The power of prayer

Hebrews 4:16

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

God knows you. He knew you before you were even born. He knows your strengths, weaknesses, needs and wants. God is all knowing and his wisdom is beyond anything we can even imagine. He would not honor any request that would injure or harm you or disgrace His name. He wants the best for you and everyone else. What a comfort!

Remember that Jesus has left promises for all of us. He has ascended into Heaven and is now at the right hand of God making intercession for us. We have power in prayer because prayer can do anything that God can do!

God is able to do all things that are true to His nature and character. For that reason we shouldn’t expect God to help us do something wrong because He cannot sin. Sometimes we feel that our prayers aren’t being heard because we don’t get the answer we think we should. We have to remember that our wisdom is not the wisdom of God. Be strong knowing there is power in prayer and God will work out all things for the good of all who love Him.

Creamy Hash brown Casserole

1 package (30 ounces) frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed
2 cups (16 ounces) sour cream
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 can (10.75 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup butter, melted
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Transfer to ungreased 2 quart baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 250 degrees for 1 hour or until heated through. Yield; 8-10 servings. This dish is definitely not low cal or low fat, but is definitely wonderful.

Praying for popcorn

1 Corinthians 14:14-15

14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.

15 So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.

Lately I've been thinking about prayer quite a bit and listening to the prayers that I hear spoken in public places. Some pray so eloquently that I am taken back at the talent they have to put such wonderful words together without even thinking ahead of time what they might say. Where does this leave me? I suppose somewhere in the middle for I do not have the gift they do. Still, that is okay too because God knows and hears my heart. I know this beyond any doubt.

Last night Carley Ann and Anna Claire were starved so as soon as I put their food on the table they started taking bits. When I sat down Carley Ann looked at me and said, "MeMama, we forgot to say the blessing." I assured her God would understand and then she bowed her head and said her prayer. At the end she said, " and please let us have some popcorn tonight while we watch Barney." You guessed it, they got popcorn. :)

This morning was a crazy morning trying to get everything done we needed to do. These are wonderful days full of amazing wonders and little girl delights.



At Weight Watcher's the other night the leader told us that many times she makes a soup out of a can of diced tomatoes with Italian spices and a dolop of fat free sour cream. I haven't tried that yet, but I found a barbecue sauce recipe that I want to try. Looks good doesn't it.

Ina Garten’s Barbecue Sauce

From The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook
Makes 1 ½ quarts

1 ½ cups chopped yellow onion (1 large onion)
1 T. minced garlic (3 cloves)
½ cup vegetable oil
1 cup tomato paste (10 ounces)
1 cup cider vinegar
1 cup honey
½ cup Worcestershire sauce
1 cup Dijon mustard
½ cup soy sauce
1 cup hoisin sauce
2 T. chili powder
1 T. ground cumin
½ T. crushed red pepper flakes

In a large saucepan on low heat, sauté the onions and garlic with the vegetable oil for 10 to 15 minutes, until the onions are translucent but not browned. Add the rest of the ingredients. Simmer uncovered on low heat for 30 minutes. Use immediately or store in the fridge.

Testimony

John 1: 19-28

19 Now this was John's testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was.

20 He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, "I am not the Christ."

21 They asked him, "Then who are you? Are you Elijah?"
He said, "I am not."
"Are you the Prophet?"
He answered, "No."

22 Finally they said, "Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?"

23 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, "I am the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.' "

24 Now some Pharisees who had been sent 25 questioned him, "Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?"

26 "I baptize with water," John replied, "but among you stands one you do not know.

27 He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie."

28 This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

John's testimony was a powerful one. Not only did he let people know that they should not look at him as the Christ, Elijah, or the Prophet, he let the Pharisees who were sent to question him know that the Christ was coming.

I often try to put myself in the shoes of the Pharisees or other groups or people in the Bible, but my limited knowledge doesn't quite get me there. I have to study to understand and confess I don't study as deeply as I should. Sometimes I think I'll just begin to understand by osmosis, like just holding my Bible or keeping it on the couch by me while I read a different book. Sigh.

Today these verses set the stage for me to better understand the history of the people that lived by the scriptures they had at the time before Christ and the fulfillment of those scriptures we live by today.

In these verses and much of the Gospel, John explores what it means to confess that Jesus is "the Christ, the Son of God". Even though John was written for a local church that had been closely related to Judaism to help them become stronger in their faith, the same message that they needed to hear is the same message I need today. I am thankful that I have these words to help me understand and guide me into deeper understanding even when taken little pieces by little pieces to dwell on daily.

