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Category Archives: Everyday things

My Top Ten Chocolate Favorites

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Chocolate is my love language and I speak it fluently. That’s why I’m so excited that the chocolate holiday (aka “Valentine’s Day) is almost here.

Chocolate fountain at my parent's 50th!

 

Unfortunately, a cruel irony has beset me. I have a dentist’s appointment on February 14th. However, I plan to soldier on. There will be plenty of time to celebrate chocolate’s rich, creamy sweetness before and after my time in the chair.

 

In honor of the big day, I’m sharing my ten chocolate favorites! (In no particular order)

  1. Dairy Milk chocolate bar
  2. Hershey’s Best Brownies (recipe below!)
  3. Starbuck’s Peppermint Mocha
  4. Cadbury Mini-Eggs – only available around Easter
  5. Lindt Milk Chocolate Lindor Balls
  6. Mocha Truffles (I shared the recipe in December!)
  7. Warm Chocolate Melting Cake – ate it every night on our last Carnival Cruise
  8. Chocolate Fountain – my favorite thing to dip are small squares of Rice Krispy Treat
  9. Fudge Richey – from “Susie’s South Forty” in Midland, Texas (Ladies, it’s chocolate-covered fudge!)
  10. Nestle’s Semi-Sweet chocolate chips – they’re great by the handful and you can add them to anything!

I want to know your chocolate favorites! Share names, recipes, or links! Let’s really indulge ourselves between now and Valentine’s Day!

Here’s that recipe I promised:

Hershey’s Best Brownies

I got this recipe off the back of a canister of Hershey’s cocoa many years ago. However, the chocolate chips are my addition!

  • 1 cup butter
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • 4 eggs
  • ¾ cup cocoa
  • 1 cup flour
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 cup chocolate chips (Nestle’s Semi-Sweet of course!)

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Melt butter in a large bowl. Stir in sugar and vanilla. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well. Add cocoa, beat. Add flour, baking powder and salt. Beat well. Mix half the chocolate chips into the batter and spread into a greased 9×13 pan. Sprinkle remaining chocolate chips on top. Bake 30 minutes only!

14 Ways to Show Love to Those You Love

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Years ago, country singer Clint Black wrote and recorded a song titled “Something that We Do.” Whether he intended it or not, the lyrics reflect a principle about the nature of love taught in the Bible. Here are a few lines of the song:

I remember well the day we wed
I can see that picture in my head
Love isn’t just those words we said
It’s something that we do
There’s no request too big or small
We give ourselves, we give our all
Love isn’t someplace that we fall
It’s something that we do

Sounds a lot like something the apostle John said: “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:18, NIV). So, if love is action, how do we love? Below are 14 ways from Scripture that you can actively show love to the people you love.

