Thoughts to ponder

The purpose of why I write this I will never know but the bottom line is...

~TRUTH ALWAYS WINS ~ LOVE ALWAYS WINS ~ MY SAVIOR GOD ALWAYS WINS~

I, like everybody, struggle with things. Unexplainable things. Where my mind goes when life goes wrong, when someone else's bad decision effects me, or when words cut deep to the bone. Judgement does no good, being angry or bitter or even spiteful does no good. It is easy to forget how to handle the tough things in life when your clouded by emotions and hurt. I too am guilty of sin yesterday, today and tomorrow...I need God's direction.

I think about my little son, who has not yet learned bad from good. As my husband disciplined him today for (his continuous and dangerous) act of climbing on the desk to play with things he shouldn't - I sat and thought: What if Gods booming voice would speak disciplines directly to me? 

"Son, do not climb on the desk. Its a no-no and you can get injured. Don't do it anymore from here on out, I love you." says the father to the son.

"Son, do not lie, cheat, steal, say careless words, have hate in your heart, do drugs or get drunk, do not murder or slander(etc). Its a no-no, you could be injured, incur hurt and pain or even cause death. Please hear me out, I love you.I will teach you a better way!" says our Father God to us.

God says plenty in the bible about how he disciplines those he loves(Hebrews 12:6), that in our weakness, we are made stronger in Christ(2 Corinthians 12:9-11), and how he loves us and despite our constant rejection and betrayal He forgives us and accepts us.

Still the words of Jesus ring in my mind: 

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have

 loved you, that you also love one another." John 13:33-35

Why is this so difficult to grasp? When a friend is walking out their faith and their theology doesn't line up with mine? When someone who is "supposed to love me" fails to do so? When my pastors or fellow church members let me down or don't live up to the "standard"? Or when despite all efforts I circle around the same sins and struggles?

Recently I wrote an original thought quote that struck question among friends as to what it means. A thought that has been nagging at me for a while. Here it is.

 Just because a person believes in God doesn't make them God so there is no need to treat them like a God. 

I will be honest. It sounds harsh or spiteful, or packed with an alterior motive but it's not. I will tell you why. There is an unspoken(hurt enducing) "standard" in our culture today that says "If you believe in God and go to church then you must have it all together." That means you don't sin. You follow the bible exactly. You always do/say the right things and you (heaven forbid) never hurt others. You have it all together. 

Whoa! I am guilty of feeling this toward others, and I know I'm not alone. Once more, how wrong am I! That I would put others on such a high pedestal. Truth: Sin alone binds us, no matter whether or not we believe in God. HOWEVER! It is when we rush to God just as we are, sin and all, that He makes us whole again.

HE RESTORES: even when someone at church calls you a fake, even when the person who should care the most lets you down, even when tragedy hits and you've lost something or someone important to you. Even if your the one who hurt someone.


Did I make myself clear? Because I don't want either of us to miss the mark on this one. No matter who you are, where you come from, how much good work you've done, money you have, or how knowledgeable you are, nothing can take away the fact the we are human and we have a sin nature (Genesis 2 & 3) that will inevitably choose destructive behaviors despite our better knowledge. That there is a God, and He loves us so much! So much so He sent His only son to die on a cross as a sacrifice for our sins. That we may be reconciled to Him and who we were is no more when we accept Jesus into our hearts. Its the greatest miracle on earth and my hope is, that when I get to heaven and have the chance to meet this God who loves me so much, then  I will fully comprehend the cross, and what He's done for us.


So back to "how easy it is to forget how to deal with the tough stuff". I forget the supremacy of God! If He is who He says He is, then He is capable of all things! Even helping me through bad theology, un-forgiveness, hurt, and pride. If all I have tangibly of God is the bible then thats what I will read and accept to understand Him - word for word. If all I can do is pray and have faith that God will listen and respond, then I will pray. If all I have to do to find a refuge from the pains of this life and the questions of eternity is believe Jesus died for my sins and through Him I can be forgiven and have eternal life, then I believe. I will be sold out on Jesus and have hope its Him who guides my every step and corrects my path as I walk. I will die trying. And when pain and afflictions hit I will remember what Jesus said "love one another" because its the greatest commandment He gave us. 


I end with this: My prayer for you all is that God would reveal Himself to you in a personal and deep way. So much so that you are convinced as I am. That your lives would be filled with a passion and desire to seek Him. God is the ONLY one who knows your situations and your solution. If you want the right advice,seek God, look to Him and when He directs your path, listen! Beware of pride, its a sure way to cut your communication off from God. And please, love others above everything having grace and compassion on them because they're probably hurting as much as you are. Lets move forward on the same team encouraging one another and building into each others lives. Surround yourself with a support network of fellow believers who can give biblically sound wisdom. Salvation is worth fighting for, I promise.Because truth always wins, love always wins, and my Savior God always wins.

"How He Loves" Kim Walker

Note: Please know that these are musings of a ten year believer in Christ with no theology degree. Just tons of life experience and an ache to know the greatest love, my Christ.
















I

Apple Cupcakes

*Ding Ding Ding *   

Round two: in the battle of the cupcakes!
Well atleast that's what it felt like today. 


