Banana Bread

I have searched for a good banana bread recipe and I finally found one that is so good! I made some this morning! Click here for the recipe and enjoy.

Square Watermelons!

Farmers can actually grow watermelons this way. Look here and here to see for yourself!

Instructions

In Philippians 4:1-9, Paul gives the Philippians several instructions for how they are to live. I think that they are very useful to my life as well.

1. Stand firm in the Lord. (v.1)

2. Agree in the Lord. (v.2)

3. Help others who are in disagreement. (v.3)

4. Rejoice in the Lord always (v.4)

5. Be anxious over nothing. (v.6)

6. Pray about everything with supplication and thanksgiving to God. (v.6)

7. Think on these things: whatever in true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, anything excellent, anything worthy of praise. (v.8)

8. Practice what you have learned, received, heard, and seen in me, Paul. (v.9)

What to Think About

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

As I was reading through Philippians it struck me... What am I thinking about daily? Do I seek to think on "these things" or do I let my mind get overwhelmed with other things? What about you?

Mr. Darcy??

Well, I just saw the trailer for a new movie The Last Legion and it has Colin Firth in it. For those of you who do not know... He is Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice. So it will be interesting to see him in a very different kind of role than I am used to seeing him in. I know that he has been in several different movies...But, to me he will always be Mr. Darcy!!

Fun Cakes

My baby boy will be one next month and I have been looking for some cake decorating ideas. We have decided that I will make his cake every year, so I thought I should look around. I found this great web site HERE, that gives cute ideas for cakes and cupcakes. I think I have decided on this one for his birthday this year. Dinosaurs are always a good option! But the Pirate cake is cool too!!

Premonition

I have not posted in a while, but we have been very busy. We did actually rent a movie the other night. It was Premonition with Sandra Bullock. The movie was very interesting. I do not want to spoil it for those who have not see it, but it did have some Biblical truth to it.

All I will say is this: You cannot stop or change the plans of the Lord (Isaiah 46:8-11). Which is a great comfort to me. That God has ordained all my days and I cannot change His perfect plan for my life (Romans 11:33-36). He is actively a part of every moment of my days, and I am not in control (Romans 9:14-23) (Matthew 10:29-31). I am not more powerful than my Lord. He is constantly watching over me (Psalm 121). No matter what happens it will be for my good and His glory!! (Romans 8:28)(Genesis 50:20)

So I would say this was a good movie, rent it for yourself!

A Home of Grace

For Mother's Day my husband gave me the book Building a Home Full of Grace by John and Susan Yates.

I just recently started reading it. I am often leery of ready marriage and family books when I do not know the authors, but this is a very helpful and practical book. I think it is especially good for me, still being a newlywed (2 years in October!), but I think it would also be helpful for those who have been married for a while. I am only about one-forth of the way through it, but God is using it to help re-shape my thoughts on my marriage and how it can be better and more glorifying to Him.

Garfield

Monday Moments

Fun at a pool party!

Why Did the Bridge Collapse?

This is a video of the bridge collapse and John Piper’s message is overlaid on the video footage from their video team that went out after the bridge collapsed. His ministry and church are within only a couple of minutes of where the bridge collapsed and several of the people who work for Desiring God drove across that bridge ever day.
[Ht: Glenn Jones]

What is the Gospel?

My Pastor has been preaching about "Who is Concord?" This is the written description of who our church is:

Concord Baptist Church is a group of redeemed sinners

seeking to display the glory of God

among our neighbors and the nations

by being gospel-shaped, gospel-sharing people.

I have enjoyed the Word that he has brought to us these past few weeks. This morning's sermon was on the Gospel. He made some great points that I wanted to share.

What is the Gospel?

1. The Gospel, at it's core is a historical event. 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

The Gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

2. The Gospel is for us. 1 Corinthians 15:3 (Christ died for our sins ) That is the meaning of the Gospel, it is good news for us.

What is gospel-shaped?

It is meant to define who we are, all of our life is to be shaped by the gospel.

We are all shaped by something- sports, image, entertainment, work, family... These are not bad things to a certain degree, but they can become what shapes us.

So... What defines you? What is shaping you?

I thought these were good questions. What is it in my life that is shaping me? Is it Christ and the Gospel or other things that I am conforming to? There are many things that try to conform me and I must confess it is not always the Gospel. But I want it to be!

Here is a clear description of what being gospel-shaped can look like:

* Believe the Gospel. Mark 1:14-15 The Gospel is everything. There is not a single moment of each and every day that I am not in need of believing the Gospel. It is not just for the unbeliever, but for the believer too. 1 Corinthians 15:1 The Gospel is for us to believe in and stand upon. I am so in need of the Gospel every moment of the day. It is when I am not standing on it, that I fall into sin!

*Love the Gospel. What you love is what shapes you. He gave five points from C.J. Mahaney's book The Cross Centered Life (a must read!)

1.Memorize the Gospel. 1 Cor. 15:3-4, Romans 5:6-11, Romans 6:23, 2 Cor. 5:21 (just a few)

2.Pray the Gospel.

3. Sing the Gospel.

4. Review how the Gospel has changed you.

5. Study the Gospel.

* Obey the Gospel. Galatians 2:11-14

All disobedience is out of step with the Gospel. The Gospel must affect every part of your life-your thoughts, actions, and activities. We should all live a life worthy of the Gospel. Philippians 1:27

Not Good

I read Not Very Becoming to Jane on the blog Solo Femininity and I was sad. I was looking forward to seeing this movie because I am a huge Jane Austin fan, but it looks like I should spend my money on better things. Read her article and decide for yourself.

Her closing words were:

Bottom line: Save yourself the $10 and watch the A&E version of Pride & Prejudice. It's much better.

I would have to agree. That is one of the best movies!!