Author Gone Paleo!



Todays' post is about food, which may surprise you. But what we put into our bodies is really a part of living and should be one of the ways we seek to please God. So, "Author Gone Paleo" is about some beneficial changes I've made recently in my eating habits that I wanted to share with you.

What is Paleo? It's an eating style--more, a lifestyle--which tries to universally reject modern food tinkering such as GMO's (genetically modified food), over-processing, pesticides, growth hormone-injected meat, etc. It's nothing new in essence, but there are new scientific findings that support this type of eating with one major new factor. Unlike the organic-food eaters of the past, the Paleo diet does away with modern grains. Yes, that means no whole-grain flours, organic wheat flour, etc. But make no mistake: this is NOT your typical low-carb regiment. With newer research showing that coconut flour (and oil) are actually good for you, that eating nuts and seeds are powerhouse nutrient sources and that these, too, are GOOD for you, the Paleo diet becomes rich in its own goodies. Almond flour is now a staple in my pantry. Squashes of all types, sweet potatoes, and fruit are important elements of eating this way, too.

For an in-depth look at what it's all about, visit The Wellness Mama . This Christian lady not only gives the first excellent argument I've ever read explaining why grains are bad for our health, reconciling it wholly with Jesus's calling himself "the bread of life," she also gives scrumptious recipes, tips and ideas that are really helpful. (Read her blog post called, "How Grains are Slowly Killing You." This one post did more to transform my thinking and get me eating better than anything else I've ever read.)

I explained my eating transformation to my friends like this: It's like when Neo (in the Matrix movies) suddenly sees the bad guys as nothing more than CODE--he realizes that they're not real beings, they're computerized code that he is seeing as real. AT that point, he becomes invincible and easily does away with the baddies. Well, reading that article on how grains are slowly killing us made that leap for me: instead of seeing a yummy bagel or doughnut, I suddenly saw POISON.Let me tell you, I love good good food and I come from a family where food is the center of our celebrations, but it was absolutely no stretch, no effort, for me to start eating differently after digesting these food-facts.

Does it work? Well, I lost twelve pounds in the first two months without even trying. I was eating a great deal of fruit and nuts. If you TRY to lose weight on this eating style, you can easily do so by eliminating most fruit, and by eating less nuts and seeds. I wasn't trying, so I ate what I wanted--and lost weight, anyway.

I'm not trying to explain the whole lifestyle here, but I did want to share my Paleo "Cereal" that I ate this morning. It's filling, and chock full of
protein, antioxidants, fiber, micronutrients, and healthy fats. (Not to mention, yummy!)

Linore's Paleo "Cereal"

In a nutshell (pun intended), this is basically a kind of trail mix that I added coconut milk to, and ate as a cereal. The best trail mixes are homemade as you can customize them to what you like best, but this is my current version. Feel free to customize your own as you like. Dried fruits like pineapple or apricots (use moderately), other seeds, nuts, and even spices like turmeric or cinnamon can be added.

Get a one or two quart container with an air-tight lid to store this in. Refrigeration is not necessary. (Ironically, I'm using a cleaned-out container that once held chocolate chip cookie dough--poison, lol!)

Three cups walnuts, chopped or not
Three cups pecans, chopped if preferred, but not fine.
One cup dried cranberries
Two cups pistachio nutmeats
One-two cups sliced almonds
Half cup pine nuts
One cup sunflower KERNELS
1/2 to one cup DARK or bittersweet chocolate chips (optional)
coconut flakes (optional)

I put in the chocolate only because it's Christmas week. But it's perfectly fine to eat a small amount of DARK chocolate every day.

IMPORTANT:
Don't eat scads of this stuff on a daily basis. It's nutrient-dense, so a little goes a long way.
I take a 4-6 ounce mug, fill it about 1/2 to 2/3 full of mix, and then add coconut milk. I wouldn't have this every day for breakfast, but it's a great energy-boosting filler and good for you, to boot.

