March 20, 2026

Blueberry Frozen Dessert

July 22, 2013 by

Here on our At Home with GCH blog, Mondays are always focused on healthy but oh-so-yummy! recipes.  We continue our series of summer recipes featuring in-season ingredients.  Our featured ingredient this week is blueberries!  Check out just some of the healthy benefits of this tiny but powerful fruit!  Today’s recipe is for a blueberry frozen dessert—not quite ice cream but it fits perfectly into our ‘healthy but oh-so-yummy’ category!

2013-07-18 22.09.43

Here in the NorthEast, we are in the midst of berry season.  Blueberries are so plentiful that I have six four pints sitting in my refrigerator.  A few weeks ago, we had a recipe for Blueberry Almond Muffins.  But we are also in the midst of a heatwave; so I went looking for a recipe for a frozen treat to make for Robert.  Oh, I found m-a-n-y recipes for blueberry ice cream, sorbet, sherbert, and frozen smoothies…and they all looked so good!  However, I really wanted to keep it light, simple, and healthy but oh-so-yummy!  Over on Amy Green’s website, simplysugarandglutenfree, I found a quite easy recipe that I have tweaked just a bit.  Enjoy!

Ingredients:2013-07-18 21.01.21

1/2 very ripe banana, cut into 1/2″ slices and frozen
1/2 cup blueberries, frozen
1/2 cup ricotta
1 teaspoon maple syrup, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Toppings:
1 tablespoon sliced almonds
1-2 dollops whipped cream
Additional blueberries

Directions:

  • First things first: if you haven’t already…place the cut-up banana and blueberries in the freezer for a couple of hours.
  • Put the frozen fruit into the small bowl of a food processor or blender. Process just until it’s in small chunks.
  • Add the ricotta and flavorings; process until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides as necessary.
  • Put your “ice cream” in a bowl and top with chopped nuts, whipped cream, and additional (non-frozen) blueberries.  Best if eaten immediately as a ‘soft-serve’ type dessert!

Substitutions:
For the blueberries – almost any flavorful summer fruit (I am going to try peaches tonight!)
For the ricotta – cottage cheese
For the maple syrup – agave nectar or honey
For the almonds – any of your favorite nuts

♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥

God loves you!  ♥  (Don’t ever forget that!)

♥  coleen

_________________________________

If you would like to send a personal message to Coleen concerning this blog post, you may email her at: Coleen@girlfriendscoffeehour.com

Filed Under: At Home w/ GCH Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

“I AM” Week 2 – Day 5: Glory of The LORD

July 19, 2013 by

One day we will perfectly, completely, totally, truly exalt and praise and honor and glorify the Great I Am forever and ever…for all eternity!  Oh, isn’t it going to be so AWEsome?!!!?  Then we will be just like the heavenly host who now are around God’s throne.

…and day and night they never stop saying, HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
is the Lord God Almighty, Who was and Who is and Who is to come.
And whenever the living creatures offer glory and honor and thanksgiving to Him
Who sits on the throne, Who lives forever and ever,
The twenty-four elders fall prostrate before Him Who is sitting on the throne,
and they worship Him Who lives forever and ever;
and they throw down their crowns before the throne, crying out,
Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive the glory and the honor and dominion,
for You created all things; by Your will they were [brought into being] and were created.
Revelation 4:8-11

But even now we can exalt and praise and honor and glorify Him!!!

Our author writes in the I AM study,

“As we seek God, He places the need to conform to His character within us.  As we walk out our life in the world, we take Him with us.  He is glorified or shamed, depending on how we carry ourselves.  It is our responsibility to make sure God is glorified through our life …God will be glorified with or without you….”

Jesus our Lord lived His life as He walked on this earth to bring glory to His Father.  Even He did not bring glory to Himself!

Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing.
My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me.
John 8:54

Jesus also taught His followers that they, too, could glorify God.

“You are the salt of the earth.  But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?  It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.  You are the light of the world.  A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:14-16

Just like you, I so yearn for my walk in this world to bring attention—to bring glory—to the Great I AM!  My prayer every day is that others will see Jesus in me, and that anything good or righteous I might do will glorify the God that I love.  As His child, everywhere I go…He is with me.  But not always do my actions {or my words} prove that I am a child of God.

