Actor Dean Winters… You may not recognize his name but you most likely would recognize his face—he’s the “Mayhem”...
In late January of this year, I embarked on my biggest journey yet: studying abroad for a semester in...
As I reflect upon the earth, I think of all the amazing photographs from space. What spectacular sights the astronauts...
“O Supreme Spirit of Creation, from Your sacred breath came forth birds and beasts, fish and fowl, creatures of...
A More Personal Side to Estate Planning Estate planning is a topic that conjures thoughts of spacious estates, jewelry,...
Salt Water Taffy is something that I always identify with summer and the beach. My dad’s family lives around...
“O Supreme Spirit of Creation, from Your sacred breath came forth birds and beasts, fish and fowl, creatures of...
Amazingly easy and a great summer treat! Ingredients: 1 3/4 cups flour 1/4 cup plain yellow cornmeal 2 tablespoons...
“Celebrate God all day, every day.” Philippians 4:4 (The Message) July 4th is one of my very favorite holidays. ...
This is a great sauce that works with pork, chicken, sausage and burgers. It is also incredibly easy to...
June; the month for weddings. Time for the couple to express their enduring love to each other with family and...
I was seated on the bride’s side of a large church sanctuary awaiting the beginning of a wedding. Prelude music...
This is a great recipe for a quick summer breakfast throughout the week. Just store it in a plastic...
An Interview with Father Matthew Linn Matthew Linn works with his brother and sister-in-law, Dennis and Sheila, as a...
Veterans Leadership Ministry: Helping Veterans Re-establish Social Connections to Loved Ones Like many others I had a scar or...
Everyone’s Favorite Quiche”! 1 pie dish (or aluminum pie pan) Pie Crust (from Pillsbury’s “All-ready Pie Crust”Ô) 2 heaping...
These are a great spring/summer cookies which use preserves so you do not have to wait for the peach...
Song of Solomon: 2:1 I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. I have always...
The picture accompanying this article was made in front of our house next to our entry porch. If I...
Bless the children–the bloom of health, The bloom of growth, The bloom of cheer, The bloom of innocence, Shine...
This is a nice light tea with an adaptable recipe. It can be divided or multiplied, the amount of...
In 2010 we (at South Highland Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, Alabama) learned of the need of a better quality of...
Sometimes springtime will have a week or so of really cold weather or even snow which we name “Blackberry...
The seed is with Christ and the harvest is with Christ. May we be swept into God’s granery. The...
Springtime is my favorite time of the year; I adore all the gorgeous flowers and the bright greens of...
These cookies are super easy to make and a great spring or summer treat! Ingredients: 1 (16.5 oz) roll...
In 2013, I traveled with the Knoxville Choral Society to Ireland. One thing that I really wanted to see...
March is upon us, and when I think of March I always think of St. Patrick’s Day and all...
This is a quick bread that is amazingly easy to make. It works great with soups and stews as...
In thinking about this topic it occurred to me that it might be easier to draw or paint this...
These are a great mini dessert for Valentine’s Day! Ingredients: 1 package brownie mix 1/2 cup vegetable oil 1/4...
“…be ye holy; for I am holy.” I Peter 1:16 (AKJV) The American Heart Association has designated February 5,...
By Katie Turpen From a fire that destroys one family’s home to a typhoon that kills thousands one organization...
Everyone has their favorite Christmas movie. Mine happens to be “White Christmas” with Bing Crosby, Rosemary Cloony, and Danny...
This time of year always makes me crave the smell of ginger and spices baking into a cookie. These...
I have a magazine addiction; I may as well just go ahead and admit it right here and right...
When I was about 12, my mom decided that she wasn’t going to make any Christmas cookies because she...
While these do not have peanut butter, they do have the peanut butter chips you find in the baking...
This is a simple and easy salad that works great as a side or solo for a light lunch....
It’s no secret that Montreat, North Carolina is one of my favorite places that I’ve ever had the pleasure...
It has been my experience that sometimes the rhythm of the year itself can offer healing and consolation to...
“Also take salvation as our helmet and the word of God as the sword that the Spirit supplies.” Ephesians...
I AM OLD GLORY I Am Old Glory: For more than ten score years I have been the banner of...
“I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you.” John 14:18 (KJV) Just about any magazine you...
Last night I watched a second episode of “Proof” on the tv. The plot is about a heart surgeon...
