'Let there be light!' And there was light. There was still nothing, but you could see it a whole lot better.

Ellen DeGeneres,

Christian Quote of the Day

2008-07-26T16:51:00.000-07:00

Christian Quote of the Day
Topic for Today: Holiness

God saved us to make us holy, not happy. Some experiences may not contribute to our happiness, but all can be made to contribute to our holiness.

Havner, Vance

Happiness Quotes

2008-07-22T16:12:00.000-07:00

When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us.
Helen Keller

Dance While You Can

2008-07-14T07:55:00.000-07:00

Dance While You Can

My heart aches when I read that someone” forgot to live” yet I fear they express is all too common for many people today. Caught up in the business of living, we rarely have time to take close look and consider our personal lives. The urgent needs of the moment, weather at our workplace or within our families or with our friends, surround us and scream for our constant attention. We are so caught up in the race to keep up what we tend to lose track of where we really are with our lives…. and who we are becoming. For some people, the lost is devastating.

I recently spoke with a woman who described her husband, very successful in business as a “soulless man.” Everything about his life – his time, energies, and loyalties – was focused on his work, and when he came home, he had nothing left to give her or their children or anyone else. In her own haunting words, she said that “somewhere in his chase to get to the top, he lost his soul.”

None of us want to look back on our lives and wonder where the years have gone, especially with regrets that we never discovered what it means to live. But if we never stop and question where we are in our lives, this might be our experience.

Thank goodness, we don’t have to go this way. We can learn to really live our lives to the fullest. We’ve all known people who do so, people who have discovered their own life songs and make a fulfilling dance of their lives, even if they never dance with their feet. There are steps they have learned to make their dance possible. The beauty is that they can dance anywhere and all the time.

Dance While You Can is meant to help you slow down and consider your life’s dance. You may discover that you need to redirect your focus. It may be something as simple and yet profound as telling someone you love them or as complex as reconsidering your career and how you are using the gifts and talents God has given you.

It is said that Socrates learned to dance when he was seventy because he felt that was essential part of himself had been neglected. No matter what stage you are in life, it’s never too late to examine your inner life and make certain that, as Socrates said, it’s worth dancing.

Follow Your Dreams

2008-07-10T16:14:00.000-07:00

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.
Henry David Thoreau

Christian Quote of the Day

2008-06-20T16:50:00.000-07:00

Christian Quote of the Day
Topic for Today: Free Will

The phrase - free will - is only used by the Bible in the context of stewardship. It is never used in the context of coming to Christ in faith.

Ferguson, Sinclair

Christian Quote of the Day.

2008-06-18T16:49:00.000-07:00

Christian Quote of the Day
Topic for Today: Adoption

We can only begin an upright course of life when God, of his good pleasure, adopts us into his family.

Calvin, John

Christian Quote of the Day

2008-06-15T16:47:00.000-07:00

Christian Quote of the Day
Topic for Today: Happiness

Seek for happiness and you will never find it. Seek righteousness and you will discover you are happy. It will be there without your knowing it, without your seeking it.

Lloyd-Jones, D. Martyn

Dance While You Can

2008-05-19T17:47:00.001-07:00

I will quite my soul.......
slience the noise in my head and heart
and ask myself
what I really want out of life.

Organizing Children’s Rooms

2008-05-01T04:15:00.000-07:00

Organizing Children’s Rooms

A child’s room can be one of the most challenging rooms in the house when it comes to getting organized and staying organized. With some training though, the children will actually be able to learn a system for keeping up with it themselves. That will make your job much easier.

Start by taking inventory of the room and, if they are old enough, have the children help. Get some boxes and label them for clothes (too small, out of season, keepers) and toys (favorites, too old for, missing pieces/broken) and make a game out of it. Give everyone a box and see who can fill their box up the quickest. Keep going until everything is sorted.

Next you can move on to actually sorting the toys. Go through the missing and broken box first. See if any of the toys are worth saving until you find the missing pieces. If not pitch them. Also decide if the broken toys can be fixed, or not.

