Cream Cheese Brownies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BROWNIE BATTER:

1 stick unsalted butter
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2/3 cup flour

CHEESECAKE BATTER:

8 ounces cream cheese
1/3 cup sugar
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Directions

BROWNIE BATTER:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease 8" square pan. Heat butter and chocolate in heavy saucepan over medium/low heat just until melted, whisking occasionally. Remove from heat and whisk in sugar, eggs, vanilla and pinch of salt until well combined. Whisk in flour until combined and spread in greased pan.

CHEESECAKE BATTER: 

Cream together cheesecake ingredients in medium bowl until smooth. Drop spoonfuls on top of brownie batter. Spread around slightly over top with knife or spatula. Then cut through batter with knife to create swirl effects. Bake until edges are slightly puffed and center is set; about 35-40 minutes. (DON'T OVERCOOK OR IT WILL BECOME DRY)

Exercise the Right Way

Exercise daily. Walk with the Lord.

Sleeping Tips

If you can't sleep, don't count sheep. Talk to the Shepherd.

The Smallest Piece

A fourteenth-century Italian stained-glass artist was summoned to design and create a huge portrait for the window of a cathedral in Chartres France, a place well known for its stained-glass work. 

He laid all of the pieces he was going to use out on the floor of the cathedral. They were beautiful to behold; most of them were large and colorful. Some of the colors from that time cannot even be reproduced today. 

Among these awesome pieces of glass was a small, clear piece about as big as your fingernail. As the stained-glass portrait was assembled, that little piece remained on the floor. Only the big colorful pieces of glass were used. 

 On the day of the window's completion, the tiny piece of clear glass was still lying on the ground. The entire city gathered to witness the unveiling of the brilliant and beautiful stained-glass portrait. The artist stood in front of the crowd, made his speech, and dramatically pulled down the cloth cover. 

The crowd gasped at the beauty of the colorful window glowing in the sunlight. After a few seconds, however, the crowd grew silent. They sensed that something was missing, that the portrait was unfinished. 

The great artist then walked over to where the little clear piece of glass lay, picked it up, and placed it in the portrait, right in the center of Jesus' eye. As the sun hit that little piece, it gave off a dazzling sparkle. 

The magnificent stained glass window still draws visitors. The first thing they see is that sparkle in Jesus' eye. 

Do you ever feel like that little piece of clear glass? You doubt you can ever do anything for God. Let the story of that last little piece remind you that God thinks of you as the apple of his eye. (Psalm 17:8). 

No matter that in your eyes you don't measure up to others; you are an important to God. That is why He sent His Son Jesus to die for you.

Isaiah 30:21

And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

The Sparrow at Starbucks

It was chilly in Manhattan but warm inside the Starbucks shop on 51st Street and Broadway, just a skip up from Times Square. For a musician, it's the most lucrative Starbucks location in the world, I'm told, and consequently, the tips can be substantial if you play your tunes right. 

I was playing keyboard and singing backup for my friend who also added rhythm with an arsenal of percussion instruments. During our emotional rendition of "If You Don't Know Me by Now," I noticed a lady sitting in one of the lounge chairs across from me. She was swaying to the beat and singing along. 

After the tune was over, she approached me. "I apologize for singing along on that song. Did it bother you?" she asked. "No," I replied. "We love it when the audience joins in. Would you like to sing up front on the next selection?" To my delight, she accepted my invitation. "You choose," I said. "What are you in the mood to sing?" "Well ... do you know any hymns?" 

Hymns? This woman didn't know who she was dealing with. I cut my teeth on hymns. Before I was even born, I was going to church. I gave our guest singer a knowing look. "Name one." "Oh, I don't know. There are so many good ones. You pick one." "Okay," I replied. "How about 'His Eye is on the Sparrow'?" 

 My new friend was silent, her eyes averted. Then she fixed her eyes on mine again and said, "Yeah. Let's do that one." She slowly nodded her head, put down her purse, straightened her jacket and faced the center of the shop. 

With my two-bar setup, she began to sing.  

Why should I be discouraged? 

Why should the shadows come? 

The audience of coffee drinkers was transfixed.

I sing because I'm happy;  

I sing because I'm free.  

For His eye is on the sparrow  

And I know He watches me. 

When the last note was sung, the applause crescendo to a deafening roar. Embarrassed, the woman tried to shout over the din, "Oh, y'all go back to your coffee! I didn't come in here to do a concert! I just came in here to get something to drink, just like you!" But the ovation continued. I embraced my new friend. 

"You, my dear, have made my whole year! That was beautiful!" "It's funny that you picked that particular hymn," she said."Why is that?"She hesitated again, "That was my daughter's favorite song." She grabbed my hands. By this time, the applause had subsided and it was business as usual. "She was 16. She died of a brain tumor last week." 

I said the first thing that found its way through my silence. "Are you going to be okay?" She smiled through tear-filled eyes and squeezed my hands. "I'm gonna be okay. I've just got to keep trusting the Lord and singing His songs, and everything's gonna be just fine." 

She picked up her bag, gave me her card, and then she was gone. Was it just a coincidence that we happened to be singing in that particular coffee shop on that particular November night? Coincidence that this wonderful lady just happened to walk into that particular shop? Coincidence that of all the hymns to choose from, I just happened to pick the very hymn that was the favorite of her daughter, who had died just the week before? I refuse to believe it. 

