While we can still declare it .......................

Hugs & Prayers, GG

Up on the Roof ................

This is quickly becoming my very favorite spot in the entire house !

When I park my car in the driveway and look up toward the roof line I can see all the tomato, the ferns, houseplants, lettuce and squash .

Dh is debating about putting a railing around the perimeter. I just stay right in the little square of my carpet and I am good !

I got a little bird bath for up there and a bird feeder that I am going to ask DH to put up for me

A quiet place this summer. All along the perimeter I am going to put my herbs that are all in window boxes right now , that will help establish a border too !

What projects are you working on this summer?

Blessings, GG

Tomato & Corn Salad

This is one of my favorite side dishes in the Summer. Especially on a Hot day .

Tomato & Corn Salad

2 C. Corn

2 C. Tomato chopped

1 medium/large Purple Onion Minced

1/4 C. chives chopped

Parsley to garnish

Sauce

1/4 Apple cider Vinegar

2 tablespoons Spicy Mustard

2 tablespoons butter

Mix Corn, tomato, onion , chives and parsley in a large bowl.

In a small sauce pan heat over low/meduim heat : Apple cider vinegar , mustard, butter . Until all ingredients are incorporated. Pour over tomato and corn mixture.

Serve warm or chilled. Yummy

Blessings, GG

Thank You

Sara at Be still and know , sent me the most lovely gift today. I won it in a giveaway on her blog.

It was so nice to receive a gift in the mail today ! Thanks Again Sara!

Blessings, GG

Happy Birthday Niki

I cannot believe that it was 30 years ago today that God blessed me with the most beautiful and precious baby girl.

She is a joy and delight . I could not be more Godly proud of the young woman that she has become. She is a beautiful person.

She is tender-hearted , moved with compassion and is a great Mom to our three beautiful grand-children.

Happy Birthday Honey!

Love, Mom

Are you a Home schooling Mom.........

Ladies, Are you a home schooling Mom.

My Frind Kristi at Collective Thoughts has just started a discussion board for you.

Here is the link. Homeschool Moms Fellowship Board

And she is having a great give-away too ! Here is the link : http://bit.ly/yS9cK .


Enjoy!
Blessings, GG

Meatballs in the Oven

I love the smell of something cooking in the oven on a Saturday morning............ This Morning it is Italian Meatballs.

2 lbs ground beef
1/2 C. Romano Cheese
1/2 C. Parmesan Cheese
1 large onion diced
1 16 oz can of tomato sauce
Seasonings to taste: Garlic powder, parsley, Oregano, basil, salt , pepper.

Mix together and form meatballs. Makes 20-40 meatballs depending what size you roll them!

Hugs, GG

I Won !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh My Socks . I am sooooooooo excited.

I won a beautiful handcrafted gift from Sara at http://blogbestillandknow.blogspot.com.

Check out her blog and you can see this awesome gift and enjoy her posts.

Thank you again Sara for hosting this awesome give-away.

Hugs & Blessings, GG

One of my all time favorites..............

Just love this sister!!!!!!!!!!!!

Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!! God CAN!!!!!!!!!!!Praise God!!! HE is Faithful!
Hugs, GG

The Fluffernutter..........A New England Classic

A yummy treat that just about every kid raised in New England would recognize as a staple for decades.

Marshmallow Fluff was invented in Somerville, Ma .

A little Fluff trivia for ya.

Fluff is 50% sugar.........could explain all the obesity and dental bills.

But we loved it. I still do. It is one of those comfort food things.

It is 10:29 pm on a Sunday evening and we are just getting back from a long day and what did I just make..............My old pal . Fluffernutter.

Unfortunately I did I know we were out of bread. Hesitating to go to the market , procrastinating is more like it .

But thank goodness in the bread box was some wonderfully fresh
Hot dog rolls and they worked just fine. Finished my treat and and sipping on my sweet , hot Lipton tea before I turn out the lights.

Blessings, GG

Incredible ..................

Dear Friends , this is an email that I shared with some friends and family members a few minutes ago.

Dear Friends and Family
ACLJ • American Center for Law & Justice

Department of Homeland Security Assessment Part 1 is the name of the discussion on the web-site under their multimedia section.

I do not usually send a ton of please see this kind of emails. This is really a wake-up call to all of us.
Ia0257-09 Is the official document number.

Please take a few minutes to listen to Jay Sekulow from the American Center for Law and Justice. There is posted on his website a discussion regarding this matter.

Please Call 1-877-989-2255. it is the telephone number for his office, they are demanding a retraction from DHS , which is now labeling as Domestic Terrorists..........If you are .....Pro-life, Bible/End-time Prophecy believers, returning veterans are all considered potential domestic terrorist now . Right -winged extremist . BECAUSE OF OUR VIEWS AND VALUES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is unbelievable what has recently been added in an official government document from the DHS.

