Christian News Feeds

Need a little personal poison control? Are there relationships, thoughts, or behaviors that quietly compromise our well-being? How can we learn to recognize and remove the hidden dangers in our lives? - [Read more]

Need a little personal poison control? Are there relationships, thoughts, or behaviors that quietly compromise our well-being? How can we learn to recognize and remove the hidden dangers in our lives? - [Read more]

Need a little personal poison control? Are there relationships, thoughts, or behaviors that quietly compromise our well-being? How can we learn to recognize and remove the hidden dangers in our lives? - [Read more]

Need a little personal poison control? Are there relationships, thoughts, or behaviors that quietly compromise our well-being? How can we learn to recognize and remove the hidden dangers in our lives? - [Read more]

Need a little personal poison control? Are there relationships, thoughts, or behaviors that quietly compromise our well-being? How can we learn to recognize and remove the hidden dangers in our lives? - [Read more]

Imagine churches around the world coming together as one. All joining forces to share...to serve...to give. Join us for One Prayer 2010 to learn what it can mean when the Church becomes unstoppable. - [Read more]

Imagine churches around the world coming together as one. All joining forces to share...to serve...to give. Join us for One Prayer 2010 to learn what it can mean when the Church becomes unstoppable. - [Read more]

Imagine churches around the world coming together as one. All joining forces to share...to serve...to give. Join us for One Prayer 2010 to learn what it can mean when the Church becomes unstoppable. - [Read more]

Imagine churches around the world coming together as one. All joining forces to share...to serve...to give. Join us for One Prayer 2010 to learn what it can mean when the Church becomes unstoppable. - [Read more]

Purity. Loyalty. Integrity. Gratitude. Are they gone? Did we leave true character behind? - [Read more]

Purity. Loyalty. Integrity. Gratitude. Are they gone? Did we leave true character behind? - [Read more]

Purity. Loyalty. Integrity. Gratitude. Are they gone? Did we leave true character behind? - [Read more]

Purity. Loyalty. Integrity. Gratitude. Are they gone? Did we leave true character behind? - [Read more]

Purity. Loyalty. Integrity. Gratitude. Are they gone? Did we leave true character behind? - [Read more]

Have you ever wondered what God thinks about suicide, homosexuality, the end of the world, birth control, horoscopes, and why good people suffer? Find out the answers to these questions and more. - [Read more]

Have you ever wondered what God thinks about suicide, homosexuality, the end of the world, birth control, horoscopes, and why good people suffer? Find out the answers to these questions and more. - [Read more]

Have you ever wondered what God thinks about suicide, homosexuality, the end of the world, birth control, horoscopes, and why good people suffer? Find out the answers to these questions and more. - [Read more]

It was a Red Letter Day. Bloody, beaten, and nailed to a cross, a dying Jesus looked at those around Him and spoke His final words as a man. What did he say? Join us as we relive Jesus final hours, and celebrate His ultimate victory on this Red Letter Day. - [Read more]

It was a Red Letter Day. Bloody, beaten, and nailed to a cross, a dying Jesus looked at those around Him and spoke His final words as a man. What did he say? Join us as we relive Jesus final hours, and celebrate His ultimate victory on this Red Letter Day. - [Read more]

It was a Red Letter Day. Bloody, beaten, and nailed to a cross, a dying Jesus looked at those around Him and spoke His final words as a man. What did he say? Join us as we relive Jesus final hours, and celebrate His ultimate victory on this Red Letter Day. - [Read more]

It was a Red Letter Day. Bloody, beaten, and nailed to a cross, a dying Jesus looked at those around Him and spoke His final words as a man. What did he say? Join us as we relive Jesus final hours, and celebrate His ultimate victory on this Red Letter Day. - [Read more]

It was a Red Letter Day. Bloody, beaten, and nailed to a cross, a dying Jesus looked at those around Him and spoke His final words as a man. What did he say? Join us as we relive Jesus final hours, and celebrate His ultimate victory on this Red Letter Day. - [Read more]

There’s nothing quite like a juicy love story...the romance, the intrigue, and maybe a little scandal. We’re digging in to some of the greatest biblical marriages to see what we can learn. Travel back in time with us for Once Upon a Marriage. - [Read more]

There’s nothing quite like a juicy love story...the romance, the intrigue, and maybe a little scandal. We’re digging in to some of the greatest biblical marriages to see what we can learn. Travel back in time with us for Once Upon a Marriage. - [Read more]

There’s nothing quite like a juicy love story...the romance, the intrigue, and maybe a little scandal. We’re digging in to some of the greatest biblical marriages to see what we can learn. Travel back in time with us for Once Upon a Marriage. - [Read more]

There’s nothing quite like a juicy love story...the romance, the intrigue, and maybe a little scandal. We’re digging in to some of the greatest biblical marriages to see what we can learn. Travel back in time with us for Once Upon a Marriage. - [Read more]

Sometimes it seems like the only way to keep up with all the demands on our lives is to run at maximum capacity—and then some. But there is another way...one where we have room to breathe and space to respond to what life brings our way. - [Read more]

Sometimes it seems like the only way to keep up with all the demands on our lives is to run at maximum capacity—and then some. But there is another way...one where we have room to breathe and space to respond to what life brings our way. - [Read more]

Pastor Erik Rees offers insights into spiritual gifts - [Read more]

Sometimes it seems like the only way to keep up with all the demands on our lives is to run at maximum capacity—and then some. But there is another way...one where we have room to breathe and space to respond to what life brings our way. - [Read more]

Sometimes it seems like the only way to keep up with all the demands on our lives is to run at maximum capacity—and then some. But there is another way...one where we have room to breathe and space to respond to what life brings our way. - [Read more]

Stories of courageous women risking their lives to bring Gods love - [Read more]

How opening their home to three orphans changed a family forever - [Read more]

A worldwide movement shows how to make more of Christmas with less - [Read more]

Do you trust God with everything? - [Read more]

How the prison ministry, Angel Tree, saved Christmas for one family - [Read more]

Carrie Underwood?s song a reminder that life is preparation for eternity - [Read more]

Open your eyes to the glory of Christ this Christmas - [Read more]

The amazing story of a complete stranger who made the ultimate sacrifice - [Read more]

"I believe God made me for a purpose, but He also made me fast." - [Read more]

Our community shares what theyre thankful for - [Read more]

Five practical ways to maintain momentum - [Read more]

I first began writing devotionals at Sonflower, my original blog.  I would like to share a revelation moment I had years ago, which helped curb my spending and taught me a valuable lesson on contentment.  I hope it will do the same for you!

Boxes, price-tags, clothes, toys, and household items lined hallways, laundry room, and many corners of my house. Ads were placed in newspaper, signs were posted on telephone poles, and notices to neighbors wishing to participate in my garage sale were taken mailbox to mailbox. Weeks of preparation were invested. Why on earth had I agreed to do this?

I decided I would add to the list of reasons why to not lay up treasures on earth—where moth and rust destroy, thief steals, and so you won’t have to have a garage sale!

I combed through and priced each and every item. There was close to five years worth of stuff to work through. I put out of mind any thought of how much money I had originally spent on all these things. It would be too depressing, not to mention the time I had to take from my already busy schedule to pull off this sale. Time and money…money and time—two things I always seem to be lacking.

Why did I think I had to have all these things in the first place? I had exchanged my precious time for money, which was eventually exchanged for all these things that I did not even need anymore!

The Apostle Paul reminds us to be content with food and clothing (1 Tim 6:8). As I was trying to get rid of all I had gained, I read: Godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Tim 6:6 NIV). Contentment versus consumerism…what a concept! The world says shop ‘til you drop for satisfaction. God says shop for what is necessary and find satisfaction in Him.

How do we experience contentment when we are being constantly bombarded by marketing techniques which promise happiness and gratification if we buy a certain product? Colossians tells us to set your mind on things above, not on earthly things (Col. 3:2 NIV). We do not belong to this world. Our citizenship is in heaven where we are to set our affections. Our desires are to be of heavenly things.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Mat 6:21 NIV). Our treasures in heaven are safe, sure, and incorruptible. Salvation through Christ, wisdom, knowledge, and peace cannot be taken away.

The treasures on earth are prone to be lost. There are so many passing fads, as was proven with my garage sale. King Solomon, who was one of the wisest men that walked the earth amassed silver and gold and the greatest riches of anyone of his time. He denied himself nothing that his eyes desired and finally concluded, “Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun” (Ecc 2:11 NIV).

May God help us amass spiritual treasures and find happiness only in Christ who secured at the cross riches for all who come to Him where eye has not seen, ear has not heard, and mind cannot even conceive what God has prepared for us who love Him. One day we will inhabit a Holy City and walk on streets of pure gold, see foundations of walls decorated with every kind of precious stone, and gates made of pearls. We will behold the brilliance of the glory of God. Let us find contentment not in mere things, but in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

In my series on Developing One’s Prayer Life, I addressed how to go about talking to God.  We must remember though, that a relationship is not merely one-way.  We all know that in order for human relationships to flourish, there must be a back and forth exchange in communication.  One person cannot always do the talking.  This same idea exists in our relationship with our Heavenly Father.  We must take time to sit in His presence and hear His voice, and so comes this next series titled “Hearing God”. 

The most valuable and primary means by which God speaks to us is through His Word, the inerrant and infallable Bible.  From it, we learn that~

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.  2 Timothy 3:16-17

God’s word provides answers for every need we will ever encounter.  He has answers for all our questions. 

