Charissa Explains It All

A wonderful, godly friend wrote a very thought-provoking post on worship.  I encourage you to take the time to read it!

http://charissaexplainsit.blogspot.com/ 

I welcome your thoughts in the comments!

Happy Birthday, Laura!

Yesterday was my dear friend, Laura's birthday!  Our family met her family 11 years ago.  She has since successfully graduated all three of her children from their homeschool!  Their family & ours have the very rare blessing of each member enjoying & have friendship with all the other members!

When I think of Laura, I think of the word "Love".  Laura deeply loves our Lord, her family, & those who are fortunate enough to be her friends!  Laura also has a great love for all babies, & her pet babies (2 dogs & 1 cat)!  She has overcome many challenges in her life with love & grace.

Here's Laura with her lovely daughter, Emily.

By this all men will know that you are Mine, if you love one another.

Happy Birthday Dear Friend! Love you!!

Happy Birthday Tanya!

Today is Tanya Collins Birthday!  She's our preacher's wife here in Keller.  Tanya is such a great role model!  She's friendly, evangelistic, godly, & always smiling!  Her husband, Cory, has said that she wakes up at 3 am...smiling!

Even though Tanya has only been at our congregation for a few years, she is truly treasured family!  All who come in contact with her are so blessed with the joy & love that flows out of Tanya's heart.

I borrowed pictures from her daughter, Charissa to share with you.

Tanya & daughter, Charissa  "You are a woman of excellence."

Tanya with husband, Cory & son, Christopher "Eat your bread in happiness...with a cheerful heart; for God has already approved your works."

Working in Moore with Cory "The joy of my Lord is my strength."

She lives Proverbs 31:10-31 "She smiles at the future."

Happy Birthday Sweet Friend!

Fun with Fresh Fruit

A friend contacted me today for ideas on how to do a birthday cake when most of the young guests have gluten and/or wheat allergies.  After some quick thought, I suggested using fresh fruit to make a "cake".  She liked the idea, but how?  So, I did what we always do in these situations:  I googled!

Who knew there were so many variations using Fresh Fruit to make a cake!  Even with no food allergies, this is a great idea for celebrations, especially for those of us who are working on eating healthier. 

Hope you enjoy & get creative!  Please let me know if you try any, or come up with one of your own!

Perfect for Birthdays or Showers

Looks easy to do!

Very Fancy! Great for any Celebration!

I think this is my favorite!

Cute & small, great for a summer tea!

Elegant!

Simple Suppers: Chunky Chicken Salad & Honey Berry Cornbread

This meal is great for suppers or lunches.  I've experimented through the years with different chicken salad recipes, & this is the most popular one!  The cornbread is also an evolution of ideas.

Chunky Chicken Salad (serves approx 4)

2 bags of Rotisserie chicken strips, chopped
1/2 bell pepper, chopped
1 stalk of celery, chopped
1 honeycrisp apple, chopped
1/4 c pecan halves, chopped
1/2 - 1 c Miracle Whip Lite
salt & pepper to taste

Chop  & mix all ingredients.  Chill for at least 1 hour before serving.  Serve with cornbread, or on bread/rolls, or with crackers.


Honey Berry Cornbread (serves approx 4)

2 boxes of Jiffy cornbread
2/3 c milk
3 eggs
1 t vanilla
2 T honey
1/4 c dried blueberries
1/4 c dried cranberries

Butter a small cast iron skillet.  Mix all ingredients except berries.  Fold berries into mix.  Pour mix into skillet.  Bake at 400 for 20 - 25 min.  If you want just plain cornbread, simply leave out the berries.

Hope you enjoy these two favorites!

"Abba! Daddy!"