NOTE: You must understand that if you're going to keep eating all the unhealthy white bread and grains in your diet, then adding paleo foods like trail-mix won't do you many favors.
In fact, you'll gain weight.

The key to using these foods to benefit your body is to remove the grains from your
diet, first. Don't try to do it all at once, but keep removing sugar or white flour
(or any flour) on a weekly basis.

Better health=better productivity in all areas of your life! This past Thanksgiving I made a totally Paleo feast (including grain-free stuffing), and two days later when I weighed myself, I had actually lost two pounds since the previous week. LOST weight, after THANKSGIVING! And I ate until I was more than full.

Resources: Wellness Mama 101--The Basics
Everyday Paleo by Sarah Fragoso and Robb Wolf

Paleo Spirit

Mark's Daily Apple: Primal Living in the Modern World(Ignore the evolution idiocy--for a guy who researches everything about the food he eats, why doesn't he do the same for so-called "facts" of evolution, carbon dating, the fossil record, etc? Even scientists who aren't ready to call themselves Christians conclude that evolution is a religion, a chosen belief-system, based on interpretation of facts that skew the evidence (which overwhelmingly supports a higher-intelligence Creator). After all, evolution is a THEORY. Funny how everyone leaves that word out when referring to this widespread heart-held belief system. Since even museums uphold this theory with religious fervor, people think it must be true.)

Resources:
Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed (DVD)

Answers In Genesis/Creation Scientists

The Riddle of Origins Series


Warmest blessings,

Linore
Linore Rose Burkard.com
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Happy Thanksgiving

I love this time of year, don't you? Scroll down to enjoy my way of wishing everyone, whether you live here in the US and celebrate Thanksgiving or not, a
joyful season.

See you soon,
(But not tomorrow--I'll be eating turkey and enjoying family and guests! Hope you'll be doing the same.)

Warmest Blessings,

Linore
ENJOY THE GRAPHICS!

You Can't Take it With You

This post is another from Kathi Macias,who does a weekly devotion for CAN
(Christian Authors Network) of which I'm a member. My dad's passing is still very fresh in my mind and perhaps that's why I wanted to share this with you.
Kathi always finds a concise and focused way to say the things we know to be true but don't think about often. Enjoy.
--Linore

YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU (Not Kathi's title, by the way. But I thought it fit.)

Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give
you:

In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk" (Acts 3:6).

I spent the last few days going through what remained of my
mom's clothes and personal belongings, sorting and searching and bagging up
the vast majority of it to donate to the Salvation Army. (To be honest,
there wasn't much left, as she'd already given away most of it while she was
still here with us.) I set everything out on the front porch, called for a
pick-up, and as of yesterday morning, it was gone.

Strange feeling, isn't it? We know we're only here for a short
time and that eternal life lies beyond, far better than anything we can
experience in this temporal setting. But the old saying, "You can't take it
with you," takes on a new depth of reality when we look upon the material
goods a loved one has left behind after "graduating to heaven."

Knowing that nothing we amass here on earth-whether billions of
dollars or just enough to eke out a meager existence-will accompany us on
that final journey through the valley of the shadow of death should give us
pause, as we consider those things that have eternal value. Peter nailed it
when he said to the crippled man, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I
do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and
walk."

It is those things we do in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth
that will follow us to heaven. The times we told others about the Father's
great love, so great that He would send His only Son to die for us; the
times we cried and prayed for lost loved ones and even nations lost in
darkness; the gifts we gave out of our own needs rather than our abundance.
The One whose name we do it in-Jesus Christ of Nazareth-sees it all, though
at times it may seem that no one sees or cares.

Silver and gold will be left behind when we breathe our last,
but our legacy of all we did in the name of Jesus will continue throughout
eternity. And it is the one thing that will remain when our deeds are judged
and we receive the crown of heaven-which we will promptly and joyously lay
at the Savior's feet.