  1. Help them out of a tight spot – When Jesus attended a wedding with His mother, she asked Him to help the hosts when they ran out of wine. We may not be able to miraculously solve a problem, but God has gifted us in other ways to help. (John 2:1-11)
  2. Get them help when you can’t help them – A paralyzed man received healing from Jesus because his friends dropped him through a roof at Jesus’ feet. They were willing to do whatever it took it to get help for their friend! (Mark 2:1-12)
  3. Pray for them – The Bible is full of people praying for the ones they love. The church prayed for Peter in jail (Acts 12:5). Jesus prayed for the disciples (John 17:6-19). Paul prayed for the Ephesian believers (Eph 1:15-23).
  4. Rebuke them when needed – Sometimes the best way we can love someone is by confronting their sinful, destructive behavior (Proverbs 27:6, Matthew 18:15-17).
  5. Freely forgive offenses – Jesus eliminated the limit on forgiveness when Peter asked how many times he should forgive (Matthew 18:21-22). Some hurts seem unforgivable, but with God’s help it’s possible to “promote love” through forgiveness (Proverbs 17:9).
  6. Humbly serve them – Jesus set the example (John 13:1-17). He calls us – His followers – to also humbly and graciously serve others (Gal 5:13).
  7. Meet their physical needs – Scripture is clear. If we see a brother in need, have the means to help but don’t, then our love for God should be questioned (1 John 3:17).
  8. Rejoice and mourn with them – We show deep care for others when their hurts and joys are also ours. Don’t hold back. Let the tears and the cheers flow! (1 Cor 12:25-26).
  9. Show kindness to someone they love – King David expressed his deep bond of friendship for Jonathan by caring for Jonathan’s crippled son Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:1-13).
  10. Intercede with others on their behalf – Could your influence help a loved one? Barnabas smoothed the way for Paul with the Jerusalem church leaders (Acts 9:27-30). Paul wrote to Philemon appealing for Onesimus the runaway slave (Philemon 8-11).
  11. Help two quarreling loved ones work – Does strife exist between two people you love? Be a mediator and help them mend their relationship. Paul asked the believers in Philippi help two women in their church (Philippians 4:2-3).
  12. Introduce them to Jesus – Does a loved one desperately need to know Jesus? Share the Good News! Andrew introduced his brother Peter to Jesus (John 1:35-42).
  13. Encourage and disciple them in their relationship with Christ – The author of Hebrews tells us to “spur one another on to good works” and “encourage one another” daily (Hebrews 10:24-25).
  14. “Lay down your life!” – Seems pretty drastic, but that’s exactly how Jesus showed His love for us (John 15:12-13). The basic principle has much broader application than actual physical death. Jesus calls us to unselfishly seek put others ahead of ourselves.

Wow! Buying a card and a box of chocolates is a lot easier. But Hallmark and Hershey doesn’t say love like real love in action. Show somebody you love them today!

Who can you show love to today? How will you show it?

Saran Wrap for the Soul

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Public toilets are a necessary evil. “Evil,” because many are less than clean. “Necessary,” because I need them frequently.

Thankfully, my mother taught me the fine art of hovering when I was still a young girl. This skill has served me well and I have perfected it. I can get close enough to prevent splashing and still avoid actually touching the toilet seat.

Recently I saw an amazing new feature on a public toilet. If it catches on, my “hovering” muscles may atrophy. I had just gotten off a plane in New Orleans, hustled to the ladies room, and hurried into the stall. Prepared to “take the stance,” something unusual caught my eye.

Clean, clear plastic covered the toilet seat. The writing on the back of the toilet read: “Before use, wave hand in front of green wall mounted sensor or press green button for fresh sanitary seat cover. Stops automatically.”

So, I waved my hand and like magic the plastic scooted away and fresh plastic took its place over the seat. Then I confidently took care of business. No hovering muscles required.

That toilet seat was truly protected. The plastic covering guarded it from all kinds of outside evil. Constant protection produces constant clean. The person who thought this up is a genius.

Wouldn’t it be great if we could cover our souls with plastic wrap? It’s a big, bad world out there. Temptation constantly bombards us. Sometimes we turn away and stand firm in obedience to God. Other times, we hover too close. Instead of running we allow ourselves to be “dragged away and enticed” (James 1:14), yielding to temptation and falling headlong into sin.

In the paths of the wicked lie thorns and snares, but he who guards his soul stays far from them.

Proverbs 22:5, NIV

Unprotected souls are easy prey for Satan’s schemes and our own sinful desires. But when we keep constant guard over our hearts and minds we protect ourselves from many pitfalls. Know your weaknesses and take measures to guard against them. Be aware of the areas where you are apt to fall and avoid those things. Cover your soul with Saran Wrap.

What are some areas of weakness for you? What measures can you take to protect yourself from temptation?

Two of my Christmas favorites

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Mocha Truffles – rolled but not yet dipped

It’s five days before Christmas. I’m standing in the kitchen making Mocha Truffles and listening to the Casting Crowns Christmas CD. I wonder why Mocha Truffles is a “Christmas only” recipe. Then I remember: They are so yummy and decadent I have to limit myself to making them just once a year. Mocha Truffles combine three of my favorite food items – chocolate, coffee, and cream cheese. (If you want to find out how wonderful they are the recipe is below!)

