My how that wind has blown!! I walked our three furry babies tonight and was about blown off the street. We had to take two different routes tonight because they go a little crazy if someone else dares come down our street! ha. Tonight I have a story to share with you - not sure if it is folklore or true but teaches a lesson about what we can do to change the world - especially the world around us. I am borrowing it from an article my cousin wrote!
The Very Rare and Most Beautiful Vase - Bob Garsee
Luke17:21
“Behold the kingdom of God is within you.”
Once upon a time, in a land far, far away there lived a very poor man in a shabby house in a run-down neighborhood on the wrong side of the tracks in an economically depressed town, in a state overrun with poverty and need. Things were not looking good.
One day as he was rummaging about the piles of items discarded from the local flea market, tossed aside because nobody wanted any of them, something caught his eye. It was a vase, and to his amazement, it was unbroken despite the obvious abuse it had suffered; It was dirty and nasty yet it was so beautiful, even more so when contrasted by all the trashy surroundings.
He took it home, cleaned it up and placed it upon his mantle in his dingy living room, and then sat and simply stared at it. Day after day he would spend hours gazing upon the very rare and most beautiful vase, he realized how cluttered his mantle was with other things, and how stained the wall was with the grime of poverty. So he cleared the junk off the mantle, and put a fresh coat of paint upon the wall. That simple decision caused the vase to stand out - an even greater beauty, for now his entire wall took on the look of a beautiful painting, and he found such joy in gazing upon it all.
Then one day as he entered his living room he noticed how worn was the carpet, and how tattered were the furnishings. He pulled the carpet out and uncovered a beautiful hardwood floor; he cleaned and recovered the furnishings, transforming the look of the entire room. This in turn led him to slowly began renovating the rest of his home. Once finished, he delighted in the comfort of his beautiful home.
But then he noticed that the yard was overgrown with weeds, and filled with junk; the fence was broken down and the outside of his home looked weathered and wasted. So he set upon making the needed repairs and cleaning up the yard. Soon, his home became the talk of the neighborhood, for it brought such a sense of hope to all those around him. Before long the other homeowners began making repairs upon their houses and yards, such that the entire neighborhood transformed and became the talk of the town.
Yet a little while longer and the town itself began to change; clearing the trash off the streets, repairing broken windows and repainting faded homes; refurbishing businesses and rekindling dreams. At length, the town became the garden spot of the state. Tourists came from far and wide to see the beauty of the transformed town. Upon seeing it, they each went home inspired to make changes in their own homes.
Meanwhile, the man sat happily in his living room and looked upon that rare and most beautiful vase, blessed that his life had been transformed by beauty.
Hope this inspires you as it inspired me! Thanks Robert!!!
I promised a recipe of the dessert I plan to use next week but first I have to tell you of a success I had. Go look at the recipe I posted on January 6, 2010 for 6 Week Bran Muffins. Delicious recipe - but lots of sugar and oil! Well Travis loves those muffins - but due to a required change of diet - I had to lighten it up for Tavis' sake! So I bit the bullet and bought a large bag of Splenda (Brookshires $7.04) and replaced the white sugar with Splenda. Then you will notice the recipe calls for 1 cup and 3 Tablespoons oil. I replaced the cup with 1 cup of unsweetened Applesauce and then added the 3 Tablespoons of oil. This morning I cooked four of the muffins - one for me just to test it. PERFECT - no difference in taste or texture! Just healthier!!!! So change your recipe - and do make them -- they are delicious and so much healthier now!!
Ok - not so sure about how healthy - but everyone says "DELICIOUS!"
ICE CREAM SANDWICH DESSERT
Ingredients:
24 Ice Cream Sandwich Dessert Bars
1 - 12 oz. container of frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 - 12 oz. jar hot fudge sauce, warmed
1 Jar 12 oz. Caramel, warmed
Toasted pecans or crumbled Butterfinger or Health Bar pieces (already chopped up - how easy is that!!!!)
Directions:
Arrange 12 of the ice cream sandwiches in the bottom of a 9 x 13 pan. spread 1/2 of the whipped topping on top of the sandwiches. Spoon 1/2 of the hot fudge and caramel on top of the whipped topping. Place remaining 12 ice cream sandwiches on top of the fudge, spread the rest of the whipped topping,then finish the layers with the remaining hot fudge. Crumble or shred candy bar over the top or sprinkle with more toasted nuts. Cover and place in the freezer for at least 2 hours to set. Let soften at room temperature briefly before cutting into squares.
God is so Good! He answers prayers before we even plead with Him. Thank you God for being so awesome, so kind, so forgiving, and so blessing!! Just today I heard of a blessing he has given a loved one of mine and without God's intervention - I don't believe it would have happened!!
Have a blessed evening or tomorrow or whenever you get time to read this post! I can never thank you enough for the encouragement and following I've had. I just want this blog to bless the people that read it - provide great cooking opportunities - and a glimpse into the grace and glory of God!
His Will - I will have more!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment