Coming in September....

Still Believe

 Kim Walker-Smith is currently doing a West Coast "Still Believe" Worship Tour with Jesus Culture.  For dates and information, click { here }.

But for those of you like me who aren't planning to go hear it live, good news...the "Still Believe" CD just released!  You can check it out on iTunes.

The New Testament in 60 Seconds

The Old Testament in 60 Seconds

Vegetable Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 large can of V-8 juice
• Any veggies you choose (potatoes, green beans, corn, etc.)
• Seasoning

Directions:

1. Cook on low all day in crockpot until potatoes are tender.

Courtesy of Michelle

Stuffed Peppers

Ingredients:

• 6 large sweet peppers
• 2 cups cooked brown rice
• 3 small tomatoes, chopped
• 1 cup frozen corn, thawed
• 1 small sweet onion, chopped
• 1/3 cup canned red beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/3 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can (4-1/4 ounces) chopped ripe olives
• 4 fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 3/4 cup meatless spaghetti sauce (sugar free, natural)
• 1/2 cup water

Directions:

1. Cut tops off peppers and remove seeds; set aside. In a large bowl, combine the rice, tomatoes, corn, onion and beans. Stir in olives, basil, garlic, salt and pepper. Spoon into peppers.
2. Combine spaghetti sauce and water; pour half into an oval 5-qt. slow cooker. Add the stuffed peppers. Top with remaining sauce. 
3. Cover and cook on low for 3-1/2 to 4 hours or until peppers are tender and filling is heated through. Yield: 6 servings.

Courtesy of Lisa and Taste of Home

Sweet Potato Fries

Ingredients:

• Sweet potatoes. I’d plan on at least one per person.
• Olive oil. A couple of tablespoons or so.
• Salt, pepper and spices. { cumin, cayenne pepper, paprika, curry powder, or garlic. }

 

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into fry-shaped pieces. Try to cut them into similarly sized pieces so the fries will bake evenly.
2. Toss the uncooked fries into a mixing bowl or a plastic bag. Pour in a few tablespoons of olive oil, enough to lightly coat the fries. Season with salt, pepper, and spices. I’d try to use half a teaspoon per potato or so. Mix/shake to distribute evenly.
3. Pour the fries onto a non-stick baking sheet or a baking sheet covered with parchment paper (aluminum foil produces mixed results). Arrange the fries in a single layer. It is very important to keep them in a single layer, otherwise they will never crisp up. Give each fry a bit of room on the baking sheet.
4. Bake for 15 minutes, then flip the fries so they can cook on all sides. I find the easiest way to flip them is with a metal spatula. Section by section, scoop up about ten fries and flip them with a quick turn of the wrist.
5. Bake for 10 to 15 more minutes, until the fries are crispy. You’ll know they’re done when the surface of the fries change from shiny orange to a more matte, puffed up texture. It’s essential to bake them long enough, otherwise they won’t be crispy. Don’t worry if the edges are a little bit brown, they will taste more caramelized than burnt.

Courtesy of Mary

Banana Ice Cream

Ingredients:

• Bananas
• Natural Peanut Butter or Berries { you can just use bananas too }

Directions:

1. Peel your bananas
2. Cut them into small pieces
3. Freeze for just 1-2 hours on a plate
4. Blend, blend, blend - scraping down the bowl when they stick
5. Add other ingredients such as peanut butter or berries for flavor
6. Blend until creamy & scoop right out

 

 

 

 

 

Courtesy of "The Kitchn"

Green Smoothies

Our church is doing a 21 day Daniel Fast and I thought it might be helpful to share a few recipes that are Daniel Fast approved!

 

Ingredients:

1 large orange, peeled and segmented OR 1 c. pineapple chunks

2 Ripe bananas
6 large frozen strawberries
2-3 c. fresh spinach, kale, chard, or any other greens
3-4 c. water
3 Tbsp. flax seed meal

Directions:

1. Put all of the ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth. 

2. Pour into mason jars.  Can refrigerate the rest for up to 2 days.

 

Courtesy of Michelle

Goodbye 2012

{ t w i r l } 2012 was an amazing year of 3 groups of women ages 13 to 75 all doing Beth Moore's "James: Mercy Triumphs" study.  The book of James is such a call to action and I know that women, including myself,  took the words to heart and lives were changed...their own and those around them.  Praise God for His powerful Word and amazing love!!

 

I Have Been Healed! a testimony by Jessi Brome

 

“He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that you might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed,” 1 Peter 2:24

 

My whole life I never really thought about that verse and what it really meant. But last fall my life took a crazy turn, and I had to face reality. I went to the doctor with scary symptoms and heard the words I never wanted to hear. I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. I was told it was an “incurable disease,” but I would be on medication to control the symptoms. This medication was the only hope they could offer me of some relief from the pain and ease my mind that I would still be able to be active as I got older. As a wife and a mother of 3 small kids, I could imagine the worst outcome and I felt devastated. But in my heart, I knew there had to be a better way.

 

I began praying and asking God to give me wisdom. I searched Scripture and began to see how Jesus healed people. MANY times, the gospels proclaim that Jesus healed every person in the crowds around Him. Hebrews 1:3 says that “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word.” If Jesus had a heart to heal all the sick, then we can have confidence that the Father does too!

 

I began to understand that the work Jesus did on the cross was complete. When He said “it is finished,” He meant it! He paid the full price for me to be healed, and when the Word says “YOU HAVE BEEN HEALED,” it literally means that Jesus has already done it! It is a finished work, and we can now receive it!

 

I began to believe God for my healing, and I asked Him to get me where I needed to be to see it happen. In His great kindness, He put me down a path that not only lead to me being healed of MS, I was also healed of thyroid disease and asthma! These were things I hadn’t even asked for, but God knew I needed it. I was completely blown away by the kindness of Jesus!

 

Today exactly one year later, I am still so grateful for my Savior who gave His life for mine. That He took our infirmities and carried our sorrows so we can have health and joy.

 

Do you believe that God still heals today? I am a walking, breathing example of what He can do, and I am not the only one. I have seen many people healed this year. He is not limited by a doctor’s proclamation that any disease is “incurable.” There is no such word in God’s vocabulary. I am not against doctors or medicine. I was a nurse for 11 years. But I truly believe that God’s way is greater, and we need to put our faith in Him before we turn to people for our help. If you are sick and need any sort of healing, will you run to Him first? Will you turn to His Word and stand on the promises that He has given? The rewards are great if you will hold His Word above all things and put your confidence in Him!

 

- Jessi Brome

Merry Christmas

 

 

John 10:10

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

 

 

1 Day Until Christmas

"Show love, grace & kindness in ALL circumstances during your Christmas celebrations.  This will ensure the presence of Christ in all that you do and everywhere you go."

2 Days Until Christmas

"Read the Christmas story found in Luke chapter 2 to someone else"