Oh man, here comes a Lukewarm Christian again.

Are you a lukewarm Christian? It breaks my heart to admit that there are many times I have to say yes I was or am. It seems as my brother’s progress is at more of a stand still my fire for God is diminishing. Of course Im reminded to praise him for all the good things I have and that is easy to do every day. But when my brothers health just kept plummeting and we didn’t know what was happening I leaned so hard on God and dug so deep into his word that I felt his presence in me all the time.

Now I  hate that I have become busy.  I wrestled with God about staying home, but boy oh boy did it bring me such a sense of simple and thankfulness. Again so close to him.  Now that I am working our schedule has become a bit more hectic, but in all honesty not much. I only work 16 hours a week, but it’s the stress of Childcare and having new responsibilities at work that keep it seeming busy.

I remember my first week starting at Habitat I did not feel nervous. I did not have expectations going into the job and since having a baby my priorities were completely different. First I knew that God had complete control and to trust him and that no matter what if things were not working out for Riley then this was just a job, but yet God has reminded me that this is more than just a job. I mean what Habitat for Humanity started out as and what it stands for alone is all about God. I have a job where I get to lead us in prayer.  A job where so far almost all of the volunteers are connected to local churches. So far I’ve got to hear personal testimonies of those who have come to know Jesus. I get to see so many people give their time to work hard on a house for someone they do not know. It’s very inspiring.  My job is a constant reminder of how much God loves us, and yet I can feel that I’m still not making him my top priority. How can that be?

I guess because sometimes just talking about God isn’t enough. It’s going to that place where you can feel his spirit move through you. Have you found that place yet? My husband and I always seem to make major life decisions in front of water. Its where we always just reflect and come to peace. I know he feels God through nature more, and I do too.  I also feel God a lot through music, which is why I love worship so much. But we are all different and everyone can feel the holy spirit move through them in different situations. It’s just important that once we find those spots to go there, with intentions of being with God.

So here are some reminders that we may be a lukewarm Christian and we need to make God our number one priority over everything else. And why shouldn’t he be? Look at how much he provides for u and how much he loves us? If you are questioning those two things then it may be time for you to surrender and trust in him.

Heres a quote from David Goetz, “ Too much of the good life ends up being toxic, deforming us spiritually.” A lot of things are good by themselves, but all of it together keeps us from living healthy, fruitful lives for God.

Here are a couple statements to see if you are “lukewarm”  Take a deep breath, truth can sting a bit.

Lukewarm people attend church fairly regularly. It is what is expected of them, what they believe” good Christians do, so they go.

“The Lord says :These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men” Isa. 29:13

Lukewarm people give money to charity and to the church… as long as it doesn’t impinge on their standard of living. If they have little extra and it is easy and safe to give, they do so. After all, God loves a cheerfulgiver, right?

“King David replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying the full price. I will not take for the Lord what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing.” (  1 Chron. 21:24)

Lukewarm people tend to choose what is popular over what is right when they are in conflict.. They desire to fit in both at church and outside of church; they care more about what people think of their actions ( like church attendance and giving) than what God thinks of their hearts and lives.

“ I know your deeds, you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.” ( Rev. 3:1)

Lukewarm people don’t really want to be saved from their sin; they want only to be saved from the penalty of their sin. They don’t genuinely hate sit and aren’t truly sorry for it; they’re merely sorry because God is going to punish them. Lukewarm people don’t really believe that this new life Jesus offers is better than the old sinful one.

“ I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)

“What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can w e live in it any longer?” ( Romans 6:1-2)

Lukewarm people are moved by stories about people who do radical things for Christ, yet they do not act. They assume such action is for "extreme" Christians, not average ones. Lukewarm people call "radical" what Jesus expected of all His Followers. 

" Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." (James 1:22)

Lukewarm people rarely share their faith with their neighb ors, coworkers, or friends. They do not want to be rejected, nor do they want to make people uncomfortable by talking about private issues like religion.