Some time ago, I recall getting an email called Bible-911, author unknown.  Notice how God speaks to us so personally through His word…

• When in sorrow, call John 14.
• When men fail you, call Psalm 27.
• If you want to be fruitful, call John 15.
• When you have sinned, call Psalm 51.
• When you worry, call Matthew 6:19-34.
• When you are in danger, call Psalm 91.
• When God seems far away, call Psalm 139.
• When your faith needs stirring, call Hebrews 11.
• When you are lonely and fearful, call Psalm 23.
• When you grow bitter and critical, call 1 Cor. 13.
• For the secret to happiness, call Col. 3:12-17.
• For idea of Christianity, call 1 Cor. 5:15-19.
• When you feel down and out, call Romans 8:31-39.
• When you want peace and rest, call Matt. 11:25-30.
• When the world seems bigger than God, call Psalm 90.
• When you want Christian assurance, call Romans 8:1-30.
• When you leave home for labor or travel, call Psalm 121.
• When your prayers grow narrow or selfish, call Psalm 67.
• For a great invention/opportunity, call Isaiah 55.
• When you want courage for a task, call Joshua 1.
• How to get along with fellow men, call Romans 12.
• When you think of investments/returns, call Mark 10.
• If you are depressed, call Psalm 27.
• If your pocketbook is empty, call Psalm 37.
• If your losing confidence in people, call 1 Cor. 13.
• If people seem unkind, call John 15.
• If discouraged about your work, call Psalm 126.
• If you find the world growing small, and yourself great, call Psalm 19

A wonderful resource to use in finding answers for any topic is a concordance.  It allows you to look up any word in your Bible and see all the occurances and uses of that word.  Yet another valuable tool is Nave’s Topical Bible.  It takes more than 20,000 topics which lead to over 100,000 scripture references providing insight on a multitude of subjects.  A free online resources for searching out the scriptures is Bible Gateway.  Be blessed as you hear from God through His word.

Lord, teach us to number our days,
         that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12

I know, the title seems like a contradition in terms, but I am doing some serious assessing of how I spend my time and have been thinking that if I want to accomplish more, I need to remove some unnecessary things from my life.  This quote seems to say it all…

A high-quality life has a lot more to do with what you remove from your life than what you add to it.  Cheryl Richardson

I am inching closer to my 41st birthday.  For me, birthdays are like the start of the new year, a time of reassessment.  For now, I am looking at how I spend my time since the pages of my life seem to be flipping by faster with each new year.  At this point, I am not thinking about what I want to do more of, but what I can do less of.  This in turn will hopefully create more of that illusive time for me to accomplish what God is calling me to do in this next year of my life.

Join me in conisdering what we can do less of…

• Less TV time
• Less distractions
• Less piles of paper
• Less food preparation
• Less time spent cleaning
• Less stress
• Less time at the computer
• Less ________________

Now, think, what do you want to do more of?

• More time spent with family
• More focus on true priorities
• More efficiency in the kitchen
• More accomplishments
• More time spent doing Kingdom work
• More relaxation on the weekends
• More time doing the things I am passionate about
• More ________________

In order to accomplish more in less time, we need to assess our activities to determine what the time wasters are in our lives.  Then, we can replace those things with more productive ways of spending our time.  It’s that easy. 

So how would you fill in those last blanks…What are the things in your life that you’d like to do less of?  What would you like to do more of instead?  Do share.  I’d love to hear your ideas.

During the summer when we’re home more often, we tend to graze during the day.  That’s alright as long as you are snacking on the right foods.  Consider the benefits of healthy snacking:

1. It diminishes your cravings.
2. It ensures you are getting the vitamins and minerals your body needs.
3. You tend to eat less during formal eating times.

So, what are some healthy snacks?  Try these…

• Nuts–Mix them with dried cranberries or cherries…mmmm
• Beef Jerky–I make my own with a dehydrator…Pure protein!
• Fruit–You can never go wrong with this and it satisfies your sweet tooth.  Ripe plums are like candy to me!
• Yogurt–topped with granola or berries
• Peanut butter on whole wheat toast–Decadent if you put a little real butter on before spreading peanut butter
• Protein bars–Watch for the trans fats and artificial crud in so many of these though!
• Boiled eggs–Keep a bowl of them in the fridge.
• Smoothies–Remember my recipe?
• Popcorn–I’m loving the Orville Redenbacher Natural
• Carrot & Celery Sticks

Visit

for more summer tips!

Part 1   

Part 2   

Part 3

The final in a series about Developing One’s Prayer Life instructs how to pray God’s Word.  This is simply talking to Him using His words.  I first learned about this approach from Beth Moore in a Bible Study. 

The concept is very easy, but extremely effective.  As you are reading your Bible, look  for scriptures that you want to talk to the Father about.  When a passage speaks to you, then you can begin to pray God’s word.

1.  Restate a truth from the word that speaks to you.  For example, when reading Hebrews 13:5-6, tell Him, “Thank you God, that you promise to never leave or forsake me.  You are my helper.  I will not be afraid.”

