Find Healing for Your Skin with Koru Naturals

I'm excited to bring to you today my review of Koru Naturals! I think this winter has been the roughest ever on my skin. It's been dry and itchy, even to the point of burning. I'll admit I've never been one to apply lotions and such to my skin, but now that {ahh-hum} I'm getting older and after having gone through such a hard time with my skin this winter, I think it's time for me to develop some sort of skin care routine.

This review for Koru Naturals could not have come at a more better time for me! I jumped at the opportunity to participate in a review of their products. I especially wanted to try the Koolpurrie Restoring Balm, and was delighted to learn that I would also be receiving the Pure Emu Oil as well. Find healing for your skin with Koru Naturals!

How I Used Koru Naturals

Koolpurrie Restoring Balm has a very thick consistency like all balms do, and at first I was hesitant to dig my fingers into it to get enough on my fingertips to apply to my patchy, dry legs. This didn't last long though once I felt and saw the effects of application. I pressed in further with my fingertips after the first week of applying this skin balm to my thirsty skin. After applying to my legs, I would use what was left on my hands for my elbows, forearms, and hands. Because of Koolpurrie Restoring Balm's thick consistency, I really had to take my time rubbing it into my skin. This was certainly not a problem though and well worth the little bit of extra effort considering the relief I got for my dry, itchy, and burning skin.

Here's a fun fact for you: the Koolpurrie is the Australian Native name for emu.

Koolpurrie Restoring Balm is made with lanolin and emu oil.

I also used this on my 14 year old son's very dry and ashy elbows. They drank in the balm every time! As long as I keep Koolpurrie Restoring Balm applied to his elbows, they stay moisturized and healthy. If I miss a couple of days, they go right back to being dry and ashy. So it's important that I remember to apply it daily.

I loved the Pure Emu Oil as well! I alternated use of the Pure Emu Oil and the Koolpurrie Restoring Balm each day on my legs, arms, and hands. I always applied after the shower, once I finished towel drying. It always felt so good on my dry skin, and my thirsty skin drank in the nourishment. I was pleasantly surprised how the Emu Oil - when applying - soaked in and felt like baby powder softness.

My skin is baby soft now. I will definitely have to keep Koolpurrie Restoring Balm and Pure Emu Oil as my daily skin nourishment routine.

The Pure Emu Oil is considered hypoallergenic, but should only be used on unbroken skin.

Neither of these products from Koru Naturals have an overpowering scent. There is actually very little scent to them at all. This is another plus for me because strong scents flare up my allergies.

My Opinion of Koru Naturals

I can definitely tell a big improvement in the condition of my skin. It is no longer dry or flaky. My skin doesn't burn anymore either because it is so dry. It feels healthy again! Like I said earlier in my review, as long as I keep the Koolpurrie Restoring Balm applied to my son's elbows, they stay moisturized and healthy.

I love that all of the suppliers of Koru Naturals have to certify that they do not use animal testing on any of their products.

And if you're like me and wondering what "Koru" means, it's the Maori name given to the newborn fern frond. It symbolizes new life, growth, strength and peace.

I highly recommend trying out the products of Koru Naturals for yourself. Like me, you too can find healing for your skin with Koru Naturals.

You can connect with Koru Naturals on the following social media outlets:

• Facebook
• Pinterest

Do you use any products from Koru Naturals? I'd love to know what you use and how you like it! Just let me know in the comments below!

Read more reviews from the Schoolhouse Review Crew simply by clicking on the image below.

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Should I stay or should I go? It's a question we all might have to ask ourselves in a plethora of different situations that we may encounter in this life. Where do we go for wise counsel in order to find an answer to this question?

If you've been around here long enough, I hope you've come to realize my love for the Bible, God's Word...the truth that sets us free and gives us the answers to all of life's questions.

It's where we can find the answer to the question - should I stay or should I go?

Today we finish reading the book of Exodus. We are in chapter 40 today, and we find the presence of God entering the tabernacle that has been completed according to His explicit instructions. The children of Israel knew to stay wherever they were until either the pillar of cloud (by day) or the pillar of fire (by night) that represented God's presence would move. It was only then that they would pack everything up and go wherever God led them.