God will be glorified through our lives in the big, as well as the small, things as we live and breathe with His character within us.  By His grace we have been enabled to love with His love…to show mercy just as He shows us mercy…to forgive…to give grace.

These are things that bring Him honor and glorify Him:

  • when a wife chooses to speak words that respect her husband
  • when we sit with our children and grandchildren reading to them out of their little Bible story books teaching them about their heavenly Father
  • when we go on a missions trip to a far-away country and share the Truth of the Gospel of Jesus with young women who have lived with no hope
  • when we take a meal to neighbors who have just added a new baby to their family
  • when we take part in our church’s community-wide VBS program and minister to a little girl who has never heard about Jesus until this week
  • when we are in a long line at the grocery store and ask the mom with a cart overflowing with food AND 3 children to get in line ahead of us
  • when we go sit on the porch to chat (and listen) with an elderly neighbor whose family rarely comes to visit

So I ask you…today will Almighty God, the Great I AM, be glorified with you or without you?

Let’s practice what we will be doing forever…and ever…and ever!

Praying for each of you!

♥  coleen

*****

Let’s Pray:

Almighty God, You deserve all the honor, all the glory, all the praises that our hearts could ever hold and our voices could ever speak!  There is NONE like You!  You WILL be glorified throughout all eternity!  We so desire to glorify You here and now, Father!  Today, Lord, may our words and our actions bring glory to You as we obey and love You with our whole hearts, souls, minds, and all our strength.  May the care that You give and the needs You provide for in our lives draw others to You!  May the world glorify You, Lord, as we live out our lives manifesting Your character.  May the light that You have placed in us shine into the darkness of the world bringing hope to the lost.  And may it be clear that it is never ‘us’ but always of You!  We love You…we praise You…we glorify and exalt You!

Amen.

 

Filed Under: Women's Ministry Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

“I AM” Chapter 1 – Day 5 The Great I AM’s Character

July 12, 2013 by

Who I am—Coleen—can be described by many names: wife, mom, gramma, daughter, sister, friend, worshipper, singer, baker, writer, pray-er, crafter, lover, listener, etc.  The Great I AM has described Himself throughout the Scriptures with many names—Yahweh (YHWH), ELohim, Adonai, LORD, Jehovah, JAH, EL Shaddai….  I believe He has used these (and additional) names to graciously help us to understand more of His character.  The Great I AM makes Himself known to us through the words of His Word, as well as through His Creation, through His Spirit, through His Son our Lord Jesus Christ, through the words of the prophets—in oh so many ways!

One of my most favorite characteristics of I AM is that He IS God Almighty…El Shaddai.  Hearing this name brings comfort and peace to my heart!  The fact and truth that Almighty God/El Shaddai loves me (and you, too!) and perfectly provides His care, provision, protection, supply of my (your!) needs is so thrilling my soul!  The most common understanding of the title El Shaddai is “God Who is Almighty.”  There are 48 times in the Scriptures where God calls Himself by the name El Shaddai.  Let’s look at just a couple of these records.

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, I AM the Almighty God <El Shaddai>; walk and live habitually before Me and be perfect.

Genesis 17:1

This is the very first record in the Scriptures where I AM identifies Himself in this way.  God Almighty/El Shaddai was about to reveal to Abram a part of the covenant He was making with him.  And this is where He promises the 99 year old Abram that he and his 90 year old wife, Sarai, would be having a son!!!  This is such a beautiful record!  (You can read the complete record here.)  Only El Shaddai could have made such an eternal covenant.  Only El Shaddai could have made a deadened womb to nurture life and bring forth a baby.  Only El Shaddai…God Almighty!

Another example where the Great I AM is called by the title El Shaddai is in Psalm 91.  The psalmist declares,

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty <El Shaddai>.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my Refuge and my Fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
Psalm 91: 1-2

Perhaps you, too, rejoice in your heart of hearts that El Shaddai, Who is the Great I AM, loves and cares for you in the very same ways He has always cared for His people.  He is God and does not change. 

Would you share here in the comments about this or a different characteristic of the Great I AM that is important to you?  I would love to hear about it! 

