Double Duty today

Hi Friends,

I pray you are having a lovely Monday!  I used to dread Mondays -- the stress, the work week starting over, all that stuff -- but now I love Mondays because of the blessing of the ladies in my Bible Study group.  They are amazing - deep, thoughtful and have a fire burning in them to passionately grow in Christ...gotta love Mondays with a combination like that!  :)

I titled this blog "Double Duty" because I'm including a couple of recipes at the end...just so that makes a little bit of sense and because it's Halloween, I thought a fun and easy snack food and a quick dessert might be in order...hope you enjoy them!.

Today, in Bible study, we talked about something that I'd like to share with you.  We are doing Beth Moore's "Stepping Up" study but we are taking it very slowly and we've all been amazed at the things that God is showing us through His beautiful Psalms of the Ascent and the feasts and celebrations that are part of the Jewish faith and traditions.

Out of our study of Psalm 125 today came the topics of trust, God's protection and attention, and His power over evil.  Timely subject given the time of year don't you think??  Beth makes a statement in one part that I found to be quite profound.  "Beloved, if God isn't more powerful than all the combined evil in the universe, then we are a pitiful people indeed."  Isn't that so true?  Sometimes we can get so caught up in and focused on the resident evil that dwells here and affects us, that we forget that God is completely aware of all of it and has already overcome it all.  It's so easy to become short-sighted when there is a major crisis, tragedy or injustice in our close circle and we can quickly give up or worse, get so angry that we lose control of rational thought or action.  We become incapable of forgiveness and fall into the trap of trying to fix or control things ourselves.  Ever been there?  I know I have.

Toward the end of our time today, Beth wrote about the hedge of protection that the Massai people in Africa put around their camps to keep the prowling lions and predators away.  It's basically a hedge of thorns or thorny bushes that repel dangerous animals.  As long as the people stay inside those thorn bushes, they remain safe from the attacks of the vicious and hungry animals.  The next word picture she paints is a picture of the crown of thorns that Jesus wore on His precious Head.  She asks us to put those tough situations, those people we are concerned about who are either lost or saved inside the crown of thorns to gain a visual image of their protection because of our prayers.  But as I was preparing for today's lesson, God began to show me something more about that crown of thorns.  Because Jesus was our sacrificial lamb and there is so much significance of the details tied to prophecy, His life, death and resurrection, I began to wonder if His crown had a deeper, more personal meaning than something that was jammed into Jesus' head by cruel men.  Of course there is obvious significance of the pain of the thorns in his head, the blood shed, the crown for a king, the tears, etc.  But if we look at that crown as a symbol of the hedge of protection around us, I'd like to suggest that each thorn represents something painful in the life of a Christian and maybe even our sin that pierced His blessed head on our behalf.

Could it be that each of those thorns that God uses to build the hedge around us is the pain in our lives?  Could it be that the reason for the pain is to protect us from the things we cannot see - the war around us that isn't flesh and blood -- but principalities of darkness and evil (Ephesians 6:12)?  If you were to write down the hurts and pains, sadness, bad things, unrealized dreams, disappointments, etc. in your life, would you be able to see that God protected you not only in the bad thing - but from something worse because of it?

Here are some examples from my own life that might help you to see where I'm coming from...

If I made a list of some of the disappointments in my life I could list things like, "death of a loved one, loss of beloved pets, not making cheerleader in high school, loss of a young friend and godly father of 3 at the age of 45 to cancer, loss of my father to liver cancer, my father's incarceration at 82 years old, my husband's unemployment, my own deadly infection from surgery, perfectionist nature, self-scrutinizing to a fault, eating disorder as a teen, depression, major financial difficulties, etc. etc... but if I step away from it and look at it from an "aerial view" outside my circumstances - could I see that God protected me from something much worse than those painful things and drew me in closer through that painful protection?  Could it be that the memories of those painful things in my life serve as a reminder that I am protected by His thorns?  Could it be that those thorns in our lives prick our hearts when we try to stray and we're reminded that there's an enemy lurking outside that protection?

