Girlfriends Coffee Hour

Captivating: Chapter 10 – “Awkward Love” – “An Open Hand” (pp 183-187)

March 14, 2013 by Michelle Graziano

As we have seen, intimacy is not only an issue when dealing with relationships between men and women, but just as equally between women. Friendships can go through the same challenges as any other relationship. There are expectations, hurts, dependencies, and disappointments. It is how we deal with these challenges that will determine the strength of your friendship.

Communication is essential in any successful relationship. This isn’t always easy. If you are like me you may not like to “rock the boat.” It is easier to not say anything than to lovingly confront your friend. While that may be a temporary band-aid that will cover the issues, it will inevitably lead to an infectious resentment or hurt. As many, if not all of us, can relate, if we don’t talk about an issue when it first comes up, chances are that it will come out later in a more explosive, less loving manner. That doesn’t serve any relationship well. Talk, repent and forgive. Love like Jesus.

“In your relationships with one another have the same mindset as Christ Jesus”

Philippians 2:5

Another important aspect of a successful relationship is your own personal security of your identity in Christ. I definitely saw myself in the examples given by the author of this book in comparing our “fallen” selves to our “redeemed” selves.

Fallen women want people to come through for them. Redeemed women knows Christ has come through for them, and are more free to give of themselves and “put themselves out there.“

Fallen women have been hurt so they withdraw from relationship to avoid further pain. Redeemed women know they are valuable and secure in the Lord, so they are able to be vulnerable.

I don’t know about you, but I thank God I am redeemed! This, for me, was the ultimate “take away” from this section. No matter what we do, no matter the relationship, when we do it with the prompting and guidance of the Holy Spirt, and we do our best to love others like Jesus loves us, we can’t help but find the intimacy we long for. It won’t always be easy, but it will be worth it. God is so good, and I am so thankful for His faithfulness!

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.”

Proverbs 17:17

LET’S PRAY

Father, thank You. Thank You for showing us what love is. Thank You for giving us an example to follow. Please help us when it is hard for us to face the tough stuff. Give us Your strength, mercy, and grace as we deal with the relationships that mean so much to us. Let us rest in the security of Your love, and be free to give that love to others. In You, this is more than possible. In Your Heavenly Name we pray. Amen.

YOUR ASSIGNMENT

Friendship is such a great gift! How can you nurture, guard, and fight for your friendships?

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If you would like to send Michelle a private email in regards to this blog post, you may email her at: Michelle@GirlfriendsCoffeeHour.com

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Girls With Swords by Lisa Bevere

Our next online Bible/Book study begins March 24th. To register, click on the picture above, complete the registration form, and as soon as we receive your registration, we will email you further details. We hope you will join us!

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Filed Under: Singles Tagged With: Bible, bible study, Christianity, Girlfriends Coffee Hour, Girls with Swords, God, Jesus, John Eldredge, Lisa Bevere, Michelle Graziano, Online Bible Studies, Singles Bible Study, Stasi Eldredge

Crazy Love: Our Final Week – “Is This What I Want To Be Doing When Christ Comes Back?”

March 14, 2013 by Donna Day

“What will people say about your life in Heaven? Will people speak of God’s work and glory through you? And even more important, how will you answer the King when He says, ‘What did you do with what I gave you?’ ” These words by our author gave me pause. I wanted to really think about them and see what my answer would be. They are important, and they are personal.

I think about where I am in the grand scheme of things. Really it is small, but God counts it. I am 53 years old, married for 35 years, have raised 3 children and have 2 grandchildren. I have kept my marriage alive, and we serve God together. I have raised my children in the truth of God’s word. I have been in the workplace witnessing whenever and wherever I could. God has been an integral part of this life of mine. But am I capable of more?

YOU BET I AM!!!!

