The Hardened Heart

                    "But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his
                            heart and did not heed them, as the LORD had said." 
                                                        ~Genesis 8:15


It's been an exciting journey for me to once again read through the Bible and have been reading through the book of Exodus at this time. Of course, in the earlier chapters of Exodus, we read through the story of Moses, Pharaoh, the ten plagues, the freeing for the children of Israel, and the parting of the Red Sea. But this time, I'd like to discuss Pharaoh's hardened heart and the hardened hearts in today's world.

First, Pharaoh would see the plague and then plead for Moses to take away plague. He'd promise to free the Israelite children; but each time, he would change his mind to keep them enslaved. Plague after plague terrorized the nation of Egypt, and each time there was relief from the plague, Pharaoh's heart became hardened. When we read the story, we may be amazed at Pharaoh's stubbornness. I mean, to see things from rivers turning into blood to locust destroying the crops from the land being covered with frogs to witnessing the first born of every Egyptian and beast killed. If we had been the Egyptian people, we might have tried to overthrow the crazy Pharaoh and let God's people go to worship Him before the rest of us were literally destroyed. Instead, in this time and now, we can learn from Pharaoh's mistake and avoid the tragic consequences.      

So what lesson can we learn from Pharaoh's mistake?


How often are we like Pharaoh? We promise God that we will serve Him if only He would take our pain and difficulties away, just to turn back to doing the things we had been involved in before the struggles started. We are no better than Pharaoh if we are "Foxhole Christians", we see that the problems we're facing aren't going away so we promise to obey Him...that is until the problem is gone. Then we have the tendency to turn back to the activities that are not God-focused.


The first plague, the water turning into blood, should have been enough to convince Pharaoh to let the people of Israel go, right? The water was literally undrinkable, the source that keeps the living alive is now contaminated and stinks throughout the land of Egypt. But Pharaoh promises to free the people if Moses will intercede. The second plague brings frogs into the land and they can be found in the entire land of Egypt. They are jumping into the houses, in the "kneading bowls" (Exodus 8:3), into the beds, into the kitchens... they're everywhere! Pharaoh calls for Moses and pleads him to intercede and then the children of Israel may go worship God. Well, we know he didn't keep his word. So God sent lice, flies, livestock disease, boils, hail, locusts, and darkness. Each time Pharaoh made a promise and later broke it. It became a vicious cycle! And then the ultimate plague struck the land. You could say it was the 'one that did it'. Not only was Pharaoh's son killed, but the firstborn child of every Egyptian servant and animal died that night as well. Only were the children of Israel saved from the deaths and plagues.

It's a clear sign that God protects His people as He promised He would. God is with you, too, in whatever you're going through. He heard the cries of the Israelites and He rescued them from their great oppression. God also hears your cries and He listens. But get this: He knows that you need to experience difficulties. Not because He doesn't care about you. But if you never went through trials, you wouldn't grow Spiritually and you wouldn't grow closer to Him. It's in the pains of this life that make us rely more and more on our dear Savior.


"But the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh and he did not heed them, just as the LORD had spoken to Moses". (Exodus 9:12)


Until the sixth plague--the boils--Pharaoh was hardening his own heart. As a documentary by Dr. Charles Stanley sums it up this way: "To this point in the story, Pharaoh had hardened his own heart. But now, God hardens his heart. Willful disobedience can reach a point of no return." If we continually harden our hearts, it becomes a habit we can't break on our own strength. Pharaoh hardened his heart so many times that it finally resulted in his death and the death of his armies. It certainly does have serious consequences, friends. Ask the Lord to remove the stubborn stone around your tender heart to break off and completely trust in God's plan.  


"But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth." (Exodus 9:16)

We don't always understand the circumstances that God lets us go through or why He allows adversaries to stand in our way to give us grief like Pharaoh did to Moses and the people of Israel. But God is our powerful God and He sometimes raises up even our enemies in order to show the world His power. But He doesn't always just demonstrate His might to the unsaved, but He does so to remind His people that He is still in control. Sometimes because we can't see God, we can forget He is there and that He is still mighty. God gives us those reminders and we can give thanks to Him by remaining loyal to Him and having a "healthy heart".

In conclusion, we may come across many politicians, parents, friends, co-workers, and even preachers who have hardened their hearts to God and His Word. We need hearts that remain tender to the nudging God gives us when He is trying to tell us to listen. God listens to us, let's listen to Him.


Anna

Rear View Mirror Driving

It might seem weird, but our day-to-day lives can perhaps be compared with that of driving a vehicle. I was driving with my Mom shortly after I got my DL, and a car behind me was just getting way too close for comfort. I don’t even like to be followed almost bumper to bumper in town when we’re going 25 MPH, but out in the country (at approximately 55-60 MPH), I was feeling really cramped for space. Trying to remember to just keep my eyes on the road ahead, I avoided looking into my rear view mirror every few seconds. When the guy finally passed me, I couldn’t help but think of how many times, in my Christian walk, that I kept my eyes glued to the past. I kept looking into that "rear view mirror". Reminiscing on those past mistakes that I've made that sneak up behind me. Those negative memories haunting me, demanding my attention to the point that I don’t focus on what is before me: the Spiritual road. 

