Fun in Arizona!

I spent 5 days in Arizona, two of which were working an expo in Mesa.  Fun times with fun people.

But the best time was spent with my parents.  As they grow older, I covet these visits more and more; sadly, these visits are rare.  Sometimes I think our country is just too big.  

We laughed a lot, talked a lot, and just simply enjoyed being together.  We didn't have to have a lot of activity going on...just being together is priceless to me.  

As I was grading papers on their back patio early Monday morning, I looked up to see two coyotes jogging across the fairway.  I got up to take a picture, but they are so skittish that they both dashed off into the neighbors backyard.  Fun to see wildlife in the middle of the city.  

Back home now, I am pretty swamped with work...but blessed to have work!  Thank you Jesus for your goodness to me!   

So much has happened!!!

My humble apologies to blog readers out there as I have been negligent, so for the two of you who follow me with any regularity, here is the latest from the Czaszewicz household!

Paul is now gainfully employed, praise the LORD!  He is teaching 4th grade at an elementary school just 10 minutes from our home!  Challenges abound as he was hired just 2 weeks ago, so the students were already in a routine and are now having to change everything.  Both of us are pulling late nights and early mornings to get things up and running in the classroom, especially with this being his first "official" year of teaching in his own classroom!  Please keep him in your prayers as he ushers in the presence of the KING OF KINGS through just BEING in that classroom with his 18 precious students.

I am ever-building my business with Shelf Reliance, and I'm amazed at how God continues to breathe on it in His ways.  From the get-go, I have asked the Lord to build it His way, and have tried to walk in obedience to what He is saying, which is mostly, "Be still and know that I am God."  That's hard for me as a "lioness", but I am learning and seeing His faithfulness.  He's bringing people from near and far, friends and random folks who googled freeze-dried foods and my name came up.  Most importantly, He is teaching me that business is about people and relationships, and if the business thrives too, well that's just a bonus.  I love market-place ministry!

Thus far, I've not given up my day job at Write at Home, and I have almost 40 students this year, which means 40 papers a week to grade online.  I LOVE IT!  What a privilege it is to be able to pour into young people's lives all across the country (and maybe even the globe because I don't even know where my students live!) through their writing and to encourage them.  I'm so blessed!

Paul and I have jumped on board a 90-day challenge as well with Visalus.  You really need to check out these breakfast shakes!  Our first 90 day challenge will end the second week in November and our goal was to lose our bellies that we put on during our first year of marriage.  So we've actually been trying to do two protein shakes a day and then one good meal, and it seems to be working!  Maybe I will post before and after pictures here.  :-)  Check it out HERE!  We haven't yet decided what our next 90-day challenge will be, but we are so pleased with the Body By Vi shakes that we are setting some pretty rigorous goals...maybe a 40 day wilderness adventure next summer?!  

In addition, I am doing a bit of editing for an amazing ministry called Exodus Cry.  EC is a prayer ministry which fights human trafficking.  Check out their website here.

Most importantly, Paul and I are integrally connected to a wonderful spiritual family here in Kansas City called The Bridge Ministries, International.  This is a network of house churches, and we are currently a part of what is called a Training House Church each week. Those of us there are learning how, by doing, to "do" house church, and it is wonderful!  The truths of the Scriptures regarding everyone coming prepared with a Psalm, a song, a word of encouragement or a teaching is playing out every week, and people are being healed, delivered, encouraged, empowered, and God is receiving the glory!  

In sum, LEARNING and GROWING would be the operative words in this season.  The Lord is really stretching both me and Paul and many around us as He shows us what He is doing and how He is preparing His bride for what is coming to the earth.  Our only hope is Jesus...and we rejoice and rest in that fact, as He is the best ROCK upon which to build everything!  

Great video about why I'm doing Visalus

Paul and I have started drinking Visalus shakes in the morning for breakfast.  WE LOVE THEM!  We are exercising regularly, eating  better, and have tons more energy than we have had in years!  

We're doing what's called a 90-day challenge, and if you want to join us, click on the link at the bottom of this blog!  In the meantime, here is a video to let you know more!

