Extravagant Love–Marriage Conference Call

05/10/2013 By
Dale and Sharon
Dale and Sharon

Dale and Sharon

I was SO mad, I thought I would explode! And the contents of that explosion would have been hazardous to anyone in my path—namely Dale!

Anger was emanating from every pore of my being. What was he thinking? How could he not see the obvious? The more these thoughts swirled in my head, the madder I got! And he didn’t seem to care about my feelings, either! He just looked at me. That was it! I decided to pack the kids up and leave.

And (the nerve of him!) he didn’t even ask where I was going! The suitcases said it all!

I wasn’t thinking rational thoughts. I just left in the storm of it all.

Oh, boy. Those were the days. I’m so glad that was then and now is now. It was many years ago. Yeah, he said a lot of things and did a lot of things that I didn’t understand. It was like we were from two different planets with totally different brain and emotion function.

If you read my blog post Love Potion, you’ll remember I said there was a turning point in my marriage. Within a year of God working on me, my marriage started to change.

If you’re visiting me today after reading my devotion To Have and To Hold from P31 or Crosswalk, welcome! If you haven’t read it, you should!

Truth be told, most marriages will struggle at some point. The real question is: How will you handle it when it’s yours that is struggling? I can tell you from personal experience, if you focus on your spouse’s faults, the conclusion isn’t marital bliss.

There were three key things that radically changed my marriage. It took time for me to adapt to the changes, but I felt God’s leading and His pleasure in it all. A perfect marriage isn’t forged in a day, but the time and energy invested in it will last a lifetime. It’s worth the effort, and YOU WILL reap what you sow—I promise.

Getting back to the story… After being gone from Dale for 24 hours, I couldn’t stand it any longer. I came home, and we made up.

I’m a bit on the strong willed side, so it probably took me longer than it will take you. But when necessary changes were made, our marriage radically changed for the good. I’m talking the highest happiness of wedded life here!

Colossians 3:12-25 basically says: Extravagant love is the bond of perfection. Love is merciful, kind, long suffering, forgiving, bears all things… Verse 23 says, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord…” So, if we love our husbands extravagantly (heartily), the reward is great. Christ loved us extravagantly. He didn’t love us because we deserved it. He sacrificed everything for love. Extravagant love can transform an ordinary marriage into an extraordinary one, induce greater love, ignite intimacy, help us live above our weaknesses, and spend less time quarreling!

On May 30, 2013, from 8:00-9:15 PM EST, I’m going to do a marriage conference call—Extravagant Love. I’ll share the three things that changed my marriage, and then you can ask me questions at the end of the call! Sign up today for the Extravagant Love Conference Call! (Sorry men, this call is for wives- maybe I could get Dale to lead one for the husbands? )

I’m going to give away 3 free Extravagant Love conference calls. Leave a comment below to enter your name in the drawing. Just tell me in one word what you need help with in your marriage. Winners will be announced next Wednesday.

Subscribe to my blog or RSS feed to get all updates about the upcoming call!

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The Pink Couch–Disciplining Your Children

04/30/2013 By
The Infamous Pink Couch

  We’ve raised five amazing daughters in the past 30 years. They’re a huge spiritual blessing, I can’t even tell you how much! The hardest part of raising kids is often the discipline part.   Most of our discipline took place on The Pink Couch in the living room. I want you to meet our  five daughters (on the pink couch!)as they talk about being disciplined when they were growing up.

If you’re visiting me from Crosswalk or Proverbs 31 Ministries devotion Parenting can be Exhausting, welcome! I’m glad you stopped by! If you haven’t read it, click the link!

What is or has been your greatest struggle in raising children?  Leave a comment to enter your name in the drawing to win my favorite book on parenting, marriage and homemaking– Home-Making by J.R. Miller-originally published in 1882. The tagline–What the Bible Says About Roles and Relationships In A Harmonious Christian Household. You’ll love this book! I’ll draw the winners name Friday at noon. Check back to see if you’ve won or subscribe to my blog!

Click here to read post-High Calling of Motherhood.

homemaking JR

No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.” Hebrews 12:11 (NLT

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A Legacy of Faith

04/17/2013 By
barn. boardman wedding, bible 038

barn. boardman wedding, bible 038

This week Proverbs 31 Ministries is focusing on women who have left a faith legacy in our lives. As you read about a woman who has inspired me, think about who has left a legacy in your life and whether you are leaving a faith legacy behind by the way you live.

The words we speak and the way we live can alter another person’s life for eternity.

I’ll never forget that night when I was 11 years old.  My aunt, uncle, and their four young children had traveled from Indiana to Virginia to visit with us.  It was a grand visit.  Right before they left, something happened that was grandest of all- forever engraved on my heart.

The night had come to a close.  I got into bed and my aunt came into the room. She looked very serious and made no small talk. “We’re leaving tomorrow and there is a verse in the Bible you MUST know. Bury it in your heart and never ever forget it.” She opened my Bible (which was lying next to me) to Luke 9:62. She read it out loud as if it was life and death to her.  And with a piercing look into my spirit, she left the room.

I got out of bed and read it for myself. “Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”  I knew this would be a defining scripture for my life.  I was just too young to understand fully what it meant at the time.

The next morning, they left before I woke.  That night in my room was the last time I ever saw my aunt.  Her heart stopped beating and her mortal body died soon after they got back to their home.

Countless testimonies were told about Aunt Helen and how she lived her life for Jesus. And the stories are still being recounted even after 40 years!  She was a shining light of His radiance and glory. She was the epitome of the Proverbs 31 woman.  From that day on, I decided I would emulate her and her walk with Christ.  I read that scripture she gave me every day till I went to Bible College (the same one she went to).  I determined in my heart to be a follower of Jesus at all costs, never looking back.

