One by one, as kitchen appliances have needed replacing in our home, we have purchased stainless steel appliances.  The appliances quickly look dirty and streaked.  As you can see, we have some messy cooks…

 Stainless steel requires different products than I have previously used, to get the shine back.  That has been a surprise!

When I read the information about Soft Scrub Advanced Surface, I knew just where I’d try it out.  Using this product as the stainless steel cleaner on our dishwasher was simple and quick, and effective.  Hurrah!  There isn’t a good picture to show you, as day and night we seem to get a rainbow glare on the dishwasher door.  

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We started the week off strong, but I just didn’t get the things on this list completed.  Many other big and small things were accomplished though.  There is an interesting thing I have learned from posting these goals.  Having them written down here put my mind at rest.  While other must dos appeared, there was only a momentary wrestle with stress.  Remembering that I would just pick back up after the flurry of “this season” wrapped up. 

This next week looks like it might be a little more routine and I have hope that I’ll stay focused on my list.

Last Week’s Goals

Family/Mothering Goals

Memorize Psalm 91:14-16
Exercise 4 Times ~ Only made the time for 2 workouts, but during the first one I tied on High Green belt at Karate. 
10 More Lessons in Math Book, brushing up for College Algebra
Read and journal 1 chapter each of Peacemaking for Families and Because He Loves Me
Read Tales of the Defended Ones and  The Last of the Mohicans

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by Harmony Art Mom

for more information on providing clean water through child sponsorship, visit Compassion International

Purex Nature Elements Tropical Splash laundry detergent arrived last week.  It’s one thing for cereal to have a tropical splash, and quite another for laundry detergent to smell so fruity.  Thankfully the towels only had a hint of sweet smell out of the dryer.  That is very different than a sweet scent of clean.

My sweet granddaughter was hanging out in the laundry room with me while I switched the laundry between machines and folded some towels.  She is much more interesting and cute than the stack of towels.

We want to offer you the opportunity try Purex Natural Elements Tropical Splash detergent by winning one of 2 FREE product coupons. 

Chapter 8 is titled “Realizing How God’s Love Transforms Your Identity and Life.”  My thoughts this week come from this question;

Is every failure in sanctification a failure in worship?

Romans 12:1 “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”

This verse appears to say that the mercy of God motivates us to present ourselves for sanctification, to become holy and acceptable to Him.  And that this is worship. 

Worship isn’t something done on Sunday morning.  Worship is yielding one’s life, believing in the mercy of God.  Belief, faith, in a merciful God produces a grateful pursuit of holiness.

So in looking up at Him, we see mercy, motivated by  His love for us, and we in turn are motivated to worship, which is an act that produces sanctification.
 

Last week’s Goals

Memorize Psalm 91:12-16 ~ Made it through verse 13
Karate Belt Test
Swim 4 Mornings
10 Lessons in Math Book, brushing up for College Algebra
Finish reading Peacemaking for Families and Because He Loves Me

The best way to stop child labor

to stop child neglect

to stop child prostitution

is to PREVENT IT.

Compassion International is working with children in areas where they are at risk of being exploited.  You can take part by sponsoring a child, writing letters and speaking life into the child, and praying for the child.

Visit Compassion International for more information.

In Chapter 6 the focus was on setting our gaze upon Jesus, believing with whatever small measure of faith we possess, that HE IS.

In Chapter 7 the author, Elyse Fitzpatrick, introduces the concept of the indicative and imperative in Scripture, using Colossians 3:1-3.  Indicative is what has already been indicated or declared.  Imperative is a command or direction. 

Some of the indicatives, or declarations in Colossians 1:1-3 are:
You are raised with Christ
You are the elect of God
You are forgiven by Christ
You are holy, beloved.

A few of the imperatives are:
Seek the things that are above
Set your mind on things that are above
Put to death fleshly deeds
Put on tender mercy, kindness, humility, forgiving others as Christ has forgiven you.

Throughout the Bible the imperatives are usually paired with an indicative, and there seems to always be a “put on” for every “put off”.

Now before we jump straight to the imperatives and start making the “to do” list, adding “how to” books to the shelf or blog reader, STOP.

Look Up.   Go back up to the indicative/declaratives. 

What happens if we focus on the indicative?  What God in Christ has done, has given, has called?  And here, again, our eyes are taken off self and what self can and cannot do.  Instead attention can be focused on the Author and Finisher of our faith, our very salvation. 

Then in gratitude we can set out to obey, resting in the imperatives, knowing that it is God who is really at work in us.  “We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus, for good works, which God prepared beforehand, so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10.

For Christ, by Christ, through Christ.