Christians have been persecuted for thousands of years. Some have been killed, tortured and jailed for the simple belief that Christ is the son of God. Here in America, we are blessed with freedom of religion and rarely have to face persecution for our beliefs, however, ignorance is still very present. There is a cliche saying "people fear what they do not know" and I think this applies with Christianity. Most people who don't have a personal relationship with God, think Christians (and their beliefs) are crazy because they don't KNOW God. I recently wrote a facebook post that describes the choice we have in life, we can live politically correct and please man, or we can live biblically correct and please our maker. I know I have chosen the more difficult path by following God and trying to live according to His Word. With my choice also comes adversity and doubt from those around me. Whenever, I feel attacked or as if I am not being taken seriously, I can always turn to the example of Jesus and all he faced while he was on earth. Very few supported him and MANY hated him but He chose to love his enemies and pray for those who persecuted him. Luke 6:32&33 "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners
love those who love them" "If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For
even sinners do the same."
As a believer, I often have to take big bites of humble pie and instead of fighting back those who oppose me, I have to let things go and pray for them. I am not here to tell you and I have NEVER fought back or that I have ALWAYS turned the other cheek. The truth is, I have messed up quite a few times and probably didn't represent God in the best manner. But I can rest assured that I serve a God who will fight my battles because we are not fighting against people in the flesh, it is so much bigger than that.
It does hurt when those around me don't understand what they choose not to know. It hurts when I am mocked or told I am in a cult. It hurts to see people so close to Truth and they just can't bring themselves to surrender. It hurts when I know I have chosen this path and it isn't going to get any easier but it is ALL WORTH IT.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Thursday, May 3, 2012
The 7 Day Vegan
A week ago today I tried eating vegan for 7 days. Being an extremely picky eater, this task was seemingly easier than I thought, however, I still am in limbo as to where to go from here.
I have learned a lot over the past week and have tried foods that I WOULD NEVER and I MEAN NEVER try if it weren't for this vegan thing. I spent way too many hours on the internet researching and planning meals but I think it was all worth it. I feel great, I lost a few pounds but most of all I finished what I set out to do!
I have decided to rid our overloaded pantry of processed foods and get back to the basics. I will buy more fresh items so there is no junk to turn to when I am feeling the snack attack at 3pm along with buying organic products that don't contain hydrogenated oils or high fructose corn syrup. Yes, some of my family members think I am crazy, but I think you have to be crazy to be a little different. Another issue for me was my sweet tooth! Thanks to my endless hours of google searches and a little help from my friends, I found tons of recipes that are a healthy alternatives to satisfy the craving of sweet foods.
And the burning question...will I ever eat meat again? Well, I don't know when I will eat it again. I have always had issues with the treatment towards animals for the sake of making them our food BUT the even BIGGER issue is, even if I continue to eat animal based products (milk, cheese and ICECREAM) I am not helping the treatment towards them. Cows will still spend their entire lives hooked up to hoses that give me milk, chickens will continue to be kept in over crowded warehouses to give me eggs...and well, you get the point. So for me, the only solution there is to take the word of the companies who sell "organic" products and eat as healthy as I can but also drastically reduce my families intake of animal based products.
I know God gave man dominion over animals on the earth (Genesis 1:26) but I also can't help to think that God probably did not intend for us to use animals as much as we do in our diets or to make products that are solely driven by money. Now-a-days companies are all about getting the product out of the door faster and cheaper so they can make more money....with that said I can only do my part and eat less of them.
It's been a crazy, interesting week but now I am ready to implement the new changes in my life. No, this doesn't mean you wont find a stash of chocolate in my house, but yes it will be DARK CHOCOLATE ;)
I have learned a lot over the past week and have tried foods that I WOULD NEVER and I MEAN NEVER try if it weren't for this vegan thing. I spent way too many hours on the internet researching and planning meals but I think it was all worth it. I feel great, I lost a few pounds but most of all I finished what I set out to do!
I have decided to rid our overloaded pantry of processed foods and get back to the basics. I will buy more fresh items so there is no junk to turn to when I am feeling the snack attack at 3pm along with buying organic products that don't contain hydrogenated oils or high fructose corn syrup. Yes, some of my family members think I am crazy, but I think you have to be crazy to be a little different. Another issue for me was my sweet tooth! Thanks to my endless hours of google searches and a little help from my friends, I found tons of recipes that are a healthy alternatives to satisfy the craving of sweet foods.
And the burning question...will I ever eat meat again? Well, I don't know when I will eat it again. I have always had issues with the treatment towards animals for the sake of making them our food BUT the even BIGGER issue is, even if I continue to eat animal based products (milk, cheese and ICECREAM) I am not helping the treatment towards them. Cows will still spend their entire lives hooked up to hoses that give me milk, chickens will continue to be kept in over crowded warehouses to give me eggs...and well, you get the point. So for me, the only solution there is to take the word of the companies who sell "organic" products and eat as healthy as I can but also drastically reduce my families intake of animal based products.
I know God gave man dominion over animals on the earth (Genesis 1:26) but I also can't help to think that God probably did not intend for us to use animals as much as we do in our diets or to make products that are solely driven by money. Now-a-days companies are all about getting the product out of the door faster and cheaper so they can make more money....with that said I can only do my part and eat less of them.
It's been a crazy, interesting week but now I am ready to implement the new changes in my life. No, this doesn't mean you wont find a stash of chocolate in my house, but yes it will be DARK CHOCOLATE ;)
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Swagbucks
If you ever looked at my Facebook activity, you would know that I LOVE swagbucks. For some people who think online surveys and searches aren't legit ways to get you stuff or money, you are missing out!!
I heard about Swagbucks on the local Christian radio station here in Rockford. A blogging mom was giving other SAHM (stay at home mom's) legit ways to make money from home. I gave it a try and now I am proud to say I am a "swaggernaut".
Swagbucks.com is a FREE site that rewards you for your online activity. Here are a few things you can do to earn Swagbucks
I heard about Swagbucks on the local Christian radio station here in Rockford. A blogging mom was giving other SAHM (stay at home mom's) legit ways to make money from home. I gave it a try and now I am proud to say I am a "swaggernaut".
Swagbucks.com is a FREE site that rewards you for your online activity. Here are a few things you can do to earn Swagbucks
- Search the web
- Shop Online
- Take Surveys
- Watch videos
- Take the Daily Poll
After you earn Swagbucks you can cash them in for STUFF! Here is a few things I have cashed in for:
$15 to Amazon, $10 PayPal (which I just transferred to my bank account), 2 $25 gift cards to Chili's, $25 to restaurant.com and I am currently saving up swagbucks to buy my hubbie a birthday gift!
You can cash in for gift cards to Starbucks, Fandango, KMart, Sears, Spa Finder, iTunes and SO MUCH MORE!!
If you are on the computer everyday, you might as well be earning Swagbucks. This is just a little something I can do for date nights or gifts or anything extra I don't have money for. Sign up, you have nothing to lose and a ton of FREE stuff to gain.
If you want more info check out http://www.swagbucks.com/g/faq
If you want to join click here http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/Caramia1114
I wouldn't promote this unless I loved! I know you will too!!
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