In this Empty Nester season of my life I feel I have even more time to give to God’s work. I am praying for His leading and attempting new things; this blogging was one of them. I have resources I have never had before, like this Crazy Love book, to help encourage me to be all I can be for Christ. I also have learned over the years to be more open to His leading and voice in areas I never thought I could do.

In reading this book, God has reminded me of some principles I already knew, and maybe forgot, and new ones that I never knew. He has touched my heart with new concepts that I want to put into practice. But through it all He has made me think. God wants what is best for me, and He also wants His best to be shared and given and downright sacrificed for His glory!

I want to do whatever He wants me to do without limits. To use some of these old and new concepts to further His kingdom. That’s what I’m here for, that’s my goal, and that’s what I want to be doing when Jesus returns.

When I stand at the throne at the end of my life I want to say like Paul:

That’s what I want to be doing when Christ returns!! How about you?

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Let’s pray:

Thank You, God, that You brought this book into our lives. Now that we’ve finished it, I pray we can take all that you have given each of us individually and apply them to our lives where you have put us. Let us seek out the new things and the old things, and us them for Your glory, Lord. Praise You for all You are about to do in us and through us. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Your assignment:

What new or old things has God impressed upon you to do to further His Kingdom and bring others to Him? Let’s share with one another and get excited that God is using us, though we are small, to further His work here for His glory. Just think: the God of the universe is using little ol’ us!!!!

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If you would like to email a private message to Donna in regards to this blog, please email her at: Donna@girlfriendscoffeehour.com.

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Our next Women’s online Bible/Book study will begin March 24th. To sign up for Girls with Swords study, click on the picture above to be taken to our sign-up page. Once we receive your registration, we will send you more details! We hope you will join us!

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Filed Under: Women's Ministry Tagged With: bible study, Christ's return, Christianity, Crazy Love, Donna Day, family, Francis Chan, Girlfriends Coffee Hour, Girls with Swords, God, Jesus, Lisa Bevere, Online Bible Studies, Prayer, women's bible studies

Captivating: Chapter 10 – “To Mother” – “My Sister, My Friend” (pgs 176-181)

March 13, 2013 by Carissa Markantone

So, if you don’t already know, I’m single. I’ve never been married, and I don’t have any children. Furthermore, if you know me at all, you know that little kids fascinate me. I’m one of those creepy people who will stare at your kids just because they always put a smile on my face. Nothing brings me more joy than when I wave to a little baby and get a great big smile in return. Children are life in its most simple, pure, and innocent form.

Deep down, beyond all the outward fascination, I struggle with jealousy. Oftentimes, I watch a mother take her toddler’s hand to “go find a book to read before bed tonight,” and I get jealous. I want that. I want to take a little mini-me and read bedtime stories to her. I want to watch my son play baseball or score his first goal playing soccer. I want to get lost in an imaginary world, dress up like a superhero and fly around my living room with my little ones. I want to listen as they try to pronounce words like “popsicle” and “spaghetti.” I want to snuggle with my baby as she falls asleep in my arms. I want to mother.

When I find the jealousy creeping in, I have to turn it over to God. He’s faithful, He knows these desires of mine, and I know He will give them to me in His time. And when it is my turn to mother, I want to encourage my children to live a life from their heart, as our authors state. I want to encourage them to be the person God has created them to be—nothing more, nothing less.

But, even if you don’t have children of your own, you do have opportunities to mother not only other people’s children, but other people in general. All you have to do is care about someone, offer a listening ear to that person, and encourage him or her to simply be who God created them to be. Let the following passage from Philippians resonate in your hearts:

“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Phillipians 2:1-4 ESV

Count others more significant than yourself? Really? I mean, who does that?

