JULY 2008 NEWSLETTER

 

This is the month of the birthday of our nation.   So a number of the content of the newsletter this time is devoted to that topic.  The following is an excerpt from a book called “One Nation Under God” (The Rise or Fall of a Nation)   by Bob Yandian.

 

“Blessed Is The Nation Whose God is the Lord”

            A nation’s success depends upon believers in Jesus Christ who rely and act on the word of God as explained in the Bible.  When a nation looks at God as its leader, the nation will succeed.   {Psalm 33;12 state; “blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord…”

We who are believers in Jesus Christ, are the salt of the earth (Matt 5:13)  We know that salt preserves and flavors.  As believers, we are the preservers of the earth (the Greek word for earth - ge - refers to physical land) – the earth.  And we are called by God to be conquerors and victors.  (Rom. 8:37, I Cor. 15:57)  As believers, we flavor ‘bland’ conditions, causing them to change.

Matthew 5:13 states….”if the salt have lost its savour, wherewith shall it be salted?   It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”

            Mark 9:50 tells us that to keep from losing our ‘saltness’ to ….have salt in yourselves and have peace with one another, to stay in God’s Word and to live in forgiveness.  When we abide in Jesus and Jesus’ words abide in us (John 15:7) that fellowship with the Lord is having salt in ourselves.  When we have peace with one another, we are maintaining that fellowship—that right relationship – with other people and God to maintain the ability to season the world around us.

            We…are the light of the world…(Matt 5:14)   The Greek word for ‘World’ – kosmos – refers to the world’s order or the world’s system.   We believers have been placed on earth by God to dispel Satan’s darkness which wraps the world’s system.  We are the salt of the physical land we stand on, but we are the light in a world of darkness.

             We are exhorted to pray for our nation and leaders. “For kings, and for all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.  (I Tim 2:2)

            Throughout the Bible we see that God has preserved nations for a remnant, a few believers who will trust in Him.  Ezekiel states that the word of the Lord came saying, “And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found none.”

   In that instance, the Lord found no one.  But today He can find believers who will stand in the gap and pray for the nation that it will not be destroyed.

            We in America have such problems as pornography, child abuse and sexual permissiveness due to the cause of the disease that lies behind these symptoms; as a whole we as a nation have stopped relying upon the principles of the Bible.  But in spite of our problems in America, we still exist as the strong nation we are today, because the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ has a remnant which refuses to lose its savour.

            America is not a great nation because its people as a whole pray.  America is  great because of the salt within the nation, the remnant of the people who know the Lord God.  The Bible does not say that if the whole nations prays, God will heal the land; it says: “if my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven and forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”  2 Chron. 7:14.

            Satan (referred as ‘the god of this world’ in 2 Cor. 4:4, has dominion and some authority as the ruler of this earth.  He is the one behind the problems in our nation today.  But when Jesus after being crucified rose from the dead, He gave us authority over Satan’s power, and the Bible contains much instruction in how to use that power.  Jesus said, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”  (Matt 16:18)  He also said, “Occupy till I come”…(Luke 19:13.)

            ‘Occupy’, a Greek military term, means to take over the land and keep it.  We believers are in enemy territory.  We are to take the land from the enemy, Satan; set up camp, occupy until the Lord Jesus comes --  and not be trodden under foot!  We are to put Satan under our feet. (Luke 10:19)  We also know that Satan’s days are numbered, because the Bible shows us that Jesus Christ will rule and reign in the end and Satan will be imprisoned.  (Rev 19:11-16, 20:1-3)

            The Bible says in Ephesians 3:10 that God is manifesting to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, through the church, His manifold wisdom.  We, the Church are here to show the earth --  the demons, Satan – God’s manif9old wisdom.

            In the midst of a world that is crumbling, filled with problems, that knows war, we can stay together, we can bring peace to our nation.  In the midst of it all, we can bring individual peace, because we are the salt of the earth.

( The book continues to give us some instructions from the Bible on what we as Christians can and should do to preserve our nation.)

