Annual Check up

While visiting my youngest daughter she asked how Grandma was doing.  I replied, "Well she is slowing down but you never know, I might go before she does."

My daughter gruffly spoke up and said to me - - - “Take that back, mother, take that back right now.”

I could see from the glare in her eyes that she was serious. I knew that words can open doors that you wish were not opened. I quickly said, yes, I am sorry and I do take it back -- and I made a declaration, "I shall live and not die."

My daughter then spoke to me about life and death is in the power of the tongue and the power of words and how we should be careful what we say

I knew she was right and I determined to set a new watch before my mouth.

I went home and soon after I was scheduled to have my annual physical at my HMO.  The Dr said, I am going to refer you to Woman's Health because it has been some time since you had an appointment in that department.

Dutifully I made the appointment and several weeks later I showed up for the exam. The Doctor did the usual exam and found a sore spot under my arm that I did not know was there.  He asked me to go for a mammogram and also he would schedule an ultra sound.  He said that he suspected a mass and wanted to be sure.

A few days later on a Thursday I received a phone call to come in for the ultra sound the next Monday.

Well I had all week end to keep my mind off the sore spot and not think about anything bad.

I wondered if I had opened a door for trouble. NO I had repented quickly and took all my negative words back.  I tried not to think what it might be.

Finally on Sunday, I was praying and I told the Lord, “If it is something that should not be there, I will just take authority over it and tell it to leave.”

Then the Lord spoke to me: He said, "Hazel there is nothing there." I said, "OH, thank you Jesus."

Well we went the next day for the ultra sound and I showed the technician where the sore spot was so she could get a good test. Soon she came back and her words were, "There is nothing there." Neither the mammogram or the ultra sound showed anything that should not be there.

As we left my husband asked me how did it go? I told him what the Lord had said to me and he said, "Yes, I knew that would be it -- nothing.

Isn't God Good?

Easy Pound Cake

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With Strawberries in season, I bake my vanilla pound cake instead of using the store bought small cake cups. It is simple and easy to make and the taste is so good !!

This recipe was discovered on a box of Betty Crocker Cake mix, but I haven’t seen it again and it has been years, so I am glad I saved it from the box.

You can use any flavor cake mix to make this delicious and effortless pound cake. It does not crumble like cake usually does, and I have even served it as a breakfast treat.

When I take one of these cakes to a church fellowship, it always goes before the store bought goodies, I am happy to share this secret recipe. (It must be a secret because Betty Crocker doesn’t print it anymore.)

We love the chocolate version and you can add chocolate chips to it if you like.

image courtesy Photobucket

I often bake a chocolate and a white cake each in their separate pans. I have cut them both in half and have taken the two versions to my church fellowship on one cake plate. The other halves went into the freezer for another time.

One lady asked me, “How did you keep the vanilla and the chocolate separate while you baked them?

I laughed and told her my secret is to bake two different cakes and cut them in half. I think I embarrassed her, but she didn’t seem to mind.

Here is my uncomplicated recipe: Enjoy

Pound Cake (Any Flavor)

1 package Super Moist Betty Crocker Cake Mix
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1 cup mayonnaise (or optional, instead use 1 cup sour cream)

Grease or oil a 12 cup bunt or angel food pan and heat oven to 350 degrees.
Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix gently for 30 seconds. Then beat for two minutes. Pour into your pan and bake 50 to 55 minutes or until cake springs back at the touch.

Cool and invert on a wire rack or on a cake plate. (I usually turn it upside down on a plate the minute I remove it from the oven.)

I do not frost this cake, but you could if you prefer it dressed up a bit.

This post has been entered in Ann Kroeker’s, Food on Fridays at http://annkroeker.com/
Do visit her site and gather up some delicious and nutritious recipes.

Benefit of the Doubt

What a revelation this young lady was disclosing as she spoke.  I was sitting in an adult Bible Study Class, and the teacher had just asked the question, “How can we love our enemies?”     

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One of the ladies was explaining how she reacts to people who are rude or angry or very upset.

She said she just makes up an excuse for them in her mind and gives them the “Benefit of the doubt.”