Sometimes it would be weeks, maybe it would be months - but they did not move until God moved.

I think we would all do well to learn this lesson from the Israelites. There haven't been many times we've been able to say this about the children of Israel during our time in Exodus.

How appropriate that we end our study of Exodus with such a magnificent spiritual lesson?!

Now it's confetti time, friends!! 

We have made it through the book of Exodus!! We finished strong!!

Here are my SOAKs for Thursday and Friday: 

Thursday, February 26, 2015

Exodus 39

Scripture: Exodus 39:42-43

⁴² According to all that the Lord had commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did all the work. ⁴³ Then Moses looked over all the work, and indeed they had done it; as the Lord had commanded, just so they had done it. And Moses blessed them.

Observations: The children of Israel did all the work of the tabernacle just as the Lord God had commanded. Moses, as the leader of the vision of God, inspects and verifies that the work has all been completed according to God’s instructions – and he blesses them.

Application: There are blessings when we walk in obedience to God’s will and instructions for our lives.

Kneel: Heavenly Father, thank You for the blessing of Heaven and eternal life with You. I pray that I would look to Your Word as a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. You’ve given me everything I need to walk this life according to Your will. Help me to embrace the power of Your grace and resist the works of my flesh. Father, I know that this spiritual battle will continue until Jesus returns or You call me home. I surrender to You Holy Spirit of God. Thank You, Jesus, for the cleansing power of Your blood that has been applied to my life. It is in Your victorious name that I pray. Amen.

Friday, February 27, 2015

Exodus 40

Scripture: Exodus 40:34-38

³⁴ Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. ³⁵ And Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle of meeting, because the cloud rested above it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. ³⁶ Whenever the cloud was taken up from above the tabernacle, the children of Israel would go onward in all their journeys. ³⁷ But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not journey till the day that it was taken up. ³⁸ For the cloud of the Lord was above the tabernacle by day, and fire was over it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.

Observations: The presence of God filled the tabernacle so much so that Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle. The children of Israel only broke up camp and moved as the Lord’s presence moved. The children of Israel knew the presence of God was with them in the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night that represented His presence.

Application: I love those times of worship where the presence of God is so strong! We don’t have the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night, but we can still feel His presence when we worship God in spirit and in truth. We now walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). We must learn to never move in any situation or circumstance we are facing unless we have sought direction from God and sense His release.

Kneel: Heavenly Father, thank You so much for walking with me through the book of Exodus. Thank You for answering my daily prayers to open my eyes to behold wonderful truths from Your word. Father, You have said that we will be set free when we know Your truth. I pray for every women who has faithfully walked through the chapters of Exodus to be set free by the truth they have found in Your word. May we continue to walk by faith and not by sight, trusting always that You are leading and directing our paths for Your glory. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen!

Remember we start the book of Matthew on Monday. Courtney has generously supplied all of the study resources which are available for free if you want to use them.

Here's our reading plan for next week in Matthew:

I'll see you back here on Monday, sweet friends! Have a blessed weekend!!

Walking in His Grace, 

Laurie

I'm linking up with Courtney Joseph over at Women Living Well, home of Good Morning Girls for Blogging Through the Bible. Click on the image below to read Courtney's post and the posts from others who are BTTB too!

Giving Up What You Treasure Most

Have you ever thought about giving up what you treasure most? I'm sure this is not something most of us think about on a daily basis - I'll admit I certainly don't. But my reading today in Exodus 38 has brought this question to the forefront of my mind and that's what I'd like to talk about today in this Blogging Through the Bible post.

He made the laver of bronze and its base of bronze, from the bronze mirrors of the serving women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. ~Exodus 38:8

Isn't it amazing what you can find tucked away in God's Word?!

Repetition of building supplies and measurements have made for some difficult days of reading, right? But this little nugget found in verse 8 is why we must not give up when it comes to reading difficult books in the Old Testament such as Exodus. Look at this opportunity for spiritual growth we would have missed!

Serving women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle of meeting...giving up what they treasured most.

