It’s Time To Cry Out!

July 14, 2016July 13, 2016 RefreshHer2 Comments

It doesn’t take much research to realize that our nation and our world is in a mess. There is much that could discourage us when we look around us, but when we look upward, we can be encouraged!!! We can have hope!

I am so excited about an upcoming event hosted by Revive Our Hearts to do the only thing that will change our world – it’s called “Cry Out!” and the purpose of this evening is for women around the globe to be in prayer for our country, our world and our homes.

Watch this promotional video to learn more about what this is all about:

Hope isn’t as distant as it feels. It’s time to take action.

Imagine . . . hundred of thousands of women gathered in thousands of locations . . . seeking Him together . . . for such a time as this!

What could be more vital at this critical time, than for women to bow together before the God of heaven and earth and cry out to Him for mercy and supernatural intervention in our world, our nation, our churches, our cities, and our homes.

Experience the power and joy of corporate prayer as together we cry out to God to do in us and in our nation what no man-made effort can accomplish.

“When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears.” (Psalm 34:17)

SEPTEMBER 23, 2016

6 – 9 P.M. CT / PT

7 – 10 P.M. ET / MT

The event will be held in Indianapolis but they are offering a simulcast for anyone to join. My church, Boones Creek Bible Church, is going to be a host for this event in the Tri-cities area. I was so burdened for this time of prayer when I heard about it, and I knew that God wanted us to be a part of this evening.

Our church is registered and will be on the official Cry Out map so that women in our area can come and join us in prayer. Will you mark your calendar for Friday, September 23rd and either join us in Johnson City or register your own group where you live?

God has done it before, and He can do it again—that’s our prayer.

One evening. One heart. One cry.
“When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears” (Ps. 34:17).

Will you join us as we CRY OUT?

Prayerfully,

friends

Two Important Traits in Friendship

July 13, 2016July 12, 2016 RefreshHerLeave a comment

Friends

A ten year-old girl headed to camp recently and told her mom she was praying for a friend – one who “would be like iron-sharpens-iron, and likes to have fun, too.”

There is so much wisdom in that prayer! It made me take a step back and wonder if I am that kind of friend! How about you?

Do you seek to sharpen your friends spiritually?
- Ask how you can pray for your friend.
- Check back and see if/how God has answered their request.
- Hold them accountable with
  - marriage issues
  - Bible memorization
  - church attendance
  - opportunities to share the Gospel
  - their quiet time
Seek to meet their needs, rather than waiting for them to meet yours.
- Provide encouragement, support, or practical help.
- Send a card or text that will do the above.
- Provide food, or financially as you are able.
Have fun!
- Find the laughter in a situation. Help your friend to see the humor in what she’s dealing with.
- Initiate a fun outing with your friend – a meal out, shopping a movie, time at your house doing something you both enjoy like crafting or cooking.
- Celebrate her! Remember her birthday, anniversary or special events in her life.
- Don’t be a “Negative Nilly.” If you only share the ugly, hard stuff in your life, people will run when they see you coming. Mind you that doesn’t mean you can’t share your burdens, just make sure you balance it with praises!

So whether you’re looking for a friend or checking out your own attributes as a friend, remember that sharpening others and being fun will go a long way in creating a friendship that will last long after camp is over!

Thanks for reading today, Friend!

Christian Life

Don’t Tell Anyone!

July 12, 2016July 12, 2016 RefreshHer2 Comments

Gossiping can cause ‘invisible gorilla effect, say scientists

I was a young pastor’s wives, and as green as I could be when an older teen girl came to me with a problem. She began by saying, “I need to talk to you, but you have to promise not to tell anyone about this.”

Of course I would keep it a secret – that’s what pastor’s wives were supposed to do, right? Well, sort of. As she began to share her problem with me, I realized that the root of the problem was due to a sin in her life…one that her parents didn’t know about, but that they needed to hear. Now what was I to do? I had promised to tell no one! How I regretted having listened to her in the first place! I felt stuck!

