yummy treat

If you have one more treat to make, but don’t have alot of time, this is the easiest recipe ever for one of the yummiest treats ever.

Trust me…you will not be disappointed (or strapped for time).

If you make multiple batches, it’s a great thing to keep in the freezer.

 

Cracker Candy

2 sticks butter

1 long package of saltine crackers

1 c sugar

12 ox. Chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with foil. Place the saltines side by side in single layer on the foil and set aside.

Melt butter and sugar in pot on the stove over medium heat until it starts to bubble. Stir constantly as it boils for 4-5 minutes. The mixture should be a golden brown. Immediately pour over crackers, spreading evenly. Put into oven for 10 minutes.

Remove and sprinkle with chocolate chips. As the chips melt, spread them evenly over the edges.

Put into freezer for 30 minutes, peel off foil, break into pieces and enjoy!

order my steps

God never ceases to amaze me that when I ask Him…

He always orders my steps.

 

He is the One who gave me only 24 hours in each day.

 

So if what I am trying to accomplish doesn’t fit

…I’m pretty sure He’s not the One who miscalculated.

 

Psalm 32:8-9
The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
I will advise you and watch over you.
Do not be like a senseless horse or mule
that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”

water

I’m feeling sluggish, cranky and would love to curl back up into bed.

In all honesty, I don’t usually wake up feeling this way.

And this may seem trivial, but I know it is because I haven’t been drinking alot of water.

 

So…if you’re feeling sluggish, cranky and sapped of all energy, check your water intake.

I challenge you to drink 40-60 oz. of water every day from now until Christmas (that’s only ONE WEEK away)!!

 

…going to get my water bottle NOW…

and smiling at how scripture talks about water…

 

Jeremiah 17:7-8
He will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.”

 

Psalm 23:2
…He leads me beside quiet waters

choose

this is my oldest daughter, Kaitlyn, she’s 6.

most of the time when people see her, they note that she could be a “mini-me”

…and as proud mom, I beam, because I think she is absolutely beautiful, inside and out.

 

Recently though, as I seek God to train up Kaitlyn to make wise choices, God has used my conversations with her in the most revealing ways how He wants me to make wise choices as well.

And one of the best lessons that I’m learning (from God through Kaitlyn), is that in every day I choose my thoughts, my attitudes and my actions.

That no one else can decide those things for me.

 

And in everything…

I can choose to hate…or to love (1 Peter 4:8)

I can choose to see the bad in a situation…or to see the good (Romans 8:28)

I can choose to be bitter…or to forgive (Ephesians 4:31; Colossians 3:13)

I can choose to hold on to hurts…or to keep no record of wrongs (I Cor 13:5)

I can choose to be anxious…or to trust (Philippians 4:6; Proverbs 3:5)

I can choose to focus on others…or focus on God (John 21:22)

I can choose to fear…or believe God’s promises (Isaiah 41:10)

I can choose hopelessness…or hope (Jeremiah 17:7-8)

I can choose condemnation…or freedom (Romans 8:1; Galations 5:13)

 

So, today, just as I encouraged Kaitlyn to choose, I too have a choice about my thoughts, attitudes and actions…

 

Philippians 4:8    …Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Ebates

If you shop online alot, check out Ebates.com

Quick run down is that if you shop through Ebates at almost any online retailer, you earn cash back on every purchase.

A few times a year, as long as your balance is over $5.00, they send you a check.

AND…in December, there are a handful of stores that are doubling their cash back.

I LOVE finding ways to get paid for things I already do!!

bloom

I’ve spent alot of time resisting God’s will for my life.

Not intentionally, but because I focused on all the things I’d change

…instead of all the things He was trying to change in me.

The surroundings in which He has placed me have been uncomfortable,  

but over time, I’ve realized that they are necessary.

When I asked God to show me His will and make me more like Him,

He moved me to a country town so unlike everything I was used to.

 

And He took away all of my crutches…

…my relationship crutches (people I called before I called on Him)

…my ability to be super busy (because everything is just far enough away to be a hassle getting to)

…my comfort zone (requiring me to depend upon Him to navigate new territory)

And I spent alot of time grumbling about all the things He had taken away

Instead of realizing He was trying to give me more of Him.