God has been arranging encounters in human history since the beginning of time, and it's no stretch for me to imagine that He could reach into a coffee shop in midtown Manhattan and turn an ordinary gig into a revival. It was a great reminder that if we keep trusting Him and singing His songs, everything's gonna be okay. By John Thomas Oaks

The Fragrance of Love

There's a magnet on my refrigerator door with a picture of a little girl holding a long-stemmed rose. Her eyes sparkle as if the aroma from the rose is an absolute delight. On the back of the magnet a friend had written a note to me: "May you be the sweet fragrance of life wherever you go." - Corinthians 2:14-16 

I hadn't thought of that magnet in months, until today. I'd been short-tempered at work and had retreated into the restroom to cool down and to repent. As I asked God to forgive me, He reminded me of the magnet and its message. Yet I wasn't sure I understood how to be that heavenly fragrance. The essence of Christ is love, but what does love smell like? "Why, it smells like sautéed onions, of course," popped into my mind.

I remembered the day that I first discovered that truth. I recalled sitting on the bed. I was exhausted. Then the most heavenly aroma wafted upstairs, tantalizing me. Sautéed onions. My husband was preparing dinner. "That's the fragrance of love," I thought. Those sizzling onions spoke of my husband's care and sacrifice for me. I knew that he was tired too, but out of his love for me, he was fixing dinner. No roses, chocolate or perfume ever smelled so sweet as those onions did on that day. 

So I began to wonder about how many times the fragrance of love comes to us, and is experienced by us, without ever being recognized. As I meditated on this, a variety of scenes rushed through my mind, and with them, a diversity of scents that carried the message, "I love you." 

As a father comes in from the fields after working a 12-hour day to provide for his family, love smells like sweat and fertilizer. Love is also the powdery aroma of fresh-baked, homemade biscuits that a mother prepares early in the morning for her family's breakfast. 

It's the meaty aroma of chicken soup brought over by a friend who heard that you were under the weather. 

Or it can be the faint odor of gasoline on a stranger who stopped to help when you ran out of gas. As we walk in the principles of God's Word, our lives manifest God's love that draws people to the Savior. 

Love has many expressions, many fragrances. But the fragrance of love that is more costly than any other aroma or perfume was made one time, for all time. It is the fragrance of Jesus' love poured out at the cross for us. 

 I took out my Bible and read once again the Scripture verses cited on my magnet: "Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. 

For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things?"(2 Corinthians 2:14-16, NKJV) 

As I read the words of verse 15, "For we are to God the fragrance of Christ...", I thought of how awesome it is that the Father looks down on us and catches the aroma of Christ whispering that we belong to Him. By Pat Banta Kreml

Bacon-Onion Biscuits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ingredients: 

 4 slices bacon, chopped 

1 large onion, chopped 

3 cups all-purpose flour 

1 tablespoon baking powder 

1 tablespoon sugar 

1/2 teaspoon salt 

3/4 teaspoon cream of tartar 

3/4 cup butter 

1 cup milk  

 

Directions: In a skillet cook bacon and onion until bacon is slightly crisp and onion is tender. Drain off and discard fat. In a bowl stir together flour, baking powder, sugar, salt and cream of tartar. Using a pastry blender, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Make a well in center of flour mixture. Combine milk and bacon mixture; add all at once to flour mixture. Using a fork, stir just until moistened. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. 

 

Knead dough by folding and gently pressing dough for four to six strokes or just until dough holds together. Pat or lightly roll dough to 3/4-inch thickness. Cut dough with a floured 2 1/2-inch biscuit cutter, rerolling dough scraps as necessary. 

 

Place unbaked biscuits on baking sheet; freeze one hour. Transfer to a plastic freezer bag. Seal, label and freeze up to one month.To serve: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place frozen biscuits one inch apart on ungreased baking sheet. Bake 25 minutes or until golden.Makes one dozen flaky, tender biscuits; the recipe is easily doubled.

1 Samuel 12:16

Stand and see this great thing which the Lord will do before your eyes.

When Nothing But A Miracle Will Do

When you've tried everything and everything you've tried has failed,
When you're standing at the harbor and the ship of hope has sailed;
Friends have no answers and peace just can't be found,
Oh, but there's a hand of mercy that can turn it all around

Chorus

When nothing, but a miracle, will do,
There's nothing that the hand of God cannot bring you through.
Well, I know He's more than able and He will deliver you,
When nothing but a miracle, will do.

When you cried out in the darkness and no one seems to hear
Just because you can't see Him, doesn't mean He isn't near.
Perhaps He's only waiting 'til you've done all you can do
Until He's the only thing that’s left to hold on too.

In your time of trials when you face the trial of doubt
Oh, just listen to a crowd of witnesses; you'll hear them crying out;
From a lion's den and a fiery furnace, from the belly of a whale,
Through prison walls, at a hopeless turn, walks a God who never fails
Ask Daniel, and Jonah, Peter and Paul, They're shouting with Lazarus He's livin' after all.

Psalms 62

My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him. 

He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved.  

In God is my salvation and my glory; The rock of my strength, And my refuge, is in God.  

Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah

What Does God Say?

You say: It's impossible / God says: All things are possible (Luke 18:27) 

You say: I'm too tired / God says: I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30)  

You say: Nobody really loves me /God says: I love you (John 3:16 & John 3:34)  

You say: I can't go on /God says: My grace is sufficient (II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15) 

You say: I can't figure things out / God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6)  

You say: I can't do it / God says: You can do all things (Philippians 4:13)  

You say: I'm not able / God says: I am able (II Corinthians 9:8)  

You say: It's not worth it / God says: It will be worth it (Roman 8:28)  

You say: I can't forgive myself / God says: I Forgive you (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

You say: I can't manage / God says: I will supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19)  

You say: I'm afraid / God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear (II Timothy 1:7)  

You say: I'm always worried and frustrated / God says: Cast all your cares on ME (I Peter 5:7)  

You say: I'm not smart enough / God says: I give you wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30)  

You say: I feel all alone / God says: I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)

The Weaver

My life is but a weaving between my Lord and me, 

I cannot choose the colors He worketh steadily. 

Oft times He weaveth sorrow, and I in foolish pride 

Forget He sees the upper but I the under side. 

Not till the loom is silent and the shuttles cease to fly, 

Shall God unroll the canvas and explain the reason why. 

The dark threads are as needed in the Weaver's skillful hand, 

As threads of gold and silver in the pattern life has planned.

Deep Dish Apple Pie

Courtesy of Barefoot Contessa

Ingredients:

4 pounds Granny Smith apples, peeled, quartered, and cored

1 lemon, zested

1 orange, zested

2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 tablespoon freshly squeezed orange juice

1/2 cup sugar, plus 1 teaspoon to sprinkle on top

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon kosher salt

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon ground allspice

Perfect Pie Crust, recipe follows

1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water, for egg wash

Directions: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Cut each apple quarter in thirds crosswise and combine in a bowl with the zests, juices, 1/2 cup sugar, flour, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.

Roll out half the pie dough and drape it over a 9- or 10-inch pie pan to extend about 1/2-inch over the rim. Don't stretch the dough; if it's too small, just put it back on the board and re-roll it.

Fill the pie with the apple mixture. Brush the edge of the bottom pie crust with the egg wash so the top crust will adhere. Top with the second crust and trim the edges to about 1-inch over the rim. Tuck the edge of the top crust under the edge of the bottom crust and crimp the 2 together with your fingers or a fork. Brush the entire top crust with the egg wash, sprinkle with 1 teaspoon sugar, and cut 4 or 5 slits. Place the pie on a sheet pan and bake for 1 to 1 1/4 hours, or until the crust is browned and the juices begin to bubble out. Serve warm.

Perfect Pie Crust:

12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) very cold unsalted butter

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 tablespoon sugar

1/3 cup very cold vegetable shortening

6 to 8 tablespoons (about 1/2 cup) ice water

Dice the butter and return it to the refrigerator while you prepare the flour mixture. Place the flour, salt, and sugar in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade and pulse a few times to mix. Add the butter and shortening. Pulse 8 to 12 times, until the butter is the size of peas.

With the machine running, pour the ice water down the feed tube and pulse the machine until the dough begins to form a ball. Dump out on a floured board and roll into a ball. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Cut the dough in half. Roll each piece on a well-floured board into a circle, rolling from the center to the edge, turning and flouring the dough to make sure it doesn't stick to the board. Fold the dough in half, place in a pie pan, and unfold to fit the pan. Repeat with the top crust. Yield: 2 (10-inch) crusts

Oven Fried Chicken

Courtesy of Barefoot Contessa


Ingredients:
2 chickens (3 pounds each), cut in 8 serving pieces
1 quart buttermilk
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
Vegetable oil or vegetable shortening

Directions: Place the chicken pieces in a large bowl and pour the buttermilk over them. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine the flour, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Take the chicken out of the buttermilk and coat each piece thoroughly with the flour mixture. Pour the oil into a large heavy-bottomed stockpot to a depth of 1-inch and heat to 360 degrees F on a thermometer.

Working in batches, carefully place several pieces of chicken in the oil and fry for about 3 minutes on each side until the coating is a light golden brown (it will continue to brown in the oven). Don't crowd the pieces.

Remove the chicken from the oil and place each piece on a metal baking rack set on a sheet pan. Allow the oil to return to 360 degrees F before frying the next batch. When all the chicken is fried, bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until the chicken is no longer pink inside. Serve hot.

What is Faith?

By Lester Roloff  

Faith is real. 

Faith is a gift. 

 Faith is the life of Christ. 

Faith is the rope tied to the bucket of reality, dipping itself into the fullness of God. 

Faith is stepping when there is no place to step. I don't think the children of Israel stepped into the Red Sea after it was all dry. I believe when Moses stepped, the water was right there in front of him, but I believe as he picked up his foot and put it down, the water was gone and the ground was dry. It wasn't taking any faith for him to place his foot down on a piece of dry land if it was already dry all the way across. My prediction is that it might not have even rolled back except as they walked. That's faith! 

Faith will never be understood down here. Elijah, Moses, Abraham, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Micah, and many others, especially Jesus, were not understood. They weren't understood down here and you won't be. 