El Shaddai, El Shaddai, El-Elyon na Adonai,
Age to age You’re still the same, by the power of the Name.
El Shaddai, El Shaddai, Erkamka na Adonai,
I will praise you ’till I die, El Shaddai.

Erkamka na, Adonai! …translated… I love You, Lord!

 

Praying for each of you!

♥  coleen

Let’s Pray:

Almighty God,  our El Shaddai, we praise You and thank You and love You with our whole hearts!   You always show Yourself mighty on behalf of Your children!  You are our Refuge and our Fortress—our God in Whom we trust!   May we always be cognizant of Who You are…the Great I AM.  May we be excited to read of and to remember Your awesome acts and works that are recorded in the Scriptures.  May they encourage us to never doubt You, El Shaddai,  and the fact that You never change!  ‘Erkamka na, Adonai!’  Praying in Your Son, Jesus’ name. 

Amen. 

Filed Under: Women's Ministry Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Flourless Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookies (Gluten Free)

July 8, 2013 by

Here on our At Home with GCH blog, Monday’s are always focused on healthy but oh-so-yummy! recipes.  As promised, we have been sharing some gluten free treats that you can bring to all of your summer festivities: bbqs, camping trips, picnics, hoedowns, and block parties.  This week we are making  Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookies.  You can include the add-ins that your loved ones enjoy such as chocolate chips, craisins, chopped walnuts, etc.

2013-07-05 10.39.13

Ingredients:

1/2 cup dried cranberries
2 teaspoons baking soda2013-07-05 09.16.32
4+1/2 cups rolled oats
1+1/2 cups peanut butter (or crunchy peanut butter!)
1/2 cup coconut oil, or butter
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup coconut sugar, or white sugar
3 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chocolate chips
optional (suggested!) 1 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:

In a medium sized bowl, mix together the oats, baking soda, and dried cranberries; set aside.  Using a stand mixer, cream the peanut butter, other ‘butter,’ and sugars together ‘til light and fluffy.  Add eggs, one at a time, and also the vanilla.  Mix to blend well.  Slowly pour in the dry ingredients, mixing just until everything is combined.  By hand, stir in  the chocolate chips, and walnuts (if including), too.  Place in refrigerator for 10-15 minutes to firm up.  Preheat the oven to 350.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  Using a small cookie scoop or a tablespoon, scoop the cookie batter and drop it onto lined cookie sheet, 2 inches apart.  Bake for 9 to 12 minutes until light golden brown and just getting firm. (If you enjoy your cookies a little on the softer side, underbake by one minute.)   Makes approximately 4 dozen cookies.

Note: this dough is sticky because of the peanut butter, so I strongly suggest using your hands as little as possible.  Cooling the dough in the refrigerator is a great help here!

♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥

God loves you!  ♥  (Don’t ever forget that!)

♥  coleen

_________________________________

If you would like to send a personal message to Coleen concerning this blog post, you may email her at: Coleen@girlfriendscoffeehour.com

Filed Under: At Home w/ GCH Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Blueberry Almond Muffins (Gluten Free)

July 1, 2013 by

Here on our At Home with GCH blog, Monday’s are always focused on healthy but oh-so-yummy! recipes.  As promised, for the next few weeks I am sharing some gluten free treats that you can bring to your bbq’s, picnics, hoedowns, and block parties.  Perhaps your family loves to hike or go backpacking—this recipe is perfect for you!  

2013-06-25 16.18.01

Today’s recipe is for gluten free Blueberry Almond Muffins.  These are full of protein, contain no refined sugars, and have no added fat (except the 1 tablespoon used for the topping).   Also, a nice substitution for the blueberries would be raspberries…don’t forget to see the tip about freezing them!

