Marsha's Musings: From A Life Without Limbs to Life With No Limits

You will be encouraged as you watch and listen to Nick's message. The first video shows how he does some of his daily routine of getting up, turning on the light, combing his hair, brushing his teeth, getting a drink of water etc...all without arms or legs. The second video is clips of him speaking to a group of people. And the last three videos are a series. You'll laugh outloud when he tells some of the funny things he has done at the beginning of the series. Enjoy and be encouraged!

Marsha's Musings:More Just for Fun

Top Ten Reasons God Created Eve (women, take heart)

10. God worried that Adam would always be lost in the garden because men hate to ask for directions.

9. God knew that Adam would one day need someone to hand him the TV remote. (Men don't want to see what's ON television, they want to see WHAT ELSE is on!)

8. God knew that Adam would never buy a new fig leaf when his seat wore out and would therefore need Eve to get one for him.

7. God knew that Adam would never make a doctor's appointment for himself.

6. God knew that Adam would never remember which night was garbage night.

5. God knew that if the world was to be populated, men would never be able to handle childbearing.

4. As "Keeper of the Garden," Adam would never remember where he put his tools.

3. The scripture account of creation indicates Adam needed someone to blame his troubles on when God caught him hiding in the garden.

2. As the Bible says, "It is not good for man to be alone!"

1. When God finished the creation of Adam, He stepped back, scratched His head and said, "Maybe we should create the next one with a little spice!"

[Ted] Posted From [The Funnies]

Books by Marsha
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Marsha's Musings: Just for Fun

One day the zoo-keeper noticed that the orangutan was reading
two books - the Bible and Darwin's Origin of Species.

In surprise he asked the ape, "Why are you reading both those books"?

"Well," said the orangutan, "I just wanted to know if I was my
brother's keeper or my keeper's brother."
+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+

Interesting Quotes
Two wrongs don't make a right; but two Wrights made an airplane.

It's not the pace of life that concerns me; it's the sudden stop at the end.

It's hard to make a comeback when you haven't been anywhere.

Living on Earth is expensive; but it does include a free trip around the
sun.

The only time the world beats a path to your door is if you're in the
bathroom.

If God wanted me to touch my toes, he would have put them on my knees.

Never knock on Death's door; ring the doorbell and run. He hates that.
+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+

Lead me not into temptation. I can find the way myself.

The mind is like a parachute; it works much better when it's open.

Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive, anyway.

There are two kinds of pedestrians ... the quick and the dead.

An unbreakable toy is useful for breaking other toys.

A closed mouth gathers no feet.

Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die.

It's not hard to meet expenses ... they're everywhere.

Jury: Twelve people who determine which client has the better attorney.

The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth.

Mike Hodapp's Clean Humor

Books by Marsha
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Devotion: Examine Yourselves

2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? --unless indeed you are disqualified.


This is a sobering exhortation. It keeps us humble to realize that perhaps it could be possible for one to think they are a Christian when maybe they are not. How should we examine ourselves? Here are some questions that come to my mind as I think on this.

• 
  What am I basing my salvation on? Church membership? Works? Grace alone, through faith alone?

Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be
saved.

Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

• 
  What fruit of the Spirit do I see being developed in my life or is there any?

Galations 5:22-26 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

• 
  Do I desire to spend time reading the Bible?

Psalm 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Psalm 119:160 Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.

John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

• Do I desire to spend time in prayer?

Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,
and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Colossians 4:2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

1Peter 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

• 
  Do I want to fellowship with God's people on Sunday because I want to worship Him and am anxious to hear the Bible preached or do I go out of duty or to socialize with friends?

Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to
good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of
some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day
approaching.

• 
  Do I desire to do the will of God, or do I pursue my own interests?

1Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

1Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

1Peter 2:15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

1Peter 3:17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

1Peter 4:2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

1Peter 4:19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

There are probably more questions that could be asked, but these are just a few that come to mind. So how is your spiritual life? How do you answer the questions posed here? These are indeed some sobering thoughts.

Marsha's Musings: Depression and Hope

Depression looks inward.
Hope looks outward.


Depression looks toward self.
Hope looks toward others.


Depression dwells on the circumstances.
Hope dwells on the good that might come out of them.


Depression looks at the negative in others.
Hope seeks to encourage others and help them.


Depression is the tool of Satan to suck life out of God's people.
Hope is the tool of God to sustain life and preserve His people.


Depression looks downward and sees all the bad.
Hope looks upward and sees the goodness of God.


