Supernatural Living

A good idea or God's idea?

2010-02-17T00:10:00Z

The blog has moved to:

http://raquelsoto.net

Please bookmark that page instead.

You can find the quick bible study on this by clicking here.

Be blessed!

~R

Quick Bible Studies: Wisdom from Proverbs 2:3-4

2010-02-03T17:53:00Z

Verses 3 and 4 are today’s power verses from Proverbs 2: Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation.

What is favor and why should we want it? The free dictionary defines it as “A gracious, friendly, or obliging act that is freely given.” It can also mean “a privilege or concession”. Freely given here is the key.

It is God’s favor that opens up doors for us. His goodness causes even strangers to show us partiality. So what is the secret to continually flow in favor? It’s found in verse 3: loyalty and kindness. Notice that it tells you to tie it around your neck if you have to! Writing them deep within your heart means you have to make a conscience effort to make this part of your life.

In the book the February 2nd page tapped into meditation. Meditation is a key to success in anything. One definition of meditation is saying to yourself over and over again (mutter to oneself). You can turn this into a praise power point: Thank you Father that I have favor with you, and you have given me favor with man, and it goes before me everywhere that I go in Jesus name.

Tap into the favor factor today. God has done His part; now we need to do ours.

###

This has been an authorized reprint The 1 Minute Guide to Health, Wealth, & Happiness by Raquel Soto. Click on bible studies now to get this amazing resource.

Raquel Soto is the prolific and cutting edge writer of two books, with a third about to be published. She resides in Chicago with her husband of 13 years and their three beautiful children. Finding ways to help people utilizing the arts is her passion and helping people practically is her gift. May all your days be like days of heaven on the earth is her motto and deepest desire for you today.

Bookmark & Share

What is worship?

2010-01-27T14:17:00Z

The enlightening and very funny Gary Ellis tells us about worship:

Bookmark & Share

Leverage Yourself Tonight and Ride the Gravy Train

2010-01-21T20:29:00Z

Business builders:

I got an email from one of the leaders of MHA Power Team and they are offering free training & bonuses on their call tonight. The information is as follows:

507-726-4244 passcode 100309# at 9PM EST

You can use their information and plug it into any business you are doing.

Live long and prosper,

Bookmark & Share

Quick Bible Studies Series: Wisdom from Proverbs 13:10

2010-01-13T17:04:00Z

Today’s power verse could be found in verse 10 of Proverbs 13: Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised [is] wisdom.

One emerging trend in Proverbs as you can tell is the danger of pride. Pride is one of the biggest reasons why the destiny of millions isn’t fulfilled.

Pride gets in the way every time. Pride is rooted in fear. The fear that you won’t have enough in that area. Fear works like faith. Fear is contaminated faith. What you have faith in, even if it’s contaminated, you will receive. It’s a spiritual law that works even
if you don’t consciously put it into practice.

It’s like the law of gravity. You don’t think when you are getting out of bed: now, be careful and think about gravity so that the law of lift doesn’t shot me through the roof. No, you just get out of bed and go do your thing! You are having faith that gravity is working correctly and you aren’t going to be propelled through the roof somehow.

It is your experience with gravity that has given you unwavering faith. And if you continue to seek God’s Kingdom – God’s ways of doing and being right – then you will be well advised. Then you will have the wisdom you need for any given situation. And the application of what you are learning and the success that emerges from it will build the confidence you need to continue on your path. Just like gravity, after awhile, you won’t give it a second thought. You will expect the wisdom of God to work every time
you step out.

###

This has been an authorized reprint From Wisdom from Proverbs: Volume 1 by Raquel Soto. Get your copy today of this amazing resource which includes 31 mp3's and e-book by clicking on bible studies now Feel free to reprint this article as long as the bio is attached.

Raquel Soto is the prolific and cutting edge writer of two books, with a third about to be published. She resides in Chicago with her husband of 13 years and their three beautiful children. Finding ways to help people utilizing the arts is her passion and helping people practically is her gift. May all your days be like days of heaven on the earth is her motto and deepest desire for you today.

Bookmark & Share

Quick Bible Studies Series: Wisdom from Proverbs 12:1

2010-01-12T13:35:00Z

Enjoy the MP3 version of this article, read by voice talent Gary Ellis.

Today’s power verse can be found in verse one from Proverbs 12: Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof [is] brutish.

This is probably one of the hardest pills to swallow. No one really likes to be corrected. If you read Proverbs on a daily basis by the end of the year you would have read this verse 12 times. You'll not going to jump out of bed next January and say: Today is going to be a good day! Someone is going to correct me! Yipee!

I believe that this is one of the reasons that people aren’t succeeding in what they are setting out to do. They don’t want to be corrected by their doctor when they are told to eat right and exercise and then wonder why they feel so bad. They don’t want to be corrected by their supervisor at work then wonder why they haven’t gotten a decent raise. They don’t want to be corrected by their pastor and then wonder why they feel so dry.

But when you hate to receive correction your heart begins to get harden, and with that, everything else. Before you know it, your emotions will follow and you begin to do brutish (stupid) things. You do stupid things because you’ve allowed yourself not to receive the correction that could have saved you all the headaches.

Correction is a necessary part of life. It is the equivalent of pruning in the garden that of your life. You can’t just let those weeds get out of control. The best time to get them is when before they start popping up. Learn to love correction when it comes. You won’t like it then, but you will appreciate it later.

###
This has been an authorized reprint (you may print it as well along with the bio) From Wisdom from Proverbs: Volume 1 by Raquel Soto. Get your copy today of this amazing resource which includes 31 mp3's and e-book by clicking on bible studies now

Raquel Soto is the prolific and cutting edge writer of two books, with a third about to be published. She resides in Chicago with her husband of 13 years and their three beautiful children. Finding ways to help people utilizing the arts is her passion and helping people practically is her gift. May all your days be like days of heaven on the earth is her motto and deepest desire for you today.

Bookmark & Share

Quick Bible Studies Series: Wisdom from Proverbs 11:2

2010-01-11T14:37:00Z

Today’s power verse can be found in verse two of Proverbs 11: [When] pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly [is] wisdom.

Let’s define a prideful person. A prideful person is someone who believes their worth is more than those around them. This person also expects others to treat him/her with that presumption of how much s/he is presumably worth. And when they aren’t treated as highly as they presume they should be, they generally act in ways that are rather, let’s say, ugly. And as the old saying goes, God doesn’t like ugly! Acts of pride are those that are contradictory to what God is the right way.

Let’s define what a humble (lowly) person is. In Numbers 12:3 we are told that Moses was the meekest man on earth. Do you know who wrote that? Moses! One could read that and think: ”Now that IS NOT humble!” But we are the ones with the wrong definition of humble.

A person of meekness isn’t one that keeps their head low with soft speech and full of shyness. A truly humble person is one who simply agrees with God. S/He is someone who acknowledges that God is the Most High God and that there is no other. And if there is no other, then there is no higher authority, is there?

The fall comes when we take the place of God in our lives. Be wise and stay in meekness by coming into agreement with God. If He says you can, then who are you to argue with Him?

###

This has been an authorized reprint From Wisdom from Proverbs: Volume 1 by Raquel Soto. Get your copy today of this amazing resource which includes 31 mp3's and e-book by clicking on bible studies now

Raquel Sotois the prolific and cutting edge writer of two books, with a third aboutto be published. She resides in Chicago with her husband of 13 years andtheir three beautiful children. Finding ways to help people utilizingthe arts is her passion and helping people practically is her gift. Mayall your days be like days of heaven on the earth is her motto anddeepest desire for you today.

Bookmark & Share

Quick Bible Studies Series: Wisdom from Proverbs ~ Reflecting on Proverbs 10:12

2010-01-10T15:52:00Z

Enjoy today's free download of the below, read by voice talent Gary Ellis!

Today’s power verse comes from Proverbs 10:12: Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

In this verse we have a contradictory of terms: hate and love. Haven’t you noticed that when someone has a hatred for God, they incite trouble? It’s the same when someone has hatred for a person. Contention rises up and steals joy, kills relationships, and
destroys communities.

On the contrary, there is love. Love isn’t the opposite of hate. The opposite of love is selfishness and we know that it is by what 2nd Corinthians chapter 13 tells us what love looks like.

Love, instead of inciting arguments and divisions, excuses offenses or mistakes. This is important to acknowledge here because part of love is forgiveness. At first love forgives the mistakes that are made. Mistakes are things done to you with no intent of harm. Offenses can be either done on purpose or without intent of harm. Either way, forgiveness needs to be implemented.

It is the reason that we can come to God boldly to the throne of grace. No longer do we need to run and hide from Him. No longer do we need to do rituals of sacrifice in order to cover what we have done. It was His great love for you that caused Him to create a plan to bring you back to rightful place in the universe: and that is place of being His child. The sacrifice has been made. You don’t need to add anything to it. The only act on your behalf is receiving it.

Forgiveness is available today for you. God forgives you. Reach out and take it.
###
This has been an authorized reprint From Wisdom from Proverbs: Volume 1 by Raquel Soto. Get your copy today of this amazing resource which includes 31 mp3's and e-book by clicking on bible studies now

RaquelSoto is the prolific and cutting edge writer of two books, with a thirdabout to be published. She resides in Chicago with her husband of 13years and their three beautiful children. Finding ways to help peopleutilizing the arts is her passion and helping people practically is hergift. May all your days be like days of heaven on the earth is hermotto and deepest desire for you today.

Bookmark & Share

Wisdom from Proverbs: Reflecting on Proverbs 9:6 - Quick Bible Studies Series

2010-01-10T02:15:00Z

Today’s power verse can be found in verse six from Proverbs 9: Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.

When God told Abraham to leave all he knew in Genesis 12 and go to a place that He would show him, I’m sure many thought that Abraham was the foolish one! But sometimes we need to look like the fool, even when we aren’t, so that we to may live! And sometimes that means moving away from all we know.

The Hebrew word for life (chayah) is a verb meaning to have continued life and live prosperously. It means to be made alive, be quickened, restored to life or health. This is the kind of life God wants you to have. But in order to have this kind of life, you need to do your part and forsake foolish things.

When God gives you instructions, it will seem foolish to you at times because it will be in contradiction of what you have been taught to do. In God’s economy, you give to get. You don’t toil, because all has been provided already through the sacrifice of Jesus. When someone cuts you off in traffic, you love them anyway.

What was Abraham’s reward for going the way of understanding? He ended up not only having one son, but that through that lineage the Messiah would be born! There’s always a reward from God that is much more than we can ask or think. It’s worth going the way of understanding and leaving behind those things that, in the end, will only hinder what you were created to do.

###
This has been an authorized reprint From Wisdom from Proverbs: Volume 1 by Raquel Soto. Get your copy today of the 31 mp3's and e-book by clicking on bible studies now

Raquel Soto is the prolific and cutting edge writer of two books, with a third about to be published. She resides in Chicago with her husband of 13 years and their three beautiful children. Finding ways to help people utilizing the arts is her passion and helping people practically is her gift. May all your days be like days of heaven on the earth is her motto and deepest desire for you today.

Bookmark & Share

Wisdom From Proverbs: Reflecting on Proverbs 8:10-11

2010-01-09T01:23:00Z

As a special treat for you today, you may download the recording from Wisdom from Proverbs: Volume 1 read by voice talent Gary Ellis.

Today we are reflecting on:

Today’s power verse is a double from Proverbs 8, verses 10 and 11: Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom [is] better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.

Receive here is not a passive thing that you are doing. You just aren’t holding out your hands like it’s not a big deal. Receive here in the Hebrew means to take hold of, seize, snatch, even to take away! These aren’t words of passivity, but those of fierce action!

The secret to success is found in these verses. If you want to change your life, if you need a turn around in your circumstances, all you need to know is what God has already said. The answers to everything you need are laid out for you, in plain English, in black and white.

We are to snatch the instructions of God and not silver. We are to lay hold of knowledge over gold. We aren’t to chase money or other means of wealth. They are to be a by-product of the instructions you are following as you search out the Kingdom of
God (His way of doing and being right).

If you would receive, take hold of, seize, snatch, and acquire God’s instructions and do it, you will have all the health, wealth, and happiness that your heart desires. And what God gives, He gives without sorrow added to it.

