Vanilla Creamer Pancakes

We learned that Joshua does not like Meijer brand coffee creamer.  Well, I had a big container of it that I needed to use up.  And I was feeling a little but lazy, so instead of making my usual homemade pancake mix. I decided to throw a box of pancake mix in a bowl and mix it up with vanilla creamer in place of milk.
It turned out to look and smell like a cake mix. So, I decided to have fun with it. I threw some Christmas sprinkles in it and mixed it up. BOY was it pretty.

Since it looked so pretty and Christmassy, I pulled out my cookie cutters and thought I'd try putting them in a skillet and making Christmas shaped pancakes.

Again, They looked SO pretty.

But, I quickly ran into a little problem.  I started to smell something. When I went to flip them...... Anyone care to guess what I found?  If you guessed BLACK bottoms, you have guessed correctly.

Gone were my "pretty" Christmas pancakes. 

It was time to move to plan B.  Pull out the Mickey Mouse Cake pan. Of course I had no complaints from the littles.

FINALLY!!!!!!! Pancakes in cake form that turned out perfectly. 

Light and fluffy and delicious.

Vanilla Creamer Pancakes.

Ingredients

boxed pancake mix of your choice.

vanilla creamer

Mix up enough creamer to make a smooth batter.  Pour into a greased cake pan or cupcake tins.

Bake at 350 for 20-25 mins until tooth pick comes out clean.

Beef and Potato Hash

Today I tried my hand at hash using my leftover beef roast.  It was amazing. (Well, Amazing other than the amount of salt.) So, I am going to leave the salt out of this recipe.



Beef Roast Hash

Ingredients

3 potato's

1 onion

1 tsp garlic powder

3 cups of left over pot roast

2 cups of drippings from the meat

2 TBS flour

Olive oil

Dice potatoes and onions and pour olive oil (roughly 1-2 TBS) into a skillet.  Season the potatoes and onions with garlic powder.

Fry potatoes until almost just starting to soften.
Add in the roast, flour and drippings.

Cook the rest of the way through until roast in warm, drippings are gravy and potatoes are soft.

ENJOY.

Pumpkin Chip Oatmeal Cups

This one is a little bit more season themed. Although you can easily replace the pumpkin chips with anything you like.  I just wanted pumpkin. And YUMMY.


Ingredients

4 Cups old fashioned oats

1-1/2 tsp cinnamon

1tsp baking powder

1/4 Cup Coconut sugar (You can use brown sugar)

1/3 Cup Raw honey (You can use Maple Syrup)

2-1/3 C Almond milk

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup Pumpkin chips.

Preheat oven to 375

Mix all Ingredients together in a bowl.   Mixture will be watery.

Scoop into greased muffin tins (using an ice cream scoop)

Since it is watery, mix it between each scoop.

Bake for 20 minutes. 

These keep in the fridge up to 5 days and freezer up to 3 months.

One thing I did figure out. You CANNOT take these out of the tins while they are warm. They turn into a crumbly mess with no form. HAHA
Let them cool though and you have a lovely oatmeal cup.
This is delicious.

This recipe gets a 7-8 from me. I just think homemade granola no bake bars would be less hassle.
But, that's just me.



Bre Shafer

Homemade Potato Chips (Baked)

As promised, I'm gonna share with you a couple of recipes that I have tried today. And I'll share the good, bad and ugly. Take it or leave it.

I decided to try my hand at potato chips. Threw together my own recipe and gave it a whirl.  They turned out amazing.


Ingredients
2 potatoes
salt
garlic powder
chili powder
black pepper
onion powder
extra virgin olive oil

First fill a bowl with cold water and put 2 tsp of salt and roughly 1tsp of garlic powder in the cold water.

Wash and slice the potatoes into thin slices and place in water.  Allow to soak for 10-15 minutes.

After you have allowed them to soak. Remove them and pat dry the potatoes.

Coat the cake pan with Olive oil and layer potato chips in the pan.  sprinkle all of the seasoning on the potato's according to taste. You only want to use a little bit of chili powder. (You could use red pepper as well.)

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Bake for 30 mins on one side. After 30 minutes are up, flip the chips. And bake for another 30 minutes.  (Keep an eye on them. You don't want them getting to crunchy.)

The finished product should be slightly crunchy. Or more like a French fry texture depending on how long you leave them in the oven.

I have absolutely NO complaints with these. In fact, the kiddos and hubby have completely finished them off already. 
Clearly they were a hit. And I know all of the ingredients and feel completely fine with feeding my family these potato chips.

This recipe gets a 10 from our house.

Bre Shafer

To Tithe Or Not To Tithe

That is the question....
I took part in a conversation today about whether or not one should tithe. The general consensus among "Christian " woman took me completely off guard.  You see, 9 out of 10 ladies were of the mindset "If you can't give cheerfully, just don't give at all." Or "I only give 2% because I can't give anymore and still be cheerful." WOW! What happened to asking what the Bible says about this? 
I am going to take a few minutes and share some verses with you, and some thoughts.
I will say right now that this is NOT a prosperity thing. It's not a give and get rich scheme.

First, I want to look at the meaning of the word itself.

Tithe..
Miriam Webster Dictionary defines it as "a tenth part of something paid as a voluntary contribution or as a tax especially for the support of a religious establishment"  

So, the word in and of itself actually means  10%.  And the word Tithe or tithes is used in the Bible on several occasions.
The first one that comes to mind is Malachi 3:8-10
" (8) Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. (9) Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. (10) Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."

What is God saying here? To keep It short, He's saying exactly what it looks like. Tithe and be blessed, don't tithe and you may be blessed, but you won't be ABUNDANTLY blessed like you could be.  And face it, who doesn't want to be blessed?

