Hey GEMS!
I am sorry I have been off for a couple weeks, but I was out of town and then had a very frustrating time with my email and couldn't get things and read things and..... Please forgive me! I am back and wanting to share things with y'all.
I am sure several of you have gotten emails about the loss of our dear sister Lisa. Lisa's Mom passed away on Thursday morning. Lisa is doing okay, but hurting and dealing with all the family stuff too. Please lift her up before the Throne and ask God to give her and the family that peace that only He can give.
I love y'all and will be writing more later!
Remember: God is good ALL the time and ALL the time, God is good!
Love and prayers,
Cheri Lynn
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Note from Lisa and Daily Bible Reading Update
Hi GEMS!
I am up early and sitting at my computer on a beautiful sunny morning. I see the incredible nature of God in the way He faithfully grants each of us a new day in which to make an impact the people around us. I have been daily praying for you and I’m looking forward to being with you again – whether at summer picnics or when we get together in the fall!
God has been leading me to Psalm 139 this week, so we’ll spend some time looking at this interesting section of God’s word.
Love ya!
Lisa
Thur/June 19: Psalm 139:1-4
You know how you sometimes hear that “God is always with you”? This section shows us one place where the Bible teaches us this. No matter where you go, no matter what you do, no matter what you say – the Lord is there.
Fri/June 20: Psalm 139:5
Here, we see the loving protection of God. He lays His hand upon you. Are you seeing it? Sometimes, we miss how God is protecting us because He isn’t doing it in the way we want. If you are truly His child, you are a part of His promises, and He is protecting you. If you’re not “feeling” this, perhaps a good prayer starter today is, “Father, please show me how you are protecting me – open my eyes to see you.”
Sat/June 21: Psalm 139:6
In this verse, the “knowledge” is God’s complete knowledge of every single thing about us. Do you ever find yourself doing or thinking things and you wonder, “Where did that come from? Why am I acting/feeling like this?” We mystify and amaze ourselves sometimes—but God knows us more deeply than we can know ourselves. Because of this, as we draw closer to Him, He reveals more and more about who we are to us.
Sun/June 22: Psalm 139:7-8
One of the characteristics of God is that He is omnipresent. This means that because He is Spirit, He is in all places at all times. Our human minds cannot really understand how that’s possible. But, this verse assures us that this is true. What a comfort to know that the God we worship is able to be there for each one of us at all times no matter where we are. Additionally, we need to remember that because God is omnipresent, He sees everything we do…”The Father up above is looking down in love, so be careful little hands what you do.”
Mon/June 23: Psalm 139:9-10
The idea in verse 9 is that God sees the entire scope of the world. The “wings of dawn” meaning where the sun comes up (in the east) and “far side of the sea” probably meaning (at the time of this Psalm’s writing) the most western seas. Again, we see the promise and comfort from verse 10 – He will lead us and guide us everywhere we go.
Tue/June 24: Psalm 139:11-12
We cannot hide from God. He sees all the wonderful things you are doing everyday, and He sees the ugly things you do. Remember, you are not condemned for the “bad”, but you do need to confess them to God and simply ask His forgiveness.
Wed/June 25: Psalm 139:13-16
I LOVE these verses. I refer to them all the time when I’m talking to someone who does not like the way God made them. Either they think they are too short, too tall, too fat, too skinny, too slow, they have a disorder, they’re not pretty enough, their nose is too big, it’s too small, etc. etc. Read these verses and see that God made you. He does not make mistakes. Every person is wonderfully made. Another way to understand these verses is, ““I thank you because I am so wonderfully and mysteriously made, and because all your works are so wonderful; you know me completely” (Robert Bratcher)
Thur/June 26: Psalm 139:17-18
These verses give us a way to worship God. When you are getting wrapped up in the problems of your life, it’s so easy to lose the “big picture perspective”. In verses 17 & 18, the psalmist is reminding us that the God who knows us and is with us has more “thoughts” than we could ever imagine. He is so immense and incredible—yet, He personally cares for each one of us. You are precious!
Fri/June 27: Psalm 139:19-22
Wowser! Strong words! #1 – I love the honest emotion we see here. This guy was not afraid to lay out exactly how he was feeling—and we should never be afraid to do the same with God. The psalmist is showing his hatred for those who are enemies of God. He is so in love with the Lord that he cannot stand those who hate God. Of course, we have to strike the right balance between hating the sin, but loving the sinner.
