tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46333921632504550842024-03-05T21:29:21.650-08:00LeslieKJPurposeful Steps
" I run with purpose in every step"
1 Corinthians 9:26Leslie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09959978030430931007noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4633392163250455084.post-87610188232684019012009-09-07T18:40:00.001-07:002009-11-22T19:58:00.610-08:00Now how did that happen???<div align="center"><strong>Tonight I was catching up on some of the blogs I read and I stumbled across an article that listed the top 100 Christian blogs, and do you know what I found?</strong></div><div align="center"><strong></strong></div><div align="center"><strong>Mine was not one there!?!?!?! </strong></div><div align="center"><strong></strong></div><div align="center"><strong>How dare they.</strong></div><div align="center"><strong></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Heheheheheheheh</span>!!!</strong></div><div align="center"><strong></strong></div><div align="center"><strong>Sorry, thought I would lighten the mood. :)</strong></div><div align="center"><strong></strong></div><div align="center"><strong>Anyway, I thought I would pass the <a href="http://churchrelevance.com/about/resources/top-church-blogs/">link</a> along because there are some great ones on it and you might find a new one to read yourself.</strong></div><div align="center"><strong></strong></div><div align="center"><strong>And....I am trying to get back in the habit again. Please be patient faithful readers. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Ok</span>, reader. </strong></div>Leslie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09959978030430931007noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4633392163250455084.post-67257505297648320882009-08-22T21:49:00.000-07:002009-08-22T21:52:21.569-07:00I'm Still Alive<div align="center">Hello Blogging World!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">No, I'm not dead.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Yes, I am in Austin, Texas now.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Yes, I know I have been a BAD blogger.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">No, I have not given up on this hear little blog.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">I will get better.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">I will be blogging again. Soon. Sometime soon.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div>Leslie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09959978030430931007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4633392163250455084.post-71140924608619327092009-04-07T20:41:00.001-07:002009-04-07T21:01:06.410-07:00Saving Grace<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgnmwlut-DY2Nmd9ajew-WdmsTqNfhjGfROLx7BLINEfKwvlT_fMvURSKToOmUWo3GttRoxR09-WG2o8W3OM_eL51iZXZt3gpR76suweu-Rbd0UyZ_5ewk6-qo5HcjuHgHZ-3uAc-WNcU/s1600-h/saving+grace.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322160680403402082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgnmwlut-DY2Nmd9ajew-WdmsTqNfhjGfROLx7BLINEfKwvlT_fMvURSKToOmUWo3GttRoxR09-WG2o8W3OM_eL51iZXZt3gpR76suweu-Rbd0UyZ_5ewk6-qo5HcjuHgHZ-3uAc-WNcU/s400/saving+grace.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center">Yes, I watch Saving Grace.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">It is a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">television</span> show that comes on TNT on Monday nights.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Now, listen to what I am about to say. </div><div align="center">I <strong>AM NOT</strong> saying that it is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">OK</span> for everyone to watch this show. Yes, it is an adult show. There is a reason it does not come on until 10:00pm. I <strong>AM NOT</strong> saying that it is the cleanest show on television right now. It is a very adult show and I would not recommend it for a youth to watch. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">However, I love it. And here is the reason why.</div><div align="center">There is a "character" on the show named Earl. Earl is an angel. At first I thought he was supposed to be God, but in fact he is not. He is a ministering angel sent into these people's lives to guide them and essentially point them back to God.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Earl is the reason I love this show. He is so patient and loving. He is non-judgemental and has a calming presence. He is what I hope every angel to be. I have no theological data to back this up. It's just my theory, so take it with a grain of salt. :)</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Last night as I was watching the show I found myself thinking, "I wish I had a Earl angel." How great would it be to have an angel that just loved on you and comforted you and never judged you <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">unfairly</span>. </div><div align="center">I started thinking about how great it would be and found myself asking God why we didn't have that now. Why can't angels talk to us and minister to us in this way? I found myself getting a little sad.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Then, tonight at my accountability group I realized, I do have this. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Their called friends.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">They are people God uses in our lives to bring us hope and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">encouragement</span>. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">This might sound a little weird, but, who are you encouraging? Ever had a time in your life when you felt like you HAD to call a certain person and you just didn't know why? It's probably because God was wanting to use you in that moment to bring <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">encouragement</span> and hope. </div><div align="center"> People need hope. </div><div align="center">We all need hope. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">I am not saying that we are all angels, but maybe today you can obey God and bring someone a little bit of joy knowing that there is someone else out there who cares about them!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div>Leslie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09959978030430931007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4633392163250455084.post-19822302709625176332009-03-31T19:50:00.001-07:002009-03-31T20:26:06.479-07:00A Dark Part of The Path<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-NdjDYOgo0Q4T9J8EcXMDJbnjCBSuyhiNayVuidUMpJ1txwMPGwJF94zV6xssSj_tOoU0x1fMSY6rBAkSp4ZkBXmIhChQNTTh3qHq6031s2GjsneLpDv2P24vLH-P1oeGUa0C0jDQV8L/s1600-h/dark+path.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319550317137549522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-NdjDYOgo0Q4T9J8EcXMDJbnjCBSuyhiNayVuidUMpJ1txwMPGwJF94zV6xssSj_tOoU0x1fMSY6rBAkSp4ZkBXmIhChQNTTh3qHq6031s2GjsneLpDv2P24vLH-P1oeGUa0C0jDQV8L/s320/dark+path.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3klyGz4Jch3SCr5X2uhCdvK4qGGdqsO4_TMcmO6f6f8dA_WfzS_cZHid8Q1x-r8ThF20OZ56edl5t2WQWIk3W1WHDMRwNmbaY-y9icRnnzzaMMtom_6N_KyHycv6SDDLjfT7YRudNgeA1/s1600-h/dark+path.jpg"></a><div align="center">Tuesday nights are my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">accountability</span> group night. I am <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">fortunate</span> in the fact that my senior pastor's wife is a member of our group and always shares great in-sight into God's Word and shares what is going on in her own life. Tonight she was sharing a few verses that have stuck out to her over this last week and she mentioned Genesis 39:21 that says, "But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him His faithful love." She told us that this verse made her realize that God is always with us during our darkest times. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">At first I didn't think much of it, but as I was sitting there it began to sink in, and during my car ride home it began to grab a hold of me. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Let me give you some background.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">This last week, Jeff and I had our entire house re-carpeted, which meant that we had to move EVERYTHING out of the house so that the carpet could be laid down properly. This meant that we had to take apart our bed and sleep on our <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Aero</span>-Bed. We had to clear everything out of our kids rooms, our bathrooms and everything in between. Our house was in shambles, our normal routines were messed up and none of were getting any sleep. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Once everything was put back into place and we were all able to get some rest God began to reveal to me how much I rely on "things" for my happiness. I was really convicted because I saw the kind of person I became when just a few minor <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">conveniences</span> were taken away for just a short amount of time. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Unfortunately</span>, God was not done with me. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">This past week Jeff went to Texas to explore the possibility of him finding a job there. I guess, truth be told, I was hoping for a miracle and for Him to open the doors and Jeff to come home with a brand new job and everything be worked out.....the end. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Well, my husband did not come home with a job and I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">immediately</span> went into panic mode. I really tried not to, but my human nature took over and I gave in. I have gone through the entire range of emotions that we women possess. Fear. Anger. Guilt. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">But tonight, God held my hand and helped me to remember that He is still here. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">I knew this time of "waiting" was going to come. I knew it. I just didn't think it was going to be this hard. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">God had an amazing life planned out for Joseph. A life of dining with <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">royalty</span> and amazing responsibility, but it wasn't all fun and games. Joseph had to endure the "dark part of the path". A place were things don't go the way you planned them to. A place where God may be silent for a season. A place were it is dark and unfamiliar and there seems to be no one around.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Maybe things in your life are not going exactly as you hoped they would. Maybe you are in your dark part of the path as well. We all need to take comfort in the fact that God is still here with us. I know this is a very cliche saying, but " He is more interested in our character than our comfort". God had to mold Joseph in the rough times so that he (Joseph) could come through for Him in the great moments. I mean, who else could have had the strength to forgive his dead-beat brothers than a man who had to forgive the women who put him in jail for something he didn't do. I have always heard it said, "You are in the light who you are in the shadows". </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">During this time in my life I am learning that my comforts are not what should give me emotional stability. My circumstances should not determine my happiness. God is here in the dark places, ready to change me into the person He needs me to be for the next fifty years. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><br /><br /> </div><div></div>Leslie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09959978030430931007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4633392163250455084.post-82107589509582805922009-03-13T18:51:00.000-07:002009-03-13T19:01:01.565-07:00A little break.....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwozLh_O4czWgNBTnMfBkP4y4C20ZXWuDgLxKp0_lzx-53Ut9KUGRK0AQQ-4kHsLVUIIdkO9h1HhCCFLTgV3-BrcaXg5vYHZ9A42a8hHJP1moLhViEoXpgXhgfF16G6ejHvX1lR14w9Vhu/s1600-h/HomeForSaleSign.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312855767239277266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 108px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwozLh_O4czWgNBTnMfBkP4y4C20ZXWuDgLxKp0_lzx-53Ut9KUGRK0AQQ-4kHsLVUIIdkO9h1HhCCFLTgV3-BrcaXg5vYHZ9A42a8hHJP1moLhViEoXpgXhgfF16G6ejHvX1lR14w9Vhu/s200/HomeForSaleSign.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center">When Jeff and I were searching for our first home we always heard, "Buying a home is a true test of your marriage". Well...listen up, because I am here to set the records straight. Buying a home won't kill your marriage, but selling one will. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">OH MY WORD.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">I never, in all of my life, thought it would be this hard for two people to put a house on the market. And really, I guess it hasn't been THAT hard, but it sure has taken a tole on us. I have literally been exhausted every day this week and there is still soooooo much left to be done.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">So, with all of that being said, I think I'm going to join my <a href="http://www.jjohnsonlive.com/2009/03/big-announcement-little-break.html">husband</a> and take a blogging break. Just until next month. We have SOOOO much going on this month and I need to be focused. I also need to be in prayer and in God's Word. I need Him to speak to me so that I can share with y'all.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">I hope you can understand, and I'll see you on the other side!</div><div align="center">Love you!</div>Leslie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09959978030430931007noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4633392163250455084.post-89437416110296932009-03-08T12:18:00.000-07:002009-03-08T12:21:19.866-07:00Please Pray<div align="center">I do not know this man or this church, and that really doesb't matter. If you are reader of my blog, then I am asking you to please pray for this family. I can not imagine what they are going through right now.</div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,506820,00.html">http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,506820,00.html</a></div>Leslie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09959978030430931007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4633392163250455084.post-67722721367216861922009-03-07T13:47:00.001-08:002009-03-07T13:52:28.612-08:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtcKbIf3UNPxqPoL1h8PWQQgGo4pQHNdzWA63-cPa7wI2bPmAABZKIrhFSmz_sCbY2lKmKT_sealKqp42-xeJzUUpxYc08wlAXgt4vcxR_iBrwxqpSlaM22EMMQFd4YuFTw4hqMqSZF73Q/s1600-h/j0438890.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310566062216197026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 361px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 181px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtcKbIf3UNPxqPoL1h8PWQQgGo4pQHNdzWA63-cPa7wI2bPmAABZKIrhFSmz_sCbY2lKmKT_sealKqp42-xeJzUUpxYc08wlAXgt4vcxR_iBrwxqpSlaM22EMMQFd4YuFTw4hqMqSZF73Q/s200/j0438890.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center">This is how I feel like my life looks right now.<br /></div><div align="center">Sorry for the laps in posts this week, but life is moving pretty fast right now and I am doing good to just stay a float. <br /></div><div align="center">Nothing bad or sad, just fast paced.<br /></div><div align="center">I have been wanting to share with all of you, and now I feel the freedom to do so.<br /></div><div align="center">Jeff and I have been through a journey this last year and a half and it is all coming to a head recently. Here is the short version. <br /></div><div align="center">Jeff and I have been praying and seeking God for answers. God has been so good and has given extremely clear direction and we <strong>KNOW</strong> without a shadow of a doubt that He has spoken. We were both feeling un-settled with life and couldn't put our fingers on it. We are at a great church, filled with great and loving people who support us and challenge us on a regular basis. Our marriage was great, we loved our kids and for the most part were happy. <br /></div><div align="center">Jeff and I both have a passion for God’s church, specifically the leaders of His church. We want to see churches grow and prosper and become everything God had planned for them to be. So, through much prayer and exploration, Jeff is looking into a career of church consulting. Looking is a loose term because basically God is opening doors like crazy. I looked at Jeff the other night, and with utter amazement at what God is doing, asked him “Could this really be happening?”<br />I would love to share every little detail with you all, but it would just take too long. So instead, I’m going to ask for your prayers. <br />· In the next couple of weeks Jeff is traveling to Texas. These meetings could help us see if moving back to Texas is going to be a real possibility or not. Please pray that God leads in a <strong>MIGHTY</strong> way and that clear direction is given.<br />· At the end of April, Jeff is going to a week long training session. Please pray that he gets everything he needs.<br />· Please pray that our house sells BEFORE we move. This is what is keeping me up at night. We are getting new carpet and are making lots of touch ups. Our house is hopefully going to be on the market in the next couple of weeks.<br /></div><div align="center">All of these changes are taking a toll on me emotionally as well (the main reason I have not been blogging). We are giving up our dog Buddy. He has been my “furry” child for the last 11 years. I have taken both of my children off of the list for school next year at their pre-school. Basically, I’m cutting all of the ties and am having a hard time. I’m soooooo grateful to God for what He is doing and I know this is exactly what Jeff and I are supposed to be doing, but it is still hard. <br /></div><div align="center">Thank you all for your patience. Life will return to normal soon, and so will my posts!<br /> </div>Leslie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09959978030430931007noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4633392163250455084.post-13348349493879108442009-02-28T08:39:00.001-08:002009-02-28T09:02:21.970-08:00Shower Time - Part III<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_KB2v35WZrAMF5VdnOHoeS55qFUaqpHh8oj8kaamARG4RMb2P_bC_lSETJDHLNX0-Vbbd-9tlPmcy5u3P9XjloaIQcqZWkPDw_Xfud0gcaphwIv4zPSrxa-kw3z4mj-vQFv13TmV3H7z/s1600-h/chocolate-dipped-pretzels-fb.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307888849660207330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_KB2v35WZrAMF5VdnOHoeS55qFUaqpHh8oj8kaamARG4RMb2P_bC_lSETJDHLNX0-Vbbd-9tlPmcy5u3P9XjloaIQcqZWkPDw_Xfud0gcaphwIv4zPSrxa-kw3z4mj-vQFv13TmV3H7z/s200/chocolate-dipped-pretzels-fb.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I have actually made these several years in a row for Christmas gifts, but never thought to make them for a shower until the other day when another blog I follow suggested the idea! What fun!<br /><br />Just in case I lost ya, the yummy treats above are chocolate covered pretzel sticks. They are super easy (and affordable) little treats to make for any occasion. All you need is a little imagination on how you want them to turn out!<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Chocolate Covered Pretzel Sticks</span></strong><br />1 Bag Large Pretzel Sticks<br />1 Bag Chocolate Chips<br /><br />If you have a double boiler this process can go a lot smoother, however I have never had one so I made my own version and it works great! Just take a sauce pan and pour enough water in it to keep a boil for a while. I use a metal mixing bowl and place it over the sauce pan (when the water is boiling). Place the chocolate chips in the metal sauce pan and let them completely melt. Once the chocolate is a smooth <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">consistency</span>, then start dipping the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">pretzel</span> sticks in half way. I normally line a cookie sheet with wax paper and have it waiting nearby. Once you dip the sticks, place them on the tray. Now is the time to "decorate" them. This is where your creativity can come out! Here are a few suggestions:<br /><ul><li>Baby Shower-Girl: Use white chocolate with pink sprinkles</li><li>Baby Shower-Boy: Use white chocolate with blue sprinkles</li><li>Christmas handouts(these make great teachers gifts):Use white or dark chocolate with crushed <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">peppermints</span>, or <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Christmas</span> colored sprinkles.