God writes the Gospel not in the Bible alone, but also on the trees and in the flowers, clouds and stars. Martin Luther A Prayer in Spring Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers today; And give us not to think so far away As the uncertain harvest; keep...
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When Spring arrives, it is accompanied by limitless natural resources for setting a lovely table–flowers, grasses, tree branches, etc. Even though fresh flowers may be purchased year-round, don't miss the opportunity to utilize what the earth offers. We've opted this month to use pastel colors, but if brighter colors...
“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters.” Psalm 23:2 (KJV) Green is one of my favorite colors, both in home decor and clothing. I don’t believe there is a single hue of green that doesn’t please my eyes. Those very...
St. Patrick is one of the world’s most popular saints with his feast day, March 17, being celebrated all over the world. Because of the time and place he lived in, 387-461, not much is really known about his life and what is known has been exaggerated over the...
I've never had the opportunity to visit Ireland, but pictures and texts in magazines and travel brochures lead me to believe that the rural Irish people lead a simple life. We have attempted to incorporate that simplicity in our March table setting by using plain white dinnerware and plaid...
For the Crust: 16 Mint N' Creme Oreo cookies, broken up 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled For the Filling: 3 large egg yolks 1 envelope unflavored gelatin ½ cup sugar 2 cups heavy cream Pinch salt ¼ cup green creme de menthe ¼ cup white creme de cacao 1. Adjust...
May you always have… Walls for the winds A roof for the rain Tea beside the fire Laughter to cheer you Those you love near you And all your heart might desire. Irish blessings are comforting words this month of March. Spring unfolds before us, bringing back the color...
Numbers 6: 24-26: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace. (NIV) Scottish Blessing: May the blessing of light be on you – light without and...
How do we “heal” faith? When there is emptiness in our hearts, it usually means that no “faith”( or life) is there either! A desert. Not “green” as in life and energy, but the opposite. No faith implies that our faith is broken, damaged, burned out, or been “squashed”...
Be BOLD and dramatic using black accents on your Valentine table. We started with a red tablecloth, then added a black charger, white dinner plate and a red heart shaped salad plate. The luscious cupcake, as well as our red napkins, is wrapped with a black, lacy-looking cupcake wrapper...
This is our purpose: "Feeding"our hearts and homes for the benefit of the global faith community. Wellness. Wholeness. Focusing on our source for faith as Christians and that which brings us love, healing, life, and energy versus that which does not. Sacred, Strategic. Simple. Soft. Our different “selves,” the archetypes-...
Chocolate Marlow: (Serves 8) Mousse: 2 cups mini marshmallows â…” cup milk 6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1â…“ cups heavy cream Sugared Crackers: 4 whole graham crackers 1 large egg, slightly beaten 2 teaspoons sugar For the mousse: combine the marshmallows, milk and chocolate in...
1 John 4: 7 – Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and everyone that loveth is born of God, and knowth God. (King James version) Valentine's Day Prayer Loving God, hear our prayers for those who need the sound of your love spoken clearly...
3 cups all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 4 eggs 1 1/2 cups sugar 1 cup vegetable oil 2 cups strawberries, hulled and chopped (must use fresh) 1 1/4 cups pecans, toasted and chopped Heat oven to 325. Grease and flour two...
Here we find ourselves marking the last few days of February off our calendars. In a month characterized by heart shaped candies and brightly wrapped gifts, it can be difficult to extract genuine meaning from all the flashy displays. We are distracted and consumed with tasks like filing the...
10 Tips to "Lighten Up"! 1. Listen to music that makes my heart "sing!" 2. Check the lighting in my enviroment. Am I getting enough light? Enough sunshine? 3. Play. 4. Pray, even if I can only imagine the face of someone whom I want to "send care." 5, Fruits...
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour ½ tsp baking soda ½ tsp baking powder ½ tsp salt (increase to 1 tsp, if using unsalted butter) ½ pound salted butter, softened 1 cup brown sugar, packed 1 cup granulated sugar 1 cup extra-crunchy peanut butter 2 large eggs 2 tsp vanilla...
“…Walk as children of light—for the fruit of the light results in all goodness, righteousness, and truth.” Ephesians 5:8-9 (Holman Bible) January is many things: celebrations, resolutions, new diets, exercise programs….and more resolutions. But if I was only allowed one word to describe January, it would be “gray.” Here...
I am a January Baby. There is something about January that invites me into Winter. Perhaps it is because we celebrated my birthday and I remember those special days of childhood. I even had a dream last night that reminded me of that. Childhood friends. Which is to say...
As an employee of a gym during January, I am bearing witness to those initial efforts of tackling idealistic New Years Resolutions. More people then ever are busting through the doors ready to shed last year’s baggage. I walk down the halls catching bits of conversations about how someone...