After being shown around the great state of Kentucky for the past year, I only thought it would only...
May, June, July and August are the prime months for weddings and one of the things that sometimes gets...
“Welcome sweet Springtime, we greet thee in song. Murmurs of gladness, fall on the ear…” Michael Watson, composer, 1884/lyricist...
This is one of the best “fancy” dessert for spring and summer. Making the curd in the microwave also...
Jelly Bean Prayer: Poet unknown Red is for the Blood He gave, Green is for the Grass He made,...
“Some old-fashioned things like fresh air and sunshine are hard to beat.”—Laura Ingalls Wilder On my campus, you know...
“Lord, let the grace of your blessing come upon these eggs, that they be healthful food for your faithful...
“WHEN I LOVE YOU, MY GOD, I WANT TO EMBRACE IT ALL, FOR I LOVE YOU WITH ALL MY...
A few weeks ago, I decided to do something I never thought I’d do in college: I joined a...
I love the flavors of the muffins, the lemon and strawberrys play off of each other very well. Be...
Proverbs 22: 6 – Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they...
Lessons in Loving Family Exodus 20:12: “Honor your father and your mother…” (NET) Recently, I have experienced something new...
This month is about March Magic– “Fabric, Faith, and Family.” How do we “think new ideas” about our family,...
“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29 (NIV) Trying to define the word...
“The first fall of snow is not only an event, but it is a magical event. You go to...
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you….” Matthew 7:12 (NIV) I gave...
Handmade gifts are my favorite part of the holiday season. I’ve always taken a liking to crafting gifts for...
Christmas is often the time when we feel pulled in many directions. There are presents to buy, parties to...
…I will answer their prayers and take care of them. Like an evergreen tree I will shelter them. I...
“They shall call His name Emmanuel…God with us.” Matthew 1:23 KJV You could...
Simply Sharing means to find it the “empty spaces” in ourselves and remember that if we just fill them...
My best friend and I don’t have a cookie-cutter friendship story; we didn’t meet in elementary school or spend...
How often have we seen this famous Norman Rockwell painting and thought of our own Thanksgiving family traditions? Time to share...
Tis the Season…to be overloaded, overwhelmed, and stressed out. Don’t get me wrong I do get a subtle thrill...
These are incredibly easy to make and go great with coffee or tea. Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour 1...
“For He shall give His angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy ways.” Psalm 91:11 KJV...
This is an easy soup to make and a great soup for fall! Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups chicken broth...
I have been preparing food for people who need “Food Angels” ( are ill) or those whose life...
This is a great sandwich for the fall season and super easy to make. If you don’t have a...
One definite thing about college is that cooking is pretty challenging when you’re limited to a microwave, a coffee...
This is a great fall cake! It is also fairly small so there isn’t too much left over and...
Psalm 100: Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before...
One of our family’s favorite places to visit is the beach, and we visit multiple times per year. On...
This bread is so good it works as a morning bread like banana bread or even as a dessert....
There is no doubt that Fall is here. And with this special season, comes cool weather, cozy sweaters, hot...
These are a great way to start off the fall season! Ingredients: 1 refrigerated sugar dough, chilled 2 eggs...
“Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see—how good God is. Blessed are you who run to...
“So when do you leave for college?” was a question I heard more times than I could count a...
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1New International Version (NIV)...
“….I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Joshua 1:5 KJV I am one of those folks who doesn’t embrace...
I had a very strange dream early this morning. The good news is that I was uncomfortable with it...
John 15:12-13 (NIV): “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no...
A few months ago, high school senior Samantha made a huge, selfless decision: she decided to join the US...
6 STEPS FOR YOUR OWN FESTIVE FRUIT : Start with a clean piece of fruit. Make a sketch on...
Just South of the Mainland God has provided me with many opportunities to travel both near and far. He...
Over the last six months, I’ve seen 24 countries, packed and unpacked my bag over 70 times, and come...
When Suzanne Berman began her world travels, she was unprepared for the reaction her appearance would cause in places...
“…let the wise listen and add to their learning.” Proverbs 1:5 (NIV) I am a “reader” — I love...
In December, 2007, I traveled with the Knoxville Choral Society to Israel on a “Prepare the Way” concert tour. We...
Ingredients: 9 inch Pie Shell for covered pies 2 pounds Granny Smith apples 2 pounds McIntosh apples 3/4 cup...
“Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Ephesians...
There are several verses in the Bible that express peace for our daily lives. Matthew 5:9 – Blessed are...
“Rather, it (your beauty) should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet...
I can think of no greater example in the Old Testament of gentleness and strength required by a mother...
Magdalen Walks By: Oscar Wilde The little white clouds are racing over the sky, And the fields are strewn...
These are super easy to make and the frosting is optional. Brownies: 1 (19.5-19.8 oz) brownie mix 1/2 cup...
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles;...
He is not here; he has risen, justas he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go...
“He who forms the mountains, who creates the wind, and who reveals his thoughts to mankind, who turns dawn...
Lessons from the Wind As Spring approaches, we find ourselves in the midst of change both figuratively and literally. ...
And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with...
February is a month known for several things. It is Black History Month and a time to celebrate the...
Heaven's Valentine On this special day that's known for love, the greatest Valentine was sent from above. God sent...
This is a great recipe, the apples are good by themselves but work with pound cake, shortcake, over ice...
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord...
Like many families who live near the mountains, our family vision of peace includes snow-covered lawns, ice covered trees,...
Whose woods these are I think I know. His house is in the village, though; He will not see...
Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace....
And the angel said unto them, "Fear not; for, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall...
Christmas Love Whenever we think of Christmas, thoughts turn to long ago. To a stable in Bethelem, and a...
“Joy to the world; the Lord is come…” My friend and co-worker, Kathy, has the most fabulous last...
The True Meaning of Joy As a teacher educator, I see most of life through the eyes of...
O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy endureth forever. I Chronicles 16:34 (King...
November is a month best known for sharing thanks. It has always been a treasured practice of mine to...
We made this for our class buffett and all 200 cookies were gone before the event was over, they...
Holidays are most certainly for family. We share gifts, food, stories of long past events, and most importantly time...
November: Sharing Goodness “For He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.” Psalms 107:9 (KJV)...
My favorite time of year – Fall! It always seems there is so much to do and not enough...
Fall is alive on the campus of the University of Alabama. The trees are flushed with vivid colors of...
Nothing reminds me of fall more than pecans and walnuts! Not only is my front yard covered in nuts...
My mother would always say, "Be ye kind." Wise words to live by. Psalms 117: O Praise the Lord,...
Did you know that comfort and encouragement are often used interchangeably in the Bible? Our homes are a...
I discovered years ago that when I paid attention to my dreams (both nighttime variety as well as goals),...
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength....
Look at what we can do with chocolate and sugar. The elephant is all chocolate while the pond scene...
I typically associate September with sunflowers--the two seem to go together like apple pie and ice cream. This is...
“There are some people who live in a dream world, and there are some that face reality; and then...
The power of the Holy Spirit is not ours to command. Nor does self-discipline with regard to my mind...
It is always wonderful to find people with love for others, and an ambition to love more. There have...
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's...
We are nearing the end of the month of August, which means most of us are lingering between letting...
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1 (RSV) When I hear the word “pioneer”, I...
Ingredients: 1 9-in premade tart shell 1 lb. Pastry Cream (recipe follows) 3 pints assorted fruit (berries, peaches, kiwis...
Summer is officially here! School is out, and we can take a break from work obligations. It is time...
America, the Beautiful: by Katherine Lee Bates O beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain, For purple...
When it comes to patriotic table decor there is no shortage of ideas.The pictured centerpiece is super simple and...
Fireworks. They illuminate the night and mesmerize all who gather to watch their colors burst across the sky with...
These strawberries are a really easy way to have a patriotic dessert without having a lot of dessert! Its...
“It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for...
And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear....
“But Jesus withdrew himself with His disciples to the sea…” Mark 6:7 (KJV) Summer is a time for family. ...
OR, from that Sea of Time, Spray, blown by the wind—a double winrow-drift of weeds and shells; (O little...
The Opal Report by Katie Turpen Taken from the Latin "Opalus" meaning "seeing jewel" the opal was said...
Ingredients: cream cheese 12 oz sweetened condensed milk 21 oz key lime juice 7.5 oz Lime Zest 3 tsp...
He's the Lilly of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star, He's the fairest of ten thousand to my...
Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. ...
We arrive at the month of May. As the last school bells ring and the air thickens with humidity,...