2.  If you don’t understand a passage, ask God about it.  i.e. “Lord, you say I have the mind of Christ.  How do I appropriate this truth?”  1 Corinthians 2:16

3.  Ask Him for what you need.  “Lord, I do believe.  Please help my unbelief.”  (Mark 9:24)

4.  Confess any sin and ask God to help you in repentance.  “Lord, forgive me for losing my temper.  Help me be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger.”  James 1:19

5.  Praise God through His word.  “I will bless you, God at all times.  Your praise shall always be on my lips! ” Psalm 34:1

Praying God’s word is an amazing way to replace our thoughts with His thoughts.  It allows us to cast down imaginations and bring thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ.  The battle always begins in the mind, so meditating on and praying God’s word is a powerful weapon with which to wage war (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). 

My dear Sister in Christ, Uli, has mentored me over the years in this wonderful process of praying the Word.  You will be blessed to visit her site at Let Us Pray.  It is a wonderful way to begin the day…praying God’s Word.

Whether you are planning to entertain for the fourth of July or simply want to treat your family to a healthy and festive treat, consider using berries.  They are good for you and offer the perfect patriotic colors!

Berry Good Serving Ideas:

• Make a Fruit Pizza (Dear daughter’s blog…consider a rectangular shape with berries for stripes & stars!)
• Make Fruit Kabobs (an adorable idea from The Frugal Girls)
• Make a patriotic fruit tray or fruit cup (Red: strawberries/raspberries; Blue: blueberries; White: whipped topping)

 HOMEMADE WHIPPED CREAM

1/2 pt. whipping cream
3 tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

Whip cream with mixer. Be careful not to overbeat or else will get too thick like butter. When it begins to thicken, add sugar and vanilla; stir. Refrigerate

Berry Nutritional Facts:

• Strawberries & blueberries are high in vitamin C, calcium, folate, and potassium.
• Berries contain phytochemicals and flavonoids, which are known to prevent cancer.
• Blueberries and raspberries contain lutein, which is important for healthy vision.

Remembering this on Independence Day…Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17

I don’t know many kids who have a palate for sushi, but if you try this fruity recipe, they’ll be coming back for more! 

Simply roll banana in a fruit roll up.  More healthy varieties of fruit roll ups can be purchased at the health food store.  Cut into slices (as pictured) and add desired toppings.  We used candy sprinkles and preserves. 

The fun comes in eating with chopsticks.  It’s great fine motor practice for the kiddos unless they are like my nine-year-old son who used his chopsticks to stab them and pop ‘em in his mouth!  Enjoy!

Visit…

for more summer fun recipes!

Today, I want to share one of my favorite exercises in Health Hints.  Push ups are the best upper body workout that I know of working the shoulders, chest, arms, back, and even the core.  You can drop and do them anywhere and best of all they are free and do not require any special equipment.  I usually do the girlie push ups on my knees, but I have decided to graduate to the pure form push ups. 

I have recently discovered a program called 100 Push Ups.  I know, I know, 100 push ups?  Is it really possible?  I don’t know, I’ll let you know when I find out, but for now, in my initial test I could only do 10 with good form.  When I do the modified (on my knees) I can do 25. 

I might could have done more, but I felt all the blood in my body rushing to my head so I decided to stop there and not skew the results of the assessment by breaking proper form and doing them improperly.  Of course they recommend (and so do I) that you obtain medical advice if you have any questions as to whether or not this is the right exercise for you.  The beauty of this regimen is that you start small and work your way up the ladder of fitness.  You plug in what you can do and then it creates a doable plan for you.

So tell me, would you care to join me in the 100 push up challenge?  Let me know if you’re game!

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve…Mark 10:45

We can all agree how precious our time is and the value of saving time.  I’ve made many posts containing time saving tips, but this post is about spending time rather than saving it.  Time spent investing into relationships  with people is never wasted.  Following, I have listed ten ways to make time for and serve others.

1.  Go to church regularly.  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.  Hebrews 10:25  This is a great way to get to know like-minded people, to encourage, and be encouraged.
2. Send “thinking of you” notes.  You know how it feels to get one of these.  Brighten someone’s day with a thoughtful card.  Jot down a Bible verse or favorite memory you have with them.
3. Spend time outside your home.  Rather than staying holed up in your house, go outdoors and get to know your neighbors.
4. Send thank you notes.  Boy has this become a lost art.  It shows appreciation, thoughtfulness, and kindness. 
5. Volunteer.  At a school, in your public library, with a senior citizens group, or anywhere you see a need. 
6. Join a group.  Whether it’s a knitting group or tennis lessons, this is a good way to meet and get to know people you wouldn’t otherwise.
7. Do something together.  Join a gym or plan a walking schedule.  This is a great way to spend good, quality time with an old or even a new friend.
8. Vacation together.  A weekend outing or golf getaway is a great way to catch up and build stronger relationships.
9. Make weekly calls.  Set a block of time each week to make phone calls to cultivate friendships.
10. Open your home.  Invite a coworker, friend, or someone from church over for dinner or dessert. 

All of these ideas are wonderful ways to build relationships and ultimately serve others.  Do you have any suggestions for spending time with others which go beyond the ones I have mentioned?  I’d love to hear your ideas.