The verse she gave me had even greater meaning when I read the verses before it. Luke 9:57-62 are all about the cost of discipleship. Jesus is walking with three men here and tells them that to follow Him you must drop everything of the world.  When Peter, James, and John decided to follow Jesus- they literally dropped their fishing nets, got out of the boat, and followed Him. They didn’t look back!  That’s what He is telling these three guys to do if they are going to follow Him.  That’s what He says to us today.  To this day I am still convicted by that verse, the cost of discipleship, and the legacy Aunt Helen left to me.

What legacy will I leave behind to my family and friends?  What legacy will you leave behind? The words we speak and the way we live can alter another person’s life for eternity.

Proverbs 31 Ministries is doing a Legacy Campaign. Do you have someone in your life that has lived a faith legacy?  Proverbs 31 is giving you the perfect way to honor her.  Simply click on the Legacy button in my sidebar.  It’s that simple!

 

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The Good Wife Bridal Shower

04/09/2013 By
Rachael with all her sisters, niece and me at her Good Wife Bridal Shower
Rachael with all her sisters, niece and me at her Good Wife Bridal Shower

Rachael with all her sisters, niece and me at her Good Wife Bridal Shower- Everyone was asked to wear an apron, bring a favorite recipe and piece of wife advice

We had a wonderful bridal shower this past weekend for Rachael(daughter). We had so much fun all together, I wish we could do it every weekend! Every time there’s a wedding or bridal shower I think about how important wedding festivities have been throughout the centuries. Back in Jesus’ time whole towns and villages would celebrate a marriage.  One of Jesus’ first miracles was at a wedding feast–just imagine Jesus coming to your shower or wedding! How powerfully amazing that would be! Isn’t it beautiful that the beginning of His miracles He did at a wedding? He manifested His glory at a party(John 2). . .let’s never forget to bring His glory to every party we attend and everywhere we go.

goodwife_display_poster

Cupcakes made in large cupcake pans with 1/2 pound of frosting on each! A sweetaholic's dream come true!

Cupcakes made in large cupcake pans with 1/2 pound of frosting on each! A sweetaholic’s dream come true! For Party Cupcake recipe click here!

Buckeyes streaked with white glaze and topped with pink frosted rose

Buckeyes streaked with white glaze and topped with pink frosted roses- Brought by sister-in-law Marianne

Homemade cupcakes made in large muffin pan with 1/2 pound of frosting on each one! A sweetaholic's dream come true!

Homemade cupcakes made in large muffin pan with 1/2 pound of frosting on each one! A sweetaholic’s dream come true! Made by mother of the bride-me

Fresh flowers Hannah got from Trader Joe's and then arranged in tea pots

Fresh flowers Hannah got from Trader Joe’s and then arranged in tea pots

Homemade mint patties under glass dome-made by sister-Jennifer

Homemade mint patties under glass dome-made by sister-Jennifer

Chocolate covered strawberries and fresh flower arrangement- both made by sister, Hannah

Chocolate covered strawberries  made by sister, Hannah

Bridal Shower cookies- made by Grandma Marilyn

Bridal Shower cookies- made by Grandma Marilyn

Truffle cake pops-made by Chris

Truffle cake pops-made by Chris

Vintage tin cans Rachael found at thrift/antique stores

Vintage tin cans Rachael found at thrift/antique stores

 

Antique frosting decorating kit- I've had it for years and still use the kit! The donut maker broke a couple years ago--I used to make donuts with it.

Antique frosting decorating kit- I’ve had it for years and still use the kit! The donut maker broke a couple years ago–I used to make donuts with it.

Guacamole mountain w/ organic chips, sliced veggies and dip and an organic rice casserole made by sister Heather

Guacamole mountain w/ organic chips, sliced veggies and dip and an organic rice casserole made by sister Heather

On the back table; Grandma Shanaberger's chicken salad sandwiches and Heather's organic party meatballs

On the back table; Grandma Shanaberger’s chicken salad sandwiches and Heather’s organic party meatballs – whoops where did the meatballs go? Punch on the buffet- Made by Mother of the Groom, Barbara Curry. Good Wife Bridal Shower Poster created and printed in our home the night before the shower

Pink and Cream colored truffle cake balls- seriously amazing

Pink and Cream colored truffle cake balls- seriously amazing- made by Chris

Vintage Aprons

Vintage Aprons- Dales great grandma made the one with pink embroiderer on it and his grandma made the yellow one

Game #1- Hannah had 20 kitchen items on her. She walked around the room pretty quickly letting everyone see her then she left and everyone had to write down the items they remembered. Who ever remembered the most won- Dawn won!

Game #1- Hannah had 20 kitchen items on her. She walked around the room pretty quickly letting everyone see her then she left and everyone had to write down the items they remembered. Who ever remembered the most won- Dawn won!

Everyone was asked to bring a recipe and a piece of wife advice

Game #2- Rachael told her and Jonathan’s love story and then everyone was given a piece of paper and asked questions to see who got the most answers correct. Chris won!

recipe card 2                                                                      Everyone was asked to bring a recipe and a piece of good wife advice

Game #3-Bridal Bingo- Everyone was given a bridal bingo sheet and stickers. They had to write items they thought Rachel's gifts would be in each box. Every time one of the things they wrote down was opened they got to put a sticker on it. First person to get a row finished called bingo-winner was Kim!

Game #3-Bridal Bingo- Everyone was given a bridal bingo sheet and stickers. They were asked to write items they thought Rachel’s gifts would be in each box. Every time one of the things they wrote down was opened they got to put a sticker on it. First person to get a row finished called bingo-winner was Kim!

 

 

Grandma Marilyn(dale's mom) and Grandma Shanaberger(my mom) with Rachael

Grandma Marilyn(dale’s mom) and Grandma Shanaberger(my mom) with Rachael

Mother of the groom to be-Barbara and Mother of the bride to be- me

Mother of the groom to be-Barbara and Mother of the bride to be- me

Present opening time

Present opening time

Present opening time!