Mothers. Mothers do that. Or, at least they should do that. If you haven’t had a mother who sacrificed and loved you the way she should have, I’m sorry. But there is Someone who has filled her role. There is Someone who counts you more than He counts Himself. There’s Someone who died to save you from your sin so that you can live forever with Him in Heaven. That Person is Jesus, and He loves you unconditionally. I love this quote by Jerry Bridges, a notable Christian author. It reminds me of a mother’s love for her children:

“God’s unfailing love for us is an objective fact affirmed over and over in the Scriptures. It is true whether we believe it or not. Our doubts do not destroy God’s love, nor does our faith create it. It originates in the very nature of God, who is love, and it flows to us through our union with His beloved Son.” — Jerry Bridges, Christian author

Right in suit with caring more about others than yourself falls our friendships with other women. Do you have those? How are they? Can you think of a girlfriend who you know would be there for you if you needed someone to talk to, cry to, receive godly advice from, or just goof around with? If you don’t have a friend like that, I encourage you to seek one. My mother told me that when I was a toddler, she didn’t have many girlfriends. When I entered preschool, she had been praying for a good friend to come into her life. God was faithful! Through a fun course of events, He placed another family into my family’s life, and our friendship continues to this day. Not only did we gain a friendship, but this family led my family closer to God. Our faith was strengthened through that friendship.

Do you have a friend who causes your relationship with God to deepen? Does she encourage you to grow and walk closer with Him daily? If not, I pray you seek, invest, and spend time with godly women in your church, Bible study, or even with this group online! Proverbs 27:17 reminds us that “iron sharpens iron.” Do you have an “iron” friend in your life? Friendship with like-minded women is crucial to your spiritual growth, and I’ve seen it create accountability and a safe place in my own life. If you already have your “iron” friend or two, then don’t forget to nurture those friendships with love and attention.

Praise Him!

Carissa

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Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father, thank You for our innate desires to mother, care for, and encourage those in our lives. I pray that we will apply these desires in the lives of our children, future families, marriage, friendships, and even acquaintances. I pray that Your love that dwells in each of us will overflow to those around us. Father, thank You for the gift of girlfriends and friendships. Lord, I pray that our friendships will grow as we all seek to know You and serve You better each and every day. In your Holy Name we pray, Amen.

Your Assignment:

Do you like kids as much as I do? I can’t be the only creeper out there! What does your heart desire with regard to children and a family? Do you feel the desire to “mother” as our authors discuss? In the past, what has held you back from forming friendships with other women? How do you plan on changing that for the future?

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Our next Women’s Online Bible/Book study begins March 24th.

To sign up for this amazing study, click on the picture above, complete the registration form, and we will email you further details.

We hope you will join us.

Filed Under: Singles Tagged With: Captivating, Carissa Markantone, Children, friends, Girlfriends, Girlfriends Coffee Hour, Girls with Swords, God's unfailing love, iron sharpens iron, Jerry Bridges, John Eldredge, Lisa Bevere, Married, Mothers, Philippians 2:1-4, Proverbs 27:17, Scriptures, Single, sisters, Stasi Eldredge

At Home w/ GCH: Going “Green” with Cleaning Products

March 13, 2013 by girlfriendscoffeehour

For several years, I owned and operated a home cleaning business. Some of my customers were very adamant about using all-natural, non-toxic, cleaning products in their homes, so I had to do some major research to find the perfect cleaning products for their homes. I’m glad I found these customers because they introduced me to a whole new way of cleaning, AND a healthier way of cleaning!

One thing I cannot stand to see is someone using bleach to clean their kitchen countertops where they prepare the foods they will then serve to their family! Bleach…. Do you know what is in bleach? Harsh Chemicals! A product that they advise you to use rubber gloves when you use it. A product that can blind you if it gets in your eyes. A product that will literally burn your throat if you accidentally swallow it. But yet, we use it to clean an area where food is prepped for our families. I’ve never understood that!

One ingredient that I found that is safe to use, and works rather well is white vinegar. It can be used in your laundry, on windows, countertops, toilets, floors, and more! When used on windows, it leaves no streaks! When I use it, I mix it at a ratio of 3:1…3 parts water to 1 part vinegar.

