Prayer Request – Maureen

Dear prayer warriors, please lift Maureen up before our Lord.  She is having a procedure on Monday, May 21, 2012.  Please pray that God guides the hands of her doctors and nurses.  Pray that His will be done.  Pray for a quick, painless and complete recovery.  Pray for Maureen and her family to have His peace which surpasses all understanding.  May God give His angels charge over her care and protection.  We ask all this in the Mighty, Matchless and Perfect name of Jesus, amen.

Prayer Request – Erica

Dear prayer warriors, please lift Erica up before our Lord.  She suffered a heart attack.  They were able to stabilize her well enough to airlift her to a hospital where they operated on her to remove a clot and place a stint in her aorta.  She is currently on life support.  Please pray that God places His healing Hands upon her and that The Comforter be with her and her family as they stand in prayer and faith that God is in control.  May the doctors and nurses and those who attend her allow God to work through them so that His will be done.  May His peace be upon Erica, her family and friends in the might name of Jesus!

Prayer Requests Page

Dear prayer partners and visitors to my blog, please take a moment to visit my Prayer Requests page and pray for those requesting prayer.  We know there is power in prayer, we know there is power when two or more are gathered in His Name and stand in agreement with one another.  James 5:16 says: “… Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”  Mathew 18:20 says: “…For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

Thank you for your faithfulness.  May God hear the prayers of His children, and may He bless each person who stands in the gap for those in need.

Happy Easter

These are just a few of the images from a small town called Groom Texas.  They are sculpted from metal and placed on a parcel of donated land.  Truly, God blessed the hands that created such a masterful depiction of Jesus’ last days on earth and ascension to Heaven.

Change Your Words

My Mom sent me this video clip in an email and it touched my heart to the core.  It reminded me how very important our words are, the power in them, and how we need to be careful what we say and how we say it, and that we can have what we speak.  Enjoy this very special video.  As said in the email I received:

This is a wonderful, thought-provoking, one minute clip.
Full of wisdom. . . . and very brief.
It’s not a joke, it’s not religious, it’s not political.
It’s just . . . special. I think you’ll agree.
Please enjoy this two minute clip; it is truly special.
It has a meaning for all of us.

I tried to embed the video without commercials but there were technical problems, so you can either click the link below and watch without the commercial, or click on the youtube video below.  Thanks to everyone who commented or alerted me to the problem.  Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=Hzgzim5m7oU&vq=medium

Isn’t It Strange…

I received the following in an email from a dear friend that God placed in my life for just a brief moment…Isn’t it strange how you can know someone for just a short time, but their impact is eternal???  I pray you enjoy this as much as I did, and that you reflect on the message.  ~ God bless you…Briggie

 

Isn’t it strange
how a $20 bill seems like such a large amount when you donate it to church, but such a small amount when you go shopping?

Isn’t it strange
how 2 hours seem so long when you’re at church,
and seem so short when you’re watching a good movie?

 

Isn’t it strange
that you can’t find a word to say when you’re praying
but…you have no trouble finding things to talk about with a
friend?

 

Isn’t it strange
how boring & hard it is to read 1 chapter of the Bible
but how easy it is to read 100 pages of a popular novel?

 

Isn’t it strange
how everyone wants front-row-tickets to concerts or games
but do whatever is possible to sit in the last row in Church?

 

Isn’t it strange
how we need to know 2-3 weeks ahead about a Church event so we can fit it into our schedule, but we can adjust it at the last minute for other events ?

 

Isn’t it strange
how difficult it is to learn a fact about God & share it with others but how easy it is to learn, extend & repeat gossip?

 

Isn’t it strange
how we believe everything magazines & newspapers say
but….we question the words in the Bible?

 

Isn’t it strange
how everyone wants a place in heaven…but they don’t want to believe, do, or say anything to get there?

 

Isn’t it strange
how we send jokes in e-mails & they’re forwarded right away
but when we go to send messages about God, we think twice before we share it with others?

 

IT’S STRANGE
ISN’T IT?
Now that you’ve read this message, will you forward it to anybody you consider a friend, family member or foe ?

 

If you choose not to share His message you may deprive yourself from being blessed … as well as depriving others
who may need God in their life.

