Posts with the category “come-to-the-garden-women-s-blog”

As a young girl growing up, I was nurtured by three important women in my life.  Each one of these special ladies had dynamic attributes that helped shape and mold who I am today.  Most of all, I admired their deep abiding faith in Yahweh.  Through many trials and heartaches, they never blamed or wavered in the strength of their faith in our heavenly Father and they kept Yahshua near their hearts....  Read More

The playground is barren and the sidewalks are bare.  The melodious sounds of children laughing and playing are no longer dancing in the air.  Fingers are tapping with eyes fixed open wide, immersed in a seemingly silent conversation, a child’s new playground is inside – the Internet, to be exact. How long has your child been living in this virtual world and do you know what he’s doing?Today’s chi...  Read More

Are your children full from their media consumption, or are they craving more? When is too much, just plain ole’ too much? Do you know what your children are viewing and participating in online when you are not around (and, if you think you know the answer … are you sure)?In part one of this piece we chatted about what it means to grow up in a digital generation and defined today’s typical teen me...  Read More

Nowhere in the Bible is the country of Turkey mentioned.  Or is it?  Incredibly, the land that is now Turkey was the location for many of the people and events in biblical history.Turkey, as a nation by that name, only came into existence in 1920, just after WWI with the fall of the Ottoman Empire.  This land is where the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers begin and was a key crossroad in the ancient wor...  Read More

What is the meaning of the term, “clean foods”?  In Leviticus, Yahweh has given us specific instructions as to what we should and should not eat.  All of the recipes published in this column adhere to these laws.  For further information please refer to the booklet, “Clean Foods — What the Bible Teaches” at the yrm.org website.Yogurt — An Ancient Food“Yogurt” is a Turkish word related to yogurmak,...  Read More

“Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses…” Exodus 12:15The long winter sojourn inside has taken its toll.  Everywhere I look, there is work waiting: drawers, closets and shelves to be rearranged, floors to be mopped, shined or vacuumed,  windows to be washed, bathrooms to be disinfected, bedcoverings and rugs to be aired outside, fur...  Read More

Who do you think you are? Do you really know? Are you an artist, an athlete, a stay at home mom, or an entrepreneur? Maybe you would rather define yourself by how you look…fashionable or old fashioned, thin or plump, short or tall, beautiful or plain? Perhaps it seems more fitting to bring up the important causes you support, “stop abortion, save the earth, eat vegan.” All of these things are a fa...  Read More

Matthew 7: 13-14 says, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”I was on that wide road leading to my destruction for a very long time. But I’m now on that very narrow road and have found that sharp rocks can also be on thi...  Read More

This is my personal story about how I learned the truth.I grew up going to church off and on: Baptist churches, Pentecostal churches, even a few Jehovah Witnesses meet­ings. My husband and I started going to a church faithfully for about a year, but it ended up being the same sermon over and over.One day I started watching the program, “Discover the Truth” on TV. It would come on just as we were l...  Read More

“He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver, nor he that loveth abundance with increase,” -Ecclesiastes 5:10. (RSB)While looking at the things my parents and my in-laws left behind after their deaths, it became so clear to me that our “stuff” isn’t ours. Some of their favorite pos­sessions bring back memories of their concern that someone might break in and steal the coin collection ...  Read More

I draw this lone flowerInstead of a bouquetIt reminds me, we must stand aloneIf all should turn away.We must be a good exampleBe a light unto the worldBe a path that leads to lifeInstead of one that leads to death.We must be there for our brotherHelp him back up if he fallsBe a giver not a takerAnd love one another most of all.And though all should forsake us in this lifeAnd a friend there can’t b...  Read More

After much planning and false starts, I wondered if I was ever going to get to Guam to see my son Jesse & his new Filipino wife, Joan. I had wanted to share their wedding with them on the island of Saipan. But that was not in Yahweh’s plan.In March 2013 Jesse called and said, “Get your passport mom, you are coming to Guam.” My heart swelled with excitement. Since I was attending Passover & the Fea...  Read More

Sometimes we see things we think we cannot dobut we must understand that we are slates that are not blankbut silently filled with things withinthat Yahweh has for us to do.We shine in our differencesthat Yahweh makes you, uniquely.You, filled with jewels of slowly revealed riches.In all things praise Yahweh.by: the late Michelle Love...  Read More

In the New Testament, Martha is primarily known as the com­plaining woman whom Yahshua rebuked. The story, as told in Luke 10: 38-42, tells that Yahshua had been asked to eat at the home of Martha.She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Master’s feet listening to what He said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to Him and asked, “Master, don’t you ...  Read More

Have you ever thought of going to a counselor to help you with your problems? I know my immediate reaction to this thought is to talk myself out of it if at all possible. I mean counselors use “psychology,” and what if the counselor I get does not agree with my beliefs?What if I don’t like the person, or they can’t understand me? There are so many ways to let fear rule our actions. Counseling is n...  Read More

Today we have access to a huge variety of fresh produce, in or out of season. This wasn’t always the case, however. My grandmother would often tell me of her struggle to feed the family during the Great Depression, when she served beans and cornbread almost daily. Vegetables were only available in season and mostly con­sisted of what could be grown in the backyard garden: tomatoes, peas, green bea...  Read More

Legumes, also known as pulses, are a family of plants that include beans, lentils and peas, and are generally considered healthy. They provide the body with an inexpensive protein replacement for animal meat.  Legumes are lauded by nutritionists for their high fiber content, low glycemic index and richness in protein, complex carbohydrates, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc.No doubt you avoid ...  Read More

I’m the keeper of my ark-houseThe place that we call home.It sits among the world,But here we are not alone.Within its walls we sing and pray,And praise our Abba Yah.Sometimes we cry, but He dries our tears,And then we carry on.Our Loving El told wise wivesTo build their houses upright,And not to ever tear them down,With haughtiness or strife.He also tells us ladies grayTo teach the younger wives,...  Read More

“Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever.” Ecclesiastes 1:4It is a gorgeous day in late May. My parents are here from Florida for a week, school is out and summer vacation has begun, freeing me from my teaching duties. My son is mowing the lawn and my daughter is playing with our two dogs, Chestnut and Annie. I, as usual, am in the kitchen adjusting the herbs and spices ...  Read More

As with any relationship, making time for that special someone, one-on-one time, is so important. My husband and I need our time alone together to connect:  time without the kids surrounding and interrupting us; time that says, “You are important to me,” time that says, “I care enough about you to stop everything else I’m doing and listen to you because I love you.”We have a fairly large family of...  Read More

“…there is a time to be silent and a time to speak.” Ecclesiastes 3:7My mother claimed that I started talking at a very young age – and never stopped.  This “gift of gab” has been a blessing and a curse.  It has blessed me with the ability to befriend strangers, question the unknown, and pass on information and ideas.  It has cursed me with vanity, foolishness and, sometimes, slander.  I have to c...  Read More

The most important confession that I have ever made was when I asked the Father to forgive me of my sins. Romans 10:9, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Master Yahshua, and shalt believe in thine heart that Yahweh hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” The result of this very and most important confession is that it has brought much deliverance to my life. Every ugly, na...  Read More

Easy Corn Soufflé1 (15oz) can corn, drained1 (14-3/4 oz) can creamed corn1 (8-1/2 oz) pouch corn bread mix1 (8 oz) pkg. shredded cheddar cheese(Sharp if desired)1/4 cup melted butterPre-heat oven to 350˚ & grease a 13×9 pan. Mix all ingredients together (except for the cheese). Cover pan with foil.  Bake for 30 minutes.  Remove pan and sprinkle cheese on top.  Return to oven uncovered and bake app...  Read More

When shopping for something healthy to eat, is it the color, taste, or texture that first crosses your mind? What actually makes you pick up the item and put it in your cart?  Surprisingly enough, all three characteristics play a role in the final decision. I consume at least 365 bananas a year, one daily, and it has not turned me yellow in color, mushy in texture, nor am I “bananas” yet. This yel...  Read More

Pumpkin Toffee Crunch Cake1 (29 oz) can pure pumpkin purée3 eggs, beaten1 (12oz) can evaporated milk2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice1 box yellow cake mix1 1/4 cup sugar1 cup graham cracker crumbs1 cup butter, melted1/2 cup toffee bitsPreheat oven to 350˚. Lightly grease 9 x 13 baking dish. In prepared dish, mix pumpkin, evaporated milk, sugar, eggs, and pumpkin pie spice until well blended. Scrape down si...  Read More

Mention the word “pumpkin” at any time of year, but especially in the fall, and most people can’t help but think of the enticing smell of freshly baked pumpkin pie wafting through the air.  In fact, so popular is this alluring smell, that many retailers have it on their shelves in the form of room sprays, body scents, and candles.Native to the American continent, pumpkins are from the family of Cu...  Read More