 

Because ultimately He taught me that I can bloom where He has planted me.

And that being in the center of God’s will means that I choose to see Him in every circumstance.

…it doesn’t mean that I am always energized by my surroundings

…or getting to use my gifts

…it doesnt’ mean that I get to understand my circumstances

…or even be victorious in every battle.

 

It means that I choose to let Him grow me into His design,

by bending and twisting me into His likeness.

It means that I am surrendered, humbled and thankful that He has chosen to breathe life into this hopeless soul

…and teach me how to live in the freedom of his unconditional love and adoration.

favor

God wants to bless me.

God’s favor is on me.

God wants me to be successful.

God does not withhold any good thing from me.

 

I’m even a bit uncomfortable writing those things out loud

as if I’m being arrogant to claim such things

knowing that I am imperfect at best.

 

But because I am in Christ Jesus

all those statements are true

and I can claim every one of them in my life.

 

Not because of who I am

or anything I have done.

But because I declare that I am a daughter of The King

And my life is surrendered…

 

Psalm 84:11 For the Lord God is our light and protector. He give s grace and glory. No good thing will the Lord withhold from those who do what is right (those who are blameless, those who walk uprightly).

 

1 Corinthians 6:11 ….you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God

joyful things

Some of the smallest things in my life bring me the greatest joy

I am a very cold-natured person who cringes at the thought of a 40-degree winter day

So, when I found these at the Gap Outlet the other day, I just had to have them. They’re super soft and fuzzy and cozy and warm.

AND they were only $3.49, so I’m thinking I’m headed to get a few more pairs to get me through the treacherous North Carolina winter…

 

reflection

I’m not fancy.

Or domestically gifted.

Or extremely witty or funny.

I’m not crafty.

Or creative.

Or musically inclined.

Instead I have alot of rough edges that need smoothing.

And determination and zeal that needs yielding.

 

I have been blessed beyond what I could explain with godly women in my life who have taught me so much about what God has showed them along their journeys.

And because I want so much to be pleasing to God, and most of the women who have poured into me possess at least some of the above characteristics, I have often felt like I was failing.

I can remember crying because ingredient lists were too long or that one of my kids wanted to be something great for Halloween and it threw me into a panic attack. Those things make my brain shut down and my heart to race.

 

But I kept hoping that if I looked in the mirror of my mind, and my reflection looked a bit more like the godly women around me - God could smile on me too.

 

So for a season, God took away the special gifts He had given to me to use for His glory.

To open my eyes to the fact that He didn’t create me to reflect someone elses image.

Or to strive for someone elses gifts.

 

He opened my eyes to the fact that He gives me what I need to do what He wants.

He didn’t make me crafty, or domestic, or funny or fancy.

Because He doesn’t need me to be those things to do the work He’s chosen for me.

And when I look into the mirror of my mind, I need not reflect any of the wonderful women He’s put around me.

I need only reflect Him.

my new favorite

I have a friend who loves to cook. And she is a great cook and takes pretty pictures of the things she cooks.

They all look delicious and inspire me…

 

So, I found this a couple of weeks ago and tried it.

My kids are quite picky when it comes to their meat, so I was somewhat hesitant, but it turned out to be a hit!

So, here’s my new favorite…

 

Added bonuses…

1. it only requires 3 ingredients…package, pork chops and water

2. you put it all in a bag so there’s no cleanup!

 

Woo hoo! That’s what I’m talking about!

(note…I found that adding a bit more water and cooking a little less time made for an even jucier pork chop)

Build & Grow Clinic

As the weather gets colder and playing outside gets harder…and cabin fever gets more likely, I’m always looking for something fun for the five of us to do together.

One of our favorite things to do is head to Lowe’s for their Build & Grow Clinic for kids…

This weekend, we’ll be building a Gingerbread house…

Everything is FREE and the kids get aprons and goggles to take home!

You just have to register here

thankful

During the Thanksgiving season I reflected alot on what I am thankful for…

The obvious things came to my mind and as I prayed that God would give me eyes to see more of Him.

