Fear and Anxiety

Fear and anxiety have become a large monster for a lot of people.

"Each week is a week of progress.
Steady progress upward.
You may not see it,
But I do.
Courage.
When climbing a steep hill,
a man is often more conscious of the weakness of his stumbling feet
then of the view,
the grandeur,
or even the upward progress.
Persevere,
Persevere.
Love and laugh.
Rejoice." -God Calling

Ever feel like you are at a standstill?  Feet of clay.   Mired down?
Can't seem to move forward?
Fall on His mercy and presence.
Follow His pointing the way.
Don't give up.
He walks with you.
Even while feeling like your feet are stuck in clay.
Don't know which direction to go?
It doesn't have to be something crazy!
It is often something on your path already!!
Show me Lord.
Give me courage to do what You want me to do.
Sometimes I feel like such a ball of anxiety.
Please help me.

Love and Laughter!
Lord, my heart is not so pure that I run to You because it is Your will.
Sometimes I run to You because I know You have my heart in your hands.
I know that You are the only one who can calm me.
You can talk to me where no one else can reach.
You have the power to reach others where no one else can.

Love and Laughter.
Have you found a way to spread it?
Have you found a way that you enjoy?

Perhaps that is where your ministry lies?

Where does my significance come from?

"Be calm,

be true,

be quiet.

I watch over you.

Rest in My love.

You are mine."

 

Jake the Pirate Cake with Treasure Chest and Cannon

To start this cake,

First I figure out what I am making,
then I figure out how to make it!

I used the stadium pan - Nordic Ware Heavy Cast Aluminum 9 Cup Stadium Pan Nordic Ware.  I figured the lines of the stadium looked alot like a ship!

 I made the stadium pan according to instructions.

Then I made colored layers for a 9x12 pan using 2 cakes mixes.


I wrapped the cooked cakes well and froze them.

I made a double batch of buttercream frosting.

I took the cake out of the freezer and measured it and cut it for the treasure chest.  

I frosted the layers, then stacked them and frosted again.

I wrapped the frosted cake and froze it again.

It may not look like much now,
but this is going to be your treasure chest!

I made another double batch of buttercream frosting.

Next you will shape the boat cake.

Frost it with some chocolate frosting.  
The lines in the nordic
pan will make it look more 'woodlike'.


Carve your treasure box cake.
Make the lid for your treasure box by using the top layer of your
treasure box cake.
You will need to support the lid with some type of structure.
I used this plastic lid to put the treasure box top on.

This is your lid, frosted.

Frost the rest of the treasure box and put two skewers to prop the lid on.

Next is your cannon.
Make a batch of rice krispies treats and shape into balls
and a cannon.

Melt the chocolate bark, dip cannon and balls into the chocolate and
let it dry.

Make the sails with the computer.
Print off the sails.

Cut them to the size you want and tape onto skewers.
put a main skewer through the sails to stand on the cake.

Use an empty Keurig coffee container as the mast.

I used the invitation to the party for the flag,

and the picture on the sails of the birthday boy.



Use yellow licorice and secure it with toothpicks to the boat.

I used a plastic lid, lined with aluminum foil to make the chocolate
backing of the top ship cabin.  I poured melted chocolate bark into it.

Let it cool.

Used ritz cracker
 and chocolate for the steering wheel.

Made the boat cabin by using a small cake pan.

Covered the cannon with black fondant.

Made the wheels of the cannon with ritz crackers and chocolate bark.

Made the railings on the top cabin with chocolate bark and toothpicks.

Coming soon!  More pictures and complete Instructions on how to make this cake!

Freed from being a downcast Slave.

My neighbors were out last night.
Drunk.
One fellow, who is a registered sex offender, was talking loudly and
standing in my driveway.  
I think they realize my husband is not home.

Thank You Lord, that You tell me over and over not to be afraid.
Thank You for our dogs.

"My soul waits for the Lord,
He is my help and my shield."   ps.  33:20


"Seek Me.  Seek Me First.
No perils can terrify you.
Persevere.
Hold on in My strength.  
Life apart with Me.  
In the world, but apart with Me.
Go forth from your secret times of communion." 
-God Calling

Lord, please help me not to have the spirit of a downcast slave.
Help me to have Your spirit that is full of life and joy.
Knowing who you are and knowing who I am.

"No matter the circumstances,
I have learned to give thanks in all things."
Phil.

"God created us for so much more than self preservation or self promotion.
When we follow our natural inclination to preserve and promote ouselves or perform for others, we eventually end up in a place of darkness and doubt.  I have to take my focus off of myself .   Turn my focus to Him.   Think of His strengths instead of my weaknesses." -Renee Swope

Judges 6:12-15

 

¹² When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.”
¹³ “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.”
¹⁴ The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?”
¹⁵ “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family

"Gideon had to stop thinking of himself as the runt of his family and start seeing himself as a child of God.   A mighty warrior in his Father's eyes.
Whether we had a great family or not, our hearts will only find lasting confidence when we find our identity as children of God."
-Renee Swope

I need to ask God to show me what triggers my doubts,
help me to turn away from focusing on myself,
Turn to Him.
I need to listen to what HE says about what He thinks of me,
and who HE IS.
Hopefully I will turn to Him and my doubts will draw me into a
deeper place of dependence on Him
and a deeper knowledge, understanding of Him.

" “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”   
Is. 30:15

March 28, 2014

Didn't get my prayer time today.

How did that happen?

Wasn't feeling good.

Thankful for the blessings of my family.
For the blessings of my neighbor getting a good job.
My husband having a safe trip.

For my three beautiful children
And their beloved spouses whom they love dearly.

For the grandchildren.

Thank you, Lord.

Just thank YOU!


 

Poor me.

Please teach me your way, Lord.
Please help me to walk in Your truth.
Give me an undivided heart so that I will revere Your name.
ps. 86:11

A time to embrace.... Ecclesiates.

A caring embrace isn't just a polite sign of welcome.
It is an affirmation of that person's worth.
Sometimes it might be the only thing keeping a person from
falling deep into their own attitude of self pity.
The poor me attitude, the stench of self pity, repels other people.  Sometimes we might need to get out of our own self,
and offer a caring embrace to someone who is isolated and alone.

It is easier just to go about our own business,
it is less tiring,
nose to the grindstone,
self survival.

But,
As I become more aware of God in my life,
I find that I am becoming more free to care about others.
Actually, I find that I am getting the compulsion to get out of myself
and think about others needs!

I will walk about in freedom because I have sought out your laws.  ps. 119

 

Be Careful How you Think, Your life is Shaped by your Thoughts

Refuse to think about the problems of tomorrow.

My message to You is trust and wait.

I am your Guide.

Do not fear the way ahead.

I have taken care of everything.

-God Calling

 

However you feed your mind,

that is what you become.

Your mind feeds on whatever you immerse it in..

 

Spend much time in prayer.

It is the linking of the soul, mind, and heart to God.

 

Don't assume that a person with alot of knowledge has alot of wisdom.

Wisdom can be found in the most unusual and unexpected places.

 

SPEND TIME IN PRAYER!

 

The way of transformation is the way of Divine Companionship.

 

 I have learned how to be satisfied, content, not disturbed in whatever state I am in. 

I have learned the secret of facing every situation.

God infuses inner strength into me.

I am sufficient in Him.

My God will fill to the full your every need according to His riches.

Phil. 4:11

 

Lord, I look forward to being this trusting of You.