What's The Big Deal About GMOs? {Did You Know Tuesday}

   'Tis well into the season for planning gardens and drooling over seed catalogs. I would like to point something out to you in case you didn't already know. While you're seed-shopping, you may want to keep your eyes open for something called the "Safe Seed Pledge". It is a pledge that some seed companies take to let you know that they do not support, nor sell GMO seeds. This stands for "genetically modified organisms". And that is what they are: seeds with organisms that have been genetically modified or added in by scientists. Some people think this is great, and that they produce stronger and more productive plants with the ability to feed more people per acre. Some people are quite adamant against GMOs - in more reasons than one.

Reasons include (but aren't limited to):

- Lack of testing GMOs' safety before release

- Self-destructing seeds (the seed grows one plant, but any seeds you save are sterile and will never produce)

- Potential health hazards

- Monsanto (a mega creator of GMO seeds) sues any farms who save non-GMO seeds when Monsanto's GMO seeds cross-pollinate with the farmers' non-GMO seeds

- Cross-pollination ruining heirloom (and open-pollinated) crops owned by seed-savers

- Lower nutrient levels in GMO crops

- Recent rumor that GMO produce alters DNA in the body (because DNA is altered/added in GMO products)
- Common use of toxic chemicals to control weeds and other pests for GMO seeds

   These are some common reasons why people like to avoid GMOs. I won't hide my opinion. Personally these reasons are plenty enough for me to run the other way. God gave me this body and I intend to try to honor it and take good care of it. How can I know these things and then look the other way, knowing that I'm hurting this vessel that God created for His glory? And besides this reason, it's also obvious that I would like to take care of my body so I can feel healthy and not droggy.

   So all this aside, it is now your turn to make your own decision. If you want to know more about GMOs, do a search for it online, or watch "Food Inc" or "The Future of Food". They are both interesting and great documentaries - not at all boring in my opinion. Note that they are both anti-GMO documentaries.

   If you so choose and need a point in the right direction, my favorite seed company for GMO-free, chemical-free seeds is Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. From what I can recall they haven't "signed" the safe seed pledge, but they still sell great seed without having to sign a pledge to prove it. I LOVE their stuff! A second favorite is Seed Savers Exchange. I'm sure there are others out there too, but these are my go-to companies that I really like.

   It's time to do your research and make your choice! What do you think about GMO seeds?

This post has been linked to all these great blogs:

One by one they ran away....

    I want to share a song by Casting Crowns with you all. I love the lyrics and meaning behind the song and I think it sends a great message that so many people need to hear. Yes, I know, all of Casting Crowns' songs are really good, but this one has just been sticking out to me lately. Listen to the words. Enjoy.

This post linked to:

73 Home-made Christmas Gifts

 

   73? Yup! Don't you ever sit down and wish you could think of something really cool to make for relatively cheep as Christmas presents? So do I. So when I came up with this list, I just HAD to pass it on.

   They vary in difficulty and cost. So just scan through and see what sparks your interest. These are also SUPER GREAT to make with your kids or siblings. Good quality time ;-) And if you don't know how to make something, google it! I'm sure you can find a tutorial.

   And most of all - be creative! These are all very, very basic descriptions. Take the idea, sit down with the kids, and RUN WITH IT! Have fun!

1. Partially pre-made "photo album recipe book" with recipes in it using index cards

2. Wooden toy chest or stacking organizing boxes

3. Leather-bound book (pages home-sewed too)

4. Various (blank inside) hand-made stationary

5. Body-care kit (lotion, soap, bath salts, bath bombs, soap-cozy, lip gloss, deodorant)

6. Birdhouse

7. Hair accessories (beads, sewed, etc.)

8. Jewelry

9. Food in a jar

10. Notes in a jar

11. Quilt

12. Doll clothes

13. Simple girls' skirt/dress

14. Framed art picture, poem, or saying (painted, colored, pressed flowers, etc.)

15. Homemade play-dough

16. Pre-made healthy snack/dessert/meal (frozen, canned, dried, "just add water", etc.)

17. Sewed purse

18. Cute guitar-string wiping cloth

19. Wind chime

20. Wooden car/truck toy (ride-able size?)

21. Wooden toy blocks

22. Dog/cat treats

23. Pretty doily

24. Tool-box

25. Jewelry box

26. Family/individual picture, framed

27. Water-paints

28. Pick-up-Sticks game

29. Mancala game

30. Hacky-sacks

31. Braided rug

32. "Favorite Crafts" book with all your favorite craft ideas in it

33. Wooden toy horse barn

34. Windowsill herbs in cute pots

35. Make computer game on the program called GameMaker (I remember this neat program from my younger years)

36.Make a home-movie

37. Make a home-cd of you singing music

38. Painted coffee mug, plate, or bowl (and glazed)

39. Princess crown

40. Write on a whole roll of toilet paper for a funny (don't make holes!)

41. Wall hanging (paper, wood, metal, cloth, etc.)

42. Write a book

43. Garden seed organizer container (for big and small seeds)

44. Sewed slippers

45. Cute or manly tack-board

46. Washcloth/scrubby (knit or crochet)

47. Paint a glass vase/bottle

48. Sidewalk chalk

49. Kids' baking apron

50. Bird bath (mold from concrete)

51. Wooden bowls (via lathe)

52. Chair

53. Baby-doll bed

54. Cedar picture-frame

55. Glass board used like a white-board (hang it on the wall and it looks nifty)

57. Simple wooden bench (to put by back door for shoes, plus storage space, etc)

58. Flower arbor

59. Leather knife sheath

60. Woven bike basket

61. Bobsled

62. Cool bookends

63. Christmas ornaments

64. Kite

65. Leather-braided watch band

66. Simple wooden medicine cabinet

67. Simple hand-propelled merry-go-round (popular mechanics volume 6, back of book)

68. Outdoor rotating worm bin

69. CD holder

70. Wooden child's play house

71. Clothes hamper

72. Make essential oils

73. Hammok

   Share some of your ideas with us!

This post is linked to:

"Courageous"....the movie.

   Last night I was able to go see the new movie "Courageous" in the theater with a friend. I'm not one to go to movies often but it was special that we got to go together....and to such a great movie! If you haven't seen it yet, you really should! Yes, it IS rated PG-13 - so make your own choice when bringing kids. It contains violence and drug content (since they are cops). I've heard there is also a book to work through as well as the full-length novel of the movie, and a resolution poster for men to do the same with as the men in the movie. I found a link here for the set.

   I'm starting to doubt Sherwood Films will ever "jump the shark". But how can they when they let God lead it? God doesn't go shark-jumping ;-)

    I laughed until my side hurt....I cried....I sat inspired. It is hilarious and moving all at the same time. But I will go no further. I'm not going to spill the beans!!!

   Grab a friend or family member and go see it! Or if you are among those who are waiting patiently for the DVD, just know that you should get it as soon as it's available. It is great stuff.

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   And now a thought for us single ladies.... The "men of courage", as the movie Courageous calls them, can seem few and far between at times. My friend and I discussed it after the movie...they're rare. We're here wondering where those men are - but we concluded that they are also out there...wondering where the ladies are.

    Married ladies, all I can say is this: support your man. Support him in being a real man. Support him in becoming a strong and godly man of integrity. Support him. Support him. Support him. It is so beautiful and inspiring to see a woman come alongside her man to support and encourage him as he grows to be the godly man he is striving to be.

    And finally, ask God to mold your heart to Him, so you will grow more and more as a lady of true beauty. Encourage the ladies around you to do the same. As men can be guilty of taking their role lightly, undoubtedly us women are each often guilty of the same when it comes to our role as ladies.

"Divided" The Movie

I've seen a link to this movie on a few other blogs, and feel I should pass it along too. It really is a very interesting video. Personally, this video is coming at a time in my life where I am thinking through what a church really is supposed to do, and what God wants in a church body. There are so many churches nowadays that so many people can easily label "dead", "stagnant", "boring", "empty" - the list goes on. So many people are being hurt by churches. And the more involved a person becomes, the more risk there seems to be of getting hurt. You choose to either stand for what's right and get hurt, or conform to un-Biblical beliefs and become an empty Christian.

Take a look at this video - it's only free to watch through September I think.. When you're done, research the matter further. And then research it some more. It really deserves our attention.

www.dividedthemovie.com

Got some link-ups for ya! Sorry the top one doesn't have a picture :) But don't look over it!