Favorite Ingredients Friday

Thanks to OWJ for hosting this weekly Meme.

My idea for this week came when my husband asked me to make my Seafood Nachos for their office luncheon today. I figured I could kill two birds with one stone – make him the nachos and post the recipe and picture for today’s FIF. I shop at Aldi’s (I mention this a lot on my blog) and I was able to get everything for this recipe except for the canned Chilies and Scallions, so when I made them today, they were “sans” chilies and scallions. 

What You’ll Need

1 Package of Lobster Mates or Crab Mates (no need for the real stuff)

1 Bag Tortilla Chips (I like using the round kind)

12-16 ounces shredded Cheese (I like to combine taco cheese and cheddar cheese and I like a lot of cheese)

1 can of Chili Beans or Black Beans, lightly rinsed and drained

1 can Pitted Black Olives, diced

2 Large Tomatoes, diced

2 cans diced Green Chilies, optional

1 bunch Scallions, diced, optional

Garlic Powder

Baking Spray

Cookie Sheet

Sour Cream, Salsa and Guacamole are optional but they take the nachos to a whole new level and help with your daily dairy and veggie intake!

How To Prepare

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Lightly spray a cookie sheet with baking spray.  Layer a bag of tortilla chips evenly on the cookie sheet.  Lightly sprinkle some garlic powder over the chips.  Finely chop the crab meat and take handfuls of the crab meat and evenly spread it over the chips. Now, take handfuls of the beans and sprinkle them over the crab, and do the same for the olives, tomatoes, chilies and onions.  Sprinkle lightly with garlic powder.  Now, take handfuls of the cheese and evenly spread over the top making sure you cover every inch of the chips, beans, tomatoes, etc…

Place the sheet on the middle rack of the oven and bake 15 minutes or until cheese is melted but not browned or burnt.  Sometimes I take a pizza cutter and make three passes across horizontally, and 4-5 passes vertically to create even portions and it makes it easier for people to scoop some onto their plates!

I made this huge batch (my cookie sheets are really big) of Seafood Nachos for under $10 and here’s my before and after baking photos.

      

Missing Images In IE 7

I know most people use Windows XP with Internet Explorer 6, you are the lucky ones.  My laptop has Windows Vista and Internet Explorer 7 – UGH!!!  Anyway, I’ve tolerated the numerous problems over the past several months but this latest one is the straw that broke the proverbial camel’s back!

I’ve been going through some of my older posts and noticed that I was not able to see the YouTube videos I posted.  I also noticed that when I visit some fellow bloggers sites, I would not be able to see some of the pictures they posted.  Now, I know what many of you are thinking – You think I’m talking about getting that little white box with the red X – WRONG!  I get a big white box with another little box in the upper left hand corner with a red square, blue triangle and green dot and my post looks like this:  

I’ve done some researching and from what I’ve read, it comes down to my web browser and settings, but there is definitely a problem with IE 7 and Windows Vista because I downloaded Mozilla Firefox and found out there was a problem with my Adobe Flash Player, which IE 7 did not alert me to.  I took care of the Adobe problem, and can now see all  my YouTube posts and images on other sites through Firefox that I still cannot see through my IE 7 browser.

So, I’ve said all that to say this – if you visit my site and cannot see images or YouTube posts, you can quickly and easily install Firefox and the images will appear!  Right now I am running both IE 7 and Firefox at the same time and while I’m more comfortable with IE because I’ve used it for years, I’m liking the fact that I can see images through Firefox that I can’t with IE. 

Urgent Prayer Request – Erin Page

When someone visits my blog and leaves a comment, I like to visit their site and return the favor.  Today I was led to Brandy’s site and found this urgent prayer request from earlier this week and knew I had to post it here as well.  Please add Erin and her family to your prayer list and pass along the request to as many as you can for there is power in the corporate prayer of those who love and serve Him!  I am pasting the original request as it was received by Brandy along with an update an link to the family’s website. 