I'd like to encourage you to take a look at this picture -- and write down the big things in your life that concern you right now -- whether it's a health issue, financial issue, a lost friend or family member or a saved person or family member who God has laid on your heart ...write that down in the middle of that crown.  And then focus on the thorns - begin to name a painful event or thing in your life at each thorn -- the big pains on the big thorns and then the smaller hurts on the smaller thorns.  The thorns that point inward toward the center could be the "active hurts" or things that concern you right now.  Maybe they are on-going.  Don't hurry through this exercise.  Ask God to show you how He has formed this hedge of protection that surrounds you.  One of the ladies told about Corrie Ten Boom learning to be grateful for fleas because the soldiers wouldn't come in to take or attack them because of them.  Maybe there are irritants in your (or my) own life that God has placed there for our protection like those fleas.  They are annoying things (or people) who just won't go away...but hover constantly and maybe even bite or suck life out of us just like those fleas. 

Remember that God's thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are not our ways and though the "blessing in the thorns" is very poetic, it's also very real.  I'd have ruined my voice if I had been a cheerleader in high school.  I had no idea that God would call me to sing for His glory - but He knew and preserved me for such a time as this.  God has told you no as well.  He's allowed hurt for your own good too.  There are lessons to be learned in this crown of thorns - this hedge of protection.  And I believe that it's significantly big to God that we learn them or they wouldn't be such a graphic picture of the pain that Jesus endured so we might be saved...to satisfy the debt for sin.  Those thorns weren't splinters - but even splinters hurt too. 

I'm not seminary educated nor do I call myself a theologian by any stretch of the imagination.  But I believe the Holy Spirit teaches His children according to His will and today I believe this came from Him.  I'm at a bittersweet place in my life and I know that God has placed a hedge of protection around me and around those I love.  I believe I could spend hours or even days looking at the painful things in my life through spiritual eyes to see not just a crown of thorns but a true hedge of thorns that have protected me since I invited Jesus into my life as a young child.  I believe that tears would flow down my cheeks to see the love that has been poured over my life in this protection and I believe the same would happen to you if you went through this same exercise.

Looking back can be painful especially to those who have experienced trauma, abuse, illness, abandonment, etc. as children - but the fact that you're reading this tells me that you are a miracle if you were victimized as a young one.  All of God's promises are true, dear friend.  God sees and knows the evil that lurks in the dark places of our lives and on this earth.  Allow His light into that darkness and His protection to cover you and surround you through your pain.  Psalm 125 is so relevant to this world today -- give it a good read -- and be encouraged, loved, and blessed by doing so -- May God bless you this day and always!!  Keep reading...here are some fun recipes for tonite or anytime, really!

Easy Caramel Corn - by Sandra Lee of Food Network's "Semi-Homemade"
2 bags microwave popcorn (lightly buttered is best)
1/2 stick unsalted butter (4 tablespoons)
3/4 cup sugar
3 T. water
1 1/2 t. cinnamon

Pop popcorn in microwave and toss in large bowl (or 2 bowls -- don't over fill -- you need room to mix caramel)
In a small saucepan, melt butter on medium heat.  When melted add sugar, water and cinnamon and stir well.  Bring to a boil.  Boil for 4 minutes without stirring (increase heat if necessary).  Remove from heat and pour half into the popcorn (drizzle around over the top).  Toss with a wooden spoon (IT's HOT!!!)  Pour remainder in and mix again.  Toss to break it apart and keep going till mixture cools to touch.  Serve when ready -- DELICIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Easy Blueberry Shortcake Sundaes  - by Amy Drinkwater

1 box Blueberry Muffin mix (I recommend the one with real blueberries and streusel topping)
1 bottle blueberry syrup or diluted blueberry jam
Vanilla Ice Cream
Whipped topping (I like the kind in the can - Redi-whip)
Toasted pecans, fresh blueberries for garnish (mint too if you'd like something green)

Make muffins according to package directions (don't use paper muffin liners) or pre-baked muffins - just won't be as good....trust me!  While still warm, not hot, split muffin horizontally (lift off the muffin top) and put a little bit of the syrup onto the bottom part.  Top with a scoop of ice cream and place muffin top on the ice cream.  Top with Whipped topping and drizzle syrup over this to run down sides.  (Hint: holding spoon about 4 to 6 inches above this will let a lighter stream flow and a prettier presentation.  Sprinkle nuts, berries over the top and finish with a pretty sprig of mint for garnish.

Makes an ordinary breakfast bread into a lovely quick dessert that's quite yummy too!

Blessings!!

Roses & Chocolate Mint

Happy Weekend Everybody!! I hope your football team won today and that you've had a chance to get out and enjoy this gorgeous weather!  I think I say this every time I write but I absolutely LOVE this time of year!!

