From the Pages of My Heart

Do you want lamb?

2009-11-04T17:19:00.000-08:00

Did you know that, unlike beef and pork, lamb is not banned in any religion?

Just like how anyone can have Jesus (the lamb) if they want.

Also, did you know, that sheep and goats are very similar in appearance? The sheep are among the goats, but they are not a goat. We are in this world, but we are not of this world. He will come to divide the sheep from the goats in the end.

And, because Jesus is depicted as a lamb, Satan depicts himself as a goat. Satan always tries to make himself as close to Christ as he can, but he ALWAYS does and ALWAYS will fall short.

That's what Christ taught me today. :D

My Superhero

2009-11-02T10:15:00.000-08:00

Once upon a time in a land far away a child was born. He was not born on some foreign planet. He was not born in a castle. He was born in a barn. He lived a normal life until he was about 12. Then, everything began to change. He started to notice that something was very different about Him. It seemed as if He could do no wrong. Even though He never hurt anyone and He was kind and respectful to everyone He met, some people still hated Him.

When he turned 30 years old His life really became different. There was something supernatural about Him. He could do things that nobody else could. He could heal the sick and tell about the future. He even brought people back from the dead! Even amongst all these wonderful things, those people hated Him more. They tried to turn the people against Him, but His increasing popularity was no match for His enemies.

Then, He fell in love. She was the most beautiful person He had ever seen. He couldn't hide His love for her. He declared His love for her to the whole world. Everyone knew and there was great joy among the people. His enemies saw this and they plotted to take her away from Him forever. His enemies worked very hard to try to find something that could separate them and they found it. You see, He could live forever, but she couldn't.

He knew this and it broke His heart. He knew that the only way for them to be together was if He could find a way for Her to live forever too, and the only way that could happen is if two became one. He asked her to marry Him. She accepted. It would have been a wonderful ceremony had His enemies not found out about it.

They had decided what to do, they had to get rid of this man once and for all. They turned many more people against Him and rose false accusations about Him. They brought Him to the supreme court and had Him sentenced to death. He told her not to worry and that everything would be fine. He told her that no matter what happened, they would be together. He also told her that after He died He would come back to life! He told her to look for Him exactly three days after His death.The day came and people from miles around came to see the execution.

They gathered around a place known as "The Hill of the Skull". They screamed hateful words at Him and beat Him horribly. They nailed Him to a tree and there He died. Not from all of the beatings and the spikes through His body, but from a broken heart. She was inconsolable and miserable. She cried bitterly and would not see anyone.

Three days after His death, He did exactly what He had told her. He came back to life! It was amazing! She was so happy! She was laughing and then she was crying! He told her that He had to go home for a little while to settle things with His Father about their marriage, but He would come back for her soon. He asked her never to forget about him and continue loving Him, as He would continue loving her. He told her that they could speak everyday, all she would have to do was call or write Him. He told her that she would hear from Him in just a few days. He also told her that He had spent many years writing a love note to her. Telling her that she would find it in His family records, He then returned home.Do you know who this story is about? Jesus, "My Hero!"

Hollywood keeps creating these 'superheroes' that die to save the planet. They go to great lengths to make it seem realistic. "Why can't Hollywood ever create a superhero that's realistic?" I've heard that question asked many times. The answer? "Because the devil can't do anything as good as God can." As we know, the enemy ALWAYS tries to copy God in EVERYTHING and ANYTHING He does. Jesus really is a superhero and He really does have an arch nemesis and He really is in love and He really did die to save the world AND He really did miraculously come back to life! No amount of movies or comic books will ever outdo the heroic acts of Jesus the Christ.

The real superhero is the one who died to save us all!

November Issue!

2009-11-01T11:13:00.000-08:00

The newest issue of Growing in Grace Magazine has been published! Go on over and check it out!

Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

2009-10-28T17:28:00.000-07:00

I had some of the best Chocolate Chip Cookies today! They're so chewy! Here are the ingredients:

2 sticks (8 oz) unsalted butter

2 1/4 cups bread flour (yes, it MUST be bread flour, any other kind would produce chocolate chip bricks!)