She reasoned, perhaps they have had a very bad day, they received some bad news, are getting over the flue, or they may possibly have a rock in their shoe!!

She went on to say that she chooses to believe something good about the person, rather than something bad, when she has the possibility of doing either.

If we treated our enemies and friends this way, believing the best of them, we might be able to stop all wars or at least get along better with each other. 

Image courtesy Photo Bucket

 
One thing we must realize is - - that in believing the best of people, we must not justify wickedness. Honestly, some people are simply mean, manipulative, hateful and evil.  We can pray for them to repent and to open their heart to the Lord.

Understand that they probably will not listen to you preaching at them, but you can pray that God will send someone else to them. They may listen to a friend, a neighbor a TV program, or read a magazine that will strike a cord in their spirit.

The best thing is to try first to give them the benefit of the doubt, and if that doesn’t work, then the next best thing is to distance your self from them.

In a job situation this may not be possible, but you can at least be civil and polite.

image courtesy photobucket

Other times it is wise to learn to be quiet !!  

Proverbs 15:1 - 2 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, but the mouth of fools spouts folly.


Proverbs 19:11 A man's discretion makes him slow to anger, And it is his glory to overlook a transgression.

Sharing this post at "There and back again"  Inspired by Polly's post on adjusting our view with our camera.  My post on Benefit of the Doubt is adjusting our thinking and attitudes.  See it again at:  http://charitysingleton.blogspot.com/search/label/There%20and%20Back%20Again 



House Pets

There are some house pets that you would prefer not to have and we recently had one of those move in on us. How he ever got into the house was a mystery, but there he was!!

It was a tiny lizard, just a small one like the one who lives under my hydrangea bush.

image courtesy PhotoBucket

One of our Labrador dogs has very long hair and we find globs every so often on the rug or in the kitchen. So I reached for what seemed to be a clump of dog hair, and when it quickly moved and skimmed across the room, I screamed quite loudly from the surprise.

Coming to the rescue, my husband helped me move some items in the corner but it scurried even faster into our office and under my desk.

I know the little creature must have been terribly frightened with all the hollering and shouting, “There he is.”

No way would my husband attack and move the stacks of books and paper under my desk, so he did the next best thing. - -  Hubby placed a small saucer of water under my desk and we rested.

The next morning we could see he must have taken a bath and enjoyed the water.  By noon we saw him again, and this time we cornered him under a small stand.

Grabbing a kitchen towel, we cautiously moved the stand while my husband lunged forward and with a sweeping motion caught him in the towel.

Gently my hubby took him out side and re-introduced him to the hydrangea bush.  We were all happy and I know that little guy was too.

In life there are things that happen that catch us by surprise!  Some times we yell and scream and other times we worry and fret and are fearful.

When stuff happens and life is frightful, it is always time to trust in God.

He has not promised us a life of ease with no trouble, but he does promise to be with us in what ever are the circumstances. In time, you may be able to sweep out, that which is bothering you, and enjoy peace again.

You may need to take action and put your elbow to work getting rid of the problem, but God will give you wisdom and strength to get it done.

This post has been entered in “Changing the World One Word at a Time.” Please visit and check out the other great posts at:  http://peterpollock.com/2011/06/pets-blog-carnival/  Today’s word is “Pets.”

This post was also shared at: http://www.elizabethesther.com/ Saturday Evening Posting the favorite post for the month of June

Speak Like Jeremiah – What ever God tells you!

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This Sunday morning our Pastor read the passage from Jeremiah chapter one, and he mentioned that Jeremiah was the son of the priest, and was a young teen when God called him at the age of no more than 15 or 16 years old.


God told him, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations."

Jeremiah – began to make excuses and say that he could not speak and that he was too young to be a prophet.  God comforted him by telling him not to be fearful or to think that he was too young to speak for God.  He was ordained to do business for GOD and God would be with him.

The Lord would not take NO for an answer, and told him, “Do not be afraid to speak what I tell you as I will put the words in your mouth, just be bold to speak.”

Our Pastor mentioned that Jeremiah was often called the weeping prophet because he was grieved that he had to speak so severely to the people.

Jeremiah was obedient and spoke harshly at times, warning and urging the people to turn to God and forsake their evil ways. He often wept at his own words. He was sorrowful that he was required of God to speak his message of gloom and doom and most of the time they would not heed his message.

God was with him as he cried and warned God’s people. He was ridiculed and made fun of in the process. He was even beaten and at one point thrown into a pit. Yet his words burned like fire as he spoke and those words went into the hearts of those he ministered to.

He was fearless as a lion as God told him not to pay attention to those who scorned him, and to know that God was with him and would be his ever present help even in time of trouble.

Our Pastor urged the congregation, to understand that we as children of God are never too young OR too OLD to speak out what God has given us to say. Be bold as a lion.

I am reminded of those who Blog in the Name of Jesus and speak for God in each of their posts. Know that you are called to speak and write what God tells you to say! Speak and sometimes weep as you tell your stories for others to hear. May your words burn like fire and go down into the hearts of the viewers and hearers and bring them closer to their God.

This post was entered on Hear it on Sunday, Use it on Monday. View other awesome entries by clicking on the button below.

This post was also shared at PlayDates at the Well Spring:  Visit here to view other awesome posts
http://www.lauraboggess.com/2011/06/playdates-friends.html

and at: Soli Deo Gloria Sisterhood - Finding Heaven

HELL NO !

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The dirty thick steam sloshed over my toes, splashed  to my knees,

Filth with blood and flesh, maggots, stench beyond belief,

Is this for real or am I in some sort of a horror-able dream?

Put out the fire for it blinds my eyes and intensifies my pain!

Where am I, who put me here?

Did I make a wrong turn back there?

I expected long life and never did I plan for this!

My hopes and dreams are all amiss.

Where is the day, or is there only this night?

How can I change this and make it all right?

Beyond the veil of tears is there a glint of hope and bliss?

My years are less than twenty and no one ever told me this!

At least that is not how it seemed to me!

More time, I must have more time, where can it be?

My eyes seem glued closed and I cannot view!

Open my eyes and tell me this is not true!

Why oh why did I not believe Words that were said,

Yes, I was too young to become one of the dead,

“Get right with God, for you never know the day or the hour.”

I laughed to myself, for I knew I was in power.

While there was time, I should have heeded the call,

“Receive Jesus,” they said, “serve Him for He is all in all.”

If this is a dream, I pray that I will awake,

For it will be that I will amend -- for my own and others sake!

Now I understand, now I believe,

May I change my mind and now may I leave?

If I could go back I would be a preacher of fame,

While it is yet day, accept the Lord Jesus Christ and believe on His Name!

Yes, I would preach loud and clear,

Destruction is ahead for those who refuse to hear!

This is one place I wish for no one else to go!

By all means, I shout it - - HELL NO !



Hydrangeas in Bloom

Thrusting my entire arm deep into my large hydrangea bush, I broke the stem of the huge flower that I wanted to bring into my home.

There was no thought in mind to wear gloves as I reached for my lovely flowers.

They were so beautiful to view as I walked around our mobile, but they would also be a pleasure to enjoy in a vase in my kitchen.

   
The more you picked them the more they grew and blossomed, so I was doing the right thing - - -

Almost - - I should have worn a long sleeved shirt and gloves!!

Alergies have not been my thing since I was a teenager, so the rash that developed on my wrist and back of my hand was a mystery. And a day later on the back of my neck it was all extremely suspicious!

“It looks like Poison Oak to me,” ventured my husband.

Yes, I remembered him telling me there were some Poison Oak plants starting to come up here and there in our yard, and he was going to spray in a day or two.

However I had been very careful not to disturb anything that looked like poison to me.

“Put some Cortisone on it and it will help,” advised my husband.

I knew better from experience that all the expensive prescription ointments and creams purchased prior had never helped in the past. To please him I did try some Hydrocortisone and also tried some Neosporin. The redness continued as did the irritating itch.

Home remedies of soda and vinegar helped some, but it looks like it may simply need to run its ugly course.

One thing that caused me to be sad is; that my Hydrangea bush looks so distressed because I am afraid to approach it and pick its blooms.

My husband offers more condolence and suggests, “You probably got it off the dogs, as I notice they are scratching a lot lately.”

What ever the cause, I got too close to something that got on me!  What is the remedy?  Is there one??

That is the way it is with sin in this world. It is wise to not get too close lest it get on and in you! “Only this one time,” is not a good answer.

It is wise to choose carefully your companions and where you hang out.  Once infected, only one remedy will wash it all away.   And that my dear friend is the precious blood of Jesus.

Date Nut Cake

image courtesy of PhotoBucket

Did you know that dates are loaded with fiber both soluble and insoluble? Dates are able to fill you up and will help keep your body regular, while they satisfy your sweet tooth and are healthy for you.

They are an excellent source of potassium and provide numerous other important vitamins and minerals. Quite a powerhouse packed in a tiny, portable package

Adding dates to home-baked breads, cakes, muffins, and cookies adds richness and nutrition to otherwise ordinary recipes. And the natural moisture of dates adds to the quality of the final product.

My Date Nut Cake is a collector’s item, and can be enjoyed for breakfast or a snack. For a desert, add some lemon sauce or your favorite topping.

DATE NUT CAKE

1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
3  T cocoa
1 tsp cinnamon
1 cup real mayonnaise (whole egg)
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup chopped dates
1 tsp soda
1 cup boiling water
2 cups sifted flour

Mix the first 4 ingredients in a bowl. Add the mayonnaise and blend.
In a separate bowl, add the soda to the boiling water and pour over the nuts and dates and allow stand a few minutes to cool and plump the dates.  Add to the mayonnaise mixture and stir.  Gradually add the flour and mix well.

Bake in a 12 x 8 rectangular baking pan, at 350 degrees for 40 to 50 minutes.

This post has been entered in Ann Kroeker’s, Food on Fridays at http://annkroeker.com/
Do visit her site and gather up some delicious and nutritious recipes.



Also shared at 21st Century Housewife:  http://recipesfromthe21stcenturyhousewife.blogspot.com/

 Visit her week end Blog Hop and view other entries

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This post was entered on 21st Century Housewife - Blog Hop
For other awesome entries please visit her site at:
http://recipesfromthe21stcenturyhousewife.blogspot.com/

Fathers are Needed by their Family

Every work place has their own set of abbreviations that mean something to those working there.

At our job at the Family Support Department, there were words and abbreviations known only to us.

AP meant Absent Parent (could be either one). NCP was Non Custodial Parent, again either one.

Our main function at our job was to collect the monthly child support payments and forward them to the CP, (Custodial Parent.)

I remember one day, when my co-worker was extremely upset with her husband. I knew she was angry by the way she tore into her work. A bee was certainly under her bonnet!!

Later that morning, up the stairs happily skipped one of the girls from the front desk carrying a large bouquet of roses. She sang a sort of sing song remark as she yodeled, “These just came for YOU,” then she handed the lovely flowers to my friend. The girl continued, “He must have done something real-ly bad!”

The other workers who could not help overhearing laughed, but my friends face softened.

When all was quiet and my friend was ready to listen; I began to speak softly just to her. Not referring to the flowers, or to my friend’s anger, but telling her a short parable.

I began, “You know, darlin’, I have noticed that most of these NCP cases we deal with all have an interesting story. Many times, the woman becomes so angry with her jerk, stupid, no good, useless husband, that she dumps him for what ever good reason she believes. The amazing part of these cases is that there is usually another women out there waiting to grab that worthless, son of a gun, man as soon as he is free. I wonder if the wife might just be better off to forgive that no good, keep him and simply go on with their life?”

That day, she was listening but she said nothing. I knew in my heart that she had got the message “Big time.”

We never talked about her situation, and there was no need to do so.

The story went on; their home was not broken, he applied for and got a better job. He continues to be a good father to their children, and they have a some what - - happy home!

Wives (and hubby too) always be forgiving, and Husbands (and wife too), make no opportunity for offense.

This post was shared at: PlayDates with God at:  Go there to view other Posts you will enjoy viewing!
 http://www.lauraboggess.com/2011/06/playdates-with-god-lettuce.html

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