</li></ul><p>There are <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">sooooooo</span> many new items out there for candy/cookie decorations. A personal favorite is the colored sugars. They are very classic and pretty. At Christmas time I buy the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">cellophane</span> bags from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Walmart</span>, put a few chocolate covered pretzels in them and wrap them up in a bow. So cute and very affordable! </p><p>Anyway, have fun! Give it a try and let me know how it goes!</p><p>By the way, I know the topics have been kinda light around here lately. Thanks for hanging in with me. Next week I'm going to be getting back to some more serious <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">items</span>. See ya then!</p></div>Leslie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09959978030430931007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4633392163250455084.post-64510780479259587492009-02-26T18:42:00.000-08:002009-02-26T18:53:45.747-08:00Shower Time - Part II<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidkOj1TWViq27-jGZf5WiPRVyu9x_uckgyej9Re2MjTX7-Urr0XSN6rd7Yk28hYo9an2wBGLX8DJfiSwP2Wa5QIZ2Loh8vd4FkFF0APB5EppWOZwjXx_8ZFChY4qTpyqgLk0Q6IS7GxDC8/s1600-h/babyshower.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307302941403664018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 160px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidkOj1TWViq27-jGZf5WiPRVyu9x_uckgyej9Re2MjTX7-Urr0XSN6rd7Yk28hYo9an2wBGLX8DJfiSwP2Wa5QIZ2Loh8vd4FkFF0APB5EppWOZwjXx_8ZFChY4qTpyqgLk0Q6IS7GxDC8/s200/babyshower.jpg" border="0" /></a>There are so many things I enjoy about baby showers, but the food is always at the top of the list. </div><div align="center">My favorite thing to eat is petit fours (the tiny little cake bites covered in frosting with a cute decoration on top)! YUM-O!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Here is another thing I love to take. It is so easy to make and every time I make it I am always asked for the recipe.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Sweet Meatballs</span></strong> </div><div align="center">1 package frozen meatballs (I like to use the mini sized ones)</div><div align="center">1 Jar Chili Sauce</div><div align="center">1 Can Jellied Cranberry's</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">In a sauce pan over medium heat, add all of the ingredients. Simmer for 10-15 and enjoy.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">YES, it is that easy and they are so good. Be sure to bring toothpicks with you and don't expect to bring any home!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">If there is something you are know for making and taking to a baby shower, then please share! I love having new things to add to my recipe book!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><br /> </div><div align="center"></div>Leslie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09959978030430931007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4633392163250455084.post-57024965188865126672009-02-24T12:09:00.001-08:002009-02-24T12:35:05.933-08:00Shower Time<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_WTPcyIxCXhvZ8azRtLoIqjuX-M1GnbklRlychC07am9RgSwGyNLz_OH_2FVuFerDErfJ-mcnGEIzFATeX017DZILQoHaw87yWICMNGo3cZlUGoYIGjMj44k33yodMirQe7pvB8pIxLC2/s1600-h/punch+bowl.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306458760491465714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 184px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_WTPcyIxCXhvZ8azRtLoIqjuX-M1GnbklRlychC07am9RgSwGyNLz_OH_2FVuFerDErfJ-mcnGEIzFATeX017DZILQoHaw87yWICMNGo3cZlUGoYIGjMj44k33yodMirQe7pvB8pIxLC2/s200/punch+bowl.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I am starting to feel like I am coming down with something, so...I'm going to keep this week light. (I am drinking plenty of fluids and taking my vitamins :) )<br /><br />Anyway, the season is upon us. Shower Season. Baby Showers!!! I LOVE baby showers! Love the food, love the decorations, love the gifts, love the fellowship and my favorite ones are when the baby has already been born because then we all get to hold it and love on it and get our baby fix without having to take it home!! :)<br />SO...in light of this special time of year I thought I would post three yummy treats I always have for baby showers! Today's is a yummy punch, which I actually made this morning (for a goodbye party). <br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Frosty Punch</span></strong><br /><br />1 2 liter bottle of 7 Up<br />1 Frozen Pink Lemonade mix (the kind you find in the frozen foods section, where the frozen juice is)<br />1 Container of Sherbet (I like to color coordinate mine according to the event)<br /><br />Let everything set out for about 20 minuets. In an average sized punch bowl, add the thawed pink lemonade, then add half of the 7 Up. Take an ice cream scoop and scoop in the sherbet. Then add the rest of the 7 Up. <br /><br />Here are some tips I have used along the way:<br /><ul><li>If you are going to a girl baby shower then get Raspberry or Strawberry sherbet. </li><li>If you are going to a boy baby shower then try to find a Kroger in your area because SOMETIMES they will carry a Wild Berry sherbet that is blue. If not, I have tried this: get Pineapple sherbet (because it is usually white) and then take blue food coloring to the 7 Up. It tasted fine, but you will need to pour out the 7 Up in separate bowl, mix in the food color and then add it to the punch. </li><li>If you need to make a pink colored punch but cannot find pink colored sherbet, what I have done before is bought the cherry flavored 7 Up and then used the Pineapple sherbet.</li><li>I highly recommend using 7 Up. I have tried it with Sprite, Ginger Ale and even some of the store brand drinks, but none of them ever taste as good as 7 Up. I'm not sure why, put after 12 years of making this punch it is the only brand I will use.</li></ul><p>ENJOY!</p></div>Leslie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09959978030430931007noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4633392163250455084.post-60442488537790895002009-02-21T18:18:00.000-08:002009-02-21T19:08:23.833-08:00A Little Bit of Random - Part III<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFBbCNEoalyoQMAbbZGRvuLm0SFMf5p3KAu5wKpxlWoBeHznqZmYquQRi5EQm83DpvYbOGxOs2p20DvKF_zcdt9nFKk2_JwuNqXYiOLD6ExnlPibXoQ04hm9ZIdlAYB_30z3qjm2rkIGyP/s1600-h/bible.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305442642129689378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFBbCNEoalyoQMAbbZGRvuLm0SFMf5p3KAu5wKpxlWoBeHznqZmYquQRi5EQm83DpvYbOGxOs2p20DvKF_zcdt9nFKk2_JwuNqXYiOLD6ExnlPibXoQ04hm9ZIdlAYB_30z3qjm2rkIGyP/s200/bible.jpg" border="0" /></a> Today is the day! </div><div align="center">This time 417 days ago I started reading the Bible shown above. I have to admit that I never thought I would finish it. Actually, that is not entirely the truth. I wanted to finish it on time because I am a very competitive person and I did not want to "loose". I know, I know, not the best reason to do this, but once I got started I really enjoyed it. So, today 52 days after the "end date" I finished. </div><div align="center">WOO-WHOO!</div><div align="center">I hate to admit this, especially as a minister's wife, but I have never read the entire Bible all the way through. In fact, there are several books of the Bible that I have never read even one time. </div><div align="center">Going through the process of reading this Bible has changed my life in so many ways. I honestly feel like I know more about God than I ever have. So many things about Him that I "knew" but never really allowed to change my heart.</div><div align="center">If you have not read through the entire Bible, I challenge you to. It will change your life, your relationship with God and the way you see people that He created and loves.<br /></div><div align="center"></div>Leslie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09959978030430931007noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4633392163250455084.post-173387445831051782009-02-19T08:13:00.000-08:002009-02-19T08:59:40.772-08:00A Little Bit of Random - Part II<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3c-mnpiBYw6BhdqXDhA5Z4v1UkE23mPDfBRB7D_hyTRZmxfjKV4UZii-v7C7U8S5FrUdHgEJ82pGDlPz3Eqioiy967m-j-QimptBGJ-qMBvcx3RgE5Pr_oy25uPJrRd54NjQdPBXgaF1O/s1600-h/0225_starbucks_460x276.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304543686140161794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 120px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3c-mnpiBYw6BhdqXDhA5Z4v1UkE23mPDfBRB7D_hyTRZmxfjKV4UZii-v7C7U8S5FrUdHgEJ82pGDlPz3Eqioiy967m-j-QimptBGJ-qMBvcx3RgE5Pr_oy25uPJrRd54NjQdPBXgaF1O/s200/0225_starbucks_460x276.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center">Isn't it amazing what a little coffee can do to your life? I love Starbucks. Always have, always will. A good nights sleep and a good cup of coffee. A great combination to start the day!</div><div align="center">In keeping with the "random" theme, I thought I would share a verse that has really taught me a lot this week.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">If you have your Bible's today, please turn with me to <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%203:8-9;&version=51;">I Peter 3:8-9</a>. HA! I've always wanted to say that! Seriously, if you don't have it with you then just check out the link.</div><div align="center">So, verse 8 is pretty self <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">explanatory</span>. I don't have any issues with it. It makes sense.</div><div align="center">It's verse 9 that trips me up. Big time. Why? Well, because I'm human. If you cause me pain, then you should have pain too. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Verse 9 says, "Don't retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a <strong>blessing</strong>." (Honestly, while I was typing this out I thought about the <a href="http://godspottery.com/">God's Pottery </a>from Last Comic Standing. In one of the episode's they had to square off against another <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">comedian</span> and take turns insulting each other. God's Pottery chose instead to "hurl" love at their <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">opponent</span>. It was funny). But I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">digress</span>. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Ok</span>...back to being serious. So, when people insult us, we are supposed to give them a blessing. So, as I always do when I have a question, I pulled out my <a href="http://www.amazon.com/MacArthur-Bible-Commentary-John/dp/0785250662/ref=sr_1_8/192-1935424-8740355?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1235061698&sr=1-8">John MacArthur Commentary </a>and looked up the verse. Here is what is says about the word blessing. "Blessing means to speak well of, or to eulogize." As I read that I was thinking, "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Ok</span>, I can do that. Not to hard. I just need to speak well of them." And then came the kicker. Let me finish writing the rest of what it says. "The blessing that a Christian is to give to the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">reviler</span> includes:</div><ul><li><div align="center">1) finding ways to serve him</div></li><li><div align="center">2) praying for his salvation or spiritual progress</div></li><li><div align="center">3) expressing thankfulness for him</div></li><li><div align="center">4) speaking well of him</div></li><li><div align="center">5) desiring his well-being"</div></li></ul><p align="center">Whoa. </p><p align="center">So needles to say I have A LOT to work on. </p><p align="center">Over the last year I have come to learn that holiness simply means set apart. If we are to be holy as God is holy then we are going to have to be set apart from the way the world <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">operates</span>. When we are set apart is when the world has a chance to see something different. This will hopefully bring them closer to God. I'm not saying I have it all together, but maybe we can all think about these simple blessings the next time our feelings are hurt, or we <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">receive</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">hurtful</span> words from a friend.</p><p align="center"> </p>Leslie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09959978030430931007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4633392163250455084.post-79341934287992148742009-02-16T18:36:00.000-08:002009-02-16T19:23:32.653-08:00A Little Bit of Random<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTdTLhx3smaA7zfYAuCppXJ0SpMtLwJbNCAdxPbhBO-2ifWEzeIRwYj_TfJJdLskmsOI6pIIvJPtQrVHsll66AnnuG9IdH9SHMzcgM09FTjQYI02kXCjazyma1BF5JHpHcIfUGT8E5LOoS/s1600-h/sleep-mask.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303590207190840386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 173px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTdTLhx3smaA7zfYAuCppXJ0SpMtLwJbNCAdxPbhBO-2ifWEzeIRwYj_TfJJdLskmsOI6pIIvJPtQrVHsll66AnnuG9IdH9SHMzcgM09FTjQYI02kXCjazyma1BF5JHpHcIfUGT8E5LOoS/s200/sleep-mask.jpg" border="0" /></a> Can I just say how much I envy this woman? Ugh, I need me some SLEEP! My youngest is teething and it is killing me, our oldest, my husband, the dog.....you name it. I know this is just a phase and it will end like all of the others, but man.....I'm tired. In fact, I think my tired humor scared a co-worker today. You see, when you haven't had a full nights rest in over two weeks you mind gets a little funky and you say things that probably should not cross the great divide between your mind and your mouth. Here is what I said to my co-worker. "I now understand why Zombies eat humans. They are so tired, they don't know the difference. They'll just eat whatever is in front of them." And here is the best part. I then put my arm up next to my mouth and pretended to chew on it. I then experienced the longest awkward pause of my life. I know, I know. This is what happens to me when I am sleep deprived.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">So, in light of that I decided not to tackle a deep issue tonight here on the old blog and decided instead to share something on the lighter side.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">A few months ago I ran across this prayer in the Bible. Philippians 1: 9-11 says (in the New Living version), "I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and <strong>understanding</strong>. For I want you to <strong>understand</strong> what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ's return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation-the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ-for this will bring much glory and praise to God."</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">What an awesome prayer! Paul knew what he was doing. Over the last year I have Incorporated the aid of a wonderful commentary, The MacArthur Bible Commentary by John MacArthur. This book has opened the Bible to me like never before. Mainly because I trust this man and his writings. I want to share with you what he says about a few of the key words in these verses. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Verse 10 - "<strong>understand"</strong>. The word approve is used in the New American Standard Version. "Approve in the classical Greek described..the testing of money for authenticity. Believers need the ability to distinguish those things that are truly important so they can establish the right priorities." </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Verse 9 - "<strong>understanding</strong>". The word discernment is used in the New American Standard Version. "The English word aesthetic comes from this Greek word, which speaks of moral perception, insight and the practical application of knowledge. Love is not blind, but perceptive, and it carefully scrutinizes to distinguish between right and wrong."</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Here is my version of how this prayer might look like when I pray it for a friend.</div><div align="center">"Lord, I pray that "___________" 's love will overflow out of what you give them. I pray that they would continue to seek out that which is important instead of that which is here today and gone tomorrow. I pray that they will be able to know without a shadow of a doubt what it real and what is fake in this world, so that they can run after You with a clean heart and clear conscience. I pray that they will glorify You in all of their pursuits and will continue to grow in the gifts You have given to them."</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">So, who can you pray this for? We all have someone in our lives that needs all the prayer they can get. Take a minute and pray for the person(s) God prompts you to. When you are done go read <a href="http://breakfasttiffany.blogspot.com/2009/02/other-five-love-languages.html">this </a>and have a great laugh! (Tiffany, you never disappoint!)</div><div align="center"><br /> </div>Leslie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09959978030430931007noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4633392163250455084.post-72311671259249971342009-02-12T17:36:00.001-08:002009-02-12T18:15:46.235-08:00Book Review - Part III<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ41avwdKM0rIEYLyQIcyqbngoNTFPw1SpQ8jVScO12wjvl4GJgH_2rivFfC_nP550xqdiUacWAXzCdSPndpFk7syNHTBUOrcYwU6gkP8IUze__K2Wj_SIg0hKHEx80AiWn6xITTTVexmg/s1600-h/visioneering.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302089967994984194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 140px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ41avwdKM0rIEYLyQIcyqbngoNTFPw1SpQ8jVScO12wjvl4GJgH_2rivFfC_nP550xqdiUacWAXzCdSPndpFk7syNHTBUOrcYwU6gkP8IUze__K2Wj_SIg0hKHEx80AiWn6xITTTVexmg/s200/visioneering.jpg" border="0" /></a> For the last part of this blog I thought I would share some of my favorite quotes from this book and why I like them.</div><div align="center"> </div><ul><li><div align="center">"<strong>Visions are born in the soul of a man or woman who is consumed with the tension between what is and what could be</strong>." This one statement is what helped me realize the difference between a vision for something and just a need you think should be met. This is a very important concept for anyone, no matter where you are in life. There are a lot of "good" things we should be doing, but if it is not your passion then you shouldn't guilt yourself into doing it.</div></li><li><div align="center">"<strong>A vision rarely requires immediate action. It always requires patience</strong>." Well, thank you Mr. Stanley for saying what we have all been thinking! Sometimes what you want to happen is not going to happen overnight. I really believe this is why people get frustrated a lot with certain ministries. They come into a new project ready to see "miracles" and then a year goes by and they are severely defeated because nothing exciting ever happened. Last year I went to a one day women's conference here in Columbia and a lady from Indiana (I think) was taking about the inner city ministry she and her husband were in. They had been there for about three years and were trying everything they could to get people to their church. They were near a very successful church and decided to meet with the senior pastor to pick his brain and see what they could glean from his ministry. They met him in the gym his church had just built. They looked around and were amazed at all of the young volunteers he had to help with the after-school program his church had just started that year. She and her husband began to ask him how he did it and how long did it take him. She said he politely smiled and then pointed to a young women (probably 19 years old) and said, "She was the first member of my church". They both paused and continued listening to him. "You see", he said, "the two of you are not going to walk into your neighborhood and change things overnight. You are going to have to start with the elementary school kids in your area and walk them through middle school and high school. These kind of volunteers do not walk in off the street. They are born out of years and years of laying the foundation." In essence, he was telling her that she and her husband needed to be in it for the long haul if they ever wanted to see real life change.