LOVE

We will be celebrating Valentine's Day this week. Here are some interesting facts about this day. In the United States Valentine's week is ranked number one in regard to chocolate candy sales. About 15 million Electronic Valentines (E-Valentines) were sent in 2010. About 1 billion Valentine's Day cards are exchanged each year. Teachers receive the most cards, followed by children, mothers, wives, and finally, sweethearts. Men spend nearly TWICE the amount of money celebrating the holiday than women do.

We send all this – candy, flowers, greeting cards – just to tell someone how much we love them, when a simple “ I Love You” would probably do AND mean just as much, if not more. Just saying!!

All of us enjoy hearing these 3 little words, especially when they come from someone we love. My husband, children and grandchildren cannot say these words often enough. I melt when they are said. I cannot get enough of God reminding me how much he loves me as well. His words bring a joy to my heart and tears to my eyes. I usually end up by asking the question, “Why, God, do you continue to love a sinner like me?” He needs to give no reason. He just does. If no one tells you of their love today, or this week, let God be the one to do so.

God has much to say on this subject, so as you can guess, I chose the word “Love” to be the word highlighted this week.

Isaiah 43:4-5, “Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I LOVE YOU, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life. Do not be afraid, for I am with you.....” Do you hear what God is saying? “I Love You”. “You are precious to me”. “You are honored in my sight”. Say it again God! I love to be reminded!

Rom 8:38-39 – “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow – not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below – indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the LOVE of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Think about it! NOTHING can stop God from loving you. Are you feeling depressed today? Do you have the sense that no one cares? Wake up! God wants to love you through every emotion you are experiencing today.

A question; what is real love? The answer; 1 John 3:16.

“We know what real LOVE is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.” Who might you extend real love to his week? How might you have to give up your life (your time, your finances, your energy) to show someone else how much you love them? What will you do this week to express your love to Jesus, the one who loves you so.



Happy Valentine’s Day! May it be a day filled with LOVE, God’s kind of love!

Pralines ‘N’ Cream

2 Tbsp. butter (not margarine)
½ cup light brown sugar
½ cup heavy (whipping) cream
1/8 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla extract
½ cups pecans, toasted and chopped
Vanilla and/or coffee ice cream

In 2-qt. saucepan, melt butter on medium. Stir in sugar, cream and 1/8 tsp. salt. Heat to boiling on medium –high, stirring occasionally. Boil 2 min. stirring frequently. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla and pecans. Cool slightly. Serve with ice cream. Sauce can be made up to 1 week ahead and kept in refrigerator in airtight container. If refrigerated, microwave on High 1 minute, stir, and cool slightly before serving.

My Super Bowl

(Recipe: Slow Cooker Potato Soup)

Super Bowl Sunday! A big-deal for all sports fans out there. IF my husband’s favorite team were in the Super Bowl (which it is not), then today becomes a big-deal in our home. Nevertheless, for two teams this Sunday, they will be playing their best, to win the prize, so for them today is a "big-deal."

This particular Super Bowl Game takes on a little different challenge. It’s not just two teams playing against each other, two coaches trying to win the game of their life. It's two brothers, each coaching a different team, fighting against each other, so one might claim they are the best. Imagine those parents? Which team should they cheer for? Which son should win the deserved trophy? I’m glad I’m NOT those parents today. In their hearts, both deserve to win.

No matter which team wins, they will both have...

Done their best.

Played their hardest.

Gave their all.

and at the end of the day,

one will take home the coveted Super Bowl ring because they earned it.

As Christians, we are to do the same as we play this game called life. We are to do our best, leaning totally and completely on Jesus.

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the world of truth.” – 2 Timothy 2:15

We are to play our hardest as we receive our orders from our “coach” each and every day.

“Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. “ – Philippians 2:14-16.

We are to give everything we have, do what we must, to win lost souls for Jesus.

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” – Matthew 28:19.

“When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.” - 1 Corinthians 9:22-23

Finally, when my life is over, I want to receive the prize, spending all of eternity in heaven with Jesus.

“Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step.” - 1 Corinthians 9:24-25.

I want to be a winner, I want to receive the prize. I want to hear the words “Well done, good and faithful servant: you have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things; enter into the joy of your Lord.” - Matthew 25:21.