If I keep looking into the rear view mirror, I could end up in a ditch or run into another vehicle.  As is in my spiritual walk with Christ, looking back, regretting things, and taking my eyes off of the One Whom I should be looking to, I could seriously hurt myself and others by making more wrong choices. I’ve heard many pastors give this comparison before; but as is with many other things, those words don’t “sink in” until we experience those scenarios and really think about what those messages mean.  

I believe it’s ok to look back at the past sometimes, because then we remember where we've come from and how it's brought us to where we are today. However, I also believe that looking back is something to be careful about. Glancing can be good; but staring draws our attention away from Christ and His perfect plan for us. We will never get fulfillment by looking into the “mirrors” that remind us of our failures; but we can find satisfaction if we keep our eyes on Christ, remembering that He has a perfect plan that we need to be looking towards.

We have already faced many obstacles before. With Christ, we will keep looking straight ahead, because that’s what will keep us on the path that He has laid out for each of His children.

Hebrews 12:2 “..looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Blessings,
Anna

The Art of Humility

Psalm 147:10............."Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up."







Humility has become a lost art. What is it? According to Wikipedia, humility is "...seen as the act of posture of lowering oneself in relation to others, or conversely, having a clear perspective, and therefore respect, for one's place in context." Humility, in short, is putting others before yourself. C.S. Lewis explained in his book, Mere Christianity, that pride--which is the opposite of humility--is "anti-God". In Proverbs 16:18-19, God says that "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty [prideful] spirit before a fall. Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud."

I would like to include a documentary that Dr. Charles Stanley wrote on why God hates human pride:


"The Bible makes it very clear that God hates human pride. James 4:6 states very clearly, "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." The same message gets stated in the Scripture no less than three times....

"Why does God hate human pride so much? Because it is the one sin that keeps us from allowing God to use us for His purposes. When we commit ourselves to doing things our way, we are in no position to do things God's way. Pride renders us useless in the kingdom of God. We fall prey to pride when we forget that God does not exist for us, but we exist for Him." 

[Note: Emphasis added in some parts]



Last February, I started a Leadership and Management course through CollegePlus and I learned a great deal from it on what to look for in leadership and qualities to have to be a great leader. As you have probably figured out by now, yes humility was a strong virtue that made a leader likable. Because honestly, who really likes to work for an employer who has a big head?

Mr. Thompson tells his employees of how he worked his fingers to the bone and built up the company over the years. He brags of his advertising skills, communication capabilities, and his technological know-how. His employees get tired of listening of his one-sided conversations. His brother, on the other hand, runs a simple gas station on the corner. He has fewer number of employees, but they work hard to please him. This Mr. Thompson has never bragged of his accomplishments, but has rather given credit to the wonderful people who have made the business what it is today. See the difference in the two men? The first Mr. Thompson may have more workers at his larger business, but is undoubtedly going to have fewer friends than his brother at the smaller store. 
 
The above story is fictional, but the sin of pride is very real. It exists in the heart of those who live in a disillusioned state that THEY did it all on their own.



I think we would all agree that God created us; therefore, He created everything about us. Our physical features and our talents to name a few. Now why does pride live in the lives of even Christians who believe the above statements?

Simply, because we're humans. At some point in our lives, we think that everything we find we can work through, accomplish, amaze others with is all done on our own strength. We forget that the God we cannot see with our naked eyes was our Designer, our Creator. When He made you, He decided if you could sing, be an Olympic athlete, or super good at math! Everything you and I do are all gifts that our God above has bestowed upon us. It's NOT something we should ever boast about.

"I can sing better than Suzie", "Nancy can't sew nothing like I can", "Bill is soo much less talented than I when it comes to playing basketball"....all are thoughts of the devil, making us believe that we have somehow become superior to everyone around us. But just maybe we're overlooking the abilities they were blessed with that we aren't able to perform. Suzie wins the debating award every year. Nancy makes people laugh and feel better about themselves. Bill may not be tall enough for basketball, but he is the track star.


We have nothing without Christ. We cannot save ourselves, we cannot give ourselves life, we cannot choose the talents we will be able to share with others. As Psalm 89:47-48 says: "Remember how short my time is; for what futility have You created all the children of men? What man can live and not see death? Can he deliver his life from the power of the grave?"

"Humility a strange thing. The minute you think you've got it, you've lost it."

Let us strive to humble ourselves before God and give Him the credit, the praise that is due Him, and to use the talents He grants us for His glory.

God bless,
Anna

Potential!

  "But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." ~Romans 5:8

Some people look at a blank piece of paper and wonder what to write on it. They may start making a checklist of some chores they need to do for the day. They may actually start a story but then become discouraged because they can't think of anything worthwhile to write. Blank papers can sometimes scare people because they have no idea what to fill in the lines with.

When I look at a piece of paper, I see "potential". When you take a piece of paper, it's all about your attitude. How you're going to look at it is vital in keeping a positive spin on it. For example, has it got potential or failure already written on? Any writer will see potential if they see that word already etched in every line. They start writing and keep writing. In their "mind's eye", they see greatness in basically a worthless sheet of paper.

In very much the same way, God saw you in His "mind's eye". You were just like this blank piece of paper. You were empty, formless, and had nothing to offer. Without God, none of us have anything worthwhile to give. In short, though while others may have called you "worthless", do you know what He saw? That's right: potential! God made you, formed you, and made you into something that pleased Him.

You don't have to work to earn God's love, His grace, His mercy. God saw a meaningful purpose in creating you LONG before you were even born. Out of nothing, He made you into the beautiful person that you are today. You were worth creating and God has never stopped loving you.

Psalms 139:13-14:

"For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well."


You will never be worthless because God says your life is worthwhile.

God bless,
Julianna

Intro to Health pt. 2

Last time, we discussed why we should care what we eat, that eating well along with exercise is essential, health concerns, and what the next step is. So.....what is the next step?

Again, the next step is to take action! Unless we take the first step in anything that we want to achieve, we will never finish. So if our goal is to live a healthy lifestyle, we need to focus on achieving the "result". I think a good look at an excellent source of vitamins is a great place to make our first step.

Vitamins are "an organic compound required by an organism as a vital nutrient in limited amounts." (Wikipedia).  So, we're going to look at a few of the vitamins and look over just some of the fruits and veggies to put on your next grocery list! Where's the best place to start? Let's go with Vitamin B12.


Vitamin B12: 


Vitamin B12 is also known as cobalamin, and is not only a notable source to aid in the formation of blood, but also plays a key role in our nervous systems and brain functions. The lack of B12 in our systems may result in depression, poor memory, and fatigue. It can also be linked to symptoms such as mania and psychosis. So what are some good sources of B12? Not in food or animals, which are both incapable of producing the vitamin. Instead, B12 is taken from archaea and bacteria, which are then made into tablet form. Local stores carry this product in pill form and I feel that this vitamin is a necessity.

Vitamin C:

Vitamin C? Oh yeah, everyone's heard of that one. Isn't another name for that an orange? Well, though the orange is an excellent source to get your C's from, it is only ranked at #7, according to Health Alicious Ness website. There are ten sources of Vitamin C you need to consider. And I never would have guessed the first! 

 1. Yellow Bell Peppers
 2. Guavas
 3. Dark Green Leafy Veggies (like Kale)              
 4. Kiwi
 5. Broccoli
 6. Berries (like strawberries)
 7. Citrus (like oranges)
 8. Tomatoes
 9. Peas
10. Papaya    


Vitamin A:

This vitamin "is involved in immune function, vision, reproduction, and cellular communication. Vitamin A is critical for vision as an essential component of rhodopsin, a protein that absorbs light in the retinal receptors, and because it supports the normal differentiation and functioning of the conjunctival membranes and cornea. Vitamin A also supports cell growth and differentiation, playing a critical role in the normal formation and maintenance of the heart, lungs, kidneys, and other organs." (according to http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminA-HealthProfessional/)

Foods that are rich in Vitamin A are found in:

1. Sweet Potatoes--213.5%

2. Carrots --113.2%

3. Spinach--104.8%

4. Kale--98.3%

5. Mustard Greens--96.2%

6. Collard Greens--80.2%

7. Turnip Greens--61%

8. Swiss Chard--59.5%

9. Winter Squash--59.4%

10. Romaine Lettuce--45.4% 

Vitamin E:

Deficiency with this vitamin is rare, but is known to cause conditions such as: neurological, neuromuscular, anemia, retinopathy, and impairment to immune response problems. Though a poor diet can never cause a deficiency in Vitamin E, this substance benefits your body in five ways: helps to prevent sunstroke and coronary artery disorder or heart disease; alleviates fatigue and aids in getting blood to the scalp; can help heal sunburn and just in general, protect your skin from the sun; has an anti-aging effect on your skin; and lastly, makes your skin and cuticles healthy and fresh.

You can find this vitamin in the following ten food items:

1. Tofu
2. Spinach
3. Nuts
4. Sunflower Seeds
5. Avocados
6. Shellfish
7. Fish (like rainbow trout)
8. Plant oils (like olive oil)
9. Broccoli
10. Squash, pumpkin, and butternut squash

(according to Health Aliciousness)

There you have it! A place to start on a healthy diet of fruits and veggies. I do recommend, however, that you continue to eat your lean meats. People who only eat plants (vegetarians) are at risk for problems down the road such as low cholesterol levels (may lead to early death), colorectal cancer, and "lower bone mineral density" (according to Mother Nature Network).

