In Christ Alone

Matthew 7:13, "Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide [is] the gate, and broad [is] the way,

that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way,

which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing,

but inwardly they are ravening wolves. "

I definitely need some motivation today.  My family and I spent at least 9 hours traveling yesterday and it makes for an exhausting next day.  I don't know about you, but music can be very motivating.  It can lift you up or it can bring you down.  It can be used for worship, but also appeal to the flesh.  I need spiritual and physical motivation today.  I feel tired and spent. That is why I chose "In Christ Alone" today to play.  It speaks to my heart and reminds me that there is no other that can meet our needs and our salvation.

I chose the verse above to go with this song.  Many false doctrines out there in this day and age have distracted people from hearing the truth and put an emphasis on self-reliance when we need to rely more on God to full-fill our needs.  Do you purposefully go to the Bible to see if what you believe lines up to your church's doctrine?  Do you go to the Bible for your daily bread?

Today I need the Holy Spirit to guide me.  When I am tired, I find myself the weakest.  I hope you enjoy this song.  It's one of my favorites that was introduced to my by my niece.   Just close your eyes and listen.  Make it a prayer of thankfulness to God.

In Christ alone, my hope is found

He is my light, my strength, my song

This cornerstone, this solid ground

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease

My comforter, my all-in-all

Here in the love of Christ I stand

There in the ground His body lay

Light of the world by darkness slain

Then bursting forth in glorious day

Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory

Sin's curse has lost its grip on me

For I am His and He is mine

Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death

This is the power of Christ in me

From life's first cry to final breath

Jesus commands my destiny


No power of hell, no scheme of man

Can ever pluck me from His hand

Till He returns or calls me home

Here in the power of Christ I'll stand
Till He returns or calls me home

Here in the power of Christ I'll stand
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand

Thursday's Quest

Still waiting for my Quest Questions to get harder?
Don't worry, they will.
Just not yet.  I am enjoying the review!
 

1.) On Day One, what did God do?
       Made dry land appear
       Divided the waters under the firmament
       Divided the light from the darkness
       Gathered together the waters into seas

2.) On what day of creation did God create man?
       First
       Fourth
       Fifth
       Sixth

3.) What did God use to create Adam?
       Clay
       Dust
       Ashes
       Mire

4.) Who named the animals?
       God
       Adam
       Eve
       Noah

Smart Savings: Homemade Yogurt

I cringe when I start looking at all the flavored yogurts and how much sugar they have in one small container!  Did you know that almost 4 grams of sugar equals 1 tsp sugar? That means most yogurts have at least 3-4 teaspoons sugar per serving!  Since we have had our first son, yogurt has been a staple in our home.  My son has probably had it everyday since I can remember.  In fact, we are so blessed because he doesn't mind eating plain yogurt. {gross I know!} At least he likes it!

Recently though our number 2 son has been eating yogurt and we go through a bunch of it during the week!  When I was home visiting my family a month ago, my mother was making her own yogurt.  I thought, "hmmm that is interesting.  Do I dare try it?"  Well, I decided to.  The cost of making your yogurt is significant!  One carton yogurt is anywhere between $2.50 to $3.00.  For approximately +/-$5, one can make about +1 gallon yogurt.  Yes, I realize that is a lot of yogurt, we cut the recipe in half.  But for those that love smoothies, this is a great savings.

What does it cost?

The cost of milk:  approximate $3.60 depending on where you live.

Knox Gelatin {clear/plain}{cheap}

8 oz of start up yogurt

I half my recipe so for me it is the cost of 1/2 gallon of milk,

gelatin and start up yogurt

The recipe will make approximately more

then the amount of milk you started with.

What items do you need:

Stainless Steel pan

Glass bowl

Plastic Spoon

Temperature gauge

{recommend instant read thermometer}

sterilized glass jars and lids to store in

{washed in hot dishwasher or boiled before use}

How long does it last?

I will last about 1-2 weeks in the refrigerator.

Additional Uses:

Smoothies:  Freeze your fruit.

Use about the same amount of yogurt as you do frozen fruit. 

Add to your blender a dash of almond flavoring,

and sweetener {sugar, truvia or honey}.  Yum!

• Substitute yogurt in place of sour cream.
  This will cut your calories.

