Well, I tried this last year, and never heard from anyone else.  So how about it, what are your top 10?  Come on, you can do it!  Believe me, it's a great exercise in counting your blessings, and in return, it will bless your socks off to recount them all!

Here's mine:

1. The salvation of a dear friend 3 weeks ago. God's is still in the business of saving even "lost causes" and restoring families! 

2. The people who have allowed God to lead them in blessing us this very difficult year. Jehovah Jireh - God provides!

3. That I can celebrate another Thanksgiving with my dad. When he suffered 2 massive heart attacks the end of March, at the age of 58, we weren't sure we'd have more holidays with him.

4. For God's direction in our lives. We still aren't sure where He is leading us next, but the trip is never boring!

5. For 4 beautiful, healthy children who help give meaning to my days.

6. For a senior pastor who is willing to preach the Word without apology, and says what needs to be said. For a worship pastor who allows God to lead him in leading us into true worship - not just on Sunday mornings, but as a lifestyle. For a youth pastor who desires that my child develop into a godly person, not a "cool" one. For a Christian Ed pastor who seeks to help us grow into mature believers who live out God's story in our daily lives. For a Pastoral Care pastor who encourages us routinely.

7. For the legacy of faith given to me by my parents and grandparents.

8. For friends who have taught me much and encouraged me greatly in the last few years.

9. For a husband who is willing to work 3 part time jobs just to keep a roof over our heads.

10. For God's grace, mercy, patience, timing....I could go on and on, but this video pretty much sums it up. Can I tell you about my Jesus?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2z15FlTONVo

I was surprised when I looked today to find that I had not yet posted the recipe for my Pumpkin Bread on my blog. It is by far my most requested recipe. It's also probably my most favorite thing to bake! I made them again last night for the dinner at church, and had more requests for the recipe, so here it is!

 

Pumpkin Bread/Muffins     (makes one loaf or approx. 12 muffins)

3 eggs

16 oz. canned pumpkin

3/4 cup oil

1/2 cup water

2 1/2 cups flour

2 1/4 cups sugar

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1 1/4 tsp salt

3/4 tsp cinnamon (or pumpkin pie spice, if you have that)

Beat together eggs, pumpkin, oil and water. In a separate bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Gently mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients. Pour into a greased loaf pan or muffin pan, and bake at 325 degrees for about one hour for the loaf pan or 20 minutes for the muffins. Use a toothpick to see if they are done in the middle!

 

"Worry is practical atheism." -R.H. Mounce

Read it again and think about it for a minute. Let it sink in. This quote which our pastor used in his sermon on the Matthew 6:25-34 last Sunday could not have hit me harder had it been a 2x4. I would never deny that there is a God and that He is sovereign over all, but am I parking myself in the same camp as those who deny His existence? I don't consider myself to be a worrier. I pretty much take life as it comes and trust that God will see me through. But sometimes, I have to confess, what I chalk up to "thinking", really is worry.

 

Like the recurring "thought" I have been having lately that winter (read that SNOW) is coming soon, and my husband will be driving in it - A LOT. He delivers pizza 4 nights a week as one of his part time jobs. I am "concerned" for his safety. But have I put it in God's hands? No. I just let it keep coming to mind so that I can dwell on it. Sure enough, worry.

 

So, as I've been challenged this week, I'd like to challenge you too. Have you allowed worry to turn you into an atheist - even momentarily?

I made these for my family last week, and they were a big hit! What a great fall breakfast!

 

2 cups flour

2 Tbsp. brown sugar

1 Tbsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1 3/4 cups milk

1/2 cup canned pumpkin

1 egg

2 tsp. oil

Combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt and spices in a large bowl. Combine milk, pumpkin, egg, and oil in a small bowl. Add to flour mixture and stir, just until moistened; batter may be lumpy. Heat griddle or skillet to medium heat. Pour 1/4 cup batter onto hot griddle. Cook until bubbles begin to form and then turn. Cook 1-2 minutes longer. Repeat with remaining batter. Serve with maple syrup or apple butter. Makes 12 large pancakes.