1 tsp Kosher salt

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 cup white sugar

1 1/4 cup brown sugar (The darker, the chewier. If you decide to use DARK brown sugar, as I did, note that your dough will be darker. So, don't be fooled into thinking that your cookies are burned when the time is done. They're just darker.)

1 whole egg + 1 egg yolk

2 tbl whole milk

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips

1 cup roughly chopped walnuts *optional* (I didn't add them in my cookies this time.)

Measure out all of the ingredients in separate containers before you Preheat your oven to 375.

Over LOW heat, melt the butter in a medium saucepan.

Sift together the bread flour, Kosher salt and baking soda in a bowl and set it aside.
Pour melted butter into a mixing bowl, separate from the above mixture.
To the butter, add: white sugar, brown sugar, the whole egg, egg yolk, milk and vanilla. Mix together.
Now add the dry mixture to the wet mixture in small amounts mixing SLOWLY. Otherwise your kitchen will look like a winter wonderland!
Once that is thoroughly mixed together, add the chocolate chips and the walnuts (if you have decided to use walnuts).
Chill until it is doughy enough to handle without getting it stuck to yourself and your scooper.
Once it is well chilled, use an ice cream scoop to scoop (I used size 16) them onto a non-greased cookie sheet. (The darker color the sheet is, the darker the bottoms of your cookies will be.) *If you are wary about your cookie sheet, you can use a sheet of parchment paper between your scoops of dough and the cookie sheet itself. It will help prevent sticking. BTW, parchment paper and wax paper are NOT the same thing. If you use wax paper it will melt and your cookies will taste like a box of Crayola.* Bake for 13-15 minutes. Check every once in a while and remove when an inserted wooden toothpick comes out clean (aside from the gooey chocolate that will inevitably be on said toothpick).
Once they are finished, remove them from the cookie sheet and onto a cooling rack ASAP or the cookies will continue to cook.
Cool and ENJOY! Mmm-mmm!

Here are some pictures of the results! (minus the walnuts)

O.k., I admit, it was me!

A Daughter's Heart

2009-10-28T12:47:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to let you all know that there is a gorgeous giveaway at Livvy's blog! Go on, check it out! You know you want to!!!

Blog-O-Meanies

2009-10-27T10:25:00.000-07:00

My mother found this video and I thought that it would be a good idea to share it with all of you.

Russian Tea Cakes

2009-10-22T18:27:00.000-07:00

Here are my White pictures

as a part of White Week

at Ashley's blog.

These are called 'Russian Tea Cakes'

there are many different variations

of this wonderful recipe.

Taking the Name of God in Vain

2009-10-22T16:49:00.000-07:00

We went to a Bible study at a friend's house yesterday and a man there shared this with us. I thought that I should share it with you.

Exodus 20:7 "Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his Name in vain."

Many people take this verse and say "Oh, that means not to curse God's Name. Not to say his name without any meaning behind it."

I have a question. If that is true, then why didn't God just say "Don't say my name without meaning behind it."?

The following definitions are courtesy of www.Merriam-Webster.com/dictionary
Take: "To transfer into one's own keeping."
Vain: "Having no real value."

The Bible says in Ephesians 6:17 "And take the helmet of Salvation..." (For more on this verse see this post.)

If you have read the above suggested post, then you know that Jesus is our helmet of Salvation. Therefore Take Christ.

So, when one takes the Name of God in vain, they are taking on Christ without having any value behind it. Meaning that when someone looks at them, they don't see Christ in them. They are not a 'peculiar people', as the Bible says in Deuteronomy, Titus and 1 Peter.

When we trust Jesus as our Savior, we take on Christ. So, when the Bible says not to take the name of God in vain ...

Don't say that you have taken on Christ (trusted him as your Savior) and go on living your life as if you don't have Him living inside of you.

"Your walk talks and your talk talks, but your walk talks louder than your talk talks."

Lamb Chop

2009-10-20T16:39:00.000-07:00

This is a part of

white week.

At Ashley's blog.

Does anyone else remember

'Lamb Chop'?

Simple Woman's Daybook: October 19

2009-10-19T10:12:00.000-07:00

FOR TODAY... October 19

Outside my window... Sunny and rainy at the same time.

I am thinking... About my banana bread that I just made. *Mmm~mmm*

I am thankful for... An oven! :D

From the kitchen... Rinsed off dishes from baking this morning.

I am wearing... Long sleeved gray shirt, blue culottes, apron, Dad's socks (they're longer and warmer than mine!)

I am going... To the zoo on friday! Yeah!

I am reading... Serena Wood's blog.

I am hearing... KLOVE.

Around the house... Brother and little cousin on the computer, Monica cleaning her room, Gina instructing everyone ;), littlest cousin helping Monica.

One of my favorite things... Hearing other people praising Jesus.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Conference, baking, bible studies, and the zoo! Whoo-hoo!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Snow White

2009-10-18T17:49:00.000-07:00

I would like to share with you what God gave me this past week.

"The heart is deceitful and wicked above all things, who can know it?"
~Jeremiah 17:9

Our hearts are very deceiful and full of lies from the devil. In the garden, Eve lived in perfection, yet her heart was weak. The devil weaseled his way into her mind and caused her to doubt God. Not only that, but he caused her to act on that doubt.

"And Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived, and was in the transgression."
1 Timothy 2:14

~The devil disguised himself.
~The devil came to her when she was weak. She was away from her husband.
~The devil caused her to disobey the Lord.
~The devil told her that the tree would 'magically' make her be like a god.
~The devil caused her to look at the tree and desire it.
~The devil tricked her into believing a lie.

Just as...

~The Queen disguised herself.
~The Queen came to her when the dwarves were away.
~The Queen caused her to disobey the dwarves.
~The Queen told her that the apple was a magic wishing apple and that it would make all her dreams come true.
~The Queen caused her to look at the apple and desire it.
~The Queen tricked her into believing a lie.

But, do you remember the end of the movie? The Queen was destroyed. Love prevailed. And "Happily Ever After" took place.

Just like in the end, the devil will be destroyed. Love will prevail. And our "Happily Ever After" will take place.

In the end my Prince of Peace will come and save me from this sinful world. Lord, your bride is waiting!

Some day my prince will come
Some day we'll meet again
And away to his castle we'll go
To be happy forever I know

Some day when spring is here
We'll find our love anew
And the birds will sing
And wedding bells will ring
Some day when my dreams come true

Simple Woman's Daybook: October 15

2009-10-15T16:11:00.000-07:00

For Today... October 15

Outside my window... Wet, yet sunny.

From the learning rooms... Internet businesses.

I am thankful for... God. Enough said.

From the kitchen... Cleanliness, my sister JUST cleaned it! :D

I am wearing... Long sleeved gray shirt, denim skirt, socks and my hair down and curly.

I am reading... My friend's blog.

I am hoping... That a meeting my parents are at goes well.

I am creating... Pretty pictures Paint Shop Pro.

I am praying... For many different things.

Around the house... Order, believe it or not. ;)

One of my favorite things... Fellowship with other believers.

A few plans for the rest of the week... ?? I don't know. Whatever God brings my way.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Recent Photos

2009-10-12T16:45:00.000-07:00

Here are some more pics from the recent 'Grandma and Grandpa's house trip'. Enjoy!

The Brick

2009-10-09T12:59:00.000-07:00

I recieved this in a forward and decided to share it with you all!

A young and successful executive was traveling down a neighborhood street, going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar. He was watching for kids darting out from between parkedcars and slowed down when he thought he saw something. As his car passed, no children appeared. Instead, a brick smashed into the Jag's side door! He slammed on the brakes and backed the Jag back to the spot where the brick had been thrown. The angry driver then jumped out of the car, grabbed the nearest kid and pushed him up against a parked car shouting,

"What was that all about and who are you? Just what in the world are you doing? That's a new car and that brick you threw is going to cost a lot of money. Why did you do it?"