The recipe is specific about what to use or your yogurt will not turn out.

Put 1 gallon milk in stainless steel pan.

Heat slowly to 180 degrees.

Take 1/4 cup cold milk

and add 4 teaspoons Knox Gelatin

in glass bowl to soften.

Once Milk has been heated to 180 degrees,

add softened gelatin to pan and stir with plastic spoon.

When cooled to 120-130 degrees,

place 2 cups of milk into a glass bowl
and add 8 oz of your bought {starter} plain yogurt.

Stir gently and blend in.

Pour back into stainless pan. 

Stir to blend.

Pour into sterilized jars.

Place jars on baking sheet
and place into cool oven with the light on.

Leave for 8 hours.

Refrigerate over night and enjoy!

Can experiment with the yogurt before sitting it in the oven.

Next time, I may add vanilla bean to the mix before pouring into the jars.

Bible Quest

So I decided instead of calling this Bible Trivia.....

I am now going to call it Bible Quest.

Why? 

For some reason I decided to look up what Trivia meant, and it means something of little importance....  Hmm.  It didn't seem right to pair the word Trivia with the Bible because the Bible should not be something of little importance.   I believe our quest or mission should be to know the Bible more and to search out the truth.

God set a mark on Cain to:
      Punish him
       Warn others of his deed
       Mark him as the LORD`s
       Protect him from being slain

Who was Cain's firstborn?
       Methusalah
       Seth
       Enoch
       Irad

I Have Been Blessed

One of the most powerful songs you can ever listen to. 

Take a minute and really listen. 

Listen to God speak to your heart. 

Pour out your heart to God,

Take time to count our blessings...

Tell God that you Love Him.

Psalm 139:17-18

How precious also are thy thoughts unto me,

O God! how great is the sum of them!

[If] I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.

While We're Waiting . . .

^{Genesis 1:10-13}

¹⁰And God called the dry land Earth;

and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas:

and God saw that it was good.

 ¹¹And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass,

the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind,

whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.

 ¹²And the earth brought forth grass,

and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit,

whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

 ¹³And the evening and the morning were the third day.

My Kindergarten Sunday School class is learning about creation and how strong and powerful the voice of the Lord is.  This week I had to ask God to give me something new to think on that I could share with the children.  While what he showed me isn't exactly what I'll share with my kids, I did learn something.

My family and I want to spend quality time together doing something we all enjoy.  Hiking is one of those things.  One of my favorite places to hike is at Chimney Rock in North Carolina.  It's one of our favorite memories as we celebrated our first year anniversary there almost 7 years ago.  Since it is too far away to go to.... We have a place nearby that we can go hiking on, but with two little ones it makes it more interesting! 

We got up this morning and decided to go on a short hike.  As we walked this morning, I started taking pictures of things that I saw beauty in...  things that captured my eye....  A thought occurred to me that God placed each and every rock, tree, greenery and flowers it's exact place.  Without it, there would be problems.  Run off... mud slides.... wash outs....  It made me realize that God also puts other things in our lives at the exact time and place that we need them.... or else there could be holes or ruins in our life that occur.  Lately it seems like life has taken on a different dimension for me.  When every thing seemed out of our hands, I had to really realize that God placed a trial in my family's life to show us His beauty.  God takes something ugly and turns it out for His good.  While it can take time to see the results, we are to wait and remember his promises.

Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose."

So while waiting is hard to do, we have to stop and remember that God placed that rock in our path for a reason.  We are to trust Him to ful-fill His purpose in all things. 

And while we wait, remember.....  if God can create all this beauty around us just by speaking, He can move mountains for us! 

Bible Trivia

So the trivia may not be as easy today. 

At least for me. 

I may not get them all right. 

I don't know about you, but I always have to stop

and think for a minute when it comes to Cain and Abel.

How well did you do today?

1.)  Who was born first, Cain or Abel?
       Cain
       Abel
       They were twins
       Neither, both were created by God.

2.) What was the occupations of Cain and of his brother, Abel?
       Cain was a physician and Abel was a keeper of sheep
       Cain was a keeper of sheep and Abel was a tiller of the ground
       Cain was a carpenter and Abel was a physician
       Cain was a tiller of the ground and Abel was a keeper of sheep


3.) Where did Cain go after he had killed Abel?
       Garden of Eden
       Land of Nod
       Caves of Qumran
       Mount Ararat

Peanut Butter Truffle Brownies

Nothing is better....

then Rich chocolate ......

and fluffy peanut butter goodness....

 

I copied this recipe off A Wise Woman Builds Her Home Blog.

You can click on the link above and it will take you directly to their web page so you can see what I am talking about.  They are very yummy.  The pictures posted on there are so good you could almost eat the photo!

 

I am usually not a huge fan of home made brownies.  I don't know if I cooked it a tad too long or not, but I do rate the recipe as fabulous!  Next time, I might try my favorite box brownie mix from Aldis.

 

Peanut Butter Truffle Brownies

For the Brownies:

• 1 cup butter
• 2 cups sugar
• 3 eggs
• 3 teaspoons vanilla
• 2/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

For the Peanut Butter Filling:

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• 2 cup powdered sugar
• 2-3 teaspoons milk

For the Ganache Topping:

• 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup butter
• 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Butter the bottom and sides of a 9 by 13 inch metal baking pan. Put a long piece of parchment paper in the bottom of the pan, letting the parchment extend up two sides of the pan and overhang slightly on both ends. (This will make it easy to remove the bars from the pan after they have baked.) Butter the parchment.
2. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Remove from heat and add the sugar; stir to combine. Beat in eggs and vanilla until combined. Mix in cocoa, baking powder and salt. Add flour and stir until just combined and no streaks of dry ingredients remain. Pour into prepared pan and spread into an even layer. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Let cool completely in pan on a cooling rack.
3. While the brownies are cooling, make the peanut butter filling. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the ingredients and beat until smooth. Add more milk if necessary to make it spreadable. Spread in an even layer over the brownies. Place in the refrigerator until filling is set, about 30 minutes.
4. While the filling is setting, make the ganache, combine the ingredients in a double boiler or in a microwave safe bowl. Melt together and combine. Pour the ganache over the top and spread gently. Return to the fridge until set.

Sing to the Lord

Under His Wings

Under his Wings I am safely abiding.

Tho' the night deepens and tempests are wild,

Still I can trust Him; I know He will keep me.

He has redeemed me, and I am His child.

Under His wings, under His wings,

Who from His love can sever?

Under His Wings my soul shall abide,

Safely abide forever.

Under His wings--what a refuge in sorrow!

How the heart yearningly turns to His rest!

Often when earth has no balm for my healing,

There I find comfort, and there I am blest.

Under His wings--O what precious enjoyment!

There will I hide till life's trials are o'er;

Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me.

Resting in Jesus, I'm safe ever more.

William O. Cushing.

Deut. 32:1, "As an eagle stirreth up her nest,

fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings,

taketh them, beareth them on her wings:"

W. O. Cushing: Minister and Hymn Writer

by Jacob Henry Hall

The subject of this sketch, William Orcutt Cushing, was born in Hingham, Massachusetts, [United States], December 31, 1823. His parents were Unitarians, and his early training was along these lines, having studied with the Unitarian minister at his home town. William was a most noble and thoughtful boy, and when he became old enough to read the Bible and think for himself, he joined the Christian Church.

When eighteen years of age he decided to prepare for the ministry, feeling that he had a call from God to that work. After completing his education he entered upon the work for his Master. Mr. Cushing's first pastorate was at Searsburg, N.Y. While here he became acquainted with Miss Hena Proper, and was married to her February 4, 1854. She proved to be a great help to him in his gospel work. After serving at Searsburg for several years, he was at different times pastor at Auburn, Brooklyn, Buffalo, and Sparta, N.Y. During these years of faithful work, Mrs. Cushing's health failed; they then returned to Searsburg, where he again served as pastor for several years.

After a long illness through which he cared tenderly for her, Mrs. Cushing died July 13, 1870. Soon after her death, creeping paralysis seized upon Mr. Cushing, and he was compelled to retire from the ministry.

