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Articles, Holidays, Tis the Season Series

Tis the Season – Favorite Holiday Recipe

Hi friends. So happy to have Angela Hoover guest posting again for me on the blog. Below is one of her favorite recipes that is perfect for the holidays:

The following recipe is from my absolute favorite the drop-dead gorgeous, decadent cook, Nigella Lawson.

I am not even a big banana person and everyone in my family LOVES these muffins.

When my son was little, (7 or 8) he tried these for the first time. When I asked him what he thought of them, he looked at me with a serious face, rolled his eyes to the back of his head, and fell back toward the wall. A success.

Whenever I make these muffins I have to make a double batch because 12 of them get gobbled up in 2 hours.

The recipe calls for butterscotch chips, (the recipe is called butterscotch banana muffins) but I use semi-sweet. These little darlings are buttery (even though there’s no dairy) and not too overly sweet. This recipe is one of the first recipes I would make with my kids. Easy to make and I usually have all the ingredients right in my pantry. Hope you enjoy.

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup oil
2 eggs
3 ripe bananas (they should have brown spots on them-does not taste the same if they are yellow)
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Beat eggs and oil together and set aside

Mash bananas until creamy and set aside

Mix sugar, baking soda and baking powder together. Add the egg and oil mixture. Mix in mashed bananas and finally the chocolate chips.

Pour into a cupcake tin lined with paper cups.

Bake for 18-20 minutes.

Feel free to split them open and butter them up! Yum!

Advent, Articles, Devotionals, Holidays

Let Every Heart Ptepare Him Room – Joy

Below is an article that I wrote a long time ago but I thought it would be applicable to share today as well. Wheeever you are or whatever circumstances you find yourself in during this Christmas season, take some time to make room for Christ and reflect on His holiness and the life He gives each of us. Christmas is eight days away but Jesus should be worshipped an adored every day of the year and not just on December 25. True joy can only come from Jesus and that joy helps us get through every season whether good or bad. I hope you enjoy today’s post and that you are encouraged.

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” ~Luke 2:10-11

Joy. The Bible calls us to have joy every single day. Philippians 4:4 says to rejoice always. Even when we do not feel like it we are supposed to rejoice. That sounds good until you are going through a really hard season and then it just plain rough.

I have found myself during many sleepless nights saying “But God my health is terrible can’t you have a little sympathy? I don’t feel like rejoicing right now. What is joyful in this?” Some others may be saying, “but God my job is so hard and this is not at all where I thought I would be right now in my life. I am miserable and don’t know what my purpose is. When will one of my dreams finally come true?” Or “but God married life is not what I thought it would be. What happened to living happily ever after? I just don’t love him anymore or feel loved. And lastly, “but God I am in my 30s and STILL single. I have dreamed of being married for years and being a helpmate to someone. When will it be my turn already? ”

All of these scenarios many have experienced, and none of these make it easy to have joy, and are even worse during the holidays. How can we rejoice at Christmas when life is in shambles? This past week I was diagnosed with hand, foot, and mouth virus, a bladder infection, and a bacterial infection. This is not at all how I wanted to spend my days leading up to Christmas. After the year I have had I wanted a bit of a break.

However, that is when God so gently reminded me yet again that —

Joy is not defined by the circumstances of life. Joy is simply Jesus. Joy is found in the tiny baby who was born in a manger. Joy is found in the one who lowered himself to be a servant and washed the disciples feet. Joy is found in Him who performed many miracles. Joy is found in the man who died on the cross and in the Savior who rose again. Joy is found in Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!

When I take the focus off myself and put it on the Lord my circumstances suddenly feel lighter. As we focus on the greatness of Jesus and what He has done for us — our circumstances will not always change, but our perspective towards them will. Then, a great joy that we didn’t think was possible will fill our hearts and minds. Also, along with that joy the Lord will give His strength to help us walk the hard roads in a way that is honoring to Him.

As Christmas week is approaching take time to dwell on the only one who can make your joy complete.

Advent, Articles

Tis the Season

Hi friends. I’ve been a bit behind with blog posts over the past few weeks. I’m currently doing an advent post each week and posted that one earlier. However, I am also doing a series called Tis the Deason over the next week with guest bloggers sharing what they like about Christmas. You are going to love them.

I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season and that it is not a stressful time but a time of rest and be thankful for who Jesus is and what He has done for you over the past year. Happy almost Christmas!

Advent, Articles, Holidays, Let it Be Christmas

Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room – Hope

Hi friends! I’ve had every intention to write a new advent post each week that should have started last Sunday. I’ve posted on Advent the past two years and I was hoping to write new posts for the series this year. However, due to health problems and a chronic bladder infection that has caused me severe pain over the past few weeks, I have not had the energy to write anything new. The first week of advent is all about hope and I need to be reminded of the hope of Christ now more than ever.

The one truth that can be depended on no matter how hard circumstances may be is the hope of Christ never fails. No situation is too dark to keep the hope of Christ from shining through.