Has there been a time in your life of giving up what you treasure most so that it could be used by God?

These women willingly gave from their possessions that God had blessed them with during their deliverance from Egypt.

Check out my Women of the Bible series post, T is for Tabernacle Women, to find out more about these special women and what we can learn from their lives.

Here is our reading plan for the rest of the week:

Here are my SOAKs for Tuesday and Wednesday:


Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Exodus 37

Scripture: Exodus 37:1-29

Observations: In chapter 37, Bezalel carefully works to make the ark of the testimony, the table for the showbread, the golden lampstand, the altar of incense, the anointing oil and the incense according to the Word of God as spoken to Moses.

Application: When God gives us instructions, we must be careful to follow His direction. 

Kneel: Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Your Word that we have in our Bibles. Help us to take the time necessary to be in the Word, to soak in the instructions and directions You give us for how to live our lives so that we can shine our lights for all to see. Father, I want to glorify You through the life I live. I want to be a living testimony of Your goodness and Your faithfulness. The only way I can do that is by spending time with You in Your Word so that I will know the truth and be set free from all the lies of this fallen world. I pray for a hunger and a thirst for Your Word that will keep me in my Bible. Thank You for meeting me each time I read and for showing me Your truth. It’s with a grateful heart I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen!   

Wednesday, February 24, 2015
 
Exodus 38

Scripture: Exodus 38:8
⁸ He made the laver of bronze and its base of bronze, from the bronze mirrors of the serving women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle of meeting.

Observations: Moses mentions specifically “the women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle of meeting” here. I love this verse! We don’t know anything else about these women – not even their names – but what has been recorded about their lives is the fact that they served at the door of the tabernacle of meeting and that they gave up their most treasured items as an offering for the fashioning of the laver and its base.

Bezalel fashioned the laver and its base out of the bronze from the mirrors that these faithful women willingly gave. Interestingly, mirrored glass was unknown in ancient times – these mirrors were totally bronze, giving an adequate though imperfect reflection. 

Application: Am I willing to surrender my most prized treasures for the service of the Lord? What would that look like for women in today’s modern world? Giving up going out to eat so often so that the money saved can be used for missions work is an idea that comes to mind. How about donating to the local battered women’s shelter if my closet is cram-packed with shoes? What about using my time more wisely so that I can mentor that younger woman in my church who is struggling in her marriage? 

What will I be remembered for when my life here is over? I hope I’m remembered as a woman who loved God with all her heart, who couldn’t get enough of His Word, was a prayer warrior, and loved her family and friends well.

Kneel: Heavenly Father, I thank You for special messages that are tucked deep within chapters that unfortunately at times we are quick to skim over. I thank You for Good Morning Girls and for this Reading through the Bible journey that we are on together. Father, I pray that I would freely offer up to You anything that You’ve blessed me with – even my most treasured possessions – for the building of Your kingdom and to encourage and equip other women in their walk with You. May I live my life in complete surrender to You and always walk in the grace provided by Your mighty Spirit. When my life on this earth is over, I pray that the legacy I leave will impact the lives of others in their walk with You. In the powerful name of Jesus I pray. Amen!


I'll see you back here on Friday for my final Blogging Through the Bible post on Exodus! It's hard to believe we are almost finished...I'm kind of sad...lol! But don't worry, on Monday we will start reading in the book of Matthew - I can't wait! See you Friday!

Walking in His Grace, 

Laurie

I'm linking up with Courtney Joseph over at Women Living Well, home of Good Morning girls for Blogging Through the Bible! Click on the image below to read Courtney's post today and posts from others who are BTTB too!

Purex Powershot Review and Giveaway

Take your washing up a notch with the new Purex Powershot Detergent! I'm excited to bring to you today my review of Purex Powershot and a great giveaway! This new detergent from Purex has taken the guess work out of measuring with the built in auto-dosing technology that gives you an accurate measuring of Purex's powerful detergent every.single.time. Purex Powershot detergent hits the target for all of my laundry washing needs!

