Peg has three new Feathered Pen short writings in our OUTSTANDING ARTICLES that we know you will enjoy reading.  Hugs and blessings  … the CCF team

EXCITING CHANGES ARE ON THE HORIZON!!!

1 loaf French bread, cubed (with crust)
8 ounces cream cheese, cut into small chunks
12 eggs
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 stick butter, melted

Spread cubed French bread in greased 9×13 bakeware dish. Scatter cream cheese over top. In blender, combine remaining ingredients well. Pour egg mixture over bread. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight. Bake at 350 degrees uncovered for 50-60 minutes.

Strawberry sauce:
2 cups strawberries or 10 ounces frozen strawberries
2 cups strawberry preserves

Combine ingredients in small saucepan and stir constantly until preserves melt and sauce is hot. Serve warm with stuffed French toast.

CCF

CCF

They say, “A picture is worth a thousand words!” We don’t normally share email pics, but this one was too good to pass up.

(New American Standard Bible)
“This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

(New Living Translation)
“Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

After an honest heart-examination, God slowly revealed to me that my focus was on “ME”, not Him. Self-centered, tunnel vision, inner absorption, no matter the name, it masked itself under the guise of “time-honored resolutions”. I learned that true, lasting change would not come until I turned the focus off of me and totally on to Him; to become less absorbed over the “stuff” in my life, and become more absorbed in the everlasting substance of God. It’s interesting to read on, after Paul’s admission and agonizing over his weaknesses and shortcomings in Chapter 7 of Romans, that victory reigned in Paul’s life when he focused no longer on himself, but on God and His amazing, unconditional love. (*See below.)

One of my favorite authors is Ruth Harms Calkins and she expresses it so well: “Lord, for so long I thought Your love demanded that I change. At last I am beginning to understand that Your love changes me.”

Wouldn’t you agree that this is freeing? Let me quickly add, there is nothing wrong in striving to take care of yourself and live as healthy as you possibly can, but it all begins by knowing God, truly knowing Him, and understanding His infinite love and care for us. Begin today to allow God, the One who holds the power and creativity to change you (transforming you as only He can), to become the person He wants you to be. Be in continuous prayer and discover the truth of His Word. The more you come to know the character of God, the more you are willing to yield to His ways and perfect will. There is no one who will love you more, and He wants you to be conformed into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. For it’s in Jesus, alone, that you will find your true self and realize the abundant life He promises!!!

* Romans 8:5-17 Click on this verse. The New International Version will pop up (good!) but click on the down arrow and go to The Message + Update for a really good and clear paraphrase.

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“‘P-u-t-t’ is correct,” he replied. “P-u-t’ means to place a thing where you want it. ‘P-u-t-t’ means merely a vain attempt to do the same thing.”

… who puts a tranquil home ahead of an immaculate house;

… who knows a kind act will be remembered longer than an easy word;

… whose sense of humor is alive and well;

… who really believes that prayer changes things;

… whose faith in the future sweetens the present;

… whose Bible never needs dusting!

Thanking God for His countless blessings is not something we do just in November at Thanksgiving, but EVERY day! Take a look at Philippians 4:4 (The Message): “Celebrate God all day, every day, I mean, revel in Him!” We can do this because of our relationship with His son, Jesus Christ. He is the Giver of Life to all who seek Him. We must humble ourselves before His Throne of Grace and give thanks for who He is and for all He does in our lives.

There are probably a number of different reasons why many Christians don’t practice this on a regular basis. The two we think of most often are busyness and daily distractions. Both can rob us of our time with Him and our relationship with others. We should continually ask ourselves if we are living a life that is pleasing to God and if we’re modeling right living for our children. Gratitude, praise, and thanksgiving are spiritual disciplines that must be practiced so they become as natural as breathing.

Throughout the remainder of 2010, open your eyes to the blessings God freely and lovingly gives. Sometimes, they get wrapped up in the over-whelming struggles and difficulties of day-to-day living and we tend to miss them. However, keep looking. They’re the serendipities of life! They’re God’s gifts to His children!

Most would agree, we live in uncertain times. Sadly, the closer we near the “end of end times”, evil will wax more and more. (Christians, UNITE IN PRAYER so that the church – corporate and individual believers in Jesus Christ – will physically, spiritually, and intellectually prepare for the difficult days ahead and also step up Jesus’ command for the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20)

We’ve shared this before, but the best antidote to anything negative or traumatic in our lives is ACTION! This can look differently depending on the situation, but one of the foremost things we can do is to fall on our knees in prayer.

Most of us have heard “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” (Benjamin Franklin) so it would behoove all of us to pray daily over our family and loved ones to our Great Protector. We have a 9-1-1 number we can personally access. It’s Psalm 91:1 (through verse 16): Psalm 91:1-16. So, pray these verses, not as some magical chant, but as God’s divinely, inspired Word. Read them, memorize them, and believe that God’s word will go out and not return void without accomplishing what pleases God. Isaiah 55:10-11 DON’T DOUBT but BELIEVE! When we pray God’s Word, in faith and according to His will, be ready for God to move!

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