God Chose You

Hello beautiful friend!

Did you know that we serve a BIG God? He parted the Red Sea so the children of Israel could walk across, He closed the mouths of lions so they could not hurt Daniel, and He used one boy with a slingshot and stones to kill a giant named Goliath. He is a God of miracles. But we can not forget that God is an extraordinary God who is in charge of the ordinary everyday things that many don't think about. He takes notice when a bird falls out of a tree or dies, or when an unknown solider gives his life for liberty. He notices every single one of the 60 million + babies who have been so tragically killed by abortions. And you want to know something else? God notices YOU.  Out of the 7.6 billion people who live on the earth, you are known by God. But not only does God know you, He delights in you! Once during my Bible reading, I came across these verses.

And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name. Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God. Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzi-bah, and thy land Beulah: for the Lord delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married. For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee. - Isaiah 62:2-5

We've all been in the barren and desolate place at some point in our life. And if it weren't for God's loving grace and mercy, we'd still be stuck there. But God draws you out of that lonely, dry place. And He gives you a new name. A special name. One that means 'God delights in you.' Hephzi-bah. As much as this world and Satan want you to believe, you are NOT here by accident. The master designer doesn't create anything haphazardly. He creates beautifully. He creates with great design and purpose. You may or may not know this, but the One who knows the most about you has the most love for you. <3

God could've chosen to live anywhere in the universe, but He chose your heart.  :) 

Psalm 139:14-18

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. 
My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God: how great is the sum of them! 
If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.     


I'll leave you with this  challenge today: Try treating every single person you meet as the most important person in the world.   It'll change you and your perspective.  :)

 

You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in You.

Very Sad News About Lacy

This is a memorial post of our little pet friend that lived 13.5 years; one that we all grew up with: Lacy Dog.  

 Lacy used to LOVE sleeping in this cart.  :)

 

 In her younger days, she would chase squirrels up the tree and then sit and stare up, waiting for the squirrel to come down.

  Sometimes she would go under the bed and bark for no reason, it seemed.

 Lacy really liked to sit in front of the fan......she loved to put her head out the window on car rides.

 

 It's funny how she would sometimes sleep with her tongue sticking out. ;)

Lacy was a fabulous pooch and we had so much fun with her.  <3 xoxox 

Please Pray For My Dear Mommy

Greetings to you!

I have an important prayer request to share with you all. Would you please pray for my dear momma, Cindy? She was recently diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, otherwise known as COPD, and would appreciate all your prayers. Thank you!!! <3

God bless you all.
 

Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me. 

-Psalm 66:20

Discount Books for Bookworms

Do you love to read??????

As an avid reader myself, I know it can be difficult to find books at reasonable prices. That's why in this post I'll be sharing my two favorite resources where you can buy books in great condition (and sometimes new condition) for low prices.

*Neither of these websites have every single book you may be looking for, but they do have a large varied selection.*

The first website is Thrift Books.  I've ordered many books from here and have been pleased with all my purchases. For each book available, they usually have a format and condition option from which you can choose. If there is a minimum of $10.00 in your cart, you'll receive free shipping on your order. Additionally, if there is a book you'd like to buy but it's not in stock, you can click the button 'add to wish list' and you'll receive an email once the book becomes available for purchase. (You do have to sign up if you want to add books to your wishlist.)   If you would like to receive a coupon for 15% off your first order made within the next 14 days, click here.

Next up is Abe Books. They are similar to Thrift Books in that they have various book condition options to choose from. I've found that the books listed at the top of the page are usually free shipping to U.S., but as you scroll farther down, those are the ones that have shipping expenses. Their book prices are really great, and I've been happy with all the books I've received. I did want to mention that my books arrived with a small bar-code sticker on the front that doesn't come off easily.  Here's what I do. (And this works for almost any book that has a sticker that doesn't peel off easily.) Scratch off as much as the sticker as you can. Place a few drops of lemon essential oil on a paper towel and scrape off. It works fabulous. And there's no sticky residue on the cover either! 

So there you have it! I hope you check out those websites and find some great deals on books.

Have you heard of or ordered from either of these sites before? Do you know of any other websites that sell books at discounted prices?  Would you like to see more book related posts in the future? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Fruit Pizza

Hey friends!  

Today I'm sharing a recipe for something delicious....fruit pizza!

Note: I make my own crust, but you can also use purchased pizza dough or sweet dough. 

Ingredients for the pizza crust: 

 1/2 cup butter

3/4 cup sugar

1 egg

1 1/4 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt (optional)

(If you're interested in substituting honey for sugar, I've made it that way before and it tasted great. I would add a little less than 3/4 cup if you add honey, just because you don't want to add too much. Add according to taste.) 

Directions: 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Mix in egg. Combine flour, baking soda and salt. Stir into creamed mixture until just blended. Press into ungreased (pizza) pan. Bake for 8-10 minutes until lightly browned.  Set aside to cool.

NOTE: If you use purchased dough, follow the directions on the can for how to cook it.

Ingredients for the frosting: 

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese at room temperature

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

(I've made the frosting with honey instead of sugar before too, and have found that it actually tastes a little better than it does with sugar. I'd recommend adding a little less honey than 1/4 cup, and then tasting the mixture just to be sure you didn't add too much honey. You can always add more if need be.) 

Directions: 

Combine the frosting ingredients with a rubber spatula. Stir until smooth.

Once the crust has cooled, spread on the frosting.

Topping:

You can really use any type of fruit to decorate the pizza. Here's what I used. 

strawberries

kiwi

oranges 

 (usually I use mandarin oranges from a can, but since 

we didn't have any, I just peeled a small orange and used that.)

blueberries

bananas 

grapes

blackberries 

Once you have all your fruit washed and cut, it's time to decorate! 

For the middle, I just cut up grapes and blackberries. 

Ta-dah - there you have it! It's a simple, fun recipe to make for a party or holiday. 

Have you ever made fruit pizza? If you make this recipe, I'd love to hear how yours turned out! 

Renew Your Mind

Romans 12:1-2

I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

 Ephesians 4:21-24

If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the trust is in Jesus:

That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

 Colossians 4:5-6

Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Psalm 104:33-34

I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.

My meditation of hims shall be sweet: I will be glad in the Lord. 

 2 Corinthians 10:5

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

 Galatians 5:24-25

And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

 Psalm 19:14

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

 Ephesians 5:19-20

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

 Philippians 2:3-5

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not ever man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

 James 3:17-18

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.