Friday's Freebies

Well it's almost Saturday and I've just settled in to write.  This week has been one crazy week hasn't it!! My heartfelt prayers and love go out to all the folks who have been affected in any way by the storms this week.  The stress that goes along with the devastation is paralyzing.  I'm sure many of you can attest to that.

I watched a little bit of the Royal Wedding today.  What a beautiful celebration and worshipful yet proper ceremony it was!  Kate Middleton looked positively radiant and regal and Prince William brought tears to my eyes because he looked so happy and so much like his dear Mom. 

After the wedding, Robin Roberts, of "Good Morning America" interviewed two of the soldiers who are friends with Prince William and before they talked about the wedding, they told Robing that they would like to send out thoughts, prayers and condolensces to the people of Alabama and to all the ones who had been affected by the terrible storms.  Robin remarked that their sincerity gave her chills and she shared that she was born in Alabama and that meant a lot to her.  A British reporter followed their interview and remarked the same sentiment.  I was very touched by that and thought it was something so kind of them to do.  It made me think that if they are friends with Kate and William that just maybe Kate and William felt the same way -- and I believe that they do.

Thursday night the NFL draft began.  Coach Saban was interviewed and had been there for part of it with his players because they asked him to -- he was adament that he wanted the people of Tuscaloosa and all of Alabama that everyone of those players was deeply affected by the devastation and that even though this was a time of celebration, that they all had their hearts, minds, thoughts and prayers with the people of our State and he said that the players, coaches and athletic department would be out in the community to help and make a difference in the lives of those who'd been devastated in the storms.

Today I saw Gene Chizik in Pleasant Grove helping to give out water, food, supplies - whatever was needed and he had many many of the Auburn players and coaches with him.  He talked about doing the right thing and helping people in a time of crisis and need. 

President Obama was here, Gov. Bentley was all over the state, and even though I spent precious little time in front of the television -- these that I saw touched my heart deeply.

Tonight I had a conversation with a former student of mine who is getting married soon.  She lives out of state but said that all the pictures she has seen have just broken her heart.  She shared with me that she'd been addressing her wedding invitations and had me on her mind.  She said she could never forget the special teachers in her life and she knew this had been a hard week in her home town (which is where I live). 

You know, it's so easy to feel isolated when a tragedy happens.  It's so easy to fall into thinking our troubles are so bad we don't want to bother anyone.  It's so easy to think that because we have so many things/people to care for and maintain, we don't have time to cultivate those relationships.

But I'm telling you, cultivating relationships with God's people is a key ingredient in your spiritual growth.  It's like a refreshing drink of water in a dry and thirsty land.

The outpouring of love has been so amazing this week.  It's been horrific to see what this weather has done, but knowing there are people praying and having people to check on myself and my family has meant the absolute world to my husband, James, my Mom and to me personally. 

It's been said that you know who your true friends are in the wake of a tragedy.  The friends we have who have taken time out of their busy days to text, call or email to check on us has been such a blessing.  Those who have loaned their time, energy, equipment and muscles to assisting my mom have been an amazing blessing.  There have been so many people who have just stopped by and said, "you just looked like you needed a hug" -- that just warmed my day. 

So for Friday's Freebies, I just want to close by saying Thank You -- Thanks for your prayers, love, encouragement, grace and mercy.  Thanks for your kindness in all that you've said and done.  You are truly a gift from God and we are so thankful that He loved us and protected us through these storms. To my husband, James, you are one hard-working man -- you've used your gifts of service and helps all week long this week and I'll be forever grateful.

If any of you would like to post a "thank you" to those who've helped and encouraged you this week, please feel free to do so in this blog.  You can publish it on your Twitter or Facebook account by clicking the buttons to the right of this text box.

May you all have a blessed weekend and may your bodies refuel with rest and a little bit of fun before the work continues next week.

Verse of the Day:  Proverbs 27:17 "As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend."

Until Monday, be blessed...not stressed!  Much love!  Amy

Tips and Tricks Thursday 2nd edition

Hello Everyone -- I'm so late in posting this -- I'm sorry.  Today was clean up day along the street where my Mom lives.  Pell City and St. Clair County got hit hard but there are other areas in our State that were just devastated.  I want to thank you first hand for your prayers, emails, phone calls, text messages and love in checking on us and in helping us yesterday and the people in our community.  The Hands of Jesus were everywhere so unselfishly doing the work-- so touching and so special.  We are blessed.  I ask you to pray for the people of the Cullman, Tuscaloosa, Pleasant Grove, Hackleburg, Shoal Creek Valley, Moody, Leeds, Pell City and surrounding communities and for our public officials, utility workers, hospital and emergency rescue staff, insurance folks and leaders as the efforts to restore communities to livable conditions, assist families in finding lost loved ones and in protecting our homes and citizens from those who might take advantage of these people who hurt so badly. 

Today is "Tips and Tricks Tuesday" and because it's so late, I'm just going to list a few that have come in handy during these storms and clean-up -- and I'll add more on Friday's Freebies.

My friend, Becky, has been caring for a loved one who has been bed-ridden for quite some time.  She shared a tip that I wanted to give to you -- she said that using all different types of detergents and cleaners in an effort to keep odors down had failed with the exception of using baking soda both in washing bedding as well as in cleaning.  She shared that it has been most effective and comes highly recommended to anyone who needs to remove any type of stain, odor, or soil.  She suggests trying this first, rather than last!  Thanks, Becky!!