Present opening time! Ellie is taking notes on who gave what presents

Rachael Glasgow Wedding Shower 4613_img_file (25)Rachael Glasgow Wedding Shower 4613_img_file (115)

Rachael and Bethany have been friends since they were 2 years old- Her mom (Beverly Toves) did all the photos at the shower!

Rachael and Bethany have been friends since they were 2 years old- Her mom (Beverly Toves) did all the photos at the shower!

 

Rachael Glasgow Wedding Shower 4613_img_file (31)

 

Rachael with cupcake

Party Cupcake recipe here!

Jonathan had been working outside but came in for an appearance

Jonathan had been working outside but came in for an appearance

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Coconut Cream Cake

03/29/2013 By
Coconut Cream Cake

 

Coconut Cream Cake

Coconut Cream Cake

My mom makes the best fresh coconut cake you’ve ever eaten in your life. She buys a  fresh coconut, uses the milk inside it and shreds up her own coconut. I could  eat the entire cake all by myself. She’ll be shocked that I used organic dry coconut out of a bag, but I didn’t have time to go get the real deal. She uses homemade seven minute frosting too, and then stacks the fresh coconut on top of that. It is perfection!

Any time you use fresh coconut, you can’t lose. It’s amazing. If you use fresh in this recipe, don’t toast the coconut. The moisture from the fresh is delectable so keep it that way.

Yellow Cake

2 3/4 cups self-rising flour (I use Gluten free flour)

2 sticks unsalted butter, softened

2 cups sugar (organic if possible)

4 large eggs, beaten

1 cup coconut milk- I used organic coconut milk in a can, but if you use fresh it will be yummy!

1 tsp vanilla extract (organic if possible)

In large bowl, beat butter and sugar for 2 minutes. Add the eggs and beat for 1 minute. Add all other ingredients and mix well. Spoon batter into 3 greased and floured pans 3/4 full. I only have two pans, so I have to wait until one is done and clean and put the third in oven. Bake in 350 degree oven for 20 minutes or until done. Watch it! Let cakes cool for 5 minutes before inverting onto a plate.

 

Icing

1 1/4 stick of unsalted butter, softened

3 3/4 cups powdered sugar (Organic if possible)

1/3 cup coconut milk, canned or fresh

1 tsp vanilla

In large bowl mix butter and sugar, add milk and vanilla. Mix with mixer for 3 minutes. If it is too thick add more coconut milk.

Set aside while your cake bakes.

Coconut cream filling

1/3 cup of flour  (I used Gluten Free)

1/3 cup of corn starch, organic if possible

1 1/2 cups sugar, organic if possible

4 cups milk, wish you could have some of my unpasteurized-yum

6 Tb. butter

4 egg yolks

1 cup of shredded coconut- I used organic dry in bag, but freshly grated coconut is divine!

Mix four, starch, sugar into milk and stir until everything is dissolved. Add butter, cook for five minutes. Slightly beat egg yolks in small bowl. Add a little of the hot milk mixture to the beaten eggs slowly. Add a little more to the eggs, then add all that back into the big pot of milk mixture and stir all together. You just don’t want to shock the eggs and have them turn into scrambled eggs in your milk. Once you pour them in cook stirring constantly until thick. Add vanilla and coconut–stir.

Set aside in waiting for cooled cake. After sliced cakes cool top each layer with yummy cream. Wipe the sides if any drips down or the frosting won’t stick to the cake.

 

Roast 1 1/2 cups of coconut in 425 degree oven for 10 minutes or until browned. To be used after you frost cake. If you use fresh coconut don’t toast it.

This recipe makes three layers

This recipe makes three layers

Then I sliced the three layers in half and made them into six layers. As you can see I messed up. i was on the phone the whole time I was cutting them with the electric knife. It didn' t work well with one hand

Then I sliced the three layers in half and made them into six layers. As you can see I messed up. I was on the phone the whole time  cutting them with the electric knife. It didn’t
 work well with one hand!

Pour a generous portion of filling onto the first cake halve--I added more than this

Pour a generous portion of filling onto the first cake halve–I added more than this

Keep stacking with a new layer of cake and filling

Keep stacking with a new layer of cake and filling-don’t put filling on top!

Frost top and sides

Frost top and sides- the organic powdered sugar had some lumps in it- doesn’t really matter

II browned 1 1/2 cups of coconut in the oven on 425 for 10 min's--While cake is still moist add the browned coconut to the top and sides. Just toss it all over, the counter will be a mess!

Brown 1 1/2 cups of coconut in the oven on 425 for 10 min’s–While cake is still moist add the browned coconut to the top and sides. Just toss it all over, the counter will be a mess!

You can freeze this cake whole--wrap tightly

You can freeze this cake whole–wrap tightly

French pressed coffee and coconut cream cake--oh my, this is good!

French pressed coffee and coconut cream cake–oh my, this is good!

 

caravaggio_jesus

He is RISEN! Let us celebrate that this weekend! Thank You Jesus!

 

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A Simple Family Passover (Seder) Supper

03/27/2013 By
I got the plates here for a $1 each, the sterling silver platter for $3 and the brass candle sticks 2 for $1! Yep, thrift stores are amazing! I bought the glass dishes for pennies.
Our Seder Supper- First time ever without our girls!

Our Seder Supper- First time ever without our girls!

When our kids were younger, we started the tradition of celebrating the Passover (Seder) meal on the Thursday night before Easter (some years it was Friday or Saturday).  We made it simple, so that it would never be too hard to do.  I’ve been to traditional Jewish Seder dinners where everyone is given a full manuscript to follow and recite, while each food item is served but our kids just never understood what was going on.  So we abbreviated our home tradition.  In celebrating this feast we are honoring a feast, instituted by God and celebrated by Jesus himself.  “Because Christ our Passover lamb has been sacrificed for us; therefore, let us observe the festival [Passover and Unleavened Bread]… with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” (1 Cor. 5:7-8).  This is not to be done out of a religious spirit, or any form of “legalism,” but rather in a joyful, reflective, and instructional manner.  Enjoy!