###
This has been an authorized reprint From Wisdom from Proverbs: Volume 1 by Raquel Soto. Get your copy today of the 31 mp3's and e-book by clicking on bible studies now

Raquel Soto is the prolific and cutting edge writer of two books, with a third about to be published. She resides in Chicago with her husband of 13 years and their three beautiful children. Finding ways to help people utilizing the arts is her passion and helping people practically is her gift. May all your days be like days of heaven on the earth is her motto and deepest desire for you today.

Bookmark & Share

Wisdom from Proverbs: Reflections on Proverbs 7:7

2010-01-08T04:31:00Z

A free download is located at the bottom of this posting.

From Wisdom from Proverbs: Volume 1

Today’s power verse is found in verse seven: And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding...

Noting the word youth here, one might think that at first reading that this is meant only for the young. But it isn’t. It’s associating the time of your life when your foundation is most tender and a time that God wants for Himself to mold you into the person of destiny you were created to be. It’s not necessarily about your age, but when you begin your walk with Him.

The answer to why sometimes churches aren’t moving in power is in this verse: they are young and void of understanding. This doesn’t mean just a person who just met Jesus and saw Him for Who He is (Wonderful, Counselor, Loving). But someone who is
young is one that is not mature (whereas not mature in the things and ways of God).

You can go to church for 20 years and still be a youth in your walk with God. But how can you stay in such a state? By surrounding yourself with others who are young and void of understanding.

Like begets like. If this youth in this parable from verses 6-23 would have just surrounded himself with some older friends who had some wisdom, he would have avoided the enticements calling out to him.

In order to grow, you need to surround yourself with those who can show you the way to go and how to discern the traps that will eventually be laid for you. It’s time to no longer be simple.
###
This has been an authorized reprint From Wisdom from Proverbs: Volume 1 by Raquel Soto. Get your copy today of the 31 mp3's and e-book by clicking on bible studies now

Raquel Soto is theprolific and cutting edge writer of two books, with a third about to bepublished. She resides in Chicago with her husband of 13 years andtheir three beautiful children. Finding ways to help people utilizingthe arts is her passion and helping people practically is her gift. Mayall your days be like days of heaven on the earth is her motto anddeepest desire for you today.

Bookmark & Share

A Hungry Girl Who's Fiber One Crazy

2010-01-07T13:38:00Z

For months I've been seeing the quirky Fiber One commercials. No matterhow many times I heard, "Cardboard no, delicious yes" I just didn'tbelieve him. I mean, come on, it's fiber!

That was until I sawthe bubbly Hungry Girl herself, Lisa Lillian, on the Rachael Ray show.After her segment I thought, "All right already! I'll get a box!"

Whew....glad that part of the peer pressure is off.

I have to admit, the quirky guy on the commercial was right! Very tasty indeed. Even my kids like it.

Theprice, not so tasty! I couldn't believe how much it costs at our localJewel. Nearly five dollars. At that price, I make the boxstreeeeeeeeeeeetch. To me, this is a luxury item. There are four otherpeople in my family I have to think about when I'm making my grocerylist.

But I digress...

I was running low on my one boxwhen I decided to check my online grocery store to check how much theyare charging for it. I couldn't believe it. I actually had to stop andlook up Fiber One to see how much it was selling in other places. Idecided to go straight to the source, the Fiber One store.

Here's my great find of the day:

Fiber One cereal at the online store is $4.39; the MHA price....drum roll please.... $2.28!
Fiber One granola bars at the online store is $3.29; the MHA price... 98 cents! Yeah; you read that right!
Fiber One toaster pastries at the online store is $2.39; the MHA price.... $1.61
Fiber One pancake mix at the online store is $3.49; the MHA price.... $2.59!

Bothoffer free shipping with no minimums (yeah!). Of course, Fiber One onlygives you Fiber One products. My Harvest America gives you access tomore than 10,000 name brand items when part of their subscriptionservice. And with everything else I'm saving on while shopping at MHA,the modest monthly subscription service fee is a non-issue.

Fiber One, good for the waist and now even better for my pocket book. Here's a hungry girl who's really satisfied.

###
RaquelSoto is the prolific and cutting edge writer of two books, with a thirdabout to be published. She resides in Chicago with her husband of 13years and their three beautiful children. Finding ways to help peopleutilizing the arts is her passion and helping people practically is hergift. Even things like grocery shoppingmatters to her because it matters you. May all your days be like daysof heaven on the earth is her motto and deepest desire for you today.

Bookmark & Share

Wisdom from Proverbs: Reflections on Proverbs 6:16-17

2010-01-06T23:28:00Z

From Wisdom from Proverbs: Volume 1

Today’s power verse is a double header from verses 16 and 17: These six [things] doth the LORD hate: yea, seven [are] an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood...

Let’s look at God’s top three things He hates:

· A proud look. Why would God hate that? Proverbs 16:18 tells us that pride comes before the fall. Pride has its root in fear, and the only response we can give God is one based on faith.

· A lying tongue. The lying spirit is one of the strongmen and encompasses strong deceptions (2 Thess. 2); superstitions (1st Timothy 4); religious bondages (Galatians
5); accusations (Psalm 31); false prophecy (Matt. 7); flattery (Proverbs 20); lies (2 Chronicles); slander (1st Timothy 6) and gossip (Proverbs 10). Lying is destructive. Even “white” ones.

· Hands that shed innocent blood. This has its root in jealousy. Out of jealousy comes: murder, anger, and revenge – just to name a few.

Guard your heart with all diligence. If God hates something, so should we.

****
This has been an authorized reprint From Wisdom from Proverbs: Volume 1 by Raquel Soto. Get your copy today of the 31 mp3's and e-book by clicking on bible studies now

Raquel Soto is the prolific and cutting edge writer of two books, with a third about to be published. She resides in Chicago with her husband of 13 years and their three beautiful children. Finding ways to help people utilizing the arts is her passion and helping people practically is her gift. May all your days be like days of heaven on the earth is her motto and deepest desire for you today.

Bookmark & Share

Dissatisfied with your job? Take a number

2010-01-06T14:19:00Z

I was listening to the WGN local news here in Chicago yesterday morning when something caught my ear:

They took an online survey for the midday show and the question was: are you satisfied with your job. Eighty percent ~ that's 80% ~ said NO. That startled me. No? That many people are not satisfied with their jobs?