Another ingredient that works really well is baking soda. This little beauty is not just for baking/cooking! It can be used as a scrub for your tub, or made into a soft-scrub for stainless steel sinks, and more!

I also use Shaklee cleaning products in my home. These products are amazing when it comes to cleaning AND saving you money!! For my window cleaner, I use 1/4 tsp of Shaklee Basic H, to 16 ounces of water! The old saying “if a little works good, a lot ought to work a whole lot better” doesn’t apply to Shaklee products! When they say use 1/4 tsp, they mean it! A 16 ounce bottle of Basic H will last you a LONG, LONG time! It is well worth the price!!

Shaklee Basic H is an awesome concentrate. It’s non-toxic, all-natural, and doubly concentrated. By using it to mix your cleaners it costs less than $.01 cent to make a 16 ounce bottle of window cleaner, only $.03 to make a 16 ounce bottle of all-purpose cleaner, and only $.17 to make a 16 ounce bottle of degreaser. It will definitely save you money on cleaning products! Normally each of those products would cost me $3.00+ at my retail store!

I’m not a representative of Shaklee; I am only a customer! A happy customer! So if you are interested in using Shaklee products, you will need to find a representative in your area OR you can use MY rep, Jenny Utrie. Click HERE to be taken to her website. Tell her Christi Wilson sent you!

Going Green in your home with cleaning products means you will have a healthier and cleaner atmosphere for your loved ones! Isn’t that what we all want anyway?

Join me next week, as I continue this series on “All Things Green“!

Be Blessed,

Christi

If you would like to send Christi a personal email in regards to this blog, please email her at: Christi@GirlfriendsCoffeeHour.com.

Filed Under: At Home w/ GCH Tagged With: At Home w/ GCH, baking soda, bio-degradable cleaning products, Christi Wilson, Girlfriends Coffee Hour, Going Green, natural cleaning products, non-toxic cleaning products, Shaklee, white vinegar

Crazy Love: Our Final Week – “Is This What I Want to Be Doing When Christ Comes Back?”

March 13, 2013 by girlfriendscoffeehour

What do I want to be doing when Christ returns?

I feel a sense of urgency. At the beginning of Chapter 10, Chan talks about how the first church in Acts responded to the Pentecost with “immediate action.” They repented, were baptized, sold their possessions, and shared the gospel. After going through this book and understanding how wide and long and high and deep our God loves every single one of us, I feel compelled to share that love. I do not want to hide in a box anymore. I want to do as Chan suggests on page 164 and “…live as though each person I come into contact with is Christ.” I do not want to live with any fear, but with supreme confidence in my Lord’s greatness and power. He is bigger than any problem I will face in my life. I yearn to trust fully in His promises and let go of my hesitations so that I can live for Him and for His glory.

I want to learn to not only listen to but obey our God with my whole heart. My senses are open to seeing Him work in my life and in the lives of those around me. I want to finish the race He has set before me. I want to run it alongside Him, knowing He will uphold me with His righteous right hand.

I want to live the life He created me to live. I want to be on fire for God, living fully in His Spirit and doing the work He is calling me to do. He did not die on the cross for me to live a complacent Christian life. He wants to move me into something bigger, something greater. I must be willing to let go of everything I am holding onto right now so that I can grasp the life that He has for me. It is scary, but He promises that He will be with me.

Lord Jesus, I want to follow You with my whole heart, soul, mind, and strength. I want every fiber of my being to be consumed with You. Move me, guide me, walk with me, and teach me. Help me deal with my fear, insecurity, and lack of confidence for sharing You with those You call me to minister to. Convict me of my complacency and move me into a place of action. Speak to me and show me Your will. It is in Your holy and precious Name that I pray, Amen.

It has been a blessing and an honor to walk this Crazy Love journey with each one of you.

Jennifer

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Our next Women’s Online Bible/Book study begins March 24th.

To sign up, click on the picture above, complete the registration form, and we will email you further details.

