Prayer and Pizza Crust

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thess. 5:16-18

I don't think I need to make the case that a woman is a complex creation. Have you ever heard the saying, men are like waffles (they can compartmentalize things) and women are like spaghetti (everything is interwoven)? It appears many women can think about multiple things at once while folding the laundry, settling a fight, planning the next meal, all while carrying a baby on her hip!

Never underestimate the power of prayer!

As you are preparing your meal for friends and family don't forget to pray for that child, teenager, co-worker, etc who comes to mind. Maybe you've had a young lady at youth just down-load a significant amount of personal information. Not enough to call the authorities, but enough to keep you awake at night praying. Or perhaps it's the child from your neighbourhood who floats in and out of your mid-week kids outreach. They are desperately looking for someone to love and care for them and their face pops up while you are going about your day... wondering, praying, caring deeply.

As I was preparing supper the other day I was thinking about multiple things, one of which was healthy eating. If you're like me healthy eating feels like a never-ending battle – and I'm not winning! (5-10 servings of fruits and vegetables every day?! Really?!)

I've decided to share a recipe which I've adapted from Jean Pare's Company's Coming Breads Cookbook. Each time I make it seems to be slightly different, but here is the basic recipe with a few suggestions for some healthier choices.

Homemade Pizza Crust

3 cups white flour 

1 cup multigrain flour 

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon sugar

2 teaspoons instant yeast

pinch of salt

1 ¾ cups warm water (drop water on inside of wrist and it should feel slightly warm)

6 tablespoons oil (canola oil)

Combine dry ingredients, then add warm water and oil to dry ingredients. Stir to combine wet and dry ingredients. (If slightly dry at 1 tablespoon warm water, if slightly wet at a pinch or two of flour.) Flour countertop and knead pizza dough for 5-7 min until smooth and elastic. (You may need to add a few pinches of flour as you are kneading if the dough is sticky.) Lightly flour counter and roll/cut dough to fit pizza pan or desired size. This recipe makes 2 cookie sheet/pizza pans, or 6-8 individual-sized (about 6”) pizzas (depending on the size and thickness of the crust.) Bake at 425F for about 8-9 min (until slightly brown on bottom). Cool shells. (The crusts can be frozen at this point for future use if preferred.) Then top pizza with desired sauce and toppings and bake again at 425F for 10-12 min or until brown and cheese is melted and beginning to turn golden brown. Let cooked pizza sit on cutting board for 3-5 min before cutting. Enjoy! You can always add a side salad to your pizza to add another serving of vegetables to your meal.

Pizza Sauce

tomato sauce

seasonings (I use basil, oregano, garlic powder, marjoram, pepper)

Toppings

meat of choice (choose wisely to cut down of fatty cold cuts)

mozzarella cheese (low fat if desired)

chopped onions

green pepper

mushrooms

broccoli (I know! Sounds crazy but delicious!!!)

Use whatever toppings you like, but this is a great way to add more veggies for a healthier choice.

So the next time you are trying to decide what to make for supper.  Perhaps you can give this recipe a try and while you're kneading the pizza crust you can "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstance."

Jo-Ann

I have confidence in sunshine....

I just love, Love, LOVE the musical, Sound of Music!  Lately, I have been thinking about what a confident woman looks like. In my mind's eye she walks with her head held high, a positive attitude and her spirit bright and light.  I would turn to Biblical mentors Esther, Ruth and Deborah. 

The Proverbs 31 model of a confident woman lives without fear, is well prepared, has a positive self image, and an abundance of grace.  All of this exemplifies a woman in/of peace to me.  So, how can we achieve this peace that surpasses understanding? 

1 John 2:28 says:

and now dear children, continue in Christ,

so that when He appears we may be confident and unashamed

before Him at His coming.  

So, firstly we need to belong to Jesus, realizing that nothing we can do on our own can ever make ourselves good enough or righteous enough for God.  Secondly, we need to walk with Him.  That means we have to ~choose~ to stay firmly attached to Him, in relationship (this includes our actions and reactions moment to moment).  It means we have to stay in the Word, seeking His instruction and guide for living.  It means we have to do more than read the Good Book, we need to be obedient to it and allow Him to prune that which is hindering our growth and His plan. ouch!  It sounds like work and commitment but look at the prize - peace.

This means that we are going to have to trust Him and that means we have to be willing to depend completely on Him without fear of the outcome.  Hmm...without fear... already sounds like peace.  This trust develops as we walk with Him.

In the movie, Maria sings: ``It could be so exciting, to be out in the world, to be free``.  Like Maria, have you: "always longed for adventure to do the things you've never dared"?  Do you dream of the things you are seeking and seek the courage you lack?

You can find hope in Psalm 27:3:
Though an army beseige me, my heart will not fear;
Though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.

God knew us by name even before we were born.  We can trust Him,  prepare ourselves and fight the fears that creep in to rob our joy.  Remember fear's acronym? 
False
Evidence
Appearing
Real

The Proverbs 31 woman was confident because she had prepared herself and her household.  One of my favorite re-reads is Anne Ortlund's, "The Disciplines of the Beautiful Woman".  In this book she reminds us: "Nothing on the exterior can touch or change that inner sanctuary - your heart., His dwelling place - unless you let it.  And God, who loves you very much, has tailor made your outer life - your circumstances, your relationships - to pressure you into becoming the beautiful woman He's planned for you to be."

Ah yes, His dwelling place = my heart.  Thank you Mrs. Ortlund for the reminder and thank you Jesus for the Truth.