Blueberry Almond Muffins

makes 10 muffins

Ingredients2013-06-25 15.23.16
• 2 cups almond flour
• 1/2 cup coconut flour
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 6 eggs
• 1/2 cup honey, agave nectar or maple syrup
• 12 drops liquid vanilla stevia (or additional sweetener of your choice)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 cup blueberries, frozen*

Topping Ingredients
• 1 tablespoon butter, softened
• 1 tablespoon coconut sugar

Directions

  1. Put blueberries into freezer
  2. Preheat oven to 350. Put liners into muffin tin
  3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together almond flour, coconut flour, salt and baking powder
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs; then add honey, stevia, and extracts
  5. Stir liquid ingredients into dry ingredients and blend thoroughly
  6. Gently fold in frozen blueberries*
  7. Spoon batter into lined muffin cups
  8. Lightly pat tops down into rounded heaps; use a pastry brush to dab with butter and sprinkle with coconut sugar
  9. Bake for 22-25 minutes; the tops should be springy yet firm when they are done
  10. Remove from muffin tin immediately and let cool on a rack
  11. Keep in the refrigerator, or place into freezer storage bags or a container

* The purpose of freezing (or using pre-frozen) blueberries is that this batter is very thick; if you used non-frozen berries, they would smoosh. 🙂

♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥

God loves you!  ♥  (Don’t ever forget that!)

♥  coleen

_________________________________

If you would like to send a personal message to Coleen concerning this blog post, you may email her at: Coleen@girlfriendscoffeehour.com

Filed Under: At Home w/ GCH Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

I Need Thee Every Hour

June 29, 2013 by

I received an email the other day from Dear Friend who was checking in to see how I am doing and sharing about the current joys in her heart and life.  ‘Why an email’ <you might be thinking>, ‘when she could connect with me much quicker with a Facebook message?’  Yes, I surely understand your query…I mean if she did that…my iPad would sound out that I had a message and, perhaps, I would run right over and check it out…plop down in my chair…and immediately respond to her!  (Been there?  Done that?  Me, too…many, many, many times over!)  But, see, right now I am having a mutiny against the excess of media in my life.  So, I am severely limiting my Facebook time which includes messaging as well as cutting out any texting along with eliminating other media influence (television, radio, iPad apps, Pinterest, online games).

May I share with you what I wrote to Dear Friend?

“To answer your query about how I am doing…well, this is quite the ride!  Just sayin’!  Oh, the things that God is choosing to unearth…oh my.  He is showing me a thing or two (or twelve or twenty!) about some issues in my little heart.  Like what I do—or at least am tempted to do—when my little heart is distressed.  It appears that I try to assuage those feelings. Not good…. It has been brought to my attention that I do NOT consistently run to Him with my worries, my fears, my doubts, my hurts, and my pain.”

Yes…there it is.  This is where God has really gotten my attention!  He has unveiled my eyes to see that I allow other things to take His place as my Father, Provider, Protector, Healer.  He has promised to be my Stronghold, to help me, to deliver me, to save me…if I take refuge in Him—rather than trying to deal with it on my own.

Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers!
For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb.
Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act.
He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him;
Fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way,
Over the man who carries out evil devices!
Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.
For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.
The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their stronghold in the time of trouble.
The Lord helps them and delivers them; He delivers them
from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in Him.
Psalms 37:1-9, 39 and 40

There is a word I used in my note to Dear Friend—‘assuage.’  And when I wrote it I wasn’t quite sure it communicated just what the Lord had been reproving and correcting me about.  So I checked the dictionary (yes…online) and here’s what I found:

assuage, verb
pronunciation: [uh-sweyj]
definition: soothe, relieve
synonyms: allay, alleviate, appease, calm, compose, conciliate,
ease, fill, lessen, lighten, lull, make nice, mitigate, moderate,
mollify, pacify, palliate, placate, pour oil on, propitiate,
quench, quiet, sate, satisfy, soften, still, surfeit, sweeten,
take the edge off, take the sting out, temper, tranquilize

Ouch!  Wow!  Did that ever set me back in my seat!  And then the tears came…and I repented.  Because I surely do NOT ever want to be taking over where my heavenly Father wants to take care of me!  He is so much better at it than I; His care is perfect and meets my every need!

Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.”
And You forgave the guilt of my sin.
Therefore let all the faithful pray to You while You may be found;
surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them.
You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance.
‘I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with My loving eye on you.’
Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.
Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love
surrounds the one who trusts in Him.
Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous;
sing, all you who are upright in heart!
Psalms 32:5-11

AND, I must be honest, this has not all been light and easy!  But some good and encouraging things have surfaced, too!  One thing, for example, I realize that I am disciplined and not easily tempted ALL of the time.  Like my morning quiet time…just no way that I am allowing ‘you-know-who’ (satan) to steal that from me and my God!