May we daily give whatever we can in the matchless name of Jesus
Christ of Nazareth!

copyright 2011 Kathi Macias

Here's another great post regarding the question of pain in this life. My husband is currently battling shoulder disabilities, which made this doubly meaningful right now for me. Read, and be encouraged. I got this from John Piper's "Desiring God" blog which arrives daily in my inbox.

The Day of Your Deliverance Is Decreed
By Jon Bloom | Oct 14, 2011 01:30 am



She hobbled into the synagogue to hear the healing rabbi. Hoping against hope. You see, she “had had a disabling spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself” (Luke 13:10-11).

Eighteen years. How many of her tears had God collected in his bottle (Psalm 56:8)? How many of her prayers in his bowl (Revelation 5:8)?

Eighteen years of suffering. The slow burn of chronic pain had worn on her soul. She had suffered the loss of capacities she once took for granted. She had suffered the indignities of others’ pity and disgust. She had suffered their suspicion that her body was bent under the weight of divine judgment.

Did she know that her affliction was Satanic (Luke 13:16)?

God knew. He knew all the ways she suffered, better than she did. And God had long permitted Satan to afflict her. Long, at least, for time-bound creatures whose mortal lives are measured in decades, not millennia (2 Peter 3:8).

Why? We rarely are given answers to such questions.

But we get a rare answer in this woman’s story. For suddenly, in that little synagogue, the grace of God engulfs her in the compassion of God the Son:

When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your disability.” And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight. (Luke 13:12-13)

Just like that. Eighteen years of bondage and with a look, a word, and a touch, the sea of her suffering parts. She has her exodus. This was the day God had decreed her deliverance.
God’s Compassion Is Patient

All those weary years of grief just to find that her pain had been predestined to play a part in revealing Messiah to Israel. God had not been slow to show his compassion; he had been patient (2 Peter 3:9). Was it worth it? “She glorified God” (Luke 13:13).
God’s Compassion Is Purposeful

Jesus’ compassion and this woman’s pain also had had a far-reaching purpose. If you, like this woman, discovered that your seemingly meaningless affliction turned out to be infused with meaning beyond what you imagined possible and resulted in joy inexpressible and filled with glory (1 Peter 1:8) for you and a multitude of others, would it be worth it? Sit down and catch your breath. It is. It’s promised to you (2 Corinthians 4:17).
God’s Compassion Is Powerful

And his compassion was powerful. When the synagogue ruler objected to such mercy as Sabbath-breaking, he found himself rebuked by the Lord of the Sabbath:

You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger and lead it away to water it? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?” As he said these things, all his adversaries were put to shame, and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him. (Luke 13:14-17)

Not all the adversaries that were shamed were seen. Yes, the ruler of the synagogue and likely some Pharisees were humiliated. But Satan far more. This woman had been his captive and he had been disarmed and overthrown with a compassionate word. A horrible harbinger of an approaching defeat he was fighting like hell to thwart.

And it was a holy harbinger of an approaching final deliverance for all who love the Lord’s appearing:

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. (Revelation 21:4)

In this age, it is not the tears or mourning or crying or pain or death that is strange. “The whole world lies in the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19). What’s strange is their defeat.
Your Deliverance Is Coming

Today you may say with Job, “my complaint is bitter; my hand is heavy on account of my groaning” (Job 23:2). You may say with Moses, “Return, O Lord! How long? Have pity on your servants. . . Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, and for as many years as we have seen evil” (Psalm 90:13-15).

But you need to know that, like this disabled woman, the patient, purposeful, powerful compassion of God in Christ for you is approaching like a relentless torrent. The day of your deliverance is decreed. It will come with a sudden joy. Every adversary will be shamed. Every tear will be wiped away. And the days he will make you glad will drown the days you have seen evil into glorious and happy oblivion (Romans 8:18).

