I read an article that reflects on Psalm 37 in Revive, the publication of Life Action Ministries where my brother works. This recent issue was about fear and worry - how appropriate for these times!
Here's the last section, that I need to put on a poster and hang on the wall or something:
"Faith is the antidote to fear. Fearful and faith-filled people experience the same circumstances, but faith-filled people respond by depending on God. Am I a fearful or a faith-filled person?"
There's also a comparison chart that highlights how the two different types of people approach life's trials. I had to check off all the statements on the "fearful people" side. Ouch. Need to read up again on God's promises - and His faithfulness (ahem, which was also the topic of last week's sermon!).
Friday, July 24, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Leftover rum? No problem!
My only experience with rum has been watching Jack Sparrow sing its praises on the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. But there was almost an entire bottle leftover after Matt made tiramisu the other week. I was going to make peach cobbler one night but instead searched for a recipe with peaches and rum. Since that required grilling, and it was already 90 degrees outside, I changed it a bit and came up with this:
Peaches 'n Rum
6-7 medium peaches, peeled and sliced
Sugar
Cinnamon
Chopped almonds (though I used pre-sliced almonds as a shortcut)
Rum (approx. 1 tsp per peach)
After preparing the peaches, I lined a 9-inch loaf pan with aluminum foil and put the peaches inside. Sprinkle liberally with sugar and cinnamon, then add some of the almonds on top. I poured 6 tsp of rum on top, then closed up the aluminum foil tightly and put the loaf pan in the oven at 400 degrees for 15-18 minutes (until the peaches are cooked).
Whipped Topping:
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
Splash of rum (optional!)
Whip cream until almost stiff, about 1 minute. Per Gail's advice, I added a splash of rum. Then slowly add sugar and vanilla; beat until cream holds peaks.
Er, since there was still almost a whole bottle of rum left, I made this again the next night, but with 3 medium-sized apples. Yum!
Peaches 'n Rum
6-7 medium peaches, peeled and sliced
Sugar
Cinnamon
Chopped almonds (though I used pre-sliced almonds as a shortcut)
Rum (approx. 1 tsp per peach)
After preparing the peaches, I lined a 9-inch loaf pan with aluminum foil and put the peaches inside. Sprinkle liberally with sugar and cinnamon, then add some of the almonds on top. I poured 6 tsp of rum on top, then closed up the aluminum foil tightly and put the loaf pan in the oven at 400 degrees for 15-18 minutes (until the peaches are cooked).
Whipped Topping:
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
Splash of rum (optional!)
Whip cream until almost stiff, about 1 minute. Per Gail's advice, I added a splash of rum. Then slowly add sugar and vanilla; beat until cream holds peaks.
Er, since there was still almost a whole bottle of rum left, I made this again the next night, but with 3 medium-sized apples. Yum!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Still Scrapbooking
I'm finally done organizing our (one-room/closet) living space at the in-laws. We can't leave stuff out since they are showing their house to sell it, but I'm ready to work on scrapbooking (and then putting it away when done for the day).
Here's what it all looks like.
And yes, those are some of my shoes in unused CD/DVD towers that my BIL let me use! (The rest of the shoes are in storage.)
Here's what it all looks like.
And yes, those are some of my shoes in unused CD/DVD towers that my BIL let me use! (The rest of the shoes are in storage.)
Monday, April 20, 2009
Encouragement on Sunday
The sermon at church yesterday was simple but powerful. Thought I'd share some points that really encouraged me:
Redeemer Presbyterian
April 19, 2009
Dan Seale
Luke 24:13-35
"Burning Hearts"
-On the cross, Jesus had said, "It is finished" triumphantly, but the disciples and His followers only heard defeat
-The disciples felt that Jesus had let them down with His death on the cross, that He had disappointed them; they were probably angry and confused
-The same thing happens to us when things don't turn out the way we think they should. Satan steps in with the age-old lie: that God doesn't care and doesn't love us. We think, "If God really loved me, He would [fill in the blank]."