This is in the law right now, it has been sent to all 50 states ............The state police and all state offices of DHS . To watch all groups of these individuals.

ACLJ • American Center for Law & Justice Please, Please, Please...................... Take so action on this!

Congressman John Carter from Texas 31st District of Texas Member of the House Appropriations Committee is calling for the termination of Janet Napolitano the secretary of homeland security.

Love in Christ, Marantha!
GG

Hand-crafted clip board giveaway!!!!

Ladies,

I found this awesome blog , through another blog that I follow.

Her name is Sara and she is a home-schooling Mom, with a great blog. So Sara is hosting her first giveaway at her blog.
http://blogbestillandknow.blogspot.com.

I really enjoyed reading through her posts and found it a refreashing blog ! Check it out !

Hugs, GG

Praying for Connor

Dear Friends and mighty prayer warriors,

Asking for prayer for seven month old Connor he is scheduled for heart surgery on May 27th (tomorrow morning) He is undergoing an arterial switch operation, along with the repair of his VSD (a hole).

This is a bi-pass surgery being done at a Boston hospital - the most prestigious medical facility for children's cardiology in the country, if not the world.

Praying for a flawless surgery and complete recovery .

Hugs, GG

The roof top garden................

Well, it is coming along. We have some tomato growing up there and some yellow summer squash, some leaf lettuce and green peppers.

My DH has put some carpet down and we have a couple of chairs and a little table. We have sat out there a few times in the past week and it has been nice, but my "private" roof top garden has a frequent visitor...........my DH. He loves it up there too!

I'll take some update pictures soon. It has been so busy.

That's OK we can share :)

Hugs, GG

A lovely Blog Award!!!!!!!! For me!!!! Awwww

My Dear Friend Calico Prairie at http://collectivethoughtsofquasimodo.blogspot.com/ sent me this lovely Blog award .

As well as my Dear Friend Mrs Bee fom http://mrsbeesblog.com/. Both of these ladies blogs are in my list of very favorites !!!!!!!!!!! Check them out !

How wonderful I am now to pick 10 Blogs that I enjoy and find lovely and send them the award as well.

1) Heather at http://countrydreamingirl.blogspot.com/- Love to see the bargins this lovely lady gets and the pictures of her little one are just precious!!!!

2) Cat at http://tenthingsfarm.blogspot.com/- Her blog is chuck full of awesome helpful idea. and her little princess Kitten looks just like my oldest Grand-daughter when she was that age.

3) Beth at http://thursdaysmusings.blogspot.com/ Her blog has some off the wall funnies that get me laughing at times . She also speaks to relevant issues in the Arabian Gulf.

4) Ann at http://lifeonthesound.blogspot.com/ She is an incredible lady in the Lord .God has givoften used her to share your faith and she does so Boldy .

5) Gabe's Wife at http://theabbottfamilyhome.wordpress.com/- Love the everyday common sense approach that this sister in Christ has. She is an awesome Mom and I love reading about the adventures with her kids.

There are 5 more I am just going to list with no commentary as I am being rushed.........

http://foreverseekinghisface.blogspot.com/

http://joycewallace1.blogspot.com/

http://mahoneysmusings.blogspot.com/

http://farmnsanity.com/wordpress/

http://lifeandponderings.blogspot.com/

I love old things..............

I love to decorate using Old things and New. Some of the things that I cherish the most would seem like junk to most people. For some reason I am almost drawn to what other's would consider useless.

I love to take things that seem to have very little value and place them among things that have a great deal of value.

When it is all finished. They all seem to be of equal worth to me.............And just lovely. In my eyes.

Jas:2:1: My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.Jas:2:2: For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;Jas:2:3: And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:Jas:2:4: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?Jas:2:5: Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

Hugs, GG

Finding Peace in the presence of God

So many people have recently spoken about being unsettled, anxious, having feelings of restlessness. I have experienced this myself on numerous occasions, and most of the time my relief comes from abiding in the presence of God .

Often times when we have these "stress" , "anxious", "panicky" episodes we may find it difficult to read God's word or to come into his presence in prayer. Sometimes there may be a "feeling" of heaviness /sadness/hopelessness. It is not uncommon to have these thoughts or feelings. And you are not alone. It is not uncommon! But God's gives us promises ........

1Pe:5:10: But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

We need to adjust our focus.

Someways to change the atmosphere or climate within your spirit or home is to ...................

Put on Praise Music .........

Play Praise and Worship in your home .

Isa:61:3: To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

Listen to God's Word.........

You can pick up cd's at the dollar tree in our area of the entire new testament for $1.00 or cds of the individual books of the bible. Play it in you home so that the Word is going forth. You can't ever get too much of God's Word.

