The Label in my Window

There's a label in the back window of my car. It looks like this:

That label, seemingly, serves one purpose: to tell anyone that sees my car that I am licensed to sell Thirty-One merchandise. (Ad break: Now that it's posted on the World-Wide Web, feel free to like my Thirty-One facebook page and don't forget to like the Purple Threads facebook page, as well, so you can keep up with all things Virtuous Woman! Now back to our regular programming...) ;-)

It wasn't until I sat on the trunk of my car after dark and applied that label with the edge of my debit card by the light of the garage that I realized it also serves another purpose: accountability.

If I'm driving 80 MPH on the freeway, zipping in and out of traffic like a NASCAR driver, or honking at someone and yelling about their driving, is that a good representation for my business? If someone notices that label and walks up to my car to write down my number or web address and they notice the cereal my daughter dumped out a week ago and random junk thrown all over that I haven't had time haven't bothered to clean up (which is exactly the way my car looks right now, so obviously it's eating at my conscience), is that a good representation of my own personal organization and, therefore, ability to help you organize yourself with the products I'm trying to sell?

"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."

~ 1 Corinthians 10:31

While my car should be acceptable for advertising my personal business, every aspect of my life should be acceptable for advertising a far more important business- my Father's business. I am, in theory, to be a walking billboard for the love of Jesus and the Holy Spirit that dwells within me, but is that what is actually being displayed? Jesus was patient, kind, understanding, but he was also firm, tactful, and precise. He loved the sinners, and His choice of friends proves it. Tax collectors, prostitutes, fisherman, the woman at the well... Yet how many times do we see picket signs instead of Bible studies? How many times have we stuck up our nose when we should have held out our hand?

What's the label in your window? Does it impact the way you live your life?

Modern Jesus

I like music. A lot. I listen to music when I work, when I drive, when I'm reading a magazine.... and I like music of all genres. Every once in a while, though, I run into a problem like the one I had today. I was driving to work mindlessly flipping through stations for something spunky for the ride. A song came on the alternative/indie station so I stopped for a listen. Then my ears perked to the lyrics.

Come on in 

Take a seat next to me 

You know we got 

We got what you need 

We may be liars 

Preachin' to choirs 

But we can 

We can sell your dreams 

You don't need sympathy 

They got a pill for everything 

Just take that dark cloud 

Ring it out to wash it now 

CHORUS

Don't pray for us 

We don't need no modern Jesus 

To roll with us 

The only road we need is never givin' up 

The only faith we have is faith in us 

We're the ones who start little fires 

Yet they burn out 

But when they're on the rise 

It can't help but shine 

And when the wave approaches 

Take our ashes to the ocean 

Who cares if hell awaits 

We're having drinks at Heaven's gates 

CHORUS 

We know that we're helpless 

At least we always assume 

But we don't need to prove nothin' to you 

Let's keep it cool 

You don't need to feel blue 

Cause we wont sell you nothin' 

You can't use 

CHORUS

Fwww.funnyjunk.com

I fought the urge to change the station only because I wanted to hear the full message of the song. At the close of the last note, I shook my head and switched to another station. "I live for the applause, applause, applause.... I live for the way that you cheer and scream for me, for the applause, applause, applause." Again, I shook my head, but this time I hit the power button instead of another preset station. I sat in the silence for a moment processing what I had just heard and began to pray. This is the music of my generation (and, unfortunately, the generation succeeding mine). Media and government leaders promote self-reliance, self-promotion, and, well, just simply self. You can be what you want, do what you want, and you don't have to answer to anyone. Wrong.

It pains me to hear songs like this, to know that this is what our kids are exposed to. At the risk of sounding like that little old lady you'd roll your eyes and scoff at, this is a serious issue that needs to be addressed within our Christian homes. We can't wait until our children are older and leave their salvation in the hands of the Sunday school teachers. Even if your children are older, start now. In our home, we have a small corkboard that I use only to hang a piece of paper with one scripture written on every week. It's hung on a wall in our living room where we'll pass by every day and read it. When it's posted, we talk about what it means and how to apply it to our lives, and I encourage our son to commit it to memory. (Psalm 119:11) I failed to teach him scripture and songs as a toddler, something I've made every effort to rectify and prevent with his little sister. Now I encourage him to learn them as an example to her, so that he can help teach her as she grows older. (Proverbs 22:6)

Today I want you to think about three things.

