A Letter from Your Father

My Child ~

You may not know me, but I know everything about you ~ Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up ~ Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways ~ Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered ~ Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image ~ Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being ~ Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring ~ Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived ~ Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation ~ Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book ~ Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live ~ Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made ~ Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb ~ Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born ~ Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me ~ John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love ~ 1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you ~ 1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your father ~ 1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could ~ Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father ~ Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand ~ James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs ~ Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope ~ Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love ~ Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore ~ Psalm 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing ~ Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you ~ Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession ~ Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul ~ Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things ~ Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me ~ Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart ~ Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires ~ Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine ~ Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager ~ 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles ~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you ~ Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart ~ Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes ~ Revelation 21:3-4
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth ~ Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus ~ John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed ~ John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being ~ Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you ~ Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins ~ 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled ~ 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you ~ 1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love ~ Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me ~ 1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you from my love again ~ Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen ~ Luke 15:7

I have always been Father, and will always be Father ~ Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is ~ Will you be my child? ~ John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you ~ Luke 15:11-3

Love, Your Dad, Almighty God

Dadsense

Since I posted one for Moms here is one for Dads.

Songs for the dads

Tomorrow is Father's day so I thought I would post a few songs to honor dads everywhere. I don't have a terribly close relationship with my dad but it is what it is. We are closer now that I am adult.



It doesn't take a blood tie to be a real dad.



I just love Conway Twitty.

June 16th- National Fudge Day

* National Fudge Day- What can you say about a day to honor fudge. We love fudge in this family.

This one is in honor of my oldest daughter because she doesn't really like chocolate.
Peanut Butter Fudge:
3 cup sugar
1 cup milk
1 tsp.vanilla
1(7oz,)jar marshmallow cream
1 small jar peanut butter
Combine sugar and milk in a saucepan. Boil over med.heat or med.-high until
it forms a soft ball.Take off burner. Add vanilla,marshmallow cream and peanut
butter. Mix well.Pour on wax paper and cool. Cut in square.

One of the managers at a gas station I did accounting for gave me this recipe. I love this stuff.
DREAMSICLE FUDGE

1 lb. cream cheese, room temp.
6 cups powdered sugar
2 lbs. white chocolate
2 T. orange extract

Melt chocolate. Mix with cheese, then mix in powdered sugar and flavoring. Spread in pan to set up. Refrigerate because of cream cheese!

My youngest loves this and so did an ex-boyfriend.
Fantasy Fudge
3 c SUGAR
3/4 c MARGARINE
2/3 c EVAPORATED MILK
12 oz CHOCOLATE CHIPS
7 oz MARSHMALLOW CREAM
1 c CHOPPED NUTS
1 t VANILLA

COMBINE SUGAR, MILK AND MARGARINE IN A HEAVY SAUCE PAN AND BRING TO A BOIL. STIR CONSTANTLY. CONTINUE TO BOIL FOR 5 MINUTES OVER MEDIUM HEAT. REMOVE FROM HEAT AND STIR IN CHOCOLATE CHIPS. ADD MARSHMALLOW CREAM AND VANILLA EXTRACT. BEAT UNTIL WELL BLENDED. POUR INTO A WELL BUTTERED 9 X 13" PAN. COOL AT ROOM TEMPERATURE UNTIL FIRM. CUT INTO SQUARES.

Answers to Flag day Quiz

Here are the answers:

Q: What are the meanings of the colors on the flag?
A: Red - Stands for hardiness and courage.
White - Is the symbol of purity and innocence.
Blue - Is the color of vigilance, perseverance and justice.

Q: What is the Pledge of Allegiance?
A: I Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Q: How should one stand when saying the pledge?
A: You should stand facing the flag with your right hand placed over your heart.

Q: How many stripes appear on the flag?
A: Thirteen horizontal stripes

Q: Of that number, how many are red and how many white?
A: Seven red alternating with 6 white stripes.

Q: What do the stripes represent?
A: The original 13 colonies

Q: How many stars appear on the flag?
A: 50 stars

Q: What do the stars represent?
A: The 50 states of the Union

Flag Day Quiz

I remember flag day every year because a boy I had a crush on for years has his birthday that day :). So happy birthday to Jamey Cullop and the U.S. flag. Here is a little quiz about the US Flag. I will post the answers tomorrow morning.