Picture of Christ–A Must Watch!

Urgent Prayer Request – Antonette Gorham

Dear prayer warriors, please lift up Antonette to the Lord as He alone can heal her.  She has been diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer.  Please pray that God, in His infinite Wisdom heals her according to His Will.  He alone knows what she needs, what His plan is for her.  Pray for comfort and peace over her and her family, friends and loved ones in the name of Jesus.

Prayer Request – Craig

Dear prayer warriors, this prayer came from a sister in Christ, Gail.  Please join me and lift up Craig and his family.

Dear Prayer Warriors,

Please pray for our brother CRAIG. He is facing spinal surgery /medical decisions/long recovery time for a man who does not like resting!  Please pray that God’s will be made clear and he makes the best decisions and gets the best medical care possible. We have prayed with Craig and his wife and need you all to agree with us in Jesus’ name.  Pray they feel the assurance of God’s care and provision…and protection from any accidents,impacts or injuries in the interim periods.  We covet your prayers and ask the Lord to bless you in this NEW YEAR! Love, Gail

Prayer Request – Rob Cole

Dear warriors, Judy Murray’s brother in law Rob also needs prayer.  While in the hospital due to 2 heart attacks over Christmas, doctors found several masses that need to be tested.  Please pray for Rob and his family.  They are dealing with Rob’s health issues, his sister in laws health issues, and the family recently suffered the loss of their father to Lou Gehrigs disease.

Father, Master and Creator of the Universe.  You alone know what this family needs.  You alone can restore them.  Place your Healing Hands upon each of them.  Restore their health, and their joy.  Give them peace Lord.  Give them strength.  Send the Holy Spirit to comfort them and let them know they can lean upon You and Your strength.  I come before You and give You praise and thanks for Your mercy and grace in Jesus’ might and matchless name, amen.

Prayer Request Judy Murray

Dear prayer warriors, please join me and lift Judy and her family up before the Lord in prayer.  She has been suffering for years due to her Pancreas being nicked during a surgery.  She has trouble digesting her food and doctors are trying some new treatments.  Please pray over the doctors that are treating her, and may they allow God to guide them in her treatment and care.  May God restore her and give her strength, joy and peace.  Please pray for the family too so that they can continue to give her the support and help she needs.

 

Advent 2011

Dear friends and followers.  I regret that I was not able to keep up with my Advent 2011, I had a few setbacks.  My husband was in the hospital for 8 days,and is now home, praise God.  His doctors are working (along with the prayers of our friends and prayer partners, and our faith in God) to restore his health in every area.  He had made great improvements in most areas, with a slight setback in the healing of his leg, however we are not swayed or moved.  We know God has His hands upon him.

My computer sadly broke down right after my last post and needs to be replaced.  I’m using my daughter’s computer right now.  I can’t complain, my computer lasted for almost 7 years, and they say the average life span of a computer is 3-5 years.  The downside is that I do not have the funds to get a new one, so posting to my blog will be difficult until I get a new one.  Again, I give all praise and thanks to God, because while I cannot post to my blog, I also am not bound to the computer as I was.  I truly spent way too much time on the computer.

And, as usually happens, I allowed myself to get run down between being at the hospital, trying to volunteer at the law office and give my family a nice Christmas, so I ended up getting sick Christmas evening.  It could have been much worse, I am grateful that it was just cold/hot spells and muscle soreness.  The downside is the wonderful fever blister that is about to make its appearance just to let me know that I was in fact sick and I need to take better care of myself.

I pray that God blesses you abundantly with His peace, joy and health now and for the coming years.  Know that we can do all things through Him who strengthens us.

Advent 2011 Day 20

With just 5 days until Christmas, many have finished their shopping, finished their wrapping, mailed their greeting cards and are done their baking.  I am not even close to being done any of it.

I know I need to get my cards in the mail, do some baking, plan Christmas dinner and get a few gifts, but for some reason that is not what is on my mind.  I’m thinking about the squirrels, rabbits and birds that hang in my yard and wondering what I can do for them.  I have no idea why – I mean they’re squirrels and rabbits and birds for goodness sake.  I’m sure they’ve laid up their food for the winter, but I can’t stop thinking about them.  Maybe it’s because I noticed the huge chunk missing out of one of the cushions on my lawn furniture.  Yes, I should have brought them in weeks ago, but it wasn’t a high priority – then… Or maybe it was the enormous cluster of bird feathers at the base of my spruce tree.  Or perhaps it was the 2 nests that I also found at the base of  my spruce tree. 

Whatever the reason, someone or something is trying to get my attention.  So, with that in mind, I’m pulling out the Girl Scout in me and I’m going to make some Pinecone Birdfeeders and save all the ends of my bread and put them out for the furry friends.

Don’t forget about your woodland friends this winter.  I will suggest however that you put your goodies far from the house to avoid having them become too comfortable or close to your entryways.  I opted to use directions from a website for the Pinecone Birdfeeders to save time.  Their directions and pictures are awesome.

Materials you will need for each pinecone feeder:

• A large, open pinecone
• Vegetable shortening, peanut butter, lard or suet
• Oatmeal or corn meal – optional
• Birdseed
• A few feet of string, fishing line or twine
• Mixing bowl
• Butter knife
• Spoon
• Scissors
• Pie tin, paper plate or cookie sheet
• ½ cup measuring cup
• Optional: High-energy bird foods such as dried fruit (cut in small pieces), chopped nuts, sunflower seeds or millet

Making a pinecone bird feeder:

STEP 1:

Assemble your materials.

STEP 2:

Tie a string around the wider, stem end of the pinecone.

STEP 3: – Only need to do this step if you opt to use oatmeal or corn meal

Mix ½ cup vegetable shortening (or alternative) with ½ cup oatmeal or corn meal in a mixing bowl until well blended. (This amount will cover one large pinecone or two or three smaller ones.)

STEP 4:

Thoroughly spread the mixture over the pinecone with a butter knife or back side of a spoon.

STEP 5:

Pour the birdseed into a pie tin or on a paper plate or cookie sheet. If you choose, you can add any of the optional high-energy foods to the birdseed. Then roll the pinecone in the birdseed until well covered.

STEP 6:

Suspend the feeder from a tree branch outside.

Advent 2011 Day 19

Do you bake at Christmas time? Do you have anything special you make for the family or friends?  There was a time when I would bake for days at a time.  Cookies, cakes, pies and whatnot.

As the years have gone by, I have done less each year.  I can’t say why exactly, there are many reasons, but I must say I miss all the excitement of shopping for the ingredients, and getting flour everywhere, all the mmmm’s and oohhhs from the kids as they sampled the cookies and treats.

With all that’s going on in my life right now, I don’t have the time or energy this year, even though my mind and heart had plans of making all kids of goodies.  Even still, I thought today’s Advent could be about Christmas recipes.  Here are couple I found on the web that I thought were a bit different.  Feel free to share your favorite recipes in the comments section – I’d be happy to share with my readers.

Christmas Crescent Cookies

1/2 lb. butter (2 sticks)
2 c. flour
2 c. chopped pecans
5 tbsp. sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
1 tbsp. water
1/2 tsp. salt

Cream butter and sugar; add vanilla and water. Sift flour and salt,
stir into mixture. Add pecans and mix well. Shape into size of 
walnut and shape into crescent. Bake slowly at 325 degrees about 
20 minutes. While warm, roll into powdered sugar. 

 

Christmas – Egg Nog Pie

4 3/4 ounce package vanilla pudding and pie filling mix  
2 cups eggnog 
1 1/4 cups milk 
1 tablespoon light rum 
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg 
9" graham cracker pie shell 
Whipped cream 
Nutmeg
	
Cook pudding mix for for pie filling using 2 cups eggnog and 
1 1/4 cups milk. Stir in rum and nutmeg; pour into crust. Cover 
surface with plastic wrap; chill several hours. Garnish with 
whipped cream and nutmeg.

Christmas Float

1 can coke or Dr Pepper
3 scoops of ice cream - chocolate or vanilla
4 cherries
2 red and green gum drops
red and green M&M's
whipped cream topping
	
Put ice cream in cup. Pour soda on it, then add the whipped cream, 
cherries and candy.

