JUDGMENT VERSUS GRACE ~ Isaiah 26:9-10

TITLE: JUDGMENT VERSUS GRACE

Key Verse(s): Isaiah 26:9-10

The Lord continually offers us Grace, but at times we still need his Judgment. That may sound contradictory, but often times we take God's Grace for granted. Hardship and discipline catch our attention and cause us to change our sinful ways and grow in righteousness. Hebrews 12:11 explains: "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." Judgment requires discipline and discipline creates righteousness. Viewed this way, judgment can be seen as a type of Grace! A Grace that is Greater than all our Sin!

By His Grace,

Karina

This season's back-to-school trend: Frugality

This season's back-to-school trend: Frugality

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BACK TO SCHOOL ~ FOR TEACHERS

Click here to shop at Teacher Created Resources

HERE ARE SOME AWESOME WEBSITES I HAVE FOUND TONIGHT ~ OFFERING GREAT DEALS IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO START A WEBSITE, WEBSTORE, AND/OR PURCHASE A DOMAIN NAME FOR A REASONABLE PRICE.....

Click to be taken to the websites:

Ice Cream Cookiewiches: Recipes - NESTLÉ® Meals.com

"Ice Cream Cookiewiches"

You will love the convenience of making this delicious ice cream treat!

Preparation Time: 15 mins
Cooking Time: 10 mins
Cooling Time: 1 hr freezing

Servings: 20 sandwiches
1 pkg. (16.5 oz.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Refrigerated Mini Chocolate Chip Cookie Bar Dough or NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Refrigerated Mini Brownie Bites Bar Dough *
1 1/2 to 2 cups Vanilla, Chocolate Chip Mint or any other flavor DREYER’S® or EDY’S® SLOW CHURNED™ Light Ice Cream, slightly softened


PREPARE cookies according to package directions. Cool on baking sheets for 1 minute; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

PLACE 1 tablespoon ice cream on flat side of 1 cookie; top with flat side of second cookie to make a sandwich. Wrap each tightly in plastic wrap or place in freezeable container. Repeat with remaining cookies and ice cream. Freeze for at least 1 hour before serving. Let stand at room temperature for 5 minutes before serving.

* VARIATION: Make a platter of these sandwiches by baking up a few packages of our refrigerated Mini Cookie Bar Doughs and use a variety of DREYER’S or EDY’S SLOW CHURNED Light Ice Cream products.

NUTRITION FACTS:
Calories: 120 Calories from Fat: 50 Total Fat: 6 g
Saturated Fat: 3 g Cholesterol: 15 mg Sodium: 95 mg
Carbohydrates: 16 g Dietary Fiber: 0 g Sugars: 10 g
Protein: 1 g"

MINI BROWNIE ICE CREAM SANDWICHES

MINI BROWNIE ICE CREAM SANDWICHES

Vanilla ice cream blended with fresh mint and sandwiched between two chocolate mini brownie bites...who can resist? This delicious treat!

Preparation Time: 15 mins

Cooking Time: Cooling Time: 1 hr freezing

Servings: 20

1 package (16 ounces) NESTLÉ TOLL HOUSE Refrigerated Mini Brownie Bites Bar Dough, prepared according to package directions 1 1/4 cups Vanilla BREYER'S or EDY'S SLOW CHURNED Light Ice Cream, softened 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint.

STIR together ice cream and mint in large bowl; freeze for 1 hour or until almost firm.

TO ASSEMBLE: Sandwich 1 tablespoon prepared ice cream between 2 brownie bites; serve immediately. NOTE: If ice cream is frozen for longer than 1 hour, let soften slightly before assembling sandwiches. Prepared sandwiches can be wrapped tightly and stored frozen for up to one week.

Yummy! Enjoy!

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Happy Saving,

Karina's Garden of Grace

BACK TO SCHOOL LINKS

Here are a few links that I have found today while surfing! Great to use whether your homeschooling, public schooling, and/or private schooling!

LINKS ARE:

http://www.mediaangels.com/home/free-downloads

http://www.homeschoolfreebie.wholesomechildhood.com/

http://www.schoolexpress.com/

http://www.choosyhomeschooler.com/

http://www.usedhomeschoolbooks.com/

http://www.homefires.com/free.asp

Happy Schooling!

Karina' s Garden of Grace

BLUEBERRY MUFFIN RECIPE

Since it is Still National Blueberry Month ~ Here is another great Blueberry Muffin Recipe:

BATTER INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 c all-purpose flour

3/4 c white sugar
1/2 tsp salt

2 tsp baking powder

1/3 c vegetable oil

1 egg

1/3 c milk

1 c fresh blueberries

TOPPING INGREDIENTS:

1/2 c sugar

1/3 c all-purpose flour

1/4 c butter, cubed, softened but not melted

1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Delicious! Enjoy!

Happy Baking,

Karina's Garden of Grace

OVER 2,000 FREE PRODUCTS

While surfing the web today I found a wonderful site to share with you!

