Thursday, January 30, 2014

Burrito Casserole/Sopapilla Cake



It's Thursday!  You will have to forgive me for saying that there would be a guest writer today.  There was some miscommunication, but that is quite okay.  For Today, you are stuck with me again!

I said we had needed a creative name for Thursday Recipe day, and I received quite a few ideas.  Will you help my out by voting for your favorite below? Please and Thank you!  Let's hope it works.  You know how good I am with technology! ☺

Click here to take survey

My week has been a little bit of a whirlwind, so I ran out of time to prepare for today.  Normally, I cook on Wednesday evenings so my post will be ready for Thursday mornings, BUT TODAY, we will be cooking these recipes at the same time!  That seems exciting anyway!

This is a family favorite I have been eating since I was a little girl.  Thanks, Mom, for the recipe!

Burrito Casserole

1 lb. ground meat
1 can enchilada sauce
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can refried beans
flour tortillas
shredded cheese
taco seasoning, optional
cheese dip (Velveeta and rotel), optional

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400°.  Brown your meat.  Season with salt and pepper.  If you like your food spicy, you can add a pack of taco seasoning to the meat.  Once meat is done, pour in enchilada sauce, soup, and refried beans.  Stir until mixed well and heat through.  Spray a 9x13 casserole dish.  In the bottom, layer 6 flour tortillas across the bottom of the pan.  Pour 1/3 of meat mixture over tortillas.  Sprinkle with shredded cheese.  Repeat two more times.  Bake 15-20 minutes.  (Sometimes, I put Velveeta cheese dip over the bean/meat mixture in place of shredded cheese.  It's really good either way!)

Sopapilla Cake

2 blocks cream cheese
2 cans crescent rolls
1 c sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c melted butter
1/2 c cinnamon sugar

Directions:
Spray a 9x13 pan with cooking spray.  Line the pan with one package of crescent rolls.  Mix together cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla.  Spread over crescent rolls.  Unroll and spread the other can of rolls on top of cream cheese.  Pour melted butter over crescent rolls and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.  Bake at 350° for 30 minutes.

Thank you, Missy Nicholson, for this recipe!  It was a in a cookbook that she gave me just for Thursdays on the blog! 

I was praying this morning and the Lord reminded of this, so I am going to remind you.  God knows every hair on our head. (Matthew 10:30)  He knew us before we were even formed and fashioned our days before there were any.(Psalm 139)  He keeps track of our tears. (Psalm 56:8)  He hears us! (1 John 5:15)  We are significant!  We are more than able to accomplish the mission He has called us to.  WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS through Him who loves us. (Romans 8:37)



Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Wedded Wednesday:Hope After Divorce

I have been waiting all week to share this post with you!  I had asked my sister-in-law, Tiffany, to write for Wedded Wednesday months ago.  It just wasn't time yet!  The Lord opened the door for some extra time in her schedule recently and laid it on her heart to share her testimony of God's Redeeming and Sufficient grace as she walked through a divorce.  She is one of my very closest friends and has been an indescribable blessing in my life since she married my brother-in-law, Shannon Keith, 10 years ago.

We all know someone who has or is going through divorce.  I have often wondered about the best way to minister to these brothers and sisters-in-Christ.  This gave me great insight to what might be encouraging at such a hard time!  

Shannon Keith and Tiffany Kilpatrick
 
In 1993, I was married.  In 1996, I gave birth to my first treasure, Ethan.  In 1998, I was blessed with my second precious son, Tye.  In 2001, my marriage died.  It had been sick for a while and had even entered a type of hospice situation, but still we weren’t prepared.  In October of 2001 it died and February 13th 2002 (my grandmother’s birthday) it took its final agonizing breath in court.  As we left the courtroom that day my ex-husband and I cried…together.  It felt just like a funeral and we were both broken and grieving.

If you have been through a divorce or are in the middle of one, you understand what I mean like no one else can.  When we get married a new life is birthed.  Marriage is oneness.  Marriage is a new entity that wasn’t and now it is.  It’s living and breathing, and it’s ordained and blessed by God.  When it ends there is a tearing away.  God said, “the two shall become one”.  When the “one” becomes two again the pain is indescribable.

Whether the marriage fails because of you or because of him or because of both of you is really beside the point, where the pain is concerned.   In Malachi 2:16 it says, “For the LORD God of Israel says that He hates divorce”.   He hates it because it goes against His plan (therefore it’s sin), but He also hates it because it causes His children pain.  Anytime we step out of His plan and the order that He established we are going to experience pain.  If you are a Christian who is going through a divorce, then I am preaching to the choir!  The one thing I really seemed to “get” and internalize when I was in the midst of my divorce was that I had sinned, I had messed up royally!  I had let my family down; I had brought shame on my parents and grandparents.  I had hurt my babies who I had actually said to, “you won’t ever have to worry about mama and daddy not being together with you and each other”.   Ow!