"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heave. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven." 

I'll post the rest from Francis Chan on Lukewarm Christians next!!

The Bolands Diabetic Living Article

So, for those of you who have been dying to read this article I have uploaded the article to the site. But with that said, if you are a diabetic this magazine has some really great articles and recipes that are totally worth checking out. You may even want to browse their online stuff here. Thank you to Diabetic Living for publishing my story. Thank you to my husband for the inspiration as well as my daughter. You two are my world! This is the only way I can get the article on here so it may be blurry or hard to read and in that case.. I guess you better go out and buy the magazine!!

Ok that is not easy to read. So here is the article

My husband, Eric, has lived 

with type 1 diabetes for 

18 years—since he was 

8 years old. I have sympathized with 

him, helped him count carbs, and 

shared his frustration when his 

meter readings were less than 

perfect. But I never really knew what 

living with diabetes was like. That is 

until last year, when I was diagnosed 

with gestational diabetes.

A lot to learn

Eric is the first person I ever met with 

diabetes. In college he was very 

reserved about his diabetes, and, like 

many people, I was clueless about 

the disease. I thought it meant he 

just couldn’t eat sugar. As years went 

by and I learned more about 

diabetes, we would have occasional 

arguments about how he managed 

his diabetes. 

I’d sometimes grab his meter off 

the kitchen counter to look at his 

numbers. If I saw that they were high 

or that he only tested twice, I’d 

accuse him of not taking care of 

himself. He would respond with a 

blank stare, and I could see the 

anger rising in his eyes. I didn’t care 

what his excuse was because, 

according to all the books, it was 

bad to have a blood glucose above 

150. He didn’t care what books said, 

because he knew there were some 

days that his numbers were off no 

matter what he did.

Boy, did I learn that lesson.

A dietitian taught it to me when I 

was six months pregnant. I recall 

simmering with anger as she told 

me I was not supposed to eat more 

than three servings of carb for my 

meals and snacks. I was 27, wasn’t 

overweight, and well within my 

target pregnancy weight. I ate a 

healthful diet, yet my blood sugar 

Gestational diabetes gives one woman a new understanding 

of what her husband lives with every day.

photos by Alexandra Grabrewski

numbers were still too high. An 

endocrinologist told me that I 

needed to take insulin before every 

meal and before bed. It took all I had 

to stop the tears from streaming 

down my face. Eric was right there 

next to me, and suddenly I didn’t feel 

as scared. He knew exactly what I 

was feeling. 

I cried the first time I gave myself 

an insulin shot. I remember asking 

Eric, “How can I possibly go through 

Thanksgiving only eating four 

servings of carbs?” He grabbed my 

hand and said, “It’s only for a few 

months; this is how I have to

live forever.” 

I quickly learned how important 

carb counting is and that the type of 

carb matters, too. I understood why 

my husband would have a short 

temper or just want to sleep 

because his blood sugar went too 

high or it came down way too fast. 

A brighter future

My three-month experience even 

helped Eric make some needed 

changes. Even though he wears an 

insulin pump, he finally realized he 

really shouldn’t go back for more 

Tasia Boland blogs at 

tasiasideasandthoughts

.blogspot.com.

If you had gestational diabetes, you have a  

35–60 percent chance of developing diabetes 

in the next 10–20 years. Doctors recommend 

scheduling regular checkups to guard against 

diabetes’ return. Tasia Boland knows she is at 

risk with future pregnancies and later in life. 

    “If it happens, it will be OK, because today I 

have control of this disease,” she says. “The 

healthy choices I make every day let diabetes 

know who’s really in charge.”

once he’s had four carb servings. 

He would see me testing my blood 

glucose all the time for fear of 

having a large baby, and he, too, 

began testing more. 

Our daughter, Riley, was born 

February 8, 2011, weighing a healthy 

7 pounds 8 ounces. Her blood sugar 

was 115, and the nurses tested her 

every hour until it returned to normal 

range. Today she’s doing great. 

