Sunday, October 31, 2010
Baking Full-Scale
Since I started my new blog with a new individual dessert every day, I'm not used to baking full-size desserts anymore. Today, I wanted to make a dessert to take to a dinner at church this evening. Well, I had problems. I'm not used to needing more than a couple tablespoons of anything, and I didn't have enough ingredients to make the dessert I'd been planning on for a week. So, at the last minute, I changed my mind and decided to make a different dessert. The dessert I ended up making took twice as long in the oven, causing us to run late for church. Shew! I think I'll stick with my miniature desserts from now on!
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Christian Fruit
I've been doing a Bible study lately on the fruit that gives evidence that someone is a Christian, and I have found some interesting truths. In Matthew 7:16, Jesus says, "Ye shall know them by their fruits..." Again in Matthew 12:33, He says, "...the tree is known by his fruit." We know that we can discern what kind of tree we see by the fruit it bears. An apple tree will always bear apples, and a peach tree will always bear peaches, etc. Thusly, a Christian will always bear Christian fruit.
So, what is Christian fruit? Many people say it is the good works done by a Christian and lost souls brought to Christ by a Christian. These are, indeed, good things which should be present in a Christian's life, but from my study, I have concluded that is not the identifying fruit Jesus was speaking of. In fact, Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:22-23, "Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name cast out devils? and in they name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity." There are lots of people doing good things and even bringing the lost to Christ, but sadly, some of them are lost themselves.
Galatians 5:22-23 tells us: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance..." This nine-fold fruit will be evident, to varying degrees, in every Christian. Notice that none of the nine elements listed above are actions. The fruit (or proof) that we are Christians are characteristics rather than deeds.
In the Gospels, Jesus often refers to us as branches. We are to bear fruit, even as branches on a tree. Let's consider a branch on an apple tree. What does that branch DO to bear fruit? It doesn't do any works. It abides in the tree. As the branch is connected to the trunk, receiving nourishment from the root, it produces apples. Likewise, as we are connected to Christ and receiving nourishment from His Word, we will produce fruit that others will be able to see in our lives.
As Christians, we should be characterized by the nine parts of the fruit of the Spirit. The first three parts should characterize our relationship with God: love, joy and peace. Our relationships with others should evidence longsuffering, gentleness and goodness. And, inside ourselves, we should be filled with faith meekness and temperance.
Just as good works will never save anyone, and good works cannot keep us saved, good works should not be the only thing identifying us as children of God.
So, what is Christian fruit? Many people say it is the good works done by a Christian and lost souls brought to Christ by a Christian. These are, indeed, good things which should be present in a Christian's life, but from my study, I have concluded that is not the identifying fruit Jesus was speaking of. In fact, Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:22-23, "Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name cast out devils? and in they name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity." There are lots of people doing good things and even bringing the lost to Christ, but sadly, some of them are lost themselves.
Galatians 5:22-23 tells us: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance..." This nine-fold fruit will be evident, to varying degrees, in every Christian. Notice that none of the nine elements listed above are actions. The fruit (or proof) that we are Christians are characteristics rather than deeds.
In the Gospels, Jesus often refers to us as branches. We are to bear fruit, even as branches on a tree. Let's consider a branch on an apple tree. What does that branch DO to bear fruit? It doesn't do any works. It abides in the tree. As the branch is connected to the trunk, receiving nourishment from the root, it produces apples. Likewise, as we are connected to Christ and receiving nourishment from His Word, we will produce fruit that others will be able to see in our lives.
As Christians, we should be characterized by the nine parts of the fruit of the Spirit. The first three parts should characterize our relationship with God: love, joy and peace. Our relationships with others should evidence longsuffering, gentleness and goodness. And, inside ourselves, we should be filled with faith meekness and temperance.
Just as good works will never save anyone, and good works cannot keep us saved, good works should not be the only thing identifying us as children of God.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Answered Prayer -- Miracle Healing
As most of you know, I spent four days in the hospital about a month and a half ago. I was having chest pains and had to go through a whole series of tests because of two heart defects I was born with.
When I was about six months old, I was diagnosed with a Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD, for short), which is a hole between the two ventricles. The doctors assured my parents that it would close up on its own, probably by the time I was 10. Well, it didn’t.
When I was 22, I went to a cardiologist for the first time in many years because of some heart-related symptoms I was having. That’s when I was diagnosed with Ebstein’s Anomaly, which is a deformed tri-cuspid valve, positioned lower than it is supposed to be. Since that time, I have been on daily medication and monitored every year or so, with tests every few years.
During all this time, every test run showed the VSD. The heart cath I had in 1998 showed that it had closed up some and was quite small, but it was still there. The doctor who performed the cath told me that it was unlikely that it would ever close up completely. The echo I had 3 or 4 years ago indicated that it was still there, though not much of a problem any more.
