Gray Areas

Ever come across a gray are in life that the Bible doesn't specifically speak of? If you are wondering whether you should or should not do something, and the Bible doesn't specifically talk about that particular subject...ask yourself these four questions to make your decision.

1. Does it promote edification? (will it unite or divide the saints?)
2. Can it lead to bondage or addiction?
3. Do you have an uneasy conscience about it? (probably a good indication you shouldn't do it)
4. Can it cause someone to stumble? (1 Cor. 8:9)

Our pastor gave us these four questions last Wednesday night. I know I'll be using them for the gray areas in my life. Will you?

Strawberry Coconut Cake

This cake was adapted from another type of cake I make. The other cake was made with a boxed cake mix, though. This one is from scratch and so much better! The other cake had pudding in it and had to be spooned out, but I needed a cake that could be sliced, so I changed a few things and came up with this and it's sooo delicious. And if you don't like the texture of coconut, don't worry, it's made with cream of coconut so there is no gritty texture and just the right amount of coconut flavor to compliment the strawberry.

Strawberry Coconut Cake

Yellow Cake Recipe from Better Homes & Gardens:
3/4 cup butter
3 eggs
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 3/4 cups sugar
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1 1/4 cups milk

other ingredients you will need:
one box fresh strawberries
one can cream of coconut (found near the mixed drink stuff in the grocery store)
1 tub cool whip


1. Allow butter and eggs to stand at room temp. for 30 minutes. Grease and flour one 13/9/2 inch baking pan; set aside. In a bowl stir together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.

2. Preheat oven to 375. In a mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Gradually add sugar, beating until well combined. Beat 2 minutes more. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Alternately add flour mixture and milk, beating on low speed after each addition just until combined. Spread batter into prepared pan.

3. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cook cake for 10 minutes. Remove from pan and place on serving platter.

4. While the cake is still warm, using a butter knife, cut several small slits about an inch into the top of the cake all around (about 10 slits). Spread about 1/2 cup of cream of coconut all over the top of the cake. Allow cake to cool completely.

5. Once the cake is cool, slice strawberries into thin slices and cover the top of the cake with them. Then, frost the entire cake with the cool whip. Serve.

Store in Refridgerator.

Make sure and leave me a comment if you try this and tell me how you like it!

Hollywood

For a list of movies that use blasphemy, click on Hollywood and God to the left.

My Friend at Conversations with a Cupcake

Click here to see a really cute video by my friend Brooke over at Conversations with a Cupcake. It's pretty funny, and you get a recipe out of the deal, too!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAObVcxbnYI&watch_response

If God is Good...

A common misconception is that if God is good, he will allow you into heaven because a good God would not send you to Hell.

Well, if God is good, then he must also be a good judge. We will all face judgement when we die. Imagine if you went to court for murder and the judge had all the evidence against you. Would a good judge pardon you for your crime? Of course not, he would sentence you to your punishment because he is a good judge. In the same way, God is a good judge and must judge us for our sins. Have you ever lied, stolen, cheated, etc.? Then you will be found guilty in God's courtroom. UNLESS you have the ultimate attorney. This attorney pays your fine for you and God then will say, "your case is dismissed, your punishment has already been paid." The attorney is Jesus. He paid the price for our sins on the cross so that when we face judgement, our case will be dismissed and we will move on to an eternal heaven where we will live with God. Now understand that this gift is not automatic. You must first accept it. "narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it" Matthew 7:14

It is so sad that "there are few who find it". But the reality is that most people are too selfish to turn from themselves, repent for their sins, and follow Jesus. Selfishness isn't always the issue, but it often is. There are many people who are afraid that following Jesus will change them, and they are happy just as they are. Let me tell you from experience, it WILL change you...but the change is for the better. I'm not saying it will make you have a better or happier life, but it will definitely change you for the better. Mostly because you will have an inner joy knowing that this life, with all its problems, is temporary and you have something to look forward to: eternity in paradise with your creator.

Want to accept Jesus as your Savior? Go to these links in order:
http://www.proverbs31.org/doyouknowJesus/doYouKnowJesus.php

http://www.proverbs31.org/doyouknowJesus/acceptJesusForm.php

http://www.proverbs31.org/doyouknowJesus/whatDoIDoNow.php

If you do this, please let me know. I'd love to rejoice with you!

Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

This is what's for dinner at my house tonight. I sort of made it up myself a few years ago and it's delish!!

Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

1 whole chicken
2 bags of boil in bag white rice
2 cans cream of chicken
One 15 oz. jar of Kraft Cheese Whiz
1 bag frozen broccoli cuts
salt and pepper
Shredded Cheese of your choice (I use colby jack)

Rinse the chicken and take out the neck and gizzards. Boil chicken until cooked through. Drain and let cool. Pull all chicken meat off the bones and pull into small strips of meat. Put in a large bowl.

Boil 2 bags of rice until done, then add them to the chicken. Mix in cream of chicken, cheese whiz, and broccoli cuts. Stir in some salt and pepper.

Put in a large casserole dish. Top with shredded cheese and bake at 350 degrees for about 30-45 minutes.

Serve with bread of your choice.

Tex-Mex Beef Enchiladas

These are so yummy! My family loves it when I make them.

Tex-Mex Beef Enchiladas

Yellow Corn Tortillas
1.5 pounds ground beef
1 can refried beans
1 large can enchilada sauce
Two 8 ounce packages shredded cheese (mexican blend or colby jack or cheddar)
1 packet McCormicks Chili Seasoning
Butter

Brown the ground beef in a large skillet. Drain grease and return to skillet. Add the packet of chili seasoning, the can of refried beans, and half the can of enchilada sauce. Stir together and cook until it is hot. Remove from heat and set aside.

Spread butter on each side of a corn tortilla. Cook it in a small skillet, turning until both sides are golden. Fill it with some of the beef mixture and shredded cheese. Roll it and put it in a large regtangular casserole dish. Repeat until the dish is full of enchiladas.

Pour the rest of the enchilada sauce into the remaining beef mixture and stir until well combined. Spread this over the enchiladas in the dish. Spread one whole 8 oz package of shredded cheese on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes, until cheese is melted and slightly brown.

Serve with tortilla chips and sour cream.

My Funny Stuff Blog

I made a new blog. It's all about stuff I think is funny. Go check it out, and get a good laugh.

The link is to the left.