I again urge you to do research for yourself to find a multitude of other healthy treats that God has provided for us. He knew what He was doing when He packed them with so many nutritious goodies! I hope this helps you know what to start looking for at the grocery store and I pray that God blesses you if you decide to take a healthier view on food.

God bless,
Julianna

   

Intro to Health pt. 1

I know it seems rather odd for me to write about healthy living on Anna's Insights, but it's about time to discuss some other topics! When I think back on how much I used to keep active and ate more fruits and veggies, I keep wondering how I got so hooked on Twinkies and root beer. Perhaps, it was the snacks my Grandma would pack in her car for me whenever we would go on road trips. It was almost like keeping that part of the trip hidden from my Mother. I would hurry out to the car first and Grandma would tell me that the "little, black snack pack" was full of goodies. What a child's dream come true, right? I'd grab the bag, jump to the back seat in the van, and open up the delights that were inside. The bag had Velcro to keep the contents inside fresh, so I had to be very careful opening it if Mom was already in the car.  Yes, quite sneaky.

But I fondly remember those times...

And I'm not going to say that I don't have those sugary, delectable treats any more. I enjoy an occasional blueberry pie or raspberry doughnut. However, I also think there is a fine line between an appropriate amount and an excessive amount. Proverbs 25:27 starts by saying, "It is not good to eat much honey..." Honey is a natural sweet creation and even it is stated that one can have too much.  In our day now with stores like Wal-mart having at least one whole row dedicated to the candies of the rainbow, how much less should we be eating of them to not hit that red, excessive mark? So.......

Why care what I eat?

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 is a good place to start:


"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." 


As Christians, our body is not our own. God's Spirit lives in us. I doubt that if I remembered this at a fast food restaraunt, I'd want to graze on artificial sweeteners or chicken that's been drowned in trans fats. If the Holy Spirit lives inside of us, we need to watch what we feed our bodies. Our bodies are God's temple. Do I want to fill my stomach with junk food, or should I instead be eating the pure products that God has created for us to enjoy?

Again, an occasional snack does fill my mouth and I don't think it's going to kill you if you partake of them a couple of times a week. However, I believe that 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 answers the question as to why we should care what we eat.

"You are what you eat":

Probably a quote we remember hearing from time to time, right? Although I do believe that what we put into our bodies effects our health 75%, what we eat is not the answer in and of itself. So what makes up for the lacking 25%? Exercise.

Exercise is crucial in having a healthy body. Food that we take into our bodies helps to preserve our organs. Such as bananas that contain a high level of potassium which are excellent for the heart. But walking every day, jogging, bicycling, riding horse, swimming to name a few, are what we need to help maintain a healthy lifestyle.

As with all things, exercise should be done in moderation. Don't overdo it. Again, eating right is the biggest part of living healthy. I hope to discuss exercise further in the following blog post, but would like to stick to the "why's" of eating healthy for this post.

Health Concerns:

Many people I know stick to Gluten-free products or they may have certain allergies to certain food choices. And still others' stomachs may not be able to tolerate general kinds of foods (like hot and spicy). If you're seriously wanting to get away from the chemicalized foods in the grocery and convenience stores, you should first of all ask your doctor about a healthy diet plan. Remember, eating healthy isn't about losing weight. It's about living a healthy life. Of course, life is not pain or sick-free; but, when eating the way God has designed us to eat, we will be avoiding a lot of the diseases that may have been knocking at our door ten years down the road if we didn't correct our food habits today.

When I first started to seriously think about eating differently, I just wanted to lose weight. I went off on a couple of different tangents--even not eating at all--until I would get caught. People who quit eating entirely or throw up after eating have developed either one of these mental disorders: Anorexia or Bulimia. Compulsive Overeating disorders are just as damaging.

But that's not what eating healthy means. There was a reason mom put broccoli on our plate and milk on the table when we were kids. To build strong bones and again, stay healthy. God has designed our bodies to be healthy, not sick. So I believe that, "whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." [1 Corinthians 10:31]. Whether we're sleeping, exercising, reading books, or yes, even eating, all we do should be to the glory of God! 

Next step?

 The next step is to do something about it! Take action and make the change. It's hard to cut out sweets and I don't think a person should give up on them entirely. God has given us so many wonderful things to eat, that in comparison to the food man has processed and ruined to give things a "better" flavor, we need to turn back to the days before processed, artificial, and genetically modified food.

God knew exactly what vitamins and good proteins our bodies needed and continue to need after all generations of farmers. And with this being June Dairy month, let's take the time to not only thank farmers, but to enjoy the food that they harvest.


Next time, we'll be discussing different food choices that are some of the best sources of nutrition.

3 John 1:5 "Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul."

Julianna  

Fact, Not Fiction

A man whispered, "God, speak to me".
And a meadowlark sang.
But the man did not hear.

So the man yelled, "God, speak to me".
And the thunder and lightning rolled across the sky.
But the man did not listen.

The man looked around and said, "God, let me see You".
And a star shined brightly.
But the man did not see it.

And the man shouted, "God show me a miracle".
And a life was born.
But the man did not notice.

So the man cried out in despair, "Touch me, God, and let me know You are here".
Whereupon, God reached down and touched the man.
But the man brushed the butterfly away and walked on.

The man asked God for encouragement.
And an email arrived bringing good news.
But the man deleted it.



God does not have to show His face to us in order for us to know He exists. When we look at the beauty around us, we see God's handiwork. God gives us just a glimpse of His beauty through His creation, letting us see a small portion of His strength in the powerful waves or seeing His gentleness in creating a little bird. God Himself does not need to be seen in order to be believed in, though many times, we humans have problems believing in something that we cannot touch or see.

Yet we know that our cell phones have service, even though we cannot see the power from which it sends and receives messages.  We can think, though we have not seen our own brain waves. We know the power of the wind, and yet the wind has no face to touch, no hand to hold, no arms to hug. There is so much proof around us that this world was designed by a Supreme Being.  We see the majestic, white capped mountains reaching to the skies, the power in a mighty wave crashing against the rocks, and hear the angelic voice of a robin; but yet, many will still doubt that our powerful and Omnipotent God exists.

Fact: We cannot disprove the existence of Almighty God!

Blessings,
Julianna


You are part of God's handiwork! Ephesians 2:10

Change Ahead

 

Jeremiah 29:11-13 have always been very dear verses to my heart and I'm so thankful that God knows what my future holds, and that He takes me by the hand and leads me.  And again, my life takes another turn that I honestly didn't think it would.

A new year can mean changes for individuals and this year, it will change for me, too. On March 8th of this year, my coaching hold ends.  This will also be the day that my coaching ends for a long time.  I am terminating my enrollment with CollegePlus.  I've been in CP since September of 2011 and it's been quite an eventful one.  But I haven't really been satisfied with the results these last couple years, and I believe that it's because this chapter in my life is closing; I'm not meant to continue this educational journey.  Especially in these last two years, I've been feeling led to get out and I believe I know why.  Since my Grandpa's death, I feel like God is telling me to lay college aside and get more involved with helping my family take care of my Grandma.  She is not 100% capable of leaving alone, so my Mom has devoted a lot of her time to taking care of her.

What will I be spending my time on now?

I will continue to work for both QualityTrack Int. and on the farm.  Because CollegePlus have raised their rates again, this also plays into my decision.  And at the moment, I need to earn money for a more reliable truck.  This past winter has proven to me that winter tires help, but a 2wd will never be as dependable as a 4wd. :P  I'm also hoping to advertise my services as a horse trainer and maybe go through some training and achieve a license to be a horse judge for shows.

I also want to spend extra time that I have preparing to take care of a house and a family of my own some day.  I haven't taken as much initiative as I should have in taking care of the house, but with Mom busy at Grandma's almost every day of the week, it gives me some time to help her with the housework and read the Christian books that I haven't indulged myself in. I'm looking forward to this! :)

But mainly, I've decided to return to my original idea of publishing books.  I've written many rough drafts of different book ideas over the years, but because college and investigative reporting seemed like that was the only way to earn a living, I laid those dreams aside.  Unfortunately, at local newspapers and even with a degree in Journalism, I would most likely end up setting type--as my Mom's friend's daughter ended up doing after four years to achieve her BA.  I started to edit a chapter last fall, but with this course through Brigham Young and the changes that accompanied Grandpa's death, I was barely able to get one chapter done.  My plan is to continue editing one book at a time, perhaps attend some writing conferences in Wisconsin, and start the publishing process by late this year or early 2015.

Being able to lay college aside has lifted a burden off my shoulders.  Though CollegePlus offers so much and I've learned a lot with CP friends, this chapter in my life is being closed.  Perhaps in the future, I will return to studying for CLEPs and earning three credits here and there; but I feel God is leading me to put my time and energy into more important things.  I believe that it was God's will for me to be a part of CP for these last few years, because I've learned some valuable lessons that I would not have learned had I not enrolled.

But we trust God and have assurance that he knows what is best for us.  We lean on His understanding and follow Him wherever He leads us.  For we will find rest only when we trust in His wisdom and not our own.

Blessings,
Anna

Letter From God

When the waves crash in around you.................
                                                            ......................look to Me.


When you don't know where or who to turn to..................
                                                                         ......................turn to Me.


When you've fallen and you can't get up......................
                                                                .................reach up to Me.


When you get lost and can't find your way home....................
                                                                            .......................read My Word.


When you need comfort, but everyone deserts you...................
                                                             .......................fall into My arms.


When you loose sight of what's most important......................
                                                              ..........................remember Who I am.


When you are swallowed up by your fears.....................
                                                        ................................cry out to Me.