Then go through the toys that the child is too old for, and decide together what should be done with them. If there is a younger sibling or cousin, maybe they would like to pass them on to them. If not, see if the child wants to donate the toys in good shape to charity. You’ll be surprised at how generous kids can really be if given the opportunity.

Last, go through the favorite toy box. These are the ones that need to find a home either in the bedroom or a playroom (if you have one).

When sorting the favorite toys, determine if you have enough storage in the room for all of them. Plastic storage bins are great for kids’ rooms, especially the stackable ones with drawers. Some come with wheels, and can be easily stored in a closet and brought out when the child wants to play. Try to establish a new habit of only getting out one toy at a time, to help keep the room from getting cluttered again.

Finally, it’s time to tackle the clothes. With children growing so quickly, it’s a good idea to go through their closets and dressers at the beginning of each season. As with the toys, decide together what to do with any clothes that are too small, but still in good shape. Many charities are very glad to receive children’s clothing.

Under the bed storage boxes are great for out of season clothing. Then as the weather changes, swap what’s in the dresser for what’s under the bed. When you swap out the clothes, again check for things they’ve outgrown. It’s also good to have a designated place for the kids to put the clothes that are too small, so when they try something on, they don’t just put it back in the drawer.

Once the room has been organized, teach the child to keep up with it on their own, with a routine every day of putting things where they belong.

You Took My Space at Church

2008-04-28T16:32:00.000-07:00

You Took My Space at Church
(This should wake us up)

One day, a man went to visit a church, He got there early, parked his car and got out. Another car pulled up near the driver got out and said, " I always park there! You took my place!"

The visitor went inside for Sunday School, found an empty seat and sat down. A young lady from the church approached him and stated, "That's my seat! You took my place!" The visitor was somewhat distressed by this rude welcome, but said nothing.

After Sunday School, the visitor went into the sanctuary and sat down.Another member walked up to him and said, " That's where I always sit! You took my place!" The visitor was even more troubled by this treatment, but still He said nothing.

Later as the congregation was praying for Christ to dwell among them, the visitor stood up, and his appearance began to change. Horrible scars became visible on his hands and on his sandaled feet. Someone from the congregation noticed him and called out, "What happened to you?"The visitor replied, as his hat became a crown of thorns, and a tear fell from his eye,

"I took your place."

Christian Quote of the Day

2008-04-27T07:31:00.000-07:00

Topic for Today: Assurance

Whom God legally saves, He experimentally saves; whom He justifies, them He also sanctifies. Where the righteousness of Christ is imputed to an individual, a principle of holiness is imparted to him; the former can only be ascertained by the latter. It is impossible to obtain a Scriptural knowledge that the merits of Christ's finished work are reckoned to my account, except by proving that the efficacy of the Holy Spirit's work is evident in my soul.
Pink, A. W.

Christian Quote of the Day.

2008-04-23T04:28:00.001-07:00

Topic for Today: Knowledge

Modern mankind can go anywhere, do everything and be completely curious about the universe. But only a rare person now and then is curious enough to want to know God.
Tozer, A. W.

Christian Quote of the Day

2008-04-19T04:33:00.000-07:00

Topic for Today: Discipline
God has no pleasure in afflicting us, but He will not keep back even the most painful chastisement if He can but thereby guide His beloved child to come home and abide in the beloved Son.
Murray, Andrew

Christian Quote of the Day

2008-04-17T04:29:00.000-07:00

Topic for Today: Holiness
True holiness does not consist merely of believing and feeling, but of doing and bearing, and a practical exhibition of active and passive grace. Our tongues, our tempers, our natural passions and inclinations - our conduct as parents and children, masters and servants, husbands and wives, rulers , and subjects - our dress, our employment of time, our behavior in business, our demeanor in sickness and health, in riches and poverty - all, all these are matters which are fully treated by inspired writers.
Ryle, J. C.

Christian Quote Of The Day,

2008-04-15T07:38:00.000-07:00

Topic Of The Day,
Pride
The more godly a man is, and the more graces and blessings of God are upon him, the more need he hath to pray, because Satan is busiest against him, and because he is readiest to be puffed up with a conceited holiness.
Greenham, Richard