'Whatever you give a woman, she's going to multiply.
If you give her a house, she'll give you a home.
If you give her groceries, she'll give you a meal.
If you give her a smile, she'll give you her heart.
She multiplies and enlarges what is given to her.'
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
Hairbrush Experience ~Jodi
For those of you who do not know Beth Moore, she is an outstanding speaker and
Bible teacher, and the author of several excellent Bible studies. She and her
husband of a number of years live in Texas and have two grown daughters.
This is one of her experiences:
April 20, 2005, at the Airport in Knoxville , waiting to board the plane, I
had the Bible on my lap and was very intent upon what I was doing. I'd had a
marvelous morning with the Lord. I say this because I want to tell you it is a
scary thing to have the Spirit of God really working in you. You could end up
doing some things you never would have done otherwise. Life in the Spirit can be
dangerous for a thousand reasons not the least of which is your ego.
I tr ied to keep from staring, but he was such a strange sight. Humped over in
a wheelchair, he was skin and bones, dressed in clothes that obviously fit when
he was at least twenty pounds heavier. His knees protruded from his trousers,
and his shoulders looked like the coat hanger was still in his shirt. His hands
looked like tangled masses of veins and bones.
The strangest part of him was his hair and nails. Stringy, gray hair hung well
over his shoulders and down part of his back. His fingernails were long, clean
but strangely out of place on an old man.
I looked down at my Bible as fast as I could, discomfort burning my face. As I
tried to imagine what his story might have been, I found myself wondering if
I'd just had a Howard Hughes sighting. Then, I remembered that he was dead.
So this man in the airport....an impersonator maybe? Was a camera on us
somewhere? There I sat; trying to concen trate on the Word to keep from being
concerned about a thin slice
of humanity served on a wheelchair only a few seats from me. All the while, my
heart was growing more and more overwhelmed with a feeling for him.
Let's admit it. Curiosity is a heap more comfortable than true concern,
and suddenly I was awash with aching emotion for this bizarre-looking old man.
I had walked with God long enough to see the handwriting on the wall.
I've learned that when I begin to feel what God feels, something so contrary
to my natural feelings, something dramatic is bound to happen. And it may be
embarrassing.
I immediately began to resist because I could feel God working on my spirit
and I started arguing with God in my mind. "Oh, no, God, please, no."
I looked up at the ceiling as if I could stare straight through it into heaven
and said, "Don't make me witness to this man. Not right here and now.
Please. I'll do anything. Put me on the same plane, but don't make me
get up here and witness to this man in front of this gawking audience. Please, Lord!"
There I sat in the blue vinyl chair begging His Highness, "Please
don't make me witness to this man. Not now. I'll do it on the
plane." Then I heard it... "I don't want you to witness to him.
I want you to brush his hair."
The words were so clear, my heart leapt into my throat, and my thoughts spun
like a top. Do I witness to the man or brush his hair? No-brainier. I looked
straight back up at the ceiling and said, "God, as I live and breathe, I
want you to know I am ready to witness to this man. I'm on this Lord.
I'm your girl! You've never seen a woman witness to a
man faster in your life. What difference does it make if his hair is a mess if
he is not redeemed? I am going to witness to this man."
Again as clearly as I've ever heard an audible word, God seemed to write
this statement across the wall of my mind. "That is not what I said,=2
0Beth. I don't want you to witness to him. I want you to go brush his
hair."
I looked up at God and quipped, "I don't have a hairbrush. It's
in my suitcase on the plane. How am I supposed to brush his hair without a
hairbrush?" God was so insistent that I almost involuntarily began to walk
toward him as these thoughts came to me from God's word: "I will
thoroughly furnish you unto all good works." (2 Timothy 3:17)
I stumbled over to the wheelchair thinking I could use one myself. Even as I
retell this story, my pulse quickens and I feel those same butterflies. I knelt
down in front of the man and asked as demurely as possible, "Sir, may I
have the pleasure of brushing your hair?"
