by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
My grandmother, Elsie Knighton, didn’t bake this cake often but when she did, oh my! Of course, I’m a bit partial because I loved everything she cooked and white cake is my favorite. This sweet delight is perfect for spring and summer tea parties, Fourth of July gatherings, and well, for no reason at all.
Special White Cake with Cherry Frosting
3 cups self-rising flour (she used White Lily)
2/3 cup shortening
1-3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon lemon extract
1-1/4 cup milk
4 egg whites stiffly beaten
Cake:
Sift flour and then measure into bowl; cream together shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Add extracts, then flour mixture and milk alternating to cream mixture. Blend well, fold in egg whites. Pour into greased 9 inch pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
Frosting:
1 pound box 4x sugar
4 tablespoons evaporated milk
1/2 cup chopped maraschino cherries
2 tablespoons cherry juice
Sift one cup sugar in mixing bowl. Add well-drained chopped cherries, cherry juice and milk. Blend well. Add remaining sugar until frosting is firm enough to spread.
– Recipe by Elsie Knighton
Enjoy!
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
The
trunk of the Chaste tree hugged our white picket fence but its branches
shot out in all directions, covering everything in its path. While
preparing to sell the house last September, Brian cut the tree to ground
level so the yard would appear neater for prospective buyers.
This
weekend, while taking a tour of the yard, I spotted a pink patch of
clematis sittin’ pretty as you please alongside the same picket fence. I
planted them years ago but forgot about them. I’d never seen a bloom,
thanks to the gnarly branches of the tree. However, once the debris was
cleared, I could finally see the beauty that awaited. The timing of this
discovery was no “coincidence.”
You
see, since childhood, the relationship with my mom has often been
covered in debris, scattered from a decision made long ago that neither
of us initiated. Its roots spread into deep, dark, hidden places
resulting in hurt, bitterness, and simple misunderstandings.
In
recent years, each of us has grown in our faith, and through this
growth, He has exposed those dark places to the light of His truth,
lovingly reminding me of my own failings as a parent (humble pie is
bittersweet) and how my mom did the best she could do with the
circumstances facing her at the time.
Our
relationship has never been stronger or more vibrant than it is today
for it remains covered—no longer by debris from the past but by grace
and mercy—beauty in its truest form.
Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus
our Lord. 2 Peter 1:2
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Our “Secret Place”
We were in our newly created Secret Place, a cave-like
bubble surrounded by ancient shrubbery and dense muscadine bushes. It’s one of
Piper’s favorite outdoor hangouts because it’s quiet and no one can see us.
While dusting our dirt floor, the firetrucks pulled out of their station and turned their sirens on full blast. Wide-eyed Piper asked, “Did you hear that?” I shared with her how I pray when the sirens blare because someone needs help. She smiled and said,
“Okay!”
Living across from a fire department has its drawbacks but it does offer a unique opportunity for prayer. After our exchange in the Secret Place, I realized there are other opportunities for prayer that I pass every single day, such as:
- Churches: For the gospel alone to be proclaimed, as well as wisdom and discernment for their leaders.
- Grocery store: For those who are hungry, asking God to keep my spiritual eyes open to the needs around me.
- Schools: For protection — physically, emotionally (bullies), and spiritually.
- A waving flag: For President Obama and other leaders of our country.
- Neighborhood: For a different home each day, praying for the families (whether I know them or not) to be grounded in much love, unity, and grace.
There’s no sweeter aroma than that of intercessory prayer ascending to the Father. It turns ordinary moments into extraordinary opportunities for the kingdom of God.
Can you think of other practical ways to pray for our communities? Please share them in the comment box!
First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men. 1 Timothy 2:1
First
of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and
thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, – See more at:
http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Intercessory-Prayer#sthash.eo3jRCeu.dpuf
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
Be careful what you proclaim.
Within a brief time period last year, I distinctly remember hearing myself repeat the same eight words at least three times: “I’m not easily offended. I’m thick-skinned.” I couldn’t help but wonder if my repeated proclamation might come back to taunt me.
