Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes

 

Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes

Ingredients for approximately 12 cones:

Vanilla cake mix (or you can buy the individual colored cake mixes)

White chocolate bark (or you can buy milk chocolate if you want a chocolate instead of vanilla look)

Butter cream frosting

Red M&M's or any red candy

Any toppings/candy you prefer - I used sprinkles

Ice cream cones (flat bottom)

Food coloring (unless you buy the individual colored cake mixes)

Ok, so I've added pictures or I know I would have totally confused everyone with my instructions!! Enjoy... I hope ;)

Make batter by combining ingredients for the vanilla cake mix in a large mixing bowl and set aside.  I used a box cake mix this time but you can certainly make yours from scratch. Next you'll want to add the coloring to the batter so you'll need a separate plastic or foam cup for each color of food coloring you'll want to use.  I used five different colors and put several drops of coloring in each cup.  You'll want really deep vibrant colors so don't be greedy....unless you are anti food coloring then you probably shouldn't be reading this post ;)  Add about 2-3 ice cream scoops full of batter to each cup and stir until there is no streaking.

                         

Fill a greased cupcake pan with the batter and bake according to cake instruction.  Repeat until you've used all of your batter.  You can also use the cupcake baking cups if you prefer. I didn't but will for sure next time.

            

         

Next you'll want to crumble the cupcakes and separate each color in a bowl.  The picture below is about what two cupcakes will like in your bowl.  You can certainly do all your colors at once and put in a bigger bowl but this just helped me keep up since it was my first time. Next time I'll probably do that.  Once you get the cupcakes crumbled and separated you'll add about a tablespoon of the butter cream icing to each bowl and mix.  You can use your fingers or if you don't like sticky or messy hands like me you can use a knife or spoon :)  **Your finished product will look and feel something like a play dough consistency.

         

Now you're ready to start rolling balls.  And I mean rolling!  Watch tv, blast music, dance, do something because you'll be a while my friend!  It took me forever since I really didn't know what I was doing.  Then I repeated the process with crumbling, adding icing, and rolling again and again. Next time I'll roll all of them at once.  After you roll each color cupcake, you merge them together.  Grab a ball of each color and put them together as if you're sticking pieces of play dough together.  Then gently but firmly roll into a smoother ball.  I was very particular and neat and realized quickly it doesn't matter.  It's all going inside the cone so it doesn't have to be perfect.  If you have a little helper, that would be helpful!  Mine was super handsome!!

Melt your white chocolate.  I bought one piece of bark that was microwavable. It came with a tray so that just made things simple but you can obviously buy bark chips and melt them according to the directions.  Ok, so after that looooonnnnggg process, you will add the balls to the cones.  I didn't think to do this until afterwards but next time I'll add some candies or chocolate in the bottom of the cones before I stuff them with the balls.  Drumsticks are my fave so it would be like getting the little chocolate treat at the bottom  :)  Forgot to take pics but hopefully you can figure that out!

Dip the tops of the cones in the melted chocolate just enough to cover the top edges.  This helps that ball on top to adhere to the cone once you're ready for dipping.  After dipping the cones in the chocolate add your two cupcake balls.  Refrigerating for a few minutes will help the chocolate harden a bit, adhering the cupcake ball to it.  Next you'll dip your cupcake cones in the white chocolate.  It's ok if it isn't perfect because you'll want it to look like melted ice cream.  You don't have to cover terrible thick because you'll add a second top coat.

        

Refrigerate for a few minutes to allow the chocolate to harden some because you'll dip for a second coat.  Re-dip just the top portion and add the sprinkles and red candy to the top. Only dipping the top will allow it to give it that "drip" look and it will also be enough for your sprinkles to stick.  Be sure to do this fairly quickly before the chocolate dries.  I added my sprinkles and red "cherry" immediately.  **You can add anything here that you like - chopped nuts, shredded coconut, candies, crumbled cookies or cereal, etc.

I put these in the refrigerator overnight since my son's birthday party was the next day. The easiest way I know to store them is in muffin pans.  You can add aluminum foil and poke holes for the cones to be inserted into but I would also stuff the inside of the pan.  I only had wax paper which I don't recommend but you get the point.