Another tip comes from a young man, Will, who assisted us today in cleaning up all the leaves, branches and debris in my Mom's yard.  He worked so quickly and efficiently with a pair of branch cutters, so I stopped to watch him and thought his method was really quite good.  Will didn't hold the clippers at the ends of the handles - but rather toward the middle.  And rather than cutting apart the really large branches in order to fit in the wheelbarrow, he put them in as they were and then trimmed around the edges letting the small branches fall to the ground in a pile and then picked them up quickly to add to the stack.  He didn't have to walk as many trips and his "mess" was in a small area to clean up each time.  I thought that was quite an efficient use of time.  Thanks, Will, not only for your tip (that you didn't know you were giving) and for such GREAT help today!! You are a dear and precious neighbor and young friend!

I want to leave you all tonight with a passage of Scripture that I found particularly timely after all the devastation and destruction we've seen over the last couple of days.  It brought me back into focus from my own stress and tiredness.  I pray you'll find it encouraging and restoring to you as well.  It speaks of regaining our focus...when times get tough...and they will -- think on these things...

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, 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. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."

Philippians 4:6-8

Until tomorrow, be blessed...not stressed!  Much love, Amy

Stormy days and Wednesdays always get me.....

What a day!!  For those of us who live in the track of the storms that have hit, it's been one amazing day.  Downtown Pell City was hit hard with big winds or a high level tornado and surrounding cities and areas just got slammed.  I'm not sure how many people lost their lives but there's one I want to share with you today that just touched my heart to the core.

Anytime, storms rage around me there are two passages in Scripture that come to mind.

The first is found Psalm 8 -- "O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet: all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!"

This Psalm calms my spirit in storms because it's such a clear reminder of Who made the earth and Who is completely in control of all that happens and all Who are His.  A tornado came over our house a couple of years ago.  I've never heard anything like it before and it was so strong and so powerful it truly made me tremble for about an hour after the storm was over.  I've never felt so small or so helpless in my life and I remember crying out to God in that moment for protection.  I could hear the trees groaning as the fell behind our home in the woods and the next morning, I was amazed at the destruction all around our city.  I was more amazed that our home had very little damage.  A few shingles lifted and some hail damage but as close as that tornado was to our home, there's no doubt it could have destroyed it in a moments' flash.

I remember being afraid - but my fear wasn't terror.  I was afraid because there was nothing I could do to control it.  There was nothing I could do to stop it and there was nothing else I could do to protect any of my possessions.  I was alone (my husband was at work) except for the company of my two precious dogs who were peacefully sleeping and unaware of what was going on around them...the house was so dark I couldn't carry them to the "safe place" with me without risking falling down the stairs.  I remember standing at the base of my staircase calling them and seeing the green sky and torrential rain and hail falling in drifts around me.  It was so loud it was deafening...I knew the only One who could hear me was God and I cried out to Him.

When the storm passed, the quiet was unnerving.  It was so cold and so quiet and dark with no power.  I walked outside just to see if anyone else was going to join me -- no one.  The streets were pitch black, the yard was wet and slick and all I could see from the moonlight through the clouds were the deep drifts of hail next to the trees and leaves and limbs everywhere.  It was almost paralyzing...hard to breathe even.  The smell of broken trees and fallen power lines was strong and the birds were completely silent.

The awesomeness of God's Majesty was so apparent to me in living through this storm.  I'll never forget it and since that time, I always return to this Psalm when these storms arise.

The second passage comes from Mark 4:35-40.  "That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.  He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

I think what stands out to me so much in this passage is that Jesus was asleep during this bad storm and he was in the stern of the boat, which would have been rough and rocky.  He wouldn't have been dry by the nature of the style of boat they'd have been in but He was asleep on a pillow (cushion) AND the disciples woke Him up to tell Him about it.  There's something about this that just makes me smile.  I appreciate Jesus' sense of humor so much and I believe that He was fully aware of what was going on and committed to resting and knew that the disciples would come to Him for rescue.  I believe that when He got up He may have even rolled His eyes and walked up on deck to rebuke the storm as a parent would a fussy child but he had a little smile on His face when He did it.  Notice that Jesus didn't fuss at the disciples for coming to him.  Notice that the weather obeyed Him.  Notice that Jesus merely asked them why they were afraid and still didn't have faith.  I love that! 

If you go back to the very beginning of this passage, the disciples had been with Jesus seeing him perform miracles of healing and restoration - they had heard him preach to enormous crowds -- ALL DAY LONG!!!  and yet...a storm comes up and they still ran to Him to "fix it" and were so bold to ask if he cared about their safety...

I ask you, don't we do the same thing?  We spend time worshipping and celebrating His goodness, which is wonderful -- and then something happens to "rattle our cages" and we doubt God cares about us.  It's not that we doubt his majesty or power or even that He can calm the storms or work the miracles -- it's that we doubt He cares!

Jesus didn't mind being awakened to calm the storm.  In fact, I'm sure it was something He was glad to do.  But I can imagine that He looked at them with such amazement after all they'd seen Him do and the relationship that they had with Him, that they would doubt that He cared about them. 

My friend, Jesus cares.  He cares so much about us that He numbers the hairs on our heads and numbers the days of we have to live on this planet.  He cares so much that every tear we cry is captured in His hands.  He cares so much that He gave His life for us so we'd never have to experience eternal death but in doing so gave us the gift of eternal life with Him.  He cares so much that He calls us His friends - His adopted children - joint heirs with Him...and yet, we doubt he cares when a storm comes into our lives. 

