This is not what I intended to post today. But as I read this devotional this morning, God snapped my focus back to Him and so I had to share. Scott and I leave on Thursday on a cruise. There are many things to do this week to get all of us ready for our departure. I have meetings lined up, a house that needs tons of TLC after a crazy weekend, dog obedience training 
, packing for us, packing for the kids, and a 15-20 page paper of Scott’s to review and correct before setting sail- and this on top of the never-ending, everyday stuff (i.e. laundry, meals, dishes, 5 hour long bedtime rituals) My mind is racing with my ‘to do’ list. However, when I read this devotional just awhile ago, God clearly reminded to keep my eyes open, for He has opportunities for me to minister to others this week no matter how busy I am. Having the chance to serve God by loving others is my prayer every night with my girls, so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised when He reminds me of the very thing I ask him to do!
All posts by M. Terry
A Reminder to Refocus
Posted by M. Terry on April 11, 2011
https://wholetothecore.com/2011/04/11/a-reminder-to-refocus/
You Can’t Take It With You
I had the pleasure yesterday of working with my in-laws at one of their estate sales (not their personal estate, it’s their business). This five bedroom, three car garage home sat on 1/3 of an acre overlooking the river. The owners probably used their AC a lot less than the average Floridian because the breeze coming off the water cooled the first floor, and I’m sure the sunsets each evening were breath-taking. The greatest part of working at one of these sales is the reminder that you can’t take it with you! From the hundreds of books in the garage to the house itself, it all stayed behind. I think of the American church today, and we are guilty, individually and as a whole, of greed and selfishness. Jesus reminds us that we are to store up for ourselves treasures in heaven. Having “things” isn’t wrong, but the drive to attain more and the pride of having more is indeed sin. Here is a segment of an interview with Francis Chan that helps keep our wealthy status in perspective…
If one hundred people represented the world’s population, fifty-three of those would live on less than $2 a day. Do you realize that if you make $4000 amonth, you automatically make one hundred times the average person on this planet?
Which is more messed up—that we have so much compared to everyone else, or that we don’t think we are rich? That on any given day we might flippantly call ourselves“broke” or “poor”? We are neither of those things. We are rich. Filthy rich.
God’s definition of what matters is pretty straightforward. He measures our lives by how we love. In our culture, even if a pastor doesn’t actually love people, he can still be considered successful as long as he is a gifted speaker, makes his congregation laugh, or prays for “all those poor, suffering people in the world” every Sunday.
But Paul writes that even if “I have all faith, so as to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:2–3). Wow. Those are strong and unmistakable words. According to God, we are here to love. Not much else really matters.
I must admit that I am comfortable as I am surrounded by all my “things”. Letting go of all that we have is the biggest obstacle in the American Christian’s life. We have little or no need to rely on God when we are so content in our cushy livestyles. May my eyes be opened to how God is calling me to store up treasures in heaven.
Posted by M. Terry on April 10, 2011
https://wholetothecore.com/2011/04/10/you-cant-take-it-with-you/
Celebrating My First Born
Six years ago today I became a mom. Aleyah Danyal entered this world and changed our lives forever. I love the young lady that she is becoming. The qualities that I love about her are…
- Her confidence – She has this amazing assurance of who she is and what she wants.
- Her energy – She can run circles around me!
- Her independence – From day one, she has always loved to do things on her own. In fact, this is what gets her into the most trouble!
- Her empathy – She is tender-hearted and is quick to reach out to others, especially when they are hurting.
- Her servant attitude – She loves to help me in the home whether it is cooking, folding clothes, making beds, or watching her little brother.
- Her initiative – Just like her daddy, she is a go-getter and I know she will succeed in whatever she sets out to do.
- Her love for God – Her questions and observations amaze me, and I know she is not far from totally grasping the sacrifice that God made for her.
Happy Birthday to the one who gave me the blessing of being called “mom”!
Posted by M. Terry on April 9, 2011
https://wholetothecore.com/2011/04/09/celebrating-my-first-born/
Cascadian Farms Spiced Cereal Mix
We love Cascadian Farms cereal. I just bought 14 boxes yesterday at Publix! Since they’re on sale and I had coupons, I stocked up on all our favorites. (Every box will be gone by the end of the month!) I tried this recipe for their spiced cereal mix last fall and have made it several times since. Think Chex Mix but better!
ingredients
| Cooking spray | |
| 3 | tablespoons honey |
| 1 | teaspoon pumpkin pie spice |
| 1 | teaspoon water |
| 1 | cup Cascadian Farm® organic multi grain cereal squares |
| 1 | cup Cascadian Farm® organic oats & honey granola |
| 1 | cup bite-size pretzel twists |
| 1 | cup dried cranberries or golden raisins |
preparation directions
| 1. | Heat oven to 325°F. Lightly spray 15x10x1-inch pan with cooking spray. |
| 2. | In small bowl, mix honey, pumpkin pie spice and water. |
| 3. | In large bowl, mix multigrain squares, granola and pretzel twists. Spray lightly (15 seconds) with cooking spray, tossing once or twice. Stir in dried cranberries. Drizzle honey mixture over granola mixture; toss gently to coat. Spread evenly in pan. |
| 4. | Bake 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cool completely, about 30 minutes. Store in airtight container. |
| High Altitude (3500-6500 ft): No change. | |
1 Serving: Calories 160 (Calories from Fat 15); Total Fat 2g (Saturated Fat 0g, Trans Fat 0g); Cholesterol 0mg; Sodium 130mg; Total Carbohydrate 35g (Dietary Fiber 2g, Sugars 21g); Protein 2g
Posted by M. Terry on April 8, 2011
https://wholetothecore.com/2011/04/08/cascadian-farms-spiced-cereal-mix/
You are Invited to a Field Trip to Whole Foods!
