Find refreshment for your heart, home and life
I’m only including a collage today, because I’ve uploaded a short video with a question I hope you’ll answer!
These pictures were taken on my three-mile walk yesterday morning. This beautiful view is what gets me out the door to exercise each morning. I can see in my mind the beauty of the country roads, the fields, the sun rise, the cows and the sky. I can’t wait to hit the road and talk to the Lord as I walk. Just look through my lens:
Now here’s my question:
Thanks again for your 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)
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,
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?
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!
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!
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 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
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,
RefreshHer 