Here are the things I had trouble grasping while I was in the midst of my storm:

*God still loves me and He is faithful.

I will never leave you nor forsake you. Joshua 1:5 NKJV

1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust." 3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. 4 He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. 5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, 6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you. 8 Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked. 9 Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, 10 No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; 11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. 12 In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. 13 You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot. 14 "Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. 15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation." Psalm 91:1-16 NKJV

*I can’t do anything to undo His promises to me or make Him stop loving me.

37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 8:37-39 NKJV

*I am beautiful and valuable, competent and precious in the eyes of the Creator of the Universe.

17 The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17 NKJV

”…For the Lord delights in you.” Isaiah 62:4

 “…So shall your God rejoice over you.” Isaiah 62:5

*His promises are true.

9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."  Joshua 1:9 NKJV

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

When my marriage ended I was so sad and so ashamed I pulled away from my parents and grandparents who loved me dearly.  I pulled away from my church.  I pulled away from God and went my own way for a time.  I did exactly the wrong thing!  I was miserable, and I made the people around me who were already hurting for me even more miserable because they could not reach me or help me.  I just wanted to be alone. Please hear me when I say that was not the thing to do.  It increased my suffering and the duration of it and it delayed my healing.  I was no good for me and I was no good for my two boys who were depending on me.

I tried to work everything out myself.  I had a few new friends and after a while I even had a boyfriend who seemed like a pretty good match. (He wasn’t, but in my loneliness and thinking that was warped by hurt, he seemed to fit.)

 
My healing did not begin until the day I cried out to God and told Him all about it.  He had been waiting on me.  After all, I am His precious child.  I told Him how hurt and ashamed I was. I told Him I felt like a huge, stupid failure.  I also told Him that I was ready to get my hands out of the mess I was in and let Him have it.  And about the boyfriend, I told the Lord that I was ready to be alone if that’s what He had planned for me.  I needed to get to a place where my security and stability were based on my relationship with the Most High. (In Jeremiah 3:14 God says,” Return, faithless people,” declares the LORD, “for I am your husband. I will choose you …”) I was not going to try to make any more human relationships work.  It was all up to Him.

Things started to change immediately.  The next week I got a call from an old friend.  A man I had known since 1st grade. He had also just gone through a divorce.  He too was lonely and miserable.  What a coincidence (just kidding, this was divine providence) that he had a son the same age as Ethan and I just happened to be the team mom for the baseball team they were both on!  We started talking and then we started dating and then we got married.  All I had to do was give it to the Lord.

I am not telling you that a new relationship or a new man is the answer to your situation. God is the answer to your situation.  Complete dependence on Him.  Once you get there and you truly give it to Him with no strings attached He will begin to work out His purposes in you.  Then and only then will you move on to the next step in His perfect plan for your imperfect life.  Trust me, it will be perfect whether it involves a new spouse or not.  He knows what you need; you are His creation.

1 …You have searched me, LORD, and you know me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely. 5 You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. 7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. 11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," 12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. 13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:1-16 NIV]

God has blessed me so abundantly.  I feel as if I was made for my husband and he was made for me.  I am finally in the marriage I dreamed of as a little girl, white knight and all. I used to hesitate to say that.  We’ve both been divorced and now this is a second marriage, how can this be God’s plan for me?  Here’s the deal: I messed up and the plan got off track, but remember God’s faithfulness is not like ours.  His promises, His righteousness, His integrity is not based on circumstances or anything we can do. He is steadfast and He does not change.  HE promised me a “hope and a future”.  He said “He had plans to prosper me”.  And He will, and He did, and He does.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

The Seasons

Oh, Glorious Day!  Because of the weather, my husband is home with us today!  He has already built a roaring fire, made coffee, and is standing in the kitchen cooking breakfast!  Do I really deserve this man!?! ☺

I have some exciting news for you.  There has been a lot of interest in essential oils, and many women have sent questions about where I purchase mine.  I love Young Living Essential Oils.  I had no idea that one of my friends, Cody May Toups, was a Young Living Consultant until last week.  WOW, does she have a deal for you!  This is the email she sent me.


A few years ago I learned about lavender and peppermint Young Living essential oils from my step sister, and I was pretty skeptic, mainly because of their cost. However, while I was pregnant with my now 5 month old, I began to really research and decided to dive in. I bought the premium starter kit that comes with 10 oils and a diffuser.  
We have seen positive results from using these oils in our family. My husband was more skeptic than I was, and we regularly use them now. My favorite oils are lavender and thieves.
 
Since I bought the starter kit I can order directly from the website and would love to help anyone out who would like to try them. Or help anyone who already uses them and cannot order directly from the website. I am able to buy the oils from the website for 24% less than they are advertised and will sell them to you at my discount. I simply want to be able to help others use these oils.

