MY GARDENING EXPERIENCES

Years ago, I chose to dig this piece of this past rental property.  It was almost impossible due to rocks, so after asking my neighbor if he could help me by using his little John Deer digger; God layed it on his heart to do so.  He even got me some soil.  What a blessing that was.  Unfortunately, I had got some disease to my potatoes & my carrots were full of holes.  Did get to enjoy the fruits of my labor from some of my other veggies.  Anyways, getting to the point. . . I thought that the holes in my carrots were from cutworms but as time went on it was discovered that those holes were caused by the larva of the carrot fly.  See this great link on the carrot fly:  http://www.gardenaction.co.uk/fruit_veg_diary/fruit_veg_mini_project_february_1b_carrot.asp

Last year I dug up this little piece of dirt with the permission of my resident caretaker and planted a few veggies.  Unfortunately, to my demise,  the owner of this building did not approve so it was destroyed.  I was really upset regarding this and let the caretaker know.  He talked to the owner re the situation and I was given a piece of dirt 3 times the size which was part of the parking lot of my building on the south side along with 6 bags of soil.  On a very small portion of this dirt, I managed to dig up enough soil and replace it with some excellent compost from a generous neighbor & good soil from the store for 6 tomato plants.  Also planted some Swiss chard & beets on the poor soil after taking the garden fork to it.  After that, I began digging & sifting the rocks out of some of this portion of a parking lot.  Those tomatoes, Swiss chard & beets were a blessing.  Also, right flush with my building next to that piece of dirt was a skinny sidewalk of poured cement from years ago where I would have liked to take it out but it was impossible; so with Gods' provisions of 4 old wooden window boxes, some of that store bought soil and some brain storming, I  placed them together and planted pole beans & corn.  How beautiful & inviting it looked from the back alley.  After using some coffee grinds sprinkled on top of this two veggies, the pole beans were 8 feet tall and I actually got some fully developed sweet corn (only 4 inches in size).

This year, it was my goal to finish digging & sifting out the dirt.  The dirt was REALLY poor and I knew it needed help with earthworms which puts nutrients, helps aerate the soil and other things. See this interesting article:  http://www.ehow.com/about_6596680_do-earthworms-improve-soil-fertility_.html  Half way done, I dug the flower garden in the front and found lots of worms to add to my very poor soil which was full of sand mixture. 

Discovered that near my house there was a huge compost bin at this little park that said "help your self".  Went and got 2 garbage cans full of it to mix in.  Was worried about the carrot flies so after checking out info according to this old cookbook about companion planting decided to plant in a way that carrot flies might stay away.  Transplanted some chives from the front in with the carrots.  Thought I would google to see if there was anything else I could do to keep those nasty flies from laying their eggs near my carrots.  Found out to sprinkle ash from wood and plant certain herbs.  Got the ash from a neighbors fire pit.  Ash is also REALLY good fertilizer: http://voices.yahoo.com/wood-ashes-improve-garden-3-ways-as-fertilizer-soil-2803696.html?cat=32 
Bought some beautiful blueish purple pansies for the front, a couple of bell pepper plants to add to the garden and some stinky marigolds & sweet marjoram to place with the carrots.  

When  I got home from getting the marigolds & marjoram, I googled on what companion planting thinking there might be some more info 4 my garden.  This long article I came across is truly worth the read if you have a garden or if you know someone that does:    http://www.ghorganics.com/page2.html

Tomorrow I am going to plant the stuff I bought and am going to phone Super Store to see if they have zucchini (Canadian tire didn't have any).  My ones that I planted aren't growing yet. 

Also, I need to find out about rue.  It keeps cats out.  See:  http://ezinearticles.com/?Cat-Repellent-or-How-to-Keep-Cats-Out-of-Your-Garden&id=6554 

Went out later and I think I saw a carrot fly so decided to cut up an old peice of a shear curtain.  Then after placing enough sticks in the soil where my carrots were to hold up the curtain, I placed it over  top so it would be like a tent.  Made it tight and place rocks on the curtain to hold it down.  Praying there will be enough light and water for my carrots.