Abba is the most intimate name for Father in Hebrew.  God is sovereign, holy, & all powerful.  However, He created mankind because He desires fellowship.
They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day.  The Lord God called to the man.  Gen 3:8a, 9a
Enoch walked with God.  Gen. 5:22a
 
Jesus used this name at a time of intense suffering. We are also our Father's daughters & sons, so we can cry "Abba! Daddy!" when we need Him.
To redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"  Gal. 4:5-6

We cry, "Abba! Daddy!" when we are afraid.  God answers by calming the storm.
He awoke & rebuked the wind & said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!"  And the wind ceased, & there was a great calm.  Mark 4:39
The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts & your minds in Christ Jesus.  Phil. 4:7

We cry, "Abba! Daddy!" when we are lonely.  God answers by never leaving.
Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.  Matt. 28:20
For he has said, "I will never leave you or forsake you."  So we can confidently say, "the Lord is my helper, I will not fear; what can man do to me?"  Heb. 13:5b-6

We cry, "Abba! Daddy!"  when we are lost.  God answers by seeking & finding us. 
If a man has 100 sheep, he will leave the 99, & go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?   Luke 15:4
For the Son of Man came to seek & to save the lost.  Luke 19:10

We cry, "Abba! Daddy!" when we are anxious & worried.  God answers by remind us that He is in controls & cares for us.
Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on.  Is not life more than food, & the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air:  they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, & yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not of more value than they?  And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?  Matt. 6:25-27

We cry, "Abba! Daddy!" when we are so weary.  God answers by asking us to come to Him for rest.
Come to me, all who labor & are heavy laden, & I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, & learn from me, for I am gentle & lowly in heart, & you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, & my burden is light.  Matt. 11:28-30

Whenever, we cry, "Abba! Daddy!"  God hear us.
When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.  He was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, & the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God form the hand of the angel.  Rev. 8:1, 3b-4

 Like all good fathers, God answers with exactly what we need.
Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. Matt. 6:32b
Every good gift & every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights. 
James 1:17a

A Massage...Aahhhh!

I love getting massages!  If I could afford it...a massage would be a monthly occurrence!  So, yesterday, I went to a new place.  My dad goes there & paid for me to get an hour massage.

TMT Spa - Melody is the best massage therapist I have EVER been too!  She takes the time to listen to where you need the most work, & lets you pick the oil you want used (Bergamot).  But, the best part is Melody stretches each section as she goes before the actual massaging!

I can't remember the last time I felt so good!  And then, on the way home, I played "The Best of Bach".  Perfect way to spend a morning!

So, I don't have any affiliation with them, but if you're in the Fort Worth area, it's the best value & massage around!

TMT Spa
1244 Karla Drive, Suite 205 (go in the doors on the end & upstairs on your right)
Hurst, TX
Melody 871-471-7314
melody@tmtspa.com
http://tmtspa.com/
Classic Massage = $55 for 1 hour

They offer other services which I'm sure are great too!  Let me know if you try them out...

Rain

The best thing one can do when it is raining is let it rain. - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

We've been blessed with a rare occasion here in Texas:  RAIN in JULY!  It started Sunday morning & is supposed to continue for the next couple of days!

After several years of drought, I will NEVER complain about the rain!  This is the best kind too; a gentle, steady, soaking rain. 

The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain. - Dolly Parton

Another blessing with this current system, there hasn't been wind or thunder (which is what we usually get).

I know there are some people who don't like the rain, who get blue, even depressed.  However, to me, there's nothing better than the sound of rain on the roof.  I love to watch it shower on trees,  & puddle in the street.

Rainy days are for opening the window, laying under my favorite quilt, & reading a great book!

Let the rain kiss you.  Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops.  
Let the rain sing you a lullaby. -  Langston Hughes

God sends the rain & sunshine, so enjoy both in life. 

This is the day the Lord has made; I will rejoice & be glad in it.  Psalm 118:24

Easy Desserts: Banana Pudding

I've been making this banana pudding for years, & always get requests for the recipe.  This makes enough for a potluck, party, or big family dinner.  Here's how I make it!

