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Life is busy. Having family dinners are rare and family breakfasts are even more so. Holidays offer a great time for families to start their day together before all of the festivities begin. It is a wonderful time to start a family tradition and make memories.

Breakfast is a good time to discuss the meaning of that particular holiday with your family. Ask children what Easter means to them. Will their answers be Easter egg hunts and Easter baskets filled with goodies? Will they know the true meaning of it that we celebrate Jesus’s resurrection. You might be surprised. Take time to read scripture about the holiday. Maybe share memories from your past. Use special dishes instead of paper plates.

It is easy to make little bunnies out of yeast roll dough or angel biscuit dough. Start with a ball, clip or shape two ears, roll a little tail, and use a toothpick to make holes for eyes. There are many casseroles that can be made the day or night before, refrigerated, and baked that morning. Add fruit, your bunny rolls to the casserole and you have an easy, delicious breakfast or brunch.

This holiday start the day by sharing breakfast and your faith with your family. Tell them about Jesus and how He has impacted your life.  What He has done.   Share memories you have of your own parents and their faith. Make Easter more than eggs and bunnies. Make it about the Lamb. Remember, the things you do today are the memories for tomorrow.

“That precious memory triggers another: your honest faith – and what a rich faith it is, handed down from your grandmother…to your mother…and now to you!”
2 Tim. 1:5

Holiday Morning Casserole

1/2 pound sliced bacon, diced
1/2 pound ground sausage
1 medium yellow sweet onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
8 eggs, lightly beaten
salt, pepper, curry, garlic – sprinkle of each in eggs
4 cups frozen shredded hash brown or O’Brien potatoes, thawed
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (save 1 cup for topping)
1 1/2 cups small curd cottage cheese, or
1/2 cup milk if you do not like cottage cheese
1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
In a large skillet, cook bacon, sausage and onion until bacon is crisp; drain. Place eggs in a bowl and sprinkle seasonings. Lightly beat until frothy. In a separate bowl, combine the remaining ingredients; stir in eggs and meat mixture. Transfer to a greased 9 x 13 baking dish. Top with 1 cup cheese. This can be done the night before and just baked in the morning.

Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until set and bubbly. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting. Serve with fruit and muffins or rolls.

Bunny Rolls

Yeast roll dough, homemade or store
Egg wash, one beaten egg with 1 T water or milk

Preheat oven to 375°.
Form dough into balls. Put a little bit on the back for a tail if desired.
Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and place dough.
Cut the ears with kitchen shears while the dough is soft, rounding edges.
Use toothpick to make eyes and a line for the nose.  If desired use a peppercorn for eyes.
Brush with egg wash using a pastry brush.
Bake at 375° for about 10 minutes or until golden brown.

 

Are you a dog person or cat person? Do you like chocolate or vanilla? Ebooks or hard copies? Regular or decaf? What is your favorite color? Everyone has preferences or favorites. Some people like both and do not claim a favorite. I like both dogs and cats. For me a case can be made for each one. Chocolate or vanilla depends on my mood. Chocolate for really extreme moods and vanilla for mediocre, maybe both on a rare day. Books depend on where I am. If I am reading in bed, an ebook on a tablet is a lot easier to see than a regular book with a book light. Decaf please! The older I get the more caffeine is not my friend and wants to keep me awake at night. Color? I have a few I really like and a few I don’t like at all. Give me reds and keep the oranges. Did you answer along with me? Agree or disagree? How about people? Do you have preferences there, too?

Children and grandchildren are a different story. I love them all fiercely, deeply, unconditionally, and equally. It is amazing that God has made us so that we can love like that. I am glad He did. I could never choose between my children, grandchildren, nieces, or nephews. Neither would I want to do that. Nor would I place any conditions on my love. Would you?  So, how is it that we are able to love like that?  Jesus.  He has an unconditional love that He shared with us and taught us.

The good news is that we are made in the image of God and He doesn’t have favorites either. Abba loves us all equally and deeply. More than we could ever imagine. His love is unconditional. While we were still sinners God sent His son Jesus to earth to save us.  He did not send Him to save some of us but all of us.  There are no favorites. Even the criminal on the cross hanging beside Jesus accepted and believed Jesus was the Son of God.  Hanging there that man was saved.