Games don’t have to be all, well, fun and games.  There are many benefits to the mind by playing chess, scrabble, and other similar games.  In the heat of the day, don’t hesitate to plop down in your cool living room floor and play games with family members.  The results can be things like:

• Improved memory 
• Clearer and faster processing
•  Better concentration and alertness

I have become especially fond of a site called Fit Brains.  There are numerous free games with the option to subscribe to the service if you want to chart your progress or see how you compare with others.  You will notice a wide variety of games which challenge various components like language, visual/spatial, memory, and concentration.  I am particularly fond of the word games. 

Other noteworthy online brain bender games can be found at:

Games for the Brain

Brain Bashers

Merriam Webster Word Games

I certainly don’t advocate wasting hours at a time playing these games, but 10-15 minutes a day or every other day will allow you to flex your brain muscles and bring benefit to your soul.

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. Ephesians 6:18

In Part 1 of this series, I addressed the need for prayer.  In Part 2, praise was the emphasized as a necessary component of prayer. 

For Part 3 of this series I would like to direct your attention to the picture above.  You will see my prayer purse and all of the contents.  Quite simply, it’s a little bag just big enough to carry my Bible, a little notebook to list prayer requests/praises, a pen, and some hankies.  It is easy to tote around and practical enough to be able to refer to when needed.  This is a simple system for me to keep records of prayer concerns.  It is portable enough to be carried into your prayer closet, in the car, to church, on vacation, or appointments. 

But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.  Matthew 6:6

Where is your secret place to pray?  Consider the possibilities…

• While doing dishes, folding clothes, or cleaning house
• While walking
• While driving
• With a friend

The possibilities are limitless.  Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

Just as in regular life we need water to survive, so in our Spiritual life we also need this same water to thrive. Many times in Scripture there are analogies used of us “coming to the water” and “drinking freely”. We need to have a thirst for God, and we need to come [...]

With everyone home for the summer, surfaces fill up quickly with toys, clothing, mail, and a general array of clutter.  Before clutter begets more clutter, utilize one of my most favorite clean-up techniques: 

The 5 Minute Clean-up!

1. Gather everyone together from the household.
2. Announce, “Time for a 5 minute clean-up!”
3. Set timer and shout “Begin!”
4. Each person finds something, anything to pick up and put in its rightful place.
5. Timer goes off in no time.
6. Observe and enjoy your new clutter free home.
7. Get on with the more important matters that God has called you to for the day!

If this is done with great regularity, you obviously will reap the benefits.  If you have more copious corners of clutter, simply institute the 10 minute clean-up.  You are more likely to lose the younger members of your household with this one, so be ready to give direction and prompts as they tidy their spaces.  Also, manage kiddos to make sure they aren’t tossing things in their closet or under the bed.  You know the routine.   Children can also have designated baskets to carry from room to room.

Ideas for other (more intensive) 5 minute tasks:

• Shake floor rugs and sweep a room
• Clean bathroom mirrors
• Clean a toilet
• Gather dirty towels & start a load of laundry
• Empty the trash
• Make a bed

Why buy prepared, costly mixes when you can make your own?  The following can be pre-made and stored in sealed containers or plastic bags. 

Biscuit Mix (which tastes just as good as the expensive stuff in the big yellow box!)

• 8 1/2 c. flour (or half white flour, half whole wheat flour)
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 3 Tbsp baking powder
• 1 Tbsp salt
• 1 1/2 c. dry instant milk granules
• 2 tsp cream of tartar

Mix all ingredients and cut in 2 1/4 cups shortening with knives or pastry blender.  Makes about 13 cups. Store this tightly covered in a cool dark place. Use to make biscuits, cookies, pancakes, dumplings, quick breads, cakes, waffles,  or muffin mix.  You know, the recipes you’ve seen on the side of the Bisquick box. 

Cake Mix

• 8 c. cake flour
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 6 c. sugar
• 1/4 c. baking powder

Cut in 2 1/2 c. shortening with two knives or pastry blender.  This makes about 16 cups. All recipes make two 8″ round pans or one 9″ x 13″ pan. For a white cake: 3 1/3 c. mix, 3/4 c. milk, 1 tsp vanilla, 3 egg whites, 375 degrees for about 25 min. For a chocolate cake: 3 1/3 c. mix, 1/3 c. cocoa, 2 eggs, 1 c. milk, 3 Tbsp melted butter, 375 degrees for about 30 min. The yellow cake is the same as white cake, except use 2 whole eggs.

Brownie Mix

Mix together in the following order:

• one 8 oz can cocoa
• 4 tsp salt
• 4 tsp baking powder
• 8 c. sugar
• 6 c. flour

Finally, cut in 2 cups of shortening with 2 knives or pastry blender.  This makes about 17 cups. For brownies beat together 2 large eggs, 2 1/2 c. mix, 1 tsp vanilla (2 Tbsp milk if you want cakey brownies), bake in greased 8″ sq pan at 350 degrees for about 30 mins or until brownie pulls away from side of pan. Cool before slicing.