 Eric and I are eating healthier 

now. We’ve eliminated processed 

foods and include more fruits, 

veggies, and whole grains. We even  

take walks. For my family, gestational 

diabetes was a blessing in disguise

A rare Reese Artichoke coupon

Hey everyone!

I just found this coupon that I have never seen before and am really excited because with fall and winter coming up my hearty meals start including artichoke hearts! So here is a coupon for $.50 off! Not bad when doubled !!

Bacon and more random freebies!

So I wanted to share with you some random items that were free or pretty darn cheap with coupons and how awesome it is to get free products at Tops with coupons because you get 10 gas points for every coupon you use.

Also wanted to update you since I have started clipping coupons and actually finding recipes that use the ingredients I already have for the last 2 months I have not spent more than $45 a week. ( I kept all my reciepts!) With that $45 budget it includes toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner and deodorant.  I was really surprised to see that I kept this budget because there were some weeks where I felt I wasnt getting good deals but really always waiting for a sale and using coupons saves so much money.

So the above I got for $14.56, not bad considering the bacon is $6.99 a package. 

My total before coupons was $30.66

Here is the breakdown:

St. Ives was on sale for $1 used a $1 off any one St. Ives product ( online no longer available)

Final Price- Free

John Frieda was on sale $4.99 used a peelie from last one I bought for a $1.00 off

Final Price- $3.99

Wholly Gucamola used a $1 off from newspaper

Final Price-$1.99

Sorrento Ricatta cheese was on clearance for $1.84 Originally priced at $3. and something

Helluva Good Cheese was not on sale, but we needed cheese but I used a $.75 Tops manufacturer coupon that said it does not double, but they doubled it! So I got a $1.50 off

Final Price- $1.79

Glade Expressions Spray was on sale for $3.99 Used a $3/1 coupon here 

Final Price was $.99 but you receive a $1 off next shopping order from buying this item, so really it was FREE!

Starkist Tuna on sale for $1.34 used a $.55/1 coupon from newspaper. That was doubled.

Final Price was $.24

Oscar Mayer Select Bacon- $6.99 got a coupon in mail for a free package from their facebook page!

Final Price- FREE

Gerber Grabbers was on sale for $1.50 used a $.75/1 coupon here doubled.

Final Price- Free ( There is also a $.75/1` Gerber Organic pouch that you can use here and would be free too)

So this trip I earned 96 gas points as well!! Gotta love Tops!!

Are you a No Trans Fat Christian?

So I want to share with you some more from the book " Crazy Love" Im reading by Francis Chan. He has a great analogy of the labeling we find often now on food, " No Trans Fat". I decided to post this so you get an idea of how straight forward he is before I post what he says about Lukewarm Christians, just because that will hit ya hard after you read it.. Well for most of us it will! This was a great reminder for me when I feel far from God or disconected to do something about it , Right away. Because like Chan says loving God is what its all about. Following God and learning what love is, is what leads us to eternity... which we will all face one day.

And so it begins with potato chips!


(From the Book "Crazy Love")

Recently I saw a  bag of potato chips with a bold declaration splashed across the front: " Zero grams of trans fat." I was glad to know that I wouldn't be consuming and trans fat, which research has shown is detrimental to my health. But then I flipped the bag over and read the ingredients list, which included things like " yellow #6 and other artificial colors and partially hydrogenated oil, which is trans fat, just a small enough amount that they can legally call it " 0 grams". I thought it was incredibly ironic that these chips were being advertised in a way that makes me think they are not harmful yet were really full of empty calories, weird chemicals, and ironically, trans fat.

It struck me that many Christians flash around " no trans fat" label, trying to convince everyone they are healthy and good. Yet they have no substantive or healthful elements to their faith. It's like the Laodiceans, who thought they had everything until Christ told them they were poor and wretched. They were all about declaring, " Look we have no trans fat, . We are wealthy, or we have good families, or we go to church every week." Obviously, its not what you advertise that counts, its what you are really made of.

