Favorite Things

T2W’s Favorite Things

By Amy Gentry

Unrefined Coconut oil is a healthy and natural way to moisturize your skin and hair.  Coconut oil is used often in my home to moisturize my dry cracked hands and after shaving.

Check out http://m.wikihow.com/Use-Coconut-Oil-on-Your-Hair-and-Skin for step-by-step directions on how to use coconut oil to condition your hair, hydrate your face, moisturize your body, use as a massaging oil, smooth flyaway hair, reduce the appearance of scars, treat eczema, and make your body hair silky.

Genesis - In The Beginning

Genesis – In the Beginning

Chapter 15

By Carri Pratt

“I am your shield, your very great reward. . .” Genesis 15:1

It can be rather easy to allow what we don’t have to overshadow what we do have. This is what Abram was doing in chapter 15. He was concentrating on the fact that he would have to leave all of the material blessings, given to him by God, to his servant rather than to a son.

“Abram continued, “Look, You have given me no offspring, so a slave born in my house will be my heir.” Genesis 15:3

Abram was living with the fear that he would never have a son. However God reassured him that He would provide Abram with not just a son but with offspring too numerous to count.

God is so good! He doesn’t stop at a simple blessing, He provides us with so many blessings that they are too numerous to count!

Sometimes we may feel focused on that one thing that seems unreachable. When we pray for things we need or want God may answer with “Yes!”, “No”, or “Wait” to our great pleasure or dismay. During those times, stop, count your blessings, and remember that God is your very great reward!

Sharing Sister Sites

Sharing Sister Sites - Jesus Calling by Sarah Young
by Carri Pratt

One of the best daily devotionals I know of is Jesus Calling by Sarah Young.  On this most celebrated Easter day, let us look to Jesus Christ, our Savior and hear Him calling to us to spend time in His presence.

Click here to visit:  https://www.facebook.com/JesusCalling

Recipe

Retro Wednesday 2012: Resurrection Rolls

 

Ingredients

• 1 (10 ounce) can refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
• 8 large marshmallows
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons white sugar

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F on lightly greased baking sheet.
2. Separate crescent rolls into individual triangles.
3. In a small bowl, mix together cinnamon and sugar.
4. Dip a marshmallow into melted butter and then roll in sugar mixture. Place marshmallow into the center of a crescent triangle. Carefully wrap the dough around the marshmallow. Pinch the seams together very tightly to seal in the marshmallow as it melts. Place on a baking sheet. Repeat.
5. Bake in a preheated oven until golden brown, about 15 minutes.
6. Makes Eight Resurrection Rolls

The Lamb of God

 

The Lamb of God

Forgiveness requires a sacrifice. In Jerusalem, the sacrifice for sin was a lamb without blemish or defect. A perfect lamb was chosen out of the herd and brought before the priest to examine. The priest would then examine the lamb, judging its worthiness for sacrifice. The lamb was the focus of the inspection, not the sinner.

When you accept the free gift of Jesus’ death on the cross, all your sins are covered by his sacrifice. Praise God we now have a spotless lamb that is the only thing seen by the Lord, not your sin.

“God has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his Beloved Son, whom he loves.” Colossians 1:13

www.titus2women.org

Recipe

Dipped Pretzel Crosses

 

 

"We prepared two pretzel rods for each cross, breaking one, to make a shorter cross beam.

Then, we melted vanilla flavored almond bark in the microwave, according to the directions on the package. Half the package, or six squares, ended up being enough to make fourteen crosses.

We poured the melted almond bark into a mug, to make it a little easier to dip the pretzels into. Then, we dipped them, long ones first...

...with the short pretzels going across on top...

...followed by a tap or two worth of candy sprinkles, before the candy coating had a chance to harden back up."

 Recipe and images courtesy of the Almost Unschooled Blog http://almostunschoolers.blogspot.com/2012/03/sunday-school-easter-snacks.html

Retro Wednesday

A New Attitude by Carri P

Have you ever had one of those moments when you just feel like screaming, “I’m done! That’s it, I just can’t do this anymore!”?  Being a wife, mother, employee, friend, housekeeper, homework monitor, taxi driver, student, etc. is just overwhelming sometimes.  I catch myself longing for the Rapture to take me up and away from all of this.  When I am not strong, I find Satan whispering in my ear - telling me what a failure I have become.  Then I look around and notice that I am not receiving any type of appreciation for my efforts (which happens to be my love language).

When I feel this pain I turn to my Bible and seek God’s face, not His hand, to have my quiet time and my soul is refreshed by His love.  He helps me to change my perspective, which has a huge effect on my attitude.  He offers me His living water from His word, “…and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:2 NIV

If Jesus can make such an amazing sacrifice for me, and I am to be like Him, then I can change my perspective/attitude regarding the sacrifices I am making for my family.  My family is not a burden; they are a blessing from God!  My daily chores are not to be dreaded; they are to be cherished as moments of small sacrifices I can offer up to my family saying, “I love you."

Yes, being a mother may include a series of sacrifices, however with a Godly perspective we can receive a fresh attitude of love and joy towards our children and our role as their mother.   God chose you to be the mother of your children!  Rejoice and be glad, enjoy every moment and rather than complaining, thank God for the blessings in your life.  Being a mother is a gift.

Challenge:  The next time you feel an attack of “I can’t do this anymore,” get your Bible out and spend some time with your Father God.  Thank God that He chose you to be the mother of your children.

 

Resurrected with Christ

Resurrected with Christ

by Kim H

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
   neither are your ways my ways,”
            declares the LORD.  Isaiah 55:8

The more I look at Peter, the more I see myself. Full of passion and full steam ahead… But! Not always asking God before I act or react.

As Jesus is walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. And He said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."
Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.

1) Easy!! I’m so there, follower of Christ, DONE!

Simon was called Peter by Jesus meaning “Petra” that means “rock”. Jesus knew something about Peter, what his exact purpose was. He names him “Rock”. Peter had witnessed many miracles by Jesus. He was taught and mentored by THE Son of God. And yet he goes from telling Jesus he “is The Christ, the son of the living God” to saying to Jesus after he predicts his own death, “Lord, Lord! “This shall never happen to you!” To which Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”

2) I tell God what his plan should be and getting rebuked

 Peter, Christ’s own disciple, denies Jesus three times in fear. In complete fear for his life, he tries to flee the scene of the cross.  After Jesus is arrested, twice he is asked, “You are not one of his disciples, are you?” Peter replies, “I am not.” Another asked him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the Olive grove?” Again Peter denies it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow just as Jesus said would happen in Matthew 26:34.

                          3) I totally relate to failing by trying to follow Christ in my own strength.

The Good News!!

Having an encounter with the resurrected Christ changes you. It changed Peter from a coward into the “Rock” Jesus knew he could be. Then, Peter went out boldly preaching the gospel to the masses where he told them, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

Ten out of the twelve original apostles, as well as Apostle Paul, died as martyrs (refusing to deny Christ) for their faith. The disciples died absolutely certain for the cause of the resurrected Christ they witnessed. It was Peter who was said to be crucified upside down at his own request seeing himself unworthy to be crucified the same way as Jesus Christ.

Challenge: Let us pray. Lord, may we seek and find the full power and knowledge of the Holy One and find our true identity in Him.  In Jesus name, Amen

www.titus2women.org

Genesis Bible Study

Genesis 14

By Amy Gentry

“Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand." Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.” Genesis 14:18-20

The Lord has sworn
    and will not change his mind:
“You are a priest forever,
    in the order of Melchizedek.”

Psalm 110:

Apparently there is some significance to Melchizedek in the scriptures.  Is he a forerunner to the Levite priests, Noah’s son Shem, or a theophany of Christ, or a manifestation of deity in temporary form?  After reading what seems like a hundred commentaries on the matter, I cannot begin to tell you exactly who he was.  What I can tell you is the first time I read about him in the scriptures, I pictured Christ.  

“Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” ³ Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.” Hebrews 7:2-3

The Old Testament pointing to the New Testament!

“Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine.

He was priest of God Most High…”

Genesis 14:18

 

Sharing Sister Sites

Sharing Sister Sites - JCLU Forever
by Carri Pratt

Their message is clear, 

Jesus Christ Loves U Forever!

The ladies at JCLU Forever offer an inspiring blog as well as clothing and accessories for all girls who love Jesus.

Their most recent posts include:

• Hearing God through the Clutter
• Overcoming Peer Pressure
• Mobile Apps Every Christian Should Check Out 
• Fun Outdoor Date Ideas for Spring

Check out their fun site at:
JCLU Forever.com