Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Key Lime Pie U is Mine


I made a Key Lime Pie last night :) It was VERY GOOD and SWEET and TART!!. The recipie is below. I am kind of pressed for time lately (Ava is teething) soo I just used a pre-made graham cracker crust and I used more lime zest. Otherwise I followed this recipie to a tee.

Ingredients
Graham Cracker Crust:
1 paper-wrapped package graham crackers (1/3 of a 1 pound box) or 1 cup plus 2 1/2 tablespoons graham cracker crumbs
5 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
1/3 cup sugar

Filling:
3 egg yolks
2 limes zest grated (about 1 1/2 teaspoons)
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
2/3 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (if you get Key limes, use them: otherwise use regular limes)
Topping:
1 cup heavy or whipping cream, chilled
3 tablespoons of confectioners' sugar

Directions
For the graham cracker crust: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9-inch pie pan. Break up the graham crackers: place in a food processor and process to crumbs. (If you dont have a food processor, place the crackers in a large plastic bag: seal and then crush the crackers with a rolling pin.) Add the melted butter and sugar and pulse or stir until combined. Press the mixture into the bottom and sides of the pan, forming a neat border around the edge. Bake the crust until set and golden, 8 minutes. Set aside on a wire rack. Leave the oven on.

For the filling: Meanwhile, in a electric mixer with the wire whisk attachment, beat the egg yolks and lime zest at a high speed until very fluffy, abut 5 minutes. Gradually add the condensed milk and continue to beat until thick, 3 or 4 minutes longer. Lower the mixer speed and slowly add the lime juice, mixing just until combined, no longer. Pour mixture into the pie crust. Bake for 10 minutes, or until the filling has set. Cool on a wire rack, then refrigerate. Freeze for 15 to 20 minutes before serving.

For the topping: Whip the cream and the confectioners' sugar until nearly stiff. Cut the pie in wedges and serve very cold, topping each wedge with a large dollop of whipped cream.

Have You Ever Actually SEEN Jesus?

A Little and A Big Miracle

"Do you know anyone who has seen Jesus since he ascended into heaven?" I asked my Junior Church class on Sunday. A quiet, "I did," from one of the boys definitely surprised me. "Have you really?" was my incredulous response. "Well, I haven't actually seen Him, but He did a miracle for me, so I know He is real," he replied. "Tell us about your miracle," I urged him. "A boy at my school was bullying me, and he kept on doing it and doing it. And then he just stopped." "And were you praying about it?" I asked. He nodded and a shy smile lit his face. "He's like the wind," another joined in. "You see what He does, but you can't actually see Him." Wow! They really get it! Yes, we do see Jesus by what He does in our lives. But I really meant seeing Him in person, just as He appeared to Saul and Stephen in the Book of Acts. The excitement of the early church is still very much alive on this Earth. The stories of what God is doing today can make the hair stand up on your neck! In countries where it is dangerous or illegal to be a Christian or own a Bible, Christ occasionally reveals Himself in person!!!!!

In November, 2003, The Voice of the Martyrs, which supports persecuted Christians, reported this incident.

In February, 2003, an Iraqi evangelist,'Matthias,' was arrested at a house church worship service by Saddam's secret police. He was taken to a notorious jail, tortured and threatened. One of his torturers told him, "No inmate entering here has ever left alive." Matthias was placed in a tiny cell with five Muslims. He prayed that God would use him to free his cell mates from their spiritual prison by introducing them to Christ. A sheik named Sayed was particularly offended by Matthias' Christian witness and told him he must pray to Allah or Mohammed. "Why should I pray to a dead prophet? I prefer to pray to the one, true living God. Jesus is alive, while all the prophets are dead in the ground,"Matthias told Sayed. One morning Matthias was awakened by Sayed kissing him. During the night, Sayed explained, Jesus had appeared to him and told him that Matthias would be released from prison. "He was dressed in white, and I could not see his face, because it shone brighter than the sun and blinded me." Sayed asked the man who He was, and He responded saying, "Jesus Christ." The Muslim cell mates all fell to their knees, asking Jesus to release them as well. Matthias was released one week later.


PRAISE GOD!!!!!!!!!!

Source

Friday, July 24, 2009

Birds Can Dance

Sooo I am having another moment where I am missing Emmie (My Quaker Parrot)... I ran across this story and thought it was absolutely ADORABLE :)


A head-banging parrot who became a YouTube sensation has demonstrated that an ability to appreciate music and keep a rhythm is not unique to humans, scientists say.

Alex, an African grey parrot, was one of 14 birds which displayed an ability to keep time with a tune.

Snowball the cockatoo, who appears to bop his head, tap his claws and squawk enthusiastically to the Back Street Boys' "Everybody" is one of several birds apparently capable of dancing to a beat, according to two studies published in the latest edition of the journal Current Biology.

In a study lead by Adena Schachner of Harvard University, researchers examined more than 1,000 YouTube videos of dancing animals and found 14 types of parrot species and one elephant genuinely capable of keeping time.

The video of Snowball has been viewed more than two million times since it was posted in 2007. Another video of Snowball shows him dancing to Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust."
Video of Bird Dancing

Scientists had previously thought that "moving to a musical beat might be a uniquely human ability because animals are not commonly seen moving rhythmically in the wild," Patel said.

That leads researchers to believe that an ability to process musical sounds may be linked to an ability to mimic sounds -- something that each of the parrots studied by researchers was able to do excellently, she said.

Other "vocal-learning species" include dolphins, elephants, seals and walruses.


Source

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Brakes and Tithing

(Photo:The Times)
South African Man Miraculously Survives Accident after Cancelling his Life Insurance So he could Tithe to Church
Aimee Herd (July 17, 2008)

"When the truck started pushing my car towards this lane (the fast lane) and it started crumpling, I just had this urge to say 'Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!'" The accident happened on Tuesday of this week, near the Buccleuch interchange in Johannesburg, South Africa-you might imagine there was no way anyone inside the crushed older model VW Jetta could have survived. However, 49-year-old Absolom Morifi did survive, without any injuries, and he's calling it a miracle. Really though, the part of this Divine intervention story that makes it so amazing is what happened a few days before.While attending the Rhema Church over the weekend, Absolom felt a nudge by the Holy Spirit to step out in faith. "I went to church on Sunday and felt convicted about not paying my tithes and cancelled my life insurance instead," he explained.Though his wife wasn't on board with her husband's decision at first, to give the insurance money to God each month, she relented and the insurance was cancelled on Tuesday. Just hours later, his faith was put to the test when a huge loaded-down truck lost control of its brakes heading straight for Absolom's small car."When the truck started pushing my car towards this lane (the fast lane) and it started crumpling, I just had this urge to say 'Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!',"Absolom recalled. The Jetta was flattened under the enormous rig, and the Jaws of Life had to be used to cut Absolom from his compacted prison, yet he emerged completely unscathed. Among those amazed by the way Absolom had been preserved, was his wife."When I spoke to her just now," he explained, "I told her about the accident and that I wasn't injured, and she said that now, she believes in my God."

To listen to the account of the accident shared on talk radio by AbsolomMorifi himself,<http://www.pod702.co.za/podcast/bestofjohn/20080716JRBESTOFmir.mp3>

Source

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Colombian Guerilla Melts Beneath Love of Jesus

(July 1, 2008)"The next several nights in dreams he saw a group of Christians carrying their Bibles into a church. He thought to himself, 'I would gladly lay down my arms for one of those Bibles.'" (Colombia, South America)-Wayne and Phyllys Wozniak are missionaries to Colombia, South America. They have shared with Faith News Network the testimony of a pastor known only by the name of "Wilson." According to the testimony, due in large part to the fact that Wilson's father was a Colombian guerrilla, by the time Wilson was 10-years-old, he was also a guerrilla. He lived for violence, crime and murder.

Notes the article: "One day he [Wilson] was sent to kill two Christian ministers who had spoken out against the paramilitary's atrocities. He found them, cornered them, and took careful aim. But before he could pull the trigger, he began to tremble uncontrollably. No matter how he tried, he could not pull the trigger. The next several nights in dreams he saw a group of Christians carrying their Bibles into a church. He thought to himself, 'I would gladly lay down my arms for one of those Bibles.'" "A few days later," continues the report, "while walking down the street, he came across another Christian. The Christian knew who he was and was frightened, yet he spoke to Wilson and said, 'Jesus loves you.'" It was then that Wilson reportedly fell weeping to his knees and gave his life to Jesus Christ. Of course, the enemy wasn't going to let Wilson off so easy. When two guerilla hitmen were sent to kill Wilson, they too were unable to carry out the murder and subsequently Wilson led them to the Lord. Praise be to God!!

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Wednesday's Miracle-2

I was terribly busy yesterday. But I am serious about this line of posts. I pray that whoever is reading this, including myself, will come to a better understanding of Jesus as not only a miracle worker but as a close friend that loves you sooo much!!

Testimony of a Resurrection:

Stillborn Baby Raised by Praying Teens after 27 Hours
Aimee Herd (July 3, 2008)"

The other villagers came to the house to see this amazing miracle. They asked us which of the Indian gods we had prayed to for such a miracle tohappen. We told them we had prayed to the biggest God ever and we began toexplain to them about Jesus."

EDITOR'S NOTE: Kathie Walters Ministries has forwarded an amazing testimonyinvolving teenage prayer warriors on a mission trip to Guatemala. God isdoing great things among those who are willing to be used of Him. I am reminded of Habakkuk's prayer: "LORD, I have heard of Your fame; I stand in awe of Your deeds, O LORD. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known." May we ALL be willing to be used by God to bring life in a world filled with death. -Aimee Herd, BCN.

Dear friends,This is a testimony from a young lady in our church (14), who was part ofteam used by God to raise a stillborn baby from the dead in Guatemala. Weknow this young lady personally. Her character and integrity are withoutreproach. You are about to read a bonafide, contemporary Lazarus resurrection story. This is as close to the flame of a literal resurrectionfrom the dead as we have ever been! BIG blessings,Dave and Anita Testimony from

Abby: "My name is Abby. I am 14 years old. I live in western North Carolina. During the summer of 2008, I went on a ministry trip to Guatemala. During part of the trip, we divided up into small ministry teams (5 to 7 people)and visited different villages in the San Pedro La Laguna area. We traveledfrom village to village telling the Indian people about Jesus. On oneparticular day, we were visiting in the home of a young woman. She lived in a small village of about 14 or 15 houses. We were trying to lead the younglady to Christ, but it was not going very well. After awhile, we decided tomove on. Before leaving, we asked the woman if we could pray with her about anything in her life. She told us that just the day before, she had given birth to a stillborn baby and that we could pray with her about that. "In Guatemalan culture, there is great shame and condemnation on mothers whogive birth to deformed or stillborn children. We prayed a simple prayer thateverything would go well with the funeral and burial of the baby and thatthe mother would be spared the shame and condemnation associated with having given birth to a stillborn child. As we were praying this simple prayer, my friend and fellow ministry team member, Julia (age 17), told me that we needed to pray over the baby's body. I thought she was crazy to suggest this and that it was not a good idea. Julia was persistent. She said again thatwe really needed to pray over the baby's body. She told me to ask the mother if she still had the baby's body. When I asked, the mother told us the baby's body was wrapped up in a burial cloth in the back room. I asked her if we could pray over the body. The mother hesitantly said, yes. We went into the backroom and saw the baby's body wrapped up in a bundle on the bed.Julia poked her head out of the back room and asked if she could unwrap the baby's head. The mother said, yes, if we wrapped it back correctly when wewere done. Julia picked up the body and unwrapped the head. The baby's head was tiny and pale. The baby was stillborn and had been dead outside the wombfor 27 hours. Her skin had turned shades of purple. Our entire ministry team, five of us, began crying and praying over this baby. Praying/file photo"We prayed for thirty to forty minutes. At the end of that time, Julia screamed out to God, telling Him that she believed with all of her heart that this baby could be raised from the dead. After Julia screamed out, everyone was silent. We were quietly interceding and praying. Within a few minutes, the baby started moving. Then the baby coughed and began crying. The mother came rushing into the room. She was screaming, what is going on? No one could answer her. We were just staring at the baby, who had come back to life. The mother asked us again, what is going on? She began crying as she saw that her baby was alive. She ran out of the house and banged on every door in the village, telling all of the people that God isreal because her baby was alive. Within about thirty minutes, the baby's skin tone and movements had become completely normal."The other villagers came to the house to see this amazing miracle. They asked us which of the Indian gods we had prayed to for such a miracle tohappen. We told them we had prayed to the biggest God ever and we began to explain to them about Jesus. Soon, we realized we would not have time to minister salvation to each person individually. So, we gathered all the villagers together, turned on our little sound system and explained the wayof salvation. Everyone in the village, 80 to 90 people, prayed to receive Jesus. Each of them was baptized in the Holy Spirit and began speaking in tongues. Many would fall to the ground as the power of the Holy Spirit came on them."Five days later, we returned to the village to check in on the mother and the baby. The village had prepared a big dinner in honor of our team. We enjoyed a wonderful time of fellowship together. The baby, whom they named Julia, was perfectly healthy and had gained weight. Even after five days,the mother was still shaking from the impact of God on her life through the resurrection of her child. Two days after our follow-up visit, the mother brought baby Julia to church. The mother was still shaking from the power of God on her life following this astounding miracle."-Abby

