Blessing never comes before obedience, and obedience isn’t always easy. Yesterday morning as I was reading Matthew chapter 5, I read verse 44, “But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despise you and persecute you.”

My mind went immediately to a neighbor who has held a bitter grudge against my husband and me for years! Can you imagine that? She dislikes me! **eyes batting** No matter how hard we have tried to make things right with her, she is determined to stick to her guns and make us pay. Bless her heart, she’s the one who’s been paying because bitterness will eat a person alive, bit by bit.

As I read that verse yesterday, the Holy Spirit whispered to my heart that it was time to try again to reach out to this family. I remembered the humiliation of being rejected the last time I went over. Angry words came spilling my way as I extended a loaf of homemade sour dough bread towards her. I managed to get out that I was always available, should she ever need a neighbor or friend, and I left. Why would I invite that kind of treatment again? Because the Lord was asking me to go. Because He endured far more than that. He was spat upon, beaten, cursed, slapped, and crucified. Surely, I could take rejection – knowing that He was going with me. “Okay, Lord, I’ll go.”

I made lemon loaves, wrapped them in Easter bags, tied them with a ribbon and then tied up my spiritual courage, all the while repeating my verse from Matthew.

“Love your enemies…” step out the door… “bless them that curse you”…cross the street… “do good to them that hate you”… knock on the door…”Pray for them that despise you…” The door opens. It’s Mr. Neighbor. “Hi!” I say in my perkiest voice. “I’m Denise, from across the street! I made some Lemon Bread today and wanted to share a loaf with you.” Mr. Neighbor steps back like I has handing him a rattle snake. “No, I better not. My wife will get mad at me.” My jaw drops. “Please, I’d love for you to have this.” “No, no, better not.” Door shuts. “Your new fencing is lovely, ” I say into the closing door.

I obeyed, now I leave the results to the Lord. They know we care. I will continue to care. I will continue to pray for their souls. I am no better than they. It was my sin that sent my Savior to the cross. I came home with the rejected loaf of bread and a saddened heart for this dear lady who so badly needs the Lord to relieve her of her bitterness and replace it with His joy and forgiveness! I also came home with the reminder of how my sin can effect others. This dear husband couldn’t even receive a gift due to the fear of angering his wife. The contentions of a wife are a continual dropping. Proverbs 19:10b

Obedience doesn’t always bring immediate results, does it? However, results are not the issue. We must do what the Lord says, and let Him handle the rest. Now, who else could use a loaf of lemon bread?

Is there a situation you’re waiting for God to move in on? Don’t give up. God is able! Just obey.

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. Ephesians 3:20, 21

With love and an extra lemon loaf,

How often have you looked in the mirror and thought, “I’m not beautiful! I’m fat!”? I listened to Revive our Hearts yesterday and thought, “Wow! Lots of women have fallen into the trap of this lie that ‘thin = beautiful’ – myself included.” If you didn’t hear the broadcast, go here and listen to the first session that aired two days ago, then you can listen to yesterday’s message. We are bombarded with this lie every day on television shows, magazine ads, commercials, etc. We need a right perspective on food and our bodies. I’d encourage you to listen to the broadcasts and be encouraged about the way God made you!

Psalm 139:14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

If you put a few marshmallows in with your brown sugar, they will keep the sugar from getting hard!

If you’re planning your Easter dinner menu and need a delicious jello salad, let me suggest this Apricot Gelatin Salad from Taste of Home. I’ve made it many times. It’s light and refreshing – perfect for springtime. It’s also a great thing to make ahead of time so dinner will be one the table quickly after you get home from church.

I’m not necessarily into the Easter Bunny, but I’m not opposed to cute spring decorations either. Look at this adorable Egg Tree. After a long winter, it would be nice to see something growing – even sprouting from the kitchen light over my table! If I can find time next week I’m going to try this one!

Happy Wednesday, Wise friends! I’d sure love to hear about your clever finds! Leave me a comment!

Love,

Our church is having evangelistic meetings with Tom Farrell this week, so I had the privilege of having the Farrell’s in our home for Sunday dinner. Also joining us were a couple of dear servants and one of their sons, from The Wilds Christian camp. They were here for the weekend to help get a new sound system installed in our church.

Our table and kitchen are filled when I have seven total guests, but I’m reminded of the story of Jesus being in a house in Mark 2. The house was filled – packed out – so much that there wasn’t room for another person to enter. They had come to see Jesus! There were four faithful friends who had a paralyzed buddy they knew Jesus could heal, so they cut a hole in the roof and let his bed down with ropes. Jesus, seeing their faith, healed the man, who also went away knowing Jesus as his Savior.

It’s worth packing out the house so people can see Jesus! Whether it’s providing a meal for an unsaved family and then taking them to church, or feeding the evangelist who will give the heavenly manna to lost souls, it’s worth packing them in! It’s a special blessing, and I’m thankful to have many guests around my table.

Pictured below are Dr. and Mrs. Farrell – I’m so glad she was there or I’d have been surrounded with all men! She is a sweet, gracious lady. Steve, his son Drew (behind the daffodil!), and Rich – sound men! 🙂
This was a new recipe – I actually mixed several different recipes to come up with this. I found the idea for the Parmesan cups in Taste of Home. I loved this because I love Parmesan cheese.