The website is www.youngliving.com. You can email me at cctoups@gmail.com or call/text me at 409-651-7219. I will handle payment through PayPal which is very secure and easy. Shipping is usually around $8.

Lavender, Peppermint, or Thieves are good oils to start out with if you have never tried any. The website gives good information as to what each oil can be used for.  I would be glad to share specific ways we have used them in our family if you are interested.


You will not find a greater essential oil than these! 

So, who's counting down to the Freedom Fellowship Ladies Retreat this weekend?  As my girls would say, IT'S ONLY THREE MORE SLEEPS! 

Ecclesiastes 3
 To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:

A time to be born,
    And a time to die;
A time to plant,
    And a time to pluck what is planted;
A time to kill,
    And a time to heal;
A time to break down,
    And a time to build up;
A time to weep,
    And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn,
    And a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones,
    And a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace,
    And a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to gain,
    And a time to lose;
A time to keep,
    And a time to throw away;
7 A time to tear,
    And a time to sew;
A time to keep silence,
    And a time to speak;
A time to love,
    And a time to hate;
A time of war,
    And a time of peace.
 
Whatever season you find yourself in today, just know, God is there with you!  He will never leave you or forsake you!  And as seasons always do, this will pass! 
 
I hope you have a great day today, and join me tomorrow for a special guest on Wedded Wednesday!

Monday, January 27, 2014

RADICAL!



There are hardly even words to describe how I feel about this quote.  Empowered to rise up and be an even more RADICAL follower of our awesome God, convicted that so many times I choose to be comfortable instead, and burdened that the Church of the Living God has way more comfortable Christians than radical!  What has happened to the Beautiful Bride of Christ since Acts 2?  I believe this might be the answer.

 
If we want to make a difference, we must proclaim the true Gospel.  From what I read in the book of Matthew 4, when Jesus called disciples to himself, he called for radical obedience.  He called disciples to leave family, to leave occupations, and to leave the place they knew as "COMFORTABLE" and Follow Him.  What you don't read about in this text is Jesus finding trained and educated professionals who already know how to do what He is asking them.  Do you think that is coincidence?  No way! 

Something else we don't find is Jesus teaching these disciples that if you follow Him your life will be happiness and prosperity-with out trials.  The Bible tells us that trials produce endurance. (James 1:3)  I will not even elaborate on what I think about the Prosperity Gospel that is being preached!

Radical - a person who advocates thorough and complete reform; an activist; revolutionary; far-reaching; wide-ranging

Jesus was radical!  The Church I read about in Acts 2 - they were radical!  Now Church, it's time we get a little radical!


If you are reading on a mobile device or email, I am sorry you can't view the video.  You can go to YouTube and search David Platt - Religion or Devotion?  The clip is about 4 1/2 minutes long, but it is worth watching! 

Anybody want to take a guess about what book I am reading right now?  It is Radical by David Platt.  I am really, really enjoying it so far.  If you are looking for something to read right now, grab a copy, and read along with me.

This week, here on the blog, I have a few exciting things coming up.  Two guest writers - one on Wedded Wednesday and another on Thursday for Recipe day.  (I need a catchy name for that...any suggestions?)  Also, another giveaway Friday!  I can not wait.   

I love you guys!  Thank you from the bottom of my heart for spending time with me each day.  My prayer for each of you is that today you will experience the Greatness of God in a new way.  That you will see Jesus in His Word.  When we see Him, we become like Him! (1 John 3:2) 

Friday, January 24, 2014

Giveaway!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Snow in Southeast Texas!  I'm sure a lot of you are doing the happy dance but this cold natured girl needs sun and warmth to survive! ☺

Oh boy!  Do I have a treat for you today!  As you can tell I might be a LITTLE excited!  As you know, Deuteronomy 6:4-9 is one of my favorite verses.  I love it!  I take literally the last line of the passage. 
 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 
You shall teach them diligently to your children,
and shall talk of them when you sit in your house,
when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 
You shall bind them as a sign on your hand,
and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 
You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Deuteronomy 6:6-9
 
I have scripture all over my house.  Most of them I had before my friend, Lee, decided to become so crafty!  BUT...These are pictures I have hanging in my house  that are made by Lee Kutack.  She is so talented!  She can redo furniture, make wreaths, and make any sign that you want, and size you want.  Trust me, I am far from done having her decorate my house! 
I have this in my dining room!

This is hanging in my bedroom!  To make it even better, that is a lyric from my favorite hymn!
 
  What I am SO SO SO excited about is this.....Lee has donated a sign with Deuteronomy 6:5 to giveaway to you TODAY!!!!!!  Here is a picture of it.
 
 
Don't you love it!?!  I know you want it.  All you have to do is follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter below to enter the giveaway.
 
 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

I almost forgot - If you are interested in having Lee Kutack make you signs or wreaths, you can find her here on Facebook. 

Also, I have had a lot of friends ask me to post more information on here about Lilla Rose flexi-clips.
Today, Lilla Rose is having a sale.  If you are interested, this would be a great way to see what they are all about!

As promised, here is a video so you can see what the flexi-clip actually is and does!  There are a million videos on YouTube about Lilla Rose Clips and creative hairstyles you can do with them...this is one of the shorter videos.  It is actually a review made by someone who does not sell them.  I felt like you would prefer an unbiased opinion.


Really, I absolutely love these!  I have a few on the way to giveaway on the blog next week!  I can't wait.  If you are interested in looking at Lilla Rose flexi-clips, Hair Bands, Hair Sticks, Bobby Pins, Flexi-Oh, or You-Pins all you have to do is go here and you will be in my personal store.  Also, if you link there from the Shop Lilla Rose tab, you will also go directly to my store.

I hope this has answered most of the questions I have been asked.  I said I was not going to bombard the blog with this, but I had so many women interested, it was easier just to do it here instead of Facebook.  (Thank you for understanding!)

I hope you have a fantastic Friday and great weekend.  Don't forget.....Freedom Fellowship is having prayer meeting all weekend at 7 p.m.  If you want to be refreshed in the Lord, or need prayer for a specific area of your life, I am telling you, YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS IT! 

See you Monday!


Thursday, January 23, 2014

Cooking with a Twist!

 
I almost didn't want to post recipes today because I am so excited about the Week of Prayer at our church this week.  I just wanted to talk about prayer and the Power of God.  It amazes me sometimes, how we can see Our Lord do some A-MA-ZING things, yet we can still be apathetic to the prompting of His Holy Spirit.
 
John 14:13-14
"And whatever you ask in My name, that will I do,
that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
"If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it."

 
There are two people in my family who were dead....AND IN JESUS NAME.....THEY WERE RAISED TO LIFE!  I, personally, have experienced the healing power of the Blood of Jesus in my body and heard many testimonies of people being healed of all manner of disease.   
 
The countless miracles that I have seen.  How could I still be passive? 
 
1 John 5:14-15
And this is the confidence which we have before Him,
that, if we ask anything according to His will, 
He hears us.
And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask,
we know that we have the requests which we
have asked from Him. 
 
People addicted to drugs, alcohol, and perversion - set free.  Sinners saved by the grace of a loving Savior!  What a beautiful sight.....even the angels rejoice every time a sinner comes to repentance (Luke 15:10)!  Lazy Christians who have had their passion and zeal renewed and reignited by the Presence of a Consuming Fire. 
 
Oh, that the things of earth would grow strangely dim.....that the eyes of our heart would turn fully to our Savior.
 
Prayer is powerful!     
 
Psalm 145:18
The LORD is near to all who call upon Him,
To all who call upon Him in truth.
 
I encourage you, if you aren't already, make every effort to attend the Prayer Meetings at Freedom Fellowship.  Just as you spend time getting your physical body ready by getting dressed, applying makeup, and fixing your hair, spend time in prayer and worship to prepare your spirit man! 
 
We sing Hallelujah!  We sing Hallelujah!  We sing Hallelujah!  The Lamb has Overcome!   
 



Here are the recipes I promised yesterday.  I hope y'all have a great day, and I will see you back here tomorrow!

 


CHICKEN PARMESAN

1/2 c. breadcrumbs
1/2 c. Parmesan cheese
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 eggs, beaten
Marinara sauce
Mozzarella cheese
Spaghetti
Parsley, optional

Heat oven to 400°.  Combine breadcrumbs and Parmesan in a bowl.  Put eggs in a separate bowl.  (I personally season my chicken with salt, pepper, and garlic powder at this point, but the recipe doesn't call for it.)  Dip chicken in egg and then in breadcrumb mixture.  Place in a large greased or sprayed pan.  Sprinkle with parsley flakes.  Bake for 35-40 minutes.  Cook spaghetti about 10 minutes before chicken is done.  Place spaghetti on a plate, chicken in center of spaghetti, and top with marinara.  Sprinkle generously with mozzarella.








MONKEY BREAD

1/2 c. sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
4 cans of biscuits (8 ct., skinny tubes.....Or 2 cans Grands Biscuits or any the same size.  If you use the bigger biscuits, cut them into 6 pieces instead of quarters.)
3/4 c. butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. pecans, optional

Heat oven to 350°.  Spray Bundt pan thoroughly.  In a baggie, mix 1/2 c. sugar and cinnamon.  Cut each biscuit into quarters.  Put in baggie and shake to coat.  Arrange in pan.  (If adding nuts, add 1/2 biscuits, nuts, then the rest of biscuits.)

On stove melt butter, brown sugar, 1/2 c. sugar, and vanilla.  Pour mixture over biscuits.  Bake 30 minutes.  Cool in pan for 5-10 minutes. (Don't wait longer than that, or you will not be able to get the monkey bread out of the pan....not that I know from experience or anything! ;)  )  Turn upside down on to a plate or platter, and serve warm.
 
This is Kelanie and Kathleen's favorite recipe to help with!  They pretty much
can do the whole thing by themselves except get the pan out of the oven.
Here, they are quartering the biscuits.  Then they roll or shake them in cinnamon
and sugar until the floor...um, I meant, the biscuits.... are coated and put
into the greased Bundt pan.
 The biscuit quarters, prepared with sugar and cinnamon.
 Heat the butter, vanilla, and sugars just long enough to mix well.  Pour over
biscuits in the Bundt pan and bake.
 The finished product!  You are going to want some coffee to go with this!

 

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Wedded Wednesday:Intimacy

Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth—
For your love is better than wine.
Song of Solomon 1:2
Intimacy is a huge part of marriage.  I remember the summer before I got married, our church had a Marriage Seminar.  The class I remember the most was taught by my mother-in-law.  Who, by the way, is an amazing woman of God and a knowledgeable Bible teacher! 

Of course, I was late to the class, so I had to sit right on the front row facing her.  Her first words were, "If I could share with you any wisdom, it would be this - Men need sex."  In that moment, my nineteen year old self wanted to crawl under my chair and not come out until class was over.  BUT NOW, I know that she was speaking VALUABLE truth into my life.

Sex is everywhere.  You see it on the TV, the billboards, and the songs on secular radio.  The world likes talking about and promoting sex.  The church, however, tries hard to not talk about it.  They do want to make sure that they stress the don'ts of sex by having True Love Waits rallies and making sure the youth know the dangers of promiscuity, but very rarely, in most churches, do you hear that indeed God made it, and it is good WHEN it is inside the marriage union.

The truth is that God made sex for a man and his wife to ENJOY........Yep, I said enjoy!  Just read the Song of Solomon and you will see.   

 
I hope you have a great day, and for most of you, I look forward to seeing you at church tonight!  Don't forget to join me tomorrow for a few new recipe ideas: Chicken Parmigiana and Monkey Bread!

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

While I was Yet A Sinner!

It is good to be back to a some what regular schedule after a holiday weekend!  How was your weekend?   

Billy Joe spent all day Saturday getting our garden area ready.  He had to grind a stump on the edge of the garden and till the ground.  We needed to get a jump on it so we could neutralize the soil.  This will be our second year to have a garden, and I am super excited about applying what we have learned.

Lilla Rose Flexi-Clip!


As you may have noticed, there is a new tab at the top of the page that says, Shop Lilla Rose.  If you remember, I said in a post the other day I had been wanting to start a home based business, and this is what I came up with.  I will not be talking about it on the blog a lot, but I will be doing some giveaways very soon.  Are y'all ready for some giveaways?  I have 2 really great gifts in the very near future.....can't wait! ☺

So this morning, I was wondering if you might join me in a short Bible Study.  Grab your Bible and turn to Matthew 27:11-26 or Click Here to read the scripture passage at Biblegateway.  See you back in a few minutes.........


What do we know about Barabbas?  He was a murder, a thief, and a rebel- likely a Zealot.  Barabbas had followers....probably a lot of followers!  He was a leader of an insurrection trying to rid the country of Romans and to remove Roman influence over the Jewish priesthood. 

The Jewish had a tradition that on a Holy Day ( Correct me if I am wrong, the Feast of the Passover was taking place. Jn 18:39.), they would let one prisoner go free.  Now it is up to Pilate to let someone go free.....Jesus or Barabbas.  Do you think he really thought that he was ultimately in control and held the fate of these 2 men in his hands?  (Aren't we like that sometimes in our life?  We try to be in control, when God is holding us in His hand.  God has a plan, and He is sovereign. There are many plans in a man’s heart,  Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand.  Proverbs 19:21)   

From our view 2,000 years later we see that there was no comparison between Jesus-The Son of God and Barabbas-The Murder.  Barabbas deserved to die.  What had Jesus done?  I'm sure we could make a mile long list.  How many people had he healed?  How many oppressed people had he set free?  How many wondering souls had he given hope to?  He loved the unlovable.  He ate dinner with the people others despised.  Yet, those religious people wanted Barabbas freed.

The whole story makes me sick to read sometimes because Barabbas deserved to die, not Jesus!  When I was young I thought that Barabbas should have come to his right mind and insisted Jesus go free.  (Praise the Lord, that is not what happened!)  Jesus is the Son of God, the Savior of the World.  Barabbas was a S-I-N-N-E-R.  They let the sinner go free so Jesus could take his place.  What was wrong with those people?

This is what the Holy Spirit revealed to me.  I stand there on that platform, across from Jesus, and imagine that He let me go free.  WHY?  I don't deserve it.  I am a sinner, no better than Barabbas.  Sin is not weighed out like many Christians would believe.  Barabbas was not a "worse" sinner than me.  For all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God.  WE ALL NEED A SAVIOR-SOMEONE TO REDEEM US.

It is so easy to read this story and skip over the fact that Barabbas is us - you and me.  We can get so smug in our churchy selves that we start deciding who are good Christians and who aren't. Barabbas was bad, Jesus was good.  That prostitute or drug dealer is bad, church people are good.   That person will never get free, but this one is turning into wonderful image of what a Christian should look like.  It's religion!  We all deserve judgment and death.  We deserved the cross.  Oh BUT, Jesus!  Precious Jesus!  THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT THAT NAME! 

While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us!  Romans 5:8   
 
Jesus looked on Barabbas with love, no one can convince me otherwise.  He had to-He is love!  How could we expect any different when Jesus looked on us with love? 
 
I read this passage and was quickly reminded that we are sinners who deserve the same punishment as the sinner next to you.  How I wish the same eyes of love that Jesus had for Barabbas, I would have for the people around me.  We are the same!
 
Going to church, not cussing, or not drinking is not what makes me righteous.  WE NEED TO BE REMINDED THAT IT IS ONLY BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST.  The Barabbas around us need to experience this grace, and we must be the hands and feet of Jesus on the earth.  We must love without conditions.  We must embrace the unlovable. 
 
Jesus was not found rubbing shoulders with the who's who of the Church in His day because He was too busy looking for sinners.  Church of the Living God, we have got to be like Jesus.  There are many Barabbas waiting to be set free!    


Monday, January 20, 2014

Fellowship One with Another!

Today's post is by my dear friend, Melissa Powell!  I am so glad the Lord brought her and her husband, James, to Freedom Fellowship!  I can't imagine life without this fun, crazy woman!
Melissa and Tera at Freedom's Ladies Retreat 2013!
1 John 1:7
 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son purifies us from all sin.
 
    As the Freedom Fellowship Annual Ladies Retreat is quickly approaching, I felt it laid on my heart to encourage ladies to try to attend.  I also wanted to share a little bit of my experience with you.
 
    I was not raised in this area or in this church.  My husband and I started attending Freedom Fellowship in 2008 and quickly knew this was where we were suppose to be.  I say that to share with you a story of my first couple of ladies retreats.  Like I said, we were new to the area and new to the church.  I signed up for the retreat not knowing who I was going to room with or what to expect.  I was scared and vulnerable (I'm convinced that's when the Lord can speak to us most).  I had an amazing time!  The Lord dealt with me there and on the ride home from the retreat.  He opened my spiritual eyes and molded my heart. 
Retreat 2013-Worship led by Sarah Reeves Kothlow and guest speaker, Pastor Linda Gilmore!
    
The second ladies retreat I went on, I had a lot going on in my life.  I was opening my own business that next weekend, and I had so much to prepare.  But, the Lord reminded me of how He spoke to me and all that He had revealed to me on that first retreat.  This time I roomed with some ladies I had gotten to know at the church and a lady that I had invited.  We had a great time in The Lord and great fellowship with one another.
 
Proverbs 27:17
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
 
    My third and forth ladies retreats you could have not paid me enough to make me not go.  I had seen The Lord touch and speak to us ladies, and every year, the Lord has taken me to a new level with Him. 
 
Retreat 2012
 
    So I leave you with this year's theme which is: STRENGTH and this years verse which is-
 
2 Corinthians 12:9
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
 
    Who can't use more strength in this world that tries to make us look weak?  Who doesn't need grace?  The definition in my Bible for Grace: an undeserved favor or gift; The undeserved forgiveness, kindness and mercy that God gives us.  I'm a 1,000 percent sure we all need that.  The last part of 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, "for my power is made perfect in weakness."  In my life that means He has perfect power, because without Him I am weak- I am nothing.  So this year I encourage you, whether your brand new to the church, or are so busy this year with life that you don't think you can make it: reconsider and MAKE THE TIME! I promise you won't regret it!
 
1 Corinthians 2:9
"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.
 
Retreat 2012-Good Samaritan Fellowship joined us for the Retreat and Liz Panepinto was the Speaker!
 
The Freedom Fellowship Ladies Retreat is January 31-February 1.  The cost is $55 per lady and meals are included. (17 yrs and up!)  For more information, you can call the church office Monday - Friday 8 a.m.-12 p.m.  at (409) 385-4517.  You can also contact Naomi Chance via Facebook for more info! 

