TRUST #18: What Faith Means to Me (Guest: Carolyn McIntosh)

In 2009, I asked my mom to write down what FAITH means to her, and I shared it on my blog at that time. Since today is Mother's Day, and in honor of her, I want to share her article with you again.

Even though I am focusing on TRUST for this year's posts, you will notice below that FAITH and TRUST are very similar in definition.

FAITH:  Complete trust or confidence in someone or something. (In this case: God)

TRUST:  Reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing; Confidence.

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What is Faith to Me?

By:  Carolyn McIntosh

I think of the words to a song, “FAITH is just believing what God says He will do. He will never fail you, His promises are true.”

FAITH is trusting in Jesus alone as the one who died for my and your sins. Believe He was buried and rose again from the grave. He promised He would forgive us if we believe in Him and ask His forgiveness.

FAITH is believing, if we have the faith of a mustard seed, we can move mountains (Matthew 17:20). God has moved many mountains for me and my family - both physically and financially. Why? Because He promised to supply our needs. Not our wants, but our needs.

I have a prayer journal and have had it for about 40+ years. I encourage you to do the same. Then, occasionally go back and read how God was faithful to you, in good and hard times, sometimes even giving you some of your wants. That’s how good God is!

God is faithful to us. We need to be faithful to Him. Believe His Word (His promises), read it and obey it. Cling to His promises every day and, if you are His child, believe His promises are true for you - because He said, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5b)

REVIEW & CONTEST: My Mother's Quilts

Are you a quilt-maker? I am not. I did try my hand at latch-hook rugs for a season, and also did some cross stitching. Other than that, I have never really enjoyed sewing or knitting, or anything like that. But, I do know how much time and work goes into these things, and I admire those who take the time to do it. The finished products are beautiful works of art, and it seems that most quilts usually have a story that comes with them. They are family heirlooms that can be passed down to the next generation. 

My Mother’s Quilts by Ramona Richards is a pretty little devotional book inspired by 30 family heirloom quilts, some more than 100 years old. In 60 devotionals (2 for each quilt), Ramona shares her memories and the lessons she learned from the stories behind each quilt. Each reading provides a Bible verse, a lesson with some encouragement, and a prayer at the end. The book also includes full color photographs of each of the quilts, and comes with an attached ribbon bookmark. It is an especially good find for anyone who loves quilts and the stories behind them but, even if you don't love to quilt, you can benefit from the encouragement found in the book. Here's an example from one of the lessons about the Friendship Quilt, which is featured on page 146 of the book:

"While individual worship and spiritual growth can help grow your relationship with the Lord, it is through community that we receive support and encouragement. Throughout Scripture we are encouraged to gather in His name, not only for worship, but for the strength to be had in uplifting and praying for each other."

CONTEST OFFER! You can WIN one of the quilts featured in #MyMothersQuilts by Ramona Richards. Also up for grabs: loads of other prizes including quilting hand warmers, coloring books, and 25 signed copies of Ramona’s book. Enter now! Winners will be emailed after the contest ends on June 30, 2016. Click the image below to get started!

Click image to be taken to the Contest page

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Ramona Richards is an award-winning editor, speaker, author of nine books, and a frequent contributor to devotional collections. An avid live music fan, Ramona loves Nashville, which she’s called home since she was ten. Sensing her mother was near the end of her life, Ramona documented her mother’s stories and lessons behind each family quilt. These stories form the devotions in My Mother’s Quilts. Find out more about Ramona and her books by visiting her online at ramonarichards.com.   

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Meals Our Moms Made and What We Still Eat Today

The word of the week is MEAL 

:  the food eaten or prepared for eating at one time :  the act or time of eating

When I was growing up, my family usually ate our main meal of the day sitting at a table, talking about life events or sharing about our day. David's family did the same; and this is something we have tried to continue with our own family as much as possible. Eating is something we all must do in order to survive, but it is also a good way to socialize, fellowship, celebrate special events, and  connect as a family.

Most of the meals our moms made for us were home cooked, and I thought it would be fun to reminisce about the meals our moms made, and to see what meals I am still making today for our own family.

Meals My Mom Made

My mom used her Crock-pot quite a bit. She made things like:

• Pork chops and sour kraut (Yep, I still make this occasionally, but the kids don't like the sour kraut)
• Chicken (Yes. I have several different chicken recipes for the crockpot)
• Roast, potatoes and carrots (I have tried to make this a few times, but the roast never turned out good, so I quit making it)

She also made:

• Fried Chicken and Fried Pork Chops (This was probably my favorite meal she made. I don’t fry meats for my family because of the mess it makes, but we like to go out and get it once in awhile.)
• Meatloaf (Mom always put onions in her meatloaf, which I didn’t care for. These days, I make Italian meatloaf for my crew, which doesn't have onions)
• Spaghetti with meat sauce, all mixed together with the pasta (Who doesn’t make spaghetti? I make mine with the sauce separate from the pasta most of the time, and often have meatballs in the sauce instead of ground beef) 
• Lasagna (I love lasagna. I make it a couple times each year)
• Creamed beef gravy on toast (Yep. It’s a cheap meal to feed a family)
• Grilled cheese sandwiches (I still make this. But, I like to use sour dough bread)
• Chopped steaks in ketchup gravy (I don’t make this. My family is not a fan of ketchup gravy)
• Shepherds pie on a plate - made by putting down a homemade hamburger patty, mashed potatoes on top of that, then peas, and topped with brown gravy. (I don’t make this. David thinks it’s the grossest thing on the planet.)
• Chili (Oh, yes! With lots of shredded cheese and corn chips - and no onions! But, I have to make a pot with beans and a pot without, since beans do not agree with my husband)
• Ham and Beans with cornbread (I do not make this - again, because of the beans.)
• Cowboy Beans (I always liked this meal, and it is cheap. But, once again, I can’t make it because of the beans.)
• Beans-n-Franks (Nope. It has beans)
• Homemade pizza (Yes, we made this in our early years of marriage. But, now it’s a lot easier to just go get a frozen pizza, or order it from Little Ceasar’s)           
• Tacos - soft shell or hard shell (I LOVE tacos! Definitely still make this, as well as Taco Casserole or Taco Salad)
• Liver and Onions (Are you kidding me? No way would I ever make this!)
• Salmon patties (I’ve made these a few times. Not often. Its not a favorite of ours)
• Spam in a can (Nope. Never made it. I ate it back then, but don't care for it now)
• Biscuits and Sausage Gravy (Yes. This is a favorite, especially of my husband)
• Ham on holidays (Yes)
• Dad would grill meats on occasion (Yes, I love to grill)
• Chicken and Beef pot pie (I make a version of it with stuffing instead of crust)
• Chicken and Dumplings (Yes, I make this. Good stuff!)
• Beef Stew (I make it occasionally. Its not a favorite for my crew. When I make it, I leave out the cabbage and the onions my mom always added)

Side Dishes included things like:

• Fried potatoes (I love these, but rarely make them because of the mess)
• Potato cakes (I’ve made these occasionally)
• Cooked apples (Yes, I’ve made these. A good way to use up apples that are getting soft)
• Vegetables - corn, green beans, peas, Brussel sprouts, carrots (Yes, I make most of these - no peas or Brussel sprouts)
• Macaroni and cheese from a box (Yep!)
• Salad (Yes, but I don’t mix it all together like Mom did. I put the fixings in separate bowls and let everyone add what they want. David's mom taught me that)
• Pork-n-Beans / Baked Beans (I make these sometimes because EL and I like these, but the boys don’t eat them)
• Mashed potatoes with brown gravy or white gravy (Oh, yes.)

And, don't forget the sweet treats:

• Cake with homemade powdered sugar frosting (I get my frosting from a can)
• Fudge (Yum! But, I don’t make it very often anymore.)
• Divinity (I have prize-winning Divinity at the IL State Fair, by using my mom’s recipe!)
• Rock Candy (This was a cheap treat for us around the holidays. I have made it a couple times)
• Pie crust cookies (I have never made these because I never take the time to make homemade pie crust, but I LOVED these! Maybe I should make them with store-bought crusts sometime!)
• Chocolate Chip Cookies (Oh, yum! Yes, I still make these)

Meals David’s Mom Made

According to David, his mom made a lot of the same things my mom made (Roast, Stew, Chili, Spaghetti, lasagna, pot pie, grilled cheese, hamburgers, and Spam), but she also made a lot of casseroles such as:

• Ham and Cheese Casserole (Yes, I make this today with her recipe)
• Pizza Casserole (I haven’t made this in a long time, but I used to make it a lot)
• Tater Tot Casserole (I like it, but David hates it, so I don’t make it)

She also made things like:

• Pizza Burgers (Yes, I make)
• Pancakes for supper (Yes, I make)
• Fried Fish (We eat a lot of Tilapia, but I bake it more than fry it)
• Baked Chicken (I usually put chicken in my crockpot instead of the oven)
• Stuffed peppers (No, I don’t make this)
• Reuben sandwiches (Yes, at least once per year. David and I love it!)
• Occasionally, they would go out to eat for Gyros (We have never done this)
• Salsbury Steak (Yes, I have made this)

Side Dishes and Desserts include:

• Party mashed potatoes (Yes, I have made these, especially on holidays)
• Corn casserole (Yes, definitely! This is a favorite of ours)
• Orange fluff salad (Yes, another favorite on holidays)
• Asparagus (I was never able to make this come out right)
• Angel food cake with chocolate frosting (I have rarely made this)
• Jello Cake (I have made it a few times, but usually use strawberry Jell-o instead of lemon-lime) 

Do you remember what your mom or grandma made for your family meal table?What was your favorite dish that you still make today?

My Mom

The word of the week is MOTHER (Of course! What else would it be on Mother's Day!)

: a term of address for a female parent or a woman having or regarded as having the status, function, or authority of a female parent.

Not everyone has had the privilege of being raised by a great mom - I know that - and, I'm truly sorry if this is a hard day for you for whatever reason. But, I want to take this opportunity to tell you a little bit about my mom, because she is a huge part of what made me the person I am today. She is not perfect but she has been (and always will be) the perfect mom for me; and I am sure my brother and sister would say the same. Let me tell you about our mom....

• She was born a beautiful, natural red head.
• She was number 3 out of 5 children.
• She was born premature and nearly died as an infant.
• She married my dad at the age of 16, and has been married to him for 54 years!
• She raised three children (one of them is me) and, along with Dad, did her best to train us in the way we should go (Proverbs 22:6).
• She was a stay at home mom and homemaker.
• She was always organized and liked things neat and tidy.
• She had a set day of each week when she cleaned the house - Mondays.
• She made home cooked meals, and was a good cook. (I'll probably cover that more in an upcoming blog post.)
• She was almost always home for us when we got home from school.
• She often had baked treats for us when we got home from school.
• She accepted Christ at the age of 21, and her love for Him is evident.
• She taught me and my siblings about the Lord and had us memorize verses.
• She keeps a prayer journal and has prayed faithfully for her family over the years.
• She loves to laugh and have a good time.
• She has been known to throw a few temper tantrums, but always apologized and didn’t stay mad for long.
• Her favorite meat is pork chops.
• Her favorite dessert is blackberry pie.
• Her favorite verse is Hebrews 13:5 - Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (ESV)
• Her favorite song is Gentle Shepherd.
• She is honest and loving.
• She is a generous and giving person.
• She is a great listener, and a great encourager.

If you know her and have her in your life as a family member or friend, I hope you know how blessed you are. I know I am blessed.

Encouragement Challenge #19: Honoring Mothers

 Happy Mother's Day! 

On May 9, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson declared the first national Mother's Day as a day for American citizens to display the flag in honor of mothers whose sons had died in war. Here is a portion of the Presidential proclamation from this day:  

"Now, Therefore, I, Woodrow Wilson, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the said Joint Resolution, do hereby direct the government officials to display the United States flag on all government buildings and do invite the people of the United States to display the flag at their homes or other suitable places on the second Sunday in May as a public expression of our love and reverence for the mothers of our country."  (You can read the full proclamation on THE PRESIDENT WOODROW WILSON HOUSE BLOG)

Over the years, Mother's Day has morphed into a special day when we acknowledge ALL mothers for the roll they have played in our lives. While there are many different ways to celebrate and honor  mothers, I think its important to realize that most mothers don't really care about how much you spend on them. They are happiest when you simply show you care about them through a meaningful act of your time.

