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The Best Yes – Lysa TerKeurst

/ Gail Johnson / 3 Comments

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. Psalm 37:23-24

Book blurb

The Best Yes Lysa TerKeurst

Are you living with the stress of an overwhelmed schedule and aching with the sadness of an underwhelmed soul?

Lysa TerKeurst is learning that there is a big difference between saying yes to everyone and saying yes to God. In The Best Yes she will help you:

  • Cure the disease to please with a biblical understanding of the command to love.
  • Escape the guilt of disappointing others by learning the secret of the small no.
  • Overcome the agony of hard choices by embracing a wisdom based decision-making process.
  • Rise above the rush of endless demands and discover your best yes today

My Thoughts

Have you ever had problems with saying no?  I have. Do you often find yourself grumpy and stretched thin after saying yes? Yep, me too. Do you say yes knowing you don’t have the time or the energy to give the project 100%? I’m guilty.

And a stressed yes is like snow on a tree that refuses to release its leaves. It causes cracks and breaks at our core. – Lysa TerKeurst

In this world, we are often a blur of action until we drop in exhaustion.  But thankfully, there is a better way. In her book, The Best Yes, Lysa TerKeurst tells her readers how to decide when to say yes, how to implement the soft no, and when and how to give an answer.

I know the weight of carrying more than I should. And usually it’s because I’ve refused to release something before taking on something else. – Lysa TerKeurst

Using Biblical insights and personal stories, TerKeurst helps the reader to understand there are times when a no answer is better for everyone involved. She explains not making a decision is actually a decision and releasing the “good” things allow us to commit to our “best” things.

I can’t expect to have room for my Best Yes opportunities if I refuse to release the clutter. – Lysa TerKeurst

The Best Yes will give you an idea how to organize your time, evaluate your situation, and implement your God-given gifts in a way that pleases God, protects your relationships, and stops the insanity of chaotic decision making.

I thought The Best Yes to be informative and filled with practical advice. If you struggle with saying no, I recommend reading The Best Yes, Making Wise Decisions in the Midst of Endless Demands.

I own a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are my own.

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Letters From Home

/ Gail Johnson / 4 Comments

 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. Psalms 25:25

Rather than waste time talking about food on the phone when we could be talking about your day, I thought I would send you this via the website, instead.

Monkey Bread

Levi’s Monkey Bread

I’m glad to hear you conquered the Monkey bread recipe. The picture looked good enough to eat. I’m still waiting for my piece to arrive in the mail. You are aware eating the whole thing in two days is not good for you, right?

 And now, you tell me you have a hankering for Chicken and Spaghetti?

Unfortunately, we have a problem. Unlike the Magic Cookie Bars, I can’t mail the chicken. So, I’m sending you the list of ingredients and the instructions. Send me a picture.

You will need:

  • 1 whole boneless chicken breast
  • ½ cup Progresso Italian Bread Crumbs
  • 1 jar Paul Newman’s Marinara Sauce minus ¼ cup
  • 1 egg
  • ¼ cup milk
  • ½ to ¾ cup oil (Crisco or olive) Use just enough oil to cover the bottom of the pan
  • Salt
  • Sargento’s Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
  • Sargento’s sliced Provolone Cheese
  • Spaghetti

Directions:

Add two quarts of water to a 4-quart pot. Bring to boil. Add enough spaghetti for two servings.

Slice chicken breast horizontally as evenly as possible. (Four thin slices)

Salt

*(For you) Eliminate the egg and milk wash for obvious reasons and coat lightly with Olive oil or Crisco

Dredge in bread crumbs

Heat oil on medium-high heat

Fry chicken 3-4 minutes on each side. Meanwhile, drain pasta.

Remove two chicken slices for tomorrow.

Add marinara to the remaining slices and let simmer until bubbling.

Add shredded mozzarella to the marinara and a slice of provolone atop the chicken. Turn off heat. Cover. When the cheese has melted, serve over pasta. Plate the other for your lunch.

 Next day:

  • 2 buns or 4 slices of bread
  • Butter
  • ¼ cup marinara
  • Sargento’s Provolone cheese
  • Leftover chicken breast
  • Mezzetta pepperoncini

 Warm one slice of chicken in oven or microwave. It’s your choice.

Spread butter on your favorite Italian bread, Hamburger bun, Kaiser Roll, etc. Place under the broiler. Remove when toasted. Spread marinara sauce over warm bread. Add provolone, chicken, and pepperoncini.

Bag the second sandwich for lunch.

I hope you enjoy it. I miss you bunches. But I’m excited about this new adventure. Remember every promise God has given will come to pass. Until then, be content with what He has done thus far, knowing He is faithful to perform His Word. Talk with you this afternoon.

Hugs and kisses,

Mama

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The Power of Song

/ Gail Johnson / 8 Comments

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Each morning birds join in song to welcome the new day. But did you know:

  • Birds learn to sing early in life.
  • Male birds sing to attract mates and defend their territories.
  • Some species sing multiple songs while others sing only one.
  • Males do most of the singing, but certain tropical male and female birds sing duets.
  • The flycatcher remains true to his species’ song.
  • Some birds sing in flight while others sing at rest.
  • Some birds learn their songs while others inherit the song.
  • Mockingbirds and parrot are mimics
  • With the loss of hearing, birds lose their ability to sing.

Birds aren’t the only creatures called to sing.

  • The younger the person, the easier it is to learn how to lift the voice in praise. But thankfully, people don’t have a window of learning as birds do. You can learn to sing praises no matter your age.

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

  • Your song of praise is for worship and warfare. It’s easy to worship atop a mountain, not so much in the valley. Yet, singing may very well be our Commander’s weapon of choice. If so, sing at the top of your lungs!

And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten. 2 Chronicles 20:22

  • Some may have several songs while others may have one unique song. Whatever the story behind your song, no one can sing it the way you can. If you refuse to lift your voice, the song will be sung, but not in the same key or in the same way! So, sing, children!

But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble. Psalms 59:16

  • Learn to sing a duet with Beloved. When we spend time with Him, we will come away with a sweeter song to share with others.

His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem. Song of Solomon 5:16

  • We may not always use our voice to sing praise. Whether singing out loud or in your head, clapping your hands, snapping your fingers, or tapping your toe to the rhythm of the beat, do it to the glory of God.

O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. Psalm 47:1

  • Stay true to the song God has placed within us. There are enough voices screaming “be like me.”  There is only one you. Without your voice, the choir is lacking. Stay true to yourself and God.

And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. Psalm 40:3

  • Whether soaring above troubles or resting on the valley floor, sing.

And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. Acts 16:25

  • With a hearing loss, we lose our song. We lose our hearing when surrounded by continual noise. Rest is a must if we are to keep our song.

My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. Song of Solomon 2:10

Can you imagine our world if everyone was lifting their voice in prayer and praise to our God in Heaven above?

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