If any of you watched the series on television called “Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution” I wonder if you were as appalled as I was at what our young children and teens are eating on a regular basis? Unfortunately, I only got to see a couple of the segments but that was enough to make me realize (again) that if our eating habits don’t change soon, we will have a nation of sick young adults in the next quarter century!
I have been worried about this problem for quite some time now but have sort of shrugged it off thinking there is nothing I can do about it. After watching this show I feel it is imperative that we all start doing something about it!
Somehow, some way we have got to understand the value of good nutrition. Actually, I think we do understand it. We just live such fast paced lives that it is much easier to eat unhealthy than healthy. I totally understand. Sometimes, when I leave work after a hard day I find myself thinking about just driving through some fast food restaurant and getting something quick. And, if I find myself in those scenarios I understand how it would be easy for tired, busy parents to take that route.
As much as I like an occasional meal at one of these “joints”, I sometimes wish that they had never been started. When I grew up and for a big part of the years I raised my kids there weren’t too many options so we ate at home much more often. But, it wouldn’t be realistic to think about living without them today. We would all miss them!
One of the things that appalled me the most on Jamie’s show was the emphasis on school meals. I have long been concerned that the “government regulated” meals are loaded with fat and empty calories and this show just backed up my concerns. Chicken nuggets and french fries are accepted because they are meat and vegetable! When I was in school, lunches were cooked, not popped in the oven or deep fryer. And, we were expected to eat them! I think it is time to put pressure on our schools for healthier food for our precious children!
I was so impressed that First Baptist Church of Kenova, W.V. took the lead in the “Food Revolution.” I have been teaching exercise at our church for 25 years or so and have always used the scriptures (the body as temple of the Holy Spirit and honoring God with our bodies) as motivation to take good care of ourselves. Our church was one of the firsts to offer exercise classes which eventually sparked the idea of having a family life center to encourage activity. We now have a beautiful Recreation and Outreach Center where people not only participate in organized exercise classes but children and adults alike can participate in lots of activities. I’m proud that our church is on the right track in encouraging fitness and now I think it is time to include nutrition classes and I hope that we can get started before it is too late!
In the meantime, I think planning ahead is the key in our busy society. When we know ahead of time what our meal is going to be, the temptation to “drive through” will not overtake us. Good healthy meals don’t have to be time consuming, but they do have to be planned in advance. I’m praying for a “Food Revolution” in all of our homes and in our schools!
19Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20
Have a great day and eat something healthy and then take a walk with your family!!!!
p.s. if you have a great quick and healthy meal that you prepare on busy days email it to me and I will put it here on my blog. email it to: jerrycaton@bellsouth.net
Friday, April 30, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Another "Heritage From the Lord"
Today is my 6’2”, 200+ lb. baby boy’s 36th birthday and I want to dedicate today’s blog to him.
Nick has brought so much joy to our lives. From the get-go he has made himself known, even kicking and squirming inside of me during my pregnancy to the point I thought sometimes I was going to be turned inside out! When I was in my final days of pregnancy, nurses would pat my belly and say “she’s going to be a 5 lb. little girl” and I would laugh and say “he’s every bit of 8 lbs.” Although I had only gained 17 lbs. he weighed in at 8 lbs. 10 oz.
Nick was a very active baby and was our “strong willed” one and was the motivation for my purchasing Dr. James Dobson’s “The Strong Willed Child” book. I’ll never forget reading a part that said that in lots of ways that characteristic would serve him well because he would most likely be “his own person”, which he is!
If you read my blog on February 25th about our baby boy who died at birth you might remember me saying that one of the things that has helped me deal with his death over the years was that I realized that if I had not lost my first son, I would never have had Nick because we always knew we would just have two children. And, as I said in that blog, I can’t imagine my life without the fun and adventures that Nick has provided!
So today I want to thank God and Praise His Holy Name for the gift of “Nick.” He continues to be a source of joy and fun to his “old” Mom and Dad and we are so proud of the Christian man, son, husband and father he is. We love him so much!!
