Friday, November 9, 2018
Thursday, November 8, 2018
Thursday's Thoughts on... the desire in your heart
I heard a pastor say that if you have a desire in your heart, God put it there and there is a "yes" in your future. He went on to say that if you want something, you should go after it, because God obviously wants you to have it.
Now, I don't know this man. I don't know his family, his church, or his friends. I am inclined to think that they must be the most wonderful people to be around... being that he can make such a statement without a "but" or "as long as" attached to it.
See, if I said something like "if you want something, go after it," I would have to make sure to clarify, "make sure it is in line with God's Word"... cause Satan puts desires in our hearts too. I mean, I can WANT to be in a relationship with a man who is not my husband. I can DESIRE this in my heart. God's Word makes it crystal clear that this "want" and "desire" is NOT placed in my heart by God. (Don't commit adultery.)
I do not believe, as the aforementioned pastor seems to, that all the desires in my heart are from God. I WILL say this.... the more I know Jesus, the more my desires DO line up with God's Word.
A few Scriptures come to mind as I consider this...
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
God's Word assures me over and over again that following Christ will keep me on the right path. When I find myself in a "what should I do?" moment, lining my choice up with God's Word is always the right choice.
The greatest tool Satan has is deceit. We believe that he comes to us as some frightening thing, when in reality he comes dressed as everything we ever wanted. Satan doesn't frighten us into following him, he entices us with promises to fulfill our deepest desires. He promises to meet our needs.
What Satan DOES'T reveal is the price tag attached to that thing we want so desperately. You want fame and fortune? Look at the suicide rate combined with the number of drug and alcohol related deaths among the rich and famous. There is an equally deadly price tag attached to every single thing Satan offers and the fine print always includes phrases like "hopelessness and despair."
So, while others may tell you "follow your heart." I will tell you "Follow hard after Christ." Only following Christ has ever given me any peace.
Satan's lie is the same as it was in the Garden: "God is holding out on you." What Satan DOESN'T tell you is all the heartache God is protecting you from. So no, don't assume that every desire and want in your heart is from God and that you should go for it. Satan puts desires there too.
Just my thoughts
K
Wednesday, November 7, 2018
Wednesday's Weekly Recipe
Okay so I am not even gonna TRY to compete with your secret family recipe for Dressing or whatever.
Instead, I want to share some of my favorite "finger foods." I suppose they could be considered a "snack" or "appetizer" or even "hors d'œuvre."
Whatever you want to call them... it saves me much stress and anxiety to have these on hand.
Crackers with Pepper Jelly and Cream cheese.
This is absolutely as easy as it sounds. Pop a block of cream cheese on a plate, pour pepper jelly over it ( I like Captain Rodney's) and serve with crackers. IF you have time, microwave the cream cheese for about 15 seconds before pouring the jelly over it.
"Break and Bake" Cookies
These are in the dairy section of the grocery store. I keep some version of these in my fridge almost all the time. No, they are not home made... but they are fast and easy and... Is anyone really going to turn down warm cookies? I mean seriously. Sure I like to make beautiful home made shortbread cookies with fabulous icing details... but I do NOT always have time for all that. No one have ever complained - LOL!
Cream Cheese and Jalapeno Crescent Poppers
This is a good one if you have a minute to prepare. Mix a softened block of cream cheese with diced jalapenos (add as much or as little as you like). Unroll a can of crescent rolls on parchment paper or something else that doesn't stick. (I like to pinch the seams together, but that's just me) Spread the cream cheese mixture over the crescent rolls. Starting with the long side (you should have a rectangle), roll into a "log". Refrigerate for about 30 min. (you can do this ahead of time and leave in the fridge a few days). Remove from fridge, cut in 3/4 inch sections. (if you start by cutting it in half, then those halves in half then those in half, you end up with nice, even "poppers". Place flat on a greased cookie sheet and bake until golden. I hope that makes sense.
This is what they look like:
Oh! You can use the premixed jalapeno cream cheese spread if you want... I don't think it tastes as good tho.
So there ya go. Cream Cheese, Crescent Rolls, Break and bake cookie dough, and pepper jelly. That's all you need to have on hand to insure you are never caught empty handed this holiday season... or any other time for that matter.
Enjoy!
K
Instead, I want to share some of my favorite "finger foods." I suppose they could be considered a "snack" or "appetizer" or even "hors d'œuvre."
Whatever you want to call them... it saves me much stress and anxiety to have these on hand.
Crackers with Pepper Jelly and Cream cheese.
This is absolutely as easy as it sounds. Pop a block of cream cheese on a plate, pour pepper jelly over it ( I like Captain Rodney's) and serve with crackers. IF you have time, microwave the cream cheese for about 15 seconds before pouring the jelly over it.
"Break and Bake" Cookies
These are in the dairy section of the grocery store. I keep some version of these in my fridge almost all the time. No, they are not home made... but they are fast and easy and... Is anyone really going to turn down warm cookies? I mean seriously. Sure I like to make beautiful home made shortbread cookies with fabulous icing details... but I do NOT always have time for all that. No one have ever complained - LOL!
Cream Cheese and Jalapeno Crescent Poppers
This is a good one if you have a minute to prepare. Mix a softened block of cream cheese with diced jalapenos (add as much or as little as you like). Unroll a can of crescent rolls on parchment paper or something else that doesn't stick. (I like to pinch the seams together, but that's just me) Spread the cream cheese mixture over the crescent rolls. Starting with the long side (you should have a rectangle), roll into a "log". Refrigerate for about 30 min. (you can do this ahead of time and leave in the fridge a few days). Remove from fridge, cut in 3/4 inch sections. (if you start by cutting it in half, then those halves in half then those in half, you end up with nice, even "poppers". Place flat on a greased cookie sheet and bake until golden. I hope that makes sense.
This is what they look like:
Oh! You can use the premixed jalapeno cream cheese spread if you want... I don't think it tastes as good tho.
So there ya go. Cream Cheese, Crescent Rolls, Break and bake cookie dough, and pepper jelly. That's all you need to have on hand to insure you are never caught empty handed this holiday season... or any other time for that matter.
Enjoy!
K
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