Gods definition of what matters is pretty straightforward. He measures our lives by how we love. 

Paul writes that even if " I have faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but haven ot love, I gain nothing." ( 1 Corn. 13:2-3)

So God assesses our lives based on how we love. But the word love is so overused and worn out.  God tells us this about love.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

But even those words have grown tired and overly familiar, haven't they?

Here's a little exercise for you to try. Read through the scripture again and insert your name. For example, Francis  is patient..... Do it for every phrase in the passage. 

By the end dont you feel like a liar?

Following Christ isn't something that can be done halfheartedly or on the side. It is not a label we can display when its useful. It must be central to everything we do and are. 

If life is a river then pursuing Christ requires swimming upstream. When we stop swimming or actively following Him, we automatically begin to be swept downstream. I believe that much of the American churchgoing population, while not specifically swimming downstream, is slowly floating away from Christ. It isn't a conscious choice, but it is nonetheless happening because little in their lives propels them toward Christ.

Worry and Stress taking over? Check this out!

So I’m reading this book called, “Crazy Love” Overwhelmed by a relentless God by Francis Chan.

And I wanted to share with you what he writes about worry and stress. It was as great reminder for me as I approach a few big turns coming up in my life… a few I’ll share with you are my brother’s exploratory surgery coming up in a couple weeks at Cleveland Clinic and starting a new job as Operations manager at Habitat for Humanity in Genesee county, and of course there are a couple more things squeezed in between those..

So as my mind started to think about this surgery for my brother and what it will mean for his future and how can I be strong for him and also show him my confidence in God, when we have no solid truth as to what is going on with him and what his future will hold, I realized I have to get into God’s word. That’s the only place where truth is right there instantly. ( Well you hope sometimes it takes a day or so for me to really have some scriptures sink in and speak to me!)  It just continues to ring true to life for all of us I guess. I mean we all do not know what the future will hold. We have to trust in God. 

So here’s what Francis Chan says about stress and worry.

“When I am consumed by my problems- stressed out about my life, my family, my job- I actually convey the beliefs that I think the circumstances are more important than God’s command to always rejoice. In other words, that I have a right to disobey God because of the magnitude of my responsibilities.

Worry- implies that we don’t quite trust that God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what’s happening in our lives.

Stress- says that the things we are involved in are important enough to merit our impatience, our lack of grace toward others, or our tight grip of control.

Basically these two behaviors communicate that it’s okay to sin and not trust God because the stuff in my life is somehow exceptional. Both worry and stress reek of arrogance. They declare our tendency to forget that we’ve been forgiven, that our lives here are brief, that we are headed to a place where we won’t be lonely, afraid, or hurt ever again, and that in the context of Gods strength, our problems are small indeed.

Why are we so quick to forget God? Who do we think we are?

I find myself relearning this lesson often. Even though I glimpse Gods holiness, I am still dumb enough to forget that life is all about God and not about me at all.”

So I’ll leave you with that today and hopefully we can be reminded to give our worries and stress to God, to not let them consume our everyday choices and actions.  

My Homemade successes

So I have been trying to make some things we eat often homemade... less preservatives and cheaper... and here they are!  I would post pictures of them but our camera died after I fell in the water at Stony Brook Park! haha

1. Homemade yogurt! Came out nice and thick.  Here is the recipe ! I let mine sit in the cooler for 6 hours.  I also used 2% milk and only used a half gallon of milk.

2. Blackberry Muffins. We have soooo many in our backyard. Here is the recipe!

3. Strawberry Fruit Roll ups. I just used the recipe from my dehydrator. Its super simple.

4.  Graham Crackers. Let me just say... SO DELICIOUS! The dough is so good and you can eat it worry free because there are no eggs in it!! This is my favorite find! Here is the recipe.

Next I want to try mayonnaise and ranch dressing since we go through quite a bit. It's been fun making things like this and knowing it costs less and is SO much better for you!!