He looked back at me and said, "What did you say?"
"May I have the pleasure of brushing your hair?"
To which he responded in volume ten, "Little lady, if you expect me to
hear you, you're going to have to talk louder than that."
At this point, I took a deep breath and blurted out, "SIR , MAY I HAVE
THE PLEASURE OF BRUSHING YOUR HAIR?"
At which point every eye in the place darted right at me. I was the only thing
in the room looking more peculiar than old Mr. Longlocks. Face crimson and
forehead breaking out in a sweat, I watched him look up at me with absolute
shock on his face, and say, "If you really want to."
Are you kidding? Of course I didn't want to. But God didn't seem
interested in my personal preference right about then. He pressed on my heart
until I could utter the words, "Yes, sir, I would be pleased. But I have
one little problem. I don't have a hairbrush." "I have one in my
bag, "he responded.
I went around to the back of that wheelchair, and I got on my hands and knees
and unzipped the stranger's old carry-on, hardly believing what I was doing.
I stood up and started brushing the old man's hair. It was perfectly clean,
but it was tangled and matted. I don't do many things well, but20must admit
I've had notable experience untangling knotted hair mothering two little
girls. Like I'd done with either Amanda or Melissa in such a condition, I
began brushing at the very bottom of the strands, remembering to take my time not to pull.
A miraculous thing happened to me as I started brushing that old man's
hair. Everybody else in the room disappeared. There was no one alive for those
moments except that old man and me. I brushed and I brushed and I brushed until
every tangle was out of that hair I know this sounds so strange, but I've never
felt that kind of love for another soul in my
entire life. I believe with all my heart, I - for that few minutes - felt a
portion of the very love of God. That He had overtaken my heart for a little
while like someone renting a room and making Himself at home for a short while.
The emotions were so strong and so pure that I knew they had to be God's.
His hair was finally as soft and smooth as an infant's. I slipped the brush
back in the bag and went around the chair to face him. I got back down on my
knees, put my hands on his knees and said, "Sir, do you know my
Jesus?"
He said, "Yes, I do." Well, that figures, I thought.
He explained, "I've known Him since I married my bride. She
wouldn't marry me until I got to know the Savior." He said, "You
see, the problem is, I haven't seen my bride in months. I've had
open-heart surgery, and she's been too ill to come see me. I was sitting
here thinking to myself, what a mess I must be for my bride."
Only God knows how often He allows us to be part of a divine moment when
we're completely unaware of the significance. This, on the other hand, was
one of those rare encounters when I knew God had intervened in details only He
could have known. It was a God moment, and I'll neverforget it.
Our time came to board, and we were not on the same plane. I was
deeply ashamed of how I'd acted earlier and would have been so proud to have
accompanied him on that aircraft.
I still had a few minutes, and as I gathered my things to board, the airline
hostess returned from the corridor, tears streaming down her cheeks. She said,
"That old man's sitting on the plane, sobbing. Why did you do that? Wh
at made you do that?"
I said, "Do you know Jesus? He can be the bossiest thing!"
And we got to share.
I learned something about God that day. He knows if you're exhausted,
you're hungry, you're serving in the wrong place or it is time to move
on but you feel too responsible to budge. He knows if you're hurting or
feeling rejected. He knows if you're sick or drowning under a wave of
temptation. Or He knows if you just need your hair brushed. He sees you
as an individual. Tell Him your need!
I got on my own flight, sobs choking my throat, wondering how many
opportunities just like that one had I missed along the way. . . all because I
didn't want people to think I was strange. God didn't send me to that
old man. He sent that old man to me.
John 1:14 "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We Have
seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of
grace and truth."
Life shouldn't be a
journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and
well-preserved body, but rather, to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up,
totally worn out, and loudly shouting, "Wow! What a ride! Thank You,
Lord!"
