The gemstone for September is sapphire, who knows why? (For that matter who made up the order of any of the 12 monthly gemstones, or put another way—to whose financial benefit? ) Well, I’m not even going to go there. I want to talk about the color blue and...
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What does it mean to be a person of faith? Martin Luther, one of the movers and shakers in the Protestant Reformation, thought that it meant to be a theodidacta, a “person taught by God.” I like this definition. It suggests that faith is a gift from God that...
The last couple of weeks I have been struggling with remembering the Sovereignty of God. Thus speaks the ego of one who loves to be “in control.” One Sunday I came across much comfort in the book of Colossians. I began to realize that life is truly all...
As I reflect upon the earth, I think of all the amazing photographs from space. What spectacular sights the astronauts have seen. From John Glenn first orbiting the earth; Neil Armstrong, landing on the moon with the famous quote, “One small step for man, One giant leap for mankind.” and Scott...
“O Supreme Spirit of Creation, from Your sacred breath came forth birds and beasts, fish and fowl, creatures of such variety and beauty that we are continuously amazed at Your divine imagination. These children of Yours have been blessed by You, their Creator, with simplicity, beauty and a cosmic...
A More Personal Side to Estate Planning Estate planning is a topic that conjures thoughts of spacious estates, jewelry, taxes and other financial matters. Yet, estate planning is really about our loved ones and providing for them in the event of our death or disability. When viewed in that...
“Celebrate God all day, every day.” Philippians 4:4 (The Message) July 4th is one of my very favorite holidays. I like everything about the day…decorating with red/white/blue, having a picnic with family and friends, fireworks, flags fluttering in the summer breeze, parades, and celebrating the birthday of this wonderful...
Veterans Leadership Ministry: Helping Veterans Re-establish Social Connections to Loved Ones Like many others I had a scar or two from Vietnam and the 4th ID. I did not know what some of that baggage was called until November 2014 in Sarasota, FL when I attended a Moral Injury...
A few months ago, high school senior Samantha made a huge, selfless decision: she decided to join the US Navy as soon as she graduated high school. Before she left for her first of many months of training and service at the beginning of this summer, I sat down...
In December, 2007, I traveled with the Knoxville Choral Society to Israel on a “Prepare the Way” concert tour. We were able to see so many Biblical sites related to Jesus’ life. When you visit the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, you enter through a small door into the church. Then...
There are several verses in the Bible that express peace for our daily lives. Matthew 5:9 – Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God. John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you, my peace I give onto you, not as the world giveth,...
I can think of no greater example in the Old Testament of gentleness and strength required by a mother than Moses’ birth mother, Jachobed. She gave birth to a son during such a cruel time in the history of the Israelites knowing immediately what that birth would mean. Like...
Magdalen Walks By: Oscar Wilde The little white clouds are racing over the sky, And the fields are strewn with the gold of the flower of March, The daffodil breaks under foot, and the tasselled larch sways and swings as the thrush goes hurrying by. A delicate odour is...
These are super easy to make and the frosting is optional. Brownies: 1 (19.5-19.8 oz) brownie mix 1/2 cup veg oil 1/4 cup water 4 eggs 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter 1/3 cup brown sugar Frosting: 6 Tbl creamy peanut butter 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened 2...
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 (King James) An Irish Blessing: May the road rise up to meet you, May...
He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples. He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you to Galilee. There you will see him. Matthew 28: 6-7 O Sons and...
And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none...
February is a month known for several things. It is Black History Month and a time to celebrate the heroes of the past as we look to the future. It is also National Bird-Feeding Month for those who have a love of small winged creatures. Perhaps it is best...
Heaven's Valentine On this special day that's known for love, the greatest Valentine was sent from above. God sent His only Son to save us from sin, that was before holidays did begin. The colors of this time are red and white, both are hues that are really bright....
This is a great recipe, the apples are good by themselves but work with pound cake, shortcake, over ice cream or even as a side dish to pork. Ingredients: 4 McIntosh apples, peeled and sliced (about 2 lbs) ½ cup firmly packed light brown sugar 1 tsp. ground cinnamon...
Whose woods these are I think I know. His house is in the village, though; He will not see me stopping here, To watch his woods fill up with snow. My little horse must think it queer, To stop without a farmhouse near, Between the woods and frozen lake,...
Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. II Corinthians 13:11 (NIV) Dear God, at the start of a new year, may you bless new beginnings for our...
And the angel said unto them, "Fear not; for, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Luke 2:10 (King James) Hark, the herald angels sing, "Glory to the new born King; Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled." Joyful...
Christmas Love Whenever we think of Christmas, thoughts turn to long ago. To a stable in Bethelem, and a story that we all know. The young maiden had been told by an angel that she would bear a holy child, not knowing what this would mean. She traveled for many miles...
O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy endureth forever. I Chronicles 16:34 (King James) November is a month to give thanks for many reasons. This is a country that can freely elect a president, a country that shows respect, pride and love for Veterans, and...
November is a month best known for sharing thanks. It has always been a treasured practice of mine to spend each day recognizing something or someone I am thankful for. There are the obvious things I am thankful for like cherished friends and a family that has always loved...