The young boy was apologetic. "Please, mister....please, I'm sorry but I didn't know what else to do," He pleaded. "I threw the brick because no one else would stop..." With tears dripping down his face and off his chin, the youth pointed to a spot just around a parked car. "It's my brother," he said "He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up." Now sobbing, the boy asked the stunned executive, "Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me."

Moved beyond words,the driver tried to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. He hurriedly lifted the handicapped boy back into the wheelchair, then took out a linen handkerchief and dabbed at the fresh scrapes and cuts. A quick look told him everything was going to be okay.

"Thank you and may God bless you," the grateful child told the stranger.

Too shook up for words, the man simply watched the boy push his wheelchair-bound brother down the sidewalk toward their home. It was a long, slow walk back to the Jaguar. The damage was very noticeable, but the driver never bothered to repair the dented side door.

He kept the dent there to remind him of this message: 'Don't go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention!' God whispers in our souls and speaks to our hearts. Sometimes when we don't have time to listen, He has to throw a brick at us. It's our choice to listen or not.

Thought for the Day: If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it.

If He had a wallet,your photo would be in it.

He sends you flowers every spring.

He sends you a sunrise every morning.

Face it, friend - He is crazy about you!

Married

2009-10-08T11:19:00.000-07:00

No, not me!! Silly people. No, one of my very dear friends has found the love of her life "At Last" (that's her favorite song, hehe). Congratulations, Charlene, and may God bless your new and wonderful life with the man of your dreams! <3 you!

Teen Bloggers?

2009-10-08T09:52:00.000-07:00

There are a lot of teen bloggers out there, but where are they? GGM is going to help highlight those blogs so you can have a large selection to choose from when submitting your nominations to the HSBAwards this season. Sprittibee said there are permission slips for parents to send in for those under age, so keep an eye out for that info at the HSBAPost.

For now, head over to GGM and get the info you need to get your blog and your favorites highlighted ASAP!

Over the River and Through the Woods

2009-10-07T10:48:00.000-07:00

This past week I had the pleasure of visiting my grandmother, at her new house, to help her unpack. Here are just a few photos of my trip!

Beautiful deer out the window

One evening there were 12!

Some finds
Top left-Old biscuit cutter
Top middle-Aluminum measuring cups
Top right-Funnel
Second row, left-Pie crimper
Second row, middle-Aluminum measuring spoons

The Whole Armor of God

2009-10-05T10:37:00.000-07:00

I would like to share with you what God taught me this past week.

Ephesians 6:14-17 "Stand therefore, and your loins girded about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness, 15And your feet shod with the preperation of the Gospel of peace. 16Above all, take the shield of Faith, wherewith ye may quench all the fiery darts of the wicked, 17And take the helmet of Salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

1. Loins-Truth
John 14:6 "Jesus said unto him, I am that Way, and that Truth, and that Life..."
Jesus is the Truth.

2. Breastplate-Righteousness
Jeremiah 23:6 "...The Lord our righteousness."
The Lord is righteousness.

3. Feet-Peace
Isaiah 9:6 "he shall call his name...The prince of peace."
He is the Prince of Peace.

4. Helmet-Salvation
Exodus 15:2a "The Lord is my strength, and praise, and he is become my salvation."
The Lord is salvation

5. Sword-Word of God
1 John 5:7 "For there are three, which bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the holy Ghost: and these three are one."
Jesus is the Word.

If we are to "Put on the wole armor of God," all we have to do is put on Jesus and we get all of those things all at once all at the same time.

Romans 13:14 "But put ye on the Lord JESUS CHRIST..."

Related articles:
http://fromthepagesofmyheart.blogspot.com/2009/07/what-is-tree-of-life.html
http://fromthepagesofmyheart.blogspot.com/2009/05/wow.html

Back to the Basics of Life Seminar

2009-09-28T09:27:00.000-07:00

Alyssa Avant has asked my mom to speak at her Back to Basics Seminar Series in October. This is an online conference for moms and their daughters.

Back to the Basics of Life Seminar Series will help refresh you on all of “life’s little lessons” and maybe even give you some new tools in your toolbox with which to teach them to your daughter.