I shouldn't be shocked by the number. For years I have been meeting people or speaking to them online who have spent thousands upon thousands of dollars on getting degrees in things they aren't even pursuing. The big kicker was that now they not only had that debt to pay they were paying it with interest!

Recession seems to be the trigger word being used on why people are not happy with their jobs.Let's break it down: they were happy with their jobs, even if it wasn't all that thrilling to them, if it brought in the money they desired at the time. Now that it isn't, they aren't happy at all. It's the money,not the job.

Perhaps this is a great time then to have an honest talk with ourselves. If we would get paid $10 an hour to do anything(and I mean anything: teacher, attorney, brain surgeon, etc.) what would that be? Do I just like my job because of the pay? Am I putting up with not developing the full extent of my skill set in exchange for money? What is my passion? My family? A special talent I've kept hidden? So many questions you can ask yourself.

If money is standing in your way, or the lack thereof, then perhaps it's time to develop another stream or two of income. I love writing, so that's one stream for me.

The other thing I'm passionate about is food.Perhaps because I'm a nurturer. Perhaps it's because I have three children. Perhaps it's thinking about the millions of our own American children going to bed hungry tonight that just breaks my heart. Perhaps it's the downturn in many people's lives that has middle class people trying to get on governmental food assistance and then getting turned down because their unemployment pay gave them a bit too much to qualify. Okay, try telling that to their family!

Anything to do with with food and decreasing my own expense so that I have more to help someone in need falls in line with one of my passions. I'm a giver and I'm always looking for an opportunity to give, no matter how big or how small.

That's why I'm so grateful I heard about My Harvest America from my sister. I'm estimating I will be saving over $200 a month using their free delivery grocery service. This savings includes deducting the modest monthly subscription costs for the massive discounts I receive as a subscriber. Hey, I don't mind paying a bit when my family of five is gaining over $200 in exchange! Try getting that from coupons.

So if you were able to decrease your grocery expense, what would you do with that money? How would you invest in the one place you will always get a wonderful return in (that's you, by the way)? A 40% drop in your grocery bill may not seem like a lot, but it adds up. And if you were also in a position to get free gas, that would help. There's also a shopper loyalty program. Seems like it's adding up.

Would you dare to pursue your dream, even if that dream is to finally take that family vacation you have been wanting for the last few years so that you can reconnect with them? Will you resolve this year to invest something in yourself? In your future? There's no perfect time like right now to start something new, all be it small.

This program might not be a good fit for you, but something out there is. Decide today that you will not be among those 80%ers who aren't happy. Don't let money, or the lack thereof, rob your joy. There's greatness in you. Sometimes all you need is a little push to help bring it out. And if you like where you are at but need an increase, why not give yourself a raise so that you can stay where you love to be?

Make a decision today.
###
To find out how you can give YOURSELF a raise, click here

Raquel Soto is the prolific and cutting edge writer of two books, with a third about to be published. She resides in Chicago with her husband of 13years and their three beautiful children. Finding ways to help people utilizing the arts is her passion and helping people practically is her gift. Even things like grocery shopping matters to her because it matters you. May all your days be like days of heaven on the earth is her motto and deepest desire for you today.

Bookmark & Share

Wisdom from Proverbs: Reflecting on Proverbs 5 verse 23 (Proverbs 5:23)

2010-01-06T01:02:00Z

Today’s power verse of the day comes from Proverbs 5 and verse 23: He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.

In the first part of this verse, it states that one will die without instruction (KJV). The Amplified Bible states is a little clearer: it’s without discipline and instruction that he dies. It’s no use getting instructions and then not following through.

The second part of the verse tells us that because of his great foolishness he goes astray. Again the Amplified then adds: and be lost. Choosing foolishness will lead you to be lost; it leads to death.

So what now? What if you’ve been a fool and have chosen to ignore what you’ve been taught? Is there any hope at all?

1st John 1:9 states If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us (our) sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. To confess here is the Greek word homolegeo which means “to say the same thing as another, to agree with” (see Strong’s # G3670). The person we are agreeing with here is God. God says that all have sinned. Our sins condemn us to hell. Sins cannot be forgiven by good deeds. Paying the price for sin, Christ died. Everyone who accepts has eternal life. Life that is eternal can never be lost.

Be a fool no longer. Agree with God and live!

****
You can also read along and watch the YouTube video with voice talent Gary Ellis:

Get the phenomenal resource of 31 mp3's and an e-book of Wisdom from Proverbs: Volume 1 by clicking on Bible Studies now

Should you do your grocery shopping online?

2010-01-05T16:25:00Z

Have you heard that we are in a recession? The good news is that it seems like the tides are turning, even if it's ever so slightly.

But even when times are good, how can we continue to keep more of what we have? And if times are still not so great for you, what are some solutions that you can implement right now?

One of the ways to decrease your expenses is buy decreasing how much you spend on your groceries. Many middle class families are finding themselves in a tough place now: they make too much to get any food assistance from a government program (in Illinois it's called LINK) but don't make enough to cover the costs of food for their family of four or five (or sometimes more if you have pets). What do you do? Clip coupons? Spend eight hours between Saturday and Sunday going from store to store to see who has the least expensive items? If you tack on minimum wage of $10 for your time you can easily be spending in time nearly $100.

One solution I found is shopping for the groceries online. While coupon clipping is a pretty good solution, I've found that most of the coupons (at least for me) are for items I don't buy at all. I love Smucker's Peanut Butter in Creamy but have yet to find a coupon for it. In my neck of the woods in Chicago a 16 oz jar is $2.99 at our local Jewel. It's rarely on sale. If it is "on sale" I might save 50 cents. I can't even buy a candy bar with that!

So what was the solution for me?

I found a place online where I am saving 40-50% on nearly all my grocery items (some items it's much more). My favorite peanut butter costs there just $1.94, a 35% savings. When I tack on that I don't have to pay sales tax and I get free shipping via Fed-Ex, I can conservatively say that I am saving 40% now on just 1 jar. We love peanut butter in this house. We can easily go through three jars in two weeks!