We hope you will join us!!

If you would like to send a private message to Jennifer in regards to this blog post, you may e-mail her at Jennifer@GirlfriendsCoffeeHour.com.

Filed Under: Women's Ministry Tagged With: Crazy Love, Francis Chan, Girlfriends Coffee Hour, Girls with Swords, Jennifer Mleczynski, Lisa Bevere, Online Bible Studies, The Crux of the Matter, women's bible studies

Crazy Love: Our Final Week – “Is This What I Want to Be Doing When Christ Comes Back?”

March 12, 2013 by girlfriendscoffeehour

I’m filling in for Martha this week, as she is out of town with family.

I’ve been praying about what I want to share on this blog this week, since last week. When you think about it, this is one very important question that we all need to ask ourselves. Are we doing what we want to be doing when Christ comes back? Are we doing what Christ wants us to be doing when He returns? Or are we just floundering through life doing whatever, whenever, with whomever?

The words that I want to hear when I see Him face to face, either in heaven or here on earth, is “Well done thy good and faithful servant.” I think we all want to hear those words. I want to know that everything I have done here on earth brings glory to Him, honors Him, and reflects Him as the loving, redeeming, forgiving, gracious Lord that He is.

I want to be reaching out to women all across the world, fulfilling the word that He has given me time and time again, to spread the gospel across all nations! On several occasions, the Lord told me that He wants me to spread the gospel worldwide; three different Scriptures, on three different occasions, confirmed this for me.

Today, almost one year since I started Girlfriends Coffee Hour, I do feel as if I am doing what He wants me to be doing, and I pray that I am still ministering to women all across the world through GCH, when Christ returns! This ministry has been such a huge blessing to see how God is working in so many lives, marriages, families, etc. It has been such an honor to be used by Him to minister to women in need, who need to see Jesus in their circumstances, and in their lives. It’s been such a blessing to pray with women all over the world; to encourage them; to study the Word with them, and so on.

I also have another side to my life that some of you may not know about. I am a foster mom to kids whose families are in crisis, or just need help. I am brand new at this, having had only one placement so far. My husband, Gary, and I both know that this is something God called us to. We both have hearts for kids who have bad homes, or need to be shown the love of God. Our first placement ended this last weekend. My heart is sad because the two precious little ones that we had for a period of time were the most adorable little boys ever!! To wake up each morning and see their smiling little faces, Wow! I can’t even begin to tell you what that does to your heart! I pray God will continue to use us in this manner, and make us even better at parenting future kids that will come into our home.

So, in answer to the question “Is this what I want to be doing when Christ comes back?” I would say that no matter what I am doing, all I want to hear is Him say to me, “Well done thy good and faithful servant.” I want to do all that I can to the glory of Him who has called and chosen me.

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Let’s Pray:

Lord, I pray for each person that is reading this blog today. I pray, Lord, that they would truly search their hearts to make sure that they are doing what You have called them to do. May they begin to seek You in all that they do, Lord. May they do all that they do to bring You glory and honor! May Your plans for their lives be exactly what YOU have called them to do! Our only goal, Lord, should be to bring glory and honor to YOU, Lord, in ALL that we do. We love You so very much! In Your precious Name, AMEN!

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Our next Women’s Online Bible/Book study begins March 24th!

To join us, click on the picture above and complete the registration form.

You may also purchase your book from that sign-up page, too!

We hope you join us!

Filed Under: Women's Ministry Tagged With: Christi Wilson, Crazy Love, Francis Chan, Girlfriends Coffee Hour, when Christ returns

Captivating: Chapter 10 – “Our Last Year Together” – “The Cost” (pgs 173-176)

March 12, 2013 by Tonya Ellison

The true repair of a relationship is an indescribable feeling. Some have experienced this and some haven’t; some haven’t had the need to rebuild a relationship on this level. But God will restore a relationship lost through simple miscommunication or deep hurt. The one point that has rang true to me through this entire book has more to do with not what God can do for us. It has to do with what we will allow Him to do. He has written in His word that He is capable, willing, and does great and wonderful things in our lives.