Storms come in life.  Jobs are lost. People hurt. Weather is unpredictable. Sickness comes. Mistakes are made. Words are said.  We live in a broken and sinful world. Jesus sees it all, understands it all and holds all of it in the palm of His beautiful nail-scarred Hands.

So when the weather gets dark and scary - cherish His Words -- hold them close when the winds blow and the lightning crashes and the thunder roars.  Never hesitate in running to Him for cover - but never doubt that He cares for you and what happens to you...He loves you!!

http://www.twitvid.com/4W6PU - here's a video of the tornado that hit Tuscaloosa today -- it's goes just beside Bryant Denny stadium -- it makes that HUGE structure appear to be dwarf-like....

 
Until tomorrow...stay safe...stay wise...stay in the Word...and be blessed not stressed!  Love ya!  Amy 

Today is Tuesday, you know what that means...it's gonna be a special day!!

Hello Sweet Friends -- today is Kitchen Tuesday!!! Last week I shared a recipe for a Beef Pot Pie that I hope some of you enjoyed trying.  I love puff pastry on anything and that seems to really make the pot pie just delectable!  :)

This week I'm going to share a recipe with you that I've adapted from one by Claire Robinson of Food Network's 5 Ingredient Fix.  I adapted it by changing some of the ingredients according to what I had in my pantry and reduced the butter just a little bit because I found the crust in her recipe to be a little greasy and I think they are just delicious!  Claire's recipe is wonderful, though, and you can find it at http://www.foodnetwork.com/ under "Pecan Bars"



Yummy Pecan Pie Pastry Bars!!

 Pecan Pie Pastry Bars
(original recipe by Claire Robinson, adapted by Amy Drinkwater)

Crust:
1 stick plus 2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed, plus more for dish
1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
2/3 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons ice water

Filling:
1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup light brown sugar
Pinch salt
1/3 light corn syrup
1/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
2 cups coarsely chopped pecans

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. 
Line a 9 x 13 glass casserole dish with aluminum foil with about 2 inches overhang to lift bars out later.  Using a pastry brush, grease the dish with butter covering the bottom and sides evenly.

Crust:  In a food processor, combine the flour, cubed butter, sugar and salt until the mixture resembles coarse sand.  NOTE: if your food processor will not hold all the mixture put the flour, sugar and salt in first and mix it and then remove 1/3 to half of it and then process the butter in the remaining mixture.  Remove this and combine with the remaining flour mixture and you'll get the same outcome without flour going everywhere!  (experience is the best teacher!).  Now press this into the bottom of your dish so that it's a smooth even layer all the way to each corner.  Place this in the heated oven and bake 20 to 25 minutes until light golden brown.  Remove from oven.

Filling:  While crust is baking, mix your filling.  Combine Butter, Brown Sugar, salt in a stand mixer and using a paddle attachment beat until fluffy (2 to 3 minutes).  Add corn syrup and flour and chopped pecans and mix until just combined.  Mixture will look like sandy fudge.  Place this on top of warm crust and spread an even layer end to end.  Place in oven to bake for 30 to 35 minutes until golden brown and bubbly. 

Remove from oven and allow to cool completely -- VERY IMPORTANT -- leave in pan until cooled.  When cool, lift foil from pan and lower sides.  Cut evenly into 24 bars (the easiest way is to divide the bars in half, then fourths and then eighths and then slice lengthwise into 3 rows).  Delicious!!  These taste like little mini pecan pie pastries and will keep in an airtight container for 2 to 3 days if they last that long! 

Verse of the Day:  "Test me, LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness." Psalm 26: 2-3

Until tomorrow... be blessed not stressed....and laugh a little (or a lot) today!  Love ya!  Amy

Trust -vs- Surrender - a lesson on Action

Happy Easter Monday Everyone!! HE IS RISEN INDEED!!  What an awesome Easter weekend -- it was just beautiful and yesterday's worship service was convicting and celebratory at the same time!  I pray your weekend was equally wonderful...

I lead an amazing group of beautiful women in Bible studies on Mondays at noon at our church and today we had a discussion on Trust and Surrender.  It was such a great discussion that I wanted to bring it to the blog to go a little deeper and maybe even gather your thoughts if you are willing to comment...please do!

Our discussion began today with a question -- What is the difference between Trust and Surrender?  At first, the answers were that within the context of our relationship with the Lord the two would be interchangeable - meaning basically the same thing.  But as we looked further into it, we moved away from that thought process.   We discussed that surrender involves giving up, letting someone else take control and determine the outcome - whereas trust involves a relationship, communication, and activity.  How so?

Consider this illustration -- In war, there are two opposing sides.  If one surrenders to the other, they are submitting to the authority of the "winning" side and giving up control and any decision making in the outcome.  This doesn't mean that the surrendering side trusts the opposition, it just means they've run out of energy and resources and basically "gives up" and allows the opposition to take over control.  The heart doesn't necessarily have to be in agreement with the action. 

In preparation for battle as well as in battle, the best soldiers learn trust their leaders to make the best decisions for themselves as well as for the country they represent.  This is totally different than surrender.  To be successful, each soldier must exhibit their trust of the leadership through action -- which includes listening, cooperation, obedience, teamwork, preparation, discipline and willful submission to the authority of the leadership. 

With regard to our relationship with Christ, both Trust and Surrender need to be present.  Our study guide mentioned that Surrender is a matter of will but Trust is a matter of the heart. Surrender involves giving over our lives to Him to guide our lives according to His Will.  This is necessary and very important to our relationship with Christ because otherwise there will be a constant battle between our will and God's will....

Trusting God with our lives is a little different.  Trust is more active because it isn't just about the large decisions we make like salvation and where we will spend eternity.  Trust involves not just the big things but those everyday, little things that we need to give over to God.  It means trusting God when we don't have the answers to a pressing need or issue.  It means trusting God with our children when they leave the nest or begin to make decisions that could affect their future or safety.  It means trusting that God knows best when outcomes or answers to prayer don't come the way we asked - as in the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, the unexpected move, etc.  Trusting God to provide, to heal, to intervene, to forgive, to restore, to renew means more than surrendering and giving up.  It's active.  Just like the soldiers, we trust God with making the best decisions for our lives and following Him and serving Him willingly even when we don't "feel" like it.  When we trust God, we honor His authority and our lives bring Him glory. It's the relationship that follows the surrender.  We don't become slaves or robots when we surrender our lives to Christ.  We become children, servants, friends...family of God -- loved and cared for, nourished and fed...definitely not a passive relationship.

Proverbs 3:5, 6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, soul and mind and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." 

I love these verses as I'm sure most of you do.  Surrendering our lives to God is such a freeing activity.  It means the battle is over for eternity -- we are saved once and for all and what Jesus did for us on that cross will not ever need to be done again.  Trusting Him daily with our hearts, souls and minds means we don't have to figure it all out by ourselves.  We have the Holy Spirit to guide us in all things, to pray for us when there are no words, and to make us wise when we seek Him.   Life is hard - why go it alone when the One who created life wants a relationship with us.  Not just a one time deal in our surrender -- but an active, trust-building training camp for His warriors - His children. 

Where is this trust-building training camp being held?  In the heart, soul and mind.  If we commit our lives to studying God's Word, that's our training manual.  If we commit our lives to serving Him, we find a church where we can worship Him and get actively involved by using our gifts and talents to encourage and build up His people...that's the training camp (it doesn't mean just joining and then sitting on the bench).  And then, as well prepared warriors, we are ready when He calls us, and we go into battle --by just living our lives and then when opportunity arises, we share what we've learned in our training manual and camp with others and we link arms with other training camps (churches) and soldiers (fellow Christians) to spread the Gospel outside the walls of the camp. 

What do need to wear in Battle?  Take a look at these verses below:

 "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints."  Ephesians 6:11-18


These verses are active, not passive.  If all we do is surrender, then we allow the battle to be fought for us.  But that's not God's way.  He provides the armor, the battle gear to get back in the good fight and while the battle belongs to Him, and He wins always - we still are called to fight the good fight and finish the race.

Here's the uniform:

The Helmet of Salvation protects our minds from the attacks of the enemy.  Knowing who we are in Christ and being confident in that is the greatest weapon we can have in spiritual warfare.  If our thoughts, reasoning and decisions are made with the confidence of our Salvation, the enemy really has no weapon that can come against us.  He's really not all that original.  Prayer and holding your mind, thoughts and emotions close to Him is essential for victory in battle.

The Breastplate of Righteousness -- covers our hearts, lungs, upper body. When you consider emotional attacks, relationship attacks, motivational attacks -- consider the breastplate and what it protects. We talk about our hearts being broken, the air taken out of our sails, the wind beneath our wings, the air we breathe, etc. Consider matters of the heart here. Righteousness prevails over heartbreak, infidelity, temptation, etc. Having that Breastplate covering our hearts protects our hearts, the air we breathe and the life-giving energy that keeps us going when times get tough.

The Belt of Truth girds our waists -- it literally surrounds our bodies.  Jesus says, He is the Way, the Truth and the Life -- so if we wear the belt of Truth - we are wearing Jesus all around us.  Regardless the size of our waistline, folks, His Belt fits and will protect and prevail.  If you consider that it surrounds our "gut" - then know the Truth and be set free from addictions, habits, and any image type attacks from the enemy. 

The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace -- walking with Christ is a journey -- soldiers need good shoes in battle -- bad shoes mean disease, damage and fatigue -- not good on the battlefield.  The Gospel of Peace -- that, my friends, is a gift from Jesus, Himself.  How lovely that we are given shoes to walk in peace - to fight battles in peace -- to win battles peacefully and without fear or worry.   Jesus said, "My peace I leave with you, my Peace I leave with you, not as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."  John 14:27  Picture yourself walking in peace in all things, and you have just strapped on some mighty fancy battle shoes!

Here are the weapons --

The Shield of Faith -- This is war!  Enemies will attack -- fiery darts will come our way -- life is HARD!  This is our weapon of protection -- Becoming a child of God doesn't mean we no longer have problems and it doesn't mean that we won't encounter mean people or mean situations.  The Shield of Faith means that we believe, believe and believe some more no matter what our circumstances.  Faith brings us through it -- and the stronger we get in God's Word -- the bigger the Shield of Faith grows - a little shield doesn't protect much, does it!  If the battle is going to get hotter, I think we'd be well served to carry a BIG SHIELD!