1. How do you view Jesus? Is He your friend? Is He your Father? Or is He just the guy that is waiting around the corner for you to screw up?
2. How does your life portray Jesus to others?
3. Are you teaching the children in your life about Jesus? If so, post your tips and ideas below for others to consider.

If you don't have a personal relationship with the true "modern" Jesus, feel free to contact me or post your comments and/or questions below. I'd love to chat with you about Him.

2014 - Responsibility

That's kind of a big word- in letters and meaning. It implies maturity, presence of thought, and acknowledgement. It requires time, planning, and effort. Responsibility.

I have been mulling over what I want to do. Do I stop blogging? Do I wash my hands and walk away and pretend I never tried? It's not like anyone really reads this blog anyway. I don't have a huge following like some of my favorite blogs or even 50, for that matter. In fact, I just checked and the highest number of views I've received on any of my posts is 23. 2. 3. Twenty-three.

Then the thought occurred to me: this isn't what I want to do. I never want to stand in front of a room and talk, or in this case type, to a crowd of onlookers who would rather be eating a piece of cheesecake than listen to me drone about pantries, potlucks and pretties. I never want to trudge downstairs and cook another meal or wash another load of laundry or dishes. I'd much rather be outside playing in the snow with my kids (especially since there's been plenty lately!) or watching Downton Abbey or The Paradise and eating popcorn, scones, and chocolate chip cookies. But these are the things that make me tick, the things that inspire me, the things that I must share with the world. I have a purpose. Therefore, I have a responsibility.

I started the year in debt (collectively with Mr. Threads), in clutter, and in turmoil. How did I get here and how am I going to get myself out? I devoted this blog to discussions about how to be a "virtuous woman" and vowed to display that in every aspect and fiber of my being as I wrote what God has and is teaching me on the same subject, but as I stood in my home on January 1 and looked around me, I realized I was failing. I wasn't keeping track of our finances and racking up fees by not paying on time. I wasn't cooking or cleaning the way I should and creating more work and frustration for myself later. I understand no one has a perfect, spotless home, but when you set something down to "do it later", only to "do it later" for several more things, it all starts to pile up. Before you know it, you have, well, my house. :-\

And now, 2014. It's a new year and a fresh start and we're already through the first 37 days of it! Ladies, we have a mission to ourselves, our men, and our children, as well as our peers, bosses, etc. Let's stand up and accept it: our Responsibility. Jump into this journey with me with both feet, and let's hold on for the ride!

Is Your Receiver Dirty?

I have a problem. My two adorable children love to play with mommy's phone. It has several versions of Angry Birds, including Star Wars, which is my son's favorite. Baby Girl loves to look at the picture of herself, her brother or both, depending on which of them has done something most recently that I deemed adorable enough to be plastered as my wallpaper. Needless to say, with kids comes crumbs, snot, slime and all other manners of filth. So what's the problem you ask? Somehow the receiver of my phone (the part where I listen to what the other person is saying) has gunk jammed into it. The only way I can hear them is to use the speakerphone or earbuds, neither of which are very convenient.

This got me to thinking the other day, though... How much junk do I have crammed into my heart that I can no longer hear the voice of God? He could be yelling, even screaming at me (although I don't think He would ever do that), and I would be utterly clueless.

It's cliché to say this these days, but we really are nearing His return. If we cannot hear His voice, how will we know that He is urging us to witness to the woman sharing the ice cream aisle at Walmart, calling us to missions work in Ghana, or intercession for our church, pastor, city and families? We're too busy being busy for God, that we don't have time to take His call and couldn't hear Him anyway.

Today, I ask you to take a moment and clean out the receiver in your heart. See what He's been trying to say to you.

Happy Tuesday!

Monday's Munchies - Pumpkin Banana Bread

We have the best neighbors. They help us any time we need it, keep us informed about things going on in the neighborhood, etc., which is why I'm going to be making some of this bread for them today. It's so moist and delicious and the banana flavor is hardly noticeable. This recipe makes two loaves, so I'll be keeping one to enjoy with my coffee in the morning!

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour 

2 cups whole wheat flour (if you don't have whole wheat flour, you can replace with 2 more cups of all-purpose flour)

1 teaspoon baking soda 

4 teaspoons baking powder 

1 tsp salt

1 Tbsp pumpkin pie spice

1 cup granulated sugar 

 1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup olive oil (canola or vegetable oil will work too)

4 eggs, lightly beaten 

 1 cup lowfat (2%) milk

 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin 

2 ripe bananas, mashed

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine flour and next 4 ingredients (through pumpkin pie spice) in a large bowl; make a well in center of mixture. 

Combine sugar and all wet ingredients in a medium bowl; stir with a whisk until smooth. Add to flour mixture, stirring just until moist. 

Spoon batter into 2 (9 x 5-inch) loaf pans coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. 

Cool loaves in pans 10 minutes on a wire rack; remove from pans. Cool loaves completely. 

Yield: 2 loaves, 16 slices per loaf (serving size: 1 slice) 

Number of Servings: 32

Let me know if you try this recipe and how you like it! Also, what kinds of recipes would you like to see on future Monday Munchies posts?

Monday's Munchies - Mexican Biscuit Casserole

My husband loves anything and everything considered Mexican fare, so this recipe is naturally a no-brainer. It's pretty easy - just brown, mix, pour, place, and bake - so it's a no-brainer favorite for the chef (a.k.a. me!), too! The ingredients listed are what I use when I prepare this dish. Obviously, you don't have to use fat-free/reduced fat items depending on your preferences, but I like to cut fat and improve health whenever possible!

Ingredients:

1½ lbs uncooked ground beef

1¼ oz package reduced sodium taco seasoning

¾ cup water

16 oz (1 can) canned kidney beans, undrained

11 oz canned corn with red and green peppers, drained

1 can refrigerated biscuits (i.e. Pillsbury or store brand)

1 cup fat free skim milk

3 cup shredded fat-free Cheddar cheese

Directions:

In a large skillet, cook ground beef until brown. Drain fat.

1. Add taco seasoning mix and water to the ground beef. Add the undrained kidney beans and the drained corn; bring to boiling.
2. Spoon hot meat mixture into a 9x13 casserole dish and top with some of the cheese.
3. Immediately place biscuits on top and bake in a 350-degree oven for 20 minutes or until biscuits are golden on top. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Let me know how you and your families like this dish! I'd love to hear your feedback.

Cassie

Getting Back on Track

Whew! It has been a whirlwind of chaos around the Threads house. Prayer conference, illness, and family drama have wreaked havoc on my plans and routines!

With that said, I've been getting myself back in the routine of normalcy. Not that anything is ever really NORMAL when you have a first-grader, an infant, and a husband who works crazy hours. :-)

While I'm getting back in the groove of the necessary chores like house cleaning, meal prep, laundry and just generally getting more organized, I want to approach another necessity that we often ignore as busy wives and mothers - our health.

My first-grader is off to school, lunch in hand, by 7:45 a.m. The baby is usually waking by the time I return home to prepare her fruit and oatmeal combo. After she is fed and the mess is cleared, the hubs is off to work with his homemade lunch. Then I realize it's approaching lunch time and I still haven't eaten or, worse, I'm on my second or third package of fruit snacks just because it's easier than cooking another meal. 

Personally, I struggle with something I'm going to call "the priority complex"- it is more important to me to take care of my family 100% of the time than it is to ever give a thought for myself, because spending time caring for myself would be selfish. But think about this: when you're sitting on the plane and the stewardess is going through her spiel about the oxygen mask, what does she say?

"In case there is a loss in cabin pressure, yellow oxygen masks will deploy from the ceiling compartment located above you. To secure, pull the mask towards you, secure the elastic strap to your head, and fasten it so it covers your mouth and nose. Breath normally. Even if the bag does not inflate, please keep in mind that oxygen is flowing. Please make sure to secure your own mask before assisting others."
 

How can we expect to properly care for our families if we're neglecting the care of their caretaker? (Wow, that sounds a lot like woodchuckers chucking wood!) This cycle of neglect breeds illness, obesity and I'd rather not think of anything worse, not to mention low self-esteem because I'm unhappy with who I have become.

I came across a video series taught by the author of the book, "Made to Crave", by Lysa TerKeurst. It has really rocked my way of thinking about food, God, and my relationship with both. I haven't read the book yet, but based on these videos, I'm urging you to check into it even if you don't have a "problem" with food. We all have something we crave to replace God when what we really need is Him. I'll be posting a review after I've finished reading the book.

Have a great weekend and I'll be checking in with you again next week!

Until then...
Cassie