"For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper and not harm you - plans to give you a hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11

I had such a great time today with the Ladies of Stockdale Baptist Church at their mini-retreat!  What an awesome fellowship of women who have a heart for ministry and missions!! They thought I was there to minister unto them - but I promise, I'm the one whose cup overflows.  WOW!! I felt like a part of their family and as if I had known them much longer than half a day!  Thank you for such a wonderful time of worship and for your support of my trip to Israel....I pray the Lord will return your sacrifice 100 fold!

Speaking of Israel, I'm not sure if I have told you all about that yet!  I'm so excited to tell you that God has opened up the windows of Heaven and poured out a blessing that I honestly did not have the room to receive!  I'm completely blown away and cannot begin to even tell you how grateful I am for this wonderful opportunity! 

To those of you who have already heard the story, I hope you'll enjoy reading it again and to those who are hearing for the first time, you just won't believe it!  It all started with a conversation after choir practice in the parking lot with our church's Minister of Music...

We had just finished up choir practice and I had stopped to thank Dale for letting me share in leading worship for the Contemporary service the previous Sunday in the absence of our worship leader and pastor's wife, Kim, who was in Peru on a mission trip.  We were talking about missions and he shared that he was getting ready to travel to Cape Town South Africa on a mission trip and said that I'd be shocked to know what he was going to do -- he would be playing his saxophone with a big band!  I squealed with delight at this opportunity and he said I needed to check out the web site of the organization who is putting the trip together and pray about being a part of a trip myself.  (side note:  I NEVER began to imagine that God would call me outside the walls of this country to go on a mission trip - never hoped for it, never dreamed about it but always thought it was wonderful that OTHERS would go...)...but that night it was as if God struck a match in the pavement and lit a fire in me that went from my toes all the way up through my head!  It was as if He was bringing to light the very thing He had shown me I was going to do about 10 years ago...and I'd just kind of let it go as maybe the future or maybe it was done at Carnegie Hall....but oh no!! Carnegie was an amazing trip, an awesome privilege and an honor beyond imagination -- and it was most definitely a gift from God -- and we DID share the gospel in a secular environment...and it was a mission trip...and I was blown away at that opportunity...but WOW!! What has transpired since then gives me chills even to this day.

I went home and got online and checked out the web site that Dale suggested and read about all that was being offered and decided to send an email to request some more information.  I found myself intrigued by the different countries and asked about the trip to Scotland/Wales.  That same evening I received a reply that the Scotland/Wales trip already had a vocalist but that they would love it if I'd pray over and consider another trip either in 2012 or 2013.  So we began a conversation back and forth and I was left with the impression that all the big band trips had signed up their vocalists and that I'd be waiting until the trips for 2013 were listed.  But then I decided to ask what I thought was kind of a naive/stupid question.  I asked about the trips that carried an orchestra -- if they ever considered taking an vocalist for those.  Again, I got an immediate reply and there was instant interest in looking into this possibility.  Keep in mind, that at this point these guys hadn't heard me sing - all they had was a web site where they could hear my music and a link to my Sunflower Ministries web page.  I knew at this point that God was at work but I didn't really have a clue yet as to what He was up to....

So I go back to their site and begin to look at the offerings for orchestral trips and I kept going to the Israel link.  Over and over I'd visit that one and every time I'd read about it, my heart would immediately beat faster and I found myself strongly wanting to go on that one.  So I sent the email.  A couple of days later I received a reply and the guys asked me to forward some of my music to them and they would pray over it and asked me to pray over it and we'd put our heads together as to how this might work.  I mentioned Israel at this point but they really didn't talk about that so much - they were more interested in my interest in traveling with their orchestra.  Ok - so I get the music to them and get the reply that they have received it and really like what they hear and want to continue talking about which trip I'd like to be a part of. 

A week passes and I didn't really hear anymore.  Another week passes and I'm busy so I didn't think much more about it -- and then one evening I decided just to send a quick follow up to see where we were.  Still didn't hear anything... I absolutely refused to get discouraged and told the Lord that I was going to trust Him with this because He was the one who opened the door...I was willing if that's what He wanted...