Our First Back to the Basics of Life Seminar Series will cover the following “life lessons”:

*
Teaching Your Daughter Manners & Etiquette
*
Teaching Your Daughter about Friendship
*
Teaching Your Daughter Simple Tips for Healthy Skin & Radiant Beauty
*
Teaching Your Daughter Character

This Seminar series will be held live for 4 weeks, beginning Tuesday, October 6th and running consecutive Tuesdays through October 27th, all at 8 pm CST / 9 pm EST / 6 pm PST in an online conference room.

My mom's speaking date will be Tuesday, October 13th at 9pm EST, 8pm CST, 6pm PST

This event is free on the night of the conference, but you can pre-order this seminar event on MP3 and a printed transcription of the seminar by clicking on the button above.She'll be speaking about 'The Seasons of Friendship' and am giving away a free Ebook that sheds light on the lies the enemy tries to feed 'good Christian girls' to all of the seminar attendees. So get signed up today!

Grace

2009-09-28T09:25:00.000-07:00

Grace is undeserved favor from God.

Praise the Lord!

2009-09-26T10:25:00.000-07:00

Today my sister pointed out to me that her playlist wasn't working, so I went to our (shared) playlist account to find a note by Playlist that said that the Playlist website was down due to a power failure and that they were working on the problem. I then (quickly, if I may add) proceeded to check the playlist on my blog and found that it was working fine. I went back to playlist and found that it was back online. And it had this note:

Playlist.com suffered a power loss in our datacenter around midnight last night. Sorry for the inconvenience!

So, Praise the Lord! He is so good. :D

Art

2009-09-24T09:09:00.000-07:00

I dream a lot. I do more painting when I'm not painting. It's in the subconscious.
~Andrew Wyeth

Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures. ~Henry Ward Beecher

Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep. ~Scott Adams

Art is the only way to run away without leaving home. ~Twyla Tharp

Life beats down and crushes the soul and art reminds you that you have one. ~Stella Adler

Painting is silent poetry. ~Plutarch, Moralia: How to Study Poetry

Yellow Week

2009-09-23T10:34:00.000-07:00

This is a part of Yellow Week at my friend, Ashley's, blog Lens&Needle! If you would like to participate in this, you can go to that link (the green word). Be sure to read and abide by the rules all the way! :D

Music

2009-09-22T11:41:00.000-07:00

A painter paints pictures on canvas. But musicians paint their pictures on silence. ~Leopold Stokowski

Music is what feelings sound like. ~Author Unknown

There is nothing in the world so much like prayer as music is. ~William P. Merrill

Music is the medicine of the breaking heart. ~Leigh Hunt

A song has a few rights the same as ordinary citizens... if it happens to feel like flying where humans cannot fly... to scale mountains that are not there, who shall stop it? ~Charles Ives

The pleasure we obtain from music comes from counting, but counting unconsciously. Music is nothing but unconscious arithmetic. ~Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz

Music is well said to be the speech of angels. ~Thomas Carlyle, Essays, "The Opera"

The Simple Woman's Daybook: September 21, 2009

2009-09-21T14:26:00.000-07:00

For Today... September 21

Outside my window... Sunny and hot, unlike last week's weather.

I am thinking... About my dear friend, Momma Bug! She had her 7th baby bug yesterday!!

From the learning rooms... All about Africa, and a few articles for Growing in Grace Magazine.

I am thankful for... My parents, who made the decision to homeschool me! I LOVE it!

From the kitchen... A little lunch mess, but it's easily cleaned up! Hang on, I'll, uh, be right back...

O.k., I'm back. Where were we, oh yes!

I am wearing... Pink tank top, purple flowery flowy skirt, and hair down.

I am reading... "The Diggingest Dog" with my little brother.

I am creating... Recipes.

I am praying... More like thanking God for all He's done for me!

Around the house... Almost silence.

One of my favorite things... Children's laughter. :Dhahaha

A few plans for the rest of the week... Bible studies, an outing with my grandfather, and, perhaps, a get together with a friend.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...