Guys Are Waffles, Girls are Spaghetti - by Chad Eastham review

Hello, readers!
 Suzanna here.
All day today I have been sick. I got the flu... :( That goofy little bug seems to be all over this time of year.
  I decided I'm going to review the cough drops I've been using. They're called Halls Refresh and I'm sucking on the juicy strawberry flavored ones right now. I think they taste pretty good-
 Kidding. I'd never do that. I promise.
As I'm sitting here on our big comfy couch, with my pajamas on... I decided I'd review the book I'm reading right now. I'm not sure if that's the right way to review a book; one you haven't even finished; but I thought I'd give it a try.
 The book I'm currently reading is 'Guys are Waffles, Girls are Spaghetti' by Chad Eastham and Bill and Pam Farrel.
 I am over halfway done with the book, and I started it yesterday. All of Chad Eastham's books seem like quick reads, -unless it's just because I've been lounging, reading all day today.- Either way, I like those types of books. I think it also helps that Chad Eastham is the most amazing author I have ever...uh...read?! Not sure what word I should've put there. Anyways. I really like the way he approaches and tackles the different hard subjects that he discussed in the book.
 If an adult (well...I know Chad Eastham is an adult, but bear with me here) would have attempted to write this book, I think it would have stunk. Chad seems mature enough to encourage us teens and discuss the topics in book like a youth group leader, yet also talk about them like a big brother would. The way he delivers each and every chapter is so warm and humorous, yet also very honest and raw.
 Chad did such a good job writing this book. I absolutely love it.
 I like how it's written for both guys and girls.
 Seriously, there's not one part of the book that I haven't 100% enjoyed.
From what I'd read about the Guys are Waffles, Girls are Spaghetti book I thought there would've been more sections or parts written by Bill and Pam Farrel, but there's not that many sections, actually.
 Anyways, the book is great. I absolutely love the book. Good job, Chad, Bill and Pam!!
 ~suzanna

Reading Through the Bible in a Year

Last year, a couple of my friends and I, decided that it would be fun, if through the whole 2009 year, if we could read through the entire Bible in a year.

One of my good friends, Sam, came up with a schedule to do so- and we started reading on January 1st.

It took me a while to actually get used to reading my Bible every day - or, as I did it, every evening, before I went to bed. It became a habit, after only a couple of weeks - and I am glad to say - I only missed two days of reading, because I was sick. Those two days were quickly caught up- and I was soon back in the swing of things.

Reading through the Bible in a year, made me feel a whole lot closer to God. I felt that reading the Bible - and actually learning what it said in it, definitely gave me a better meaning of God's love and forgiveness toward His people.

My life has changed since I've read through the Bible. I'm doing it again this year - only with a Chronological Bible - that my Grandma had sitting at her house. This way, I get to read the events in the order that they actually happened.

I think that it's a great challenge - to read through the Bible - and I think that every Christian should take that challenge.

Read through the Bible, learn what it says. There is no other way to learn and understand what God is trying to tell you, unless we read what His word is telling us.

I challenge each and every one of you to try to read your Bible every night. Whether it's a chapter, or two chapters, or in some cases of the short books, a whole book of the Bible. Don't overdo it - because then it'll get old pretty fast - set yourself at a good pace, and try to learn what that part of the Bible is trying to teach you.

And pray. Definitely pray. Reading through the Bible is good - but prayer is also essential.

So, as a closing - I'm going to share a few of my favorite verses that I've discovered in reading the Bible through the year:

Exodus 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine.

Phillipians 4:13 For I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.

And of course - the well known:
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

~Ashley

If you have any questions about my reading through the Bible in a year - or about the schedule I used - you can comment, and ask, or email me at : jesusismyprincecharming@hotmail.com

Happy (By Ayiesha Woods)

Happy lyrics:
No record deal, no dream fulfilled, no three minute video
No catchy jingle, no big hit single playing on the radio

Can make me happy
Can make me feel the way you do
Can make me happy
I wanna make you happy too

No flashy cars, no movie stars, no man, woman, boy or girl
No fancy things, no diamond rings, nothing in the whole wide world

Can make me happy
Can make me feel the way you do
You make me happy
I want to make you happy too
You make me happy
You make me feel the way I do
You make me happy
I wish the whole world knew you too

No I cannot count the ways you have made my life so blessed
All I know is that you came and made beauty of my mess
*Chorus*