1 box Nilla Wafers (low-fat or mini)
3 - 5 bananas (depending on size)
2 large boxes of Sugar-Free, Fat-Free Instant Vanilla Pudding
1 large tub of Cool Whip Lite
9 X 13 glass baking pan

If using low-fat Nilla Wafers, use a rolling pin & crush them.  You don't want crumbs, just lots of broken pieces.  Then take the pieces, or just the mini Nilla Wafers, & cover the bottom of the baking pan.  Reserve some for sprinkling on top.

Slice bananas on top of Nilla Wafers.  Keep 1 banana for top.

In large bowl, whisk pudding, 5 cups of milk (I use 1%), 2/3 of the tub of Cool Whip.  Pour over bananas & Nilla Wafers.  Put in frig for 1 hour to set.

Top with remaining Cool Whip, banana, & Nilla Wafers.  Put in frig for 30 min to set.

ENJOY!
Have a great weekend ya'll!

Everything

My husband & I enjoy Michael Buble's singing.  He has a smooth voice & great lyrics.  His song Everything is one that we've claimed as "ours".  Please enjoy!

 

Reaching the Summit

Andy & Sam returned Friday night from Wilderness Trek.  They all made it to the Summit of 14,000+ feet!  Even more than the physical journey they took, was the spiritual journey.

There are always times in life, when we are down in the valley.  But, when we call upon the Lord, He is ALWAYS faithful to lift us up.

For He will hide me in His shelter in the day of trouble;
He will conceal me under the cover of His tent;
He will lift me high upon a rock.  Psalm 27:5

I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.  Psalm 121:1

In a spiritual valley, we can feel helpless & desperate.  When we begin to climb, we rediscover hope & our faith is strengthened.  When we finally reach the spiritual summit, we are strong & ready to continue on our journey!

I will rejoice in the Lord;
I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
God, the Lord, is my strength;
He makes my feet like the deer's; 
He makes me tread on my high places.  Habakkuk 3:18-19

No matter where we are at on our journey, we can choose to praise the Lord & to trust Him to lead us.

For You are my rock and my fortress; and for Your name's sake You lead me and guide me.
I WILL rejoice and be glad in Your steadfast love, because You have seen my affliction;
  You have known the distress of my soul.
BUT I trust in You, O Lord; I say, "You are my God."  Psalm 31:3, 7, 14

Our ultimate destination & final summit is the heavenly Mt. Zion!  I leave with phrases from two hymns:

We're marching to Zion,
Beautiful, beautiful Zion;
We're marching upward to Zion,
The beautiful city of God.

On Zion's glorious summit stood
A num'rous host redeemed by blood!
Shout vict'ry now and hail the Lamb.

Easy Desserts: Cool Cantaloupe; Berries N Orange Fluff

I love desserts!  It's a great way to end a meal, a celebration, an evening.  I don't believe desserts have to fancy, rich, gooey, & full of calories.  Most of my favorite desserts involve fruit & low sugar, low fat ingredients.  That way, I can indulge in something sweet without adding too much sugar & calories!

I want to share two easy desserts I created this week.  Both have been tasted & approved of by Kent!

Cool Cantaloupe:
cantaloupe slices, frozen cool whip lite, cinnamon, pecan slices
Arrange two slices on a plate, facing each other.  Spoon the cool whip in between them.  Sprinkle with cinnamon & pecans.  Cool, creamy, & crunchy!

Berries N Orange Fluff:
Lite orange yogurt, low-fat cream cheese, frozen (or fresh) mixed berries
Whip yogurt & cream cheese together until fluffy.  Thaw or prepare mixed berries (I used blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, & raspberries).  Spoon berries over yogurt.  Tart & sweet!

Sorry for the poor photography, but the boys have my camera on Wilderness Trek.  Enjoy!

Happy 4th!

Today is a good time to reflect on our freedoms; to remember & give thanks for those who have fought & died for our country.

