Author: pamela

Seize Opportunities

Seize the moment to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ the Lord.  Our nation may have  gone over the moral cliff and it seems that doors of opportunity to spread the gospel have been closed.   Large numbers of individuals may have rejected God’s moral law, they may, in fact, reject you and the message of the gospel — but the doors are not closed.  The darker the night, the brighter the light of one candle.  Will you seize the moment and share the Light of the gospel to a dark and sin laden world?  You have the life God has given you… how will you use your life today?
Only One Life
CT Studd

Two little lines I heard one day,Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life,’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill, living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn, And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, “twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say,”Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call, I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

 

Consider the opportunities you might have this Christmas season…

Gifts from your ♥ home

Each year, about this time, I refer to a “Christmas” page I created on our website and though it’s probably been up (and rarely updated) for the last ten or twelve years, it remains a great resource for me — and I hope it will be for you, too.  Regardless how you spend the holidays or Christmastime, there are, no doubt, special things you like to incorporate into your days and evenings with your family.  These special things might be traditions or celebrations, family recipes or gifts you prepare and send.

Whatever the case, as always, we mothers need to remember (and be often reminded) that it won’t matter so much to our children all the stuff we did, all the things we made, all the places we went… they’ll most remember how it all felt –– how we felt about them.  This is a painful time of year for many women… it’s an anxious time of year for still more… but! But we can still have joy and we can still give our families the love and devotion they deserve from mama.  Joy isn’t the absence of pain or regret or whatever —————– joy is the presence of Jesus.  Joy is the present of Jesus.  Be present.


more:  A Christian Home Christmas Celebration Page
On my Pinterest boards you’ll see more decorating, gift and baking/recipe ideas

Gifts from your heart & home

bullet Cookies In A Jar
bullet More Unique Gifts in a Jar
bullet Gifts you can make
bullet Gift “Baskets” of all Kinds!
bullet Gifts from Your Pantry
bullet Gift Ideas for Any Occasion
bullet Make  a  Gallon  Jar  “Topper”  for a  Gallon Jar  Gift

Martha, Martha…

O, Martha, Martha, where is your Mary heart?  O, Martha, Martha, would you seek to have a Mary heart?  My husband has whispered to me at different times in different seasons.

I reflect on years gone by and all the many Christmases through the years.  And quickly my mind is brought to the thought that it’s all going to be an avalanche of emotion for any number of us… all the Christmas wouldda, couldda, shouldda’s will bury us in anxiousness, disappointment, frustration, regret and, if we’re not careful, resentment — unless we determine to be rested in the fact that only one thing is needed.  Simple acknowledgement will not prevent the fretting and fussing.  Even a decision to keep things simple (famous last words) will not prevent the longing to make things special at. any. expense.  All the previous year’s decisions to not get caught up in the frenzy of shopping, decorating — all the getting and doing — will be forgotten unless we intentionally, gracefully carry ourselves through this Christmas season.

But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.  And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:  But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”  Luke 10.40-42

Martha, Martha…would you have a Mary heart?

Live a Great Love Story

I hope you’ll take time to listen to the following video clips — a three part series, foundational to both marriage and Christianity… about a God who is passionate and full of life.  And the Bible: the greatest love story ever written… God created marriage and He is passionate… Unless we have this life and this passion, we’re not an accurate reflection of our God who created these emotions and marriage and romance and love.

Sometimes we see Jesus as a great Saviour, but do we see Him as a great role model?  Regarding your marriage… Francis Chan says, “…It’s not,  ‘Are you happy?’ ”  “When people watch you interact with your spouse, do they see Jesus Christ in you?”

Whoever claims to life in Him, must walk and live as Jesus did.  Do we follow in His steps?

Watch Francis Chan and his wife, Lisa, as they minister in this three part series: Christ Centered Relationships

Cake Pops

A little more traveling around… this time, I want to share with you a fun idea: Cake Pops!

You’ve no doubt seen these in shoppes and Starbucks… but you don’t need to pay the high price to try one of these or to share them with your family.  You can make them at home — and, just the way your family would like them!

Here you go:

This woman is soooo fun to listen to — I watched a few more of her videos. Then, following the link to her site, I sure think she’s got a great site going there! I think you’ll like the ideas/methods, too. Especially if you’ve slid into a slump in the cooking and serving department! Sometimes all you need is a little nudge, a picture of creativity at work and some new ideas to spark enthusiasm for serving your family! If you’re in a slump, do not — I repeat — do not stay there. It’s homemaker suicide to stay in a slump and wallow there. Believe me, the price is too high – you don’t want to pay that price — wait, you CANNOT afford to do it!

You can view more of her videos *or* you can visit her site, Divas Can Cook for more great cooking tips, recipes and serving ideas.  Go!