THIS LITTLE GIRL (HER AND HER FAMILY GO TO MY CHURCH) NEEDS ALL THE PRAYERS SHE CAN GET. HER NAME IS ERIN PAGE SHE IS 14. SHE IS VERY, VERY SICK. HER FAMILY HAS BEEN TOLD HER CHANCES OF DYING ARE GREATER THAN HER CHANCES OF LIVING. SHE HAS DOUBLE PNEUMONIA, THE FLU, AND STREP. SHE HAS GONE INTO SEPTIC SHOCK AND IS ON A VENT IN THE ICU.  TUESDAY THEY FLEW HER OUT TO VANDY IN NASHVILLE. SHE HAS WENT UNDER EXPLORATORY SURGERY TO SEE WHERE THE INFECTION IS COMING FROM. ( THEY HAVE SAID THAT THEY THINK IT COULD BE HER BOWELS AND.. OR INTESTINES DYING). SHE NEEDS ALL THE PRAYER SHE CAN GET SO I AM PASSING IT ON TO ANY AND EVERY PERSON I
CAN THINK OF THAT MIGHT SEND UP A PRAYER FOR HER .

Click HERE to visit the website Erin’s family created.  They have a journal where they post updates on her condition.

Interceding For Our Children Week of Feb. 24th

I’m a bit late, but here is this weeks prayer from Leigh Ann at IFOC, insert the names of your children where the blank is, and I also inserted my husbands name there too!.  As always, you can head over to her site to see all her posts.  Take care and God bless you. 

Where I need to be healed, delivered, changed, matured, or made whole, I invite You to do that in me. Help me to walk in righteousness and integrity before You. Help me set myself apart from my selfish ways to be completely with ____________; to be there for them and that they completely and totally feel Your love flowing from me.

The righteous man walks in his integrity; his children are blessed after him. Proverbs 20:7

Do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4

Jesus, You’re Beautiful To Me

I was watching the Daystar Christian channel this evening, and a praise an worship group came on and sang this song.  The words touched my heart I had to look them up and put them here for you.  I found them at www.praize.com and Cece Winans sings it on her Throne Room CD.  I will definitely have to pick this up and make it part of my daily praise and worship time.

Jesus, bright as the morning star
Jesus, how can I tell You
How beautiful You are to me
Jesus, song that the angels sing
Jesus, dearer to my heart than anything

Sweeter than spring time
Purer than sunshine
Ever my song will be
Jesus, You’re beautiful to me

Jesus, bright as the morning star
Jesus, how can I tell You
How beautiful You are to me
Jesus, song that the angels sing
Jesus, dearer to my heart than anything

Sweeter than spring time
Purer than sunshine
Ever my song will be
Jesus, You’re beautiful to me

Oh Lord You are so beautiful

Oh, beautiful
So, beautiful
So, beautiful
Jesus, You’re beautiful to me

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
Jesus, You’re beautiful to me

Wonderful, Heavenly, beautiful
Jesus, You’re beautiful to me

Morning star
Lord You are
Beautiful
Jesus, You’re beautiful to me

Oh…
oh…
oh…
So, beautiful

Sweeter than spring time
Purer than sunshine
Ever my song will be
Jesus, You’re beautiful to me

Thursday Thirteen – 15th Edition

I know my 14th edition was posted on January 27th, so I’ve missed a few weeks – long story – won’t bother you with it.  This edition is dedicated to the many books I’ve purchased but haven’t read.  Believe me, there’s more than 13, but in keeping with the theme of this Meme, I’ll stick to 13.

I’m trying to sit at His feet, but who’s going to cook dinner? – Cathy Lechner

The Winter Seeking – Viniti Hampton Wright

Unsolved Mysteries of American History – Paul Aron

Christian Theology – An Introduction – Alister E. McGrath

Goldie Hawn – A Lotus Grows In The Mind – Goldie Hawn

The Blood And The Shroud – Ian Wilson

When Christ Comes – Max Lucado

Herod – King of the Jews and friend of the Romans – Peter Richardson

The Parables of Jesus – S. Parkes Cadman

Mind Siege – Tim LaHaye

Dune – The Battle of Corrin – Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson

The Templars Secret Island – Erling Haggensen, Henry Lincoln

So You Want To Be More Like Christ – Charles Swindoll

Works for Me Wednesday – Cinna-Mallow Rolls

The other day my daughter and her friend were in the kitchen conjuring up a recipe her friend learned in Home Ec.  Interestingly enough I had all the ingredients on hand and they were really tasty so I decided to come up with my own rendition and I’m sharing it with you. – ** I’ve been asked to post a picture, so tomorrow when I make some, I’ll snap a photo and update my post!