Peanut butter not your thing? We were buying the Jewel brand applesauce in natural. Love it. But we started buying it because the Mott's version for the same ounces (46) was way more. Jewel sells their brand for $2.99. On sale, which happens maybe every six weeks or so, it goes down to $2.50. Not bad, until I saw that I can get the Motts brand (which we would prefer) at only $1.67! Wow!

This fab new place (and I mean new; they just opened the week of Christmas 2009) is called My Harvest America. In my first order I saved 40% off my groceries. After I ran my numbers, a habit I developed working in finance, I found that my savings per month were going to be more than $200! This was including deducting the modest monthly subscription cost for free delivery. I couldn't believe my eyes!

So should you buy your groceries online? If giving yourself a raise by saving on groceries this year is an interesting notion to you, I should would!

****

Want to know more? Click on Grocery Shopping right now to start increasing your income by decreasing your groceries!

Wisdom from Proverbs: Reflecting on Proverbs 4 verse 10

2010-01-05T03:56:00Z

Today’s power comes from verse 10 of Proverbs chapter 4: Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many....

One of the main keys to living a long life is to receive – to take – what is being said to you. It’s always a choice with what God wants for you. He has planned a great life for you; things you couldn’t imagine. Even the most extravagant of dreams do not compare to how much He wants to do for you and through you. One of those God dreams for you is to have a long life.

When we think of a long life, we think maybe 80 years. But long life to God is at least 120. Could you imagine living to 120?

And when you involve God in to having those long years, His plan is for your years to be without sorrow. This is because when God blesses you, He adds no sorrow with it. Every good and perfect gift comes from Him. This is including the gift of long life. But in order to have long life, like any gift, you need to take it. You need to receive it. You need to possess as your own. There’s no way around it. Soon you will learn the power that is right under your nose that God has given you. You will need to cultivate that power and authority He’s given you, even in the area of living long.

So if you want to live long, begin to meditate (mutter to yourself; ponder on; think about) this verse. It is the beginning of living long and prosperous.

****
This podcast and post is copyrighted by Raquel Soto
All rights reserved

Want more? You can now get the entire January collection, Wisdom from Proverbs ~ Volume 1. Includes an e-book and 31 MP3's. Click on Bible Study now.

You can also watch the YouTube video by clicking here.

Bookmark & Share

How I saved 40% off my groceries easily without coupons

2009-12-25T02:54:00Z

Like most Americans now, especially this week as we rush out for last minute Christmas items, I have learned this year how to be frugal.

One of the best ways to increase your income is by decreasing your expenses. It's instant money that you can either save, put into another investment, pay off debt with, donate to a charity, or, well, you get the point.

As an author of e-books I'm continually reading. One of the hot topics this year was how to feed a family of four for about $500 a month. I can actually say that I pulled it off for the five of us (2 adults; a baby;two kids in elementary school).

For about a month.

Then Ijust couldn't do it anymore. To much time was spent in looking for coupons, looking for sales, seeing if anyone wanted to trade, looking for more coupons. Urgh! Those who can pull it off (at least what I have been able to find online) are those who DO NOT live in a city. They have cultivated a small vegetable garden in their backyard and get their fruits and veggies primarily off their little organic farm outback.

Honey I love you but give me Park Avenue...

Then came My Harvest America.

Did it do what it said? Do you have all name brands at rock bottom prices? Uh, yeah!

In less than 15 minutes I put my items in the grocery list online. When Iran the numbers (I worked in finance for years so it's a habit) I found out that I saved 40%! I was shocked. Finally, a company that did whatit said.

What did I save on?

*Pampers (and I mean the actual Pampers brand, not diapers). It was over 30% lower than what I pay locally.
*Applesauce ~ I have small children so I go through a lot of the natural kind. Oh my gosh! Nearly half of what I was paying.
*Baby Food
*Dawn to clean my dishes
*Smucker's Peanut Butter (I'm a stickler; has to be Smucker's)
*All fruit in Grape (I know; I'm so picky on what I want in my house)

I can go on and on all the items I got for a mere $50.

Best part? Free shipping to me via Fed-Ex. I love shopping in my PJ's!

So now I think I might go back to trying to do the $500 a month thing. At least with MHA I think I just might be able to pull it off.

Now, what to do with that extra few hundred dollars...

Decisions, decisions....

****

For more information on this awesome website please click on Grocery Shopping

Break Your Limitations Insight of the week: Reenacting Genesis 1: Setting Yourself Up For A Miracle

2009-12-16T15:21:00Z

From this week's newsletter:
Reenacting Genesis 1: Setting Yourself up for a Miracle

By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. (Hebrews 11:3)

When people read this, most people's inclination is that God created something out of nothing. But read that again. It doesn't say that God created something out of nothing. It states that the world was framed by things that are not visible. It's not something from nothing that the world was framed; you just can't see the materials that were used to create them.

The Genesis 1 account of how everything was created is the key to seeing miracles manifest in your life. There are two invisible ingredients God used to make something visible out of the invisible: The Spirit of God hovering and God's spoken Word. Sometimes people call the hovering of the Holy Spirit "the glory of God". Either way, it's the Holy Spirit operating and awaiting the directive from heaven. Notice that the Holy Spirit was hovering but nothing was happening (for more on this, view the YouTube series on Chapter Three~ Dealing with the Unseen~ from the upcoming book by clicking here).He was awaiting something. And what He was awaiting for was the directive to be spoken. Simply put it is both the Spirit of God operating and the sound waves being released working in unison as the raw materials to manifest the created thing.

Energy is a thing that often cannot be seen with the naked eye. Take electricity for instance. We know it's flowing when we flicker the lights on and off or turn on our televisions. Just like the electricity which you often cannot see, sound waves have energy (usable power). Science is even catching up to that fact and many believe (especially those that work on string theory) that the smallest particle of any thing is a sound wave. This gives us insight into another thing that God tells us:

Death and life are in the power of the tongue... Proverbs 18:21

Read the rest here....

Don't forget that subscribers to the Break Your Limitations Insight of the week are entered into a monthly free giveaway. You can even choose to have it sent to your mobile! Click on Bible Studies for more information.

Faith in the name of Jesus

2009-12-12T14:52:00Z

A wonderful teaching on faith in the name of Jesus.

For some reason, the 2nd part doesn't want to attach, so you can watch it by clicking here.