This isn't the most sturdy way and obviously will be tough if you make more than 12 or 16, depending on your muffin pan size.  For transport to the party was another issue.  Since the outside was hardened chocolate I was able to gently lay them in a pan in a cooler.  Still made me really nervous though!  Anyway, the finished product was a hit with the kids...and the adults too! 

                         

 

I hope I didn't leave anything out!  You can't ever tell with me!  I found this by looking at a few different YouTube videos and then just merged together some of the ideas.  This entire process took me several hours.  Probably half a day.  I normally would have been so over it but I actually enjoyed every bit of the process.  As I went along, I knew where I would do things differently next go around - to save time and create different looks.  I will definitely be doing this again.  Like my mom used to say...practice makes perfect! :)

Wavering in Faith

When I look at pictures of the universe I am in awe.  I am reminded how completely small and insignificant I am in this vast expansion of incomprehension.  It is absolutely gorgeous and mind boggling.  How in the world is it all surrounding us at this very moment???

I realize how selfish I am.  How self-centered.  How infinitely finite I am!  How big and important I am not.  James says it perfectly in that our life is a mist that appears for a bit then vanishes away.  Funny that we find confidence in and boast about someone living a nice long life should they make it to let's say... 70 or longer.  Not really grasping eternity, before my time and what should come after me, I still try to comprehend God's reasoning in my life.  I try to understand it and make sense of it.  It needs to be rationalized for me to be okay with it. I need to be let in on the plan and not only my plan but the plans of those I love.

I can feel just as strongly that God isn't with me and allowing my heart to grow cold and hard as at other times feel within my deepest, most inner parts His Word is true and real. Honestly it can be quite frustrating.  I get so wrapped up and distracted that I feed off what makes me feel content in the moment...tv, internet, food, griping, self pity parties.  Other days I know He conquers giants, calls out kings, shuts the mouths of lions, and tells the dead to breathe. Unfortunately, like the rest of those lyrics go, so often I feel I am where He cannot reach. However, I was reminded this past Sunday, that isn't the case.

I had been feeling for some time now that a change in my home church was on the horizon. We have been visiting another local church but wasn't able to attend that particular church this past weekend and I didn't feel led to attend my home church so we worshiped at home.  I let each of my boys pick a song then I would choose mine.  I wasn't too excited about the first choice from my oldest son but went with it anyway.  After all, it isn't all about me right? Much to my surprise, the first song began speaking to me and opening my heart.  After the boys songs played I felt led to pray before playing mine.  I normally ask the boys if they would like to pray; however, this time I didn't.  As I prayed aloud, I became overwhelmed and emotional, thanking the Lord for meeting me, us, in that place; our home.  I was halted in my words with knowing His presence was there.  To look at the picture above and then try to comprehend His spirit in my living room is unfathomable.  I don't understand it.  After praying, the boys immediately asked me, "Are you crying?", to which I replied, "Yes, boys, I am." 

I often find myself questioning God.  It doesn't have to be anything intricate.  It's the simple things.  Can He hear me?  See me?  Speak to me?  Forgive me?  Provide for me?  Heal me? Those are the questions I want to never doubt.  But I do.  Why?  I believe God is revealing to me that it's because I continue to allow myself to be distracted.  I am consistently bewildered in every aspect. May I confess something?  I took a few hours break from working on this post and had to go back and look at my notes to even see why I started it in the first place! So.Easily.Distracted.  My mind is constantly going and it's hard for me to focus on anything beyond a fairly short timeline.  I get so frustrated with myself in this area because of the guilt and doubt it gives me.  I tell myself that if I were more committed to the Lord this kind of thing wouldn't happen.  I am told through the Bible that the spirits of fear and doubt don't come from God but I still allow it to creep in to my mind and soul.

Two pieces of scripture that seem to always run rampant in my head are Matthew 7:21-23 and James 1:6-8.