Our Christian Passover Seder

Candles lit on the table: Representing Jesus, who is the light of the World

Food on table; Roasted lamb, unleavened bread, boiled egg, bitter herbs (horseradish), Charoseth (a sweet mixture of apples, cinnamon, grape-juice [or wine], and walnuts), salt water, parsley, and wine or grape juice

Children should know this is a special tradition.  Inform them ahead of time that the focus will be solely on the Passover and on Christ.  After the dinner they can talk about their day’s events and personal interests.

We start by reading Exodus 12:14, “So this day shall be to you a memorial; and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord throughout your generations.”  This passage is directly discussing the Feast of Passover.

Then explain:

We celebrate this feast to help us remember that God rescued the Israelites from bondage in Egypt.  On the night before He delivered them, God told them to kill a lamb and to cover the top of their doorway with its blood.  Every Israelite family who did what God said was protected from the plague of death in their home.

Many years later, Jesus (God’s son) came to earth in human form and died on the cross- as a fulfillment of the Old Testament sacrifice.  He became the ultimate sacrificial lamb.  We no longer have to kill a lamb like they did under the Old Covenant for forgiveness of sin.  Jesus’ blood was shed so that all who receive Him as their savior are saved from sin and eternal death.  This sacrifice was all-sufficient, once for all.

Read Isaiah 53: 3-12…

In short, it says that Jesus was the lamb who was slain for all of our sins.  The chastisement of our peace was upon Him and by His stripes we are healed!  He poured out His soul unto death for us, so that we may be saved.

When we accept Christ as our personal Savior, His blood covers us- protecting us from eternal death and bondage.  The night before Christ died, He celebrated the Passover dinner with His disciples and said that from now on (until the end of the age) we are to partake of the Lords supper as a reminder of His death and resurrection until He comes again.   It is good for us to tell this story to our children, especially during the week of Passover, since it is a prophetic picture of what Christ accomplished for us on the cross.  Generation after generation will be instructed on the profound importance and meaning of Christ’s sacrifice, since He was/is the fulfillment of the Hebrew law (Matthew 5:17).

Read John 3:16.  “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”

Pray a prayer of thanksgiving:  For the ultimate sacrifice of Christ’s blood that was shed for us all and His resurrection.  Also, thank Him for the food that is about to be partaken of.

At this time, the head of table passes each food item (one by one) and explains what they represent…

Platter of roasted Lamb:  We eat this in memory of the lamb that the Israelites sacrificed the night before they escaped out of Egypt.  Jesus was our final perfect Lamb who was sacrificed for us all.

Unleavened bread ( I made Gluten Free Matzo): Store bought Matzo can be used.  We eat this to remind us that the Israelites didn’t have time to wait for yeast bread to rise- rather they had to be ready to go when God said “GO.” At the Last Supper Jesus told us that the bread would represent His body that was broken for us.  We eat it in remembrance of His body that was slain for us.

Boiled Egg- (In Jewish tradition it is a roasted egg) the egg stands for renewal.  The Israelites were going to start a new life and we have new life in Christ because of what He did on the cross for us.

Bitter herbs-We serve horseradish as a reminder of the bitterness of the slavery in Egypt.  Jesus suffered greatly for us that we may be saved.  Remind them that on the cross He was given the bitter vinegar on the sponge to drink.

Charoseth- This is a mixture of chopped apples, walnuts, grape-juice (or wine), cinnamon, and brown sugar.  Symbolizes the mortar and bricks the Israelites used in making the bricks for the king of Egypt.

Karpas- We use parsley for this. These plants stay green all year and represent everlasting life because of Christ’s resurrection.

Small bowl of salt water- Tears of the Israelites in bondage. Today can represent our tears for those who haven’t accepted Christ as their personal savior.  Dip the parsley into the salt water bowl and eat it.

Grape juice or wine poured in glasses- At the Last Supper Jesus said that the wine represented His own blood, poured out for us all. Drink in remembrance of Him until He comes again.

Jesus is the Messiah who died on the cross and rose again on the third day!  He is alive today and all who accept Him become joint Heirs with Him.  Our inheritance is great.  We have been given not only life eternal but everlasting peace, authority in Jesus’ name, and the last will and testament that Jesus gave us- an inheritance that is vastly immeasurable (John 17: 20-26)!

Halleluyah!

And at this time, the meal is concluded!

Our family always watches Jesus of Nazareth after the dinner.

Easter is usually the only time of year our family eats lamb. Typically I roast an entire leg of lamb the whole afternoon before the meal. I didn’t post my recipe because most people say to cook it rare. Ours always falls off the bone and is SO tender. This was the first time I’ve ever made lamb chops, next year I’ll go back to the larger piece and roast all afternoon. This was good!

Charoseth-3 chopped apples, 1 sliced banana, 2/3 cup plain yogart, 1/3 cup chopped walnuts, dash cinnamon, couple tsp’s organic sugar or honey, 1 tsp vanilla-Mix all!

I made Gluten Free Matzo this year! Click here for recipe

The Seder Dinner

I got the plates here for a $1 each, the sterling silver platter for $3 and the brass candle sticks 2 for $1! Yep, thrift stores are amazing! I bought the glass dishes for pennies.

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The Supper Table

03/20/2013 By
wedding supper of the lamb

Post written by our daughter Hannah Glasgow Easter. I took it off her blog today, enjoy! You can find her at http://hannaheaster.blogspot.com

“It’s time to eat!!!” My mom would cry as she clanked the cowbell with her sturdy spoon. By the third time, she could start to make out the barefooted tornado of dirt, curls, and laughter migrating towards her. As hard as it was to pull ourselves away from playing, we knew even as kids, the next part of our day was worth it.

With a fussing baby on her hip, my mom flawlessly flung potato soup into seven bowls. As my dad thanked the Lord for our meal, everyone seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. Seated at this table, all was right in the world. This was our safe haven from every storm of the day. As each daughter recounted her day, my parents would intently listen and ask questions. They encouraged us to create and work hard, always inspiring us to use our gifts and talents. The most important thing that happened at that table was how they taught us to trust in something bigger than our family. They told us in how they lived their lives and their words, that Jesus was bigger and even better than these moments together and one day we will all be seated with him at his table.
Mealtime is somewhat magical. Amidst the craziness of the day, every person on the face of the planet must stop and take a moment to refuel. It reminds us of our mortality and forces us to rest. In the Bible, God makes a point to show Himself to His people over meals. When the Israelite s cry out to God to deliver them from slavery in Egypt, God sends plagues to make Pharaoh want to get rid of them. When Pharaoh doesn’t, God sends a final plague that will really shake him up. God sends the angel of death to kill every firstborn child, including Pharaoh’s son. He instructs the Israelites to kill a lamb and spread its’ blood over their doorposts so that when the angel came to kill, He would see the blood and pass over their home. The Israelites had to believe that the lamb was killed in place of their firstborn child and only then would the angel skip their home.
God instructs his people to eat a “Passover” dinner that night, which included the lamb and bitter herbs to represent their slavery. The Israelites left Egypt that night. God commanded the people to eat this meal every year to remind them that it was He who had delivered them from slavery. The people made it a tradition to eat this same meal once a year and tell their children the story of “Passover.”
Fast forward  to when Jesus was on earth. The night before He died, He was celebrating the Passover meal with His friends. They thought He would not leave them. But Jesus knew the reason He came was to die and rise again. As they ate the meal that reminded them of the night when the angel passed over Israel’s homes, Jesus gave them a new dinner tradition. He took a loaf of bread, broke it and told them that it represented His body. He told them to eat it and remember. Then He held up the cup of wine and told them to drink His blood. Yes, that sounds a bit creepy if you didn’t grow up hearing it, doesn’t it? Jesus went on to say that his blood represented the new promise between God and people. No longer was the blood of a lamb needed to pay for their sins. His blood would be the perfect sacrifice for everybody who believes.
The next day, like a lamb he was led to His slaughter, yet he did not open His mouth to protest. And just like the Passover lamb, He was killed.
“But He was pierced for our transgressions,
He was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on Him,
and by His wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5
Jesus said something during the Passover dinner that I hadn’t noticed before until now,
“I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the Kingdom of God.” Luke 22:15
Fulfillment in the Kingdom of God? What’s that about? I flipped over to Revelation and got butterflies in my tummy.
“Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come…Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” Revelation 19:7-9
Another meal! This meal will definitely top all the others. I love getting a glimpse of heaven. It is at the wedding supper of the Lamb that we will find completeness in Christ. No longer will we be bound by our brokenness and tendency to sin against God. At this meal we will celebrate our redemption as sons and daughters. What a meal that will be as we find our names at the table with God, celebrating that His son, the Lamb, has adopted us into His family forever.
By Hannah Glasgow Easter 

Ellie, Jennifer, Hannah, Sharon, Rachael and Dale –Heather is  missing here

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St. Patrick’s Day–Powerful Story to Share over Traditional Irish Dinner

03/14/2013 By
St. Patrick's Day Dinner- Colcannon w/ Crisp Bacon and Fermented Sauerkraut

St. Patrick’s Day Dinner- Colcannon w/ Crisp Bacon and Fermented Sauerkraut

I think it’s interesting that we rarely hear the story behind St. Patrick’s Day.  St. Patrick went down in history as being a radical Christian.  He considered himself a pagan when he was growing up. It wasn’t until he was sold into slavery by Irish slave traders that he came to Christ.  His relationship with the Lord grew while he was a slave.  After six years in slavery he escaped to Gaul.  He studied there for 12 years and then felt called by the Lord to Ireland to convert the lost to Christ, and boy did he.

Patrick was made the second bishop to Ireland. He had an exceptional ability to speak publicly and to win people to Christ. He was arrested several times for his boldness in the Lord, he escaped each time. Nothing ever stopped him from preaching the gospel.  He died on March 17th, AD 461- hence, the date we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

Here are some of the many stories  that are recorded about him:

  • It has been said that he raised people from the dead.
  • He originated the symbol of the shamrock, because he used it in his sermons to represent the Holy Trinity.  Each leaf represented the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit- and how they come together to create one entity.
  • Patrick’s ministry lasted 29 years. He baptized over 120,000 Irishmen and planted 300 churches.

What will be written about you when you pass from this earth?  I Chronicles 16:8-9, “Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done. Sing to Him, sing praise to Him; tell of all His wonderful acts.”

Lord, help it be said of me that I ministered boldly in Your Name!  That I had passion to convert the lost to Christ, and many received You.  In Jesus’ name, Amen!

St. Patrick’s Day is a day to retell the story of a man who made Christ known to the nations and told of all His wonderful acts.  Share the verse and story on St. Patrick’s Day even though it’s not an official holiday.

A Shamrock Plant-Do you see the three leaves?

I’ve got the perfect recipe for you to make this St. Patrick’s Day.  To be true to Irish tradition, serve Colcannon—a dish mainly consisting of creamy mashed potatoes with kale or cabbage. Serve with crisp bacon and fermented sauerkraut.  The corned beef and cabbage tradition is an American tradition not an Irish one.

When you serve Colcannon, make a depression in the middle of the mashed potatoes and put a big ole pat of yummy butter in it.

