Harmony

My sister once told me of a Bible Study her ladies group at church had, teaching that a wife sets the harmony for the home! What responsibility that places on the woman of the home, if she is the only one trying to harmonize. She can burn out so quickly!! I know, Here I am. Weary, tired and burn out again. Each day I have to pray and ASk God to renew my strength and I find myself hearing what My sister said all those years ago. Oh, I dont disagree with her, I do believe that a Wife sets the mood in the home because she is responsible for so many things in and of the home and family. BUT, I also believe that the other members of the family has a responsibilty to contribute to that harmonizing, come on now. Think, in a band, if only the guitar is in tune, and every other instrument is out of tune, it's horrible!! The Screeches, the out of pitch notes and off beat drummer creates the most annoying and frustrating sounds that can send one jumping off the nearest cliff!! So what is the secret of create a harmonized home, well, selfless sacrifice of each member involved in the family. Each one must set aside his or her own selfish desires to contribute to a common generousity and compassion within the family. All live in the same refuge, all run to this refuge at the end of the day for comfort and rest, so all must take ownership of this refuge of creating a harmonized environment where all can reside in peace and harmony. See, if the responsibility is all placed on MOM in the home, everyone sits around waiting to waited on, waiting on their clothes to dry and be folded, on their food to be delivered to them on time HOT, oh but not too hot and you find one drained out sad mom who wishes her refuge was somewhere else. Harmonizing your refuge requires the efforts of all who dwell within that refuge, or isn't it a refuge any longer. It becomes a Lions' den of agony. Train them up young and they will not depart from it, and make sure that when they grow up, they are reminded of the those statues that were set into place years ago when your refuge was established, or remind them, theres a wonderful road outside that will lead you to your own refuge to build.

"Love One Another"

Jesus said over and over, "Love One another" it wasn't a suggestion it was a Commandment. Love motivates us to be kind to each other and to be concerned for each other's wellbeing. Love is not selfish. Love is not bitter. Jesus first loved me and you, before we even knew Him. He died for us on a cross for our sins and iniquities. Jesus said "Love the sinner, not the sin." So with that, I would say Jesus was the first one to speak against Bullying. He laid the foundation of love. To share His love. He knows our weakness and still loves us. He knows our hearts and still Loves us. So we are to share that love with others. Others mean People! All People. Everyone has a heart, has a mind filled with dreams of good things. Poor choices and circumstances lead people to do drastic things. And you know, I have failed many times, I have fallen, I have sinned, Yet, My Jesus was there with His love, Loving me and picking me back up and dusting me off, and setting my feet back on the path. My Jesus, tells me His mercies are new everyday. So let us love as Jesus Loved. He loved sinners, this is why He bore the pain of the Cross for all. His Love for us. Imagine, if all people knew how much Christ Loves them. His Love can change lives and the World. Love others. Be kind to others. Care for others as Christ has cared for you. Let us teach others to Love as Christ has Loved us. If they never receive that love of Christ, then that's their choice but at least we know that we extended His Love to others.

This Too Shall Pass

Many childhood memories come to mind and many saying My Mom use to tell us. But lately, I have been hearing one of Mom's favorites quotes, "This Too Shall Pass." She said it often when difficult times would occur. When I was little, and I would cut my foot or stepped on a nail, and I cried, She would hold me and tell me "This too shall pass." And it did! Then When I was a teenager and my heart was broken and I cried, she held me and talked to me, then told me, "This too shall pass." and it did!! When I was married and our kids were little, times were tough, and we were sick, Moma told me again, "This too shall pass." You know each level as the the trials intesified, Mom's advice seem to fit. Even though in the midst of the trial, her words didn't seem to comfort me all that much, but I knew she was right. Now as I face more difficult trials in life, and there are days where Peace is such a Valuable Commodity, I find myself repeating her words to comfort my hurting heart, "This Too Shall pass." Because now I understand in stating this short quote, I am professing Hope for my situation! Just as a rain storm moves into our city and pours out all it has to dump on us in a small time, then the storm moves on. Leaving behind many small droplets of shining lil pieces of evidence that the storm has passed. And then there is peace. So no matter what you are going through today, know that Our God says He will never leave you nor forsake you and know that This Too shall pass and there will be Peace.

Treasures of Life

Jesus said that we will be known for our love for one another. His unconditional Love that draws us to the Father and draws us in Faith into a confident relationship with God our Father and Jesus Christ His Son. This love bares all things, this love motivates us to serve Him with a renewed passion daily and to
share His love with others. Jesus spoke over and over again about relationships throughout the New Testament from the Prodigal Son, to Lazarus, Mary and Martha, to addressing His mother at the wedding and so many parables where Jesus is laying the foundation of Love! Even before and after Peter denied Him, Jesus refered to Peter as His brother and one He loved. Jesus Knew Peter would sin against Him, yet He let Him stay at the feast of the Last supper, and then after Jesus rose from the dead and spent days with the apostles, He asked and Told Peter, "Peter do you Love me? Then Feed my sheep." Encouraging Peter to Press On in Faith extending His love to others. Christ saw Peter's heart. Christ could of casted Peter out of His presence, but He didn't, Jesus Christ saw the potential of His Love manifested and working through Peter, and Wow! Look at the ministry for Christ, that Love motivated Him to accomplish even to His death he proclaimed the Love of Christ. So, today, as I look at my life, and around me, I Thank GOD for His Amazing Love, His Love drew me from the depths of sin, into His Loving Grace and Salvation. And His Love has drawn some of the best loving friends in my life bringing Joy and reminding me constantly of the Hope we have in Christ, encouraging each other in love and God's Peace. Witnessing God at work around us brings us so much Hope for our future. And Hearing How God is bringing others through difficult situations brings me JOY in knowing, that what He is doing for others and He can and will do for me. He will complete the GOOD Work in me until the Day of Christ Jesus! [Phil.1:6] I so Thank God that He has placed loving caring Christian Ladies in my life that are real with me and I can be real with, and share our disappointments, our hurts, and most importantly our Praise Reports when God answers our prayers or moves mountains like Only His Love Can! Thank You Lord, for my friends who I call Treasures of Love!

Motivated by Love

I wash and clean, not because its my job but because I love you.
I prepare and cook a hot meal for you not because I am hungry, but because I love you.
I manage things in our home so that you are able to do the things you have chosen to do and go where you need to go, because I love you.
I forget about the things I would like to have and
get what you have asked for, because I love you. I put aside money and save so that we can give you the things you think you need in this life, while knowing its only to bless you with something you would like to have.
I watch you grow up, sometimes make mistakes even though you didn't heed the warnings,I watch you grow and learn from those mistakes, often wishing I could carry the burden for you, but knowing in order for you to learn you must experience the consequences, because I love you. I used to rock you to asleep after a long day of cleaning house, fixing supper, washing and folding clothes, tending to everyones needs, all because I loved you. My heart holds so much love for you, my child, more than you could ever know, well until you hold your child in your arms one day. Then you will understand how everyday Daddy and I were motivated by our love for you, to get up early to go to work, to clean house, to organize life in an orderly way so that you may be comfortable. Why? Because we see how Christ was motivated by His love for us, in order that we may have a more abundant life. So my prayer for you today is that you understand Christ's Love for You, and how His Love can motivate our hearts to serve each other in Love. Please My child,rest assure and know I love you.
mom

Life is a Journey

Life is a journey of turns, obstacles, dead ends and sometimes U-turns! Even change-overs. Most importantly Yield Each day to Jesus Christ!