Matthew 7:21-23  “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’  And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

James 1:6-8 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.  That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.  Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

I tend to sort of piggy back on each of those.  I think for this season in my life I am more compelled to lean toward James.  I lie in the bed at night sometimes and just think how I don't want to be like a wave that is tossed and thrown about.  I don't want my prayers to be hindered or out of the will of God.  I don't want to pray fervently and wholeheartedly yet receive nothing because my doubt smothers it to death.  There are many times where I am begging or on my knees in prayer and I know without a doubt those cries and pleas are being heard but if I doubt that God will answer them according to His will, what good does it do? This always takes me to Mark 9 where we read about Jesus healing the boy with the unclean spirit...

When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them.  As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.  “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked.  A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.” “You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”  So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.  Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” "If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”  Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”  When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”  The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.  After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”  He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.

Not only do we see the power of prayer in the above passage but we see the power of faith. Mark 9 always impacts me no matter how many times I read it because it addresses the areas in my life that seem to contradict each other often - prayer and faith.  I will pray for anything and everything but my controlling and insecure heart rears its ugly head and out from it comes the doubt that resides within and causes my lack of faith.  It becomes emotionally and spiritually exhausting.  

It seems that most of our distractions should be the obvious much like the ones I mentioned and more.  It's the visible concrete evidence that we can point to.  It's those immediate and temporary feel good measures.  While those things can be weary on the body and/or mind those aren't truly the things that drag me down.  It's my own mind.  My own thoughts.  My own pride.  My own worry.  My own doubt.  Those are my distractions.  If my mind thinks and my heart beats to the same drum as the Lord, those other things shouldn't be chains that hold me down.  They are just scapegoats for when I am walking down a different path as the Lord but when I am hand in hand with my Father, He is the scapegoat. He is the One to whom I point my finger.  He is the One who takes my thoughts captive.  For that I am beyond overwhelmed, even more so than the picture above.

The bible speaks of having the faith of mustard seed but I had the willingness of that mustard seed Sunday morning sitting in my living room.  That tiny seed brought tears streaming down my face.  That tiny seed was placed at the feet of Christ and He cultivated it as He saw fit.  He reminded me that He loves me and doesn't leave me.  He reminded me that while I struggle with doubt and distractions, He is above all of that and it only takes that mustard seed to lay at His feet.  

Matthew 17:20 He replied, "Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

Let's Be Honest, Don't We All Think We Are Good Moms Most Of The Time?

How many times do you wake up in a horrible mood?  How often do you wake up feeling grumpy?  How does that even happen?  You sleep perfectly fine and you open your eyes to grumpiness.  What's worse is when you wake up in a fine mood and it changes before you even walk out of the front door.

I awoke this morning, let's just say, perfectly fine.  No headache.  No more than usual fatigue. Not freezing! (that's an important one!)  No running around crazy.  Fine.  Just fine.  I even laid in the bed this morning praying before I opened my eyes and hitting my feet to the floor.  I wanted this day to start off right, with God.  Then it began...I let my guard down as soon as I said Amen.

Bare with me as I share details of my morning.  I went around doing my usual morning stuff making sure we all got out of the door in time for school.  There were of course those few moments of me feeling frustrated because one of my boys (who shall remain anonymous ;)) took FOREVER just picking out his clothes and putting them on.  I don't know why I am surprised by this EVERY.SINGLE.MORNING.  I told the boys that I wanted to leave 5 minutes early, hoping to get ahead of our local town traffic, because it was raining outside and the traffic would be super slow this morning.  Then I say the usuals... "Have you brushed your teeth?", "Have you combed your hair?", "Put long sleeves on under that jersey", "No!  It's barely above freezing outside.  You have to wear pants and long sleeves!"  Then it more times than not ends with several, "Boys!  Let's go!" Even though I was feeling a little rushed, my mood wasn't too bad.  We got in the car and I even made the comment, "I won't say this is a yucky day because all days are good as they come from God so I'll just say this is some yucky weather.  I don't like cold AND wet days."  Ha! That was my way of being positive!  Then before we even got out of the neighborhood I was already feeling myself get frustrated with one of my son's as I'd asked him to get money out of my wallet, put it in an envelope, and write on the envelope since he needed it for school.  Again, it seemed as if it was taking him FOREVER and the entire time I thought to myself how he could be doing it more efficiently, quicker, another way, "why is he so slow?!!"  So that ends and all is well as he is dropped off at school. Next stop - next school and we are actually on time.  The next saga began as I crept basically 100 feet in 15 minutes.  Our local policemen direct traffic in the mornings so of course I'm blaming the ridiculous hold up on the officer directing traffic at the school entrance and the one in charge of the light.  I drop off my other son with 5 minutes to spare although as he got out I noticed he didn't have his jacket, only a long sleeved shirt under his jersey, just like I said this morning.  Hmmmm.  I was bothered but oh well.  My plan was to go to the grocery store immediately after dropping off the kids but the weather and traffic changed my mind for me so I headed home for a bit until I had to get back out.  I had been listening to the radio all morning and the topic was Thanksgiving in general, shopping on Thanksgiving, and are we a thankful people?  I was even getting irritated at some of the answers people were saying. What's wrong with me?  Why am I getting so uptight about how they answer.  Geez! The entire way home God was convicting me of my attitude and I wasn't even being ugly or screaming at the kids this morning!  At least not outwardly being ugly...and that was the point.  

The Bible talks plenty on taming the tongue and it is completely accurate in how our words are hurtful and detrimental to ourselves and others not to mention un-glorifying of God.  So if I wasn't saying aloud all of my negative thoughts what was the problem?  What was far more dangerous was the state of my thoughts, my mind, my heart.  Yes, maybe I kept things from becoming escalated by withholding my words or nasty tone but God still saw fit to speak to me about my attitude.  My prideful, self-absorbed attitude.  Excuse me??!!  Screech!  Back up the car!  Prideful and self-absorbed? What?  How so?  Because I wanted my morning to go well without traffic?  What's wrong with that?  Without having to tell my boys over and over to do the same things each morning? Without the rain and cold?  Without having to hear people give superficial answers to what Thanksgiving means to them?  Without my sons moving slower than I prefer?  Without the officers directing traffic how I think they should?  Why yes, Lisa, that's exactly why.  I wanted MY morning to go MY way on MY time.  But wouldn't everything have gone smoother if it would have been done MY way?  Maybe.  But you know what?  Then I would have been filled with even more pride and self-absorption.  Boom, Lisa! Chew on that for a bit...

When I forget that I must depend on God for every single thing, whether it be physically, materialistically, or spiritually, I start a downward spiral.  Not even one single thought can be honoring to Him without His involvement.  I used to roll my eyes at Romans 7:18.  I viewed it as such a "text book answer"!  Ugh!  For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.  For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.  I would always hear people say things like, "the only good thing in me is Christ" or "there's nothin' good in me except Jesus".  Of course as I type this I'm hearing it in my head with a country bumpkin back woods accent like what I have as if that matters any!  :)  Yeah, ok so, I digress before I need to digress...(big fake smile here)...anyway, so movin' on...Why did that bother me so much to hear?  Because it was so hard for me to believe that without the presence of Christ in me, I was nothing!  Worthless.  Not good.  Not even a little good?  I just knew those individuals who said that were saying it just to hear themselves say it.  I mean we all think we do good things right?  We can be nice.  We can be helpful.  We can give money (sometimes).  We can even be more good when we go to church and pray and help the poor on special holidays once or twice a year.  We can just be a "good person".  Heck, we don't even have to go to church, right!  Like it's always said, "I don't need to go to church to spend time with God" or "Oh, that's just a building.  It's full of hypocrites anyway" or "I won't be apart of that", or even blaming others on why we don't go to church - that one's my favorite. We'll just keep to ourselves, mind our own business, and for the most part be cordial to people. Ok, well that lifestyle's not biblical for adhering to being "good" but suit yourself.  

Listen, I could go on and on about this but the bottom line is that Romans 7:18 is one of the most blatantly truthful obvious verses in the Bible.  I'll touch on one more verse then move on. Mark 10:18 even backs this up.  Jesus was asked by a man how to inherit eternal life but the man addressed Jesus as "Good Teacher".  Jesus' response was, "Why do you call me good?  No one is good except God alone."  Do we understand that???  From the lips of Jesus, no one is good.  No one.  Can we not grasp that?  I'll be honest in saying I don't know how the man thought of Jesus.  I assume he saw Jesus as a teacher, rather than the Son of Man, God in the flesh.  With that being said, he calls Jesus good, viewing him as a "good" man, or "good" teacher, or "good" person.  I believe that is why Jesus responded how he did. He knew the man saw Him as other than the Son of Man yet calling him good.

We can continue to measure this good and bad mentality in our worldly views and give ourselves and others standards to achieve as to what that means but we will continue to be deceived.  Remember that by doing so, we are in clear opposition of God's Word - whether we like it or not.  Whether that makes us feel uncomfortable or not.  You either believe God's Word or you don't.  And why should that be such a hard thing to admit when the Bible teaches us that His power is made perfect in our weakness?? (Romans 12:9)

Reflecting back on my morning, I paralleled how this morning went by how I was as a mom. A good mom or a bad mom.  The rain and traffic and the police officers were going to make ME late on getting MY kids to school.  I was frustrated at my son for not being quicker on getting the money ready in the car because if it wasn't done by the time he got to school then it was because "I" didn't make time to get it done before leaving.  Why was I bothered that my son got out of the car without a jacket on?  Was I really worried about him freezing.  For the most part, no.  He doesn't get cold at school and I knew they wouldn't be outside today because of the rain.  So why?  Because it would reflect on ME as a mom in sending MY child to school without a jacket on.  "I" would look like a bad mom because "I" didn't notice he didn't have one on when we left the house.  Why was I bothered at everyone else's answers on Thanksgiving?  I could see through those superficial answers because "I" was being superficial in that moment.  You know that saying it takes one to know one?  Yeah.  This morning was all about ME and how "I" was handling the flow of how it was turning out. Once again, I was looking at it as if I didn't have it all together and maybe I didn't.  Maybe there were things I could have done better that would have helped my morning.  The problem is that I focused on me as a person and a mom rather than a just a child of God full of grace. Thing is without the child of God part, I am a mess as a person and a mom even on my best days so what's new?  I am thankful God spoke to me this morning and reigned me in.  I certainly needed it and would have done no one, including myself, any good continuing on with my day in my "all about me" attitude getting frustrated at everybody else's choices. Another touchy part of scripture our society doesn't like to hear is how God disciplines those He loves, those He calls His own.  That's a whole other blog but I am grateful God loves me enough to stop me in my tracks and ask, "Why are you being like this?"  I love that He doesn't just tell me what my problem is.  He asks me so I can answer.  He allows a time of self-reflection for me.  It is through that self-evaluation process that I grow.  I grow by seeing AND admitting my weakness in myself and my strength in Him.  Now maybe that sounds textbook. Good!  Straight from it!

Odd how God reminds of us of events in our life to humble our selfishness.  23 years ago on this day I learned for the first time in my life what it meant to be introduced to death.  My uncle Larry, who was not just an uncle, was killed in a construction accident.  My siblings and I were very close to our grandparents and uncle.  My uncle was always a part of my life.  He was always at our house, at my brother's sporting events - even coached, always came to see what we got from Santa on Christmas morning.  Heck, he'd even show up unannounced at our house on any given day.  He lived with my grandparents after divorcing so I saw him often as I was at my grandparents all the time.  You get the point.  He was a huge part of my life.  I was 16 when he passed away and he was only 38.  Having to hear that your child, grown or not, has passed away from a stranger is humbling.  Knowing there isn't a thing you can do about it.  You can't stop it.  You can't change it.  I can't imagine the pain that my grandparents endured from that day forward.  My problems this morning were ridiculous compared to the morning of November 26, 1990 for my grandparents.  My problems weren't worth getting flustered over.  Being reminded what happened 23 years ago, that's justification for being "flustered".  You think my grandmother didn't go through gazillions of moments where she questioned herself as a mother?  I never asked her that but I figure she did.  God, continue to help me not be so arrogant in my ways!

Funny how there was once a time that I would have looked upon this day as ugh!  Yucky day! Just wanting it to be done and over.  I can't begin to express my "thanksgiving" for days just like this now.  Getting my reality check first thing because I am loved and I am pursued. Getting to spend time with God because He called the appointment.  Having a fresh look on how God sees fit for me to spend this day.  God protecting my heart enough to intercede.  Bring on the rain and traffic.  I'm heading to the grocery store with funds that God has provided me with to buy food so I can make that soup I've been wanting for the past 24 hours and I'm not going to wear a jacket either!  Ok, that's just stupid and being stubborn...I'm wearing a jacket. Peace out! :)

We say, "Women, DON'T BE a doormat." We say, "Christians, BE a doormat."

1 Timothy 1:3-7

As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies.  Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith.  The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.  Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk.  They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.

What brought me to 1 Timothy?  An article I read this morning that bothered me in regards to the stereotypes of Christians and The Church.  Why did it disturb me? Because it's a stereotype that is true.  Complacent Christians.  Lukewarm Christians.  False Christians.  Christians that turn a blind eye.  I'm wondering how God feels about those that are neither here nor there since we always tend to make Him out to be only forgiving, only loving, only merciful, only gracious.  Only heaven and no hell.  Let's see...

Revelation 3:15-16 - I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!  So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

Well now that doesn't sound very nice does it?  That's not very forgiving or loving or merciful or gracious.  Hmm.  How dare God want to spit us out of His mouth because of our disgusting taste just because we don't worship Him or give Him the praise He deserves.  Shouldn't we be able to live how we want and just accept all people for who they are, supporting them, no matter how they live or what their beliefs are?  I mean God loves us and wants what is best for us so He should just look over all the crap we do and the disrespect we show Him - even worshipping other things instead of Him.  Like....I mean...show us some slack, God.  Right?

I read an article this morning titled, "Northwest Christian University Class President Reveals He's An Atheist".  I don't know why I decided to read it but I did.  Pretty early on in the article it mentioned that a student, Eric Fromm, enrolled because the college had a "solid communications program" and that once he did some research and realized there was "no one speaking in tongues or handling snakes" he decided to enroll.   "Really?', I thought. "Speaking in tongues and snake handling?  Whatever."  As I read on, the school and students are supporting his "coming out" as an atheist.  The school has no intention of asking the student to step down as class president as quoted...

"Eric is an exemplary student, a good friend, a thorough academic, and when it comes to credibility as the ASNCU president he is the best qualified to fill that position," McGinnis told ABC News.

Now I have a bit of a problem with this.  The institution is supporting his role as class president?  Why?  I looked up the mission statement for Northwest Christian University because I figured I was missing something.  Here's what I found:

Mission, Vision and Core Themes

MISSION

NCU is a University that fosters wisdom, faith and service through excellent academic programs within a Christ-centered community. 

VISION

NCU aspires to be a University characterized by its commitment to equip students to discover and answer God's call in their lives.

NCU achieves this vision through academic excellence and faithful stewardship in a Christ-centered community that develops purposeful graduates.  

CORE THEMES

• Manifest excellence in Christian higher education
• Exercise faithful stewardship
• Foster life-transformation in a Christ-centered community
• Develop purposeful graduates

So my question is why are you allowing a self proclaimed atheist to lead your student body?  I see the word "Christ" all throughout your mission, vision, and core themes yet you are ok with someone who doesn't even believe in God to lead your students?  How ridiculous and insulting!  I am in no way suggesting to shun Mr. Fromm in any way and am quite pleased to hear him say that he has received much hugs while on campus.  Christians are commanded to love.  However, hugs don't condone such behavior.  Let's not distort anything here.  My only concern is if those hugs are given out of love and a petition to pray for lost souls or as an act of condoning "a brave proclamation at the risk of rejection".  You, NCU, are advertising yourself to be a Christ-centered community.  That's fine.  Be the hands of feet of Christ.  What you don't need to do is allow NON CHRIST-CENTERED individuals to be leaders in your community. That, NCU, is stomping on the hands and feet of Christ!  What a slap in the face to our God that you could be so complacent and rebellious to allow a rebel of God to lead your people in order to feed your own publicity and lack of morals.  It is absolutely no wonder that the world sees Christians as hypocrites.  Christians even see Christians as hypocritical.  How do you expect to bring others to Christ when you have, and advocate, and unbeliever heading up your student body?  If you don't want to be a Christian-based institution anymore, then change your name to fit your actions.  You, NCU, are 1 Timothy 1:6-7.