Recipe





Party Vegetable Pizza

2 cans refrigerated crescent rolls
16 Ounces cream cheese
1 cup mayonnaise
1 package ranch dressing mix

Assorted chopped veggies like:
Cauliflower
Onion
Carrots
Cucumber
Green Pepper
Red pepper
Broccoli
Tomato
Mushrooms,
any veggies you like.

Grated Cheddar or other cheeses, or maybe a mixture of several.

Spread crescent rolls out in rectangle on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or until brown; cool. Beat cream cheese, mayonnaise and dressing mix; spread over crust. Top with chopped vegetable and cheese. Cut into squares and serve. Can make ahead and refrigerate over night.

Or try

1/2 cup sour cream & 1/2 tsp garlic powder instead of mayo and ranch dressing.

Or try

English muffins instead of cresent rolls. Cut halfs in four triangles to serve.

Praise the LORD

1 Praise the LORD.
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens.

2 Praise him for his acts of power;
praise him for his surpassing greatness.

3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise him with the harp and lyre,

4 praise him with tambourine and dancing,
praise him with the strings and flute,

5 praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with resounding cymbals.

6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD.

Holding ones tongue

Proverbs 17: 27-28

27 A man of knowledge uses words with restraint,
and a man of understanding is even-tempered.

28 Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent,
and discerning if he holds his tongue.

Edit: I first published this post with no comments and then thinking further realized what a trick I had played on myself. What, me, wordless? Surely I jest! Yes, I did.

There is something to be said about holding ones tongue though. I'm reminded of how aggravated I get when I try to watch some talk shows and everyone talks at the same time. You can't understand a thing they are saying. Is it found in Proverbs that silence is golden? I've always heard that but never quite get there even when I'm alone. I talk to myself at times like that. :)

From God's little devotion book: " Never pass up a chance to keep your mouth shut."

Soup et al.


Baked Asparagus Recipe

INGREDIENTS
1 bunch fresh asparagus, trimmed
cooking spray
sea salt and coarse ground pepper to taste
2 tablespoons butter browned first
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar

Adjust soy sauce and vinegar to taste as you learn to prepare this dish to your liking.

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Arrange the asparagus on a baking sheet. Coat with cooking spray, and season with sea salt and pepper.

Bake asparagus about 12 minutes in the preheated oven until tender. Watch asparagus very carefully. You want the asparagus to be tender but still have a little crunch.

Melt the butter in a saucepan and brown over medium heat. Remove from heat, and stir in soy sauce and balsamic vinegar. Pour over the baked asparagus to serve.

We are His people

Psalm 100
A psalm. For giving thanks.
1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
2 Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.

3 Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.

5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

We all have expressed how thankful we are of our lives and the many blessing God has bestowed on us. Today I want to tell you how thankful I am for those that visit this blog. Those that are quiet and those that leave me messages. I feel your presence in my life.

I'll need to come back later and add some other thoughts. The girls are wake and you know what that means. :)

4:00 pm More thoughts: The girls are taking a nap. I really had a hard time getting them to go to sleep because I decided that we would go by Wendy's and pick up chicken nuggets to take to my mother’s house and eat lunch with her. We ate lunch and then went to see the chickens. They had no idea those cute little fuzzy feather balls might one day be their supper. I wish I didn't know that either. Anyway, coming back home, which is just three miles away on a country road, Anna went to sleep. Then she decided that was enough so it took me about an hour to get both the girls to sleep. Kimberly, I know you know all about how hard this is. I never remember it being this hard with Brent, but then again, he was my only child and I was at work most of the time.

It's relay for life time weekend here in Thomaston. Terri and Brent are participating and I'm participating by keeping the girls all day instead of the normal half day on Saturday. Thinking about relay for life makes me thankful too that there are so many that can be helped by joining forces to make a difference not only with the money raised, but the support felt and prayers sent up.

Soup et al.

When I lived in Charleston S.C. as a pre-teen I would spend my baby-sitting money on a Shrimp Salad from cafe in our neighborhood. Can you believe a child would do that! We'll to me it was the best ever and I've never forgotten it. I always look for Shrimp Salad recipes that might be like the one I remember and think I've found it. I haven't tried it yet, but when the girls are gone, I'm going to the grocery store, buy shrimp and stuff and see if this is the ONE! Wish me success!

