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