Press in and press on,
Giselle

The In Between Days

In recent years I have found King David to be a fascinating individual. As you recount the stories in the Bible of David we see him as a young boy willing to fight off the giant Goliath as the Israelite army watched. Then he is anointed as king while King Saul is still on the throne (that must have been pretty challenging!). His closest friend Jonathon is King Saul's son and during this time King Saul was trying to kill David (I think that might have put a bit of a strain on their friendship). And then there's King David, the man who slept with Bathsheba, she became pregnant, he sets up her husband Uriah to be killed (but it was supposed to look like an accident), and then the baby dies after he is born.

King David is held accountable for his actions by Nathan and repents of his sins and asks God to “create in me a clean heart” Ps. 51:10. Then look what Acts 13:22 says, “After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’”

Have you ever wondered how this guy could do all that he did and still have a heart after God? Maybe we need to be careful we don't miss something. When we read about David don't overlook the days he methodically walked out his relationship with God in between each time we hear what was going on in his life. God is more interested in the state of our hearts than He is in our “perceived” accomplishments. When we sin do we find ourselves quickly repenting and running into the arms of our heavenly Father, or do we hide our sin by lying or trying to justify it?

Oh Lord, may we be like David with a heart that daily, moment by moment, chases after you.

Jo-Ann

"Being there" is transforming

The air just smells different on a Friday I think;) With another beautiful weekend ahead I am reminded so much of the preciousness of people. During the week its so easy for me to get focused on work and getting things done and sometimes forget the moments that make life what God's heart desires it to be...connecting with Himself and with others in love. This weekend actually Im headed to Swan River Mb. a very special friend of mine experienced someone close to her head to Heaven. As I was thinking about how important it is for us to connect with others on their journey and wherever they find themselves, I was reminded of Jesus. His heart of compassion, His heart of genuine love, Jesus went to people in the midst of their most painful moment. At the death of His friend Lazarus, He came to where he was buried....John 11.33-35 “When Jesus saw (Mary) weeping and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit...” “Jesus wept.” Jesus physically grieved with Mary and Martha, His friends.

Wherever those close to you are at know that you can offer something as they are walking through the painful parts of life. Jesus came. He wept with them. Sometimes thats all that someone needs. More than that, when we as Christ empowered people....who have the resurrecting power of Christ in us come and gather with those on a painful journey, whatever the pain is...... the Life and Hope and Healing and Power that transcends all other power comes out...because its all about Jesus and there are connections, healings and people who are changed as a result of "being there" because HE IS.

Have a blessed and transforming weekend*

Mary

Requiring Change

Sometimes I need to accept the fact that something in my life requires change. Something as simple as a hair cut I've been putting off, cleaning out that closet of stuff I haven't used in years or even possibly some eating habit that has left a few extra pounds around my body;) Some of those things can be hard to change...or even more, find the time to change. As I'm getting older I'm realizing more and more that when I'm not actively changing those little things that seem to sneak up in my busy schedule, when bigger changes come along....ie: working too much that my health is at risk, not investing in the relationships I've been investing in....that making the change whatever it needs to be is now a much much harder decision. I think alot of us because its harder decide not to make the change...we just stay where we are and try to make it work.
From personal experience...bad idea! When on a daily basis we ask God to reveal the habits in our lives that are not in accordance with His Word and the way He's created to live our lives, our hearts are being made ready for the change. Ask Him today to show you where change needs to take place.
Ask someone you trust in your life to be accountable in this with you.
Whether they're big changes or smaller ones, change keeps us ready for the new things that God desires to do in our lives...the new opportunities, new people, new adventures.....even a new life direction that maybe you've never allowed yourself to entertain, but God knows. Most of all daily knowing Christ more, being rooted knowing His Word...and going to new places with Him*

Mary

Struggling?

Therefore, be clear minded and self controlled so that you can pray.

1 Peter 4:7

Ouch, clear minded?  Lord, forgive me for going into prayer with my own intentions at heart.  I know in my head that You have the big picture in mind.  Align my heart and soul with Yours.

It's hard to be clear minded when our plans change or someone hurts us deeply.  Further it's harder still to be self controlled in the moment and beyond.  I know I have felt the ache of hurt to the point where I couldn't sleep and felt myself slipping into a pit of despair.  This is when it is critical to hold every thought captive - to calm the mind.  This allows us to see truth, things as they really are.  How to achieve this is at times my struggle...

So, again I turn to prayer:  Forgive me Father for withdrawing when I should be seeking You.

What I have learned:
Don't delay - deal with feelings right away.
Allow yourself to feel your feelings without judging them.  Cry if you need to.
Do delay taking action so you can think things over.
Pray for understanding and guidance.
Know that God can move in every situation inspite of any circumstance.
Forgive and ask for forgiveness when necessary.
Persist - Chase God's heart.
There IS hope in Christ Jesus.
You are not alone.

Press in and  press on,
Giselle

The 7th Day

I've been somewhat wrestling this summer with not only resting physically but also resting mentally. It's one thing to stop and put your feet up, it's another thing to stop your mind from thinking, questioning, figuring, pondering, etc. Usually the more intentional I am in settling physically the better I am at slowing down mentally, however when I am challenged, stirred and convicted by the teachings I've been hearing this summer it's been even more difficult to rest mentally.

We are complex humans who are finite, which means we have limits. We were created to not be able to go more than a few days without water, or a few weeks without food, and we were made to work and then to rest. Ex. 23:12 says, “Six days do your work, but on the seventh day do not work, so that your ox and your donkey may rest, and so that the slave born in your household and the foreigner living among you may be refreshed.” In other words we need to work hard and then take time to rest. The bible says we should work for 6 days and then rest on the 7^th.

How is your restful summer going?

Jo-Ann