Depression looks around and falls into despair.
Hope looks up and sees Jesus.

Marsha's Musings:Are There Good People or Are They All Bad? It's a Matter of Perspective.

Psalm 14 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are
corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. 2 The
LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any
that did understand, and seek God. 3 They are all gone aside, they are all
together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

I read Psalm 14 in my daily devotions today. Do you have some verses in the Bible that just don't make sense to you? These verses never used to make sense to me. I thought how can this be true? There are good people in the world. There are people who are kind, loving, giving and unselfish. Aren't these good people?

I learned something. When I compare people with people....yes, it seems there are good people in the world. But when I compare people with God's holiness that is a different story. Compared to God's holiness all of man's goodness and righteousness are like filthy rags. Seen in that light, I understand what the Psalmist is saying.

Marsha's Musings:Examine God’s Messengers

I have very much enjoyed John Divito's posts when he had the Reformed Baptist Thinker blog. Now he is posting on another blog and has closed out the first one. I thought the message he posted today was very good. Go over and take a look. Examine God's Messengers.

Marsha's Musings: Don't ask God to lead you unless you are willing to move your feet.

In reading "Nourishing Traditions", there are many foods that I need to do this diet. Some really hard to come by, such as raw milk. Others just take some searching to find, such as organic, pasture fed meats and soup bones. In reading this book, I became convinced that this is the way I need to go to maximize my nutrition and heal my tendonitis and help my osteoporosis. But how was I ever going to find the things I needed and how would I afford them? God has been "giving me my daily bread".




Raw milk has been supplied by friends who own a cow.




Pasture fed organic meat and bones was found on the internet with the first order being free of shipping. I also found it sold a the Food Coop 45 minutes drive away.




Cod liver/high vitamin butter oil will be gotten cheaper by ordering with a friend who also uses it.





I've learned to make butter, kefir, and saurkraut. I've learned to make chicken bone broth and nutritious soups from it. My next adventures will be beef bone broth, beet kvass, homemade yogurt, and learning how to soak my flour before making bread and soaking rice before cooking it.





There are so many more things I need to learn. This book is so full of information that I am finding I have to go back and re-read much of what I have read because it's hard to retain it all.





I prayed for God to lead me to what would help my conditions and when I first read "Performance Without Pain" I thought there is no way I could ever do this! Then I read a quote somewhere that said, "Don't pray and ask God to lead you unless you are willing to move your feet". As I have become willing, He is showing me the way.

Devotion: Plans and Divine Interruptions

Plans and Divine Interruptions

by Marsha Iddings

James 4:13-15 Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit"; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that."


If you are like me, you have a daily planner where you write down all the things you want or need to accomplish during the day, week, month or year. And, if you are like me, you have certain things that you want to get done at certain times. What happens when something comes up to keep you from getting your plans accomplished?


The Lord has been working on me in this area. There have been times when I have planned my day out in detail and invariably something happens to get me off track. I have planned certain activities for certain days of the week or month and I have planned for the kids to accomplish a certain amount of school work in a given time. But when these things have not panned out, I have gotten upset and cranky.


It has taken chronic health issues to teach me the value in saying to myself, "If the Lord wills I will do this or that." I am learning to look at the interruptions of life such as headaches, tendinitis, a needy friend on the phone, an unplanned for work trip out of town with my husband, unexpected trips to the vet, or to physical therapy and the whole myriad of things that can throw a day off track as Divine interruptions.


God is in control of my days. Before I was ever born He had all my days written in His book. Psalm 139:16 says, "Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them." If He chooses to interrupt my day, then I need to be willing to allow it with a right attitude. This is hard for me, especially when the interruption is a headache or some other physical pain.


I see the value of planning flexibility into each day if possible. The tree on the ragged rock cliff side learns to be flexible with the wind the that whips it around. If it did not bend with the wind it would just snap and break off. In order for it to bend with the wind, it also needs roots that are deep and wrapped around the rock or it could be uprooted. For us to be flexible with God's Divine Interruptions, we need to have our spiritual roots growing down deep and wrapped around the Rock of our salvation. If they aren't, then we are apt to topple over in our faith when life gets rough.


How are your daily plans? Do you have some flexibility planned in so you can absorb God's Divine Interruptions with grace? Are your plans so important to you that an interruption would make you cranky with those you love? The saying, "Take it one day at a time" is Biblical. Proverbs 27:1 Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth.

