How did this happen? (not really needing an answer!)

My mind is reeling! I have so much in my head right now. Some I can share and some I can not...yet!

The past few days have been a bit disheartening. Due to the news and events in DC, (and news feed on social media sites) I have struggled. I confess. 
But that is not all. I see so much hurt, selfishness, anger and loss out in our world and it makes me sad. I get this hurtful feeling in the pit of my gut. (Anyone else know how I feel?) I think of my own children, a couple who are adults already and a few still home, and I panic for what the world will be like for them. I tend toward a negative view that it will only get worse. I know, I am "Debbie Downer" right now. It is so hard to see, hear, learn, experience all the world has to give, take and experience and not be fearful! 

What happened to the 'Biblical' principals our Nation was based? What happened to solid morals? What happened to love and grace among people? What happened to to grace and love among/between people who disagree about issues? What happened to showing grace to those who do not show grace? What happened to common decency and thinking the best about others? What happened to absolute truth? Where did it go? How did this happen?
I know how this happened...sin. We are all sinners, selfish and out to get our own way. 

There is an answer. There is a way. By the grace of God, we have access to forgiveness and redemption. We have access to His grace to impart on others, even those we do not agree with. Or to show grace to those who do not agree with us! As we enter into this Easter weekend, I feel all this 'distraction' has been purposeful by the 'enemy' to change our purpose, to keep our eyes off Jesus, who walked the road to Calvary and died a painful death for me, for my selfishness. For you! 
As we look to Good Friday and then Resurrection Sunday, I am praying God allows me (us) to NOT BE DISTRACTED by the schemes of the deceiver but to be focused on Jesus who rose again, was victorious over SIN AND DEATH! And gave us NEW LIFE IN CHRIST! Eternal life.

"He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."  (2 Cor. 5:21)

"God
loves all people, all genders, all ages, all people groups. Today i
will stand with Christ on his definition of what a marriage is :
"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united
to his wife, and the two will become one flesh" - Matthew 19:5
I
have no interest in taking away freedom, or creating controversy, but
rather just to wave the flag for Jesus above all causes. I am more
interested in biblical truth than I am with aligning myself with what
the world deems acceptable." (taken from a post on FB)

As for the fear thing...for my kids and their future? Well, that is a daily trust thing I am working through with God. Not perfected. Sigh...I wish I could say I have conquered this fear.
"In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me [or my kids]?" Psalm 56:11 

Choosing today to trust God with all this; the un-graciousness I hear and see, the immorality in the world, the hurt, the loss, the anger, the selfishness, the pain and the uncertainty of the future. Choosing to trust God today...
Will have to choose to trust God tomorrow  as well... 
One day at a time sweet Jesus...

I'm only human, I'm just a woman.
Help me believe in what I could be
And all that I am.
Show me the stairway, I have to climb.
Lord for my sake, teach me to take
One day at a time.
Chorus:
One day at a time sweet Jesus
That's all I'm asking from you.
Just give me the strength
To do everyday what I have to do.
Yesterday's gone sweet Jesus
And tomorrow may never be mine.
Lord help me today, show me the way
One day at a time.
Do you remember, when you walked among men?
Well Jesus you know if you're looking below
It's worse now, than then.
Cheating and stealing, violence and crime
So for my sake, teach me to take
One day at a time.

Talking about 'Lent'

"It is a universal rule of the entire family of man, in every place and at every time, that man wants to do some great thing by which to restore himself to the favour of God." ~ Charles Spurgeon

 "Whoever wishes to be my follower must deny his very self, take up his cross each day, and follow in my steps." – Luke 9:23 

In our home there has been some discussion about 'Lent' and what it means.  How do we participate in Lent or do we participate in Lent?  I know in years past, some in our family have 'given up' something. I have gone 'without' for the 40 days in the past in observance of Lent. Today is the beginning of the Lenten Season. On FB, twitter and other social media forms, I have noticed people sharing their thoughts or even what they are giving up for Lent. It has made me ponder this practice in a more personal way. I will not take credit for the words written below. They are written by our Pastor. However, I so appreciated his perspective on Lent and wanted to share it on my blog, with permission of course. :) 