Sat/June 28: Psalm 139:23-24
Are there any of us who have “anxious thoughts”? Use these 2 verses as a prayer to the Father. You can’t hide anything from Him anyway, so open up and acknowledge that you want Him to search you. Looking at the very last line – what a loving conclusion to this great Psalm. God, “Lead me in the way everlasting”. It’s only the things of God that last; our lives are better and stronger when we live according to His ways.
Sun/June 29: Psalm 143:10
This is a great follow up prayer verse. By ourselves, we cannot always do the good things we know we should and that we want to do. Here is an honest prayer that says, “God, I need you to show me how to be like You.”
Mon/June 30: Psalm 26:2-8
Verses 2 & 3 again touch on the idea of God examining our hearts. Verses 4-8 give some ways that a Christian lives when she is wanting to please God.
Tues/July 1:Jeremiah 17:10
I keep taking us into the Old Testament because I believe it is very important for us to see that the core characteristics of God have been around for thousands of years and He does not change. That is a comfort to me when my world is going crazy. I am hooked up to God who has seen it all and still the world continues. Here, God again assures us that He sees what we do and rewards us for choosing right ways. Never forget, however, that when you do wrong, you can be forgiven – but His forgiveness cannot take away the consequences that come from our choices.
Wed/July 2: Ephesians 4:20-32
Paul is writing to the church and telling them to remember that they are Christ’s people. He reminds them (and us) that when we choose to live as His children, we are new creations. With each new day, we can grow towards being more like Him. Paul gives some specific examples of ways to live a God-honoring life.
I am up early and sitting at my computer on a beautiful sunny morning. I see the incredible nature of God in the way He faithfully grants each of us a new day in which to make an impact the people around us. I have been daily praying for you and I’m looking forward to being with you again – whether at summer picnics or when we get together in the fall!
God has been leading me to Psalm 139 this week, so we’ll spend some time looking at this interesting section of God’s word.
Love ya!
Lisa
Thur/June 19: Psalm 139:1-4
You know how you sometimes hear that “God is always with you”? This section shows us one place where the Bible teaches us this. No matter where you go, no matter what you do, no matter what you say – the Lord is there.
Fri/June 20: Psalm 139:5
Here, we see the loving protection of God. He lays His hand upon you. Are you seeing it? Sometimes, we miss how God is protecting us because He isn’t doing it in the way we want. If you are truly His child, you are a part of His promises, and He is protecting you. If you’re not “feeling” this, perhaps a good prayer starter today is, “Father, please show me how you are protecting me – open my eyes to see you.”
Sat/June 21: Psalm 139:6
In this verse, the “knowledge” is God’s complete knowledge of every single thing about us. Do you ever find yourself doing or thinking things and you wonder, “Where did that come from? Why am I acting/feeling like this?” We mystify and amaze ourselves sometimes—but God knows us more deeply than we can know ourselves. Because of this, as we draw closer to Him, He reveals more and more about who we are to us.
Sun/June 22: Psalm 139:7-8
One of the characteristics of God is that He is omnipresent. This means that because He is Spirit, He is in all places at all times. Our human minds cannot really understand how that’s possible. But, this verse assures us that this is true. What a comfort to know that the God we worship is able to be there for each one of us at all times no matter where we are. Additionally, we need to remember that because God is omnipresent, He sees everything we do…”The Father up above is looking down in love, so be careful little hands what you do.”
Mon/June 23: Psalm 139:9-10
The idea in verse 9 is that God sees the entire scope of the world. The “wings of dawn” meaning where the sun comes up (in the east) and “far side of the sea” probably meaning (at the time of this Psalm’s writing) the most western seas. Again, we see the promise and comfort from verse 10 – He will lead us and guide us everywhere we go.
Tue/June 24: Psalm 139:11-12
We cannot hide from God. He sees all the wonderful things you are doing everyday, and He sees the ugly things you do. Remember, you are not condemned for the “bad”, but you do need to confess them to God and simply ask His forgiveness.