We made this for our class buffett and all 200 cookies were gone before the event was over, they are a little slice of thanksgiving without all the work! Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour ½ tsp baking powder ½ tsp baking soda 2 tsp ground cinnamon ½ tsp ground...
My favorite time of year – Fall! It always seems there is so much to do and not enough hours in the day to get everything done. The beautiful clear, crisp days and cool evenings are a welcome respite from the hot, humid and hazydays of summer. I love...
Fall is alive on the campus of the University of Alabama. The trees are flushed with vivid colors of red, orange, and yellow. They burn at the edes and fall gently to the sidewalk. The cool air is crisp to the touch and everywhere you turn, students wear bright...
Nothing reminds me of fall more than pecans and walnuts! Not only is my front yard covered in nuts but everytime I watch a college football game or the baseball postseason I always crave nuts to munch on. Ingredients 6 cups sugar 3 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon 2 teaspoonsground ginger...
My mother would always say, "Be ye kind." Wise words to live by. Psalms 117: O Praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise Him, all ye people. For His merciful kindness is great towards us: and the truth of the Lord endureth forever. Praise ye the Lord. (King James)...
Did you know that comfort and encouragement are often used interchangeably in the Bible? Our homes are a source of comfort and what can help make our homes more comfortable than pillows? I had been in search of new décor pillows for more than two years. My cousin...
I discovered years ago that when I paid attention to my dreams (both nighttime variety as well as goals), that I began to look at life differently. It is a real challenge to listen to our inner self and for "God's Voice in the Dream" and align that with...
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk...
Look at what we can do with chocolate and sugar. The elephant is all chocolate while the pond scene is done entirely with sugar. Butterscotch Cookies Ingredients: 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp salt 1 tsp baking soda 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened 1 cup dark brown sugar 1/2...
I typically associate September with sunflowers--the two seem to go together like apple pie and ice cream. This is the month when most gardeners harvest sunflower seeds. In late Summer and early Autumn sunflowers often appear in home and table decorations. The photo I would like to show you...
The power of the Holy Spirit is not ours to command. Nor does self-discipline with regard to my mind "being still" long enough to focus on developing the heart. I am always too busy, mentally, to just "Let Go and Let God." I expect that is why my dreams...
It is always wonderful to find people with love for others, and an ambition to love more. There have been several people in history who have spent their lives working to help the underprivileged, and one very special lady who went out of her way in God’s service was...
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace. Ephesians 1: 7 (NIV) How many times have we heard or sung "Amazing Grace." This hymn is universally known. It is played or sung in times of trial, enduring...
We are nearing the end of the month of August, which means most of us are lingering between letting go and letting begin. We say our goodbyes to hot summer days and welcome the cool crisp days of fall. For many of us, we dig out our backbags and...
Ingredients: 1 9-in premade tart shell 1 lb. Pastry Cream (recipe follows) 3 pints assorted fruit (berries, peaches, kiwis and oranges all work) Apricot jam as needed Directions: 1. Fill tart shell with pastry cream 2. Arrange fruit over the cream in an even layer. Try to cover all...
America, the Beautiful: by Katherine Lee Bates O beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties, above the fruited plain. America! America! God shed His grace on thee, And crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea. O beautiful for pilgrim feet, whose stern...
When it comes to patriotic table decor there is no shortage of ideas. The pictured centerpiece is super simple and easily adaptable to any size table. It features a clear glass container approximately 20 inches high and is a rather tall centerpiece; for a smaller version, simply use a container 10 or 12...
Fireworks. They illuminate the night and mesmerize all who gather to watch their colors burst across the sky with a comforting crackle and pop. Fireworks in town squares, front lawns and across lakes have become a beloved and highly anticipated part of each 4th of July in America. Family...
These strawberries are a really easy way to have a patriotic dessert without having a lot of dessert! Its also a great treat to let any kids help. 16 oz Strawberries 4 oz white chocolate Blue Sanding Sugar (as needed) Melt the chocolate slowly in a microwave. Dip the strawberries...
And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear. And it was so. God called the dry ground "land," and the gathered waters called "seas." And God saw that it was good. And God said, "Let the water teem with...
OR, from that Sea of Time, Spray, blown by the wind—a double winrow-drift of weeds and shells; (O little shells, so curious-convolute! so limpid-cold and voiceless! Yet will you not, to the tympans of temples held, Murmurs and echoes still bring up—Eternity’s music, faint and far, Wafted inland, sent...
The Opal Report by Katie Turpen Taken from the Latin "Opalus" meaning "seeing jewel" the opal was said to have fallen from heaven in flashes of lightning, thus producing its multi-colored hues. The origin of the word opal is attributed to Ops the wife of Saturn and goddess...
Ingredients: cream cheese 12 oz sweetened condensed milk 21 oz key lime juice 7.5 oz Lime Zest 3 tsp graham cracker crust (baked) 1 Directions: 1. Cream Cream cheese in a mixer until soft and smooth 2. Combine wet ingredients. Slowly add to the cream cheese, stopping to scrape...