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Day 9 of 30 Days of Thanksgiving!

It's Day 9 of the 30 Days of Thanksgiving and I want to share the 9 that I have so far.  I could certainly share more than one a day but since we have these two events, 30 Days of Thanksgiving and 30 Days of Free Samples (Avon) and 30 Days of Thanksgiving, and they are open to anyone for free, I will share the ones that I posted in the groups.  

Day 1! I thank the Lord for salvation!

Day 2! I thank the Lord today (and everyday) I thank God for my wonderful husband, John, and thealmost 18 years that we've been married! He's an incredible man who has been with me through all health, sickness, wealth, poor, and all our our marriage vows! I love more each day!

Day 3!  I thank the Lord for my two step sons who have always been great kids and are now wonderful gentlemen. I'm praying that one of them will come back here (asking the Lord to help them raise thefunds) to see their only living grandparent, while she's still alive. She's on Hospice in a nursing home here in our town.

Day 4!  I'm thankful for the Lord providing for my husband and my daily needs. He's retired and I'm on disability and we make it on the paycheck to paycheck and have food on the table each week thanks to couponing and meal planning. Thankful for Him also meeting the needs of our sons and for providing them with jobs during this hard times. Amen!

Day 5!  Thank you (at age 51) to have my mother (age 78) and father living. My mom lives 3,000 miles away from me but my sister (age 49) is close to her and my father (almost age 83) lives here in California

Day 6!  Thank you God for healing me from 10 weeks in bed (just enough healing) that I can walk and sit for small periods of time!  I am thankful for the back brace that the Dr. sold to me and to be able to receive comfort from that when walking and sitting.   Fibromyalgia and  Rheumatoid Arthritis are really hard to manage during weather changes like the ones we've been having here in Southern California. 

Day 7! Thank you Lord for the ability to worship you and read your Word in a free country to do so.  Thank you for the capacity to understand your Word even though I go through times with fibromyalgia and the "fibro fog" where things are really tough and on those days I find that LISTENING to your Word online helps me so much! Thank you for having the Bible Online so that I can read there and have Bible Study tools there and the men of God who have sermons online and the women of God who have women ministries online. I pray that you always lead them to speak your Word!

Day 8!  Thank you Lord for providing my parents the funds to send me to Christian Jr. and Sr. High and then onto Christian College and then for me to pay go to a Christian Grad School here in California.  Thank you for giving me the love for education and that I became a teacher and for  the 17 years that I was able to teach in the Christian and mostly public schools here in Calif.

Thank you for the lives of the special needs students that you blessed me with teaching and learning from them.

Day 9!  Thank you Lord for Social Networks (e.g. FaceBook) and that I joined when I did and was able to reconnect with so many Christian High School alumni and Christian college and grad school alumni. I also want to thank you for the new friends that I have made on FaceBook so far and that you will continue to bless those friendships and that they always be honoring to you!  There are gals on here from college (especially Diane R. and Becky A. and Ginny T.) who are such a blessing to me each day on here.  Thank you for the lives of these friends and that even 30 years later, we are able to reconnect and be a blessing to each other from such long physical distances.  Please continue to bless these friendships each day!  Thank you for their example of being Women after your own Heart!

A Thanksgiving Prayer

For forests tall and oceans deep
For canyons wide and mountains steep
For sunset skies of pink and gold
For every sunrise we behold

For Winter's snow and springtime's thaw
For Summer's warmth and Autumn's awe
For roofs that keep the rain away
For walls that hold it all at bay

For work that puts food on the table
For health and rest to keep us able
For friends and family around us
For years to come, may they surround us

For soldiers fighting for our peace
For days to come when wars may cease
For hope, so burdens won't enslave us
For thy forgiveness which will save us

For feast, and those with whom we share it
For loving hands that did prepare it
For all that makes this life worth living
We take this time on this Thanksgiving

To bow our heads and bend a knee
And pause to look around and see
For all that was, is, and shall be
We have none to thank, Oh Lord, but thee.

Amen.

--Submitted by About.com member, Eddie Mallonen

Week TWO: Day 3 Turning to Thanksgiving

Hi Ladies...   I'm getting the feeling (from the lack of comments that you're just not really into this book, "Woman After God's Own Heart."  And with that I'm making a change...  we're going to stop following the book, and possibly pick the book up again in the New Year and focus instead on November celebrating Thanksgiving, Gratitude, Prayer and whatever the Lord lays on my heart for the day.  Thanks for understanding.   I think what we'll do each month is take it as the Lord leads and not me selecting a book for you to read.  