Will we let Him into our lives and hearts and open ourselves to the healing He has ready for us?

I’ve worked as in the hospice field for a little over 3 years now and as a Bereavement Counselor for a little over two. The story in these two sections is one that I have seen many times, and each time it becomes more and more beautiful. The redemption and healing of a relationship is possible. Through some of the most difficult situations and circumstances God will rebuild ties we thought were severed forever. He will mend together the pieces of our heart that we thought were not able to ever be fixed.

“I tell you this story because I want you to know that redemption is possible. Healing is possible. Ask Jesus to bring it to you and it’s yours.”

Let’s Pray:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of healing and restoration that You offer. If any of our hearts are hardened in this area please soften them, Lord. Please open our hearts and eyes to see the work that You want to do in our lives. Help us to bring the relationships in our lives that need healing to You, Lord. Thank You for this precious gift! It is a gift to us and to those we love.

Your Assignment:

Do you have an example of a relationship restored? Journal your story, and if you feel compelled, please share your story with us. Your story may encourage and inspire another.

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Our next Women’s Online Bible/Book study will begin March 24th!

To join us, click on the picture above and complete the registration form.

Once we receive your registration, we will email you further details!

We hope you will join us!

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If you are interested in sending a private message to Tonya about this blog, please email her at TonyaEllison@girlfriendscoffeehour.com

Filed Under: Singles Tagged With: Bible, bible study, Captivating, Christianity, Girlfriends Coffee Hour, Girls with Swords, God, Jesus, John Eldredge, Lisa Bevere, Online Bible Studies, Singles, Singles Bible Study, Stasi Eldredge, Tonya Ellison

At Home with GCH: Meatless Mondays – Broccoli & Garlic White Pizza

March 11, 2013 by coleen hayden

Here on our At Home with GCH blog, Mondays are always focused on healthy but oh-so-yummy! recipes. This month we are spotlighting vegetarian dishes. Each Monday will actually be a Meatless Monday!

One of my favorite veggies is BROCCOLI! What is your favorite way of preparing broccoli? Mine is simply steaming it! A pinch of salt and a grind or two of pepper…yummy! I have been known to forsake utensils and use my fingers to eat it, too.

This week’s recipe is for Broccoli-Garlic White Pizza…ever had it? Oh, I do l-o-v-e a yummy, tomato-y, cheesy traditional pizza—but—equally love pizza of this genre! This recipe fits our healthy but oh so yummy! category because 1) it has lots of healthy, no fat, few caloried, full of nutrition broccoli, 2) there is a tiny bit of olive oil on it, and 3) the calories contributed by the cheeses total approximately 850 for the whole pie! Now divide that by the 3-4 servings this pizza offers, and you’ve got healthy…check! Yummy…check!

Also you will see that I don’t make my own dough…I stop by my favorite pizza shop and purchase 1 pound of their dough! (I already know how good it is!) And it only costs me…$1. Here’s my only suggestion for baking your pizza: use a pizza stone. They are relatively inexpensive ($8-15 range, I would say) and can be bought in just about any big box store or kitchen goods store. Mine came from Pampered Chef. If not using a pizza stone, you will need a round pizza pan, or a large enough baking sheet to handle the size of your crust.

OK! Here we go! Pizza Pizza!

Broccoli -Garlic White Pizza (serves 3-4)

1 (1#) package of pizza dough
2-3 tablespoons of flour to handle the dough
2-3 tablespoons of cornmeal
2 heads (no stems) of broccoli, chopped into florets (about 3 cups)
3+ tablespoons chopped garlic (I use the jarred variety)
15 ounce container of part-skim Ricotta cheese, let come to room temp
1+1/2 cup shredded cheese (Mozzarella, Provolone, Monterey jack—or a mixture)
3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan
1 tablespoon olive oil
salt, freshly ground pepper, to taste
Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Choose the pizza dough of your preference. If making from scratch…you better get going! If purchased from your local pizza shop, you are set to go!