Here are the pictures – I was going to take some as I prepared them, but the battery was dead – sorry!  I should also mention that they don’t look so pretty once you take them out of the pan – but never judge a book by it’s cover or a Cinna-Mallow Roll by it’s flatness or brokeness – they are Good Eats!!!  I should also mention that clean-up can be a breeze if you immediately soak the pans in really hot water for about 5 minutes.  This gives you plenty of time to pour a glass of milk and shove a roll in your mouth before the water even starts to cool!  Enjoy!

Before Baking     After Baking    And did I mention how awesome the whole house smells?????

You’ll Need –

2 cans of Crescent Rolls (I shop at Aldi’s and they’re really cheap there)

2 Tsp Cinnamon

1/2 Cup Sugar

Large Marshmallows*

1/2 Stick of Butter

Baking Spray

Muffin Pans

Pastry brush

* I recommend leaving the Marshmallows out a day or two so they get hard – they hold up better while baking.

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

Mix the cinnamon and sugar in a bowl – set aside.  I recommend putting a little of the sugar mixture in a separate bowl for sprinkling on top of the rolls.  Spray the muffin pans with a baking spray or lightly grease with Crisco or butter.  Melt 1/2 stick of butter.  Separate the crescents and using your hands press the dough so it’s a bit thinner and wider, then brush one side with butter.  Dip 2 marshmallows in the butter then roll them in the sugar mixture and place them on the roll at the wide end.  Roll the crescent starting at the wide end and tuck the points underneath and place in the muffin pan.  Do this for all the crescents and when they are all in the pan, brush the tops with butter and sprinkle with the sugar mixture.  Bake for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.  The marshmallows will melt creating a gooey mixture, let them cool in the pan for just a minute or so, then using a butter knife loosen the roll and carefully lift to a plate. They are so good if you eat them while they are still warm – mmmm.

I’ve thought about some variations, like sprinkling mini chocolate baking chips on the crescents before adding the marshmallows – or finely chopping pecans and raisins and adding them before the marshmallows – mmm….gonna try them out tomorrow!

Make sure you click on the Works For Me Wednesday button and check out all the other great entries!  Thanks Shannon for hosting such a great way for bloggers to share ideas and connect!

Jesus, Lover Of My Soul

It’s all about You, Jesus

And all this is for You

For Your glory and Your fame

It’s not about me

As if You should do things my way

You alone are God

And I surrender to Your ways

Jesus, lover of my soul

All consuming fire is in Your gaze

Jesus, I want You to know

I will follow You all my days

For no one else in history is like You

And history itself belongs to You

Alpha and Omega, You have loved me

And I will share eternity with You

 

Word and Music by Paul Oakley

Lyrics found at www.higherpraise.com

I see Angels

                                  

I see Angels watching over me, high up in the sky, I see Angels.

I see Angels watching over me as I sleep at night, I see Angels.

My spirit longs to fly and be high up in the  sky, with the Angels.

 

Flying higher, flying faster, climbing up to meet my Savior.

Flying higher toward my Savior, I long to be free.

I am free, because Jesus gave His life for me.  Jesus has set me free.

He placed my feet upon solid ground, I once was lost but now I’m found.

I’m already free, I’m already free.

Jesus I long to fly, take me higher through the sky. 

Take me higher, let me fly.

You gave me wings, Your Word is my wings. 

Watch me fly, watch me fly. 

Higher and high, higher and high, up through the sky.

Angels, watch me fly.

A Seed

Years ago the Lord gave me this poem, His Word, which I shared with my church.  While going through some papers I came across it again so I’m sharing it with you today.  It is just as relevant today as it was then.  Take care and God bless you.

A Seed

I’ve planted in each of you a seed, that does not grow through worldly deeds.

It needs the water that brings forth life, the water that washes away sorrow and strife.

It grows each day it’s fed My Word, and nurtured through the love of a shepard.

This seed is rooted in My love.  I’ve sent it down from up above.

Through it’s vines flow the Blood of Christ, each vine contains the source of life.

The fruit it bares depends on you,  the things you say, the things you do.

Treasure this gift and you will receive, more than your mind could ever conceive.