Having a husband who works with our local garbage service means my laundry washing needs are no joke! I need something strong and powerful to take out the nasty smells out of his work clothes. I have to do multiple laundry loads just so that his dirty work clothes are not in the same load of laundry with my clothes and my son's clothes. This can run up my budget for buying laundry detergent - especially if I'm overcompensating in how much laundry detergent I add to my washing machine. That's why I'm so excited about the power-packed punch of Purex Powershot and the auto-dosing technology built right into the bottle! I get just the right amount of laundry detergent with every load - helping me to save money in the long run!

Purex Powershot Detergent has been a game-changer in my daily laundry washing routine! The no-spill detergent bottle makes it easy to get an accurate measurement of laundry detergent that will knock out any stinky garbage smell or stain left behind in my husband's work clothes. It's amazing!

Easy to Use With Just the Right Amount

Purex Powershot Detergent takes the guesswork out of measuring and there's no messy cleanup to do after pouring like with those other measuring cups because of the Purex auto-dosing technology on the bottle. Take a look at this quick video that shows just how easy it is to use the all-new Purex Powershot.





Purex Powershot comes in two of Purex's most popular fragrances: Mountain Breeze and Natural Elements Linen & Lillies.

For my review I received the Moutain Breeze fragrance. I love, love, love the fragrance of our clothes...they smell so fresh and clean! And it's not an overpowering scent, nor does it flare up my allergies. Win-win!!

I'm excited to be able to offer one of my readers a coupon for a FREE bottle of Purex Powershot. Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

One final question...have you entered the Purex Powershot Detergent Sweepstakes? Find out all the details here in my special post, then click here to enter for your chance to win!

Your Purex Insider, 

Laurie

 

*Disclaimer: The Purex brand provided me with a sample of Purex Powershot detergent in exchange for a product review. However, all the opinions expressed here are my own.

More Than Enough (Blogging Through the Bible)

Has your Pastor ever had to ask you and your congregation to stop giving because more than enough had been given for the need that was presented to your church?

This is what we see happening in our reading in Exodus 36 today. Take a look with me at verses 6 and 7.

⁶ Then Moses gave an order and they sent this word throughout the camp: “No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.” And so the people were restrained from bringing more, ⁷ because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work.

How beautiful and amazing is that?!

That's how God gives. He gave more than enough when He gave His one and only Son, Jesus Christ so that we could have everlasting life (John 3:16).

Jesus was more than enough to provide restoration to our broken relationship with God so that we can enjoy fellowship with Him right now in this life while we wait on the glorious return of Jesus.

Yesterday in church we sang a song that we haven't sang in a while - By His Wounds. I've linked the YouTube video to this song by Third Day below.




As I stood there singing, I could not help but to think of our time here in the book of Exodus these past 2 months. I thought about the bondage of the Israelites and of their deliverance out of Egypt - all that it represents in our own bondage to sin and our deliverance from it. I thought about all of the detail that went into the making and furnishing of the tabernacle so that the people could worship God - intricate details that point to our Savior Jesus Christ. I thought about the sacrificial requirements that the priests would have to make over and over again for the sins of the people as I sang about the blood of Jesus and how His perfect life and death on the cross was more than enough to end the sacrificial system that was set up in the Old Testament. Everything in Exodus points to Jesus my friends.

Have you accepted the free gift of salvation that is available through Jesus Christ alone? His blood is more than enough to wash away your sins and restore your broken relationship with God. Our sins separate us from God until we come to Jesus and admit that we are sinners in need of forgiveness. Here's a simple prayer you can pray from your heart if you are ready to accept the forgiveness of your sins through the shed blood of Jesus who died on the cross for you and for me.

Heavenly Father, I come to You in need of Your forgiveness. I am a sinner and ask You to forgive me of my sins. I believe in Jesus, that He lived a sinless life, and then died on the cross for my own sins. I believe He rose from the grave on the third day conquering sin and death and is alive now in Heaven. Thank You, Jesus, for loving me and for dying for me. In Your Holy Name I pray. Amen!

Please leave me a comment below if you prayed this prayer from your heart today. I would love to rejoice with you!