"While many people associate Lent with self-sacrifice or religious ritual, the miracle of Easter that we are going to celebrate in a little over a month is about Jesus and the freedom and life we have in him.  Lent, when properly focused should be a time of reflecting on his sacrifice for us.  Our Chrisitan life should be not about "self abasement", but about "holding fast" to Jesus (Col 2:18-19).  Our life isn't about festivals, church holidays, and elementary principles of the world, but it is about being "raised up with Christ" and is about "seeking the things above, not the things that are on earth."  It is about setting our "mind on things above, not on the things that are on earth, for we have died and our life is hidden with Christ in God."  It is about repentance and faith and hope, knowing that "when Christ, who is our life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory." (Colossians 2:20-3:4). Please, regardless of the day that it is, don't forget the words of Colossians 2:16-17: "Therefore let no one act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day--things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ." " 
~ Steve Mansour

I am praying for my own personal sacrifice this 'Lenten Season' as I prepare myself for Good Friday and ultimately Resurrection Sunday.  (Growing up my father never said "Happy Easter". It was Resurrection Sunday and he would say, "He is risen!" and we would respond, "He is risen indeed!") I am praying God will continue the process of refinement and show me more of me that needs to go and more of Him that needs to fill me up! I want to 'live, breath, and be poured out for Jesus Christ' and yet, there is much work to be done. Praising God He is not finished with me yet. Praying I can be shown what is needed to deny myself and follow Him. Praying this season of Lent will be about taking on more of Christ and being poured out to others. "Lord, take my pride and selfishness and do Thy will!" I truly wish this to not be another Easter season which comes and goes...I desire genuine change. I know there is pain and hardship in the change. I pray I am fortified and ready. He has done a work before and will again, if I am willing. "Lord, make me willing."

Praying the Lord meets you where you need to be met this Lenten season...in whatever form that takes on. Praying the people of God will rise up and be authentic and real. Praying we can come along side each other, with humility, and love with Christs love. Praying we can reach the lost with the message of grace, hope and love this Lenten season. 

“I have come to see clearly that life is more than self. It is more than doing what I want, striving for what will benefit me, dreaming of all I can be. Life is all about my relationship with God. There is no higher calling, no loftier dream, and no greater goal than to live, breathe, and be poured out for Jesus Christ."--Jamie in Brother Andrew's "The Calling”
― Brother Andrew, The Narrow Road: Stories of Those Who Walk This Road Together [With This Road CD by Jars of Clay]

words from an old hymn...
 "Make me willing to wait patiently
for the answers I’ve prayed for so long.
Make me willing to listen to Thee
and to say “not my will, but Thine be done”.
Make me willing to thank Thee for tears
And for the heartaches that cause me to pray.
Will you make me a vessel the Master can use
Keep me willing the rest of my days.

My Father points the way to go
Then makes the way for me.
He tells me I must trust in Him
My faith will help me see.
The road may not be easy
The testing will be great
But then my Lord reminds me
That He will help me wait."

Perfection is reserved for our eternal home.

"Humility is perfect quietness of heart, It is to expect nothing, to wonder at nothing that is done to me, to feel nothing done against me. It is to be at rest when nobody praises me, and when I am blamed or despised. It is to have a blessed home in the Lord, where I can go in and shut the door, and kneel to my Father in secret, and am at peace as in a deep sea of calmness, when all around and above is trouble"

- Andrew Murray

Feeling as if I am getting some good kicks to humble myself and then more kicks while I am down. Funny thing about feeling low. How does one handle the lessons of humility? With humility? :-/ 

The quote above by Murray is a 'kick' to myself and my pride. I struggle to 'feel nothing done to me' or to 'be at rest when nobody praises me, and [feel nothing] when I am blamed or despised.'  I have had times when I have been really low, as in humbled. And then there have been times when I have been blinded by my own self-control and pride to see the lesson in front of me.

Recently I feel God is doing another major refinement in my heart, soul, and life. He is using several situations to reveal my heart, my motives, my thoughts and ultimately my sin. It stings! "Lord, why must we feel we have come to a good place only to be knocked down and see our selves for who we really are?"  "Lord, why is perfection reserved for our eternal home?" 

I know all the answers to the questions I ask. And scripture provides the answers to the questions I ask. But are these not questions we ask when we have been knocked down/humbled over and over? Am I the only one? 

"When pride comes, then comes dishonor, but with the humble comes wisdom."  

 Prov. 11:2  

"But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, 'God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.' Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." James 4:6-7

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you."  