 

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VERSE:   “  Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.”   Romans 8:14

THOUGHT

The Holy Spirit is God’s seal on us.  The Spirit lives in us and His presence in us means we are God’s temple.  The Spirit works to transform us to be more like Christ.  The Spirit helps us produce the virtues of Christ – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, self- control and faithfulness.   The Spirit intercedes for us when we pray, communicates the groanings of our heart when we don’t have words, and fills us with power when we worship.  In addition, the Spirit is our assurance that we are God’s children.  We are his.  His future, his blessings, and His grace are ours.

PRAYER

Dear Father, thank you so much for living inside me through your Holy Spirit.  Thank you for the assurance of your love, your presence, your power, and your guidance as I try to make the decisions and face the challenges of my daily life.  Dear Father, as I yield my heart and my will to your Spirit’s transforming grace and power, please help me develop more of Your character and more completely display Your grace today as I face the tasks before me.   In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen

 

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PRESIDENTIAL QUOTE

  “ I believe with all my heart that standing up for America means standing up for the God who has so blessed our land.  We need God’s help to guide our nation through stormy seas.  But we can’t expect Him to protect America in a crisis if we just leave Him on the shelf in our day to day living.”

   Ronald Reagan

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OUR NATION’S GODLY HERITAGE

     Since its earliest days,  the Presidential Prayer Team has sought to educate and equip Americans about the incredible role that the Christian faith played in the founding of our nation.

    Nowhere is this heritage seen more clearly than on the Liberty Bell.  In 1751, the Pennsylvania State Assembly called for the forging of a bell to commemorate William Penn’s original charter of the state.  They included instructions requiring that a Scripture verse be included on the bell.  The verse is Leviticus 25:10, “Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants hereof.” Our founding Fathers considered it important for all generations to know that God is the source of all our freedoms.

    Today, as we consider the Liberty Bell, we give thanks for godly men and women who founded our nation with the passionate belief that God was leading their efforts.  And we give thanks for the profound freedoms we enjoy because of their dedication and sacrifice.

 

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FOR ANYONE WHO RECENTLY GRADUATED   (Or not!)

 

   In May and June there were a number of young people graduating from High School….(and college or other educational institutions).   You are about to embark on the rest of life’s journey…the following are some thoughts in a book called ”A Gift for the Graduate” by Donald Wildman.

I hope they will be of help to you who are just beginning your life and careers.   ( or perhaps they will be of help to some who have been out of school for a number of years!  As they are applicable for us all)

A MODERN DAY PARABLE

    There is a parable about a man who was traveling down a certain path.  He came to a bend in the path and being in a hurry, he decided to take a shortcut.  He knew that he was not familiar with the shortcut which he had decided to take, but reasoned that since it wasn’t too far across and that it would save him some time it was worth the risk.

   He had traveled off the main path only a very short distance when he discovered that he was in the midst of a bed of quicksand.  No wonder other travelers had avoided taking the shortcut.  Slowly he felt himself going under.

  Worried that he would die before anyone could pass by to help him, his heart leaped for joy when he heard the footsteps of another traveler coming down the main path.  Soon the traveler came into view and the sinking man recognized him as Confucius.  “Help!” he called out.  “Help me, I’m sinking!”  Confucius saw him, paused and then remarked.  “that should be evidence that men should stay out of such places.”  With that Confucius continued on his way.

   AS the man continued to slowly sink into the quicksand, he knew that he would soon be dead.  But suddenly there was another traveler on the path.  The sinking man recognized the traveler as Buddha.  “Help me, Buddha, before I die.”  Buddha looked at the man and spoke: “Kill the desire to live which you have and you will be alright.”  Then Buddha continued down the path.

   By and by another traveler came down the road.  He was Mohammed.  As the sinking man cried out for help, Mohammed stopped to survey the situation.  Seeing what had happened, Mohammed cried out to the man: “I can do nothing. It is the will of Allah.”  With that, Mohammed passed on by.

   By the time that the quicksand was to the man’s waist, a Hindu appeared on the path.  In a voice weak from exhaustion the sinking man called out for help.  “Please, my friend, help me for I am about to die.”  The Hindu showed little concern for the man, but he did try to comfort him.  “Don’t worry,” the Hindu called, “perhaps in the next life you will return to earth in the form of the sacred cow.”  The sinking man watched as he walked away.

   The man had given up hope of survival by this time.  The quicksand was up to his shoulders and only one arm and his head were still exposed.  But he heard footsteps on the path again.  Looking up, he saw that it was Christ walking down the path.  In a feeble, broken voice he cried for help. “Sir I have called to others for help.  In their own way each of them did what he believed would be of help to me.  Please, sir, unless you help me I shall surely die.”

  Jesus left the main path, went down to where the quicksand was, and reached out His hand.  “Give Me you hand, my brother, and I shall pull you out.”  Together , arm in arm, they walked down the main path.

     Remember this parable when you are about to go under.

 

(my thought is that we need to remember it long before we are about to go under and we may never have to be that close to going under!    Don’t wait until you are in that position to call upon the Lord.   Though He can and does pull us out of the worst of our circumstances…he can also help prevent us from getting into these situations!   What a wonderful God we have!)

 

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IF YOU CAN’T SING, WHITTLE!

   He was a lad in the town of Cremona, Italy, in the middle of the 17<sup>th</sup> century.   Cremona was a musical town and great acclaim was given to those who could sing or play.  Wanting to be accepted and given some recognition for his musical talents, he tried singing.  His friends called him “squeaky voice” and he soon realized that his singing would never be anything special.

  The young lad then tried to learn to play, but  his success wasn’t much better than his singing.  So he was a dejected lad as he walked through the streets of Cremona with his friends and listened to their beautiful voices.  About the only thing the lad could do was to whittle on a block of wood with his knife.

   One day he was sitting on the edge of the street whittling s three of his friends played and sang beautiful songs for the people passing by.   Appreciating the musical ability of his friends, many people dropped some coins into their hands to reward their efforts.  One gentleman stopped longer than many of the others and even asked the friends to sing a song again.  After they finished he dropped a coin into the hand of the singer.  Then he moved on down the street.

   Upon looking, the boys discovered that it was a gold coin!  It was quite a piece of money to give a street singer.  But the man who gave it could afford to do so.  “Who is he?” asked the lad who whittled.  “It was Amati,” his friend with the beautiful voice replied.  “Amati who?” asked the lad.  “Nicolo Amati,” the friend replied. “He is the greatest violin maker in all of Italy!”

   That evening at home the lad thought about the man named Nicolo Amati.  He was a man who succeeded in the musical field.  But he neither sang nor played!  The more he thought about the violin maker, the more he became convinced that he wanted to become a violin maker.  He wanted to become the best violin maker in Italy!

  Early the next morning the lad hurried off to the home of Nicolo Amati.  Inquiring about the way, he sat on the doorsteps after arriving and waited for the greatest violin maker to come out.  When Amati came out, the lad told him that he wanted to become a violin maker and asked Amati if he would teach him to make violins.  He explained to Amati that he couldn’t  sing or play, but that he could whittle.  And more than anything else, he wanted to make violins.

   Amati accepted the young lad as a pupil.  Day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year the young man studied from the master.  In due time his work became known in Cremonas, then Italy and finally throughout the whole world.

   We may not have the talent to do some things as well as other people, but God has given each of us a very special talent which, if we develop, can help us help others.   Antonio Stradivari found this to be true.  Even to this very day men still make music with his violins.,  And they pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to do so!

  Just because you can’t sing or play doesn’t mean you can’t make music.

   

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 SMILES

  A 1<sup>st</sup> grade school teacher had 26 students in her class.  She presented each child in her classroom the 1<sup>st</sup> half of a well known proverb and asked them to come up with the remainder of the proverb.  It’s hard to believe these were actually done by first graders.  Their insight may surprise you.  While reading, keep in mind that these are first graders, 6 year olds, because  is a classic!

 

1. Don’t change horses……………………until they stop running.
2. Strike while the…………………………...bug is close.
3. It’s always darkest before………………daylight saving time.
4. Never underestimate the power of…….termites
5. You can lead a horse to water but……...How?
6. Don’t bite the hand that…………………..looks dirty.
7. No news is…………………………………..impossible.
8. A miss is as good as a ……………………Mr.
9. You can’t teach an old dog new…………Math.
10. Love all, trust………………………………...me.
11. The pen is mightier than the………………pigs.
12. An idle mind is ………………………………the best way to relax.
13. Where there’s smoke there’s……………..pollution.
14. Happy the bride who……………………….gets all the presents.
15. A  penny saved is………………………….not much.
16. Two’s company, three’s………………….the Musketeers.
17. Don’t put off till tomorrow what………...you put on to go to bed.
18. Laugh and the whole world laughs with you, cry and………..you have to blow your nose.
19. There are none so blind as………………Stevie Wonder.
20. children should be seen and not……….spanked or grounded.
21. If at first you don’t succeed……………get new batteries.
22. You get out of something only what you………..see in the picture on the box.
23. When the blind lead the blind……………get out of the way.
24. A bird in the hand………………………….is going to poop on you.
25. Better late than……………………………..pregnant.

 

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BUTTONS

 

Most of us who sew, crochet, knit or do crafts usually manage over time to collect a variety of buttons left over from various projects.  I’m sure many of us remember mother or grandmother’s sewing box filled with all sort of colorful, shiny buttons.  As a child I used to love playing with the box of buttons in my mothers sewing basket.  It contained every size, color and type of button you could imagine and I would pretend they were valuable jewels—just perfect for any little princess.

   We enjoy and appreciate buttons for their decorative beauty and functional value in the obvious sense, but if you look at the history of buttons, you will find that buttons sometimes proved useful in a much less obvious  and quite unusual fashion.

  During the civil war for example, uniform buttons were made to carry gold pieces inside so captured soldiers could offer ransom.  During WW II, Army regulation buttons could open into a locket and hold two pictures.

   The Japanese made carved ivory buttons which could conceal opium or other contraband.  Also in WW II certain American and British flyers and paratroops who might be caught behind enemy lines were issued special buttons that could be set up as compasses.

  My love of buttons has stayed with me throughout my life.  During my years as a professional crochet designer I looked for different ways to incorporate them into my designs.  Buttons make beautiful center for floral motifs.  And they really add an elegant touch to a doily.

   If you have your own button box filled with “jewels” you might have fun reviving an old tradition begun by Victorian children and young ladies.  They enjoyed making charm strings from the buttons they collected.  Today’s kids would no doubt be delighted to wear some of these strings as bracelets or necklaces.

   Victorian children aimed for a string of 999 buttons – with no duplicates.  Most buttons used on charm strings had shank backs, very few sew through buttons (buttons with holes) were sued for this past time.  Although a few of these strings are still a around today, many more of the earlier ones never  survived, because they were composed primarily of small glass buttons, which unfortunately were prone to breakage.

 (Lila’s note.    I have read about these strings  and  it seems that the young ladies would try to get the first 999 buttons.  They were often given buttons for their string by friend or family etc….many were special to them. ( special buttons, special friends/family or for/from a special occasion)   They helped each other get buttons for their strings.   Then the 1000<sup>th</sup> button was to be given to them by the man they would marry.)

  These small fingertip sized glass buttons were very popular between 1830 and 1880 , and were available in a myriad of colors.  Most of them came from Bohemia where the work was carried on as a household industry.  The glass was of fine quality and production costs were low.  Charm string makers were especially fond of these buttons because of their bright colors and their ‘eyes’ (metal loop shanks) that made them easy to thread on the string, and allowed buttons to cluster in little jewel like groups.   They were so popular that the buttons eventually took on the name of ‘charm string glass.’

  You might enjoy making a charm string bracelet using buttons from you or  your children’s discarded clothes…or just  from special buttons in you recollection.  (although you won’t be able to have 999 buttons on your  bracelet)   Start with some metallic elastic thread, at least 66 shank buttons and a size 7 steel crochet hook.  Begin by making 44 chain stitches.  Depending on the size of your wrist, you may need to work more or fewer chains and add or subtract buttons.  Join the chain with a slip stitch, then work a single crochet in each chain around for the first round.  Join in the beginning single with a slip stitch.

  For second round, chain 1, insert the hook in shank of any button, draw a loop through and work a single crochet in the first single crochet of the previous round.  (chain 1 draw loop through the shank of another button, skip next single crochet of the previous round and work a single crochet in the next single)  Continue repeating between the brackets around (on a beginning chain of 44 stitches, you should have attached 22 buttons at the end of the round) Join in the beginning single crochet with a slip stitch, then work one round of even single crochet stitches, working in both the single crochet stitches and chain one spaces of previous round.

  (work another round of buttons as on round two, followed by another round of even single crochet) twice and fasten off.  You have created your own unique charm string bracelet.

  Whether using buttons to make colorful, eye catching bracelets or to embellish a variety of home accents, such as doilies, incorporating buttons into your crochet work can offer many fun and creative possibilities…go check your button box and get inspired!

 

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HEALTH  ISSUES

  Some tips from Woman’s Day magazine.

 

  Fans of home remedies have long lauded cranberry juice as a cure for urinary tract infections (UTIs) and researchers at Rutgers University in Chatsworth , New Jersey, recently found that cranberries can indeed prevent and even cure minor UTIs.  The chemical compounds in cranberries bind to bacteria in the urinary tract and flush it out before it attaches to the tract lining.

  Just one 10 oz glass of cranberry juice cocktail a day will help prevent UTIs and maintain good urinary tract health, says Amy B. Howell, PH.D., principal researcher of the study and a research  scientist at Rutgers.  You may also halt a UI by drinking cranberry juice as soon as symptoms appear.  Full blown infections still require a doctor’s visit and an antibiotic.

  “The juice should contain about twenty five percent cranberry juice to be beneficial,” says Dr Howell.  And cranberry juice may also be good for your gums.  Preliminary studies have shown that the chemical compounds in cranberries could prevent bacteria from adhering to the gum lining.

 

MEDICAL RECORDS

  Keeping track of medical records can be an important key to your family’s good health.  A written record documents basic medical information (height, weight, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, drug allergies, personal history (any health conditions and their treatments).  Family history (a record of diseases that may run in your family),  preventive screening records, immunizations, and all the little details of health that may escape you through the years.  And all that information at your fingertips gives you more control over your health and can be crucial in making treatment decisions.

   For each family member, record the following information:

• Emergency phone numbers (police/fire/ambulance, poison control center, doctors and other practitioners)
• Conditions or diseases that run in the family.
• Vital statistics (blood types, heights, weights, cholesterol levels, blood pressure, immunization records for children and adults)
• Personal medical histories (including copies of medical records from the professionals and facilities that have treated you and your family)
• Preventive screenings and results
• Known allergies, allergy symptoms and treatments
• Hospital and laboratory records
• Gynecological and prenatal records for women
• Over the counter and prescription medications used regularly
• Vision and hearing test results.

 

(Most of us leave record keeping to the Dr/hospital etc.   However, if you have multiple Doctors or have been in different hospitals, in different cities etc ….it will save time and effort if you have the information with you at your fingertips when needed.   This is especially true for emergencies, when time can be of the essence.    This can also be helpful for adult children who may not have the records…or know the information…about their immunizations, family history of diseases etc. 

  I think its something we might want to think about doing? Lila

 

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DECORATIVE PROJECTS

• An old wooden chair  (from the flea market, thrift stores or maybe you already have one??)   makes a unique planter.  Paint it the color of your choice, , stencil a few words on the top panel of the back rest, (like “come rest in my garden” or “welcome” or whatever works for you!!)   Cut a hole in the seat (or if the seat is missing put one in it with a hole in it)  to hold a flower pot filled with your favorite blooming plants.  (or foliage, if you wish, coleous would be lovely, if its in the sun at least part of the time, so it will keep its pretty colors.)
• Plant bright flowers in charming  “teacups” (teacups, also available at yard sales, thrift stores etc) And arrange together in one area. 