Another thing occurred to me as Iwas listening to this. We are representatives of another kingdom. Asrepresentatives, we have diplomatic immunity. We have diplomaticimmunity against poverty, sickness and disease, demonic oppression,lack, want, etc. Anything that the people of the other kingdom iscursed with we have freedom of because of our King. Glory to God!

Today's Special

Make the discovery on how to get your miracle with this phenomenal easy to understand free resource

Make the discovery for yourself today.

FREE for a limited time!

Also included: two additional e-books.

Get this valuable reference instantly today.

Click on the picture to get started:

Make the discovery for yourself today.

FREE for a limited time!

Also included: two additional e-books.

Get this valuable reference instantly today.

Click on the picture to get started:

The only mailer you'll ever need

2009-12-10T23:29:00Z

This is a great opportunity to get the word out on your business, whether it be as an internet marketer or a business builder with great companies like Avon, Mary Kay, Herbalife, GBG, Stampin' Up, Shaklee, etc.

Something HUGE is coming...

A mailer system, that has been designed so advanced...

It's been named A State-Of-The-Art Mailer System...

With this system, you have the ability of reaching millions of people instantly, and passively with a system that is literally 300 years ahead of it's time...

Jaye Pause & Brad Webb, the Masterminds behind this incredible system, have given you the ultimate way to start making money right out of the gate when they unleash this State-Of-The-Art Mailer System to the world very soon...

By being able to build your team right now, you have the potential of making thousands of dollars instantly after the system has gone live, but the best part about it, is it's COMPLETELY free!

That's right...

Completely free, and for what Jaye & Brad have designed, there are going to be thousands of upgrades instantly, the very first day of launch!

They've designed a system, that is self sustaining, and self perpetuating...

In other words, a perfectly engineered system that will never die! The entire system feeds off of itself, and gives ALL types of marketers, whether new or experienced, the awesome power of reaching thousands of people instantly, with the push of a button...

The ability to earning massive residual income is here... or at the very least getting the word out on what you are already doing. Exposure for you is the key!

Jaye & Brad have designed the ultimate State-Of-The-Art Mailer System, that goes above and beyond anything you've ever seen!

Nothing to lose. It's free to sign up now so what are you waiting for?

Don't miss out on this awesome opportunity

2009-12-10T03:30:00Z

Don't miss out on this awesome opportunity.

Sign up now to receive exclusive insights, discounts, and freebies by clicking here.

Make the discovery today and get it for free

Best of all: Every month we have a subscriber giveaway!

Subscribe today

Sex is God's Idea

2009-12-05T15:02:00Z

"Today’s power verse comes from verse Proverbs 5, verse 15: Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.

Water is a precious commodity, especially in the Middle East. So where water is concerned, as a precious commodity, it needs to be handled well so that when it’s needed, you have it.

Here in this verse, water is a metaphor for sexual pleasure. Men seek sexual pleasure because that is the way God created them. It’s a good thing that God created. God wants men to have sexual pleasure. However, God has set it up so that the need is
gratified through one woman, and that woman is to be his own wife.

A wife is God’s gift to a man; therefore, he should be thankful daily for the gift that has been bestowed on him. A man shouldn’t even be considering the cistern of another (another woman) because God has already provided for him. If there is something lacking, then maybe that needs to be addressed (you can see how to ignite the fire by reading the Song of Solomon!).

The warning here is also to limit yourself to your own wife. This means that the use of pornography is off limits. When pornography is introduced you are stealing affection from what rightfully belongs to the wife.

Every wife should make it part of her ministry that her husband drinks often so that the waters stay pure and wonderful and doesn’t become bitter and distasteful."

***

From the December 5th page of The 1 Minute Guide to Health, Wealth, and Happiness: Wisdom from Proverbs by Raquel Soto

For reviews, to get the ebook, or for more information, please visit Bible Studies at Break Your Limitations.

Soft cover is available at Amazon or wherever fine books are sold online.

Practical Secrets to Powerful Living: Secret # 1

2009-12-04T20:53:00Z

Syndication from original post from Gary L. Ellis:

Practical Secret #1
by Gary Ellis

If you prefer the video version, you may see it directly below.
The text version follows right below the video.

Two way communication with God is a non-negotiable in living a life that is powerful. He knows everything about what makes us tick as a creation of His, and He knows what make the world go round.
To leave Him out of the equation of daily life - whether purposely or by neglect - is dumb at minimum, and insanity at best.

When I say two way communication, I'm referring to the practices of prayer and bible reading. That should be obvious. However, there are secrets in the how of it all.

Let's talk, first, about secrets I've discovered in life giving, energizing ways of reading the Word of God. Most Westerners read the Bible to make logical lists of facts, and how to please God (or not). It is
often a means to hold guilt at ba y, or add more information to what doctrines I already believe. Sound doctrine is not necessarily a bad thing...it's good. But, that is not what this blog post is about. It's
about a personal discovery I want to become yours, too.

The first secret is to listen to the scriptures each and every time with fresh ears to hear the Father's personal invitation to experience the passion and purpose of His heart for you. Think, "As I read
these words, they are Father's voice with a personal invitation to me to experience them.

When you read James 1:2, "Consider it pure joy when you face various trials..." embrace the words as an invitation to discover joy in the midst of the present trial as Daniel discovered the joy of Feline
lockjaw in the lion's den.

When you read the experience of Jesus in the wilderness in Luke 4, realize your Father is saying, "I led you here to show you the power of my Word and Spirit will work for you, too."

In review: Practical secret #1 to discovery of a powerful life is in reading the scriptures as an INVITATION TO EXPERIENCE THE PASSION AND PURPOSE OF GOD'S HEART FOR YOU.

It will take a bit of work. The "rules and regs approach" has formed the way you read the Bible more than you may realize. The correct doctrinal facts (whatever your feel good doctrine may be) approach to reading is more automatic than you may know. The question is...do you want to experience the transforming power of His Word? Do you desire real communication with Him?

I've discovered the reality of this one secret to be more valuable than I ever imagined.

(more practical secrets to come...)

***
For more info on Gary L. Ellis, please visit his site by clicking here.

Other resources with Gary Ellis' work can be found at Break Your Limitations under The Proverbs Experiment and January's 1 Minute Guide, Audio Version.

Make the discovery on how to get your miracle with this phenomenal easy to understand free resource

2009-12-02T15:21:00Z

Ever wondered what might be holding your miracle back? Let me show you how to get your miracle with this phenomenal resource. Make the discovery for yourself today. FREE with mail in rebate.

Also included: two additional e-books.

Simple secret solutions for success. Get this valuable reference instantly today. Click on the picture to get started:

Don't miss out on this awesome opportunity

Twitterized Success Tip of the Week

2009-11-16T14:59:00Z

Here it is, in less than 120 characters:

Do MORE of what you do WELL.

You will be surprised that as you constantly do this one little thing how much you will get done in a short amount of time.

May you prosper and be in health as your soul prospers,

~R

Soul food, free stuff, and more

2009-11-16T03:50:00Z

Where have I been all this time?

Worry not! I'm not dead, just super busy.

I'm particularly excited to bring you the following updates:

Soul food with Raquel is up! You have a get it now place for the soul to get comfort, edification, and to be set free. You can visit by clicking here.
Maximum Results and High Performance is nearly completed. Get the first and third chapters now.
Working on some other very cool stuff that I can't tell you about now, but will when the time comes.

Recordings are being done for all you who love podcasts or downloads. I'm having a bit to much fun doing that!

Stay tuned because I'm finally getting some time to breathe now that my little one is 10 months old. It has been a crazy and wonderful year so far! I've missed you all so very much. Can't wait to share with you what's on my heart.

Be well and may you prosper and be in health as your soul prospers.

~Raquel
Follow me on Twitter

60 second Southwestern Spicy Tomato Soup for about 50 cents a serving

2009-09-29T15:42:00Z

So far so good on our $500 a month to feed 4-5 people project. Wanted to give you a quick post about one of our fave foods:

One of our favorite staples in our house is this simple and quick recipe. I pop everything into a food processor (you can easily do it in your blender) and it's done in under 60 seconds. Feeds four:

1 can of diced tomato (14 oz or so ~ the whole thing; including the water)
1 can of any white beans (15 oz or so ~ the whole thing; including the water)
2 cups of chicken broth
7 slices of jalepeno from a jar
Spice to taste (I use Adobo ~ my catch all ~ and a bit more of onion and garlic powder if I'm in the mood)

Blend it all together and you are done!

I love this recipe because we can either eat a double helping to make a meal or serve it with a salad for four and still feel very satisfied. Since every bean has it's own texture and taste you can even eat this quite frequently and change up the flavor by changing up the bean.

We purposefully don't heat it up because we are like eating our food that way. But feel free to mix and warm it up in a pot.

Simple and nutritious. Best part? You can make a bigger batch and freeze what you aren't using in individual servings so that the next time you want it, it's done!

Please feel free to share your favorite super quick recipe!

****
Updated January 2010:
Want to make this even cheaper? You can now get your groceries at 40% off, free shipping, and no tax (except MI) and earn free gas! Click on Grocery Shopping for details

How we ate for $1.24 a person last night for dinner

2009-09-25T13:43:00Z

So, (I know; not the proper way to start a sentence) something has been bugging me the last few days. I keep on hearing that a family of 4-6 can eat at under $500 a month. Sounds great doesn't it? Some even feed 7 on that budget.

But...

When I looked at what they were eating it was, well, on my no-no list.Most of the food consisted of bad meat (like hot dogs) or pasta. Even,e gags!, ramen noodles!

Don't look at me with that tone of voice. You know that's not good for you as a staple!

Hot dogs and even pasta has it's place, but eating it frequently in one week is not how I want to invest in the health of my family.

That being said...

I'm starting an experiment to see if I can pull this off, all the while staying in that $500 budget for 4 weeks. I'll share what I'm doing and finding.

Today started with a junk food day. It's Friday for us because the children are off tomorrow. So we had breakfast for dinner:

Waffles for the kids: 48 cents total
Sausage, egg and cheese biscuits with hash browns: $1.94 total (for Hector and I)
Cheese Danish for dessert for the four of us: $2.28
Milk for Hector and the kids; coffee with stevia for me: 50 cents total
Baby Food (Organic) for the baby: $1.00

Total cost: $6.20
Cost per person: $1.24

I calculated that by Angie eating for free @ school and Alexander having free lunch that saves us about $22 a week. Wow! That's better than clipping coupons! That's how I'm "cheating". I also know that Angel Food Ministries is great, giving you a week's worth of grocery for only $30, but that's a bit harder to organize because you need to find a place close to you that is distributing. But that's another great way to feed your family for a low cost. I've seen the menu. It's very good!

So if you have any tips, let me know! I would love to learn!

Stay tuned...
****
****
Updated January 2010:
Want to make this even cheaper? You can now get your groceries at 40% off, free shipping, and no tax (except MI) and earn free gas! Click on Grocery Shopping for details

(Podcast) Day 3 ~ Minute Guide to Health, Wealth, and Happiness: Wisdom from Proverbs

2009-07-31T19:19:00Z

Today's podcast from the book The 1 Minute Guide to Health, Wealth and Happiness: Wisdom from the book of Proverbs.

You can either download the podcast or watch the YouTube video:

Have you read Proverbs chapter three today? Why not go ahead and read along as you listen to this great YouTube video I found:

You can contact Gary Ellis (the voice talent on my video) in the following ways by clicking on one of the links:

Twitter

Facebook

Website

Till next time, may all your days be like days of heaven on the earth in Jesus name.

~R

Day 2 ~ Minute Guide to Health, Wealth, and Happiness

2009-07-22T17:50:00Z

Reading Proverbs daily made Steven K. Scott a millionaire in three short years. What can it do for you?

Join me on this journey in learning from the richest man who ever lived. Above is the podcast that you can download.

Below is the video if you prefer to watch something as you listen.

May you prosper and be in health as your soul prospers.

~Raquel

The Inexpensive Low Fat Protein

2009-07-22T03:03:00Z

Growing up in a Puerto Rican household nearly all our meals had rice and beans on the side. It was my dad’s choice. He couldn’t have any meals without rice and beans. It was lasagna ~ rice and beans. Mexican tacos ~ then rice and beans. I could go on, but do you really want me to?