I'm not a very political person, but I do wonder what the men who risked everything to start the United States would think about our nation today.  Some of the most powerful words we have as a country are in the Preamble of the Constitution:

We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessing of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

These are the fundamentals they used to create a government like no other in the world.  I pray that WE THE PEOPLE will move our country back to this foundation.

On a personal note, my favorite 4th of July memory:  The four of us went to the Fort Worth Cats game (minor league baseball), & they always have an awesome fireworks show afterwards.  Sam & Andy were sitting on either side of me, & as the show started, they each leaned their heads on my shoulders.

The first fireworks were set to Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World".  I remember getting a huge lump in my throat & tears in my eyes.  My thoughts were:  Yes, it's a wonderful world!  It's a wonderful country where I can sit with my family & enjoy baseball, hot dogs, & fireworks without fear!  It's a wonderful life that I am so incredibly blessed with a loving husband, & the two best sons ever created!

Enjoy fun, fireworks, friends, & family this 4th; but also remember to be thankful for our freedom!

Singing

I love singing!  My grandparents both loved singing.  They always encouraged their 10 children to sing, especially if they got to fussin' with each other.  My mom & her brothers & sisters all have a deep love of singing from this upbringing.

Some of my favorite memories are singings with my mom, aunts, uncles, cousins, Grandma, & Grandpa.  There weren't enough songbooks for everyone, so of course we shared, & many of us younger cousins didn't see one.  I am blessed to have hundreds of hymns memorized!

Having hymns memorized is like having scriptures in your memory.  There are so many times that a song pops into my head & brings encouragement, joy, & comfort.  Many times during worship, we sing a 'family favorite' & I can hear their voices.  My Grandma's sweet voice, Uncle Dick's beautiful bass, Aunts Millie & Barbara's blending together, & so many others.

The last few years of Grandma's life, she was stricken with Alzheimer's.  She lost many of her memories, but still knew how to sing her favorite hymns!

I've sung to my sons from the time they were born.  I sang while rocking them to sleep, while feeding them, while driving, & while playing.  I sang hymns, scriptures, children's songs, & made-up songs.  One of my sons used to hum when he ate for a few years after he started feeding himself.  Both of the boys love singing & music of all sorts!

Singing is such an important part of my life & I would be grieved if it was ever taken away.  These thoughts came to me Sunday towards the end of worship.  I observed one our sweet sisters at church; she has a progressive disease that makes it difficult to talk or sing.  She & her husband share a love of singing.  While she can no longer sing out the words, she was smiling & keeping time with the song through her hand.

This sweet sister's face was lit up with the joy of praising God.  She reminded me that singing out to our Lord is a privilege & a joy!  It's not just something we have to do to fill in time during worship.  It's also not something that we can use to complain about others, whether the song leader or those we hear who may not be singing "perfectly".  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching & admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms & hymns & spiritual songs, with thanksgiving in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16

So I am determined to live this out:  Praise the Lord!  Praise the Lord, O my soul!   I will praise the Lord as long as I live;  I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. Psalm 146:1-2

Simple Suppers: Summer Salad

I've never claimed to be a fancy cook, but I can get good food on the table most nights, & I enjoy sharing recipes with others.  I  take simple ingredients & put them together to make a meal.  I only measure if I'm baking, otherwise the quantities are adjusted to how many people need to eat.  Seasonings & spices are adjusted to taste (I usually like more spicy).

The veggies & fruits can easily be changed up in my Summer Salad.  Everything is rough chopped, this way it's a nice chunky salad.  I made enough for 4 - 6 people & spent 10 - 15 minutes on prep.

Fresh spinach (1/2 bag)
Romaine lettuce(1/2 bag)
Chicken strips (I used 2 bags of Rotisserie)
Cucumbers
Bell Peppers
Carrots
Pineapple chunks (I used 1 small can, drained well)
Blueberries
Strawberries
Pecans

I tossed everything together in a large bowl & used Kraft Lite Strawberry Balsamic for dressing.  It was cool, crunchy, filling, & very tasty!