 

Accent the arrangement with a teapot.   Depending on whether you are putting them indoors or out.   Indoors of course is good for the real cups and teapot.   If you do not wish to put these outside…make them from  terracotta pots.   You can make wooden cutout spouts and handles and attach them to painted terra cotta pots.  Use appropriate sizes for the cups and teapot.   For the teapot, turn the pot upside down and also attach a drawer pull on top to look like the handle for the lid.    This makes a neat arrangement for either indoors with the real thing or outdoors with the handmade ones!

·        Use a gardener’s tote for another idea for flower/plant arrangements.    Paint it color desired and use decals, or paper cutouts glued on or paint designs on the side of it.    Butterflies are pretty or flowers or birds or just designs…whatever you like. Then fill with potted plants…makes a pretty project to set most anywhere.

 

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SUMMER STAIN SOLUTIONS

 

·        Berries….flush with cold water, then soak stain  with lemon juice.  Let sit for 30 minutes.  Rinse with cool water; launder as usual.   Or use Wine Away stain remover, available at rederase.com

 

·        Perspiration…..Sponge stained areas with a solution of 1 quart hot water and 4 tablespoons salt.  Rinse well and launder as usual.

 

·        Sunscreen….scrape off excess lotion, then sprinkle on baking soda and let sit for a couple of hours.  Brush away residue.  Sponge with ½ teaspoon dishwashing liquid and ½ cup water, then launder in warm water.

 

·        Ice Pop…..Soak in cold water, then gently blot with ammonia and launder with hot water and oxygen bleach if safe for fabric.

 

·        BBQ sauce….Run cold water through back of stain.  Rub in liquid laundry detergent; let sit several minutes.  Rinse, then sponge with white vinegar.  Rinse and repeat until you’ve removed as much of the stain as possible.  Apply prewash stain remover and launder.

 

FIVE USES FOR TOOTHPASTE.

 

•  Remove crayon marks.  Squirt a small dab of non- gel toothpaste on the wall where the mark is.  Rub gently with a soft cloth, then rinse with warm water.
• Deodorize hands.  Can’t get garlic or onion odor off your hands?  Wash them with a blob of toothpaste.
• Whiten sneakers.  Clean rubber soles by rubbing scuff marks with an old toothbrush and non-gel toothpaste.
• Buff a DVD.  Get rid of light scratches by squeezing a little non-gel toothpaste onto a cotton ball.  Wipe over the DVD from the center out to the edge.  Rinse with water and dry with a nonabrasive, lint free cloth.
• Defog Goggles.  Coat the inside of swimming goggles with toothpaste, then wpfe off—they’ll be crystal clear.

 

SOAP SLIVERS

 

Recycle soap slivers by putting them in an empty pump bottle.  Add water and shake to turn them into inexpensive liquid hand soap.                            Gloria Youngbauer, Eugen, OR.

 

Above ideas from Woman’s Day magazine

 

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IN THE KITCHEN.

 

   It’s summer …so how about some no bake cookies…wont have to heat up the kitchen by having the oven on!!  Following are 5 different kinds to try !!

MOCHA CHEESE CAKE BARS

Prep 15 min    Cook  3 min    Freeze 5 min     Chill  at least 4 hr

 

 Can be refrigerated up to 1 week in an airtight container with waxed paper between layers.  Or freeze in a single layer on a cookie sheet, then put in  freezer in  airtight  container with waxed paper between each layer up to 1 month.

 

Crust

30 reduced fat chocolate sandwich cookies

¼ cup fat free bottled hot fudge topping, not heated

1 envelope unflavored gelatin

½ cup cold strong coffee

2 bricks *8 oz ea) 1/3 less fat cream cheese, softened

¾ cup sugar

1 cup (8oz) reduced fat sour cream\1 bar (3oz)  bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped, then melted

  Garnish:  chocolate coffee beans     Makes 48 bars

Line a 13x9 in. baking pan with foil, letting foil extend about 2 in above pan at narrow ends.  Grease or coat foil with non- stick cooking spray.