Jesus loves us so much He died so that we might have eternal life.  He was beaten, had a crown of thrones not placed but smashed down on His Precious head, and then had nails hammered through His hands and feet.  He suffered and died for us so that we might live. All for us.  Even you and me.  No greater love than that, and the offer is there for all who accept and believe. All you have to do is ask.  Why wait?  Make Jesus your favorite.  He sure is mine.

“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” Gen. 1:26

We  received a lot of questions at the Bookstore.  Customers thought that because my employees worked there and I owned it that we had read every single book in the place. We were all big readers, but there was no possible way we could read that many books. Customers would ask for the best fiction book we had.  The newest book we had.  Not all questions were about our books. Kids and adults quizzed us.  One question we often got was if Adam had a belly button?  Hmmmm, I don’t know, but I would say yes.  Another question was how Noah kept all of the animals alive on the ark.  Another question was if the King James was the true, original Bible.  Actually, it wasn’t.   Biblical type questions were the norm, and we were not Bible scholars.  Just Bible lovers.

We one day a middle aged woman came in and browsed the fiction section. I noticed her thumbing through several books.  Finally she brought one to the counter to check out.  My employee said that she wanted to speak to the person in charge.  I greeted her and asked how I could help her.  She had a question that no one had ever asked before.  “If I don’t like the ending may I return the book for a refund?” she sincerely asked.

Wow.  I couldn’t do that.  I hadn’t read that book.  It might have a sad ending.  I ran a bookstore not a library.  When I declined she said that she couldn’t take a chance on buying something that might make her unhappy or upset.  She left without buying the book.

It made me think about my life.  When it is over, am I going to be pleased with the story and ending?  Will it be complete?  Is God going to be pleased?  Will He say “well done, good and faithful servant” or will He be unhappy?  I still have time to change my story and my ending.

What about you?  When the last page of your story is read will it be a happy ending?  Are you a good and faithful servant?  There is still time if not.  Abba allows second chances.  He allows many more “do overs” than just one.  All it takes is to repent and begin anew to change or exchange your ending.

If you are unsure of your story’s ending and it is a blank page, now is the time to start rewriting it.  Recommit to the Lord.  He will help you live the story that He wrote for you.  Your ending will be what God desires.  Will you like it?  You betcha!  It won’t be bad, but good.  Are you ready?

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!'”  Matt. 25:21  NIV

 

One busy Saturday at my bookstore, Heaven Help Us, I was working the counter when a man walked up. Immediately I could tell he needed assistance. The poor man looked so out of place in our store amid the books, jewelry, artwork, and pretty knack knacks. I asked how I could help him and he smiled saying his wife sent him in for a book. Obviously he was there to please his bride.

“What’s the title of the book?” I asked ready to check inventory. He shook his head. “Okay, we can figure this out another way. Who is the author?”
“Don’t know that either” he said with a frown.
I knew my books so I wasn’t going to be beaten. ” Tell me what it’s about.”
“It’s about time I paid more attention to my wife,” he answered seriously. “I’m gonna call her, pay attention, and be back.” He said over his shoulder as he causally strolled out of my store.

How many times have I half listened to a loved one like that? What was I doing that was more important than giving my husband or mother my undivided attention? Did I stop what I was doing or multi-task. Worst, what about God? Have I been too busy with other things to listen to His sweet voice guiding and directing me? Did I know even a little bit of what He was saying or miss it all? God allows us another chance, but we need to learn from our mistakes. We need to give ourselves wholly to Him, not just a small amount.

The man came back in. Not only did he buy the book his wife wanted (Heaven is for Real), but he added some Old Fashioned Peppermint Candy and a Journal on as an extra treat. He was a good guy that just got caught up in a busy world, like we all do at times. There was something he wanted to get done before he ran errands so he did that while he talked to his wife. It didn’t work. Not even a little bit. He went back and started over. This time he gave it his 100%, undivided attention and the results were much different. He knew everything. Title, author, what the book was about, and how much it cost. He really listened and it made a huge difference.

What about us? Do we learn when we don’t listen to Abba? Are we repentant and tell Him we made a mistake? Do we ask for Him to repeat His message? Or do we just continue to multi-task and miss it?

“So give yourselves completely to God…” James 4:7 NC

When I was young I desperately wanted two things: a French poodle and a sister. I don’t know where the French part came from but it was always a French poodle, never just a poodle. For years I prayed God would send them. I even asked my Mother if I couldn’t have one of those could I at least have a big brother? She assured me that would never happen. One of my best childhood friends was one of nine children, mostly boys. Boy did I feel underprivileged.

When I was seven years old I remember playing with my Barbies in my bedroom. Mom came in all smiles. I thought she was going to play with me. Not so. She said “you are finally going to get what you have always wanted” and took my hand. I was so excited and answered “a French poodle!” “No,” she said, “a little brother or sister in a few months.” With a boo lip I told her “but I really wanted a French poodle.” My Mother laughed and said we’d just wait and see what I thought when the baby came.  “Okay, but I want a sister, then.”

Months later it happened.  Daddy phoned to say the doctor released Mother and baby sister. He would deliver them home very shortly. I could hardly wait. I practically flew into the den and tugged my junior sized rocker into the living room. Then I rushed to the bathroom as my aunt watched bewilderedly. I scrubbed my hands, dried them off and grabbed a clean towel. Back to the living room, huffing and puffing, I opened the front door to get the perfect distance, placed my rocker smack dab in front of the door and waited.  I wiped my hands off, the arms of my chair, tossed the towel away and settled in for the longest wait any seven year old had to endure.  When the car pulled in the driveway, my heart nearly leapt out of my chest, arms went out and I was ready for the door to open so that I could get my clean hands on the sister I had been praying for these many years. My parents could barely get in but they did.  I remember the way my sister looked, felt, and smelled.  I remember crying.  She was so beautiful.  She was a gift from God.  It was love at first sight for me. Throughout the years I bossed her around as all older siblings do, included her in my activities, my friends were okay with her being around, and when she went two hours away to college I would leave work at 5:00 and drive down just to take her to dinner because she was homesick.  I loved her unconditionally and still do.

As we got older we worked together at the same agency for a while. After I retired to stay at home and freelance, I babysat her amazing children until Grammy retired. The time alone with my sister, nieces, and nephew (and Mom) was precious. See, God knows what we need and when we need it. That was the right time, the right age difference, and the right everything for me. Much better than a French Poodle!

Keep praying and don’t be disappointed when God sends you a replacement to your request. Trust Him. He knows best.  You might not really need that Poodle.  Believe me, I know, even if my Mother wouldn’t let me name my sister Fifi.

“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!”
Matt. 7:11

Easter is rapidly approaching. Lent is the time to turn our hearts and minds to Jesus and His journey to the Cross. Being raised in a Christian family Easter was much more than egg hunts and baskets for me. I remember my maternal grandmother teaching me the Easter story over a cookie recipe one year. The cookies are good but the story has stuck with me for decades.

You might want to do an activity like this for yourself, children, grandchildren, or kid group. The message might just plant a seed that will grow into a bountiful harvest. It might bring the Easter story a little more in focus. You will be making rewarding memories. Get cookin’!

Mammaw’s Forgotten Cookies

2 egg whites
1/2 tsp. cream of tartar
2/3 c. sugar
1 c. nuts
pinch of salt
1 tsp. White vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Place pecans in resealable plastic baggie. Crush pecans into small pieces with a rolling pin. Read John 19:1-3
“Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged Him. And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on His head, and they put on Him a purple robe, And said, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ and they smote Him with their hands.”

Sprinkle salt into egg whites. Read Luke 23:27, 33

“And there followed Him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented Him.”
“When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified Him there, along with the criminals—one on His right, the other on His left.”

Put vanilla into a bowl. Read John 19:28-30. “After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, ‘I thirst.’ Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a sponge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to His mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, He said, ‘It is finished’ and He bowed His head, and gave up the ghost.”
Right now this mixture doesn’t look yummy. Add sugar slowly. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.
“O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him.”
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Beat with mixer until frothy and add cream of tartar. Then beat on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Add in vanilla close to the end. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.
“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”
“There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto Him, ‘Rabbi, we know that Thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with Him.’ Jesus answered and said unto him, ‘Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto parchment paper lined baking sheet. Read Matthew 27:57-60.
“When the night was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple: He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and departed.”

Place cookies in the oven, close the door and turn the oven off. Read Matthew 27:65-66.
“Pilate said unto them, ‘Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.’ So they went, and made the tomb sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.”

Go to bed. Read John 16:20 and 22.
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.”

“And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.”

In the morning open the oven and take out the cookies. Read Matthew 28:1-9.
“In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the tomb. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, ‘Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead; and, behold, He goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see Him: lo, I have told you.’ And they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy; and did run to bring His disciples word. And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, ‘All hail. And they came and held Him by the feet, and worshipped Him.”