Recently in our New Members Sunday school class, the question was posed,

How could you stop gossip in your church?

One of the class members answered that by sharing a story that sounded very similar to my own. He said,

A lady in a church had issues with her husband. She came to the church leaders about it. She told them they could not tell her husband what she had said, and they agreed. When a third party was brought in to help resolve the problem, he listened to her for about 45 minutes and then said,

Every one of you men need to get on your knees and repent of listening to gossip because that’s what you’ve done. Without being able to talk to her husband, there’s no solution, and this is only spreading gossip!

How I wish someone had told me that years ago! The situation I was in with the teen girl taught me to always tell someone who came to me that they could share whatever they wanted, but if there was sin involved, I would take the necessary steps and talk to the people involved so that a biblical solution could be found.

If you want to squelch gossip, don’t listen to it if you’re not a part of the problem, or if you’re not able to help with a solution by telling the necessary people. That will stop it immediately. If you don’t listen to it in the first place, you won’t have to worry about repeating it!

I recently read this verse in Psalm 17:3 which could be applied to lots of ways we sin with our mouth, but it certainly applies to gossip:

I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.

I have said that verse OUT LOUD to myself since I penned it in my journal last week! Sometimes it takes true, intentional and purposeful effort NOT to sin with my mouth by sharing words, and sometimes by not listening to it in the first place!

By the way, in case you’re wondering, the situation with the teen ended by my husband and I meeting with her and explaining that I had been wrong, asking her forgiveness, then letting her know it was her responsibility to tell her parents…or we would have to. She did. Whew. I chalked that one up as a Lesson for Denise!

Refresh your speech and cease from gossip!

Side dish · summertime · Uncategorized

Summer Luncheon ~ Salmon Croquettes

July 11, 2016July 10, 2016 RefreshHer4 Comments

A couple weeks ago while visiting my family in Kentucky, my sister had my parents and me over for a summery lunch. Everything was so delicious, and I promised I would get her recipe for the Salmon Croquettes for you all. Today’s the day!

This is a great meal – it’s healthy, it’s economical, and it’s so yummy! These are all things you could keep on hand for a busy night when you need supper in a hurry. I chop up fresh red peppers and keep them in the freezer for recipes like this. Why not plan on making this one night this week?

salmon 2

Salmon Croquettes & Mayo/Herb Topping

WHAT YOU NEED:

15 oz skinless, boneless pink salmon (I used Kirkland brand from Costco)

½ cup panko crumbs

½ cup finely chopped red sweet pepper

½ cup finely chopped green onions

1 egg, slightly beaten

2 TBL mayo

1 TBL yellow mustard

Topping:

½ cup mayo

3 TBL finely chopped fresh parsley

1 TBL fresh lemon juice

1 tsp bottled hot pepper sauce

Mix topping ingredients. Place in refrigerator until ready to serve.
In a medium bowl combine salmon, bread crumbs, sweet pepper, green onions, egg, 2 TBL mayo, and mustard. Shape into eight 2 ½ inch patties. (about 1/3 cup each)
Coat a large nonstick skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Heat over medium heat. Add patties, cook 4-5 minutes or until browned. Spray the tops with cooking spray before flipping. Continue cooking 4-5 minutes or until cooked through. (160 degrees F)
Place patties on a platter with a dollop of the mayo topping.

Her potato Salad tasted like something purchased in a nice deli! This was a great addition to the Salmon!

POTATO SALAD

8 medium red potatoes

¼ cup chopped fresh parsley

¼ cup chopped green onion tops

1 cup chopped celery

3 hard boiled eggs, chopped

¼ cup diced pimento

1 TBL Dijon mustard

1 cup mayo

¼ cup sour cream

salt and pepper to taste.

1 TBL seasoned salt

Wash and cube potatoes, leaving skin on. Boil potatoes for 15-20 minutes or until tender. Drain and place in a large mixing bowl. Mix the remaining ingredients and gently fold into potato mixture.

