Is Your Problem An Ant Hill Or A Mountain?

Have you ever felt stuck? You want to see your life from a new perspective and move forward, but you just can't put your finger on the right way to get the insight you need? You are looking at things from ground level, going round and round seeing things in the same old way, but never quite getting the perspective you need to really move forward. Have you noticed how things look completely different when you are seeing them from another point of view? Is Your Problem An Ant Hill Or A Mountain? Imagine how an ant hill looks to an ant. To the tiny ant it looms as high as a mountain! He enjoys his job going out finding food for his family, but dreads coming back home and having to climb up a mountain to deliver it! How does that ant hill look to us? We see an ant hill as a small mound of sand. Do your problems feel like a mountain? When you're feeling stuck and your ant hill looks like Mt. Everest, what you need is to see it from a different place. Because it doesn't loom so large and feel so overwhelming, when you see with a new perspective. Maybe it is a completely new outlook on your situation that you need!  Look at it from a different place.  -Harley Storey

RESURRECTION ROLLS - Easter Rolls

There are good, tasty, and easy to make!

Recipe and Instructions for Easter Rolls that tell the true meaning of Easter
which is the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

This is an inspiring family project that can be done on Easter Morning.

Ingredients needed:
Crescent rolls
Melted butter
Large Marshmallows
Cinnamon
Sugar
Preheat Oven to 350 degrees
Give each child one triangle of crescent rolls.
Explain that he crescent roll represents the cloth that Jesus was wrapped in.
~ Read Matthew 27: 57-61

1. Give each child a marshmallow.
This represents Jesus.

2. Have him/her dip the marshmallow in melted butter.
This represents the oils of embalming.

3. Now dip the buttered marshmallow in the cinnamon and sugar.
This represents the spices used to anoint the body.

4. Then wrap up the coated marshmallow tightly in the crescent roll (not like a typical crescent roll up, but bring the sides up and seal the marshmallow inside.)  This represents the wrapping of Jesus' body after death.

5. Place all in a 350 degree oven for 10-12 minutes.
The oven represents the tomb--while you are waiting for the rolls to bake.
~ Read Matthew 27:62-66

6. Remove rolls from oven and let them cool slightly.
Now the children can then open their rolls (cloths) and discover that Jesus is no longer there! HE IS RISEN!!!!
(The marshmallow melts and the crescent roll is puffed up, but empty.)

~ Now read Matthew 28:1-10

Good Things - Better Things - Best Things!

It has been said that "Attitude" is everything!!  Do you believe that?  It affects our total being - physically, mentally, and spiritually.  Attitude gives us hope in the positive, gives us faith when we are doubting, gives us strength when we are feeble, gives us truth when false is prevailing all around us, and attitude gives us a way of life that looks beyond the here and now. Beyond the obstacles and hard times to "Better Days" ahead!

These are all "Good Things" but what about "Better Things"?  Is that even possible?  I know we are all waiting for "better days".  But the key to better days is in the "waiting".  Maybe you are going through a tough time - job, finances, relationship, sickness, car trouble, family troubles, a death - the list of situations could go on and on. Truth is, hard times come to all of us. But if we can stand firm and exercise our "patience", our waiting, better days WILL come. Just remember "Good Things" come when we believe and "Better Things" come when we are patient and trust in the hope of each new day, each hour, each minute, and each second.

But wait just a minute, "Good" - "Better" - "Best" . . . who doesn't want the "best" of everything?  We all do!  This is the hard part.  The "Best Things" come to those who don't give up!  It's so easy to get discouraged, defeated, when things aren't going well or when we are down and out.  The test is on during these times. It was once said, "when you get to the end of your rope - tie a knot in the end and hold on tight!!"  That is just exactly what we have to do sometimes.  Tie a knot - hold on - believe - be patient - don't give up and last but not least - TRUST GOD!  He wants to give you not just the "Good Things" or the "Better Things". He wants to give you the "Best Things".  