________

Recent posts from Jon Bloom —

Love Is Patient
Neither Do I Condemn You
A Nationless Man for All Nations

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My father passed away last week. Thankfully, I was able to be present with him, along with my four sisters and my mother. I'm even more thankful that I know where Dad is, that I knew, during his suffering, where he was headed, and that one day I will see him again. When that day comes, we will both be perfectly human (perfected humans) in perfect bodies, in a glorious heaven--a new earth (also perfect, as it was before the Fall).

Many people seem to think that humans become angels or live forever as disembodied spirits in a pie-in-the-sky heaven that is ethereal. I beg to differ. The Bible, (apart from saying that we shall "meet the Lord in the air,") does not teach these common fallacies. Instead, we shall inhabit a new earth! Not a fallen earth, like the one we live in now, but a new and glorious earth without tears, or sorrow, or pain.

I look forward to this, and while I'm still here, I want to help other people know about God's beautiful plans for eternity,so that I may see and enjoy them there, but even more so that THEY may enjoy God and His fabulous new earth, also.

For these reasons, when I read Kathi Macias's devotion this week it resounded in my spirit. I copy it below for your edification:

O LORD, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup;
You maintain my lot.
The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;
Yes, I have a good inheritance (Psalm 16:5-6).



My mom passed away a couple of months ago, and I heard many glowing tributes to her at her memorial service. It seemed Mom touched many lives and left quite a legacy behind, though that legacy included nothing material because, when Mom died at 90, she no longer had anything material or monetary left to pass on to others. Her legacy was strictly that of fond memories, blessed relationships, and spiritual encouragement.

And that’s the point. As believers, we have the greatest heritage imaginable—God Himself! The psalmist says that the Lord is his inheritance, and He is ours as well. The psalmist also declares that his inheritance is a good one. Though some may inherit mansions or yachts or huge bank accounts when loved ones die, believers inherit the God of the Universe, the Savior of mankind, an unending life of joy and peace and light.

This is an inheritance that should not only cause us to rejoice but to do everything possible to impart that same inheritance to others. As Christians who desire to glorify God, this should be our main focus, our primary goal, each and every day, every moment that we walk this earth. We know the old saying that we can’t “take it [material things] with us” is true, but it is also true that the only treasures we can take with us to heaven and lay at the feet of Jesus are the lives we influence for God’s Kingdom.

The lines truly have fallen to us in pleasant places, dear fellow believers, for we have a good heritage—too good to keep to ourselves. Let’s resolve, while we still have breath within us, to pass it on to as many others as we can!



***My newest releases, Deliver Me From Evil and A Christmas Journey Home, are now available at most online venues and in bookstores across the country. You can find/order them, along with previously published books, on my website (www.kathimacias.com). You can also get a free download of the first two chapters of Deliver Me From Evil at www.newhopedigital.com.


***Kathi Macias, PO Box 772, Homeland, CA 92548

www.kathimacias.com

www.thetitus2women.com

Until next time,

Linore

RECOMMENDED ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: HEAVEN, by Randy Alcorn
and, HEAVEN IS FOR REAL, Todd Burpo

The Gospel in a Nutshell

This small portion of scripture explains the hope we have in Christ, succinctly and without any ado. Share it with someone new to the faith or someone seeking to understand what Christians believe. I like to keep this one near my phone to remind newer believers who may be struggling to feel "good enough" to deserve God's goodness. It's a great reminder that we never have to try and be anything we're not, including "good enough." Salvation is a gift, pure and simple.

"He saved us, but not because of anything we had done to gain his approval. Instead, because of his mercy he saved us through the washing in which the Holy Spirit gives us new birth and renewal. God poured a generous amount of the Spirit on us through Jesus Christ our Savior. As a result, God in his kindness has given us his approval and we have become heirs who have the confidence that we have everlasting life.

Titus 3:5-7

What about you? Do you have a favorite portion of scripture that gives the gospel in a nutshell? (Besides John 3:16, that is!)

Sometimes, just hearing the truth worded a little differently from that which we're most familiar with gives us a new opportunity to digest it more deeply or in a new way. And we can never tell ourselves the gospel too often.