There are few things that make me think of spring more than lemonade. This lemonade is really refreshing! The...
Celebrate the earth!Here isa picture of my former roommmates and I volunteering for an organization called Bayou Rebirth in...
Whenever I think about getting outside and hiking, I remember the hikes we would do in Girl Scouts and...
I am a "Nature Child" by my own personal definition of one of my "inner children." These show up...
Easter, Earth. and Eggs! Every year, the day before Easter, my mom hard-boils 3 dozen eggs. Then we as...
“Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, ‘The Lord reigns’ “. ...
God writes the Gospel not in the Bible alone, but also on the trees and in the flowers, clouds...
When Spring arrives, it is accompanied by limitless natural resources for setting a lovely table–flowers, grasses, tree branches, etc....
“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters.” Psalm 23:2 (KJV)...
St. Patrick is one of the world’s most popular saints with his feast day, March 17, being celebrated all...
I've never had the opportunity to visit Ireland, but pictures and texts in magazines and travel brochures lead me...
For the Crust: 16 Mint N' Creme Oreo cookies, broken up 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled For...
May you always have… Walls for the winds A roof for the rain Tea beside the fire Laughter to...
Numbers 6: 24-26: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine on you and...
How do we “heal” faith? When there is emptiness in our hearts, it usually means that no “faith”( or...
Be BOLD and dramatic using black accents on your Valentine table. We started with a red tablecloth, then added...
This is our purpose: "Feeding"our hearts and homes for the benefit of the global faith community. Wellness. Wholeness. Focusing...
Chocolate Marlow: (Serves 8) Mousse: 2 cups mini marshmallows â…” cup milk 6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped 2 teaspoons...
1 John 4: 7 – Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and everyone that...
3 cups all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 4 eggs 1 1/2...
Here we find ourselves marking the last few days of February off our calendars. In a month characterized by...
10 Tips to "Lighten Up"! 1. Listen to music that makesmy heart "sing!" 2. Check the lighting in my...
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour ½ tsp baking soda ½ tsp baking powder ½ tsp salt (increase to 1...
“…Walk as children of light—for the fruit of the light results in all goodness, righteousness, and truth.” Ephesians 5:8-9 ...
I am a January Baby. There is something about January that invites me into Winter. Perhaps it is because...
As an employee of a gym during January, I am bearing witness to those initial efforts of tackling idealistic...
There are years that I have not had the time or evenfelt like sending out Christmas cards. So I...
Please Remember theseorganizations for Christmas Giving: The Humane Society The Red Cross The Salvation Army...
…”this is my name (LORD) forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation. Exodus...
I keep a spiral notebook and pen beside my bed. That way when I wake up in the morning...
Michele Tracey, our Food Editor, is working on the story of a family piece of silver that was burned...
For as long as I can remember, we have made our own Advent wreath. We would put it together...
Traditions: familiar, meaningful rituals that help us remember the past while absorbing the present. They are instilled in us...
This stuffing is my mother’s specialty. It’s so good that my brother actually made the recipe while...
"Home is where the heart is…" which is to say that it might not be where we expect. Have...
“On the other hand the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustfulness, gentleness and...
I once went to a healing retreat to “hear God’s voice” and left disappointed with no sacred voices speaking...
"But true growth is something other than the uncontrolled drive for upward mobility in which making it to the...
I saw a stranger yestre’en Put food in the eating place Drink in the drinking...
Later that day, or that evening (after you have recorded your dream) go over in your mind and ask...
As each of us fight the current of upward mobility in the rough seas of today's society, it is...
Blessed are those who have discovered wisdom, those who have acquired understanding! Gaining her is more rewarding than silver,...
No Bake Pinapple Pie Ingredients: ½ cup butter ¾ cup flour ½ cup flaked coconut 2 tablespoons brown sugar...
Pineapple contains micro-nutrients that experts believe protects against cancer and break up blood clots, those nutrients are also beneficial...
Life has a loveliness to sell, All beautiful and splended things, Blue waves whitened on a cliff, ...
O God, whose beloved son Jesus took children into his arms and blessed them: Give us grace to entrust...
In order to learn from our dreams it is vital to "honor the dream" with the intent to remember...
Archive, Article by Stacy Butler and her Mountain Spiritual Experience! http://ecumininetcom.siteprotect.net/pages/archives/vol5_1/archive-204.htm