Casseroles and Cats

Posted on February 16, 2023 by Marie

Chewy has decided he (and Ebony) like the spaces my office provides. They can be found resting in my comfy reading chair, bathing on my desk chair, sitting in the window, and demanding my attention when I’m trying to work. (Sandpaper kisses always work!)

I tried a super simple recipe for a gathering we were having with friends. I thought, no one has said they will bring dessert so I better come up with something. Usually, Ray doesn’t like me to experiment in the food area when we have guests. He had to agree, this was worth it. All it lacked was a scoop of ice cream. You can use any kind of fresh or frozen fruit with this.

Blueberry Cookie Casserole Yummmmmmmmm!

4 cups blueberries, rinsed and tossed in 1/4 cup sugar. Put this into your sprayed, slow cooker. Open a package of Sugar Cookie Mix and sprinkle the whole thing on top of the fruit. Slice 1 stick of butter and dot the top. Put the lid on and cook for 2 1/2 hours on High.

Don’t change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but let God change you inside with a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to understand and accept what God wants for you. You will be able to know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect. Romans 12:2 ERV

As I pondered these words I realized I was doing just that, letting those around me affect my thoughts. I love my cats and there are many who don’t understand why. They give me great joy and happiness as I watch them play and live life exactly as a cat should. I also love to eat and although I currently watch my diet very carefully, eating only foods that have no sugar or wheat, I do not let that stop me from enjoying my food. (Yes, I know the above recipe doesn’t reflect that because it is from several years ago, but it’s still a good recipe.)

God does not want us to base our lives on what others think or what we think they think. He wants us to enjoy the life He’s given us.

Blessings and success to you and yours!

Marie

Every Day Matters

Posted on April 11, 2022 by Marie

What are you doing today?

How do you spend your days? Is every moment busy with a to-do list that is stress-producing and overwhelming? Do you know we are being held accountable for every minute we’ve been given on this earth?

Be very careful, then, how you live–not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Ephesians 5:15-17

We have no idea what tomorrow will bring. Asking God to show us how to live each day filled with wisdom and not foolishness should be part of our prayers every day.

Abba, Father, grow us and show us the purpose You have for our lives. Help us live each moment with Your Word as our guide.

An Inflated Ego

Posted on March 21, 2022 by Marie

If we don’t humble ourselves God will!

First pride, then the crash— the bigger the ego, the harder the fall. (Proverbs 16:18) King Nebuchadnezzar was certainly the picture of what will happen if we decide we’re better than God. He had a God statue erected (of himself?) and proclaimed all the people would worship it. Three refused and he had them thrown into a flaming hot furnace. God intervened. King Neb repented when he saw what God could do. That didn’t stop his pride though. He threw a party and used the gold and jewel-encrusted goblets he had stolen from the Temple to drink from. That night he was murdered.

Like us, King Neb knew God alone is worthy of our praise, honor, and glory. He knew that God will humble those who are full of pride. Yet, he persisted. When God wrote the words on the wall during the celebration he was saying – That’s the last straw, King Neb. You crossed the line. Your pride has caused your downfall. It’s finished. Nebuchadnezzar was killed that night. (Daniel 5:30)

Pride causes us to find fault, it gives us an unforgiving mind, we become defensive and self-serving. Life becomes the pursuit of me.

I don’t want that for myself. More than anything I want God to be the total center of my life. I want to worship, honor, and obey with all my heart, mind, and soul! How about you?

Abba, Father, forgive my need to make this life all about me. Humble me and guide me in focusing on You and Your Word!

For the whole story read the first 5 chapters of the Book of Daniel.

Born

Posted on May 31, 2020 by Marie

New birth brings new life. Eternity is near me. Peace forevermore.

Come on over to the 5-Minute Friday Link Up

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

Life Interupted

Posted on April 18, 2016 by Marie

Jonah and the Whale in the Jami’ al-tawarikh (c. 1400), Metropolitan Museum of Art

Have you noticed that when life is going smoothly something happens to interrupt? It can be something small like the phone ringing when you’re trying to finish a project. It can be something much larger like a life-threatening disease or accident, severe weather (blizzard, tornado, earthquake), birth, death, loss of a job… When you start getting a case of the ‘why me’ syndrome give some thought to these lives that were interrupted by God Himself.

Moses 2 forty year visits to the desert

Noah Stop, drop and build a boat on dry land

Abraham Leave everything and travel to an unknown location

Sarah Baby at 90

Joseph Dropped into a pit and sold as a slave

Mary Suddenly pregnant

Dramatic and sudden interruptions happen all the time. Case in point…Jonah. He was living a great life but God wanted more for him. So God told him to go to Ninevah. Jonah wasn’t having any of that. That city was known as the ‘Sin City’ of that era. So, Jonah decided to run to another place. Really!? Did he really think he could hide from God? Yes, he did. While on that journey, in the opposite direction, the ship he was on was hit with a threatening storm. Those on board determined it was Jonah who was causing the problem, so they threw him overboard. We know the rest of the story…

Let’s look at this from a different angle. This is a story of many miracles. The first two are in verse one.

Jonah 11

First – God spoke!

Second – God allowed a person to hear His voice!

When He allows one of His creation to hear His voice it’s a huge privilege. We often hear His voice and don’t recognize it. The difference with us and Jonah is he knew exactly Who was speaking and choose not to obey.

Then, how do we know we’re hearing God? How do we know He’s interrupting us? Have you ever been listening to a speaker and the words seem just for you? Have you been reading the Word and it’s speaking to your heart? Henry Blackaby says we hear God through His Word, prayer, other Christians, worship, and life circumstances. God talks to us often through the Holy Spirit living in us and He expects us to listen.

When we hear God what are we to do? Easy answer, yet hard to follow through. We’re to drop everything and listen. He is saying I have a plan and I want you to be part of it.

The interrupted life is not always the big events I mentioned earlier. It can be a crying child, a husband or wife’s attention, a new friendship, an unexpected phone call, a knock on the door…. God wants us open to His voice! Anytime! Anywhere!

He is calling. Are you listening?

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie