God Said No

I received this in an email and it really put things in perspective for me.  Sometimes God, in his perfect wisdom and knowledge, says no.

I asked God to take away my habit.
God said:
No.  It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said:
No.  His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience.
God said:
No.  Patience is a byproduct of tribulations; it isn’t granted, it is learned.

I asked God to give me happiness.
God said:
No.  I give you blessings.  Happiness is up to you.

I asked God to spare me pain.
God said:
No.  Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.

I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said:
No.  You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.

I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said:
No.  I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.

I asked God to help me love others, as much as He loves me.
God said:
Ahhhh, finally you have the idea!

Weekend Mixtape 3/25/11

Weekend Mixtape #62 was put together by Keith from Motley.

TobyMac – City On Our Knees
Chris August – 7×70
Casting Crowns – Who Am I
Newsboys – Something Beautiful
Luminate – Come Home
Sanctus Real – Lead Me
Tenth Avenue North – You Are More
TobyMac – Made To Love
David Crowder Band – Never Let Go
Downhere – How Many Kings
TobyMac – Get Back Up
Third Day – Cry Out To Jesus

Click here to submit YOUR Mixtape.  If we pick yours, you’ll receive a prize pack and we’ll play your Mixtape on The Pulse!

Crosslake Area MOPS

Melissa Aldridge and Merrie Tschida are coordinators for MOPS (Mothers Of Preschoolers) in the Crosslake Area.  They stopped by to talk about some upcoming events, and how you can be involved (if you’re a mother of a preschooler, of course!).

If you have any questions concerning MOPS, you can email Merrie at merrie@tds.net or call Melissa at 218-838-8602.

Weekend Mixtape 3/18/11

Weekend Mixtape #61 was put together by Jamie from Pequot Lakes.

Francesca Battistelli – Beautiful Beautiful
Newsboys – Something Beautiful
Newsboys – Million Pieces
TobyMac – Made To Love
Casting Crowns – Praise You In This Storm
TobyMac – Get Back Up
DC Talk – In The Light
Newsboys – Shine
Francesca Battistelli – Free To Be Me
Tenth Avenue North – Healing Begins
TobyMac – City On Our Knees
Newsboys – Joy

Click here to submit YOUR Mixtape.  If we pick yours, you’ll receive a prize pack and we’ll play your Mixtape on The Pulse!

Pot Of Gold Soup

I was looking for some fun St. Patrick’s Day themed family activities, crafts and recipes, and I found this tasty looking soup from Family Fun Magazine.  Anything with butternut squash is a hit with me.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 medium apples
• 2 medium butternut squashes (about 3 pounds)
• 1 cup apple juice or cider

• 3 cups chicken stock
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat. Add the chopped onion and saute until soft and translucent. Remove the onion from the heat.
2. Now set your kids to work peeling the apples while you peel, seed, and chop the squash. Core and chop the peeled apples.
3. Add the apples, squash, juice or cider, and chicken stock to the onions and bring to a boil. Then lower the heat and simmer partially covered for 25 minutes.
4. Add the brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and salt and pepper. Puree the soup, reheat, and serve. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

Weekend Mixtape 3/11/11

Weekend Mixtape #60 was put together by Savannah from Baxter.

Switchfoot – Dare You To Move
TobyMac – Gone
Newsboys – Breakfast
Superchick – We Live
Steven Curtis Chapman – Cinderella
Superchick – Hero
TobyMac – Irene
Relient K – Getting Into You
John Reuben – Nuisance
Ayiesha Wood – Big Enough
Steven Curtis Chapman – Heaven is the Face
Britt Nicole – Set The World On Fire

Click here to submit YOUR Mixtape.  If we pick yours, you’ll receive a prize pack and we’ll play your Mixtape on The Pulse!

Sendai, Japan Earthquake/Tsunami Disaster Relief

Today’s earthquake in Sendai was the largest in Japan’s history.  At least hundreds are confirmed dead following the disaster.  President Obama says that “the United States stands ready to help the Japanese people in this time of great trial.”

World Vision and the American Red Cross are among the many charities who are already preparing to respond to those in need.  Visit their websites to find out how you can help them.

5 Foods That Help You Sleep

A midnight snack that doesn’t keep you up, but rather helps you sleep… it’s not too good to be true!  Caring.com lists five foods that actually help you drift off.

1. Cherries. Fresh and dried cherries are one of the only natural food sources of melatonin, the chemical that controls the body’s internal clock to regulate sleep. Researchers who tested tart cherries and found high levels of melatonin recommend eating them an hour before bedtime or before a trip when you want to sleep on the plane.

2. Bananas.Potassium and magnesium are natural muscle relaxants, and bananas are a good source of both. They also contain the amino acid L-tryptophan, which gets converted to 5-HTP in the brain. The 5-HTP in turn is converted to serotonin (a relaxing neurotransmitter) and melatonin.

3. Toast. Carbohydrate-rich foods trigger insulin production, which induces sleep by speeding up the release of tryptophan and serotonin, two brain chemicals that relax you and send you to sleep..

4. Oatmeal. Like toast, a bowl of oatmeal triggers a rise in blood sugar, which in turn triggers insulin production and the release of sleep-inducing brain chemicals. Oats are also rich in melatonin, which many people take as a sleep aid..

5. Warm milk. Like bananas, milk contains the amino acid L-tryptophan, which turns to 5-HTP and releases relaxing serotonin. It’s also high in calcium, which promotes sleep.

Weekend Mixtape 2/18/11

Weekend Mixtape #57 was put together by Melissa from Crosby.

Third Day – Born Again
TobyMac – Lose My Soul
Casting Crowns – If We’ve Ever Needed You
John Waller – While I’m Waiting
JJ Heller – Your Hands
Britt Nicole – Walk On The Water
Casting Crowns – Does Anybody Hear Her?
MercyMe – God With Us
Sanctus Real – Lead Me
Chris Tomlin – How Great Is Our God
David Crowder Band – How He Loves

Click here to submit YOUR Mixtape.  If we pick yours, you’ll receive a prize pack and we’ll play your Mixtape on The Pulse!

Wedding Photo Contest

The Weekend To Remember marriage conference (put on by Family Life Today) is making a few stops nearby, and wants to help you learn hints and secrets to focus on a healthy and successful marriage.  Here at The Pulse, we would love to help you by offering you a chance at free registration!

To enter the drawing for free registration for you and your spouse, go to our website and send us your wedding picture! We will be drawing at random on Friday, March 4th, so please have your photo in by March 3rd to enter.  If you do not win the drawing, you can still take 50% off registration costs for the conference when you register on our website.

We can’t wait to see your wedding pictures!