Don't tell God how big your troubles are - tell your troubles HOW BIG your
GOD is!
Bible teacher, and the author of several excellent Bible studies. She and her
husband of a number of years live in Texas and have two grown daughters.
This is one of her experiences:
April 20, 2005, at the Airport in Knoxville , waiting to board the plane, I
had the Bible on my lap and was very intent upon what I was doing. I'd had a
marvelous morning with the Lord. I say this because I want to tell you it is a
scary thing to have the Spirit of God really working in you. You could end up
doing some things you never would have done otherwise. Life in the Spirit can be
dangerous for a thousand reasons not the least of which is your ego.
I tr ied to keep from staring, but he was such a strange sight. Humped over in
a wheelchair, he was skin and bones, dressed in clothes that obviously fit when
he was at least twenty pounds heavier. His knees protruded from his trousers,
and his shoulders looked like the coat hanger was still in his shirt. His hands
looked like tangled masses of veins and bones.
The strangest part of him was his hair and nails. Stringy, gray hair hung well
over his shoulders and down part of his back. His fingernails were long, clean
but strangely out of place on an old man.
I looked down at my Bible as fast as I could, discomfort burning my face. As I
tried to imagine what his story might have been, I found myself wondering if
I'd just had a Howard Hughes sighting. Then, I remembered that he was dead.
So this man in the airport....an impersonator maybe? Was a camera on us
somewhere? There I sat; trying to concen trate on the Word to keep from being
concerned about a thin slice
of humanity served on a wheelchair only a few seats from me. All the while, my
heart was growing more and more overwhelmed with a feeling for him.
Let's admit it. Curiosity is a heap more comfortable than true concern,
and suddenly I was awash with aching emotion for this bizarre-looking old man.
I had walked with God long enough to see the handwriting on the wall.
I've learned that when I begin to feel what God feels, something so contrary
to my natural feelings, something dramatic is bound to happen. And it may be
embarrassing.
I immediately began to resist because I could feel God working on my spirit
and I started arguing with God in my mind. "Oh, no, God, please, no."
I looked up at the ceiling as if I could stare straight through it into heaven
and said, "Don't make me witness to this man. Not right here and now.
Please. I'll do anything. Put me on the same plane, but don't make me
get up here and witness to this man in front of this gawking audience. Please, Lord!"
There I sat in the blue vinyl chair begging His Highness, "Please
don't make me witness to this man. Not now. I'll do it on the
plane." Then I heard it... "I don't want you to witness to him.
I want you to brush his hair."
The words were so clear, my heart leapt into my throat, and my thoughts spun
like a top. Do I witness to the man or brush his hair? No-brainier. I looked
straight back up at the ceiling and said, "God, as I live and breathe, I
want you to know I am ready to witness to this man. I'm on this Lord.
I'm your girl! You've never seen a woman witness to a
man faster in your life. What difference does it make if his hair is a mess if
he is not redeemed? I am going to witness to this man."
Again as clearly as I've ever heard an audible word, God seemed to write
this statement across the wall of my mind. "That is not what I said,=2
0Beth. I don't want you to witness to him. I want you to go brush his
hair."
I looked up at God and quipped, "I don't have a hairbrush. It's
in my suitcase on the plane. How am I supposed to brush his hair without a
hairbrush?" God was so insistent that I almost involuntarily began to walk
toward him as these thoughts came to me from God's word: "I will
thoroughly furnish you unto all good works." (2 Timothy 3:17)
I stumbled over to the wheelchair thinking I could use one myself. Even as I
retell this story, my pulse quickens and I feel those same butterflies. I knelt
down in front of the man and asked as demurely as possible, "Sir, may I
have the pleasure of brushing your hair?"
He looked back at me and said, "What did you say?"
"May I have the pleasure of brushing your hair?"
To which he responded in volume ten, "Little lady, if you expect me to
hear you, you're going to have to talk louder than that."
