Friday, January 29, 2016

Life and Peace

 
 
I was reading today in Romans and this verse really stuck out to me......and I knew you all would be glad that I shared!!  Ha ha ha!!

Romans 8:6-8 says, "6. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. "

Think about that.....really let it sink in......I mean I know that there are some times that I allow my flesh to govern my thoughts and actions.....don't you?  Even when it isn't something big or life changing, if we leave God out of it we are not pleasing to Him.  OUCH!

Take a look at verse 6, it says, "If our minds are governed (ruled) by the Spirit.....If there is a ruler of a country, and people go against their orders that is considered treason, right?!  So.....if we try to govern our lives ourselves basically we are committing treason against our God!  DOUBLE OUCH!!

But look at the promise we are given if we allow the Spirit to direct and guide us...."The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace."  Life and peace.....Isn't that what we all want? We all are searching for life and peace and think that we can find it on our own. We commit treason against our God in search of this illustrious dream, only to wear ourselves out in our quest, because without God we cannot find true life or true peace. If we yield (submit to, give up control to) God, His Spirit will direct and guide us into true life and true peace!!!!!  That is something to shout about!!!
That is how much He loves us!!!


Thursday, January 28, 2016

Tap My Trees: Starter Kit with Aluminum Buckets Review ~ TOS Crew

Tap My Trees Review
 
 

Tap My Trees ReviewMy girls and I are so excited to have the opportunity to spend some time reviewing the Starter Kit with Aluminum Buckets from Tap My Trees. In the past, each of my three girls had the opportunity to witness trees being tapped and maple syrup being made at a local park near our home. It was quite a sight! But how wonderful to have the opportunity to see how it is done up close and personal. When we received our kit in the mail, we couldn't wait to tear it open to see what was inside!!  WE LOVE PACKAGES!

So, even though we haven't made any maple syrup.......yet.....we are looking forward to the possibility of some homemade pancake topping! Since we are not in maple syrup season, we took some time getting familiarized with the contents of the starter kit with hope that we could make our own maple syrup when that time comes.
If you are anything like me, you have never attempted something like this....I mean....I remember the first time I tried to make homemade bread!  Thankfully, that is a story for another day. ha ha ha! I'm sure you all have attempted a new project you knew nothing about. That seems to be something I love to do.....find a new project and jump in.
 
 
What You Get:
 
You get everything you need to start making your own syrup. No matter whether you are planning on starting on a small scale or a larger scale, this kit provides exactly what you need.
  • 3 Aluminum (2 gallon) Buckets. These are used to collect the sap
  • 3 Metal Lids. Use the lids to prevent precipitation and foreign objects from entering the collection buckets.
  • Tap My Trees Review3 Stainless Steel Spiles. These will be inserted into a drilled hole.
  • 3 Hooks. The hooks are attached to the spile and used to hang the bucket on.
  • Maple Sugaring at Home book. This book will provide you step-by-step instruction on how to tap your trees(pictures included). It also includes a section on how to identify your maple trees, how to collect and store your sap, and how to make maple syrup. You will also enjoy the section of frequently asked questions.
  • 7/16" Drill Bit with 3/8" shank. You will use this to drill a tap hole into your Maple tree.
  • Cheesecloth. Use this to filter any solids like pieces of tree bark etc.
Take a look at this short video. It will help you see exactly how to use each item. For those of you that are like me, (I am not an abstract thinker) this video will really clarify the directions that are contained in the Maple Sugaring at Home book.
 

 
What We Did:
 
We dug right into our package and spent time becoming acquainted with each item and what it was used for. My girls are super excited to put it to good use when the time is right. I am hoping that soon we will be able to test it out and see about making our own "sweet nectar" lol.
 
We also were able to locate and mark the trees that we are hoping to tap when it is Maple sugaring season. My girls and I are counted down the days until we are able to get started. I apologize for not having any pictures of my trees, I had a crazy technical problem and now I don't have any pictures to show, but stay tuned.....we are hoping to share lots of pictures when it is Maple Sugaring season!!
 
My Bottom Line:
 
This is a spectacular product! If you are interested in attempting to make your own maple syrup, this is the perfect product for you. Everything you need is included in the Starter Kit with Aluminum Buckets by Tap My Trees. Even if you have never thought about taking on a project like this, you will be pleasantly surprised at how complete of a product this is, and how complete the instructional materials are. This product is top notch! You will love it!
 
 Social Media:
 
If you are like most people today, you like to stay connected through social media. Take some time and connect with Tap My Trees on their social media sites.
 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TapMyTrees/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tapmytrees

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tapmytrees/   TAG your photo's:  @tapmytrees  #tapmytrees #TOSReviewCrew #HSReviews

Pinterest:
https://www.pinterest.com/tapmytrees0518/     TAG your pins:   @tapmytrees0518   #tapmytrees #TOSReviewCrew #HSReviews

YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCB6yQre-XsOl6bo6dO-K5Xw



Tap My Trees Review

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Be An Example

 
 
I read this verse today, and have been thinking about it all day long. Even though I have read this verse multiple times in my life, I found myself looking at it in a new way today.
I Timothy 4:12 has been a verse that I have committed to memory and helped my children do the same. But tell me, when was the last time that you took some time to really see what it says. "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." I Timothy 4:12
 
I love the Bible, don't you?  God's Word shows us the right way to live in every area of our lives. Take some time to meditate on the words of this verse. As you do, let it sink from your head to your heart.....
 
 
A couple weeks ago during his sermon Pastor Bell said something so simple yet profound. He said, "God didn't give us His Word so we could become scientists or archeologists. He gave us His Word so we could become Christians." As a Christian we are to live out this verse. Each day we should look more and more like Christ. We are to be an example to those around us in all things at all times! Yikes! Have we really taken the time to do that? 

It is time for those of us who profess to be Christians to either put up or shut up! It is time for us to not just be hearers of God's Word, but we should put it onto practice in our lives. The eternities of those around us depend on it!

Thank you for reading!
Barbette Yingst
 
 
 


Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Indianapolis Area Event

You will want to attend our annual Women's Refres'her. This night is designed specifically for women and is top notch from beginning to end.
Be a part of the inspirational worship service followed by the anointed and relevant preaching by my friend Michelle Bell.
You will not leave the same way you came in!

We look forward to seeing you there. 


Lifeway Church
3500 E Thompson Road
Indianapolis, IN 46227



Thursday, January 14, 2016

When Things Go Wrong

 
 
 
Have you ever had one of those days?  You know what I'm talking about.....the kind of day that everything seems to go wrong. I mean it's not big things that are going wrong, it just seems like a whole slew small things that add up to one very bad day. Of course you have! Isn't it terrible?! 
 
Or maybe you had one of those days where the news you received was much bigger. We all have things happen in our lives that can stagger us and take our breath away.  What I've realized as I have faced some hard things, is that I have a choice to make. I can either choose to put my hope in myself (and my own abilities) or I can put my hope in Christ Jesus. I want to let you in on a little secret, we should always put our hope in Christ!!
 
Psalm 46:1-2 says, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea."
 
I am not going to lie to you, there have been times that I chose to take things on myself. I thought I could face the overwhelming situations in my life on my own. That never turns out well for me!! My inability to handle the situation leads to insecurity, and my insecurity leads to fear, and so on, and so on..... Be honest, you have done this too!  Am I right?
 
I am so thankful for a faithful God. He never leaves us.....He is "ever-present help in trouble."  I love that.....I don't know about you, but the one thought that always crosses my mind when I am in a troubling situation is that I am alone, or that no one else knows how I feel. Does that happen to you too? When that starts to happen we need to take our thoughts captive and ponder the words to this verse. When life comes at us full blast, we have a place of refuge to run to.....When our strength is all used up, God says that He is our strength!!
 
So whatever you are facing, take heart. There is a God that desires to be our refuge and strength. He longs to walk with us through whatever it is that we face, we just have to choose to put our trust and hope in Him. He will give us the wisdom and strength needed to face absolutely any situation! 
 
Below, please read the blog post from my friend Bob Brown. He had some interesting things to say along the same lines today, and I know that some of you may benefit from this!
Thank you Bob for sharing!!
 
The Trouble with Trials 

1 Peter 4:12 "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy." KJV

2015 was a difficult year for us in many ways. For some it included visits to the ER, hospitals stays and doctor's appointments and treatments. Can I get a witness. Several of you have dealt with the grief of the passing of a loved one or some other kind of deeply felt personal issue. The Apostle Peter was writing to some folks who were having some troubles and trials of their own in the form of persecution so much so that Peter is seeking to give them some support and encouragement to help sustain them during this time that they were going through these trials of suffering.

 Dr. Adrian Rogers said, "You're not going to make sense of suffering until you see it in the light of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Peter was talking to saints who were suffering. Now, sometimes, we get the idea that if we go down the aisle, and we give our hearts to Jesus Christ, and we get baptized, then, our troubles are over. Friend, listen: If you've never met the devil, it's because you and the devil have been going in the same direction. And, you turn around--you're going to meet him head-on. And, in many ways, your troubles are going to begin when you give your heart to Jesus Christ, because you're going to be a twice-born man in a world of once born men, and you're going to be going against the tide all the way. And, Jesus said they're going to hate you. And, listen. In Peter's day, many of the Christians were being persecuted. They were being lied about; they were being slandered; and they were being passed over for promotions; and their goods were being confiscated. And, all of these things happen."

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as though just as one problem was solved, a new one arose. Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to a boil. In the first, she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil, without saying a word.
In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what you see."

 Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied. Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did, and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.
Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?" Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

Which are you?" she asked her daughter.
"When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?" Think of this: Which am I?
Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?
Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit... but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and a hardened heart?
Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you.
When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity?
Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?
The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.

May we all be COFFEE!
 


Thursday, January 7, 2016

#Relentless


Intentionality......

When I say that word what do you think of?

Well, when I hear that word I think of the past twelve months....the entire year of 2015. That was the word that I chose to try to live out in 2015. What I found out was that living with intention is not an easy task, and I have to say I am not so sure I did it justice. I realized that more than I cared to admit, I allowed circumstances to have their own way.....Intentional living is making every moment count even when it is hard or inconvenient. Intentional living is being present, in the moment, at all times. It is investing in the lives of others in a real, purposeful, tangible way in order to build relationships and shine the light of Jesus Christ.

My word for 2015 although I didn't live it out perfectly, changed me for the better. I do know that! I really love that about God. He continually helps me grow and develop. I am forever being crafted into a person that more closely resembles His nature! Isn't that what we all want? Ephesians 5 talks about being led by the Spirit and the difference between the acts of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. We are to continually live out: love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control. Verse 24 -25 says, "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit" You see, as we do this....as we keep in step with the spirit we are putting on the nature of Christ. That is what our world needs. Our world doesn't need another "guru", get rich quick scheme, or reality TV show....what our world needs is for true Christians to live as Christ did!

So, as I say hello to this new year and a new word for 2016, I know that intentionality is here to stay. I will continue to exercise this word in my life knowing that it produces wonderful fruit both in my life and for the kingdom of God.

Now that brings me to 2016.....

I spent some time praying and asking God what word I should try to live by in the coming year....then one day in my prayer time the word RELENTLESS was dropped into my heart. Relentless........it is something that I truly want to be more of. I want to be relentless! I want to pursue each thing in my life with unyielding tenacity. I want to pour myself out in such a way that the kingdom of God is increased. I want to hear God's voice on a daily basis and to do what He tells me to with reckless abandon, knowing that the time is short and there are souls at stake.



I want to show people what it looks like to serve God relentlessly, but not for my own glory....all for the glory of God!!

God is so good in the way that he crafts and designs our lives. Last year was living with intention....this year is being relentless.....Can you imagine if he would have flip flopped those in my life. I could have been relentless last year, but all for the wrong things.... God is so good. He helped me learn to listen for His voice, and to say no to things I needed to, and to live with intention in all I do last year, so that this year I have that foundation to stand on!!

Think about your life.....think of all the times God has worked things out for your good! Doesn't that get you excited!?

So, now you've heard about my word for the new year.....I'd like to hear yours. If you don't usually choose a word for the year, pray about it. I know it has really helped me grow personally, spiritually, and relationally in my life.


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