Monthly Archives: November 2014
Reminiscent
Long ago when this devotional writing ministry started; back then it was called IDOK – many of us still call it that – (Internet Daughters Of the King), the emails were usually short and to the point, just a verse and a nugget of truth to ponder. Today is reminiscent of that.
So then, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us, too, put aside every impediment — that is, the sin which easily hampers our forward movement — and keep running with endurance in the contest set before us, via Hebrews 12 NASB;CJB – Jesus, the Example – Therefore, since – Bible Gateway.
So what is the sin that easily hampers us from moving forward with GOD? You will notice it is a singular sin – not sins but SIN. However, in our own minds it might serve us well to break it down into its varied forms; still, in the final analysis, I think, it is a single sin – just one: UNBELIEF. And I think that because unbelief is the root of all sin; what is the previous chapter (#11) dubbed? The FAITH chapter. How many times does it read by faith or in my translation by Trusting? What is unbelief? Not believing that GOD meant what He said. Not believing He will do what He says He will do. Not believing that what He has called not good is really not good. On and on we could go with this. So not aloud but within our own hearts, we would do well to name what specific unbelief(s) are slowing down our forward movement with GOD. Whatcha think?
Here’s to warmth of heart and body!
It’s right about 36 degrees in Lower Alabama as I set this to post. :)
Day 318 of 2014, a day to give Thanks.
Kathie
The LOFT – Fall Recipes
Better late than not at all – right? The LOFT
Graphic by Kerry Messer
topic this week is Fall Recipes.
Cranberry Pie.
I’ve been making this since about 2007 and it is one of my favorites. However, I dare not make it often as it is way hard for me to resist piece after piece. I have some right now in the frig that I am thus far turning a deaf ear to. :)
The recipe says fresh cranberries BUT if you happen to keep cranberries frozen in your freezer you can serve this pie anytime.
1 cup fresh cranberries
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup chopped nuts ( I use pecans)
1 egg
1/2 cup flour (cake flour works well)
1/4 stick of butter, melted
2 T shortening, melted (I use coconut oil instead – shortening is a no-no in my kitchen)
Line an 8-inch pie plate with wax paper – give it a little spray with oil. Spread cranberries over the plate, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup of sugar and pecans. Beat egg, add remaining sugar, and beat well. Add flour, butter, and coconut oil and mix (if the batter is too thick I thin it with a little milk). Pour over the cranberry mixture. Bake in a 350-degree oven for 45 minutes. Invert onto a serving plate. Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. I can attest it is delicious either way – warm or cold.
As with all my recipes, I tweak them almost every time. So with this one, I have been known to add more than 1/4 cup of pecans :) And with the flour, I throw in a pinch of salt and baking powder/soda – just a little because I like a cakey texture.
Oops! One more tweak! I always add at least a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the batter.
Hope y’all like it!
Day 316 of 2014, a day to give Thanks.
Kathie
The LOFT – Intimacy with JESUS
Graphic by Kerry Messer 
This Week’s Topic at the LOFT: “Intimacy with Jesus” (What does that look like for you? How do you abide in the vine? . . . )
How do I abide? Only by the Grace of GOD! I have said it more than once: If I were GOD I would have killed me a long time ago. And yet I’m still here – can only be His GREAT GRACE and His EXTRAVAGANT LOVE! It took a long time for me to come to the place that I was willing to admit to Him and to myself that I was a hell-deserving sinner but when I did, HE set me free! Owning (only by His grace) my innate depravity passed to me from Adam and Eve enabled me in a moment of saving faith to receive JESUS’ righteousness – His gift to me and the greatest happening in all my life. This fact, this knowledge, this knowing HIM keeps bringing me back to obedience again and again; to that state of abiding in Him – Intimacy with Him.
Prayer, Scripture, and obedience are my keys to sanity, peace, and joy. Prayer, Scripture, and obedience to Scripture is the only way I know to ABIDE in JESUS. And when I am faithful to Prayer, Scripture, and Obedience, His Presence is more real to me than breathing. Please don’t get me wrong, even in periods of slack, He is always with me. I am confident of that but when I am faithful to prayer and Scripture Obedience, we enjoy each other’s company a WHOLE LOT MORE. It’s good. Very good to enjoy His Company in the little things and the big things! I must always, always be mindful that HE IS GOD but I am also blessed to know He is my BEST FRIEND, and I am learning to be His Friend. :)
James 2:23 And [so] the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed in (adhered to, trusted in, and relied on) God, and this was accounted to him as righteousness (as conformity to God’s will in thought and deed), and he was called God’s friend. via James 2:23 AMP;CJB – And [so] the Scripture was fulfilled – Bible Gateway.