At this point, I took a deep breath and blurted out, "SIR , MAY I HAVE
THE PLEASURE OF BRUSHING YOUR HAIR?"
At which point every eye in the place darted right at me. I was the only thing
in the room looking more peculiar than old Mr. Longlocks. Face crimson and
forehead breaking out in a sweat, I watched him look up at me with absolute
shock on his face, and say, "If you really want to."
Are you kidding? Of course I didn't want to. But God didn't seem
interested in my personal preference right about then. He pressed on my heart
until I could utter the words, "Yes, sir, I would be pleased. But I have
one little problem. I don't have a hairbrush." "I have one in my
bag, "he responded.
I went around to the back of that wheelchair, and I got on my hands and knees
and unzipped the stranger's old carry-on, hardly believing what I was doing.
I stood up and started brushing the old man's hair. It was perfectly clean,
but it was tangled and matted. I don't do many things well, but20must admit
I've had notable experience untangling knotted hair mothering two little
girls. Like I'd done with either Amanda or Melissa in such a condition, I
began brushing at the very bottom of the strands, remembering to take my time not to pull.
A miraculous thing happened to me as I started brushing that old man's
hair. Everybody else in the room disappeared. There was no one alive for those
moments except that old man and me. I brushed and I brushed and I brushed until
every tangle was out of that hair I know this sounds so strange, but I've never
felt that kind of love for another soul in my
entire life. I believe with all my heart, I - for that few minutes - felt a
portion of the very love of God. That He had overtaken my heart for a little
while like someone renting a room and making Himself at home for a short while.
The emotions were so strong and so pure that I knew they had to be God's.
His hair was finally as soft and smooth as an infant's. I slipped the brush
back in the bag and went around the chair to face him. I got back down on my
knees, put my hands on his knees and said, "Sir, do you know my
Jesus?"
He said, "Yes, I do." Well, that figures, I thought.
He explained, "I've known Him since I married my bride. She
wouldn't marry me until I got to know the Savior." He said, "You
see, the problem is, I haven't seen my bride in months. I've had
open-heart surgery, and she's been too ill to come see me. I was sitting
here thinking to myself, what a mess I must be for my bride."
Only God knows how often He allows us to be part of a divine moment when
we're completely unaware of the significance. This, on the other hand, was
one of those rare encounters when I knew God had intervened in details only He
could have known. It was a God moment, and I'll neverforget it.
Our time came to board, and we were not on the same plane. I was
deeply ashamed of how I'd acted earlier and would have been so proud to have
accompanied him on that aircraft.
I still had a few minutes, and as I gathered my things to board, the airline
hostess returned from the corridor, tears streaming down her cheeks. She said,
"That old man's sitting on the plane, sobbing. Why did you do that? Wh
at made you do that?"
I said, "Do you know Jesus? He can be the bossiest thing!"
And we got to share.
I learned something about God that day. He knows if you're exhausted,
you're hungry, you're serving in the wrong place or it is time to move
on but you feel too responsible to budge. He knows if you're hurting or
feeling rejected. He knows if you're sick or drowning under a wave of
temptation. Or He knows if you just need your hair brushed. He sees you
as an individual. Tell Him your need!
I got on my own flight, sobs choking my throat, wondering how many
opportunities just like that one had I missed along the way. . . all because I
didn't want people to think I was strange. God didn't send me to that
old man. He sent that old man to me.
John 1:14 "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We Have
seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of
grace and truth."
Life shouldn't be a
journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and
well-preserved body, but rather, to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up,
totally worn out, and loudly shouting, "Wow! What a ride! Thank You,
Lord!"
Don't tell God how big your troubles are - tell your troubles HOW BIG your
GOD is!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Our Daily Walk ~ Norma
Our daily walk with Jesus is about the journey and not just the destination.
Recently I have felt like I am crawling and not walking and certainly not running as Paul so
aptly likened called our journey to a race. I see Christians in every phase of their journey
going through a major trial/test of one kind or another. My prayer time is
spent in praying for physical healing and emotional restoration for those I love.
We have been studying on Psalm 91 for several weeks on Wednesday evening and in light of
the turmoil in our lives in the natural I know Pastor is RIGHT on track with his teaching.
I am learning that God has provided protection for us no matter what trial/test pops
up in my life. It is not so much the trial/test as to how I react to them. My response, I believe can extend the situation or bring about a testimony of God's power in my life.
I often think HOW would I react to these trials/tests, IF I did not have a personal relationship
with Jesus? I only need to look at a world spinning out of control on most every level in the natural and
see how those who do not know Jesus react to what they hear and see on a daily basis.
So whether you are crawling, walking, or running in this journey of life, "KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS".
Paul said those who finish the race are the victors, so I will see you at the finish line.
Recently I have felt like I am crawling and not walking and certainly not running as Paul so
aptly likened called our journey to a race. I see Christians in every phase of their journey
going through a major trial/test of one kind or another. My prayer time is
spent in praying for physical healing and emotional restoration for those I love.
We have been studying on Psalm 91 for several weeks on Wednesday evening and in light of
the turmoil in our lives in the natural I know Pastor is RIGHT on track with his teaching.
I am learning that God has provided protection for us no matter what trial/test pops
up in my life. It is not so much the trial/test as to how I react to them. My response, I believe can extend the situation or bring about a testimony of God's power in my life.
I often think HOW would I react to these trials/tests, IF I did not have a personal relationship
with Jesus? I only need to look at a world spinning out of control on most every level in the natural and
see how those who do not know Jesus react to what they hear and see on a daily basis.
So whether you are crawling, walking, or running in this journey of life, "KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS".
Paul said those who finish the race are the victors, so I will see you at the finish line.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
My Top 10 ~ Norma
No Matter Who Wins the Election all of this will still hold true ...
1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost.
ISN'T IT GREAT TO KNOW WHO IS STILL AND ALWAYS IN CONTROL ... AMEN !!
1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost.
ISN'T IT GREAT TO KNOW WHO IS STILL AND ALWAYS IN CONTROL ... AMEN !!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Our Father's GPS!! ~Cheryl
A couple of years ago we purchased a GPS system. We had flown to California & rented a car that had one. It was such a help to us to find the directions we needed, and also to find the shopping & eating places we wanted to find. So…when we returned, we just had to have one!
I was thinking about that just today and it occurred to me how that we sometimes have no idea what direction we are headed in life. We don’t know which way to turn next, we don’t know how to find the place we are desiring to go! But then I thought,….. thank God that He has not left us to wander around aimlessly! He has given us our own personal GPS system, which is His Word and His precious Holy Spirit on the inside of us!!!
We all find times in our life that we just don’t know what to do next! What do we do about our marriages, our children, our career, or our finances. Let me encourage you today! God has directions for you! Get into the Word of God daily! Learn to be aware of His wonderful presence & direction by His Holy Spirit.
He so much wants to lead us in the right direction! Following Him will always lead us into blessings!!!
I was thinking about that just today and it occurred to me how that we sometimes have no idea what direction we are headed in life. We don’t know which way to turn next, we don’t know how to find the place we are desiring to go! But then I thought,….. thank God that He has not left us to wander around aimlessly! He has given us our own personal GPS system, which is His Word and His precious Holy Spirit on the inside of us!!!
We all find times in our life that we just don’t know what to do next! What do we do about our marriages, our children, our career, or our finances. Let me encourage you today! God has directions for you! Get into the Word of God daily! Learn to be aware of His wonderful presence & direction by His Holy Spirit.
He so much wants to lead us in the right direction! Following Him will always lead us into blessings!!!
Friday, September 5, 2008
Family Matters
Communication is a skill to be learned and practiced. It is a vital component of every relationship, especially marriage.
