Friday's Best Coconut Cake

Friday's Best Coconut Cake

Ingredients:
3 whole eggs
3 egg whites
2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
3 1/4 cups self-rising flour
3 sticks softened butter or margarine
2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 8 oz bag sweetened shredded coconut 
1 can vanilla or cream cheese frosting

Directions:
In a large bowl, beat softened butter, then add sugar.  Once incorporated, add in the egg yolks first then beat until fluffy.  Then slowly add in whole eggs.  Then beat until smooth and creamy.  Then slowly pour in the flour and mix until fully incorporated.  Then slowly pour batter in a Bundt pan or two 8"-9" round pans.  Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven, for 30-35 minutes, then lower the temperature to 325 degrees and bake for 30-35 minutes.  All oven times are approximated.  Then cook the cake at room temperature for at least 30-60 minutes.  Once the cake has been cooled, then frost and cover with shredded coconut. Serve cake. 

Failure

Failure is not an option.  I wonder if that is putting too much pressure on myself.  I used to be afraid to fail.  Now I just realize that it only leads to more failure.  I realize that failure is not an option is a great motivator to most people. But for me, it puts greater pressure because despite the fact that motivation is great, so is failure.  The greater the motivation, the greater the chances of failure.  I am just writing stuff now.  I am trying to write a musing about failure, something all of us know about.  In this world all of us will fail because we are all humans.  How we handle failure determines whether we will be a bigger success or an even bigger failure.  Failure is about the choices that we make, not the people that we are.  However, our choices do determine who we really are.  A person's character is who we are in the dark.  Once again, failure is not an option.

God's inifinite love, wisdom, and salvation

It is amazing how God speaks to us.  He works in mysterious ways because we are finite and He is Infinite.  That is why His ways are mysterious.  Sometimes we will never truly understand the "method behind the madness" so to speak.  That is where faith comes in.  We should be thankful that we have faith and we can find grace to help in time of need.  Let us all be thankful.

Our Redeemer is a Living, Breathing God who saves and redeems us.  We are brought with a price.  Life and time are of the essence.  That means that time is in short supply because it is finite.  Therefore it is more precious than gold.  Jesus Christ is the same no matter if it was the Jesus that died on the cross or the Jesus that WILL return soon.

Jesus is Lord.  There are people who are being deceived at this very moment who don't know that Jesus is truly alive.  He died for them.  He loved them enough to truly suffer for them.  He was mocked, and spit upon.  He suffered from a brutal execution after suffering from a brutal beating.  He endured so much more than we can imagine.  We could not take His place, but He could take our place.

What I am trying to say is that He is the only God who is True.  He deserves respect.  To say that He has earned our respect would be an understatement.  He is the only true God who is to be worshiped.  There are many people who want to go to Heaven when they die.  There are many who want to see God, but that is only for the pure in heart.  Sadly, very few people will end up being truly redeemed because they are found to be truly repentant, enduring believers who are pure in heart.

Millions go to church talking and singing and clapping, and praising a God that they truly do not know.  Many are not even born again.  There are people who are good, religious people who are not truly born again.  Many have been deceived by false prophets and false Christs.  Others go through the motions.  Others have given up.

There are millions who leave the church because there seems to be nothing of substance.  There is violence in the churches.  There is division in the churches.  There is therefore a lack of love and cohesion in the churches.  They fail to realize the impact that their doings or lack thereof have on them, their souls, and the rest of the world.  There are millions of people who are suffering and will end up in Hell and then shall be cast in the Lake of Fire because of the failures of the church who will be held accountable.  That is something that it a serious undertaking.  As I write this, everything I do, think, and write will be held to the light one day.  I too will have to give an account for how I have lived my life.

There are two judgements in the Bible that are often discussed: the Great White Throne of Judgement and the Judgement Seat of Christ.  You don't wish to be judged at the Great White Throne of Judgement.  That is for those who are unbelievers and unrepentant sinners in Christ.  They will be judged by their works.  Their end will be dire for it will be eternal.  They will not be singing with the angels but will be cast alive in the Lake of Fire forever.  Meanwhile the Judgement Seat of Christ is for the repentant believer.  Scarcely will the righteous be saved. However the believer will enter the Lord's rest.  They will not be cast into the Lake of Fire.  This is for the pure in heart and the repentant, enduring believer who served the Lord faithfully.  This is for the believer who was ready for His return and the believer who truly loved the Lord in word, thought, speech, and deed.