When you feel alone or unimportant.......................
                                                         .........................think of Me.


When you are restless......................
                                       ............................rest in Me.


(Julianna 12/16/2013)

Encouragements For Your Day

Instead of writing a blog post this time, I wanted to share some encouraging quotes/Bible verses that I found when I was browsing through Google Images this morning. Mondays can always be hard as we get back into our work or school schedules, and an encouraging word is always helpful in starting out a brand new week. Have a great week, folks!

Pushing Back the Dark

"Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls--yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer's feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills." ~Habakkuk 3:17-19


How many of us go through the majority of our lives thinking about negative things that we fear may happen? How many times do we spend during the day letting Satan fill our minds with pessimistic thoughts? This certainly is a problem that we may face or have faced in the past. But how do we get beyond the point and start to think on the brighter side of things? How do we lay aside those heavy doubts, fears, anxieties, in order to believe that our trials aren't the end of something tragic; but the beginning of something beautiful?

Honestly, I've been struggling.with this. I know what's right and what's wrong, but I have been letting the lies of the world drag me down. They may be the same little stories that have plagued you. "You aren't worth loving", "you are just a useless human with nothing good to offer", "You're just living your life for God and getting nothing out of it". These are thoughts from Satan. He plants those little seeds of discouragement in your mind to drag you down.

"There is this legend that tells how a man once stumbled upon a great red barn after wandering for days in a dark, overgrown forest. Seeking refuge from the howling winds of a storm that seemed to rage perpetually in the forest, he let his eyes grow accustomed to the dark and then, to his astonishment, he discovered that this was the barn where Satan kept his storehouse of seeds to be sown into human hearts. More curious than fearful, he lit a match and began to explore the piles and bins of seeds around him. He couldn't help but notice that the containers labeled "seeds of discouragement" far outnumbered any other type of seed. Just as the man had drawn this conclusion, one of Satan's foremost demons arrived to pick up a fresh supply of seed. The man asked him why the great abundance of discouragement seeds. The demon laughed, "Because they are so effective and they take root so quickly!" The man then asked, "Do they grow everywhere?" At this the demon became sullen. He glared at the man and admitted in disgust, "No. They never seem to thrive in the heart of a grateful person."

Friend, don't let your heart be a place where Satan and his helpers can plant those seeds of discouragement. Don't give him the satisfaction. Fight against those thoughts! Be on the constant look-out for those nasty, little thoughts that want to slip into your mind and bring you down.

God has something better for you, so don't get discouraged; be encouraged. :)

Sister in Christ,
Anna

Josh Wilson: Pushing Back the Dark

My Big Little Surprise

Everyone, I'd like you to meet my new horse, Braje (Bray-ge or if that doesn't help, it has the "garage" sound at the end). She's the big surprise I mentioned on the G+ post. She is a fourteen-year-old, chestnut reining mare who hasn't been used in the last six years or so. She's got a lot of good reining blood (ancestry) in her and has the perfect temperament. She stands at 14.3 hands high, although is a little taller in front since a friend of ours put plastic shoes on her front feet. She wasn't cared for the best at her previous home and if the cracks in her front feet hadn't been taken care of in a couple more weeks, she would have probably ended up lame..for good. So, we're fixing the problem by spraying on a plastic substance on the bottom of her feet to bring the sole back together again. The cracks were so deep that you could see her foot--not her hoof--but the actually foot sticking out. Our friend had to dig all the dirt and stuff out of it--making it bleed--so that it wouldn't become infected. But she's home now and being taken care of. She's not in pain now! :) My hope is to show her in reining classes (around here and Minnesota) and give riding lessons on her. So, she kind of earns her keep. ;)  

Here she is in her "private" pasture, so she and the others can "meet" each other without hurting themselves.

Looking out at the other horses.

                                       

                                                                                                                                                                              

                           

Soft eyes, good confirmation, and smart     

                                   

 

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Has a low head carriage (Sky in background)

                                                                  

                                                                                

First time she ever heard cows. She's like "Wha?" :D

2013 Summer Pictures

For this post, I wanted to share some pictures with you that I was able to take in the last few weeks. With all of the rain, the flowers and crops are growing nicely, and everything is looking green. Hope you enjoy them. 

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters. Which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit." Jeremiah 17:7-8

"For as the earth brings forth its bud, as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations." Isaiah 61:11

"Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable." Isaiah 40:28

"Therefore the Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you; and therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you.. For the Lord is a God of justice; Blessed are those who wait for Him." Isaiah 30:18

"You are  my God, and I will praise You; You are my God, I will exalt You. Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever." Psalm 118:28-29

"Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our salvation!" Psalm 68:19

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field." Matthew 13:44

"For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations." Psalm 100:5

"For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us." Psalm 103:11-12


In Christ,
Anna

Servanthood?

Looking back to the Signature Leadership course that I worked on a couple months back, I realized that there are about 40 pages of notes I can either toss or keep for future reference. After reviewing some of the first pages, I found a large portion of my notes revolved around servanthood. Dr. Jeff Myers discussed this often throughout the course and I thought it would be interesting to write a blog post on the topic.

The first question that Dr. Myers asked at the beginning of the 25 minute lecture was this: "Are you a leader who serves or a servant who leads?" This sounds puzzling, but it's really not very complicated. A "leader who serves" is a person who is thought of as an important figure in society who serves others from "high places". But it's quite possible for a "servant" to lead. And this type of leading is by example. We don't have to be the most important person in the world, the richest, or the smartest to be a leader. We can be a servant leader right where we are. What we do with every choice we make, will influence the decisions that those who look to us for guidance will make.

But how do we serve effectively in a world where people go their own way and listen to their own judgement (whether it be good or bad)? Dr. Myers explained "serve" in the following way: "S" stands for "seeing the future". Not really "knowing" what's going to happen, but thinking ahead before making decisions and  foreseeing where those choices could lead, is an important way to avoid trouble later on. "E" stands for "engaging others". Of course, it's much easier to engage extroverted personalities than introverted; but it's still a good idea to at least try to get them thinking and participating in events. "R" stands for "reinventing". As leaders, we can think of new and better ways to go about making positive changes. An example would be CollegePlus. CP is a great way for students to earn credits online (and through testing centers), pay less for higher education, and get a degree much sooner than going the brick and mortar college route. Somebody thought of the idea and made it happen. "V" and "E" are quite similar, so I'd like to put the definition together. Both stand for valuing results and relationships, and embodying those values.  Even if those you lead only make slight changes in the right direction, at least it's a step towards progress. By encouraging them to keep moving forward, they'll gain more confidence in themselves and work harder to conquer even greater challenges.

I decided on this topic for this blog post, because servanthood is something that is lacking in our world today. Of course, there are greater things that are lacking in this world; but when people lead by example, others are sure to follow. Even the smallest things like a smile, a kind word, or a thank you note can mean the world to gaining people's respect and trust.

As I finalized my thoughts, I read the final note: "Christianity does not fail people; people fail people". As a friend, CP sister, daughter, niece, and granddaughter, I don't want to fail people by leading them in the wrong way, on the wrong path. God put me here to be an encouragement and a servant to those who call me any of the above titles. He didn't put me here to tear them down and to make them feel like dirt: that's why I believe the topic of servanthood needs to be practiced and implemented in our Christian world--to make that impact needed, not just for our saved family members and friends, but also to those who do not know Christ as their personal Savior.

In Christ,

Anna

Praising Him Through the Storm

Do you ever run into those times in your life when everything is going downhill and it's all you can do to keep from drowning? Not to mention how difficult it is to look to God and say "Thank You"?

It's so easy to try to battle our way through our own problems when we don't seem to get an answer from God. And it's not very easy to give Him praise through the struggles. I wanted to write about this topic today, because this is something that I've been struggling in with day to day situations. Not that any of you are dealing with this problem; but in case you are, I wanted this to be of some encouragement for you.

In this blog post, I'd like to share parts of a devotion book that my Mom has been reading from. You may have remembered a post awhile back that talked about God's handiwork in making stars. For this particular devotion, Max Lucado talks about the "Grateful Heart".

"Gratitude lifts our eyes off the things we lack so we might see the blessings we possess."  

When we start to focus on things we don't have, we lose sight of the things we do have. In Philippians 4:11, a very well known passage to all of us, Paul writes "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content". Though at this very moment, we might be walking through some valley, we need to follow Paul's example and be "content" with where God has placed us. We may not know where the road leads, but God has us where we are "stationed" for a reason. And He has equipped us with everything we need.

Lucado goes on to suggest what we can do: "Major in the grace of God. When Paul sent Timothy off to spiritual university, he told him to major in the grace of God: "You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 2:1)." A little farther down, Lucado goes on to say: "Measure the gifts of God. Collect your blessings. Catalog His kindnesses. Assemble your reasons for gratitude and recite them. 'Always be joyful. Pray continually, and give thanks whatever happens. That is what God wants for you in Christ Jesus' (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)."

When we look at this verse, we see three commands: "Be joyful", "pray continually", and "give thanks whatever happens". Can we "force" ourselves to be joyful in difficult times? Yes, probably. But being "joyful" means completely putting our heart into it. Being sincerely joyful doesn't mean half-heartedly giving it a try. It's choosing to praise God through the rain. Secondly, there's the step of praying "continually". It's keeping our eyes on Him and not taking them off of Him, that is what keeps our mind on the "things above" (Colossians 3:2). These are the "things" that really matter. But if we're like Peter who looks away from Jesus and starts to focus on the waves, then we will not be placing our attention on Christ--the One Who can see us through the difficult times. And then lastly, we must "give thanks whatever happens". Though it may not come easy for us, God tells us in Psalm 100:4 to "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name". Why we should do this, is explained in the fifth verse: "For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations".

