Recently we youth girls hosted a tea party for the moms in our church. We wanted the evening to be relaxing and encouraging for our moms so we all worked together to make fancy little sandwiches, soup, salad, an assortment of desserts, and of course, a variety of tea! Most of the credit goes to two of our youth girls who headed all this up and planned everything.
-THE DECOR-
-THE PREP-
-THE PARTY-
Compiled by Ginger
This post was written by a family friend of ours, Jen Yoder. She is the author of a creative writing curriculum, Creative Word Studio. I did this in school and am very impressed with the quality of it! Feel free to contact her on their website.
If I asked if you have experienced criticism in your life, how many of you would quickly tally up a mental list of times people have criticized you? We don’t easily forget those times of mental anguish we’ve experienced. Often times, the criticism we receive is in areas that we least expect it. Perhaps we have a passion for teaching younger children or reaching out to the elderly. When our noble work is attacked with someone putting supposed motives and actions on our heads, the pain feels unbearable. Criticism can also come toward our family, our youth group, our church. These moments of feeling “squashed” knock our breath out of us. Or perhaps criticism comes from being vulnerable and asking a trusted person, “How am I doing, really? What should I be changing?” We are devastated when even this trusted person doesn’t understand our hearts and has preconceived ideas. How do we navigate this awful sea of criticism?
Criticism is the expression of disapproval of someone or something based on perceived faults or mistakes. It is often given verbally directly to the person, but occasionally comes through gossip trails or from body language. A discussion on criticism may feel heavy to you. Please keep reading, God can turn harm into good.
As humans, we find it easy to be critical of others. We know the slogan, “we are most like the people we criticize”, but it’s hard for us to actually believe it. We often think we would never stoop to such bad behavior or questionable actions. Maybe we wouldn’t at that point, but I’ve lived long enough to discover that I end up doing exactly what I criticize in other people. It’s humbling and urges me to repent and seek God’s forgiveness.
As “criticizers” we need to consider a few things before we breathe a word to the person, and even to others. There are exceptions if you talk to your mother or your husband about a personal issue in seeking out advice. But otherwise, keep your comments to yourself. Criticism that leaks out through friends does get around!
I have five steps for to think through before you offer criticism.
If you answer no to even one of these questions, then don’t offer any criticism. Since we normally don’t know the whole story, seek first to hear it. If you answer a “yes” to number one, then most likely your relationship with that person is strong enough to handle a face to face talk about the issue.
As the “criticized”, working through the emotional aftermath takes courage and humility. Trust is broken between friends. It’s easier to retreat and create boundaries. The devil likes to plant seeds of bitterness in our hearts and harass our souls with insecurities, but the story doesn’t need to end there.
I have five steps for working through criticism that we’ve received whether it was intentional or not.
It’s possible to overcome the discouragement of criticism. When I see someone who is secure in Christ and in who they are, unapologetically living in freedom, yet able to take vibes from people, I am refreshed. If you sense someone is displeased with something you are doing, ask them about it. We never should be callous and insensitive to other people’s feelings, traditions, opinions, and directions especially if they are in authority over us. Instead we should always be open to growth. Chastisement from God comes through His Word, but most times through other people. It is good for us to stay humble and meek. If you are in any kind of position of leadership or influence, you will most assuredly receive criticism. Count it a blessing and strive to live peaceably with all men.
Plato says, “We must learn not to hold our hurts and waste our time crying, like children who’ve bumped themselves.”
Romans 12:10 says, “Be kindly affectioned one to another in brotherly love; in honor preferring one another”. Verse 14 says, “Bless them which persecute you: bless and curse not.” And verse 18 says, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you live peaceably with all men.” Let’s obey these commands with all our heart.
I know from experience criticism is not easy to wade through. However, God gives us His wisdom, His love, and His Spirit. If we “run after” the fruit of the Spirit, we will be able to overcome the negativity of criticism and live with our faces toward Jesus, ready for His return.
Words: Damarus
My life has been greatly impacted by people speaking words of encouragment to me. Times when I wasn’t sure I could make it, they said it would be okay. Times when I prayed for Jesus to show His love, His people acted and blessed.
Blessings and being blessed are in the Bible so often! God blessed Adam and Eve in the garden. The Israelites were blessed when they followed God. Issac blessed Jacob. Ruth was blessed when she was willing to go with Naomi her mother in law. And God showered them with blessing…. It’s no wondered we desire to by blessed and receive approval. Jesus created it!