Want Celtic inspiration while you cook?  Listen to Be Thou My Vision.  I love that song!

Colcannon

5 large organic potatoes, washed, peeled and chopped

1 1/2 sticks of butter

2-3 cups chopped kale- I only had two cups left in my garden

2 green onions, chopped

1/2 cup milk or half and half

1 tablespoon salt

1 lb. Bacon (nitrate free)

Fry bacon.  Set aside.

1. Fry bacon and set aside.  (After I fried the bacon I poured the grease out and added kale and spring onions to the bacon skillet.  Then, added three tablespoons of the bacon grease back to it.  Stir and cook for 5-10 min’s.  YUM!)  In my ingredient list, I included three tablespoons of butter to fry the kale.  You can fry it in butter or bacon grease, which ever suits your taste buds.

2. Put chopped potatoes and salt into pot and cover with water.  Bring to boil.  Cook 12 to 15 minutes. Drain when done.

3. Whip drained potatoes with hand mixer or mash by hand.  Add 5 tablespoons of butter and ½ cup of milk, whip.

4. Add cooked kale and chopped onion mixture to mashed potatoes.  Add more salt to taste.

To serve— mound mashed potatoes on each plate, then make depression in center and add generous pat of butter. Serve with several slices of nitrite free crisp bacon, fermented sauerkraut, and Irish bread (We don’t eat much bread so we didn’t have bread).

 

Our kale grew the whole winter! I’v been using it, so I only have two cups to use for our Irish Dinner

I chopped wild onion grass for the onion flavor, that’s the only onion growing on our farm right now–I chopped at least 1/3 cup

Chopping potatoes

Cooking kale in left over bacon grease from fried bacon

The house smells wonderful! Homemade bread fresh out of the oven would have been delightful with it! We splurged and had organic root beer with the meal. Typically we always drink water.

The third episode of The Bible comes on Sunday night! Don’t miss it. Here is a clip from it.

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The Living Easter Basket & other Easter Traditions

03/13/2013 By
The Living Easter Basket

The Empty Tomb and Three Crosses- John 11:25-26 
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.

This past weekend was filled visiting with family, preparing for our daughters wedding and Easter! It was SO much fun!

I  put our permanent Easter egg collection out,  made our living Easter basket and  pickled eggs (You gotta have’m on your Easter table) .

The Living Easter basket is made with wheat grass, pansies and a vintage chick.  Easter baskets in the Glasgow family have always been all natural. I  fill them with homemade marshmallows cut into the shape of chicks, , homemade truffles and candies ordered from The Squirrels Nest. When the kids were little there was  always a bottle of bubbles, silly putty, the paddle with the rubber ball attached and other little toys that kept them enthralled all Easter Day. As they got older we  gave them things to help in their walk with Christ; Christian music, a Bible,  book or game that would challenge them, etc.

If you think you would want to make a living Easter basket, you should get the seeds right away. It takes 10-15 days to grow the grass depending on whether or not you soak them in advance.

I used wheat grass.  Mine cost  $1.69 and planted a 6 inch square. It grows fast and strong. You can use wheat grass to make smoothies or juices. Wheat grass is gluten free as long as you don’t let it go to seed. It must be juiced in order to get the nutrient packed ingredients assimilated into your digestive system.

Pansies are also edible and beautiful for the Easter basket.  Multi-colored petals in a spinach and spring mix salad is a sight to behold. Only eat organic pansies, as the ones you buy in the store are laden with chemicals. They’re easy to grow from seed.

I’ve only found a few sources that sell organic pansies.

Artfully arrange a vintage chick in the basket.  Add homemade chocolate eggs, all natural goodies and the treasures on Easter Day. Wrap the basket in yellow, pink or purple cellophane and complete it with a beautiful ribbon.

Don’t forget to cut your grass when it is the desired height, or it will over power your basket! My grass needs to be cut.

Have you been keeping up with your nightly Bible reading by candle light in preparation for Easter?

The Living Easter Basket

 

Felicity, our adorable granddaughter was quite entertained by the vintage chick in the basket

Homemade marshmallows cut out with chick cookie cutter

Recipe for Homemade Marshmallows

The Empty Tomb and Three Crosses

The Easter egg basket- These are blown eggs decorated by our children and in our permanent collection- some of these are  17 years old

Link for-Directions to make The Empty Tomb and Three Crosses center piece and a  permanent collection of  Easter eggs to enjoy for the rest of your life 

Gathering my eggs for the pickled eggs–fresh eggs are harder to shell

Put 2 1/2 dozen boiled and shelled eggs in jar, Warm 4 cups apple cider vinegar, 2 cups beet juice, 1 cup sugar(I use organic, remember regular sugar has GMO’s), 2 tsp salt and 2 tsp whole cloves until sugar dissolves and pour on top of eggs. Refrigerate. Ready to eat as early as the next day or three weeks later (Easter day). BEAUTIFUL,MEMORABLE and YUMMY!

I divided the large batch into smaller jars- they’ll be on the table for Easter

 

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After School Valentine’s Day Cookies

02/13/2013 By
valentine cookie-pancake-eggs 016

Children will always remember coming home  to the smell of cookies baking when they grow up. Memories like those are cherished and passed on for generations.  These are as delicious as they smell.  They ooze gooey yummy chocolate, if you don’t bake them all the way. They’re especially good to have ready on Valentine’s Day when your kids come home from school. It’s a hard holiday for kids who didn’t get what others got. Make it extra special when they come home, love can erase a lot of hurts.

No one can tell there’s no flour, added fat or gluten in them! DELICIOUS!  Recipe here: Flourless Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

Using a heart shaped  5 inch cake pan makes 10-12 cookies depending on how full you fill the pan.

I made one for each of our daughters. I sent them to the ones who live away from home by the mail.

5 inch heart cake pan–I got it at my local hobby store.

Dale and I mailed a box to each of our daughters– Should arrive just in time for Valentine’s Day

I piped some (all natural dye) frosting on the cookies just to make them “Pink.” Girls love pink!

 

 

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The Depth of Intimacy– Pure and Indescribable

02/12/2013 By
Valentine-card

 

Dale and me in our field

Intimacy. Hmm…

After 32 years of marriage, I still blush talking about it!  It is so private and sacred!

No expression of human communion is deeper than that of a husband and wife making love. It borders on supernatural in expression.  The sensory goes beyond flesh into spiritual depths that are indescribable.

It took me a while to fully understand this in my marriage. Intimacy on the indescribable level can only be attained through a complete surrender of your heart and mind. God intended it to be this way. A lot of people skip this part and think that the very act of making love will induce love. It doesn’t. It deepens it, yes…but only when you surrender your heart.

When I got married I had no idea what surrender meant. The only thing my mom told me before I got married about intimacy was this: Don’t ever deny him. So I didn’t.

Oh, Dale and I loved each other very much, and making love was good. For various reasons, though, I had a wall of protection around my emotions. But I was unaware of it.  And because I was unaware, I didn’t know I needed to get rid of it.

I was able to trust Dale (He had never done anything to cause me not to trust him).  Over time, the walls protecting my heart slowly started coming down.  One night, unbeknownst to him, I decided to surrender my whole heart.

Hint: You’re supposed to do that at the altar—some of us just didn’t know how!

Let me tell you what happened when I finally surrendered…

It had been a long day.  I had cooked dinner, washed dishes, bathed the kids, put a load of laundry in, and put the babies to bed. Dale had been busy working, so he didn’t know how tired I was.  The little ones were finally asleep, and I was exhausted.  I was about to collapse when he gave me that look. You know…the look.

I was too tired, but my mom’s words came to mind.

He started to kiss me. This time something switched in my mind.  I decided to not think of this as a duty, but, instead, I accepted his gestures as gestures of love toward me. Then I surrendered everything to him—every vulnerable part of my heart, mind and body.  I loved him wholly and completely—unabashedly.

For the first time ever, a floodgate opened.  The wall lifted.  My emotions left the natural and went into indescribable. I started to cry I was so overcome. (Which was a little embarrassing, because I never cried!)

We were one flesh, and it was beyond good. It was absolute abandon. Whew, that was a big deal for me!  If more husbands and wives could love with abandon and receive love with abandon, there would be a lot fewer problems in marriage. I’m talking to husbands, too!

It is the same with my spiritual life. When I love and trust God with all my heart, soul and mind, in a place of abandonment, I enter into His sanctuary and am so overcome with the union of His presence, it is indescribable.

The ecstasy of loving and receiving love with no reins, freed, uninhibited—this is God’s ideal of marriage. He is the author of romance you know!

Many people struggle with intimacy in their marriage.  I think Satan works overtime trying to destroy it.  If he can mess with the deepest and most passionate thing God intended for marriage, well, then he may just have a foothold to destroy the family unit.

Men need to know they are loved just as much as we do. Your man may have walls around his heart, too. We need to love our husbands with outrageous, abandoned love in our conversations, our actions, and in intimacy.

Sometimes we may not think he is deserving of our intimacy. Next time you think that, remember this verse in relation to him, “Love is patient, love is kind… It does not dishonor, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”  (1 Corinthians 13:4)

He may be undeserving.  Love and be intimate anyway.  Do unto him as you would have him do to you.  If you love and bless him even when he doesn’t deserve it, in time you will reap what you sow.

The Lord desires your marriage to be happy, full, pure and indescribable.

Ask Him to help you.

 

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Valentine’s Day Breakfast

02/11/2013 By
I let my butter get just a little soft--then I flatted it on my cold cutting board and with a small heart cookie cutter cut the butter into heart.

Homemade heart pancakes and eggs with butter cut in shape of hearts

For Valentine’s Day Dale and I rarely give each other gifts. I’ve asked him not to give me flowers or buy me a card(we make our own). At this moment in life it’s not in the budget. I don’t need things to tell me he loves me.Instead we enjoy doing the simple things together, like having a candlelit breakfast or dinner at home.

Making things you already have the ingredients for is the easiest, like pancakes.  Just make it prettier and more intentional.

I have two pancake recipes. The one I’m giving you today I use more often than the Best Pancake Recipe. This one is just easier because you don’t have to whip the egg whites.

Pancake Recipe

2 cups flour (I use GF Pamela’s Baking mix, if you use this, omit salt and baking soda)

2 eggs beaten in a two cup measuring cup

Add plain yogurt  to beaten eggs to make two cups

2 tablespoons oil, melted (I use butter or coconut oil)

2 tablespoons organic sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

Add all ingredients and mix well. I let it sit for 10 minute’s. Heat your skillet to medium high. Pour batter, when it starts to bubble–flip it. Cook for a few more minutes and serve hot! You can buy the heart shaped pancake molds on Amazon, 2 for $10 http://www.amazon.com/Norpro-Nonstick-Heart-Pancake-Rings/dp/B0000DDVWK.

I used a 5 inch heart pancake mold–I only have one–so it takes a while to make a bunch

I used the same thing for the fried eggs. I did make scrambled eggs and cut hearts out of them with a regular cookie cutter

So the egg would stay pretty on top I didn’t flip it–put a top on in the final cooking minutes and it will cook completely without flipping

I let my butter get just a little soft–then I flatted it on my cold cutting board and with a small heart cookie cutter cut the butter into hearts

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Love Potion

02/05/2013 By
Dale and me standing in front of our first apartment

 

Dale and me standing in front of our first apartment, 30 years later.

A lot of women who read The Good Wife Recipe assumed that marriage had always come easy for me. It hasn’t always been easy.

My dad left our family when I was young, so I lacked the example of a godly marriage. Being the oldest child, I was very independent. Those two factors added together equaled a negative value in my tendencies toward marriage. My learning curve took years.

I loved my husband, but I didn’t respect all of his ideas. I had my own ideas of how things should be, and naturally, I thought I was right. Overall we had a good marriage, but it wasn’t what it should be until one day, after reading the Bible, God led me to make a decision that tamed my independent mind-set. I decided to submit to Dale’s role as the leader of our home and to respect his thoughts and opinions no matter how much I might disagree. Gulp.

Our marriage started changing after that day. When Dale would share what he thought the kids needed to do about school or church, my first impulse was to say, “Are you kidding? No way!”  Instead, I said nothing. I would bite my tongue, receive his words, and follow his leading. Amazingly, good things started to happen. Dale was making decisions that led us in the right direction! Why–because  he cares about the family. Dale doesn’t rule over us with an iron fist. He lovingly considers our needs, opinions, and dreams.

Since I yielded to my husband’s lead, I haven’t always agreed with his decisions. Nevertheless, I stood firm in my commitment and followed Dale anyway. The outcome has always been positive and a sure sign that God is leading him. I am honored to follow such a man of God.

Now I find myself in awe of my husband. He is everything I could ever dream of. It is my desire to be everything he dreams of too! If he wakes me up before the alarm with kisses, then I pray that God will give me the ability to be what he needs. I actually enjoy making his favorite meals, dressing the way he likes, and sharing the same interests and hobblies as he does.

Sometimes when Dale walks by me, my heart will skip a beat. You know what I mean? It’s like  love potion has been poured on me! We are two people in passionate love—now more than ever. When we honor our husbands in every way—at home, in public, and in our conversations with others—God pours out His passionate love, and we are swept away by it.

Make a conscious decision to honor and adore your husband. You will become the woman of your husband’s dreams, and he yours and the legacy will live on in your children’s marriages for generations to come.

Today I’m going to give away a book written by my dear friend Rachel Olsen and her pastor entitled, “My One Word.” It is an incredible book about making one word represent what you most hope God will do in you, and you focus on that for an entire year. This single act will reveal clarity and concentrate your Christ-like efforts. I love the book!  Along with the book I’m giving a $25 Outback gift certificate to one name drawn from the comments today.

What is the one thing you need to work on in your marriage? If you’re single what is the one thing you need to focus on this year?

I’ll pick the winner from the comments tomorrow morning at 10AM (Wed). I’ll post the winner at that time.

 

 

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The High Calling of Motherhood

01/25/2013 By
Heather and her family in front of the barn

Heather and her family in front of the barn

I’ll never forget that morning.  I woke up and my spirit quickened within me that I had conceived a baby.  An immortal soul was within my womb.  I jumped out of bed without telling Dale because of course I needed confirmation. I went to the store as quick as I could, got a pregnancy test, and rushed back home. Within minutes it was confirmed what God had already revealed to me- I was pregnant.

I got light-headed and tears filled my eyes over the magnitude of such a high honor.  An immortal soul was within me I repeated to myself.  This is one whose days and eternity I would influence greatly.

Dale was as excited as I.  Our life changed that day.

I knew that when much is given, much is required. So that day I went into intensive training with the Lord. I asked Him to show me how to live in a way that would draw this child to Him; to be pure and holy.  With tears I asked Him to keep this divine awe struck reverence over me all the days of my parenting.

Our first child, Heather was born 30 years ago today.  I can barely type these words right now because I can’t see through the flood of tears.  All 9lb and 3ounces of her, was perfect.  I wept looking at her and I weep over her today- 30 years later.  She is even more perfect today than she was that day. How can this be?

She is the picture of a Proverbs 31 woman.  She is pure and lovely in every way.  She is led by the Spirit of God and is in active pursuit of more of His presence and power every day. Thank You God, You have answered abundantly.

God has been overwhelmingly faithful to give me more than I could ever ask or think in parenting.

He has indeed kept my heart in that divine awe struck reverence toward parenting the immortal soul.

A mother’s day can be long and hard but when we put it into perspective that every day is shaping the destiny and eternity of an eternal soul, what sacrifice is that not worth that?

I pledge to God almighty that until the day I take my last breath on earth I will never ever lose the awe of raising immortal souls.

When I’m 100 years old I expect this passion to be even greater. . .

Proverbs 31:26-31, “She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many woman do noble things, but you surpass them all.’ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gates.”

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A Snow Day Tradition- Making Snow Ice Cream

01/24/2013 By
It's ready to eat! Prepare the bowls quickly! Have your toppings ready- maple syrup and nuts, chocolate. . . Oh my this is SO GOOD!!!!!

Snow Ice Cream Recipe

1 1/2 cup whole milk (I use raw organic whole milk-yum)

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

large amount of freshly fallen snow

Mix milk and sugar together until sugar is dissoved, then add vanilla. Stir snow into cream until it is ice cream texture. It happens fast! You’ll be amazed, this is truly delicious and fun. The kids will go crazy over this and you’ll be creating memories for them. Have fun!

You can use evaporated milk for a more rich taste, experiment! Raw milk is already rich so I didn’t need to try it.

 

Must use whole milk or evaporated milk, sugar, vanilla and large batch of freshly fallen snow

 

Stir milk, sugar and vanilla until sugar is dissolved- Let the sugar and milk get to know each other for a couple of minutes before you stir (helps sugar dissolves)

 

Needs more snow

 

It’s ready to eat! Prepare the bowls quickly! Have your toppings ready- maple syrup and nuts, chocolate. . . Oh my this is SO GOOD!!!!!

 

Just wanted you to see this price. I LOVE deals! Our daughter Rachael bought this bowl at a thrift store for $10. It’s heavy and nice! I wanted you to see the sticker before I washed it for the ice cream. Women need details like this don’t they?

 

 

 

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