Hoping all this work will give me a productive garden.

My garden is skinny & long like this.

Side By Side

They lie on the table

side by side,

The Holy Bible

and the TV guide.

One is well worn

and cherished with pride,

Not the Bible ...

but the TV guide.

One is used daily

to help folks decide,

No, not the Bible ...

but the TV guide.

As the pages are turned,

what shall they see;

Oh, what does it matter,

just turn on the TV.

Then confusion reigns,

they can't all agree,

On what they should watch

on the old TV.

So they open the book,

in which they confide,

No, not the Bible ...

but the TV guide.

The Word of God

is seldom read,

Maybe a verse

as they fall into bed.

Exhausted and sleepy

and tired as can be,

Not from reading the Bible ...

from watching TV.

So then back to the table

side by side,

Lie the Holy Bible

and the TV guide.

No time for prayer,

no time for the Word,

The plan of Salvation

is seldom heard.

But forgiveness of sin,

so full and so free,

is found in the Bible...

not on TV.

Fabulous 5-Minute Fudge Wreath

Today while looking at the Yahoo news there was this delicious recipe: 

SERVINGS: 32

PREP: 5 min + chilling 
 

INGREDIENTS: 

~  Unsalted butter, softened
~  One 12-ounce package semisweet chocolate chips
~  1 cup butterscotch chips
~  One 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk (save the can)
~  1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
~  One 8-ounce (1 cup) can walnuts, plus more for topping
~  ½ cup raisins or dried currants (a couple of handfuls)
~  Candied red and green cherries (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

1.    Grease an 8-inch round cake pan with softened butter. Pour the chocolate and butterscotch chips, condensed milk and vanilla into a medium saucepan. Put the pan on the stove and turn the heat to low.

2.    Cover the empty condensed-milk can with plastic wrap and put it in the center of the round cake pan. (Or you could use one of those bundt cake pans)

3.    Stir the chips and milk until they melt together, about 3 minutes.  Place the pan on a pot holder so it does not burn the kitchen counter. Stir in the nuts and raisins. Scoop the fudge into the cake pan all around the plastic-covered can in the center to form a wreath or ring shape.  Let it be all bumpy and funky on top.  Keep pushing the can back to the center if the fudge moves it away from there.  Cut the red cherries in half with scissors and the green cherries into quarters.  Use the green pieces to make leaves and the red to make holly berries. Decorate the fudge with several groups of holly berry sprigs made from the cherries and garnish with walnuts between the sprigs.  (The fudge looks good left plain, too!)

4.    Put the fudge in the fridge and chill until firm.  Remove the can from the center, then loosen the sides and bottom of the fudge with a spatula. Cut the fudge into thin slices to serve.

   
Doesn't it look good?

SKELETONS! - Link to Classic Mary Moments

.

With Halloween around the corner, thought I would put this interesting link re why we as Christians shouldn't celebrate it. . . Please have a look at this eye opening post and perhaps check out some of the links I put on it.

Here it is:

http://cheryl-g.blogspot.com/2009/10/halloween-story.html

Speaking of Halloween. . .

The other day one of my favorite bloggers wrote this post called "Skeletons" that came from a dream that Mary had from God.   I must say that this made me contemplate what I allow in my home once again. 

C

Here's the post:

I looked at the big garbage bag full of totally cute, babelicious and waaaaaaaay adorable stuff. Was I REALLY doing this??? Was I really going to get rid of all these beloved items??? YES... I WAS!!! And it had ALL started with a dream...

...............................................................................................

.

