At the Lords Bootcamp

I haven't posted in a long time.

Marianna left, red t shirt sitting side saddle and the Madagascar Orphan Angels

http://youtu.be/Er5bSq3AVSU

Barbara, on the left sitting...the Malawi Medical Team singing their theme song!

And a video that gives a bit of insight into Teen Missions and the Lord's boot camp!

If you like Dr Suess

A lady at church has been reading bible stories from "The Ten Commandments" by Phil A Smouse  http://www.philsmouse.com/

for the childrens story part of the Sunday church service. I don't know if kids get a kick out of goofy rhyme like I do or not, but I know that when I read to the kids, those are the kinds of books I enjoyed reading to them the most, and I can't wait to hear Commandment #5 at church tomorrow. Anyways, the rhyme is alot like Dr.Suess. I don't think Dr.Suess stories where my kids favorites. Still, if it is Dr Suess and I read it more than once, I can practically recite it word for word...and that is pretty amazing for someone who's had the same phone # for four years and still gets it wrong on occasion!

Happy Thanks Giving

 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
Ephesians 1:15-17

Paul prayed that the Ephesians would know Christ better. Christ is our model, and the more we know Him, the more we will be like Him. Study Jesus' life in the Gospels to see what He was like on Earth nearly 2000 years ago, and get to know Him in prayer. You will experience the transforming power of His Holy Spirit. Personal knowledge of Christ will change your life. You will never, ever be the same. Whatever you are going through will begin to seem minuscule when you start to see it through God's eyes. Your perceptions will change. Your viewpoints will change. Your opinions will change. Your attitudes will change. You will begin to acquire the traits of Christ and become more like Him. There is no greater evidence on earth of the power of God than that of a changed heart.
God bless you, J.H.

A video the girls put together of Barbara's summer mission to Zimbabwe and Marianna's mission to Zambia. They had the opportunity to share a bit about their summer in church this morning, nothing could put into perspective all that I have to be thankful for better than listening to my daughters speak about their journeys. Next summer Marianna will be going on a motor cycle mission http://www.motorcyclessmissions.org/ in Madagascar. Barbara will be eye glass/medical team to Malawi http://www.teenmissions.org/2012/06/29/malawi-mission-trip-13019/

Squirrel

My nephew with the squirrel he saved. To me it just seems pretty neat. Others could come up with all kinds of great captions for those pictures....but all I can think of is............

Only One Life

I came across this the other day. My Mom always uses the line "Only one life, t'will soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last." but I never knew where that line was from. Anyways, I like it so I'll post it here.

“Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill,
living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, “twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say,”Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last. ”

— extra stanza —

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be,
If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.”

C.T Studd

Toviel Microwave Fudge Mix

Psalm 135:3
Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good;
sing praise to his name, for that is pleasant.
 
As I ponder publishing my "secret formula" I can't help but think of the events that led to it's discovery and of all the spiritual analogies I could draw from the process. I'm a poor story teller tho so I'll just try to give you the facts in a nut shell and leave the analogies for someone else. I really need to get this written down, if only for my own benifit, my memory is short and I really don't want to go through the process of re-learning all this if I ever feel inclined to make fudge mix again!
  Almost two years ago I came across a delicious fudge recipe...what was most unique about it was the fact that it was a dry mix...ie you could gift the mix to someone and when they wanted fresh fudge all they need to do is add water and microwave.Chef tess Magic Fudge
I loved the recipe but it called for powdered butter (we made it with margarine).  I wanted to make the mix to give as gifts...but here in Canada powdered butter is simply not available and ordering it in from the U.S. isn't an option since the tarrif can be as high as 300%. Making any to give away just wasn't an option!
 Last fall when my two daughters registered for summer missions in Africa and my wife and son registered for an easter break mission to Mexico we started looking at ideals for fundraisers. Fudge mix was one of the ideals.  I gave alot of thought to how I could get powdered butter or some other powdered form of milk fat that would  be economical enough to make a microwaveable fudge mix we could sell.  One day the ideal came to me...how to make a fudge mix with the ingredients I have available. I'm pretty sure it came straight from God, because I wouldn't have come up with the ideal on my own if I live to be 100! I took that as a sure sign that it was something God would have us do for our fundraising so we wasted no time aquiring the ingredients, the bags, printing the labels and making 150 pounds of fudge mix!  Well God is good, and the funds have been coming in...but as for our fudge mix, mostly I've been giving it away!  Sometimes I think  "Why Lord?, what is the point of this fudge mix?"  but really, what could be better, God has given us something good and we can share it. Does it get any better than that?   Fitting I suppose for something we call Toviel (Goodness of my God) Fudge. Somethings are just meant to be free and are just too good not to share!

Toviel Microwave Fudge Mix

4 cups Powdered sugar (600g)
1 1/2 cups of chocolate mini chips (300g)
3/4 cup cocao (22-24%) (100g)Cocao Barry
1/3 cup coffeemate coffee creamer (40g)
1 Teaspoon Vanilla powderGround Vanilla
3/4 teaspoon salt
A tiny pinch of cayenne pepper

-Mix the ingredients well. My measurements are leveled but not packed cups and in the case of the chocolate chips a slightly rounded but NOT a heaped cup! It becomes very important when you go to prepare the fudge because if the water/mix ratio is high the fudge may have the consistency of a fudge icing, if the water/mix ratio is low it will be  difficult to mix and pour. I believe high fat cocoa contributes substantially to the success of the fudge...tho I haven't tested it with a 10/12% cocao. I use compound mini chips, they are very economical and they seem to work well. I have  used large milk chocolate chips as well (I ground them in the food processor) and that worked well too..

To Prepare the Mix:
Place the mix in a microwave safe mixing bowl, add 2/3 cup water (measure carefully!) You will not be able to mix it much at this point....so microwave it on high for 3 minutes, mix well and return to the microwave for an additional 1minute 30 seconds.  Mix and pour into the 8"x13" lightly oiled cake pan that you prepared ahead of time.  Let the fudge set.

This recipe will make about 3 pounds of fudge...which is lots. If you wish to divide the mix into two equal portions then prepare each portion as such : add  1/3 cup water,  microwave for two minutes on high, mix well, return to the microwave for one minute, mix and pour.
The microwave times work well for microwave ovens in the 500-800watt range. If your microwave is more powerful then you can reduce the microwave times somewhat. This mix does not need to boil, it simply needs to melt.
 We have the use of a comercial scale so we also packaged it in a diet size 210gram package. 210 grams requires two tablespoons (30ml) of water and the microwave time is reduced to 1 minute on high, mix and return to microwave for an additional 30 seconds.
  That is about all I have to say about that.

Psalm 34:8
Taste and see that the LORD is good;
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

Tough Love

   Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lacked," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
Mark 10:21

What does money mean to you? Although Jesus wanted this man to sell everything and give his money to the poor, this does not mean that all believers should sell all their possessions. Most of his followers did not sell everything, although they did use their possessions to serve others. Instead, this story shows us that we must not let anything we have or desire keep us from following Jesus. We must remove all barriers to serving him fully. What if Jesus asked, could you give up your house? Your car? Your level of income? Your reaction may show your attitude toward money-whether it is your servant or your master. In addition, Jesus showed genuine love for this man, even though he knew that the man might not follow him. Love is able to give tough advice; it doesn't hedge around the truth. Christ loved us enough to die for us, and he also loves us enough to talk straight to us. If his love were superficial, he would give us only his approval; but because his love is complete, he gives us life-changing challenges. That is what God's love is all about.
God bless you,

J.H.