There are years that I have not had the time or even felt like sending out Christmas cards. So I didn't. This left a lot of friends from years past wondering about me and our family. But maybe that is what I wanted….people to wonder. To care. Which begs the question...
Please Remember these organizations for Christmas Giving: The Humane Society The Red Cross The Salvation Army New Books I (Janine) can recommend: Unopened Letters from God: A workbook for Individuals and Groups. Rev. Robert L. Haden Jr. Haden Institute Publishing, Trust and Betrayal: Dawnings of...
…”this is my name (LORD) forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation. Exodus 3:15b NIV This month at FaithShapes, the focus is on “letting our traditions shine”—and what better time to think about traditions than at Christmas. Perhaps you already observe some established traditions...
I keep a spiral notebook and pen beside my bed. That way when I wake up in the morning I can immediately write down the images, colors, smells, feelings and "story" of whatever dream is still lingering in my mind. This morning I remember our grandson (now 4) being...
Michele Tracey, our Food Editor, is working on the story of a family piece of silver that was burned years ago! Michele: All I was able to find out was that the silver dates back to 1885 and we think it could have been a wedding present, if you saw...
For as long as I can remember, we have made our own Advent wreath. We would put it together at the Advent workshop at our church. My mother provides the evergreens, leaves and holly branches for the whole workshop with cuttings from our yard. We aren’t as diligent about...
Traditions: familiar, meaningful rituals that help us remember the past while absorbing the present. They are instilled in us when we are young, passed down through generations, and even acts we create and start on our own. It can be sharing a special meal, reading a cherished story, or...
This stuffing is my mother’s specialty. It’s so good that my brother actually made the recipe while he was at college. It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without this stuffing! Michele Tracey, Food Editor Bread Stuffing: 1 loaf white bread Parsley to taste Pepper, garlic salt, celery...
"Home is where the heart is…" which is to say that it might not be where we expect. Have you ever had that sense of "deja vu" when you feel like you have been some place or in some situation before? Maybe it was in a dream, or in...
“On the other hand the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustfulness, gentleness and self-control; no law can touch such things as these.” Galatians 5:22-23. New Jerusalem Bible
I once went to a healing retreat to “hear God’s voice” and left disappointed with no sacred voices speaking to me. But to my surprise, on the way home a thought popped into my head “When Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy” and I realized the great truth of...
"But true growth is something other than the uncontrolled drive for upward mobility in which making it to the top becomes its own goal and in which ambition no longer serves a wider ideal. There is a profound difference between the false ambition for power and the true ambition...
I saw a stranger yestre’en Put food in the eating place Drink in the drinking place Music in the listening place And in the sacred name of the Triune God He blessed myself and my house, My cattle and my dear ones, And the lark...
Later that day, or that evening (after you have recorded your dream) go over in your mind and ask questions about the "story of the dream." Look at the colors you wrote, sounds, images/symbols, and ask questions about these and any action that happened during the dream. Think of...
As each of us fight the current of upward mobility in the rough seas of today's society, it is often difficult to live out the spiritual life that calls for a slower, more meaningful way of being. In the upcoming months, I hope to report/write on various aspects of...
Blessed are those who have discovered wisdom, those who have acquired understanding! Gaining her is more rewarding than silver, her yield is more valuable than gold. She is beyond the price of pearls, nothing you could covet is her equal. In her right hand, is length of days, In her left...
No Bake Pinapple Pie Ingredients: ½ cup butter ¾ cup flour ½ cup flaked coconut 2 tablespoons brown sugar 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature â…“ cup frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk 1 cup crushed pineapple, about half of a 20-ounce can...
Pineapple contains micro-nutrients that experts believe protects against cancer and break up blood clots, those nutrients are also beneficial to the heart. Pineapple juices also help kill parasites, relieve intestinal disorders and soothes the bile. The juice contains chemicals that stimulate the kidneys and helps relieve the body of...
Life has a loveliness to sell, All beautiful and splended things, Blue waves whitened on a cliff, Soaring fire that sways and sings, And children's faces looking up Holding wonder like a cup. Life has loveliness to sell, Music like a curve of gold, Scent of...
O God, whose beloved son Jesus took children into his arms and blessed them: Give us grace to entrust these children into your never failing care and love, and bring us into your heavenly kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,...
In order to learn from our dreams it is vital to "honor the dream" with the intent to remember it! Place a spiral notebook or pad and pen beside your bed. This is your first dream journal. Relax and consider what has brought you joy and sorrow during the...
Archive, Article by Stacy Butler and her Mountain Spiritual Experience! http://ecumininetcom.siteprotect.net/pages/archives/vol5_1/archive-204.htm