This is my Super Bowl ring!! Running my race here on earth with such enthusiasm and faithfulness that one day I am eternally rewarded by my loving Coach Jesus.

God help us to stay in the game, run with all we have, keep our eyes on the goal and ultimately win the prize.


Slow Cooker Cheesy Potato Soup

1 32-oz. bag frozen southern-style diced hash brown potatoes, thawed
½ cup frozen chopped onion, thawed
1 medium stalk celery, diced (1/2 cup)
1 32-oz. carton chicken broth
1 cup water
3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
1 cup milk
1 8-oz. bag shredded American-cheddar cheese
¼ cup real bacon pieces
4 medium green onions, sliced

In slow cooker, mix potatoes, onion, celery, broth and water. Cover, cook on low heat 6-8 hours, stir occasionally.

In small bowl, mix flour into the milk; stir into potato mixture. Increase heat setting to High. Cover; cook 20 to 30 minutes or until mixture thickens. Stir in cheese until melted. Garnish with bacon and green onions. (when the soup begins to bubble, you can add the flour mixture and continue cooking on low heat, if desired).

I KNOW

I cannot tell you how many times during the course of a day I use these two little words. My husband says to me, “Remember, we have dinner with ?? tonight,” and my reply is
“I know”. I say to my child “You need to come home immediately after school.” and he replies, “I know”. While preparing a meal for dinner I may say to myself, “I know I bought that can of cream soup. Where is it?”

As I looked through my Bible Commentary, (NIV), I found over 122 references to “I know”. I will share a few of my favorites.

Job 19:25, “But as for me, I KNOW that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last.” Job was able to acknowledge that he knows his Redeemer. We have a Redeemer as well. His name is Jesus. Has he set you free from your sins? Has he forgiven you? Can you exclaim, along with Job, I know that my Redeemer lives? I know my Redeemer is living in me?

Jeremiah 29:11, “For I KNOW the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Do you know God has a plan for your life? It may be different that the one we have planned for ourselves, but his is better. Are you willing to allow God to lead you, not fight him, and follow his plan for your life? Did you know he has a perfect and good plan for your life?

Jesus says in John 10:11, 27, “I am the good shepherd, The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I KNOW them, and they follow me.” Do you know this Shepherd? Are you one of his sheep? If he were to speak to you today, would you know his voice?

2 Timothy 1:12, “...for I KNOW the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return.” What are you willing to entrust into the hands of Jesus? Do you know, with complete confidence, that you can trust him to guard it (whatever “it” is) carefully until the day of his return? I have sacrificially entrusted into the hands of my Lord and Savior not only my own life, but the lives of each of my family members. After all, Jesus can take care of them so much better than I can. And he loves them a whole lot more than I ever could. I know I can trust him with my life as well as those I love.

I know my Savior loves me,
I know I love him too.
I know he went to Calvary
To die for me and you.

I know that he forgave me,
My heart it is brand new.
I know my home is heaven
On this earth, I’m just passing through.
I know He waits to welcome me
His arms are open wide,
I know it will be glory!
With him, forever to reside.
m.k.m.

Chicken Pot-Pie

1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cubed
1 cup sliced carrots
1 cup frozen green peas
½ cup sliced celery
1/3 cup butter
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/3 cup all purpose flour
½ tsp. salt
¼ tsp. pepper
¼ tsp. celery seed
1-3/4 cups chicken broth
2/3 cups milk
2 (9 inch) unbaked pie crusts

Preheat oven to 425. In saucepan, combine chicken, carrots, peas, and celery. Add water to cover and boil for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, drain and set aside.

In saucepan over medium heat, cook onions in butter until soft and translucent. Stir in flour, salt, pepper, and celery seed. Slowly stir in chicken broth and milk. Simmer over medium-low heat until thick. Remove from heat, set aside.

Place the chicken mixture in bottom of pie crust. Pour hot liquid mixture over all. Cover with top crust, seal edges, and cut away excess dough. Make several small slits in the top to allow steam to escape.

Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until pastry is golden brown and filling is bubbly. Cool for 10 minutes before serving.

I CAN

First, before I get into my devotional, may I share the good news that our eighth grandchild, Logan Paul, was born on Thursday. He weighed 8.7 and was 18-1/2” long. What a beautiful little boy he is, and is welcomed (hopefully) by his older brother. At the moment he is not too certain about this new intruder who came into his home – LOL. Love all eight of my grandchildren and thank God for each one of them.

As I think about this New Year, I would like to try something different for my blog devotional. There are so many wonderful two or three word phrases in the Bible that we tend to overlook when we read God’s Word. I would like to consider some of these “little” words that carry much weight with what they have to say. So, I begin with this.....”I can”....

This is a familiar phrase to all of us. How many times have we heard it? The athlete says, “I can make that basket”. The mom says, “I can multi-task, just watch me!” The farmer says, “I can plant that field and harvest that crop.” The teenager says, “Yes I can too drive a car.” The mechanic says, “I can fix this engine. No problem.” When you stop and think about it, your list of “I can” goes on forever and ever.

What does God say about this tiny phrase, “I can”?

One of my favorite passages of Scripture is a direct promise to me from God. “In your strength I CAN crush an army; with my God I CAN scale any wall.” Psalm 18:29. God says to us, “there is nothing too hard or too difficult that you and I can’t conquer together”. The key is; do we even try?

Jesus used this phrase when speaking to the father of a demon possessed man in Mark 9:23. “What do you mean, “If I CAN?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” Never say to Jesus, “If you can” because we know that Jesus can. This should give us a different perspective to our prayers. We either believer that Jesus CAN; or he cannot. I have a prayer that has been ongoing for some time now, yet without an answer. ‘Jesus, I believe I CAN trust you to answer it for me, for anything is possible if I but believe’.

Philippians 4:13 reminds us, “For I CAN do everything through Christ who gives me strength.” What is it you need to have the strength to do today? This week? Everything you need to accomplish the task is immediately available to you because God has already given you the strength you need to be successful. Do you believe the promise, I CAN do everything through Christ....?

As you read through Scripture, look for this tiny phrase and see how it applies to your life, or your situation. You will be pleasantly surprised and encouraged.

Quick and Easy Quiche

2 cups milk
4 eggs
¾ cup biscuit baking mix
¼ cup softened butter
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 (10-oz) chopped frozen broccoli, thawed and well drained (use paper towel)
1 cup cubed cooked ham (can purchase a ½ inch slab from the deli department)
8 oz. shredded Cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a 10 inch quiche dish. In a large bowl, beat together milk, eggs, baking mix, butter and parmesan cheese. Batter will be lumpy. Stir in broccoli, ham and Cheddar cheese. Pour into prepared quiche dish. Bake in preheated oven for 50 minutes, until eggs are set and top is golden brown.

New Year, 2013

(Recipe: Tomato Tortellini Soup)

We’re standing on the brink of another New Year. Where has this old year gone? Think of all that has happened in your life during the past twelve months. Some of those things were good and exciting. Others brought sorrow and pain. But all saw the mighty hand of God working on your behalf, whether it felt like it or not.

As you plan for this New Year, what is the one thing you wish for? Happiness? Peace? Joy? Contentment? Love?

I can guarantee you will have all of these this coming year. How? Because God has promised them all to you, perhaps not in the way you are thinking, however.

Let me share directly from the mouth of God his thoughts toward us regarding each of these desires.

Is your New Year’s wish for happiness? Here is how to assure you will receive it. Psalm 86:4 – “Give me happiness, O Lord, for I give myself to you.” We tend to look for happiness from what the world has to offer. When Jesus becomes a part of my life, real happiness begins.

Are you wishing for peace? Peace, “a state of tranquility or quiet”. In our world today we do not find peace. We find lots of turmoil. We find lots of heartache. We find lots of selfishness. Where do we find peace that fulfills? Quiet? John 16:33 says, “I (Jesus) have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” There is peace to be found in the arms of Jesus.

Everyone wants a life filled with joy. We want a successful life, because we think this will bring us joy. The perfect job will bring us joy. We look throughout the world to find this kind of joy and all along, God has the answer for us. 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20, “After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you! Yes, you are our pride and joy.” Find Jesus for Jesus brings us joy!

