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Fruit Salad… Yummy! Yummy!

I haven’t sung that song in years!  It was a “staple’ song around our house when the Wiggles first hit the American scene.  Those were sweet days….

Speaking of a “staple”, that’s what this fruit salad is.  It’s ingredients (except the bananas) can easily be kept in the pantry and freezer, ready to throw together in a moment’s notice. 

It goes wonderfully with almost anything… chicken, chicken casserole, roast, sandwiches, brunch foods, etc, and it’s pretty, too! Hope you try it and enjoy. 🙂

Anytime Fruit Salad

  • 1 can chunk pineapple (drained)
  • 1 can Mandarin oranges (drained)
  • 1 can peach pie filing
  • 2 large bananas (may use “fruit fresh” to keep bananas from turning dark)
  • 16 oz. frozen, sliced strawberries
  • (May also add Kiwis, cut apples, grapes, melons, etc. – but we just usually serve it as is.)

Mix and serve chilled.  Beautiful in a cut glass or crystal serving bowl.

This post is linked to Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays and Tasty Tuesdays.  Check these sites for tons of delicious recipes today.  I’m getting hungry just thinking about it! 🙂

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Assurance for uncertain and flimsy-feeling futures…

(from the book, Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young.)

“I am leading you, step by step, through your life.  Hold My hand in trusting dependence, letting Me guide you through this day.

Your future looks uncertain and feels flimsy – even precarious.  That is how it should be.

Secret things belong to the Lord, and future things are secret things.

When you try to figure out the future, you are grasping at things that are Mine.   This, like all forms of worry, is an act of rebellion; doubting My promises to care for you.

Whenever you find yourself worrying about the future, repent and return to Me.  I will show you the next step forward, and the one after that, and the one after that. 

Relax and enjoy the journey in My Presence, trusting Me to open up the way before you as you go.

Keep your eyes on Me!  Waves of adversity are washing over you, and you feel tempted to give up.  As your circumstances consume more and more of  your attention, you are losing sight of Me.  Yet I am with you always, holding you by your right hand.  I am fully aware of your situation, and I will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able to bear.

Your gravest danger is worrying about tomorrow.

If you try to carry tomorrow’s burdens today, you will stagger under the load and eventually fall flat. 

You must discipline yourself to live within the boundaries of today.  It is in the present moment tha tI walk close to you, helping you carry your burdens. 

Keep your focus on My Presence in the present.”

A men???  Thanking the Lord for His Word and the Holy Spirit for applying it to our hearts and minds.  Praying for each of you who are feeling like your futures are a little on the flimsy side… From one on the flimsy-futured side right now, I’m finding that it’s kind of nice to HAVE to trust the Lord for everything. 

Love to each of you~ and praying for many of you by name right now…

Jennifer 
Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young.  Feb. 26-27.  It’s a unique little devotional book.  Every day is a treasure.  You can find it at any Christian bookstore, or in most online book sources.  Here is the link to Amazon’s page.

Verses used in these writings:

Deuteronomy 29:29 “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.” (NIV)

Psalm 32:8  “The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.  I will advise you and watch over you.”  (NLT)

Psalm 73:23-24  “I’m still in your presence, but you’ve taken my hand. You wisely and tenderly lead me, and then you bless me.”  (Message)

1 Cor. 10:13  “No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it. “ (Message)

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A few good questions

… to ask ourselves and the Lord throughout the day:
  • What am I doing?
  • Why am I doing what I am doing?
  • What am I hoping to achieve?

  • Am I building up or tearing down?

  • How can I bless You today, Lord?
 
Some even better questions to ask:

  • Not: Is it wrong?  But: IS IT BEST?

  • Not: Is it lawful or “OK”?  But: IS IT ADVISABLE? (Would I advise others to do it?)

  • Not: Is it evil?  But: IS IT GLORIFYING TO GOD?
 
“Everything is permissible (allowable and lawful) for me; but not all things are helpful (good for me to do, expedient and profitable when considered with other things).  Everything is lawful for me, but I will not become the slave of anything or be brought under its power.”  1 Cor. 6:12 (Amp)

Asking myself these same questions today… and with love and thankfulness for each of you…

Jennifer
 
“I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. “  Phil. 1:6 (HCSB)

picture: Google Images

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Urged on by faith… our house is back on the market.

Dear friends ~ You have been SUCH gifts to us! Your joy, prayers, and words of encouragement as you celebrated the sale of our house and affirmed our walking ahead in faith mean so much to me – and to my entire family. I appreciate you so very much!

We kept the house sale on the DL (“down low” – oh yeah… I’m cool… Ha ha!) for almost two weeks, knowing that it lacked one step to be final. When I sat down to write a post for last Thursday, the Lord directed me to share where we were, what we didn’t know, and what we DO know as we wait with the Lord.

