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A Peek Inside the Parsonage

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I’m busy in the parsonage today packing my suitcase to head to Nova Scotia, Canada.  I will be speaking this weekend at Forest Glen Bible Camp at their Ladies’ Retreat!  How unworthy I am for such a rich privilege, but so thankful for the opportunity!  The Lord is so gracious to allow me to serve Him.

I’m flying out very early Thursday morning; my plane leaves at 5:30, so that means I have to be at the airport at 4:30, and must leave home by 3:30 A.M.!  Yikes.  I should’ve gone to bed on Monday and just stayed there!  =) 

How I covet your prayers for me.  Would you pray for…

  • opportunities to witness on the planes
  • easy connections in Charlotte and Newark
  • safety
  •  the women attending to have open hearts to receive theWord
  • clarity of thought and speech as I speak
  • physical strength and freedom from migraines

Thank you so much!  I will tell you all about it when I return!

From my parsonage window,

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Have a Mary Heart

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Wow.  Last night was our first ladies’ Bible study for this year.  Our book, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, by Martha Peace,  began with a very convicting first chapter.  No easing into the idea that I really have a Martha spirit…no, we were all hit with the very ugly truth on the first night of our study – It’s easier to be busy working than to sit quietly and worship. 

My friend, Ethel Johnson taught our lesson and stomped so sweetly on my toes.  She shared an acrostic using both the women’s names – Mary and Martha, showing what they were really like.

Merciless
Argumentive
Restrained by earthly things
Temporal in thought
Harried
Angry

Meek
Avid to know Christ
Resting
Yearning to grow

Which list am I?  Which are you? 

Here are a few thoughts Ethel shared:

The world applauds achievement, but God wants companionship.

Make a list each day of things that need to be done, then give God the list.  For example:
On Monday, do a general housecleaning.
On Tuesday and Thursday do laundry.
On Wednesday do the shopping, but don’t do too much so you’ll be too tired for prayer meeting.
On Friday clean again so the house will be ready for the weekend.
Don’t do too much on Saturday so you’ll be ready for the Lord’s house on Sunday.
Adjust the schedule as needed. 
Turn the television off.  If Satan has your mind, he has won.

Jesus is the reviving waters we need.

Are we distracted by the electronics of this world?

Make spiritual application to each task you do.  While washing dishes…”Jesus makes me whiter than snow.”  While doing yard work…”the grass withers, but the Word of God will never fade.”  Keep your thoughts on the spiritual things.

Have you taken time yet today to sit in the “living room” at Jesus’ feet?  Yes, there are many things to do today, but the most important is quieting our heart before Him and letting Him give us our orders for the day.  Draw near and learn of Him before you put on your apron.

Here are a few pictures of our fellowship time that preceded our lesson in The Lost Art of Hospitality.

Acorn Donut Holes made by spreading a little chocolate frosting on the top of the hole, then rolling them in nuts or toffee bits, then adding half of a pretzel stick.
This was well liked!

 Spiced Cider
4 cups cider
2 cups Cranberry juice
2 cups Orange juice
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp. Allspice
2 sticks cinnamon

Combine and warm in crock pot.

Thursday’s post will have the hospitality tips on it.  If you missed the meeting last night, you can hear what we covered!

Who are you more often…Mary or Martha?  Me?  I relate to Martha all too well!  That little attitude ~ mmmhmm.  Thankful for God’s grace!

With love,

Fall

What’s Cookin’ in the Parsonage?

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Cold fall and winter evenings call for yummy treats to enjoy inside around the fireplace or the game table.  Here are a few treats that we love …and that our church ladies will be trying at our fellowship tonight!

Microwave Caramel corn

1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup white corn syrup
1 stick butter
1/2 tsp salt

Combine all of the above in 2 quart dish.  Bring to a boil in microwave, then cook on full power for 2 minutes.  Remove from oven and stir in 1 tsp baking soda.

