Old Fashioned Sugar Plum Cake
2 Cups All Purpose Flour
1 1/2 C Sugar
3 Eggs
1 Cup Vegetable Oil
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp allspice
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1 Cup buttermilk
1 tsp Vanilla
1 Cup dried plums, chopped
1/2 Cup chopped nuts (I used walnuts)
Sauce
1 stick margarine (or butter)
1 1/2 C sugar
1/3 tsp baking soda
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 C Buttermilk
Grease and flour bundt or 9×13 cake pan. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all cake ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Beat with electric mixer until well combined. Pour into prepared cake pan and bake for one hour.
Just before cake is done, place all sauce ingredients into a saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, and continue boiling gently until sauce is thickened, about two minutes. Remove done cake from oven and poke holes all over top with a fork (or a tooth pick). Pour hot sauce over hot cake. Allow to sit in pan until sauce is absorbed.
What Does the Holy Word Say?
Bible Word Study
Your Blessings Are So Many, Lord!
Your blessings are so many, Lord,
To count them one by one
Would take much longer than a day
That has just now only begun!
You fill each day with miracles
From dawn to setting sun.
Each night You hear a million prayers
When Your day's work is done.
You keep this old world spinning
As seasons come and go,
And each one is a masterpiece
That sets our hearts aglow.
You fill the earth with beauty, Lord,
With flowers, shrubs and trees,
And we marvel at Your rainbows
And butterflies and bees.
Your words still give us comfort
For Your promises are true.
Your blessings are so many, Lord,
In everything we do!
Is There A Little .....
Have you ever believed that God was there for you, even when it didn't seem like it? Then there's a little Moses in you.
Have you ever helped a friend be brave? Then there's a little Deborah in you.
Have you ever helped somebody even when nobody else wanted to help them? Then there's a little Good Samaitan in you.
Is there a little Thomas in you? Think you would've believed without proof? Hmmm.
Have you ever:
1. Wondered, even for a second, if God was really there?
2. Wished God would come to you in person so you'd be sure?
It's human to have doubts and want proof. But there are even better blessings in store when we believe without having to "see him in person." Bible Reference: John 20:24–29
Is there a little Noah in you?
People probably thought Noah was weird for being obedient.
Have you ever:
1. Given Respected to someone that looked less than respectable?
2. Befriended someone that was "different" while everybody else ignored them?
3. Been original when everyone else was mainstream?
Yes? Then you have confidence in God's instructions, just like Noah. Bible Reference: Genesis 8
Is there a little Judge in you? Think you don't judge people?
Have you ever thought:
1. You were better than somebody else because you are a Christian?
2. Thought someone wasn't really a Christian because they didn't practice their belief like you do?
We judge when we criticize people, even silently . . . especially when we're talking about God. Paul reminds us to leave the differences to God and just love each other. Bible Reference: Romans 14:10–13
Is there a little Titus in you? Have you ever advised somebody to "just say no" to any of these?
1. Fighting/Argueing
2. Gossiping
3. Cheating
If you go beyond "just say no" and help friends stay away from the un-Godly things, Titus has nothing on you. Bible Reference: Titus 2:12
YOU Getting To Know YOU !
The object of this is to get to know yourself better based on Scripture. Read each question and select an answer of either A, B, or C. (Be completely honest and no peeking at the Scriptures until you have selected your answer.)
Then read the Scripture based on the selection you have made. You'll be surprised at what you learn about yourself.
Ready? Then let's go!
1. I have to admit, when I make a promise I sometimes:
A. Make it before I know I can keep it.
Go to Proverbs 20:25.
B. Put off carrying it out.
Go to Deuteronomy 23: 21 and 23.
C. Try to get out of keeping it.
Go to Mark 7:9–13.
2. What do you want most in a friend? Somebody who:
A. Will stick up for you?
Go to Proverbs 17:17.
B. Can make you feel better?
Go to Job 2:11–13.
C. Will say, "You can do it!"?
Go to 1 Thessalonians 5:11.
3. When I meet a new person, I tell other people:
A. The good stuff I saw in her/him.
Go to Proverbs 11:27.
B. The not-so-good-stuff I saw in her.
Go to Proverbs 6:16–19.
C. Exactly what happened when I met her.
Go to Proverbs 12:17–19.
4. The consequences of my actions have been:
A. Natural, like a burn from touching the curling iron.
Go to 2 Corinthians 9:6.
B. From another person, like a fellow Christian.
Go to Hebrews 12:11.
C. From God,
Go to 2 Corinthians 9:7–8.
5. When something comes up between you and a friend, do you:
A. Just leave it alone
Go to Matthew 10:13–14.
B. Go off on the person?
Go to Matthew 18:15–16.
C. Send an email/card/letter to try to work it out?
Go to 1 Corinthians 1:10.
6. It would be hardest for me to:
A. Give up money I saved.
Go to Luke 19:1–9.
B. Serve homeless people at a shelter.
Go to Matthew 25:34–40.
C. Let somebody else do what I so much wanted to do.
Go to Matthew 20:20–28.
7. When I realize I've hurt someone, I:
A. Just Hate myself for it.
Go to Colossians 3:13.
B. Apologize.
Go to Matthew 5:23–24.
C. Try to make up for it.
Go to James 2:14–18.
8. When you think God isn't answering your prayer, do you:
A. Figure He's saying no and give up on it?
Go to Hebrews 10:35–39.
B. Keep waiting and hoping?
Go to Hebrews 6:13–15.
C. Pray some more?
Go to Luke 18:1–8.
Dear God,
Why do I make so many mistakes/mess up when I want to do right?
Like everyone, you have a gap between what you know is right and what you do. It's there because you're human, but you can ask God to help you make your gap smaller. Tell Him about the times where your actions were way different from your beliefs. Then imagine the gap being pushed together by God's power, bringing you closer to Him.
Between You... and Me...
Compassion means you feel so badly for someone you want to help him or her. Have you ever NOT had compassion for someone when you probably should have? What can you do to change so that it never happens again?
Answer: _________________________________________________
"Come said the wind to
the leaves one day,
Come o're the meadows
and we will play.
Put on your dresses
scarlet and gold,
For summer is gone
and the days grow cold."
- A Children's Song of the 1880's
What Does the Holy Word Say?
Bible Word Study
When the Holy Spirit move in me
It's like a well loved symphony
The timeless melody
That soothes my soul ...
Though silent I can tell
He'e alive and I am well
I feel the Holy Spirit lives In me
as He plays His silent melody ...
"For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands." Isaiah 55:12
Isn't it fascinating how creation takes time to praise our Lord?! Think about it for a minute... the wind blowing through the leaves, a bubbling brook as it moves along its way, the birds singing a song loud and clear, the crickets, frogs, waterfalls, the list could just go on... if you listen closely it is like you are hearing a Praise song to our Lord...and what a beautiful sound it is.
Now, if the VERY earth that He created takes time to Praise Him... how much more should we, His children, take the time? Praise Him in the morning, afternoon, or evening... praise Him with your words in a poem, or a song... it doesn't matter how you praise Him, as long as you take the time to Praise Him!
Music Makers
1. What stringed instruments did John hear in his vision of the heavenly throne? Revelation 14:2-3
2. Who is mentioned as the father of those who play the harp and organ?
Genesis 4:21
3. What prophetess played a timbrel and led the women of Israel in a victory song after the Red Sea incident?
Exodus 15:20-21
4. At the dedication of Solomon's temple, 120 priests played what instruments?
2 Chronicles 5:11-14
5. When the foundation for the second temple was laid, the priest played trumpets. What did the Levites play?
Nehemiah 12:35-36
The Lord wants us to sing and make music to Him. What does the Holy Word say in:
Psalm 81:1
Psalm 100:2
Psalm 57:7
Psalm 66:2
Psalm 95:1
James 5:13
Ephesians 5:19
Psalm 101:1
Psalm 40:3
Exodus 15:2
Colossians 3:16
Psalm 96:1
Rise, Shine and Give God the Glory!
Fresh Ginger Pumpkin Cake
Ingredients
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup canned pumpkin
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
* Ginger-Cream Cheese Frosting (see below)
Directions
Beat butter and sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating until blended after each addition. Add pumpkin, beating until blended.
Combine flour and next 4 ingredients. Combine buttermilk, vanilla, and ginger. Add flour mixture to butter mixture alternately with gingered buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat at low speed after each addition. Fold in chopped pecans. Pour batter into 2 greased, 9" round cakepans.
Bake at 350° for 18 to 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes; remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks.
Spread Ginger-Cream Cheese Frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake. Cover and chill overnight. Enjoy!
Ginger-Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
1 1/2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
4 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Beat first 3 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until smooth. Add vanilla, beating until smooth. Chill 30 minutes or until spreading consistency.
“Let your beauty be found in “the hidden person of the heart,
with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit,
which is very precious in the sight of God.”
1 Peter 3:4
Bible Word Study
WHAT DOES THE HOLY WORD SAY?
You have to be obedient to the Word of God. When you find out about what the Bible says about tithing, you need to be honest enough and courageous enough to obey the Word. It may not be comfortable at times but God is big enough to take care of all your needs and desires.
WORD STUDY
Substance (Latin substantia):
1. That which has mass and occupies space; matter.
2. That which is solid and practical in character, quality, or importance.
3. Material possessions; goods; wealth:
Firstfruits (Latin fûrstfrts):
1. The first gathered fruits of a harvest, offered to God in gratitude.
2. The first results of an undertaking.
Increase (Latin n-krs):
1. To become greater or larger.
2. To multiply; reproduce.
3. To increase in size, area, volume, or bulk.
Matthew 23:23
What did Jesus say about tithing?
Hebrews 11:6
How does tithing demonstrate your faith and trust in God?
Genesis 14:18-20; Genesis 28:20-22
What was the practice of the men of the Old Testament?
Thought to Ponder
Does God only just want cash money returned to Him?
Consider in the Old Testament: When it was decreed that 10% was an acceptable amount to return to God there was no actual cash money. No coins to drop in the collection plate on Sunday morning. The people relied on barter and trade system of crops and live-stock. During this period the tithed was the First Fruit of all that God had given to you. Do you think the times have changed in what God expects?
1. Your children:
What Book of the Bible discuss God asking a certain someone for the sacrifice of his child?
Quite naturally God would not ask us to "sacrifice" our first child to Him but He certainly expects us to raise all of our children up in His ways.
2. Your crops and live-stock:
What Book of the Bible reveals God's anger when people try to bring to Him blind sheep and half rotted crops as "first-fruits"?
Quite naturally today finds not too many women out working in the fields to bring the harvest in or tending a herd of sheep but He expects you to give Him the best of what ever it is that you do.
If you are a home-maker and your house is for the most part a wreck; is this an acceptable tithe to the Lord?
If you are working in the public and you only do what is required and not very well, show up late for work and leave early etc.; is this an acceptable tithe to the Lord?
If you are a wife and argue constantly with your husband, find continuous fault in the things he does; is this an acceptable tithe to the Lord?
3. Tithing can come in many forms and often it isn't money that the Lord asks of us. Sometimes something as simple as being able to sew or paint well and you give away one and keep the other of what you made- is going far beyond a 10% tithe that God required of His people. In fact since you only had two things and gave one away then that would actually equal out to a 50% tithe.
But if the idea of not actually giving God cash money has you to feeling a little guilty then consider that if you were asked for a dollar from someone in desperate need and you gave them all the change you had in your coin purse- you actually just gave 100% of what you had to give- even if it was only thirty cents.
It isn't What type of thing you give that matters most to God; it's what's in your heart when you do give. Amen?!
My Dearest Reader,
This past week I found myself feeling rather broody which is so unlike me to feel this way. It all started with listening to the idle ~talk~ of a bunch of children waiting to catch the school bus.
With ~F~ bombs flying with every other word and the constant usage of the words "bitch, bitchy and bitches" I believe that I have finally come to the realization that as a society our mortality meter has dipped way below zero.
I do not live in a bad neighborhood. Most of these children are dressed in clothing that I am convinced probably cost their parents the equivalent of a monthly mortgage payment. And yet for all of their smashing clothes, gagingly over priced sneakers, stylish Vera purses and book-bags it is obvious to me that these children have no concept whatsoever of what it means to be respectful and respect one another. It's sad. Moreover; it is more than a little depressing when you consider that these children with their morality compasses pointed in no particular direction are the future of this country.
It use to be (and not so long ago) that when a child used inappropriate language in the presence of an adult, and you called them on it, they would at least look somewhat embarrassed. Now if you call them on their language or behavior they'll quickly tell you to go "f" yourself. Not even the courtesy of telling you to "mind your own business" which is no doubt disrespectful but preferable to a "go ~f~ yourself". Somewhere amongst the sands of time we have lost the ability to value ourselves as human beings and in doing so we have lost the ability to teach our children to value themselves and others.
I am going to hazard a guess and say that this probably began around the time that parents began to try and be their child's friend instead of being their authority figure, their mentor, their moral compass until they developed one of their own that actually worked.
Parents stopped disciplining their children with the ever swift, no nonsense, over your knee butt spankings and began utilizing the retarded methods of "time outs". It has been my experience in viewing parents practice this "time out" method that what they ended up with is a child scheming in the corner of what they were going to do next. Not pondering their misdeeds.
"The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother". Proverbs 29:15
I recall in my childhood that my Grams was lightening quick with the plastic fly swatter when one misbehaved. Being flopped with a fly swatter stung like a bee and caused one to ponder on rather misbehaving in that particular way ever again was worth the price. I also recall my Father once gave me a sharp rap across the knuckle with the handle end of a butter knife for reaching for the last dinner roll and not first asking if anyone else cared for it. These are things one does not forget. I survived these "hard" lessons and grew up understanding manners, and the proper way that one should behave as a lady.
"Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him". Proverbs 22:15
As I listened to these children waiting on the school bus I wonder how they behave at home in front of their parents. I doubt that they cuss like a ~sailor~ but I am equally doubtful that they show any real degree of respect either. Children today seem to have this whole sense of entitlement thing going on. They walk around with the attitude that the world owes them something and their parents have caught the fever. Giving their children whatever they want, whenever they want it, whatever it costs. How did that come about?
I'm not saying that every child is like these I have referred to but there are enough of them for it to be a scary situation. The Bible tells us to raise our children up in the ways of the Lord and they will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6). They may stray away from it from time to time but it's still there inside of them and eventually they will come back to their Biblical roots.
The Bible teaches us love and compassion and forgiveness. Why aren't we teaching our children these basic things? Not only towards others but towards themselves? If you love yourself, have compassion for yourself and forgive yourself for your past transgressions how much easier is it to extend this to others?
Our society {we} need a Do Over. We need to begin at the beginning with ourselves, our children, our grandchildren and even our great-grandchildren (if you've reaches that golden time of life) and re-learn all over again basic manners, basic acceptable public (and private) behavior, basic acceptance of one another, basic language skills- in short - basic Christian values.
We need to re-learn to value ourselves as unique, wonderful creations of God in whatever package that we currently wear. Be our package tall and thin or short and plump. Then we can more easily value others in whatever package God created them in.
Yes; dear Reader, I am of the opinion that as a society we need a Do Over. And I am praying and believing that I will in my lifetime see the manifestation of this simple prayer.
It is attainable. With God; all things are possible.
“Let your beauty be found in “the hidden person of the heart,
with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit,
which is very precious in the sight of God.”
1 Peter 3:4
Bible Word Study
WHAT DOES THE HOLY WORD SAY?
3 John 2- "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth."
Improving our health and our prosperity level requires commitment, discipline and the power of the Holy Spirit. Ask God to reveal to you the areas that are not in top shape for His service. Accept the answer and develop a plan for improvement.
WORD STUDY
Prosper (Latin prosperre):
1. To be fortunate or successful.
2. Thrive
3. The condition of being prosperous.
Health (Greek kailo):
1. The overall condition at a given time.
2. Soundness, especially of body or mind.
3. A condition of optimal well-being:
Soul (Greek s'wol ):
1. The animating and vital principle in humans.
2. The spiritual nature of humans, The vital core.
3. immortal, separable from the body at death.
1 Corinthians 6:19
How are we able to be wise in the care of our physical bodies?
Acts 8:26-39
Why was it important that Philip was physically ready for the plans God had for him?
Romans 14:17
In what does this verse tell us to put our focus?
Look up the following verses to discover God's promises regarding prosperity:
Scriptures
Duet. 29:9 -
Ps. 37:3 -
Ps. 37:25 -
Ps. 84:11 -
Prov. 13:22 -
Eccl. 11:1 -
Isa. 45:3 -
Luke 6:38 -
Luke 12:28 -
Luke 12:31 -
Luke 12:32 -
John 16:24 -
Phil. 4:19 -
3 John 2 -
Philippians 4:19- "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."
(according to His riches, not ours!)
Dearest Abba Father,
This morning I read this passage from the Bible:
"If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God." 1 John 4:15
"Jesus is the Son of God." Six simple words. However, they are much more than simple words; they are the doorway that opens our hearts to God. So then what I now have come to understand is that each day as we confess Jesus as God's Son, we also consciously and intentionally welcome God into our hearts. The Father lives in the person who confesses the Son! That's so fantastic!
I've believed for such a long time that Jesus was Your Son- You made flesh as a man and it seems like a whole world ago (much less a lifetime) that I confessed that very thing with my lips and with my heart. But what I don't think I have ever done- at least on a conscious level- is to get into the habit of saying it out loud every single day as a way of welcoming You each morning into my heart and be part of my day.
What I mean is that every morning I've said, Good Morning Jesus! but no! I don't recall that I have ever confessed You in Jesus Christ out loud each and every day as a means of welcoming You to be part of my day.
Father, I want to live my life and center my heart in You. I gladly confess that Jesus is the Son of God, my Lord, and my Savior each and every day and I gladly say it out loud. I gladly welcome You into my heart and be part of my day! and I'm sorry that I haven't read that into this Scripture before now. But I Thank You that I get it now.
I Love You God and Thank You for Jesus and the Holy Spirit. I Praise and Thank You in the Name of Jesus Christ my Beloved. Amen.