ENCOURAGEMENT CHALLENGE #19:

Consider using one of these ideas to honor your mother this week. (NOTE:  If your mother is deceased, several of these ideas can still be done in honor of her.)

1.  If it works out good for your family, consider cooking her a special meal at home. If you do this, be sure to do ALL the grocery shopping, meal prep, and clean-up. Set the table nice and just let her relax. If you can't cook, or if your mother REALLY wants to go out to a restaurant, let her choose the place to go.

2.  Instead of buying cut flowers that will die in a week, consider planting potted flowers (or a tree) in  her backyard (or in your own backyard if she is deceased). You could even make a minimum $10.00 donation to THE ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION in your mother's honor. Each dollar donated will plant one tree in one of our nation's forests, so $10.00 will plant 10 trees.

3.  Instead of buying expensive gifts, just spend time with her. If you live too far away, be sure to at least call her and talk to her on the phone for awhile. She just wants to know you care about her.  

4. Write a thank-you note to your mom for the roll she has played in your life. Even if you had a mother who was not very loving towards you, or who was absent a lot of the time, you can at least thank her for giving you life instead of aborting you.

5.  Ask your mother what she wants you to pray about for her, then pray for her daily this week (or longer if you like). 

6.  Make a donation in your mom's name to her favorite charity or religious organization.

7.  Name a star after her at STAR-REGISTRATION.

8.  Tell her you love her and show her that love in your actions.

God Brought Encouragement to my Mom

I love the way God brings us encouragement at times when we really need it. Recently, my mom was having a difficult time physically and emotionally. She needed some encouragement. Then, she found a sign I had made for her years ago when I was in Jr. High School. I had forgotten I made this sign for her, but it has my favorite verse on it - the theme verse for this blog. It was made during another time when she was not feeling well, and I wanted to cheer her up. Mom has kept this sign all these years, and it has encouraged her once again.

GUEST BLOGGER: Carolyn McIntosh

For as long as I’ve been alive, I've heard my mother (today's guest blogger) confidently share her faith with me and my brother and sister. I know for a fact how life has not always been easy for her and my dad; but, she has never ceased to cling to the promises God has shown her through His Word.

One thing I specifically remember is a necklace my mother wore, containing a tiny little mustard seed on the inside of a clear ball. This necklace is based on Matthew 17:20, and I remember mom explaining to us kids how our faith can move mountains if we only believe.

Matt 17:20 – “I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." (NIV)

These mountains are not necessarily physical mountains. They can be mountains of illness, mountains of financial need, mountains of overwhelming discouragement, and the list goes on....

Personally, these past few months have had their share of difficulties and discouragements for me and my family. Because of that, I am now wearing my own mustard seed necklace (thanks to a Christmas gift from my husband's parents). I will wear this necklace as a reminder of the hope I have in the Lord, and will someday share my faith with my own kids, the same way my own mother shared with me.

I recently asked my mother to write down, in her own words, what faith means to her. This is what she said.... (Thanks for sharing, Mom! I love you!)....

What is Faith to Me?

By:  Carolyn L. McIntosh

I think of the words to a song, “Faith is just believing what God says He will do. He will never fail you, His promises are true.”

Faith is trusting in Jesus alone as the one who died for my and your sins. Believe He was buried and rose again from the grave. He promised He would forgive us if we believe in Him and ask His forgiveness.

Faith is believing, if we have the faith of a mustard seed, we can move mountains (Matthew 17:20). God has moved many mountains for me and my family - both physically and financially. Why? Because He promised to supply all our needs. Not our wants, but our needs.

I have a prayer journal and have had it for about 40 years. I encourage you to do the same. Then, occasionally go back and read how God was faithful to you, in good and hard times, sometimes even giving you some of your wants. That’s how good God is!

God is faithful to us. We need to be faithful to Him. Believe His Word (His promises), read it and obey it. Cling to His promises every day and, if you are His child, believe His promises are true for you - because He said, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
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