Psalms:119:105: Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Proverb:30:5: Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

Heb:4:12: For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Pray.........

It is a spiritual weapon and a beautiful way to come into our Heavenly Father's presence. If you are unsure what to pray....pray in the Spirit and then pray in your understanding....

Ro:8:26: Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.


Pray with your Prayer Partner and ask other believers to pray for you concerns too !

De:32:30: How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up?

Jas:5:16: Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

IF these feelings persist...............Speak to your Pastor. God has put him in place in the Body to care for the sheep.

If you do not have a Pastor at this time......Speak to a Brother or Sister in the Lord who is mature and can give you Godly counsel . Seek out Fellowship with like-minded believers.

God is Faithful

God ALWAYS causes us to triumph in Christ Jesus! Praise the Lord!!!!

Hugs, GG

The Yorks.........................York, Maine

It's calling to me..............early! The sound of the waves. The smells of the Ocean. The seafood. The stars. Breakfast at The Golden Rod! The warm sun shining on our faces. Really fishing . Sleeping in the afternoon. Huge Lobsters, Steamers, Corn on the Cob! Ice cream in the evening. Falling off to sleep with the waves crashing at your doorstep.

Hugs, GG

Happy Mothers Day !!!!!!!!!!!!

Free Myspace Graphics

Happy Mothers Day !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hugs & Prayers, GG

National Day of Prayer is today !!!!

Standing in agreement with my Brothers and sisters in Christ.

Praying for my family and yours . That not one would be lost.

Praying for the Body of Christ.

Praying for our dear men and women serving our country in the military, and their families.

Praying for our marriages and children and their children.

Praying for our Country and Government .

Praying for the heart of our leaders to be under the will of God.

Praying that God would strengthen us in these days and the days ahead.

Hugs, GG

One day until the 58th National Day of Prayer.

National Day of Prayer Task Force Home National Day of Prayer Home Page
Click link above to their awesome website




Hugs & Prayer, GG

English Ivy...........Verigated

Examining all of the foliage and plants and shrubs, trees, flower beds, around and about this old house is a lot of fun.
Recently while we were planting new Juniper and Holly and upon closer investigation .........

I found around the entire perimeter of the granite foundation ...........English Ivy.

Lots and Lots of it. I love bringing the outdoors in and this will make it's way into the house by the fall.

This is what I rescued from and area that will become a new planting bed. I just love it
Blessings, GG

Today............

Thanking the Lord Jesus for His precious Holy Spirit.
How refreshing and calming it is to be in a time set apart to spend with the Lord.

Today's time of prayer and fasting spoke volumes to my heart and spirit. There are so many "voices" in competition for our time , our attention and devotion. I was especially aware of the voice of the Spirit today. And how important it is to be led by the Spirit of God. God's Spirit is not loud and boisterous.

Joh:3:8: The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

There are so many "distractions" that would keep us from hearing the still small voice of God.

Like the story of the prophet Elijah........in 1st Kings 19 .........

1Ki:19:11: And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake:
1Ki:19:12: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

Mountain tearing, Earthquakes , Fires burning. But the Lord was not in them.

Pig Flu's, Famines, Supreme Court Appointee's.............

Listen and be led by the still small voice of God's precious Holy Spirit . For the battle is the Lord's .

1Sa:17:47: And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give you into our hands.

Hugs & Prayers, GG
__________________

National Day of Prayer - May 7, 2009

It is the 58th Annual Day of Prayer ..........check out the website and get your church, your bible-study, your prayer group or yourself involved!!!!!

Blessings, GG

http://www.ndptf.org

A time of Prayer and Fasting -Friday May 1, 2009

Dear Friends,

If you feel led of God would you like to join me in a time of prayer and fasting Friday May 1, 2009.

I will be in prayer for my family and all of your families .
In the past several weeks I have received several specific family prayer requests . Lots of financial needs, many physical and emotional needs. Believers praying for the salvation of their households .

I have several groups of friends that are a core group of intercessors that I pray with regularly they will be joinging in as well.

I am fasting "food" from early am this Thursday April 30, 2009 at midnight until 5:00 p.m. on Friday May 1, 2009 .

Some of my family are also fasting and are doing 1/2 a day fast . Some are able to fast a meal.

Some fast until 5:00 pm but will have fruit juices.

If you feel lead of God to join in that is awesome.
Praying for God's Protection, Provision and Direction for our family in thjs season.
God is Faithful.

I often, while in fasting am much more aware of God's presence . I am aware that I am fasting for a specific reason and in obedience to God's Word.

There can be several reasons why we fast and this is in no way an complete study on the subject of "Fasting".

But is just my personal opinion and thoughts on the matter.

