Living as a Victorious Christian Woman

As I'm working on 400 cow cookies today, I'm so glad that I put inthe organizational efforts last week. If you'll remember, I spent a few hours one day moving all of my baking supplies out into the rolling island. That was invaluable while I was making 20 batches of sugar cookie dough yesterday. But today I'm thrilled that the rest of the kitchen is done, too. I'm able to find everything I need, like the cooling racks and extra pot holders and towels. The spatulas are finally living together in one drawer and it all has a home to return to after being washed. Two weeks ago I had overflowing cabinets and doors that wouldn't close. I'm ashamed to admit all of that, but I'm also pleased that this is a thing of the past. I didn't even realize half of what we had! I held up half a dozen kitchen tools for Danny to identify - I had no idea what they did or how to use them. I learned so much, including the fact that we have an apple corer/peeler. Hmm...inte...

We can look anywhere we'd like, but there's only one place to find perfect peace. And isn't that truly what we're searching for in this fast-paced world? I found a double portion in my kitchen yesterday, while rolling out sugar cookies, of all things. There was no music on, no television, no other people. Just perfect peace and quiet - even the neighbors found inside things to do, which is out of the ordinary. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27 While singing How Great Thou Art, I realized how predictable cookie baking is. If I get in a hurry and don't let the rolling pin roll of the edge of the dough, it will stick and roll back on itself. If I wiggle the cookie cutter too much, the image will be ripped and torn beyond recognition. But if perform each task, in the proper order, with the right heart attitude, everything comes together the way...

How is your joy level on this day after Easter Sunday? Resurrection Day is always filled with reminders of our God-given joy. The preacher shares an amazing message of an empty tomb and a risen Savior. The church's musicians present an acting and singing program that tells of Jesus' powerful love. We all go home uplifted and ready to take on the world. And then Monday comes. Instead of jumping with the joy of the resurrection, we sit still like this little frog. We know he has the potential to jump high and far, but right now he's still as a statue. What happened between yesterday and today? God didn't change. He hasn't changed since the beginning of time. The story of Jesus' Gospel hasn't changed. He still loves, He still saves and He still changes people's lives. The difference is that our heart attitude changes. Sure, yesterday was a fantastic celebration of what Christ has done for us. It's easy to worship in a sanctuary full of fellow believers....

For many people, this weekend is a time for bunnies, jelly beans and chocolate. But praise God, we know the real reason for the season! We rejoice because Jesus Christ was crucified. The world may never understand our joy in someone's death, but that sacrifice made our salvation possible. We rejoice because Jesus Christ was buried. He was laid in a borrowed tomb, but wouldn't stay there for very long. We rejoice eternally because Jesus Christ rose after three days and nights! He overcame the enemies of sin, death and the grave. Just for us. Because He lives I can face tomorrow. Because He lives all fear is gone. Because I know He holds the future, Life is worth the living just because He lives! Happy Resurrection Weekend! Spend it rejoicing.

And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. Genesis 9:12-13 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. Psalm 23:2 Every one that did offer an offering of silver and brass brought the LORD'S offering: and every man, with whom was found shittim wood for any work of the service, brought it. And all the women that were wise hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, both of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine linen. Exodus 35:24-25 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isaiah 1:18 Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate sa...

When your pets are like family, you want to give them some special things in life. A very special, very easy, very inexpensive way to do exactly that for your dog is with these fabulous dog biscuits! With just a few ingredients that you might already have in your pantry, you can make a wholesome, fun snack that literally take less than 30 minutes to make. Ingredients: 2 cups whole wheat flour 1 Tbsp baking powder 1 cup crunchy peanut butter 1 cup milk (the lower fat percentage the better) 1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease two baking sheets. 2. Combine flour and baking powder in a large bowl. 3. Add peanut butter and milk. Carefully mix until it turns into a chunky dough. 4. Place ball of dough on a floured surface and roll to 1/4 inch thick. 5. Using a bone-shaped cookie cutter, make as many treats as will fit in the dough. Should be about 2 dozen. 6. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes. Store in an air-tight container.

Have you ever been looking for something, digging all through your cabinets, and just can't find it? You've either lost it in the clutter of life or you don't have it to begin with. It's the most frustrating feeling in the world! This has happened to me a number of times in our kitchen lately. I've wasted a ton of time looking for things that we don't even have - and even more time trying to move stuff out of the way so I can reach what we do have. (No jokes about me having too much kitchen stuff, OK?) You can only take this disorganization for so long! This past weekend I took everything out of the kitchen cabinets and reorganized. It all got pulled out and washed, then rearranged the way it should have been done when we first moved in. All of the baking and decorating items that we use for our catering business have been given a home in one location. In our old house we used this rolling cart as an island in the middle of a huge kitchen. The new kitchen is mu...