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate. —Psalm 127:3-5
Nick has brought so much joy to our lives. From the get-go he has made himself known, even kicking and squirming inside of me during my pregnancy to the point I thought sometimes I was going to be turned inside out! When I was in my final days of pregnancy, nurses would pat my belly and say “she’s going to be a 5 lb. little girl” and I would laugh and say “he’s every bit of 8 lbs.” Although I had only gained 17 lbs. he weighed in at 8 lbs. 10 oz.
Nick was a very active baby and was our “strong willed” one and was the motivation for my purchasing Dr. James Dobson’s “The Strong Willed Child” book. I’ll never forget reading a part that said that in lots of ways that characteristic would serve him well because he would most likely be “his own person”, which he is!
If you read my blog on February 25th about our baby boy who died at birth you might remember me saying that one of the things that has helped me deal with his death over the years was that I realized that if I had not lost my first son, I would never have had Nick because we always knew we would just have two children. And, as I said in that blog, I can’t imagine my life without the fun and adventures that Nick has provided!
So today I want to thank God and Praise His Holy Name for the gift of “Nick.” He continues to be a source of joy and fun to his “old” Mom and Dad and we are so proud of the Christian man, son, husband and father he is. We love him so much!!
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate. —Psalm 127:3-5
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Remembering and Missing a "Best Friend"
Excerpts from Ruth 1:
8 Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, "Go back, each of you, to your mother's home. May the LORD show kindness to you, as you have shown to your dead and to me. 9 May the LORD grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband." Then she kissed them and they wept aloud 10 and said to her, "We will go back with you to your people."
16 But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me." 18 When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.
This is one of my favorite stories in the Bible. It is near to my heart because I too had a mother in law that I loved and longed to be near. I wrote about her in the book “Women of Mercer Coutny.” Here is a little excerpt from that book:
“She taught me so many things in the 39 years that I knew her. She taught me how to work hard because I would be embarrassed that my mother-in-law could out-work me. She encouraged and taught me to get the most from my money by canning and freezing in the summer and sewing and decorating my own house. She is the only person that I ever knew to say they “loved to strip tobacco.” (That was one love of hers that I never developed.)
She lived her life for others and her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren cherish the memories of this hard working woman of faith. And, I think that we will all be better people because of the influence she was on our lives! Katherine Caton, a “quiet” worker and one of my best friends, was a real role model for me!”
We buried her 4 years ago this month and I still miss her. Sometimes I just want so badly to sit down beside her and listen to her wonderful stories of the “good old days.” I feel so blessed to have been given such a wonderful mother-in-law and can only pray that I learned enough from her to leave good memories for my daughter-in-laws!
Granny Caton could never get her arms full enough of her little ones.
Here she is loving on little Alex and Gracie.
8 Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, "Go back, each of you, to your mother's home. May the LORD show kindness to you, as you have shown to your dead and to me. 9 May the LORD grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband." Then she kissed them and they wept aloud 10 and said to her, "We will go back with you to your people."
16 But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me." 18 When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.
This is one of my favorite stories in the Bible. It is near to my heart because I too had a mother in law that I loved and longed to be near. I wrote about her in the book “Women of Mercer Coutny.” Here is a little excerpt from that book:
“She taught me so many things in the 39 years that I knew her. She taught me how to work hard because I would be embarrassed that my mother-in-law could out-work me. She encouraged and taught me to get the most from my money by canning and freezing in the summer and sewing and decorating my own house. She is the only person that I ever knew to say they “loved to strip tobacco.” (That was one love of hers that I never developed.)
She lived her life for others and her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren cherish the memories of this hard working woman of faith. And, I think that we will all be better people because of the influence she was on our lives! Katherine Caton, a “quiet” worker and one of my best friends, was a real role model for me!”
We buried her 4 years ago this month and I still miss her. Sometimes I just want so badly to sit down beside her and listen to her wonderful stories of the “good old days.” I feel so blessed to have been given such a wonderful mother-in-law and can only pray that I learned enough from her to leave good memories for my daughter-in-laws!
