Something Quick

Last week I did not post and so I ended up breaking my end of the deal. I came across this article that I want to share with you.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE ON TRUSTING IN GOD AND SERVING HIM ALONE

Next week, I'll return to sharing my thoughts I promised to share before.

See you then!

Project: Read

This week rather than posting, I want to prepare you for next week's post. Go check out James 1 and Psalm 27.

Read them several times. Look at texts that stick out to you.

I'm looking forward to next week!

Time Goes On

With each passing day, you are as young as you'll ever be again and as old as you've ever been before. This is not an original thought of mine, but something my mom read and shared with me a few months ago. Even so, let it sink in. Today, you are as young as you'll ever be again and as old as you've ever been before.

What will you do with today?

What did you do with yesterday that made today better? What did you do with yesterday that made today worse?

Verse like 1 Corinthians 10:31 have a lot to say: "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all for the glory of God!"

Make use of today. Good use. Use it to worship God, to help those around you worship God. Do this by cultivating a spirit of godliness in yourself as well as those around you.

As Woodrow Kroll always says at the end of his program, "Have a good and godly day. For of what lasting value is a good day if it's not also a godly day?"

Honest Answer

Last week, I posted a rather serious post. It came with grace and love and truth. I would guess that it probably had quite a sting that came along with it.

If you felt that sting, I am very glad. That is the Holy Spirit working within you. Listen to that sting. But, do more than listen. Let that sting and others like it lead you to seek God. In your seeking let obedience be a manifestation of His grace.

It's time for an honest answer. I don't have to share it with you, but I want to.

That post I made last week is basically a glimpse into what I live for. I know that truth. It is deep within my soul. It is on my mind daily. And yet, it is the thing that helps me see my sin the clearest.

I do not live, I have not been living my life in a way that cultivates a spirit of dependence on and joy in God in my own life as well as in the lives of those around me.

Okay, I said it.

I live in a state of pride and arrogance. I have a soul that is easily disturbed. I am prone to serious attitudes of gloom.

YET, God. God is at work. God has saved me and He has labored much and often in my soul. He is making me more like Jesus with every passing season. That is where the joy that usually comes through me comes from. That is where the part of me that people like and enjoy and admire comes from.

That is where my hope lies. Knowing all of that, I labor, I press on, I seek Him all that much more that His work may not be hindered.

Oh, how far short I fall. But, oh how sufficient His grace is!

If you answered last week's question with a no, do not be discouraged. Let it be a reminder of your desperate need for Jesus Christ. Let it be a reminder of the grace you have received, the grace that has made you new. Let it be a reminder of the work that God has done, is doing, and will continue to do.

With your mind fully set on God and fully guarded by His peace, the answer will soon be yes.

Salvation is Here

Jesus has come. Jesus has died. Jesus has risen from the grave. Jesus has ascended into heaven.

Many of us have come to face our sin and realize that we are in desperate need of a Savior to cleanse us that we might enjoy fellowship with God. By the grace of God, salvation has come.

We wait, with much eagerness for the day this life will be over, when our joy will be perfected in the presence of God. We wait, with much eagerness for the day that Jesus Christ will return, and His kingdom will be established in the New Jerusalem.

While we wait, what do we do? Are we sitting by in our rockers praising God? Are we fooling about with all that this life has to offer?

Or, are we laboring to let those around us see the joy we have in God? Are we laboring to share the good news of the Gospel with all that we possibly can?

Join me in asking: Am I using my life in a way that cultivates a spirit of dependence on and joy in God in my own life as well as in the lives of those around me?

If the answer is yes, may I hold fast to texts like Galatians 6.

If the answer is no, may I look to texts like Psalm 73.


Salvation is here, are you living like it?

Nearly A Year

This time last year I was preparing to write my first personal post on this blog.

Here we are again facing another year. I've shared who I am, the things that God has done and is doing in my life, as well as books, recipes, websites, and all sorts of other things that I enjoy or have found helpful. I suppose the themes I blog about will continue to fit into similar categories.

I've decided that on this day, February 14, 2011, I would like to leave you with one final thought. This thought is something I'm keeping near for 2011. It's something I want to understand and embrace more this year and for the rest of my life.

But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself,
if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus,
to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
(Acts 20:24 ESV)

You Can Make it At Home

I hate to admit it but I have not only eaten Hamburger Helper, I have also enjoyed it! However, I do get creeped out knowing how it is made, or rather, not knowing what's really in each of those little packets.

Even so, I found myself in the mood for the "Cheesy Enchilada" version of Hamburger Helper. I haven't had it in years and couldn't remember much about it other than that I really enjoyed it. I got online and searched for home made versions. I did not find exactly what I was looking for, but I was helped and I did enjoy the out come.

I thought I'd share two things with you. First of all the recipe that I used as well as a link to the post by a woman who has figured out how to make many different versions at home.

Cheesy Beef Taco:

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground beef, browned
2 1/4 C hot water
1/2 C milk
1 C rice, uncooked
1/2 C tomato sauce
1 1/2 C shredded cheese
1 C Fritos

for the sauce packet
1 Tbsp corn starch
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar

- Mix all ingredients except cheese and fritos in a large skillet. Once it begins to boil, turn down the heat to keep it at a simmer. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, 20 minutes or until rice is done.

- Remove lid, stir in 1 C. cheese and Fritos, let thicken for about 5 minutes.

-Just before you serve sprinkle another 1/2 C. cheese on top.

It's simple, it's easy, it's quick, and it tastes pretty good too!

Here's the link! I cannot endorse her site because I did not look around, but I certainly found this particle post to be very helpful!

I Hope You Will Check Out the Other Varieties For Yourself!

All I can say is...

AMEN!


This post served me well today and I trust it will do the same for you.

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!

I don't care what season of life you're in, this is truth. Truth you need to know. Truth you need to apply. Truth that will set you free when you abide in it!

From One to the Other

I take great joy in tracing the themes God has had for my life. Even before I was saved, He was working in my life to bring me to the place where He was my All in All. I look back with great joy over all that has been "my life" knowing that it was all working for my good. My good is that I would know Him, be like Him, and share Him with those around me!

This last year was a year when I took a step back. I was taking a closer look at the fundamentals of Christianity. I mean, that basics. Who God is. What the Gospel is. What being a Christian is all about. I told you, it was basic. Yet, that year was so full of growth and change and conviction. Sure, like every other person battling the sin in their life, I made some mistakes. I even backslid a little. But, I came out with Christ as the victor who made a way for me to overcome those things.

This year, I'm already beginning to see that it's going to be a year of application. I learned much, I breathed in. This year is a year of breathing out. Of applying all that I learned. Sure, I will be learning even more along the way, but I have a feeling that the main point of this year is putting some feet to those things that I believe.

I cannot say exactly what that application is going to look like. I do trust the Lord to guide me. I do pray that that I would be sure to seek His face, listen to His Word, and be guided by His Holy Spirit.

This year, as I look with great excitement over all the possibilities I want to share an article that John Piper just put up this morning over at Desiring God.

I do not know what theme God has for you in 2011 or what theme He had for you in 2010. But I do know the theme He has for your eternity if you are His!!!

May what PIper has to say, bless you in the fullest sense!

Of Christmas Traditions

My favorite Christmas tradition actually comes after most people are all finished celebrating Christmas.

January 6th is called "Epiphany". It is the day we use to remember the wise men who came to Jesus bearing gifts. Obviously, we do not know exactly when Jesus was born or when the wise men made it to him. We have ideas about it being several years later. So, at some point in the past, Epiphany was marked as a date some time after Christmas that would be used to represent the fact that wise men came bearing gifts for Jesus some time after his birth.

In my family, we also call this day "Little Christmas". Shortly after my parents were saved, we began a new tradition. That of only receiving three gifts from them for Christmas. These gifts could be just about anything, but we only got three. In one sense this was a stand against materialism. But, in the more meaningful sense, it was to represent the three gifts that the wise men brought to Jesus. Come January 6th we were given one more small gift from our parents.

This year, my parents decided to try out a new tradition. We had to wait to receive their gifts until Epiphany. That meant that on Christmas morning, we opened the presents we got for each as well as those that came from Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents, Friends, and so on.

All that to say. It's never too late to start a new tradition. Traditions can be exciting and meaningful.

I am thankful that my parents have not been afraid to make changes. Even big changes. I am thankful that they have sought the Lord and ways to use traditions as tools to cultivate a spirit of godliness in our family that testifies to the glory of our great God!