What are the meanings of the colors on the flag?
What is the Pledge of Allegiance?
How should one stand when saying the Pledge?
How many stripes appear on the flag?
Of that number, how many are red and how many white?
What do the stripes represent?
How many stars appear on the flag?
What do the stars represent?

TSMS-Sometimes I cry

I was so blessed last year to hear Jason Crabb in person, at the WV Church of God campmeeting in Princeton WV. He is such a sweet and humble person when you meet him although just listening to him talk on tv, that same spirit comes through. I love his voice and pray that God blesses him abundantly in his ministry with all that he tries to do. He will again be at the WV state campmeeting on Friday June 17th at the Church of God Princeton WV. If you are ever in an area where you can hear Jason, I promise you will be wonderfully blessed to go see him. He is one of my all time favorite singers, in case you couldn't guess from this post :).

Week in review

I had a wonderful week last week. I won 3 giveaway prizes.

copy of Beth Kendrick's book, The Bake Off from Debbie's Book Bag. If you love books I recommend Debbie's blog.

A copy of the Magic Warble from One Crazy Cookie. Tiffanee has some awesome recipes on her site.

A ruffled kitchen towel from FrouFrouBritches. The picture is just lovely and I can't wait to get it in the mail.

I also bought myself some things this week. I went to Lowe's Foods and they had some hanging plants on clearance for $3 each. I don't have anywhere to hang them but I set them on each side of my balcony. They are perking up nicely with deheading and water. Also in the picture is a little tool I bought on clearance at Wal-Mart not knowing what I would use it for. Its a sonic scrubber pro detailer. I have rheumatoid arthritis and my hands aren't what they used to be. I have used this detailer for doing dishes. Its amazing for scrubbing. It gets in all the little tiny cracks and its better than a brillo pad for cleaning pots and pans plus it doesn't take the coating off pans. Its battery powered so it does the work for me. I wish I had bought way more of them. I don't keep it on the porch but I was trying for just one picture :)

This purchase here is the one that means the most to me. Growing up we had a little plastic ball that you plugged up and it chirped like a bird. I always got to be the one to plug it up and when I was an adult my grandmother gave it to me. 11 years ago someone in a fit of pique gave all my christmas stuff away. I had a lot of keepsake items in there but that ball was the most meaningful for me. I haven't really been in the christmas spirit since. I have seached antique shops, thrift stores, Ebay, Amazon, googled and never saw anything like it. Out of the blue God told me to google one more time and up popped this link. The reviews weren't very good but it was exactly what I was looking for and exactly what I was expecting. Shipping was almost as much as the item but $15 for something that means so much to me wasn't too much and I used my gift cards I earned at Swagbucks This video isn't very good quality but it works.

June 10th- Ice Tea day and Judy Garland's birthday

I dont' know if its because I am southern or not but I love tea and could drink it all day every day. Well with some Coke once in a while.

When I used to make ice tea it was hit or miss if it was going to be bitter or not until I found Southern Plate and tried Christy's recipe. I make perfect tea every time now.

Today is the birthday of the star of one of my very favorite movies of all time. Judy Garland.

June 6th

Today is
* First Drive-in Movie Theater Opens In New Jersey in 1933.
The drive in theater here in Mount Airy recently closed. It was so sad that no one with money wanted to keep it open. I used to love going to the drive in. This site lists local drive ins for NC but its not up to date since it still shows the one here in Mt Airy being open. If you go to the main menu you can check out your state.


* National Applesauce Cake Day
Here is a recipe I found over 10 years ago online. At the time I wasn't expecting to ever post stuff online so I don't have the credit information. Its really good though. Esp topped with ice cream while warm.

Applesauce Cake (1942)
½ C margarine
1C sugar
2 egg whites
1 ½ C applesauce
2 C flour
1 ½ tsp baking powder
1 tsp cloves
1 tsp nutmeg
2 tsp cinnamon
½ C raisins

Cream margarine with sugar until fluffy.
Add egg whites and beat well. Add applesauce and beat.
Sift dry ingredients together. Add to margarine mixture and mix well.
Stir in raisins. Pour into lightly oiled 9-inch square pan.
Bake in 350° oven for 45 minutes.

June 5th- National Gingerbread Day and Richard Scarry's birthday

I love gingerbread.

Here is a web site of recipes.

the girls loved Richard Scarry's busy world.