The Sword of the Spirit -- This is the Word of God -- our major weapon of attack.  When we are tempted, quote Scripture.  When we are discouraged, quote Scripture. When we are wounded, quote Scripture.  When we are confused, quote Scripture.  For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12.  You cannot argue with the truth of the Scripture and win. God's word is the greatest weapon against the lies of the enemy - the attitudes of the world -- the attacks of those who hate you because of His Name.

Surrender your life to Christ today -- and then Trust Him actively each day in all things great and small.  Get your armor on soldier -- clock's a-tickin'!!!

Until tomorrow...be blessed not stressed!  Amy

It's Friday - Good Friday - a beautiful day...

Hi Everybody!!! Can you believe it's already Friday!  Wow! This week has flown by!  I've had a busy week and I'm sure you have as well - but I hope you've had a moment to stop and thank the Lord for His GREAT sacrifice today - especially today -- Good Friday.

I've decided that Fridays are going to be kind of a "freestyle" day -- kind of filled with lots of different things and thoughts -- just a relaxed conversation of sorts.

I noticed just a minute ago that "The Passion of the Christ" is showing on TBN -- whew! that's a tough movie to watch but I may just have to do that before the weekend is out.  What do you think?


Okay so what to write about today ... My first thoughts would be, of course, on Easter.  Good Friday is usually such a sad day because it's a reminder that Christ hung on the cross and died on this day after suffering beatings that we cannot truly comprehend.  His flesh was ripped and torn so badly that he would have been almost unrecognizable at this point and would have been dehydrated, and in more pain than any medicine could dull even slightly.  Death was surely the desired outcome once the crosses were hoisted and dropped down into the holes that would hold them steady.  The weight that his wrists had to bear - his full body weight would have made it very difficult to breathe and to push up to catch a breath on the nail that pierced his feet (between the ankle joint and tibia) would have been excruciating.  And yet, that wasn't the worst part of Jesus' day - Good Friday.  That came later.  The sky began to darken as God turned His face away from His Beloved Son.  As the sins (our sins) of the world were heaped upon Jesus.  As the sky turned black, Jesus experienced the most pain He would ever have to endure.  He was fully God and fully man, and the Only One who truly understood Him, His purpose, and knew Him intimately had turned His Holy Face away from His Perfect and Only Son.  I've been homesick before, and I've felt lonely and alone -- as I'm sure we all have -- but I promise -- none of us can truly fathom the pain of those moments as the earth turned completely dark, the veil was ripped in the temple and as He bore the sins of the world upon Him...for us my friends -- all this -- for us.  None of us can fathom the pain that God felt in having to do so either.  So, as we reflect on this day, Good Friday, the "goodness" in it comes because of the pain Jesus endured so that we might find favor with God - because of the sacrifice of a perfect Lamb...without blemish, sinless. 

So before sleep overtakes us this evening, let's pause to be thankful and rise tomorrow to live a life of gratitude no matter what comes our way remembering the GREAT sacrifice that was made on our behalf.

But it's not over sweet friends...Sunday's coming!! HE is RISEN INDEED!!  Have a blessed and beautiful Easter weekend...until next week....

Amy

Thursday is Tips and Tricks Day

Hi Everybody! Thanks so much for your wonderful comments and encouragement to continue!  I'm so excited that this is helpful and timely!  Thanks for reading AND sharing -- tell anyone you know to check it out.

I've decided that Thursdays are going to be Tips and Tricks days.  Everybody has great tips and tricks and if you're like me you're always looking for more! 

Today, my stove needed a MAJOR cleaning -- and I don't have any of those special gadgets like the scrubbers or steam cleaners and really didn't have the funds in the budget to purchase one...so when I got home I looked in my cleaner closet and pulled out a bottle of Scrubbing Bubbles.  I know this is typically a bathroom cleaner but I figured if it would remove soap scum and lime deposits it might just be a handy de-greaser and remove the cooking crud too...What a job it did! 

I have a stainless gas stove - so all the parts can be removed.  I took the grates and pans off and cleaned out the area where the griddle and grill sit.  Sprayed a little Scrubbing Bubbles in there and let it sit for a couple of minutes -- Y'ALL!! It practically dissolved all the grease and residue -- all I had to do was wipe it out with a damp rag.  I then used a clean rag to be sure all the product was out of there and my stove was dry -- there were some cooked on parts that I just gently scrubbed with a sponge and all that came off too.  What an encouragement to do more!  So I sprayed some on all the parts (grates, pans, etc.) and not surprisingly -- that stuff came clean too.  Now, because I didn't want to risk any chemical residue being left on these parts that actually prepare the food, I ended up putting these in the dishwasher -- they look wonderful!  My stove looks almost brand new -- it's 11 years old!  Cleaning is not my forte' so this discovery really made me happy!

Another tip that I've discovered is using OxyClean in my dishwasher rather than a rinse aid.  When added to your dishwasher prior to running it and getting your water really hot before you start the machine, you will have a lot of extra help in making those dishes sparkle and come out squeaky clean -- and it doesn't harm your pipes or septic tank.  I tried this same product today on a little pot that had some scorched beans -- oh yes -- stuck in them.  I put a small scoop (maybe a tablespoon full) in the pot and filled it with hot water.  Stirred it till all the oxyclean dissolved and just let it sit until the water cooled to room temp.  That pot came completely clean and I didn't have to scrub much at all -- just one little place was all!  AMAZING!