Ok, so about another week later, I finally get a reply...the timing on this was amazing.  I had had such a bad week.  I wrote about being in that meeting where I felt the presence of some strong spiritual warfare - materialism against trusting God for provision -- and that day we emptied out the last of our personal resources to pay bills for the month.  I had had several encounters with situations that just brought me down, but I also was excited because my high school had put together an alumni reunion for all classes that coming Friday evening and had asked me to sing the National Anthem to start the game.  What an Honor!! And I thought that maybe that was the reason for the spiritual warfare.  I battled such perfectionism while I was in high school that I was honestly nervous about performing for my peers...funny how that stuff creeps up on ya!

Anyway, the game was great and it was so fun to see so many faces from the past.  Mom went and had a great time too!  When I left the game, my phone beeped and I noticed that an email had come through!  It was the first reply that I'd been waiting on!  The guys loved my voice and wanted me to seriously be a part of their team and told me they only carry one vocalist per trip and mentioned Guatemala to me.  I looked back at the web site and realized that the date was just a little sooner than I felt like I could do, and I knew that trip wasn't the one I'd been called to do.  I wrote back and shared my reasons for selecting Israel (I'd just been to a Rosh Hoshanah (Jewish New Year) service at Temple Beth Hall-el (Messianic Jewish Temple) the week before and have been doing MANY Bible studies that have centered around Israel, their ceremonies, traditions, etc...and I just believed that it was the one that kept jumping out at me -- and it truly was.  I was driving home at this point so I didn't really check my phone anymore for about 20 minutes.  When I was pulling into the subdivision where we live, my phone beeped again, and it was the reply that made my heart leap into my throat!!  It was from Camp Kirkland telling me that I was going to Israel!!! I sat in my car and cried...I couldn't even move -- I was praying, crying and laughing all at the same time!!

When I finally gained my composure, I came inside and floated up the stairs to tell James (my husband).  He was watching a movie when I walked in and I said, "I'm going to Israel!!!!  YAY!"  He looked at me and I could tell he was thinking, "Amy, I don't have a job!" -- and I said "YAY!!  again" -- I could also tell he was just a little bit sad and I said, "James, you can go too if you want to -- and he at that point said, Amy, I think that'd be great, but we need to see about getting you there first.  Y'all -- that's so amazing to me!  I never dreamed that I'd be going much less that James would even be interested in going -- God is amazing and so wonderful!! Jeremiah 29:11 is absolutely true and bigger than we can begin to dream!  I know the timing of this news comes at a very serious time for us financially but what it has done for me has completely changed my relationship with the Lord forever!  What He did was give me a glimpse of the future.  In doing that, He assured me that my present was safe with Him.  No, our circumstances haven't changed yet, but with God all things are possible and if He needs me (or us)  to go to Israel in 2012, then He is going to take care of us now.  Our circumstances do not measure God's goodness or faithfulness -- He is both good and faithful regardless!  So let the naysayers remain silent -- This is an awesome thing and we are praising God for it!

Ok, that was a week ago...Today, I spent the morning with these precious ladies at Stockdale Baptist Church.  I shared this with them, and had been praying this week about financing this trip to Israel.  I have a year before I'll be going but I'm responsible for 100% of my support and it's due in bi-monthly increments.  I've begun sharing this with different folks including my pastor and staff and have asked them to pray that God will show me ways to raise this support and that He will send others to become a part of this effort.  The ladies of Stockdale blew me away -- 2 of them stuck money in my hand -- and hugged my neck and said this is for your trip...many purchased CD's which will go toward financing the trip as well.  Others have offered prayer support and encouragement and I am completely humbled by it all....

Let me tell you about this trip!  It's amazing.  We will be all over Israel - from Jerusalem to Galilee, Bethlehem to Capernaum -- we'll take communion at the Garden Tomb -- we'll visit the scale model of the temple and pray at the Jerusalem Center.  We'll be doing concerts to share the gospel to support and under gird the Baptist missionaries with financial support and anything else they might need while we are there.  We will build relationships with musicians, churches locally and will share our own stories of how Jesus has changed our lives.  We will be there 10 days and I know that when we return, we'll never be the same.  We will step on soil that Jesus' beautiful feet walked and his DNA exists there.  We will visit places where he and the disciples and apostles taught and where He defeated satan by rising again!  I'm so excited I can hardly breath -- we'll be able to share the gospel with people who God loves dearly - the Jewish people - and His children there too.  We will be there as ambassadors to support and encourage his servant missionaries there. 

You can be a part of this trip too!  If you have an interest in going -- there is a need for both musicians and non-musicians -- If you have an interest in supporting my trip financially - you can do so online - every penny is tax deductible.  If you can't go or give, but you'd like to be a part of the prayer team -- get busy!! We NEED YOU!!  I'd love to have you as a part however you are able -- here's the web site -- take a look and see where God leads.  The main site is: www.globalmissionsproject.com  if you want to just take a look around but if you'd like to give toward my trip, click the link below.

Amy's Trip to Israel.

This link will take you where you can give to my trip.  Just enter the information requested and be sure to select ISRAEL for the trip.  I'd like to thank you in advance for any amount you can give. You can also give through First Baptist Church, Pell City, Alabama if you'd like to -- just be sure to designate it on your check by putting "Amy Drinkwater's Trip to Israel".  I'll need to raise approximately $4500 total for this life-changing trip.  Remember this is 100% tax deductible. 

I appreciate your love and encouragement and prayers more than you could ever know.  This season of my life has been an adventure that's for sure - and I appreciate your faithfulness in praying and reading this blog.  I will post exciting updates as they become available.

You guys are great and I love you so much!! Thanks for letting me write about my crazy life and God's love!! Have a wonderful day of worship!  Blessings!  Amy

Roses & Chocolate Mint

Hello there!  I pray you've had a blessed day!  I've been working on some notes for a Ladies Retreat I'm scheduled to do in a couple of weeks and I must say, I've grown a whole new appreciation for the effort, energy, time and prayer my pastor puts into preparing sermons for us each Sunday and he has to prepare for 3 services!  I've battled the spirit of distraction all day long and in most cases, it's because I welcomed it in!

I've never considered myself much of a writer.  I love to read and I love to talk, but I've just never really done much writing until I started writing this blog at the urging of a friend.  In talking with my sister-in-law this afternoon, though, she shared with me that her youngest daughter is a passionate writer.  She writes all the time, any spare moment she has, and anytime a thought comes to mind, she seems to find a place to put it down on paper.  I think that's such a wonderful gift!  It's a discipline and an art and it's a great way to get emotions out that just can't be spoken at times. 

Do you ever stop and consider the things that you really love to do?  Do you ever get a little frustrated when you haven't been able to do that things that bring life to your soul and joy to your heart?  If I asked you to make a list of those things, would it take a long time to "figure them out"?

Sometimes I get so busy in the routine of life and the distractions and frustrations that go along with it that I forget to spend time doing what I love.   I feel out of sorts if I am away from those things too long and it's almost as if there's just something "missing" in my life.

The same thing happens when we get so caught up in our busy days that we don't make time to spend with our Father.  He is passionate about us and wants us to want Him so badly and yet, is such a gentleman that He won't interfere in our busy-ness unless we invite Him.  My days don't go well when I've been too busy to pray.  My nights don't sleep as well if I haven't spent time in His Word and my focus isn't what it needs to be if I'm too busy with my own agenda to ask Him to guide me.

]Today, I felt the pressure of time to get so much done that I really haven't gotten much done at all.  So this evening I'm going to try again.  This time though, I'm going to start off by asking God to guide my eyes, mind, hands and words.  I'm going to seek His vision for what I should say and sing next weekend.  I'm sure you're thinking "why hasn't she done that already" -- I have - many times over - but now it's for this purpose - sitting at my computer, with Bible opened and reading glasses on with the focus I need to get this task accomplished.  I've asked God to guide me all along, I've sought His wisdom through subjects and Scripture and wise counsel on the mechanics of putting this together - but the time now is to get to the meat of it -- to the heart of what God wants his girls to hear next weekend.  My task is to be an empty vessel ready to be filled and poured out again according to His will.

If I can encourage you today, dear friend, take some time to do what you love - give yourself permission to play sometimes -- and then more importantly - take some time to just be with your Father - let him wipe your tears, laugh at your corny jokes, tell Him about your day and ask Him questions about His Word, His love letter to you.  Ask Him for what you need - whether it's focus or provision, healing or renewal - don't be afraid to ask Him for what you need - He already knows - but wants to hear from His child.  My pastor once said, "If you're too busy to pray, then you're too busy."  I'd like to extend that by saying, "If you're too busy to spend time with the Lord, your wayyyy too busy." (that's also a "note to self", too, by the way.)

We don't want to reach the end of our lives and wonder where the time went or live with regret.  We don't want to miss opportunities to bless others and pour our lives out to glorify the Lord.  We get one shot here on this earth -- let's live it not just for a good time, but with purpose, passion and vision to glorify God in all we say and do.

"He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8