Of Pies

This week, I'm going to share my favorite pie recipe with you.

Taste of Home's "Blueberry Dream Pie"

Ingredients
Pastry for double-crust pie (9 inches)

CHEESE FILLING:
4 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 egg yolk

BLUEBERRY FILLING:
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar, divided
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 cup cold water
6 cups fresh or frozen blueberries, divided
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon minced fresh mint or 1 teaspoon dried mint
1 egg white, beaten


Directions

Line a 9-in. deep-dish pie plate with bottom crust. Trim pastry to 1/2 in. beyond edge of plate; flute edges. Line unpricked pastry shell with a double thickness of heavy-duty foil. Bake at 450° for 8 minutes. Remove foil; bake 5 minutes longer. Cool on a wire rack. Reduce heat to 375°.

In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, confectioners' sugar and lemon juice until light and fluffy. Beat in egg yolk until blended. Spread into crust.

In a large saucepan, combine 1/2 cup sugar, flour and cornstarch; stir in water until smooth. Stir in 2 cups berries. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Cool slightly. Gently stir in the lemon juice, mint and remaining berries. Pour over cheese filling.

Cut decorative cutouts in remaining pastry; arrange over filling, leaving center uncovered. Brush pastry with egg white; sprinkle with remaining sugar.

Bake at 375° for 35-40 minutes or until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbly. Cover edges with foil during the last 15 minutes to prevent overbrowning if necessary. Cool on a wire rack. Refrigerate leftovers. Yield: 8 servings.

Of Christmas Cookies

We have decided to share some of our favorite Christmas cookie recipes with you. Unfortunately I am away from home and do not have direct access to my collection of Christmas cookie recipes. On top of that it has actually been a few years since we've actually taken the time to put Christmas cookies together.

So, I am sharing with you not my favorite recipe, but rather the recipe for the Christmas cookie I am craving most right now.




Ingredients:
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup Creamy Peanut Butter
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 3/4 cups All Purpose Flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Sugar
48 Hershey's kisses


Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Cream together shortening, peanut butter, brown sugar and 1/2 cup sugar. Add egg, milk and vanilla. Beat well.
Sire together flour, baking soda and salt. Add to creamed mixture. Beat on low speed until stiff dough forms.

Shape into 1-inch balls. Roll in sugar. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown.

Top each cookie immediately with an unwrapped chocolate piece, pressing down firmly so that cookie cracks around edge.

Remove from cookie sheets to cool.


I would like to begin collecting recipes in order to come up with my own traditional Christmas cookie list. So, if you have a recipe that you think I should try out, let me know!

*Note - I got the picture from Taste of Home and the Recipe comes from Crisco as posted at www.allrecipes.com)

Of Waiting and Working

Last week I talked about waiting and working.

I do not want to sound like I have it all together. Let me tell you, I do not. This whole waiting and working thing is a battle I fight daily. I long to be better at waiting. Time spent waiting in a long line could be spent praying for people or talking with people around me. Days spent wondering where I'll be next year could be spent laboring for the Gospel today in the lives of those that intersect with mine right now.

The key to working while waiting is simply abiding in Christ. Why do I say "simply"? Because it IS simple. Yet, it is impossible for us on our own. We not only will not abide in Christ on our own, we do not even want to. If you want to, it is a sign of God at work in your life. So, press into Him. Remain faithful and trust that God is faithful. As time goes by, watch the ways that God shapes you and make the most of every opportunity to bring God's will to earth as it is in heaven.

Every act of obedience to God is bringing heaven, that is the eternal presence of God, to earth. Rest in that. Trust in that. Hope in that. Love that. With every act of obedience, you are abiding in Christ.

Christmas Time Is Here

I absolutely love this time of year. Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever met anyone that doesn't.

After enjoying a very nice Thanksgiving, I'm ready to begin preparing for all that will take place through out December and the New Year. This year, I am using some Advent devotionals from an online source. It appears as though each day will end with a question or thought that will lead to a practical application.

Yesterday's theme was waiting. That is a very common, yet unpopular word for those of us in America. No one wants to wait for anything. Whether it be a ride an amusement park, a parking place, or something major like the birth of a child. We are bent on having our way and having it now.