Prov. 15:1 says, "A soft answer turns away wrath; But a grievous word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise utters knowledge aright; But the mouth of fools pours out folly"
Have you ever just said the wrong thing at the wrong time? Or tried to say something & it just didn’t come across to the other person like you wanted it to?
If that is the case then the question is, how do we communicate effectively? Those who do research on such things as relationships and communication, tell us that a message is communicated in three ways:
1. Content measures about 7% of the total communication. The actual words of the message make up less than 10% of what we say.
2. The tone of voice measures 38% of total communication. Notice that the way we say things, i.e. tone of voice, has almost five times the impact of the actual words. One statement may be given a completely different meaning simply by changing the tone of voice.
3. Non-verbal communication is about 55% of the total communication. By far, the most important part of communication is what we call "body language." Facial expressions, hands on the hips, a cocked head give a different meaning to the actual content of the message.
It is most important that all three components match.
Suppose the message is "I love you" but the eyes are looking at the ceiling, the shoulders are slumped and the voice trails off. The content ("I love you") is fine but the overall communication says something else. If all three match, people will not only understand but will also believe what they hear us say.
Good communications skills have to be learned, so let me encourage you to study the various levels of communication and think about how you can communicate better with your spouse or loved ones.
Prov. 15:1 says, "A soft answer turns away wrath; But a grievous word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise utters knowledge aright; But the mouth of fools pours out folly"
Have you ever just said the wrong thing at the wrong time? Or tried to say something & it just didn’t come across to the other person like you wanted it to?
If that is the case then the question is, how do we communicate effectively? Those who do research on such things as relationships and communication, tell us that a message is communicated in three ways:
1. Content measures about 7% of the total communication. The actual words of the message make up less than 10% of what we say.
2. The tone of voice measures 38% of total communication. Notice that the way we say things, i.e. tone of voice, has almost five times the impact of the actual words. One statement may be given a completely different meaning simply by changing the tone of voice.
3. Non-verbal communication is about 55% of the total communication. By far, the most important part of communication is what we call "body language." Facial expressions, hands on the hips, a cocked head give a different meaning to the actual content of the message.
It is most important that all three components match.
Suppose the message is "I love you" but the eyes are looking at the ceiling, the shoulders are slumped and the voice trails off. The content ("I love you") is fine but the overall communication says something else. If all three match, people will not only understand but will also believe what they hear us say.
Good communications skills have to be learned, so let me encourage you to study the various levels of communication and think about how you can communicate better with your spouse or loved ones.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Chicken Pot Pie Recipe
Jodi Cox fixed this yummy Chicken Pot Pie recipe for our Pastors after Pastor Cheryl's surgery and they LOVED it, so.... I thought I'd share it with you ladies:
Jodi's Chicken Pot Pie
1 10 3/4 oz. can chicken broth
1 1/3 cups water, divided
1 16 oz. bag frozen veggies
1 medium chopped onion
1/3 cup butter
1/3 cup flour
1 refrigerated piecrust
2 1/2 cups chopped cooked chicken
Combine broth & 1 cup water in medium saucepan. Bring to a boil & add frozen veggies. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a large skillet, melt butter. Add onions & saute until softened. Stir in broth mixture. Whisk remaining water into the flour until smooth. Whisk into vegetable mixture. Bring to a boil. Stir chicken into vegetable mixture & transfer to the a baking dish. Place crust over filling. Bake about 20 minutes.
Thanks Jodi!!
~AMY
Jodi's Chicken Pot Pie
1 10 3/4 oz. can chicken broth
1 1/3 cups water, divided
1 16 oz. bag frozen veggies
1 medium chopped onion
1/3 cup butter
1/3 cup flour
1 refrigerated piecrust
2 1/2 cups chopped cooked chicken
Combine broth & 1 cup water in medium saucepan. Bring to a boil & add frozen veggies. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a large skillet, melt butter. Add onions & saute until softened. Stir in broth mixture. Whisk remaining water into the flour until smooth. Whisk into vegetable mixture. Bring to a boil. Stir chicken into vegetable mixture & transfer to the a baking dish. Place crust over filling. Bake about 20 minutes.
Thanks Jodi!!
~AMY
Word for the Day
Read: Matthew 25: 14-30
Like in this story, we shouldn’t bury our talent. God has gifted each one of us with a particular talent. We need to use it for the benefit of the kingdom of God, so it will bless and encourage others. By allowing our talents to be utilized, not only can we have a big impact on someone else’s life, but we can also be blessed ourselves. We find great fulfilment in what we do. And we should do, for we were born for it.
Our lives shouldn’t just consist of work, sleep and the menial tasks of everyday life. We need to use the talents God has given us to make a difference in our world. Even if it’s some quirky gift we think no one would be interested in, we need to find ways in which we can use it.
As we use the talents God has given us, He brings increase. Just like the two others in this story, who went off and used the talents that were given to them, God brought increase. In both cases it was doubled. God will use us in far more ways than we ever dreamed of, and expand our borders so many people can be blessed as a result.
May we not be like the one that did nothing with the talent given him - only to hide it. Whatever it is that God has blessed you with, consider using it to glorify God. After all, He created you to be used in this way.
By M.S.Lowndes
Like in this story, we shouldn’t bury our talent. God has gifted each one of us with a particular talent. We need to use it for the benefit of the kingdom of God, so it will bless and encourage others. By allowing our talents to be utilized, not only can we have a big impact on someone else’s life, but we can also be blessed ourselves. We find great fulfilment in what we do. And we should do, for we were born for it.
Our lives shouldn’t just consist of work, sleep and the menial tasks of everyday life. We need to use the talents God has given us to make a difference in our world. Even if it’s some quirky gift we think no one would be interested in, we need to find ways in which we can use it.
As we use the talents God has given us, He brings increase. Just like the two others in this story, who went off and used the talents that were given to them, God brought increase. In both cases it was doubled. God will use us in far more ways than we ever dreamed of, and expand our borders so many people can be blessed as a result.
May we not be like the one that did nothing with the talent given him - only to hide it. Whatever it is that God has blessed you with, consider using it to glorify God. After all, He created you to be used in this way.
By M.S.Lowndes
PUMPKIN -APPLE BREAD
I personally haven't made this one yet, but it sounds great for Fall!
PUMPKIN - APPLE BREAD
Ingredients:
2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 large egg
1 cup low-fat buttermilk
1 apple, peeled, cored and grated
1/2 cup canned pumpkin pureee
1 teaspoon of confectioner's ugar
1 - Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, spray a 9X5 inch loaf pan with non-stick spray
2 - In a large bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and pumpkin pie spice. In a small bowl, beat the egg; add the buttermilk, apple and pumpkin. Pour over the flour mix; stir until just blended (do not overmix.)
3 - Spoon into the pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean..... 1 to 1 1/4 hours
4 - Cool in the pan on a rack for 10 minutes, remove from the pan and cool completely on the rack. Dust with the confectioner's sugar.
PUMPKIN - APPLE BREAD
Ingredients:
2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 large egg
1 cup low-fat buttermilk
1 apple, peeled, cored and grated
1/2 cup canned pumpkin pureee
1 teaspoon of confectioner's ugar
1 - Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, spray a 9X5 inch loaf pan with non-stick spray
2 - In a large bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and pumpkin pie spice. In a small bowl, beat the egg; add the buttermilk, apple and pumpkin. Pour over the flour mix; stir until just blended (do not overmix.)
3 - Spoon into the pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean..... 1 to 1 1/4 hours
4 - Cool in the pan on a rack for 10 minutes, remove from the pan and cool completely on the rack. Dust with the confectioner's sugar.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