I had this dream one night several months ago, that our whole house was decorated in Halloween stuff! Ghosts, witches, ghouls, monsters, skeletons...EWWWW… it was so creepy!!! In the dream I remember I was in my room with Kim and I was just like, I CAN NOT believe that my sister decorated the house in all this junk!!! She HATES THIS STUFF!!! I remember feeling so appalled. This is HORRIBLE!!! I said to Kim. I do NOT want this stuff decorating my room.

.

When I woke up in the morning, I thought oh man that was a weird dream...I am really glad to know that my sis and I would never decorate the house in all that stuff. Later on in the day I was thinking about it, and although it wasn't like an audible voice or anything, I REALLY felt like God impressed something on my heart.

.

I felt like he told me that there was some skeletons in our house, but we couldn't see them. I felt like he told me there were things that look sweet and innocent, but they are really representing evil. Although we wouldn't ACTUALLY decorate our homes with Halloween stuff, in a way, we still were by allowing these things into our home. I was like OH WOW!!!

.

I was like BUT WHAT??? I mean we don't have TV or Movies or video games or NOTHING of the sort...but still, I felt like God was specifically telling me that there was INDEED stuff that we needed to get rid of in our home. So in my morning prayer, I began asking God to open my eyes to stuff and to give our household convictions about stuff that he didn't like.

.

WEEEELLLL God moved in on that prayer VERY quickly!!! The first thing he showed me that he didn't like was...MAGIC!!!! Anything, that was magical was not pleasing to him...I'm like WHAT??? I mean, I’m like the BIGGEST fan ever of ALL the Disney princesses, how could magic possibly be unpleasing to God?!?! However, as I thought about it, it began to make sense. Anything that mysteriously happens, if its not YOUR IMAGINATION and its NOT A MIRACLE OF God it is Magic. Now if it’s not from our own human minds and its NOT from God, that only leaves one other option…Satan.

.

I know it sounds creepy, and fanatical, but I really believe that when it comes right down to it, magic is of the devil. Magic is the PRETTY, SWEET version of something else we all know as WITCHCRAFT!!! Ooooo I know it sounds extreme, but it’s true... I mean bibbidi bobbidi boo... it seems soooo innocent but what does it mean??? I would hate to find out that I’m spouting out some sort of devilish chant.

.

I remember as a child, troll dolls were very popular. Everyone at school had them and a lot of the kids at our church even. My mom would NEVER let us have troll dolls. I used to wine and complain about not having a troll doll like all the other kids. I remember thinking, WHY DOES MY MOM have to be so strict? What could possibly be wrong with a troll doll when EVEN the pastor’s daughter had one? (with clothes on)

.

Well, my mom told me WHY she didn’t like trolls and WHY she would NEVER allow one into our home. She said that trolls were nothing new. They had troll dolls when she was a child. She said that what most Apostolic people probably didn’t know about trolls, but she did because she was not raised in the truth, was that each troll represented a different spirit. She said that her and her friends would line all their troll dolls up next the Ouija board and play. Now if you don’t know what a Ouija board is, it is a board game that plays with spirits. As soon as I found out her reason for me not having one, I NEVER again asked my mom for a troll doll. It made sense to me. Why would I want something that represented evil?

.

So often we think that the people are fanatical because they won’t celebrate a certain Holiday or participate in certain traditions. But if we get the whole scoop and find out the meaning behind these things, we would be able to understand WHY they have a conviction. You say, Oh I don’t want to know the history or the meaning behind something, it takes the fun out of EVERYTHING. Proverbs 8:13 says, “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil…and the evil way.” If we are God’s people, why would we even want those things?

.

There are so many things that we try and hold on to or get away with, but why? We wouldn’t let a witch doctor come into our home and cast a spell on our kids, but we’ll read about it to them in a book? “Neither give place to the devil.” (Ephesians 4:27) The devil disguises evil as fun and cute, JUST so he can get a foot into our homes. The devil knows how us Apostolics are. We’re not Gothics, ready to hang up straight evil on our walls, so he has to disguise it.