Growth Spurts Can Be Painful

I remember as a child my legs would hurt and my mom and grandmother would say "Aw, that's just growing pains." At first I believed them and had aspirations of being TALL and being able to play basketball! I really did! I would day dream of being tall and slim and moving through the air like warm metal slicing through butter! Well, needless to say my dreams didn't come true. I am 5 foot 2 and have been since the seventh grade! Even though maybe mom and mawmaw were believing that my pains were growing pains or just pacifying me, they were real. They really did hurt! And I have come to realize that most of them were just that growing pain. While some were just exhaustion from over doing myself during the day or some were from a little accident or mistake I had done that day and strained a muscle. Needless to say Pain is Pain and it hurts flesh! We deal with it and move on!
Well,Pain is real physically and mentally as well. As Christians we sing that hymnal "Trials dark on every hand and we cannot understand." This is true! Trials come through our life while some are unexplainable at first, some really are growing pains! Spiritually we go through some pain. Attacks from Satan and really take its tole on us. Persecution causes us to suffering and confusion. The pain in our hearts and pain from worry or stress of it all is real. You knowGod does allow many of the trials in our Lives to grow us in Him. Do they hurt? Yeah!!!
But once you press on in Faith and Worship and you are through it, you can look back and see how God has grown you, How He has lead you and ministered to you. It is amazing! And If you stay connected with Him through each Trial through devotions, prayer and reading His Word. You will see How He places His Word in Your heart and mind and how it brings you relief. A Word of the Lord in season is like little Peace Droplets in your heart that bursts open and spreads through your whole being. I can take a deep breathe and the air feel cooler and moister bring me a moment of relief in His Spirit! The funny thing is each growth spurt can last as long as years or as little as a day! I know for certain that God will take You through, each being a test of faith. Trust in God and He will see You through. Be open to His leadership and not only will He give you strength, He will heal your heart like the trial never happened! I can't explain it, the memory is there but the pain is gone! Only God, Our God Can work such a miracle! And you will be able to look back and thank GOD for the many things you've learned about Him and yourself through this trial. You will Praise Him for taking down the strongholds that needed to be removed for new growth in Him; in the spiritual realm and in the physical realm. God will Grow You, stay focus on Him. Don't look to the left nor to the Right keep Your focus on Him and His Word. Be strong in Him in faith. Never Give up. Oh! It's okay to cry. Crying is showing God your humbled heart and need for Him. And shows those watchng you, you are human! And When God is Done and His Light is Shining through the work He has done in You, He Will Recieve the Glory for Everything! When Everything falls apart, God has your heart, and He will see and carry You through. He will pick up the pieces and when His light shines through You, it will be like sunlight shining through a Stain glass window. His Glory Will outshine the the pain of the trials you have been through.


So Take notes if you must, Get your Bible Open, get prayed Up and Saddle Up in Faith, because you never know if your next growth spurt could be around the next corner. OH!! Recently, God revealed to me through my pastor's message that these growth spurts are making room for expansion! Look, at Job's! How God blessed Him at the end of his trial and doubled everything he had lost. God is amazing Being and His ways are supernatural. Trusting in Him will certainly bring about the Peace that surpasses all understanding and will provide the strengh we need to press on in pain while placing Hope in our hearts that our Joy is coming in the morning!

A Prayer

Good Morning God!
Thankyou for the Sun that has risen this morning without delay, and Thankyou God for Your Mercy that is new every morning and with out delay Your Faithfulness is longsuffering! Oh, God thankyou for Your Son Jesus, Who willingingly died for me and my sins, so that I could have eternal life with You through my faith in Him. I thankyou that you offer Your Salvation to any and all who believe! Thankyou God for Your Word that is the Truth and a guideline to living a life that is pleasing to YOU. Father, thankYOU for Christian Friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, who pray for each other and lift each up when something tries knock us down. Jesus thankYOU for never leaving us, nor forsaking us, You keep Your Word and Promises and I know that You are near. And Father, I ask that You send Your Angels around all of our military service men and women, protecting them this day with Your Hand and Army of Angels! Camoflouge them from Evil! Father , bless my friends with the things that they need and cover them with Your hand and protect them. Protect our Schools where our children sit innocently and watch over them protecting from EVIL and HARM. Place Your Angels at every school protecting our children. Father, watch over our families, who scatter from here to there throughout the day, place Your hand of protection upon them, may they see YOUR Love cover them today in a special way, and May their hearts always desire to seek you with sincereity! Praise You God for Who You are, Praise You for Your Love You freely give each day. IN Jesus Name, Amen.