June 4th- Aesop's Birthday

Growing up I was fascinated by fables. Since today is Aesop's Birthday I thought I would share a few of my favorites.


The ant and the grasshopper this link has an mp3 so you can hear it as you read it.

Crow and the pitcher also has a sound clip

Hare and the tortoise this is probably the most famous fable.

TSMS- Prayer Bells of Heaven.

I am not much into bluegrass but it seems like the old hymns online are always done in a bluegrass style. This is my favorite song in our church hymnal. My favorite line is about the 3 Hebrew children. That's my favorite story in the bible because that's the God I want, one who will be in the fire with me even while delivering me.





As long as I am playing bluegrass I will play another favorite of mine. This one has a very special meaning to my life.

Let it go.

I saw this on another blog and it really spoke to my heart. I have been so down and just don't know how I can deal with some things in my life and this really spoke to me.

LETTING GO

by T. D Jakes

There are people who can walk away from you.

And hear me when I tell you this! When people can walk away from you: let them walk. I don't want you to try to talk another person into staying with you, loving you, calling you, caring about you, coming to see you, staying attached to you. When people can walk away from you let them walk.

Your destiny is never tied to anybody that left.

The Bible says, "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. (I John 2:19)

People leave you because they are not joined to you.

And if they are not joined to you, you can't make them stay.

Let them go!!

And it doesn't mean that they are a bad person it just means that their part in the story is over. And you've got to know when people's part in your story is over so that you don't keep trying to raise the dead. You've got to know when it's dead. You've got to know when it's over.
Let them go!!

If you are holding on to something that doesn't belong to you and was never intended for your life, then you need to......

LET IT GO!!!

If you are holding on to past hurts and pains ......

LET IT GO!!!

If someone can't treat you right, love you back, and see your worth.....

LET IT GO!!!

If someone has angered you....

LET IT GO!!!

If you are holding on to some thoughts of evil and revenge.....

LET IT GO!!!

If you are involved in a wrong relationship or addiction......

LET IT GO!!!

If you are holding on to a job that no longer meets your needs or talents.....

LET IT GO!!!

If you have a bad attitude.....

LET IT GO!!!

If you keep judging others to make yourself feel better......

LET IT GO!!!

If you're stuck in the past and God is trying to take you to a new level in Him.......

LET IT GO!!!

If you are struggling with the healing of a broken relationship.....

LET IT GO!!!

If you keep trying to help someone who won't even try to help themselves.....

LET IT GO!!!

If you're feeling depressed and stressed ........

LET IT GO!!!

If there is a particular situation that you are so used to handling yourself and God is saying "take your hands off of it"....then you need to......

LET IT GO!!!
The Battle is the Lord's!!!

Messages from God

If you have been reading you saw my post about the engine going out in my car. I have also been having some struggles in my personal live. There are a couple of cool apps that friends usually post on Facebook but I dont normally even go see what mine are. Today I did and here are the two messages I got from them. I have really been struggling trying to understand but somethings we just won't understand until we are in Heaven.

On this day, God wants you to know
... that the weight you carry on your shoulders is much too heavy for one human being. Give some of that weight where it belongs, - to God, and have faith that what happens is for the best, whether you understand it or not.

My Daily Verse
Here is your Verse of the Day:
Psalm 34:19-20 (NIV). A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all; he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken....... Thoughts on This Verse... We know that the righteous can have troubles, but how do we understand that God delivers us from them all? How do we understand that he protects all our bones, especially in light of recent tragedies and the persecution of believers in many places in the world? Paul demonstrates the answer: whatever happens to him will turn out for his deliverance -- whether it is through his death to be with God or whether it is through his release from prison to continue ministry (Phil. 1:19-23). Our deliverance is secure. We are conquerors in Christ. Nothing Satan can do to us can steal us away from God's love, not even death (Romans 8:32-39).

I just want to praise and thank God for sending me these reminders that the circumstances of my life are just that. Circumstances and not my life.

June 1st- National Donut Day

Since this is national donut day I thought I would post some of my favorite donut recipes from around the web. Its hard to top a fresh donut with a glass of ice cold milk.

Apple Cider donuts

Krispy Kreme clone- Since I work right outside Winston-Salem, how could I leave out this one. Krispy Kreme was first opened in Winston-Salem NC.