I was working on a dish yesterday and pulled out some of Goya’s small white beans for it. The beans were delicious. I was always taught you needed to cook the beans, even if they were canned. That got me wondering, since I want to incorporate as many raw foods as possible, do I really need to cook them?

I didn’t and the dish came out beautifully. The Goya small white beans were a creamy texture with a light taste. It reminded me of another great protein, the cashew. The benefit over the cashew is the fat and calorie factor. I think I’m in love.

Today I looked it up and it turns out that the canned beans are already cooked. Found a few good links and figured I would share one of my favorites ones.

Will I buy raw beans and sprout them? I don’t know. Maybe when I’m more comfortable with it. I had such a bad experience with the sprouted wild rice and I don’t want to invest the time to try it at the moment. I know that our bodies loved not having the beans cooked again. It did make a difference probably because then we weren’t overcooking them.

Found a great article on it, just in case you want to learn more about this great inexpensive protein, the bean, from Supermarket Guru.

http://archive.supermarketguru.com/page.cfm/30190

Till next time, may you prosper and be in health as your soul prospers.

****
Updated January 2010:
Forget the online coupons! Printing and cutting coupons are in the past. You can now get your groceries at 40% off, free shipping, and no tax (except MI) and earn free gas! Click on Grocery Shopping for details on the online store that is cheaper than WalMart or Aldi!

Soil of Your Heart

2009-07-20T13:52:00Z

Part 2 of the summer prophetic teaching series by Brenda Craig:

Beloved, the diligent and the wise prepare their gardens ahead of time from the foundation of the soil up. You have done so by giving Me entrance into the very fabric of your life. I am the foundation of your life…the salvation of your heart. Your spirit is made alive in Me but your soul still contains uncultivated ground. Don’t fret…everyone’s does.

Your uncultivated ground is broken up by being in submission to My Word when it comes as conviction (not guilt) to your heart. I never ask you to clear all your land at one time…only what I show you. This is where some falter and I do not want you to do so. Don’t try and cultivate things on your own by digging in areas of your garden…by digging in areas of your heart where I am not working. I know just how to work the soil bit by bit until all comes into alignment with who I made you to be. It is imperative for you to follow Me…abide in Me…abide in My Word and learn to hear My voice in many different ways.

Beloved, when you do this, keeping in sync with Me will be much easier. Sometimes you try getting out ahead of Me to fix yourself. Don’t try to find things wrong with yourself that I am not working on. There will be enough time for all that. One thing fixed strengthens the foundations of your life in order for Me to deal with another. I have told you many times that I work line upon line and am mindful that you are but dust (Isaiah 28:10 Amplified).

I tell you to break up the uncultivated soil of your life…but only in response to what I have spoken to you or am speaking to you. This is like planting your garden with all kinds of varieties of plants at different times and seasons for the greater benefit of each plant. As a result they all come to harvest at different times making provision possible on a continual basis. While one variety is planted in cultivated soil, the gardener can be working on other soil all the while nurturing what He has already planted with the expectancy of great gain. When it comes to harvest, faith and excitement grow in relation to the rest of His crop to come. This is called hope.

Many of those I love plant their garden with a variety of seasonal, perennial and evergreen varieties in order to have fruit for every season. They understand all seasons and all varieties ultimately have their root in eternal things. Though the results hoped for are not always evident, they know all things will eventually work to the good. As usual, in all things whether good or bad, faith is tested.

Why am I telling you all this? So you can learn to look deeper and learn many things from the natural things of life which I created. In doing this you will save yourself much worry and self-chastisement in the long run. Every season is beautiful to Me. Every variety of plant is beautiful to Me …all are created to survive in different kinds of environments. All have a purpose and if you persevere you will find fruit in evident places, in secret places and in unlikely places…under leaves, in the ground…hidden inside of often ugly exteriors or in less than desirable environments.

Therefore, have My perspective on things…have My love of process and enjoy the journey as we turn over the uncultivated places together…as I teach you line upon line and rain upon you the rains of righteousness. Come and seek Me for I am waiting to be found by you in every area of the garden.

Copyrighted by Brenda Craig

Used by Persmission

Want some more?

Check out her site, Journals of the Heart

About the Author

Brenda Craig is a author and founder of Spirit Food for Life Ministries, home of journalsoftheheart.com,
soakingwithapurpose.com and spiritualdecrees.com.

Brenda is a graduate of the International Prophetic Mentoring Counsel, a ministry of Mary Lindow . She has had many years of training through various ministries such as: Dr. Bill Hamon, Patricia King’s Glory School, Mary Lindow, Kansas City IHOP, Apostle John Dean of Alliance International Ministries and many others.

You can read more of Brenda’s writings at www.allaboutprayer.org under Hearing God and at www.faithwriters.com style="FONT-SIZE: 14px"> where she garnered 1^st place for her poem “Surrendered to Red” which has been published in Faith Writers Abundance of Life.

As a prophetic teacher and Seer, Brenda has received revelation on how to take the simple act of “Soaking in His presence” to a new level. She has developed a course called Soaking with a Purpose. Brenda and her husband, Duane, have three children and reside in San Antonio Texas.

Read part one by clicking here.

Repurposing: Not just for marketing it's for Raw Food to

2009-07-16T15:29:00Z

One of the great things about incorporating raw foods into your lifestyle is that it causes you to think about how to make the most out of everything.

The other afternoon I was playing with my new Bullet Express and put the shredder side of the blades instead of the slicing part. I ended up making a beautiful bed of vegetables and added some boiled eggs to them. It was pretty and tasty!

The shredder in this thing is so strong that it seemed to multiply the food. Now I had way too much left over. It was enough for another meal for two. What was I going to do with it? Throw it out? No way!

After some inspiration, I ended up taking the mixture, adding some seasonings and almond meal (in place of breadcrumbs) and made some veggie patties. Can I tell you how delicious that was? Oh my gosh. I repurposed ~ or used what I already had and made it into something else of value ~ the food I had. It is now one of our favorite (nearly) raw foods.

Repurposing your leftovers is not only good for your pocketbook it’s good for the planet. So go ahead and repurpose your leftovers. You’d be doing the earth a favor and, well, now you’ll have a little extra money for a rainy day (or when those shoes you’ve been eyeing finally go on sale!).

May you prosper and be in health as your soul prospers.

~R