I don't hate Mr. Fromm.  I don't even have any ill feelings toward him.  I am saddened for him.  I hope that through this he will see and feel the love that God has for him.  However, I do have ill feelings for things that he has proclaimed. 

http://gma.yahoo.com/northwest-christian-university-class-president-reveals-hes-atheist-110920428--abc-news-topstories.html

Single Mom/Spiritual Leader Syndrome

How many of us leave church upbeat, motivated, and ready to rule the world!?  We've been fed the spiritual milk we needed as our week came to an end and a new one is to begin.  Why then does it seem sometimes that within 24 hours we have already become frustrated, tired, defeated?  I guess my initial thought to that question would lead me in a different direction than I'm wanting to go here so I'm going to steer clear and ask another question instead :) What if you were trying to do it all by yourself?  For the moment, I don't mean by yourself without the Lord, I mean by yourself with no spouse, no help within your home.  I HATE the phrase "single mom" and rarely say it but what if that is the case whether it be from divorce, death, or just never being married.  Point is, you are there to take care of your household, your children, your schedule, your everything...ALONE.

This is a constant struggle for me.  Ongoing!  It isn't some head and shoulders flow chart where I'm having great weeks feeling like superwoman and then having horrible weeks feeling like the Loser Mom.  I constantly struggle.  But what is it with that I struggle?  Getting done what needs to get done?  Not really.  Having to be the spiritual leader in my home?  Yes.

Before I dive into this I want to make clear that I am NOT condoning divorce or some twisted feminist agenda on raising children alone because "who needs a man".  So don't even go there.  What I am touching on is where I am now in my life - mistakes included - and that is being divorced/single.  This is to be an encouragement on moving forward from where I am, or you are, not justifying future divorce, etc.   

By design, obviously the man is to be the spiritual leader in the home but in regards to this post, that's a moot point right now.  So I am where I am.  Divorced.  Picking up the slack from my consequences of raising my children in my home with no spouse is possible.  Not ideal but possible.  I can find gazillions of verses showing me how to lead my children and point them to the Lord.  I guess what I've been dragging my feet on saying here is more about the practical day to day duties if you will.  What about when I'm tired?  What about if I don't feel like going to church that Sunday morning or Wednesday night?  What if I don't want to volunteer that weekend?  What if I just want to sleep in?  What if I don't want to read scripture or pray before bed that night?  What if I get in a funk, which I often do, and skip out on church or getting in the Word or whatever else for weeks at a time?  What then?  Who leads my children then? Who is there to pick up the slack?  Who is there to tag team with me?  Who is there to encourage me?  Who is there to partner up and take turns or share in the responsibility?  No one.  That is a lot of pressure for a single mom.  As I'm typing this I'm realizing this is probably the case in many marriages too but I won't go there for the time being.  Getting back on track....THAT is where I struggle.  Knowing that if I don't step up, no one will.  I'm not talking about persons outside my home that are great influences for my children - I definitely have many of those.  While I have my church family and those family members and friends who are great role models for my children, it begins in the home.  My home.  "It begins in the home" has seemed to become such a cliche like it's just something to say.  So much of the blame these days is pointed to others yet so many of us want others to raise our children.  I mean which way do you want it people?  The bottom line, however, is that our children are our responsibilities.  It is our parental duty to be an example in how we choose for our children to be as toddlers, children, teenagers, and adults.  The end result in their lives is ultimately their choice but our end result is how we led them.

So how do I stay encouraged to be a Godly role model for my children when I am partly to blame for being in this "single mom" state?  For me, it's two-fold - taking responsibility and accepting grace.  I can't change the past.  I am where I am and I need to accept it and take responsibility for how I got here.  Good news is I did that a while back.  My struggle is the accepting grace part.  How do I, with good and pure intentions, "train up a child in the way he should go" knowing what my responsibilities are and getting over my pity parties yet accept grace all the times I fail?  How do I balance the responsibility of being a Godly example to my children by stepping up to the plate and allowing myself to accept grace as a gift rather than a pass for screwing up?  I keep trying as a mom and as a Christ follower.  In order to do that, I must seek the Lord first.  He has to be my priority before my schedule, my bills, my relationships, and yes my children.  No one said parenting was going to be easy or a joy ride. In fact, its early beginnings are introduced with morning sickness, fatigue, and labor pains. Helloooooooo??!!  

