November Recipes

Pumpkin Muffins
You can buy this kit at the store and add eggs, oil, and water and make some yummy muffins or a cake loaf with the mix. I made muffins this morning and, in one batch, added some chocolate chips. Delish!

** If you would, rather, make them from scratch, here is a recipe that I will try next time:

Ingredients

* 1 cup All-purpose Flour
* 1/2 cup Sugar (or substitute honey)
* 2 teaspoons Baking Powder
* 1-1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
* 1/4 teaspoon Ground Ginger
* 1/2 teaspoon Nutmeg
* 1/2 teaspoon Salt
* 4 Tablespoons Butter, cut into pieces
* 1 cup (heaping) Pumpkin Puree
* 1/2 cup Evaporated Milk
* 1 whole Egg
* 1-1/2 teaspoon Vanilla
* 1/2 cup Golden Raisins (optional!)

 Topping

* 2 Tablespoons Sugar
* 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
* 1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Generously grease 12 muffin tins.


Sift flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt. Cut in butter with two knives or a pastry blender until it is fully incorporated. In a separate bowl, mix together pumpkin, evaporated milk, egg, and vanilla. Pour pumpkin mixture into the flour mixture. Add raisins. Fold gently until mixture is just combined.

Pour into a greased muffin pan—batter hardly ever fills all twelve unless you keep it down to 1/2 full. Sprinkle with remaining cinnamon-sugar-nutmeg mixture over the top of each unbaked muffin.

Bake for 25 minutes. Allow to cool in pan for 15 minutes, then remove and allow to cool.

Homemade Apple Pancakes

The other day, I was hungry for pancakes and stumbled upon this recipe a friend sent me a while ago in my recipe box. It was very simple, very tasty, and healthy too! You should definitely try it out.

Ingredients

* 1 small Apple

* 1 cup Oats

* 1 1/2 cup Milk

* 1 cup Whole Wheat Flour

* 2 tsp. Baking Powder

* 1/2 tsp. Salt

* 2 Tbs. Honey

* 2 Eggs
* 1 Tbs. Oil

Combine oats and milk. Let stand five minutes to one hour. Peel, core, and finely shop apple and mix with eggs, honey, and oil in another bowl. Mix dry ingredients, then add everything together and cook on griddle.

Pumpkin Pie Latte

Okay, so I tried this today and......EEEEEEE!!!! ---loved it---

This is not MY picture, however, because mine was void of the whipped cream (which I would have indulged in but I had none and didn't really need it anyway). This was much tastier than I anticipated and I will most definitely be making it again. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

* 2 cups milk

* 2 tablespoons Canned Pumpkin

* 2 tablespoons Sugar

* 2 tablespoons Pure Vanilla Extract

* 1/2 teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice

* 1/2 cup hot brewed Easy Espresso

* Whipped cream, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and ground nutmeg, optional

In a small saucepan, combine the milk, pumpkin and sugar. Cook and stir over medium heat until steaming. Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla and pie spice. Transfer to a blender; cover and process for 15 seconds or until foamy. Pour into two mugs; add espresso. Garnish with whipped cream and spices if desired. Yield: 2 servings.


HOORAY for yummy, autumn recipes!

 

Beautiful Feet

Isaiah 52:7
"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!"

Walls

This morning, Nathan woke up crazy early and so we got into our routine early:

Mommy makes bottle.
Mommy changes diaper.
Mommy prays over bottle.
Mommy sits on the couch as Nathan drinks bottle.
Mommy turns on cartoons for Nathan.

However, we had to make a slight change in our routine after that. Every (and I repeat, EVERY) cartoon show this morning was about Halloween (or Hell-o-ween as some friends have rightly labeled it.) Nathan loves watching Mickey Mouse, so I put it on. And low and behold, I hear "We're about to go trick-or-treating! What is Minnie going as? That's right! A witch!" My jaw hit the ground, I groaned, and changed the channel. How about Little Einsteins? Another favorite. But what do I see? The little smart group of kiddos trick-or-treating to spooky music that turns out to be a ghost. *another groan* On to Special Agent Oso (Mommy's favorite). What do I see? The helpful bear helping Naveah make a Jack 'O Lantern.

Every cartoon was about ghosts, monsters, jack 'o lanterns, witches, vampires, and evil magic. My poor little boy. So after he finished his bottle, he began playing with his toys on the living room floor. I went into the bedroom where Grant was getting ready for work and told him about the TV shows. He, in turn, informed me that he was beginning to feel uncomfortable with several of the shows. Our media is growing increasingly more evil and worldly and if we want to protect our son from those influences, sacrifices must be made....and walls must be built.