As a pastor, he was very successful, and dearly beloved by both old and young; he was also a great worker in the Sunday-school. After being incapacitated for active ministerial work, his prayer was, "Lord, still give me something to do for Thee!" In answer to this prayer he was permitted to write many of the world's best known gospel poems. Rev. W. O. Cushing wrote over three hundred hymns that have been set to music by some of the most distinguished composers of this country, including Dr. Geo. F. Root, Rev. Robert Lowry, Ira D. Sankey, H.P. Main and others. Perhaps the most widely known of his hymns are the following: "Ring the Bells of Heaven," "We are Waiting, We are Watching," "When He Cometh," " Hiding in Thee," "Do They Know?" "There'll Be No Dark Valley," "When Jesus Comes," "Down in the Valley," "Beautiful Valley of Eden," "I am Waiting by the River," "The Name of Jesus," "Fair is the Morning Land," "Gathering Home to the Silent Shore." His hymns have added a rich contribution to American hymnology, and are sung wherever the gospel in song may be found.

Mr. Cushing was a most noble, sweet spirited Christian gentleman. To know him was to love him. He was ever mindful of the suffering of others, but was oblivious to his own. It was a characteristic of his life to minister to the wants of others, and trust the Lord to supply his own. At one time he gave a thousand dollars, which was all he had, to a blind girl that she might secure an education. He was instrumental in the erection of the Seminary at Starkey, N.Y., and also gave material aid to the school for the blind at Batavia.

Mr. Cushing was poor in purse, but rich in spirit; homeless, but not friendless. The last thirteen years of his life were spent in the home of Rev. and Mrs. E. E. Curtis, Lisbon Center, N.Y. While living with these good people, he united with the Wesleyan Methodist Church. He died October 19, 1902. His life was an inspiration to all who knew him, and his death was that of the righteous.

Copied by Stephen Ross for WholesomeWords.org from Biography of Gospel Song and Hymn Writers by J. H. Hall. New York: Fleming H. Revell, ©1914.

More Information on W. O. Cushing

Homemade Laundry Detergent

A year ago, a friend mentioned to me about making her own laundry soap.  At the time I wasn't interested in it as much, but recently I decided to give it a try.  I used the recipe found on the Duggar's web-site and have all ready made and used one batch of laundry detergent.  I have been very please with it so far. 
They also have a recipe for making the liquid detergent.  I haven't used that, but it seems that that would be the best value.  Powdered Laundry Detergent makes about 40 scoops per batch while the liquid states that you will have 180 scoops per recipe. 

This is what I found:
1.  My clothes are much softer then they were before.
2.  Didn't notice any other problems like detergent stains etc
3.  Very cost effective.
4.  If you have any stains on your clothes, make sure and treat it before washing.

You have to watch your prices for the product you buy, but if you are interested, take a look around and notate prices.  This is what I found.

Arm and Hammer:  Found at Westlake's Ace Hardware for $4.29 {look on Amazon too.  If you can get free shipping it could be even cheaper!}
Borax:  Found at Hyvee for $3.79
Fels Naptha Bar:  .93 cents at Hyvee {Westlakes had it for $1.59, but I would pick it up elsewhere if cheaper}

Of course prices can change, but if you find these products close to these prices, grab them!  The cost per 40 loads is approximately $2.00= +/-  If you make the liquid detergent, the savings is huge!

Powdered Laundry Detergent - Top load machine

1   Fels-Naptha soap bar
1  Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda*
½  Cup Borax

-Grate soap or break into pieces and process in a food processor until powdered. Mix all ingredients. For light load, use 1 Tablespoon. For heavy or heavily soiled load, use 2 Tablespoons. Yields: 3 Cups detergent. (Approx. 40 loads)

*Arm & Hammer "Super Washing Soda" - in some stores or may be purchased on-line.  Just find the best deal for your area.  Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent - It must be sodium carbonate!!

Happy Birthday!

Today is someones birthday. 

My birthday wish for you is...

To know that you are utterly loved by those who surround you.

Wish I could be there with you.

Happy Birthday Ara!

Psalm 100

Psalm 100

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.  

Serve the LORD with gladness:

come before his presence with singing. 

Know ye that the LORD he [is] God:

[it is] he [that] hath made us, and not we ourselves;

[we are] his people,

and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,

[and] into his courts with praise:

be thankful unto him, [and] bless his name.

For the LORD [is] good;

his mercy [is] everlasting;

and his truth [endureth] to all generations.

What is worship? (def found by clicking on link)

1. To adore; to pay divine honors to; to reverence with supreme respect and veneration.

What does worship mean to you?