Granny Caton could never get her arms full enough of her little ones.
Here she is loving on little Alex and Gracie.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Beautiful Day with a Beautiful Boy!
Today was one of those "priceless" days. Not only was it another gorgeous day but I got to spend it with one of my favorite boys! Gran and Seth spent most of the day just hangin' out and enjoy each other. Today was focused on him because he turns five years old this weekend and today was his "special" day. He is our youngest and the only one not in school. I can't believe that this is the last year I will have a grandchild not in school and free to spend time with whenever we want! The thought just makes me want to cry. All of our grandchildren are smart (of course) but this one's mind never stops working and he is full of inquiries! Here is a precious example:
Seth: "Gran, when is the world gonna go away?
Gran: "hmm..I don't know honey, only God knows that."
Seth: "because He made everything, didn't he....He even made the devil."
Gran: "well...I guess so.......
Seth: "and the devil better be glad God didn't just throw him away!"
Gran: (to myself) "thank you Jesus for this precious, precious child!"
Hope you enjoy these other pictures of our glorious day.
Mark 10: 13 - 16
13 People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." 16 And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.
A Favorite childhood song:
Jesus loves the little children
All the children of the world
Red and yellow, black and white
They are precious in his sight
Jesus loves the little children
of the world.
Don't miss a chance to enjoy the children in your life today!!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Laughter and Friends
Remember when you were young girls and you would get together with a bunch of friends and all you would seem to be able to do was to laugh? Well I’ve decided that is something you never outgrow. I have a bunch of girl friends (aka the M.E.G. Sunday School Class) who do that very thing whenever we get together. Last night was one of those occasions. We met for our monthly potluck (they’re awesome cooks too) and they were just what the doctor ordered for me! I almost didn’t go because I was tired, frustrated and generally feeling low. Thank goodness I made myself go! Being with those girls, sharing our hearts, along with a meal was so good. But the best part was the “goofiness.” Somehow our table got going and couldn’t stop. I laughed more than I have laughed in many months! If you ask me what we were laughing about I probably couldn’t explain it so that you would think it was funny so I won’t even try. It was just one of those scenes where one person says something funny and then it is like a snowball that just keeps rolling down the hill getting bigger and bigger.
It wasn’t so much the content of our laughter so much as it was the fact that it was like cleansing for me. There is nothing better than good belly laughs to rid you of a lot of negative “stuff.” And what is even more special is that you have friends who just love to be themselves and have fun.
That’s what these sisters are – real people who love each other and always have fun together. You know, I’ll bet Heaven will be like that - people laughing and having a great time together. Won’t it be wonderful? But until I get there I am so thankful to have friends who love to laugh. If laughter really is the "best medicine" then I want to thank you, my dear girl friends, for the medicine you provided for me last night!
Proverbs 17:22 (New King James Version)
A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.
Psalm 126:2 (New International Version)
Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them."
Go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOCJAVlESEo
Hope your day is full of laughter and good friends!!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
A Perfect Sunday
What a wonderful day I have had. It began with a very meaningful worship service that included one of my favorite hymns "Because He Lives" and the baptism of my good friend's son. As usual Bro. Wayne's message was inspirational and to the point as he clearified the purpose of Baptism.
It was very interesting to learn about six different Baptisms: 1) the baptism of Noah (through water); 2) the baptism of Moses (spared through the water of the Red Sea); 3) the baptism of John the Baptist (through repentance); 4) baptism of water; 5) of the Holy Spirit; and 6) of Fire (lake of Fire- Hell). I had never heard it explained like this and it all makes perfect sense! The main point was though that baptism does not save you. It is only through profession of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior that we are saved!
I was baptized when I was 10 years old and I regret to say I really don't remember it. I wish I did. But I do know that ever since that time I have had an acute sense of God's presence in my life (baptism of the Holy Spirit) and I praise him that I am redeemed through the blood of Jesus!!
After enjoying a nice Subway lunch and an "after lunch" walk with Jerry I enjoyed the rest of this beautiful afternoon working in my landscape and reading on the porch. Life doesn't get much better than a beautiful day of worshipping indoors at church and outside in His glorious creation!!
Matthew 3:11-17 (New American Standard Bible) John the Baptists' words:
11"As for me, (A)I baptize you [a]with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; (B)He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
It was very interesting to learn about six different Baptisms: 1) the baptism of Noah (through water); 2) the baptism of Moses (spared through the water of the Red Sea); 3) the baptism of John the Baptist (through repentance); 4) baptism of water; 5) of the Holy Spirit; and 6) of Fire (lake of Fire- Hell). I had never heard it explained like this and it all makes perfect sense! The main point was though that baptism does not save you. It is only through profession of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior that we are saved!
I was baptized when I was 10 years old and I regret to say I really don't remember it. I wish I did. But I do know that ever since that time I have had an acute sense of God's presence in my life (baptism of the Holy Spirit) and I praise him that I am redeemed through the blood of Jesus!!
After enjoying a nice Subway lunch and an "after lunch" walk with Jerry I enjoyed the rest of this beautiful afternoon working in my landscape and reading on the porch. Life doesn't get much better than a beautiful day of worshipping indoors at church and outside in His glorious creation!!
Matthew 3:11-17 (New American Standard Bible) John the Baptists' words:
11"As for me, (A)I baptize you [a]with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; (B)He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
April Showers of Blessings - My Job!
In mid April 1980 I was doing the “stay at home” Mom thing with one child in school and the other one due to start the following year when a knock came at my back door. When I went to the door and saw my pastor standing there I just assumed he was making a pastoral visit. I invited him in and when he asked me if I would be interested in taking the job as financial secretary when the current lady retired I was floored.
I can’t believe I have just finished 30 years working as Financial Secretary at Harrodsburg Baptist Church! Thirty years!! If anyone had ever told me that I would work there, or any where for that matter, for that long I would have laughed my head off! It is especially funny considering I never really looked for a job!
When Jerry and I married I took a part-time job at a credit bureau just so I would have something to occupy my time and expand my horizons! I didn’t work there long because I absolutely hated the job. I couldn’t stand having to collect money from people who were already down on their luck! Just wasn’t my “cup of tea.”
It wasn’t long after my little stint at the credit bureau that I heard about a possible opening in a local law office. Someone suggested I apply and, being naïve as they come, I applied, even though I had absolutely no experience! When I interviewed the lawyer asked me if I took dictation. I told him that I had learned it in high school and thought I could remember it if he didn’t go too fast (can you believe I said that?) I got the job but I didn't work there very long because I became pregnant and Jerry and I had always agreed that I would stay home and take care of our kids and he would be the bread winner.
After Bro. Bob offered me the job Jerry and I discussed it and decided it was good timing since I was starting to get a little restless and needed something new in my life. In looking back it is easy to see how God was working in my life. He knew exactly what I needed when I needed it and exactly where I needed to be. Working at the church has not only been the best thing for me but I am convinced it has been the best thing for my family. When I took the job I made it clear that my family needed to come first and thankfully it has always been that way. I will forever be eternally grateful to God and to Bro. Bob for giving me the opportunity to serve the church in so many ways. I have no doubt that my Christian growth would have been stunted were it not for my job! It is easy to grow spiritually when you work around Christians every day! Indeed, I have been blessed and I still enjoy my job and love the people I work with!
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving Colossians 3: 23,24.
I can’t believe I have just finished 30 years working as Financial Secretary at Harrodsburg Baptist Church! Thirty years!! If anyone had ever told me that I would work there, or any where for that matter, for that long I would have laughed my head off! It is especially funny considering I never really looked for a job!
When Jerry and I married I took a part-time job at a credit bureau just so I would have something to occupy my time and expand my horizons! I didn’t work there long because I absolutely hated the job. I couldn’t stand having to collect money from people who were already down on their luck! Just wasn’t my “cup of tea.”