.

We’re in a battle in a spiritual battle. What I write about is not to put people on a guilt trip, but to encourage us as Christians to search our homes for skeletons and to pick up the sword and start fighting against evil coming into our homes. As David says in 1 Samuel 17: "Is there not a cause?" How important are our families and children to us? Are they not a cause WORTH fighting for?

.

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12)

To be continued…

♥Mary Frances :)

LEFTY'S HEFTY CHILI - link to Crock Pot Turkey Chili

Well, Thanks Giving is over in Canada.  It is always nice to reflect on the blessings of God but this holiday really makes you appreciate them.


This year I  got some left over turkey, the organs and drippings; my Chinese friends, my son Shane and myself had a wonderful Thanks Giving meal because of the generosity of my friend. God is good!  I made some delicious bread stuffing out of the drippings, organs, celery, onions fried in butter and seasoned with salt, pepper & sage. We had some tender turkey boiled in some more of the drippings & mushroom soup; some steamed Swiss chard (from my garden) and mixed veggies. The drippings & soup made fantastic gravy for the mashed potatoes! mmmmm


To top it off, we had store bought pumpkin pie and homemade apple-crisp with medium to small green apples which was a blessing from a friends tree - turned out perfect being it was a little tangy with the addition of Breyers vanilla ice cream!


What made it REALLY special is spending it with my son, Tracy & her husband Colin. ♥  Thank the Lord for  family& friends!

A while back, my boss told me about a chili recipe that had cocoa powder as one of its flavorings.  Perfect for the cool days; such as it gets in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Because it makes so much, I decided to split it in half. If you decide to double it, it freezes really well.) This chili recipe is from a restaurant in California called "Lefty O'Doul's" He said that it is really tasty, so here it is.

Ingredients: 2 tbsp vegetable oil (Coconut oil is the best for frying anything)

1 large onion
2 large garlic cloves minced (I would put 3 cloves of garlic)
2 pounds of lean beef stewing meat, cut in small cubes - 4 cups (you could probably use lean ground beef)
1.5 pounds of bulk pork sausage - 3 cups (if you don't like pork, try other sausages such as turkey)
1 large can of cubed tomatoes

1 small can of tomato paste
3 tbsp chili powder
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1 small can of baked beans
1 tsp salt (sea salt for me)
1 tsp sugar (brown for me)
1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1 small can kidney beans drained
1 small can pinto beans drained

In a large heavy sauce pan, heat the oil. Saute the onion and garlic until soft but not brown. Add the beef and sausage and brown. Pour off fat. Add tomatoes, meat mixture, tomato paste, spices, baked beans, salt, sugar and cocoa. Simmer partially covered for 2 hours, stirring often. If mixture becomes too dry add water as it cooks. Stir in the the beans and cook 30 minutes longer or until meat is very tender.
.
Makes about 5 1-cup servings.
.
I think 1 cup of fresh or 1/2 a can of mushrooms and even 1/2 cup of bell peppers cut up would taste great in this. Chili is great on brown rice or brown toast. For that matter, try this on my crepes with shredded cheese on top:

 http://cheryl-g.blogspot.com/2009/08/my-crepe-recipe-link-to-how-crepes-came.html


MY APPLE CRISP RECIPE:


To make the Apple Crisp, I turned on the oven to 375 F. and then greased my large corning ware dish with lots of real butter (I think it is 10" X 10" X 3").  

To begin, I sliced one green apple at a time in segments and cut out the core, peeled each piece, rinsed it in water and placed it in the dish.  Did that until the whole bottom was totally filled with apple.  When that was done I sprinkled the apples with cinnamon, 1/16 inch of cane sugar, a tiny bit of flour and dabbed it with I would say an 1/8 tsp of butter everywhere strategically 2 inches apart.  When that layer was done, I proceeded to do another good size layer of apples & cinnamon (leaving an inch of space left on top for the crumbs). 