Faith is victory. Faith is living the overcoming life. 

Faith is more forceful than fire. 

 Faith is the key to the lions' jaws. 

 Faith is the power that destroyed the walls of Jericho. Can you imagine anyone as foolish as that bunch of Israelites? Do you know what tore down the walls of Jericho? The Word of God. Do you know what living by faith is? Just taking God at His Word. Faith doesn't always make sense to the world but faith makes sense to me, because God says, "I will supply all your needs." I've believed Him and He has. 

Faith is the road to the city not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 

Faith became deliverance for the millions of Israelites without a shot being fired and with only one casualty. That casualty cost Moses a sentence of forty years in the wilderness. 

Faith is seeing the unseen, the invisible. Faith is endurance. Faith is the opposite of fear. Faith is pleasing God. 

Faith is Bible living. 

Faith is salvation. 

Faith is the Christian's keeping power. 

Faith is the hand and arm that is reaching after the garment of God for certain healing. 

Faith is man's extremity and God's opportunity. 

Faith is life's extension cord. 

Faith is the authority of God. 

Faith is the mixture that makes the Gospel effective.

Faith is the storm-stopper. 

Faith is man resting and God working. 

Faith is receiving. 

 Faith is giving all. 

Faith is God in action on the battlefield, winning every battle and making real what Christ made possible. 

Faith is complete surrender demonstrated by Jesus on the cross, denied by Peter, forsaken by His own, betrayed by Judas, with heaven's gates closed in His face, with the angels silent, his telephone line to the Father's house clipped, deserted by the Spirit, but Jesus still had faith? 

Do you have that kind of faith? Do you have the kind of faith that will give you victory in your daily life every day?

2 Corinthians 4:8-10

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 

Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 

Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

Power for the Task Ahead

The task ahead of us is never as great as the power behind us.

Shipwrecked Faith

Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: 1 Timothy 1:19 

Today after I took my shower, I used a new towel I recently bought. It is real thick. The thinning process of towels go undetected. Too slow to be observed either by the eye or by touch towels thin and before you know it, you can see through your towel. 

They aren't very absorbent when you can see through them. But a brand new towel is awesome. My towel today was so absorbent, I had to get a drink after I used it! But, my old towel isn't to blame. It served me well. 

It was faithfully there every morning! Occasionally it was called to wax the car, to clean up a spill in the living room. It was lost in the trunk for several months and spent a few weeks in the garage. 

The new towel is thick and impressive simply because it hasn't had the experiences. It's just getting started. 

If we are thin and repelling, we are headed for a shipwrecked faith. Typically a shipwreck is caused by a storm or collision. 

In our Christian walk, we collide with the enemy constantly. Yet, the Lord strengthens us so that we can endure the collision, yes, even overcome it and sail on. No matter how severe the storm, Jesus says, "Peace be still!" 

Let me give you 4 things to try once you start to thin out. 

First, get some sleep fast! You need 8-10 hours of sleep for several days in a row. 

Secondly, break your routine. Whether it is a brisk walk a couple times a day or spending a few hours with a new hobby, break the monotony. 

Thirdly, increase your prayer time and Bible reading. 

Finally, guard your mind against the invasion of temptations and destructive behaviors. 

When we are burned out, we are more likely to say and do things we will later regret.  

Father, I praise Your name today for keeping me at the helm. In Jesus Name I lift up everyone who may be facing such storms and collision that shipwrecks seem inevitable. I pray that You will steer them back on course. I pray for those who feel thinned out. I pray that You will help them absorb all You have in order to build them up. In Jesus' Name, AMEN!

Luscious Lemon Cake

Recipe courtesy of the Barefoot Contessa

1/2 pound unsalted butter at room temperature
2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
4 extra-large eggs at room temperature
1/3 cup grated lemon zest (6 to 8 large lemons)
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
3/4 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For the glaze
2 cups confectioners' sugar
3 1/2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
Method

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 2 1/2-inch loaf pans.

Cream the butter and 2 cups granulated sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, for about 5 minutes, or until light and fluffy. With the mixer on medium speed, add the eggs, one at a time, and the lemon zest.

Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. In another bowl, combine 1/4 cup lemon juice, the buttermilk, and vanilla. Add the flour and buttermilk mixtures alternately to the batter, beginning and ending with the flour. Divide the batter evenly between the pans, smooth the tops, and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until a cake tester comes out clean.

Combine 1/2 cup granulated sugar with 1/2 cup lemon juice in a small saucepan and cook over low heat until the sugar dissolves and makes a syrup. When the cakes are done, let them cool for 10 minutes, then invert them onto a rack set over a tray, and spoon the lemon syrup over the cakes. Allow the cakes to cool completely.

For the glaze, combine the confectioners' sugar and lemon juice in a bowl, mixing with a wire whisk until smooth. Pour over the top of the cakes and allow the glaze to drizzle down the sides.