Wed/June 25: Psalm 139:13-16
I LOVE these verses. I refer to them all the time when I’m talking to someone who does not like the way God made them. Either they think they are too short, too tall, too fat, too skinny, too slow, they have a disorder, they’re not pretty enough, their nose is too big, it’s too small, etc. etc. Read these verses and see that God made you. He does not make mistakes. Every person is wonderfully made. Another way to understand these verses is, ““I thank you because I am so wonderfully and mysteriously made, and because all your works are so wonderful; you know me completely” (Robert Bratcher)
Thur/June 26: Psalm 139:17-18
These verses give us a way to worship God. When you are getting wrapped up in the problems of your life, it’s so easy to lose the “big picture perspective”. In verses 17 & 18, the psalmist is reminding us that the God who knows us and is with us has more “thoughts” than we could ever imagine. He is so immense and incredible—yet, He personally cares for each one of us. You are precious!
Fri/June 27: Psalm 139:19-22
Wowser! Strong words! #1 – I love the honest emotion we see here. This guy was not afraid to lay out exactly how he was feeling—and we should never be afraid to do the same with God. The psalmist is showing his hatred for those who are enemies of God. He is so in love with the Lord that he cannot stand those who hate God. Of course, we have to strike the right balance between hating the sin, but loving the sinner.
Sat/June 28: Psalm 139:23-24
Are there any of us who have “anxious thoughts”? Use these 2 verses as a prayer to the Father. You can’t hide anything from Him anyway, so open up and acknowledge that you want Him to search you. Looking at the very last line – what a loving conclusion to this great Psalm. God, “Lead me in the way everlasting”. It’s only the things of God that last; our lives are better and stronger when we live according to His ways.
Sun/June 29: Psalm 143:10
This is a great follow up prayer verse. By ourselves, we cannot always do the good things we know we should and that we want to do. Here is an honest prayer that says, “God, I need you to show me how to be like You.”
Mon/June 30: Psalm 26:2-8
Verses 2 & 3 again touch on the idea of God examining our hearts. Verses 4-8 give some ways that a Christian lives when she is wanting to please God.
Tues/July 1:Jeremiah 17:10
I keep taking us into the Old Testament because I believe it is very important for us to see that the core characteristics of God have been around for thousands of years and He does not change. That is a comfort to me when my world is going crazy. I am hooked up to God who has seen it all and still the world continues. Here, God again assures us that He sees what we do and rewards us for choosing right ways. Never forget, however, that when you do wrong, you can be forgiven – but His forgiveness cannot take away the consequences that come from our choices.
Wed/July 2: Ephesians 4:20-32
Paul is writing to the church and telling them to remember that they are Christ’s people. He reminds them (and us) that when we choose to live as His children, we are new creations. With each new day, we can grow towards being more like Him. Paul gives some specific examples of ways to live a God-honoring life.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Cardboard Testimonies......?
Happy Saturday GEMS!
I was trying to catch up with my email and found an email from a friend that she had forwarded from one of our GEMS. Anyway, it was a video from YouTube and I wanted to share it with you. I thought it was very thought provoking and wanted to hear your thoughts. Watch and listen and let me know what you think!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvDDc5RB6FQ
Have a great evening and a blessed Lord's Day!
God is good ALL the time - All the time God IS good!
Love ya!
Cheri Lynn
I was trying to catch up with my email and found an email from a friend that she had forwarded from one of our GEMS. Anyway, it was a video from YouTube and I wanted to share it with you. I thought it was very thought provoking and wanted to hear your thoughts. Watch and listen and let me know what you think!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvDDc5RB6FQ
Have a great evening and a blessed Lord's Day!
God is good ALL the time - All the time God IS good!
Love ya!
Cheri Lynn
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Proper Storage Prevents Spoiling
Hey GEMS,
I hope all of you had a great three day weekend and remembered to pray for all those that have served and are serving our Country. I actually got away from town for a couple of days. It was nice to just relax.
I received this from one of our Mentors and wanted to pass it on. Enjoy!
Eating more fruits and vegetables is a requirement for every healthy eater. But when you buy more fresh produce, do you end up throwing away more than you eat? You're not alone. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Americans throw away nearly 31.6 million tons of food every year. And a recent University of Arizona study found that the average family tosses 1.28 pounds of food a day, for a total of 470 pounds a year! That's like throwing away $600! Storing fresh produce is a little more complicated than you might think. If you want to prevent spoilage, certain foods shouldn't be stored together at all, while others that we commonly keep in the fridge should actually be left on the countertop. To keep your produce optimally fresh (and cut down on food waste), use this handy guide.