If using a pizza stone, get it into the oven so that it can heat up!

Preheat the oven to 500.

Heat 2-3 cups water in a medium saucepan to boiling. While the water is coming to a boil, fill a medium-sized mixing bowl with very cold water and a few ice cubes; set aside. When the water in the saucepan comes to a boil, add the broccoli florets. Cook for just 3-4 minutes, no longer; watch carefully. When the broccoli is ready, it will still be bright green and still crisp. It is better for it to be undercooked than overcooked. Remove from the heat and drain. Then immediately place the cooked broccoli into the ice water to stop the cooking process; then drain again. Blot the broccoli with a couple of paper towels. You don’t want to add wet broccoli onto your pizza crust! Extra moisture = soggy crust!

When you are ready to shape the dough, put a couple of tablespoons of flour onto a large cutting board (or your scrupulously clean countertop). Coat the dough ball with flour all around. Flatten the ball into a disc. Then with your fingertips, work your way around the edges, stretching it all out as you go. You can also put your fist in the middle of the growing circle and raise it off of the board, letting the sides stretch down. Then work your fingers around the edge of the circle one more time. I find it easier (safer) to keep my dough flat and just keep working it.*

When your crust is ready, sprinkle a little cornmeal onto a large cookie sheet. You will use this to transfer the pizza onto the VERY HOT pizza stone. Carefully slide the formed pizza crust onto the cookie sheet.

Spread the olive oil all over the pizza crust, even onto the rim. Use just the 1 tablespoon; remember, extra moisture = soggy crust!

Add the ricotta onto the crust and using the back of a spoon, spread the ricotta evenly over the pizza. Then sprinkle the garlic all around. Arrange the broccoli pieces over the surface evenly. Sprinkle with the Mozzarella and Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper.

Bake 10-15 minutes. Watch carefully. If the cheese starts to brown too quickly (before the crust has had a chance to brown), reduce the heat to 475 or so. When the cheese and the crust are just starting to brown, remove from the oven and let cool for 2 minutes. Then slice and serve immediately.

Another veggie topping we like on a white pizza is Caramelized Onions and Mushrooms.

Easy-peasy!

2 tablespoons olive oil
½ good sized onion, sliced thinly
6-7 medium to large Baby Bella mushrooms, cleaned and sliced

Place a medium-sized saute pan on medium heat; add olive oil. Add onions and mushrooms to pan, and cook until they are lightly caramelized, approximately 6-8 minutes. Remove from heat; allow to cool slightly.

Then proceed with the above recipe adding the onion/mushroom mixture in place of the broccoli. That’s all!

*There are lots of videos that you can watch to give you tons of tips and tricks how-to make a perfect pizza crust…check ‘em out!

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

♥ coleen

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If you would like to send a personal message to Coleen concerning this series,
you may email her at: Coleen@girlfriendscoffeehour.com, or leave a comment below.

Filed Under: At Home w/ GCH Tagged With: At Home w/ GCH, broccoli, broccoli-garlic white pizza, coleen hayden, easy peasy, GCH, Girlfriends Coffee Hour, healthy but oh so yummy, Meatless Monday, pizza crust, pizza stone, ricotta, Vegetarian, white pizza

Captivating: Chapter 10 – “Mothers, Daughters, Sisters” – “The Long Road Home” (pp 168-173)

March 11, 2013 by Jackie Chingawale

Adam named his wife Eve,

because she would become the mother of all the living.

GENESIS 3:20

When I think about the woman that I have become, I give all the credit to my mother. I may not have been the perfect daughter, but I did my best to be who she wanted me to be.