Devine Design

It is so important for children to know that God created them, God showed me one day as I was teaching a room of young children, that we are all of a Devine Design, Hand Crafted by a Heavenly Father, that places value on our lives! He began investing into our lives from creation. In Jeremiah 1, He says that He knew me before He formed me in My Mother's womb. That means He had plans for me. Later in Jeremiah, He tells me He does have plans and they are to prosper me (us)! God's investment in each of us from the get go is more valuable than Gold or Silver! When we recognize our Value in God, and what it cost for our Redeemtion and Freedom, we are Free. And our hearts are overwhelmed with Love and Gratitude for Our Heavenly Father. Our lives are changed. Our perspectives are changed. Our self worth becomes more treasured as we see what it cost Christ for us to Live. The children I was teaching that night, hung on to every word as I spoke to them. I really believed as I was speaking to them that this was a message for a very specific child in a very specific situation. And there were a few who came up to me personally and thanked me, no explainations, none needed, God Knew what they needed to hear. It's awesome How God will use us to speak a word for someone else and it ministers to our hearts at the same time! Praise You Lord!

The Master Artist

6:24 am
I look towards the eastern sky and the most beautiful thing I have seen today is Your Sunrise!
Blinding light piercing through my eyes, and I have trouble focusing on anything for awhile, due to my eyes trying to adjust to brightness of the Light, I stand in Awe of how beautiful the Light is, How Majestic, and To Know Father it is Your Master Piece. And the Over Whelming feeling of knowing that tomorrow morning, You'll do it again. Your hand will Rise up the sun, each and everyday, until You call us Home where Your Light Shines Brighter that any other Light we have ever known. For now, I'll enjoy Your Beautiful Art Gallery right outside my Front door, Your sunrise, reminding me daily that Your Son is Risen, and in His power I am forgiven, I am made whole, I am made strong, and I can Enjoy Life to day, in Your Grace and Power!
Written in Awe by;
Angel Smith
Journal 4/1/2006

CUP OF HOT COCOA AND A SCOOP OF TRUTH

Nothing compares to cuddling up with God early in the morning with a cup of Hot cocoa (with mashmellows) and His Word of Truth. God's Holy pesence can make everything in the world seem to fade away and get lost in its own existance. Just as the Cocoa warms my flesh His Word warms my heart and Refreshes my mind, body and soul. When You make God your personal God, Your Daddy, you can go to Him with anything, lay it down before Him verbally and Say Father, Help me. For Me it was this morning, Comfort me, He heals my broken heart in so many ways. Not only does He sooth the pain, He replaces the pain with Hope. Hope in His Mercy, Love and Grace. My destiny is in His hands, I am secure in His Peace, not peace as the world gives me, But as His Living Water refreshes me I am reminded My Salvation is secure in His Hands and I Find my Peace there. Thankyou Lord, for sitting with me this morning, refreshing my heart , cleansing me with You forgiveness and restoring to me the Joy of my salvation! Praise You Jesus! Praise You Jesus!
~angel~

Psalm 51:
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me hear joy and gladness,
That the bones You have broken may rejoice.
9 Hide Your face from my sins,
And blot out all my iniquities.

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,
And sinners shall be converted to You.

14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
The God of my salvation,
And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips,
And my mouth shall show forth Your praise.
16 For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it;
You do not delight in burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart—
These, O God, You will not despise

Take Time to Rest

Today is Sunday;We call it the Lord's Day.
We rush, rush rush all week long, to meet
deadlines and get everywhere on time,
Sunday's should be a day of REST -
(WOW what and idea, I wonder Who first thought of that) lol!

