As I think about the name of my blog I think about the things that refresh me. One thing for sure is a good deal or saving money on needed items. A few weeks back I stopped at Walgreens for an item. As I walked towards the front of the store I noticed a cart with 5 pound bags of Domino Sugar. It grabbed my attention because: 1. I needed sugar and 2. it was on sale for $1.99. That’s not a bad price and it would save me a trip to the dreaded Walmart. I picked up a bag and headed to the cash register. When the girl gave me the total for my order I said, “I don’t think you charged me enough.” “Oh, it’s correct,” she replied. “The sugar is ringing up at eighty cents.” Making a dash to the cart I said, “I’ll take the other three bags that are over there!” Wow! That made my day! That sugar will take me through my holiday baking!

I heard a story yesterday that touched my heart so deeply. I have to share it with you here. Grab a tissue and read on…

My nephew’s six year-old son had heard about their church’s upcoming ministry to provide a Thanksgiving meal for the poor in their area and he wanted to help. Unbeknown to his parents he took his little money box to church with him this past Sunday and desired to give its contents to the church. Between the Sunday School hour and the preaching time Connor approached the pastor of their church and told him he had $7 dollars that he wanted to give for the Thanksgiving dinner. He lamented that it wasn’t very much, but he wanted to share it. The pastor inquired, “Are you sure you don’t want to keep this for yourself and buy something?”
“Oh no. I want to give it so the poor people can eat.”

During his message on “Little is much” the pastor called Connor to the platform to join him. Giving him a microphone he asked him to tell the folks what he’d brought to church with him. Conner replied,
“I brought $7 with me so the poor people could eat Thanksgiving dinner. I also have three stones in my box. They are real pretty; they came off my mom’s bracelet when it broke. I thought maybe the church could sell the stones and get some money for them.”

These stones were of no great value, but they seemed it to little Conner, and they were valuable to the Lord too…

The pastor asked Connor if he would pray. He did, 350 people in the auditorium not withstanding! At the end of the service two people approached the pastor and wanted to buy those stones. One was purchased for $20; the other for $100! God took that $7 and turned it into $127 because of the faith and the giving heart of a little boy that wanted to serve.

Wow! What a rebuke to my own heart. Am I willing to share what I have in such a generous way so that people’s needs can be met? Isn’t that what Christ did and what He calls us to do? Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. Oh that we would be as willing to reach out, to care for the physical as well as the spiritual needs of others instead of being consumed with ourselves!

Is our faith as strong as this child’s? What is it that you’re needing today and for which you’re doubting God’s concern? He’s as concerned about your needs as He was in providing a buyer for Conner’s stones. Come to Him as a little child. Pour out your heart before Him and watch Him provide.

Thanks, Conner, for teaching your aunt a valuable lesson!

1. making the broccoli salad

2. baking the apple dumplings (I made them earlier in the week and froze them unbaked).

Here are the apple dumplings (a new recipe to me…why do I always do this when I’m having company?!). When I served them I warmed them a bit, placed a scoop of praline ice cream beside the dumpling and then poured the warm caramel sauce over top of the both the dumpling and the ice cream. Pretty yummy and it makes for a nice presentation.

We were honored to have David and Rachel Fisher join us,

as well as their daughter and son-in-law (our music minister). The beautiful centerpiece was a gracious hostess gift from the Fishers. How thoughtful!

Allison’s no guest, but it was great having her home for the weekend. She was really happy to hear what I was making for Sunday dinner because this chicken is one of her favorites!

Lemon-Greek Chicken

2 tsp. lemon zest

1/4 cup lemon juice

2 tbl. olive oil

4 large garlic cloves, pressed

2-3 tsp. dried oregano leaves

3/4 tsp salt

1/8 tsp. black pepper

2 medium baking potatoes

1 medium red bell pepper, but into 1-inch pieces

1 medium red onion, cut into wedges

8 ounces fresh whole mushrooms

4 split (bone-in) chicken breast halves (I usually use a cut-up fryer)

 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees (to bake this on Sunday I put it in a 300 degree oven when I left for church). Combine lemon zest, juice, oil, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper; set aside. Cut each potato lengthwise into 8 wedges; place in 9 x 13 pan. Add bell pepper, onion, mushroom, and half of the lemon juice mixture; toss to coat. Place chicken on top of vegetables; brush with the remaining lemon juice mixture. Bake 1 hour or until chicken is no longer pink in the center, brushing chicken and vegetables with pan juices after 30 minutes.

I added baby carrots today and that gave another good vegetable to the meal. I cover the dish with foil when it’s going to bake that long.

Herbed Biscuits (these are a great quick biscuit)

3 tbl. butter or marg., melted

1/2 tsp dried oregano leaves

1/2 tsp dried basil leaves

1 package refrigerated buttermilk flaky biscuits

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Pour butter into a 8″ or 9″ cake pan; tilt pan to evenly coat bottom of pan. Sprinkle evenly with herbs. Separate dough into biscuits. Place cheese in small bowl. Add biscuits; turn to coat both sides. Arrange in single layer in cake pan; sprinkle with any remaining cheese. Bake 15-18 minutes or until golden brown. Invert onto serving plate; serve warm.

We had a great time sharing a meal and visiting with our guests today. I love having guests over on Sunday – it’s just such a blessing. If you haven’t invited someone over in a while, do a dish like this chicken dish with chicken, potatoes and carrots, add a simple salad and even a Pepperidge Farm Cake and you’ll have a great meal to share!

What did you have for Sunday dinner? Did you eat out, eat at home, have guests over? Do tell!

Yesterday a “hard question” was posted by a reader. It was as follows:

Spend time in God’s Word and prayer so you are learning more of Him and are reminded of His promises, as Whitney suggested. Commit to memory a verse of Scripture that you can repeat over and over each day when you begin to worry. Don’t go to all the “what ifs” that haven’t happened. Think on only those things that are true (Phil. 4:8).

No life is free from trials, Christian or not, but the blessing a believer has is that we have the Lord to instruct us and help us. We can also grow more like Christ through our trials (Romans 8:29); it’s not for naught. God can use even these hard things to make us mature in Him.

Thanks, Vickie, for giving us the opportunity to dig into the Word. This was a challenging situation, but there’s no problem too big for God! With God all things are possible! Matthew 19:26 We’ll be praying for your cousin and asking God for a miracle in their home.

How long have you been reading this blog? If it’s only a couple of days or weeks, I thank you. Some have followed my posts from the beginning over a year ago. I pray you’ve been encouraged, even if in a small way. Today is your turn to encourage someone else. Let’s help bear another person’s burden (boulder). Read on to find out how.

Yesterday’s post was a “hard question” answered. Following the post, in the comment section, a dear friend posed another hard question. I’ll save you the time of going to it by telling you what she asked. Her was her question:

I’m struggling with how to help my cousin. She was saved a few months ago and of course, her life is completely different. She is, after all, a new creation. Her husband has decided he doesn’t want to be married and wants a divorce. She is heartbroken. I’d love to hear what scriptures my sisters in Christ would suggest to help her during this difficult time.

This is a question posed to you – this lady’s sisters in Christ. Get out your Bible and answer her here. Even if you’ve NEVER made a comment on a blog before, please take the time to encourage Vickie. I thank you in advance.