It wasn’t long after my little stint at the credit bureau that I heard about a possible opening in a local law office. Someone suggested I apply and, being naïve as they come, I applied, even though I had absolutely no experience! When I interviewed the lawyer asked me if I took dictation. I told him that I had learned it in high school and thought I could remember it if he didn’t go too fast (can you believe I said that?) I got the job but I didn't work there very long because I became pregnant and Jerry and I had always agreed that I would stay home and take care of our kids and he would be the bread winner.
After Bro. Bob offered me the job Jerry and I discussed it and decided it was good timing since I was starting to get a little restless and needed something new in my life. In looking back it is easy to see how God was working in my life. He knew exactly what I needed when I needed it and exactly where I needed to be. Working at the church has not only been the best thing for me but I am convinced it has been the best thing for my family. When I took the job I made it clear that my family needed to come first and thankfully it has always been that way. I will forever be eternally grateful to God and to Bro. Bob for giving me the opportunity to serve the church in so many ways. I have no doubt that my Christian growth would have been stunted were it not for my job! It is easy to grow spiritually when you work around Christians every day! Indeed, I have been blessed and I still enjoy my job and love the people I work with!
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving Colossians 3: 23,24.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Had a great time doing the Easter Egg thing with my little ones over the weekend. God certainly added a beautiful touch to the Easter Weekend with all of His decorations of Spring beauty!
We colored eggs, hunted eggs, had lunch and just had lots of fun! Like the typical "granny" I am posting some pictures from our great day together Saturday.
I knew lunch was a real success when Gracie devoured two slices of bologna and declared "Gran, this is the best lunch ever!" Who'd a thought?
Jerry and I are going to Pigeon Forge for a couple of days and I am really looking forward to it. I need a break from my "routine." Hope you have a great week!
Saturday, April 3, 2010
HALLELUJAH! HE IS ALIVE!!
4But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.
6"Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! (Mark 16: 1 - 6a)
I hope your Easter is a blessed one!
To hear David Phelps sing He's Alive, go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qqt1rfBrGg
Friday, April 2, 2010
GOOD FRIDAY IS GREAT FRIDAY!!
As I’ve already said more than once, I LOVE EASTER!! The Easter season makes me focus more on my Savior. I should always be this focused but I am not consistently so all year around. But, Easter just fills my heart with joy and so much gratitude for a Father who loves me so much that He sacrificed His own Precious Son to die for my sins. I just can’t fathom that kind of love, but I pray that He will continue to teach me how to love like He does! I also love the child’s view of Easter. I always loved Easter morning when I would wake up and find a basket of goodies waiting for me in the living room and a corsage in a box on the front porch. My mother always made all of us little girls a new Easter dress and we would proudly display our corsages on them!
And the Easter flowers are gorgeous. I just love Easter lilies. They just don’t last long enough!
I now have another Easter memory to add to my collection. Last night at church we had a Seder Service. The Seder meal was the traditional Jewish Passover meal. As we enjoyed the meal we also learned the tradition behind it. It was very interesting and the food was really good too! After the meal, we observed the Lord’s Supper in a little different way than we normally do. Our ministers gave everyone the bread and juice as we came forward. We dipped the bread in the cup as our pastor blessed us with reassuring words of God’s love for us. When I left after the service I felt really blessed! Another Easter blessing!!!
Today is Good Friday. I also love this day. It took me a while to come to love it because I always thought that the day Jesus died was tragic and I never understood why they called it good. As I have grown in my faith I have come to realize that it is good because if Jesus had not died on that day, we would not celebrate Easter Sunday and worse than that, we would not have our salvation. No eternal life with Him! What an awful thought! So, it really is GOOD Friday!
Sadly, it still isn’t good for some. For those who have not accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord, there is no Easter and there will be no eternal life with Him. I pray that I can be used by God to bring those people to Him. I can’t stand to think there are people around me who are going to Hell. My prayer is that this Easter they will find His amazing grace and their chains will be gone just like mine! I pray they will “Behold, the Lamb."
If you have time this is a beautiful song and video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_L0AXVU5Ks
Have a blessed, great GOOD Friday!
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