I am no different. I tend to be a patient person when it comes to day to day circumstances that require waiting. My tendency toward impatience shows up when I am forced to wait for the long run things that are simply out of my control. It drives me crazy not knowing exactly what the next year will hold. I can sometimes get overwhelmed not knowing where I will be or what I will be doing.

So, I must wait. In my waiting, I must also work. As I continue to abide in Christ EACH DAY, the long run "waiting" takes care of itself. In fact, waiting becomes something so wonderful and beautiful because it is so much more than sitting in an easy chair eating bon bons waiting for life to happen.

I have learned that in our waiting, life is happening. We must be about the business God has for us today and trust Him to bring us to and through tomorrow.

I have seen that this time next year, I'll still be waiting. I do not know exactly what I'll be waiting for, but I can trust that as I continue to work my life will be part of God's bigger work of building His Kingdom.

I pray that this time next year, no matter what I'm waiting for, my mind will still be set on the prize of being known by God and being made to be more like Jesus.

May your waiting be passed with much working. May it be wonderful and beautiful simply because it is a testimony to you abiding in Christ.

A Good Book

This week, I simply want to tell you about a good book that I have read recently. It is Milton Vincent's "A Gospel Primer for Christians".




C.J. and Carolyn Mahaney and their daughters have all said many good things about this book. It's been on my "to read" list for quite a while. This fall, I finally managed to get a copy of my own. While it is much simpler than I ever expected, it is certainly a book that I would recommend.

I read it through like a normal book, marking it up as I went along. After Christmas, I plan on going through it much slower. I plan on taking time to share it with my family. There is much Scripture woven into it and I plan on taking a closer look at the Gospel and how I need it every day!

Needless to say, many saints have been encouraged by Milton Vincent's work. Christmas is coming, you should add it to your list!

Something More Sure

In October, I was studying First and Second Peter. I learned so many things over the course of the month. Here is one of the sections that really stuck out to me and a few of my thoughts on what I came to see in a new way!

"For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. "

(2 Peter 1:16-21 ESV)

Here we see the testimony of those people that SAW Jesus with their own eyes. Yet, they tell us that there is something more sure. That something is the Word of God, the Holy Bible.

When I came to this verse, I had to stop. I had to re-read it. I spent quite a bit of time looking at this section. Really think about it. We tend to believe something most when we have seen it with our own eyes.

What makes the testimony of God's Word more sure than the testimony of eyewitnesses?

I suppose it's this: when the Holy Spirit works out the truth of God's Word in you by bringing you to really know and understand it, that is sure. It is more sure than anything you can work out in yourself.

When you see something for yourself or hear from someone who saw it, that's all well and good....

The point is this:

Would you rather have God tell you Himself?

or

Would you rather have someone who saw it tell you?

God has told us. His Word is truth. His Word is more sure than any other testimony we can ever have or hear!

Embrace this truth and join me in treating God's Word as more sure simply because it comes from God Himself and comes to God's people by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Breath In...Breath Out: Applied

Those that God has placed in leadership have great responsibility. God has special roles for us to play in their lives.

Hebrews 13:7-16 exhorts believers to remember them. That is, pray for them that they would stay firm in their faith. We are also called to follow their Biblical faith as it manifests itself in godly conduct, character, and communication.

Hebrews 13:17-21 exhorts believers to obey them. This obedience is one guarded in Biblical reasoning and logic. We need to listen to them and watch them and obey that teaching and example that is in agreement with God's Word.

Hebrews 12:22-24 exhorts believers to salute them and each other. That is, we recognize them and know them and love them.

Remembering to pray for, obey, and salute our leaders is something we take way to lightly. These are men who have received a great call from God. How often do you think they would just love to go back to being regular men who are just in charge of their own families??? Yet, they do not. May we plead with God that He would continue to work mightily in and through their lives, keeping them standing firm in Him.

We must not underestimate the opportunities that the judgment of God brings.

When judgment comes, many find it as an excuse to backslide. If we would graciously receive God's correction and seek to bring His love and hope to those around us, I think we would be pleasantly surprised that times of judgment are quite fruitful.

May we trust in God and submit ourselves to His wonderful plan!

Breath In....Breath Out: Are You Refusing God?

Last week, we talked about the warnings Hebrews gives to believers to keep them from backsliding.