My message to whoever reads this is this:  You don't want to spend eternity without God.  You don't want to take part in the Lake of Fire.  Jesus died for you.  He loves you.  The Christian walk is not a walk of shame or regret but of love, patience, and endurance.  It is also narrow.  Sometimes the road will be unpaved and full of gravel.  You may even suffer for a while.  There will be times when you ask God why.  There are times when faith will be shaken.  There are other times when you wonder if you will make it another day.  But considering all that will happen in eternity the pain is only temporary.  One day, believers will no longer have to suffer.  There will be no more pain, no more hate, no more fears, and no more poverty.

The Kingdom of Heaven is near.  Jesus is returning soon.  To 'get to know' Jesus, we must be born again.  Being born-again means to be born not of the flesh, but to be born from above. We are born of the flesh yes, but to be born from above means that we will be made new once we receive Jesus as Lord and Savior.  We are changed from what we were to what we are now, spiritual creations born from above.  I guess it is hard for me to explain but those who are saved were once unrepentant sinners who were saved by faith because they believed on the Lord Jesus who is the Son of God who rose from the dead by the Father.

Prayer does not save, but Jesus does.  If one believes in their heart that Jesus, the Son of God, rose from the dead by the Father and if he or she calls on the name of the Lord, then they shall be saved.  Jesus is the only Way to the Father.

If you are not born again or are not sure you are truly born again, I ask that you would pray this prayer or say it from your own words:

" Lord Jesus Christ, I am a sinner in need of a Savior.  I believe in my heart that God rose You from the dead.  I am not truly born again and I  ask for forgiveness for all of my sins.  I ask that You would fill me with Your Holy Spirit.  Make me a new creation and may I be redeemed.  Thank You for loving me and for saving me.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

Applying myself

Yesterday, I simply forgot to add a musing of my own.  Sometimes it takes a series of light bulb moments to get a person going.  I wonder why it took so long.  Why does it take a light bulb moment?  Why couldn't I have figured it out on my own?  Light bulb moments expose my weaknesses but it emphasizes my strengths as well.

I don't take the time to be thankful.  This is concerning my weight.  I have taken it all for granted.  I didn't lose or gain weight lately.  I am at a plateau.  I became frustrated and now it is time for me to do something about it.  I can eat less and exercise more.  How do I apply it to my situation?

That is the question: how do I appy it to my situation?  Why didn't I think of that before?  I have all of this information yet I failed to fully apply it to my situation.  All I had to do was exercise more and eat less.  I became frustrated because of something simple.  It makes me wonder why it is so difficult for me to apply myself.

Is it laziness?  Why is it so hard?  I need wisdom and guidance.  The answer is it is all in the mind.  All I have to do is exercise more, eat less, and keep it simple.  How to keep it simple is all in the mindset.  Why do I have to make things so hard on myself?  Is life always a set of challenges?  Life isn't an easy hard.  I have learn to do what is hard.  The other answer is I need to be mindful and not go through the motions.  I have to control not let anything control me.  A person loses their own sense of self and their own power doing those things.  Those are the lessons I learned yesterday and that is the lesson I will continue to learn today.

Psalm 23

1The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.


5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.

It is Well With My Soul" by the Isaacs

"It is Well With My Soul" is a beautiful song.  I believe that every song has a story that touches us all, regardless of genre.  This song touches me.  I believe that while things are not perfect, Jesus Christ saved me.  It is definitely well with my soul.

There are many people who have a wrong view of things, including salvation.  Jesus saves.  What does that mean?  It means that Jesus is the Only One who can rescue us from the curse of eternal death.  Thus save literally means to rescue.  Around 2,000 years ago, Jesus died on the cross for us and he rose again on the third day.  He died so that us sinners could be rescued, or saved. 

Here is the thing however.  Those who are rescued are grateful to Whoever rescues them, right?  Yes, that is true.  That is what praise is all about.  People who are rescued and are grateful want to repay those who rescue them.  The One who saves us we can never truly repay, from what I heard.  What He did for was made Him the Propitiation for our sins.  He is our Mediator.

He was born in a sinful world and died in a sinful world.  However, He resurrected in a sinful world as well.  With God, all things are possible.  No matter what we go through, all things are still possible for those who believe.  For us to be rescue we don't need to just say a prayer, though believers are supposed to pray and fellowship.  We have to call on the Name of Jesus Christ, believe He is Lord, and believe that the Father rose Him from the dead.  Jesus is our Example.  Those who believe in Him will not have a carefree, perfect life, but in the end, those who endure will be raised up to Heaven and will commune with Him forever. 

Their names have been written in Heaven.  Jesus has not forgotten us.  His promises are true.  He will never leave us, nor forsake us.  He doesn't want us to be anxious and troubled, though there are troubles in the world and though we will be anxious and fearful about things.  He is greater than he who is in the world.

Those who are true believers are those who have truly repented.  Believers in the New Testament have received power from on High.  The Holy Spirit came upon believers in the book of Acts.  I am not sure what has happened in the life of the new believers, but they are the believers who have repented and hopefully have endured for Jesus Christ.  Like Paul, believers have to endure and endure much.  There are many who preach the gospel in other nations who have been killed, brutalized, and lost their churches.  Meanwhile, I as an American can preach the gospel on the street still.  Sure I will be called names, or even physically attacked. 

On the other hand, I cannot imagine who those in other nations endure on a daily basis.  Many Americans are worried about the loss of rights and freedoms we hold dear.  We all have to remember that not everyone has those rights for leading someone to Jesus Christ could cost a believer their freedom.  We can do that in the US, though we may receive some criticism, we would be asking different questions if our churches were burned.  I can only imagine how much more dire it is for believers in other nations.  I pray for believers in other nations that they would continue to endure and that we as American believers would not forget them.  Let us not forget them, for I believe that no matter what they go through, they have not forgotten the goodness of God.  Let us in America not forget the same thing.

God so Loved the World by Jaci Velasquez

Wisdom Has Built a House

Wisdom has built a house
She is a wise woman
She is a woman of beauty and strength
She will take you very far
She will take you close
Wisdom has built a house
On a strong foundation
She is a woman of grace and class
She is caring
She is a woman of integrity
A woman who won't steer you wrong
She is the foundation
That brings men to their knees
She is the foundation
Of strength
Wisdom has built a house
That brings families together
Wisdom has built a house
The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom

Self-conscious

I love my hair.  I have become more confident about myself.  Having a teeny weeny afro is quite freeing. However, I got negative feedback for my haircut.  I care way too much what others think.  It is a sign that fear and self-esteem issues are at play.  I feel like I have been too thin-skinned and that I wanted to hide my hair from public view.  I feel better about my hair however and I don't want to hide if forever.  I had to get used to it.  I do wonder how others will feel about my hair, including my relatives.  I am too self-conscious about my appearance.  I am overweight, I have an average face, and I have very short hair.  I have always wanted to do something bold yet I have this issue with being self-conscious.  If I am "fearfully and wonderfully made", then why do I have this issue?

New change in style

Well, guess what?  I chopped off most of my hair.  All that is left is my natural curls.  They feel great.  It is always nice to do what you feel is right.  It is actually quite freeing.  Be yourself.

God created us to be ourselves.  We are all unique individuals.  I feel like an individual more so than ever.  I have spent most of my life caring what others think.  I still struggle with that, but cutting my relaxed hair off feels good.

Here are a few pictures that should be of inspiration for me, now that my hair is natural.

Laziness and procrastination

I admit that I have gotten lazy over the last few years.  Laziness and procrastination both go hand and hand. There are times when I feel like musing all over the place.  Then there are times where I am too lazy to write or at least don't have anything to muse about.

There are a lot of things that I have had mused about or that I haven't mused about.  Laziness is something that I have not mused about.  The last few days I have been writing long muses and reflections about mass media.

Laziness and procrastination are about cause and effect.  I procrastinate because I am lazy for example.  Thus in the end, nothing gets done until later.  Laziness and procrastination are like sins.  They are deceptive in that you know deep down it is wrong, but you do it anyway.  It is a shortcut, it is pleasurable, and it is easy.  However like sin, the consequences are dire.  The wages of sin is death according to the Bible.

Spiritual aspects of mass media

I feel that I am okay and now I am feeling so much better.  Stress is something that I have grown too accustomed to.  I just need to stop "dealing with it" and just "do it".  I am really good at making things hard instead of actually doing what is easy.

For example, my entertainment choices may actually be controversial.  How I choose movies, books to read, shows to watch, and sometimes what to listen to does not edify God.  I go by what my thoughts say instead of what God says.

There is much ungodly content in mass media.  However, there is also much godly and wholesome content in mass media as well.  I wrote about it in detail yesterday with television.

Movies, music, and books should involve the same principle as well as television.  Also, I should not forget the internet.  I believe that  the internet has increased so much that I even forget about it.  Ironically, I am using the computer now.

Watching shows that are edifying God and listening to songs that are edifying shouldn't be viewed as safe content to me.  That implies avoidance.  What edification implies is that God isn't my co-pilot.  He is the One who leads.  I surrender to Him.  I am not an equal partner.  He saved me.  He died for me and He rose from the dead.  I thank Him very, very much for that.

Pro-activity is something that all of us should take great pride in.  I am musing about this because of mass media being a trigger to obsessive thoughts.  I don't like what I see on TV, nor do I like what I see in the world.  Also, it seems that the world is going crazier by the day.  I look forward to the return of Jesus Christ.  That is why I am getting ready.

We all need to prepare ourselves for Jesus' very soon return.  At least I believe that Jesus will return very soon.  I don't know when He will return, but I do know that there are signs all around us that say so.  I would also be foolish to say that He is delaying His return.  

Mass media influences all of us.  No one is immune.  However, we live in a world where no one is immune to the Lord and His power.  This means no one is also immune to being judged by God one day.  We all have to give an account of how we all have lived our lives, including what we allow to influence us.  I am not saying that we will end up in Heaven if we only watch Christian oriented television.  Nor am I saying that because we are watching or reading sexually charged content that we will automatically end up  in Hell.  What I am saying that that only those who are pure in heart, who have guarded their hearts, and who are redeemed people who have endured shall see God and will end up in Heaven.  We are to acknowledge God and edify Him in all that we do, including what seems mundane and petty like mass media.

Television

I love to watch television, but I feel that I watch too much of the bad stuff.  To me the bad stuff are things that I have no business watching like those filled with blood and gore and promiscuous sex.  There are other things I should look out for such as those who curse, those who commits other sins without guilt, or whatever shows feed my obsessions.

Television can be a great tool.  Many people became born-again due to watching religious programming. Many people get their spirits fed because of religious programming.  There are others who watch educational programming.  Those people get their minds fed because of educational programming.  There are those who like to watch family programming.  To many, they take them back to a more innocent and simpler time. Those are shows that all of us should be watching.  These shows are at least safe for kids.

I admit that I watch shows that are unsafe for me as a Christian woman and as a person who has the issues that I have.  I watch shows that feed my obsessions and I also obsess about the content of shows or movies to watch.  I have obsessive thoughts about infidelity and the male v female dynamic among other things. Television and the internet can be great for families but they can be detrimental for us as well.  We are all to keep our eyes, our mouths, our hearts, and our minds on guard.  We are natural learners and I believe we are all naturally curious.  However there are times when curiosity kills the cat so to speak.

Television and other forms of media are an example sometimes of curiosity killing the cat.  We are to guide our hearts for out of it flow the issues of life.  I believe that television is a powerful influence to both children and adults.  Adult men yell at the live games on television.  Adult women yell at soap operas and movies. Kids spend countless hours playing video games on TV and watching cartoons.  What we watch may be a determinant of our spiritual lives.  I say may because I may watch something unsafe, but since I am redeemed, I know and realize that what I should be doing is turn the TV off or change the channel.Television can either be a blessing or a curse.

There are a lot of ungodly things on television and there are a lot of godly things.  We cannot be believers and just watch something that is a blessing to you or something that is a curse and ungodly.  I sometimes have to decide what to watch based on the content not because of its godly or ungodly content but because I feel drawn to that show based on my thoughts.  As a believer, avoidance is something that I don't take lightly.  I mean avoidance as something I do to avoid triggers to another obsessive thought.  It is as if I have allowed my thoughts to determine what I should watch instead of my spiritual convictions and that isn't a good thing.

God of a second chance

God is indeed the God of second chances.

A musing about life

I am glad to be alive and well.  That is what I am going to muse about today, being alive.  I could have died today at a young age.  I cannot imagine living such a short life on a planet like this.  I am not even 40 yet and I feel like I have a lot to accomplish.  I wonder who has wasted their lives more, someone who has lived many years and never dreamed or accomplished a thing or one who has all of the potential in the world due to the fact that they had their whole lives ahead of them.  Yet, and certainly yet, they wasted it.  They thought that they were invincible because of their youth but didn't take whatever time they had to say goodbye to their family or friends.  But that could happen at any age and at any stage.

To me a wasted life is a life without Christ.  How can a person live their entire lives not knowing that Jesus is their Savior because they have not received Him?  That is more of a wasted life than an old person who has accomplished little or a youth who died in the prime of his or her life.  Maybe wasted is something that is too strong a word in either case.  Dying young for Christ is not a waste, nor is living for Him 60 years.  But even a believer can waste their lives worrying, complaining, being unforgiving, and never really maturing.

Even I don't realize is that "life is but a vapor".  The vapor is here today and gone in a flash.  It is no more.  It is like a blink. It is quick, yet has its purpose.  That is an analogy that is not really made about life.  The tragic end is that a person can blink and miss an opportunity therefore letting that opportunity pass them by.  They end feeling like a fool and being a fool for having missed that chance.  That is what life is like without Jesus Christ.  One who has died without Christ has wasted their lives for life is precious.

It is a shame that there are many in the Church who do nothing about it because maybe it is not their concern.  Or it could be that they are not mature or struggling with sin.  It could be any number of reasons that one does not share the gospel or rather preach the gospel.  We are called to not waste time and our lives but instead be active for Christ.  Reach out to others.  Pray for others.  Show love to others, and to one another.  While believers don't waste their lives because they are the redeemed, many do waste their time not doing whatever God has called them to do.  God takes life seriously.  So should the rest of us.

Asking God vs Questioning God

I wonder if it is okay to question God.  Is there a difference between asking God a question and questioning God?  I would think so.  I think it is okay to ask God a question or two.  However, to question God would be the same thing as insulting the Lord and His authority.  Christians are saved by faith, so I don't understand why a believer or even a non-believer would even question God's authority.  To me, it makes no sense.  But I think it is different to ask God questions since He is not a flawed human being with limited understanding.  He isn't a President or a Prime Minister who is a sinner whose authority can be questioned.  God is eternal and the God of the World of free will.  I believe in the free will of choosing the narrow road vs the broad road.  I also believe in the free will of trying to understand something when we are stuck no wonder how petty, silly, or mundane.  I wondered what if Jesus was born in December in a manger at that specific time.  When if Jesus was born anywhere else or at any other time?  I wonder what were to happen if Jesus was born earlier or was born later.  Would it matter?  I personally believe that Jesus will be the same for He never changes regardless of time or place.  I don't think it would matter.  What if Jesus was condemned to be stoned elsewhere as a punishment for our sins instead of crucifixion?  I wondered these things as I am typing this.  I ask this because I am listening to a radio show on salvation and the hosts were talking about the thief on the right of Him and these questions came to mind.  It seems silly because I thought asking Him a question would be the same thing as questioning Him and His authority.  However, God is the same no matter the time or place.  Jesus was a part of creation since the very beginning since all things were created through Him.  He and the Father are One.  No matter how He was punished or when He was born and became God Incarnate, we all have to learn that we as humans live and have to wait on God's time and not ours.

That Name by Yolanda Adams

Take Me to the King by Tamela Mann

This song would bring comfort to a dead person.  Seriously, this beautiful song touches my heart.  It is a lovely song by the lovely Tamela Mann.  The message is rather simple for anyone to understand.  It seems rather lonely at times to be a believer.  Sometimes we all wonder why we don't always don't hear from God.  I believe that it is in those times when God is at His strongest.  He manages to show up on time.  He promised to be there for us.  However, He never promised that life will be easy for the believer.

Un Lugar Celestial by Jaci Velasquez

I would love for all of us to be in the New Jerusalem.  Heaven and earth will pass away while Hell will be destroyed in the Lake of Fire.  Only the pure in heart shall see God and will not have their part in the Lake of Fire.  They will be the truly redeemed because they have truly obeyed.  They have endured to the end.  They didn't just have the mental understanding of God's Word.  They lived and breathed it.  They loved the Lord with every fiber of their beings.  I can imagine the New Jerusalem being a beautiful place where there is no racism, no fear, no tears, or no pain.  I can also imagine Heaven or the New Jerusalem to truly be a racial paradise that most of us strive for.  It is such a wonderful place to be.  Jesus is coming back soon..very soon.  Even at the doors.  Today is the day of salvation.  Tomorrow may be too late.

Blueberry muffins recipe

Ingredients:
2.5 cups self-rising flour
1.5 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
2 softened sticks of butter or margarine
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1.5 cup blueberries

Directions:
In a large bowl, mix the sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and butter.  Then add the flour and fold in the blueberries.  Bake in a preheated 350-400 degree oven.  Oven times will vary.  Bake for 20-30 minutes depending on the temperature.  Let cool for an hour.  Serve.

Decisions

I need to learn not to take life so seriously.  But then again, I need to be more serious.  That in itself is a light bulb moment.  I am so serious yet I am so stressed.  I am a young woman but have the mindset of someone who is way too set in her ways.

I need to be more serious about overcoming my obsession.  On the other hand, maybe I should take the time to have fun.  Just be young as have as much fun as I can while there is time and while I am still young.

It is no good for me to be set in my ways yet do nothing to change.  I have a great desire to change and now is the time.  It is either now or never.  It is like how one views their soul.  The Bible says that today is the day of salvation.  It is now or never.  I choose now.  If I would choose never, I would end up living in continued pain and regret.

Making a decision for me isn't hard.  After all, it is part of life.

Welcome to the Real World by Jane Child

I love this song and it has me wondering about reality.  Reality bites...sometimes.  Fantasy is deceptive because it is a great escape.  It does little to solve any problems one has in life.  It is like sin.  It feels good for a season but in the end it doesn't help.  Unlike sin, a little fantasy I guess is good.  I sometimes live in a fantasy world filled with obsessions, mulling, and compulsions.  It is about things that I wish I had like more riches, a thinner body, and millions of fans.  But I don't have any of these things.  Worst of all, it makes me less thankful and less grateful.  I in reality have a decent work ethic, spiritual riches, enough money to live on, and I am losing weight.  I am learning to take better care of myself.  I am affirming myself more and more each and every day.  Fantasy is good for a moment but even that has its limits.

Cars

I have written about many things, but one thing that I would like to talk about is about cars.  I know little about....okay, I know next to nothing about cars.  However, I would like to learn.  I sometimes go on websites about cars, but I procrastinate reading about them.  What I would like is a red, four door Chevy Impala.  It is such a beautiful car and such a smooth ride.

I wish I knew how to fix a car.  I don't understand the mechanisms of what goes into a car except that every engine needs oil and a full tank of gas.  Engines have to be smooth and have to run efficiently.  Then there is the speed and velocity of cars and the piston and other parts of the engine.

I also wish I was the type who could work with her hands, but I am not.  Cars are a very interesting topic because I cannot take being bored and writing and reflecting on the same things over and over again.  I do wonder about cars and what are the metaphors of life concerning cars.  What can I reflect in my life when it comes to cars?  Will I be able to reflect when I am driving or riding as a passenger?

Will I ever be the driver of my life or will I always be a passenger?  These are questions that I could ask myself.  I have a lot of learning and application to what I have learned.  I know little about cars, but I know enough about life.  That is a blessing in itself.

I love to cook

Here is a secret of mine: I love to cook. 

Okay, maybe it is not.  I love baking especially for family and also for myself during the holidays.  Sometimes I wonder if I do enough cooking.  Cooking has been therapeutic for me.  My favorite foods to make are casseroles and baked goods.  I like to cook and eat healthy, which is something I should be doing anyway.

I have a love/hate relationship with food.  I love the taste, texture, and richness of foods.  But I sometimes struggle with weight gain, diabetes, hormonal issues, and binge eating.  So it doesn't always love me back.  The issue that I have is self-control.  I don't know where that stems from, but it is an issue of mine.

I hope that I don't have to deal with this issue forever, but I just might.  I am doing better with the self-control issue.  Knowing myself and my habits are keys to having self-control, even when doing what one loves.  I love to cook, but sometimes I do cook too much for one or two people.  This could lead to temptation to eat more foods or throwing away what I don't eat.  Neither option is good.  So, since neither option is good, I wonder what I should do.

That is what I do all day, everyday.  I am a thinking person and I love to muse.  Reflections of how things are and how they used to be are among the things I do during the day.  This blog has helped me to realize that there are things that maybe I haven't thought about, like cooking and food.  Should I be a foodie?  Should I start a business?  I do wonder what I should do and how to muse about that.

Chicken Broccoli Macaroni Casserole

Chicken Broccoli Macaroni Casserole

Ingredients:
1 box macaroni and cheese with creamy cheese sauce, prepared
1 1/2 cups thawed broccoli
1 cup cooked chicken breasts

Cheese sauce:
3 oz. cream cheese
3 oz. cheddar cheese
1 oz. processed cheese
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 all-purpose or self-rising flour
1/2 sick butter
2 cups milk
3/4 cup sour cream

Directions:
 In a large bowl mix the macaroni and cheese, broccoli, and chicken breasts.  Set aside.
Then in a medium saucepan, make a roux. Melt the butter and add flour.  Once that is mixed, slowly add the milk.  Stir in the seasonings, mustard, cheeses, sour cream, and cream cheese.  Stir often until the cheeses are melted.  Then pour in the cheese sauce in the large bowl containing the macaroni and cheese, broccoli, and chicken breasts.  After mixing, pour mixture in a large, slightly greased pan.  Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 15-20 minutes.  Serve.

He's a Wonder by Cece Winans

He is indeed a wonder because He is wonderful.  I thank and praise God for His being wonderful and His wonderment.  He is Savior, Lord, and the Prince of Peace.  Jesus is worthy of praise and honor.  To the only wise God. 

I have been listening to Cece Winans lately and it is painful how underrated and talented she is in my opinion.  Some people may not agree on the underrated part because of her acclaim, but she is quite good. 

Jesus is the Lord of Lords, and King of Kings.  I am musing and reflecting upon Jesus because of all He has done for me and so many others.  He can do the same for all if we call upon Him.

Immortality by Celine Dion

One day, believers will be raised to Heaven.  I look forward to that day.  I thank Jesus everyday for saving me.  Our corruptible bodies will be immortal, incorruptible bodies.  I love this song and the title of it.  That title says it all.  I know that it is different from the secular song that I put up.  Celine Dion, going off topic, has a God given voice.  She is  not wasting a bit of her talents and for that, I am glad.

Alabaster Box by Cece Winans

It is such a beautiful song.

Thursday Pound Cake

Here is my recipe for Thursday Pound Cake:

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups self rising flour
1/4 tsp. baking powder
 1 1/2 cups sugar
1/4 cup softened butter
1 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup canola oil
1/2 cup imitation vanilla extract
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
4 large eggs
1-2 teaspoons milk (optional)

Directions:

In a large mixing bowl, add the softened butter and oils and beat.  Then mix in the sugar.  After the sugar, oils, and butter have been well mixed, slowly add in the eggs and pour in the vanilla extract.  The mixture will be creamy.  Once the mixture is creamy or fluffy, slowly add in the flour and baking powder; mix batter while scraping the sides of the bowl so that all of the batter is incorporated.  Slowly, pour in a lightly greased and floured baking pan.  You can also use a bundt pan for this recipe Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for an hour.  Once the cake is ready, cool for about 30 minutes to an hour.  Then serve.