So of course we started out with Brandi cracking us up with her stories ;)
Then we dug in and sampled all of the delicious recipes of the week (which I will get to shortly...I promise!)
After we all ate (and may or may not have gone back for seconds...ahem...guilty!), and had nice time discussing what all was going on in our lives, prayer requests, etc. as we usually do, we created an assembly line for our homeless ministry project this week. We were so excited to get this project going!
L to R: Julie, Lauren, Lindsey, Brandi, Laura, Cynthia, and Alison
As you may remember from last week's post, these awesome ladies gathered up gallon ziploc bags, bottled water, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and food items (specifically, potted meat, vienna sausages, peanut butter crackers, and Slim Jim's). The church had run out of gospel tracts, so instead, we decided to create our own note to include in each packet.
You may not be able to read the text in the picture, so here it is (bear with me...it's a little wordy...but we had a lot of good info to share!)
Hello friend!
I may not know your situation, but
I do know that I love you and I want to help you. Each item in this bag was
prayed over, but most importantly, I prayed for you as the recipient of this
bag. I prayed for your heart that you may receive and accept what I’m about to
tell you. Heaven and hell are real. God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit are real.
I know this because I have accepted this and the Holy Spirit lives inside me. I
talk with God and He speaks to my heart. The events outlined in the Bible are
historically accurate and the details of Jesus Christ’s life on Earth was
predicted thousands of years before it happened. God sent His only son, Jesus,
down to Earth to take on the form of man. Jesus freely stepped off the throne
of Heaven to do this for His father and for you and me because He loves us that
much. Jesus performed many miracles and was 100% sinless, although He
encountered the same temptations that you and I struggle with every day. Yet,
some people did not agree with what He was doing and they punished Him,
undeservedly, by beating, mocking, torturing, and finally crucifying Him to
death. This was a death that He willingly endured for you and for me. You see,
friend, God is so perfect, and so Holy, that He cannot be in the presence of
sin. Our sins have been atoned for by the blood of Jesus. The Bible says that
God so loved the world, that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him
will not perish, but will have everlasting life! And Jesus said “I am the way,
the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.” The
Bible also says that by grace, we are saved through faith. This is a gift from
God, not by works, so that no one can boast. I have accepted this gift from
God, the gift of salvation, and now I would like to share that with you. My
sins have been washed clean – past, present, and future – and when I die one
day, I know that my eternity will be spent in Heaven with my Savior, Jesus. I
hope to see you there, too, friend. Here is how you can receive this gift –
just simply talk to God and say: “God, I know I am a sinner. I am sorry for my
sins and the life I have lived, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe in
Jesus and what He did on the cross for me, and I am now willing to turn from my
sin. Right now I confess Jesus as the Lord of my soul. Lord, save me. Thank you
for your unlimited grace. Thank you for dying for me and giving me eternal
life. Amen.”
Your friend at Flint Hill Baptist
Church in Bessemer
Before we started packing, we each took a minute to pray over each specific item that we were packing, and started our assembly line!
And after assembling 24 packets, this was the result!
We then prayed over the assembled products, asking God to prepare the hearts of those who would be receiving them. We prayed for the Lord to guide our steps and put us in the path of those who need to hear His word and be ministered to this week. This project was so much fun and I hope that it will be effective. We plan to do another homeless outreach ministry in the weeks to come, so stay tuned!
And now I present...the recipes of the week!
GARLIC PARMESAN CHEESE DIP
Contributed by: Brandi
1 - 8 oz pkg cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp garlic powder
Pita chips or Triscuits for serving
Mix cream cheese, parmesan cheese, and garlic powder thoroughly until well combined. Serve immediately or let chill for a few hours to let flavors set in. Serve with your favorite crackers.
APPLE CRUNCH
Contributed by: Lauren
1.5 - 2 sticks butter
Small can crushed pineapple (optional)
2 cans apple pie filling
1 box yellow cake mix
Chopped pecans for topping
Preheat oven to 350F. Rub bottom and sides of 9x13 in. casserole dish with butter. Spread small can of crushed pineapple in bottom of dish (optional). Spread 2 cans apple pie filling on top of pineapple. Sprinkle 1 box yellow cake mix on top of apple filling. Melt 1.5 to 2 sticks butter and pour melted butter over top of cake mix. Bake at 350F for 30 minutes, then top with chopped pecans and bake 30 more minutes, or until golden brown. NOTE: Great with blueberries as well.
MAPLE SAUSAGE PANCAKE MUFFINS
Contributed by: Lindsey
2 cups pancake mix
1 lb. Jimmy Dean maple flavored sausage
1/2 cup maple syrup
Preheat oven to 350F. Brown and drain sausage. Grease a muffin pan and mix batter, sausage, and syrup together. Pour into muffin tins and bake at 350F for approx. 12-18 minutes. NOTE: You can refrigerate or freeze for a quick "pop in the microwave" breakfast on the go!
SYMPHONY BROWNIES
Contributed by: Mallory
1 box Duncan Hines milk chocolate brownies
3 eggs
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 large Hershey's Symphony bars
Preheat oven to 350F for metal pan or 325F for dark or non-stick pan. Make brownie batter mix according to directions on the box (using the "cake like brownie" instructions). Grease a 9x13" dish and pour 1/2 batter into dish. Spread with a spoon to cover the entire bottom of the pan. Layer the two Symphony bars across the batter. Pour remaining batter over the bars and spread with a spoon. Bake according to package directions. Let cool completely and enjoy!
CHILI CHEESE DIP
Contributed by: Alison
1 - 8 oz pkg cream cheese, softened
15 oz can Hormel chili
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Fritos scoops for serving
Evenly spread the softened cream cheese into the bottom of an ungreased glass pie dish pan or other round baking dish. Spread chili over the cream cheese. Top with shredded cheddar cheese. Microwave for 4 minutes. Check to see if the cheese is melted and microwave another 1-2 minutes until the cheese is completely melted. Serve warm with Fritos.
COWBOY CRACK (a.k.a. HOT CORN DIP)
Contributed by: Cynthia
2 - 8 oz pkgs cream cheese, softened
1 can Rotel
1 can shoe peg corn
1 can Mexicorn or southwest corn
Fritos scoops
Drain Rotel and corn. Mix well with cream cheese. Microwave in 1 minute intervals until blended. Serve warm with Fritos.
SAUSAGE BALLS
Contributed by: Laura
3 1/2 cups Bisquick
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 lb. sausage
Preheat oven to 375F. Mix all ingredients together well and form into balls. Place sausage balls onto greased baking sheet and bake at 375F for approx. 20 minutes or until crispy on both sides.
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Tonight, I leave you with two things:
1. A picture of my adorable grandparents when they were young lovebirds. My precious Paw Paw passed away this past weekend. I miss him dearly, but I'm thankful that I have assured comfort that I will see him (and my sweet Grandmother) again one day.
2. The Word of God.
"...Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in Heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." Philippians 3:18-21
Lord, I thank you for the hearts of these ladies who have blessed me beyond measure with their kind words and actions. I pray that you will continue to guide us in our ministry efforts and prepare the hearts of those who will receive our assembled packets over the next weeks. I also thank you for the Christ-like example set by my grandparents in the life that they lived here on this earth. Thank you for the sacrifice made by your Son. It is because of this amazing sacrifice that I can say 'Where, O death, is your sting?' Thanks be to you, God, for you have given us the VICTORY over death through your son Jesus Christ! In your name, Amen.
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