And so I am encouraged!  With God’s help and by His grace…maybe His mercies that are renewed every morning, too…these things CAN be changed in my little heart!  I am a thankful girl for the purging and cleansing and purifying and sanctifying that my heavenly Father is choosing to do in me!  He is the Potter…I am the clay.  And thankfully I am getting molded more and more into the image of my Lord!

May I encourage you also?   ♥ 

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty Hand,
that He may lift you up in due time.
Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:6 and 7

Praying for each of you!  ♥ 

♥  coleen

_________________________________

If you would like to send a personal message to Coleen concerning this blog post, you may email her at: Coleen@girlfriendscoffeehour.com

Filed Under: Women's Ministry Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Gluten Free Graham Cracker

June 24, 2013 by

Here on our At Home with GCH blog, Monday’s are always focused on healthy but oh-so-yummy! recipes.  As promised, for the next few weeks we are going to prepare some gluten free treats that you can share at your bbq’s, picnics, hoedowns, and block parties.  Today’s recipe is for gluten free Graham Crackers.  Can you say “s’mores?”

2013-06-21 18.44.45

Gluten Free Graham Crackers*

Ingredients:
2+1/4 cups gluten free flour mix (see below)
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon gluten free baking powder
1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2  teaspoon salt
7 tablespoons COLD butter, margarine or shortening of your choice, cut into pieces
3 tablespoons cold water
3 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon vanilla

Topping Ingredients:
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:

  • Mix together the gluten free flour mix, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, xanthan gum, baking soda and salt.
  • Work COLD butter into dry ingredients using a pastry blender, fork, (or even your fingertips) ‘till thoroughly crumbly and all butter is incorporated.
  • Mix the cold water, honey, and vanilla together.  Add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing with a fork.  If dough seems too dry, add a very little bit more cold water, just one teaspoon at a time.
  • Place dough onto a large piece of plastic wrap, gather up, and shape into a rectangle.  Cover completely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30-60 minutes.
  • Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit your baking sheet with a little overhang for ‘handles.’  For ease of rolling, cut a gallon size zip-top bag open along the sides (leaving bottom seam intact) so that it now opens flat into one long sheet.  Since it is a little thicker than plastic wrap, it will make rolling the dough out much easier!
  • Place parchment paper on your countertop and, when dough is chilled, divide in half and place one half onto the parchment paper.  Cover with the plastic bag and roll the dough out to about  1/4 inch thickness, or thinner…depending on how thick you like your graham crackers.
  • Using the parchment paper, lift the rolled-out dough right onto the baking sheet.  Lightly cut into 2 inch squares (a pizza cutter works well for this!).  Prick lightly all over with a fork and sprinkle with a little of the cinnamon topping.   Chill for 10 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 325 while dough is chilling.
  • Bake for 14-15 minutes or until they start to brown on the edges.  Sprinkle with a small amount of the cinnamon sugar topping IMMEDIATELY after taking from oven.  You might want to run the pizza cutter back over your cut marks while still warm and loosen them. Let cookies cool slightly before transferring to cooling rack.
  • Repeat the rolling, cutting, baking process with the second half of the dough.  I used the same piece of parchment paper and the same plastic bag for rolling, too.
  • Oh!  Any too thin pieces or broken pieces can be saved and crumbled to make a gluten free crust!  Enjoy!

Gluten Free Flour Blend (makes enough for two batches)
1 cup garbanzo +fava or sorghum or chickpea flour
1 cup tapioca starch
1 cup corn starch or potato starch or arrowroot

½ cup millet, or amaranth or quinoa or oat flour
½ cup fine brown rice flour
¾ cup almond flour

Whisk ingredients together until well blended.  Use 2+1/4 cups for this recipe and keep extra stored in the refrigerator until needed.

*This recipe was inspired by a similar one from Living Without magazine and website.  They are a great resource for those with not only gluten allergies and sensitivities but other food allergies as well.  You should check their website out!

♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥

God loves you!  ♥  (Don’t ever forget that!)