When you bite into them notice they are hollow, empty, just like Jesus’ tomb.

Do you like parties? Here we celebrate everything. Kindergarten graduation, middle school graduation, and especially high school and college. Engagements, weddings, and babies require a party, as do new jobs and retirement. Every time a holiday rolls around is a good excuse to have the entire big family over for a barbecue or pitch-in. When the weather is hot, it is time for swim party. The most popular is probably the birthday party. Who doesn’t want a party on one’s birthday? How about the slumber party the kids have? It is the one where they don’t sleep. Of course, we celebrate holidays, too. Party, party, party.

We also have parties for when we feel down and out, in the blues, depressed. That is the ever popular pity party and usually no one else is invited, just the host. These are very exclusive and reclusive.  A pity party can happen for a multitude of reasons. A relationship breaks, a test fails, the scales go up, the children are sassy, the job isn’t going well are just a few reasons to have a pity party. It consists of feeling sorry for oneself, being depressed, and crying is optional, so are chocolate and ice cream.  My sweet hubby was sick for about three years, and boy did I become an expert at throwing a party. However, I made a promise to myself and Jesus that I would not stay any longer than 5 minutes each day at my party. I decided I needed to find a designated driver. Even though no alcohol is involved I needed to make sure I didn’t get stranded at the party, especially this kind.

One of my best friends is a jewel. I can text her that I need picked up from a party and my phone immediately rings. If she is texting me and I say I’m partying, she will ask if I have a minute for her to call. She knows what I mean. That girl gets me. I unburden my heart while she sweetly listens and comments. Before we hang up she offers to pray for me and with me. I feel the presence of the Lord as we pray. My heart begins to feel the distress leave and be replaced with peace. The peace that passes all understanding is here. It flows over me and through me.  If I had known I would feel so relieved I would have left the party earlier or asked for help.  Actually, I would not have gone.

If you must attend pity parties, make sure you do not stay very long at all. Five minutes tops. Please, please have a designated driver to pick you up so that you are sure to leave. Those are not healthy parties for anyone. Choose a birthday or swim party instead!  Blow off pity parties.  They are no fun!

This Lenten Season give up Pity Parties.  Concentrate on joy.  Get that joy, joy, joy, joy, down in your heart.  You will have the peace that passes understanding and especially the Love of Jesus.  (Are you singing yet?)  Joy makes everything brighter.

John 16:33. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

This has been the craziest year with politics. Don’t you agree? Don’t worry, this isn’t a political post. No mention of any candidate.  It is an American post.  I just wanted to say that I do not understand so many people hurling insults and saying hurtful things.  They say them about people they don’t even know and our country.  What has happened to people and “Proud to be an American”?  Would they really want to live somewhere else?  Would you?  Not me.

Recently I read an Amish proverb that went “You can’t sling mud at someone without getting your hands dirty, too.” Isn’t that right?   Every time we sling mud at someone some of it comes right back at us.  On us.  We don’t look or act like Christians.  Many of us.  If we want America to be great, respected, honorable then it starts with us. First we must honor God. He teaches us to pray for our country and leaders. We need to love everyone. Jesus says to love as He loves, even our enemies. We need to respect the “office of president”.  If you don’t respect the individual, you should at the very least respect the position.  That is not a job, elected or given, that I would ever be equipped to do, nor would I want it.

Do your children have an opinion about our country? Are they proud Americans? Do they stand at attention, hand over heart to pledge their allegiance or do they even care? Children are impressionable. Often their opinions are those of their parents. What small child has an opinion on foreign policy or taxes? Do they really care who is Governor or President? Be careful what you teach them. Teach them to honor and respect those in office here, even if you disagree, teach them to love their enemies, teach them not to sling mud, and most of all teach them about Jesus.

This Lent let’s start mending our country.  We can begin by cleaning up the mud that has been slung and is making our nation and our hands dirty.  Turning to God is what we need.  He is the only hope for our healing.  Respect for elected officials and praying for them is essential.  Teaching children respect is vital.  We can be proud to live in a nation under God.  We can show everyone how Christians behave.

We can do this.  Join me.  Let’s prove all of those naysayers wrong.  America is a good country with good people.  No, it’s a great country!  Let us rally together, pray for her and her leaders, and show everyone.  If God is with us, what do we have to fear?  Remember, united we stand!

“if My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
2 Chronicles 7:14

“The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”  Psalm 118:6