Gluten Free: Cream of Potato Soup

Cream of Potato Soup

2 cups potatoes, peeled, diced

¼ cup onions, chopped

½ tsp sea salt

2 tbsp potato starch or gluten free flour

3/8 cup chopped Brazil or macadamia nuts (3/8 cup = ¼

cup+ 2 tbsp)

1 tbsp butter

3 cups liquid (potato broth & water)

1. In medium-sized saucepan, cook potato, onion, and salt in a small amount of water until potatoes are almost done. Drain. Reserve liquid.

2. Combine potato starch, nuts, butter, and approximately ¼ cup of liquid in blender. Blend on highest speed for 1-2 minutes until well blended. Stop once or twice to scrape sides and bottom of blender jar. Add rest of the liquid and blend a few seconds longer.

3. Transfer nut milk mixture to the saucepan you used to cook the potatoes. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture thickens. I prefer to stir with a whisk to keep mixture smooth.

4. Add partially cooked potatoes and continue cooking until they are tender. Taste and add more salt if desired.

Yield: approximately 5 cups

Books by Marsha
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Gluten Free:Sloppy Joe Seasoning Mix Recipe

Sloppy Joe Seasoning Mix Recipe

Ingredients
1 tablespoon instant minced onion
1 teaspoon dried green pepper flakes
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon instant minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon celery seed
1/4 teaspoon chili powder

Instructions
Combine all ingredients in a small bowl until evenly distributed. Spoon mixture onto a 6-inch square of aluminum foil and fold to make airtight. Label with date and contents. Store in a cool, dry place. Use within 6 months.

Yield: About 1 package or 3 Tbsp of mix, enough for 6 servings of sloppy joes

To make Sloppy Joes: Brown 1 pound lean ground beef in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Drain excess grease. Add Sloppy Joe seasoning mix, 1/2 cup water, 1 (8-ounce) can of tomato sauce and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve over toasted hamburger buns. Makes 6 servings.

Credits
Recipe from: Make-A-Mix by Karine Eliason (HarperPerennial Library)

Books by Marsha
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Gluten Free: Lazy Man's Gravy

I apologize for no spaces between steps and lines...I tried several times to put spaces in and Blogger would not recognize them. :-(

Lazy Man's Gravy (Gluten Free)

A simple sauce that can be used for anything and completely tweaked with according to taste. You can substitute all or some of the stock with drippings from the pan if you are making a turkey, roast, etc. Great over French fries!

Makes 2 cups. Time: 10 minutes

2 tbsp butter

3 tbsp cornstarch

2 cups chicken stock or beef stock or Herbox Boullion

1. In a saucepan over medium-high heat, melt the butter.

2. Whisk in the cornstarch and continue to cook for one minute.

3. Add the stock gradually, whisking the entire time to avoid lumps.

4. Reduce heat and cook over medium until thickened, stirring

constantly.

5. Taste test and add seasonings according to personal taste. Salt,

pepper and thyme are suggested seasonings.

Books by Marsha
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Gluten Free: Egg Foo Yung

Once again, Blogger refused to recognize my spacing, so I apologize for the lack of formatting.

Egg Foo Yung

1 T. unrefined oil

1 ½ c. mung bean sprouts

4 eggs

2 tsp. fake soy sauce (8 oz. Molasses & 3 oz. Balsamic Vinegar &

sugar to taste…mix and use what you need for your recipe)

¼ grated onion

Opt.: ½ c. sautéed chopped celery

½ c. mushrooms, finely chopped and sautéed

1 T. unrefined oil for each serving

Heat skillet. Add the oil and sprouts. Sauté the sprouts until just heated through. Beat the eggs until light. Add the "soy sauce", onion, sprouts and other chopped vegetables if desired, and mix well. Heat 1 Tbsp. oil in a skillet. Pour ¼ cup of the egg mixture into the skillet and brown on both sides. Repeat until the egg mixture is used up. Serve with cooked rice. Serves 4.

