Author Archives: Nannette

About Nannette

Wife to The Sweetheart, Mom to the Fantastic Six, Nana to six of the cutest littles on the planet, Author, The Daniel Fast, A Devotional. UPCI ministers.

Think on These Things

So happy to have my friend, Liz Freeman, as a guest writer today! (Her bio is at the end of the article.)  She shares Think on These Things from a personal perspective and I know it will bless you. Maybe you know of someone else who would benefit from it? Pass it on!

I know of a young man who took his life recently. Clearly, he was loved and appreciated by those who knew him. After reading post after post telling of his sense of humor, his ability to welcome people to church, to be a friend, to be active in church, it’s hard to understand what would have caused him to do something so desperate.

I looked at some photos on Instagram today, and something I saw brought a wave of emotions. I don’t remember what the photos were. I couldn’t tell you all the images and feelings that came to mind, but I remember that they made me sad. While the images that caused this reaction weren’t sad in and of themselves, that was the reaction I had. They made me think of things that were in the past; things that never had a chance to happen; missed opportunities. To people who see me each day, it wouldn’t be evident that I felt these things. I don’t talk about them. No one would ever know.

It’s easy to mask these feelings. We can laugh and cut up with a crowd of friends while having these feelings in the background. We can participate in events, get wrapped up in the busyness of life – something which most people take as being a sign of everything being okay – when, in reality, in our minds we are isolated.

When the question is asked, “What could have driven this person to do such a thing?” we should think that there is always a part of a person that is hidden; a private part of ourselves that we never show. There might be unwanted consequences of exposing such private thoughts. “We all wrestle with demons” is a true statement for many. Usually it’s an expression associated with addictions or other bad behaviors, but often, it’s just what runs around in our minds. The truth is, this is spiritual warfare we battle in our minds.

Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”

I believe that to those who knew this young man, the things he thought and felt that brought him to that fateful day would have never been on their radar. I believe we all have these moments. It’s how our brains work. Still, for some of us, it can become a force that can drop us into a depth of sadness that we have to claw our way out of. The feelings can last for a moment, for months, or for a lifetime.

Over the years, I’ve learned to recognize this attack when it happens. I’ve also learned to resist it. Now, instead of dwelling on these moments and allowing myself to become lost in “what ifs”, I stop and do whatever I have to do to change the direction of my thinking. I “bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ”. It’s a learned behavior; something we must train ourselves to do.

Paul also tells us how to do this: Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

I wish this young man had learned these things in time. I hope his friends and family don’t blame themselves for “missing the signs”. From what I’ve seen and heard, there weren’t any. I hope they can think of the things in his life that were honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and worthy of praise. I hope when they think of him, they’ll remember these things.

You also may enjoy A Plea to the Desperate, a true story we witnessed while in Sicily.

Liz Freeman began writing and editing articles as a volunteer for Endtime Magazine. She has edited several books for Endtime Ministries including: Revelation Commentary, and Dark Intentions: Inside the Mind of the Antichrist. She is also fluent in Spanish and served as music director for Los Pentecostales de Murfreesboro.

Liz is married to Terry Freeman, and they have two daughters, Elizabeth and Victoria, and two granddaughters, Olivia and Charlotte. They now serve as assistant pastors for Life Bridge Church in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

But Lord, I thought You loved me?

#FiveMinuteFriday two weeks in a row?! Yes! Today’s word prompt was perfect for my week: LOVED. I realize this is way too long for a #FMF post but hopefully it will be a blessing and I won’t be kicked out with “But Lord, I thought You loved me?!”

Mention The Dentist and everyone has a story. Some of them you want to hear, others you could go your entire lifetime without having to picture their nightmare in your mind. Then some are clueless altogether:

“My dentist told me I needed a crown and I was like, ‘I know, right?!'”

I have had so little to smile about or laugh about when it comes to my teeth the last couple of years. Everything that can go wrong has done just that. I have spent thousands of dollars and still don’t have a million dollar smile. But yesterday was the worst day ever.