Is it going to church.

Singing songs.

Listening to a message?

Reading my Bible?

Does it change my heart?

Is it mere repetition.

A Religion?

Does it mean anything to me?

Have I stopped to think what worship should be to me? 

Am I missing something? 

Am I doing what I should be doing?

What are the elements of worship I need to think about?

If you read Psalm 100 carefully you can see 7 elements of worship:

Shout joyfully

Serve the Lord with gladness

Come before him with singing

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving

Enter His courts with praise

Be thankful to Him

Bless His Name

We should praise Him because of who He is?

He is our...

Lord

God

Creator

Owner

Shepherd

We should praise Him because of His attributes:

He is good

His mercy is everlasting

His truth endures to all generations

I have to confess, my focus to worshiping God slips.

I forget to be joyful when the kids don't cooperate.

I become thankful for just getting to church on time.

I forget that God created me for a purpose.

I forget that He loves me when I feel unloved.

I forget to Praise Him and Him alone for forgiving me of my sins.

I forget to serve Him with gladness.

I am thankful that no matter how many times I forget....

He never forgets me...

He never stops loving me.

Bible Quest

So how did you do on the last trivia question?  Did you know how old Adam lived?  Pretty amazing!  I can't imagine living that long!

Here are a few more on Adam and Eve.  Don't worry I have more and they will eventually get harder.  Just breaking you in...  or is it me?

3.) After Adam and Eve sinned, what did God make for them?
       A garment of fig leaves
       Coats of skin
       Clothing made from the dust of the earth
       A loincloth of pure linen

4.) What kept Adam and Eve from returning to the Garden of Eden?
       Cherubim with a flaming sword
       Cherubim with a double edged sword
       An angel with a firey spear
       An archangel with a scroll
5.) How many children did Adam and Eve have?
       2
       3
       4
       More than 4

Don't Quit

 

"When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up though the pace seems slow--
You may succeed with another blow,
Success is failure turned inside out--
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit."

~ Unknown

Quest Anyone?

Do you know your Bible? 

I would like to think I do, but I am going to test myself and see what I know without having to look it up.  On the other hand. . .  I know myself.  I often can’t remember names or details, so if all else fails, I will look it up! 

Answers will be posted under the tab up above: Trivia Answers.  {Post your answer first before checking!}  No cheating!!  I’ll post mine so you can see if I am correct.  I may just find out how much I really know!

We’ll start out with an easy one.   We’ll call today's trivia questions “In The Beginning”.

1.       Why did Adam call his wife Eve?
       She was the firstborn among women
       She was a help meet fit for him
       She was the mother of all living
       She was taken out of man

So we started with an easy one….. 

How about this one:

2.        How many years did Adam live?
       930
       820
       890
       750

Emotions: Worry

Psalm 37:8b
"Fret not thyself in any wise to do evil."

What do we worry about?  Usually it is 'tomorrow'.  It's when we stretch our minds forward, that we begin to worry.  We should not borrow trouble from tomorrow.

1.  What does David say about his worries and fears in Psalm 55:4-5?  __________

2.  We may try to hide our fears, but what does David invite God to do in Psalm 139:23?  __________

3.  What can we do when we are afraid?  Psalm 56:3  __________

4.  God assures us we don't have to worry.  List some things we don't have to worry about:

• a.  Psalm 91:5
• b. Psalm 112:7
• c.  Matthew 6:31
• d.  Matthew 6:34

5.  In today's world, with the new we hear from around the world, it's easy to get tense about our safety.  There are new diseases cropping up, nations who hate us, security risks, national alerts, death threats, lay-offs, birds dropping out of the sky for no reason, fighting all over the world, earthquakes, tsunamis, and the list goes on....  What was David's advice in Psalm 37:1?

We've all encountered the emotion of fear.  We wonder what might happen.  It's knowing things are out of our hands.  It's losing control, experiencing the worst, having jitters, losing our appetites, queasiness, sweating palms, touchy nerves, furrowed brow, trembling hands, pounding heart, shortness of breath, and butterflies in our stomach.

When worry, anxiety, fretting, and fear overwhelm our hearts and minds, we tend to forget everything else.  But God wants us to remember one very important thing--HIM.  When fears press around you, cling to God.  Hang onto His promises for you.  Hold tight to Hope.  Trust God with your very life, and your faith will drive out the fears.