Friday, January 17, 2014

Makes Scents!

(Don't worry, spell patrol! ☺  I meant to spell scents and not sense.  You will see why in just a minute!!!!!)

I'm really not sure what is going on with my blog, but some of the pictures won't come up when you click on an old blog post.  I am computer illiterate, so I am sure that I have done something to cause this.  Hopefully, I will be able to figure it out before it drives crazy!

It is Friday again already!  It is so amazing how quickly time flies by!  Praise the Lord he has carried us through another week!  I'm sitting here at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee, watching my girls play on their swing set together in the beautiful sun!  Life is good!  When I think of the wretch that I am, I wonder sometimes how God can bless me so.  I am reminded daily of how utterly amazing His grace really is!
The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and RICH in LOVE!  Psalm 145:8 
About a year ago, I became really interested in learning about essential oils.  I stumbled on to it by accident.  I wanted to start a business that my girls and I could do together.  I searched online and came across Young Living Essential Oils on Stacy McDonald's (Author of Raising Maidens of Virtue) blog, Common Scents Mom. (Like I have time to start a business anyway!)

Since I started researching and using oils, I have noticed that a lot of women are interested in doing things more naturally.  It seems a little scary at first because there is so much information out there to look at.  It can be a bit overwhelming.  My advice would be to start slow.  Add a little at a time!

We started making homemade soap and laundry detergent as well.  As much as I hate to admit it, these weren't even so much about the natural benefits of having less chemicals, as it was about finding more ways to save money.  My husband actually really likes the cinnamon soap, and one of the girls told me the laundry detergent smells like sunshine......whatever that smells like!!!!

My next step is to return to making homemade cleaning products.  About 6 years ago, I had the brilliant idea to make homemade window cleaner and dusting spray.  I was so proud of myself.  (Until that fateful day....)  The dusting spray was made out of olive oil, distilled vinegar, and water.  Kelanie (my, then, 3 year old) decided to spray down our vinyl flooring with the dusting spray.  I was in a hurry that afternoon because I was late for church.  As you can imagine, high heels, olive oil, and vinyl flooring don't mix.  My feet flew up so high I landed straight on my back....almost like you would see on a cartoon.  I thought my back was broken for a few minutes.  There were no serious injuries other than my pride and my relationship with my homemade cleaners.  I am working at getting over it so I can try again. (That's just extra for today!)

Today I have listed a few oils that I have on hand.  I have tried a couple others, but these are the ones I use regularly.  (If you are curious where to buy these, I have purchased them at Basic Foods in Beaumont, Getting Well Naturally in Lumberton, and online from Young Living.)



Lavender- This is a universal oil. It is perfect for burns, insomnia, stress, bug bites, and just for relaxation.  (When my kids are overly tired, I put this on their temples and rub a little...I mean a little on their pillow.  It has a strong scent, so a little goes a long way.)  I made soap with it too.

Peppermint-Put a drop on your temples for headache relief.  Rub a little on chest to help congestion.  Put a few drops on feet to reduce fever.  A few drops in tea or under tongue for nausea relief.  Use on sore muscles or crick.  It is also helpful with digestion, allergies, and cooking.

Tea Tree and Garlic-Fights infection  (I have read that you can also use Tea Tree on lice and ring worms as well.)

Lemon-helps increase energy and can added to any homemade cleaners or laundry detergent.  It boosts cleaning power and a great scent.  A few drops of lemon will remove gum, oil, grease spots, glue or adhesive, and crayon from most surfaces.  You can also use it flavor food.

Thieves-(I have to thank Cody Toups for telling me about this!)  Put a drop on a fever blister to get rid of it!  Add to dishwasher for cleaner dishes.  Apply to teeth or gums for toothache relief.  Apply topically to warts to see them disappear.  Seriously, you can use this for just about anything.

Cinnamon-I used this to make soap with.  I really haven't learned enough to know what healing properties that it has, but I love the scent.  It was used in the holy anointing oil of Moses given to him by God in Exodus, so I'm sure it's good, right!?!.  I did read that some people put a few drops on their feet to help boost the immune system and fight off colds and flu.

I have started suffering with migraines in the last few years.  I have prescription medication for them, but really, I don't want to take those for the rest of my life.  My sister-in-law, Betty, showed me an article about Feverfew and Lemon Balm.  I bought some at Getting Well Naturally (in Lumberton) and put it to the test.

 

I woke up at 4 a.m. one morning and new a migraine was coming on.  I went and took a dropper full of each in a small glass of tea, and put a drop of peppermint on each temple.  I was able to go back to sleep.  When I woke up again at 7:30, I still had a headache, but it was much less painful.  I took the same dosage again.  My headache was better within an hour.  The only thing that it didn't help with was the onset of nausea at the beginning of the migraine.  I went back to sleep and was able to sleep it off, but if it had been during the day, I'm not sure how it would've went.  I'm still learning and tweaking this to what works for me.