Words spoken in love empower, bring life and a feeling of worth. Death and Life are in the power of the tongue… Proverbs 18:21
Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16 Sometimes we may be the answer to a friend’s prayer. I believe Jesus speaks to us and we need to be willing to act. If we are His hands and feet, then we need to listen. For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not loose his reward. Mark 9:41 For myself, I can struggle to be wiling to say aloud what I am feeling, but we can write! Give a note of blessing if speaking aloud comes hard. Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do. Proverbs 3:27
We long to be blessed and receive approval from our parents, husband or wife, and those of great significance to us. Maybe today Jesus is asking us to be the blessing. It is a challenge to me to be willing to seek out whom I can bless. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Let us try harder to allow Jesus to make us a blessing and not to with hold those words of life from people!
You might be thinking, “What in the world is she talking about?”
Or, maybe you have heard of kombucha, perhaps tasted it, but it’s not your favorite beverage.
Possibly you are a seasoned professional reading this and will realize I am only an amateur when it comes to kombucha!
Whatever the case, I really enjoy making kombucha and thought I would share some information on this fermented drink.
Benefits:
There are a lot of people who start drinking kombucha thinking it will prevent or heal a disease. However, kombucha is not meant to fight ailments. Instead, it just gives us good bacteria and helps our bodies rebalance so they can function properly. Fermented food and drinks are easier for our gut to digest. It is not going to harm anything, even if it doesn’t specifically heal. It will help your gut be able to digest food and work properly, though.
Many people drink kombucha as an alternative to sugary carbonated drinks. It does have some sugar in, but in the fermenting process, the yeast and bacteria in the SCOBY use the sugar for nutrition. When we actually drink it, there is very little sugar left.
Kombucha is suitable for all ages and diets. My two year old brother has drank kombucha since he was a baby and he absolutely loves it! Anyone can add kombucha to his or her diet anytime and obtain a benefit.
There are several components of kombucha. It all starts with the SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast). If you are interested in making your own kombucha, you will want to be sure you get a good SCOBY. I recommend buying one from Kombucha Kamp. Next you want organic loose leaf tea. Black tea is the best, but you can also mix it with some green tea and fruit flavored teas. You will also need some basic things like sugar and water. Don’t forget brewing containers- I use a glass gallon jar for the first brew and then divide it into kombucha bottles. You can use pretty much any glass bottle, but I like these because they have a tight seal. Just be sure you don’t use any metal, it will harm the bacteria in your kombucha. And if you want to flavor your kombucha, you need fresh fruit or flavorings.
Brewing is easy. Boil about 12 oz. of water, and add a heaping tablespoon of tea. Let your tea steep for 10-15 minutes, and then pour it into your gallon jar. Dissolve 1 cup of sugar in the tea and then fill the jar with cold water, leaving enough space for your SCOBY and 1 cup of kombucha (this is your starter). If you don’t have kombucha around, you can buy a bottle from a grocery store to use as your starter. Add these two things and then cover the jar with a paper towel and let it sit in a warm location (75-85 degrees), out of direct sunlight for a week- ten days. Then take out the SCOBY and a cup of kombucha to use as a starter in your next batch, strain the rest of the kombucha and pour it into your individual jars. Add fruit or flavorings if you want and then let them sit for about 3 days. Refrigerate until cold and then enjoy your homemade fermented tea!
Please feel free to comment below if you have any questions on the method of making kombucha or just want to know more about it. I have barely even started on this subject! -Ginger
I am so Underserving of the gift of His Grace. In all my weakness and distrust, Jesus has all the right to turn His back to me, but instead He stands with open arms, ready to receive me when I come. That’s Grace!
I continue to fail, and not have faith and believe. I don’t extend grace to that person, when they need it most. I struggle to find things to be thankful for and be thankful for ALL things. I become entangled in life, and the circumstances I am going through and am blinded to the continued gifts He pours out each day. I choose to believe lies and start feeding off of what Satan is trying to give me in my overwhelmed state of mind.
GRACE. ”the love and mercy given to us from Jesus, not because of anything that we have done to earn it, but because God desires us to have it.”
He simply stands, waiting with open arms. Extending grace, mercy and love to His feeble, broken daughter. Ready to swoop her in His arms and shower her in Hope. He could be saying ” daughter, I have been here for you all these times, I have faithfully met you when you needed me, why are you not trusting? ” But instead, He gives grace!
Words by: Damarus
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