Keep in mind that coconut oil is a great alternative to shortening in recipes.  It is the partially/hydogenated form (transfat) that you need to stay away from.  Coconut oil is high in saturated fats, but doesn’t have the same effect on our bodies as saturated fats which comes from animals. Coconut oil is now regarded as a “functional food” since it is now found to have health benefits.  Simply buy it at a health food store in its virgin state (not hydrogenated).  It is a great alternative to the shortening your grandmother used to use.

Last week began the first in a series on Prayer.  In this second installment on Developing One’s Prayer Life, I would like to focus on praise. 

I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. Psalm 9:1

It is so easy when praying, to petition God with a litany of requests concerning difficulites we have.  I know.  I’ve done it.  Yes, God wants to hear our needs and is able to meet all our needs according to the riches that are in Christ, but when we begin our prayers with praise, it empties us of self-focus and causes faith to rise up as we place all attention on a Mighty God who is greater than our problems and able to overcome any turmoil we may be experiencing. 

When the disciples asked Jesus, “Lord, teach us to pray,”  Jesus answered that we are to begin our prayers, “Our Father which art in heaven.”  When we begin praying this way, we are acknowledging that He is high and lifted up, exalted and in control of this world, our nation, our homes, and our very lives. 

Be thou exalted, LORD, in thine own strength: so will we sing and praise thy power. Psalm 21:13

Next, in the Lord’s prayer was “Hallowed be thy name.”  He is holy!  He is good and we know that every good and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.  James 1:17  We can trust Him and His word because all His promises are yes and amen!

Then they believed his promises and sang his praise.  Psalm 106:12

So you see, when we begin our prayers in praise and surrender to an all sufficient God, we can then trust our Wonderful Counselor to guide us into all truth; Mighty God who holds all power in Heaven and earth; Everlasting Father who knows the beginning from the end (and knows our needs even before we mention them); and Prince of Peace who guards our heart and mind even when all sorts of trouble seem to be swarming around us.

Does that make you want to praise Him!  Then do!  Begin talking to your Heavenly Father and praise Him. 

Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.  Psalm 67:3

Don’t toss your overly ripe fruit.  It’s tossing money in the trash!  I put my browning bananas in the fridge for use in smoothies. Here is my  breakfast of champions which is sure to get your day and body going!

The beauty of this recipe is that I have never measured ingredients (except for vitamins), but merely estimated what I need dependent on how many people this is feeding.  You can’t go wrong!

INGREDIENTS

• Lowfat Yogurt
• Ripe Banana
• Handful of Frozen Fruit
• Natural Local Honey
• 1 T Flax Seed per person
• 1 T Pharmaceutical Fish Oil per person (I promise, it won’t taste fishy!)
• 1 opened Acidophilus capsule per person
• 1/2 – 1 C 100% Juice (your choice)

Blend in mixer until smooth.  Serve with toast and a boiled egg and you’ll be good to go.  Enjoy this healthy and economical breakfast.  You’ll be a good steward of your body and money!

Let all things be done decently and in order. 1 Corinthians 14:40

From this verse, we know that God desires order in the church.  Why then should we lack order in our homes which brings confusion and stress, hindering us from doing more important work in the Kingdom? 

I have mentioned the value of keeping organized with lists as a way to stay on top of things that need to be done, but have you ever noticed how some things seem to linger a little longer on your to do list?  Most likely, these are more extensive projects which take more time and energy.  Some examples would be cleaning garage, washing exterior windows, putting in a closet system, etc.

I have found some helpful ways to get these bigger projects completed while saving your valuable time:

1. Make a list.  Keep it short and doable, maybe no more than ten projects should be listed.  Don’t add to it until you get these things finished.
2. Put them on your calendar.  Find a window of opportunity (an open weekend or summer break).  Give each project a beginning and ending time. 
3. Notify others.  Let your family know when this project is coming so they can plan with you.  Many hands make light work.  If the kids are involved with the grit of cleaning the garage then they will more likely play a part in keeping it orderly.

For me, projects seem to be seasonal.  Cleaning the shed out back or the garage would be done on a summer morning.  Organizing closets comes at the end of each major change in weather.  Updating files and photos is done in the cold winter months.  Decide which projects logically fall into each season and create a schedule. 

For example…

SUMMER:  Vacation, painting project, organize office

FALL:  Finish scrapbooking or organize jpgs on your computer, clean garden and mulch flower beds

WINTER:  Do indoor projects like taking an online course, update resume, shampoo carpets for the holidays

SPRING:  Garden, enrichment activities with children, mission trip

So, finish your projects and enjoy the results.  It helps simplify your life, brings order, and allows you to move on with the more important things that God has in mind for you to do.  

For more ideas like these, visit

Simple crafts are an expensive way to spend time with children and have them develop creativity. The following are some good recipes for frugal summer fun.  The great thing about these concoctions is that you will more than likely have all the necessary ingredients on hand. 