Countertop Storage Tips
There’s nothing as inviting as a big bowl of crisp apples on the kitchen counter. To keep those apples crisp and all countertop-stored produce fresh, store them out of direct sunlight, either directly on the countertop, in an uncovered bowl, or inside a perforated plastic bag.
Refrigerator Storage Tips
For produce that is best stored in the refrigerator, remember the following guidelines.
* Keep produce in perforated plastic bags in the produce drawer of the refrigerator. (To perforate bags, punch holes in the bag with a sharp object, spacing them about as far apart as the holes you see in supermarket apple bags.)
* Keep fruits and vegetables separate, in different drawers, because ethylene can build up in the fridge, causing spoilage.
* When storing herbs (and interestingly, asparagus, too), snip off the ends, store upright in a glass of water (like flowers in a vase) and cover with a plastic bag.
What to Store Where: A Handy Chart
Use this color-coded key along with the chart below:
Store unwashed and in a single layer
Store unwashed and in a plastic bag
Store in a paper bag
*Ethylene producers (keep away from other fruits and vegetables)
Store in Refrigerator
Apples (storage >7 days) - Apricots - Cantaloupe - Figs - Honeydew
Artichokes - Asparagus - Beets
Blackberries - Blueberries
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts - Cabbage
Carrots - Cauliflower
Celery - Cherries
Corn
Grapes - Green beans
Green onions
Herbs (except basil) - Lima beans - Leafy vegetables - Leeks
Lettuce
Mushrooms - Okra
Peas
Plums
Radishes
Raspberries
Spinach - Sprouts
Strawberries
Summer squash - Yellow squash
Zucchini
Store on Counter top
Apples (storage < 7 days) - Bananas Tomatoes
Basil - Cucumbers - Eggplant - Garlic - Ginger - Grapefruit - Jicama - Lemons - Limes - Mangoes
Oranges - Papayas - Peppers - Persimmons - Pineapple - Plantains - Pomegranates -Watermelon
Store in a Cool, Dry Place
Acorn squash
Butternut squash
Onions (away from potatoes)
Potatoes (away from onions)
Pumpkins
Spaghetti squash
Sweet potatoes
Winter squash
Ripen on Counter, Then Refrigerate
Avocados - Nectarines - Peaches - Pears - Plums
Kiwi
*More about Ethylene:
Fruits and vegetables give off an odorless, harmless and tasteless gas called ethylene after they're picked. All fruits and vegetables produce it, but some foods produce it in greater quantities. When ethylene-producing foods are kept in close proximity with ethylene-sensitive foods, especially in a confined space (like a bag or drawer), the gas will speed up the ripening process of the other produce. Use this to your advantage if you want to speed up the ripening process of an unripe fruit, for example, by putting an apple in a bag with an unripe avocado. But if you want your already-ripe foods to last longer, remember to keep them away from ethylene-producing foods, as designated in the chart above.
Food is expensive, and most people can't afford to waste it. Print off this handy chart to keep in your kitchen so you can refer to it after every shopping trip. Then you'll be able to follow-through with your good intentions to eat your 5-9 servings a day, instead of letting all of that healthy food go to waste.
Have a great rest of the week!
Blessings!
Cheri Lynn
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Sky Angel.......
Hey GEMS,
I had received this video clip a few weeks ago and then Lisa sent it to me today. I wanted to share it with all of you and let you be encouraged as well. Out of the mouth of babes...... We do have someone to lean on when we think we are alone. HE is there/here/everywhere!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYcszYW6ceE&NR=1
Enjoy! Have a good day tomorrow!
Love y'all!
Cheri Lynn
I had received this video clip a few weeks ago and then Lisa sent it to me today. I wanted to share it with all of you and let you be encouraged as well. Out of the mouth of babes...... We do have someone to lean on when we think we are alone. HE is there/here/everywhere!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYcszYW6ceE&NR=1
Enjoy! Have a good day tomorrow!
Love y'all!
Cheri Lynn
Saturday, May 10, 2008
A must see........
Hey GEMS! I received an email from a friend that had the following link attached. please take a look at it and praise the Lord with me - "We are fearfully and wonderfully made!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_e4zgJXPpI4&feature=email
A snippet from a great message entitled "How great is our God!" by Louie Giglio. This section talks about Laminin - an amazing molecule in the human body. A must see!
I love y'all!
Happy Mother's Day!!!
Cheri Lynn
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_e4zgJXPpI4&feature=email
A snippet from a great message entitled "How great is our God!" by Louie Giglio. This section talks about Laminin - an amazing molecule in the human body. A must see!
I love y'all!
Happy Mother's Day!!!
Cheri Lynn
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Kids Eat FREE .........
Hey GEMS!
The following is a list of the restaurants in Bloomington/Normal where kids eat free or for a minimal amount. This list can also be found on WJBC's website: http://wjbc.com/wjbc-laughlinandreynolds.htm#Kids
Kids Eat Free List
Mondays
Alexander's - kids eat free
Famous Dave's - kids eat for a $1
Flat Top Grill - kids eat free
IHOP - kids eat free
Old Chicago - kids eat free
Tuesday
Alexander's - kids eat free
Bennigan's - kids eat free
Carlos O'Kelly's - kids eat free
Denny's - kids eat free
Fazoli's - kids eat for 99 cents
Lone Star - kids eat free
Wings Etc. - kids eat free
Wednesday
IHOP - kids eat free
Buffalo Wild Wings - kids eat for 99 cents
Thursday
Buffalo Wild Wings - kids eat for 99 cents
Schlotzky's - kids eat free
Saturday
Lone Star - kids eat free from 11am - 4pm
Quiznos - 99 cent kid's meal w/ purchase of a full price adult combo
Sunday
Alexander's - kids meals are $1.50
Chevy's - kids eat free - 1 child per adult
La Siesta - kids meal free w/ purchase of entree
Q'doba - kids eat free
Fiesta Ranchera - kids eat free
Olive Garden - kids eat free
Quiznos - 99 cent kid's meal w/ purchase of a full price adult combo
Carlos O'Kelly's - $2.50 off child's meal w/ purchase of an adult meal
(child's meals are $3.49 or $4.49)
Redfire Grille - kids eat free w/ purchase of adult meal
Denny's - kids eat free every night from 4pm - 10pm
You may want to verify with the restaurant before hand...the information provided is subject to change. Enjoy!!
Love y'all!
Cheri Lynn
The following is a list of the restaurants in Bloomington/Normal where kids eat free or for a minimal amount. This list can also be found on WJBC's website: http://wjbc.com/wjbc-laughlinandreynolds.htm#Kids
Kids Eat Free List
Mondays
Alexander's - kids eat free
Famous Dave's - kids eat for a $1
Flat Top Grill - kids eat free
IHOP - kids eat free
Old Chicago - kids eat free
Tuesday
Alexander's - kids eat free
Bennigan's - kids eat free
Carlos O'Kelly's - kids eat free
Denny's - kids eat free
Fazoli's - kids eat for 99 cents
Lone Star - kids eat free
Wings Etc. - kids eat free
Wednesday
IHOP - kids eat free
Buffalo Wild Wings - kids eat for 99 cents
Thursday
Buffalo Wild Wings - kids eat for 99 cents
Schlotzky's - kids eat free
Saturday
Lone Star - kids eat free from 11am - 4pm
Quiznos - 99 cent kid's meal w/ purchase of a full price adult combo
Sunday
Alexander's - kids meals are $1.50
Chevy's - kids eat free - 1 child per adult
La Siesta - kids meal free w/ purchase of entree
Q'doba - kids eat free
Fiesta Ranchera - kids eat free
Olive Garden - kids eat free
Quiznos - 99 cent kid's meal w/ purchase of a full price adult combo
Carlos O'Kelly's - $2.50 off child's meal w/ purchase of an adult meal
(child's meals are $3.49 or $4.49)
Redfire Grille - kids eat free w/ purchase of adult meal
Denny's - kids eat free every night from 4pm - 10pm
You may want to verify with the restaurant before hand...the information provided is subject to change. Enjoy!!
Love y'all!
Cheri Lynn
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