Some Steps to Finishing Well

Today I will address the "Finishing Well" portion of my blog.  I've been asking God, in my "retirement", what I should do.  He informs me that I should take life one day at a time, and as each day unfolds simply be obedient.  Well, today's scripture reading from Ephesians 5 gave some pretty specific instructions from Him.  Thought I would share some of that passage and how it spoke to me.

Follow God's example in everything you do because you are his dear children.  Live a life filled with love for others, following the example of Christ, who loves you and gave himself as a sacrifice to take away your sin.  (vs 1-2)
Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord.  (vs 10)
So be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise.  Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days.  Don't act thoughtlessly, but try to understand what the Lord wants you to do.  (vs 15-17)
...let the Holy Spirit fill and control you.   (vs 18b)

So here is my summary of what God expects of me each day:

1. be an example of Christ's love
2. please the Lord by living wisely
3. do good to others, being filled and controlled by the Holy Spirit

A three-step plan for Finishing Well.  Think I'll try it...how about you?

Be A Peacemaker

Scripture Inspiration

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the sons of God.  (Matthew 5:9)

In my morning devotions I read that there are three ways to calm strife.  We all need to incorporate these into our lives!
1.  Patience
2.  Self-control
3.  Wisdom (seeing things from God's perspective)

What a difference each one of us can make if we remember those three qualities, and work on them at every given opportunity.  We could diffuse a lot of anger around us if we ourselves can remain calm and strive for peace!


Food Inspiration

You want something really simple to prepare and to eat?  Something that is good for you?  Something that satisfies a sweet craving and is nutritious at the same time?

GRAPES!

It doesn't matter whether you eat green or red, both have the same good qualities.  A cup of grapes contains 6 percent of your daily requirement of vitamin C, which helps your immune system.  Even the seeds are good for you because they contain the highest concentration of antioxidants, which help fight diseases.  And grapes are available all year round! (thanks to importing)

According to the article I read in Weight Watchers, you will find significantly fewer pesticides on grapes grown in the US versus those that are imported.  It is so easy to clean grapes however.  Just rinse them under cool running water for a minute.

My son likes to put the rinsed grapes in the freezer and just pop one into his mouth now and then.  A nice little frozen treat with good nutrients!  Other ways to use grapes is to put them in your salads, perhaps instead of cherry tomatoes, or make a fruit salad  with grapes, blueberries, oranges, and apples.  That fruit salad packs a bigger punch of antioxidants than eating each fruit alone.

And how about raisins?  After all, they are just dried grapes.  You can get 13% of your daily potassium (which is helpful in regulating blood pressure) in half a cup of raisins.  Just keep in mind, they are higher in calories than grapes, because grapes have a lot of water in them.  They do make a good alternative, and are something you can keep on your shelf longer.