</div></li><li><div align="center">"<strong>Why should God bring an opportunity your way if you are not in a position to take advantage of it</strong>?" Wow, this is so true. This helped me to realize that planning is so important to seeing my dreams accomplished.</div></li><li><div align="center">"<strong>Once God decides something needs to be done, it is never a matter of if. The issue is usually who. Who will step forward, embrace the vision and move ahead by faith</strong>." This ignited the fire I needed to finish what God had called me to. When I realized that God was asking me to do this task, then I knew I could not turn away.</div></li></ul><p align="center">Whatever your passion is, I think this book can help. Give it a read and let me know what you think!</p><div align="center"></div>Leslie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09959978030430931007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4633392163250455084.post-73764211899232394122009-02-12T11:12:00.001-08:002009-02-12T11:21:42.193-08:00Book Review - Part II<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3WJd63jptVoe0l5aFcVPdLz1Lx9C-Kxt3QGSnP_FxKbdLSdENerWTHoeK8EO8SezdI6JWWV5neEYf1YzFUttQgl7iIe26lnDxo0Y9ou2Vaxy8TD-jBRDICvijZIUJOpP4sLmi9U3u9Jnd/s1600-h/visioneering.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301990947602337106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 140px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3WJd63jptVoe0l5aFcVPdLz1Lx9C-Kxt3QGSnP_FxKbdLSdENerWTHoeK8EO8SezdI6JWWV5neEYf1YzFUttQgl7iIe26lnDxo0Y9ou2Vaxy8TD-jBRDICvijZIUJOpP4sLmi9U3u9Jnd/s200/visioneering.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center">I thought about trying to write a fancy-schmancy review of this book, but then I realized I should leave that to the experts. :)</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Here is what the back of the book says: "Visioneering is the engineering of a vision. It's the process one follows to develop and maintain vision. "Vision," writes Andy Stanley, "is a clear mental picture of what could be, fueled by the conviction that it should be."In the bestselling Visioneering, Stanley builds a compelling case for the necessity of a clear, God-ordained vision for each of the roles of your life. Whether you're a parent with a vision for your children or a CEO pursuing a corporate vision, Visioneering is the perfect tool to help you develop and maintain God's unique purpose for your life." </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">One of the coolest things to me is that in the inside of the book are the reviews by other people and they range from pastors to CEO's. This book really is for everyone who has a vision to see something happen. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">One of my favorite chapters in this book is chapter two, Praying and Planning. To me, it is the fire that everyone needs to sit on to get their butt in motion. So many times in life we all have things we would love to do, but it never goes any farther than that. This chapter helped me to see that God really does care about the things I dream of doing, and that HE put those dreams inside of me. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div></div>Leslie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09959978030430931007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4633392163250455084.post-11853114717018883002009-02-09T16:57:00.000-08:002009-02-09T17:29:06.223-08:00Book Review<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsMIRo4arrSPt31BGA0a437_FsDePPEWLtXcwIQ7cM2nCZ2ULiY8EPqAhxr9VIzLQB6wAJIUwCm_FYkd02exKWwUnTZWn6cmQ9TWOyDvYQvaaAlNJ-pIAPAdn0iG_lQk2nCGn4YtbWk2AA/s1600-h/book.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300966786619011042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 140px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsMIRo4arrSPt31BGA0a437_FsDePPEWLtXcwIQ7cM2nCZ2ULiY8EPqAhxr9VIzLQB6wAJIUwCm_FYkd02exKWwUnTZWn6cmQ9TWOyDvYQvaaAlNJ-pIAPAdn0iG_lQk2nCGn4YtbWk2AA/s200/book.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"> Why I Love This Book!!!</span></strong></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></span></div><div align="center">In 2008 I wrote out a list of books I wanted to read. I think the grand total came to eight and I finished ......... 4! A personal best for me!</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">The funny thing is that this book, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Visioneering</span> by Andy Stanley, was not on my list. I was actually looking up another book and happened to notice this one in the "readers also bought this" section of the web-sight. It caught my eye, so I decided to read some of the reviews. Once I looked at the chapter titles I knew Jeff needed to read this book. (Like any good wife, I knew what was best for my husband.) The funny thing is, I needed this book more than any of the others I read this last year (excluding the Read-Through-In-A-Year Chronological Bible).</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Jeff and I decided to take it two chapters at a time. We would read on our own through out the week and then on Sunday night we would meet together to discuss what we liked and what we learned. (And by the way, yes, we each had our own copy of the book because getting two only children to share is NEVER going to happen in this marriage.) :)</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">I can honestly say that this book has had a profound influence on my life. It has given me hope for the dreams I wish to accomplish in my life and a firm biblical foundation for why my dreams should be pursued. </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Sometimes, as Christians, we use the excuse "God must have other plans for me" when things don't go the way we hoped they would. For years I accepted this excuse as truth. I don't anymore, and this book is why. </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The rest of this week I will be sharing a very brief review of the entire book and some of my favorite quotes. I hope you'll come back!</span></div><div align="center"><br /></div></span><div align="center"></div>Leslie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09959978030430931007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4633392163250455084.post-60994992075352224382009-02-07T18:40:00.001-08:002009-02-07T19:00:12.351-08:00This is Serious - Part III<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWPt1IvnpqfMqSsoxl1YSZSvYSNdV8yj6qtuMgCs00rBSnqbrzAZqnVUd2ThE_6D7wUz55IOoI6M_CMKg6gEliB51FrqxUHiSdsfXwDKpSIarH7VGUQ3glCxfC1b1Snw2zc3RPPldumxDB/s1600-h/marty.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300251208886167586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 164px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWPt1IvnpqfMqSsoxl1YSZSvYSNdV8yj6qtuMgCs00rBSnqbrzAZqnVUd2ThE_6D7wUz55IOoI6M_CMKg6gEliB51FrqxUHiSdsfXwDKpSIarH7VGUQ3glCxfC1b1Snw2zc3RPPldumxDB/s200/marty.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">This is Serious - Part III</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></strong><br />Last night my husband rented Madagascar II. We are big fans of these movies and we were not disappointed in this one. It is very cute and so funny. I highly recommend it!<br /><br />I don't want to give away too much of the movie, but I wanted to talk about one particular part of it. The cute zebra above is named Marty. In the second movie he finds a whole bunch of other zebra's. He is so excited at first, then he realizes that he is no different than any of the rest of them. During the movie his friend Alex (Alex the lion), tries to find Marty in the midst of the other thousands of Marty's. Alex picks him out of all of them and they finish their task of saving the world. At the end of the movie Alex looks Marty in the face and says, "I can look into your eyes and I know it's you.".<br /><br />This whole idea captured my mind for a few hours after the movie and I wanted to share it with you. Ya see, what we do is serious. The way we present ourselves in the world is serious, because there are people out there just like Marty. People who think they are just a number. People who think they just blend into the crowd. People who probably after years of just feeling like a nobody eventually start to think that God probably <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">sees</span> them that way too. You and I know that that is not the case at all. We know that our God formed them in their mother's womb and has an awesome plan for their life. We are called to be light to these people who are searching for the truth. <br /><br />Every single Sunday morning people like "Marty" walk into your church and my church. They sit in a seat during the service and think that no one else will notice them, no one else cares especially God. We need to be the hands and feet that point them to the God who loves them unashamedly and who wants to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">whisper</span> into their hearts, "I can look into your eyes and I know it's you.". Everyone needs to be known. They need to know that they are not just another number, that they are not just another face in the crowd. <br /><br />I don't know what they look like or what their name is, but God does. Take a few minutes before you leave for your church service and ask God to use you in the life of a "Marty". Maybe you could be the one that points them to a great small group, or a mommies group or whatever. Take a risk and help someone to know that they are not alone in this world!<br /></div>Leslie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09959978030430931007noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4633392163250455084.post-39096466888284851332009-02-04T18:18:00.000-08:002009-02-04T19:22:25.093-08:00This Is Serious - Part II<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIYMVNeVRQ8_5aQKY5EH-Br5M1P9OrJSzJE-zPNVTessKYTo_082f2QG7sEC9du3xxMvqQoboztqS_0gAYtit3ym2qwQ4FvNBO55idMbK6phuXQPT1oWp6c_uY7D-x0nUlTU1DIsnf8Ye/s1600-h/Phelps+Medal.