Just click the link below and find out for yourself!

Happy Saving,

Karina's Garden of Grace

Dark Blue Affiliate Network

Dark Blue Affiliate Network: "

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CVS Coupon Booklets Coming Soon

As of August 1, you should be able to snag a coupon booklet from your CVS Pharmacy full of some great coupons. Simply ask about the Autorefill program at the pharmacy counter and they should give it to you. It contains the following coupons:

• (two) $4 off $20 purchase (yay!)
• $4 off $20 Diet or Nutrition products
• $4 off $20 Facial Skin products
• $2 off $10 Vitamin purchase
• $2 off $10 Allergy products
• $2 off $10 Oral Care products
• $3 off $12 Eye Care products
  

The word is that some people have already found this booklet near the pharmacy area. I recommend grabbing several if you can–or at least one from each CVS you shop at!

Happy Shopping,

Karina's Garden of Grace

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Don't throw away those Glass Jars!

You know the glass jars like photoed above? Don't throw them out.....

When done using I just soak them ~ in order to get the label off ~ and use them for drinking glasses for our family! I have also used them in canning my own homemade tomato sauce, by keeping the lid that goes to each jar.

They work great and I haven't bought drinking glasses in over 2 years!

Hope you enjoyed this tip!

Happy Recycling,

KARINA'S DAILY TIP

Welcome to Karina's Daily Tip:

"Re-use those plastic food containers!"
One thing I do not enjoy doing is opening up those shredded cheese bags and crouton bags and never being able to reseal them! (only cause the kids rip um open)!
Know what I mean :-0)

So, I finally got smart! I have started to keep my Kraft grated parmesan cheese ~plastic containers with the green snap lid. Airtight I might add!

I washed them out, and now I have containers to hold my cheese, croutons, sliced almonds, bacon bits, and much more! At mealtime, it is easy as 1-2-3 to set them on the table...especially on taco and/or salad night."

Happy Recylcing!

Karina's Garden of Grace

I STAND IN AWE OF YOU JESUS!

Today my devotion is from Ecclesiates 5!

"I Stand in Awe of God"

Verse 1: Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.
Verse 2: Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.
Verse 3: As a dream comes when there are many cares, so the speech of a fool when there are many words.
Verse 4: When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow.
Verse 5: It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it.
Verse 6: Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, "My vow was a mistake." Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands?
Verse 7: Much dreaming and many words are meaningless.

Therefore stand in awe of God ~ My Jesus!

Graciously Yours,
Karina's Garden of Grace

SWAGBUCKS ~ JOIN NOW!

I KNOW I have talked about this before ~ but, it is worth repeating.....I took the chance and joined SWAGBUCKS and cannot believe how many bucks I have received and are ready to cash in on!

Honestly, I was skeptical when I read a post on my girlfriend's blog (mummy deals), but my curiosity got the best of me and I have earned a $25 gift card in 2 weeks of just searching....haven't done anythin' different.

I suggest giving it a try for yourself......I would appreciate it if you join under my code so that I can earn a buck referral.....Click here. Thanks!

Happy Swagging!

Karina's Garden of Grace

FREE CHOCOLATE FRIDAY!

FREE CHOCOLATE FRIDAY!

"This promo has been going on a couple of weeks. A few days ago I got my first coupon for free chocolate. What could be better??

Every Friday from now through September ~ starting at 9:00 a.m. ET ~ the first 500,000 people to sign up here will get a voucher for your favorite Mars product. Products include: M&M, Snickers, Twix, Dove, 3 Musketeers or Milky Way. There is a limit of 4 per household during the promo."

DAILY QUOTE

DAILY QUOTE:

"A weed is a plant that has mastered every survival skill except for learning how to grow in rows."

SEARCH THE INTERNET

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Happy Surfing Everyone!

Karina's Garden of Grace

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NEW HOME CONSIGNMENT SHOP - Northwest Indiana

Dear Readers,

NEW HOME CONSIGNMENT SHOP ~ Cedar Lake, Indiana

There is a new Home Consignment store that just opened up in Cedar Lake, Indiana ~~ off of Rte. 41 (Indianapolis/Wicker Avenue). It is called...."Not Too Shabby."

A girlfriend of mine checked it out already and says "it's a darling little shop with mostly second-hand, some new home decor. There is some jewelry, some furniture, and a small amount of clothing as well. It's a great shop for little gifts or if you feel like you need a decorating "fix" but don't want to spend too much...it's the perfect place!"

Days Open: Wed, Thurs., Fri., and Sat.
Hours: Unknown (call ahead of time)!

Here is the Location Information:
Not Too Shabby
Home Decor, Furniture & More
13321 Wicker Ave.
Cedar Lake, IN
219.374.5114

Happy Hunting,
Karina's Garden of Grace

SEVEN STEPS TO A SUCCESSFUL GARAGE SALE

By: Karina Struven

Now that summer is here you might have some free time to use up. You can start by turning your "hidden treasures," into some money-making time -- by hosting a garage/yard sale. I know from experience, that a garage sale is a Fantastic way to purge your home from all of those "hidden treasures" -- as well as, make some extra needed cash. So come on, get up and start purging that house, clear out the closets and cash in on some of your "hidden treasures."

By following these short steps you can obtain garage sale success:

1. Pick a date that works best for you and where you live. I've noticed that in my neighborhood, Thursday is the best day. While Friday is slower. See if your neighborhood is hosting a multi-sale and if you want to join your neighbors, you might attract more traffic to your sale.
2. Sort and organize all of your "treasures." Even though this might be more time consuming, it is definitely worth it! Make sure that everything has all their parts and that everything is in working order. Be sure to wash old clothes and toys -- display them easily for people to browse through your selection. After all, nobody wants to purchase dirty-dusty items.
3. Price all merchandise. I did this by creating a price list very easily on my computer. After printing off the list, I then cut it into either rectangles and/or circle shapes and labeled every item with tape. Not only is this a neat, clean and pretty presentation; it saved me time having to repeat the prices to customers. REMEMBER: be reasonable on your pricing. If grouping items, make sure your price is clear -- (set of 4 for $5.00, etc.)
4. Advertise your Sale. If you are fortunate enough to live off of a busy highway and/or main artery in your town, that can save you tons of advertising money. But if you do not, by all means, utilize the garage sale advertisers in your area. The most avid garage sale shoppers do check the weekly ads, both in the paper and online. When using signs to advertise your sale, make sure they are marked appropriately and clearly. There is nothing worse than a confusing sign to a passerby. Mark your sign with the following: Time, Date, Location, Directions (an arrow), Hours and Specials.
5. Be Prepared! This is so important for your own piece of mind because on the day of the sale most likely you are going to have "early birds." Have your money ready and safely hidden. You should start with at least $5 in small coin; $15 in singles; and $10 in fives. Also make sure that you provide used grocery store bags so that your eager shoppers can carry away their new found treasures. This is also a great way to recycle those unwanted bags.
6. At the end of the day! Hopefully you have had a successful day and now it is time to call it quits, but you probably have leftover items. Now what? Box them up right away! Do not bring them back into your house. Keep these items right in your garage for another quick sale and/or donate all of your "leftover treasures" to a local charity, shelter, and/or thrift store. REMEMBER: "One man's junk is another man's treasure."
7. CHA-CHING! Count your new made moolah and head to the bank!

Happy Selling,

Karina Struven

(http:karinastruven.blogspot.com)

NATIONAL BLUEBERRY MUFFIN DAY ~ JULY 11, 2007

LET'S us all celebrate MY FAVORITE MUFFIN....today is the National Blueberry Muffin Day!

Here is Grandma's Easy, Delicious Recipe for Blueberry Muffins:

Ingredients:
1/4 cup butter
2 eggs
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. sugar
2 c. flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1-1/2 tsp. vanilla
One-half cup milk
2 c. fresh or frozen blueberries

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Grease and floor muffin pan (or use paper liners). Beat together butter, eggs, salt, and sugar.
Mix flour with baking powder and sift into first mixture, alternating with milk.
Blend in vanilla.
Add blueberries.
Pour into muffin pan and bake for 25 minutes!

Enjoy and Happy Baking!

Karina's Garden of Grace

A PSALM OF PRAISE

A PSALM OF PRAISE FOR THIS WONDERFUL LORD'S DAY!

PSALM 100

1Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
2Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
3Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations."

A PRAYER OF CONTENTMENT!

MY PRINCESS...

"I WANT YOU TO BE CONTENT"

You were given my peace when you let ME into your life. It "is" possible, MY Princess, to enjoy your life with a peaceful mind and a contented heart. YOU have so much to look forward to when you are settled in your Heavenly home with ME. But, for now you must remember that nothing you buy or collect will calm your spirit or soothe your soul like I can! You came into this world with nothing, and that is how you will leave it. Let ME do more than give YOU the good gifts that this life has to offer. I will give you a place of peace, decorated with the light and filled with memories that will be more cherished more than anything this world has to offer. So let me be your treasure, and I will give you a rich life that will become more beautiful than money can buy!

Love,

Your King and Your Contentment

*borrowed from Sheri Rose Shepherd's Book "His Princess - Love Letters from Your King"

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Philippians 4:12-13

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have to plenty. I have learned the secret in being content in any and every situation, where well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through HIM who gives me strength."

____________________

I love this devotion for today. For you see, I have been struggling with my contentment with the Lord and Him alone! I know that is sin, but as humans we do find ourselves in these struggles often. Today, I thank God for His unending love and grace that He offered to me with this reading today.

I want you all to remember that WE are HIS Princesses and need to remember that our only true contentment can come from GOD ALONE!

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for your gentle reminder this morning that I need to find my true contentment only in YOU!

I love you precious Father! Please restore unto me the joy of my salvation today and show me your true contentment.

Love your Daughter,

Karina's Garden of Grace