Warmest blessings,

Linore

To Whom Do You Pledge?

This is a beautiful little YouTube from the AFA (American Family Association).
Posting here just to share a minutes' reflection with you.
Warmest blessings,

Linore

Watch NOW

Here's a link to the site where I found the above image--another good values place, where the memory of 9/11 is uppermost.

Today's "guest post" is from a friend who sent me the following in an email. It's refreshing, though eerie in a way, to hear someone finally calling the kettle black.
Our nation is attempting to hide its sins by euphemisms, but Christians are called to be "truth and light." Read the following short prayer for a little light today.
Also, adopt the burden of praying for this sorry state of our country!

Linore

Billy Graham's Prayer For Our Nation

'Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values.. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem. We have abused power and called it politics. We have coveted our neighbour's possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honoured values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and Set us free. Amen!'
With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep over our nation and wholeheartedly become our desire so that we again can be called 'One nation under God!'

Woman: God’s Beautiful Creation

Sharon Jaynes

I was sitting in a crowded restaurant with my family when she walked by in her full-length white satin dress delicately trimmed in lace and studded with tiny “jewels,” crinoline that swished as she moved across the room, a rhinestone tiara upon her head, and pearl studded slippers on her feet. Golden ringlets framed her rosy cheeks and puckered lips glistened with a hint of gloss. She knew she was beautiful and glanced around at the admiring smiles of onlookers as she walked through the crowd. She was three-years-old.


I’m not sure when the dream of being beautiful enters a little girl’s mind, but I do know when the dream ends – when the preacher says, “may she rest in peace.”

I remember as a little girl sneaking into my mother’s closet and slipping my child-size feet into her size seven high heels. I’d also stand on my tiptoes on a chair, pull a hat off the top shelf, and plop it on my head like an oversized lampshade. Her satin evening jacket with sleeves that hug eight inches below my finger tips gave a nice elegant touch to my outfit. A lady going to a party would never be caught without “putting on her face,” so I crept into the bathroom, opened the forbidden drawer, and created a clownish work of art on the palette of my face. Red rouge circles on my cheeks, heaps of blue eye shadow on my munchkin lids, and smeared orange lipstick far exceeding the proper border were finished off with a dusting of facial powder with an oversized brush.

From the time a little girl stretches on her tiptoes to get a peek in the mirror, she desires to be beautiful – perhaps like her mommy. As the girl moves into the teen years, she experiments with makeup, delves into fashion, and attempts various hairstyles. Then it’s on to makeover ideas in magazines and on talk shows. If one idea doesn’t work – well there’s always next month.

I believe the dream to be beautiful is not cultural, but at the very core of womanhood. John Eldredge, in his book Wild at Heart, describes three longings that lie at the heart of every man: a battle to fight, a beauty to rescue, an adventure to live. He also ventures to say that women have three longings of the heart as well: to be fought for, to share in an adventure, and to have her beauty unveiled. “Not to conjure,” Eldredge explains, “but to unveil. Most women feel the pressure to be beautiful from very young, but that is not what I speak of. There is also a deep desire to simply and truly be the beauty and be delighted in. Most little girls will remember playing dress up, or wedding day, or ‘twirling skirts,’ those flowing dresses that were perfect for spinning around in. She’ll put her pretty dress on, come into the living room and twirl. What she longs for is to capture her daddy’s delight.” (John Eldredge, Wild at Heart (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2001) p16-17)

We should never be ashamed of our dream to be beautiful. It is a travesty of the feminist movement that has tried to strip women of their femininity and make them more male. It is as if those in the movement were saying that being a woman wasn’t good enough and tried to make us into men. So they tried to make women tough, independent and rugged individuals who didn’t need anyone or anything. But those who were banking on the tenants of feminism were left spiritually and emotionally bankrupt.