Growing up in my church, I can still recall the words of a dear elderly lady that echoed throughout all of my growing-up years . . . "keep on keeping on!"  I can still hear the sound of her voice, filled with excitement and encouragement, as she testified to the many "Good Things", the "Better Things", and the "Best Things" yet to come . . . if I would just "keep on keeping on!"

So in the days ahead, just "keep on keeping on" believing, being patient and remember . . . never-ever give up.   

What A Lovely Name [Live]

"What a lovely name, this name of Jesus. Reaching higher far than the brightest star. Sweeter than the songs they sing in Heaven. Let the world proclaim, "What a lovely name"!" - Lyrics and Music by Charles B. Wycuff.

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This has always been one of my all-time-favorite songs . . . especially when sung by Vestal Goodman of the "Happy Goodman Family" Gospel Singers.  She truly lived and experienced the full meaning of this song. She knew "what a lovely name," Jesus was first hand!!

You know there are so many songs with so many messages out there.  They are everywhere - radio, TV, internet, ipods, cd's, tapes, mp3's, videos, concerts, stores, cars, etc.

How many songs do we hear in a day?  I love music so I hear more than I can even count!  Some of them hit home,  some offer words of encouragement and a message, some are cute, clever, and catchy with awesome beats, rhythms and harmony and some of them are just loud noise that I simply tune out and don't even hear!

But this song hit a chord within my heart and soul the first time I heard it years ago and still today touches my heart.  The "Name of Jesus" brings hope, love, cheer, makes clean, redeems, brings wonder and awe, reaches far, gives a "song" . . . "Name above ALL other" - the lovely name of JESUS!!

Do you know and proclaim this Jesus? This Jesus that is "EVERMORE the same yesterday, today, and forever!" 

Verse 1
There's… a name above all others,…… 
Wonderful to hear,… bringing hope and cheer.…… 
It's… the lovely name of Jesus,…… 
Evermore the same,…. what a lovely name.…… 

Chorus….. 
What… a lovely name,… the name of Jesus.…… 
Reaching higher far,…. than the brightest star.…… 
Sweet...er than the songs they sing in heaven.…… 
Let the world proclaim,…. what a lovely name.…… 
Verse 2…..
Thru His name there's wondrous power,…… 
Power to redeem, making sinners clean.…… 
By His pow'r He cleansed the leper,…… 
Opened blinded eyes, caused the dead to rise.…… 
Verse 3….. 
He'll…. return in clouds of glory,…… 
Saints of ev'ry race,…. shall behold His face.…… 
With…. Him enter heaven's city,…… 
Ever to proclaim,…. what a lovely name.…

Chorus:....
Oh what… a lovely name,… this name called... Jesus.…… 
Reaching higher far,…. than the brightest star.…… 
It’s sweeter…. than all the songs they're singing... in heaven.…… 
Let the world proclaim,….Let this world proclaim....
Evermore the same......What a lovely.. name.…… 

What a lovely name…. "JESUS"

Don't Be Such a Skeptic!!

A new doctor had arrived in town. He could cure anything and anybody. Everyone was amazed with what he could do - everyone except for old Mr. Thompson, the town skeptic. Grumpy old Mr. Thompson went to visit this "miracle doctor" to prove that he wasn't anybody special. When it was time for his appointment he told the doctor, "Hey, doc, I've lost my sense of taste. I can't taste nothin', so what are ya goin' to do?" The doctor scratched his head and mumbled to himself a little, then told Mr. Thompson, "What you need is jar number 47." So the doctor brought the jar out, opened it, and told Mr. Thompson to taste it. He tasted it and immediately spit it out, "This is gross!" he yelled. "Looks like I just restored your sense of taste, Mr. Thompson," said the doctor. So Mr. Thompson went home...very mad. One month later, Mr. Thompson decides to go back to the doctor and try once again to expose him as a fake, by complaining of a new problem. "Doc," he started, "I can't remember anything!" Thinking he had the doctor stumped now, he waited as the doctor scratched his head, mumbled to himself a little, and told Mr. Thompson, "What you need is jar number 47, it's..." But before the doctor could finish his sentence, Mr. Thompson was cured and fled the room!