Books by Marsha
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Gluten Free:Week One Menu

Week One Menu

Day 1

Lunch: Egg Foo Yung; plain rice or Tai Peanut Rice (Tai Kitchen); gravy; fortune cookies (start an hour ahead)

Dinner: Twice Baked Potatoes; Apple sauce

Day 2

Lunch: Chicken Rice Casserole; Steamed Frozen Veggies; Cooked Apples

Dinner: Egg Salad Sandwiches; Deviled Eggs; Tossed Salad; Fruit

Day 3

Lunch: Leftover Chicken Rice Casserole; Apple/Pineapple Salad with Yogurt; Steamed Broccoli

Dinner: Sunday Night milkshakes

Day 4

Lunch: Bacon, Eggs, Pancakes, Maple Syrup, Applesauce, Carrot/Apple Juice

Dinner: Sloppy Joes; Potato Chips; Carrot Sticks; Gluten Free Bread

Day 5

Lunch: Fried Spam, Cooked Apples, Yogurt, Gingered Carrots

Dinner: Spicy Chicken Wings, Mashed potatoes, Tossed Salad with Tomato, Fruit-fresh or applesauce, or yogurt

Day 6

Lunch: Tomato Soup, Toasted Cheese Sandwiches

Dinner: Left over Chicken Wings, Potato Cakes, Yogurt, Canned or Steamed Vegetables

Day 7

Lunch: Potato Soup; crackers

Dinner: Bush Beans with Wieners added, carrot sticks, peanut butter, fruit or yogurt, Cheetos, Potato chips

Books by Marsha
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Marsha's Musings:This Hike We are On

I had an email from a friend and she talked about this "hike" that we are on...meaning the Christian life. I really liked that analogy better than simply a journey. Hikes are often up hill climbs and many times quite difficult and hard. Sometimes the Christian life is like that. But I found a really neat verse that works well as a theme verse for this spiritual hike. Habakkuk 3:19 The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer's feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills. God gives us the strength for the hike and He will bring us to the high hills!

Books by Marsha
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Marsha's Musings: Personal Devotions

I was thinking about my personal devotions. I had finished reading the New Testament and was wondering where I should go next. Typically, I read a portion out of my One Year Bible, think about it and then write in a Daily Planner my thoughts about the text and what God seems to be teaching me. I use a Daily Planner as my devotional diary because it has enough space to write for each day, is dated so I can see at a glance if I am falling off the wagon and not spending my quiet time with God as I should. There will be blank dates where I missed. So it keeps me accountable.


I tended to avoid devotional books because in the past I found I would read the one little verse they had at the top and what the author had to say about it, but I never really meditated on the passage or read the verses around it to glean what God would want me to learn. I relied too heavily on what the author of the devotional had to say. So, I was given a Table Talk devotional guide by a friend last week and I wondered if I should use it or not as a devotional guide for a while or if I should just go back to reading through the Bible, using it alone. I finally came up with a workable solution. R.C. Sproul seems to be going straight through the book of Matthew. So this is what I do. I read the whole section of scripture that R.C. Sproul is commenting on first. I don't read anything Sproul has to say about the passage until I first read the passage and meditate on it myself...I write in my devotional diary what I am learning from the passage and what I think God wants me to take action on before I ever read anything Sproul has said. In this way, I am learning from God's Word first before I read what a human author has said and preventing myself from becoming spiritually lazy and letting someone else spoon feed me.


Books by Marsha
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Compassion: A New Photo of Melisa

I was excited today to go to the mail box and find a new photo of Melisa! Recently, I recieved a scrapbook to put her letters, photos and pictures that she draws for us in. I decided I would choose one letter,one piece of artwork, and her photo for each year so that we can look through and see her progress each year. I've already been looking back at some of the first corresponance we've had. Her father used to write to us for her. Then when she learned to write, she started writing her own letters. It was fun to see the progress over the years.

Devotion: Wiggling Your Spiritual Tires

Wiggling Your Spiritual Tires

by Marsha Iddings

Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

The writer of Hebrews tells us to lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily besets us and run the race with patience that is set before us. A good illustration of laying aside every weight would be in the NASCAR races. When there has been an accident or debris on the road the drivers are then put under the yellow caution flag. They then have to follow behind a pace car until the problem is fixed. As they drive behind the pace car you'll find them weaving back and forth on the track. This is called wiggling the tires. They wiggle their tires to remove all the debris that gets stuck in them. They need to get as much of that stuff off the tires as they can so when they get a green flag their tires will grip the road and they can really get moving fast.

Here the writer of Hebrews tells us we need to get all the debris out of our spiritual tires that would slow us down and make us lose our grip in the race of life. There are many things that are weights that slow us down and cause us to lose our grip. Among them are anger, worry, fear, and self pity. If we allow these things to accumulate in our lives they will slow us down spiritually. These things stem from a lack of trust in God's sovereignty over our lives. When we are angry or wallowing in self pity it's because we don't feel like we got what we thought we deserved. Fear and worry are similar in that we feel like the situation isn't being taken care of the way it should be, so we are fearful of what the outcome might be and we fret over it.