Hey, all!
 Suzanna here.
These lyrics are so...well...happy. Believe me, I am not a big get-up-and-groove kind of person, but the beat and sound of this song made me want to dance when I listened to it.
 The cool thing about these lyrics is that it's saying that nothing on this earth matters. not fancy stuff, or how famous you are, or anything. The only thing that matters is God, and His love for you.
 I don't ever listen to Ayiesha Woods, but I came across this song and it's pretty cute.
I have to be honest, I think the lyrics speak for themselves! I really can't think of anything to say about them other than, God makes me happy. Whenever I think about Him I get the smiles, and I just want to go sing Him a love song, because I'm truly in love with Christ.
 Here's something I want you to do tonight. When you pray, thank God for the things that make you happy. Maybe it's a best friend, or climbing trees, or your dog! Whatever it is; thank God for it, and if your dog is what makes you happy, go give him a massage.
Thanks for reading!!

Ginger Crinkles

I don't know about you, but when this time of year comes around, my mouth simply waters whenever the thought of these delicious ginger cookies crosses my mind. They have just enough crunch and spice to make them a perfect treat during the winter months.

Ginger Crinkles 

2 cups of whole wheat flour

1 Tablespoon baking soda 

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cloves

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon ginger

1-1/3 cups sugar

3/4 cup shortening

1/4 cup light molasses

1 egg, slightly beaten

***

1) Preheat oven to 350*

2) Sift flour with baking soda, salt, cloves, cinnaomn, and ginger; set aside

3) In a large bowl of electric mixer, at medium speed, gradually add 1 cup sugar to shortening, creaming until very light and fluffy-about five minutes-Blend in molasses and egg

4) At low speed, beat in flour mixture just until well combines, scraping down side of bowl with rubber scraper. Refrigerate 1 hour.

5) Shape dough into 1-inch balls; roll in remaining 1/3 sugar

6) Place, 2 inches apart, on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 8 to 10 minutes, until golden brown. Let stand for 1 minute before removing to wire rack to cool.

                      Makes about 4 dozen 

Joy

I loved Kylie's previous post on joy! I loved reading through it, and trying to understand what JOY really means.
 I think that happiness very much ties in with being joyous, but I think that it's a lot more than that. 

Psalm 118:24 - "This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." 

Proverbs 15:13 - "A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit."

Isaiah 55:12 - "You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands."

Nehemiah 8:10 - "Nehemiah said, 'Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.'" 

The last verse that I posted there, was one that Kylie also posted. I love that verse. The JOY OF THE LORD is my STRENGTH!

If you would like...leave a comment and let us all know one thing that really makes you happy! We'd love to know!

The Joy of the Lord

Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10, emphasis mine)

No doubt you’ve heard this verse. I know many people who count it among their favorites, and I’ve heard the last part quoted many times. Today we’re going to take a closer look at what that phrase means.

First of all, what is joy? Well, according to my big blue Webster’s dictionary (that’s probably similar to Suzanna’s dictionary), this is the definition of joy:

Joy – n; 1. a feeling of great pleasure or happiness that comes from success, good fortune, or a sense of well-being; 2. something that gives great pleasure or happiness.

It’s from an Old French word that means “to rejoice”. Rejoicing occurs a lot in my life, especially when I receive something that makes me happy. I'm sure you've experienced joy many times. I think that the joy of the Lord may be bigger and better than any form of earthly joy.

I also believe that God Himself is joyful, and rejoices often. One of my favorite representations of Jesus is a picture we have hanging in our upstairs hall. Jesus’ eyes are smiling, and His mouth is open wide with laughter. It’s a beautiful picture of the delight God must feel in His children, and the joy that He wants us to have.

God knows that when we have His joy within us, it will refresh us and bring us life. When we have the joy of the Lord, it’s also a form of supernatural strength that can only come from Him. His joy goes beyond circumstances, and it will never run out. Most of all, we can rejoice because we have been saved by Christ Himself.

So how do we get this joy? Well, I would start by asking the Lord to give you His joy. I’m sure He will honor your request. Start tuning into Him and what He says. I get a lot of joy from my relationship with Him. And maybe try to find joy in everyday occurrences. You never know what might surprise you.

We've a Story to Tell the Nations!

(Matthew 28:18-20)
"And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.' "

 We've a story to tell to the nations

That shall turn their hearts to right

A story of truth and mercy

A story of peace and light

A story of peace and light

For the darkness shall turn to dawning

And the dawning to noon-day bright

And Christ's great kingdom shall come on earth

The kingdom of love and light 

                                                                                      -H. Ernest Nicol-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpXb61sgE0g

(Acts 6:4)
"But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 

 ~Natalie~