-These 2 disciples on the road to Emmaus weren't theologically ignorant (v. 19-23), but they still didn't "get it": In verse 21, they say, "we had hoped ...." They were looking for an earthly messiah to rescue them from the Romans.
-These disciples had read the Scriptures selectively and believed selectively
-How often do WE read the Bible selectively, and believe selectively??
-Disappointment is a function of expectation.
-We have expectations of Jesus for things He never promised (like the classic "God wants me to be happy" - the Bible never says that!).
-And we're surprised when we receive what He DID promise (suffering, hardship).
-V. 25-26: Jesus wants these disciples to examine the Word
-V. 27: Instead of doing what He did with Thomas ("See, My hands, My feet, My side; it really is Me, risen"), Jesus explains the Scriptures to these 2 disciples --- He wants to Word to take root in their hearts. He reviews the Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah and how they have now been fulfilled.
-Their hearts were "burning" not necessarily because they were speaking to Him in person (they didn't even know it was Him at the time), but because He was speaking to them about the Word
-When was the last time your heart "burned" from reading the Word?
-Don't read the Word out of your life and experiences; read your life and experiences out of the Word
-The disciples urged Jesus (the "stranger") to stay with them because it was probably late; they had come all the way from Jerusalem and it would have been unsafe to continue on the road at night. BUT after their "eyes were opened" and they realized they were with Jesus (then He disappeared), they left right away (v. 33) to make the long trek back to Jerusalem to tell the others that they had seen Him and talked with Him.
-The good news of Jesus and the Scriptures prompted them urgently to share the truth with the others.
-God comforts His people through His Word
Redeemer Presbyterian
April 19, 2009
Dan Seale
Luke 24:13-35
"Burning Hearts"
-On the cross, Jesus had said, "It is finished" triumphantly, but the disciples and His followers only heard defeat
-The disciples felt that Jesus had let them down with His death on the cross, that He had disappointed them; they were probably angry and confused
-The same thing happens to us when things don't turn out the way we think they should. Satan steps in with the age-old lie: that God doesn't care and doesn't love us. We think, "If God really loved me, He would [fill in the blank]."
-These 2 disciples on the road to Emmaus weren't theologically ignorant (v. 19-23), but they still didn't "get it": In verse 21, they say, "we had hoped ...." They were looking for an earthly messiah to rescue them from the Romans.
-These disciples had read the Scriptures selectively and believed selectively
-How often do WE read the Bible selectively, and believe selectively??
-Disappointment is a function of expectation.
-We have expectations of Jesus for things He never promised (like the classic "God wants me to be happy" - the Bible never says that!).
-And we're surprised when we receive what He DID promise (suffering, hardship).
-V. 25-26: Jesus wants these disciples to examine the Word
-V. 27: Instead of doing what He did with Thomas ("See, My hands, My feet, My side; it really is Me, risen"), Jesus explains the Scriptures to these 2 disciples --- He wants to Word to take root in their hearts. He reviews the Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah and how they have now been fulfilled.
-Their hearts were "burning" not necessarily because they were speaking to Him in person (they didn't even know it was Him at the time), but because He was speaking to them about the Word
-When was the last time your heart "burned" from reading the Word?
-Don't read the Word out of your life and experiences; read your life and experiences out of the Word
-The disciples urged Jesus (the "stranger") to stay with them because it was probably late; they had come all the way from Jerusalem and it would have been unsafe to continue on the road at night. BUT after their "eyes were opened" and they realized they were with Jesus (then He disappeared), they left right away (v. 33) to make the long trek back to Jerusalem to tell the others that they had seen Him and talked with Him.
-The good news of Jesus and the Scriptures prompted them urgently to share the truth with the others.
-God comforts His people through His Word
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Blue is my favorite color. Formerly an English and journalism teacher, I am now learning about gardening (about which I know nothing)and increasing my culinary skills (which are merely adequate), especially in the area of vegan cooking. Mostly, I'm trying to be a godly wife to my awesome husband.