YARN ART

• Cut several lengths of bright colored yarn (12-24 in.)
• Cover workspace with newspaper
• Mix in a bowl: 2 T white glue & 2 T water
• Soak the yarn in glue & squeeze excess through fingers
• Press yarn to tissue paper
• Let dry
• Trim tissue edges and hang designs in a window

HOMEMADE PASTE
1 C flour
1/2 C water

Combine and mix until creamy. Store in a sealed container. Great for papier-mache!

CORNSTARCH AND SODA CLAY

(This recipe is not meant to be eaten.)

Ingredients:

• 2 C Baking Soda
• 1 C Cornstarch
• 1 1/4 C Cold Water

Combine ingredients in saucepan until smooth.  Bring to boil for one minute, stirring it turns to consistency of mashed potatoes.  Pour onto tray and cover with damp cloth until cool.  Knead a little.  If you prefer, you can add food coloring at this time.  Use immediately or store in sealed container in refridgerator.  (Warm to room temperature before using.)  Mold into shapes or roll onto wax paper to cut with cookie cutters.  You can paint this dough when dried if desired. 

HOMEMADE FINGER PAINT

Mix equal parts of paste (see above recipe) and liquid detergent.  Add food coloring.  Remember, the best paper for finger painting is butcher paper or the stiffer shelf paper.   You can dip this paper in water before painting on it.  Use sponges, cut apples, carrots, etc.

For more frugal ideas, visit

Today, there is such a heavy emphasis on the body and with good reason because without this earthly tent, we would cease to live.  Yet while we do exist, we must acknowledge that we are spiritual beings too.  Our spirit is eternal, therefore we must give it the attention it is due. 

One way to build up the spirit man is through prayer.  This post is the first in a series on developing your prayer life.

Elizabeth George in her book Small Changes for a Better Life makes these suggestions for improving one’s prayer life.

1. Do it.  We learn to pray by praying.  It is simply talking to God. 
2. Do it badly.  You may think your words aren’t just right, but your heavenly Father is kind and patient and wants to hear from you no matter how unpolished or simple your prayer is.
3. Do it regularly.  Prayer, like other things, becomes more natural when done regularly.
4. Do it faithfully.  When we pray faithfully, it strengthens our relationship and helps us be more faithful in our walk with God.
5. Do it for life.  Prayer is so necessary for the Christian life.  It is the air that our spirit breathes. 

Magazine subscriptions can be costly and did you know that about 70% of a magazine consists of advertising?  Not only that, but the magazines tend to pile up, clutter, and steal our time. 

If it’s content you are interested in, consider going online to read your magazines.  Here are some noteworthy ones.  Keep in mind that these are free!  To save time, simply peruse titles for material you may find helpful or interesting.

• Real Simple
• Christian Women Today
• New Man eMagazine
• Better Homes and Garden
• Growing in Grace (for young ladies)
• Highlights (for kids)
• American Girl Magazine (for girls)

Happy summer reading!

Ever been pushing your grocery cart along the aisle and a small breeze blows your coupons through the little wires of the seat?  Perhaps you have fumbled through one of those accordian style coupon organizers and cannot find just the right coupon that you are looking for.  I’ve been there. 

Last summer, I purchased a three-ring binder and filled it with see thru baseball card holders.  I found that when trimmed, my coupons fit nicely in the sleeves.  Finally, I created tabbed sections to logically organize my coupons.   It has been the perfect solution for getting the upper hand on all those valuable little slips of paper. 

As I am shopping along, I pull out my needed coupons and file them in the back pocket of my binder so they don’t disappear before I get to check out.  Voila!  Last week I saved over $50 on my trip to the grocery store.  So invest in making your very own coupon notebook.  You’ll be a good steward of your time and money!

Time saving tip:  As you are cutting coupons from the paper, put them in piles that correspond to tabbed sections.  It makes it quicker and easier to file them into your coupon notebook!

For more frugal tips, visit

There are a couple of things I can think of that belong to God. Our lives, our praise and thanksgiving, our time, our commitment. God doesn’t care about our money or our stuff, He doesn’t need those things, but He does care about our lives and our hearts (our souls). These belong [...]

Christ spoke something great at the end of His sermon on the Mount, He said, Matthew 7:24-26 KJV “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and [...]

What’s great to hear always is the Word of the Lord. That’s the Word that will pick you up when you are feeling depressed, will get you going and put you right where you need to be. I understand now how people could come to Jesus so often just to hear the Word [...] - [Read more]

It’s important to set apart some time each and every day to spend with the Lord.  Remember the Prophet Daniel and the time he set apart each and every day for God.  This time spent each and every day will provide maximum refreshment and grant strength to make it through the day, along with answering [...] - [Read more]

In the account of the Lord Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, He is recorded as saying something to His disciples that were with Him. Matthew 26:40-41 “And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter [...] - [Read more]

Something Better...

Grace Applied...