I know this stuff isn't all that great and profound - but it sure made my day easier - so I decided to share it. 

A few more quick tips before I go -- If you have an outbreak of poison ivy, oak or sumac -- put some apple cider vinegar on a cotton ball and rub it over the area affected, this natural antiseptic will not only take the itch away but will also aid in healing much faster.  It also works to help heal blemishes quickly too.  Just hold the cotton ball dipped in the vinegar over the blemish for a minute or two and don't rinse it (great at bedtime). Your blemish will begin to heal and won't leave a scar.  Organic cider vinegar is best but the store brand works fine too.

If chopping onions brings tears to your eyes, try chopping them next to a gas stove that has a burner running.  For some reason, it decreases the tear producing "splash" of juice and you can slice all you want and not mess up your mascara!  :)

To easily remove a splinter, put a thin layer of glue or very sticky tape over the splinter.  Let the glue dry and then peel it off in the opposite direction the splinter entered and it will come right out.  No needles and magnifying glasses necessary!

OK - last tip -- easy recipe:  Fast and Easy "Homemade" Cream Pie -- my definition of homemade is if you use kitchen utensils to make it or turn the stove or oven on - it's homemade! :)

4 individual servings of ready-made pudding (Jello, Swiss Miss, etc.) or 1 can of "Thank You" brand pudding.
1 small package of dry instant pudding
1 graham cracker crust or 1 cooked pastry crust
1 container whipped topping

Open and empty the ready-made pudding into a medium sized bowl (you choose the flavor).  Add the dry pudding (you choose the flavor).  Pour into crust and top with whipped topping.  Cover and refrigerate -- Serve in about 10 minutes.  Unbelievably delicious!

Great combos --

Coconut cream pie -- ready made vanilla pudding + coconut cream dry mix + stir in a small amount of flaked coconut to mix and put some toasted coconut on top of pie for garnish -- this one is best in a pastry crust

Banana cream pie - ready made vanilla + dry vanilla mix + stir in a sliced banana and garnish with some graham cracker crumbs and a few reserved banana slices.  Best in a graham cracker crust.

Chocolate cream pie - ready made chocolate pudding + dry chocolate fudge mix.  Top with mini chocolate chips or freeze a Hershey's candy bar and shave with a vegetable peeler.  This is AWESOME with a baked pastry crust.

Butterscotch Pie - ready made vanilla + butterscotch dry mix. Top with butterscotch chips, Butterfinger pieces, or butterscotch or caramel ice cream topping drizzled lightly over the whipped topping just before serving. Either crust would be great

Peanut Butter/Chocolate cream pie -- use chocolate graham crust for this one.  Use chocolate pudding + chocolate dry mix.  Melt 1/2 cup of peanut butter over low heat to soften -- pour in bottom of crust and let set.  Add pudding mixture over this for next layer.  Top with whipped topping and crumbled Reese's peanut butter cups.  OR just use the Reese's mini cups mixed into the pudding.  I haven't tried them but I bet they'd be HEAVENLY!

There are endless combinations of these to make amazing desserts in less than 10 minutes if you use a ready made graham cracker crust -- if you bake a pastry crust just be sure it's completely cool before you add the pudding -- This recipe is TOP secret y'all -- people will think you have been slaving away all day long in the kitchen!

Enjoy!  See ya tomorrow -- until then...be blessed not stressed.....Amy

Bible Verse of the Day:  "Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for His Kingdom is a waste of time or effort."  1 Corinthians 15:58

Wednesdays in the Word

Hello Everyone!  I hope you have had a lovely day!  I had the honor of singing at the Community Holy Week services at First United Methodist Church here in my home town of Pell City, Alabama today.  What a lovely service that focused on the love that Jesus has for us and for His Father, God.  The amazing sacrifices that He made because of that love will never be matched by another.  We are so blessed that He was willing to endure all that He did so that we might share eternity with Him.  Thank You Jesus for that love!

I've decided to make Wednesdays our devotional day.  And the passage I'd like to share with you and expound on is John 15.  Jesus uses the illustration of a vine, it's branches and fruit to illustrate our relationship with Him and His with us.  I love how Jesus used common examples to help people understand -- it's kind of like giving directions.  I don't know about you, but I can find a destination using landmarks MUCH easier than if you just give me mile markers and street names.  I think that's why my favorite passages in the New Testament are those "red" words - - the words spoken by Jesus -- especially His parables. 

But in this passage, Jesus talks about staying connected to him.  He is the vine and we are the branches -- if we stay connected we will "bear much fruit".  What does that mean?  Well, if you consider any type of plant that bears fruit  -- a grape vine, a tomato vine, a canteloupe vine, etc -- the most tasty and beautiful fruit comes from the branch that is strongly attached to it's lifeline -- the vine.  Some fruit may still be attached to the vine but if it's branch is broken even slightly, it won't mature and grow as well and may even rot or die from disease, weather, wind or lack of nutrition and water. 

Hmmm....what happens in our lives when we aren't strongly attached to our vine (our lifeline - Jesus)?  We may think we're doing just fine -- we may look just fine -- but the growth stops -- and then we miss out on maturing into the fullness of our purpose that God created and intended for our lives.  Our lives aren't as rich and tasty when we sever ties with the vine - we lose sight of the big picture because we've opened up an opportunity for pests like stress, idols, materialism, self-centeredness to get into our "flesh" and literally inhibit our growth. And when the hard times come or the winds of change come we lose our focus, struggle in waiting for the outcome or become bitter when things just don't go our way.  Attaching to the vine helps us to get the best of spiritual nutrition in the form of trust, faith, hope and love during the worst of life's storms.