Notice that the last verse is in present tense. He is good, His mercy is everlasting, and His goodness and mercy endures. This is for you, my friend. God's promise still holds true to this very minute. Hold on to Him and "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus". (Philippians 4:6-7)

Sister in Christ,
Julianna

"I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:14 

~Christmas 2012 Greetings~

(Note: This is our Christmas letter-as written by my Mom-but I wanted to share it with all of you, my friends. :) Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New 2013!)

Our 2012 year has been filled with delightful-and sometimes sad-memories and we’ve managed to somehow stay busy with our jobs, school, and taking care of our animals. But the Lord has continued to bless us with good health and we have enjoyed our friendship with all of you.

To start off, we lost our draft horse, Mingo, just a few days after Christmas last year due to old age. He was 29 years old-which is a long time for horses that large, so he had a long life, but he just wasn’t able to stand on his own any more. We had a neighbor come over to put him down and he’s buried next to Julianna’s Quarter Horse, Samantha, who died just a few years ago.

In February, I started a bakery business with organic chocolate chip cookies and organic dog, horse, and cat treats. Our animals loved them, so I decided to sell them. One local store is selling my cookies and dog bones. Later on, Julianna and I started working for a company called Quality Track International-a business hired by Marriott hotels to keep tabs on their Sales Managers as they set up meeting space rentals and sleeping rooms with prospective clients. I try to get in seven hours a day (which is hard at times) and Julianna only works part time as she is continuing with online college classes.

In May, Julianna turned 19. She keeps busy with her college studies, showing horses and trail riding, work, and helping out Dave on the farm and some friends of ours who have lots of horses. At the moment, she is working on a Psychology course and is enjoying CollegePlus very much. Her coach, Brittany, is very helpful and is such a blessing to her. Julianna also continues as our church’s pianist and has been for five years now. She took JubiLee, her Quarter Horse, over to her riding teacher’s farm for the summer. Julianna prepared for numerous shows throughout the summer and for her last year in participating in the county fair. She also played for a Baccalaureate Service for area graduates in May.

Julianna also participated in the Welsh Pony Show in June with both my pony, McAnna, and her pony, Sky. This year, she entered driving classes with my pony and did quite well, considering that the sand in the indoor arena was really deep and made pulling a cart very difficult. She came away with seven ribbons: one third, four fourths, and two fifths. Julianna is now on the Board of Directors for the Wisconsin club. There are three members on the board.

In August, Julianna competed in her last year at the Jackson County Fair. She came away with nine firsts and five second ribbons. She also entered my pony, McAnna, in an open driving class with the draft horses and came away with a third place ribbon. The judge leaned more toward the draft horses, thus a biased opinion. Julianna hopes to start riding lessons for some kids next year-as there are interested parents-and also hopes to help them get started in 4-H showing. The Horse Project group at the fair really want Julianna to come back to help with the youth and rewarded her with a $50 gift certificate for her leadership skills in the Project.

In September, Julianna took JubiLee and McAnna to the 4-H District Champ Show in West Salem, Wisconsin. JubiLee was a little “hot-headed”, so they didn’t do very well in their classes, but Julianna and McAnna came away with two grand champions in driving. The judge even made it clear to Julianna that she didn’t have to award a first place ribbon. But McAnna did very well!

In October, Julianna began a search for a 4WD truck. Her vehicle is only rear-wheel, so it is not the best for winter traveling. She has found a few that she likes, but the right buyer for her vehicle has not come along as of yet. She also played for her first wedding and enjoyed the experience. She also played for another funeral right before fair time in late July.

We had a dry summer this year, so finding hay for our horses and goats became a slight problem. But we are very fortunate to have found a source who could sell us some come spring time if we still need them!  We started to build an arena in our front yard so that Julianna would have a decent enclosed area to train horses and give riding lessons in.  

And lastly, we end this year on a sad note. Just this last Friday, we were forced to put our 14-year-old dog, Trevor, to sleep. He was such a sweetheart and as we used to call him, our little “Schweedie Beast”. He lived a long time for being a large dog and he had a happy life with us for as long as we had him. We’re not entirely sure why it was his time, though the morning of, he was unable to stand on his own. We miss him dearly, as do his sisters, Beth and Keara.

But now as we look to Christmas, we give thanks to God for His provision and for allowing us the time that He gives us with each of our animals and family members.  My parents are still living in their home and we talk most every night. My Mom will be 90 coming this January and my Dad is now 91. They have been married for 68 years now and it’s a blessing to see both still independently living in their own home.

God bless you and your family this coming year of 2013.  May the thought of Jesus warm your hearts and homes this Christmas season. Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

God bless you from the Cadogoho Ranch family,
Deb, Julianna
Jack, Con
JubiLee, McAnna, Sky
Beth, Keara
Cecily, and Bandy