1 Pet. 5:6-7  

God's Word is clear about pride and humility. The James passage follows up the pride verse with a 'submit therefore to God' and a 'resist the devil'. Funny how our submitting to God brings us to a place of humility and how the devil is involved in our pride. Self-control or being in control sneaks up on me (us). I sometimes do not even see it coming. It is kinda like a self sufficiency thing for me. Ultimately, Satan tells me I have it all under my own control and I do not need anyone, especially God. I do not really hear those words or even say them, but my life will 'live this out' and then the pride sets in. The 1 Peter passage tells me to 'humble' myself 'under the mighty hand of God' and He will 'exalt' me at the proper time. This tells me God's mighty hand (the stuff that kicks me down to the place of humility) is purposeful and planned. Sigh... 

Those of us who are strong and secure in who we are could be weak and insecure sometimes, but we do a good job of controlling the outward look. Where is the balance? Can we be strong but weak? I am working through this balance. God is taking me through this time of refinement to humble me, yes, absolutely! However, I am searching for the balance of being 'who' God made me in my temperament and character AND living humbly with honesty, realness and vulnerability. Wondering about the balance of His creation in ME and showing HIM to those around me? I am not outwardly weak. However this comes across to others as needing no one and even prideful or not allowing God to meet me where he is needed. Ouch!

Praying I can learn and grow from the humbling 'kicks'.  

Trusting in a God who is in control. 

Looking for the balance. 

Praying for His perfect balance for me and knowing all the more...

'Perfection is reserved for our eternal home.' Come Lord Jesus, come!  

"If you believe in a God who controls the big things, you have to believe in a God who controls the little things.  It is we, of course, to whom things look "little" or "big."
Elisabeth Elliot

In the Polivka Pot : Saucy Spaghetti Sauce

In Czech, 'polivka' (polevka) translates 'soup'!! 

"I come from a family where gravy is considered a beverage."  ~ Erma Bombeck

Thought I would take a turn at posting a recipe from time to time...

When I was newly married (many moons ago), my husband and I had friends over for dinner in our new home. I was not a cook by any means. In fact, if you ask any of my family members, they would agree. Do not blame my Mom! My wonderful Mother is a great cook and can feed a crowd. However, I did not do much cooking around the house growing up. I did other menial but needy chores, like ironing and dusting. Ok, back to our dinner guest...

We had these friends over and I decided to make Italian for dinner. You know, the usual; spaghetti sauce, pasta, salad and bread. Except, I did what I thought was the usual or the norm and I used a jar of "Prego"*** for my sauce. When we sat down to dinner, our female dinner guest asked me what I put in my home-made sauce. Uhhhh, I did not know what to say. What did Prego put in my sauce? And another thing...why did we invite a full Italian dinner guest over for dinner AND why did I serve her Prego?? She went into detail and shared all the natural, fresh ingredients and all the wonderful bits of goodness she uses in her sauce which were all passed down from her sweet, Italian Gramma! :) Embarrassing!!

Never again! I vowed to perfect a pasta sauce, with (or without) meat, for our family and not open a jar of Prego again. I am not Italian but the Polivka family has approved heartily!

"Saucy Spaghetti Sauce" in the Polivka Pot

 If using meat, brown your meat, drain and set aside. (I use lean gr. beef and add italian sausage sometimes) *fyi- I am pescetarian and will have my sauce without meat. :)

1 lg can of crushed tomatoes or tomato puree
1 can of tomato paste
1 can of diced tomatoes
1 can tomato sauce
2 cloves of garlic, crushed or minced
2 tsp pepper
1 tsp salt
2 tsp sugar
1 Tbs olive oil
2 tsp chili powder (add a little pepper flakes for a bit of a kick!)
1-2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
Fresh herbs - several generous tsp of each (I use fresh if in season or available)
 ~ basil
 ~ oregano
 ~ parsley

Mix all these ingredients together in a stew pot OR emulsify all ingredients first. 

Cook on med heat until a good simmer occurs. Add meat. Simmer for an hour more and serve over pasta of choice. (Our family likes bow-tie pasta or angel hair pasta)

Variations: 
Add fresh spinach to the sauce (emulsify it in the earlier stage and no one will suspect and you have the healthy greens added) :) 
Add any of the following: chopped broccoli, diced onion, cubed zucchini, chopped mushrooms or red peppers

Tips! 
-Can not find fresh herbs or out of season? TRADER JOES has 'herb cubes' in the frozen food isle and most grocery stores carry LITEHOUSE Freeze-Dried herbs which are a good substitute. 
-Cuisinart SmartStick Hand Blender - an emulsifier is an absolute 'must have' kitchen tool! Wonderful for sauces and soups!! Can not give this enough stars.   
-Use kitchen scissors to cut up fresh herbs into the pot.