A day of reflection of what we need to change within ourselves for next week's challenges. I see more and more in people with the need to have control, instead of just relaxing, smile, pray, SING and Enjoy more out lof life. Everone wans to be number 1.
Constant challenges and competitions. Where did our generations go wrong? Did it start with Adam and Eve, or is a time thing that over the years, we have tried to clutter more and more into our lives. The earth is still revolving at the same speed it did when God placed it here, but here we are, are we trying to out run the earth's rotation! A Day of rest, what constitutes a day of rest?
Is a day of total do nothing all day, is a day of rest in your mind, in away forgetting that the rest of your life exists for one day, and worry about it tomorrow when it all begins again?
When The Psalmnist wrote, Lead me beside still waters,
( say that again softly, LEAD ME BESIDE STILL WATERS)
was he just talking about once! OR a daily occurance! I believe we have that opportunity each day, to take a deep breathe, look at the sunrise and thank the Lord, for His mercies! Sit still with Him, and let Him see your heart as you present yourself in prayer to Him.

So I have come to conslusion, that Sunday is God's day, and a family day, where we wake up and focus on His Glory maybe more than we do all week for some, but we place our weary minds in His capable hands and focus on His throne of Grace, and we sit and refuel ourselves in His Worship and spend the rest of our day resting with our family's and allow our minds and bodies to take refuge in His Beautiful Grace. So why can't we do this everyday? Take a break! Sit in a park and breathe some clean air, Walk through a garden and meditate on a scripture,
Sit in the morning during the sunrise and just think how amazing our God is! Jesus took breaks, He went alone to the Mountain side to talk with the Father. Take a break with Jesus!

Praying for peace and abundance of joy in each of you this day, and that we all learn to accept that we are children of a Heavenly Father, who desires for us to be at peace without worry, who desires for us to have Joy without conditions and to share His love with others through a warm smile, a caring heart and inviting Spirit!

Don't Quit!!

Date: Dec 5 2006 11:40 AM


IF GOD HAS CALLED YOU AND BURDEN YOU TO COMPLETE A MISSION FOR HIM, DON'T BE NAIVE TO THINK THERE WILL BE NO OBSTACLES IN YOUR WAY. IF YOU ARE TRULLY SEEKING GOD'S WILL AND HUMBLY ATTEMPTING TO BRING THE HOPE OF CHRIST TO SOMEONE, satan will try to trip you so you will get discouraged and quit!
I AM TELLING YOU "DON'T QUIT" --
CONTINUE PRESSING ON TOWARD THE HIGH CALLING THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS!
GOD HAS BIGGER PLANS FOR YOU THAN YOU CAN DREAM UP FOR YOURSELF!

TAKE AWAY THE UMBRELLA YOU ARE HIDING UNDER AND OPEN YOUR HEARTS AND MINDS TO THE LIVING GOD WHO HAS A STOREHOUSE OF SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS WAITING TO COME DOWN UPON YOU.
THE SCRIPTURE TELLS US BE FAITHFUL WILL A LITTLE AND HE (GOD) WILL BLESS YOU WITH MORE. MAYBE GOD HAS CALLED YOU TO DO SOMETHING THAT SEEMS MUNDAN AND LITTLE IN YOUR EYES, OR IN OTHERS EYES, DON'T LOOK AT IT,NOR CONSIDE THEIR THOUGHTS, LOOK AT JESUS, FOLLOW HIS STEPS, HIS HEART, HIS VOICE!
HE SAID, "MY SHEEP WILL KNOW MY VOICE."
DONT' QUIT! IF YOU QUIT, YOU WILL MISS OUT ON WHAT GOD CAN DO IN YOU, BE LIKE ISAIAH' "HERE IAM LORD USE ME" - IT MAY BE A SIMPLE TASK HE IS CALLING YOU DO--DO IT WITH GLADNESS AND REJOICE--OPEN YOUR MIND AND HEART TO HIS SPIRIT AND LET HIM LEAD YOU.
THINK OF THE OBSTACLES AS STEPPING STONES OR HUDDLES--YOU ARE STRENGTHENING YOUR HEART, YOUR MIND AND MUSCLES WITH EACH ONE YOU OVERCOME-
BE STRONG IN THE LORD AND THE POWER OF HIS MIGHT!


