Banana Cocoa Cookies

One whole banana mashed

2 tsp baking soda

1 stick of butter softened

2 1/2 cups white flour

3/4 c organic cane sugar

1/4 c brown sugar

4 oz yogurt 

A dash of kosher salt
2-3 tsp cocoa powder 

1 egg

Bake @ 375 for 8 min

When I'm Broken, When I'm Rebuilding What Does God Want For Me?

Enemies Oppose the Rebuilding

Nehemiah 4 [a] Sanballat was very angry when he learned that we were rebuilding the wall. He flew into a rage and mocked the Jews,2 saying in front of his friends and the Samarian army officers, “What does this bunch of poor, feeble Jews think they’re doing? Do they think they can build the wall in a single day by just offering a few sacrifices?[b] Do they actually think they can make something of stones from a rubbish heap—and charred ones at that?”

Sometimes we feel weak, poor, feeble, like nothing more than a burnt (by people who've hurt or disappointed us or by the enemy who puts us through fiery trials) pile of worthless trash-rubbish. The enemy mocks us and is enraged by our decision to follow God's call. 

This picture is actually from Isreal, taken by my amazing sister Rebekah Strangarity @ https://boosharesnews.wordpress.com/  … How often do we see ourselves like this-broken, useless, fallen… But He calls us to rebuild.

3 Tobiah the Ammonite, who was standing beside him, remarked, “That stone wall would collapse if even a fox walked along the top of it!” 4 Then I prayed, “Hear us, our God, for we are being mocked. May their scoffing fall back on their own heads, and may they themselves become captives in a foreign land! 5 Do not ignore their guilt. Do not blot out their sins, for they have provoked you to anger here in front of[c] the builders.”

Those surrounding us may see us as weak, feeble, broken or about to collapse... But no matter who sees our weakness and vulnerability we MUST remember who we are in Christ and not allow our enemy to forget his future.

(Picture from the wonderful Bekah again! Used with permission❤️)

6 At last the wall was completed to half its height around the entire city, for the people had worked with enthusiasm.

Don't just DO the work of rebuilding your walls, your house, your temple... DO THE WORK WITH ENTHUSIASM! 

7 [d]But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites heard that the work was going ahead and that the gaps in the wall of Jerusalem were being repaired, they were furious. 8 They all made plans to come and fight against Jerusalem and throw us into confusion. 9 But we prayed to our God and guarded the city day and night to protect ourselves.

The enemy sees God's work and our choice to rebuild and work to God's glory in our lives and he becomes furious and plans to create confusion in us. In turn, we MUST pray and we MUST guard our hearts and minds and family DAY and NIGHT! 

10 Then the people of Judah began to complain, “The workers are getting tired, and there is so much rubble to be moved. We will never be able to build the wall by ourselves.”

When we become defeated and tired and overwhelmed it is often in our isolation so we MUST recognize the NECESSITY of not fighting alone! 

11 Meanwhile, our enemies were saying, “Before they know what’s happening, we will swoop down on them and kill them and end their work.” 12 The Jews who lived near the enemy came and told us again and again, “They will come from all directions and attack us!”[e] 

Some versions actually say they said this TEN TIMES... Could you just imagine the redundancy and frustration? After about five times of saying that it feels like, "HELLO WE GET THE POINT!" Yet how often do we get lax in our Christian walk and forget that we've got a very violent and angry enemy camping nearby that we MUST stand on constant guard against their attacks....

13 So I placed armed guards behind the lowest parts of the wall in the exposed areas. I stationed the people to stand guard by families, armed with swords, spears, and bows.

We MUST begin recognizing and being aware of our most vulnerable, lowest, weakest points and willing to STATION PEOPLE who will stand guard alongside us in battle ARMED with (our only defensive weapon, Ephesians 6:17) the SWORD of the Spirit which is THE WORD of God! So often we neglect our weapon against the enemy's schemes and attack and we try to fight and wage war unarmed. 

14 Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the nobles and the rest of the people and said to them, “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!”

We MUST REFUSE to be afraid. We must NOT fear, but instead must walk in FAITH and boldness BY remembering THE LORD who I Great and Glorious. WE must arm ourselves for fighting by knowing God's Word, by keeping always at our side, by holding it always and fighting for our families! 