One thing I want to say is that if you are not going forward you are going backward. This is because we are sinners who tend to go our own way unless we are submitting to God and going His. Backsliding is something we must guard against.

One of the signs that you are backsliding it that you refuse the judgment of God when it comes to you.

God speaks His will to His people in His Word, by His Spirit, and even by His people. It is important that we test all things back to His Word as we seek His will for our lives.

Sometimes, the will of God is judgment. That is, correction. When judgment comes, the Christian would do well to receive it and embrace it.

We are currently living in a culture that is receiving the judgment of God. For the most part, our country has lived under the blessing of God. This is just no longer so.

As Christians, this is reason to rejoice!!! The judgment of God brings people to a place where they realize just how needy they are. They are not able to go about with life as usual convincing themselves that they have because they work.

In times of judgment, God's people have the answers, the security, and most importantly the hope!

So, in these days. Seek to be one who does not refuse the judgment of God. Receive it and embrace it and make the most of it be arming yourselves with these attitudes:

Love - for God and for people. We love by KNOWING them. You, reach out to people get to know them and look for ways that you can bless them.

Practice hospitality - in times of hardship, we tend to withdraw from hospitality. Yet, these are the times when it must increase. Simply open your heart and your home to those around you. Christian, nonChristian, friends, family, and strangers....Have a vision to CARE for those around you in good times and in bad. They'll notice and want more of the God that made it possible.

Remember persecuted Christians - At this time, these are people in other countries. Remember them, pray for them, seek to help them if the opportunity arises. But, count yourself like them. That is, make their urgency, their sincerity for carrying out God's work your own.

Guard Purity - Yours and that of those around you. Cultivate godliness in yourself and those around you with everything you do! Lift up the standard, stick to is, honor God and one another. Value marriage and build it up. Let there be no appearance of evil.

Contentment - Do not fall into materialism. Be prepared for crisis, but do not be consumed. Speak contentment and faith to your children. This way they will see and know and rest in God's goodness no matter what.

On a final note for this week. Remember that whenever judgment comes, it is speaking first to God's people (1 Peter 4:17). Haiti was hit with a blow earlier this year. We should not think that it was God wagging His finger at the evils that go on there. As Christians, we should look at what happened to Haiti and thank God for an opportunity to work out our salvation and offer the hope we have received in Christ to those in desperate need!

Breath In...Breath Out: Warnings

Last week, I talked about some of the work that God has been doing in my life.

This week, I just wanted to share some of the things that stuck out to me during the sermon on Hebrews 13 that I heard at church last week.

There are five warnings given to backsliders through the book of Hebrews.

Warnings Against:

Neglecting salvation (that is, you've received it, but you do not seek to work it out)

Unbelief (that is, you have believed and yet your life shows that you don't really trust God enough to obey Him)

Immaturity (that is, you are not growing to maturity in Christ)

Drawing out of fellowship with God's people (that is, you don't "feel" like being around them, serving them, or knowing them, so you simply don't)

and finally

Refusing God's judgment when it comes to you (that is, God's judgment comes and you ignore it; you do not use it as a catalyst to bring renewal in your life)

Breath In...Breath Out

This last week was absolutely amazing.

If you observed me, you wouldn't have any reason to believe it though! Every day was pretty much just a regular old, ordinary day. I slept, I ate, I went to school, I did school work, I read my Bible, I went to church, I cooked, I cleaned, I went for walks.....So, what made it amazing?

The Word of the Lord was living and active in my soul! Now, I am always seeking to have this be true, but there are some times when it's just more true than others.

Over the last few months, I've been seeking God with renewed sincerity. Over the last month, I have watched as He answers my call. He has led me to Himself, is keeping me in Himself, and revealing Himself! And THAT is AMAZING.

I drove home from church yesterday just feeling so full of HIM. The sun was shining, there was a slight breeze, and I had just come from hearing a sermon that built on all I had been learning in His Word.

I'm studying 1 Peter right now. The sermon yesterday was concluding a series on Hebrews. The specific message was on Hebrews 13 and gave a summary and the final warning that Hebrews communicates to backsliding believers.

If you read this regularly, you know that I took some leaps backwards this summer.

Yet, I continue to see the great work of our good and merciful God!

In this good time, I trust that the best is yet to come!