Good Video! 

Join me and Paul on a 90-day challenge, and get three friends to join you and your next month's shakes are FREE!  :-)  

MY WEBSITE 

Hearing from God

I was presented with a spiritual challenge this week.  

NO READING

Now, at first I thought, "This is nuts!  I need to read my Bible and what about all the books I am currently reading?  How can I go one week without reading and using that to grow in my relationship with the Lord?"

Following this challenge, the individual reminded us, "Remember the first disciples?  They were illiterate, and yet heard from God."

Honestly, the past two days have been tough...I've so wanted to grab my Bible and read, pick up the books by my nightstand and read...instead, I have taken those moments to the Lord and asked Holy Spirit to speak to me.  I'm pressing in to Him and His presence more than I ever have previously.  In that, I'm recognizing a few things:  first, I have a lot of Word in me...and Holy Spirit is mining that out.  Second, Holy Spirit has a lot He wants to show me through other ways, and His whispers are sweet to my spirit, soul and body.  Third, as we are returning to our covenant roots, I'm recognizing my utter bankruptcy apart from God Himself, teaching me, leading me, speaking to me face to face...I have so many props that "help" me in that conversation with Him, but it's challenging just to sit and listen and BE with Him without reading.  But it is OH SO GOOD!  

Good blog post/article by our amazing coach

Click on the LINK to read a very good blog post about one woman's success with Visalus.  Paul and I are LOVING these shakes and LOVING building our team of people getting fit and eating more nutritiously!  JOIN US!  Follow this LINK to find out about the 90-day challenge!

Body By Visalus

Paul and I are excited to announce our new business:  Body By Visalus!  We've joined a team of amazing folks who share the same goals, expressed in different ways.  

In general, most people on the planet want to:

Get in shape

Lose excess weight

Increase physical stamina and energy

Improve their livelihoods

Others who are already in shape and don't need to lose weight want to improve their performances in their respective fields.

The 90 Day Challenge is simple.  Decide which kit you want to get depending on your goals.  Set up an exercise program for yourself.  Get your kit, drink your yummy shakes, do your exercise and meet your personal fitness goals.  But the BEST part is getting others on the challenge with you.  When you get three people on the challenge with you, your next month's kit can be FREE!  So, if you are really motivated to get a bunch of friends to do the challenge with you, this could be a FREE fitness challenge program for you!  

And the 90 Day Challenge is not just for weight loss.  I just learned this evening that Canadian Olympic Athlete Carline Muir has joined the challenge!

So, what are YOU waiting for?  Join me and Paul!  We are having a blast calling our friends each week who have joined us in the challenge and encouraging one another, not only with the challenge, but also in every day life.  

Click on THIS LINK to learn more, sign up and get started.  Call me with any questions!  

Pictures from out West!

Doesn't this look like an Indian head?

Our first easy day-hike with our hostess, Stacey

Climbing from 10,000 ft. to 12,000 ft.

The views on the way up!

Spectacular vistas!

The way was not always flat and easy!

Paul and Arden at the top of the Snowy Range!

Canoeing!

Our canoeing crew!

An outdoor hug at the close of the adventures!

I love the west and outdoor activities!  Paul and I had the opportunity to experience another state...WYOMING...and some of its beauty.  We took part in the annual Tribal gathering of Rock International, a network of house churches across the country.  The food, fun and fellowship coupled with outdoor adventure (which could be included in the "fun" category) were unmatched.  We were blessed beyond words!  

A Thriving Kingdom: Home from Vacation

A Thriving Kingdom: Home from Vacation: When you arrive home from being away on vacation or just being away, what is one of the first things you must do?   GO TO THE GROCERY STOR...

My latest on my newest blog

Go have a look at my latest blog entry on my newest blog:


http://athrivingkingdom.blogspot.com/

The latest in our household

Dear friends,

As we emerge from this heat-wave, through which the Lord has taught both me and Paul many things, we are excited about His leading in our lives.  I am going to keep this very short with a few links that you can look at on your own time to glean a more comprehensive picture of what is happening with us.