 

Remember, if this recipe makes more than your family will eat, or, if like me, you want to double the recipe, you can always freeze the leftovers after cooling them.  They reheat very nicely and make for a quick breakfast on a morning when you are in a hurry!

Well, canning season is in full swing again! It is a lot of work, but I do love this time of year. So far, I have finished strawberry jam, peach jam, pickles, green beans, peaches, stewed tomatoes, peach pie filling, pickled beets, and salsa. Left to do: pears, applesauce, apple pie filling, apple butter, and a few more pickles.

While making salsa today, I decided that it might be a great recipe to post here. It smells wonderful, and tastes even better. I will warn you that it is a bit of work. I believe it has taken me approximately 15 hours of work, and I will have 24 pints of salsa to show for it. But, come winter, your taste buds will thank you for it. Oh so much better than what you can buy in the store!

This recipe produces a fairly mild salsa. If you like medium or hot, you could change the ratio of jalapenos or even try chiles with even more kick.

6 cups peeled, cored, chopped roma tomatoes
6 cups seeded, chopped long green chiles (I used Anaheim)
1 1/2 cups chopped onions
2 jalapenos, seeded and finely chopped
12 cloves garlic, finely chopped
3 cups white vinegar
1 tsp ground cumin*
4 tsp cilantro, chopped*
1 tbsp salt

Combine all ingredients in a large pot and heat, stirring frequently, until mixture boils. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Ladle hot salsa into pint jars, leaving 1/2" headspace. Adjust lids and process in a boiling water canner for 15 minutes.  Yield: 7 pints

 *Optional

I know, I know. You thought I was never going to post to my blog again, didn't you? I can't say as I blame you. That was a long absence!

But I just had to come post this recipe. I found it in our local newspaper almost a month ago. Two weeks ago, we had my husband's extended family over for a picnic. This is an annual tradition, and they always have ribs, chicken, and brats on the BBQ.

Well, I have never fixed ribs in my life. I just don't care for them, so I don't fix them. But here I was, assigned to make ribs. So, the night before, I made up this dry rub, then sprinkled it on individual portions of ribs (approximately 3). Then I wrapped them in foil and baked them "low and slow" in my oven at 250 degrees for about 2 1/2 hours. Then the next day we put them on the charcoal grill for a little while to finish them off. They were a HUGE hit!

Today, I'm using the same rub on some pork chops. I can't wait for dinner!

Why don't you give it a try?

1/2 cup paprika
3 Tbsp chili powder
2 Tbsp black pepper
1 Tbsp lemon pepper
2 tsp ground sage
1 tsp dry mustard
1/2 tsp ground thyme
1 cup granulated sugar (*I use evaporated cane juice crystals)
1/4 cup garlic salt
1/4 cup seasoned salt
1/4 cup celery salt
1/4 cup onion salt
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

Preparation: In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients. Mix well. Store in an airtight container, then use as needed. To use, sprinkle lightly, but do not press into meat. Makes about 3 cups.

Nutrition information per tablespoon: 25 calories, 0 protein, 0 fat, 5 grams carbohydrate, 1 gram fiber, 0 cholesterol, 1,412 milligrams sodium.
-Bob Johnson, westmichigancaterer.com

Consume me, Lord. Make Yourself my One Passion.

Yesterday, my Mom and two little brothers, and I had the privelege of helping my lovely sister-in-law with the house they're working on (by the way, pray, they're moving in on Saturday, and it's not done yet!). Anyway, Lana made the comment to Caleb that, "All it is, is flavored sugar." So, while I scrubbed the kitchen floor, I wondered, "Well, that's all life is, right? Flavored sugar?"

Oh sure, some of it's flavored bad, but some of it's flavored good. Sometimes it makes you laugh, and sometimes it makes you cry. Sometimes it's one color, other times, it's another. Sometimes you don't really like it, other times you can't stop yourself from loving it.