To make the crumb mixture, I creamed 1 cup of cane sugar with about 1/3 cup of butter.  Added to that was 1 cup of large flake oats and 1/2 cup of flour.  It was stirred all together until it looked like crumbs and was spread on the apples.  The now full dish was placed in the hot oven to bake for 45 minutes.

Num, Num.  It turned out magnifico and just finished baking when we sat down to eat. 


After I got it in the oven, I made the supper. 


Thank God for my son helping me by picking the Swiss chard and cleaning up a bit. 

PS:  Check out this AWESOME no bake pumpkin pie recipe :

          http://cheryl-g.blogspot.com/2011/03/pumpkin-fluff-pie-link-to-never-fail.html

FREEDOM

No more shackles, no more chains! La La La

One of my favorite songs.

TONGUES GIFT OF HOLY SPIRIT OR SPIRITUAL GIFT & INTERCEDING IN THE SPIRIT

.In everyday lives people deal with natural battles such as how they are going to pay for bills, rent/mortgages, food, cloths or maybe deal with health issues for themselves or loved ones. Sometimes a person might have to face abuse or loneliness. People from every nation have their cross/burdens to bare. As mentioned in some of the scriptures in a more recent post (June 11/09), Jesus can help us with those things if we will lean on him. It may not be in a way we would expect but, God our creator knows what we need before we ask. At this time I am talking to a person who is very angry with God because her life has not gone the way she wants it to go. Sometimes we bring on the things that have happened or that are happening to us. I am sure you have heard the saying that you reap what you sow. But, other times we don't ask for what we are getting. Either way, if we would just give it to Jesus and let him take over our lives. . . he would make things fall into place. Our lives are like a big puzzle. We don't know where all the pieces are suppose to go. God can arrange the puzzle so it all fits together. We just need to do the best we can in pleasing God according to his word or according to what you know is right until God shows us more. It is important that we keep our minds and heart open to the direction he wants us to go through prayer.
.
 If you have Gods spirit within you, his spirit can intercede for you through tongues (utterance in the spirit) and maybe even intercessory prayer. Below I have chose to discuss the subject of tongues and intercessory prayer. Hopefully I can explain it in a way that is easy to understand.
.

.

As you read the 3 verses below, you will discover that Jesus is mentioning about a promise he is going to give and instructs for these individuals to wait for it in Jerusalem. He also mentions that it is the Holy Spirit. . .

.
Verse 49 of Luke 24 says:
.

49) Behold, I (Jesus) send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”

.

Verses 4 & 5 of Acts 1 which is continuing from Lukes writing says:

.

4) And being assembled together with them, He (Jesus) commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for THE PROMISE of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me;

5) for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the HOLY SPIRIT not many days from now.
.

What happened when the people received the Holy Spirit? I myself spoke in tongues when receiving it and saw MANY others likewise do the same. This was similar to what happened in Acts Chapter 2, 8, 10 & 19. God poured out the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, disciples and Mary the mother of Jesus (in the upper room); and in other instances the Samaritans, Jews and the Gentiles with tongues as the Holy Spirit gave utterance. Some people say that God was just speaking to the people in their language when it was first poured out but, when Peter spoke everyone knew what he said; therefore, the different tongues were not neccesary. The tongues was for a sign that Gods spirit was poured out. Also if you read Acts 2:38, Peter has called it a gift. Is this the same as the gift of tongues? Lets read and see.

 .

.

Acts 1: 13 - 15

13) And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James.
14) These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. 15) And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty),
.

Acts 2: 4, 32, 33, 38 & 39

4) And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to SPEAK WITH OTHER TONGUES, as the Spirit gave them UTTERANCE.
32) This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.
33) Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father THE PROMISE of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.
38) Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and YOU SHALL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
39) For the promise is to YOU and to YOUR CHILDREN, and to ALL who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
.
Acts 8: 5, 17-19
5) Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them.
17) Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
18) And when Simon SAW that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money,
19) saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
.

Acts 10: 1, 2, 44-46

1) There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment,
2) a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always.
44) While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.
45) And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.
46 For they HEARD them speak WITH TONGUES and magnify God.
.

Acts 19: 1, 2 & 6

1) And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples
2) he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.”
6) And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke WITH TONGUES and prophesied. 

.

God is still pouring it out the same way. When you have repented and are ready to receive his spirit, you WILL speak in other tongues showing that you have the of the Holy Spirit but, it is not a one time thing. It must continue, as you must get to a place where you speak in tongues regularly when praying to God. It shows that you are in the spirit and you WILL know that you are linked with God when you do this.
.
These people did not have the Holy Spirit until their experience in the upper Room in Jerusalem. Later, after the book of Acts, the gift of tongues (one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit) was talked about. The gift of tongues came AFTER the outpouring of his Holy Spirit. I have seen the spiritual gifts (tongues & interpretation, prophesy and others as well) in action. These were only to serve a temporary purpose. For example when God wanted to confirm what was preached over the pulpit or when he was trying to reach an individual/individuals. I believe that I was used once for the gift of healing but, it was only a temporary gift. It ceased.
.

 .
1 Corinthians 1:4-7

4) I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus,

5) that you were enriched in everything by Him in ALL UTTERANCE and all knowledge,
6) even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you,
7) so that you come short of NO gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. . .
.

1 Corinthians 12:1-4, 7-14, 18, 25-31 1) Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant:

2) You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led.
3) Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking BY THE SPIRIT of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.
4) There are diversities of gifts, but the SAME Spirit.
7) But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:
8) for to one is given the word of wisdom THROUGH the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the SAME Spirit,
9) to another faith by the SAME Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the SAME Spirit,
10) to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
11) BUT ONE AND THE SAME Spirit works ALL these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. 12) For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.
13) For by ONE Spirit we were ALL baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have ALL been made to drink into ONE Spirit.
27) Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.
28) And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.
29) Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles?
30) Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
31) But earnestly desire THE BEST gifts.
.
There is alot of confusion re the below 1 Corinthians 14. Paul is talking about 3 distinct situations:
.

1. He who speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself.

.

2. If tongues is used in the gifts of the spirit with interpretation, it edifies the church.

.

3. He who prophesies (gift of prophecy/preaching) edifies the church.

.
1Corinthians 14:1,2,4, 12-25, 39, 40
1) Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
2) For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men BUT TO GOD, ...
4) He who speaks in a tongue edifies HIMSELF, but he who prophesies edifies the church.
12) Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.
13) Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.
14) For if I PRAY in a tongue, MY SPIRIT PRAYS, but my understanding is unfruitful
15) What is the conclusion then? I will pray WITH the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.
16) Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say?
17) For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified.
18) I thank my God I SPEAK WITH TONGUES MORE THAN YOU ALL;
19) yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue. 21) In the law it is written: “ With men of OTHER TONGUES and other lips I will speak to this people; And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me,” says the Lord.
22) Therefore tongues ARE FOR A SIGN, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe.
23) Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind?
24) But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all.
25) And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.
39) Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and DO NOT forbid to speak with tongues.
40) Let all things be done decently and in order.

.

Not only will you speak in tongues when you get in the spirit, you will also groan because sometimes you need to intercede for yourself or others. In Romans this is called groanings that can't be uttered. Many times I begin my prayer speaking to Jesus, God's spirit takes over, I speak in tongues and then I feel heavy in the Spirit causing me to groan. When this scripture was mentioned in the bible, it was AFTER the outpouring of his spirit just as when it talks about spiritual gifts.
.
Romans 8: 26 & 27
26) Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27) Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
.
Now for all of you who have it, below is an article about a lady that started interceding as soon as she had the above experience of receiving Gods spirit. God was pleased that she was yielding to the Holy Spirit by interceding but, told her that there was a part of her walk with him that he desired and that was to be intimate with him. . . .
. 