Just like Stasi Eldredge, I went through different phases while growing up. I, too, did things I am not proud of; and I, too, gave my mother grief during my college years and my early twenties. When I was at home, I made sure I was doing everything as I was told but all the while hiding the things I was doing. I wasn’t into drugs, but I portrayed myself as someone who wasn’t dating or going to parties. However, no matter how hard you try to hide, things come out in the end and, in my case, they did. My mother was disappointed and threatened to have me withdrawn from college. For a while I lived up to her expectations until I started working and began to live with my aunt. Well, my aunt made sure she reported everything I did—if I came late from work, my mother knew about it; if I had a date on Saturday afternoon or if I didn’t go to church on Sunday morning, my mother would ask me why on Monday morning.

My relationship with my mother was restrained during this time, and it made me hide who I was from her. I longed to be a good daughter…but I couldn’t be since all she heard were the bad things that I did. My mum would say that “I needed Jesus.” All the “bad” I was doing was because I didn’t know Jesus. Well, like a daughter who wanted to be in the best books with her mother, I received Jesus at a major crusade that took place. I stopped pretending that I loved the Catholic Church and started going to a Pentecostal church. I broke up with my boyfriend at that time because he didn’t share my new faith. My weekends were spent at church or at home if there wasn’t a church program. I became someone who my mum and aunt were proud of. The reporting slowly stopped and life was good.

I wish I could end here and say that things were like that over the years. Unfortunately it wasn’t. I wasn’t always the good girl and this wasn’t the last time I would hide or make wrong decisions in life and disappoint my mother. However, despite my shortcomings, my mother was there to correct me and show the correct path. My mistakes did not stop my mum from loving me. She was there with me through the heartbreak and pain that I suffered in my relationships. She always rushed to be by my side when I needed her the most.

“Girls’ hearts flourish in homes where they are seen and invited to become ever more themselves. Parents who enjoy their daughters are giving them and the world a great gift. Mothers in particular have the opportunity to offer encouragement to their daughters by inviting them into their feminine world and by treasuring their daughters’ unique beauty” – Stasi Eldredge.

Looking back at my life now, I cherish the life that my parents gave me and my siblings. We were given opportunities to excel in everything that we did. My parents encouraged us to dream big and rejoiced with us when we did well in school and never failed to show us how much they loved and cared for us.

My mother went to be with the Lord last year after she lost her battle with diabetes. She left behind a legacy of love, strength, and care. She was always full of advice. She was not someone who would embarrass you when you did something wrong;she would call you aside, listen to your side of the story, and tell you what you did wrong and what doing the right thing looked like. My mother lived by example. If she wanted something done, she would be the first to do it. She was someone who would be the first and last to leave a room, making sure everything was fine. I pray that I become half the person that she was.

I know that some of you cannot say such things about your relationship with your mother because of the pain she may have caused you; but at the end of the day, a mother and daughter’s relationship is the most of important of all. It’s the relationship that helps us when we grow up and become mothers ourselves.

My prayer is that no matter what went on in the past or if it may still be happening right now, we would look to the Lord to help us restore the relationship with our mothers. My mother said I needed Jesus—and she was right. Our faith in the Lord is what cemented our relationship. Every time we discussed issues regarding faith, all our differences would melt away. When we talked about Jesus, we were not mother and daughter but we were both children of the most High God, we were both daughters. I enjoyed hearing my mother say “I am praying for you” because I knew that she meant it.

Be Blessed

Jackie

LET’S PRAY:

Lord, I thank You for the precious gift that You gave to me—my mother. I thank You for the life that I had with her, and what she meant to me and my family. I pray for my fellow sisters whose relationships with their mothers are not great right now, that You will restore it. May they cherish one another and learn from one another. May their relationships be Christ-like and forgiving. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

YOUR ASSIGNMENT:

How is the relationship with your mother or daughter? If you were given an opportunity to write about her, what would you say? Please take time today and tell her how much she means to you.

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