15 When our enemies heard that we knew of their plans and that God had frustrated them, we all returned to our work on the wall. 

We must keep working, keep building, trusting God! 

16 But from then on, only half my men worked while the other half stood guard with spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. The leaders stationed themselves behind the people of Judah 17 who were building the wall. 

Gather a band of brothers and sisters who will create a plan of action with one's willing to help rebuild alongside you and also ones willing to stand guard around you while you do the work of rebuilding what's been torn down or broken within your heart and life. 

The laborers carried on their work with one hand supporting their load and one hand holding a weapon. 18 All the builders had a sword belted to their side. 

No one fighting or rebuilding alongside us should be unarmed. Everyone NEEDS Gods Word on hand, ready, on standby, within reach, on our person, CLOSE to our hearts and on our side. 

The trumpeter stayed with me to sound the alarm.19 Then I explained to the nobles and officials and all the people, “The work is very spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall.20 When you hear the blast of the trumpet, rush to wherever it is sounding. Then our God will fight for us!”

I look at the trumpeter as the prayer warrior. We NEED the valuable team player who is unafraid to LOUDLY and BOLDLY call out for and to GOD for help! And then we must trust God WILL fight FOR us! 

21 We worked early and late, from sunrise to sunset. 

Be ready, ALWAYS--up early, up late, always working! 

And half the men were always on guard. 22 I also told everyone living outside the walls to stay in Jerusalem. That way they and their servants could help with guard duty at night and work during the day. 23 During this time, none of us—not I, nor my relatives, nor my servants, nor the guards who were with me—ever took off our clothes. We carried our weapons with us at all times, even when we went for water.[f]

NO MATTER WHAT we must ALWAYS keep God's word (the sword, our weapon) READY-on us-in us-close by our side... Even in the simple, everyday tasks. Make His Word our best companion! 

The Way, The Truth, The Life

God,

You're big enough.

You're always trustworthy.

You are completely just and completely mercy all at once.

You heal my wounds and you promise life.

You don't fail.

You're faithfulness is unending.

My heart is in Your hands.

You formed me because I had purpose and meaning and beauty in Your eyes.

Thanks for the way you haven't left my side.

Thanks for the blessings of  joy in my life.

You are the only One fit to wear a crown.

Yet You place it on my undeserving head.

My desire is to lay my life down, you've shown me how.

Teach me that there is beauty in laying down my life to find

The Way, the Truth and The Life!

Amen.

Journal entry 2/08/2015

For years now journal entries have contained my conversations with God about what He has called and created me to be.

This day was different though.

Almost exactly a year ago now God spoke.

In a new way.

2/08/15

I've let fear lead me for so long. Today Sean and I discussed career dreams again. But, it always raises my anxiety to a high level. I feel defeated and like a failure before I've even tried. I've already been living out my dream of being a wife and a mom. If I view my goal and dream of Midwifery step by step, year by year, class by class, semester by semester, exam and assignment at a time I just mah be successful and able to accomplish the BSN and onto Midwifery Doctorate. One day I may look back on this journal entry and this choice of view shift as a pivotal moment to me living out my dreams, passions and callings.
Sean's belief in me is a backbone of faith and encouragement. What a blessing to have such a supportive partner in life and dreams!


As we discussed this choice we chose to wait until the Summer of 2016 for the kids to be a bit more ready for me to spend more time away. They are still my number one dream and blessing and responsibility. I am believing God will continue to mold me into the woman He has created me to be. I'm so excited as I step out in faith in these big ways for what He has planned for my life! I'm still scared. But as they say, "do it afraid"! I love how God gave me a strong passion and desire for seeing families whole and healthy and understanding child growth and development. And that He led me to Early Childhood Education and Bible as my first Degree. I love how He melts all our passions and dreams into one beautiful picture.

As I was at a beautiful worship event this summer a word was spoken over me. I will cherish it as sacred and continue pursuing all that God has called me to in creating a CD and the books He is speaking into my heart and using them as teaching opportunities. Taking it very seriously as teachers are held accountable for all they lead others into... My heart will cry out Truth always! Even when my voice shakes. Even when it hurts. And always in full knowledge of the great grace my soul has been offered--oh what a joyous reason to rejoice--I was lost, I am weak, I am a weary sinner but His hand is greater still and in His hands I am set free! Praise God!

