SCOTUS' Gay Marriage Ruling Just Did Christians a Huge Favor

Social media is buzzing today with the Supreme Court's ruling that gay marriage is now the law of the land. Pro-gays are cheering and anti-gays are angry and Christians are scouring Pinterest for end-of-the-world memes. My thoughts today have little to do with how I feel about homosexual marriage. In fact, even if you are one who is thrilled with today's ruling, there's no reason to take issue with anything this opponent of gay marriage has to say today. If you're as tolerant as most of you say you are then you'll likely be indifferent to my point of view. Just remember: if you don't like what I have to say, you need to suck it up and take your own medicine now...and be tolerant.

Any Bible-believing Christian (I'm talking about the real ones who actually take the Bible literally and accept it in it's entirety and don't take stuff out of context and build a doctrine around it and...) knows that anti-Biblical freedoms mean restrictions for those who live by the Word and we're understandably upset. But let me tell you why I'm not too upset. Besides the fact that we all pretty much knew this was coming, what some believers are missing is that the Supreme Court just did Christians a huge favor. 

SCOTUS turned on the light for us.

God has a way of turning bad stuff into good stuff and that's what's happened today. Every single hypocritical Conservative, pastor, church leader, Libertarian will now be exposed. No longer is gay marriage one of those things we can contemplate over coffee and finally agree to disagree about since there's really no right or wrong answer. People have a way of using law as an excuse. Have you ever heard anyone say, "Oh, I don't know. I mean, I hear what you're saying but I just don't think I should judge that 45 year old man for sleeping with that 10 year old girl." No? That's because, no matter what kind of "love relationship" they might have, the act is illegal. So it doesn't matter what we think about it---we always fall back on the law.

Now---well, hey! God's definition of marriage is no longer the way it goes in America! So good news, old man. America didn't just "redefine" marriage---we annihilated it. Anything is up for grabs now! If a man can marry a man, then a man can marry a dog, or his breakfast. Or a 45 year old man can marry a 10 year old girl---'cause it's all about tolerance.

On comes the light---and trust me, many of us will be using a spotlight. Every false leader, and false follower, for that matter, is about to be exposed.

This is not about love winning. Christian, do you love someone? Then tell them the truth about what God's word says regarding homosexuality. Tell them the truth about Jesus' love that is more than just fuzzy-feeling tolerance. It's a love deep enough that He allows us to sink so low that He's the only One who can pull us up. Be ready to share real love---the kind that is absolutely intolerant of sin. Because this happy new law is ushering in a wave of hurt like this country has never seen before. 

SCOTUS did us a favor today. They forced us out of the hiding place.

Zucchini Oatmeal Cookies

Good morning! Today the Coller Kids are headed out for our weekly library day! It's beautiful, sunny, and roasting hot! Hope you all are having a great week!

My mom is the most excellent cookie-baker I know. She has a knack for making soft, moist, chewy cookies that don't harden up after they're cooled. I've used several of her recipes but I still can't get it right! She has a delicious recipe for Zucchini Oatmeal Cookies for us today. 

Why I Use Oats In My Cookie Recipes

  Have you noticed I use oats quite often in my cookie recipes? It is all about the calories! 1 Cup of flour= 455 calories while 1 cup of rolled oats= 300 calories. Also, oats are better for us!

  Do you need a cookie recipe for all those zucchinis the neighbors bring you? Here is a good one!

Zucchini Oatmeal Cookies
mix:     1/2 cup oil
            3/4 cup sugar
            1 egg
            1 tsp vanilla extract
            2 cups oats
stir in: 1 1/2 cups flour
            1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
            1/2 tsp soda
            2 cups shredded zucchini

Bake on greased cookie sheet at 350º for 10 minutes.

Thanks for stopping by the Homemaking Party. I'm excited to see what you've got to share!
Th

Establishing Healthy Habits at Home #LISTERINEMom #ad

I received LISTERINE® Brand products and a Walgreens gift card from Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc. and The Motherhood as part of my participation in the LISTERINE® Brand Totally Taken Care Of program. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are my own.

This year I've had the privilege to serve as an ambassador for LISTERINE®, bringing you all the news on products to promote oral health and good habits. Earlier in the year, I talked about the LISTERINE® 21-Day Challenge, and followed up last month with some info on LISTERINE® Total Care Mouthwash---the rinse that helps prevent cavities, restores enamel, strengthens teeth, provides total mouth cleansing, and more. As the mother and homemaker in my family, it's my job to make sure everyone is totally taken care of---a big responsibility that I take seriously.

In addition to teaching my kids good hygiene habits and providing them with quality products to do so, there are other aspects to this "totally taken care of" thing. Another way I make sure their needs are met is by stocking the kitchen with healthy and hearty foods to make regular, sit-down meals with. I make it a habit to serve fresh, raw fruit with every breakfast and fresh, raw vegetables with every lunch. Of course, I include fruits and veggies in the meals I cook, as well, but establishing this habit years ago ensures that, even if I serve popcorn for dinner now and then, I know they've had some nutrient-rich food that day, as well. Tonight I made Touch Down Taco Dip for Father's Day. This is a healthy family favorite and can be served with corn chips, celery sticks, or cucumber slices to use for dipping.

Another thing I can do to promote positive habits in my family is to make sure we get some sunshine and exercise. We're not really the type of family to go for a run or a bike ride---too many age differences to make that feasible right now---but we love adventures. One of our favorite places to hang out is the Pea Ridge Battlefield just minutes from our home. There are miles of hiking trails and tons of history to keep our imaginations going strong! We also like to take basketballs, footballs, and scooters to the park at a nearby lake. That way there's something for everyone to enjoy.

In the past, I've wanted to come up with great strategies, routines, and plans to achieve our family's goals. I'm learning that a few goals at a time helps build regular habits and that we really do just need to take things a day at a time and give one another grace as we learn. What are some things you've implemented to keep your family totally taken care of?

Make sure to shop Walgreens for LISTERINE® Total Care Mouthwash and other helpful hygiene products and check out the 21-Day Challenge to help establish good rinsing routines in your family.