Happy Thanksgiving!

Sorry for the lack of posting lately. God has had me in a busy, yet exciting season. He continues to show me His faithfulness daily and for that I am THANKFUL!!!

How Deep The Father's Love For Us

May I encourage you to read the lyrics from the hymn below. Read the truth and let your heart be refreshed with the love of our Father…Such grace!

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
-Stewart Townsend

Tomorrow

“Tomorrow is a happy thing; it is one stage nearer glory, one step nearer heaven, one more mile sailed across life’s dangerous sea, one mile closer to home. Tomorrow is a fresh lamp of the fulfillment that God has placed in His firmament. Look forward to tomorrow with ecstasy, because our Lord may come. Tomorrow, Christ may be on this earth. “Therefore, you also be ready, for the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Matt 24:44) Tomorrow we may all be in heaven.” -Charles Spurgeon

How exciting the day will be when we will meet our glorious Savior! There will be no more pain, no more suffering, and no more tears! After reading the above quote I was freshly reminded of what our call as Christians is on this earth. Christ died to save wretched sinners as I to bring glory to Him in all we do. As I was reminded last night at my church singles meeting, “Biblical discernment involves critical thinking.” We must take some time in everything we do to ask, "Does this glorify God? Is He honored by this decision?" The race to the finish line isn’t always easy. It takes much strength, but God is ready and willing to help us. All we must do is ask and it will be given. He will provide the grace we need to get through anything.

When you think about tomorrow, what comes to mind? Are you living in light of eternity?....

Troubled soul don’t lose your heart
Cause joy and peace he brings
And the beauty that’s in store
Outweighs the hurt of life’s sting

There will be a day with no more tears,
no more pain, and no more fears
There will be a day when the burdens of this place,
will be no more, we’ll see Jesus face to face
But until that day, we’ll hold on to you always
- Jeremy Camp

Glories of Calvary

"Christ was all anguish that I might be all joy, cast off that I might be brought in, trodden down as an enemy that I might be welcomed as a friend, surrendered to hell’s worst that I might attain Heaven’s best, stripped that I might be clothed, wounded that I might be healed, athirst that I might drink, tormented that I might be comforted, entered darkness that I might have eternal life. My Saviour wept that all tears be wiped away from my eyes, groaned that I might have endless song, endured all pain that I might have unfading health, bowed His head that I might uplift mine, experienced reproach that I might receive welcome, O Father, who spared not thine only Son that thou could spare me, help me to adore thee by lips and life, O that my every breath might be ecstatic praise, sin buried in the ocean of reconciling blood, hell’s gates closed, heaven’s portal open, O conquering God, show me the cross, mighty to subdue comfort and save."
-Valley of Vision

Isaiah 53:5- “But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.”

“My heart is filled with a thousand songs
Proclaiming the glories of Calvary
With every breath Lord how I long
To sing of Jesus who died for me”
-SGM

He Will Heal…Hosea 6:1

I read the following words from Spurgeon this morning and was greatly encouraged! I pray you are as well!

“I believe that God, who has appointed it, has also measured your trouble, set its bounds, and will bring it to an end. His gracious design is in all your difficulties. Do not think that God deals roughly with His children and gives them needless pain. ‘He does not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men.’ (Lam. 3:33). ‘He has torn, but He will heal.’ Has God not helped you out of one trouble after another? Do you suppose that He will leave you in this trouble?

This particular water in which you are struggling, is intended and included in this promise, ‘When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers; they shall not overflow you’ (Is. 43:2).

Ask for grace, that you may believe while you are still under the cloud. Regardless of how dark the cloud, it contains blessings. ‘If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth’ (Eccl. 11:3).”

Best Cake Ever!

About a year ago we found the following recipe in the news paper as an award winning cake. Ever since then, it’s become a family favorite! If you’re a fan of mint and chocolate then you’ll most definitely love it!

Chocolate Cake with Mint Whipped Frosting

1 Package (18.25 oz) devils food cake mix with pudding

1 cup sour cream

¾ cup water

½ cup vegetable oil

3 large eggs

1 tsp vanilla

2 ½ cups chilled heavy whipping cream

1/3 cup confectioner’s sugar

½ tsp peppermint extract

1. Place cake mix, sour cream, water, oil, eggs and vanilla in large mixing bowl. Blend with electric mixer on low speed for 1 minute. Increase mixer speed to medium and beat 2 minutes. Divide batter between 2 pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 28 to 32 minutes, or until cake springs back when lightly pressed with a finger. Cool 10 minutes in pans set on wire racks. Run dinner knife around edges of cakes and invert onto cooling rack.

2. Prepare frosting: In large bowl combine whipping cream, confectioner’s sugar and peppermint extract. Using electric mixer, beat until stiff peaks form. Place 1 cake layer right side up on serving plate. Spread top with frosting. Add second layer, right side up, and frost top sides of cake. Place cake in saver or cover with dome; refrigerate.

Decorating:

-Just for fun I always add a few drops of green food coloring in the icing so it looks like mint.

-If you really like chocolate, we like to take a Hershey’s bar (or any kind of milk chocolate) and shred it all over the cake with a cheese grater.

If you try it, be sure to let me know what you think!

"My Grace All-Sufficient Shall be Your Supply"

Fear not I am with you, O be not dismayed,
For I am your God, I will still give you aid;
I’ll strengthen you, help you, and cause you to stand,
Upheld by my gracious, omnipotent hand.
When through the deep waters I call you to go,
The rivers of sorrow will not overflow,
For I will be with you, your trials to bless,
And sanctify to your deepest distress.
When through fiery trials your pathway shall lie,
My grace all-sufficient shall be your supply
The flames shall not hurt you, I only design
Your dross to consume and your gold to refine.

-Charles Spurgeon from “Beside Still Waters”