Last night my husband and I made our first bread in the Breadman bread maker ($90.00 for an online purchase). We made Gingerbread and in the crock pot we made Pumpkin/Apple Butter!  And today it was given rave reviews not only from ourselves but also from my mother in law (in the nursing home) and then we jarred four of them and John gave one to the office staff at the nursing home and then gave one to the activities director and then gave her the other two to give to her CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) and the other one to the Hospice Music Therapist.   She really enjoys the music that the therapist plays for her on Thursdays!  The staff hasn't tried it yet!  We're hoping that they enjoy it.

You can click on the links to get the to get to the recipes the bread maker that's on sale at Walmart and then the Gingerbread recipe comes in the book you receive with the bread maker and the Pumpkin/Apple Butter recipe comes from another blogger!  She's also living in Southern Calif! 

I'm so thankful that we were able to afford the bread maker at this time!  I'm also grateful for a way now to give thanks to the people at the nursing home from us and my mother-in-law.   They do so much to help her.

Pause and Give Thanks

Wherever you find yourself today,
Whether filled with joy or wrapped in pain,
Remember to pause a moment and give thanks
For no other event in our history and time,
Can change our lives like the birth of Christ – so divine.
His love never failing, and His Presence always near
The greatest wonder in Heaven on Christmas did appear.
God’s gift full of grace that brings life, love, and hope,
Can be unwrapped by us all - changing life’s scope.
For when we invite His life into our hearts,
No love is greater than that He imparts.
So wherever you find yourself today,
Remember to pause and give thanks,
For He is the Truth and the Way!

--© 2007 – Carolyn Lynn Schwartz

_{Carolyn Lynn Schwartz is a singer, songwriter, radio talk show host, poet and author. Her website is www.energizeministries.com.}

Thanksgiving Bible Verses

Psalm 31:19 How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you. (NIV)

Psalm 95:1-6 "O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker." (KJV)

Psalm 100 "Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations." (KJV)

Psalm 107:1 "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." (NIV)

Psalm 145:7 They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness. (NIV)

1 Chronicles 29:11-13 "Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name." (KJV)

 _{credit:  http://christianity.about.com/od/thanksgivingverses/a/thanksgivingver.htm}

Dara's Legacy: A Thanksgiving Christian Testimony

Dara shares a testimony of thanksgiving for the godly women in her life. Each one has passed down a legacy of holy living and genuine faith in God. Dara's prayer is to follow in their footsteps and leave a legacy of godliness that will eternally influence the lives of her own children and grandchildren.
Dara's true story is one of many uniquely featured testimonies from you, the members and visitors of this site. Each story reveals a life transformed by Christian faith. If your relationship with God has made a significant difference in your life, we would like to hear about it. Submit your testimony by filling out this Submission Form. To receive weekly messages of hope and encouragement from real-life stories of changed lives, sign up for eTestimonies.

Dara's Legacy - A Testimony of Thanksgiving

A legacy is defined by Webster’s dictionary as “anything handed down as from an ancestor.” At this time of the year when the whole country pauses to be thankful, I felt it was the perfect opportunity for me to share how grateful I am for the godly legacy that my mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother left for me.

“When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.” 2 Timothy 1:5 (NKJV)

God has been revealing to me, mostly through Scripture, how vital it is to leave that lasting godly legacy of genuine faith, for my children and grandchildren also.

My Mother's Legacy

I was raised in a household with an alcoholic father, who is to this day the angriest, most bitter man I know. He was emotionally abusive to my mother, and controlled her every move, until the day of her death. Through all this, she never claimed to be a victim, but remained a godly wife and mother. Her Christian example has inspired me to be the woman I strive to be today.
For a period of several months during my early teen years, my father persisted in accusing my mother of having an extra-marital affair. This unfounded accusation served to further destroy my mother’s spirit and leave her what I call an “emotional wreck.” She became deeply depressed. I do not know how she found the strength to get out of bed, knowing that she would daily be mercilessly bombarded with verbal attacks, except that through it all she hung on desperately to her sincere faith in the Lord.
One of my fondest memories of my mother is seeing her sitting peacefully on the sofa, in the dimly lit living room, early every morning, spending her private time with the Lord. Her Bible was always open on her lap, as she was meditating and praying. She taught me the value of God’s word and that authentic faith and confidence in the Lord is to be lived out every day of my life. Her faith was quiet and gentle, but there was no mistaking the strength, peace and inner joy she found in it. Her dedication to this was evident until the day of her very last breath.
The year I graduated from high school, 1980, my mother attempted suicide. But by the grace of God she was unsuccessful. Even in the final note she left for us, she was asking for everyone’s forgiveness. From that point on, she seemed more determined than ever to live out her genuine faith and not waver from her purpose to be a devoted wife and to leave a godly legacy for her children and grandchildren. She lived by this principle expressed in 1 Corinthians 7:12-16 by Paul: “…For how do you know O wife, whether you will save your husband?...” (NKJV)
In 1997, at the age of 58, my mother died of a much accelerated case of Lou Gehrig’s Disease. I will admit that I doubted God for a short period of time and even questioned his methods, wondering how my mom’s death would accomplish the goal of my father’s salvation. But eventually I came to the realization that God was in control, nothing catches him off guard and he alone knows what’s best for each one of his children.

I know now that in part, my mother’s seemingly untimely death, served to open the door for my father to examine his desire for salvation. And even though my dad’s life still does not reflect a love for Christ, my mother’s faithful dedication and servanthood did nothing but encourage him to have a relationship with the Lord.

"For though I am free from all men, I made myself a servant to all that I might win the more." 1 Corinthians 9:19 (NKJV)

My mother taught me the true meaning of love, forgiveness, servanthood, and sacrifice. Even though one of my children and all of my grandchildren will never know her, the legacy that she left will live on for generations.

My Grandmother's Legacy

When my maternal grandmother went home to be with the Lord, and we were going through her personal items, the comments made were evidence of her genuine faith also. “She read through this Bible so many times we've lost count,” said one. And even though I only visited her once every other year, I always remember her having her Bible close at hand. That was the legacy passed on to my mother. I so desire to follow suit with my life and testimony, and leave a godly legacy for my children as well.

My Mother-In-Law's Legacy

In 1983 I met my future mother-in-law, only to find out that the Lord had blessed me again with yet another godly woman to be a mentor in my life. She had lived a very difficult life also. Her mother passed away when she was very young. She married only to later divorce her unfaithful husband, after having four children. She raised them to love and serve God, while at times holding down three jobs. She too made it a priority to spend quiet time with the Lord every day and I'll not soon forget the comfort it provided me to see her sitting with her well-worn Bible open on her lap.
The godly influence of sacrifice my mother-in-law exhibited everyday has been etched on my heart forever. Her faith failed to waver even when she was diagnosed with terminal cancer. She put forth all the energy she could muster to see that every one of her grandchildren, 18 at the time, would have a copy of Charles Sheldon’s classic, In His Steps, with her personal words of encouragement penned inside each cover. Her eyes were always on Jesus and even in the midst of her final painful days she was anxiously looking forward to laying her cross at Jesus’ feet and picking up her crown. She went home to be with the Lord in February, 1999. She made sure everyone she came in contact with knew that a life worth living and remembering has God as the center.

Elsie's Legacy

I’m so grateful currently that the Lord has placed another godly woman in my life as a mentor. Even though Elsie too has led a trying life, she makes it a priority to encourage and speak God’s wisdom to the younger women that the Lord places in her life. I am so thankful that the Lord joined our spirits and saw fit to have our paths cross. Nothing takes the Lord by surprise. He knew what I needed and even though she lives hundreds of miles away, He has generously blessed me with Elsie.

My Legacy - My Prayer

“Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” 1Timothy 4:16 (NIV)

Isn't that our primary goal here on this earth, to draw others to Christ? I desire to leave a godly legacy like my mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother did. Not one of wealth and notoriety, but one of sincere, genuine faith that is evident to all I come in contact with. At this time of Thanksgiving let us all focus on the legacy that has been left for us and seek to leave a godly one of genuine faith for those following after us. It could be the difference between eternal life and death.

From Dara Bennett

WEEK TWO: A HEART FOR PASSION IN PRAYER

"I will lift up my eyes to the hills... from whence comes my help?  My help comes from the Lord." 

Psalm 121:1-2   

This week we will be studying about a heart committed to prayer.   There are blessings that we can know as we work more toward a heart of prayer.   These are not the only blessings but these are some to name a few.

1.  A Deeper Relationship with God  When we communicate to God in prayer, we grow spiritually in a many ways.  

•    Prayer increases faith!   It's been suggested to me and I started this today...  to keep a prayer list.  I had a composition book on hand that was given to me from a friend.  It's decorated with lace, a ribbon and a piece of scrap booking paper with lovely women on it.  You don't need anything like that.  Find something that you can use that is comfortable for you.   
•   Prayer provides a place to unload burdens.  Wow!  I need to be reminded that I can take my burdens to God.   He mentions this in one particular verse, I Peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you."
•   Prayer teaches us that God is always near.  Psalm 46:1, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."  

•   Prayer trains us not to panic.  Not to worry.  That's easier said than done, isn't it?  There are so many things that may worry about.  Have you ever considered the birds in the winter?  I do.  I like to feed them in the winter months because I know that they have a difficult place finding food but they never seem to worry about their food.  They get up early in the morning here and start going from one bird feeder to another one.  I like to feed the ones in the street.  My husband bought a bag of bird food for me to feed the pigeons, the doves and the all the other small birds!  God's word speaks about this in Matthew 6: 25-27, "  ²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷ Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life^[a]?"
•   Prayer changes us! Let's accept this challenge to pray more often and see how prayer changes us!

2.  This blessing is Greater Purity.  I'm looking forward to this chapter this week as I know I need this in my life.  

3.  Confidence in Making Decisions.   Maybe in our prayer book we can also be writing about the decisions we need to make.  I'm going to be doing this in my prayer book.    Let's be praying for each other in the decisions that we need to make daily.   I want to make it my motto to "Make no decision without prayer."

Susan Wesley has a prayer for direction.  "Forbid that I should venture on any business without first begging Thy direction and assistance."

4.  This blessing is Improved Relationships.    I found this today in one of my groups on FaceBook called Our Daily Bread.   

5.  Another blessing is Contentment.  We'll be studying what it means to be content, how to be content and a number of verses and examples of people in the Bible who learned contentment.

6.  Blessing of God-confidence!  God-confidence comes as the Holy Spirit works in us.  

7.  The Blessing of  The Ministry of Prayer.  I'm looking forward to this and all of the days we spend together this week in God's Word.  

Well that is our overview for the week ahead!  Please pray for me that I will be more like Him, that I will always share the words of God and be God-centered.    And let's pray that we will learn from His Word and that we will find time each day for PRAYER!   Thank you for your time ladies.  
 

WEEK ONE: Day 7..... Day of Worship and Praise!

Hi Ladies!    Sunday's are the Day of Worship and Praise!   I'm a shut in (meaning I can't get out of the house to go to my regular church right now) so what I do on this day is listen to some online messages from pastors that I know from college who are online and give sermons in the written word or an online message.   So I'm going to share some with you and then give you a general link where you can find so many messages that might suit what you are looking for on this day.   I hope this is helpful to you!

Messages Online that I would recommend:

1.  Weekly Sermons by Pastor Rudy... many selections for you!  Please click HERE. This is audio.

2.  Text sermons by Dr. Lehman Strauss...  please click HERE.

3.  Wide selection of messages by Dr. Lehman Strauss....  please click HERE.  This is audio.

4.  Wide selection of  audio messages by various speakers (I do not know all of these speakers so this is a general selection of many.)  Please click HERE 

Free Christian Sermons...  please click here (I do not know the content of these messages) But I do recommend this listening to Elizabeth George on here.  This is her FaceBook link. She's the author of the book we are studying right now in our Women's Bible Study:  A Woman After God's Own Heart!   This is the direct link to her ministry on the radio.

WEEK ONE: Day 6..... Variety Day!

Hi Ladies,
Saturday is going to be a Variety Day.   I'm going to share various items I have read on my own time during the week that have inspired me in some way and share them with you.   I hope that you'll use the COMMENT area to share your inspirations, prayer requests, question, ideas, praise, poems, anything that's on your heart.

I start today with a RECIPE!  If you read my blog, you'll notice a number of recipes.   I love to cook, I love to get recipes and share recipes.  Maybe you want to share a recipe!

RECIPE FOR A MIRACLE

1 cup Tension

2 cups Stress

1 teaspoon of Guilt

2 heaping cups of Limited Time

3/4 tablespoon of Urgency

A dash of "No Other Choice"

3 heaping cups of Faith

Fold ingredients gently into a bowl. Mix vigorously and add a few tears. You'll sweat a little as you knead the dough.

Pack it firmly between your hopes and dreams and form into a perfect little ball.

Sprinkle it with a little faith (I recommend Hebrews 11), rolling the ball in the flour until fully covered.

Place it under a veil of belief and allow it to rise.

Put it in an oven that has been pre-set at the perfect temperature for the heat of trials and tribulations.

Allow it to brown under the warmth of God's love. Remove after due season and allow to cool in the confidence of His promise.

Garnish with your praises. Arrange neatly on a platter of thankfulness and serve to friends, families and, oh yes, strangers . . . invite them too!

Pass on the recipe to all who request it and let them know that with this recipe, they have the makings of a miracle!

 

 This was shared with me through a group on Facebook called Positive Inspirational Quotes (PIQ) and you can click on the next picture to get to their page.  

PIQ

 

 

Avon Products by Carolyn: FB Page Owner's Christmas Explosion! USA only, Dec. 1st

Hi!  I'm giving you the opportunity to help me and yourself by joining this Avon Products by Carolyn:  FaceBook Page Owner's Christmas Explosion!   There will be Avon Gifts to be won by your fan winners with 2 Grand Prize gifts to be won by the page owner who wins my Random.org drawing!

Each entry fee is anything you wish, from $5.00 and up (you choose your gift or gifts from my brochures) and that pays for an Avon or Mark product to be won by a one of your fans!  For each entry you will secure a Random.org drawing spot.

This will be a Rafflecopter giveaway and the first entry fee pays for your FB fan page.  Each paid entry after that will earn you an additional Avon product by Carolyn and a spot for a link to any of the following:  your Blog, Twitter and/or GFC.  The products to be won are what you choose from my brochures to give away to the fans!   There will be 2 Grand Prize gifts to be won by the page owner  from my own Rafflecopter giveaway and that is worth $80.00!  Here are the two prizes that you can win:

 TYLER THE SNOWMAN GREETER (value: $40.00)

Avon exclusive. Motion activated greeter. Welcome guests with 4 different sayings:
- "Family and friends make the holiday special"
- "Hey, come out of the cold, it’s warm in here"
- "Now that you’re here, we can all be together"
- "Season’s greetings, so happy you could join us"

Uses 3 AAA batteries (not included). 27 1/2" H. Fabric, plastic. Imported.

 

Winter Wonderland Centerpiece (Value: $40.00)

Avon exclusive. A classic holiday scene with cascading colored lights and moving parts. Santa's tree rotates, skaters skate and train goes through the tunnel! LED and fiber-optic lights change from red, to yellow, to blue. Plays "We Wish You a Merry Christmas". 3-way switch controls lights, music and moving parts. Uses 3 AA batteries (not included). Includes built-in DC power jack, plug-in adapter sold separately. 11" L x 8" W x 7" H. Plastic, polyresin. 

AND...  

I will be giving away an envelope of 60 fragrance samples to the FaceBook Fan Page owner who wins the Random.org drawing by me.  Value $12.00 You will be able to give these away as prizes for the games that you play or just to give to one of your fans for any reason! 

 The way to order your prizes is to go through my Avon Website and order from the brochures.  You need to either order in the Campaign 23 (by Wed. Nov. 2nd) or Campaign 24 (comes out on Sat. Nov. 5 and runs til Thurs. Nov. 17th.)  Nov. 17th is the final day to order your products.

 You may begin shopping now at my store.  Just click on the words SHOP MY eBROCHURE and that will take you to the Avon and Mark and value brochures.
The FIRST $40.00 ORDER (you get free shipping) entry will win a SPA KIT from me! This includes the following:

 

SPARKLING FOOT TUB

Soak away holiday stress with a pedicure pick-me-up. Comes with detachable nylon loofah to scrub feet. PVC. Inflated, 11" L x 11" W x 8" H.   (value $8.00)

PLUSH PINK BATH PILLOW WITH COVER

(picture not available)  (value $5.00)

LAVENDAR FOOT WORKS GIFT SET (value $22.00)

Soothe weary soles. 4-piece gift set includes:

Comfort Foot Soak
3.4 fl. oz.

Clay Mask
3.4 fl. oz.

Overnight Treatment Cream
3.4 fl. oz

Cozy Socks
Lavender striped with slide-free grips. One size fits most. Polyester/spandex. Imported.

Comes in a decorative gift box.

Foot Works All-in-1 Pedicure Tool  (Value $10.00)

Easy to use, sleek, compact design. Cleanse, exfoliate, file & soften. Removes dry skin. Metal file exfoliates rough calluses. Fine grain smooths dry, flaky skin. Nail brush cleans & softens. Plastic. 3 1/8" L x 1 3/4" W x 1 1/2" H. 

and a man's gift

Patrick Dempsey UNSCRIPTED After Shave Conditioner (value $9.50)

Only at AVON. A fresh infusion of spices, surrounded by warm, sensual hints of vetiver and musk.

Aloe-enriched formula soothes skin and protects against dryness. 3.4 fl. oz.

"At the heart of Unscripted is the idea of living your life on your own terms, and not by a written script. It's about loving what you do, and doing it in your own unique way, rather than being defined by rules." —PATRICK DEMPSEY Award-winning actor

Total Value: $49.50

There is a FaceBook Group for any FB page owner who is interested in this giveaway.  Here is the link to the FB group for this event to be added.  Thank you for your interest!  AVON PRODUCTS BY CAROLYN. Just click on the words there.  

WEEK ONE: Day 5..... Praying Continually

Welcome Ladies!  Thank you for coming back another day.  It's great to have you here. 