Inspiration lately has been one of my follys due to the ever impending trip to Phoenix (next week). But as I have pressed into God and the word, I realized God is way more creative and inspired than I will ever be, ahem. But there is joy in humility! See, I get to partake in Gods creative design! 


So where IS this going? Haha! Drum roll please!


The Fruit of the Spirit ! 
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 
                                                                                                  ~Galatians 5:22-23

ta da (so original I know) Seemingly fitting for Apple cupcakes! 
I love the concept of the fruit of the spirit. It beckons, in me, a desire to want to do these things: have self control(uhh), to be kind(yes), to live in peace(please!) But upon second look I noticed it says: fruit of the Spirit. Huh? Well lets take it back a notch to Galatians 5:16-17


"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.  For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please."


This is heavy stuff! God says we have a natural tendency to do what is listed in: Vs. 19-21 "Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,  idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these...etc" which are the opposite of how He calls us to live. By walking in the Spirit, The Holy Spirit will be able to pacify my natural (flesh) desire to live in destruction. And the fruit this produces is good and glorifying things. Now Im no theologian, but this seems like a deeply spiritual matter. But really its this simple: Apple trees do not produce oranges and orange trees do not produce apples. We were born to do one thing. 


Gal. 5:13-14: For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” 


Oh! Love! I get it. Were supposed to love one another, just as Christ loves us. But my natural desire is to want to punch someone in the face when they make me angry (ref vs 19!) ~because they backed into my car due to carelessness.*deep breath* And still, there is freedom in surrender. I am reminded, walk in step with the Holy Spirit, surrendering my desires, and I will have real life change in my heart so when the time comes that Im tested in my anger I will not punch people. I will give grace, have patience and be gentle. So today I read the bible as I do often, to gain a clearer vision of who this wonderful, inspiring, and magnificent God, really is. 


The fruit of my labor ~ A yummy treat!

11/2 cups peeled & grated granny smith apple
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 1/4 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cloves
2 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp vanilla extract


Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl, then mix wet ingredients and pour into the dry mix. 
Then add grated apples and stir. Put in baking cups and bake at 350 degrees for 20 min.

 fun bowls!

Here was my boo-boo : oops- i forgot the oil! I did applesauce (because I don't like oil) and at the last minute had an epiphany that oh I should probably put some oil in. They came out a little too tacky and stuck to the baking wraps! Newb. :) 


However a total win was the cream cheese frosting with caramel drizzle! Yum! 
In conclusion: These cupcakes were a delicious summer treat and the caramel just gave it such character! Definitely I will try these again.

Here's my happy face

All this to say, thanks for enduring with me. Enjoy this wonderful compliment to the blog content.  Here is a song by Chris Tomlin & Christy Nockels: Where the Spirit of the Lord is. I pray that you would be encouraged and uplifted! 

~ Almond Cupcakes ~

Ok, Ok, folks I broke down! And started a blog. But its a good thing, I hope. Subject material: cupcakes. Why is this important to write about? Well I will tell you!


This year I turned a quarter of a century and I'm a mommy to little boy Oliver James. For women this is a big deal, making me cling to every blessing I have! As a birthday present my best friend gave me a recipe book about cupcakes (ref. pic)! Its positively delightful! She also made me a beautiful apron. All this to say it inspired me to go on a journey through experiencing food + faith. Yes, I am a Christian as well. No regrets, no passivity! I love God!

This week I have been dwelling on the scripture :


Psalm 34:8
O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!

What does this mean? Why would we want to taste? Trying something new is not always easy! (like sushi).We have taste buds for a reason, bitter flavors like vinegar or spoiled milk are usually not well liked. But taste something sweet like honey, or sweet fruit? You never forget the taste. You crave it, you catch on that this is a good thing. You see its a good thing. There is a vast difference between the bitterness of a life without God and a life filled with the sweetness and fullness of Christ. Take it from me, I know first-hand! But thats for another time :)

On to cupcakes!

The cupcake of the week is Almond! Its the first recipe in the book, and I was so excited to dive in! 

The ingredients from the book include:

1 3/4 cup sour cream

2 sticks of unsalted butter

1/2 cup walnut oil or vegetable oil

3 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda 

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

2 cups sugar

2/3 cups ground and toasted almonds

4 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 tsp. almond extract

Now I can't leave well enough alone so I changed it a bit, I subbed applesauce for the oil, equal parts. And I did 1 cup sugar 1 cup brown sugar. 

Directions: Cream together 1 cup sour cream, butter, and applesauce. In another bowl combine dry ingredients. Then slowly mix together the two combinations. Next in another bowl mix together the rest of the sour cream, eggs and extracts. Then combine this to the batter slowly. Bake in oven @ 350 for 25 minutes.

For the icing I chose an Almond icing which was simply 3 cups powdered sugar and 3 tbsp. hot water with 1 tsp. almond extract. I decided to garnish the cakes with sliced almonds and a little ground almond left over from the batter.

As I served the cakes my husband replied "I don't even like cupcakes but these are delicious"

I would say thats a win :) All in all, I give this recipe an A+

The last note: 

I am a musician and lover of good music so  I will be including a 'tube' song reference at the end of each blog. This week I am referencing a song by Misty Edwards called "taste and see"

http://youtu.be/C2MLQeZfVpE

Thanks for viewing! Comments are welcome and I pray that you are blessed!