Recently I found a huge package of glittery die cuts in a beautiful spring theme. They were even on sale - 51 pieces for $1.99! And all those choices means a ton of creative opportunities! * Use one large die cut for the focal point of a card. The more simple, the better. * Stack coordinating die cuts to make 3D embellishments. * Run three die cuts down the side of a card or scrapbook page for an instant border. * Group die cuts together to make a scene. * Raise your die cut on 3D adhesive to add some extra dimension. * Because they are made of thicker paper, you can stand die cuts up in decorative bowls filled with rocks, marbles or other pretty filler. * Attach your die cuts to skewers and use them to decorate with a particular theme. * Add die cuts to school projects, bulletin boards, folders, bookmarks and stationery.

I'm trying out a new to-do list this week. I printed it out from the blog of a professional organizer, in the hopes of jump-starting my week. You know how when you try something new, it always seems a little different? We'll see. As of this moment the page is almost full. I don't think that's quite right because it's only Monday. The next two weeks are going to look exactly like this one day. I'm juggling Jubilee meetings, the Easter program, piano lessons, shipping orders, writing, making cards, exercising, eating and perhaps sleeping a little. The last one is optional. Your to-do list probably looks just like mine. Our calling as women gives us many responsibilities with many different hats to wear. Often we're hurrying through one chore just so we can check it off and start on the next one. (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and hi...

There is a beautiful flowering bush next to our back steps. This is the spot where I sit and watch the girls play in the back yard. This huge bee also enjoys this spot. He has a job to do, travelling from flower to flower making that loud buzzing. I'm not afraid of him because he goes his way while I go mine. It wouldn't do me any good to cry or complain or get scared, because that would truly make the situation worse. Is this not how often look at the way God is working in our lives? There are scary, uncomfortable, unpleasant things happening (like the bee), and we want to run away screaming. That's how our human eyes, heart and mind react. But through God's eyes, He is moving things around to work for His glory and His honor. What may be scary, uncomfortable and unpleasant to our flesh is actually part of His greater good for our lives. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Je...

...at what's happening in my kitchen during the month of April! Before you think I've gone insane because the kitchen is full of cow cookies, let me extend an invitation! The Alpine Baptist Church Ladies' Jubilee is coming up quickly - Saturday, April 30 from 10am to 2 pm. It's a worship service for women, an opportunity to hear a great speaker, enjoy fellowship with other Christian women, take home a bunch of free goodies and share a free meal. We had about 400 ladies from several states (not just Columbia and South Carolina) last year, and we'd love for you to be one of them this year! Our theme, getting back to the cookies, is from 1Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby. Because of the milk in this verse, our theme is cows! They're everywhere in our church already and they're the cutest things! So I've been playing with sugar cookie recipes, looking for the perfect combination for these cow cookies. ...

If you're anything like me, you don't have any extra time for the next few weeks. Easter is quickly approaching, then our church's Ladies' Jubilee, then planning for Bible School, plus all of our Spring cleaning and...and...and... So decorating and sprucing up the house have taken a back seat to life. To correct this problem, I offer this simple, beautiful way to lighten up your home without shopping or spending any extra time. I pulled this adorable, metal flower basket out of the attic. It has been there for ages, just waiting for Spring. If you can't see them very well, there are purple flowes and green leaves made of 3D metal all around the edges. If you look around the house (in all those nooks and crannies) you'll find the perfect container for a little decoration. Then I found the extra green yarn I used to make our door decoration. (Look back at the post on March 8 for the details!) Never let your extra craft supplies go to waste - use your leftovers to ...

Here's a shocker for you - I'm not perfect. Now don't raise your eyebrow at me. You're not perfect either. And no, I'm not just figuring this lack-of-perfection out. But it really sunk in over the past couple of days. In March I challenged you to send a card a day for a month. We could all think of 31 people who needed a word of thanks, encouragement or love. Seemed pretty simple - until the second week rolled around. We start things with the best of intentions but our flesh gets in the way. You miss a day, so you decide to double up the next day. That works for a while, but then you make more excuses. Soon you're not doing things for the glory of God but to be able to actually check it off your to-do list for once. I'm not perfect. I didn't follow through nearly the way I had planned. That's not to say that those who received cards didn't appreciate them or didn't give me a hug and a thank you. It just means that I didn't perfectly execu...

