What is your reaction when you think of the holiday season? Did you know that the holiday season is actually a “holy-season” that should bring us closer to the event or person we are celebrating? Contrary to current practice, Thanksgiving Day is rooted in an occasion focused on thanking God for His provision rather than parades, football games, and shopping at odd hours. Our study of American history reminds us that the Pilgrims had experienced an incredibly difficult year, yet they chose to be thankful. Christmas is the birthday of our Savior who was born in the humblest of circumstances and gave the best gift ever—salvation. So, what are some ways that you can make this holiday season one that is “holy”? Let’s begin with an assessment of our Holiday IQ.
Read More
I love summer so it is a bit challenging to me to walk through the craft, card, fabric, and department stores and find holiday supplies displayed. However, I also know that good stewardship challenges me to plan ahead so that my holiday season is truly focused on the event it is meant to celebrate rather stressed-filled because I made poor choices in late summer and early fall. Just as my management skills propel me to plan ahead so I experience a fantastic rather than a frantic holiday season, so I must begin early to make spiritual choices so that I maximize the potentially rich experiences.
Read More
Did you know that a hot, spicy meal can reduce stress? Research suggests that hot foods trigger the release of endorphins, the natural chemicals that trigger feelings of euphoria and well being, thereby reducing stress.[i] Made ahead and frozen in serving sized portions this tasty and nutritious dish can also eliminate the “what’s for dinner?” question that often stimulates stress. While Italy offers us the traditional recipe for this classic dish other world cuisines provide interesting variations. Several are offered following the traditional lasagna recipe.
Read More
The attitude of the apostle Paul is one that all women who desire to cultivate the heart of a hostess must embrace. As we study the scriptural passages that challenge us to practice hospitality most of us can reflect on a time when we tried to extended friendship to others and were met with rejection.
Read More
What is your first reaction when you open the door to your refrigerator or freezer? Attractive and orderly or like the mature stages of a science project? Maintaining a well organized refrigerator and freezer is another way we “look well to the ways of our household” (Proverbs 31:27) and practice good stewardship. Maintaining a model refrigerator and freezer is an important component at Horner Homemaking House since tour guests often open the refrigerator—without permission! Perhaps the guidelines we use will assist you in caring for these significant “household servants” so that they provide optiomal performance for you.
Read More
The characteristics of a woman possessing a hostess’ heart were modeled by my mother. She could, and often did, invite someone home from church because she had not only prepared a tasty meal for her family, but enough extra to include others. I grew up “helping in the kitchen” as a young child; later, as her health failed, I assumed much of the food preparation responsibilities under her supervision. When I enrolled in college and chose Home Economics as my major I realized that I had learned the food preparation skills at home; my college classes helped me align the academic principles with my existing skills.
Read More
“Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For from it flow the springs of life.”
Proverbs 4:23
If we are going to create a peaceful home ambiance we must monitor what we think. Proverbs 4:23 reminds us that we are to be careful about what we think because it will affect everything that we do.This is especially true in the management of our homes.
Read More
Laundry is like our bills, always needing attention! It seems like a pretty mundane task with little or no spiritual ramifications on the surface. However, a closer look reminds us that believers are to be faithful with all of their possessions (1 Corinthians 4:2). The wise woman of Proverbs 31:27 cares for the needs of her household. One of the primary needs of a household is clothing and its maintenance.
Read More
What is the climate of your home? I am not referring to what the thermostat is registering but rather its emotional climate. Does a sense of peacefulness greet your family members and guests or is there a cloud of worry that hovers in the atmosphere? One of the most important contributions you can make to a nurturing home environment is to sweep worry from it as quickly as you gather the shards of a broken glass.
Read More
As a Christian woman, trained as a Home Economist, I never expected to be single past my mid-twenties. However, the Lord had a much different plan for me and has gently matured my attitude toward singleness, as well as the purpose of marriage. I know now that I should marry only if our united lives would be more effective for the Lord than either of us are in our single state.
Read More
Why is your child considering college? Is it simply the next step on the academic ladder or has God placed a vision for how acquiring a college degree will provide preparation for God’s plan for his or her life? As you read this post may I encourage you to make two “tip” lists—one for you and one for your child. Or better yet, have your child make his or her own list.
Read More
Summer is my favorite season of the year with one exception—too much skin is exposed. While lightening the color depth and fabric weight for spring and summer garments, at the same time the fashion industry tends to minimize the amount of fabric that they contain. As a Christian who desires to please your heavenly Father, you have the challenge of selecting clothing that brings glory to Him (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). So, you are faced with a dilemma—must fashion and faith be in conflict? If you wholeheartedly embrace biblical standards of modesty, must you eliminate from your wardrobe anything fashionable? Let’s take a look at what Scripture teaches.
Read More
Chicken is the mainstay of summer cuisine and the backbone of the economical kitchen (Proverbs 31:27). Chicken is usually the most inexpensive of all meat cuts and is useful down to the bones! Consider what you can do with one whole bird (the least expensive way to purchase chicken).
Read More
Last week I posed the question, “What would be your response if you carefully selected a gift and presented it to someone dear only to have him or her leave it wrapped?” I pray that you were able to meditate upon the suggested principles along with the definitions of the Spiritual Gifts. This week let’s expand our study as we consider the question, “What is the benefit of prayerfully using your Spiritual Gifts to their maximum potential?”
Read More
What would be your response if you carefully selected a gift and presented it to someone dear only to have him or her leave it wrapped? A myriad of emotions undoubtedly flood your mind as you consider such an ungrateful response on the part of the recipient. Putting the question in the context of Spiritual Gifts is there a possibility that you might be neglecting to unwrap the ones our Lord graciously custom selected for you? Let’s identify some principles that will help in identifying and using your Spiritual Gifts to glorify their Giver, your heavenly Father.
Read More
It’s Mother’s Day, and the pastor announces the Scripture topic for his sermon: The Incredible Search . . . The Quest for Becoming a Woman Who Pleases God Begins in Your Home. Inwardly you groan. Oh, great. I am going to leave today’s service on another guilt trip rather than encouraged and edified. Perhaps I can plan my week’s menus or work on my Bible study while appearing to look interested.
Read More
What is your annual budget for cleaning supplies? Even with the help of coupons or purchasing the products at a warehouse club, the total cost by the end of the year can be hefty. One way to save money is to use resources already found in your pantry or medicine cabinet and make them do double duty as cleaning agents. This blog post was created to help you identify which products can replace some of the pricey name-brand products. The natural products are also safer and healthier to use.
Read More
My mother was the original Martha Stewart! Our home was always a special blend of comfort and cleanliness. She firmly believed the statement that “cleanliness is next to godliness!” As an only child I “shadowed” her daily as she made our home a haven of order and peacefulness that was a refuge from worldly chaos and disorder. When her arthritic condition placed perimeters around the tasks she could perform I was able to assume many of the household responsibilities. Entering college as a Home Economics/Family and Consumer Science major I then learned the management strategies that aligned with my existing skills.
Read More
When I lived in Southern California I enjoyed visiting a lusciously landscaped outdoor health spa. I only visited it in the summer when the plants were at their peak of their beauty and the gentle sunshine created the perfect climatic conditions. I always returned home refreshed and revitalized. Though I recall with joy those few leisurely days they were an exception to my normal lifestyle. Knowing how refreshed I returned from the spa days I seek to daily revitalize myself in my home by creating a spiritual health spa. It is simple and low budget!
Read More
Does adrenalin or spiritual vitality propel your household management?Do you plan your tasks so they can be done “decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40) or do you rely on adrenalin to motivate your attention to them?
Read More