Now, let me end this post with a fun and delicious way to have the taste of S’mores but with a little twist! Pictured below is what we call Waffle Cone S’Mores:

Take all the ingredients you would like to melt and roast together, add it to the inside of sugar cone or waffle cone. We have found that a good combination is chocolate, marshmallows and strawberries. Fruit really adds the “over-the-top” edge! The mini Reeses cups makes the perfect little cap at the top of the cone, and when it melts…wow!

Pack it deep inside the cone, wrap in foil and set it on the grate over a fire or grill. Try to wait patiently for everything to melt together – about 10 minutes. Unwrap and enjoy!

These are the kinds of treats summer was intended for! Plus you have the fun of the fire, everyone standing around making their own dessert, laughing, munching and enjoying the summer evening. What fun!

I hope you’ll put some part of this on your menu soon. What a great recipe for your family, and one special enough for entertaining with as well!

With love from my country kitchen,

entertaining · Home decor · organization · summertime

A Look Through My Lens

July 8, 2016July 7, 2016 RefreshHerLeave a comment

It’s unreal how much activity goes on in one week, isn’t it? I look through my photos on my camera and am shocked at how much we did in the last seven days! Let me give you a look through my lens:

On Friday night we hosted our church teen group at our home. They are led by Alli’s husband, Andrew who does a great job! The teens love both Alli and Andrew, and it was fun to see them interact that evening. They played volleyball, and a new version of football. Oh, and they ate. A LOT! Which means they loved it, and that makes me happy!Their meal was a simple one of grilled hot dogs and the fixings, but I can’t wait to tell you about the dessert we served. Here’s a little peek, but I’ll share the details with you on Monday.

On Saturday I hosted a baby shower for a sweet young mom, expecting her first baby. You can tell by the pictures that she’s expecting a girl!

A friend at church did the food, and it was amazing.

Another gal does the cupcakes for our church showers. These are White Chocolate Raspberry. Oh my goodness!! The little size makes it completely safe to try without feeling too guilty! Also check out the waffle bowls filled with fresh fruit; those were so good!

Saturday night my husband and I went with Alli and Andrew to Carter’s Fold to hear Fiddlin’ Carson Peters, a talented 12 year-old who plays fiddle with his father and two other instrumentalists. It was such a fun night! The music was great, the setting was country and perfect!

Sunday morning we had the blessing of seeing two little girls who recently accepted Christ as their Savior get baptized, or as one of them called it, “Bap-ti-tized!” It always brings tears to my eyes to see these young ones trust Christ, then declare their devotion to follow Him all their lives!

It also always makes me so thankful to be married to the pastor who gets the privilege of baptizing, and pouring into their lives the Truth of God’s Word. He always gives a personal challenge to each one, and it’s so sweet.

Sunday evening we did not have services at church. My husband and I took special care to spend time together and also to rest. We sat on our front porch rockers and played Farkle while several of our neighbors put on quite a firework display.

We had front row seats and never had to leave home!

Even Liza got to enjoy some time outside. That’s a great treat for this indoor kitty!

Monday’s Fourth of July celebrations took us to Cherokee Lake to friends’ home. We had a wonderful time. It included a feast of picnic foods, a boat ride, and fellowship with new friends.

This barn was on the dead end road that took us to the lake house. What is it about old barns that makes them so beautiful?

My pantry got some further organization when I finally found a couple of Lazy Susans at TJ Maxx. These will make finding my canned goods so much easier!

vzm.img_20160705_202919.jpg

Lastly, I harvested some of my herbs a few weeks ago and had them drying in small bundles in our hot, dry garage. This week I pulled the leaves off and got them stored in small jars. They’re so fragrant and I can’t wait to use all three – Thyme, Dill and Oregano.

God is good to give sweet blessings that we get to enjoy each day. He also gives grace for the difficult things that come, but God is always good!

How have you seen God’s goodness to you this week? Do you have a favorite photo from this post?

Stay refreshed,

Denise