• First, Paul commends the Colossians because of their love for all the saints. In fact, the Church at Colossae was so devoted to loving all the brothers that Paul always thanked God for them in his prayers! Imagine having the apostle Paul consider you a blessing.



• Second, the apparent reason for this outpouring of love amonst the believers was because they understood something really crucial. "Because of the hope laid up for you in heaven." The Colossians understood the concept of something better; they knew that this life wasnt the end. This is huge in the Christian life.



• Thirdly, I have a confession to make. I used to think that the focus on heaven was the source of love. I thought that if we focused more on the afterlife than on this one; if we thought more about the eternal scheme of things, wed be better off... However, this isnt the case at all. Paul says in verse 6 that the gospel had been bearing fruit and growing, "since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth." The grace of God is the source of all love. It is also the source of the hope of heaven.

The yellow leaves were so striking against the blue sky. I had to stop the car to photograph them. Its the time of year for renewal, as plants and trees that have lain dormant now burst forth with color.

Its wonderful to recieve a bouquet of flowers delivered to your door for a special occasion.

Each spring, God delivers a vast array of blooms and blossoms for everyone to share. Whats the occasion?

He loves us.

“And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” (Luke 24:32)

The disciples had the opportunity to walk and talk with the Lord while He was here on this earth, yet they never grew tired of listening to Him unfold the mysteries of the scriptures before them. Desire for and love of the Word caused their hearts to burn within them while He taught either in front of multitudes, in a small group setting, or on a one-on-one basis.

We have a challenge in this simple verse to ask ourselves when the last time was that our hearts burned within us at the hearing of God’s Word. Are we yearning for a nugget of truth from the Word of God? Do we desire His Word more than anything in life? We must be careful not to take the Word for granted or forget what a precious gift it truly is.

Next time you hear the reading of God’s Word, consider what the disciples said, “Did not our heart burn within us . . . while he opened to us the scriptures.”

If we’re in love with Jesus, we’re in love with the Word (John 1). If we’re not in love with the Word, how can we truly be in love with Jesus . . . food for thought!

Father, learning how the disciples felt at the hearing of the Word suddenly makes me realize that I may not be as in love with the Word as I should be or that I thought I was! Lord, burn in me a desire for the Word; rekindle that fire within me. Renew a hunger for more of your Word in my life so I can say as the disciples, “Did not our heart burn within us, while . . . he opened to us the scriptures?” Amen!

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”  (John 1:14)

© Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved

A SOng of Praise www.freewebstore.org/jpmusicpublishers - [Read more]

One aspect that is mentioned many times in the Bible and which serves as a very good tool for us as Christians, is none other than the weapon of prayer and fasting. Even Jesus mentioned prayer and fasting, along with engaging in it Himself. Mark 9:29 ‘And He said to them, “This kind cannot come out by [...] - [Read more]

One major aspect of our Christian lives is our prayer for one another. The Bible says that “Christ ever liveth to make intercession for us” (Hebrews 7:25), and as Christ is formed in us, we too will grow more and more to make intercession for those around us. Prayer is important to God. James 5:16 “Confess your [...] - [Read more]

The Bible says that “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness” (that is right standing with God). (Romans 4:3) And it was not only credited unto Abraham, but also unto us who would also believe. For God is not a respecter of person, but He looks at the faith [...] - [Read more]

Nosotros, como hijos de Dios son capaces de estar seguro de saber que el Señor está en control. A pesar de que el diablo puede ser el dios de este mundo (2 Cor. 4:4) y puede parecer que tienen la sartén por el mango, a veces, la seguridad de que Dios jamás será vencido y [...] - [Read more]

There is a beautiful verse that the Psalmist wrote in Psalm 51, verse 7. It reads: Ps. 51:7 “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” When we ask God to cleanse us, He does. He washes us and purifies us, even more so then [...] - [Read more]

Although you can never put a price on love, God has shown His own love for us in this. Romans 5:8 “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinner, Christ died for us.” You see, Jesus Christ, and His death and Resurrection, is God’s love toward us. There are many [...] - [Read more]

Matthew 14:13-14 “Now when Jesus heard about John, He withdrew from there in a boat to a secluded place by Himself; and when the people heard of this, they followed Him on foot from the cities.  When He went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and felt compassion for them and healed their sick. This compassion [...] - [Read more]

With God it is alright to say, “I can’t”. No matter how hard we try, sometimes we just can’t do the impossible without Him. It’s alright to confess our failures and declare His majesty. Even Jesus said, Matt. 19:26 “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” When we accept [...] - [Read more]

When questioned by the Pharisees as to what the greatest commandment given by God was, Jesus correctly responded, Mark 12:28-30 “One of the Scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He (Jesus) had answered them well, asked Him, ‘What commandment is the greatest of all?’ Jesus responded, ‘The greatest is this, ‘Hear O Israel, [...] - [Read more]

As we walk with the Lord, we begin to see that He is for our success, our prosperity, our peace.  Not only in this life, but also in the one to come. Romans 8:31 “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” If God be for us, [...] - [Read more]