Prayer requests:

1. Full-time job for Paul.

2. God's perfect leading and provision for us in every area of life.

3.  God's favor and breath of life on the following:  

http://athrivingkingdom.blogspot.com/

http://www.melaleuca.com/

http://booksforthejourney.blogspot.com/

http://www.shelfreliance.com/ArdenCz3

Praises:

1. We are getting increasingly connected to our new church.  Visit their ever-changing website:

http://bmihousechurches.com/

2.  Our garden is thriving even amidst a squash bug attack.  I've put up about 15 quarts of dill pickles and frozen bags of zucchini.

Upcoming training:

Paul and I are praying about and hoping to be able to take a SOZO training this month here in Kansas City.  (see our church website above for that link) 

We long to join with you and your journeys in life, love and faith in Jesus!  Please keep us up to date on how we can be praying for you!

By grace alone in Jesus,

Arden

Squash bugs

Last weekend, we discovered that squash bugs had invaded our garden.  Being the novice gardeners that we are, we thought we'd dodged the proverbial bullet with these critters, but alas, the invasion, and now war, is on.  Thus far, they seem to be winning, but our persistence in searching day by day seems to be paying off.  


Today, as I searched, I found a large squash bug in the process of laying eggs.  For a brief moment, the sensitive mom side of my welled up...VERY brief lapsing moment...and then the killer side of me came raging forward.  I grabbed the momma and squished her, and then proceeded to smash all of her babies.  Yes, I am a baby killer.  


Hunting for these bugs has been one of the most challenging gardening events ever.  After killing momma and her babies, I searched for eggs and bugs on other leaves and came across an entire colony of just hatched squash bugs, which look like small black spiders.  I quickly smashed those as well as they tried to skitter away.  


Leaves on our pumpkin plants are turning yellow as a result of the bug invasion, and we are praying that our pumpkins don't get infested on the inside, which is what these darn bugs do.  The fruit looks beautiful on the outside and then you cut it open only to find rot on the inside.


The Lord is using this whole experience to paint a very real picture of the reality of sin as well as the evil one.  I'm convinced that squash bugs are a result of the fall of man...and therefore are from the pit of hell.  They do NO one any good at all and only bring death and destruction.  Like sin, they hide under the leaves of plants, laying numerous eggs in the hidden-ness of the leaves, and thus from one momma sin, is produced a whole plethora of sinful issues.  Once these bugs hit, they are REALLY hard to get rid of...how like sin in our lives.  We open the door to something that seems harmless, or we know it's bad (one bug), and then the entire inside of us becomes rotten to the core.  Sometimes on the outside, we look healthy and "ok"; but look inside and there is rot due to sin.  


The enemy is like a roaring lion, prowling around looking for whom he may devour.  He's constantly looking for ways to plant eggs that will destroy us.  We have to be vigilant about removing the eggs so that sin does not run free and take over, ruining our lives.  


I must admit, that after the first day of killing bugs and smashing eggs last weekend, I was very discouraged.  The next day, I didn't even want to go out to the garden because I was afraid to find more bugs and egg colonies.  In my heart, I just wanted to avoid it and hope it would go away.  How true is that of our hearts sometimes with regard to sin:  we know it's there, but we don't want to deal with it.  I mustered up the strength and went on a bug-hunt.  Sure enough, I was smashing and destroying bugs and eggs.  My heart began to shift.  


The next day I was excited to get out to the garden to bug-hunt! I want to rid the garden of any infestation of squash bugs and I will turn over every leaf to find every bug and destroy them as I am able.  Just as with sin, this is a war, fought daily, and the lives of our 'fruit' are at stake.  

Colorado and the East coast

I am among the many thousands of people who think, "This will never happen to me!"  


This past week in Colorado, raging fires tore through residential areas of my hometown of Colorado Springs.  I spoke with my cousin who was on pre-evacuation orders.  She said she was grabbing heirlooms and our grandfather's old medical bag.  


It turns out that over 300 people lost their homes, a few people lost their lives.  Many were completely unprepared to evacuate, and as we now know, that is downright NOT GOOD!  


On the east coast, in the middle of one of the worst heat waves in the nation, millions were/are without power.  For the elderly, those with small children, etc., this would be a great time to grab a 72-hour to-go bag and drive to the nearest hotel or motel that does have electricity.  


An acquaintance of mine has a suggestion which you can listen to HERE.


I also have an even better suggestion, in my opinion of course.  Why should you have to spend time shopping around, collecting all sorts of items you would need for a "go bag" when they are already expertly put together FOR YOU?  Follow this LINK to find pre-assembled emergency "go bags" for 1, 2, 3 or 4 people. You not only have the essentials in there like some water and food, but toilet paper, first-aid supplies, etc.  It's so convenient, and all you need to do is grab it and go.  


My husband and I have a 2-person 72-hour bag from Shelf Reliance that is inside our house.  We have just ordered 1-person bags to keep in each of our cars just in case we have to get out and we are not at home.  We are also making copies of all important documents to put in the bags as well.  


How much wiser and better is it to be prepared than not?  Make the investment NOW, so that later, you can help others who have not prepared.

Colorado ablaze

Here are a couple of pictures from my hometown of Colorado Spring, CO.  I'm flabbergasted by the devastation.  This surely puts all of life in perspective, especially as I just spoke with my cousin who was preparing to evacuate their beautiful home near Garden of the Gods.  

To take offense or not to take offense; that is the question.

Over a month ago now, I began posting a series of blog posts connected to my journey away from cessationist theology and into, what I believe, a more fully biblical perspective on the gifts of the Holy Spirit.   

After posting three blog entries, I received a phone call from someone who was offended by one of my posts.  The interesting part in all of this is that someone ELSE had actually read the blog, jumped to a false conclusion, took up an offense, called another person and told them to read the blog, and that person drew his/her own conclusion, took up an offense even though the blog entry had nothing to do with them, and subsequently called me.  This person didn't call to get clarification but to sever ties.

In order to maintain peace according to the Bible...do everything within your power to maintain the bond of peace....I deleted all three blog entries having to do with my spiritual journey.  A friend of mine in response said, "Why did you do that?  Your heart was right and what you wrote had nothing to do with anyone in particular or even collectively?  You should be able to write what the Lord is teaching you."  I agreed with this friend, but I sensed that Holy Spirit was encouraging me to take the low road and honor the Lord in this way.  In the process, I had to come before Jesus and see if I was offended by what had happened because quite easily a seed of offense leads to more offense if one does not pluck the seed for that nasty weed out quickly.  I was not offended, but just saddened by the unfolding of the entire scenario.  The Lord reminded me, however, of His Truth:

"Woe to the world because of offenses!  For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!" (Matt. 18:7) 

and again,

"Then He said to the disciples, 'It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come!'"  (Luke 17:1)

These are powerful words because in both cases, Jesus declares WOE to those through whom offenses come.  I don't want to be one who causes offense; thus, I deleted the posts because I was being misunderstood and someone else took offense and then through them, others took up offenses.  In the end, it's the responsibility of the people reading not to take up an offense over something that has nothing to do with them, but in the light of the love of God, it is my responsibility to do everything within my power not to put a stumbling block in the way of my brothers and sisters.  

Some may ask, "So why even address this?  Let it drop."  If the issue only involved one person, I would do so, but sadly, it involves a whole group of people, and out of love and honor for them, I sensed the need to clarify, even though not asked, that my blog entry had nothing to do with any individuals or groups of people...it was simply a reflection on my personal journey with the Lord.  I apologize for any misunderstandings which may have unfolded as a result of me sharing my heart.  I bless all those involved and hope that the Lord brings His bride into unity in the Spirit for the days ahead when we will need each other like never before.

 

Ark International

I am getting to know some very quality people here in Kansas City, down-to-earth, real, giving, loving, caring, and very aware people who are fun and exciting to be around.  Janet and Everett Marsh head up an amazing group of folks called ARK INTERNATIONAL (click on the name to open the link to their website).