This past week we had a little mishap with our budget. I overdrafted our bank account because of a lack of budgeting. When our paycheck rolled in last Friday I sat down and budgeted everything again. Including our tithes. Our tithes and offerings ended up being greater than $200 and by the time that was budgeted and bills were paid, we were left with $40 for 2 weeks. $40 to buy laundry soap, Toilet Paper, Diapers and groceries.  I fought within myself for the greater part of the day about skipping the tithe check this week. After all, God knew the situation and I had to feed the children.  In the end, about 6pm I caved and wrote the tithe check. ($215 to be exact) Sure, I could have gotten away with $190 going in and still would have been our 10%. But, I decided to not withhold our tithes and offerings and keep the budget at what we had planned before the mistake. (Yes, I handle the finances)   After all, Why should God and His church have to suffer for a mistake I made in budgeting? Now, I can't say I did this cheerfully. In fact, I did it stressed, lacking faith and grumbling. (Not biblical at all, and so not proud of my attitude.) Within an hour God had provided $160 and a box of diapers. 
Did you read that? GOD PROVIDED even in the midst of my grumbling and distrust.  Do you have any idea how humbling that is? To kneel before a Holy God who proved Himself even though you doubted?  All of the sudden my children could eat good. Not just the fried potatoes and canned chicken and bean soup for 2 weeks.  I can't even take any credit for that. Instead ALL glory goes to God. 
We limit God so much with our refusal to tithe. (I should add that we are rather new to tithing. This isn't something we have been doing for years and just now seeing the fruits. )  Excuses of "I won't have anything left afterwards." Or "My children have to eat." All may very well be valid reasons to not tithe. But, why do we think that God can't move through our problems? Why do we doubt? 
I can say from experience that it's nothing but selfish reasons.  So many "I's" And the biggest one being "I can't" for whatever reason.
Although God loves a cheerful giver, That should never be our excuse to not tithe.  Sometimes being cheerful comes later. Comes after the action has become habit.  Your attitude should be one of faith. Work on the cheerfulness. If Satan knows you are going to use that as an excuse, of course he is going to step in and hinder that cheerfulness. It's a purposeful decision that needs to be made by YOU. Not your neighbor, Pastor or friend. YOU.

Should you tithe? YES! With or without a cheerful attitude. Although I suggest working on that attitude. But, obedience is best no matter how its done. I mean, we teach our children that too. Obey without question. Right? It's their safety net.
Does this mean you will never experience trials? NO. Does this mean your budget will never be tight? No.
But it does mean that God will take care of His own.

This is not very well written. But, I hope y'all get the point of what I'm trying to get across.

Have a blessed evening all of you. And thank you for taking the time to read yet another post.

Bre Shafer

GIVEAWAY TIME

Guys, WE HAVE HIT 1100 viewers for our blog. And it's still climbing.  Because it's all you guys making that possible. I want to do a give away.
What am I giving away????

How about that? $5 gift card to amazon.

HOW TO ENTER INTO THE DRAWING?!

#1- Leave a comment below.

#2- join our Facebook group https://facebook.com/groups/205983566498912

Each of those will earn you 1 entry. I will be doing a random drawing on Friday November 10th.

So, get your friends involved too.

Bre Shafer

What Is Smith Magenis Syndrome?

November is Smith Magenis Syndrome Awareness Month. Actually the 17th is SMS awareness day.
For those of us living with It in one form or another, EVERYDAY is SMS awareness day. 
I want to take a few minutes and try to inform others as to what it is. Not just from my view point. But, from other sources as well.

In 2014 my daughter (Leah Rose) was diagnosed with Smith Magenis Syndrome after almost 2 years of being tossed from specialist to specialist. Cancer scares, feeding issues and so much more.... 

Smith Magenis Syndrome is a deletion in a specific region of the  17th chromosome. Although Chromosome 17 contains many different genes, it's a specific gene called RAI1 that is missing. Either fully or partially.  That one gene makes a world of difference.
To quote rarediseases.info.nih.gov

"Most people with SMS have a deletion of genetic material in each cell from a specific region of Chromosome 17. Although this region contains multiple genes, researchers believe that the loss of one particular gene, RAI1, is responsible for most of these cases...."

SMS is more than just a behavioral syndrome. Although behavior is a huge part of what this gene does. 
It is classified as a "developmental Disorder" that effects many parts of the body.
ghr.nlm.nih.gov states

" Smith Magenis Syndrome is a developmental disorder that affects many parts of the body. The major features of this condition include mile to moderate intellectual disability, delayed speech and language skills, distinctive facial features, sleep disturbances, and behavioral problems.
Most people with Smith Magenis Syndrome have a broad, square-shaped face with deep-set eyes, full cheeks, and a prominent lower jaw. The middle of the face and the bridge of the nose often appear flattened. The mouth tends to turn downward with a full, outward-curving upper lip. These facial differences can be subtle in early childhood, but they usually become more distinctive in later childhood and adulthood. Dental abnormalities are also common in affected individuals. "

Leah was nonverbal until the age of 3.5 yrs old.  She is now 5 years old and way more fluent in sign language than she is in English. Although she is getting much better. She struggles with her memory, and with school. In fact she is in her second year of preschool instead of kindergarten. She can't write her name, still struggles with feeding herself..... As the years go by these things slowly improve, but other cognitive things are becoming harder for her.  You can see most of the described facial features in her picture above.

She's clearly the sweetest, most beautiful girl I've ever seen. (I suppose I may be partial to that tho.)

Smith Magenis Syndrome doesn't just affect cognitive abilities. It affects many other parts of the body.

Causes self harm and much aggression. Her poor little mind seems to attack itself. At an early age she started head banging. Although many children go through a phase of head banging. This was far more severe and we knew that something was wrong. Most children will stop head banging when it starts to hurt. This poor girl would head bang until she was bruised, bleeding and still wouldn't even cry. 
She's always been a thumb sucker and she started ripping her nails out (Completely ripping them out) at about a year old. Even that didn't seem to hurt her. She would only start crying when she saw blood dripping down her hand. 

Eventually the aggression started. On her bad days she'd pick lamps up, toys up and toss them at whoever was closest, she'd randomly walk up to someone and start clobbering them. 

In 2015 she held her brothers (Almost 11 months younger than herself) head under water while beating him.  I had only turned around to grab a towel out of the cupboard. 

Leah isn't a strange case. Situations like this are well documented in children or individuals with SMS.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

"Children and adults typically have inattention, distractibility, hyperactivity, impulsivity, maladaptive behaviors including frequent outbursts/temper tantrums, attention seeking, disobedience, aggression, toileting difficulties, and self-injurious behaviors. (SIB) including self-hitting, self-biting, and/or skin picking, inserting foreign objects into body orifices (Polyembolokoilamania) and yanking fingernails and/or toenails (onychotillomania). Among the stereotypical behaviors described, the spasmodic upper-body squeeze or "self-hug" seems to be highly associated with SMS. The finger lick and page flipping ("lick and flip") behavior may be less prevalent than initially reported. And underlying developmental asynchrony, specifically between intellectual functioning and emotional maturity, may also contribute to maladaptive behaviors in people with SMS."