Just a couple of weeks ago I had two root canals and three new crowns put in. While we were waiting on the permanent crowns, one of the temporaries fell off in my mouth in the middle of the night, breaking the remaining tooth with it and requiring a special post to be put in before the permanent crown could be attached. So far, that is holding well.

I woke up yesterday morning with something floating in my mouth again. This time it was the other permanent crown, completely broken off at the gum line! I was beside myself and called the dentist who got me in right away. I assumed they would do the same thing and make another post but they said there wasn’t enough to attach it to and I would need to have that remaining tooth pulled and a bridge and another crown put in!

Now, I know it’s just teeth. I know some would consider this a first-world-problem. But I don’t have thousands of dollars right now and I am also stressed to the max with dental woes. I’m tired and weary of shots and bite blocks and drills, oh my! So, when they told me what needed to be done and how much more it would cost, I couldn’t stop the tears that trickled down my face. (Thankfully they were applying the cost of the crown that broke toward the new crown and bridge which helped a bit.)

My dentist is a woman and she is super sweet and kept apologizing, brought me a box of tissues and said they would give me a moment alone to think about it.

Thanks.

The immature Christian in me laid my head back in the patient chair, closed my eyes and prayed, “Lord, I thought you loved me?” Okay, maybe not those exact words but the thought was in my head I am sure. Every time I have had to go to the dentist the last five months, and it is a lot, I have asked God to intervene, to make a way with the financial side, to work a miracle that I wouldn’t have to have the painful and expensive things done and every time, every single time, the opposite has happened. My bill just keeps climbing.

So these thoughts were running through my aching head: “Lord, I thought You loved me. I thought you would intervene here. You know we need a new(er) car and yet my dental bill IS a car payment! Nothing is working like I have prayed, Lord. I thought YOU loved me!”

Can you imagine what our God was thinking? He loves unconditionally. He loves whether my teeth are in or out of my mouth. He loves REGARDLESS. I know that. I knew that yesterday too and I remembered the three Hebrew men who were thrown into the fiery furnace. They made up their mind ahead of time that it didn’t matter what was going on around them, it didn’t matter their circumstance. They knew that their God COULD deliver them, but if He didn’t, it was okay, they were still determined, they still believed He was in control and they were still going to serve Him REGARDLESS. This is their reply to the King: “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty.  But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” Daniel 3:16-18 NLT

They could have felt like I did and even asked God, “I thought you LOVED me?! Why would You put me in this situation? I thought my life was to be nothing but dark chocolate, cold brewed coffee and shopping sprees?”

But they didn’t. They knew that they lived in a fallen world, that bad things happen to good people and sometimes it’s just LIFE.

Yes, God DID deliver them! Yes, it was a mighty testimony of His delivering power and the King was amazed. 

God does love us. Sometimes we walk through valleys and think we are alone and the answer is not what we were expecting. But eventually we see that He walked WITH us, He never left us, He gave us a testimony, encouraged us through others and encouraged others through us!

God does care about the big and little things in our lives. How do I know there won’t be a bigger miracle down the road in regards to my teeth? And what if it isn’t about the money but about how I react to the situation? That maybe the people in that office are watching me and I could show them Jesus even if I am upset? That every time I have had to go in there I was bringing Jesus with me. Maybe it isn’t about me and my teeth at all! Maybe someone there needs to know Jesus loved us all. He still does and He reaches continually for the hurting and the broken.

Even if He doesn’t answer the way we think He should, it doesn’t mean He doesn’t love. It means He is working in ways we cannot see and will use US to reach others even if it means enduring some temporary pain in this life.

For the kingdom

 

Keto Cauliflower “Oatmeal” – Just try it!

As the commercial plays repeatedly throughout the day, I find myself quoting along:

“What good is having insurance if you get punished for using it? Newsflash: Nobody’s perfect!”