More Foodie Stuff

I intended to add a few items to my foodie travels post… and inadvertently pressed ‘publish’ instead of ‘save to drafts.’ So, there it went… and so did a few days. :o)

I wanted to add a couple more sites and a tutorial for fresh pumpkin for this week’s pumpkin pies.  Since I’ve never made more than a couple of ‘tutorials’ — and those were not even video tutorials — I had to search for what I thought was closest to what I’d make.  So, here you go:

Then, I forgot a blog I visit occasionally and when I do, I suddenly realize (again) that it’s probably not good for me to know about more deliciousness; but then I find myself reasoning: what could be a problem  with Oreo Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies?  Where are these? Where are these? I can hear you asking. 🙂  Bakerella.  Of course.

And, finally, I do love to see Rose Beranbaum’s (and her guest’s) creations online — even though I much prefer and treasure her hardbound cookbooks… but that’s because of my love for books in general, I suppose.    Whatever you’re into making, whether it’s cakes, breads, pies, veggies, meats, simple meals or gourmet…  I think you’ll love browsing her site — it’s  totally worth it and her videos are very helpful as she’s such an encouraging instructor.  So, here you go: Real Baking with Rose.

O, and by the way: may you always be blessed.

 

A little foodie blog-spotlight from my travels…

So, when I travel, I usually pick up a Sbx coffee… a grandé mocha – extra hot.  So, that in hand, here’s a little trip around the web for your cooking (or just idea gathering) pleasure.

So today I was looking for a recipe for cheesecake — one that uses mascarpone cheese.  I’d made one last year or the year before and forgot to keep the file.  :o(

Plus, I needed to get out my potato roll recipe to make rolls for Thanksgiving — but I wanted to see about a “refrigerator” dough recipe for potato rolls — so I compared the two and will use the one I’ve posted below.  O, and I want you to see just how *easy* it is to make delicious cranberry relish!  You might think you won’t like it — But I think you will!

While browsing, I looked through some of my bookmarked “foodie” sites and a few more sites along the way — they were added to the list of sites that intrigued, entertained, encouraged or had been “just what I was searching for” at some time in the past.  But first, the potato rolls and cranberry relish.

    • Potato Rolls here you go!
    • Cranberry Relish — so easy you’ll wonder why a recipe is even needed! Here it is.
    • In case you lost your recipe for making chocolate syrup for your mochas, here’s one.
    • If you have apples (or gingersnaps!) try this from Grace: pumpkin dip!
    • So many recipes to try! A Cozy Kitchen
    • Yummy scones for breakfast from Around My Family Table
    • Need another breakfast idea?  How about a Spinach, Mushroom, Pumpkin Frittata from My Kitchen Addiction.
    • The Tasty Kitchen‘s Phyllo wrapped Cranberry Pecan Brie
    • Now, what would a current foodie list be without a generous nod to The Pioneer Woman?
      [Hot Artichoke Dip – page 30, The Pioneer Woman Cooks — yum!]

Now,  if you’ve spent time in my kitchen, you’ll remember that one of my great loves is (besides anything He♥rt shaped, any blue and white dishes) Red bowls and accent pieces, teacups and teapots and more hearts, you’ll see:  tah-dah: Cookbooks.
And tucked between my Susan Branch Cookbooks, my church women’s cookbooks, my Rose Beranbaum and Julia Child cookbooks, my Julie Rosso and Sue Gregg cookbooks — and the original Pioneer Lady: Jane Watson Hopping books, I do have a few more favourites.  So, what am I doing looking online!?!?!?  Ah… well, there’s still this addiction, you see…

  • 365 Days of Baking and more : 365daysofbaking
  • Keeper of the Home : keeperofthehome
  • O, and here are a couple of Mascarpone Cheesecake Recipes Here and Here
    I’ll make another foodie post one of these days… there are so many things to share — unfortunately, most of the time over the last couple of years, my photos will not upload to this site and I have too little time to figure out why and don’t want to waste the time I do have… troubleshooting.  So, I guess you’ll just have to imagine all the wonderful things being made ~wink~ ;o) and you’ll have to see what’s posted on facebook from time to time. :o)May you always be blessed.

from Joel Rosenberg’s blog

I am posting this post in its entirety — more’s going on than all post-election messes, the CIA mess, and whatever else is being reported as a “top story” in the news…  Eyes on Israel… this is top news.

 

ISRAEL AT WAR: MISSILES FIRED AT TEL AVIV

IDF retaliates by hitting 70 terror sites in one hour. Ground offensive being planned. 30,000 reservists being mobilized. Casualties rising.