I'd also like to invite you to join me in the book of Matthew which is where we are headed next with the Good Morning Girls. We begin our reading of Matthew on Monday, March 2! You can find out all the details from Courtney Joseph in her post Introducing the Book of Matthew. I'd love to know if you will be joining us for Matthew, so please leave me a comment below!

This is our final week in the book of Exodus! Thanks so much for joining me on this journey and for your comments during our reading together. Here's our reading plan for this final week in Exodus:

Here is my SOAK for Monday. Please share your thoughts from today's reading in the comments below.

Monday, February 23, 2015

Exodus 36

Scripture: Exodus 36:2-7

² Then Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the Lord had given ability and who was willing to come and do the work. ³ They received from Moses all the offerings the Israelites had brought to carry out the work of constructing the sanctuary. And the people continued to bring freewill offerings morning after morning. ⁴ So all the skilled workers who were doing all the work on the sanctuary left what they were doing ⁵ and said to Moses, “The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the Lord commanded to be done.” ⁶ Then Moses gave an order and they sent this word throughout the camp: “No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.” And so the people were restrained from bringing more, ⁷ because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work.
Observations: The people were giving so willingly that they had to be told to stop making things for the sanctuary and to refrain from giving more because the workers had more than enough to do all the work that they were called by God to do.

Application: I pray that I would be this kind of giver to my church. It’s very inspiring!

Kneel: Heavenly Father, what a wonderful example of cheerful and willful givers I have seen in these verses this morning! I pray that I would have this kind of willingness to give so freely of what You have blessed our family with. May we seek to put You and the building of Your kingdom first in our giving of time, talent, and money in our church. Give us wisdom in each of these areas of our lives so that nothing will be wasted and we can give abundantly for Your glory. Thank You for giving so freely in the precious gift of Jesus Christ who shed His blood for the forgiveness of my sins. It is in His giving name I pray. Amen!



I'll see you back here on Wednesday for another Blogging Through the Bible post.

Walking in His Grace, 

Laurie

 


I'm linking up with Courtney Joseph over at Women Living Well, home of Good Morning Girls for Blogging Through the Bible. Click on the image below to read Courtney's post and the posts of others who are BTTB!

The Great Debate of Public School Attendance

The great debate of public school attendance is a hot topic these days among evangelical Christians, so when the opportunity came to do a review for the DVD IndoctriNation as part of the 2015 TOS Review Crew, I immediately requested to be a part of the review. I'm so excited to be back on the Crew and to share with you my first review of this year!

IndoctriNation, produced by Great Commission Films, is a captivating documentary/testimonial film in which Collin Gunn, a Scotland born homeschooling father of seven, is traveling around the United States on a yellow school bus with his family on a quest to understand the origins and social impact of the public education system in the USA. Seeking to answer the question of whether or not our public schools are an educational "neutral zone" or if they are seeking to undermine the influence of the Church and the family unit, Collin shares compelling interviews with teachers and administrators of the various public schools, as well as his interviews with parents and various "whistle-blowers", that he has met during his journey across the United States of America.


This powerful quote is in the opening of this film about public schools in America:

"America's future is being shifted and remolded through our public school system. Tomorrow's borders and leaders are being guided and instructed in today's classrooms. But whose doctrine is being taught?" ~Collin Gunn

Vocabulary.com defines indoctrination as teaching someone to accept a set of beliefs without questioning them. Sadly, this very thing is going on in our public schools across America as our children are being taught daily by pro-choice secularists, evolutionists, atheists, and now the list has grown to even include child molesters. Don't get me wrong, there are still some wonderful school teachers and principals in our public schools, but this review is focusing on the threat that continues to cast a dark shadow over America's public schools that Collin addresses in IndoctriNation.


It's a threat that has sparked a national debate among evangelical Christians all over America. The debatable question that evangelical Christians are asking is this:

"Should we protect our children by withdrawing them from the public schools or should we leave them in the system to try to influence the schools for the better?"