♥  coleen

_________________________________

If you would like to send a personal message to Coleen concerning this blog post, you may email her at: Coleen@girlfriendscoffeehour.com

Filed Under: At Home w/ GCH Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Trust In The Lord

June 22, 2013 by

Trust in the Lord…Who better to trust in?   But do I?  Do you?  Actually, yes, I think that we do!  We have experienced and been blessed by God’s goodness and grace and mercy over and over and over again.  We have seen His loving care cover the lives of our loved ones.  We know—because He has graciously proven Himself—that He is a faithful God Who always provides what is best for His children.

But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”
The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.
It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.
Lamentations 3:21-26

trust

TRUST, n.

1. Confidence; a reliance or resting of the mind on the integrity, veracity, justice, friendship or other sound principle of another person.
                           He that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.  Proverbs 29:25
2. He (or that) which is the ground of confidence.
           For Thou art my hope; O Lord God, thou art my trust from my youth. Psalms 71:5
(From Webster’s 1828 Unabridged Dictionary)

From these definitions we have an understanding that it is because of confidence that we trust. And we have confidence in someone or something because they have proved themselves worthy of relying on them.  When we think of these words in relation to our Father God…oh!my!  There is no doubt of His having proven Himself!  He is a Faithful God Who always brings His promises into fruition!

…Trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.  In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.  Be not wise in your own eyes; reverently fear and worship the Lord and turn [entirely] away from evil.
Proverbs 3:5-7

This verse comes to mind and brings me such peace in my heart! I do not have to always understand. I do not have to know what is going to happen.  But, I need to follow Him. I need to trust Him with all my heart. That part is my job.  He will help me and He will get me through. It might not be easy (and truth be told, it won’t always be easy), but it will be okay.

The question is, ‘Will I…will you…lean on our own understanding or depend on God?’  The wise choice is obvious when we remember that God knows the end from the beginning and He provides for and sustains all things that happens in between. Trusting Him, and continuing to choose to trust Him, is the wisest decision we can make—every day of our lives.

O taste and see that the Lord [our God] is good!
Blessed is the man who trusts and takes refuge in Him.
Psalms 34:8

I love to have Scriptures and encouraging words up around my house, don’t you?   It reminds me of what was spoken to the Israelites as recorded in the book of Deuteronomy:

Therefore you shall lay up these My words in your [minds and] hearts and in your [entire] being, and bind them for a sign upon your hands….
And you shall teach them to your children,
speaking of them when you sit in your house
and when you walk along the road,
when you lie down and when you rise up.
And you shall write them upon the doorposts of your house and on your gates,
That your days and the days of your children may be multiplied
in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers to give them,
as long as the heavens are above the earth.
Deuteronomy 11:18-21

Here is a graphic that we made to remind you to keep trusting Him—to have confidence in His love and faithfulness—every day!  I have printed it out and framed it!

Prov3   

I just l.o.v.e the heart of this singer/songwriter—Twila Paris!  She sings out and proclaims that, even when shaken…worried…fearful…doubting, in her heart of hearts she TRUSTS in her Lord!  Have you been singing along with her?

“I will trust You, Lord, when I don’t know why.
I will trust You, Lord, ‘til the day I die.
I will trust You, Lord, when I’m blind with pain!
You were God before, and You’ll never change.
I will trust You….I will trust You…I will trust You, Lord!  I will trust You.”

Praying for each of you!  ♥ 

♥  coleen

_________________________________

If you would like to send a personal message to Coleen concerning this blog post, you may email her at: Coleen@girlfriendscoffeehour.com

Filed Under: Women's Ministry Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Girls with Swords: Chapter 13 – Sword of Forgiveness & Restoration: What’s Your Story? (pgs. 205-206)

June 20, 2013 by

2Cor1_4

If you could see the underside of your life, you would see God your Father all over the details. He wrote your story. What is your story, dear friend? Do you have deep wounds that still need healing? Or perhaps you have overcome and you are in a good place, but someone in your family is struggling and you are just at your end with it. The ripple effect is reaching everyone including your children. How can you do this any longer? I don’t know your story. I don’t know what your childhood was like.

If your daddy loved you and told you how beautiful you are or if you are still begging for his attention; or maybe your childhood was stolen by someone who had no right to it. Maybe you had life happen to you as an adult and you’re ashamed of the way you dealt with it. Oh dear one, there is One who knows all and He came to take your shame away, to redeem and restore; release you from all that’s past and give you a future full of possibilities. Your story is full of opportunities to help someone else struggling.