Today, I got the results of the tests that were done while I was in the hospital recently. The most amazing news I’ve ever received -- the VSD is gone. Not only has it closed up, but there is no evidence that it was ever there. All the pressures in my heart are normal. All four chambers are the right size. The only problem I have now is the Ebstein’s Anomaly, and it is moderate.
WOW! Praise God for answered prayers!!!
In all honesty, I must admit here that the prayers He answered were not my prayers, but the prayers of others. While I have faith in God’s power to heal, I never thought of my defect as something that would qualify. People would tell me they would pray that God would heal my heart, and I would just smile and say that was nice. Inside, I was thinking, “How silly! Don’t you know this isn’t the kind of thing God heals? It’s not a disease or an infection. Rather, it’s a structural problem that can be fixed only with surgery.”
Well, God showed me! He listened to the prayers of others who possessed the faith that I did not have, and He worked a miracle in my heart. Now, I have the faith to believe that if He chooses, He can also repair my tri-cuspid valve and move it to the place where it can function best. That sounds impossible, but my God is capable of doing the impossible.
When I was about six months old, I was diagnosed with a Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD, for short), which is a hole between the two ventricles. The doctors assured my parents that it would close up on its own, probably by the time I was 10. Well, it didn’t.
When I was 22, I went to a cardiologist for the first time in many years because of some heart-related symptoms I was having. That’s when I was diagnosed with Ebstein’s Anomaly, which is a deformed tri-cuspid valve, positioned lower than it is supposed to be. Since that time, I have been on daily medication and monitored every year or so, with tests every few years.
During all this time, every test run showed the VSD. The heart cath I had in 1998 showed that it had closed up some and was quite small, but it was still there. The doctor who performed the cath told me that it was unlikely that it would ever close up completely. The echo I had 3 or 4 years ago indicated that it was still there, though not much of a problem any more.
Today, I got the results of the tests that were done while I was in the hospital recently. The most amazing news I’ve ever received -- the VSD is gone. Not only has it closed up, but there is no evidence that it was ever there. All the pressures in my heart are normal. All four chambers are the right size. The only problem I have now is the Ebstein’s Anomaly, and it is moderate.
WOW! Praise God for answered prayers!!!
In all honesty, I must admit here that the prayers He answered were not my prayers, but the prayers of others. While I have faith in God’s power to heal, I never thought of my defect as something that would qualify. People would tell me they would pray that God would heal my heart, and I would just smile and say that was nice. Inside, I was thinking, “How silly! Don’t you know this isn’t the kind of thing God heals? It’s not a disease or an infection. Rather, it’s a structural problem that can be fixed only with surgery.”
Well, God showed me! He listened to the prayers of others who possessed the faith that I did not have, and He worked a miracle in my heart. Now, I have the faith to believe that if He chooses, He can also repair my tri-cuspid valve and move it to the place where it can function best. That sounds impossible, but my God is capable of doing the impossible.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Band Fundraiser
It's that time of the year when the band does its fundraisers. The biggest fundraiser of the year was Music in the Castle, which was held last Saturday. Bands from 10 area high schools came to THS to compete in a full day of musical festivities. The day culminated in an exhibition performance by the THS Mighty Viking Band. They were awesome!
Sam is in there somewhere, but I can't find him. haha
Now, it's time to sell fruit ... oranges, grapefruit and tangelos. Each band member needs to sell at least 10 boxes of fruit. Local friends, please show your support for THS and place your order for fruit!
Orders (WITH payment) are due by November 4.
Sam is in there somewhere, but I can't find him. haha
Now, it's time to sell fruit ... oranges, grapefruit and tangelos. Each band member needs to sell at least 10 boxes of fruit. Local friends, please show your support for THS and place your order for fruit!
Orders (WITH payment) are due by November 4.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Back to the E.R.
I had to go to the E.R. again today; and if I start doing any worse this weekend, I'll have to go back to be admitted to the hospital again. The last time I was in the hospital, they adjusted my medications, and one of them ended up being at a toxic level. So, I've been poisoning myself everyday while taking my daily prescriptions.
On top of that, I have a very BAD urinary tract infection. I went to the E.R. because I suspected the digoxin poisoning, but I was completely shocked by the U.T.I. Before any of the test results came back, the doctor was convinced it was mono. He appeared surprised by the findings.
This time, I didn't come out black and blue. The nurse who started the I.V. did it in just one try and didn't even bruise me. If I ever have to go back there again, I hope I get that same nurse again. The last time I was there, I was bruised up and down both arms before I got moved from the E.R. to a regular room.
On top of that, I have a very BAD urinary tract infection. I went to the E.R. because I suspected the digoxin poisoning, but I was completely shocked by the U.T.I. Before any of the test results came back, the doctor was convinced it was mono. He appeared surprised by the findings.
This time, I didn't come out black and blue. The nurse who started the I.V. did it in just one try and didn't even bruise me. If I ever have to go back there again, I hope I get that same nurse again. The last time I was there, I was bruised up and down both arms before I got moved from the E.R. to a regular room.
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