Joel C. Rosenberg

(Netanya, Israel, November 16, 2012) — It is just after midnight on Friday morning here in Israel. To put it bluntly: Thursday was a very difficult day for Israelis in the south and Palestinians living in Gaza.

Consider this: the Palestinians have fired nearly 700 rockets, missiles and mortars over the past 36 hours. The Israelis have bombed more than 70 terrorist sites in Gaza in just the past hour. Tonight, the big news here is that the terrorists have fired missiles at Tel Aviv, Israel’s biggest and most populated city. Air raid sirens have been going off. People are anxious. This is the first time Tel Aviv has been the target of missile attacks since the Gulf War with Saddam Hussein in 1991. What’s more, three Israelis were killed in a direct rocket strike earlier today, and 54 have been wounded. Now the IDF is calling up 30,000 reserve soldiers to prepare for what could be a massive ground invasion.

As I explain in ISRAEL AT WAR, the onslaught by Hamas and its allies in Gaza is being driven by Iran. It is the mullahs in Iran who arm, fund and encourage the Palestinian terrorist movement and no one is happier to see Hamas unleashing its evil fury on Israeli towns, villages and cities more that the Ayatollah Khamenei. The big question is this: How far are Israeli leaders prepared to go to shut down the Gaza threat, before they turn towards a possible war with Iran to neutralize Iran’s nuclear threat. Will this conflict go just a few more days? Or are we talking weeks. That’s not yet clear, though officials in Jerusalem are telling their people this is just the beginning.

Events here are dominating discussions wherever you go. I just had dinner with Israeli friends who kept the TV on for much of the evening to keep track of the latest developments, particularly the nearly unprecedented attacks on Tel Aviv. They know families whose fathers and sons are being called up to prepare for an invasion of Gaza. We’re all praying that doesn’t have to happen, but Israeli officials are warning this is just the beginning of “Operation Pillar of Defense,” not the end. “Difficult days are ahead,” said IDF spokesman Brigadier-General Yoav Mordechai Mordechai. “We must be strong in both defense and offense. At the end of the day we will be measured by what we have achieved; not by what we said we would achieve.”

Over the past several years, The Joshua Fund has been privileged to provide funds for the purchase of much needed equipment for a medical center in the south where the rockets have been aimed. This morning we received word that the medical center has been placed on its highest state of emergency due to the rockets being fired from Gaza. Patients are being evacuated to other facilities, all elective procedures have been cancelled, and doctors and nurses are on site to handle the wounded. As of earlier today (Israel time) the medical center was treating 20 injured patients and preparing for more.

As you pray for the Lord to intervene, please also remember the doctors and nurses who are presently dealing with the wounded. Please continue to pray for Jews and Arabs on both sides of the conflict. The Lord God loves them both. He has a plan for them both. Let’s pray for peace and security. Let’s also pray for wisdom for leaders on both sides and for the Lord to comfort and heal the dozens who are wounded and the millions who are traumatized on both sides. Please pray for the believers here as they continue to love their neighbors and pray for and comfort their neighbors, and continue to preach and teach the Word of God. Please mobilize others to pray. Remember: at its core, this is a spiritual battle. The violence is a physical manifestation of a spiritual war that is going on in the heavenlies. We need you to be interceding for Israel and the Palestinians in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

That said, here are more of the latest developments you should know about….

[To read the rest of this article on the blog — or learn more about the new e-book, ISRAEL AT WAR; or to find links to the latest news and analysis of events and trends in the U.S., Israel, North Africa, Russia, and the Middle East — please go to: http://flashtrafficblog.wordpress.com/.]

* TWITTER — Please track the latest developments @joelcrosenberg.
BLESS ISRAEL: Would you prayerfully consider giving a generous, tax-deductible gift to THE JOSHUA FUND as this Gaza war worsens? Come help us educate and mobilize Christians around the world about God’s love and plan Israel and her neighbors; provide food, medical supplies and other humanitarian relief to the poor and needy, to those in harm’s way in southern Israel, to Holocaust survivors, and to widows and orphans; and teach the Scriptures throughout Israel and the epicenter. Thanks so much, and may the Lord bless you and your family as you invest in the work of The Joshua Fund at this critical time.
BLESS AMERICA: To order IMPLOSION — or to read an excerpt from the first few chapters and learn more about how much danger the U.S. is really in economically and spiritually, and the urgent need for a Third Great Awakening — please click here
READ NEW E-BOOK, “ISRAEL AT WAR: INSIDE THE NUCLEAR SHOWDOWN WITH IRAN”
Read Joel’s blog — and find links to key articles as well as to the 2012 Epicenter Conference messages.
Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? Please click here for a simple, concise explanation of the Gospel.
COME TO ISRAEL IN 2013 — Learn more by clicking here.
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