Today, with a grateful and humbled heart, I sit down to write the same… where we are, what we don’t know, and what we still DO know as we wait upon the Lord.  Except, this time, our house is back on the market.  For the moment, all puzzle pieces are back into the pile of God’s unrevealed plans for our lives.

Even though it was disappointing, we know that the same things that were true when we thought our house had sold are still true even though it hasn’t… God has a plan, and we know He is working in ways we can’t see.

We cling to what He has been telling us all along: “Trust Me. I will show you. I will take care of you. I will be glorified.” We know that He wants that to be enough for us.

I shared with a few friends about how hard it was going to be to go back and tell everyone that “our house deal fell through”.  I questioned whether I had heard the Lord correctly and obeyed Him in speaking about it earlier.  But the Lord confirmed His directions to me to share, and then He used precious Lisa Shaw to speak His truth about this situation.   Lisa said:

“You are not going back to tell everyone the house deal fell through Sis. You’re going back to GIVE GOD MORE PRAISE! HALLELUJAH! Because the house deal didn’t fall through, it’s just still on the journey…This is just an extension of your testimony. I wish I could write the post for you because I’m jumping up and down over here PRAISING THE LORD because I know what He is doing is going to completely blow you and your husband away! You won’t be able to contain what is coming in your lives!!! That’s not words, THAT’S GOD!!!”

So, my friends… here I am…coming back to give God more praise! Hallelujah! Our house sale situation has changed, but our God has NOT! And neither have His plans for our family.

In Beth Moore’s Bible study, Esther, she writes, “Acts 17:26 tells us unflinchingly that God determined the times set for [us] and the exact places that [we] should live. You see, even your current location is part of the set-up for your kingdom destiny…” (Week 4, day 3)

A men, and Praise the Lord!!!  God is setting us up for His glory in this current location.  He’s doing the same for you, too – wherever you are…or wish you were!

Our journey “urged on by faith”, wouldn’t be nearly as precious if we were doing it alone.  I know that many of you are walking your own journey “urged on by faith”, and I thank God for all He is doing in EACH life to bring Himself great glory.  I pray that He blows us all away with His good and His glory, and that until we can see “what” He’s up to, we’ll continue to cling wholeheartedly to “who” He is.

With love and thankfulness for every. single. one. of. you.  🙂
Jennifer

“Urged on by faith …., when he was called, obeyed…and he went, although he did not know or trouble his mind about where he was to go.” Hebrews 11:8 (Amplified)

PS:  James said he thinks it’s time to pull out the “Snowman Plea” again. Ha Ha. 🙂

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I run to You…Father

The other day, Oprah had the country music group, Lady Antebellum, on her show.  They were singing their beautiful hit “Run to You”.  It’s a catchy song, and as they were singing, I couldn’t help but think of what a great praise offering that would be to sing of the Lord.  What do you think? (I substituted the word “baby” with a few names of God).  Run to You – Written by Dave Haywood / Charles Kelley / Hillary Scott / Tom Douglas)
I run from hate
I run from prejudice
I run from pessimists
But I run too late
I run my life
Or is it running me
Run from my past
I run too fast
Or too slow it seems
When lies become the truth
That’s when I run to you
Chorus:
This world keeps spinning faster
Into a new disaster so I run to you
I run to you {Father}    
And when it all starts coming undone
{Daddy} you’re the only one I run to
I run to you

I love that!  But I love these words even more…

The name of the LORD
is a strong tower;

the righteous run to it
and are protected.
Proverbs 18:10
 
Do you need a place to run to?  Need a place of protection in this season of your life?  Run to your Daddy through the names of the Lord.  
You can find the names of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit throughout Scripture.  Especially in the Psalms, we find the names and characteristics of our God listed in almost every chapter.  A clue in finding them:  Look for phrases that start with “The Lord ___” or “God is ___” or “The Lord/God does ___”.  And usually when the Psalmist is talking TO God and says “You” or “Your”, a characteristic of the Lord follows. 

Keep a running list   {no pun intended :-)} on a piece of paper tucked in your Bible.  That way, when you find one, you can quickly write it down.

I’ve been searching for names of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit in Scripture for years, and think I’ve compiled over 600 names and characteristics by now.  A true treasure and tower to run to when I need to feel safe!  (And I run to Him a lot these days!)

If you need a special place of protection in the Lord, I encourage you to search the Scriptures for Who He is that you can run into and find safety. 

For a jump start, Dr. Adrian Rogers gives a detailed list of the Hebrew names of God and their meanings, scripture references, etc. on this web page.  There’s also an incredible list at the back of Henry Blackaby’s “Experiencing God” workbook.

When your world keeps spinning faster… May the Lord catch you as you run to your Father – a Strong Tower… and keep you safe.
Blessings to you on this Monday~
Jennifer

Picture: Google Images

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