Place 3-4 quarts popped popcorn in a brown grocery bag.  Pour syrup over corn.  Close bag and shake.  Cook in bag on high for 1-1 1/2 minutes.  Shake and cook another 1 – 1/2 minutes. You may need to cook another 1 – 1 1/2 minutes.  Pour into a pan and cool.  Be sure to shake part way through or popcorn will burn!

This is how I pop popcorn.  It’s so much cheaper (and tastier) than the microwaveable bags you purchase.  Place enough popcorn in the bottom of a dish that has a lid.  If you want butter, add a couple tablespoons when you place the popcorn kernels in the dish.  Microwave on high until the kernels slow down to a few seconds between pops.

Chex Pumpkin Pie Crunch

1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
1/4 cup butter
2 tsp vanilla
2 cups Cinnamon Chex cereal
2 cups wheat Chex cereal
2 cups Honey Nut Chex cereal
8 oz. nuts

1.  In small bowl, mix brown sugar and pumpkin pie spice; set aside.  In small microwave-safe dish, microwave butter on high about 30 seconds or until melted.  Stir in vanilla.  In large microwaveable bowl, mix all cereals and nuts.  Pour butter mixture over cereal mixture, stirring until evenly distributed.  Add sugar and spice mixture and stir until coated.

2.  Microwave uncovered on high 5 minutes, or until mixture begins to brown, stirring every minute.  Spread on waxed paper or a cookie sheet to cool.  Store in airtight container.

**To ease the load of last minute prep, make the mix up to 2 weeks ahead and store in an airtight container.

This next treat is a low-calorie and low-fat popcorn.  You can make it as buttery as you like it…

Parmesan-garlic Popcorn

2 1/2 quarts popped popcorn, buttered
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried parsley flakes

Place popcorn in a large bowl.  In a small bowl, combine the Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, combine the Parmesan cheese,garlic powder and  parsley; sprinkle over popcorn and toss lightly. 

Hope you’ll try these easy to make snacks!

From my parsonage kitchen,

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Freshen Up Friday

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Want to be refreshed today?  Take this Advice from a tree.  =)

Stand Tall
Act Naturally
Enjoy the View
Settle         Down
Make   yourself   useful
Change your look for the season
Sink deep Roots.  You never look stupid
by staying quiet.    Learn to bend
Take what comes and make the
best of it.  Drink plenty
of water.  Recycle.  Be
yourself.  Take
the winter
off.
lllll
lllll
lllll
lllll
lllll
lllll

I’d like to give credit to the author, but I don’t know who wrote this.  It’s good stuff, though!

See you in church Sunday!
Be refreshed,

Christian Life

Two Questions

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“So what’s the big tadoo about being a woman of character?” someone may ask.  The world says we are all a little good.    Is it that hard to be a woman of godliness?  And what about men?  Is it any easier to be a man of strong biblical character?  Let’s see what Scripture says…

Proverbs 20:6b asks a noteworthy question, it says, “Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?”  The implication here is that a man may boast about his ability to do this or be that, but when it comes right down to it, faithful men are rare!  That question reminds me of Proverbs 31:10 – Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. This virtuous woman, this woman of striking character is also a rare gem!  You don’t find women like this in every house in the neighborhood!  You won’t find men like that in every business office or college campus. 

Why are faithful men and virtuous women hard to find?  I believe it’s because it is hard work.  It takes discipline to stay by the stuff when things are difficult; it takes no effort to quit.  It takes strength to say “No” to sin; it’s much easier to cave in to the temptation.  Name any character trait and look at its antonym and it’s understandable why a person could shake their head, shrug their shoulders and go the easy route.  There’s nothing to it!

The blessing of the pursuit of godliness is that we’re not in this alone!  “For it is God which worketh in us, both to will and to do of His good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:13  The One Who is exemplary of character enables us be women of character!

We need to be encouraging our sons and daughters not only to be this kind of man or woman, but also to be looking for this kind of mate.  It’s easy to find someone to marry, but it’s worth waiting to find a faithful man or a virtuous woman!

Who can find a faithful man, or a virtuous woman?  They don’t abound, but you and I can be one, all by His amazing grace.

With love,