FORGOTTEN ABOUT INTIMACY?

.

.....I began to travail only two days after receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost. . . I thought something was wrong with me. . . Id never heard anyone do what I had just done. . . I mean for 30 minutes or so I groaned & wailed loudly in the privacy of my bedroom. . . I went straight to HIS WORD & asked HIM point blank what it is I had just done. . . My bible fell open to Romans 8. . . "With groanings the spirit makes intercession. . . cuz we don't know what to pray for but HE does. . . " (I'm paraphrasing of course). . . From then on that has been one of my major callings. . . to travail & intercede for souls & for the church of the living God & for me & my husband's ministry. . . .....It wasn't until much later (15 years later) (& this happened only a few weeks ago-in January of 2009) I was speaking to the ladies at a place where my husband & I had went to preach revival & during the worship before I got up to speak the Holy Ghost came all over me & began to speak to me as an individual. . . The Lord began to to tell me that I was a vessel that HE had used mightily  how by my travail I had helped to birth many many souls into HIS kingdom. . . & by my intercessory prayer & the ability to do war in the Spirit that I had literally destroyed kingdoms that Satan had been able to construct & how I had freed many from bondage & from strongholds.

.

.

......But HE said. . . "You Lack Intimacy With Me!" . . . HE then began to tell me how after HE uses me to do whatever. . . Birthing, Spiritual Warfare, Intercession, etc. . . Whatever it was HE who decided to use me to do. . . I would simply get up & think in my own self, "Well I've done what I'm suppose to do. . . " & then go off without taking time for intimacy with HIM. HE then told me. . . "This is why so many times you go into almost a burn out mode. . . Kind of like Elijah in that cave. . ." HE said its because you have lacked that intimacy with me. . . It is in that intimacy you find strength to go on into the next battle. . . HE even said that David never fought one battle until he spent time with me on that hill side. . . .....I'm guilty as charged Bro & Sis Warriors! You know just because HE uses us mightily doesn't mean we have done all that we need to do. . . Its NOT US doing the praying anyway. . . We are just mere vessels that HE'S using for HIS PURPOSE! In fact if you think about it WE NEED that intimacy probably more than the average saint or minister. . . We've got to have strength for that battle. . . Just as the Lord impressed me with David. . . HE'S so right. . . I was under the misconception that just because HE used me that I went somewhere deep in HIM. . . But the real depths come from intimacy. . . But if we don't learn to tarry in HIS PRESENCE after the battle. . . We will get burned out just like Elijah in that cave. . . & the Lord will have to come stand at the mouth of our caves and ask, "Elijah What Are You Doing?".

.
By: Sharon L. Hebert
.

I REALLY do need to work on being more sensitive to the spirit that God can use me re his spiritual gifts, but also I need to be MORE intimate with my precious Jesus, how about you??

I Wear Straight Apostolic Hair: Apostolic hairstyle-Roll bun

I came across this blog a while back which shows how to do beautiful hairdos with long straight hair. Here is one of the styles that I would like to try cuz it looks really easy: http://youtu.be/meYSJYswZ1g I Wear Straight Apostolic Hair: Apostolic hairstyle-Roll bun:

SOME GREAT RECIPES FOR A PICNIC and Link to a Healthy Snack Ideas on FaceBook

.
Today, I saw these 2 awesome recipes, that I would like to share with you, on this site called: Like A Bubbling Brook 

This site has got some great info re healthy recipes and meal plans, edifying things for us woman and other great information. 

It is one of the sites/blogs that I enjoy reading from the links on the Apostolic Bloggers  blog.
.

OVEN BAKED FRIED CHICKEN

.

This is one of my boys’ favorites and they’re always willing to help cook when this is on the menu. Since drumsticks are their favorite, I buy a large package of 10 organic drumsticks and use the leftover drumsticks for family picnics or in their lunchboxes, since this chicken also tastes great cold!

• 2 large eggs
• 1/3 cup buttermilk (or plain kefir)
• 1 cup plain breadcrumbs
• ½ cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 ½ tsp dried oregano, crushed
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp sea salt
• 1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 8-10 chicken drumsticks, skin on
  (or assorted chicken pieces, skin on)
• 3 tbsp butter, melted
.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a small bowl, whisk together egg and buttermilk. In a separate bowl, combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, oregano, paprika, salt and pepper. Place breadcrumb mixture on a large plate or baking dish to make it easier to dredge the chicken. Dip drumsticks/chicken pieces into egg mixture; then dredge through breadcrumb mixture until well coated.

Place drumsticks/chicken pieces on a well-oiled 12x17-inch baking sheet, making sure pieces don't touch. Use a spoon to drizzle melted butter across top of chicken. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes or until juice of chicken runs clear when poked with a fork. (Do not turn chicken during baking.) Enjoy!

.

.

GRANDMA'S CULTURED POTATO SALAD
.

I may be a bit bias here, but my Grandma's homemade potato salad has always been one of my favorites. I'm sure she would be proud to know I'm still making it, with just a slight real foodie adjustment – the addition of whole milk yogurt, which provides the health benefits of probiotics, as well as adding a wonderful tangy flavor! Absolutely delicious – the perfect side dish for summer picnics and BBQs!

• 6 cups diced organic red potatoes
  (about 5-6 large red potatoes)
• 2 boiled eggs, diced
• 1-2 stalks of celery, diced
• 1-2 green onions, finely diced
  (include some green parts)
• 1/2 cup plain organic whole milk yogurt
• 1/4 cup mayo
• 1/2 tbsp fresh-squeezed lemon juice
• 1 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp Celtic sea salt
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 tsp dried dill weed
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder

In a large stockpot, boil diced potatoes, until fork tender. Drain and set aside to cool to room temperature. (The reason it's important to bring the potatoes to room temp first, before tossing them in the yogurt mixture, is so the live cultures won't be damaged by excessive heat.)

.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, add yogurt, mayo, lemon juice, mustard and seasonings. Whisk until well combined. Using a large rubber spatula, fold in the diced boiled eggs, celery and green onion. Place mixture in frig until potatoes are finished cooling.

Once potatoes are room temp, add them to the yogurt mixture and gently fold all ingredients together using a large rubber spatula. Add additional salt and fresh ground pepper to taste. Place potato salad in a medium serving bowl and sprinkle top with dried or fresh chopped dill weed (or Italian parsley).

Refrigerate at least two hours, or up to 24-hours, before serving. Serves 4-6. Mmm! A healthy dose of cultures in every delicious bite!

I REALLY want to try these.  

They sound SOOOO  delicious & HEALTHY!!!!

Oh ya, just letting you know that when making your potato salad, try adding some cubed cheese & ham and maybe some sliced radishes & cucumbers.  My dad always does this and I enjoy it this way. . . . You can almost have it as a meal in itself.
 

DO YOU TAKE HAVING A BIBLE FOR GRANTED?

. How much do I take the priviledge of having a Bible for granted. These people have not had the full bible till just now: . . WE NEED TO START ESTEEMING HIS WORD MORE. . . . . It truly is a HOLY book with the words of eternal life. It is God expressing his love to mankind. It is our road map to life with Jesus now. It is a book of GREAT wisdom. It is a book of hope. It is a book of true love. It is a book of miracles. It is a book of provisions. it is a book of history of Gods people. It is a book of history of mankind. It is a book of beginnings. It is a book of the story of creation. It is the unchanged word of God. It is a book of revelation. It is a book of the future. It is a book of salvation. . THERE IS NO BOOK LIKE THE BIBLE!!!