The antidote to anger, worry, fear, and self pity is to think on good things and learn to be thankful. Philippians 4: 8 says, 'Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.' Colossians 3:15 tells us, 'And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.'

Do you need to wiggle your spiritual tires today and remove some debris from them? Began today to replace those negative thoughts with the positive truth of Scripture and begin to give thanks for these things.

Books by Marsha
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Marsha's Musing: A Dear Saint Goes Home:Margaret Sorstokke

A dear Saint of God and special friend to my family when I was growing up has passed on to her reward in heaven. This dear lady endured many trials during her life time but always had a wonderful attitude and a smile to share with everyone. Her example has impacted my life in many ways. She found her strength in God.


She took a personal interest in me as a teen-ager. I wanted to compete in Talents for Christ in the Bible Knowledge division. She personally typed up study questions and answers on every single verse in the books of 1 & 2 Corinthians. I still have them today, from 1976. I didn't come in first or even second, but I learned a lot and Margaret Sorstokke will always be remembered for her labor of love.


Margaret was a prayer warrior. She kept notebooks of missionaries that she prayed for. She not only prayed for them, she wrote to them too.


My world was blessed by this dear lady. Now she is in heaven with her Lord and doesn't have to endure any more trials or pain. She leaves many who will miss her, but many who will join her in heaven one day. Thank you Margaret for your example and love.


Margaret Emma (Vories) Sorstokke October 21, 1917 - March 10, 2008


Margaret Sorstokke of North Bend died March 10, 2008 after an extended illness. She is survived by son Ralph Sorstokke (wife Linda, son Jason), daughter Carol Sorenson (husband Al, daughters Donna and Kathy), son Wes Sorstokke (wife Sharon), and daughter Darlene Delaney (husband Dave); a sister, Ruth Harris, brother John Vories, several cousins, and many nieces and nephews and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband and sweetheart, Carl Sorstokke.


Viewing will be Friday, March 14, 9-11am, Snoqualmie Valley Funeral Chapel, North Bend, WA. Graveside service will be Friday 2pm, Bayview Cemetery, Bellingham followed by a gathering of friends and family. Memorial service is Saturday, March 15 at 2:00 p.m., Abide Baptist Church, Issaquah.

Marsha's Musings: Forgiveness & Salvation

In "Amish Grace", a book I am reading about the Amish Response to the Nickle Mines School Shooting, the Amish many times refer to the verses below as their basis for forgiving the shooter and his family for the crime. As you read this book you find that the Amish view of salvation hinges on these verses. They say that God will not forgive us if we do not forgive others.

Mt 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
Mt 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

On the other hand, non-Amish Christians say that we forgive others because God has forgiven us.
Eph 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Eph 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

We also believe that faith and repentance are required for salvation and that faith is a gift of God.

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:(KJV)
1Jo 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

So how do the verses that the Amish focus on figure into the picture?
Forgiveness is a Christian virtue. If we are unable to forgive others, then perhaps this is an indication that we are not a Christian. It would be a call for self-examination.

What do you think?
Do you agree with what I said above? If not, why not? If so, why?
How do you define forgiveness?
Does forgiveness mean that you also are to forget?
Does forgiveness mean that you pardon the wrong?
Can you forgive someone, yet still have desire for justice?
Is forgiveness an on-going act that must be re-visited mulitiple times or is it a one time done deal?
If you forgive someone, then what happens when the bad feelings come back on you? What then? Have you truly forgiven them or is it something you must do over and over again?
Is forgiveness active or passive (something done in your heart only)? If active, what action is needed toward the offender? Or, does whether it is active or passive depend on the situation?
I would love to hear some comments and get some discussion going on this.

Marsha's Musings:Can Allergic Reactions To Soy Be Overcome Through Fermentation?

I find this interesting in light of the reading I've been doing in Nourishing Traditions, a book I reviewed earlier on my blog. Fermentation of grains, beans and milk are big basics for the traditional diet. The reason is because it makes these foods easier to digest. Could many food allergies be the result of poor digestion? I think so from what I have been reading.

Can Allergic Reactions To Soy Be Overcome Through Fermentation?

ScienceDaily (2008-03-09) -- If you're allergic to soy, help is on the way. Two new studies show that fermenting soy dramatically reduces its potential allergenicity and also increases the number of essential amino acids in soy products, making them a healthy and a safe choice for consumers. ... > read full article

Devotion:In the Day of Adversity

In the Day of Adversity

By Marsha Iddings

Ecclesiastes 7:14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, But in the day of adversity consider: Surely God has appointed the one as well as the other, So that man can find out nothing that will come after him. (NKJV)

I was cleaning up my room and sorting through papers one day when I came across a piece of paper with two verses printed on it. One was the verse above and the other was Isaiah 30:20-21.