I’ve planted in each of you a seed.  A living, breathing piece of Me.

A Clean Mammogram – Praise God

Last year this time I was taking all kinds of pre-tests in preparations for my Gastric Bypass.  One of the things I had to take care of was my annual Mammogram, which was about 2 years over-due.  I hate, no, I detest having to get this done. 

I am very large breasted and though they have gotten smaller with the weight loss, they are still big.  I hate that I have to try and stand there while the technician has to pull and push and move and stretch my “girls”, then watch her flatten them beyond recognition anywhere from 6-8 times and then pray that the films come out okay so we don’t have to submit to a command performance and do it all over again. 

I’ve never worried about breast cancer, no one in my family has it so it never crossed my mind that I would ever hear the words, “we’ve found something and need to take more films”. 

Well, last year, I was told they found a small lump and wanted to take care of it right away.  What??? Wait a minute, you found what?  Well, things happened so fast, one minute I was having more films taken and the next I was speaking to a Breast Surgeon.  A BREAST SURGEON!!!  I was still trying to funnel all this in and now they were talking about finding not one lump but two and they were connected and peanut shaped and they tend to present cancer when they’re shaped like this and it’s best to just remove them and biopsy them rather than have to biopsy them and then find you have to remove them so let’s get the procedure scheduled today………Uhm, uh, wha-, uh, who, uhm, huh?

Now I have another reason to hate my breasts.  Well, the good news here is that they do a Needle-Loc prior to removing the lumps.  This procedure involves them taking digital pictures of the breast to locate the lump(s), then they mark the spot with a laser, insert a needle where the lump(s) are which makes it easier for the surgeon to locate them and then they take more digital pictures to make sure the needle is in position.  All was going great, they took the shots, found the lumps, inserted the needle and took more shots but couldn’t find the lumps anymore.  They were all pretty much amazed – they were there one minute, we all saw them, and then they were gone!  They checked and re-checked and checked again and no lumps – PRAISE GOD!!  Everyone was shouting and excited and saying it was a miracle and how wonderful it was that I didn’t have to go through with the surgery and wasn’t I so happy!!??  Happy, I was floating!  I was told I would have to have follow-up Mammo’s every six months, but since it was only the left one that would be a walk in the park. 

Well, the first follow-up showed the lumps had returned.  This didn’t dampen my spirits, it just put me back into caution mode.  They had me go back 3 months later and that follow-up showed the lumps were still there, but there was no change in size or shape so they determined that I could resume annual check-ups and would just take extra films of the left breast to make sure nothing significant happened, which brings me to today. 

I was pleasantly surprised to find they had upgraded to digital machines which means less tugging and pressing and immediate results!  She took the first set (one on each side) and she was gentle and quick.  Then she took the second set which was a tiny bit uncomfortable but nothing compared to past experiences.  She wanted to take one more shot of the left breast, but not because of the lump – it was because since I’ve lost so much weight (apparently a lot of it in my boobs) there was extra skin that caused a shadow and she wanted to get a better shot.  Well, that went off without a hitch and when I asked her how the lumps looked, she said – “what lumps?”  I said “the ones in my left breast!”  She invited me to check out the monitor and guess what – NO LUMPS!  The images were so clear and there was no denying it – the lumps are GONE!  PRAISE GOD, THANK YOU JESUS! 

I don’t have to go back until February 2009 and since they’ve gone digital, I’m not dreading making that appointment or keeping it for that matter!!

Father, Master of the Universe from Whom all blessings flow, thank you for  my healing.  Thank you for Your grace and mercy and for all You are doing in my life.  I give You all the glory and honor and praise and know that You are in control over every area of my life and give You permission to use me as You see fit.

Closer

While cleaning up my bookshelves I came across a notebook that I used years ago to keep notes from church or meetings as well as Words from the Lord.  I came across “Closer” which the Lord gave me on April 28th, 1996.  It’s message is just as true today as it was back then, proof to me that His Word never returns to Him void.

Closer

Closer…Every step taken, is a step Closer.

Even when you stumble, you are a step Closer.

Even when you fall, you are a step Closer.

Though your back is turned, you can see the Prize.

Though your eyes are closed, so can you still see the Prize.

Though you’ve lost your way, you are still a step Closer to the Prize!

Why?

Because of who you are to Me.  Because of who I Am.

I Am He that lives in you.  I Am He that calls to you.

I Am He that breathed on you, formed you and gave you life.

I see your heart.  I know your heart.  I Am the Blood that flows within.

As long as I Am in you – you are a step Closer to the Prize.

The Prize – what is the Prize? 

It is Me.  It is Peace.  It is Righteousness.  It is Joy in the Holy Ghost.

Interesting Facts About The Bible

While searching for Bible facts I found this (http://www.holybible.com/resources/poems/interesting_facts.htm) and thought you might find it interesting reading.

The Bible is the life and tree of knowledge which contains:

* 66 books
* 1,189 chapters
* 31,173 verses
* 810,697 words
* and 3,566,480 letters.
* The longest chapter is Psalm 119.
* The middle verse is Psalm 118.8.
* The longest name is in Isaiah 8.
* The word “and ” occurs 46,627 times.
* The word “Lord” 1,855 times.
* 2 Kings 19 and Isaiah 37 are almost alike.
* The longest verse is Esther 8:9 with 90 words and 426 letters.
* The shortest verse is John 11:35; “Jesus wept”.
* Ezra 7:21 contains all the letters of the alphabet except 2.
* Ezra the scribe was the first to preach from a pulpit.
* The words “boy” and “girl” “chapel” “coffin” “eternity” and “reverend” are only mentioned once – read on until you find them.
* The finest piece of reading is said to be in Acts 26.
* The name of God is not once mentioned in Esther, although it contains so much holiness, knowledge, love, and wisdom.

Read the Bible diligently in preference to the trash of the present day. All who may doubt these words and figures, count them for yourselves.
The above wonderful calculations occupied much time, devotion, study and perseverance to complete the work, and it is said to have originated from either an afflicted invalid lady or from a convict long confined in prison, thus enabling him to help pass away the solitary hours, and who must have been blessed with the patience of Job to complete the task.

The above was taken from a print over 250 years old. The Friendly Companion, Vol CXIV November 1989

Interceding For Our Children Week of Feb. 17th

Leigh Ann over at IFOC posts a new prayer every week for our children and it has been on my heart to put that prayer here as well.  I know I did not do any blogging the past few weeks and while this prayer is from last week, I still wanted to share it.  When she has this weeks prayer posted on her site, I’ll update my site as well, or feel free to visit her site and view all of her weekly prayers!

Most loving Father, the example of parenthood, we seek You this week to teach us what to give and what to withhold. We ask that You show us when to reprove and when to praise. Help us be gentle and considerate yet firm and watchful. Keep us from weak indulgence, or from great severity. Give us wisdom to seek your guidance each day this week.

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. Colossians 1:9

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:5

The lord Is My Strength

This is a little song the Lord gave me many years ago and when things seem darkest it comes to me to remind me Who is the One that is in control. You know, no matter how much your spouse, family or friends may love you, they are only human and they will fail you.  Sometimes when feel you need them the most they will not be there there, or they won’t be able to give you the help you need to make it through your situation.  God is the only One that will never leave us, nor forsake us and His strength is unsurpassed as is His Wisdom and Love.  May these few and simple words be a blessing to you as they have been to me.

 

The Lord is my strength, He carries my burdens, the Lord is my strength.

The Lord is my strength, He carries my burdens, the Lord is my strength. 

Without Him, I’m nothing, but with Him I’m strong,

So I’ll turn to the One who’s loved me, all my life long.

The Lord is my strength, the Lord is my strength, the Lord is my strength.

The Lord is my strength, He carries my burdens, the Lord is my strength.

Time For Change

I apologize to those of you who visit on a regular basis and wonder if for some reason you’ve been directed to the wrong blog – I’v been playing around with different themes and can’t seem to make up my mind.  I’m going for a new look, but I want to be sensitive to you, my readers so if you come across a theme you don’t like, leave me a comment telling me what you don’t like – such as the color of the theme, the size or color of the font, etc…  If you come across a post that doesn’t appear properly, please let me know.  I’m going to be editing previous posts so that they can all be read – it appears that with some of the themes any text with a dark color doesn’t come through very well.

