patience is faith

Posted on December 18, 2011 by Heather

i think having patience is a result of faith

a lack of patience is a lack of faith in God’s perfect timing…

i lack patience, a moment ago far more than I do now…
the ability to have patience is a gift

i am so glad to have that gift right now
patience is so much more peaceful and peace-filling
than any alternative

God’s timing is perfect, He has a plan and it’s for my good, to prosper me.
He loves me and knows me, and has thought about more times than there are stars in the sky. and He is upholding me with His right hand of righteousness.

I will rest in that, right now I will rest in that.

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I don’t know God’s plan… but I know His benefits! – Psalms 103

Posted on December 10, 2011 by Heather

I don’t know God’s plan for my life.  It is too vast and too wide for my eyes to see or my mind to understand, but His glory and His face have never been clearer to me than they have been this month.

Normally a planner, I’ve been living with uncertainty for longer than I ever knew I could… and in the process I have learned so much more about God than I ever thought I could, because I thought I knew enough… ah, wicked deceitful heart!

One key lesson I’ve learned is how God’s grace is never ending. The forgiveness offered by the blood of Jesus Christ is overwhelming in it’s redemptive freedom.  Embracing this truth, the truth of the forgiveness freely offered by an Almighty God, at the core of who I am allows me to see everyone through completely different eyes. We are all equal before the thrown of grace.  I am no better than anyone and I am NOT the judge of anyone.  The same forgiveness that God offers me, that I accept so gratefully from His loving hand, is freely offered to everyone. An Almighty God that knows every dark secret in my heart, better than I know it, has forgiven me… me!

I, who keeps making the same mistakes over and over, forgiven… WOW.

That same forgiveness, His grace, reaches out of my heart and gives me grace for everyone and every situation… and dare I say joy?! Joy!  There is no way I would have ever expected to experience joy right now… it baffles and amazes me, humbles me, washing my face with tears of pure wonder – leaving me at peace resting in the arms of my Savior!

He will never leave nor forsake me, even when my faith trembles and I forget to look at Him, to look at His heart, and allow myself to be overcome with fear…  He is FAITHFUL! He is faithful, even when I am not… His promises are true and they are promises made to me, for me because He knows me and He loves me – just as He knows and loves you, yes you :)

So like the post title reads.. I don’t know God’s plan, but I sure know His benefits! – Psalms 103 

 

 

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A stolen quote for the day

Posted on November 29, 2011 by Heather

Perhaps our greatest daily temptation is to be impatient–to refuse to suffer.

Perhaps my greatest daily sin is to refuse to suffer–to refuse to take up the cross of Christ.

Perhaps my greatest sin is refusing to wait on God’s ways–but to want my own will done–now.

Patience is a surrendering to suffering–a willingness to wait–a carrying of the Cross.

Ann Voskamp, A Holy Experience, “Why is it so hard to be patient?”

(thank you Lisa)

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Pumpkin Banana Bundt Cake

Posted on October 28, 2011 by Heather

I’m not normally a big baking person, but the cold weather almost always creates in me an urge to turn the oven on and do something… anything.  Also, I’m bored.

Pumpkin Banana Bundt Cake - Milk Free

Pumpkin Banana Bundt Cake

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m pretty happy with the way this turned out, I might make it again with light brown sugar instead of the dark brown, just to see how it changes the flavor. My variation is mostly free of lactose, minus the chocolate chips, so I had a little slice.  Credit goes to skinnytaste.com for the bones of the recipe. And just in case you’re wondering why Bundt cake?  It’s because I enjoy the challenge of the pan!

 

Pumpkin Banana Bundt Cake

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cup unbleached all purpose flour
  • 1.5 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp ground cloves
  • 1 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 3 ripe medium bananas
  • 1 – 12oz. can pureed pumpkin
  • 2 tbsp oil (or melted butter)
  • 3/4 cup dark brown sugar, unpacked
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ – 1 cup chopped nuts (I used Trader Joe’s Go Raw Trek Mix)
  • ½ bag of Semi-Sweet Morstles (I used Nestles’)
  • 2/3 cup of Almond Milk/Milk
    (I didn’t really measure so it could be a little more a little less)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°. Grease the bundt pan generously with butter/margarine.

I used a stand mixer for this and here is exactly what I did:

  • Add banana’s whole, mix till mushed
  • Add 12oz can of pumpkin, mix
  • Add eggs, more mixing
  • Add spices and salt, mix
  • Add brown sugar, oil, vanilla, nuts, mix
  • Add flour, mix
  • Add milk till you have a cake mix consistency
  • Mix in baking soda


Pour batter into the greased pan and bake on the center rack for 60 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let the pan cool at least 20 minutes, and attempt to turn Bundt cake out onto a plate.  (if that doesn’t work, just leave it upside down overnight on the plate and use a bendy knife in the morning to gently loosen it from the pan and flip it again to get it to drop out.  The trapped moisture should help it come out  –  and kept it moist)

 

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If I tell you how I feel…

Posted on October 21, 2011 by Heather

If I tell you how I feel I’d be telling you something temporary, something that could change and evolve into something that could be totally different minutes, even seconds from now… so is it worth saying?

sometimes yes and sometimes no.  Most of the things I feel I don’t tell anyone tho…
not because they’re not worth anything, or that I’m not worth knowing, but because they’re not solid and when you expose non-solid things to people you’re showing them a bigger part of you than you would be if you told them something you have concluded.

I feel like this dress makes me look fat = I’m insecure about the way I look, I think I’m fat

vs.

no, this dress doesn’t look good = this dress is not styled to suit my body

Honestly, if you’re talking to me and I’m telling you how I feel… I trust you, I like you, I respect you and I probably sound like a crazy nut.  So sorry ;P

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