Check out this short clip between two well-known pastors that stand on opposite sides of the debate as well as other shocking scenes from the film about what is going on inside of the pubic schools of America and the indoctrination of the children who attend:

My Opinion of IndoctriNation

I watched this DVD alone because of the content which I didn't consider to be suitable for my son at this time. There is a content warning at the beginning of the DVD. Please be aware of this before you sit down to watch it. If you have younger children, make sure they are not around when you are watching because of some of the subject content that may not be suitable for young ears.

Subject content may not be suitable for young viewers.

If you are a public school parent, I highly recommend the viewing of this DVD to see what's really happening in the public schools of America and with your child's public education. Kids face so many obstacles in the pursuit of their education in a public school - school bullying, school violence, and indoctrination of beliefs that are hidden within the new common core curriculum to name just a few.

If you are a homeschooling parent who is contemplating placing your child back into your local public school, you really must watch this DVD. IndoctriNation will remind you quickly why you made the wise decision to homeschool (see list of reasons I gave to public school parents above). Is homeschooling a sacrifice? Yes! Are there hard days in homeschooling? Absolutely! But you are not alone in your homeschooling journey. After viewing this film, I would also recommend contacting some of your homeschooling friends for support and encouragement. Take a homeschooling break if you need to and just do some learning through real life activities and some field trips. Check out my Homeschool Unit Studies board on Pinterest to get some ideas on unit studies that can be a nice change of pace for your homeschool. Most of all, I would encourage you to pray for yourself, your child, and your homeschool. Go to God's Word and find encouragement and strength for your homeschool journey. Here are twelve encouraging Bible verses for homeschooling moms that I found for my family. I hope they will be a blessing to your homeschooling family too!



IndoctriNation is available in English and Spanish. DVD's in Russian, Chinese, and Korean are in the works at the time of my review.

You can connect with Great Commission Films (IndoctriNation) on the following social media outlets:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Vimeo
• YouTube

Check out other reviews from Crew members by clicking on the image below.

Walking in His Grace, 

Laurie

 

Agape Love Never Ends (Walking in Agape Love Series)

Every Sunday in February I have been looking at the characteristics of Agape Love found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. You can check out the how this series began by reading my contributor's post, When Love Isn't Easy, over at Worshipful Living.

If you'd like to read all the posts in this series, you can find them here:

Week One: When Loving Others is Hard

Week Two: What Love Is Not

Week Three: The Beauty of Love

Today is the final post in my Walking in Agape Love series. Agape love never ends as we see in verse 8 of 1 Corinthians 13.

To understand this - love never ends - we must first understand that we are not talking about an emotional love like the kind you felt when you first got married or when you first began a dating relationship. Emotions change because they are often dependent on the circumstances and situations of our relationships. Agape love is not based on emotions - it is a different kind of love because it is God's love. God's love is perfect and it never ends.

Agape love remains strong when difficulties arise in our marriages or in our relationships. It's no longer an emotion - it's a choice, a decision we make to love others because we ourselves have received the Agape love of God.

Agape love is selfless and it seeks the good of the other first. That's exactly how God loves us.

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. ~John 3:16

God showed His Agape Love for us while we were yet sinners when Jesus Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). This is our example for how to walk in Agape Love.


As a reminder, here again are the sixteen characteristics of Agape Love that we find in verses 4-8 of 1 Corinthians 13. When we find ourselves in moments of life when love isn’t easy, may we seek to live the tough moments of our relationships in the power of God's grace to walk in Agape Love.
 

1. Agape Love is patient.
2. Agape Love is kind.
3. Agape Love does not envy.
4. Agape Love does not boast.
5. Agape Love is not arrogant.
6. Agape Love is not rude.
7. Agape Love does not insist its own way.
8. Agape Love is not irritable.
9. Agape Love is not resentful.
10. Agape Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing.
11. Agape Love rejoices with the truth.
12. Agape Love bears all things.
13. Agape Love believes all things.
14. Agape Love hopes all things.
15. Agape Love endures all things.
16. Agape Love never ends.

So let's be women who seek to worship God with the way we Agape Love in ALL of the relationships of our lives - as wives, as mothers, as sisters, as friends, as co-workers, etc.

Walking in His Grace, 

Laurie