And though the Lord gives you The bread of adversity and the water of affliction, Yet your teachers will not be moved into a corner anymore, But your eyes shall see your teachers. Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it," Whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left. (NKJV)

Since I have been dealing with chronic tendonitis, these verses came as great encouragement to me. I have had much time to consider and learn from God's Word and other Christian writers as I spend more time resting. My teachers are not in a corner when God gives me the bread of adversity and the water of affliction. John Wesley comments on the Ecclesiastes verse by saying that God has appointed both prosperity and adversity so "That-No man might be able to foresee, what shall befal him afterwards; and therefore might live in a constant dependence upon God, and neither despair in trouble, nor be secure or presumptuous in prosperity."

How easy it is when everything is going right for us to become secure and presumptuous in prosperity! How easy it is when I am feeling great and am pain-free to get so busy that I am depending on my own strength instead of being in constant dependence on Him! God gives me pain-free days and days filled with pain so that I never know what a day will be like and I must learn to be in constant dependence on Him. Depending on Him is the best place to be. It's the place where the "peace that passes understanding" guards our hearts. (Philippians 4:6-7) Are you in that place?

Books by Marsha
http://www.lulu.com/Marsha-Iddings

Marsha's Musings: When I'm An Old Lady

When I'm an old lady, I'll live with each kid,
And bring so much happiness...just as they did.
I want to pay back all the joy they've provided.
Returning each deed! Oh, they'll be so excited!
(When I'm an old lady and live with my kids)

I'll write on the wall with reds, whites and blues,
And I'll bounce on the furniture...wearing my shoes.
I'll drink from the carton and then leave it out.
I'll stuff all the toilets and oh, how they'll shout!
(When I'm an old lady and live with my kids)

When they're on the phone and just out of reach,
I'll get into things like sugar and bleach.
Oh, they'll snap their fingers and then shake their head,
(When I'm an old lady and live with my kids)

When they cook dinner and call me to eat,
I'll not eat my green beans or salad or meat,
I'll gag on my okra, spill milk on the table,
And when they get angry...I'll run...if I'm able!
(When I'm an old lady and live with my kids)

I'll sit close to the TV, through the channels I'll click,
I'll cross both eyes just to see if they stick.
I'll take off my socks and throw one away,
And play in the mud 'til the end of the day!
(When I'm an old lady and live with my kids)

And later in bed, I'll lay back and sigh,
I'll thank God in prayer and then close my eyes.
My kids will look down with a smile slowly creeping,
And say with a groan, 'She's so sweet when she's sleeping!'
God Bless All Moms and Grandmas everywhere!

Author Unknown

Marsha's Musings: One-another Commands of Scripture

On Sunday, our pastor addressed the issue of ministry. Many Christians want to be in a church where they can be involved in a "ministry". He challenged that by saying that if we all just practiced the "one another" commands we would have plenty of ministry opportunities to keep us busy and we wouldn't need to manufacture "ministry opportunities" in the church. Very thought provoking. Here are the "one another" commands I found. I am sure I probably missed some.

John 13:34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

Romans 13:8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.

Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;

Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

Romans 14:13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way.

Romans 15:7 ¶ Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.

Romans 15:14 ¶ Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

Romans 16:16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you.

1Cor. 6:7 Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated?

1Cor. 11:33 Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another.

1Cor. 16:20 All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

Gal. 5:13 ¶ For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

Gal. 5:26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Gal. 6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Eph 4:2 ¶ with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,

Eph 4:25 Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor," for we are members of one another.

Eph 4:32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.

Eph 5:19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,

Eph 5:21 ¶ submitting to one another in the fear of God.

Col 3:9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,

Col 3:13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

1Thess 3:12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you,

1Thess 4:18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

1Thess 5:11 ¶ Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

Heb 3:13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

Heb 10:24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,

Heb 10:25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Jas 4:11 ¶ Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.

Jas 5:9 Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!

Jas 5:16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

1Pe 1:22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,

1Pe 3:8 ¶ Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;

1Pe 4:8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins."

1Pe 4:9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.

1Pe 4:10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

1Pe 5:5 ¶ Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."

1Pe 5:14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

1John 3:23 ¶ And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.

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Books by Marsha
http://www.lulu.com/Marsha-Iddings