Prayer Request – Marge Yenner

Dear friends, please lift Marge up to the Lord in prayer for healing.  She has recently been diagnosed with Leukemia and on Monday she will speak with her doctor to discuss the various options for treatment.  She is very frail and will have to undergo chemo, and perhaps a bone marrow transplant, all of which is painful, costly and stressful. 

Father, we come to you on behalf of your daughter, Marge and lift her up to you.  We speak to her bones and marrow and declare them free from disease in Jesus’ name.  Lord, we make a demand on her blood to produce healthy marrow and bone that is free from sickness and disease and declare that her bones will refuse any illness to enter in.  Father, Your Word says that anything we bind on earth, is bound in Heaven, and we bind the enemy and every germ and disease and illness that is trying to claim her in Your Mighty Name.  In the name of Jesus, we forbid her body to be deceived in any way, and declare that Marge is redeemed from the curse of the law and death and that the Spirit of God’s Word flows through her veins cleansing her blood from all impurities.  The law of the Spirit has made her free from the law of sin and death, therefore she will not allow sin, sickness or death to be lord over her.  The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead, dwells in Marge and sends His life through her body sending healing to every cell, artery, muscle, bone, marrow and tissue.  We believe in His Word and stand in faith in His promises in the matchless and wondrous name of His Son, Jesus, Amen.

De-cluttering – Getting Back On Track!

So, while I may not have been blogging, or much of anything else the past few weeks, I did have moments where I accomplished some de-cluttering and at one point I had the clarity of mind to record my efforts for posterity.

I went through more of the magazines that I have had laying around the house and while I haven’t gone through all of them, I would say that I only have about a dozen left to go through.

I had put up a post some time back about a neat little gadget I found at the local craft store, the iSlice, and I can’t say enough about it.  I use it to go through my magazines, newsletters, coupons and newspapers.  I love it!  Just to show you how useful this little cutter is here’s a picture of the stack of magazines (on the left)  I went through recently and the end result (on the right) of my “slicing”.  Please keep in mind this is probably only one-fourth of the magazines I’ve iSliced over the past few months.

To stay on top of the magazines that make their way into my home, I’ve decided to let them linger for one month beyond their issue date before I iSlice them.  This will allow for ample time for everyone to browse through them and keep them from piling up.

Once I’ve gone through all the magazines still floating around from months past, I’m going to begin scanning the pages onto a flash drive – this will reduce the amount of clutter even more and I’ll make sure to snap a photo or two!

The Concert

Marie and I have been friends for over 20 years and even though she has been living in Florida for the last 14 years, she has never lost contact with me and she remains one of my dearest and truest friends.  We stay in touch through email and she has sent me some funny ones, some serious ones, some thought provoking ones and some pull on your heart string ones; but this one was so poignant, I knew I had to share it.  I’m not sure who authored it, but it’s worth sharing.  May it touch you as it did me and may your desire to know Him grow with each passing moment.

The Concert

When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin a mother returned to her seat and discovered that her child was missing. Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on stage.

To her horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking out,”Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.”

At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance then quickly moved to the piano, and whispered in the boy’s ear, “

Don’t quit . . . keep playing.”

Then, leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child, and he added a running obbligato.

Together, the old master and the young novice transformed what could have been a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience.

The audience was so mesmerized that they couldn’t recall what else the great master played. Only the classic, ” Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.”

Perhaps that’s the way it is with God.

What we can accomplish on our own is hardly noteworthy. We try our best, but the results aren’t always graceful flowing music.  However, with the hand of the Master, our life’s work can truly be beautiful.   The next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen carefully.   You may hear the voice of the Master, whispering in your ear,

“Don’t quit . . . Keep playing.”

May you feel His arms around you and know that His hands are there, helping you turn your feeble attempts into true masterpieces. Remember, God doesn’t seem to call the equipped, rather, He equips the ‘called.’

Life is more accurately measured by the lives you touch than by the things you acquire. So touch someone by passing this little message along.

May God bless you and be with you always, and remember,

“ Don’t quit . . . Keep playing.”