~    ~    ~    ~   ~   ~  

LOL!! How many times have we set out to prove a point only to find out that what we were trying to prove had a quick cure such as the illustration with the new doctor and his advice??!! There have been times when I was so sure, so certain, unmoved in my stance only to be put in my place over what I thought to be absolute, unfaltering, and unfailing. It is no fun to be backed into a corner as Mr. Thompson was only to have to admit and face up to our wrong ideas, our wrong thinking, our mistakes, our doubt, etc. I've found that it is OK to NOT be "right" all of the time. It is OK to admit I was "wrong", I didn't "understand", I "failed"! It is "freeing" to know that "right or wrong" the "truth" always prevails and frees our inner spirit of many things, including guilt, hostility, hate, neglect, procrastination, anger, carelessness, fear, mistrust, doubt, strife, even envy . . . the list could go on and on.

It is "freeing" to not have to live with the doubt and skepticism that so easily eats away at our very being turning us from the "positive" and forcing us to focus on the "negatives" in life. Free yourself today!  Focus on "truth, trust, and hope" and break free from the skepticism life tries to ensnare us in.

God offers us the answer as we begin to speak the "Truth", trust in God and everything around us will look different.  "Hope" for the best life has to offer each of us knowing God is ultimately in control of all things. "Trust" in God, yourself, and others with an everlasting, eternal hope that will brighten your day, your whole world, and YOUR LIFE!  Let us not become a "Doubting Thomas" but become a "Blessed Believer".

" Jesus saith unto him (Thomas), Because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."   (John 20:29)

ONE YEAR AGO - The Grazing Ground: 3-Month Follow-Up to My Brain Surgery

Out of curiosity, I looked back a year ago to see what I had posted on my blog.  I came across the post about my 3-Month Followup to My Brain Surgery.  As I read it and thought back to where and what I was experiencing one year ago, I can truly say I have been extremely blessed in so many ways!!! Looking back . . . I have come such a long way on this journey of mine.  As I reflect on this last year, I sometimes get overwhelmed thinking of each step along the way, the progress, the blessings, the hand of God.  I count it all "joy" for there is "joy in the journey" - sometimes we have to look for it through the "eyes" of hope, trust, and faith but the joy is there!

The Grazing Ground: 3-Month Follow-Up to My Brain Surgery: Well, this month marked three months from my brain surgery removing the two tumors back in December.  In ways it s...

Who isn't Ready for Spring?

The positive news . . . As the cold, wind blows, howls, and whistles across the land spreading it's blanket of soft, white snowflakes - know this (and you can be positive of this!) . . . that way down beneath that icy-cold blanket, below the tall, majestic drifts of snow, lie the cold, still, motionless signs of "life" yet to be!  Life ready and waiting for that "special moment" in time - that exact minute when Spring says, "ARISE - come FORTH - BURST into living - SPROUT your seeds, BLOOM your flowers, GREEN your grasses - WARM the earth and SPREAD the miracle of your ABUNDANT beauty".  LIFE . .  alive with the beauty and the scents of    fragrant flowers spreading "happiness and joy" all around. Hearts once again warmed by      Spring's radiant sunshine - washed clean and fresh from Winter's snow!! Burst forth, Oh,  Spring - WE'RE READY AND WAITING!!!  . . .  but please hurry!!!!  LOL!

                                                        

The Five W's Of Life

This advice is worth taking note of and starting, if you have not already, to put into practice every day of your life!

Blessed Valentine's Day

Hope all of you out there had a Happy Valentine's Day and know what it is to be truly blessed of God!

The Solid Rock

Post by Craig Sellier.