Cabbage Rolls

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ingredients:

12 cabbage leaves

 

Filling: 

1 pound ground beef 

3/4 cup cooked rice 

1/2 cup finely chopped onion 

1 egg 

2 teaspoons salt 

1 teaspoon pepper 

1/2 cup milk 

 

Sauce: 

1 can (8 ounces ) tomato sauce 

1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained 

3 tablespoons sugar

 2 tablespoons vinegar 

1/2 cup water 

2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 1/4 cup cold water 

 

Preparation: Drop cabbage leaves into boiling salted water; cover and cook for 3 minutes. Drain well. For filling, combine ground beef, rice, onion, egg, and salt, pepper, and milk. Mix well and divide into 12 portions. Place a portion into the center of each cabbage leaf. Roll leaf around filling; fasten with toothpick. Place in a baking dish. For sauce, combine tomato sauce, tomatoes, sugar, vinegar, and 1/2 cup of water and pour over cabbage rolls. Bake covered in a preheated 350° oven 40 to 45 minutes. Remove rolls and discard toothpicks. Place pan with juices over medium heat or transfer the juices to a saucepan and place over heat; stir cornstarch and water mixture into the sauce; bring to a boil and cook until thickened. Recipe for cabbage rolls serves 6.

Banana Roll

Cake:

Powdered sugar

3/4 C. all-purpose flour

1/2 t. baking powder

1/2 t. baking soda

1/4 t. salt

3 eggs

1 C sugar

2/3 C. mashed banana (2 medium bananas)

Filling:

1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened

1 C. powdered sugar, sifted

6 T. butter, softened

1 t. vanilla extract

1/4 C. powdered sugar (optional)

Directions: Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease 15×10 inch jelly-roll pan (also known as half sheet pan); line with parchment or waxed paper. Grease and flour paper; set aside. Spread out a clean, thin dish towel on the counter (make sure the towel is larger than your jelly roll pan); sprinkle liberally with powdered sugar (this can be done using a mesh strainer).

In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda. In a large bowl combine eggs and sugar; beat until thickened. Add banana; beat until well mixed.

Stir in flour mixture into egg mixture. Spread batter evenly into prepared pan, easing it carefully to the corners with a spatula.

Bake in preheated 375 degree oven for 13 to 15 minutes or until center springs back when lightly touched.

Immediately loosen cake from edges of pan; invert cake onto the prepared towel. Remove pan; carefully peel off paper. Roll up cake in towel while hot, starting with 10-inch side. Cool completely on wire rack (will take at least an hour).

When cake is almost completely cooled, make the filling: beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter and vanilla extract in small mixer bowl until smooth.

When cake has cooled completely, unroll and spread with filling (or your favorite cream cheese frosting) then re-roll cake. Wrap rolled cake in plastic wrap then refrigerate at least one hour (overnight is best).

When ready to serve, unwrap cake and place on a platter. Sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired (sift the sugar through a small mesh strainer for a nice presentation). Cut into slices.

Candles

A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.

God Can Do Anything

When we have done what we can, God will do what we can't.

The World's Biggest Miracle

Moses and the people were in the desert, but what was he going to do with them? They had to be fed, and feeding 2 or 3 million people requires a lot of food. 

According to the Quartermaster General in the Army, it is reported that Moses would have had to have 1500 tons of food for each day. 

 Do you know that to bring that much food each day requires two freight trains, each a mile long. They would have to have firewood to use in cooking the food. This would take 4000 tons of wood and more freight trains, each a mile long, just for one day. 

And, just think about it, they were forty years in transit, in a desert. And oh yes! They would have to have water. If they only had enough to drink and wash a few dishes, it would take 11 million gallons each day, and a freight train with tank cars, 1800 miles long, just to bring water! 

And then another thing! They had to cross the Red Sea at night. Now, if they wanted a narrow path, double file, the line would be 800 miles long and would require 35 days and nights to get through.

So, there had to be space in the Red Sea, 3 miles wide so that they could walk 5000 abreast to get over in one night. (How many were they?)

But then, there is another problem. Each time they camped at the end of each day, a camp ground two-thirds the size of Rhode Island was required, or a total of 750 square miles long....come to think of it. This space is just for nightly camping. 

 Do you think Moses figured all this out before he left Egypt? I think not!! You see, Moses believed in God and God took care of these things for him. Now do you think God has any problem taking care of all your needs? Author Unknown

Worry

Worry is like a rocking chair -- it gives you something to do but doesn't get you anywhere.

Promises

God makes a promise. Faith believes it. Hope anticipates it. Patience awaits it.

Lion Brand Fast and Easy Throw

Are you looking for a quick and easy project to begin during these cold winter months? Try this project.

MATERIALS QTY ALT QTY · 

790-315 Homespun®: Tudor 6 · 

Lion Brand Crochet Hook - Size N-13 

1 GAUGE: Each rep = 6". 

BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR GAUGE. 

STITCH EXPLANATION: Cluster of 2-dc: 2 dc (half closed and joined tog) worked across designated ch's or dc's.Cluster of 3-dc: 3 dc (half closed and joined tog) worked across designated ch's or dc's.Cluster of 5-dc: 5 dc (half closed and joined tog) worked across 5 designated ch's or dc's. Note: 

 

These clusters are made by working a specified number of double crochets to the point where you would normally do your last yarn-over-pull-through-two and keeping them on the hook (you will have multiple loops on your hook), then yarn over and pull through all the loops on the hook to close the cluster and draw it together. The clusters are the mirror image of the shell stitches with which they alternate. PATTERN (multiple of 16 sts + 4):

Row 1: 1 cluster of 2-dc worked across 5th and 6th ch from hook, (ch 1, sk 1 ch, 1 dc in next ch) 2 times, ch 1, sk 1 ch, *5 dc in next ch, (ch 1, sk 1 ch, 1 dc in next ch) 2 times, ch 1, sk 1 ch, 1 cluster of 5-dc worked across next 5 ch, (ch 1, sk 1 ch, 1 dc in next ch) 2 times, ch 1, sk 1 ch,* rep from * to * across, ending last rep 5 dc in next ch, (ch 1, sk 1 ch, 1 dc in next ch) 2 times, ch 1, sk 1 ch, 1 cluster of 3-dc worked across last 3 ch. Ch 1, turn.

Row 2: Sc in each st and each ch across. Ch 3, turn.

Row 3: 1 cluster of 2-dc worked across next 2 sc, (ch 1, sk 1 sc, 1 dc in next sc) 2 times, ch 1, sk 1 sc, *5 dc in next sc, (ch 1, sk 1 sc, 1 dc in next sc) 2 times, ch 1, sk 1 sc, 1 cluster of 5-dc worked across next 5 sc, (ch 1, sk 1 sc, 1 dc in next sc) 2 times, ch 1, sk 1 sc,* rep from * to * across, ending last rep 5 dc in next sc, (ch 1, sk 1 sc, 1 dc in next sc) 2 times, ch 1, sk 1 sc, 1 cluster of 3-dc worked across last 3 sc. Ch 1, turn. 

Rep Rows 2 and 3 for pat.

THROW: Ch 116. Beg with Pat Row 1, then rep Rows 2 and 3 for pat until piece measures approx 55". Fasten off. 

ABBREVIATIONS / REFERENCES

Click for explanation and illustration courtesy of Lion Brand Yarn  

approx = approximately

beg = begin(s)(ning) ch(s) = chain(s) 

dec = decreas(e)(s)(ing)  

fpsc = front post single crochet  

hdc = half double crochet inc =

increas(e)(s)(ing) 

rem = remain(s)(ing)

rep = repeat(s)(ing)  

rnd(s) = round(s)

RS = right side

sc = single crochet  

sl = slip st(s

 = stitch(es) tbl = through the back loop

 tog = together 

yo = yarn over

Gooey Chocolate Cake

Ingredients:

2 sticks butter, melted

1 package chocolate cake mix

1 egg, plus

2 eggs

1/4 cup semisweet mini chocolate chips

1 teaspoon all purpose flour

1 (8oz) package cream cheese, softened

2 tablespoons semisweet chocolate chips, melted

2 cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup chopped walnuts
Powder sugar for dusting

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 13 by 9-inch baking pan.

In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, 1 egg, and 8 tablespoons (1 stick) melted butter, and stir until well blended. In a small bowl combine mini chocolate chips and flour and toss to coat. Stir chocolate chips into cake batter. Pat mixture into prepared baking pan and set aside.

In a large bowl beat the cream cheese until smooth using a hand mixer. Add the remaining 2 eggs, and the melted semisweet chocolate and mix thoroughly. Lower the speed of the mixer, and gradually add the powdered sugar. Continue beating until ingredients are well mixed. Slowly add the remaining 8 tablespoons (1 stick) of melted butter and the vanilla extract, continuing to beat the mixture until smooth. Stir in walnuts. Spread filling evenly over cake mixture in pan.

Bake in preheated oven for 40 to 50 minutes. Be careful not to overcook the cake; the center should still be a little gooey when finished baking. Let cake partially cool on a wire rack before cutting into pieces. Dust with powdered sugar if desired, or if you're feeling really decadent, serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

The Lord is My Strength

"The Lord hath sent strength for thee" (Ps.68.28, PBV). 

The Lord imparts unto us that primary strength of character which makes everything in life work with intensity and decision. We are "strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man." 

And the strength is continuous; reserves of power come to us which we cannot exhaust."As thy days, so shall thy strength be"—strength of will, strength of affection, strength of judgment, strength of ideals and achievement. "The Lord is my strength" to go on.

He gives us power to tread the dead level, to walk the long lane that seems never to have a turning, to go through those long reaches of life which afford no pleasant surprise, and which depress the spirits in the sameness of a terrible drudgery."The Lord is my strength" to go up. 

He is to me the power by which I can climb the Hill Difficulty and not be afraid. "The Lord is my strength" to go down. 

It is when we leave the bracing heights, where the wind and the sun have been about us, and when we begin to come down the hill into closer and more sultry spheres, that the heart is apt to grow faint.I heard a man say the other day concerning his growing physical frailty, "It is the coming down that tires me!" "The Lord is my strength" to sit still. And how difficult is the attainment! 

Do we not often say to one another, in seasons when we are compelled to be quiet, "If only I could do something!"When the child is ill, and the mother stands by in comparative impotence, how severe is the test! But to do nothing, just to sit still and wait, requires tremendous strength. "The Lord is my strength!" "Our sufficiency is of God." The Silver Lining A Door Opened in Heaven "A door opened in heaven" (Rev. 4:1). 

You must remember that John was in the Isle of Patmos, a lone, rocky, inhospitable prison, for the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus. And yet to him, under such circumstances, separated from all the loved ones of Ephesus; debarred from the worship of the Church; condemned to the companionship of uncongenial fellow-captives, were vouchsafed these visions. For him, also a door was opened.

We are reminded of Jacob, exiled from his father's house, who laid himself down in a desert place to sleep, and in his dreams beheld a ladder which united Heaven with earth, and at the top stood God. 

Not to these only, but to many more, doors have been opened into Heaven, when, so far as the world was concerned, it seemed as though their circumstances were altogether unlikely for such revelations.

To prisoners and captives; to constant sufferers, bound by iron chains of pain to sick couches; to lonely pilgrims and wanderers; to women detained from the Lord's house by the demands of home, how often has the door been opened to Heaven. 

But there are conditions. You must know what it is to be in the Spirit; you must be pure in heart and obedient in faith; you must be willing to count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ; then when God is all in all to us, when we live, move and have our being in His favor, to us also will the door be opened. --

"God hath His mountains bleak and bare, 

Where He doth bid us rest awhile; 

Crags where we breathe a purer air, 

Lone peaks that catch the day's first smile. 

"God hath His deserts broad and brown--

A solitude--a sea of sand, 

Where He doth let heaven's curtain down, 

Unknit by His Almighty hand." Charles E. Cowan

Living Sermon

A Christian is a living sermon whether or not he preaches a word.

Watering Others

He that watereth shall be watered also himself. (Proverbs 11:25)

If I carefully consider others, God will consider me, and in some way or other He will recompense me. 

Let me consider the poor, and the Lord will consider me. 

Let me look after little children, and the Lord will treat me as His child. 

Let me feed His flock, and He will feed me. 

Let me water His garden, and He will make a watered garden of my soul. 

This is the Lord's own promise; be it mine to fulfill the condition and then to expect its fulfillment. 

I may care about myself till I grow morbid; I may watch over my own feelings till I feel nothing; and I may lament my own weakness till I grow almost too weak to lament. 

It will be far more profitable for me to become unselfish and out of love to my Lord Jesus begin to care for the souls of those around me. 

My tank is getting very low; no fresh rain comes to fill it; what shall I do? 

I will pull up the plug and let its contents run out to water the withering plants around me. 

What do I see? My cistern seems to fill as it flows. A secret spring is at work. 

While all was stagnant, the fresh spring was sealed; but as my stock Rows out to water others the Lord thinketh upon me. Hallelujah! Charles Spurgeon

Chicken and Biscuits

1 (5 lb.) stewing chicken

2 tsp. sea salt

1 branch celery

1 med. onion

5 carrots

2 c. chicken broth

3/4 c. flour

2 c. light cream

2 egg yolks, beaten

Parsley

Sweet cream biscuits

Cut chicken, place in kettle. Add hot water to cover. Add salt, celery and onion. Simmer covered until tender, about 3 hours. Add carrots the last 30 minutes of cooking.

Drain broth from chicken. Skim fat from broth, saving 1/4 cup fat for gravy. Strain broth, save carrots. Measure 2 cups broth for gravy.

Blend in flour in saucepan. Gradually add broth and cream. Cook until thick and smooth, stirring constantly. Add a small amount of hot gravy to egg yolks. Then add yolks to gravy. Cook 2 minutes more. Place hot chicken and carrots in serving dish, pour in gravy. Top with sweet biscuits. Makes 10 to 12 servings.

Blondies

1 cup butter, melted

2 cups brown sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla or 1 teaspoon almond extract

Pinch salt

2 cups all-purpose flour

Directions: Butter a 13 x 9 pan. Mix melted butter with brown sugar - beat until smooth. Beat in egg and then vanilla. Add salt, stir in flour. Mix in any additions (below).

Pour into prepared pan. Bake at 350 20-25 minutes, or until set in the middle. I always err on the side of caution with baking times — nobody ever complained about a gooey-middle cookie. Cool on rack before cutting them.

Further additions; use one or a combination of:
1/2 to 1 cup chopped nuts, toasting them first for even better flavor
1/2 to 1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 teaspoon mint extract in addition to or in place of the vanilla
1/2 cup mashed bananas
Stir 1/2 cup dried fruit, especially dried cherries, into the prepared batter
Top with a vanilla butter cream or chocolate peanut butter cream frosting

Psalms 42

As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God:

Oven Beef Stew

2 pounds beef stew cubes

1 (32 ounce) can tomato juice or V-8 cocktail

3 cloves garlic, crushed

1 onion, sliced

1 stalk celery, sliced

1/4 teaspoon oregano

1 beef bouillon cube (optional)

3 or 4 carrots, sliced

4 or 5 potatoes, cubed

1 tablespoon flour

1 tablespoon sugar (optional)

1 1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Preheat oven to 250° F.

In a casserole dish, blend salt and pepper, sugar (optional), oregano, flour and one crushed beef bouillon cube (optional).

Stir in tomato juice, mixing well to combine. Add remaining ingredients.

Cover and bake about four hours.

If using a slow cooker, which also works well for this dish, set your timer for six to eight hours on the medium setting.

Awake North Wind

Awake, north wind, and come, south wind! Blow on my garden, that its fragrance may spread abroad. Song of Solomon 4:16a (NIV) 

My friend, it seems the north wind is blowing all around us. Many of those closest to me are also in the middle of a blast of that icy wind—and I hear from people throughout our nation that they, too, are experiencing hardship. 

I have a sense that our Lord is building His people. He wants us to be stronger than ever before and He is allowing the wind to blow because we need what we will learn in the storm. 

Tonight I sense the Lord wants to share a few things with us about this season. 

First, hard times don’t mean He doesn’t love you. On the contrary, He loves you too much to let you stay as you are. He is allowing the wind because He wants to blow away the things that keep you from Him and whittle away at the hard places of your soul. He is cleansing your life (and mine) so that we can find deeper joy and more authentic relationship with Him.

Second, I believe He is asking us to surrender—to quit fighting His hand of growth and to give Him permission to do with us as He pleases, for our good and His glory. He’s whispering, “Will you trust Me? May I do what is necessary for the good of your future and of my church?” 

Third, He wants to remind us that He never leaves or forsakes His children. No matter how strong the wind rattling your windows, you are never alone. His arms are around you. He is still your strong tower of protection. The evil one cannot snatch you of His hand. He holds you fast and tells you not to be afraid. He has a hope and a future for you, plans to prosper and not harm you. You can trust Him in the storm.

I don’t know that everyone is experiencing the north wind. In fact, I hope many of you are basking in a southern breeze! But I sense there are many of us standing in the blustery weather. I pray this series will give you encouragement as we learn together in the midst of the storm. 

Father God, We need you. Please reveal yourself to us in the midst of the cold winds. Give us supernatural faith. Give us hope and peace that we couldn’t fabricate, but that is a pure gift. Be our place of safety in the blowing wind. ~Paula Moldenhauer

New Shoes?

Always put yourself in others' shoes. If you feel that it hurts you, it probably hurts that person too.

Are you Listening?

God still speaks to those who take the time to listen.

Chicken and Dumplings

Recipe courtesy of Paula Deen

Chicken:

1 (2 1/2-pound) chicken, cut into 8 pieces
3 ribs celery, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
2 bay leaves
2 chicken bouillon cubes
1 teaspoon House Seasoning, recipe follows
1 (10 3/4-ounce) can condensed cream of celery or cream of chicken soup

Dumplings:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
Ice water

To start the chicken: Place the chicken, celery, onion, bay leaves, bouillon, and House Seasoning in a large pot. Add 4 quarts of water and in water and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Simmer the chicken until it is tender and the thigh juices run clear, about 40 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pot and, when it is cool enough to handle, remove the skin and separate the meat from the bones. Return the chicken meat to the pot. Keep warm over low heat.

To prepare the dumplings: Mix the flour with the salt and mound together in a mixing bowl. Beginning at the center of the mound, drizzle a small amount of ice water over the flour. Using your fingers, and moving from the center to the sides of the bowl, gradually incorporate about 3/4 cup of ice water. Knead the dough and form it into ball.

Dust a good amount of flour onto a clean work surface. Roll out the dough (it will be firm), working from center to 1/8-inch thick. Let the dough relax for several minutes.
Add the cream of celery soup to the pot with the chicken and simmer gently over medium-low heat.

Cut the dough into 1-inch pieces. Pull a piece in half and drop the halves into the simmering soup. Repeat. Do not stir the chicken once the dumplings have been added. Gently move the pot in a circular motion so the dumplings become submerged and cook evenly. Cook until the dumplings float and are no longer doughy, 3 to 4 minutes.

To serve, ladle chicken, gravy, and dumplings into warm bowls.

Cook's Note: If the chicken stew is too thin it can be thickened before the dumplings are added. Simply mix together 2 tablespoons cornstarch and 1/4 cup of water then whisk this mixture into the stew.

House Seasoning:
1 cup salt
1/4 cup black pepper
1/4 cup garlic powder

Mix ingredients together and store in an airtight

The Power of Prayer

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition,with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,will guard your hearts, and your minds in Christ, Jesus.~~ Philippians 4:6-7 NIV ~~ 

"The power of prayer": these words are so familiar, yet sometimes we forget what they mean. 

Prayer is a powerful tool for communicating with our Creator; it is an opportunity to commune with the Giver of all things good. 

Prayer helps us find strength for today and hope for the future. 

Prayer is not a thing to be taken lightly or to be used infrequently. 

Is prayer an integral part of your daily life, or is it a hit-or-miss habit? 

Do you pray without ceasing, or is your prayer life an afterthought? 

The quality of your spiritual life will be in direct proportion to the quality of your prayer life. 

Prayer changes things, and it changes you. Today, instead of worrying about your next decision, ask God to lead the way. 

Don't limit your prayers to meals or to bedtime. 

Pray constantly about things great and small. God is listening, and He wants to hear from you now. 

 ~~ A Prayer ~~

Dear Lord, sometimes, amid the demands of the day, I lose perspective, and I fail to give thanks for Your blessings and for Your love. 

Today, help me to count those blessings and let me give thanks to You, Father, for Your love, for Your grace, and for Your blessings. Amen.  

A Woman of Prayer, 365 Daily Devotions - Freeman-Smith

Cozy Feet!

Do you remember receiving a pair of these slippers from Grandma every year? Well, I resurrected the old pattern and made a pair for the girls. If you want the pattern, I would be happy to share!