I am interested in learning more about essential oils and naturopathic medicine.  Do you use essential oils?  Please share what you know with us either in the comments or on the Facebook page.

Have a great Friday!  As my Grandfather used to say, I'll see ya back here Monday, Lord willin' and if the creek don't rise! 



 

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Chicken:It's What's for Dinner!

As requested, I am going to try and post recipes on Thursdays.  I'm sure my family will appreciate it, because they will be guaranteed one good meal a week!  Today, I am posting recipes for a whole meal.  These are some of my favorites.  They are pretty basic, but oh so scrumptious!

Just so you know, if this post seems a bit scattered, it has just started out as "one of those days"!  First, my alarm didn't go off.  I woke up at 8, jumped out of bed, and checked my phone.  It was then that I realized I had set it for next Thursday.  How in the world?  Then, I rushed to finish my blog (which I normally do early in the morning) and posted it.  After an hour had gone by, I decided to scroll through Facebook and could not find the post.  Hello!!!!  I didn't click publish!!!!  My goodness, hope the rest of the day isn't full of this chaos! 

The menu for today is Stuffed Chicken, Cream Potatoes, and Cake Mix Cookies!  My girls helped me cook this, so they are my special guests, as you will see.  Below are all the ingredients you will need!



Stuffed Chicken

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (I used 3.5 pounds, but I have a pretty big family!)
Cream cheese, 8 oz. softened
jalapenos (I use sliced jalapenos in a jar....because I'm lazy!  The amount of jalapenos will depend on how spicy you like your food.)
1/2 c. Shredded Cheese
Tony Chachere's seasoning
bacon
toothpicks (soaked in water)

Preheat oven to 375°.  Slice chicken breasts in half long ways to make two long, thin pieces.  Season both sides of chicken with Tony's.  In a bowl, mix cream cheese, shredded cheese, jalapenos and about 1 tablespoon of jalapeno juice to smooth mixture.  Slather one side of each chicken breast with cheese mixture.  Roll each breast up.  Wrap 1/2 a piece of bacon around each, and insert a toothpick to keep the chicken from unrolling.  Prepare a casserole dish with cooking spray and place the stuffed chicken in.  Bake for 35 minutes.  (No need to cover.)
 
These are the chicken breasts after they have been cut in half and seasoned.
 
The cheese and jalapeno mixture.
 
Somewhere I read that if you put your toothpicks in water, it will keep the from drying out and splintering.  I just do it.  Can't hurt, right?!
 
Getting ready to roll these up!
 
When you have four little helpers in the kitchen with you working, things have a tendency to get a little hectic.  That would be why I don't have a picture of what a prepared chicken breast might look like.  Maybe, I'll do better next week! LOL!  The picture below is after it is baked and ready to eat!
 
 
 
Cream Potatoes
 
10 red potatoes
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
2 cups milk
salt and pepper
shredded cheese
 
Cut up potatoes into chunks.  Boil for 10-15 minutes until done.  (This will depend on how big your potato pieces are.)  Drain water and put your potatoes in a serving dish.  Salt and pepper the potatoes.  In the same pot you used to boil potatoes, melt the butter.  When melted, add flour and whisk together.  When mixed, add milk and salt/pepper.  Bring to a boil.  When it has come to a boil, take off heat and pour over potatoes.  Add shredded cheese to the top.  Make sure and mix the potatoes up so all pieces will have cream on them.
 
Kati cutting up all the potatoes!

 
The flour and butter whisked together before adding the milk.
 
Kera is a pro at cream sauce making!
 
Yummy!
 

 
Cake Mix Cookies
 
1 yellow cake mix
2 eggs
1/2 cup oil
chocolate chips (I use half a bag, but use as much or little as you like.  You can not mess these up!  I also like to get peanut butter chips and do half chocolate chips and half peanut butter chips.)
 
 
Mix all ingredients.  Press out in a 9x13 cookie sheet sprayed with Pam.  Bake at 350° for 16-18 minutes. 
 Kelanie and Kat hard at work!
 
I wanted to take a picture of the lovely pan of cookies, but someone (or a few someones) got into them before I could!  When you taste them, you will see why! ☺
 
 


What I love about all of these recipes is that they came from someone special.  The chicken recipe came from my Mom, Penny Jones.  I was taught how to make the potatoes by Billy Joe's grandmother, Betty McLemore.  The cookie recipe I learned from my mother-in-law, Julia Kilpatrick.

If  you have a recipe you would like to post on the blog, type it up and add pictures.  Then, just email it to me at terabill6@gmail.com.  Please and thank you!☺