As I melt the chocolate, add the coffee, and mix in the cream cheese, Casting Crowns is singing “While You Were Sleeping.” The first verse brings tears to my eyes and by the time they get to the third, I’ve temporarily abandoned my task to raise my hands and praise God as they sing:

United States of America – Looks like another silent night – as we’re sung to sleep by philosophies – That save the trees and kill the children – And while we’re lying in the dark – There’s a shout heard ‘cross the eastern sky – For the Bridegroom has returned – And has carried His bride away in the night

Here’s a video of one of my favorite Christmas songs, “While You Were Sleeping” by Casting Crowns. Watch, listen to the words and praise God that the King left His throne in heaven. Make room for your King this Christmas.

YouTube Preview Image

Here’s the recipe I promised! Would love to know if you try it and what you think!

Mocha Truffles*

  • 24 oz (3 cups) semisweet chocolate chips
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 3 tablespoons instant coffee granules
  • 2 teaspoons water
  • 1 pound dark chocolate confectionary coating
  • White confectionary coating, optional

In a microwave-safe bowl or double boiler, melt chocolate chips. Add cream cheese, coffee and water; mix well. Chill until firm enough to shape. Shape into 1-inch balls and place on a waxed paper-lined cookie sheet. Chill for 1-2 hours or until firm. Melt chocolate coating in microwave safe bowl or double boiler. Dip balls and place on waxed paper to harden. If desired, melt white coating and drizzle over truffles. Makes about 5 ½ dozen.

*Recipe originally found in “Taste of Home” Magazine, but adopted by me!

Last Straw at Wal Mart

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It had been a bad day. Nothing really big, just a whole lot of little things. I had complained to God and one of my close friends, but I was pretty determined to be in a bad mood. I only had one more errand before I could go home and wallow in self-pity for the rest of the evening. Since I only needed a handful of things from Wal Mart – milk, toilet paper, and fabric dye – I expected to be in and out in just a few minutes.

Storming around the store with my “poor me” attitude I found the fabric dye on the aisle with the laundry detergent. Dark brown was only available in the liquid version. I needed a lot so I started pulling bottles off the little shelf over my head. Each time I grabbed one the others were pushed forward by a spring-loaded mechanism on the shelf.

As I lifted the next to last bottle the one behind it shot out and up. There was no time to take cover, it all happened too fast. When the bottle hit the tile floor the cap popped off and dark liquid squirted across the aisle splattering everything in its path, including me. As I surveyed the damage, God spoke to me quietly. “Okay, you’ve been whining all day. How are you going to respond to this?”

While I sponged myself off with the paper towels hung on a nearby post, I considered my options. I could continue down the path I’d been on all day and let this dark mess be the last straw that pushed me over the edge to a full blown, self-absorbed tantrum. Or, I could remember that God is in control. He not only is aware of all the problems, issues, and worries in my life, He cares about each one.

In that moment of decision, God brought a Scripture passage to mind. “Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28).” Rest in Jesus or throw a fit on the detergent aisle in Wal Mart? This time I chose Jesus. And I pray I will next time too.

Life is full of trials, both big and small. Most days, the troubles are nothing more than a messy nuisance. Sometimes, though, they aren’t so easy to clean up. As women, we are the rescuers, the nurturers, the ones that keep everything together and running smoothly for our families and friends. But can we stand strong – for ourselves and the ones who depend on us – when the really hard times come?

A rock-solid faith in the one true God provides a firm foundation that is not easily moved. Do you feel like your faith is unshakeable or shaky? What evidence do you see in your life?

If you desire to have an unshakeable faith for life, take a look at my newest Bible study “Unshakeable Faith: 8 Traits for Rock-Solid Living.” This 8-week study of the life of the Apostle Peter reveals how God can grow a fragile faith into a strong, unshakeable faith. click here for more info; purchase now from Amazon