I remember a Bible study several years ago on the book of Nehemiah. One of my favorite stories in all the Bible is the story of Nehemiah rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. When Nehemiah heard that the walls of his beloved city were broken down and its gates were burned with fire, he sat down and wept and fasted and mourned for days! He then goes to rebuild the walls.

Once he begins to rebuild, the enemy comes along trying to sway him, hinder the work, have him come down, and doing everything in their power to get his attention elsewhere. In chapter 4, Nehemiah and the builders are mocked because they refused to cease or slow their work. Ignoring the laughter, they "had a mind to work," and continued on.

Nehemiah 4:7-9
But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth, And conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it. Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.

When opposition came against the building up of the wall, Nehemiah set watchmen to keep guard - day and night - to protect the work of the Lord. It got so bad that along with their hammers and tools, they had their bows and swords and their weapons with them as they worked.

Walls are important. Wall keeps things in. And walls keep things out.

Think of America. Our borders are there for a reason. They should be protected. When our borders fall....well, you can see what happens.

Now think of your home. Walls keep things in....your air and heat....your toddlers. :) They also keep things out....like pests....rain.... fill in the blank. How silly would it be to leave your front door wide open all the time? Anybody could walk in and take your little ones or your belongings. Any animal can sneak in and do harm. Your little boy could stumble out and walk out into the street. Your little girl could go out and get hurt or be taken and never seen again. Walls are for a reason.

Now think of your heart. Do we have walls that keep certain things in and certain things out? Are we protected from outside forces that would love to wreak havoc in our lives? Are we safe behind fortified walls that keep Satan out and holiness in?

In chapter 6, verses 15-16, it says, "So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days. And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God."

Today, I was reminded of the walls. I have a big responsibility to protect my little boy's well-being, both physically and spiritually. If a murderer breaks in to hurt my son, he will have to go through, first, Grant. Than me. If a car loses control and heads straight for my son, I'll throw myself in its path to save him. And in like-manner, I know Satan is after my little boy. He would love nothing more than to steal his soul. It is mine and Grant's job to protect him and lead him to Jesus. Satan's desire is to fill his little mind - even now! - with evil. Disobedience, rebellion, lying....he'll start anywhere. He will even start with Mickey Mouse, making light of what God calls an abomination. Later in life, he will try to introduce him to alcohol, porn, witchcraft, drugs and violence. It is our job, as his parents, to raise up walls, protecting him.

I know many will make remarks about sheltering him from the "real world." Such comments were made about me when my parents built up walls. There was plenty of laughter. They were plenty who tried to hinder the work. Thankfully, my parents did not come down and stop the building of the walls. Grant and I have no intention of doing so either. Should we let our children run wild and "experience" sin? Should we loosen the reins and let him live "la vida loca?" OR should we build walls and make restrictions, sheltering him from all that would harm his body and his soul? Should we, as the leaders of the home, train him up in the way he should go instead of training him to be his own boss; compromising; desensitized to evil? He will most definitely be hit with the real world one day. We all are at some point. But, by God's grace, he will know the boundaries. God helping us, he will be safe behind the walls and, one day, build up his own.

This Halloween, we have our walls up. There is no participating.

I encourage all you, parents, to build up the walls for the sake of our children's spiritual well being. Satan doesn't always come in the scariest form imaginable. He most often comes in with sheep's clothing. He comes in looking innocent and harmless enough....but he is really the enemy trying to destroy our walls and defeat us. Let us build up the walls....

Nehemiah 6:9
"For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands."

Strengthen mine, too, Lord...

A Former Witch on Halloween

The Christian's Response to Halloween

Halloween is hailed as the second biggest holiday in the year (the first being Christmas). It is known as being the holy day for our enemy (witches, the Satanic church, pagans). Of course, the Roman Catholic Church tried to "Christianize" the day, making it a little less evil and a little easier for the people of God to compromise on. Their efforts succeeded because, now, there are disputes among Christians as to whether or not we should observe the Day of the Dead.

So here is the question: What should be our response to Halloween? Should we run from it, afraid? Should we "Christianize" it and add a little Jesus in the evil mix? Should we participate in some, just not all, the traditions? What do we do? Below is my opinion and how my husband and I have resolved to respond to various scenarios of Halloween.

1. Carving pumpkins. Considering the origin of the Jack-o-Lantern, we have resolved to stay away from carving faces in pumpkins. It being the fall, I like putting out hay bales and pumpkins on the lawn or porch. I will hang an autumn wreath. I will acknowledge the fall season leading up to Thanksgiving. But a carved (or even painted) pumpkin, for Halloween or any other time for that matter, will not be done.
             
2. Trick-or-Treating. It sounds harmless but, again, being fully aware of the origin of trick-or-treating and what it was (and still is, whether we are ignorant of it or not), we have resolved to never participate in it. We are aware that many will tell us to lighten up and let our son go have some fun, but let me just say, as Joshua did, "As for me and my house...." we will not support or be involved in a tradition whose origins are satanic. We will not reenact age-old Druid rituals and traditions.
              
3. Costumes. Did you know that the original purpose of masks and costumes was to disguise oneself as a harmful spirit? The Celtic origin of the costumes was to conceal your true identity and, instead, masquerade as a demon or evil spirit so you could avoid harm. So, being fully aware, we will not purchase or wear costumes.
                  
4. Haunted Houses. Haunted houses, spook houses, all of them have one goal - to scare you. Each one uses their own tactics. Autopsy rooms, funeral services, tombs, potion cellars, spiders, bats, vampires, zombies - people use whatever they can to make the spectator tremble with fear. Knowing that we, as Christians, serve the God of light (in whom is no darkness at all), we will not be found anywhere near such "houses."
                     
5. Trunk-or-Treat. A common alternative to trick-or-treat is "trunk-or-treat" where Church members will park in their Church parking lot and pass out candy and tracts to the trick-or-treaters. I'm sure whoever came up with this idea meant well and I understand a passion to spread the gospel. I'm 100% for spreading tracts and sharing the gospel and God can use trunk-or-treat to do that. But I, personally, just have an issue with it. In my mind, I'm still supporting treat-or-treat. I am still reenacting those ancient practices that are evil. That's my personal conviction. It may not be yours and that's okay. Regardless, I urge you to pray about ways we, as Christians, can be the light without compromise.

                  
Jeremiah 10:2 says, "Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen..." I believe very strongly that we should respond to Halloween with offensive tactics and loudly declare, "We will NOT! And not only will we NOT, we are going to do everything we can to encourage others to "NOT."  As children of the light, a Christian's response should be likewise. We should have no (meaning: none, nada, zilch, zero) fellowship with the works of the darkness (Ephesians 5:11). We should be peculiar and set-apart and different from the world.
             

Can you imagine what would take place if the people of God would get some backbone, stand up, and refuse to indulge in occultic holidays? Can you imagine the statement it would make if we gave no money towards Halloween candy, cards, and costumes? Can you imagine the impact we would have on the world if we firmly planted our feet on the truth of the Word of God and gave no support for the Day of the Dead? Can you imagine the legacy we would leave if we, parents, would sit our kids down and tell them the truth? If we taught them to refuse to compromise and instructed them to flee the appearance of evil? If WE led our household by the Words of the God who has no darkness in Him? If we cared more about what HE has said than about accommodating and pacifying our children? Dare I say that if we acted in THAT way, the Lord would POUR out His blessings upon us and our country like never before?

Ephesians 4:27

"Neither give place to the devil."

Origins of Halloween Traditions

Halloween is only six days away. Because of that fact, I felt the need to spread awareness quickly!

I suppose it is no secret that the Church has adopted Halloween and embraced most of its traditions like the Jack-o-Lanterns, dressing up in costumes, trick-or-treating, and games like bobbing for apples. It's all innocent fun! you say. It's tradition! Well, here is my question: Do we know the origins of these traditions? Ignorance is bliss so they say, but I, for one, do not want to be ignorant of the practices of Halloween. I do not want to be ignorant of what God has to say. I would rather know what I am participating in. I would rather know what I am allowing my children to join into. So here are, for your information, some origins of Halloween traditions. It is my prayer that we, as Christians and as parents, can take this information and make wise, honorable decisions that will glorify the God of light and truth.

   
   
• Jack O'Lantern. The Druids (Celtic priests) carried large turnips with them and carved demon faces on it as their charm. There was a candle placed inside the turnip and the candle was made from human fat. It was believed that this charm contained a demon spirit that guided the priest. According to author Owen Rachleff. "The candlelit pumpkin or skull... served as a beacon for the sabbat and as a signal to mark those farms and homes that were sympathetic to the Satanists and thus deserving of mercy when the terror of the night (Halloween) began."
     
  It is believed that faces, rather than other images or symbols, were originally carved onto the pumpkin because they gave the jack-o’-lantern the look of a head. The Celts of ancient times believed that the head was the most sacred part of the human body, for it housed a person’s immortal soul. (Dunwich, Gerina. The Pagan Book of Halloween, p. 32)
          
  Carved and illuminated by a candle, they are symbolic of death and the spirit world. (Thompson, Sue Ellen. Holiday Symbols and Customs, p. 256)
    
• Skulls. An interesting symbol, the skull . . . It is prominent in Witchcraft and Demon worship as a celebration of death. (Burns, Cathy. Masonic and Occult Symbols Illustrated, p. 388)
  
              
• Trick-or-Treat. In Ireland, which is where Halloween began, you were to set out a TREAT of food and fruit, and provide the wandering spirit with shelter for the night. If the demon was satisfied with your TREAT, it was believed that they would not TRICK you by casting an evil spell on you causing havoc. The Druids would go through neighborhoods on October 31 to collect offerings for Satan. They would carry lanterns, bags of money, and canes with very sharp points on the ends (currently known as leprechaun staffs, good luck horns, or fairies' wands). At each house, they would demand a specific amount. If the household would not or could not give the offering (penance or treat), the Druid would use the cane to maim, hurt, or disable the man or sometimes, take a human sacrifice (usually a virgin girl). Whoever refused them would be cursed and tormented. History shows that someone in the cursed family would die within a year. To this day, witches and Satanist will hide glass, poison, and such in candy to continue the ancient practice of sacrifice...as their "trick."
            
• Costumes. In Ireland during the festival of Samhain, children would dress like IMPS and fairies to lead the evil spirits out of town after the feast of Samhain. Halloween is called by many the "Day of the Dead" and years ago, the Celts believed that the border between this world and the spirit world became thin on Halloween, allowing spirits (both harmless and harmful) to pass through. They believed that they could ward off harmful spirits by wearing costumes and masks. Their purpose was to disguise themselves as a harmful spirit and thus avoid harm.
        
• Witches. Our country is consumed with witches, vampires, warlocks, and wizards (no doubt thanks to Harry Potter, True Blood, Twilight, The Vampire Diaries and the dozens of other movies and TV shows which are infiltrating this generation). Halloween is the high holy day for every witch and pagan in the world. They watch the moon and plan, all year, for the sacrifices and rituals they will perform. Much of today's kidnapping is in accordance with Halloween. If you’ve been lullabied by the gospel of Halloween that witches are harmless folks, wake up, witches worship the devil:
       
  The witches held a party at Hallowe’en and the women . . . sold their soul to the devil, would put a stick in their beds anointed with the fat of murdered babies. . .(Douglas, George William. The American Book of Days, p. 569)
     
  Although witches vigorously protest they have no dealings with the devil, under the heading, "A Witch’s God," the popular witch’s training manual, Witchcraft: Theory and Practice, plainly states: A Witch’s God. . . He is . . . Lord of the Underworld [Hell] . . . He is named . . . Baphomet . . . Lucifer . . . Baal. . . (Angeles, Ly de. Witchcraft: Theory and Practice, p. 60)
         
• Monsters. In Druidism, the dead are raised as horrifying creatures of the night, hideous monsters, decaying skeletons, vampires, and so forth. They received not glorified bodies as Christ promises in our resurrection, but inhuman ones.
             
• Bobbing for Apples. In A.D. 43 the Roman Empire was in solid control of the Celtic people. To honor their goddess of fruit trees, they would try to grasp fruit, floating in water, without the use of their hands.
          

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
Abstain from all appearance of evil."
  

While Halloween masquerades as childish and innocent fun, it’s serious business in the occult world. Witchcraft, Wicca, Satanism and paganism believe, on the night of Halloween, devils and spirits are unleashed. They perform their most hideous and potent rituals on the night of Halloween.