Christmas Cranberry Punch

2 C Cranberry Juice

2 C Pineapple Juice

1 C Orange Juice

3/4 C Triple Sec (optional)

1 Pint Strawberries, sliced

1 Lime thinly sliced

4 C Ginger Ale – chilled

 

Makes about 1 1/2 quarts.

In a large glass container, combine ingredients and chill thoroughly.  Just before serving, slowly stir in the ginger ale. Pour into a punch bowl or large jug and add ice cubes.

Advent 2011 Day 18

Eggnog.  Either you LOVE it, or you HATE it.  I side with the latter.  I like eggs, but something about whipping it into something I drink just doesn’t do it for me.  I thought I’d get all historical and tell you the history of Eggnog and why we only drink it for Thanksgiving and Christmas, but there really isn’t anything conclusive that says why or when or how it became a holiday tradition.

It appears that it started in renaissance Europe.  It was not something for the poor, mainly an aristocratic treat since eggs and milk and alcohol were expensive.  They mainly used wine or ale to add to the mix and I’m thinking that since refrigeration was not around, adding the alcohol helped keep it around a bit longer. 

It seems to have been intended as a winter treat.  Something they would serve at parties and gatherings.  When it hit America around the 1600s, rum was used instead of wine and so that is where that tradition began. 

Today it comes in all varieties.  You can get it with or without alcohol, you can even get it with soy or organic milk. 

 

There’s eggnog coffee, ice cream, cheesecake, cookies, pancakes, martini’s, and the list goes on wherever your imagination or taste buds take you.

Advent 2011 Day 17

Joy to the World, the Lord has come!  I’m not sure why that suddenly popped into my head, but I thought it the perfect message for today’s Advent.  This song, written by Isaac Watts, is based on Psalm 98 and was not originally meant to be a Christmas carol, but rather as a hymn giving glory to God.  Let it ring through our hearts at Christmas, and all year long. ~Briggie

 

Joy to the World , the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the World, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love

Advent 2011 Day 16

I apologize for not posting this on day 16.  I have been preoccupied with my husband’s illness and did not have an opportunity to get to a computer.  I thought it would be nice to post some Christmas quotes for you so here goes…

 

He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.  ~Roy L. Smith

 

Christmas is the gentlest, loveliest festival of the revolving year – and yet, for all that, when it speaks, its voice has strong authority.  ~W.J. Cameron

 

May Peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through!  ~Author Unknown

 

Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love!  ~Hamilton Wright Mabie

 

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.  ~Norman Vincent Peale

Advent 2011 Day 15

I am having a hard time deciding on what to post for today’s Advent.  My husband has been in the hospital since Monday, and my mind just can’t seem to focus.  I jump from idea to idea but never get anything going.  It’s just 10 short days until Christmas and I am praying for a Christmas miracle, as I am sure many thousands, no – millions of others are.

Some are praying for financial help, some for a medical miracle, others for their soul mate.  So many are praying to find work, keep their homes, fix their cars, the list goes on and on and on…

I am praying for peace.  Peace over my finances.  Peace over my husbands health.  Peace over my children.  Peace over my employment.  Peace over my home.  Peace over my car.  Peace over my spirit.  Peace over my soul.

I feel that if I pray for peace, all the other things that I could, and should be praying for will work themselves out God’s way.  I’m giving him the reins over it all.  I truly feel it’s the only way I will make it though the day without losing what little control I have left.

So, my Advent for today is that you find peace.  His peace.  The peace that surpasses all understanding.  The peace that will calm any storm.  The peace that will give you rest and help you to breathe.

 

Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Matthew 11:28-30  Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

John 14:27  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

John 20:19  On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them,  “Peace be with you.”

Philippians 4:6-7 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Advent 2011 Day 14

 

The Story of the Nativity – Luke 2:1-21

 

1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

²(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

³And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

⁴And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

⁵To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

⁶And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

⁷And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

⁸And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

⁹And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

¹⁰And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

¹¹For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

¹²And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

¹³And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

¹⁴Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

¹⁵And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

¹⁶And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

¹⁷And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

¹⁸And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

¹⁹But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

²⁰And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

²¹And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Advent 2011 Day 13

 

Hello Dear friends.  Today’s advent is a short and simple one as I have had a family emergency.  May God bless you and keep you in His care.  ~Briggie