A woman was and is one of God’s most magnificent creations. As a matter of fact, she was His grand finale. After He fashioned Eve, creation was complete and He took a rest! God has placed in our hearts a love for beauty and a desire to be beautiful – as He defines it.

In the New Testament, Paul writes, “For we are God’s workmanship” (Ephesians 2:10). The Greek word for workmanship means a work of art. Listen to these words as David describes the Creator at work.

For you created my inmost being;
You knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
When I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
Your eyes saw my unformed body. (Psalm 139:13-16)

Like an artist who sees the finished work in his mind’s eye, God saw your unformed substance and then began to fashion you from head to toe. He made no mistakes but planned each detail of your being. You do not need to compare yourself to other works of art, but thank the Artist for how He chose to create the masterpiece called…you.

How would you like to stop right now and thank God for the wonder of you? Let’s pray together:

Dear Lord, thank you for making each and every part of my being. For eyes that see, ears that hear, legs that move, fingers that feel, arms that hug, feet that run, a heart that beats, a brain that thinks, a tongue that tastes. Oh Lord, forgive me when I complain about your workmanship and wish for something different. Help me to always remember that I am your workmanship…and you make no mistakes.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen

As you go about the rest of your day, make a mental list of all the parts of your body that you are thankful for. You may even want to jot them down. This could take quite some time and perhaps you’ll need to come back to your list several times before it is complete. Then go back and thank God for each one. You are quite a work of art!



Originally posted July 28, 2009.

This article was adapted from Sharon Jaynes’ book Dreams of a Woman: God’s Plan for Fulfilling Your Dreams. To learn more about Sharon’s ministry and other books, visit www.sharonjaynes.com
(Post from CrosswalkFaith Update)

20 Promises For Your Life--from God

(Updated-- and with a free giveaway for leaving a comment.)

It's all happening starting today at Gail Pallotta's blog.

Stop by, leave a comment and you might win my short story "Coach and Four: Allisandra's Tale."

Enjoy reading about promises in the Bible for you, and good luck in the drawing!
Warmest Blessings,

Linore

Read the First Chapter of Before the Season EndsFor Free

Press on the blank screen icon (small rectangle) and a new screen will open on your pc. Enjoy!

Warmly,

Linore

What Does the Lord Look For?

Today's post comes from my current read, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World," by Joanna Weaver.





Are you a little bit Mary and a little bit Martha? Or, as in my case, a whole lot of Martha?! Read on for encouragement. God doesn't expect us to live in any extreme, but he does expect us to be transformed from either extreme as we grow closer to Him. We can have balance in our lives if we learn how to.

Ms. Weaver says:

"(God) isn't looking as much for workers as he is looking for sons and daughters--a people to pour his life into."

..."When we put work before worship, we put the cart before the horse. The cart is important; but the horse must come first, or we end up pulling the cart ourselves. Frustrated and weary, we can nearly break under the pressure of service, for there is always something that needs to be done."

"When we first spend time in his presence--when we take time to hear his voice--God provides the horsepower we need to pull the heaviest load. He saddles up Grace and invites us to take a ride."

Amen to that.

Later she adds, .."Good news is woven through the New Testament in a grace-filled strand that shines especially bright in the Gospel stories of Mary and Martha. The message is this: Salvation isn't about what I do; it's about what Jesus did."

I don't know about you, but these are good thoughts for me to begin my day with!
Warmest blessings,

Linore

Summer is Flying By...

Summer is FLYING by. June was politely sedate in its stride, though tempestuous and moody in its weather. But since July 4th, the days seem to fall one upon another like dominoes crashing or a house of cards collapsing.

There can never be enough blue-sky, green-field days of July!

Hey, I'm a guest on Lynn Squire's blog today, sharing parts of my testimony I don't usually talk about! Click through if you're interested... Faith, Fiction, Fun and Fanciful: Interview with Linore Rose Burkard: "A fellow historical fiction writer, Linore Rose Burkard, joins us today. Linore, thank you for coming. Her featured book (The House in Gro..."