[clickToTweet tweet=”No situation is too dark to keep the hope of Christ from shining through.” quote=”No situation is too dark to keep the hope of Christ from shining through.”]Allow is light to shine through and let every heart prepare Hin room.

Hope a Little More!

Below is my post. Be encouraged today friends and check back tomorrow for the next post in the series.

I think of Christ, I automatically think of the word hope, and His hope could not be any more evident than at Christmas time. Merriam Webster’s Dictonary defines hope as: “to cherish a desire with anticipation, or to “expect with confidence.” Advent is a perfect example of this type of hope, and the ultimate hope that we have in life that comes from Christ.

Advent means “coming,” as in “Christ is coming.” It represents the expectation, anticipation, and preparation of the birth of Jesus. Jesus was born as fully God and fully man, and as the King of Kings was born in a lowly manger to identify with us. He came for us so that we may have the hope of Eternal life, and to live and reign in our hearts. His coming fulfills the Old Testament prophecies such as Jeremiah 33:14-16 which states, “The days are coming, ’declares the LORD, ‘when I will fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah. In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line; he will do what is just and right in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it will be called: The LORD Our Righteous Savior.’”

This hope is also mentioned in Romans 15:12-13 — “And again, Isaiah says, The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

This year more than ever in my life, I am thankful for the hope that comes from the Lord. 2015 would have been filled with many hopeless days had it not been for the hope that I have found in Jesus. I have dealt with a lot of health problems, and there have been many days this year where to the world all hope would have seemed lost, but no matter what circumstances I face in this life, I will ALWAYS have hope because of the Savior. That truth has got me through many hard days, and I pray if you are facing an overwhelming situation or if life seems too much to bear that you dwell on the hope that Jesus gives.

The holidays can be a busy time filled with lots of fun and celebrations, or for some a time that is overwhelming or a sad reminder of what they do not have. However, it is so easy to lose focus of who should receive our utmost attention during the season. My prayer for this Christmas is that we would make room for the Savior in our lives and give Him the honor that He deserves

Articles, Daily Inspirations, Holidays, Let it Be Christmas

Daily Inspirations – December 5, 2017

“Pray on dear one – the power lies that way.” ~Mary Slessor

Articles, Daily Inspirations, Hope a Little More Daily Quotes

Hope a Little More – November 30, 2017

”Love covers a multitude of sins.” ~1 Peter 4:8

Articles, Daily Inspirations, Hope a Little More Daily Quotes

Hope a Little More – November 29, 2017

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, O Lord my God, thou art clothed with honour and majesty.” ~Psalm 104:1

Articles, Christian Living, Devotionals, Holidays, Hope a Little More Series

Hope a Little More Series – Thanksgiving Everyday

Happy Tuesday! Below is a post that I wrote one year ago but I thought it would be good to share again today as we close out the month of November. Even though Thanksgiving was on Thursday we do not need to lose the gratitude. Try not to let the hustle and bustle of the month of December make you lose focus.

Keep your eyes on Jesus and praise Him for who He is and what He has done.

Thankgiving Evetyday

Thanksgiving week is one of my favorite times of the year. I love the family time, food, and the fellowship. It is such a joyful time for me, and this year I am more thankful for the life God has given me than ever before. Leading up to Thanksgiving, I have been reading and journaling about the goodness, power, and majesty of God. I have been reminded during my time with Him that He alone is worthy to be praised, and if I had no other reason to be thankful — He is ALWAYS enough! He is worthy of all my praise and thankfulness each and every day of the year.

During my time in the word over the last week I have settled on Psalm 104 over and over again. The first couple verses of this passage always draw me in:

Psalm 104: 1-2, 5:

Bless the Lord, O my soul!

O Lord my God, You are very great:
You are clothed with honor and majesty,

Who cover Yourself with light as with a garment,
Who stretch out the heavens like a curtain.

You who laid the foundations of the earth,
So that it should not be moved forever.

And then verses 31-34 :

May the glory of the Lord endure forever;
May the Lord rejoice in His works.

He looks on the earth, and it trembles;
He touches the hills, and they smoke.

I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
May my meditation be sweet to Him;
I will be glad in the Lord.

The entire passage displays the great power of God in creation, and gives a glimpse of His glory and majesty. When I read verses such as these I am humbled because it shows me how great my God is and how small I am. It is easy to get consumed with current circumstances and forget to praise the One who gives us the strength we need to press on. We may pray, but at times, I think we have all been guilty of pouring out our needs to Jesus but not actually praising Him. I have noticed that the more I read about who God is and spend time in His presence giving Him praise — my worries and circumstances no longer seem as overwhelming.

Because of who Jesus is and what He did for us on the cross, He deserves to be thanked and praised every day and not just on Thanksgiving.

LcjNo matter what may be going on in our lives, the Gospel alone is enough for me to give Him praise for because that is the best gift I will ever receive. Spend some time today in the word reading Psalm 104, and praise Jesus for who He is and for His great power. Make it a habit to start thanking Him daily. I can assure you that the simple act of praising Jesus will always give peace to your overwhelmed heart.

Articles, Daily Inspirations, Hope a Little More Daily Quotes