6.  What does Proverbs 12:25 warn us may happen if we continue to worry?  __________

7.  Isaiah 35:4  What good word can we share with someone who is struggling with fear?  __________

Ps 27:13-14; Jer 29:11; Jos 1:9

8.  Psalm 37:7b says, "Fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass."  What attitude should we cling to instead, according to Psalm 56:4?  __________

9.  Jesus left the earth for a time.  He promised us He would return.  But in the meantime, He left us a gift.  What is that gift, according to John 14:27?

Jesus said to his disciples in John 14:1, "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me."  Trusting Jesus does much to dispel our fears.  Holding on to God's promises drives worries away.  Look at these additional verses that urge us to hold fast:

I Cor 15:2

Phil 3:12

I Thes 5:21

I Tim 6:19

II Tim 1:13

Heb 3:6

Heb 10:23

FBC Ladies Bible Study material by Denise M.

Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas

Over a year ago....

I decided to start a monthly menu plan and start becoming more organized with all the meals I was planning.  Then recently I started seeing a need to provide a wider variety of meals throughout the week so that my family would get a better variety of the food groups we need.  {Plus cutting our meal costs} One source I read mentioned that we should try having red meat only once a week.  The focus behind this was to incorporate other meats into our diet.   Having a different theme for each night could be:  Fish once a week, then pork, then a red meat, then beans/rice, chicken, breakfast...  you get the idea.  So I have been trying to do this better.  Giving my family something different.

One of the meatless nights we had Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas.  I think we were all a little surprised at how we were not hungry by having just beans one night.  The recipe was utterly fantastic!!  In fact I have another Quesadilla recipe that has chicken in it, but I far prefer this recipe to that one.

I made the recipe exactly as stated.  What I really liked about this recipe was that by using butter to fry the quesadilla on our griddle, it tasted amazing.  You could use a little olive oil, but I'll leave that up to you.

Do you have any money saving ideas for meal planning?  I am reading a book about some.  Maybe if I get through it I can share a little about what I am learning.

Ingredients {recipe and picture from allrecipes.com}

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped onion
• 1 (15.5 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (10 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1/4 cup salsa
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 tablespoons butter, divided
• 8 (8 inch) flour tortillas
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided

Directions

1. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in onion, and cook until softened, about 2 minutes. Stir in beans and corn, then add sugar, salsa, and pepper flakes; mix well. Cook until heated through, about 3 minutes.
2. Melt 2 teaspoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Place a tortilla in the skillet, sprinkle evenly with cheese, then top with some of the bean mixture. Place another tortilla on top, cook until golden, then flip and cook on the other side. Melt more butter as needed, and repeat with remaining tortillas and filling.

Nutritional Information

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 363 | Total Fat: 14.5g | Cholesterol: 26mg Powered by ESHA Nutrient Database

Nutritional Information

Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas

Servings Per Recipe: 8
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 363

• Total Fat: 14.5g
• Cholesterol: 26mg
• Sodium: 732mg
• Total Carbs: 45.6g
• Dietary Fiber: 6.3g
• Protein: 13.9g

VIEW DETAILED NUTRITION
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He All Ready Sees

Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."

I heard the below song on the second night of revival services.   Just when we think that lifes storms will overwhelm us, we see God step in and remind us that it is in his control and for HIS Glory!

He Already Sees
When the storm raged about them
The disciples were afraid
For the waves were high and the ship was tossed
They could not find their way

Then they awoke the Master
Saying Lord please save us now
He rebuked the winds and the sea grew calm
And they all wondered how

God sees the storm from the other side
He knows the lessons learned
And just beyond the clouds He sees clear skies
He speaks peace to the raging storm
When peace cannot be found
He already sees the rainbow when we see only clouds

Like the man on the sea did
I have called on God in prayer
When it seemed to me all hope was gone And in my deep despair
I remembered what the Lord said
When He calmed that troubled sea
And I know once more how He sees the storm
And peace floods over me

God sees the storm from the other side
He knows the lessons learned
And just beyond the clouds He sees clear skies
He speaks peace to the raging storm
When peace cannot be found
He already sees the rainbow when we see only clouds

And when the storms of life come crashing in and trouble me
I can feel God's arms around me and He whispers
Let it be, Let it be

Jealousy Part II

In our Christian walk, we are to love one another.  We need to get our eyes off of "us" and look around us.  We can guard against covetousness by focusing on the needs of others.  But then, after a while we look around us and think, "Hey!  What about me?  How do I know my needs will be taken care of?"  If we're spending so much time being self-sacrificing, won't people just walk all over us?  Won't we be taken for granted?  No one else in the house seems to be grateful that the toilet paper rolls are changed, the clean socks magically appear in the dresser drawers, or the dishes are put away.  Who else empties the trash, or puts new bags in the trashcans?  When we start to think this way, realize something...  Everyone feels this way.  We all believe our efforts go unnoticed.  Then we need to pray, "Lord, give me a servant's heart.  I want to be like you.  I know you see, even when no one else sees!"

6.  You have to love Martha!  She voiced the feelings we all have in our hearts at one time or another.  "Hey!  What about me?"  What does she say to Jesus in Luke 10:40?  __________

7.  The she asks, "Hey!  What about her?"  Who asks that question in John 21:21, and how does Jesus wisely answer it in verse 22?  __________

8.  We should never allow jealousy to cause our eyes to wander from the task God has set before us.  We each must answer for ourselves before the Lord.  What does Paul say about this in I Corinthians 3:8?  __________

9.  Let's not compare or covet or set up a walk of "It's not fair!"  You will be rewarded according to your own labor.  Let's leave the decision about what's fair to the Lord.  What does Paul say in Galatians 6:4-5?  __________

We ten to rank our sins according to how bad we think they are.  To us covetousness is not important.  Let's look at where God ranks it.  "He takes these things quiet seriously.  List other sins he list right along with covetousness:  I Corinthians 5:10-11, I Corinthians 6:10, Ephesians 5:5, I Timothy 3:3

Bible Study given by Denise M at FBC Ladies Bible Study Group

Emotions: Jealousy Part 1

Proverbs 27:4

Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous;

but who is able to stand before envy?

We don't have to teach children to be jealous of one another.  They always want to largest piece of cake, the best toy, and some of their favorite words are "It's not fair", not because they want justice, but because they are greedy and jealous of one another.  It's just part of their nature.

Jealousy doesn't fade away when we grow up.  We don't grow out of it.  We look at those around us and wish we could be like them or have what they have.  Women who have to work, envy women who have careers.  Women who have children are envious of women who are able to do what she likes, and women who have no children, look with envy on those who have babies.  We are never happy with our lot in life.

1.  Envy is like a disease.  How does Solomon say it affects us in Proverbs 14:30?

2.  Jealousy brings with it other emotions--envy, resentment, bitterness, covetousness.  When these forms of jealousy overtake our hearts it shows itself in subtle and not so subtle ways.

• a.  Luke 11:39 tells us why greed or envy is sometimes hard to discover. __________
• b.  What does Psalm 101:5 say comes out of the mouth?  __________
• c.  And what speech is spoken of in Proverbs 25:23?  __________
• d.  Greed and envy become a habit of the heart.  How does Peter describe such a one in II Peter 2:14?  __________

3.  Greed, Envy, Selfishness, Covetousness:  they are all intertwined.  They are such a danger to our hearts that God included it in His Ten Commandments.  Exodus 20:17, "Thous shalt not, they neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet they neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor's."  What are some of the consequences according to Proverbs 15:27 and Habakkuk 2:9?  __________

4.  What is the alternative to covetousness, according to Psalm 119:36?  __________

5.  What does God's Word tell us to do?  Solomon says, "the righteous giveth and spareth not"  Proverbs 21:26.  How does this giving attitude play itself out, according to I Corinthians 10:24 and Philippians 2:4?  __________

Jealousy to be continued. . . .

The Rose

The dew of the morning still rests
On the small, dainty rose.
The sun glistens on its leaves
And God's love it quietly shows.

The rose is not strong, nor mighty,
It labors not in the cold;
But this beautiful rose is priceless,
And its value is far more than gold.

Some day this rose will bloom,
Its petals will open and shine;
But now it patiently waits
Until it is God's time.

O Christian, will you patiently wait,
Knowing God's timing is right-
Will you let Him mold a masterpiece,
So He can trust you in the fight?

Is your lvoe for God blooming
In a world that is parched and barren;
Are you giving others the Living Water,
Are you trusting the Rose of Sharon?

All rights and words of the Poem by Amber Martin Day, Missionary

Song of Solomon 2:1, "I [am] the rose of Sharon, [and] the lily of the valleys."

1.  Sharon = "a plain or level"  

2.  the district lying between the mountains of central Palestine and the Mediterranean Sea and north of Joppa

3) a district on the east of the Jordan around Gilead and Bashan

Happy Mothers Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the mother's out there today. 

I pray that each of your children will do as

Proverbs 31:28 say, "Her children arise up, and call her blessed;"

Yesterday I was able to go to a Mother's Day Banquet at my church with my mother-n-law.  It was a lovely luncheon.  We heard some beautiful music by ladies at the church and listened to a wonderful speaker.  I think I almost cried several times just listening to it all.

The passage that was shared with us was Psalm 139.  Our speaker talked about how when God looks down on us, does he look down on us pleased knowing that today we are more like him then we were 2 weeks ago?

Take some time and meditate on Psalm 139:

¹O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
 ²Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
 ³Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
 ⁴For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.
 ⁵Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
 ⁶Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
 ⁷Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
 ⁸If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
 ⁹If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
 ¹⁰Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
 ¹¹If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
 ¹²Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
 ¹³For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
 ¹⁴I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
 ¹⁵My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
 ¹⁶Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
 ¹⁷How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
 ¹⁸If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.
 ¹⁹Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.
 ²⁰For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.
 ²¹Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?
 ²²I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.
 ²³Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
 ²⁴And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

King James Version (KJV)

Isn't it comforting to know that God all ready knew us from eternity past to our eternity future?  There is nothing he doesn't all ready know about us.

Take a moment and really think about that. . . .

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Chicken and Biscuit Pie

Growing Up we had a lot of Chicken and Biscuit Casseroles....

I can't say that I was a big fan of it either.  Maybe we just had it too much, just like having a Sunday Roast with carrots and potatoes.  Yes, every Sunday... almost.  But isn't that memories are for?  Not to repeat them?

No, I think not.  I am realizing more and more to search the Internet for what I like to call a "re-do".  You can find so many tantalizing recipes of things you make all ready.  They just vamped it up a little.  So I want to introduce my "re-do" of Chicken and Biscuit.  It is Chicken and Biscuit Pie.  I give this recipe a A++++++.  Simply delicious!

Check out what I did: 

• Cooked a whole chicken in crock pot with onions and baby carrots.
• Added some chicken broth to the crock pot.
• Used the onions and carrots that were all ready cooked all day to the recipe.
• Used the broth from the crock pot to the recipe.
• Used corn instead of the peas.
• Added garlic powder and Rosemary {Simply yummy!}
• Baked the dish on 375 degrees for 40 minutes and it turned out perfect.   Reviews on the dish stated that cooking it too high for a short time did not cook the biscuit on the bottom well.

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup butter
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 2/3 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 cup frozen green peas
• 1 cup frozen diced carrots
• 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken meat
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 5 tablespoons shortening
• 3/4 cup milk

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Butter a 2 quart casserole dish.
2. In a large saucepan, saute chopped onion in the butter. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute. Add chicken broth and milk. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Cook for 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add frozen peas and carrots and cooked chicken. Pour into buttered 2 quart casserole dish.
3. In a medium bowl, mix together 2 cups flour, baking powder, and 3/4 teaspoon salt. Cut in shortening until mixture is crumbly. Stir in milk just until dough is moistened, then drop by spoonfuls onto chicken mixture.
4. Bake at 450 degrees F (230 degrees C) for 12 to 15 minutes, or until biscuits are golden brown, and cooked on the bottom. This tends to bubble over so I place a piece of aluminum foil under the pan to catch the drips.

Nutritional Information

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 615 | Total Fat: 29.7g | Cholesterol: 86mg Powered by ESHA Nutrient Database

Nutritional Information

Chicken Biscuit Pie

Servings Per Recipe: 5

Amount Per Serving

Calories: 615

• Total Fat: 29.7g
• Cholesterol: 86mg
• Sodium: 1264mg
• Total Carbs: 57g
• Dietary Fiber: 4.1g
• Protein: 29.3g

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