Don't get caught is the shifting sands of this life (people, places, things) but instead build your house on the Solid Rock!
                            Matthew 7:24-25

An Old Cowboy's Advice - Cowboy Dressage

* Keep your fences horse-high, pig-tight & bull-strong.
* Keep skunks & bankers & lawyers at a distance.
* Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.
* A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor.
* Words that soak into your ears are whispered...not yelled.
* Meanness don't jes' happen overnight.
* Forgive your enemies. It messes up their heads.
* Don't corner something that would normally run from you.
* It doesn't take a very big person to carry a grudge.
* You cannot unsay a cruel word.
* Every path has a few puddles.
* When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.
* The best sermons are lived, not preached.
* Most of the stuff people worry about is never gonna happen anyway.
* Don't judge folks by their relatives.
* Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
* Don't interfere with somethin' that ain't botherin' you none.
* Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.
* Sometimes you get, & sometimes you get got.
* Don't fix it if it ain't broke.
* Always drink upstream from the herd.
* Good judgment comes from experience, & a lot of that comes from bad judgment.
* If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around.
* Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly.
                           (Cowboy Dressage's photo & facts)

The above is some good "food for thought", don't you agree?

Maxine Moments . . .

GOOD OLD MAXINE STRIKES AGAIN . . .






And last but not least . . .

Gooey Chocolate Pudding Cake

If you like chocolate you are going to LOVE this one . . .
& I always say . . . you can't have too much chocolate!!! 


 Ingredients

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2/3 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Topping
• 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1 1/4 cups hot water

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a 2 qt casserole dish, combine flour, white sugar, cocoa powder and baking powder. Add milk and oil, and vanilla. Stir until well mixed. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, cocoa powder and chocolate chips. Sprinkle over cake batter. DO NOT STIR. Pour hot water over top.
3. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the top looks cooked. Serve warm (with ice cream if desired).

5 Things God's Children Should NEVER Worry About . . .

If you are like me, you tend to worry about things . . . even when you don't need to or even when you know you shouldn't worry about them! There is a quote that says, "90% of what you worry about never happens" - Jean Barlow.
But it is so much a part of our human make-up.  We just do it, many times, without even thinking!!!

But take a look at the above Bible verses. Meditate on them, engrave them on your heart and mind and live each day by them.  It will ease your journey, lift your load and lighten your heart.  And when you worry less - you have more time for the good things God has planned for you and those you come into contact with . . . the true "blessings of God"!!!

15 EXERCISES WE'D BE BETTER OFF WITHOUT IN 2014...

Don't get into the habit of these exercises!!

~ Jumping on the bandwagon  

~ Wading through paperwork

~ Running around in circles  

~ Pushing your luck

~ Spinning your wheels   

~ Adding fuel to the fire

~ Beating your head against the wall 

~ Climbing the walls

~ Beating your own drum   

~ Dragging your heels

~ Jumping to conclusions   

~ Grasping at straws

~ Fishing for compliments   

~ Throwing your weight around

~ Passing the buck

How many times have we all used the above "exercises" to
explain our actions and our attitudes? It is so easy to fall 
back on these excuses when, right or wrong, we are "in the moment", swamped with work, pressed with time schedules, confused, having a bad day . . . and don't know what else
to do!!  As we start the new year and every single
day . . . let's try to stop, look, and listen to where we are, what we are doing, what we are saying, how these things
will affect our situations and circumstances and also those of 
others.  One of my goals this year is to think before I "say" 
or "do" in every situation I come upon.  

Here's a few Bible verses to live by:

Proverbs 12:18 – “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” 

Proverbs 13:3 – “He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.”

Proverbs 14:17a – “A quick-tempered man does foolish things,”




Proverbs 29:22 – “An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins.”






Let's take a few minutes and think "before" we act . . . instead of simply "re-acting" to our situations!  Do and say to and of others as you would want them to say and do to you yourself!

Burned Biscuits - A lesson we all should learn.

A must read as posted by - MidgetMomma.com

When I was a kid, my Mom liked to make breakfast food for dinner every now and then. I remember one night in particular when she had made breakfast after a long, hard day at work. On that evening so long ago, my Mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage and extremely burned biscuits in front of my dad. I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed!

All my dad did was reach for his biscuit, smile at my Mom and ask me how my day was at school. I don't remember what I told him that night, but I do remember watching him smear butter and jelly on that ugly burned biscuit. He ate every bite of that thing...never made a face nor uttered a word about it!

When I got up from the table that evening, I remember hearing my Mom apologize to my dad for burning the biscuits. And I'll never forget what he said, "Honey, I love burned biscuits every now and then."

Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy good night and I asked him if he really liked his biscuits burned. He wrapped me in his arms and said, "Your Mom put in a hard day at work today and she's real tired. And besides--a little burned biscuit never hurt anyone!"

As I've grown older, I've thought about that many times. Life is full of imperfect things and imperfect people.
I'm not the best at hardly anything, and I forget birthdays and anniversaries just like everyone else. But what I've learned over the years is that learning to accept each other's faults and choosing to celebrate each other’s differences is one of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship.

And that's my prayer for you today...that you will learn to take the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of your life and lay them at the feet of God. Because in the end, He's the only One who will be able to give you a relationship where a burnt biscuit isn't a deal-breaker!

We could extend this to any relationship. In fact, understanding is the base of any relationship, be it a husband-wife or parent-child or friendship!

So, please pass me a biscuit, and yes, the burned one will do just fine.
And PLEASE pass this along to someone who has enriched your life--I just did!

"Don't put the key to your happiness in someone else's pocket--keep it in your own."

Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

"Life without God is like an unsharpened pencil--it has no point"

-Posted by MidgetMomma.com

Crockpot Christmas Crack - Or Better Know As Peanut Clusters!

  This is super easy!  

Cook time: 2 Hr 30 Min  Prep time: 15 Min  Serves: a LOT
Ingredients

1 - 16 oz jar(s) unsalted peanuts

1 - 16 oz. jar(s) salted peanuts

1 - 12 oz bag(s) semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 - 12 oz bag(s) milk chocolate chips

2 - 10 oz bag(s) peanut butter chips

2 - 1 lb pkg white almond bark or vanilla candy coating

Directions

1. Layer all ingredients in a large crockpot (starting with peanuts). Turn the pot on low, cover with lid, and leave sitting for 2 hours. Then, remove lid and stir to combine. Replace lid and leave sitting for another 30 minutes. Stir again and then spoon mixture on to wax paper or non-stick aluminum foil. Allow to harden for at least 1 hour. Enjoy!

I tried this recipe out this Christmas and these were a hit! Everyone liked them and wanted the recipe!! I liked that you just put it in the crockpot and left it, stirred it and dropped them onto wax paper - super, super easy and yummy!!

Things to do Every Day of the Year - not just Christmas!

These are some special things we should do not just on Christmas but every single day of the year.  Life would be a much better place if everyone would put forth this sort of effort to each other.  Let's all give it a try . . .

A Shepherd's Prayer - Move Me Closer - sung by Evie Karlsson

I've always loved this song - it is my desire . . .

A Shepherd's Prayer
Twas the night before Christmas,
And my only desire
Was peace among kids, and to rest by the fire.
I had just settled down in my favorite chair;
When I heard a small voice, and a cry of despair.
As I stared at the hearth I saw a strange sight!
Our nativity scene, in the flickering light
Seemed almost alive!
And how could this be!
One lonely shepherd was calling to me.
***Move me closer, move me closer
Move me closer to the Child.
Let me see Him, let me hold His hand.
Move me closer to the Child.
***As you can well imagine, I was a bit surprised.
So with a shake of the head and a rub of the eyes
I took another look, and what did I see,
Without a doubt he was looking at me.

It seems in the hustle and bustle of things
In the wrapping of gifts, and the building of swings,
In assembling his scene, I'd been a bit hurried,
And understandably so, He was a little bit worried.
***Move me closer, move me closer
Move me closer to the Child.
Let me see Him, let me hold His hand.
Move me closer to the Child.
***You see, candy canes and holly trim
Didn't mean a thing to him.
If it kept him from his post
Beside the child he loved the most.

So as strange as it must seem,
Whether it was, or wasn't, a dream.
I placed him back where he belonged
As he sang again his simple song.
And now when we at Christmas share,
We sing his song:
A Shepherd's Prayer.
***Move me closer, move me closer
Move me closer to the Child.
Let me see Him, let me hold His hand.
Move me closer to the Child.
Move me closer to the Child.
***
Move Me Closer: A Shepherd's Prayer
written for and sang by Evie
on the compact disc entitled Evie's Christmas Memories