Jesus goes on to explain that if we become detached from the vine, we begin to wither and die as if being burned up in a fire.  Here He explains that our lives dry up and become useless in bringing glory to God.  You've heard the saying, "Use it or Lose it" -- it's kind of the same thing.  Owning a Bible but never reading it doesn't change your life or anyone for God's glory.  Taking a Bible study but not applying what you learn in that study to your life doesn't mature or take you deeper.  Attending church on Easter and Christmas just because "it's the thing to do" doesn't bring glory to God's Kingdom or keep you attached to Jesus.

If we want to stay attached to Him it takes discipline --  it takes time --  it takes love --and it takes commitment.  The verse that grabs my heart every time I read it is verse 13 which says, "Greater Love has no man than this, that He would lay down His life for His friends."  Jesus calls us His friends because we love him.  If we love Him we want a relationship with Him and we want to spend time with Him (through prayer, studying His Word, worshipping with His people and serving in His church).  If we love Him, we want to be more like Him (get to know Him, obey Him, let go of ourselves).  If we are committed to Him we are willing to stand firm against temptation, speak the truth in love and sacrifice our time, resources, ability and talents by using them to build His Kingdom, glorify His Name and show others the way to Him.

We can never die to save Jesus -- it's not necessary nor is it possible - but if we live fruitful lives and stay attached to Him, then we willingly lay our lives down for Him daily by being obedient and honoring the sacrifice He made at Calvary. Just doing good deeds won't save or satisfy us no matter how hard we try or how much we give away if we don't have a relationship with Christ.  It's only by attaching ourselves to Jesus, our vine, by linking our lives to Him that we truly begin to live an abundant life that bears good fruit that pleases God -- lives that pour out His love on others.

Spring draws us into a beautiful time of year where we begin to see the new life coming out from the earth. We have so many examples of the vine, branches and fruit around us every day.  This Spring, why not notice it from a spiritual stand-point and consider your own attachment to the vine?  Is your branch (life) healthy and strong enough to withstand the interruption those pests, weather, wind and temperatures that life here on earth brings?  If it's nourished by Jesus, your Vine, it will be.  Don't miss out on a daily feeding -- dig into the Word and cling to the vine with every ounce of strength you have -- your fruitful life could literally depend on it!

Be blessed - not stressed!! Till tomorrow...Amy 

Tuesday seems like a good day for Kitchen Inspiration Day

I don't know about y'all but Tuesdays are busy days for me.  It seems like I get through Monday with a backlog of stuff to do today and I find myself looking for an easy recipe or meal plan to cook for dinner without having to resort to something pre-prepared like pizza or chicken fingers or worse yet -- a deli meat sandwich...

So I've decided to may Tuesdays on the blog - Kitchen Tuesdays...you might find a recipe, tip or new idea for a meal plan -- who knows -- I'm just hoping to give you a little kitchen encouragement to make your day a little easier.

I recently hit a homerun with a new recipe for a "pot pie" but rather than using chicken, I opted to use lean ground beef.  There may be others around that are similar to this one but this is my creation...Here's a picture --

Here's the recipe:

Homerun Hamburger Pot Pie -- Amy Drinkwater

1 package of lean ground beef

1 T. olive oil

1 small onion diced (or 1/2 medium) finely

1 smashed and finely diced garlic clove

1 package frozen mixed vegetables (I used the ones with green beans, carrots, peas and onion - but you can use whatever you like)

1 package fresh sliced mushrooms (chop them if you prefer smaller bites)

1 can Roasted Garlic Cream of Mushroom soup

1 T. Worcestershire Sauce

Salt, pepper, red pepper to taste

Grated parmesan to taste

1 sheet puff pastry thawed

Heat oven to 400  degrees F.

In a large skillet (I used cast iron), evenly distribute oil and then place beef and onion in together.  Cook until beef is done and onion is tender on medium to medium high heat.  Remove this mixture and drain excess fat.  Leave some in the bottom though to cook your veggies.  In same pan, now put your package of frozen veggies and fresh mushrooms.  Saute' these until they are bright in color and beginning to get tender (about 5-7 minutes or so).  At this point return your beef mixture to the pan and mix together -- add seasonings to taste.  Once you've mixed the beef and veggies together, add the Worcestershire sauce and soup and then add about a half to 2/3 can of water to dilute this mixture a little bit.  Let come to a simmer and heat through.  While this is going on, spread the puff pastry out on to a lightly floured surface and slightly flatten with a rolling pin.  Divide dough into 3 strips long enough to cover your pan one way.  When your meat mixture is warmed through, place it in a lightly greased baking dish and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.  Brush the edges of your pan with beaten egg and add puff pastry to the top, leaving just a little bit of space between the strips for steam to get through. (the egg will cause the pastry not to drip off the pan and really doesn't stick once it's done if you grease the pan lightly).  If there are scraps of pastry left, make a design for the top (I made a flower and some leaves, but you could do stars, leaves, pretty much anything you want to...that pastry is just too good to waste!) Brush the top of your pastry with the remaining egg wash and discard any leftover.