Source

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Air France 447

This story is soo amazing to me!! What is even more intriguing is what will this 13-year-old go on to do!! GOD’s awesome providence is definitely over her life. To me this is just more tangible proof that GOD is in Loving Control. You will not leave this earth until he has determined that your purpose has been fulfilled. Wow!! What an Awesome God we have!!! The sole survivor of Air France flight 447 is 13 year old Bahia Bakari. Her mother and 227 other passengers did not survive the plane crash into the Indian Ocean. More details are emerging about the actual crash as time goes on. However the authorities are sure the weather was very bad with winds up to 38 mph, the sea was also very rough. Apparently the plan dove directly into the water and did not break up until after the impact, which is actually unusual. They are still actively locating the wreckage and bodies of the victims. The authorities will then attempt to determine what really happened. However this posting is going to focus on the known details of Bahia’s survival. The following is her father’s statement about her survival.

"She didn't feel a thing. She found herself in water
," Kassim Bakari told French radio RTL after speaking to his 13-year-old daughter Bahia who was recovering Wednesday in a hospital in Moroni.
"She said she was ejected from the plane," Bakari said.
"When I had her on the phone, I asked her what happened and she said, 'Daddy, I don't know what happened, but the plane fell into the water and I found myself in the water ... surrounded by darkness. I could not see anyone,'" Bakari said.
"She could hear people talking, but in the middle of the night she couldn't see a thing. She managed to hold on to a piece of something,"
She is a very, very shy girl. I would never have thought she would have survived like this. I can't say that it's a miracle, I can say that it is God's will, said Bakari,"

Bahia lives in Marseille, she only suffered with cuts to her face, and a fractured collar bone. The surgeon said "Her health is not in danger. She is very calm given the shock she suffered,"
The authorities attempted to throw a life buoy. She could not grab it. They had to jump in the water to get her," "She was shaking, shaking. They put four covers on her and gave her hot, sugary water.
The head of the rescue team in the Comoros also told RTL the teenager survived astonishing odds. "It is truly, truly, miraculous," said Ibrahim Abdoulazeb. "The young girl can barely swim."

Kassim Bakari said his daughter had been told her mother survived the crash. "When I spoke to her she was asking for her mother. They told her she was in a room next door, so as not to traumatize her. But it's not true. I don't know who is going to tell her.



Source:



Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Wednesday's Miracle

I have decided to try something out that is a bit different. I want to search the news and find an AWESOME and OBVIOUS miracle. So many times we forget how intricately involved GOD really is in our everyday lives. His miracles are often as straightforward as waking us up every morning. However, when you view his miracles from a standpoint of expectancy you can’t fully appreciate them. Every day he allows us to witness his miraculous POWER in a unique and amazing way. Sometimes I believe he shows off to remind us that he is ALIVE and is very much in control of this world. Amidst the chaos he is still concerned with you and me. We sin every day. The wages of sin is death. Praise GOD that he is MERCY!! We don’t receive what we have earned. PRAISE GOD!!!

I am thankful that he is soo AWESOME, MERCIFUL, and GREAT!!! I am thankful that even amidst all the suffering he is still merciful enough to allow us a glimpse of his loving direct kindness. Every Wednesday I will post a story that I pray will help remind us of that.


Sole-survivor crashes
January 26, 1972, Czechoslovakia: JAT DC-9; 27 killed; crew member fell to ground inside tail section
January 29, 1985; Reno, Nevada: Galaxy Airlines Lockheed Electra; 70 killed; boy, 17, thrown from wreckage
January 3, 1987, Ivory Coast: Varig 707-300; 50 killed; one passenger survived
August 16, 1987, Detroit, Michigan: Northwest MD-82; 154 killed; 4-year-old girl found in wreckage
November 14, 1992, Vietnam: Vietnam Airlines Yak 40; 30 killed; surviving passenger found eight days later
November 20, 1993, Macedonia: Avioimpex Yak 42D; 223 killed; one passenger survived
March 1995, Colombia: Intercontinental Colombia DC-9-10; 51 killed; 9-year-old girl survived
September 1997, Cambodia: Vietnam Airlines Tu-134B; 65 killed; 1-year-old boy survived
December 16, 1997, United Arab Emirates: Tajikistan Airlines Tupolev 154B; 85 killed; crew member survived
March 6, 2003, Algeria: Air Algerie 737-200; 102 killed; crew member survived
July 8, 2003, Sudan: Sudan Airways 737-200C; 116 killed; 3-year-old boy survived
August 27, 2006, Lexington, Kentucky: Comair CRJ-100; 49 killed; co-pilot survived
Sources: airsafe.com, planecrashinfo.com
June 1, 2009, Air France Flight 447 ;228; 13 year old girl survived

The next post is the back story about the survivor of Flight 447.....