Peaceful Valley
Being Ready for Rough Times ..Charles Stanley
Being Ready for Rough Times1 Peter 1:13-14
The apostle Peter knew that hard days lay ahead for his fellow believers. So he reminded them about their security as children of God: they were chosen by Him, born into a living hope, given spiritual protection during this life, and guaranteed eternity in heaven with their Father. Peter then gave them specific ways to prepare for the coming trials. His words, divinely inspired by the Lord, can guide us as well.
His first instruction relates to our minds: What we believe has a direct impact on our response to life's problems. If we trust that God is looking out for us, then we will feel less threatened by hard circumstances. But if we decide we must rely on ourselves, then we are more likely to react poorly to situations beyond our control. A negative attitude--whether from anger, fear, worry, or jealousy--can make a hard time worse. Preparation for the future starts with developing biblical thinking.
A second lesson from Peter is to be "sober in spirit"--in other words, to maintain our balance in the midst of crises (v. 13). That requires resisting quick fixes to problems and refusing to embrace ungodly ideas or philosophies. Our enemy Satan is quick to offer suggestions designed to trip us up or turn us away from God's path. With the Spirit's help, we can learn to stand firm in a crisis and steadfastly follow the Lord.
Our culture is increasingly distancing itself from Jesus Christ and opposing His followers. Are you preparing spiritually for whatever the future holds?
Dutch Apple Preserves
Dutch Apple Preserves1 pound Granny Smith Apples, 3 to 4 apples
1/2 cup golden raisins
1 1/2 cups water
1/4 cup bottled lemon juice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon allspice
4 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon margarine
1 pouch fruit pectin
Wash 6 to 8 ounce, 1/2 pint jars and screw bands and set aside. Wash
and prepare lids according to manufacturers directions. Cut open
pectin pouch, stand upright in a cup and set aside.
To prepare fruit mixture: Peel and core apples, finely chop. In a
medium bowl combine apples, raisins, and water. Measure 3 1/2 cups of
apple mixture into a 6 to 8 quart saucepan. Stir in lemon juice,
cinnamon, and allspice.
Add sugar and margarine to apple mixture. Margarine reduces foaming
during boiling. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring constantly.
Bring to a full rolling boil. (A full rolling boil is one that
continues to bubble while you are stirring.)
Quickly add pectin, stir. Return mixture to a full rolling boil and
boil hard for exactly 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat
and continue to stir for 15 seconds longer. Skim off any foam with a
metal spoon.
Quickly ladle preserves into clean 8-ounce jars. Wipe jar rims and
threads with damp clothe.
Cover with two-piece lids. Process in boiling water bath canner for 10
minutes. Remove jars and cool completely before checking seals. Check
seals. Label and date.
Makes 6, 1/2 pint jars.
To our mothers in Arms
God bless and keep you safe.
God bless Our Veterans
The Poem: ~'I'm no hero~
The Poem: ~i'm no hero~
by Gary Jacobson © 2000
http://namtour.com/hero.html
The gracious lady said, “Heroes sit here,
In our most honored chair,”
“I don’t mean to sound insincere,”
I replied, “but where do I sit,”
“Because I’m no hero. No, not a bit.
I just went where my country told me to go.
There was no question, there was no pause,
Nothing there that should merit applause.
I’m no hero!
Just because into the breach of hell I did go.
For men of honor have no choice
Than to join in the shout with freedom’s voice
I didn’t think about it, I just went,
To join the army of soldiers sent...
Wouldn’t anybody?
I’m no hero!
I would rather not have had to go,
If there was another way I don’t know.
Sure, I’ve got a purple heart for the time I bled.
People saw me then, thought I’d soon be dead.
But I survived the war winds foulest blow.
Escaped the master of death in embattled mist below.
I’m no hero!
I just slugged it out with Charley toe-to-toe,
I crossed his deadly path
Still feel his demonic wrath
His bullets incessantly stinging
Feeling incessant tearing forever shedding
In my soldier’s wearied mind,
Honoring buddies left behind!
Though the war’s now blowing in the wind,
Heart and soul still rend.
I’m no hero!
For then I felt no fear I now intimately know.
Now I dream of rogue bullets that death’s questions ask,
Killing their favorite task...
I see in dreams where through fetid jungle they tore
Doing their killing chore,
So quick, so clean, sweeping past
Memories suck me in from future cast,
Forever changing moods lightning fast,
Forever taking lives, yet not the last...
I’m no hero!
I simply had a duty when called to go
I didn’t back down, but quelled the foe.
I swore with all might to try
To God’s bidding do, or die!
Because I loved my country more than life
Vowed to follow behind patriot’s drum and fife.
To win freedoms to which forefathers clove
Undead regiments with youthful principles war drove!
Heroes are men endowed with great courage,
Who with great strength sway bloody fields of carnage.
Heroes are men of bold exploits favored by God,
Bearing noble purpose born of native sod.
I’m just an ordinary man who saw his duty,
Who answered a call to arms to defend beloved liberty.
I’m no hero, as you can plainly see.
When the roll was called to stand for their country
I stood...that’s all!
I did nothing special that honor on me should befall.
In Vietnam I did a little walking,
A little sweating, A little bleeding,
Almost dying
A purple heart earning
Some call A “Move too slow award”
That near cut life’s silver cord.
I'm no hero, for I did nothing witty nor wise
I’m just one of the countless little guys
Who faced daily war’s evil eyes...
Doing his duty against war's bestial ogre cunning
Demons within and without constantly fighting
Hoping, searching, fearing, humping
Marching with thousands of brothers-in-arms alongside
Through valley's shadow where patriotic spirits guide.
I’m no hero...
Though for uncle Sam seeds of war did sow
Bearing patriotic heritage planted long ago.
I faced warlord Ho Chi Minh’s fiery breath,
Deep and deeper into bowels of shadowed death.
With vengeance he'd banished freedom’s light,
Cast unwelcome caresses of wars despicable blight.
Good men of conscience had that despot to stop,
Proclaim bastions of freedom on every mountaintop.
I’m no hero...
Just another war-torn Joe,
Whose warrior soul arose above cannon’s roar,
Like eagles, young men's brave spirits soar,
Bearing naive and gung-ho this boy next door,
Above a soil enriched with soldiers seeping blood,
Getting down and dirty in Nam’s mud.
They say war measures the depth of a hero
Young boy’s ruin mid thundered guns aglow,
Just links in the chain
Sent duty to retain, freedom to proclaim
Growing acts of war like cancer in the brain
A new set of senses war does indelibly ingrain,
Combat infantrymen fates defy
Virulent beasts raging inside till the day I too die.
I’m no hero!
Not at all like Rambo.
To this day living with war etched into my lifetime
Always watching for movements out of rhyme
Ever listening for sounds that don’t belong,
Always with the feeling something’s wrong.
I still roam triple canopied jungle where I lost the boy
In elephant grasses lost much of life’s joy.
Neither wine nor advances of withering sun
Can ever warm a cold, heated year of the gun.
I’m no hero!
Just because I stepped into war’s inferno.
I was raised believing you answered when called,
To go somewhere where freedom's were galled
For a noble allegiance the young owed
To shoulder a nation's heavy load
To honor a sacred duty forsworn,
The clarion trumpeted an obligation born,
To win the red badge of courage, proudly worn.
Vietnam was a duty you could not with honor refuse.
Respect for goodly values I will always choose
There was no choice but to do it, or self esteem lose,
For their comes a time when you have to pay your dues
To beloved honor uphold
To keep this the land of the free and bold
For country, for neighbors, for family, for God...for self!
So no ma’am, I’m no hero!
Golden Corn Quiche
Golden Corn Quiche1 unbaked pastry shell (9")
1 1/3 C. half and half
3 eggs
3 T. butter
1/2 small onion cut into wedges
1 T. all purpose flour
1 T. sugar
1 t. salt
2 C. frozen corn thawed
Line unpricked pastry shell with a double thickness of heavy duty foil. Bake at 375 for 5 minutes. Remove foil; bake 5 minutes longer.
In a blender, combine the cream, eggs, butter, onion, flour, sugar and salt; cover and process until blended. Stir in corn, pour into crust. Bake 35-40 minutes or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting.
Chunky Caramel Popcorn...YUMMY!!!
Chunky Caramel PopcornFor The Caramel Popcorn:
12 cups popped popcorn
1 (9.75 ounce) can (2 cups) whole cashews
1 (5-ounce) bag (1 1/2 cups) pecans halves
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
3/4 cup butter
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 tsp baking soda
For the Drizzle:
1 cup dark chocolate chips
1 1/2 tsp shortening
1/2 cup white baking chips
Heat the oven to 250 F. Place the popcorn, cashews, and pecans in a large roasting pan. Combine the brown sugar, butter, and corn syrup in a 2 quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat until the mixture comes to a full rolling boil (7 to 8 minutes). Continue boiling for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat. Stir in the baking soda. Mixture Will Be Foamy. Pour the butter mixture over the popcorn mixture in the pan. Stir well. Bake for 60 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Remove from the oven. Place onto a waxed paper or parchment paper. Cool completely. Do Not Break Into Pieces. Place the chocolate chips and 1 teaspoon shortening into a resealable plastic food bag. Microwave on High (100 % power) for 30 to 45 seconds, knead the bag. Continue microwaving at 15 second intervals, kneading until smooth. Cut a tiny corner from the bag. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the popcorn mixture. Repeat with the white baking chips and the
remaining 1/2 teaspoon shortening, microwaving on Medium-High (70 % power).. Drizzle over the popcorn mixture. Let stand until the chocolate is set, about 3 to 4 hours. Break the popcorn mixture into pieces. Store in a container with a tight fitting lid or resealable plastic food bag. Makes about 38 (1/2 cup) servings
Banana Nut Fruitcake
Banana Nut FruitcakeTaste Of Home ...Brenda Williams
1 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups mashed rip bananas (about 3 medium)
3 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
1 cup chopped candied cherries
1/2 cup chopped candied pineapple
Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease two 8 x 4 inch loaf pans. In a large mixing bowl, beat the sugar and oil. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. Add the bananas and mix well. Combine the flour, salt, and baking soda. Add to the banana mixture just until blended. Fold in the pecans, cherries, and pineapple. Pour into the prepared loaf pans. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from the pans to wire racks to cool completely.
Yield: 2 loaves
Todays Quote.......James Madison, 1788
“ I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations. ”
~ James Madison, 1788
Children - God's Blessing
Children - God's Blessing
Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one's youth.
Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them;
They shall not be ashamed,
But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.
Psalm 127:3-5 NKJV
__________________
Children's children are the crown of old men;
and the glory of children are their fathers.
Proverbs 17:6 KJV
__________________
He gives the barren woman a home,
so that she becomes a happy mother.
Praise the LORD!
Psalm 113:9 NLT
__________________
And said to me, "Behold, I will make you fruitful and multiply you, and I will make of you a multitude of people, and give this land to your descendants after you as an everlasting possession.'
Genesis 48:4 NKJV
__________________
When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.
Mark 10:14-16 NIV
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