So go on, don't let fear hold you back any longer! Go pursue your dreams! It is, after all, HIM, who places them within us. He wants to see us pursue and create and be all He has called us to be and accomplish!

All glory to God!

Thanking His voice for speaking to me!

-Abi

On those days when the body is aching from a cold...

STEW!

Stew is the answer!

THIS STEW



Recipe:
- Base is about 1/2 gallon of water and about 1/4 cup of milk (we often use Lactaid because of an intolerance in the family)
- 1/2 C of unsalted butter
- 15 oz. pre-cooked pulled chicken (I used leftovers from a Rotisserie)
- 1 large organic carrot, diced
- 1 seven bean mix (1.25 lbs. of dry beans)
- A good dose of salt over the top of the soup
- 1/2 a small onion, diced
- 1 clove of garlic, diced
- A handful of portabella (baby Bella) mushrooms, diced

Crockpot on high 8-10 hours, stir every couple hours

Married with kids...

Just a short blog about married with kids...

The other night he did it.

He said that thing that struck that chord.

But I held my breath and my tongue and waited and purposed in my heart to hear him out.

And then I did it.

I said that thing that was in my heart.

But not right away.

I said a quick prayer in my heart that I purposed this year to do each time I am tempted to be led by emotions rather than truth.

And I invited God into my emotions and my response.

And something pretty neat happened.

I voiced my heart in calmness and poise, but in truth.

 Back the story up... I said some harsh words and admitted right away I meant them to be harsh so he could see how his words have lately been toward me (that was wise and godly right?!--NOT!) so then he entered the room and shut the door behind him. UH OH!

Then he said it.

The root.

And so I listened and determined a solution to uprooting that root and instead finding healthy water to grow the tree of our marriage stronger.

So with honesty and communication we both chose instead of not recognizing or admitting a root to bring it from darkness into light.

But not only that, we then also spoke in controlled ways and decided that action had to be taken to remove unhealthy weed roots and action had to be taken to water our relationship so not only weed out the bad but also water in the good in its place!!

Bottom line, I will let you guess about what we discussed! In marriage there are many times when disagreement and hurt can damage the relationship... But we have coined the saying we may fight hard but we will ALWAYS choose to love harder!

Questions to ask yourself today:
-What weeds need removed from our hearts and lives in order to make room for healthier roots to thrive?
-What ways can we water our marriage tree?
-Have I invited God into my emotional responses?
-Have I committed to ALWAYS LOVE HARDER?
-Have I not only communicated my needs/desires but also taken time to brainstorm a root and a solution?

Ephesians 4:31-32New Living Translation (NLT)

31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Praying God is involved in our marriages today in a new way! 

Blessings friends! 

WOULD YOU DO ME A FAVOR?

If you read and appreciated this post today would you be willing to send me some marriage topics you would like hearing more about to help grow your marriage tree stronger?! If you read marriage blogs from husband and wife perspective what would you appreciate growing more understanding in?! Thanks so much in advance!
Abi.dougherty@yahoo.com

Love.

The burden.

The weight.

It rests on me.

I try to let it go or refocus my thoughts or shift them.

But still it remains.

Heavy on me.

Like a dull beating drum.

Like the panting of a race horse after the heat.

Love has become lie.

Fiercely drown out is truth.

Sincerity disparity God gives us clarity.

I don't know a single father who would let their son wander to the edge of a chasm

Or one single mother who would be acting in love to let them explore beyond the boundary

Where safety is threatened

But freedom has beckoned

Is it freedom at all though, past the edge, off the ledge?

Many of us pledge we walk in love

But like Chris Rice sang,

"sometimes Love has to drive a nail into His own hand."

Love, sincere love, hates what is evil, clings to good.

Love, sincere love, sacrifices, repents, forgives,

Walks humbly, justly, rightly

Lays itself, self, I said self, down

Fully ready and expectant, expectant, I said expectant

To stand in truth, to stand, stand, I said stand

Love, sincere love, recognizes the great cost involved with true love

It bows low regularly,

Leaving the burden

The weight

Rest on me

Like a freedom, freedom, I said freedom that is truly not free

This freedom cost Him everything

And left me with the greatest gift

The only of three to remain

Faith, hope

And

Love.