Nothing says rest to me like a big stack of over-stuffed pillows. You just want to burrow your way in and get all snuggled up with a book and some cocoa. But how often do we actually take the time to rest? Can you remember the last time you stacked the pillows up and snuggled in? If you're like me, probably not. After many weeks of running at full speed, the Lord gave me a cold and forced me to rest. Those pillows were a great comfort, but His presence was what truly refreshed me. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matthew 11:29 Make this a weekend of rest - both physically and spiritually. Resting in Jesus Christ can soothe your soul.

...God's Word shines through. As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him. 2 Samuel 22:31 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. Deuteronomy 6:5 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. Psalm 104:1

I was forced to make a hard decision at 7:30 this morning. The girls and I were about to head out the door for our walk when I noticed that Sadie was still limping. Our little dog was born with severe hip displasia in both back hips. Neither one of them in is its socket, so they rotate pretty freely and hurt her like crazy. She's also had knee surgery and she's still sensitive on that side. Compensating for these problems doesn't help, so her whole back end is in pretty bad shape. Being nine years old has its own issues attached, I suppose. But this was the first time I had ever made the choice not to take her on her walk. Our morning time as a trio is extremely special and to leave her behind nearly broke my heart. I took her back inside and removed her leash. She ran/limped right back to the door, excited to go, but I knew she wouldn't make it without severe discomfort. So Bailey and I went alone for the first time in years. When we got through our route and got back...

Did you ever find a recipe and think, I'd do that part a little differently? Or maybe, Why on earth did they use that ingredient? That's the beauty of cooking. You can make it completely personal, because food is a personal experience. I did that with this recipe from a recent Food Network Magazine. There were a couple of things I wanted to change, but I kept the amazing presentation! Below is the way I made it, a little differently from the original. Ingredients: 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast salt and pepper 2 Tbsp olive oil 3/4 cup mayonnaise 2 Tbsp dijon mustard 2 Tbsp minced garlic 1/2 cup apple, chopped 2 Tbsp parsley 1 tsp onion powder 1 tsp celery salt cayenne pepper to taste 2 avocados , halved and pitted 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Heat olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over high heat. 2. Rinse chicken and lightly season with salt and pepper. You can also use some really great spices - I used McCormick's Montreal Chicken. It's one of my ...

Do you have parts of games and pieces from toys that have been misplaced or separated from their little friends? Most times we would throw them away, but here's a great idea for one way to upcycle some parts into something glorifying to God! You'll need: Scrabble titles and trays Stickers, rub-ons or stamps Hot glue gun 1. Go through your Scrabble titles and figure out what you're able to spell. Some might be missing, but you can be creative and inspired by what's available. I used the blank tiles for the upright flowers on the "pray" tray. The long tiles on the "praise" and "joyful" trays are extra letters turned on their side. That way the letters won't show on the back. 2. Apply stickers, rub- ons or stamps to the blank tiles. You can even emboss like you do on paper, just make sure not to burn the wood. Match the images to the word you've chosen, or pick a season or theme that fits your mood. 3. Lay out the tiles in the exact...

As I write this, I know that I'm sick. There is evidence throughout my body that I have a cold - all the symptoms are there. And I can feel every single one of them in bright colors of ickiness. Couldn't I still be sick if I didn't feel the sinus pressure, runny nose and sore throat? Wasn't I sick a couple of days ago before I actually felt sick? That doesn't mean I wasn't sick, I just wasn't feeling its effects yet...although I sure am now. Many people have this same "feeling" about their faith. If they don't feel happy and joyful and touched by the Spirit, then God must not be doing anything for them. If they don't feel a swinging-from-the-chandeliers movement all the time, then what's the point in having faith? Our faith isn't based on feelings, but on the Living Word of God. For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep tha...

The world is covered in the yellow powder of pollen. You can see it, smell it, feel it everywhere you turn. No matter how you brush it or wipe it, it comes right back. The thunderstorm hammered on the roof for hours, making a joyful noise unto the Lord. When it was over, there was a clean, clear world underneath. For the moment everything looks pure and new again. We are washed clean by the soul-cleansing blood of the Lamb. Unlike the earthly rain, all that are washed in this flood are clean for all eternity. There will be no residue left behind to see another day. Make this a weekend of cleansing, starting from the inside and working your way out.

I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. Song of Solomon 2:1 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever. Isaiah 40:8 The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. Isaiah 35:1 The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land. Song of Solomon 2:12