I was overwhelmed by how thankful I really am for my husband, my three kids, my home, my church, my friends…

But as I reflected more on how I have changed over the years and the joy God has given me, I realized there was something that has brought me so much, but I’ve never really been grateful for…

my trials.

 

This year has been very intense for me. Not bad, just intense.

And I have grown more this year in my walk with Jesus than any other year.

And I realize it’s not because it was a fun year

or a year when lots of joyful miracles were celebrated (although miracles abounded nonetheless)

or when God revealed Himself in any singular way to be unexpectedly mighty.

 

Instead, it has been a year when He’s tolerated my tantrums to draw me closer to Him

…a year when most of His answers were “no” because He knows what is best for me (He certainly knows better than I do)

…a year when the familiar phrase “He gives and takes away” finally made sense to me

…as He took away so many distractions, activities, unnecessary busyness and striving

And gave me more of Him instead.

 

I am so very thankful for my trials because without them

I could never have seen God claim so many victories in my life.

I am so grateful that the presence of battles does not reflect the absence of God’s hand

…but quite the oppposite.

wow!

God continues to bless me beyond what I could hope or imagine….

I am sooooo proud!

 

trust Me

I did a three-day fast recently – it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done

I had big prayers to pray and miracles I was claiming

and in God’s ultimate desire for my heart and intimacy with me…

He didn’t answer any of my big prayers

not yet.

 

instead He reminded me that my walk with Him is not only about seeing His results in my life

but about my heart

and what takes up most of the space there

because of His great love for me, He revealed to me that although I believe He can do anything…

I wasn’t trusting that He would

because lately I had become fixated on the outcome of certain prayers

instead of being yielded to Him and enjoying His presence

and I heard Him whisper “trust Me”

reminding me that although my prayers aren’t being answered the way I had hoped, He is still at work

even if I can’t see it

I loved my 3-day fast because at the end of it, I rejoiced that in every circumstance, He’s whispering…

“Trust Me”

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart…

measure

I’ve meditated on this verse often as I’ve prayed about our finances. It was first introduced to me while I read The Blessed Life by Robert Morris. In previous times of reading the book (it’s a book that I will read multiple times), God was really working on my heart with regards to money.

Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

This verse along with others transformed my thinking with regards to what God gives, and how He wants me to give.

 

But there is so much more to this verse.

 

It’s not just the measure of money…

For as I give love, love will be given to me.

For as I give mercy, mercy will be given to me

For as I give forgiveness, forgiveness will be given to me.

For as I give encouragement, encouragement will be given to me.

in addition…

For as I give judgement,  judgement will be given to me.

For as I give condemnation, condemnation will be given to me.

For as I give hatred, hatred will be given to me.

For as I give bitterness, bitterness will be given to me.

For as I give critical opinion, critical opinion will be given to me.

 

Praying about what this looks like in my daily life. 

Asking myself what do I “give”

…to God

…to those that I love

…to those who have hurt me

…to those who I don’t understand

…to those who are hurting

 

 

Chicken Tortilla Soup

I wish I loved to cook.

I really do.

Don’t hear me wrong…I love to eat.

I just don’t see the point in spending 3 hours making something that is going to be gone in 20 minutes.

Sometimes I indulge in the lie that “if only” I had a big, pretty kitchen, then I’d like to cook…

but in reality I’m pretty certain I’d get more joy out of organizing all the cabinets.

So, when I come across a really easy recipe that is yummy too, I get giddy about sharing it with those of you who might share my love for food….just not preparing it.

I got this recipe from my sister. It is really, really yummy…especially on a cold day.

 

Chicken Tortilla Soup

1 box chicken broth (4 cups)
1 can mexican corn
1 can chopped green chilis
1 can cream of potato soup
1 packet taco seasoning mix
1 can black beans
1 rotisserie chicken or 18 oz pre-cooked chicken or double the recipe and boil/shred a 5-6 lb. roaster
8oz cream cheese
 
Mix everything but the cream cheese together.  Boil, simmer for awhile….add cream cheese, but don’t boil it.  Enjoy!
 