REJOICE TODAY--FOR OUR GOD HAS CALL YOU TO A HIGHER PURPOSE---

LOVE IN JESUS CHRIST;
YOUR SISTER - ANGEL

Good Times

Ecclesiastes 7:14 (NIV)
14 When times are good, be happy;
but when times are bad, consider:
God has made the one
as well as the other.
Therefore, a man cannot discover
anything about his future.

Most of us from the seventies and the eighties think of the show "Good Times" when we hear that spoken, lol. But that phrase was coined thousands of years ago in God's Word. Today we don't hear people say it much anymore. Good times. In fact if we watch TV most of what is reported is bad news representing Bad Times. Myself, I believe it is a matter of a state of the heart and perception. Paul said for us to think on things that are good! My sisters and I often talk and laugh about our childhood, you know we were fed everyday, we had so much fun pretending and playing outside, we had a clean house and loving family. We didn't have much of a perception of Rich or Poor. We just loved being in the moment everyday and enjoying the blessings that we had. Whether we were selling homemade button jewelry on the side of the road with dreams of the quarters flowing in to start our business! Or if we were making mud cakes on my dads metal boat and the top of his tin barn. We were happy. It was Good times. Running outside through the lines of clothes my mom had hanging outside, I can still smell the fresh laundry smell somedays. I think of the afternoons with the sounds of Tree leaves rustling in the wind, and we sitting beneathe them with something cool to drink or a little snack just laughing and talking. Good times. Could it be that when we were kids we didn't focus on a schedule, an itinerary or even on what was going on around us. WE WERE LIVING IN THE MOMENT! When I was a kid, The Vietnam War was all over the news. BUT, as kids we were happy. The Oil industry was crying GAS SHORTAGE and people were lined up as the gas pumps. But as a child we were happy. We were secure. We knew our parents had our best interest at heart and they were there to protect us.[By Faith we know our Heavenly Father has our Best Interest at heart and He will protect us} Today we look back and think "Good Times" Ahhhh! Baseball and football games in the backyard... Is IT that Good times is really not related to money afterall, but is a state of mind or heart. Our perception. Again, Paul says to think on things which are good! Proverbs says, As a man thinketh in His heart so is he!... So could it be our perspective towards our lives and the world around us is keeping us from recognizing or making good times. With that said Should we incase ourselves in a bubble of Glee and forget the World around us? Not at all. But BALANCE is everything. If we do that we become Ego-centric andnot productive in the Kingdom. However; I do think we should slow down just a bit, take time to sit beneathe a tree of rustling leaves and breathe deep and take in the beauty God has all around us. Time is going to pass by fast. Its how we spend those cherished minutes that make Good Times. What a compliment it will be to our hearts one day to hear our children and grandchildren say, Remember the days when we were young, What Good times. Each day we make and set the mood in our atmosphere, we may not be able to control what is going on around us, but with God's help we can control what is going on inside of us. May God's Peace complete you today and comfort you. Enjoy the little moments creating special memories that will be remembered as Good times!


I love the saying you see on Teacher's Walls, "A hundred years from now it will not matter how much I had in my bank account, or what kind of house I lived in, but it will matter if I made the difference in the life of a child." { or another person}

SHARE GOD'S LOVE AND JOY WITH OTHERS.
CELEBRATE AND CHERISH THE SWEET MOMENTS OF LIFE!

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Perfect Pudding

Faith With Effort

Perfect Pudding

Faith? We all know the scripture,"

Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof [evidence] of what is not seen." [Hebrews 11:1] That defines what faith is, faith is us placing our hope and life into a Being [GOD] and living out our daily lives which is the evidence of our God at Work. Because Faith by itself is not seen by the natural eye. Our Lives is a living testimony and reflection to the world of a Living God and Him working through us. The way we live out our faith becomes the evidence of an unseen God. The Proof is in the pudding, the ingredients come together to make good pudding, or not. You can tell it is good by its texture and taste, right? No one likes lumpy pudding! The ingredients must be just right! Our testimony should bring Glory to God, by the ingredients we purposely put into action in our hearts and lives. Even though, The Holy Spirit knocked on your hearts door and revealed God's Great Love and Mercy to You, You had to take the next required action to recieve it. Right? Well, living out our faith on a daily basis is a combination of actions that produces the evidence of our Living God! And He living in Us. Perfect pudding don't come together by itself just sitting there. IT's a process, and so is our Faith, it takes cognitive and heart effort on our part to work out our Faith until that day in all areas, it comes together to bring the altermate Glory to God, and we find ourselves walking in a new way that our confidence in God is a way of life for us. It becomes more apart of our nature for us to walk in true Faith after time invested of working out our faith.

　

The Ingredients for Perfect Pudding

　

Ingredients

1/3 cup white sugar

(Our Salvation, introduction to Jesus and new life in Him)

6 tablespoons flour

(Sanctification, The Trials and Tribulations)

1/4 teaspoon salt

(The Work of God's Holy Spirt in and through us and with us)

2 1/2 cups milk

(The Word)

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

(Our Testimony bringing sweet Savor to our Lord)

Directions

In a 2 quart saucepan, combine sugar, flour, and salt. Slowly stir in milk. Bring to a boil, and cook, stirring constantly, over medium heat until mixture thickens. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes more. Stir in vanilla.

Pour hot pudding into dessert glasses or molds that have been rinsed in cold water. Chill until firm. Unmold if desired. Serve. Or do as my mom, and serve warm.

　

　

Now this is a real recipe for those who are wondering. Most people are thinking "I thought you just added milk to the powder in the box!" Well, you can, but if you want real pudding like Moma used to make when we were kids, you make it from scratch with Love and much effort. Pudding was always an event at our house growing up. Moma would usually surprise us cause she knew what joy it brought us to have herhomemade Chocolate pudding! And once one kid found out she was making her much loved pudding, the shouts rang out throughout our home. " Moma's making pudding!"

And you could see a little smile cross her face. It brought her Joy to please us and excite us over the little things, like her perfect pudding. Mom would take her time with each step of the recipe, she hated lumpy pudding, it had to be creamy and warm to suit her expectations and ours! Of course we were kids we would of eaten it lumpy. But our Mom took pride in making it just right for her kids. Every ingredient being it's best that she could afford, and slowly adding each one enjoying the process, and completing the process at its perfection. Then serving up the sweet pudding in special desert pudding bowls she earned through selling Tupperware.

Then there was a special place for us all to eat too! We would gather around in the front yard on our little slab of concrete, we called our porch and talk and savor ourpudding. Every bite was delightfully sweet. The smell tantalizing our senses, and the warm bowl sitting in our little hands had a straight connection to our hearts. If she made it at night, we all sat around the coffee table in front of the television as if we were having a picnic. It was an event, not just a dessert. Mom delighted in seeing our smiles and tummys full. We delighted in cleaning out the bowls and asking for more not realizing at the time the effort that went into the whole process of making it!

Now, you are thinking by now, what does this have to do with our Faith with Effort topic, well, God provides all the ingredients for us to apply effort in our Faith to be pleasing to Him for the Gospel of Christ. The Word tells us Faith without Works is Dead. We should be motivated by Love to press on in Faith, and make that Cognitive effort to Glorify God in all we do. Even making pudding for loved ones. Moma put her best in serving us. We should put our best in Serving God. And When we are faced with Difficult times, We must make that Active Effort in Faith To push through, applying God's word where we need too, Praying without ceasing and Worshiping Him, our Lord God, in Truth and Spirit. And When we are able to apply effort in Faith, we are even able to enter into the Throne Room of Grace with boldness! With Joy and With Peace. When we have Peace and confidence in God in all situations, well thats when we can see that the proof is in the pudding!
I am sorry if you hungry by now for pudding, and I don't blame you if you go make some! I think I would too. lol.

　

　

Love in Christ; Angel