It was spring when I wrote my last post and suddenly autumn is in full swing. Much has transpired. It’s time to get back to writing again and I’m making it a priority. So…as I was saying…back to the basics…
Last month I had the pleasure of speaking at a women’s conference in North Branch, MN. It’s been a while since I’ve accepted an invitation to speak so I really wanted to hear from the Lord about what He wanted me to share. As I prayed about it, I felt like He was saying something very simple and yet so profound: Tell them I love them and I want them well. So I told them. And I want to tell you too.
God loves you and He wants you well.
This is something we desperately need to know. By “know” I mean it needs to be part of what we believe. It needs to get on the inside of us and become part of who we are and how we think. It needs to bridge the gap between head and heart. I tell my children that reading scripture and taking in God’s truth is like eating nutritious food…it needs to be chewed, digested, and assimilated (taken into our cells and become part of who we are) in order to do any good. If we merely read it and let it pass through, it will do no good. We’ll get no benefit from it. It’s a waste of time.
Knowing we are loved and that God wants the best for us is a foundational truth worth taking the time to chew on, digest, and assimilate into our being.
Do you believe God loves you? If not, (or if you desire a deeper knowing of this reality - I do!), then ask the Lord to reveal His great love for you. Ask Him to show you how precious you are to Him and how much He desires for you to be well. Come Lord Jesus, come!
My prayer for you (and me): Ephesians 3:16-21
Food for thought: Ephesian 2:4-5, Psalm 86:15, Jeremiah 31:3, Zephaniah 3:17
P.S. Please leave a comment and share how the Lord meets you as you chew, digest, and assimilate these nutritious, life-changing scriptures.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Back to the basics
Back to the basics. That is the word for today. Truth be told, I’ve been feeling convicted lately. I’ve known for a while I need to be writing, but somehow I’ve let it slip to the bottom of the priority list. So since today is the first day of the rest of my life, I’m starting today!
Before I get into what I want to say, I’d like to share a bit more about the journey I’ve been on over the last thirteen years. As many of you know, I started getting passionate about health beginning in 1998 when I began learning about the connection between health our and what we choose to eat. This led to the founding of a ministry called Healthy Moms, Healthy Families. My heart’s desire was to help others (especially moms) discover the benefits of feeding themselves and their families healthy, plant-based, whole foods.
Along the way, I published a newsletter, taught classes, ran a buying club for organic foods, wrote a book, spoke at conferences, and published magazine articles. I enjoyed it all very much, but there came a point in time, around 2005, when I felt the Lord asking me to let go of it all. And so I did. And for the next three years I basically sat at my dining room table and hung out with God. What I mean by that is that for three years, I was in the Word…for hours each day. I’d drop the kids off at their homeschool academy and I’d come home and worship, pray, and study the Bible. It was glorious! I loved every minute of it. And I learned so much! The Lord poured so much into me during that time.
I am eternally grateful that I didn’t hang onto “doing ministry". Those years of “doing nothing” – which is what it looked like to most of the world – were the most productive years of my life. Just “being” with the Lord deeply strengthened my relationship with Him. Soaking in His truth taught me so much. I can testify that John 14:26 is true: But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. The Holy Spirit really does teach us…if we take the time to listen.
It’s going to take a while to share all of what’s on my heart. But I’m looking forward to it. I certainly haven’t arrived; in fact I think I’m just getting started. There is so much to learn and it takes a lifetime. The fact of the matter is the Lord teaches us so that we can share with others. What we experience is not just for us - He wants us to encourage each other. It will be really good for me to put what I’ve learned into words. I learn a lot when I do. And I hope you will too.
I guess I’ll have to get back to the basics...next time :-)
Before I get into what I want to say, I’d like to share a bit more about the journey I’ve been on over the last thirteen years. As many of you know, I started getting passionate about health beginning in 1998 when I began learning about the connection between health our and what we choose to eat. This led to the founding of a ministry called Healthy Moms, Healthy Families. My heart’s desire was to help others (especially moms) discover the benefits of feeding themselves and their families healthy, plant-based, whole foods.
Along the way, I published a newsletter, taught classes, ran a buying club for organic foods, wrote a book, spoke at conferences, and published magazine articles. I enjoyed it all very much, but there came a point in time, around 2005, when I felt the Lord asking me to let go of it all. And so I did. And for the next three years I basically sat at my dining room table and hung out with God. What I mean by that is that for three years, I was in the Word…for hours each day. I’d drop the kids off at their homeschool academy and I’d come home and worship, pray, and study the Bible. It was glorious! I loved every minute of it. And I learned so much! The Lord poured so much into me during that time.
I am eternally grateful that I didn’t hang onto “doing ministry". Those years of “doing nothing” – which is what it looked like to most of the world – were the most productive years of my life. Just “being” with the Lord deeply strengthened my relationship with Him. Soaking in His truth taught me so much. I can testify that John 14:26 is true: But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. The Holy Spirit really does teach us…if we take the time to listen.
It’s going to take a while to share all of what’s on my heart. But I’m looking forward to it. I certainly haven’t arrived; in fact I think I’m just getting started. There is so much to learn and it takes a lifetime. The fact of the matter is the Lord teaches us so that we can share with others. What we experience is not just for us - He wants us to encourage each other. It will be really good for me to put what I’ve learned into words. I learn a lot when I do. And I hope you will too.
I guess I’ll have to get back to the basics...next time :-)
Monday, March 7, 2011
Think on these things...
Word has it that a few of you are under the impression that Café Diasozo is an actual restaurant where you can walk in the door, sit down at a table, and order a meal. It may be someday (I really hope so), but for now it only exists via the internet as a virtual café. I did, however, grow up in a real café where my parents poured themselves into running a small eatery to support our family. It was a small town place where the regulars came for breakfast, coffee-breaks, lunch, and pie in the afternoon. Believe it or not, we were closed before the dinner hour rolled around. There was a counter with red stools, a pop machine filled with ice cold glass bottles, and food made from scratch. Potato dumplings were the most popular item on the menu and, thus, Tuesday (Dumpling Day) was the busiest day of the week.
Growing up in the 70’s and 80’s doesn’t hold the same nostalgia as the 50’s, but today’s norm makes the 80’s look like a scene from Leave It to Beaver. Here’s what I’m talking about: A couple weeks ago, I was in a hospital waiting room. It’s been decades since I’ve paged through a Seventeen magazine, so I picked up the copy sitting on a table just to see what the culture is consuming. To say I was shocked is a gross understatement. As the mother of a fourteen-year-old girl, I was appalled at the garbage that was printed in this seemingly harmless publication. I’m deeply troubled and saddened by the fact that so many girls are filling their minds with this trash.
What exactly am I talking about? I’m talking about the current March 2011 issue. Yes it’s filled with pages of prom dresses and hair do’s and don’ts. But did you know there are also articles about “hook-ups”, the reality of spring break in Panama City, FL, and a two-page spread encouraging girls to “explore their feelings” when it comes to having a crush on another girl? As if all of this is “normal”! Sorry, but 16-year-olds taking spring break trips alone to the equivalent of a week-long frat party is not normal! It’s insanity.
The truth is this: we are what we eat. This applies to our minds as well as our bodies. What we eat with our minds matters. Why? Because it becomes part of who we are – it shapes our thinking – it influences our thoughts – our beliefs – and ultimately our actions. Like it or not, magazine articles, TV shows, music, and the rest of the media heavily influence the next generation. I realize I may be preaching to the choir, but hear me: The over-sexualization of our children is a tragedy that will have implications far beyond what we can imagine. It’s time to turn off the TV America and start saying NO to poison and YES to things that nourish life.
Here’s the good news…there is plenty of excellent things to think on – so many wonderful books and movies to dine on. With so many nutritious options, there is absolutely no need for junk. Here is just one movies - one of our favorite entrees - highly recommended - The Ultimate Gift.
Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. – Philippians 4:8 (MSG)
Growing up in the 70’s and 80’s doesn’t hold the same nostalgia as the 50’s, but today’s norm makes the 80’s look like a scene from Leave It to Beaver. Here’s what I’m talking about: A couple weeks ago, I was in a hospital waiting room. It’s been decades since I’ve paged through a Seventeen magazine, so I picked up the copy sitting on a table just to see what the culture is consuming. To say I was shocked is a gross understatement. As the mother of a fourteen-year-old girl, I was appalled at the garbage that was printed in this seemingly harmless publication. I’m deeply troubled and saddened by the fact that so many girls are filling their minds with this trash.