All of us want to experience contentment. When things don’t go as expected and life takes a turn, we long to be contented in that situation. However, contentment is usually not the first emotion we experience. For me, the first thing I do is more likely complain. If anyone knew what it meant to be contented it was the Apostle Paul, who experienced more adversity than any one man should have to. Yet he was able to write in Philippians 4:11, 13 – “…for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have…..For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Contentment is learned through difficulties and trials, because we come to realize that God ALWAYS gives us the strength to persevere. With God I can be satisfied.

Finally, everyone wants to be loved. We go to all kinds of measures to experience it. Some of those experiences are morally good; others are not. As my mother used to say, “people go looking for love in all the wrong places.” This is what the world tends to do. Look in all the wrong places. True love is found in only one place – Calvary. John 3:16-17 says, “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.” No one has ever loved us like God loves us. Jeremiah 31:3 says, “…I have loved you with an everlasting love……” Do you know how long that is? Indefinitely! God has always loved you. He loves you like no one else ever will. If love is what you are looking for this year, God holds the answer. He loves you, why not love him in return?

So whether you are hoping for a 2013 year filled with happiness, peace, contentment, joy or love – you can find it all in Jesus.

Tomato Tortellini Soup

1 9 oz. package refrigerated cheese tortellini
2 10-oz cans reduced sodium condensed tomato soup, undiluted
2 cups vegetable broth
2 cups 2% milk
2 cups half-and-half cream
½ cup chopped oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. dried basil
½ tsp. salt
½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Cook tortellini according to directions. In large pan combine soup, broth, milk, cream, tomatoes and seasonings. Heat through, stir frequently. Drain tortellini; carefully add to soup. Stir in cheese. Top with additional cheese, if desired. Serves 10.

How Do You Spell Christmas?

(Recipe: Cookies and Peppermint Ice Cream Cake)

C …..is for the Christ Child, born on Christmas Day
H …..for heralded angels, who sang Hallelujah!
R …..for my Redeemer, my sacrifice for sin,
I …..His name Immanuel, the name his Father gave him.
S …..for Shepherds lowly, who worshipped at his feet,
T …..for Three Wise Men, traveling far the Babe to meet.
M …..is for the manger, which beheld this Heavenly King,
A …..is why he came; to give his life for All men,
S …..his birth and death mean Salvation, my sins forgiven.
(m.k.m.)

This is how you spell CHRISTMAS. A gift (Jesus) given so long ago. He left his home in heaven to come live among us, dwell with us, teach us, love us, play with us, laugh with us, eat with us, and ultimately die for us. As I receive this Gift, I receive forgiveness from my sin, acceptance as God’s child, the promise of eternal life, and a life filled with hope, joy and peace.

Christmas is a time for giving and receiving. God gave. Now he is asking you to receive. Reach out and take this wonderful Gift that he has for you and experience the best gift you will ever receive this Christmas……the assurance of sins forgiven and the promise of eternal life – all made possible because of Jesus.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of you. Love to each of you.

Cookies and Peppermint Ice Cream Cake

30 cream-filled chocolate Oreo cookies
1 cup butter
1-3/4 cups confectioners’ sugar
9 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
2 eggs, beaten
½ gallon peppermint ice cream (or flavor of your choice)
Take several cookies and pulverize them in a blender until fine. Pulverize the last 5, then set these crumbled cookies aside. Place the first 25 pulverized cookies into a bowl. Soften ½ cup butter. Mix well into the crumbs. Press evenly into the bottom of a 9 x 12 pan.

Melt remaining butter in saucepan over low heat, and stir in the confectioner’s sugar, cocoa, and vegetable oil. Stir to a smooth consistency. Pour in the beaten eggs, and whisk constantly until the mixture is hot (do NOT boil) and thickened to a fudgy consistency (about 5 minutes). Pour the thickened fudge over the crushed cookie crust, smooth into a layer, and freeze cake at least 30 minutes.

Set the ice cream out to soften for about 10 minutes. Cut the softened ice cream into slices, and place the ice cream slices over the fudge filling. Smooth the ice cream into an even layer, and sprinkle reserved crushed cookies on top for garnish. Freeze the dessert for 1-2 hours before serving. Can serve with a dab of whipped cream and cherry on top.

THE SON
(Recipe: Lime Mint Ice Cream Bars)

Yesterday I gave the devotional for our Seniors In Action group. (Love this group of people!) So many shared how meaningful my words were, I would like to share part of what I said with you. I read them an old story I had entitled "The Son".

Years ago, there was a very wealthy man who, with his devoted young son shared a passion for art collecting. Together they traveled around the world adding only the finest art treasures to their collection. Both father and son became experienced art collectors.

As winter approached, war engulfed the nation, and the young man left to serve his country. A few weeks later the father received a telegram stating his son had died while rushing a fellow soldier to a medic.

Distraught and lonely, the man faced the upcoming Christmas holidays with sadness. It would not be shared with his son.

On Christmas morning there was a knock on his door. As he opened the door he was greeted by a soldier with a large package in his hand. He said, “I was a friend of your son. I was the one he was rescuing when he died. May I come in? I have something to show you. As the two began to talk, the soldier told of how the man’s son had told everyone of his father’s love of fine art.

I’m an artist, and I want to give you this. Inside the package was a portrait of the man’s son. Overcome with emotion the man promised to hang the picture above the fireplace.

With the picture hanging above the fireplace, the man sat in his chair and spent Christmas gazing at the gift he had been given. The father would soon learn that his son had rescued dozens of wounded soldiers before a bullet stilled his caring heart. As the heroic stories continued to reach him, the painting became his most prized possession.

The following spring the old man died. The art world was in anticipation. His paintings, worth millions, would be sold at auction. According to his will, this auction would be held on Christmas day, the day he received his greatest gift.

Anxious art collectors arrived. The auction began with the painting of the son. The auctioneer asked for an opening bid. The room was silent. “Who will open the bidding at $100?” Minutes passed. No one spoke.

Someone yelled, “Who cares about that painting? It’s just a picture of his son. Let’s forget it and go on to the good stuff.”

No, said the auctioneer, we will sell this one first. Now, who will take the son.

Finally a friend of the old man spoke. Will you take $10 for it. I have $10. “Do I hear a higher bid” called the auctioneer. Silence. “Going once, going twice, sold.” The gavel fell. Cheers erupted, someone exclaimed, “Now we can bid on these treasures.”

The auctioneer announced the auction was over. Stunned disbelief quieted the room. “What do you mean it’s over? We didn’t come here for a picture of some old guy’s son. What about all these paintings? I demand an explanation?”

The auctioneer replied. “It’s very simple. According to the will of the father….whoever takes the son….gets it all.”

Puts things into perspective, doesn’t it. Just as those art collectors discovered on that Christmas day, the message is still the same.

The love of a Father….a Father whose greatest joy came from his son
A Son who went away and gave his life rescuing others
And because of that Father’s love…..whoever takes His Son, gets it all.

As we celebrate this Christmas season, remember, Jesus came as a babe for one reason only. To live among sinners. He had to do this in order to identify with them (yet He himself was without sin). He had to show them how they could have their sins forgiven and the assurance of eternal life. He did this by loving them, teaching them, walking with them, listening to them, forgiving them, healing them and ultimately dying for them.

Just as the man in our story received millions when he simply “took the son”, so, we too, can receive millions when we take “The Son”. Who can put a price-tag on:

the assurance of sins forgiven

the hope of heaven

a heart full of joy and peace

If you have never accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, why not do so today. Simply ask Jesus to forgive your sin, believe that he died and rose again for you, then reach out and take the Gift that God so lovingly and graciously offers. Scripture tells us in Romans 6:23 – “The wages of sin is death – (eternally separated from God forever) – but the gift of God is eternal life THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD.”

If you will reach out and take “The Son” today, you will "get it all."

Lime Mint Ice Cream Bars

36 gingersnap cookies (about 9 oz.)
¼ cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 cups heavy cream
1 14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk
½ cup sour cream
1-1/2 tsp. vanilla
½ cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
1 Tbsp. grated lime zest

Heat oven to 350. Line a 9 x 13 pan with nonstick foil, leaving a 3” overhang on two sides
Process cookies until finely ground. Add the butter and pulse until blended. Press into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake until golden, 8-10 minutes. Let cool completely

Beat heavy cream, condensed milk, sour cream and vanilla in a large bowl until thick, stiff peaks form (3-5 min.). Fold in the mint and lime zest.

Spread over the cooled crust. Cover and freeze at least 8 hours, and up to 2 weeks. When ready to serve, use the overhang to transfer to a cutting board and cut into bars.