I have been a Christian for close to thirty years and never realized the importance of fasting.And had never seen the results I had seen in my prayer life until our Pastor did an extensive study on it in January of 1998. At that time our Church was in a "corporate fast ", the entire Body of believers that were able .

For up to eight days as each member was lead and able. As a church we were fasting seeking God's face for our nation , our church , the Church leadership and for our evangelistic efforts in the coming year. The results were incredible. And I became persuaded of the power of God through prayer and fasting.

There are several reasons we may fast, We fast in obedience to God's Word.

Joel:2:12: Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:

2Co:6:4: But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,2Co:6:5: In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;2Co:6:6: By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

M't:9:15: And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.

We fast to humble ourselves before God and obtain His grace and power . We fast in times of crisis:

Es:4:15: Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer,Es:4:16: Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.We fast seeking God's direction.

Ezr:8:21: Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.Ezr:8:22: For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him. Ezr:8:23: So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated of us.


We fast for understanding and revelation .

Jer:36:6: Therefore go thou, and read in the roll, which thou hast written from my mouth, the words of the LORD in the ears of the people in the LORD's house upon the fasting day: and also thou shalt read them in the ears of all Judah that come out of their cities.

So there are many reasons to fast.

Knowing that God is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him, I felt led in my heart to fast and pray for our families.

Respecting our Bodies in a Fast

Dear Friends ,Just a word about respecting our bodies during a fast.

If you are pregnant or nursing or have a medical condition that would prevent you from not having "solid" food. Use common sense and respect your body.

In general, most people can go one day or 1/2 a day without food , if they are having water, fruit juice or vegetable juices to supplement.If you must eat "solids" , perhaps you could commit to limiting your food intake to salad or vegetables.

These are all pleasing to the Lord as we are looking to Glorify God , putting the Lord first and our appetite second.Also remember if during the fast you become extremely nauseous, light headed or dizzy to please get something to eat and/or drink.

Friends if you have a prayer request, spoken or unspoken and you would like us to pray, it does not need to contain much detail. Leave a comment and we will take it before God .

Hugs & Prayers, GG

A great finger-food recipe

This is a recipe from Nicole at PrairieHomemaker........It is tested and true. I made it several times for bible study, showers, family functions. They are yummy and kid friendly too!
Wish I had a picture of them.


Cheeseburger Muffins
These are a yummy way to stretch a half pound of ground beef.
I don't make them as often as I(or hubby) would like because of the amount of butter and cheese.

1/2 pound ground beef
1 small onion, finely chopped
2-1/2 cups flour
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup ketchup
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 eggs
1 teaspoon mustard
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

In large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain.

In a bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

In another bowl combine ketchup, milk, butter, eggs, and mustard.

Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in beef and cheese.

Fill greased muffin cups 3/4's full. Bake at 425.

For mini cups; bake 15-18 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Will yield approx. 5 dozen

For regular size bake 20-25 minutes. Will yield around 2 dozen.

These are very good!!!! Thanks Nicole.

Hugs, GG

Kingdom of God .........Kingdom of Heaven

Asking for Prayer as I begin an extensive study in God's Word researching the Kingdom of God/The Kingdom of Heaven.......This has been prompted in me by the Holy Spirit several times now ..... It began one morning a couple of years ago , as I was reading in Luke and in Matthew the Lord's Prayer.

I began to think about hwo things are in heaven , and how things are here on earth........it became a stirring in my heart and spirit to study it out. I have started many times and have bits and pieces of accumulated information which I am praying God's Spirit would give me understanding and wisdom to The Kingdom of Heaven:

Lu:11:1: And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.Lu:11:2: And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.Lu:11:3: Give us day by day our daily bread.Lu:11:4: And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

M't:6:9: After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.M't:6:10: Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.M't:6:11: Give us this day our daily bread.M't:6:12: And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.M't:6:13: And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

There is so much teaching by Jesus concerning the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven. I am excited to spend time in God's word soaking up all that the Holy Spirit would show me in the Word.

If you have spent time studying this subject matter I would love to hear what God has shared with you in your study time.

Blessings, GG

Playing in the dirt .........

Spring time pretty much finds me playing in the dirt.........Thankfully my husband has acquired a liking to it as well or I would never had gotten these 5 gallon buckets to my roof-top garden!!!!
These are for our tomato and green bell peppers. I am also going to put some ivy's and ferns and pretty flowers up there with a couple of comfy chairs and a little table and enjoy the peace & quiet and some sunshine on my face.

These little galvanized tins I bought at the Dollar Tree. I thought that they were so adorable. I have planted grass in these containers to sit along a ledge shelf in the hallway going upstairs to three rooms and the garden which my hubby has been re-modeling for months.

This little ledge is going to hold the tins along with some awesome weathered copper lanterns I have had for years. It is going to be a very pretty look when it is finished I will post some pictures.

What projects are you working on this Spring/Summer ?

Hugs & Prayers,

GG

I'm back.............

I am back from a "break", after breaking my hard-drive. Nothing nice. Although I did have an awesome time in God's Word and Prayer. And much of my "spring cleaning" is completed. Whoo- Hoo a head start.
Blessings, GG

Just Yummy ................

I am watching the Basil grow , the tomatos still breaking through the soil in their little pots and I am dreaming of Bruschetta in the evening on my rooftop garden........................soon, soon...............

BRUSCHETTA

6 slices of good Artisan Bread ; Tuscan country bread

1/2cup of extra virgin olive oil.

1 or 2 cloves of garlic, minced.

10 fresh basil leaves

3 ripe tomatos-chopped

salt , pepper and Parmesan cheese to taste

1) Mix together the garlic, tomatoes, olive oil , basil and spices and set aside.

2) Grill both sides of the bread. Then rub one side of the bread with garlic cloves.

3) Add tomato mixture and garnich with a basil leaf. Sprinkle with fresh Parmesan chesse. Enjoy !!!!!!!!

Hugs, GG

Waiting for Spring...................

It was so warm and sunny yesterday........Today it is a bit cooler and grey. Waiting on Spring!!!!
Hugs, GG

My favorite things............

My Mother tells me I am a lot like my Grandmother. I think..........I really am . I loved to go to my Grandmother's house when I was a child. There were so many nooks and crannies.

My favorite foods, great toys and lots of treasure. Oh......the treasures. Grandma's button box full of jewels.

Lots of old buttons Ivory buttons, Brass buttons, Large old leather buttons. Buttons that looked like jewels and lots of wooden buttons.

It was like a treasure chest. I could entertain myself hours looking through her botton boxes, or her old photgraphs or her fabric closet or her skeins of yarn.

It was lovely, no internet, no cell phone, no television to occupy our time. Just lots and lots of treasures. Endless hours of joy.

Hugs, GG

Keith Green................

His music still carries the annointing of God. When my husband and I came to faith in Jesus Christ when we were young teenagers, we listened to Keith Green's music continually. It is always fresh , filled with the fragrance of Christ.
Hugs, GG

My Favortie Summer Veggie ...............

Zucchini

Spicy Zucchini Bread
Ingredients:

2 eggs, beaten

1 1/3 cup sugar

1/3 cup vegetable oil

2 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. baking powder

Dash salt

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ginger

1/2 tsp. ground cloves

1 cup grated zucchini

1/2 cup crushed walnuts
Beat sugar into eggs, add oil and mix well. Sift together dry ingredients, add beaten egg. Stir in zucchini. Beat until batter in very smooth. Add nuts. Pour into greased, floured 9x5 loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 60 minutes. Turn out onto wire rack to cool.

Fireproof ...............

Well, we finally saw it ............I think it was worth the wait. We both enjoyed the movie. Now ...........I want the book. This is a 5 -Star must see .
Hugs, GG

I think I'm cool.............

I am so very techinically challenged it amazes me. But I have been able to learn to "schedule" posts thanks to instructions on Miss Laurie's Blog. http://maybeillblog.blogspot.com/. I learn so much there. It is one of my favorite places to visit. And I have several posts "scheduled" as I will be away from blogging for a bit. Thanks Laurie!!!Hugs, GG

How Many of these do you remember................

All the girls had ugly gym uniforms?
It took five minutes for the TV warm up?
Nearly everyone's Mom was at home when the kids got home from school?
Nobody owned a purebred dog?
When a quarter was a decent allowance?
You'd reach into a muddy gutter for a penny?
Your Mom wore nylons that came in two pieces?
Your male teachers wore neckties and female teachers had their hair done every day and wore high heels?
Your windshield cleaned, oil checked, and gas pumped, without asking, all for free, every time? And you didn't pay for air? And, you got trading stamps to boot?
Detergent had free glasses, dishes or towels hidden inside the box?
It was considered a great privilege to be taken out to dinner at a real restaurant with your parents?
They threatened to keep kids back a grade if they failed. . . and they did?
No one ever asked where the car keys were because they were always in the car, in the ignition, and the doors were never locked?
Stuff from the store came without safety caps and hermetic seals because no one had yet tried to poison a perfect stranger?
And with all our progress, don't you just wish, just once, you could slip back in time and savor the slower pace,and share it with the children of today?
When being sent to the principal's office was nothing compared to the fate that awaited the student at home?
Basically we were in fear for our lives, but it wasn't because of drive-by shootings, drugs, gangs, etc. Our parents and grandparents were a much bigger threat! But we survived because their love was greater than the threat.
Who can still remember Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, Laurel and Hardy, Howdy Dowdy and the Peanut Gallery, the Lone Ranger, The Shadow Knows,Nellie Bell, Roy and Dale, Trigger and ButtermilkAs well as summers filled with bike rides, baseball games, Hula Hoops, bowling and visits to the pool, and eating Kool-Aid powder with sugar.

Didn't that feel good, just to go back and say, "Yeah, I remember that"? neighbors came and visitied on the porch.. huge family dinners ... lighting bugs ... yoyos, pogo sticks, the ice cream man ... poodle skirts and S&H green stamps ... gloves and hats when you dress up ... mohair sweaters , letter jackets.

In the summer we played jacks, hopscotch and jump rope and in the winter we rode sleds and built snowmen until we were so cold we hurt so we'd go in and play board games in front of the heater.

Sometimes Mom would allow us to pop some pop corn (in a heavy pan with a lid on top of the stove). Remember how special we felt when we got hot chocolate to go with that popcorn?

Do you remember selling soda pop bottles to the store for spending money.

Usually a nickle or a dime, but it was enough to buy a treat.
How many of these do you remember?

Hugs, GG

Resist the devil ......Part 2

Some more study notes from when I did a study on Spiritual Warfare and the Weapons of our Warfare. Hope they bless you some way.

Hugs, GG

Historical faith :
is the receiving of and agreeing to certain statements which are regarded as mere facts of history.

Temporary Faith:

is that state of mind which is awakened in men (e.g., Felix/Agrippa ) by the revelation of the truth and by the influence of religious sympathy/empathy or by what is called operation of the Holy Spirit.

Saving Faith:

is so called because it has eternal life inseparably connected with it. It "Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace, whereby we receive and rest upon him alone for salvation, as he is offered to us in the gospel." Saving faith is the whole revealed Word of God.
Faith accepts and believes it as the very truth most sure.

But the special act of faith ( Saving Faith) which unites to Christ , has as its
Core the person and the work of the Lord Jesus Christ

Joh:7:38: He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water

Ac:16:31: And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

This is the specific act of faith ( Saving Faith ) by which a
sinner is justified before God . In this act of faith the believer and rests on Christ alone for our eternal salvation, in all His office.

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Ro:3:22: Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
Ro:3:23: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Ro:3:24: Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Ro:3:25: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
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Ga:2:16: Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Ph'p:3:9: And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Ac:10:43: To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

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Joh:3:16: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Joh:3:17: For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Joh:3:18: He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Joh:3:19: And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
Joh:3:20: For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
Joh:3:21: But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
Joh:3:22: After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.
Joh:3:23: And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
Joh:3:24: For John was not yet cast into prison.
Joh:3:25: Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.
Joh:3:26: And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.
Joh:3:27: John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
Joh:3:28: Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
Joh:3:29: He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
Joh:3:30: He must increase, but I must decrease.
Joh:3:31: He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
Joh:3:32: And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.
Joh:3:33: He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.
Joh:3:34: For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
Joh:3:35: The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
Joh:3:36: He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
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Our belief in the truth received upon the testimony of Christ has connected with it a deep sense of sin, a individual view of Christ, a yielding will, and a loving heart, together with a reliance on, a trusting in, or resting in Christ.

It is that state of mind in which a sinner, conscious of his sin, flees from his guilty self to Christ his Saviour, and rolls over the burden of all his sins on him.

It consists predominately , in the total influence of the testimony of God in his Word, and acceptance with total trust and faith in the one and only Saviour whom God reveals.

This trust and reliance is of the core or essence of faith. Saving faith is a ethical act, as it proceeds from a renewed will, and a renewed will is necessary to the truth of God (1 Cor. 2:14; 2 Cor. 4:4).

Faith, therefore, has its seat in the moral part of our nature fully as much as in the intellectual.

The mind must first be enlightened by divine teaching (John 6:44; Acts 13:48; 2 Cor. 4:6; Eph. 1:17, 18) before it can discern the things of the Spirit.

Faith is necessary to our salvation (Mark 16:16).

The grounds of faith is the divine testimony, not
the rationality of what God says, but the simple fact that he
says it.

Faith rests immediately on, "Thus saith the Lord."

God's word encourages and makes confident the sinner to
personally engage with Christ as God's gift, to draw close with
him, embrace him, give himself to Christ, and take Christ as
his.

That word comes with power, for it is the word of God who
has revealed himself in his works, and especially in the cross.
God is to be believed for his word's sake, but also for his
name's sake.

Faith in Christ obtains for the believer freedom from
condemnation, or justification before God; partaking in
the life that is in Christ, the divine life, eternal life .

All who thus believe in Christ will certainly be saved
(John 6:37, 40; 10:27, 28; Rom. 8:1).

I watched this incredible video at Miss Lauries Blog ......Maybe I'll Blog. It was posted on Youtube by her son 19 years old. Powerful.
Hugs, GG
Proverb:22:6: Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Faith Bear Template

This is a great tool to teach children and adults about our spiritual "Weapons", Faith, The Armour of God .

I have made this little Bear several times. I have used construction paper, that big craft paper from Dollar Tree , I think they are 3 for $1.00. I have also made 2 " Stuffed Teddy Bears" with all their weapons.

This template, I drew for a friend. So it is not the neatest......I am also doing "Fruits" now too. Little cut out fruits with the fruits of the Spirit written on them from Galations.

Hugs, GG

A Worried Christian ??????

A Worried Christian?

by John MacArthurAdapted from Anxiety Attacked, © 1993 by John MacArthur.

All rights reserved.

We all have to admit that worry is a common temptation in life—for many it is a favorite pastime. America, the most affluent society in the world is also the most worry-filled society in the world—that is, if spending on security, mental illnesses, and intoxicants are any indication.

Americans worry, and worry is a sin. It is neither insignificant, nor inconsequential. And for the Christian, it is absolutely contrary to faith Christ. Jesus categorically prohibited worry in a familiar portion of the Sermon on the Mount—Matthew 6:25-34.

Three times in that short passage He commanded, “Do not worry!”, and the way He said it shows the comprehensiveness of His charge.

In verse 25 He acknowledges worry as a common practice and says, “Stop worrying;” in verses 31 and 34 He uses the same word, but in a way that means “Don’t even start worrying.”

To continue worrying about anything, or to start worrying in the first place, is to violate the Lord’s command.

If you worry, what kind of faith do you manifest? “Little faith,” according to Jesus (Matt. 6:30).

Now if you are a child of God, by definition you have a Heavenly Father.

To act like you don’t—nervously asking, “What shall I eat? What shall I drink? With what shall I clothe myself?”—is to act like an unbeliever in God’s eyes (vv. 31-32).

Think about it this way: Christians who worry believe God can redeem them, break the shackles of Satan, take them from hell to heaven, put them into His kingdom, and give them eternal life, but just don’t think He can get them through the next couple of days.

That is pretty ridiculous, isn’t it? That we can believe God for the greater gift and then stumble and not believe Him for the lesser one reveals an embarrassing lack of faith.

The Worrier Strikes Out at God Someone might say, “Why make a big deal out of worry? It’s just a trivial sin.” No, it is not.

I suspect a majority of mental illnesses and some physical illnesses are directly related to worry.

Many cases of drunkenness and drug addiction are symptomatic of worry. And because of worry, many make foolish life decisions, incurring painful consequences. Worry is devastating.

But more important than what worry does to you is what you are communicating about God. When you worry you are saying in effect, “God, I just don’t think I can trust You.”

Worry strikes a blow at the person and character of God.

The Worrier Disbelieves Scripture It breaks my heart to hear some Christians claim to believe in the inerrancy of Scripture, and then live as perpetual worriers.

If you do that, you are saying one thing out of one side of your mouth, and another thing out of the other.

It is incongruous to say how much you believe the Bible and then worry about God fulfilling what He says in it.

The Worrier Is Mastered by Circumstances When you worry, you are choosing to be mastered by your circumstances instead of by the truth of God.

The vicissitudes and trials of life pale in comparison to the greatness of salvation. Jesus wants you to realize it doesn’t make sense to believe God can save you from eternal hell, but not help you in the practical matters of life.

The Apostle Paul reflects a similar desire in Ephesians 1:18-19: “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.” When you catch yourself worrying, go back to Scripture and let God open your eyes again.

The Worrier Distrusts God When you worry, you are not trusting your Heavenly Father. That means you don’t know Him well enough. Take heart—there’s an effective remedy: Study the Word of God to find out who He really is and how He has supplied the needs of His people in the past. That will build confidence for the future.

Stay fresh in the Word every day so that God is in your mind. Otherwise Satan is apt to move into the vacuum and tempt you to worry about something.

Let God’s track record in Scripture and in your own life assure you that worry is needless because of God’s bounty, senseless because of God’s promise, useless because of its impotence to do anything productive, and faithless because it is characteristic of unbelievers.

Worry Is Unwise Because of Our Future Jesus said, “Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matt. 6:34).

He was saying, “Don’t worry about the future. Even though it will have its share of problems, they have a way of working themselves out at the time. Just deal with them as they come, for there’s no way to solve them in advance.”

Providing for tomorrow is good, but worrying about tomorrow is sin because God is the God of tomorrow just like He is the God of today. Lamentations 3:23 tells us His mercies “are new every morning.”

He feeds us like He fed the Children of Israel—with just enough manna for the day.

Worrying paralyzes you, making you too upset to accomplish anything productive. It will seek to do that to you by taking you mentally into tomorrow until you find something to worry about. Refuse to go along for the ride.

The Lord says you have enough to deal with today. Apply today’s resources to today’s needs or you will lose today’s joy. God gives you the glorious gift of life today; live in the light and full joy of that day, using the resources God supplies.

Don’t push yourself into the future and forfeit the day’s joy over an anticipated tomorrow that may never happen. Today is all you really have, for God permits none of us to live in tomorrow until it turns into today.

Understand this: God gives you strength one day at a time. He gives you what you need when you need it and doesn’t encumber you with excess baggage. Perhaps your worst fear is how you’d handle a loved one’s death.

Let me assure you as a pastor who has kept watch over many Christians finding themselves in that situation, this is the attitude I most often encounter: “It is so wonderful how God has sustained me! I naturally miss my beloved, but I feel such incredible strength and confidence and a gladness in my heart that my loved one is with the Lord.”

God gives us His grace in the hour we need it. If we worry about the future now, we double our pain without having the grace to deal with it.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever” (Heb. 13:8).

That means He will be doing the same thing tomorrow that He was doing yesterday. If you have any question about the future, look at the past. Did He sustain you then? Don’t worry—He will sustain you in the future as well.
__________________

I just love the ministry of John MacArthur. This is their website http://www.gty.org/

Hugs & Prayers, GG

If you love seafood y..............

Hot Crab and Swiss Dip

1/2 C. Chopped Red Bell Pepper

1/4 C. Chopped Green onions

1 tbsp. metled butter/margarine

8 oz of Crab Meat Chopped, or you can use 1/2 of a 16 oz package of imitation crabmeat

1/3 C. condensed cream of celery soup( Undiluted

1 C. Shredded Swiss Cheese

1/2 tsp. Crushed red pepper flakes

Pita Bread , toasted and cut into triangles.

Cook bell pepper & green onions in butter on medium heat until tender.

Stir in crab, soup, cheese and red pepper flakes. REduce heat to low and cook until heated through 5-10 minutes. Serve on the pita bread , garnished with fresh parsley ( I prefer dill)

Yummy ..........

Hugs, GG

Resist the Devil........Part 1

I was studing out this scripture from James a few years ago as part of a larger study on our Spiritual Weapons/Spiritual Warfare.

These are notes and thoughts on the topic of Steadfast Faith and how we can use to to resist. Thought I would share it .
Hugs, GG



Jas:4:7: Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Resist = To actively oppose . To withstand as so not to be impressed by; to form a impediment or hinderance. To Strive or struggle against actively.

Flee= To hasten or to run away; as from danger or evil, to resort to a shelter ; to retreat.
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1Pe:5:8: Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

1Pe:5:9: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.


Stedfast:= Firm, Hard, Unwavering, Trustworthy, fixed , sure, certain. That which does not move or waver. Immoveable, that which you may rely upon.
True, safe, sure

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FAITH

Faith is= Tangible, is has substance . It is material. Faith makes you do something.

Examples;

Faith complelled Abel to offer a sacrafice to God that ......." Pleased God"

Faith complelled Enoch and God Translated him, Enoch had the testimony ....he "Pleased God".

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Heb:11:1: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Substance ***********************Evidence

Evidence: Enables our mind to "see' the truth. Evidence brings clarity to prove to our mind.

Substance: Is actually existing, it is real , it is not imaginary. It is evidence . It is proof.

Faith: Makes our minds able to "See" TRUTH!

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Faith is in general the persuasion of the mind that a certain
statement is true .

Its primary idea is trust. A thing is true, and therefore worthy of trust. My favorite preacher/pastor , Dr. Robert Costa Jr, taught a sermon called
“ Fully persuaded” and in it he made the comment

“ Truth in and of itself, has no effect, Unless, it is true to you “


Ph'p:1:27: Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

2Th:2:13: But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: (faith)

Faith is the result of teaching (Rom. 10:14-17).

Ro:10:14: How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
Ro:10:15: And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
Ro:10:16: But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
Ro:10:17: So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

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Knowledge is an essential element in all faith, and is often times it is spoken of as an equivalent to faith

Joh:10:38: But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him
1Jo:2:3: And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

Yet the two are different in this respect, that faith includes in the admitting of the mind to truth ,which is an act of the will in addition to the act of the understanding.

The act ( Action /verb) of our minds admitting or agreeing to the truth is of the essence ( Substance ) of faith, and the ultimate ground on which our agreeing with truth to any revealed truth rests in this that God Is the TRUTH .