Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges

{If you are one of my new friends, welcome to my "Life-Changing Books" day here at Sugar and Spice.  I try to feature one book a week with you that I think you should know about, and maybe read, if it strikes your fancy.  I write about why I read it, and what stood out to me about it.  So, without further ado, here's today's book:}

I have an amazing small group of girlfriends that I’ve been meeting informally with once a week for 3 years now.  This is something we’ve intentionally scheduled in, because all of us recognize the need to have close friendships with people who support us and can pray for us as we go through many different seasons in our lives. 

We always have some kind of curriculum that we are going through – if not The Bible itself – and this book was one of the best we’ve ever had as a small group study.

 This study is geared toward people who are good Christians; people who take their faith seriously, make good decisions, and avoid all kinds of blatantly immoral behavior.  This book is written for the person who is doing pretty well in their obedience to God, and staying in between the lines of what is good and bad – at least according to culture and popular values.

What this book addresses, as indicated in it’s subtitle, are “the sins we tolerate” – those attitudes, thought patters, and behaviors that we have grown so used to that we simply think of them as part of our personality.  There are things that have become so engrained in us over the years, we hardly notice them, and continue in harmful and ungodly patterns of behavior.

The first, and overarching sin Bridges mentions is “Ungodliness”.  This is a general term he uses to describe simply living your life without thought of God.  Not even that you are overtly doing anything wrong – simply that you are not considering God’s opinion or allowing His voice to speak to you about your life and your perspective towards it.  Most people think of ungodliness as “evil” or “worldliness”, but truly ungodliness is a state of being that most of us are guilty of at some point or another. 

Let me list the chapters describing the various “respectable” (or shall we think of them as “hidden” or “ultra-subtle”?)

As you read them, several may stick out to you and you may question whether you might be living with a pattern in your life that may not be right.  If so, join the club!  Pick up a copy of the book, (it’s really a great read), and read it as a way to consider your life and be open to anything God might want to lovingly point out. 

The "Respectable Sins":

1)    Ungodliess and Unthankfulness

2)    Anxiety, Frustration, and Discontentment

3)    Pride and Selfishness

4)    Impatience, Irritability, and Anger

5)    Judgmentalism and sins of the tongue

6)    Lack of Self-control, Jealousy, and Envy

You might be thinking that if you read this book you might walk away hanging your head in shame, feeling worse about yourself, and defeated.  This was not the result with me nor was it for my girlfriends.  This is just an exercise in considering your life and asking God to show you any way that you might not be living as He would have you to live.  None of us are perfect, and, as the Bible says, “We all stumble in many ways”, but God’s grace is always there to not only open our eyes to those areas that may need to change, but also to equip us to make the change by His power at work within us.  It’s a relief for me to remember that! 

I REALLY encourage you to pick up a copy of this book.  It got me thinking, and it allowed me to go to God and confess my need for His help to change me in many ways. 

Much love to you all.  I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

 
**For all of my friends who will be participating in my Style Challenge, your emails are due by next Wednesday (when we will all be thinking about fashion again), and you will then receive a follow-up email from me letting you know what day your entry will be featured.  Forgot what the challenge was about?  Newbie to Sugar and Spice and wondering what I’m talking about?  Click here.

Before and After Kids

Before I became a mom, my life was different in many ways.  I've decided to share a few of them with you, let's see if you can relate to any of this:

KIDS:  Before & After

I knew what sleeping in meant.                       

7:20 is a late morning for me.

I’d spend every Sunday morning reading at the coffee shop for an hour.

The coffee shop has made maybe $5 on me in the last year.

We ate out relatively often in a nice restaurant.

Chipotle, Noodles & Company, and Panera is going out for us.

My floors stayed clean for days after I swept them.

My floors stay clean for 5.6 seconds after I sweep them.

The grocery store was a place I could pop in to at any time.

Grocery trips must be strategically and carefully planned out.

My schedule was determined by my workday and social activities.

My schedule is determined by naptimes.

I drove a small black SUV.

I drive a minivan :)

I bought nice flatbread crackers with Portwine cheese spread for snacks.

I buy goldfish for snacks.

I was able to store all of our specialty glassware in our cabinets.

Two entire cabinets are taken up by plastic sippy cups, bottles, plates, and tiny colorful silverware.

My purse was organized, maybe a bit of loose change.

My purse has a loose kid spoon, nipple (for a bottle), travel wipes, and used tissue.

We had a guest room.

We don’t have much extra room.

I could talk on the phone as loudly as I wanted in the house.

I sometimes talk so quietly in the house that my friends think something is wrong.

I smiled and laughed at my favorite TV shows.

I smile and laugh at my kids.  (They are so cute!)

Even though my life has changed, and in many cases things are more work or simply harder to do than they were before, I would not trade this post-kids life for anything.  

I remember taking a walk alone shortly after #1 was born.  I made the realization that my life would never be the same again.  At the time, this was a frightening thought.  I was kind of a slave to my baby and her needs.  What about my freedom?  What about the things that I want to do?  These things would have to stop, or at least be put on hold.  I actually had to mourn the loss of my old life in those first few days after I became a mom for the first time.  

Mourning that loss was necessary, though.  It made me see that I truly was living for myself, and I had to embrace the reality that it wasn't all about me anymore.  Thank you, God, for saving me from myself in that way.  Kids force you to do what you should be doing all along - putting others before yourself.  I hope God gives me 25 kids so I can never stop learning that lesson.  (Just kidding about the 25).

What are your  best "Before & After" statements?  They can be funny, serious, irreverent, or sentimental.  I'd love for you to share.  Let's see what we can come up with!  If you have ever written a post on this topic, I'd love to see it!  Please send me the link in your comment.

Much love, ladies.

Black and White and Red All Over

 This post is all about the black and white shirt.

(P.S. For all of my fashiony vistors from other blogs, make sure you scroll to the bottom of this post for a chance to be featured {for free} here on Sugar and Spice!)

The thing about this black and white shirt is that I got it at Goodwill, for about $1.99.  I bought it because I knew it would be good for layering.  Didn't try it on, just threw it in the cart and brought it home.

When I went to put it on the first time, I realized that it was extremely unflattering.  The waist was way loose and the turtleneck-ish top was less than desirable.

The solution?  Accessorize.

First I added a thick black belt to my lower waist to bring in the loose and unflattering bottom portion of the shirt.  Much cuter already, right?

Next I added the red scarf.  The shirt is too much on it's own, it needs something to distract your eye from it's redundancy.  A red scarf is a pop of much needed color and said distraction.

Finally I threw on the red bracelet.  I really don't know where I got this bracelet from.  I actually just found it in my house.  Not even convinced it's mine!  However, finders keepers, right?  (Especially if it is already in your house!)

Showing you here how I wore my hair up. . . two reasons for that.

First is so that the red scarf can play a more prominent role.  I have long hair and sometimes I feel like my hair takes away from the interest I'm trying to add to the outfit by adding the scarf.  Know what I mean?

Second, it's something that's quick and a little different for a change.  I like different once in awhile.

Scarf, Shoes: Target; Top: Goodwill; Belt: TJ Maxx, Jeans: Express; Bracelet: ???

Your challenge, should you choose to accept it:

1) Find something in your closet that you don't wear because you think it is unflattering, doesn't fit right, etc.

2) Accessorize it, layer it, do whatever you can think of to do with it and see if you can revive that old thing.

3) Debut it proudly.

4)  If you want, send me an email with link to this special outfit creation and I will feature you on a future post!  (sugarandspice1011@gmail.com)
*If you'd like me to feature you, make sure you are a follower so that you will see the day that you are featured!*

Much love to you all,

 

Linking up to:

What I served for Christmas Breakfast

 Here's what was on my table Christmas morning.

Dish in front:  Blueberry & Cream Cheese French Toast Bake
Dish in back:  Egg Bake (with ham and cheese)

I wanted to serve something sweet and delicious as well as something with protein in it that is more savory.  Thus, the double dish display above!

This egg bake is adapted by a recipe passed along to me by my friend Kara.  Her family makes it each holiday.  They make theirs with pork sausage, but I used ham because I had served a Christmas Eve dinner of Spiral Sliced Glazed Ham, and had a ton of leftovers!

*Note to self: continue the Ham dinner on Christmas Eve and use leftovers for this breakfast as well as soups, sandwiches, and egg scrambles later in the week.*

Egg Bake Recipe:
1/2 lb meat (Ham or browned pork sausage)
6 eggs
1 1/2 c milk
2 slices bread cubed (I used french bread but you can use any sliced bread)
1 t dry mustard or Dijon mustard (I used Dijon)
1/2 t salt, pepper to taste
1 c shredded cheese

Beat together all ingredients except cubed bread and meat.  Add meat, bread, and 1/2 c of shredded cheese, combine.
Refrigerate overnight.
Top with remaining 1/2 c shredded cheese the next day and bake 40-45 minutes at 365 degrees.

This baked french toast recipe is awesome - it has all the ingredients in it that you would hope would be included.  It comes out crispy on the outside and soft and flavorful on the inside.

Here ya go, kids!

8-9 slices of french bread (sliced in 1 - 1 1/2 inch slices)
6 eggs
1/2 c sugar
1 1/2 t cinnamon, divided
1 t vanilla
1/2 c - 3/4 c blueberries
2-3 oz cream cheese, cubed
3 c milk
1/4 cup brown sugar
4 T melted butter

Arrange slices of bread in a lightly greased 9x13 pan.  Sprinkle blueberries and chunks of cream cheese over top.  Beat eggs, sugar, 1 t cinnamon, vanilla, & milk together.  Pour over bread.
Refrigerate overnight.
The next day, stir together 1/2 t cinnamon with 1/4 c brown sugar.
Sprinkle this over top of each slice of bread.
Drizzle melted butter over all.
Bake 55 minutes at 325 degrees.

Serve with maple or blueberry syrup.

Now, you notice that the french toast bake needs 55 minutes at 325, and the egg bake needs 40-45 at 365.  I made these both together, so I baked both together at 350.  I started the french toast first, and about 5 minutes in I added the egg bake to the oven.  They both came out perfectly!

Yum.  I wanted two make ahead dishes so that Christmas morning I could focus on the joy and anticipation of my precious little ones before it was time to open presents.

How about you?  What did you serve?  I would love to hear what everyone else does on Christmas morning!

Much love, ladies.

Linking up to Miscellany Mondays @ "lowecase letters"

 The Girl Creative

Somewhat Simple

Comfy in the Kitchen: Feasting in Fellowship Fridays

Pulled Pork Sandwiches

These are the easiest, most fabulous BBQ Pork Sandwiches ever.

It is one of my "go-to" recipes for Superbowl parties, having friends over, or just a good meal that prepares itself over the course of a long day!

Ingredients:

2.5 - 4 lb Pork Shoulder (I use the one shown in the photo below)
1 small onion chopped or 1 T onion flakes
4 - 5 T McCormick Grillmates "Sweet and Smoky" Rub
1 can cola (I use Pepsi)
1/2 cup - 3/4 cup BBQ Sauce (Famous Daves is awesome)

The MEAT:

Place pork in slow cooker.
Cover with rub, onion flakes or onion, and then pour can of cola around pork.
Place the cover on slow cooker and cook 6-8 hrs.

Once pork has cooked, remove the whole chunk of pork with tongs, place on a large cutting board and pull apart using two forks.  Before putting pulled pork back in slow cooker, dump all except 3/4 cup liquid into the sink to discard.  Mix in BBQ sauce into meat.

These are wonderful served on  Turano French Rolls

Turn the oven to "Broil" and lay some open face rolls on a cookie sheet with sliced provolone cheese.
Add the pulled pork and serve.   So yummy!
 

Enjoy!

Linking up:

Fantastic Feature with Mindie @ Bacon Time + other updates

I submitted my "More Creative Kid Snacks" post to Mindie's Weekend Linkup Party and I'm proud to say that I was a "Fantastic Feature" of hers!











Check it out at this link





Thanks, Mindie!  I'm so honored, being a relative bloggy newbie and all.


In other news, I have a book that just came in the mail that I'm excited to read and review later.

Here it is:

It was recommended to me by my friend Suzanne, who mentioned that she thought it would be a good one to read and review for my blog.  Thanks, Suzanne!


Did you know that you too can recommend a book?  I would love to find out which books have taught you something and which still stand out in your mind as ones you would want to let others read for whatever reason.

Do you have one in mind?  Please check out my "Recommend a Book" tab above to find out how to give me your recommendation.  I will give you credit, of course!  Thanks dear friends!

 
Finally, you can see that I've been tweaking the design of the blog a little bit.  I'm doing a little bit of design experimentation, and you might see several changes each time you visit for awhile.  Thanks for your patience while I work with the design to get it to be where I want it.

Have a great Thursday, friends!  Recipe day tomorrow!

A Hint of Christmas

No they are not super warm, but the only two black shoes I own are these and my black suede boots.  Those look much to casual for this look.  The black shoes here are wedges, so even if there was any snow on the ground, (which you can see there is not), I would have been fine.  I do need a nice pair of black boots though.

If you haven't seen the belt tutorial from The Daybook, here it is.

There you have it!  I'm so happy it's almost Christmas.

Cardi:  Target
Belt: Plato's Closet
Blouse: Express
Jeans: Express
Shoes: Target

Linking up with:

WIWW @ The Pleated Poppy


WIWW @ Transatlantic Blonde






What We Wore and Made @ Rae Gun Ramblings



Blonde Episodes





The Letter 4




Much love, all,

Dealing with Death

We recently lost a loved one in our family - my grandmother's sister, my great aunt June.

Aunt June is the second one from the right.  She's telling us about losing her husband some years back but still having hope in God and trust that God Himself will take care of her when her husband cannot.

This photo was taken only a month ago around Thanksgiving at a little get together we had because my cousin had come into town.

Only 3 short weeks after visiting with her at this family gathering, she suffered two strokes; the second being so severe that she was simply unable to recover.


She will be missed.  She left a great legacy of devotion to her family, hard work in all she did, and, most of all, service to Christ.

Losing loved ones really gets a person thinking.

What will be said of me when I'm gone?  What does our life really mean while we are here?

How do we spend our time and energies?   In "futility" or "idleness", building our own name and fame or in service to others and to God?  

This is so challenging to me because I know my temptation is to spend far too much time worrying about myself and my life and far too little time concerned for others.

I've often said in the past, "Think about yourself at the end of your life.  When you are on your death bed, what is it that you will consider the most valuable way(s) that you spent your time?  Try to live your whole life spending as much time on those things as possible."

This is so heavy and so true.

Life moves SO fast.

I think of the children's book "Ten in the Bed".  There were ten in the bed and the little one said, "Roll over", so they all rolled over and one fell out.

The generations pass through this same cycle.  When you were a babe, your parents and most likely their parents generations were around and (hopefully) vibrant and active.  If you were lucky, you even knew your great grandparents for a time.

But just like a children's story about falling out of the bed, the generations roll over from one to the next. 

I am in the young parents generation.  Yesterday I was a child and on the bottom.  Today I am in the parents generation and tomorrow I will be in the grandparents' generation.

It all goes round and round like that.

And when you think of how fast it goes, it can be scary.

Except when you remember the hope we are all offered in Jesus Christ.


"I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me."  John 14:6.

In the truest and most profound statement in all of human history, Jesus offers us the hope of eternal life with the Father (God) in heaven.  You and I do not have to call death our final ending.  We do not have to fear it.  We can have our ugly sin (ALL OF IT) forgiven by Jesus Christ and go straight into the most joyous, beautiful, and perfect places imaginable.  We can live forever with God in unbroken fellowship with him and all who have called on His name throughout the ages.  But, there is only one way to get there.  You must go through Jesus and the forgiveness he bought for you by his gruesome and agonizing death on the cross.

If you have confessed your need for a savior, and called on Jesus to forgive your sins, then you have the hope of glory ahead of you.  A life of meaning now and a future of hope.  Check out my post on HEAVEN for a reminder of what we are in store for.

If you have not reached out to God to accept the gift of redemption He offers you in Jesus Christ, you may not know the hope I am talking about - the hope of spending eternity in heaven, the weight of your sin lifted off your shoulders, and the knowledge that you have been made right before the creator of the universe, the almighty God.  He chose to forgive us through Jesus's sinless death, all out of His love.  He shows us over time that we need Him, and He does the forgiving and the reconciling once we ask Him.

Death is sad, but it is not scary for the one whose hope is in God's grace poured out through Jesus.  It is where we say goodbye to this earth with all it's troubles and say hello to our Maker and the perfection we've never known.

Consider your life today as I have.  Is it going the way you want it to go?  Are you able to spend enough time on what matters most?  Do you have the joy right now of knowing Jesus as the savior of your sins and the one who gives your life a purpose and meaning greater than you?

Once it's your turn to roll out of the bed, will you roll into an eternity with the One who loves you more than anyone has ever loved you and who removes your sin "as far as the east is from the west"?

Thank you, God, for your love for us.  I can't wait to be with you for all eternity just as Aunt June is now!

If you have 2 or 3 extra minutes, please click here and really think about this song and it's lyrics.  It echoes these ideas and is absolutely beautiful to listen to.  It often makes me weep.