With Words of Praise!

April 16, 2015April 15, 2015 RefreshHer2 Comments

This hideously adorable donkey lives on a farm about an hour from us. We have affectionately named him “Lester.” Lester is very jealous of the other animals on the farm. How do I know? If visitors gather to pay homage to the lovely peacock, or ooo and ahhh over the long neck of the ostrich who lives there, he will begin his very loud and obnoxious,

Hee-haw! Hee Haw! Hee Haw!

It’s really comical to hear him. Not only is his noise hilarious, his mouth and ears look quite funny when he’s going off on his rampage!

While listening to Lester, I turned to my husband and said, “I’m sure thankful I can sing! Wouldn’t it be terrible to open your mouth and sound like that?!”

The next day as I sat to have my quiet time, I read Psalm 145. I was moved at how many times it talks of using my mouth to praise the Lord. Words like, extol, bless, praise, speak and utter were all reminders that God wants me to use my voice for His glory. I must praise Him with speech and song. I must tell others of His goodness by the use of my voice. However, I often neglect the chance to speak up! I remain silent, or I don’t give honor belonging only to the Lord.

Even little things like praising Him like when someone passes and says, “It’s a pretty day, isn’t it?” needs to be followed with, “Yes, and I thank the Lord for making it.” Anything else would be like Lester’s “Hee-Haw!“
At testimony time at church, if I fail to stand and praise Him for prayer He’s answered, I’m belting out “Hee-Haw” instead.
When the opportunity to share the Gospel is given and I am too afraid to share it, my lips are uttering ol’ Lester’s ugly “Hee-Haw!” greetings instead of the Truth that will set that person free!
To miss the opportunity to pray my thanks for a meal, for God’s comfort, His presence, for answered prayer, or for provision is to selfishly call attention to myself rather than my great God. Hee-Haw!
“Hee-haw!” is what I’m really saying if I’m not singing with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs and making melody in my heart during the song service at church.

We all have a voice, given by the Lord. Are you using yours to praise the Lord, or do the sounds that come from your lips resemble Lester? Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord!

With praise to Him,

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A Peek From My Porch – God’s Gift of the Church

April 15, 2015April 15, 2015 RefreshHer2 Comments

How thankful I am for the Lord’s gift to us of the local church. I’m not referring to a building, but the group of believers that gather there. These Christians come together all day on Sunday and again on Wednesday to worship, praise, study, pray, fellowship, encourage and serve. God knew we would need the church. It’s not merely another bullet on our “to-do” list, or the obligatory task we fulfill. The Church is alive because We are the church!I

I recently heard a young college-age man say,

“I’ve realized recently how much I need other believers.’

If we all don’t come to that conclusion, we are missing out on so much! Let me illustrate:

Last Sunday was Friend Day at my church. It was such a sweet time! People were buzzing in the auditorium before the service like happy shoppers in the candy aisle the day after Easter! Our church is such a warm, Spirit-filled group of people and it was evidenced as I witnessed new friends being greeted and welcomed, coffee being poured and offered, and smiles shared. That’s what the church does!

Then the service time began. I was so blessed to witness a touching scene when my husband asked our men to come and gather in the choir. The man on the left (Fain) in the picture below is seated in a wheelchair.

As the rest of the men went up and gathered in the choir loft, these three joined Fain on the floor and stayed with him and shared his “platform of uniqueness.” Rather than going up where they would be less visible, in love, they seated themselves beside Fain so that they might encourage and share in his burden. How kind is that?! I pulled my phone out and snapped a picture because it touched my heart so much. That’s what the church does!

We had a picnic lunch out on our church lawn after the service. There was enough food there for the multitude Jesus fed (well, kind of). People set up tables, grilled hamburgers and hot dogs in the hot sun, sat with our guests, washed dishes, took down tables and chairs, and picked up trash afterwards. So many served! That’s what the church does!

Then at 5:30, we met back at the church for the evening service where we sang, heard from God’s Word and then shared testimonies of how God has answered prayer. We encouraged one another all day long! That’s what the church does!

There’s no ballgame, family gathering, vacation attraction, boat ride, concert, or television program that can do for me what The Church can do! I am so thankful for my Boones Creek Bible Church family. I love each member and thank the Lord for them. That’s what the church does!

Are you fully entrenched in a Bible-believing church? Christ gave His life for The Church! He has a great purpose for it in your life! Don’t miss out on all the blessings you’ll only find in The Church!

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The Kneeling Christian – The importance of Prayer

April 14, 2015April 13, 2015 RefreshHer8 Comments

Every time I start praying, my kitty, Liza comes and gets as close to me as she can. Yesterday it made me wonder if I’m as eager to get close to God in prayer as she is to be close to me!