But, see, life is more than flavored sugar. It has more substance to it than that. Life is more than living and breathing here on Earth. What is life? Life is being with Jesus. Life doesn't just exist here on Earth-it's in Heaven too. And, really, life there is much more...real than life here.

So, if that really is the case, what happens when we live with sin in our lives? What happens when we aren't saved? Well, nothing can separate us from God's love, if we are His children. I believe that with all of my heart. But, can we really live apart from God? When we aren't in fellowship with Him? Serving Him, loving Him, fufilling our ultimate purpose on Earth?

I don't think so. The only way to truly live? Be with Jesus. Be in communion with Him. Never be separated from Him. Then, maybe, you'll find what it means to truly live.

Because life really is more than flavored sugar.

Consume me, Lord. Make Yourself my One Passion.

Lord, I don't understand today. You said it'd be like this...there would be days that wouldn't be easy. I can't see beyond today right now. But, God, you can. You know all things.

Lord, you know my heart. You know me on the days when I disobey you, and wallow in my sin...and enjoy it. Lord, you know me on the days when I ignore Your Spirit inside of me, prompting me to make the right decision. Lord, I don't understand.

Lord, you've seen me on the days when it's all that I can do to keep breathing. It's all I can do to cry, and not let anyone see. You walked beside me on the days when I thought the darkness would never lift, and when I thought that I was alone, You held me up.

Lord, you were there in the nights that I cried myself to sleep over petty issues. Lord, you were there when I stopped crying, and became filled with fear, and doubt. Lord, you were there when the pain overtook me again and again, and it was all I could do to hold onto the bed.

Lord, you were there when I started telling you how I felt. How I didn't even really feel like praying to You. You were there when I felt so alone, because all my friends went different ways. Lord, You were there when I couldn't look anyone in the eyes, because I was scared that I would break down.

Lord, You were there when I woke up from nightmares, with wide eyes and tears running down my face. Lord, You were there when I was scared to move, scared to do something wrong. Lord, You knew the fear I knew I couldn't overcome.

But, Lord, You were there, at church camp, when all I could do was cry and praise You. Lord, you were there when my sin broke my heart, and I repented. Lord, You were there when words were just too much, and all I could do was sit. Lord, You were there, and You got my attention, because my heart is your's.

Lord, I don't understand. I don't understand the pain or the joy. I can't understand the grief, or the smiles. Lord, I can't understand the tears, or the laughter.

All I know, Lord, is this: I'm thankful for Your Grace. Given to me, and heaped up around me. Lord, I know now. Lord, Your grace is enough for me.

But, Lord, I have a question that I never can answer. Why me, Lord?

I can never be worthy of Your grace or Your love. I can never see how I ever did anything to merit such favor. From God. I know I can't ever deserve the gift Jesus gave me when He died on the cross, and rose three days later.

But, Lord? I'm thankful that You did.

Consume me, Lord. Make Yourself my One Passion.

Hey guys,

thanks so much for praying! I love that I can come and ask y'all anything, at any time, and you'll pray. I appreciate it a LOT.

My grandpa went to the hospital, and the doctors don't think that he really had a stroke. They think he has some kind of infection, so, PTL!!!!

Again, thank you guys so much!

Hannah Grace

Consume me, Lord. Make Yourself my One Passion.

For those of you who don't know me very well, my grandpa had a stroke when I was 9 months old. He's gone downhill in the last 6 months, and had to be put into a nursing home. They just called and said he has had another stroke. We don't really know anything yet, but, I'd appreciate your prayers:

1.) My Granny- she needs God's peace and love right now.
2.) My Dad- it's his dad, and so I know it hurts him too.
3.) My two aunts (my Dad's sisters) and their families
4.) That my grandpa wouldn't be in any pain, and that if it is serious, that the doctors would be able to tell quickly.