We are given so many opportunities as His followers to step out and share the hope that we have in Him. One by one, story by story, lives are transformed and families restored…the list goes on and on. Hope is passed on when we walk in obedience; when we speak His words of restoration.

There’s a saying that goes: “Hurt people hurt people.”  Oh how true this is! But let me encourage you to try something if you are that hurting person. Instead of lashing out at a grumpy cashier, or anyone else giving you a bad attitude, show compassion. We don’t know their story of why they are acting the way they are. We are called to be His hands and feet in this lost world. Lisa asks us if we have any daggers of disappointment or bitterness that might threaten to misdirect a sword at hand. If so, we must willingly lay them down (pg 205).

Only when we have let go of resentment and forgive can we be free. As stated on page 206, “How might God use YOU as an agent of restoration?”

*****

Let’s Pray:

Dear God, my Daddy in Heaven, I surrender all. I lay it at Your feet. I trust You will guide each one of us and direct our steps as we step out into a hurting world and speak Your words of restoration and healing to others. Give each one of us the courage to be bold and use this story You have given us to encourage and give strength to one another as we travel together. I pray we choose to always say ‘yes!’ to You. We love You and we praise You and worship You with our whole being. We release our hurts and resentments. We release those who hurt us so that we may be whole to serve You wholly.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Filed Under: Women's Ministry Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies (and a Mix!)

June 17, 2013 by

Here on our At Home with GCH blog, Monday’s are always focused on healthy but oh-so-yummy! recipes.   Being we are now in full-swing summertime, for the next few weeks we are going to focus on gluten free treats that you can share at your bbq’s, picnics, hoedowns, and block parties.  Look forward to graham crackers for s’mores, brownies, sheet cake and maybe some more cookie recipes, too!

2013-06-13 21.24.57

Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
(makes 4 dozen regular cookies)

Ingredients:

1 batch Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix * see below
8 tablespoons unsalted butter or shortening, at room temperature
2 eggs, room temperature, lightly beaten
1+ ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions:

  • Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside
  • Place cookie mix in bowl of stand mixer; give a stir to get out any lumps
  • Add butter, eggs, and vanilla to bowl; mix on low until combined, approximately 30-40 seconds
  • Scrape down bowl with spatula; then mix batter for 2 minutes on medium speed
  • Drop balls of dough about 1+1/2 inches in diameter about 1 inch apart onto one baking sheet
  • Place in freezer for 5 minutes (this will help the cookies to not spread too thin)
  • Preheat oven to 325; and fill other baking sheet in the meantime
  • Once the dough has chilled, place 1st baking sheet into preheated oven; bake until cookies are beginning to brown underneath, about 10-12 minutes
  • Remove from oven and place cookies on cooling racks
  • Try not to eat them until they have cooled; oh, go ahead!  enjoy!

A few notes:

  • I made my batch dairy free by using shortening, Earth Balance non-dairy butter substitute, and coconut oil.
  • This is a very stiff batter; it will give your mixer a good workout!
  • I made these in a ‘manly’ size cookie. I got 26 cookies out of the recipe.

 

Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix

Ingredients:
2+1/4 cups Gluten free flour
Consisting of:
1/2 cup Brown Rice Flour
1/2 cup Oat Flour
1/2 cup Almond Flour
3/4 cup Cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon Xanthan gum
2 teaspoon Psyllium husk
1 teaspoon Baking soda
1/2 teaspoon Sea salt
1 cup Coconut sugar or brown sugar
1/2 cup Sugar
12 ounces Semisweet chocolate chips (I use dairy-free)

Directions:
Place all ingredients, except chocolate chips, in a bowl, stir until well combined.  Pour into any airtight container—glass jar, plastic storage container or bag.  Tamp down to really get it snugly in there!  This fits well into a quart sized Mason jar (looks cute, too!).  Add chocolate chips on top and seal.  Use entire batch for the above recipe.

♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥

God loves you!  ♥  (Don’t ever forget that!)

♥  coleen

_________________________________

If you would like to send a personal message to Coleen concerning this blog post, you may email her at: Coleen@girlfriendscoffeehour.com

Filed Under: At Home w/ GCH Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »