Guest Post: Work as Ministry

Hi everyone, I hope you're enjoying all my lovely friends guest posting. Today we have Kelli from A Deeper Joy. She's written about a subject that I really struggle with-work as ministry. I hope as I find a new position, I will use my job to really live out God's word in the work place. Thanks so much Kelli for being here today!

Hey lovely Bound by Love readers!  I'm thrilled to be guest posting for Lauren today - thanks for letting me take over your space, friend!

This is such a huge topic in my life!  Just to give you a little background...I am a CPA.  I work in the tax department at a commercial real estate company with six other women.  Yep, seven accounting women all in one area!  Sounds like drama, right?  This might surprise you, but it's really not.  We do talk about life and such, but we don't hang out outside of work and we don't take things personally.

Work As Ministry

If you are a Christian and have been one since you were young, you might have experienced what I have.  I grew up in a Christian family, attended church camp, was a leader in the youth group and then attended a Christian university.  Shoot...even if you didn't grow up like me, it's likely that you have heard this as well.  I feel like it was engrained in my head that to achieve the ultimate status as a Christian was to "work in ministry".  Many Christians receive this as a calling and I think that is awesome!

What do we define as "ministry"?

Usually ministry is a position in the church such as a pastor, children's pastor, youth pastor/worker, domestic or international missionary, Christian counselor, or working for any type of faith-based organization.  While I believe that ALL of these positions are WONDERFUL and so glorifying to the Lord, I think our view of what is "ministry" is far too restricting.

Aren't we ALL called to ministry?  Whether you're a teacher, a construction worker, a social worker, a lawyer, an accountant, work in retail, work in hospitality, a mother, a father, a student, an administrative assistant, a blogger, a writer, a recruiter or a food server, YOU are in ministry.  Aren't all places a work (with the exception of jobs outright involving sin like prostitution) a place of ministry?

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters." ~Colossians 3:23

We are called to work as if working for the Lord.  Working your hardest at whatever you do brings glory to the Lord.  THIS is a ministry!  If you prepare tax returns (haha...me!), prepare them with the best accuracy and diligence that you can.  If you teach children, teach them important information and discipline them with love.  This applies to all areas of work.  

How can you work as if working for the Lord in your career?

Relationships

Be a light for the Lord in your workplace.  Your coworkers are observing you and if they know that you are a Christian, they are developing an opinion of God by your actions.

"Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven."

~Matthew 5:16

We are a reflection of Christ.  I know this is tough because you are human and you are sinful.  You won't be perfect but you can strive to live a Christ-like life through your words and actions at work.  Be open about God's forgiveness but strive to be a good example.  Someone may come to know Christ through you but could also be hindered by your behavior.  I daily have to remind myself of this.  I am often tempted to gossip and complain at work.  Then I remember that it isn't Christ-like and I want my coworkers to see God's love through me.

I know this can be awkward - I know!  I try to develop relationships with my coworkers.  I want them to know that I care about them not just as coworkers, but as friends.  We often talk about personal stuff without getting too nosey.  This can be a tough road to walk but such a rewarding one!  I pray often for my coworkers and am there for them to talk to if they need it.

This has honestly been what has kept me in my profession.  Sometimes I hate the actual work (and have to remind myself of Colossians 3:23) but knowing that so many professionals would never come in contact with a believer otherwise, motivates me to stay there and love them.  It is definitely a mission field!

How can you better show the love of Christ to your coworkers?

Guest Post: Book Recommendations

Continuing with my guest posts, we have Carly here today from her blog Carly Blogs Here with some book recommendations. As I've brought my kindle with me while I'm on vacation in New Hampshire I'm anxious to get started on some of her recommendations. Thanks so much Carly for guest posting. Take it away...

I'm so happy to be guest posting on Lauren's blog today! While I share a pretty wide variety of posts on my blog, some of my favorite posts revolve around books. I thought I would share a small selection of some favorites and recommendations.

 

 Me Before You is a recent read that I fell in love with from the very beginning. It's a story about friendship, love, and family. It will make you smile and make you cry and you'll be sad when it comes to an end. The Gifts of Imperfection is the perfect book if you need a little bit of encouragement or inspiration. It's one of those books that you want to highlight the entire thing because it's so relatable. Sloppy Firsts will forever be a favorite book of mine- I believe it's classified as new adult and is book one of a five part series. You can't help but love Jessica Darling and the rest of the very realistic set of characters. An Invisible Thread is the true story of an 11-year-old panhandler, a busy sales executive, and an unlikely meeting with destiny. I've been a huge fan of Sarah Dessen for years and recently read Along For the Ride and adored it! If you're a fan of young adult books it's one you don't want to miss! The Great Gatsby is the perfect classic to read or reread this summer. Fitzgerald makes us all wish we could attend a West Egg party! What are some of your all-time favorite books? Any recent reads that you've loved? A huge thank you to Lauren for letting me post today! Feel free to stop by Carly Blogs Here for more book recommendations!

Guest Post: no knead bread

Hi guys. Today I have one of my best friends, Tera, guest posting again for us. She's got an amazing recipe up her sleeve that I'm 100% going to try sometime soon. I'm a sucker for bread and if it's as easy as she says my house is soon to become a bakery.

Hello Bound By Love readers! My name is Tera... You may remember me from my guest post last month on meal planning. I'm stoked to be guest posting again for Lauren while she and Dave are enjoying a well deserved vacation.

Today I'm going to share one of the best bread recipes around. It's a take on the famous no knead method championed by Jim Lahey that my friend taught me to bake earlier this year. It's ridiculously easy to make and all it takes is a little forethought and a Dutch oven. Both key components! So let's get to it.

The first thing you is to possess a magical 6th sense that can predict your homemade artisan bread cravings about 24 hours before they hit. Ok, kidding but this bread does use a slow rise method so you need to let it rise for about 20 hour before baking. I usually prep the dough sometime in the evening the day before I want some bread say Saturday night for a loaf on Sunday afternoon. In a pinch you could probably get away with preparing the dough in the morning and baking that night!

In a bowl place the following ingredients and mix just until they come together:

3 cups of flour (I prefer 2 cups of bread flour and 1 cup of whole wheat but you can use any mix you want)
1/4 tsp yeast
1 1/4 tsp salt
1 1/3 cups cold water

 After the ingredients are combined cover the bowl tightly. I use plastic wrap secured with a rubber band but use whichever method works for you. Over the next 18-20 hours you'll see your dough transform into a bubbly uniform mixture that is ready to turn into delicious bread. Punch down the dough and turn it out into a floured surface. Fold the dough on itself a few times and shape it into a  ball with a distinct seam on the under side. (this will produce an opening in the bread when it bakes!) Cover the dough with the bowl you mixed it in or a floured tea towel and let it rise for another 2 hours. About an hour and a half in put your Dutch oven (you can use regular cast iron or enameled) into your oven and preheat to 450 degrees. You want the Dutch oven to heat up with the oven. When you hit the 2 hour mark and your oven and Dutch oven are piping hot pull out the Dutch oven and toss your dough seam side up into the pot. Place covered in the oven for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes remove the lid and cook for another 15 minutes. Enjoy some seriously delicious smells in your house while all this is happening.

 After 45 minutes total cooking time take your Dutch oven and delicious bread out of the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes. If you listen carefully you'll hear your bread crackling and singing to you! After 10 minutes you are free to dig in. I'd recommend eating the whole loaf immediately with a little butter because it's so tasty steaming hot out of the oven but it also will last a few days stored in a bag on the counter. It is best fresh because the crust is wonderfully crisp and a great contrast to the soft interior. After a few hours of storage the bread loses it's crisp exterior and becomes more chewy. Still delicious just not quite as perfect as when it is fresh. Now... Feel free to enjoy your yummy homemade bread as an accompaniment to a pot of homemade soup, as toast or a sandwich, anything really. You can also separate the dough into four balls before cooking to make rolls or form it into a baguette loaf if you have an oblong Dutch oven.

Lately I've been really digging it as a side to my take on the Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscana or topped with mashed avocado and a little salt. How are you going to eat yours??

Copy Cat Zuppa Toscana:

Brown two or three mild Italian sausages in a pot with the casings removed. Add one diced onion and sauté until soft. Next add two diced potatoes and 2 quarts of stock of your choice along with some crushed red pepper and Italian seasoning. Let the soup simmer away until the potatoes are tender and add one bunch of kale chopped or torn into bite size pieces and a cup of milk just before serving.

Guest Post: The Ingredients for a Perfect Saturday

Hi guys! While Dave and I are off on vacation I have some amazing girls guest posting. We're going to start off with one of my favorite blog friends turned real friends, Cassie. 

Hello Bound by Love readers, it's me again- Cassie from Sage! I am so happy to be with you guys today while Lauren is off enjoying her vacation. I am a newlywed, west coast transplant living in the Midwest and attending graduate school. I like to think I am pretty interesting, but that could just be my self-serving bias... oops. Anyways, I hope you will stick around!

I'm not going to lie. I have had this post in my own drafts for some time. I can be indecisive, and I have about a million things to talk about so it was difficult to narrow down my thoughts. HOWEVER, I am here to save the day because I have FINALLY put together a list of the ingredients for a perfect Saturday. At least my perfect Saturday!

1. SLEEPING IN. Now, this doesn't always happen, especially because my cats think that the best time to wake up is 5:30am. Also, our idea of sleeping in is like 8am, so if I make it to then I am pretty stoked.

{omg is that even for real? Cassie I want it!!! Makes my heart melt}

2. Breakfast in bed. My husband is amazing, he is always up before me on the weekends cooking breakfast for us. I don't hate it.

3. COFFEE. Literally- it is not a Saturday without coffee and cat cuddles. It's just not. 

6. More coffee and quiet time. 



5. A nice long bike ride. We are big cyclists and love to get out for a long ride on Saturdays together. Sometimes we even venture out of our introvertedness and ride with friends.

6. Netflix & a nap. Because who doesn't love both of these things? And after a long ride this is just about the only thing that sounds appealing.

7.  A homemade dinner. Since we are trying to save money by not eating out, a lot of the time we eat at home, even on the weekends. I don't mind because I really love cooking, especially since it is summer and I can convince my husband to grill!

8. Out early for drinks and sometimes even dessert. 

8. A bonfire in our awesome backyard. Our backyard recently got a facelift so we really love to spend time back there lately.
 

9. Getting to bed early with a good book. Because relaxation, duh.

What are your ingredients for a perfect Saturday?

Thanks so much Cassie! Aren't her cats adorable?

7.18.14

Dear Aaron, you get  MARRIED tomorrow!!!! I'm so happy for you and so glad I get to be there on your big day. Dear Dave, we'll be together today after two weeks apart. Yes! Can't wait to kiss you. Dear Katie, I get to see and hug you this weekend! Dear Old Town, I've missed you and can't wait to walk your streets again before Aaron's wedding. Dear Finley, I'm sad I'm leaving you but I think you'll have a blast at the place we found to keep you. You'll get to swim! Dear readers, I've got some awesome guest posts set for the next week. Hope you enjoy. Thanks to Cassie, Aubrey, Carly, Kelli and Tera for your posts. Dear Finley, I miss your face already.