I’m reading a wonderful book right now called, The Kneeling Christian. Here are some favorite quotes I’ve come across recently:

To be little with God in prayer is to be little for God in service.

A man’s influence in the world can be gauged not by his eloquence or his zeal, or his orthodox, or his energy, but by his prayer.

If God were to answer the words we repeated on our knees this morning should we know it? Should we recognize the answer? Do we even remember what we asked for? He does answer. He has given us His word for it. He always answers every real prayer of faith.

If no one on earth prayed for the salvation of sinners more fervently or more frequently than I do, how many of them would be converted to God through prayer?

This book has been so convicting to me. I’m asking the Lord to help me to pray more. I’d challenge you to get a copy of the book on Amazon and be challenged in your prayer life, too.

What was the last prayer request you saw answered? I’d love to hear and rejoice with you!

With love,

dessert · Side dish

What’s Cookin’ in the Country?

April 13, 2015April 12, 2015 RefreshHer2 Comments

What did you bring (to the potluck)?

Ever get asked that when you go to a family or church gathering? I think it’s the most popular question! Who cares where you went on vacation or how you’re feeling after having the flu for two weeks? We want to know what you brought that was yummy for us to eat! (Just kidding!)

A great to-go recipe is sometimes just a simple something like an old recipe. That’s what I took to our church’s Friend Day picnic yesterday. I made a salad that I’ve been making for close to thirty years. Sometimes I forget to go back to those old tried and true recipes! What was I thinking for leaving this recipe in the dust? It’s so delicious, so pretty, and it is made the night before!

What is it? It’s the trusty Seven-Layer Salad. Have you ever made it? Has it been in your recipe box forgotten and tucked away? Why not make it for your next gathering or for your dinner one night this week? You can vary the ingredients you add, making it just what you and your family love. I like it, too, because it takes common foods that I usually have on hand. It stays fresh and crispy with the dressing on top. Put it in a clear bowl so each layer will show off its colors!

Seven Layer Salad – Original recipe – Serves 12

1 pound bacon
1 large head iceberg lettuce – rinsed, dried, and chopped
1 red onion, chopped
1 (10 ounce) package frozen green peas, thawed
10 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese
1 cup chopped cauliflower
1 1/4 cups mayonnaise
2 tablespoons white sugar
2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions
Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Crumble and set aside.
In a large flat bowl, place the chopped lettuce and top with a layer of onion, peas, shredded cheese, cauliflower and bacon.
Prepare the dressing by whisking together the mayonnaise, sugar and Parmesan cheese. Drizzle over salad and refrigerate until chilled.

I did try a new dessert for the picnic…Butterscotch Blondies! I found these in my Cooking Light Baking Cookbook. I seriously don’t miss any of the fat in the “normal” recipe! This is another recipe that has common ingredients .No tofu or agave needed – just less of the normal baking supplies! I love that! These are rich and gooey on the inside and crispy on the outside! All they need is a cold glass of milk!

Butterscotch Blondies

Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour (about 9 ounces)
2 1/2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
10 tablespoon unsalted butter
6 Egg whites
Cooking spray

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°.

Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, firmly packed light brown sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.

Place butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Cook 6 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring occasionally. Pour into a small bowl, and cool 10 minutes.

Combine butter and egg whites, stirring with a whisk. Pour butter mixture over flour mixture; stir just until moistened. Spoon batter into a 13 x 9-inch baking pan coated with cooking spray; smooth top with spatula. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack. Cut into 24 squares.

Those blonde brownies are a yummy treat! Don’t wait for a special potluck to make them. You need these this week!

Have you made any of your old recipes recently? What was it?

With love from my country kitchen,

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Freshen up Friday

April 10, 2015April 9, 2015 RefreshHer7 Comments

We all tend to drive so hard all week long. Work, children, laundry, meals, cleaning house, running to ballgames, practices, lessons and appointments wear us down and out. Do something today just because you love it. Work on a craft, read a book that will make you sigh, watch a show that will make you laugh. Do something (or nothing!) just for the pleasure of it! Do something not out of necessity or duty – just enjoyment. Watch how it will Refresh your spirit!

What will that “something” be for you?

Stay refreshed,

Hee-haw! Hee Haw! Hee Haw!

To be little with God in prayer is to be little for God in service.

A man’s influence in the world can be gauged not by his eloquence or his zeal, or his orthodox, or his energy, but by his prayer.

If God were to answer the words we repeated on our knees this morning should we know it? Should we recognize the answer? Do we even remember what we asked for? He does answer. He has given us His word for it. He always answers every real prayer of faith.

If no one on earth prayed for the salvation of sinners more fervently or more frequently than I do, how many of them would be converted to God through prayer?

What did you bring (to the potluck)?