***disclaimer: I have no issues with Prego products. I just felt I could do it better and set out to prove myself right! :-) And the Polivka Pot is a success!!


"Spaghetti can be eaten most successfully if you inhale it like a vacuum cleaner."
~ Sophia Loren

2012 Polivka Family Christmas Card

Wreath Monogram Christmas

This season, send Christmas cards personalized with family photos.

View the entire collection of cards.

In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on. ~ Robert Frost

"Slow down, you move too fast, you've got to make the moment last..."

These last few days have made me very thoughtful about life and how quickly it passes. I really do resonate with the Robert Frost quote in my title. Life, "it goes on". 

On Friday my youngest daughter turned 17. I know, I have a lot of kids and they have birthdays...every year. But this one did something to me. It brought me to a new reality. I think it was because not only did she turn 17 and she is my youngest girl. But I saw my youngest two boys (the twins) interacting with her friends (who are their friends). The boys were not just the little siblings, but part of the group. On Friday evening we had about 17+ teenagers here for pizza and birthday celebration. Fun time for all. But at one point I looked around and saw not what was, but what used to be. We no longer have little kids. NONE, not a single "little one". We (Dwight and I) have been invaded by 'big people' and seriously, most are bigger than Dwight and I. :)

In reality, this was a fun birthday for Anna and for me as her Mom. However, it made me reflect. Yes, this blog is about reflection. I can not believe how fast we got here. It is like we went from birth to big kids. Or went from babies to almost adults or even adults, all in a 'blink'. Of course, I feel old at times but also I feel the same age as when it all started. I guess God is good to do that to us parents. We just 'do the thing'. We invest time in the lives of these gifts we are given. But we loose track of the time which is passing so quickly. We just wake up morning after morning and do life with the fam. We go from infancy to 'now' using the skills, advice, mess-ups, day-to-day stuff and the grace of God and we 'do the thing' that needs to be done to raise a family. 

Anna, the daughter who celebrated 17 on Friday, also played her last soccer game on Saturday for the 2012 season. They had an amazing go at it...16 games played and 1 loss, which was their last game played in the 2nd round of State Playoffs. We are very proud of her and the team. She and I were chatting on the way home and yes, reflecting. This "time investment" thing came up in our conversation. She mentioned feeling a since of loss now the season is over. She knows there will be a void for a while. All summer she physically trained and conditioned herself. Then in early August, practices began in earnest, camps, daily doubles, etc. The season began in early September. Now, almost five months from her onset of conditioning, soccer is over. It is done, gone, until next year... 

This caused me to continue my reflections about how life, "it goes on". It goes on for Anna. She, Lord willing, will live another year and celebrate 18. There will be another soccer season. My college kids will graduate, my 'babies' will finish their high school careers. Heck, I may even have grandchildren one day! Life moves at an incredible rate. I think what these last few days and events did to me was cause me to ask myself again, "Am I making every moment count?" 

In James 4:13-15 it reads, "Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow, we shall go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.' Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just like a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we shall live and also do this or that'."  I grew up with my Daddy always saying to us, "If the Lord wills or Lord willing, baby." As a kid I did not grasp the true meaning. Now as an adult and a parent, I totally get it! Ha! Thanks Daddy! We can not predict next year or even tomorrow. All we have is today! So, again I am asking myself in light of life changing in a 'blink' how can I make every moment count? 

I am here to say, I struggle with this! We are such busy society and I am a 'do-er'. I struggle with slowing down, treasuring the moment, realizing I have only today and making today count! Lord help! I have a good heart motive but pile on the busyness of life and it sucks out the moment-by-moment treasures. God is refining me, showing me His purposes, His will. Praise God for His process. I desire to do all for 'the glory of God' and to always know in my heart that He gives us each day, each moment, as a gift to us to treasure with those we love and share His gift of the gospel to the lost world around us. However, still in process. :-/

"Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all for the glory of God." 1 Cor. 10:31

Whatever each day brings, the joys and the sorrows...the Lord says to "rejoice and be glad in it"! It is easier said than done, but I am going to be more about this business. For His glory, not my own. :) 
   
"This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

~ Life; it goes on