Place this in your hot (400 degree) oven and lower the temperature to 350.  Bake until the crust is puffy and golden brown.  Serve with a fruit or congealed salad and you've got a healthy, simple and delicious meal that has been cooked in a pan and a baking dish!  How easy is that!! :)  This is good for leftovers too if placed in a 300 degree oven - just be sure to lay foil over the pastry to keep it from over-browning.

My husband says he likes this even better than pot pie made with chicken!  Enjoy!!  Let me know how you like it! 

Verse of the Day:  "Greater love has no man than this...than He would lay His life down for His friends."  spoken by Jesus -- John 15:13.

Until tomorrow....be blessed not stressed!  Amy

Holy Week - A New Beginning

Hello Everyone! What a week to start a blog! I've decided to start this at the urging of a friend and fellow Southern gal - Dottie Bennett. I've been on a journey through God's wilderness for the last few years and it appears that I've finally begun to walk on out of it and what I'd like to do here is share some things I've learned, some things I'm learning and some smiles along the way. I love to cook, decorate and grow things (plants and animals!) And I love sharing the love of Christ in the ordinary things. I sing and share my testimony with others on a regular basis through Stonecroft Ministries and in churches and other venues and I'm so glad you've decided to read this blog in my little corner of the world. Yesterday marked the beginning of Holy Week with Palm Sunday - the triumphant entry of Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, into Jerusalem where he would later be arrested, beaten and crucified by the same ones who cheered him on....but that wasn't the end of the story....Sunday was coming! Holy Week is one of my favorite weeks of the year. I love it because it draws me closer to remembering just how much I'm loved by the Lord and everything seems so fresh and green and new. I'm met with a lot of different emotions during this week too. I find myself at a place of new beginnings... Holy Week this year marks not only a new beginning for me as I start writing this blog -- it also marks an ending. I'm ending a 47 day break from the consumption of bread as a sacrifice during the season of Lent. I've never done this before and I must say, it's been an interesting journey. God has shown me so much about myself, blessed me more than I can begin to write and brought me to a whole new level of intimacy with Him. How so? I'm a bread lover -- it's my favorite food, favorite comfort food and for a Southern girl, biscuits are just a staple around here! When the Lord asked me to give up bread for Lent, I found myself willing but unsure that I'd be able to make it --- not just the normal 40 days -- but for 47 days -- yes, this year Lent is longer for whatever reason (I'm sure you scholars out there will know). Nevertheless, the journey began and I felt sure that if "God brought me to it, He'd be with me through it". And you know what....He sure has! I've been tempted so many times through this journey -- and one time, I was so hungry that I actually ate a hamburger and never considered that there was a BUN on the burger until I had completely finished it! But what happened was a great lesson on being more alert to the temptations that come my way. I asked for forgiveness for that day and God told me to keep moving forward. And I didn't stumble again (of course, I have 6 days to go...) It was amazing! On that day, I experienced a whole new level of awareness of just how quickly humanity can take over spiritual awareness just in trying to get a need met. How many times do we fall into that trap? We have a bad day -- we stop at a store, "just to look" and end up overextending the credit card. We have a spat with our mates or the kids get on our nerves and we grab a candy bar or bag of chips and wolf them down before we even know it and we only remember it AFTER it's happened! I know I'm not alone in this. How many times do we simply act on impulse and say something we don't really mean and regret it after the mouth has gone full speed ahead. Matthew 6:33 says -- "but seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and ALL these things shall be added unto you." What are "all these things?" We find that in looking back to the verses that come before this one....let's take a look -- Chapter 6 begins with instructions of how to act as Christians -- a charge to be the same before man as you are with God -- and then in verses 25 thru 30, all the things we tend to fret over and worry about are included -- everything from what we should wear to what we should eat. God uses such a beautiful illustration of lillies and sparrows to remind us that if he would make them so beautiful and feed them the smallest of grain, then because we are even more valuable to Him, we need not ever think He wouldn't be concerned about our needs. So as an encouragement to you this week, I'd like to offer you a new beginning. Give yourself a break for once -- don't beat yourself up if you act before you think - but be quick to ask the Lord to forgive you if you do (and the person, if necessary). And remember just how much you are loved. This week, Holy Week, is an opportunity to remember the greatest gift we have ever been given -- Jesus. He gave His life for you (and me) so that we might have eternal life - He was bruised and beaten and every stripe had our names on them. He had nails driven in his hands and feet on a cross that put big splinters all in his back as He moved just trying to breathe -- those nails and that cross were for us. "He who knew no sin was made sin for us so that we might be right with God." 2 Corinthians 5:21 This is Jesus. My sacrifice of bread wasn't a perfect journey in the season of Lent. But it has most definitely been an amazing opportunity to learn and grow. Food is important to our health and living -- but seeking God first has allowed me to focus and remember Him first and that He provides all things. Bread is such a symbolic food in the Bible -- for me - as one of my favorite foods, when I begin to eat it again, I'll forever be reminded of the Bread of Life - Jesus. I can't live on just bread (nor would I really want to) -- but my Life-giver -- is Jesus. As much as I love all flavors and varieties of bread -- I have truly grown to Love my Jesus more and more and more and more. Taste and see that the LORD is good! Just thought I'd share this last little tidbit -- This fast has been 47 days, I'm 47 years old and I've walked with the Lord for 40 years. I was 7 when I came to know Him as my Savior AND my wilderness started when I was 40 and lasted 7 years....God's timing is SO perfect... Be blessed....you are SO loved! Amy