Note:  instead of buying chicken broth, you can also boil a chicken and use the broth from there instead

(note is from my sister…I don’t even begin to know what to do with a whole chicken, I just bought an already cooked rotisserie chicken from the grocery store).

grace

I am in awe of His grace.

I’ve made quite a few messes in my life.

Some have turned out ok, others not so much.

I’m struck by the grace that God gives me.

Over and over and over and….

I don’t deserve it.

He’s perfect. I’m not.

 

I’m in awe of His grace.

Of the fact that everytime I look into His face.

He smiles.

And on the days I’ve made some pretty bad choices.

He picks me up, brushes me off

And says “let’s try again…this time My way”.

 

He holds my hand.

Wraps His arm around me.

And says “I love you, no matter what”.

 

I’m in awe of His grace.

 

words

if you’re reading this and you’re angry and about to vent, please wait!

remember…your words…

you can’t put them back in.

once they’re out there, there’s no turning back.

and there will be consequences.

maybe not even today, but they will come.

so, stop, pray and ask God to give you His words instead.

please.

 

I’m learning the harsh reality of this right now.

and I don’t want you to have to go through this – it’s horrible.

they were words I said to someone …about someone else…a long time ago.

I’m now reaping the consequences.

my words were hurtful, destructive and angry.

and I chose to say them all, instead of asking God to guard my lips.

in the process, I planted rotten seeds in the heart of someone I love dearly…just because they listened.

and it destroyed a relationship.

all because I chose not to let God guard my lips.

 

God tells me to honor Him with my body (I Corinthians 6:19-20).

my mouth is part of my body.

now I’m praying for healing,

but I made a choice.

and although I believe healing will happen eventually…

the scars don’t go away.

 

I’m praying God would guard my lips.

and teach me to be much more careful with my words.

learning that a gentle word is never displaced.

and angry ones are never a good answer to any situation.

 

Proverbs 15:1   A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

 

James 1:19-20   My dear brothers and sisters, be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to get angry. Your anger can never make things right in God’s sight.

mountains

There will always be a mountain in front of me.

Standing in between me and what God has for me next.

And whether my mustard seed-sized faith causes that moutain to move from here to there.

Or if I have to climb it.

God has something He wants to show me on the other side.

I praise Jesus for every mountain He sets before me with the promise that if I walk with Him faithfully, a glorious view that only He could create awaits me.

Build on the past – but don’t cling to it

Ever picked up a book or a study and thought it was written just for you, just for your season?

I’m doing a Bible Study called Radically Obedient by Aliene Thompson - it’s based upon Joshua. Wow.

Thought I’d share with you an exerpt from it …lately I’ve been so blown away by God’s Word and what He is teaching me that I have little to add. I hope it speaks to you and you can hear God calling your name. But I must admit, this is somewhat of a selfish post of something I want to have written where I can refer to it and remember.

Faith is moving beyond the comfort zones of your past. Insecurities will keep you living in the past – faith will move you forward.

Moses led the Israelites for over forty years. At this point, Moses was dead and God had tapped Joshua on the shoulder, telling him to “get ready to cross the Jordan” (Joshua 1:2). It was a new era and God needed a new leader for Israel. Moses had been a shepherd; Joshua was a warrior. Change was getting ready to occur. In this case, the Israelites went with the change, telling Joshua “wherever you send us we will go” (Joshua 1:16). Even if Joshua had not received applause from the Israelites, I believe he still would have followed God’s call for his life.

Our insecurities can make us dependent on approval from others. As we move away from our past and our comfort zones to follow God, our friends and family might not approve of our plans or support us. But God calls us to please Him, not man. When He calls, we need to follow.

God is always doing something new. It can be uncomfortable doing things differently, following a new leader, or going another direction. If you and I want to surrender completely to God, we must be flexible, faithful followers. Fear keeps us in our past; faith pushes us into the future that God has in store for us. Fear of the unknown limits us; faith in the Father allows us to rise to new heights.

Sometimes our past can be a wilderness, and yet we don’t want to leave it because it is familiar. God wants to take us outside of our comfort zone to find our Promised Land.

What old habit, place, or relationship are you reluctant to release in order to get into your Promised Land?