They are knowledgeable, helpful, fun-loving, and the real deal kind of people who want to see others in this city and in the nations well-prepared for such common things as power-outages due to any kind of storms coast to coast, unexpected "surprises" like needing to evacuate your home due to raging forest fires or flooding, and whatever else life may throw at people.  Their goal is to equip people physically, emotionally and spiritually to be ready and reduce the stress levels that always accompany these kinds of situations.  

Have a look at their website as they have an excellent training coming up at the end of this week which may be of interest to you.  

 

Do you eat food?

You may laugh reading this blog post, but I'm serious.  Do you eat food?  


Here's my follow-up question:  How much food do you throw out in a month because it has gone bad in your fridge or expired on the shelf?


If you are an average American, you throw out 25% every year!  If that doesn't make you sit up and read further, maybe being more specific will...it did me:


Monthly food budget:  $400
Average amount tossed out:  $100


LOSS:  $100/month X 12 = $1200/year!


So, essentially, the average American household is flushing $1200 down the drain or tossing it in the garbage, and quite needlessly. If you simply redirected that amount of money toward THRIVE FOODS....LINK HERE then you would be doing 3 things:


1.  Saving money on your food budget.
2.  Eating healthy, non-GMO foods.
3.  Saving time because of not running to the store so often.


Click on the link above or right here:  http://www.shelfreliance.com/ArdenCz3 and get started today!


Oh, plus, there's the added bonus that you could become a consultant yourself and earn income.  Can you say it's a win-win situation?  


Why am I blogging about this on my personal blog?  Because I believe it in so strongly, and I am hoping to start my friends and blog readers on a path to healthier living and eating!  Eventually, I'll have a THRIVE blog, but for now, click, browse the site, contact me, or just go ahead and place an order.  My initial suggestions for those who may be skeptical are to order the following:


1.  Pantry size can of instant milk.  (Run a blind taste test with your family and see if they can tell the difference)
2.  Pantry size can of whole egg powder.  (No more running to the store to get eggs for that recipe)
3.  Pantry size can of any fruit that you love...try them dry and then try them rehydrated.  My personal favorite is the blueberries!
4.  Any of the THRIVE EXPRESS meals...very quick, no preservatives, non-GMO, and GREAT for busy families!


What better time than now to give it a try?  What will you lose?  Nothing!  What will you gain?  Health, time, and savings on many levels!  Have fun and begin your THRIVING LIFE!

Diatomaceous Earth for your garden

As my husband and I expand our garden this year, we realize that critters abound who are set on destroying all of our hard work.  Many folks recommended a natural insect killer called food grade diatomaceous earth, or food grade DE.  Thus far, we have seen great results in keeping the destructive critters away.  I am not good at explaining how DE works, but I want to send you to a DE LINK that I know you will find helpful and extremely informative!  The gentleman 'in the know' is named Paul Wheaton, and I'm thankful for his expertise!

The Bait of Satan - by John Bevere

I'm still reading the FABULOUS book by John Bevere called The Bait of Satan.  This is my second reading and I'm being challenged again, and encouraged at the same time.

In a nutshell, the bait is offense.  From the garden, where the serpent planted the seed of offense in both Adam and Eve's hearts...offense toward God, who appeared to be 'holding out' on them...much of what we deal with in life, including sin (see post below this one) is based in offense.  I will not go into book detail here; you will have to read it yourself.

I'm saddened by people who take up offenses.  I've been saddened when I myself have taken up offenses.  Yet even more frightening to me is when people are looking for offense.  Someone will read something or hear something and look for any hint of some sort of connection to something so that they can pick up an offense.  Sad, sad, sad.

Yesterday, I had a conversation with a precious friend about this topic, and he said, "It's just sad because where is the ability to express an opinion or even express the truth?"

I"m laughing because I have to ask myself this:  "Am I offended when someone takes up an offense over something I say or write that was not intended to offend?"

Finally, I'm reminded of one who took up NO offenses, but many CHOSE to take up offenses in response to things He spoke:  Jesus.  Everything He said was life-giving, even when He brought 'correction'.   Oh that I could speak the truth in love and not be moved if people are offended by what I say.  I do know this, I need to grow in the area of speaking in love.  The deepest desire of my heart is to bring LIFE, to speak the life and hope freedom that can only be found in the LIFE-GIVER Himself:  Jesus!

Old verse, new levels of understanding

I was on a walk with my sweetie yesterday when we passed by a church's sign on which was written an age-old verse in a bit more modern-day language:

"Sin is paid by death..."

The more traditional version is:  "For the wages of sin is death."

I meditated for a minute or two on this newer translation, allowing it to sink in deeply.  Death itself pays us when we sin continually and repeatedly.  So, I began to contemplate what that 'death' really looks like because there certainly is a lot of sin in the world around us (and we too are sinners), but we don't see 'literal' death happening every time someone is engaged in sin.  So, I've concluded the following about what this "death" looks like as a result of sin:

Death in relationships and life to conflicts of every kind.

Death in motivation to move forward in life and life to lethargy, passivity and general malaise.

Death in perspectives on life and situations and life to moroseness and directionlessness.

Death in vitality and life to laziness.

Death in selflessness and life to self-centeredness.

Death in Spirit-filled living and life to living out of our soulish nature.

Death in life-giving thoughts and life to stinkin' thinkin'!

NOTHING good results from sin....nothing.  The devil truly is a liar, but we have bought into his lies and given ourselves over to that which ushers in death, and in doing so, instead of being carriers of life, we are carriers of death.

Sorry this is such a heavy blog post....but the reality is that many people seem to think they can engage in sin and be "ok" because they are not seeing 'death' in the traditional way resulting.  In fact, they believe they are gaining life, but it's a completely false reality.

I will end with the second half of that verse:

"But the GIFT OF GOD is ETERNAL LIFE in Christ Jesus!"

God Himself has given us a way OUT of sin and it's a GIFT to be received, which brings nothing but LIFE!  That gift is Jesus, the eternal one, living, moving and breathing inside of us when we choose, by grace, to walk in Him!

How do you deal with pain?

We live in a fallen world.   This is a sad but true reality.  Yes, there is redemption, always hope and even when wronged, we can choose to forgive.  Forgiveness doesn't change the reality of the fallen-ness, it simply sets the forgiver free.

I've been having to do a lot of forgiving recently, and I've had to ask for forgiveness.  Something that strikes me as continually challenging in Christian cultures is the way that people talk about forgiveness and the way they walk  it out.  Myself included.

I wish I understood even 1/100th of God's heart toward people...then I would really walk in the freedom that forgiveness brings.  

There's an old addage which remains true:  hurt people hurt people...or even better put:  hurting people hurt people.  Even if we don't want to, we hurt people simply by virtue of being a living person on planet earth.  The key is how we deal with that hurt.

Do we turn our backs?  Do we say "it doesn't matter".  Do we dismiss those people who have hurt us or those we love and as my good friend used to say:  FIDO:  Flush It and Drive On.  I believe in FIDO in some cases, but when you do it out of hurt rather than out of health, it is emerging out of deep-pain.

So, how do we deal with pain?  There is one who endured the most brutal pain anyone could ever imagine...betrayal, beating, mockery, false accusation, and death on a cross.  His response:  "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."

Do we speak this over our situations and over those in our lives who have caused us pain?  More importantly, do we speak this over ourselves when WE have caused others pain?  The greatest truth in all of this is this:  Our God is the God who is the promise-keeper, and He has kept and will keep every promise He has ever made!  He knows every heartache, every wrong word spoken, every dream dashed, every brokenness in every person's heart, and His promise is to make ALL THINGS NEW!  


Tapping in to the grace and mercy of God in the midst of pain is one of the most wonderful adventures we have been afforded as believers in Yeshua!  Only God can do the God-things in our lives, and as we let Him, He will transform us into His likeness, from glory to glory, that His glory will be manifest on the earth in and through us!