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299132527687861186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 142px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIYMVNeVRQ8_5aQKY5EH-Br5M1P9OrJSzJE-zPNVTessKYTo_082f2QG7sEC9du3xxMvqQoboztqS_0gAYtit3ym2qwQ4FvNBO55idMbK6phuXQPT1oWp6c_uY7D-x0nUlTU1DIsnf8Ye/s200/Phelps+Medal.jpg" border="0" /></a> <strong><span style="font-size:180%;">This Is Serious - Part II</span></strong></div><p align="center">I doubt there is one person in America who can not identify the guy in the picture posted above, but just in case, it is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Phelps">Michael Phelps</a>. Eight time gold medal winner in the last summer Olympics. Without a doubt, he is an unbelievable talent. </p><p align="center">The sad thing is that I have had more discussions about him in the last week than I ever had during the time he won all of his gold medals. (Just in case you've been out of touch for a while, he was caught smoking marijuana.) I've also read a few blogs about it and thought <a href="http://withoutwax.tv/2009/02/03/michael-phelps/#comments">this one </a>did a good job of expressing what I feel about it as well. I highly recommend, if you have the time, to read through all of the comments. </p><p align="center">Tonight, during a good conversation with a GREAT friend, Michael Phelps was brought up. During our conversation I was reminded of a chapter I read in the book Visioneering by Andy Stanley. This particular chapter deals with the topic of moral authority. Here is how he defines it: "Moral authority is the credibility you earn by walking your talk. It is the relationship other people see between what you say and what you do, between what you claim to be and what you are." Here is a simple example of this idea. You have a cavity, so you go to the dentist, but when you get there you see that his (or her) teeth are disgusting. They have very yellow teeth that are black with decay. Their teeth are all chipped and some of them are missing because they had to have them pulled out. You get the picture. What kind of a dentist are they if they can not keep their own teeth clean and healthy. You are most likely not going to take their advice on oral hygiene if they won't do it themselves.</p><p align="center">The same idea is true for us. We can not speak into the hearts of the people God has placed in our lives if we are not striving for the same things we are teaching them. Whether we like it or not, we are known by our actions. Andy Stanley said it this way, "..you must be careful how you live. Everyday represents another potential opportunity to develop or destroy your moral authority.".</p><p align="center">All of us make mistakes. We are human. It's gonna happen. What we should strive for is not perfection, but purpose. Sometimes it is good for the people who follow us to see us make a mistake because it helps them to relate to us. I believe what they are truly looking at is how we handle the mistake AFTER it is made. Do we have repentance over the mistake? Do we set up check-points in our lives to guard ourselves against another mistake? </p><p align="center">What we do is serious. It affects the lives of those who follow us. As leaders who are trying to point people to THE ONLY THING that really matters in this life, we should admit when we have made a mistake and then strive to live a life that pleases God. <br /></p><div align="center"></div>Leslie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09959978030430931007noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4633392163250455084.post-26782890131029175022009-02-02T18:02:00.001-08:002009-02-02T18:38:40.068-08:00This Is Serious<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmPuj77UW7sf9yyoP9ZjRRjmzbVZBIE1X157VYxf5xo-Wtpl7xpqztzvYYXwEQKLOyzRyvYQ_fM53IyzVVI_XpXvpCjak5MpxiekXi8HqtnKjbO5o8mr1hYbe8PBAjUWOMu16Jo0hy-m8/s1600-h/Wonder_pets_ming-ming_duckling002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298385850257680994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 172px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmPuj77UW7sf9yyoP9ZjRRjmzbVZBIE1X157VYxf5xo-Wtpl7xpqztzvYYXwEQKLOyzRyvYQ_fM53IyzVVI_XpXvpCjak5MpxiekXi8HqtnKjbO5o8mr1hYbe8PBAjUWOMu16Jo0hy-m8/s200/Wonder_pets_ming-ming_duckling002.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">This is Serious</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></strong> </div><div align="center">For those of you who do not have young children, let me introduce to you Ming Ming. She is the beautiful yellow duck pictured above in her fancy-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">shmancy</span> green cape! HA!</div><div align="center">She is one of the characters in a Nick Jr cartoon called Wonder Pets and just in case you have never seen the show one of her most repeated lines is "This.... is .....serious".</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">This is the exact same thing I said when I read <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%2010:1-10;&version=51;">Leviticus 10:1-10</a>. </div><div align="center">The first time I really read this story was just about this time last year. I still remember pausing after I read it, just to catch my breath. </div><div align="center">You see, I have two children. Two very sweet, very cute children who are learning everyday what it means to obey their mama and daddy. I can not IMAGINE watching them die right before my very eyes in a blaze of fire. I can not imagine dying in a fire at all. I think that would be the worst way to die.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Unfortunately</span> this is what happens in our churches on a regular basis. Take a minute and think about some of the people who were in your church this time last year but are not there this year. Is it because they got divorced? Are they in jail for a crime they committed (while attending your church)? Did one of their kids get kicked out of school because they tried to set it on fire?</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">What we do in our churches is not a game, it's serious. We have to be light, not only to the lost world, but to the people we stand beside on Sunday mornings. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Sometimes our "ministry" can feel like such a routine. </div><div align="center">Get to church, do our thing, go home. </div><div align="center">Get to church, do our thing, go home.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">God has placed these people in our lives for a very specific reason. Read verse 10 again, "You must distinguish between what is sacred and what is common, between what is ceremonially unclean and what is clean". I look at Aaron as the founding father for all of us who are in the ministry today and I believe that God considers what we do on Sunday's, Wednesday's and every other day just as important as what He wanted Aaron to do with the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Israelites</span>. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Being able to witness real life change is an honor reserved for the truly <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">committed</span>. We have to take what we do seriously. Marriages are at stake, families are at stake and people's eternity are at stake. </div><div align="center">It truly is a blessing when someone is allowed to minister. Take this blessing <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">seriously</span> in your own life and strive to live in such a way that people will stop, take notice and want the same God you serve in their life.</div>Leslie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09959978030430931007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4633392163250455084.post-84409092573854263312009-02-01T18:15:00.000-08:002009-02-01T18:48:35.240-08:00How To Support Your Pastor's Wife<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">How To Support Your Pastor's Wife</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></strong> </div><div align="center">Last night I was catching up on some of the other blogs that I read when I noticed something funny. This particular person happens to be a senior pastor and he wrote about the fact that only one person in his church had invited him to a Super Bowl Party. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">One side of me chuckled under my breath and said, "Welcome to the club buddy." The other side of me (the nicer side) said, "I understand."</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">We have all been there. I started to understand this after Jeff and I had been in the ministry for about three years. We had a youth function at a church member's house and the women who's house we were at came up to me (during the event) and began to tell me how nervous she was with me in her house. She went on and on about how she had cleaned it the best she could and how she had spent hours at the grocery store buying just the right food so as not to offend me. WWHHAATT?</div><div align="center">I still remember laying on her floor that night thinking, "What was that all about?" A few weeks later it began to sink in, when I had another women come up to me and tell me how nervous she was having Jeff and I in her small group because she was afraid she wasn't going to be able to answer any of the questions right.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">I am sure that at one time or another this has happened to us all. People in our churches forget that we are just as human as them. They begin to erect the pedestal to place us on, only to be let down when they realize just how human we really are. Then, out of hurt or disappointment they proceed to knock us off the pedestal, leaving us in a pile of confusion and heart-ache.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">It is at this time when we can really show support to our pastor's wife. Here is how:</div><ul><li><div align="center">When someone wants to talk to you about how your pastor's wife has let them down, <strong>STOP THEM</strong>! Explain to them how much you respect her. Encourage them with the truth that she is just as human as they are. Direct them to have grace towards her, and to forgive her. </div></li><li><div align="center">When you hear other church members say things like, "I really don't want (pastor's wife) coming to this baby shower because I never know what to say to her.", <strong>STOP THEM</strong>! Gently remind them that she needs friends just like they do. Give them a few topics that they can bring up in front of her, to get to know her better. And, when you go to the shower (or whatever event it is) hang around your pastor's wife and get her talking about some of the crazy things she did in college, or help her bring up some of the funny stories she has about her kids. </div></li></ul><p align="center">We can help to be the mediator between our church members and our pastor's wife. Maybe, by our efforts, our pastor's wife can see the love that our church members have for her!