Got Little Ones?

"If I had my child to raise all over again, I'd build
self-esteem first, and the house later. I'd finger-paint
more, and point the finger less. I would do less correcting
and more connecting. I'd take my eyes off my watch, and
watch with my eyes. I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play. I would run
through more fields and gaze at more stars. I'd do more
hugging and less tugging."
Diane Loomans

Have you played with your child today? Summers speed by so don't forget to make it one they'll remember.

Click the photo and "save as" to your desktop. Then print out the picture, a free sample from Dover Books, to enjoy with your little one.

20 Promises For Your Life

Psalm 91 has long been one of my favorite portions of Scripture and this morning I was reminded why. Did you know that tucked inside the 16 verses of this Psalm are no less than 20 promises?

It's true.

There are nineteen instances of what God WILL do for the believer, and one "I WILL" (a promise) by the believer. That makes 20 promises. Nineteen for us to receive and one for us to do. I'd say that's a generous ratio!

Let's take a closer look:

1. Whoever lives under the shelter of the Most High WILL remain in the shadow of the Almighty. (vs.1)

2. I WILL say of the LORD, You are my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.(vs.2)

3. He is the one who WILL rescue you from hunters' traps and from the deadly plagues.(vs.3)

4. He WILL cover you with his feathers,
5. and under his wings you WILL find refuge. His truth is your shield and armor.(vs.4)

6. You do not need to fear terrors of the night, arrows that fly during the day,
plagues that roam the dark, epidemics that strike at noon. They WILL not come near you...(vs.6-7)

7. No harm WILL come to you.(vs.10)

8. No sickness WILL come near your house. (vs.10)

9. He WILL put his angels in charge of you to protect you in all your ways.(vs.11)

10. They WILL carry you in their hands so that you never hit your foot against a rock.(vs.12)

11. You WILL step on lions and cobras.(vs.13)

12. You WILL trample young lions and snakes.(vs.13)

13. Because you love me, I WILL rescue you.(vs.14)

14. I WILL protect you because you know my name. (vs.14)

15. When you call to me, I WILL answer you.(vs.15)

16. I WILL be with you when you are in trouble. (vs.15)

17. I WILL save you and honor you.(vs.15)

18. I WILL satisfy you with a long life. (vs.16)

19. I WILL show you (vs.16)

20. how I WILL save you. (vs.16)

Wasn't that fun? I love "unpacking" the scriptures, as my pastor, John Butler, likes to say. This is an amazing Psalm. What promises are speaking to you today?
What promises do you want to remember? Write them down somewhere now.

"For all the promises of God in Christ are yea and Amen!" (2 Cor.1:20)

Goodbye for Now!

My blogging here has been dismal lately, but with surgery scheduled this month--as well as an aggressive writing schedule--I've regretfully decided to put both my blogs on hold. (My other blog is: http://shesgotcharacter.blogspot.com, which I've kept up with.)

I've got some novels in the works and I need to concentrate on them--as well as my family and my recuperation, so I'm saying goodbye for now, but God willing, I'll pick up again in the future.

I look forward to going forward this year, holding His hand, and I pray you do the same. I'll still be leading some workshops as part of the team behind Greater Harvest Workshops. We're tentatively scheduled for mini-conferences in July in Centerville, Ohio, and October in Middletown, Ohio. Get on the Greater Harvest mailing list (or join my mailing list on my website) for updates and more information as those months approach. I also hope to be part of a Captivating Women conference this year with Erin Campbell Ministries. So--I'll be around!

I'll very likely be "resurrecting" this blog again at some point this year, so stay tuned for more here, also.

Thanks so much for being my reader, and I pray that God blesses 2011 abundantly for you!

Until we meet again,
Yours with love,

Linore
PS: Please feel free to browse the archives here for something that may encourage you on a rainy day. And I am always available via email at Linore (at) LinoreRoseBurkard (dot) com. (no spaces)