Hearing From God

1.  Today we begin our study in I Thessalonians 5:17, "pray continually,"  That is one of the shortest verses in the Bible.  Please now read the I Thessalonians 5 in it's entirety and then please write down how it is possible that a person is able to pray continually.  What do you think the message is?  

2.  The following verses will teach us how we can make prayer most important in our lives.  You'll notice that some of the verses are from the previous lessons.  Please read them again and then write out a reminder of the truth you see in each scripture.

 

Psalm 5:3

New International Version (NIV)

 ³ In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice;
   in the morning I lay my requests before you
   and wait expectantly.

Psalm 55:17

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁷ Evening, morning and noon
   I cry out in distress,
   and he hears my voice.

Psalm 119:164

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁶⁴ Seven times a day I praise you
   for your righteous laws.

Mark 1:35

New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Prays in a Solitary Place

 ³⁵ Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 

3.  You may think it's very difficult to pray daily in the morning.  Maybe you're not a morning person like me!  What are the benefits of praying without ceasing in the morning  hours in relationship to the rest of your day?

4.  Paul prayed continually for his friends in Thessalonica.  Please read 2 Thessalonians 1.  What did Paul believe would result from praying continually for his friends? 

5.  Did you know that God wants to bring out every good purpose in your life?  By praying continually you will begin to realize and achieve God's purpose in your life.  At this point in your life with Christ, what do you believe God's purpose is for you?

RESPONDING TO GOD:  "Yes, but how?"

6.  When we speak about continual prayer, we're not saying that you'll be praying meaningless repetitions, and you won't be praying without a break.  Praying continually means praying in any circumstance.  Anytime during the day, you can pray to the Lord...  just talk aloud to Him (or silently) as you are driving, or through showing your thanks to God in a hymn or a song of praise.  You can even make up the tune!   I come up with all kinds of tunes as I'm walking with my husband and dog on the beach every morning for 2 miles.   Most of the time I sing to myself!  Please list issues that are of deep concern to you and then list some blessings you have received from God.

  a.  My deepest concerns

  b.  My blessings and praises



7.  You probably don't need the list to pray to God.  Please try to go throughout your day and we do let's pray to God about the concerns.  Give them over to Him.  Don't hold onto them any longer!  And then please thank Him and praise Him for the blessings in your life.

8.   Whatever the result may be, please don't be discouraged.  I often receive the answer as a no from God.  And often I receive the answer as a yes from God.  It takes time to establish a new habit.  You'll go through the ups and downs, the breakthroughs and setbacks.  See a goal, and we will give ourselves totally to the Lord, and He will help us find and keep our daily prayer time with Him.

Psalm 59:16-17

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁶ But I will sing of your strength,
   in the morning I will sing of your love;
for you are my fortress,
   my refuge in times of trouble.
 ¹⁷ You are my strength, I sing praise to you;
   you, God, are my fortress,
   my God on whom I can rely.

WORSHIP SONG (with lyrics!)  What the Lord has done in me

We learn that God's Word challenges us to pray without ceasing, pray continually..  We are able to pray in any circumstance of our lives throughout the day.   A day of prayer means that you have a heart for God and believe that He hears us when we pray.

CHALLENGE:    Let's spend tomorrow in prayer throughout our day!  You and me!  Tomorrow is not Bible Study, but rather prayers that we may pray and songs of worship to God.   Sounds exciting!   Thank you for being here today and let's meet together again tomorrow, Lord willing. 

Last Minute Plans for Halloween! Treats

Are you in the last stages of planning your Halloween and need some quick tips for just about "everything Halloween?"  This is a great place to get some ideas and share some ideas!

HALLOWEEN TREATS

Trick or Treat, Smell my feet, Give me something Good to Eat!   Most of us have said that once in our lifetime or our children or neighbor's children will be saying that very soon.  So what do you have to give your own family, the children and the neighbor's children this year?  I have some ideas for you that I've gathered from my own recipe files, the files of others, the internet, email, you name it!

PUMPKIN GINGER CUPCAKES

By: OVIEDOGIRL 

Prep Time: 20 mins.  Cook Time: 20 mins  Ready In: 1 hr. 30 mins.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 (3.4 ounce) package instant butterscotch pudding mix
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/3 cup finely chopped crystallized ginger
•  
• 1 cup butter, room temperature
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree

Directions

1. Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease 24 muffin cups, or line with paper muffin liners. Whisk together the flour, pudding mix, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ground ginger, allspice, cloves, and crystallized ginger in a bowl; set aside.
2. Beat the butter, white sugar, and brown sugar with an electric mixer in a large bowl until light and fluffy. The mixture should be noticeably lighter in color. Add the room-temperature eggs one at a time, allowing each egg to blend into the butter mixture before adding the next. Beat in the vanilla and pumpkin puree with the last egg. Stir in the flour mixture, mixing until just incorporated. Pour the batter into the prepared muffin cups.
3. Bake in the preheated oven until golden and the tops spring back when lightly pressed, about 20 minutes. Cool in the pans for 10 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack.

Nutritional Information

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 211 | Total Fat: 8.7g | Cholesterol: 56mg

[This is not my typical HEALTHY RECIPE and neither will be the rest of them!]

SPIDERWEB PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE

 

Servings:  12

Prep Time:  35 mins.  Cook Time: 1 hour  Ready In: 1 hr. 35 mins. 

 

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups chocolate wafer crumbs
• 1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
• FILLING:
• 3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 (15 ounce) can solid pack pumpkin
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• TOPPING:
• 2 cups sour cream
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• SPIDERWEB GARNISH:
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1/3 cup water
• 4 (1 ounce) squares semisweet chocolate, melted

Directions

1. Combine wafer crumbs and butter; press onto the bottom and 1 in. up the sides of a greased 10-in. springform pan. Set aside. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sugars until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Whisk in pumpkin, cornstarch, vanilla and pumpkin pie spice just until blended. Pour into crust. Place on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees F for 60-65 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.
2. Combine topping ingredients; spread over filling. Bake at 350 degrees F for 6 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minute. Carefully run a knife around the edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight. Remove sides of pan; set aside.
3. For spiderwebs, draw six 3-in. x 2-in. half circles on two sheets of parchment paper on top; tape both securely to work surface. In a saucepan, bring the sugar, cream of tartar and water to a boil over medium heat. Boil, without stirring, until mixture turns a light amber color and candy thermometer reads 350 degrees F. Immediately remove from the heat and stir. Cool, stirring occasionally, for 10-15 minutes or until hot sugar mixture falls off a metal spoon in a fine thread.
4. Using a spoon or meat fork, carefully drizzle syrup over half-circle outlines and inside the outlines to form spiderwebs; reheat syrup if needed. Cool completely. Place melted chocolate in a resealable plastic bag; cut a small hole in a corner of bag. Pipe 1-in. spiders onto parchment or foil; cool completely. With remaining melted chocolate, pipe two or three dots on each web; attach spiders.
5. Remove sides of springform pan. Cut cheesecake; place a web on top of each slice and remaining spiders on the side. Refrigerate leftovers.

Footnotes

We recommend that you test your candy thermometer before each use by bringing water to a boil; the thermometer should read 212 degrees F. Adjust your recipe temperature up or down based on your test.

S'mores Apples

 "Caramel apples are studded with graham crackers and marshmallows and drizzled with chocolate for a treat you can't get enough of."

Prep Time: 25 mins.  Cook Time: 10 mins   Ready In:  35 mins.  Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 6 Granny Smith apples
• 6 wooden sticks
• 1 (14 ounce) package individually wrapped caramels, unwrapped
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
• 1 1/2 cups crushed graham crackers
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. Insert wooden sticks 3/4 of the way into the stem end of each apple. Place apples on a cookie sheet covered with lightly greased aluminum foil.
2. Combine caramels and water in a saucepan over low heat. Cook, stirring often, until caramel melts and is smooth. Stir in the vanilla. Dip each apple into the caramel and gently run apples around insides of saucepan to scrape off some of the caramel. Scrape excess caramel from the apple bottoms using the side of the saucepan.
3. Combine the miniature marshmallows and graham crackers on a dinner plate. Roll the apples in the mixture to coat. Place on the aluminum foil and chill.
4. Put the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Cook in the microwave for 30 second intervals, stirring between each, until melted and smooth. Drizzle over the apples and return them to the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Nutritional Information

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 579 | Total Fat: 15.8g | Cholesterol: 5mg

 Next: Halloween Meals

 

 

WEEK ONE: Day 4..... The Blessing of Greater Purity

Today's Bible Study is about The Blessing of Greater Purity.   Our main scripture passages are Psalm 51
and I John 1: 8-9.   You may click on those passages to read them, thank you! 

HEARING FROM GOD
In the Bible we are taught to confess our sins and seek God's forgiveness.   These verses focus on confession.

Psalm 32:5

New International Version (NIV)

 ⁵ Then I acknowledged my sin to you
   and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess
   my transgressions to the LORD.”
And you forgave
   the guilt of my sin.

Proverbs 28:13

New International Version (NIV)

 ¹³ Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper,
   but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. 

James 5:16

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁶ Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. 

1 John 1:8-9

New International Version (NIV)

 ⁸ If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.


[When you click on the highlighted scripture links, you are able to select your own version of the Bible.  You may decide to write one or all of the above verses on your index cards we talked about from yesterday's lesson.  As a reminder, I personally use the 4x6 cards as I have an index card box that holds that size and for me it gives me the room I need to write out the verse(s).]


1.  God asks and desires us to live pure and holy lives.  We learn in the following verses that prayer is needed in order to confess our sins and restore purity in our life.  The following verses are biblical teachings about how to nurture purity in your own life.  As you read the passages, please ask God in prayer to help you to understand the following verses and how to apply them to your own life.  I am asking God to help me to do this as well.  

Psalm 24:3-4
For me, this verse tells me that whoever has a clean heart does not worship idols.  What are idols?  In the Wikipedia we learn about idolatry and idol worship. If you click on the following link you will find what the Bible says about idol worship.  http://www.openbible.info/topics/idol_worship

Psalm 119:9-11
For me, this verse says to live according to God's Word.


Philippians 1:9-11
For me, this passage says to be able to know the difference between what is best and be pure and blameless.

Philippians 2:14-16
For me, this passage says to do everything without complaining or arguing.  Wow!  Everything?  Yes, that's really difficult to imagine.  So try asking God to help you begin to stop complaining or arguing at home, work, at church and in public.  You'll have to start with baby steps on this.  You could write on the back of
this index card one goal for home, work, church and in public.  That includes your blog or places you socialize online!  :o)  I'm asking God to help me with this as well.

Philippians 4:8

New International Version (NIV)

 ⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 

2.  God's Word says that David was confronted with his sin by the prophet Nathan.  David then repented and wrote a psalm of his confession.  Please read Psalm 51 and then ask God to help you to understand the requests that David made of God in confessing his sin and what can we confess to God?  


3.  As I was reading this Psalm I found three things that David said he would do in response to God's
forgiveness and cleansing.

a.  I will teach transgressors Your way.
b.  My tongue will sing of your righteousness.
c.  My mouth will declare your praise.

4.  As you read Matthew 7:3-5, please write out the reason(s) that it is easy to see the sin in someone else's life but to be blind to the sin we are doing.  Here is that passage from the NIV version of God's Word,

³ “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? ⁴ How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? ⁵ You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

 Responding to God:  "Yes, but how?"


Please read the following scripture and then ask God to bring to mind any sin that he can find in your own life.  I'm doing the same thing.  Then let's pray and name each sin that He brings to your mind and ask Him to forgive us and cleanse us. 

Psalm 139:23-24

New International Version (NIV)

²³ Search me, God, and know my heart;
   test me and know my anxious thoughts.
²⁴ See if there is any offensive way in me,
   and lead me in the way everlasting. 


After we have prayed and confessed our sin we are going to try another step.  We're going to read
Ephesians 4:1-3, and ask God to remind us of people we need to confess and ask for their forgiveness.
Let's ask God to help us write down the names that come to mind and find the way to be in touch with these people so that we may ask for their forgiveness.

Ephesians 4:1-3

New International Version (NIV)

¹ As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. ² Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. ³ Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Elizabeth George, the author of the book that we are studying, A Woman After God's Own Heart shares
"As women who are called to righteousness, godliness, faith, love... and prayer, we must not deny our sin, not blame others for it, not hide it, not rationalize it.  No, we must confess it, for it is the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous woman that avails much!"

 Life Scene.    "Denise knows that she overreacted and said hurtful things to her husband, Ken.  In the heat of the moment, Ken responded in the same manner.  He brought us issues in Denise's life that embarrassed her and made her feel her feel small.  Ken frequently belittles Denise's church involvement and seems to relish opportunities to expose what he calls her hypocrisy.  Denise and Ken have hardly spoken to each other since their argument.  Denise finds it impossible to pray or study her Bible, making her feel even worse about herself."  [excerpt from Elizabeth George's workbook, p. 18 of Woman After God's Own Heart.]


What would you suggest Denise do in this situation?  And are you able to relate to this as I am?


I have a wonderful, small book by M. Scott Peck, M.D.(author of the best selling book, The Road Less Traveled,) called  "Abounding Happiness" and in this book are various quotes about different topics concerning our everyday life.  Today I have selected a couple about forgiveness.


"Once a woman has forgiven her man, she must not reheat his sins for breakfast." ~Marlene Dietrich


"A wise man will make haste to forgive, because he knows the true value of time, and will not suffer it to pass away in unnecessary pain."  ~ Samuel Johnson 


Thank you for taking the time to be here today and read this blog entry inspired by God's Word and Elizabeth George.  I hope God blesses you with His Word today as He has done to me and I hope to write another blog entry tomorrow if it is God's Will.