</p>Leslie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09959978030430931007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4633392163250455084.post-90286357238085376842009-01-28T17:42:00.000-08:002009-01-28T19:32:33.611-08:00Intermission<div align="center">Hello Dear Friends!</div><div align="center">I am sorry that it is late and I am just now making my post, but tomorrow is going to be a glorious day and I had a lot to get done before time ran out. There will be much rejoicing in my heart this time tomorrow and I will tell you why.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><strong>JEFF AND I ARE GETTING AWAY FOR TWO ENTIRE DAYS WITH NO KIDS!</strong></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Yes, you read that right and I am so excited! (can you tell?)</div><div align="center">There was a little scare last night that just about threw me over the edge, but God was gracious and provided a solution. So we are back in business!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">I was going to post the second part of the Supporting Your Pastor's Wife topic I started on Monday, but then I had another idea. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">As I have mentioned before I read a lot of blogs and one that has become a daily read is <a href="http://www.perrynoble.com/">Perry Noble's. </a>If you do not know of him, he is a very "famous" pastor up here in these parts. :)</div><div align="center">Seriously, if you have seen any of the One Pray series then he is the guy that go's on and on about the Cracker Barrel biscuits (so funny). Anyway, he is a great guy and he writes some pretty real stuff. So his <a href="http://www.perrynoble.com/2009/01/28/15-things-i-wished-i-would-have-known/">post</a> from this morning was no exception. I wanted to share it with you all and give some thoughts on his ideas. I plan on doing my own version of this in a couple of months.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">#5 - "<strong>I should spend way less time focusing on being “right” and way more time on being faithful</strong>. "</div><div align="center">Man, this one hit me right between the eyes. Uuuugghhh. Does anyone else struggle with this? Why do I always think it is more important to be right than to be faithful to the people God has called me to serve? If you serve on a church staff, your husband does or you lead a group of people at your church, then this piece of information is for you. A great way to start doing this is to listen to the people you lead. Just shut your mouth and listen to what they have to say. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">#6 -"<strong>Comparing (Your Church) to other churches will either lead to pride or feeling like a failure…I need to desperately seek Jesus consistently to see who HE has called us to be</strong>."</div><div align="center">This is so important for those of us who have spouses on a church staff. Sometimes we look at other churches and think, "I wish we were on staff there because they have (this) and (that) and blah, blah, blah. What we don't realize is that we are telling our spouses, "You work at a crappy church." Not such a good thing to say to build moral into someone who is trying everything they can to do a great job at where they are. Try as hard as you can not to compare your church with other churches in the area. Focus on the good things you are doing and all of the lives that are being changed!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">#9 - "<strong>Those who you think will always be with you won’t always be with you</strong>."</div><div align="center">This one is the reason I wanted to write this post. I can not stress this idea to you all enough. This idea works both ways. </div><div align="center">People who are mean to your husband, cut him down in front of other church members, or cause you and your family emotional pain will not always be with you. I have experienced this so many times in the different churches we have worked at. Have patience and faith in God that He will move them out of your church when the time is right. </div><div align="center">People who you think will be your great friends forever, that you will grow old with and see all of the time, they will leave as well. So spend as much time with them as you can. Personally invest in their lives and point them closer to Jesus every chance you get, because there probably is going to come a day when they have to move, or decide to switch churches. It happens too often, so cherish the time you have. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Please pray for Jeff and I that we have a great time away. Please pray that our children will be happy and healthy while we are gone, and very obedient for the people who are taking care of them!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div>Leslie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09959978030430931007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4633392163250455084.post-64070401340952230982009-01-26T18:07:00.000-08:002009-01-26T18:52:00.665-08:00How to Pray for Your Pastor's Wife<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">How To Pray For Your Pastor's Wife</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></strong> </div><div align="center">I happen to read a lot of blogs (probably way to many), and one that I have learned a lot from is this <a href="http://www.hollyfurtick.typepad.com/">sweet lady</a>. She is very honest about her life, marriage and parenting. A few months ago she wrote <a href="http://hollyfurtick.typepad.com/the_preachers_wife/2008/10/how-to-pray-part-3--for-our-staff-wives.html">this</a> post about how to pray for the staff wives at your church. I e-mailed her and asked if I could use it on my blog and she graciously said yes! </div><div align="center">So, during Pastor Appreciation Month, I printed this out and gave it to the ladies in my accountability group. My pastor's wife happens to be in this group so I asked her to tell us what she thought about these and what we could add to it. She loved it and said that they all were true and very helpful things to pray for. </div><div align="center">Here are my thoughts on a few of them:</div><ul><li><div align="center"><strong>To know when to have important discussions. </strong>Sometime your pastor's wife is going to have to tell someone something that they don't want to hear. We need to pray that she will have discernment from God about timing, what to say and how to say it. </div></li><li><div align="center"><strong>To form trustworthy friendships</strong>. She will need this more than we will ever know. We need to be fervently praying for this! And, I hate to tell you this, but........it might not include you. OUCH! I know, that one kinda hurts, but think about it. She needs a safe environment to vent. She may want to vent about something your husband did or didn't do, or maybe even about you. AND THAT'S OK. Sometimes when people vent they realize that they were not really mad about that situation (what they were really mad about was everything else in their life and this situation just tipped them over the edge). </div></li><li><div align="center"><strong>To grow personally in her relationship with the Lord</strong>. This is so stinking important. How can we expect someone to pour into our lives if they are not being poured into themselves. She needs time with God and His Word. Pray for her to have the ability to carve out the time in her unbelievable schedule. Pray for it to be a refreshing time and that she never feels rushed or guilty about getting to do something she is enjoying. Pray that her husband, kids and other church memebers won't be a distraction to her during this time. </div></li></ul><p align="center">"I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you may grow in your knowledge of God." Ephesians 1:17</p><p align="center"><strong></strong> </p><p align="center"><strong></strong> </p>Leslie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09959978030430931007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4633392163250455084.post-4162850499714288572009-01-24T10:13:00.000-08:002009-01-24T10:43:47.528-08:00KK's Yummy Special Rice<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9j8QXJsq9NehMFjT3FVuz07oYlk4nRpHrC_mY2f_QwyPzweBrR_PgTLGoHL2m8VZgrSa3udBTlxdXUl9-W4RTqD8kzXvMBySxUrgGw0aJXIg9kvidl7RdKMGFszpNdpkF3829MGntdIF7/s1600-h/Rice.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294927473538248930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 259px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 168px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9j8QXJsq9NehMFjT3FVuz07oYlk4nRpHrC_mY2f_QwyPzweBrR_PgTLGoHL2m8VZgrSa3udBTlxdXUl9-W4RTqD8kzXvMBySxUrgGw0aJXIg9kvidl7RdKMGFszpNdpkF3829MGntdIF7/s200/Rice.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ZrS_6g3dTQ016Y747gtao57hhLv5ToeBV6kjOYim0g5MDl2uI2tCbnA8U3Tujw7-mDxZvd-WFYnwByYClKC15JEqIb8kdb0e5x9v_I0VwgO_ioLW4aLD0Abbd5ab-quXZI_P0TA5gBdo/s1600-h/Rice.JPG"></a><div align="center">Happy Saturday to Everyone! </div><div align="center">I hope you all are doing well and staying warm </div><div align="center">(depending on what part of the world you are in!).</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">I want to say a big <strong>THANK YOU</strong> to you all for sticking around this week. I'm sorry that the posts have not been on the days I said they would be. My lap-top is still in the hands of the Geek Squad, so in the mean time I'm confined to my old computer which is very persnickety and won't cooperate all of the time. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">I also wanted to tell you all about a lady who needs our prayers. I have never personally met her but I love her <a href="http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/">blog</a>! I think if I were ever to have an older sister I would want it to be her! Plus she reminds me soooo much of this <a href="http://hollyhilderbrands.blogspot.com/">sweet lady </a>(who really is my sister, she just doesn't know it yet!!!!! :) </div><div align="center">Anyway, <a href="http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/2009/01/sunday.html">this</a> is why she needs our prayers. </div><div align="center">(Scroll through the rest of the posts she made for this month and you'll get caught up on the progress.)</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">OK, so who needs a good side dish recipe? Well, have I got one for you! </div><div align="center">There is a disclaimer that needs to proceed this recipe : It's not the best thing to serve someone who is on a low sodium diet. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">1 cup of rice (like the kind pictured above, just make sure it is not minute rice)</div><div align="center">1 can Campbell's French Onion soup</div><div align="center">1 can Campbell's Beef Consume soup</div><div align="center">1/2 stick of butter (or margarine)</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Place everything in a microwave safe dish. Give it a good stir and then microwave for 10 minutes. Take it out and let it sit for a minute, then give it another good stir. Place back in the microwave and cook for another 6-10 minutes (depending on how well stuff cooks in your microwave). Let it cool, and your done! </div><div align="center">I have heard of some people who like to bake it in the oven on 300 degrees for 45 minutes. I do not have that kind of time :)</div><div align="center">Enjoy, and I'll see on Monday!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJQnrlcPrCHfzTmdAGhuI72gyiDLiQV637kR-U_WwR8l-NbeFHT6azOdi7SYOd3Kf6yMEpkm1Chlfow4BydxRlWgSWOb5PJGLzZ_sfcbCQqab5zyhjNx4ROgxSWzyxgL43dssAIfEFS7he/s1600-h/Rice.JPG"></a><br /></div><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div>Leslie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09959978030430931007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4633392163250455084.post-69725063519576873312009-01-23T15:58:00.000-08:002009-01-23T16:30:24.257-08:00Bloom Where You Are Planted - Part Two<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Bloom Where You Are Planted - Part Two</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></strong> </div><div align="center">So, you've packed up your house, packed up your family and packed up your life. Loaded everything and everyone into your car(s) and headed west (or east as the case may be)!</div><div align="center">Then, you've <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">un</span>-packed your house, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">un</span>-packed your family and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">un</span>-packed your life. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Now what?</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Well, this is where the true "journey" begins. Making friends. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">I'll be honest........I'm not very good at this part. Don't get me wrong, I'm perky (when I need to be) <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">pleasant</span> to be around (most of the time) and generally a fun person to hang out with. I can carry a conversation with almost everyone and can discuss most major topics that are taking place in our world. It's the in-between times that I have a hard time with. Like the introducing myself times and the asking you personal questions times.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">So, how have I survived this over the last 11 years? Here's what I have learned along the way.</div><ul><li><div align="center"><strong>You might have to do some "uncomfortable" things</strong>. Like, go to a mommy's group where you don't know anyone, or a Ladies Bible Study when you have never studied this topic before or go over to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">someones</span> home whom you have never met before. Basically, little Ms. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Turtle</span>, you are going to HAVE TO GET OUT OF THAT SHELL. Believe me, NO ONE knows about how easy it is to hide away in your house better than I do. I'm not a people person but unfortunatly this profession does not lend it's self to introverts. What will start happening is thoughts like, "No one likes me", or "No one has reached out to me" will start taking root in your mind and your heart. And you know what, maybe no one has reached out to you, so ....... go reach out to them. Give someone the chance to get to know you, because the truth is they will probably like you! </div></li><li><div align="center"><strong>Learn from others</strong>. I'll tell you who are the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">pros</span> at this, military wives. Man, they are freaking GREAT at this. And the one reason I believe they are is because they HAVE to be. They have no other choice. But it does pay off! The one military wife who taught me this is my sweet friend <a href="http://riceronihousehold.blogspot.com/">Jessi</a>. The first time she came to our church was because she saw our sign and just knew she needed to come. No one invited her. She came on her own. She is one of the dearest friends I have had since living here in South Carolina (and we really miss her). When she walked through the door she started coming to almost everything we offered. Ladies Bible Studies, Mommy Play Groups, and Women's Retreats. She knew she had to , and now she's doing it again in the big MO. If your not a people person you are going to have to push yourself in this area. Give some new things a try. You never know how many good friends you could meet! I promise.</div></li></ul><p align="center">This is where your "roots" are going to start forming. And keep in mind that it is really hard to "bloom" without roots!</p>Leslie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09959978030430931007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4633392163250455084.post-92016124513185538822009-01-22T06:50:00.000-08:002009-01-22T06:56:31.799-08:00Bloom Where You Are Planted<p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEe7q-gHzlTvS4U4XyNzhRzrCG782kYvEfurs9f9-Xx3T97u6YSSq-lOSZub2URaV1zZgGnL0Wix3VXqf4eoWVdmuHJHonVH5rK67GH8rCDwhhhRserjg68ScApdGr7vwjsttB6JRVNmWO/s1600-h/j0362846.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294131134871035314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEe7q-gHzlTvS4U4XyNzhRzrCG782kYvEfurs9f9-Xx3T97u6YSSq-lOSZub2URaV1zZgGnL0Wix3VXqf4eoWVdmuHJHonVH5rK67GH8rCDwhhhRserjg68ScApdGr7vwjsttB6JRVNmWO/s200/j0362846.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7n4CNRMUGf2Y0PmQhSdINZXpgOaztkTjT7JRVptcUbPGz9V-ORsGCRz_KjeUS-TvcKuRrcEcQssE3Oa4qOsXUiKrIy8ic2sQDKEELNb53zEU4GFIim43tV2kjh2ZdnI_l7vrc5F5Cd2t/s1600-h/j0362831.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294131009293769682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7n4CNRMUGf2Y0PmQhSdINZXpgOaztkTjT7JRVptcUbPGz9V-ORsGCRz_KjeUS-TvcKuRrcEcQssE3Oa4qOsXUiKrIy8ic2sQDKEELNb53zEU4GFIim43tV2kjh2ZdnI_l7vrc5F5Cd2t/s200/j0362831.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;"> <strong>Bloom Where You Are Planted</strong><br /></span><br />These two flags represent where I came from and where I am now. <br /><br />Can I just say that I miss HOME? Uuuuggghhh, something fierce. <br /><br />There are many striking differences between these two lands:<br />· <strong>THE FOOD</strong> – BBQ in SC in pork. BBQ in Texas in beef (as God intended it). This took me a long time to get used to. And it’s a mustard-based sauce. In TX it’s a tomato-based sauce. <br />· <strong>THE DRIVING</strong> – Oh my word. Drivers in SC are the slowest going people I have ever met. It’s like they truly are on a joy ride every hour of every day. They will drive right next to you and especially right in your blind spot. In TX people will literally run you over if you do not get out of their way. <br />· <strong>THE NIGHTLIFE</strong> – In SC there is no nightlife. Almost every restaurant closes well before 10pm. In TX if you wanted homemade tortillas at 3:00am then you could go to about 20 different places and have as many as you wanted.<br />· <strong>THE GENERAL PACE OF LIFE</strong> – I think everything is just a little slower in SC. It didn’t even have its first Starbucks until a year after I moved here. In TX life is so fast paced. Everything is new and constantly changing. There were three Starbucks with in a 5-mile radius of my home when I graduated High School. <br /><br />There may come a time in your ministry career when you are asked to move. It may be 200 miles, it may be 2000 miles or even half way around the world. I have had to move twice. I left Austin, TX to go to Raleigh, NC, and then left Raleigh to move to Columbia, SC (where we are now). <br />This concept of “bloom where you are planted” really didn’t take root in my heart until a couple of years ago. When we first moved to Raleigh I was so home sick I didn’t give the city a chance. I pretty much went to work, went to church and stayed at home. I really missed out on a beautiful city. There is a lot to do there.<br />When we moved to Columbia I slowly started to investigate what was out there. <br /><br />Here are a few suggestions to help when (and if) you ever have to move away from someplace that you love:<br />· <strong>Ask the locals</strong>! Hey if it works for Rachel Ray, then it can work for us. Talk to people at your church and see what they suggest. Talk to your neighbors and co-workers. Talk to people that have lived there their whole life and people who have recently moved there as well.<br />· <strong>Take an adventure</strong>! Get in your car and just drive. By a map and search the land. Get out of the house and stretch your legs. You never know what you’ll find.<br />· <strong>Use tools</strong> like City Search and Google to help you see things you didn’t know about.<br /><br />The point is, your there. Grow some roots, learn the culture and have fun while your doing it. <br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div></div>Leslie Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09959978030430931007noreply@blogger.com0