Samhain: This is the "Witch’s New Year" and the primary Sabbat from which all others flow. (RavenWolf, Silver. Teen Witch, p. 42)

Halloween is one of the four major Sabbats celebrated by the modern Witch, and it is by far the most popular and important of the eight that are observed. . . Witches regard Halloween as their New Year’s Eve, celebrating it with sacred rituals. . . (Dunwich, Gerina. The Pagan Book of Halloween, p. 120)

Halloween is also among Satanism’s most cherished days. Anton LaVey, founder of The Church of Satan and author of The Satanic Bible writes: After one's own birthday, the two major Satanic holidays are Walpurgisnacht (May 1st) and Halloween. (LaVey, Anton Szandor. The Satanic Bible, p. 96)
 

Satanic High Priestess Blanche Barton, on The Church of Satan web site, praises Halloween: It [Halloween] gives even the most mundane people the opportunity to taste wickedness for one night. They have a chance to dance with the Devil . . . I see Satanists all over the world meeting in small groups this night and Hallowe’ens 500 years hence, to raise a glass to the Infernal Hosts. . .
       

The Satanic Calendar decrees for Halloween: "One of the two most important nights of the year. . . Blood and sexual rituals. Sexual association with demons. Animal and human sacrifice—male or female." (www.theforbiddenknowledge.com/hardtruth/satanic_calendar.htm)

Former occultist Johanna Michaelsen reveals, "Halloween is also a prime recruiting season for Satanists." (Michaelsen, Johanna. Like Lambs to the Slaughter, p. 192)

Halloween is the most dangerous time of the year for our children. It is not child's play. Reports show that more small children turn up missing, injured, and are found dead from Halloween than any other time of the year. Farm animals and pets are often slaughtered by Satanists and they drink the animal and human's blood and urine and digest their entrails and perform orgiastic rituals.

Satan loves Halloween because it lures more kids into his fold and it's definitely paying off. Witchcraft is exploding amongst children and teenagers today and psychic hotlines are making millions of dollars everyday from adults! It is rapidly growing all over the world and we can see popular movies and TV shows (yes, even on the Disney Channel) that praise witchcraft and vampires.

We should educate ourselves on what Halloween really is and THEN ask ourselves this question: Am I going to participate and allow my children to participate in a holiday so vile and ungodly? Am I going to place my stamp of approval upon the Satan's holy day? Am I going to acknowledge it, recognize it, or support it in any way? As parents, we are responsible for what we allow into our homes and for what we allow our children to partake in. As for me and my house, we will give no place to the devil.

Jeremiah 10:2a
"Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen...."

   
In closing, here is an excerpt from an article in Moody Magazine by Joy A. Sterling called "We Should Unmask Halloween":

"We evangelicals cringe at the descriptions of Satan worship in books and shudder at occult rites. But we dress our children as witches and devils and send them out to trick or treat…. Whenever the apostles met persons connected with fortune-telling, witchcraft or the occult, the Holy Spirit dealt firmly and swiftly with them. When revival came to Ephesus, the occult books were the first to go (Acts 19:18-19). Anything that conjures up the spirits of evil has to go. And I believe that the symbols of Halloween do conjure up the spirits of evil. Not deliberately, not openly perhaps. But the devil never has been noted for working openly. He tries to convince people that he doesn't exist. And what better way to deny his power and identity than to tell children and their parents that witches, ghosts, fortune-tellers and devils are 'just for fun?'"

An Empty Pitcher

As maybe a few might have noticed, I haven't blogged much in the past week and a half. I have been taking a mini-hiatus to rest my spirit. As I blogged a few posts back, I have grown a little weary of all the ridiculous and hateful comments and messages I have received because of my passion to obey and follow Christ and encouraging others to do the same. I considered shutting down this blog. But after some time of going back to the cross, I have resolved to continue blogging and writing and singing and sharing and doing everything in my power to be a trumpet God can use. My sister wrote and sings a song that has been my prayer since the beginning. While studying Gideon in Judges chapter 7, she read about the battle where 300 men took trumpets and empty pitchers with fire inside and defeated the enemy. No swords were drawn. That's all they had. And through their obedience and their faith, God used them to win the battle. As she read, she said, "That's what I want to be! I want to be an empty pitcher, empty of myself, and filled with the fire of God inside. And I want to be a trumpet....declaring truth."

 

I echo her. That's my prayer too. A portion of the song says:

I want to be an empty pitcher
Just a vessel that You can use
Make me pure, clean, and holy
May I be the one You choose?
I want to be an empty pitcher
With just a small light inside
With Your Spirit, the fire will spread
And shine in the night

Shine through this broken vessel
Broken and empty with nothing left inside
I want to be an empty pitcher
Lord, don't let me hide....don't let me hide


Don't let me hide. Don't let others or myself quench the fire. Don't let me keep silent. Just break me. Empty me. Fill me with Your light and Your words....and use me.

That is my prayer...and I pray that you will have the courage to let it be yours as well.