Process cookies in food processor (or crush in a sturdy plastic food bag)  until reduced to fine crumbs (you should have a scant 3 cups )  Add fudge topping to crumbs and process or knead in bag)  until crumbs are moistened.  Press firmly over bottom of prepared pan.  Place in freezer while proceeding.

Sprinkle gelatin over cold coffee in a small saucepan; let stand 1 minute.  Place over low heat and stir with a rubber spatula until granules completely dissolve.  Remove from heat.

Bet cream cheese and sugar in a large bowl with mixer on high speed until smooth.  Reduce speed to medium; beat in sour cream until blended.  With mixer on low speed, beat in coffee mixture.  Stir in chocolate until blended.  Pour into crust, cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours or until firm.

Lift foil by ends onto cutting board.  Cut into bars, garnish each with 2 coffee beans.

Helpful hints:  To melt chocolate on the stovetop, use a heavy saucepan and low even heat.  Stir constantly to prevent scorching.

To use microwave; melt chocolate in an uncovered microwave safe container.  Most chocolates will become shiny and will keep their original shape until stirred.  One ounce will take 1 to 2 minutes on medium; add 10 seconds for each additional ounce.  If not melted, microwave in 10 second increments, stirring after each, until smooth.  For chocolate chips, see melting instructions on back of bag.

To neatly cut bars, dip a long, sharp knife into a tall container or hot water and wipe dry between cuts.

 

CRISPY PEANUT BUTTER BARS

Prep: 20 min  Freeze: 10 min  Chill: 1 hr

Can be refrigerate for up to 2 weeks., or freeze up to 1 month in an airtight container with waxed paper between layers.

 

1 bag (10 oz)  peanut butter chips

1 stick (1/2 cup) butter or margarine (not spread)

6 ½ cups crisp rice cereal

1 bag (12 oz) semisweet chocolate chips

½ cup light corn syrup

½ cup honey roasted peanuts, chopped

 

Line a 13 x 9 in baking pan with foil, letting foil extend about 2 in above pan at narrow ends.  Grease or coat foil with nonstick cooking spray.

Melt peanut butter chips and butter in a large bowl in microwave or in a heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring often until thoroughly blended and smooth.  Remove form heat, add cereal and stir until evenly coated.

Scrape into prepared pan, spread evenly, then cover with waxed paper.  Place another 13 x 9 in pan or heavy book on top and press into an even compact layer.  Remove waxed paper.  Place pan in freezer 10 minutes or until cereal mixture is firm while proceeding.

Melt chocolate chips as directed on bag.  Add corn syrup and stir until well blended.  Spread chocolate evenly on cereal mixture, then sprinkle with nuts.  Top with waxed paper and lightly press nuts into chocolate.  Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm.

Lift foil by ends onto cutting board.  Cut into bars.  Makes 60.

 

ALMOND TRIANGLES.

Prep: 10    Cook:  12 min   Chill:  at least 1 1//2 hr

Store in a single layer in an airtight container at room temperature up to 2 weeks or freeze up to 1 month.

 ½ cup natural (with skin) almonds

1 can or tube (7 0r 8 oz) almond paste, cut in small pieces.

¾ stick (6Tbsp) butter or margarine, cut in small pieces

2 Tablespoon freshly grated lemon peel

13 almond toast cookies (such as Stella D’or) finely crushed

2 cups sweetened flaked coconut

 

Line a 13 x 9 in baking pan with foil, letting foil extend about 2 in above pan at narrow ends.  Grease or coat foil with non-stick cooking spray.

Toast almonds in a nonstick skillet over medium heat, stirring often, 5 minutes or until golden.  Remove from skillet.

In the same skillet, heat almond pasted and butter over medium low heat, stirring occasionally, until melted and butter is almost fully absorbed by the almond paste.  Remove from heat; add honey and lemon peel.  Stir       until blended.

Place almond toast crumbs (you should 2 ¼ cups) and coconut in a large bowl.  Add almond paste mixture and knead with you hands or back of a wooden spoon to blend.  Scrape into prepared pan and spread into an even layer.  Sprinkle top evenly with toasted almonds.  Cover with waxed paper and gently press into an even compact layer.  Leave on waxed paper and refrigerate at least 1 ½ hours or until firm.

Lift foil by ends onto cutting board.  Cut lengthwise in 4 equal strips, then  crosswise  in sixths.  Cut each bar diagonally in half.        Makes 48.

Tip.  When toasting the almonds, don’t leave them unattended; once the skillet gets hot, the nuts can burn.

 

TOFFEE PRETZEL BROWNIES

Prep: 8 min   Cook: 10 min    Chill: at least 1 ½ hr

Refrigerate up to 1 week or freeze up to 1 month in airtight container with waxed paper between layers.

 

1 1/3 cups (8 ox ) semisweet chocolate chips

4 oz unsweetened baking chocolate, coarsely chopped

1 stick (1/2 cup)  unsalted butter or margarine (not spread)

61 saltine crackers, finely crushed

1 can (14oz) fat free sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated milk)

3 cups sweet toffee pretzels (such as Crunch ‘n Munch) separated if stuck together.

Line a 9 in square baking pan with foil, letting foil extend about 2 in above pan on opposite sides.  Grease or coat foil with nonstick cooking spray.

Melt both chocolates and the butter in a large bowl in microwave or in a heavy saucepan over medium low heat, stirring often, until blended and smooth.  Remove from heat; stir in crack crumbs (you should have 2 cups) and milk until blended.  Fold in 2 cups toffee pretzels.

Spread evenly in prepared pan.  Lay remaining pretzels on top.  Cover and refrigerate at least 1 ½ hours or until firm.

Lift foil by ends onto cutting board.  Cut into squares.     Makes 36

Tip:  To crush the crackers, pound them in a sturdy plastic bag with bottom of a skillet or break the cracker in pieces and pulse them in a food processor.

 

CHEWY RASPBERRY BARS

 Prep: 5 min  Cook:  5 min   Chill: 1 ½ hr

Refrigerate up to 2 weeks or freeze up to 1 month in an airtight container with waxed paper between layers.

46 tea biscuits (such as Social Tea)
½ cup sweetened flaked coconut

¼ cup fat free caramel topping

½ cup seedless red raspberry jam (or other flavor jam or preserves, if you want to make another fruit flavor bar)

Garnish: confectioners’ sugar.

Line  an 8 in square baking pan with foil, letting foil extend about 2 in above pan on opposite sides.  Grease or coat foil with nonstick cooking spray.

Process 31  biscuits in food processor  or crush in a sturdy plastic food bag, until reduced to fine crumbs (you should have 1 ½ cups)  Add coconut and caramel topping to crumbs and process or knead in bag, until crumbs are moistened.  Press firmly over bottom of prepared pan.  Place in freezer while proceeding.

Scrape jam into a small bowl and stir until smooth.  Spread evenly over chilled crust.  Top with remaining 15 biscuits, in 3 rows of 5 biscuits each.  Cover and refrigerate at least 1 ½ hours or until set.

Remove from pan by foil to cutting board.  Dust with confectioners’ sugar.  Cut between biscuits into bars.  Makes 15.

Tip:  to remove jam from your knife between cuts, dip the knife into a tall container of hot water and wipe dry.

BOOKS I HAVE READ

 

 

As I write this, we are studying in our Sunday morning class about having a heart like Jesus.   As I have mentioned before, author John Eldredge has written  several books .  Much of what he writes about has to do with our heart…and God’s heart.   The following are some excerpts from his book called “Waking the Dead”  ((the glory of a heart fully alive).  I will  not write out all of the scriptures he uses throughout the excerpts, but will list them for you to check out.  Please look them up and read them so what he writes will make sense.

 

Romans 5:17,  Romans 6:4,11,  E