Leaders

1 Timothy 4:16 reads, "Be conscientious about how you live and what you teach. Persevere in this, because by doing so you will save both yourself and those who listen to you." 

I've read both 1 and 2 Timothy and nothing makes me angry inside when I see self proclaimed leaders blindly lead a group of youth or adults. You have been blessed with the gift to teach, the gift of friendship, the gift of giving or the gift to preach yet you're teachings by the way you live and teach is pitiful.I'm sure the glorified title of being a spiritual leader or pastor tickles you with joy that you have the respect and self righteous facade, but your act only works on an audience. 

Too harsh? Quit reading.

My eyes are opened and my heart is ready. I will not sit back and watch with a turned eye as you fill peoples spirits and souls with lies! That's their lives you're messing with, GOD'S people! Turn in your badges and work on your walk with God first before you act on your good works.

It's no wonder people are suffering in working on their relationship with Christ. It's no wonder the world has despised and coined us as "crazy", "hateful", "controlling", "hypocrit." What part of the gospel are you sharing with the world by acting the way you are? Because so few people are given the opportunities to be a witness as to the true nature of Jesus.

I do this out of love and it is not you that angers me, it is your actions. I am a part of the body of Christ no matter what church you attend and I will take blame as I should be watching my actions as well.

4:12 "Let no one look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in your speech, conduct, love, faithfulness, and purity."

Birthday Pizza Night

What are several ways you can bring an out of town friend to come over your house to celebrate their birthday?
Drinks?
Good music?
Well how about food; pizza to be specific! Put the phone book down, you don't have to look up the number for Pizza Hut or Dominos! How about a slice of healthy homemade pizza!?
One of my best friends turned 22 this week and I invited her over for some homemade pizza, a movie and a good time! We didn't have a chance to spend a lot of time together but we made it out with a full heart and a happy belly. :)

Here's the recipe I used to make this with her.
For 1 pizza
((Preheat oven at 400 degrees))
•lemon juice
•salt
•pepper
•collard greens or spinach (washed and drained)
• cooked chicken breast
Combine these 5 ingredients in a bowl and mix well

For the dough (step by step)
•1 lb of pizza dough (have a pan ready with olive oil spread evenly and lay out the hand tossed dough on to the pan)
•1 clove of garlic (minced and spread evenly on dough)
•Alfredo sauce (spread an even coat of sauce on the dough)
((add the 5 ingredients on to the dough evenly))
** Add thinly whole sliced tomatoes on top (optional, but this adds SO much flavor)
•top it off with fontina cheese (you can also add mozzarella or any of your other favorite Italian cheeses. *note: only add a portion before you put it in the oven. In the middle of it baking in the oven, add more cheese to the pizza for a cheesier flavor!!)

Bake for 15/16 minutes or until golden brown.
Cut evenly and ENJOY a little taste of Italy!

If you add any special sauces, seasonings or toppings let me know! I'd love to hear how yours came out!

     God Bless!
          Alexa-Rae

I vow

To my future family
A large reason why I am quiet around a large group of people or why I have awkward moments of staring is because I am constantly inspecting many families, taking notes diligently and dissecting the good and poor examples. I am inspired by every single one (yes, even those "reality" tv families). You know, how I want and don't want my marriage and kids to be. I am inspired to protect my kids and love my spouse through anything and everything. To keep my family first before my job, my extended family and my friends. To protect and serve what God has blessed me with. I will not take it for granted nor will I take my duty as a wife and mother lightly. Because when I say, "Till death do us part", "To honor and cherish forever" and "To forsake all others" I will uphold that with every part of my being. So forgive me now because I may lose some close friendships because I am unable make it to any of the "Girls Night Out". My family may ask why I am so uptight and recommend that I loosen up and let my kids "explore" what this world typically has to offer them but all those losses will be ok with me. I would give up the whole world for them than have the world parading around me and lose my home. Some are probably reading this thinking, "ok Miss Huckstable family. This is the 21st century. No family is like that anymore nor are they near perfect.." That may be so, but like I've mentioned before, I've been watching parents and spouses. I will have to give up some bad habits just for them. If you wanted something so badly (a car, a house, to be healthy or to quit drugs or drinking) how much of yourself would you give to get what is good for you? I will learn to change my habits now, so that when I'm older and have a family of my own they won't have to suffer the repercussions with what I'm struggling with right now. I've heard several stories about people having families and entering with the issues they've had since they were teenagers/young adults and then their spouse has to "accept" exactly who they are and work with it and then the kids soak up some of the bad habits.
Lately, this world seems to be getting crazier and more complicated. I will keep my standards as high, if not HIGHER, than my parents and grandparents have so that my kids won't subject themselves to doing what everyone is doing because I didn't love them enough to protect them. So my husband doesn't have to think it's ok to look or lust at another woman (and that it's not considered cheating) because I worked too much and never kept myself up for him.
Simply, I have no desires for a plaque honoring me as employee of the month or a banner praising my years of service with the an organization. I want a blanket misspelling the phrase "Worlds Best Mom" embroidered on it and their cute little hands all around it. I want my husband to write me letters all throughout our lives and share with people about our love.
Look at me, blabbering about a family that I don't even have. But Lord knows I am saving up and storing treasures for them now, so that they can have a blessed life later. All for what I stand up for: My Family.