For several years, I served on a programming team for a past church where six to eight people, along with the pastor, met on Tuesday afternoons to throw out numerous ideas for our services, stages, and series. If you didn’t have thick skin, you’d either (1) never share original ideas or (2) run out the door after someone crunched your toes through unintentional criticism. Not being overly sensitive continues to help in the writing realm as well. How else can I grow without honest feedback?
These experiences bolster my ability to allow concrete words to crumble before ever reaching my heart—that is, when they’re expected. It was when hurt showed up as an unexpected guest knocking at the back door that my thick-skinned proclamation was tested and deemed a failure.
This particular “testing” didn’t come in the form of a curt word or action, but rather, an overall sense that something just wasn’t right between us. This person had (nor has) any idea that she tested my thick skin and won. I’m usually quick to slam the door on the enemy’s ability to wedge himself between Christ followers but this time I sensed I needed to remain silent. It was something I needed to work through,not her. Regardless, forgiveness was released—for her, and also for myself, as God revealed how I’d contributed to my own testing.
The heel that strikes the violet is oft unaware of its misstep—and so are we.
At times, we’ll be the one to unknowingly tread upon another, and vice versa. The question is, when this happens, will we choose to diffuse the fragrance of Christ in the form of forgiveness or not? If a violet can do it, surely we can too.
“When it is just me who has been wronged,
my lips should most often be silent.
And I must see to it in the hidden person of the
heart there is always the gentleness of Christ.
Words of complaint can be so destructive.
Let this be my rule: Silence, unless the reason for
speech, still bear the searchlight of Eternity.”
-Amy Carmichael, His Thoughts Said… (Joni’s Favorite Quotes)
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
“We
benefit from the faithful artists and influencers who came before us.
They did not live to see the change, but we live because of it. Be
faithful to plant. Release the growing to God. Open up the clenched
fists and let the seeds drop into the ground, let them burrow down deep
and do their secret work in the dark. Sacred shaping happens in the
waiting.” -Emily P. Freeman, A Million Little Ways
In the words of Sir Henry John Newbold, “Let us build for the
years we shall not see.”
We
benefit from the faithful artists and influencers who came before us.
They did not live to see the change, but we live because of it.
Quick! Who just came to mind? And more importantly, will someone recall our face if asked the same question years down the road? If this is to happen, we must be faithful to plant now. We’ll never be younger than we are today and thankfully, we’re never too old to influence others for the kingdom of God.
Growing up, my dad enjoyed organic gardening. (And that was before the organic craze!) Having a box delivered from Burpee Seeds was like Christmas morning at our house. Tiny, round, oval, black, white, etc. Oh, the variety!
Influential seeds are no different. There’s a plethora of ways to open our clinched fists (anything that holds us back from being authentic), allowing us to build for the years we shall not see.
Four seeds in my pocket today:
- Speak truth into the life of another. The world offers up many “yes” men and women. Influencers are willing to show their love by lovingly speaking truth based on Word, no matter how unpopular they may become as a result. Truth rules—and love leads—in the life of one who influences.
- Pray. Too often I’ve heard myself say, “Wish I could do more to help but I’ll keep you in my prayers.” Really? What greater gift we can offer another? “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:15b. (Righteousness, powerful, effective = influential)
- Say no. Many of us grew up believing that if we weren’t saying “yes” to everything (especially in the church setting) we weren’t being faithful. Not true! How can we say yes to the best (God’s desires) if we’re unwilling to say no to the good things? Knowing our spiritual gifts and serving in that realm is a seed well planted. Of course, remaining sensitive to the Holy Spirit is key, as we never know when He’ll ask us to throw out a seed of a different variety.
- Release! We can waste a lot of energy when trying to control the outcome of our planting efforts. Our responsibility is to plant and to allow the seed to do its sacred work in the dark. God will bring the growth in His timing and His ways.
Do you have a seed in your pocket? Please release it in the comment box. 🙂
I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 1 Corinthians 3:6