What exactly am I talking about? I’m talking about the current March 2011 issue. Yes it’s filled with pages of prom dresses and hair do’s and don’ts. But did you know there are also articles about “hook-ups”, the reality of spring break in Panama City, FL, and a two-page spread encouraging girls to “explore their feelings” when it comes to having a crush on another girl? As if all of this is “normal”! Sorry, but 16-year-olds taking spring break trips alone to the equivalent of a week-long frat party is not normal! It’s insanity.
The truth is this: we are what we eat. This applies to our minds as well as our bodies. What we eat with our minds matters. Why? Because it becomes part of who we are – it shapes our thinking – it influences our thoughts – our beliefs – and ultimately our actions. Like it or not, magazine articles, TV shows, music, and the rest of the media heavily influence the next generation. I realize I may be preaching to the choir, but hear me: The over-sexualization of our children is a tragedy that will have implications far beyond what we can imagine. It’s time to turn off the TV America and start saying NO to poison and YES to things that nourish life.
Here’s the good news…there is plenty of excellent things to think on – so many wonderful books and movies to dine on. With so many nutritious options, there is absolutely no need for junk. Here is just one movies - one of our favorite entrees - highly recommended - The Ultimate Gift.
Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. – Philippians 4:8 (MSG)
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Introducing Café Diasozo
Ahhh…a brand new blog. It’s like cracking open a new journal anticipating the words that will eventually fill the pages. There is so much I want to share…but all in good time. It’s a process. In all honesty, I don’t know exactly how it will unfold – which I guess makes for an interesting adventure – one post at a time.
As one who appreciates good food, it is always a blessing to sit down at a restaurant filled with healthy choices. What a joy to find an eatery serving creative entrées made with organic produce that didn’t come out of a can and isn’t run by a corporate conglomerate. It’s pure delight to peruse the menu and contemplate the choices. It’s a pleasure to dine in a place where the food is prepared by people who really care about the ingredients and pour themselves into preparing it. The atmosphere is different. The food is different.
Café Diasozo is just such a place, albeit on-line only (at least for now :-). My heart’s desire is to offer a menu filled with “foods” that refresh your spirit, soul, and body and create an atmosphere conducive to health and healing. By "food", I mean recipes that feed our physical bodies, as well as food for thought for our minds, and words of truth for our spirit. All three parts of us - spirit, soul, and body - need nourishing in order to maintain and/or restore health. We also need exercise, rest, cleansing and a healthy rhythm of life, but I'm getting ahead of myself.
So, the “OPEN” sign is hanging in the window and the tables are ready. Consider yourself invited to the grand opening. If you’d like to make a reservation, click here to subscribe. Welcome to Café Diasozo! I look forward to serving you.
P.S. If you make a reservation, you will receive an email whenever a new post is published. I promise not to overfeed you or share your email address with anyone.
As one who appreciates good food, it is always a blessing to sit down at a restaurant filled with healthy choices. What a joy to find an eatery serving creative entrées made with organic produce that didn’t come out of a can and isn’t run by a corporate conglomerate. It’s pure delight to peruse the menu and contemplate the choices. It’s a pleasure to dine in a place where the food is prepared by people who really care about the ingredients and pour themselves into preparing it. The atmosphere is different. The food is different.
Café Diasozo is just such a place, albeit on-line only (at least for now :-). My heart’s desire is to offer a menu filled with “foods” that refresh your spirit, soul, and body and create an atmosphere conducive to health and healing. By "food", I mean recipes that feed our physical bodies, as well as food for thought for our minds, and words of truth for our spirit. All three parts of us - spirit, soul, and body - need nourishing in order to maintain and/or restore health. We also need exercise, rest, cleansing and a healthy rhythm of life, but I'm getting ahead of myself.
So, the “OPEN” sign is hanging in the window and the tables are ready. Consider yourself invited to the grand opening. If you’d like to make a reservation, click here to subscribe. Welcome to Café Diasozo! I look forward to serving you.
P.S. If you make a reservation, you will receive an email whenever a new post is published. I promise not to overfeed you or share your email address with anyone.
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