I’m far from perfect. So far that I can write a post about shortcomings and failures and know that those that struggle with the same, will understand and benefit in some small way. Usually my posts are more spiritual but today it’s physical to be sure.

I’ve been Keto-ing about six weeks…this time…Embarrassed to say that I was on it last year, in anticipation of my son’s wedding and I did lose some weight. One month of that I was even overseas and stuck with it the entire time! It can be done!

But nobody is perfect….and unfortunately, I fell off the wagon with two surgeries, steroids and inactivity the last six months I gained too much of it back pretty quickly. (insert sad and disappointed-in-myself face) But today, 4 1/2 months post op from my lumbar spinal fusion, I am finally feeling better, getting around without a cane or walker, even vacuuming and taking care of my own household again. Victory!

I decided to jump back into Keto full force knowing it is the ONLY thing that has worked for me in years. Obviously I am insulin resistant and diabetes would likely be in my future, thankfully my blood sugars are normal and I am not diabetic and do not want to be.

The first step with Keto is throwing out sugar. That included my Dr. Pepper and I cried since we have had an ongoing and sweet relationship for most of my life. Following the sugar, all breads,  flours and processed foods are out the door. We can be more specific if you need help but suffice it to say, the first week or two may be difficult, but after that, you will not even crave carbs! That is sugars main job: eat sweets, breads and junk and it leaves you wanting more and more. Take all of that out of your daily routine and all of a sudden you find yourself eating one meal a day just because you are not hungry!

And the weight will come off.

The one thing I missed last year, and the last six weeks, is something good for breakfast. Of course you may have bacon and eggs but I can only do that so many times so I began Intermittent Fasting basically because I didn’t want breakfast. (We can talk more about Intermittent Fasting in another post.) But I miss oatmeal just about more than anything (except Dr. Pepper!).

Low carb dieters are aware that cauliflower has become famous the last several years as a substitute for our favorite carbs; we make mashed potatoes out of them, pizza crusts, macaroni and cheese and all kinds of comfort foods that we cannot partake of on a strict, low carb diet. And surprisingly, if you do it right, you will be amazed at how the cauliflower smell and taste disappear and you will truly think you have died and gone to carb heaven.

But cauliflower oatmeal? Really? Yes, it really is good! The texture is perfect, the taste is delicious and it is super easy and flexible to suit even the most particular eater.

I hope you give it a try, let me know if you have questions about Keto, would like to see more posts and help for the diet or any success stories and suggestions YOU might have for others!

Keto on!

Cauliflower Oatmeal
1 cup frozen riced cauliflower
2/3 c. UNSWEETENED almond, coconut or cashew milk
2/3 cup water
2 eggs
1-2 Tablespoons of flax meal
At least two teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Salt
Stevia, monkfruit, erythritol sweetener of choice

First, take the bag of frozen riced cauliflower and put it in a strainer, run warm water over it to break it up. Squeeze as much of the water out as you can and then put it in a medium saucepan over medium to medium high heat. Add the water and milk and bring to a boil for about ten minutes, until almost all liquid is gone. I added a little more almond milk and then removed it from the heat and added the two eggs (slightly beaten beforehand) and stirred very well. Don’t worry, the eggs are cooking in the hot porridge and will disappear, leaving a great texture and oatmeal-like-thickness. Add the flax meal/seed at this point and stir well. Don’t forget the teaspoon of vanilla and a sprinkle of salt.

That’s it! Top it with whatever sounds good to you. Sometimes I just sprinkled sweetener over it and a little more unsweetened almond milk. So good. I have also added unsweetened coconut and walnuts or pecans and love it with a couple of blueberries or other berries. (Berries are your fruit of choice on Keto but all fruits are high in natural sugar so be careful!) You could even add unsweetened, sugar-free maple syrup!

I hope you enjoy the recipe and we welcome any suggestions. Be blessed!