Messages From Joel Osteen – Confirmation Of God’s Word

Okay, if you read my blog you know that for the past few weeks I haven’t blogged and I haven’t been in my email very much either.  So, today I’ve been catching up and this evening I’ve been going through my daily messages from Joel Osteen.  It’s amazing how so many of his messages spoke to my circumstances and even though I did not read them until now, God was still conveying His message to me through what I’ve read in His word and through other messages of encouragement I’ve been given over the years.  It is written that, “God’s Word will not return to Him void” and this is ever so present and real for me.  Here are a few messages I received over the past few weeks from Joel Osteen Ministries that I want to share with you, may they bless you as they have blessed me.

Observe to Do

Today’s Scripture

“This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success” (Joshua 1:8).

Today’s Word from Joel and Victoria

Did you know that when you speak the Word of God, it activates power in your life? In fact, this verse says do not let it depart from your mouth. In other words, keep speaking and confessing the Word of God—no matter what your circumstances seem like. When you keep God’s Word in your mind, heart and mouth, it empowers you to obey all the Lord commands. Do you need strength today to overcome temptation? Do you need to be empowered to walk in love? Get the Word of God in your heart and declare what the Word of God says about your situation. Declare that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. Declare that you have God’s grace for all things. And notice what this verse says will happen when you are walking in obedience to God’s Word: The key to having abundance and success in every area of your life is found in the Word of God. As you continue to speak the Word of God, you will be empowered in every area of your life, and you will live the life of victory the Lord has in store!

A Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word which gives me strength. Fill me with Your power so that I can obey Your Word. I bless You today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Keep Asking

Today’s Scripture

“For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:8).

Today’s Word from Joel and Victoria

Is there something you are believing God for? Does it seem like it’s taking a long time to come to pass? Be encouraged today! The Bible says that through faith and patience you will inherit the promise. You can trust that God’s Word is true. Submit your prayers to the Lord, and keep an attitude of faith and expectancy. Keep asking. Keep seeking. Keep knocking on the door, and it will be opened to you. It may seem like it’s taking a long time, but know this: God is working behind the scenes on your behalf. He is orchestrating things in your favor. He is perfecting whatever concerns you. Don’t give up! Start thanking God for His faithfulness in your life. As you stay faithful in your prayers and thanksgiving, the Lord will move mightily on your behalf. He’ll take you places that you’ve never dreamed, and you will live the life of victory He has in store for you!

A Prayer for Today

Father in heaven, thank You for giving me a diligent spirit. Thank You for Your faithfulness. Give me strength to stand until I see Your promises fulfilled in my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Give Thought to Your Ways

Today’s Scripture

“A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps” (Proverbs 14:15).

Today’s Word from Joel and Victoria

Do you consider yourself to be prudent or wise? The Bible says that one of the characteristics of a prudent person is to give thought to their ways. So many people today just act, or re-act, based on their emotions or circumstances. They let the world around them determine how they should feel or what they should do. They believe everything they hear in the news. When the economy is up, they are up. When the economy is down, they are down. Don’t let that be you today! Give thought to your ways. Submit every decision to the Lord in prayer and allow Him to direct you from inside your heart. Don’t believe everything you hear. Let the Lord guide your steps. As you take time to meditate before the Lord and submit your plans to Him, Proverbs says that your ways will be established. You will find supernatural peace that passes understanding, and you will live in success all the days of your life!

A Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your faithfulness to me. Thank You for guiding and directing my steps. Help me each day to give thought to my ways and follow the good plan You have for me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Be Strong in the Lord

Today’s Scripture

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” (Ephesians 6:10).

Today’s Word from Joel and Victoria

Everyone has times when they feel weak or discouraged in life. But you don’t have to live that way! You can be strong in the Lord and in His power. You don’t have to walk around defeated and depressed. You can have joy today! In fact, the Bible tells us that the joy of the Lord is our strength. God’s joy isn’t based on circumstances. It isn’t based on the news, the stock market or the housing economy. God’s joy is based on Him. When you think about what He’s done for you—that He’s given you life, that He’s cast your sins as far as the east is from the west—you can’t help but get happy! You can’t help but have joy inside of you. That supernatural joy on the inside of you is supernatural strength. The enemy can’t take away what God has given you deep on the inside. So put a smile on your face today and rejoice in the Lord no matter what battles you may be facing. The joy of the Lord will give you strength, and you’ll live the life of victory God has promised you!

A Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, thank You for joy which strengthens! Thank you for empowering me today no matter what I may be facing. Fill my heart with Your supernatural joy so I can stand strong in all things. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.