On Friday night I made up the Parmesan cups. Take about 3 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese and 1 tablespoon of finely chopped walnuts and sprinkle in a small non-stick skillet. Let the cheese melt, and when it gets a little golden on the edges, remove the pan from the heat. In about 1 minute, lift the cheese round and lay it over the bottom of a glass so it can cool and form its shape. Store in an air-tight container up to several days before use.

I added the mandarin oranges and strawberry slices. I also made up the cranberry vinaigrette from this salad and it was great on it!

The hot chicken salad is an old favorite that I changed just a bit this time. The recipe I’ve directed you to is from Paula Deen’s site, but it’s exactly like the one in my cookbook that I’ve had for 30 years. This time I added half sour cream and half mayo and I really like the taste of it better. I doubled the recipe to feed my guests.

Pictured above are the Gourmet Potatoes that I’ve shared here. They’re a great Sunday dish because they’re made ahead of time – I made this up on Friday.

I also made up my pie crusts on Friday and stuck them in the freezer…

I found a secret that my Grandma Ray had for keeping meringue from shrinking and weeping. Mix 1/3 cup of water and 1 Tb. cornstarch in a pan. Cook and stir until dissolved. Cool. Add to the egg whites and sugar (2 Tb. sugar to each egg white) when they’re fluffing up, and beat ’til stiff peaks form. Be sure to seal the edges of the crust so it won’t creep in to the middle. The cornstarch stabilizes the meringue and gives it a better texture.

If you live in the area, let me invite you to our meetings this week – they begin at 7:00 each night. God is going to do some mighty things – I know it! I’m looking for the place to be packed out so much that we’ll have to let them in through the ceiling! Come be a part of it!

What was cookin’ in your kitchen this weekend?

With love,

I had a great time in Kentucky this week visiting an aunt and a cousin that were passing through. I hadn’t seen them in years, so we had a good time catching up. Another day we had an early celebration of my parent’s 55th wedding anniversary, which is next week. We had lunch at a lovely place in Lexington. It was kind of special that it was just the five of us – we love our husband’s, but it was kind of nice being able to share this meal with the immediate family. I feel so very blessed to have parents who have stayed married all these years!

After being gone three days and two nights I believe my husband was pretty glad to have me home. You know how I love Andy Griffith – in one episode Peggy comes in and makes a meal for Andy and Opie while Aunt Bea is away. She adds candlelight to the table, tells Andy to get his guitar and sing, and just brings a special touch to the home and suppertime. Opie notices that things are different after her arrival and asks his dad, “What’s the difference?” Andy’s answer is, “There’s a woman in the house!”

While I was away my husband kept things in their place, warmed up the plate I left him, and took care of himself, but after I got home and busied around doing this and that he came to me and said, “There’s a woman in the house!” We women should make a difference.

This month our ladies’ Bible study is on “A Heart for your Home.” Elizabeth talks about the fact that we are to manage and keep our homes. It doesn’t matter how many people live in your home – whether it’s just you or you have a house full of people, it’s really up to the woman – you, to add those special touches and make your house a home.

Anyone can throw in laundry, put a meal in the oven, or live in a house, but it’s up to us to make it special. It takes work, doesn’t it? We already have plenty of that to do, but if you’re going to make a meal, why not make it special by the way you serve it? Put it on a pretty platter with a garnish of fresh herbs. Sprinkle dried parsley over the potatoes for some color. Add a seasonal flower arrangement to the table. Put a fresh tablecloth or place mats on the table. Use candles occasionally.

In our lesson, Elizabeth had us do an assignment that I thought was a great idea. We were to take a walk through the house with a pad of paper and pen. As we looked at each room we were to note things that needed attention and make notes. Does something need a coat of paint? Is something broken? What needs to be cleaned, straightened or organized? After making the list, we were encouraged to tackle those needs one at a time until they were all taken care of.

My list was long, but I’ve gotten lots done already! Some of those things required our “handy man” and dear church member’s help, but he was willing and several things have been taken care of! I’ll continue to work through my list until it’s finished. Our husbands don’t always see these little things that need to be done. It’s up to us to manage the house and look after the details of it so it is taken care of and is a place of comfort – a respite for our family.

I’d encourage you to try Elizabeth’s plan. Walk through your house, and with a critical eye, look for things that need to be cleaned, fixed or updated. Then begin making your way through that list. Having it written down and posted somewhere will keep you motivated. Reward yourself when you get all done! It may take weeks, but do a little at a time.

Tomorrow is the first day of spring! So, look for special touches you can add – to a room, a shelf, your front entryway, or a meal. Let it be very obvious that there’s a woman in the house!

See you in church Sunday and Happy Spring!

With love,

Hello my blogging Friends,
I’ve run to Kentucky to be with family for a few days, so I won’t be putting up a new post until later in the week. I’ll see you then! I’m looking forward to the refreshment that a mini vacation will bring!

Thanks for checking back later!
With love,