SHRIMP SALAD OR POTATO SALAD

2 1/2-3 lb. boiled, shelled, deveined, chopped shrimp or
8 boiled peeled, med. Irish potatoes, chopped
1 c.green celery, chopped
1 lg. green bell pepper, chopped
1/2 c. canned pimento, chopped
6 hard boiled eggs, chopped
2 tbsp. dried chives
Mayonnaise, salt, black pepper to taste

Do not use salad dressing. Combine shrimp (or potatoes), celery, green pepper, pimento, eggs and chives, salt and pepper; mix well. Add mayonnaise. Gradually, being careful not to use too much, sprinkle top with paprika. Garnish with sliced boiled egg, pickles, or strips of bell pepper, pretty on lettuce leaves.

Credit: Cooks.com

This recipe says either shrimp or potatoes, but I remember both being in the salad, so I'm going to use half and half. Again, I'll let you know.

I can't wait!

+++++++

I'm sure y'all have some of the same funny traditions we have so here's a flamingo for your cyber yard. Feel blessed.

A new heaven and a new earth

2 Peter 3: 10-18

10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.

11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives

12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.

13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.

15 Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.

16 He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.

17 Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position.

18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

It's the middle of the night and I'm awake for who knows what reason. The TV 24/7 news program blasts the problems of the moment and I shake my head. Anna Claire sleeps peaceful in my bed and I find myself weepy over her beauty and innocence. I pick up my bible to continue reading the books of Peter and am reminded again that this earth is not going to continue. I almost want to say duh. The only thing is, God is so good. It's His mercy and goodness that continues forever and I am thankful for that.

Peter asks us to be on guard so we don't follow the wrong path. He asks us to continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I am happy to do that each day, step-by-step, moment-by-moment until God decides it's time for a new heaven and a new earth. In the meantime I'll enjoy this earth and life He has given to me and be thankful for all the blessings in my life.

SESAME SALAD DRESSING

1/2 cup corn syrup
3 tablespoons white distilled vinegar
2 tablespoons pineapple juice
4 teaspoons granulated sugar
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1/4 teaspoon ground mustard
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon paprika
1 dash garlic powder
1 dash ground black pepper
1/2 cup vegetable or canola oil
1/2 teaspoon sesame seeds

This yummy recipe is good over a mixed green salad, throw in some mandarin orange slices, apple, pineapple or avocado depending on your taste of the day. It's also a good rub to use when grilling chicken to use in your salad. The dressing recipe is based on Wendy's Mandarin Chicken Salad dressing. When I make this I open a small can of pineapple slices and use the juice in my dressing recipe and the pineapple in the green salad.

To Him be the power

1 Peter 5: 5-11
5 Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
"God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble."

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Oh what glorious words this morning. To Him be the power forever and ever says it all. No matter what happens to us He is with us, He cares for us, and in the end He will win it all for us. That's how much He loves us!

Again I see we are reminded to keep a watchful eye for the devil. It's funny to me that Peter would talk about the devil being like a lion. Just the other day I was watching a National Geographic program about lions and how really tricky they are. First of all, the lions send out the females to hunt and bring back food, they just walk around roaring and keeping their pride in check. That's about what the devil does too. Most of the time he really doesn't have to do anything. We do it for him. It's just his presence that keeps us doing what he wants us to do. That is why it is so important to keep our eyes, hearts and minds on Jesus Christ. It's true, what you dwell on is what you become.

Enjoy your Saturday!

Sweet Potato fries without frying

Spray or oil a sheet pan. Preheat oven to 400.

Microwave 3 large sweet potatoes for about 4 minutes. They should be just starting to soften but not soft. Let them cool in the freezer for about 10 minutes. Peal them and slice into fries. Put 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour in a flat dish. Add salt and pepper to taste. Dredge the fries in the flour and shake off all excess flour in a net strainer or colander. Place fries on baking dish. Spray with non-stick olive oil or canola oil spray. Bake about half done, turnover fries and re-spray. When they are almost toasty brown, spray them one more time. Serve hot.

I've eaten sweet potato fries all my life. I can remember walking down to Mrs. Jackson's house and she would make me fries to eat with cane syrup. It's good to have memories that anchor you to your heritage.

The goal of your faith

1 Peter 2: 3-12

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you,

5 who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.

7 These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,

9 for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care,

11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.

12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.

This morning’s devotion time was cut short by the cries of Anna Claire who spent the night last night. Oh that precious child and how loving she is. She is at the age where she demands attention and I am happy to give it. On the days that she is here my schedule takes a vacation. I am all hers until I fall on the couch in exhaustion and patiently wait for her mother to come get her.

The house is quiet now. No little screams of delight with each new toy found, pulled out and left on the floor, no pounding of little feet running up and down the hall with sticky fingers tapping the wall all the way, no little head peeking around the corner saying peek-a-boo. What pleasure silence is. :) I already miss her.

Reading the verses over for this morning and getting a second chance at devotion time is also a pleasure and one I miss when it gets interrupted. Some how my day just doesn't feel complete without time alone with God. Words of comfort again from Peter feel good. I don't think there has ever been a time in my life when I didn't have faith in Jesus Christ but can well imagine how hard it might be for some. After all, we are asked to believe in something we can not see.

Maybe about 20 years ago I took a class called Experiencing God. One of the exercises asked us to set aside an entire afternoon to pray. I thought it was going to be an impossible task for me as I had no idea what I would pray about for longer than 30 minutes much less an entire afternoon. When the day came I went upstairs to my room with Bible in hand and spent my afternoon in prayer. I will never forget that afternoon as long as I live. I only wish I had words to describe how close to God I felt and how much I want that same experience for everyone even as angels long to look into these things.

Enjoy your day.

Chicken Pitas
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups chopped cooked chicken breast (about 1 pound)
1/2 cup matchstick-cut carrots
1/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted
1/3 cup light mayonnaise
1/4 cup finely chopped green onions
1/4 cup plain fat-free yogurt
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple in juice, drained
4 (6-inch) whole wheat pitas, each cut in half
8 Romaine lettuce leaves

Preparation
Combine first 11 ingredients in a large bowl, stirring well. Line each pita half with 1 lettuce leaf; fill each half with 1/3 cup chicken mixture.
Yield
4 servings (serving size: 2 stuffed pita halves)

Nutritional Information
CALORIES 471(30% from fat); FAT 15.5g (sat 2.5g,mono 5.4g,poly 6.2g); PROTEIN 36.8g; CHOLESTEROL 82mg; CALCIUM 98mg; SODIUM 776mg; FIBER 7.2g; IRON 3.9mg; CARBOHYDRATE 48.8g


Michele Powers , Cooking Light, MAY 2007 Photo: Lee Harrelson; Styling: Melanie J. Clarke

Making plans

James 4: 13-17

13 Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money."

14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

15 Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."

16 As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil.

17 Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.

Well, it's for sure we don't know what is going to happen tomorrow! Most of the time, even when I try to plan things, it doesn't work out the way I planned it. :)

At first glance these verses read like we shouldn't plan for tomorrow, but not planning wouldn't be a good thing either. It's not the planning that gets us into trouble, but planning without thinking to ask God what we should do. I'm guilty of this in small and big ways. We should place our future in the hands of God in humble reliance on Him because it is from God we receive everything.

This morning I am praising God and thanking Him for my life. I'm thanking Him that even when I make plans without asking Him, He still loves me and corrects me, setting me back on the right path. I'm thanking Him also for forgiving me when I don't do the things I know I should do and then do the things I shouldn't.

Hope you have a great weekend.

Shrimp Fried Rice



Fried rice is an extremely versatile dish that can be made with all kinds of meat, seafood, and vegetables. In this and other fried-rice recipes, the cooked rice must be chilled to prevent its grains from sticking.


To chill, spread the cooked rice on a jelly-roll pan; cover and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight

Ingredients
2 tablespoons fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons rice wine or sake
1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
1 teaspoon dark sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups chopped green onions
1 tablespoon minced peeled fresh ginger
5 cups cooked Long-Grain Rice, chilled
1 pound medium shrimp, cooked, peeled, and coarsely chopped
1 (10-ounce) package frozen green peas, thawed


Preparation
Combine first 6 ingredients in a bowl; set aside.
Heat vegetable oil in a wok or large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add eggs; stir-fry 30 seconds or until soft-scrambled. Add onions and ginger; stir-fry 1 minute. Add rice, shrimp, and peas; stir-fry 3 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Add broth mixture; toss gently to coat.

Yield
6 servings (serving size: 1 1/3 cups)

Nutritional Information
CALORIES 380(19% from fat); FAT 7.9g (sat 1.7g,mono 2.5g,poly 3.1g); PROTEIN 20.8g; CHOLESTEROL 184mg; CALCIUM 83mg; SODIUM 527mg; FIBER 1.7g; IRON 4.8mg; CARBOHYDRATE 53.3g



Nina Simonds , Cooking Light, JANUARY 2001

A Jesus Rock

He is not here, but is risen (Luke 24:6)

This morning and again this afternoon my eyes just filled with tears thinking about the words that came out of Carley Ann's mouth as we were reading one of her little books about bunnies. She said, "Look Memama, that looks like a Jesus rock." When I questioned her she couldn't exactly tell me what she meant, but she said, "You know, when He was in the cave and then He woke up." Now, mind you, she is just 3.3 years old but it blessed my heart to know that she is learning the the true meaning of Easter just like she did with the true meaning of Christmas. I am so thankful for the daycare she attends and her SS class teachers. They really do such a wonderful job with the children. Both of the girls truly amaze me.

So, we talked about Jesus and how He died and how we wear our best clothes to church in His honor and we have Easter baskets of colorul eggs that help us remember the new life Jesus made possible for all of us. Of course she got really excited about the Easter basket part, so after it warmed up a bit we went outside and hid eggs and took pictures with pretty dress on.

We had such a good time and tomorrow we will celebrate Easter. What a joyous time for all of us to hold dear to our hearts, old and young.



Carley Ann getting dressed up to hunt Easter eggs.


Anna Claire used a little blush.


Well, Crocks go with everything!

Bless the LORD

Psalm 103 KJV
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.

7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.

8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.

10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.

16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;

18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

19 The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

20 Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

21 Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.

22 Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.

I love the Psalms and can just get caught up reading them. They bless my soul. I think this is why so many times I turn to the Psalms first before going on to other passages to think about and study. I also love David and the message he has left behind to help the rest of us understand how to love God and how much God loves us. David certainly messed up many times but God loved David and even said David was after His own heart.

As a mother and grandmother I can certainly related to loving someone so much that you feel they have captured your heart and all the things they do you totally forgive and forget because you love them so much. It only takes Anna Claire or Carley Ann one time to hold their arms out to me and I'm mush. I think God feels this way too. David cries out to God, holds his arms out, and God is mush. I'm so thankful that God loves us this much too and we can cry out and hold our arms out to Him anytime. He is as close as the air we breath! Bless the LORD oh my soul and everything that is within me. It is so true that what we send out we will receive many times over. We bless Him; He blesses us. It just can't get any better than that. :)

The girls are still asleep but I'm thinking of crawling back into bed with them so I can watch them wake up. Today is going to be a stormy day, so the weather channel says. Last night they had a tornado in Atlanta but my house is over 100 miles south so we only had high winds. I've had someone working in my yard this week and I hope I don't have tons of limbs down to mess up what they worked so hard on this week. We'll see when the sun comes up.

Yesterday I showed some pictures of my trip to Giverny, France. This was a trip of a lifetime for me as I have always loved the art of Claude Monet and the history of the impressionism movement. The light in France seems so much brighter... strange, huh. Over the next few days I'll put up some more photos and explain myself better. Hope you have a great day.

Green Jello Salad

1 pkg. lemon/lime Jello
1 (8 oz.) cream cheese cut in small pieces
1 lb. can crushed pineapple
1 cup small marshmallos
1 c. chopped pecans
1/2 pt. whipped topping

Dissolve Jello in 1 cup hot water. Add 1 cup juice from pineapple. Mix cream cheese, pineapple, marshmallows and nuts and put into Jello liquid. Put into mold or dish and chill until set. Use the whipped topping on top before serving.

Praise

Psalms 86: 11-13

11 Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.

12 I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.

13 For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.

Beth Moore's Texas Sheet Cake

Grease a sheet cake pan.
Sift:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar

Bring to a boil:
2 sticks butter
1 cup water
4 tbsp. cocoa

Pour over dry mixture and mix in:
2 eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla

Bake at 400 degrees, 20-25 minutes.

Icing
Heat:
1 stick butter
4 tbsp. cocoa
6 tbsp. milk

Add anywhere from 1/2 to 1 box of powdered sugar to acheive desired consistency (Beth prefers close to 1 box) and 1 cup pecans. Spread on cake while it's hot.

Doodling

Callaway Gardens - March 2007

John 8:1-8

1 Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.

2 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.

3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,

4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.

5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?

6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.

7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.

9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?

11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

When I woke this morning and brought my coffee into my sitting room, my Bible fell to this passage. Although I have read it many times and heard many speak on this passage one thing struck me this morning and that is the part where Jesus was making marks in the sand. I suppose it's because I too make marks when I'm thinking or listening, especially if I'm on the phone. The marks I make don't mean anything, they are just doodles. Those marks, however, do serve a purpose for me...otherwise I wouldn't do them. I think they are a means to create space between what is happening and what I might need to do next. Maybe doodling is just visual thinking.

While all the other folks were shouting and running around gathering up stones, Jesus was quiet, thinking first before He spoke or acted. Doodling probably allowed Him thinking and waiting time. I think this is a big lesson for me to learn. Sometimes I need to stop and think before I speak or act. I also think I need to learn that a quick answer to a problem is not always in my best interest. I'll remember this the next time I think I'm not getting an answer to a prayer in the time I think it should take. Maybe God is just listening and doodling giving me space and time to see myself and what I am asking or doing in the interim.



Yesterday afternoon I experienced what I think was another reaction to the medication I'm taking for a weird rash I have across my belly. Since I was dizzy and didn't feel well, I didn't keep the girls and I miss them this morning. I'm feeling better but not up to par or up to keeping up with two energetic girls. Perhaps today is a doodle day.

Maxine's Squash Casserole - A favorite of mine

2 lbs yellow crook neck squash, cooked and drained
1 cup sour cream
1 can cream of chicken soup
2 carrots, coarsely grated
1 small jar pimento diced
1 medium onion chopped
1 package herb dressing mix
2 tablespoons butter

Mix all except dressing mix. Line casserole dish with half of the dry herb dressing mix. Add squash mixture and top with remaining herb dressing mix. Cook at 325 for 30 minutes or until top is light brown.

Again, this is not a low fat/low calorie recipe.

Happy Days

2 Samuel 22 1-4
David's Song of Praise
1 David sang to the LORD the words of this song when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.

2 He said: "The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;

3 my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior—from violent men you save me.

4 I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.

As far as I know I don't have any enemies, at least not the kind that David had. I don't know of anyone that would want to kill me. I probably annoy some folks with my long stories but just a gentle hand across the mouth would stop that. It's the strangest thing about my stories. For some reason, I feel everyone has to know all the details from the very beginning to the very end. Wednesday I was trying to explain why I was so tired from Tuesday and one of the ladies I was talking to said, "Why don't you just say you had a busy day." LOL, for me that just wouldn't tell the story.

God is so good. We are still fighting flu. Anna Claire didn't get to spend the night last night, but Carley Ann did. The doctor started her on some new medicine and she couldn't seem to drift off to sleep last night because of it, I believe. She was jumpy and complained about all kinds of aches and pains on top of the coughing. Sometime after midnight she gave in to sleep but continued to wake most of the night. At 5 I gave her some Motrin and that seemed to help. She's still resting now and it's almost 10. There is something about looking at a sleeping child that makes me all weepy eyed. Of course, I think she is the most beautiful child in the world... along with Anna Claire.

The sun is shinning doing its job. The rain has gone and it's going to be a beautiful day. When Carley Ann wakes we will have fun making breakfast and then paint together if she feels well enough. Grandmothers across the world will envy me. :)

Potato soup

3 cups raw potatoes
2 1/2 cups chicken bouillon
1/3 cup chopped onion
2 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 1/2 cup cream (sometimes I use just milk)
1/2 teaspoon salt
dash of pepper
chopped chives

Cut potatoes into small squares and cook in bouillon along with the onions bouillon until potatoes are done. Cooking time will be just minutes. Rice part of the potatoes if you want a creamer soup and place back into bouillon water. I like my soup chunky so I don't rice. Pour a bit of the bouillon into a small cup and add the flour making a paste. Continue adding more bouillon into the cup until the mix is watery. Add this to your potato bouillon along with adding in the milk and rest of ingredients. Serve with chives on top.

Correction

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 2 Timothy 3:16 KJV

Disney Red Velvet Cheesecake

Red Velvet Crust:
1 box Red Velvet Cake Mix (or white cake mix with red food coloring), prepared according to box directions.

Pour 1/2 of cake mix into a greased 9-inch springform pan and bake according to the directions on the box for a 9-inch layer cake. Use the other half of prepared cake mix to make a small layer to eat later. I like to make a small cake just for the children. You can freeze this to use later if you like.

Reduce baking time so cake will be set but not quite done. Remove from oven and allow cake layer to cool completely in the pan. Set cake aside keeping the cake in the springform pan.

Cheesecake:
16 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp almond extract (I leave the almond extract out and just add more vanilla)
2 large eggs
1/4 cup sour cream
food coloring

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, and extracts until smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time, and then add in sour cream.

Divide mixture into 5 small bowls and add the following colors to each one: pink, yellow, blue, green and purple. Pour or spoon batters onto cake base which is still in the 9-inch springform pan in separate sections on top of the cake base. Take a knife and swirl the batters together. Do not swirl too much, so the colors will be clearly visible.

Bake 35 minutes, until the center is just about set when you jiggle the pan.
Allow cake to cool completely and refrigerate before serving.
Run a knife around the edge of the cake to release it before removing sides of pan.
Serves 12.

A Story

At two and one half granddaughter Carley Ann was in meltdown mode pitching what we call in the south a hissy fit. After all, she had been good all day and it just didn’t seem fair that she would have to be strapped into her car seat one more time after a long day of shopping. All our attempts at pacification were met with more outbusts of tantrum attitude so, as last resort, daughter-in-law Terri pulled over into the next parking lot so we could have a talk with Carley Ann.

Mustering up as much courage and hope I could find, I spoke softly to Carley Ann and told her that she was Memama’s little angel and that angels just didn’t act that way. Angels were special and that made her special I told her along with a few other words about angels and how sweet, helpful and beautiful they were. Much to my amazement, Carly Ann immediately calmed down and repeated to me that she was Memama’s angel.

With a melted heart, I climbed back into the car and we drove home without another outburst. Carley Ann WAS an angel and we didn’t think anymore about it until a few days later when she promptly told a waitress that she was Memama’s little angel. The waitress smiled and said, “yes, I can tell.” Of course my eyes filled with tears of love but more than that was the truth that Carley Ann really did understand that she was special to me, wanted to do what I asked of her, and she was proud to proclaim she was Memama’s angel. I responded back to the waitress with a thank you and let her know that Carley Ann had a sister, Anna Claire, who was also an angel. She just smiled again and said, “oh, you are double blessed.”

Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep my commandments.” This makes following Christ as simple as being a little child who trusts his loving parents and grandparents gladly doing whatever they ask. No wonder Jesus told us to be like little children! I am sure that our obedience to Him makes His heart swell with approval much the same way my heart does as I watch my children and grandchildren grow and learn His ways and make their way in this world.

Wisdom

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 1 Cornithians 2:9

I'm so glad that I can keep learning new things and new ways to do them so I don't have to get stuck in a rut. Today's chicken and dumplings recipe is a new way to make an old favorite. I've always made chicken and dumplings the traditional way and loved them, but this recipe is just as good and a lot quicker plus it adds in veggies.

God doesn't want us to get stuck in a rut either. No matter where we are in our spiritual life or our earthly life, God has so much more in store for us. He wants to give us more wisdom, a deeper walk with Him, a better earthly life, and even things we don't know about. I'm so thankful that he wants to give us more wisdom because sometimes I think my thinker just isn't working. Today I'm praying for that wisdom for family, friends and me that have difficult decisions to make or just general life struggles. We all need more and more wisdom.

Flour Tortilla Chicken & Dumplings

Ingredients
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup pre-chopped onion
2 cups chopped roasted skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1 (10-ounce) box frozen mixed vegetables, thawed
1 1/2 cups water
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 (14-ounce) can fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 bay leaf
8 (6-inch) flour tortillas, cut into 1/2-inch strips
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Preparation
Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion; sauté 5 minutes or until tender. Stir in chicken and vegetables; cook 3 minutes or until thoroughly heated, stirring constantly.
While chicken mixture cooks, combine water, flour, and broth. Gradually stir broth mixture into chicken mixture. Stir in salt, pepper, and bay leaf; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 3 minutes. Stir in tortilla strips, and cook 2 minutes or until tortilla strips soften. Remove from heat; stir in parsley. Discard bay leaf. Serve immediately.
Yield
4 servings (serving size: about 1 1/2 cups)
Nutritional Information
CALORIES 366(23% from fat); FAT 9.3g (sat 3.1g,mono 3.9g,poly 1.4g); PROTEIN 29.8g; CHOLESTEROL 67mg; CALCIUM 104mg; SODIUM 652mg; FIBER 5.3g; IRON 3.4mg; CARBOHYDRATE 40.3g
Melanie Barnard , Cooking Light, NOVEMBER 2005

Basic Quiche - Keeping it simple

As a man thinks in his heart, so is he (Proverbs 23:7)



Basic Quiche

1 (9") baked pie shell
1/2-1 c. (2-4 oz.) shredded cheese (assorted cheeses are good)
1/2-1 c. (2-4 oz.) chopped, drained, cooked vegetables, meats, seafood or poultry or whatever extra filler types you might like cottage cheese or maybe a mixture of any of these.
6 eggs
1 c. milk (2% works fine)
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. herb or other types of seasonings can be added

Sprinkle cheese and your choice of filler into pre-made baked pie shell that has been pricked with a fork. Beat together remaining ingredients until well blended. Pour over cheese and your choice of filling mixture. Bake at 375 degrees in preheated oven until knife inserted near the center comes out clean, about 30 to 40 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Using this basic recipe you can make any variety of cheese and meat quiches. Try using sun-dried tomatoes, broccoli, squash, or shrimp to make your very own specialty quiche, or just keep it basic. My very favorite is just ham and cheese quiche. Poultry seasoning also adds in a little sage twist that is nice at times. I like to chop up my left over ham from Christmas dinner and put into small freezer bags that I can pull out a moments notice to use to make a quiche if I have unexpected company and need just a little something quick and warm from the oven to share over a cup of coffee while we talk.

You can find all kinds of quiche recipes in many cook books that add in different herbs to change the flavor of the cheese and eggs, but sometimes I think it's great just to keep things simple and tasting the way they are supposed to taste. Nothing wrong with the taste of cheese and eggs!

Last night Carley Ann and Anna Claire spent the night with me and we had a blast spending special time together. I've gotten so I really look forward to our Friday night and Saturday morning activities even though I have to admit I'm exhausted when Terri comes to get them at lunchtime. This week we continued to learn how to cut up paper. Carley Ann is fascinated with how scissors work and of course Anna Claire is trying so hard to do everything Carley Ann does. Anna Claire's hands can't handle the scissors just yet, but she's a master at tearing paper and throwing it on the floor. We cut up and tore paper into small shapes and then glued those shapes on to a color book image of a fairy making her have the most wonderful dress.

Watching Anna Claire and Carley Ann play and learn new things makes me think about how God must look at us. I know he sees us struggle and wants to help, but at the same time God knows he needs to pull back and let us learn our lessons so we will be fully equipped with the knowledge we need to learn even bigger and harder things. I see the frustration in Anna Claire's eyes when she can't manage the scissors like she wants, but I also see that she looks to me to help her do things she can do and is happy with that. Carley Ann can only make straight line cuts, but soon she will be using the scissors following curving lines and making them cut where she wants them to.

It's the same with us as Christians. We look to God for help when we get frustrated and He steps in to help us with solutions when the time is right, or sometimes He just waits for us to find the answer knowing it's all in the growing. It's important that we know where to find the help we need and we keep our eyes and hearts focused on Him so we can continue to grow as God teaches us starting out simple and adding in new or more difficult things later.

Enjoy the quiche. Start simple and add in new or more difficult things later. :)

Over the rainbow - Macaroni and Cheese

2 Samuel 17:27-29 When David came to Mahanaim, Shobi son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, and Makir son of Ammiel from Lo Debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim 28 brought bedding and bowls and articles of pottery. They also brought wheat and barley, flour and roasted grain, beans and lentils, 29 honey and curds, sheep, and cheese from cows' milk for David and his people to eat. For they said, "The people have become hungry and tired and thirsty in the desert."

This recipe is from Patti LaBelle and it's not one of her low fat ones so be careful. :) I got this from an old Oprah show several years ago, made it and immediately added it to my favorite recipe collection. It's worth the trouble of gathering up the different cheeses, but if you don't have exactly the cheeses listed, don't worry, yours will still come out right. Just keep the quantities the same and sub a different cheese or even use one of those premixed cheese selections in the bag. You'll love it, and evidently David and his people enjoyed cheese too. The only thing about it is I bet they had to work extra hard to make the cheese where we just run out to the grocery store. I bet they didn't make Velveeta, LOL. Have a great Saturday.

INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 pound elbow macaroni
8 tablespoons (1 stick) plus 1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded Muenster cheese
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded mild Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack
2 cups half-and-half
1 cup (8 ounces) Velveeta, cut into small cubes
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly butter a deep 2 1/2-quart casserole.

Bring the large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the oil, then the elbow macaroni, and cook until the macaroni is just tender, about 7 minutes. Do not overcook. Drain well. Return to the cooking pot.

In a small saucepan, melt eight tablespoons of the butter. Stir into the macaroni. In a large bowl, mix the Muenster, mild and sharp Cheddar, and Monterey Jack cheeses. To the macaroni, add the half-and-half, 1 1/2 cups of the shredded cheese, the cubed Velveeta, and the eggs. Add salt and pepper and transfer to the buttered casserole. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheese and dot with the remaining one tablespoon of butter.

Bake until it's bubbling around the edges, about 35 minutes. Serve hot.