My friend Sarah and I would like to invite you to join us as we head to Orlando on Saturday, May 14th. Our plan is to leave around 10:00 and have lunch at Season 52. This is a great restaurant where they use only fresh, seasonal ingredients and all menu items are 475 calories or less. You will not be disappointed- I promise! Then we will be heading down the street to Whole Foods to do some shopping. This is the Saturday after Mother’s Day, so hand the kids over to the husband and say, “See you later!” and join us for some girl time! Let me know if you would like to join us.
Posted by M. Terry on April 7, 2011
https://wholetothecore.com/2011/04/07/you-are-invited-to-a-field-trip-to-whole-foods/
Mambo Sprouts – Great coupons!!
Mambo Sprouts just released their Spring Messenger which has great info and even better coupons- Kashi, Organic Valley, Clif bars, Stonyfield and more! 
Posted by M. Terry on April 6, 2011
https://wholetothecore.com/2011/04/06/mambo-sprouts-great-coupons/
Fresh Veggie & Fruit Box!
We just picked up our first “small box” of fresh fruit and veggies from Happy Healthy Human over on S. Patrick. What a great deal! For $30 bucks I got…
1/2# red funky beets
-1.5# green cabbage
-1# bunny carrots
-celery
-green leaf lettuce
-1 green onion bunch
-caribbean sweet peppers 12oz
-1# baby spinach
-1/2# zucchini
-1 pt grape tomatos
-2 fuji apples
-1 granny smith apple
-2 valencia oranges
-1/2# kiwis
-1 bartlett pear
-2# bananas
They post what’s in the boxes on Fri. or Sat. and then you can e-mail them your order by Monday at 9:00 AM. Then, pick up the box on Tues. from 1:00-7:00. Order one of their smoothies while you’re there- yummy! Not from around this area? Check out www.localharvest.org for a local co-op.
Posted by M. Terry on April 5, 2011
https://wholetothecore.com/2011/04/05/fresh-veggie-fruit-box/
Back to Brown Baggin’ It
Well, spring break is now over for us, and it’s time to get back into the school-time routine. I pack Aleyah’s lunch for her every day except Friday, and Anna goes to lunch bunch on Mondays. They are creatures of habit and like the same things each time, but I like them to try something new once in awhile. So whether you are packing lunch for your kids or for yourself, here are some great alternatives to your run-of-the-mill brown bag.
Posted by M. Terry on April 5, 2011
https://wholetothecore.com/2011/04/05/back-to-brown-baggin-it/
A Spring Break Escape
Scott, the kids, and I have enjoyed a long weekend away with his family. It was a chance to just escape, relax, and enjoy the company. Relaxing for me, however, is not sitting around doing nothing (not that I could with three kids anyway!).
Anna on the paddle boat
I like to be out and about and do more of the things that I don’t always have the extra time for. I had the opportunity to get a good couple of country road runs in with my husband, fly kites with the kids, play (a.k.a. chase Joel) on the playground, eat a make-your-own-pancakes breakfast at the Old Spanish Sugar Mill,
Chocolate Chip Pancakes 🙂
Scott and Aleyah sharing some catfish
Joel and Me chowing on swamp cabbage
and even walk around the local catfish festival (Forget the catfish- I feasted on the swamp cabbage!). While we had a great time, it is always nice to return home to your own bed!
Posted by M. Terry on April 4, 2011
https://wholetothecore.com/2011/04/04/a-spring-break-escape/
Christ Through Me
Pastor Jim Johnson recently did a five lesson Bible study at our church. Since I was unable to get there every night, Scott brought home the CDs and I have been listening to them over the past few weeks. 
I love how God’s Word is like a blooming rose, revealing more and more beauty as it opens. I don’t think I will ever stop being fascinated by how verses I have read countless times always provide me with new insight into who God is and how He wants me to live. One of the statements that Jim made was one of those times when God revealed a truth to me that I had not caught before. Or maybe it is a truth that I have known all along, but it has been lost in the “churchyness” that we, as believers, can sometimes get bogged down in. Here is what he said (my paraphrase)…
We are not called to go out into the world and be like Christ. We are called to go out into the world and have Christ live through us.
As Phillipians 4:13 states, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” We throw that verse around so often, that I think we forget exactly what it means. It is through Christ that we are able to complete what He has set forth for us to accomplish. If Christ is not the driving force in what we are doing, we will fail. It may not be an immediate failure, but you can be sure that you will encounter unnecessary frustrations along the way. However, when we abide in Him, just as Jesus said, then we will bear much fruit. And he continues on in John15:5 to say that, “Apart from me you can do nothing.” And while he promises a challenging road ahead as we follow Him, He is able to handle our trials and give us victory as we allow him to live through us.
In an age where we are swallowed up by lengthy ‘to do’ lists and hectic schedules, it is easy to forget to lay our lives at the foot of the cross and seek God and His strength to live a holy life that glorifies Him through our service to others.
God has laid a “project” on my heart, and I know that I cannot do it in my own strength. I don’t have the stamina, the patience, the knowledge, or follow-through to complete it on my own. I thank God that He does, and I am praying that I will daily remember to allow Jesus to live through me- because I will never be able to live like Him!
Posted by M. Terry on April 3, 2011
https://wholetothecore.com/2011/04/03/christ-through-me/
Proverbs 31 Devotionals
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