Leah also struggles with feeding issues, weight gain, severe congenital scoliosis and sleep issues.

She has an inverted circadian rhythm. She has FTT (failure to thrive) and she's had 18 surgeries to correct scoliosis. She continues to need surgery every 5-6 months to lengthen the VEPTR that is inside her back.

webmd.com

"Common symptoms include, distinctive facial features, skeletal malformations,...... Sleep disturbances, and self-injurious behaviors." 

As you can see, SMS is very complex. My one post can't even begin to describe what my Leah goes through on a daily basis.

I have to end this for now. But, I really hope that this has been informative.

Following are some links that you can research more about SMS if you so choose.

HELP US GET THE WORD OUT AND RAISE AWARENESS!!!!

Chromosome disorder outreach, inc.
www.chromosomedisorder.org/cdo/

Prisms (Parents and Researchers interested in Smith magenis Syndrome)

www.prisms.org

Smith-Magenis Syndrome Foundation

www.smith-magenis.co.uk/

Genetic and rare diseases information center (GARD)

http//rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/

The Arc

www.thearc.org

Thank you for making the time to read this. Please share it with others and help us get the word out!

Bre Shafer

LIVER DETOX

So, after finding out that I have a damaged liver from my years of medication, And recent tests showing that my liver is not healing itself. I decided to take matters into my own hands. With a liver detox drink. GAG!!!!!
I am going to post the recipe to this drink below.

Now, I have found that I cannot stomach it with just water. So, I started using Apple Juice and it's much more doable that way.  Although I don't like the sugar content it works.

Also, I am taking a clove of garlic a day just like I would a pill and baking soda foot soaks.

afterwards I noticed that my fingertips were blackened. (Looking like I had my hand in mascara) and the same with my toes. A good sign that it's trying to draw out heavy metals. However, that means I have too many heavy metals in my system.  UGH.

So, we continue the detox!!!!!

The Truth Behind Halloween

Well, here we are. Another Halloween upon us and millions of "Christians" will be out celebrating a holiday of which they know nothing about (Or simply don't care). 
We follow in "vain traditions" of which we know only that it is what everyone else does.

"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” Colossians 2:8 KJB

Would you get in a car with a stranger and blindly follow wherever they are going if everyone else was doing it?  I would certainly hope not. But, society has such a sheep mentality that we don't research anything for ourselves. We simply FOLLOW. And we are following the WOLVES not the Shepherd.

^"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." Matthew 7:15

Did you know that Halloween (Before it was accepted as an HOLIDAY in general) was called "Samhain" or "Festival of the dead" ? Did you know that? Most don't.
I want to share with you an excerpt from wicca.com......

"Samhain, (pronounced SOW-in, SAH-vin, or SAM-hayne) means “End of Summer”, and is the third and final Harvest. The dark winter half of the year commences on this Sabbat.
It is generally celebrated on October 31st, but some traditions prefer November 1st. It is one of the two “spirit-nights” each year, the other being Beltane. It is a magical interval when the mundane laws of time and space are temporarily suspended, and the Thin Veil between the worlds is lifted. Communicating with ancestors and departed loved ones is easy at this time, for they journey through this world on their way to the Summerlands. It is a time to study the Dark Mysteries and honor the Dark Mother and the Dark Father, symbolized by the Crone and her aged Consort.
Originally the “Feast of the Dead” was celebrated in Celtic countries by leaving food offerings on altars and doorsteps for the “wandering dead”. Today a lot of practitioners still carry out that tradition. Single candles were lit and left in a window to help guide the spirits of ancestors and loved ones home. Extra chairs were set to the table and around the hearth for the unseen guest. Apples were buried along roadsides and paths for spirits who were lost or had no descendants to provide for them. Turnips were hollowed out and carved to look like protective spirits, for this was a night of magic and chaos. The Wee Folke became very active, pulling pranks on unsuspecting humans. Traveling after dark was was not advised. People dressed in white (like ghosts), wore disguises made of straw, or dressed as the opposite gender in order to fool the Nature spirits."

WHOA, Some people take this thing seriously. I mean it's not just some random day where we go get candy. 

Have you looked around at how people are dressed up? (I don't have a problem with dressing up. I do have a problem with dressing as the "dark world")

Halloween didn't become widely accepted until the Catholic church decided to make it a "Christian " holiday.

You may ask "Why, would a church want to make such a wicked day into an accepted church holiday?"

Here is why. 

Pope Gregory the First in 601 A.D decided to send a letter to his then group of catholic missionaries stating that instead of doing away with heathen practices and customs, instead to consecrate it to Christ and make it a "Christian" tradition.  Instead of cutting down a tree or monument that the people worshiped, we would now say "It's blessed and of God." And therefore continue to worship it under a different guise.

When I hear of this, I think of when Jesus overturned the tables in the temples......

“And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,” Matthew 21:12 KJB

If Pope Gregory's now wildly accepted decree to just bless what the heathen are doing and it's all fine is the correct way to handle the customs of this world, I have to wonder why Jesus didn't just bless the selling of merchandise in HIS church.  I mean, If the Pope was really right (And millions think he is all across the world.) Then, why didn't Jesus practice the same thing? 

God himself said through Jeremiah....

“Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.” Jeremiah 10:2 KJB

That sounds an awful lot like the complete OPPOSITE of what the Pope declared.

Did you know that traditionally "Samhain" (Now Halloween) was a time of human and animal sacrifice? 

According to the May 1977 issue of the National Geographic Samhain was a time when "First Borns were sacrificed."

To the Druids (According to Bill Schnoebelen Occult expert) worshipped the sun god who they called by names like "Bel" (Ba'al).

The following is a small excerpt from Bill himself

"Druids worshiped the sun god, called by names like Bel (Ba’al?) or Chrom. On October 31, they believed that he died and went into the kingdom of the dead, Anwynn. The purpose of Samhain was to insure his return. Even witches admit this involved human sacrifice.
Both animal and human blood were believed to be needed to resurrect Bel on Samhain. Human blood was believed to open the gates of Anwynn and released the spirits for a night. Thus, October 31 came to be associated with ghosts. This is not just history. Samhain is still celebrated by Pagans and is the most solemn ceremony on their “religious calendar”.

Ghosts, witches, vampires....... They aren't just fun fictional characters. NO, they are very real. They are everything that is opposite of our Saviour.

Lots of "small" traditions that we associate with Halloween have HUGE meaning behind them. Even the pumpkins that we carve and set out for fun have a meaning.
The following is also from Bill
"Here it’s a pumpkin, but in Europe it was often a turnip, or a skull with a candle in it. This serves two symbols, 1) the lord of the Dead, a “god” just like a Buddha – in short, an idol. 2) The fearsome face represented the god, Samhain, who would drive off less powerful demons that night. The lights in the Jack-o-Lantern symbolize the “faery fires” or “Will’o the Wisps” which were believed to be the lost souls flitting through the night. They also hearken back to the huge Samhain “balefires” which were lit to help conjure back the god from the darkness."
If you have done any driving at all in the last month, I'm sure you've seen the carved pumpkins, scary faces and even some with candles in them.  Most, of these people have no idea what they are inviting into their homes.
Another tradition coming from the Druids is dressing up and trick or treating.
This is from cbn.com......
"For example, among the ancient Druids, “The ghosts that were thought to throng about the houses of the living were greeted with a banquet-laden table. At the end of the feast, masked and costumed villagers representing the souls of the dead paraded to the outskirts of town leading the ghosts away.”
As already noted, Halloween was thought to be a night when mischievous and evil spirits roamed freely. As in modern poltergeist lore, mischievous spirits could play tricks on the living—so it was advantageous to “hide” from them by wearing costumes. Masks and costumes were worn to either scare away the ghosts or to keep from being recognized by them:
In Ireland especially, people thought that ghosts and spirits roamed after dark on Halloween. They lit candles or lanterns to keep the spirits away, and if they had to go outside, they wore costumes and masks to frighten the spirits or to keep from being recognized by these unearthly beings"

Well, you take away the pumpkins, dress-up and trick or treating.... Halloween becomes kind of lame.

So, what if you are doing this just for fun? What if you aren't a pagan and you don't even "mean it like that?"  What if you still don't see the issue with a little "fun" on a day when everyone else is doing it?
Well then, that's your business. That is between you and God. But, I do want you to remember a few scriptures.
"But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of immorality." Rev 2:14

"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the LORD, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you," 2 Cor 6:17

You've been presented with the facts of this wicked day. You have been given scripture. Please don't let this fall on deaf ears.
After being presented with these facts keep in mind that it is a sin to celebrate the works of Satan. And once you know of it, you will be held accountable.

^"Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." James 4:17

This is not going to be a well received post. I know that for a fact. However, I hope each and every one of you know that I have posted this in love and concern for each of you.
I pray that each of my readers will open themselves up to God and at least seek Him a little more after reading this and repent of their past or their intentions.



Bre Shafer

He's Holding My Hand

This week has been beyond trying and when I woke up this morning, I seriously thought things couldn't get much worse. Funny how the human brain works. Comparing problems of yesterday to the better times and never thinking about the fact that things could get worse. 
Well, I made a post on Facebook this morning saying something along the lines of "When you lose everything and everyone, you learn quickly that Jesus is all you need. Take the world and give me Jesus."
I wrote that and never thought another thing about it, Until I got a bad phone call and spent literally an hour weeping. And it hit me how blessed I am. How far God has brought me since 2015.
In 2015 had I gotten that call, or gone through what we are going through now, I would have grabbed the closest knife, box cutter or anything and sliced my arms. I would have popped a pain pill to numb the pain and downed a 6 pack of alcohol all in one setting. 
You see, I didn't have Christ by my side through anything in 2015. Not because He didn't want to be there. But, because I had done a fine job of pushing Him away and letting Him know that my plans and ways of handling stress was far better than His ways.
Today, After getting that phone call, I pulled out my Bible and poured over Gods word instead of harming myself. Instead of trying to fix my problems my way.  I don't have any new scars to show for the pain I feel. Instead I feel a strange since of peace in my heart, knowing that I am not the one in control. God is.

While I was reading my Bible and weeping like I have never done before. God showed me a verse in Isaiah 41:13

"For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee."

How powerful is that?  Instead of weeping, I am now thanking God. Because in the face of adversity. In the face of pain and heartache, God still has my hand. He's not going anywhere even tho so many others have left.
I am so thankful that God doesn't hold my past mistakes over my head like others seem to do. But, instead God uses these times to hold me and pull me closer to Him.
I could get angry and bitter at God or, I can draw closer to God as He draws closer to me.
I can say as king Hezekiah said when he found out that the Babylonians were about to take all that he had in Isaiah 39.

"Good is the word of the Lord which thou hast spoken...."  ISAIAH 39:8

I will choose to hold that hand that is outstretched and waiting for me to take it.  He alone gives me strength to face today AND tomorrow and the days' after that as well.

HE IS MY ABBA FATHER.

"Now therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. "2 Tim 2:3

Bre Shafer

Grandmother Bread

This is the only bread recipe that I use. Easy to follow and turns out perfect every time.  Not my recipe but I have to share it.

Grandmother Bread

Two-loaf standard recipe
3 cups warm water
1 tablespoon yeast (1 packet)
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup sugar
7 cups all-purpose flour

One-loaf standard recipe
1 1/2 cups warm water
1 teaspoon yeast
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sugar
3 1/2 cups flour





In a large bowl, combine water, yeast, sugar, and salt. Let sit five minutes. Stir in first three cups of flour with a heavy spoon. Add the next cup of flour a little at a time as needed, stirring until dough becomes too stiff to continue stirring easily. Add a little more flour and begin kneading. The amount of flour is approximate–your mileage may vary! Continue adding flour and kneading until the dough is smooth and elastic. Let dough rise in a greased, covered bowl until doubled. (Usually, about an hour.) Uncover bowl; sprinkle in a little more flour and knead again before dividing in half. With floured hands, shape dough into loaves and place in two greased loaf pans. Tear off two pieces of waxed paper and grease with oil spray (to prevent it from sticking to the loaves as they rise) and cover loaf pans. Let rise till loaves are tall and beautiful! (About an hour, depending on the temperature in your kitchen.)
Bake for 25 minutes in a preheated 350-degree oven.

