Fingerprint Friday: A Child's Perspective

By Ginny (MAD21)

My daughters love to take off with my camera. It's great to live in the age of digital cameras that make it possible for them to take as many pictures as they want without worry of the cost of film and developing.

My family attended an outdoor college graduation last weekend. The weather was spectacular and we had the best "seats" in the grass next to the field. The girls could watch the events if they wanted or just run around and play. My youngest decided to take my camera and wander around and take pictures of things that interested her.

I love to see the pictures that the girls take. I am amazed at how many times they get some really good shots of things we would normally pass by.

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Tasty Bites: Carrot Soufflé

By Beth V

Looking for an incredibly delicious, easy all-purpose side dish that will certainly please every palate in your household? This one features carrots, a seasonal ingredient that is full of healthy beta-carotene, fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins A, K and C and potassium and is said to help reduce cholesterol, heart-attack risk and cancer risk.  My mom always said they are good for your eyes.  Did your mom say that, too?

My sister, Bonnie, introduced this recipe to me and it has been universally enjoyed by every adult and child who has tried it. The carrots undergo a bit of a makeover. After being cooked until soft, they are pureed and baked together with eggs, butter, cinnamon, sugar and a few other ingredients into a smooth, rich, custardy soufflé. The total cooking time on this dish is a little over an hour, but the active preparation time is less than five minutes. The rest of the time can be spent doing other things while the oven does its magic; just don’t forget to set your timer.

We start with a pound of carrots. I used the peeled and cut “baby” carrots, which also cut down on preparation time, but any carrots will work. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer until the carrots are easily pierced through with a fork, about 40-45 minutes.

Drain the carrots and place in the bowl of a food processor or blender. Add 3 eggs, ½ cup sugar, ½ cup butter, 3 tablespoons flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon vanilla and ¼ teaspoon cinnamon right into the food processor or blender bowl. Process all of the ingredients together until smooth and uniform in texture, about 30 seconds to 1 minute.

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The Cheering Crowd

By Michelle (Graceful, Faith in the Everyday)

The sun beams warmth even as the wind whips straight through fleece and long sleeves and windbreakers as we stand on the curb, arms crossed tight, shoulders hunched, hoods cinched.

Rowan takes his place toward the back of the pack, green number pinned squarely to the front of his tee shirt. Hands over ears as the gun cracks loud, they shuffle and stumble and then finally break into a jog. The front runners sprint, stampeding like a herd of wild mustangs, and it’s nothing short of a miracle that no one gets trampled as the pack thunders by, hundreds of kindergarteners bent on finishing first.

Brad and Rowan pace themselves, sticking to the strategy they’d formulated earlier that morning. “We start slowly at the back,” Brad advised, “and then when the runners start to tire, we pick them off one by one, passing the ones that started out of the gate too fast.” Rowan had nodded solemnly, a good plan.

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Be God's Reminder

By Pat

I am at a very difficult stage in my life right now, and struggling in several areas. But many of my dear friends are, too. It seems like no matter which way I turn, someone I love and care about is struggling mightily. The reasons vary greatly, and I wish so much that I could help them,  but I can't. Not in the way I would want to, anyway.

I don't have jobs to offer my friends who are seeking employment, and I have no extra money to give out to my friends who are facing financial issues...but I do have the assurance that God has not forgotten them even when they can't feel His presence, and so I can remind them of God's words in Jeremiah 29:11... "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Words to cling to...words of hope!

I cannot offer the right solutions to my friends and who are struggling with family matters, relationships going sour, or problems with children. I don't have the answers. They are tired, and they are discouraged. I can't solve their problems, but I can assure them that God will sustain them...

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God Is... Father

By Jason S (Connecting to Impact)

I wanted to do this particular attribute last because it's such an exciting and amazing topic.

How can you not help but marvel at a God who has infinite power and wisdom, is present everywhere at once, Creator, Provider, Sustainer, Self-existent, and on and on–yet He also reveals Himself as "Father to the fatherless" (Psalm 68:5).

He refuses to allow anyone to be orphaned, but this mentality pervades our culture and even our churches. We don't truly understand what it means to be called a son, but we really need to get it.

"For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" (Romans 8:14-15)

If we are sons, we carry a different mentality and authority. We go through testing and trials, but we don't have to doubt His love or our position.  Our service and devotion flows from knowing Him and His knowing us fully.

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