The way that thunder rolls across the sky from ten miles or more..you can count it coming as it rollsLike shofars blowing from one tel to another telAcross the land, across the whole world, how do we know; maybe across the universeSo comes Yom Teruah blasting, blowing, rollingLike a wave across the lands made by YahwehFrom one end of the world the moon comes shyly risingTill it shines in every pla...  Read More

The infant had died unexpectedly in the womb and the subsequent birth had been difficult.  I watched silently nearby as the mother hovered over the lifeless body of her daughter and leaned down to gently touch her face.   An unfathomable sadness emanated from her vacant, sunken eyes, she turned her head to look away in disbelief and pain.  It would be three days before she would eat or drink much ...  Read More

We all know there are compelling environmental reasons to choose organic food. Many of us buy organic out of a belief that it must be healthier. In terms of avoiding the potential toxicity of pesticide residues, it is. But the case for organic food actually being more nutritious has been harder to determine. Over the last few years, though, there has been a growing body of research demonstrating n...  Read More

Each year as the fiery days of summer begin to wane and thoughts enter into our minds of shorter days and cooler weather, a most wonderful event happens.  For eight complete days Yahweh commands us to leave our homes and live in temporary dwellings so that we can observe one of His pilgrim Feasts, the Feast of Tabernacles, along with the Last Great Day.Symbolizing Yahweh’s millennial Kingdom and t...  Read More

He arrived somewhat portentously during a full moon on Friday the 13th with the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck.  The skillful ministrations of the four midwives in attendance made short work of the problem and a beautiful auburn-haired baby boy made his entrance into this life as we know it.  Simon was ecstatically welcomed with armfuls of love and visions of hope for his future.Over the n...  Read More

Don’t cry for me whenI’m gone;For my heavenly Father and Savior,They live on.They’ve taken my spiritTo keep it safeUntil the time of the resurrectionWhen they will raise me up that day.As you think of me,I’m only asleep,Just getting some needed rest,So don’t weep.I’ll wake up one day;It won’t be long,And we will all be together againWhen His Kingdom comes.Our Father and His Son planned this all ou...  Read More

Anyone who has ever been around children knows that at about 3-4 years old their curious little minds begin wondering about all things around them and they start asking, “Why?”  It seems as if every sentence or command out of your mouth is in return punctuated with this question out of theirs.  Some are easily answered: “Why do birds have wings?”  Other queries, especially as the child gets older,...  Read More

Yahshua said, “Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living,” Mark 12:43-44.I can relate to this verse because my financial situation is similar to what this “poor widow’s” probably was and, like her, I still tithe. I ...  Read More

The clear, haunting notes of a songbird pierce the chilly breeze at the top of Masada.  Perched on a rock ledge, I notice what looks like a cousin of the red-winged blackbird that inhabits the summer cattails surrounding the pond back home. He looks directly at me, cocking his head in that strange, questioning way of one creature attempting to comprehend another.  We lock eyes for only a few secon...  Read More

Today was a mixture of hurry up and wait; one of time spent  productively, of kindness shared, of good deeds accomplished and a necessary reminder to me of the complexities in the struggle between the human desire to move on to newer things, and finding that elusive peace; the comfort of being satisfied with what you already have gathered around you.It took me back to the times in my past when I a...  Read More

I don’t know about you but I love leftovers! You go to all the trouble to make a nice meal for your family, get creative and pour out your expectations of a great din­ner into that beautiful piece of meat, so I say, stretch it out and make it pay.In my family, I tend to be the one happiest to eat leftovers, so after the first leftover day I don’t feel bad if they become mine alone, and I can alway...  Read More

This is a good time to start considering the necessary prepa­rations for the Feast of Unleavened Bread (April 15-21). Readiness begins first with introspection as we search our­selves and humbly seek to rid our lives of the leaven of rebellion and disobedience. Next, we are to rid our homes of all leavening. In other words, it is time for spring cleaning. Women here at our assembly have offered se...  Read More

In school my children and I have been reading all about the Israelites, their leaving Egypt and their travels through the desert. As we have been reading about the Israelites grumbling and complaining, we have been taken aback by their constant lack of faith and unthankful spirit.For one of the suggested activities the teacher was supposed to serve popcorn (manna) for breakfast, snack and lunch. T...  Read More

Soon after I learned the Hebrew name for our Savior Yahshua, an event happened in our town that made clear the importance of names. Taos is a small town of mixed cultures.  Historically, newcomers have come in and with their wealth have created new successful businesses.  They have bought property and prospered, sometimes to the detriment of the locals.An old Ramada Inn was purchased by a man name...  Read More