"Tomato Butter"

Fall is unofficially here. The smell of pumpkin spice, apple pie, hot chocolate. The beautiful leaves changing colors before they begin to fall and bless us with a bountiful supply of endless fun to jump in and create memories with the children. 
My absolute FAVORITE? I can now run the oven without burning us all out of the house. In fact, the only thing that happens is we don't have to run the heat as much. 
Fresh veggies and fruits are being given to us by friends who are harvesting their gardens, fresh bread is constantly in the oven, new recipes being tried, and once again.... MORE MEMORIES are being made. I mean, no childhood is complete without memories of gathering around the table at dinner time with mom and dad and discussing the days happenings. Or, helping mama make a batch of bread (Home Economic for us home schoolers).
I seem to wait all year for this time of the year to come around. MY FAVORITE SEASON OF THE YEAR. Hard to find anything to complain about.
Today I made some fresh bread and tried a new recipe of Tomato Butter. (I didn't follow the recipe and made it my own AS USUAL)  So, I hope you enjoy it.

2 cups of tomatoes (Or Pint of cherry/grape tomatoes)
1 cup of unsalted butter (2 sticks)
1/4 tsp garlic powder (half clove )
1/4 tsp onion powder
1.5 tsp thyme.
1/4tsp pepper

broil the tomatoes for 6-8 mins until the tomatoes start to release their juices.  Let tomatoes cool to room temp.
Combine broiled tomatoes, thyme, garlic, onion powder and pepper in a food processor fitted with blade attachment. Pulse about 10 times, until tomatoes are finally chopped. Cut the butter into 1-inch cubes and add it to the food processor. Process until the butter is completely mixed in with the tomato mixture, about 30 seconds, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed for blending.

The tomato butter can be used immediately or placed in the refrigerator for a couple of hours to firm up first.

Will last in fridge up to one week. Or freezer up to 3 months.

"Blessed Inspite Of This Worlds Pain"

Recently, we received news that didn't fit into the picture that we had planned out for our future.  Just like many times in the past, we were told that there is a possibility of another diagnoses for our daughter looming over our head.  After each diagnoses I always say "I can't take any more. But, Gods grace is sufficient for this one."  Last nights news hit me hard, I won't lie. I won't pretend to be the "Ever Godly, ever strong, super mom" that is easy to come across as on social media.
Many tears were shed, and emotions were high. So many "What ifs?" And other questions...
But, as I lay in bed last night I got to thinking about Job and how much he lost. How blessed I am to get to raise my children, have a roof above my head and food in my cupboards.
Job lost EVERYTHING. And I mean everything. His friends, his children, his wife, his cattle and everything. 
I'm sure he would have done anything for one more day with any of his children. No matter what. Whether they had a diagnoses that wasn't expected.

There is so much in life that is unexpected.  Yet, we are blessed beyond measure.
We often look at the negative in life. Fail to look at the positive. 
How much better off we would be if we made a list of all of the blessings each and every day and focused on those, instead of focusing on the negatives.


One of my favorite songs below.

I Have Been Blessed

1.Whe He moves among us all that He does , all of His mercy and all of His Love.

And the pen of the writher could write everyday,even this world could never contain how

i have been blessed.

 

2.The warmth in the winter, the flowers in Spring, the laughter in Summner, and the

changing leavesl

 

CHORUS:

I have been blessed, God

s so good to me. Precious are His thoughts of you and me. No way I could count them, there's not enough time. So I'll just thank Him for being so kind. God has been good, so good. I have been blessed.

 

3.Arms that will raise, a voice that can talk, hands that can touch and legs that can walk,

ears that can listen, eyes that can see. Oh, I've got to praise Him as long as I breathe, I have been blessed.

 

4.I have been blessed, God's so good to me, precious are His thoughts of you and me.

No way I oculd cound them, there's not enough time. So, I'll just thank Him for being so kind. God has been so good, I have been blessed.

 

5.We live in a country, the greatest on earth. Our flag stands for freedom, and what it is worth. She stands in the harbor, Miss Liberty calls. All have gave some, but some gave all. For me to be blessed

 

6.He's my shoulder to lean on when I'm down. The rock where He leads me when I'm overwhelmed. The place where He hides me under His wings. He's not just a song. Hi's the reason I sing. I have been blessed

Bre Shafer

"Musings From My Time Away With God." Hosea 4

Do you have a time set aside to focus on spending time with God?
For me, that time is after I get both children laid down for naps. About the only time I can enjoy the silence and concentrate on time in His word.
Today, I was doing just that. Reading in the book of Hosea. A book that isn't that common to read. In fact, even I have a hard time finding it when the Preacher says "Turn to Hosea... For our Bible reading this morning/evening." And I can't say that's something I am proud of at all.... But, here I am on a rabbit trail....
Anyway, the book of Hosea is about the sins and filth of Israel (Gods People).. How they had taken to sins that were horrible even in today's day and age. (Hard to believe I know.)  Chapter 4:6 says
"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I also will reject thee....."
We see there that He IS talking about HIS people. Not the heathen. But, His people ISRAEL.
That becomes important in just a moment.  Also notice, that they lacked knowledge in the first part of that verse. But, why did they lack knowledge?  It, wasn't because they hadn't been taught right from wrong.  It wasn't because they didn't have the mental ability to understand and receive that knowledge. Was it? NO.
If you read a few verses before that. Verse 4 talks about how they are as people that strive against priests. YIKES. That in and of itself is very dangerous. 
But the reason they lacked knowledge was because they HAD been taught right from wrong and they shut their eyes and ears. They REJECTED it. They refused to hear it. Wanted nothing to do with the ways of God. 
Verse 6 is hardly the verse that stuck out to me. Although it has such deep meaning in and of itself.
Chapter 4:10 is the one that got me.
"For they shall eat, and not have enough: they shall commit whoredom, and shall not increase: because they have left off to take heed to the Lord."
I found it interesting to note the contrast between Psalm 37:25
"I have been young and now am old; yet have I not seen the RIGHTEOUS forsaken, nor his seed begging bread." (Emphasis mine) And Hosea 4:10.
Both Passages are clearly speaking of God's people. The Psalmist is speaking of the child of God who is living in close fellowship with God. (Living Righteously) God Takes care of those living for Him.
In Hosea sin has taken over. (by choice of each individual) God who cannot even look on sin has turned His back on His children. (Take note that nowhere in this passage does God DISOWN His people. Turning ones back, punishing is far different than disowning) 
By choosing sin Gods people have cut off the hand that supplied all of their needs. Emotional, Spiritual and Physical. 
Too many people take Psalm 37:25 and use it as a crutch. Like we tend to do with a lot of scripture. We take out the word "righteous" (Well, we may say it. But, it really has no meaning) We expect God to meet all of our needs in every area just because we are His child. Just because we are a born again Christian.
In reality, nobody can live however they want and get away with it. There will always be consequences.  
How do you restore that relationship with Christ when you are already a born again Christian?
There is but one way. Turn from your wicked way. REPENT of that sin that doth so easily beset you.
simply praying and asking for the desire for that sin to be taken from you, isn't enough. It doesn't work that way. Certainly prayer helps. But, you have to make the first step. You yourself need to turn. Throw the cigs away, the porn away, ditch the drugs, pour the liquor down the drain, move out of the house that you are living in with your boyfriend/girlfriend until you are married......
Any sin can be overcome. And yes, I mean addiction, alcoholism, porn... No matter how big the sin. You can repent and be forgiven. That relationship needs to be nurtured and restored daily and sometimes on a minute to minute basis.  YOU CAN BE FORGIVEN AND YOU CAN HAVE THAT SWEET RELATIONSHIP AND WALK WITH JESUS CHRIST!

Maybe this was just a little bit of a DUH moment for me. But, I'd never seen this passage and it spoke to me. I just wanted to take a few moments and share what I had learned.


^"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us."
Hebrews 12:1




Bre Shafer

"Can I Be Trusted?" (The Godly Wife. Pt 3)

"The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. "
Proverbs 31:11-12

What do you think of when you read those verses? There are certainly a lot of possibilities when it comes to trust.

I am sure that there are no right or wrong answers. In fact, a lot depends on certain circumstances within each couples marriage. (Within biblical principals of course)

With each generation, certain things have become more and more of an issues. What was once kept behind closed bedroom doors is now publically displayed in the way we dress and the way we speak outside of the bedroom.

What was once only conversation for ones husband (Okay and the gossips of the town) now has a much broader platform. THANK YOU SOCIAL MEDIA.

I'm not going to harp on any one of these issues as being "wrong" in and of themselves. As, I believe that everything has it's time and purpose. I do however want to ask you one question.....

Can you be trusted? Not just on the outside. Not just for a few minutes.... Can you truly be trusted by your husband.  Forget your girlfriends, your children, your Sunday School class. Ask yourself that one question while placing yourself in your husbands shoes as we continue through this for the next few minutes.

When my husband and I were first married, I was very hot tempered. If he said something I didn't like, There was one place I took everything.... FACEBOOK.  Every time we had a disagreement, he had to work one of his long 7 days a week, 12 hr shifts. Literally anything he did that I didn't like. (Same things he did that I doted over when we were dating.) Went on Facebook.
Eventually it started to drive a little wedge into our marriage.  He'd stop talking to me. Wouldn't tell me how his day was at work, spent most of his days in the garage...... And again I found comfort in Facebook and other sources.
This went on for almost 2 years. A vicious cycle.. 
Why? I had easy access to Facebook. I prioritized social media over my marriage and my husband.  Why did my husband stop talking to me? Because he could no longer trust me.
If I stopped for a moment and placed myself in his shoes, I wouldn't have trusted him either. I wouldn't have wanted to tell him anything I thought, did or even dreamed. Why would I tell him my future goals. I mean.. If something that was only meant for his ears was potentially going to end up in front of a whole audience of strangers just because he was "bothered" with me..
Is that a problem for you?
I know it is for many, many ladies. We fall into the trap of "nobody to talk to" and grasp at straws hoping that someone will listen on social media.
The problem is, someone always is listening, watching... Your husband is.
Are you raising him up? Or, are you tearing him down by posting every little issue on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or whatever other social media platform is there?  Are you tearing him down to your friends and neighbors?
Even if your husband isn't seeing or listening, God is.  Who's getting the glory in what you are saying and doing each day?

I know there certainly wasn't much scripture here. But, when I read these 2 verses the rough patch that my husband and I went through because of my foolish desire for approval from people who do not matter.
In so doing almost costing me my marriage.
Please, don't make the mistake that I made. 
Strive to have the heart of your husband safely trusting you in all that you do.  It's work. But, God wouldn't have it in there if it was impossible. 

"But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."
Matthew 19:26


Bre Shafer

"Vacation Bible School Night One"

SUCCESS!!! Summed up in one word.
WOW, what a night.  The willingness and open hearts to learn was amazing.  And the heart and spirit of the evening was just...... WOW, is all I've got.  Well, Besides a lot of pictures.
And, I am going to leave it at that. The pictures sum up the fun of the evening.

The teens enjoyed shooting marshmallows with their "marshmallow guns" . Which is what they are doing in a few of the pictures. As well as what my husband is doing.
The one picture is of my little mans class (Joshua Jr) playing their outdoor games.
And of course the last picture is both of my children ready of VBS.

Please continue to pray for all of us as we continue this week.



Galatians 6:9
"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."


Bre Shafer

A Day Spent In Gods House

As we close out yet another Sunday, I thought I would share a little bit of how our day has been.
Ups and downs as usual. Serving God is never promised to be a smooth day. And our days usually represent that just fine. LOL

We started by getting up and around early enough to get to Sunday School on time.

By the time we got half way to church (15 minutes away and still 15 minutes away from church.) I realized we had not given Leah any of her morning meds. Since one of her meds is a blood pressure med, the dose cannot be skipped or it could be very dangerous. So, back home we go. 

By the time we got all that squared away and back to church. We had missed Sunday school. STRIKE ONE. But one can only look at It in a positive way. What may have happened had we continued on our path this morning? Was God protecting us from something? Or, was there a lesson to be learned? You know, like PLAN AHEAD BETTER!!😊

Morning service went well and was a message that both Joshua and I will be putting into practice as we strive to "train up our children".  Little man who's been learning to sit during church had a rough morning in his class. A little too active shall we say?

Through the afternoon we had a few more rough issues and back to church. This time with grandma. :) Which the children loved.  And Leah DID NOT want to go to nursery tonight.

Do Sunday's usually go like this? NOPE. But, today was one of those days.

We are not perfect. No day is smooth sailing. And I just wanted to show that we are not that perfect put together family. But, even in the midst of a rough day with one issue after another.... You can and should keep going.

Our series on "The Godly Wife" is going to be put on hold until Friday. (Unless I find a few extra minutes before then.) Vacation Bible school is starting this tomorrow and this week is going to be a mad house.

I will share as many pictures as I can.



Following is a few extra pictures from today.
The children had their first motorcycle ride today. (only past the building and only as fast as you can walk.) But, they were thrilled.

Leah's Church Outfit today. (Her hair was done.) WAS being the key word.

Joshua riding the motorcycle with daddy.

Leah riding the motorcycle with daddy.

Praying you had a blessed weekend.

Bre Shafer

"What Is My Worth? (The Godly Wife Pt 2) "

 Yesterday, I spoke a little bit about the order of the home and becoming a "Help Meet" to your husband. Perhaps jumping the gun a little bit, considering the direction I plan on taking this series. (I say plan very lightly. Knowing that God can take it in any direction He so chooses.)
Today, I want to want to start in Proverbs 31. Perhaps the most well known passage to Christian ladies. But, the least understood passage alike.  I am not going to claim to understand this passage any more than the next person. However, I am going to go on a journey to understand this passage one verse at a time and I invite you to join me on this journey.

Proverbs 31:10
"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies."

What does Virtuous mean?  Strong's concordance sums it up as "good morals or Strength." In other words, we as the "Weaker Vessel" are supposed to be Strong with good morals. Strong in our faith with good character and set in what we believe.  (There are many other definitions and I encourage you to dig deeper.)
I think we all have a pretty good picture of what "Virtue" is. And that idea in our head will continue to grow as we continue our search through the chapter.
What I really want to focus on here is the last portion of the verse.
"For her price is far above rubies."  What does that mean to you?
I think most of us, if we stopped to think about it, would stand in awe. Right?  I mean, really stop and think about the power of those words.  We as women have fought to have as many rights as man has. We've fought to be able to work, to join the military, to vote, to wear what the men wear. You name it, if a guy can do it. A woman can now do it too. 
What started that?  A woman who thought she had no worth. A woman who wasn't happy in her home, doing what God intended her to do. She felt worthless no doubt.  (Granted we don't know if she was saved. And that plays a huge role. ) Ultimately I am not talking about her. I am trying to make you think about YOU.
A great majority of women today are unhappy with themselves and feel as if they are not doing enough. We tend to feel like we are failing at life because we are always "stuck at home". Doing nothing but talking to babies all day or changing diapers.
Did you know that according to the ADAA (Anxiety and Depression Association of America) in August of 2016. Anxiety disorders were affecting 40 million Americans (which is roughly 18% of the population) and women are TWICE as likely to suffer from anxiety and depression disorders then men are? And those are only the reported cases. I can't tell you how many ladies I know who are afraid to see a doctor because of the stigma that goes a long with it.
Do you really think that is how God intended it?  Do you really think God intended for us to be so depressed and upset with our daily duties that we just feel like we can't go on? 
Society has made us feel like our place is no longer in the home. Those of us who do stay at home and take care of our families are made to feel like we are brow beaten wives of slave driving husbands. And often we let that get to our heads.  The shows on television are no help. Often portraying the husbands as idiots or slave drivers.
Ladies, may I remind you that YOU ARE WORTH SO MUCH MORE THAN WHAT THIS WORLD SAYS YOU ARE.  You have got to pick yourself up and start over. Pull yourself up out of your slump and throw yourself at the feet of Jesus.
You have to remember Psalm 16:8
"I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved."

Who are you serving? This isn't the worlds house. You are serving in Gods house. This little (or large) dwelling place here on earth is Gods house. Every little thing you do is for God. Even if it seems like you are alone and everything goes unseen. You still serve a risen Savior who sees every step you take and every item of clothing you fold, every diaper you change, every dirty dish you wash. He see's it all.

Dear sister in Christ let me remind you of your worth. You truly are worth more than great riches here on earth.  You can't be paid here on earth with cash, or coins. Their wouldn't be enough to meet your worth.

Smile, look up and not down. You have no reason to be ashamed. When someone asks what you do, look them proudly in the eye and tell them "I am a stay at home wife/mom." You've earned that title. God gave you that title. You have no reason to bow your head in shame because the world ridicules you. They are the ones that should be ashamed not you. Let them look on in awe as you serve your family and our God.

Philippians 4:6-7

"Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 

And the peace of God which passeth all understanding , shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. "

Bre Shafer

"What Is Your Roll In Your Home As A Godly Wife?" pt 1

The question was recently posed in a group I follow how ones husband "refuses to lead the home." the wife had come to that conclusion because she was the one teaching the children the bible during the day. What followed along in the comments really got my wheels turning in my head.  Most ladies came to the same conclusion, (their husbands were not doing their God given duty to lead the home because they {the wives} were being left to homeschool, do morning devotions, discipline while the husband was at work.) And they felt that by doing all of that during the day, that automatically made them the "spiritual leader" of the home. 
I must say I was shocked by the general censuses here in a Christian group of ladies. And with that being said, I want to take a few minutes and share my thoughts. (If I am wrong, Please feel free to share your thoughts kindly in the comments. Backed with scripture please if you can.) 

There is a specific order that God designed for the household. And it has to be followed for the home to be run smoothly.
God
Husband
Wife
Children.

Gen 1:27
"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him..." 

Right there you see the order in which they were made. God was already here. God made man in who's image? He made man higher than the animals. He certainly didn't look at the wandering tigers and say he created them in his image. He created MAN in his image.

Man needed a help meet. NOT someone who was above him to tell him what to do or to be the leader.  A help meet.
Genesis 2:18
"And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him."
Strong's concordance explains Help Meet as coming from the Hebrew word Azar which means "help". 
Webster's Dictionary defines "help" as (give assistance or support).  or (to make more pleasant or bearable)
Wow, How often are we actually a true biblical helpmeet to our husbands? 😕  Not just a help meet by this worlds standards.  What is a help meet by this worlds standards anyway? Is there even such a thing? Looks to me like more often than not marriage is nothing more than roommates with a marriage certificate.

How can you be a biblical Help Meet to your husband?  Let me just throw out a few off the wall ideas that have worked for us and others who have been married WAY longer than myself.  I encourage you to leave your ideas in the comments as well.

{1} Have your husbands work clothes sitting out the night before. (Trust me, even this small gesture will seem huge.)

{2} Be dressed and ready to meet him when he walks in the door. (Yes even if he works 2nd or 3rd shift) I understand it's sometimes impossible with young children in the home. However, the days you can't will make the days that you can all the more special. After all how much effort did you put into readying yourself to see him?  Try it and watch his eyes sparkle. (Okay, it may take a few times for him to notice. After all, they don't notice EVERYTHING. )

{3} Don't bombard him with how horrible the children were, how rough the day was, or how much money just went out the window with bills as soon as he walks in the door. 
Sure, you've had a rough day as well. I know that. Yes, you want a breather. But, do does he. There is a time to relax. A time to talk about the stresses of the day. It's not as soon as the door opens and he walks in. Greet him with a kiss and a smile. Encourage the children to do so as well. (If you have children.)

{4} Be available.  We've grown accustomed to a society full of technology. We always, have a phone in our face, computer open or headphones in our ears. Even if it's something God honoring that is on we can still be forsaking our God given duties as a wife. Does your husband seem stressed or unusually short tempered? Perhaps he has something on his mind but we aren't available enough for him to feel comfortable enough to open up and talk about it.
We can so easily shut our family out (especially our husbands) without even meaning to by becoming lost in our own little world.
And if technology isn't your thing, maybe it's books, journaling, or anything else that you are into.

{5} Love on him. Don't be afraid to love on him. Yes, he may be one tough cookie. He may seem like a gruff bear. But, I promise every guy on the inside turns into a teddy bear. (This is for the newly weds) If you've been married any amount of time I'm sure you have figured this out. If not, TRY IT.

I am so not done on this topic. But, I feel like I have touched on enough for today. I know what I touched on today didn't help with where I started at. By the time I am done with the series of posts, hopefully it will though. God took this in a different direction after I had planned out a whole many thoughts and verses on Proverbs 31. So, I'm sure someone needed this and this is where we went.

Have a blessed day friends and may God bless you all.

Numbers 6:24-26
"The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:
The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. "

Bre Shafer

"Does Take The Meat and Spit Out the Bones Apply to the Bible?"

Have you ever noticed how you can mention any kind of an opinion on Facebook, Twitter or any other type of Social media outlet and as long as it's a liberal opinion you are set to go. You can watch the "likes" and comments climb. Sometimes in a matter of minutes. However, post anything that goes against the flow of society today and not only don't you get those "likes". The comments you are getting are down right hateful. Why? Because the bible teaches Christians to be "all loving and non judgemental." (or so they would have us to believe.  And in a sense that is correct. (Again, that is for another day and another post. :) )
What I want to talk about for a moment is this idea of only obeying a portion of the scriptures. And ignoring the rest.  
Why do we even do that? Oh, and yes I said "we" look in the mirror. I'm sure everyone of us can pinpoint at least one area in our lives where we have slacked for one reason or another. Maybe it's in forgiveness (because lets face it, Forgiveness isn't easy. )  Or in how we dress, church attendance.... Any number of things.  It doesn't even have to be drastic.  In a Christians life we look at the outside world and judge by the homosexuals and the alcoholics and all of the drastic sins (which certainly do require talking about). While hardly ever stopping to take a look at our own sins.  Inadvertently (or on purpose sometimes) taking what we want out of the bible, and doing away with the harder portions for us to live out.  
How do we ever expect a lost and fallen world to listen to us if we won't even take all of Gods word and obey? If we can't obey the very words of our Lord, we certainly can't expect a fallen, unsaved world to believe that they should. Right?
Matthew 7:3-5
"And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brothers eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 
Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye."

The Bible talks a lot about changing Gods word, or taking away from Gods word. But, there is one passage in particular that I am going to use tonight.  And that is Revelation 22:18-19
"For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
And if any man shall take away from the words of this book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. "

YIKES. That should answer any questions about spitting out the bones. Right?  But, what bones are there anyway?
Doesn't the Psalmist say that His words have been purified as by fire 7 times?
Psalm 12:6
"The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in an earthen furnace, purified seven times."

WOW, Have you ever seen silver be refined? Let alone 7 times?  I dare you to look it up on youtube. Or even find someone nearby and watch it done. It's pretty amazing.

If we want to be a good Christian example for the unsaved around us, as well as live out the scripture WORD FOR WORD.  We need to first get to know the word.
John 1:1
"In the beginning was the word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. "

Do you have an in depth personal relationship with God?  You can't live out every word that He spoke if you don't first get to know Him, and have the Holy Spirit living within you.
The Word won't even make sense to you unless the Holy Spirit speaks to you. and you need Him living inside you.

I feel like I wandered a little off topic on this one. But, hopefully I stayed close enough to topic to still get the point across.
Stay blessed my friends.


Bre Shafer

"Do You Know Where You Will Be After You Die?"

How You Can KNOW That You Are Going To Heaven

The Bible tells us that we can know that we have an eternal home in Heaven.

I John 5:13 – “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life…”

1. Realize That God Loves You

God loves you and has a plan for your life.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16

2. Realize That You Are A Sinner

Our sins have separated ALL of us (including you) from God.

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” – Romans 3:23

God made man in His own image. He gave man the ability to choose right from wrong. We choose to sin. Our sins keep us from God.

3. Realize That Sin Must Be Paid For

“For the wages of sin is death…” – Romans 6:23

Wages means payment. The payment of our sin is death and hell, separation from God forever. If we continue in our sin, we shall die without Christ and be without God forever.

4. Realize That Christ Died To Pay For Your Sins

All of our sins were laid on Christ on the cross. He paid our sin debt for us. The Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross, and He arose from the dead. He is alive forevermore.

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8

5. Receive Christ By Faith As Your Personal Savior

You can pray and ask Christ to save you…and He will! It is not the prayer that saves, but believing and meaning it in your heart. A Sinner’s Prayer: “Lord, I know that I am a sinner. If I died today, I would not go to heaven. Forgive my sin, come into my life and be my Savior. Help me live for you from this day forward. In Jesus Name, Amen.”

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” – Romans 10:13

If you would like to discuss this or you have questions feel free to message me. I would love to hear from you either way.

Bre Shafer