I periodically get in phases when I HATE being in charge.  I HATE being the spiritual leader in my home.  I HATE having to make ALL of the decisions.  I HATE having to decide what or what not to do.  I HATE not being able to say, "I can't handle this right now, you do it." By that point in all instances, I'm over it.  I've already border-lined melted down and tears are flowing while venting to God, my friends, boyfriend, or whoever got the shorter stick in the draw ;)  But, I am then able to wipe the tears from my eyes and the dust from knees and get up. How often I forget but learn from those moments the importance of having Godly people in my life.   Expressing my feelings and frustrations to trusted individuals is the hand that I need in getting up.  Even as encouraging as all that is, what I probably HATE the most though is when I don't know what to do or what direction to go.  It falls on me.  My decision alone and that's scary.  Those trusted individuals can give all the Godly counsel they want but it's up to me.  It's then that I'm reminded head on my need and dependance on Him. 

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up - Galatians 6:9

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer - Romans 12:12

I went in search of some of the most faithful and impactful mothers in the Bible.  How did those women fare in despair or trials or doubts?  How did they make a difference for the Kingdom? 

• Hannah - A barren woman who longed for a child.  As society would have it, she was not favored, looked down upon even.  That had to be hard.  To be viewed from the world as worthless yet still clinging to the Lord for self worth and answered prayers .  Hannah was persistent in her cries to God.  She never stopped asking. Hannah saw the big picture.  It wasn't just about her.  It was about honoring God and through her actions and her son she would.  God heard her and gave her a son, Samuel.  Hannah knew that baby belonged to God and made the choice to return him in order that he may grow to be a Godly man.  Samuel became one of the most influential persons in the Bible.  Hannah reminds me of the importance of praying for our children and ultimately taking a back seat to God in their lives. Can you be any more selfless as a mom?  Wow.  While we are given the responsibility to train them up, it's God's authority that should reign in their life.

• Mary - We think this goes without saying but on the contrary.  Yes, there is the obvious in that she bore the Savior, the sinless and perfect.  But what about her as a person.  She wasn't anyone important.  She had no influence within society.  She was as plain Jane as they come.  She wasn't loud or over-bearing.  She wasn't full of strife or resentment.  She was faithful, trusting.  She was submissive.  She accepted the cards dealt to her.  She didn't fold.  She believed.  She believed God and in God.  Those are two very different things.  She held tight to God's sovereignty and His will.  Not that any great detail is given but I can imagine Mary had her moments in frustration and despair having gone through some of the most heart-wrenching moments in her life.  Can you imagine what happened to Jesus happening to your child yet trusting in God's will to allow it?  A world was changed for it.

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it - Hebrews 12:11

Regardless of whether or not there is a male figure in my house isn't excuse for my children to not have a spiritual leader in our home.  My moment-by-moment living should reflect submission, respect, and honor toward Him.  Yes, it's harder work taking care of the day to day things alone but aren't the fruits of your labor worth it?  That has to be what keeps me going at times.  What gives me hope.

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it - Proverbs 22:6 

I came across these quotes and they each spoke to me differently but all for the same good:

I cannot tell you how much I owe to the solemn word of my good mother.  - Charles Spurgeon

I remember my mother’s prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life. - Abraham Lincoln

God is looking for imperfect men and women who have learned to walk in moment-by-moment dependence on the Holy Spirit. Christians who have come to terms with their inadequacies, fears, and failures. Believers who have become discontent with ‘surviving’ and have taken the time to investigate everything God has to offer in this life. - Charles Stanley

What women rightly long for is spiritual and moral initiative from a man, not spiritual and moral domination. - John Piper

Maybe Three Days In The Belly Of A Fish Wasn't Long Enough

Last week I was feeling led to dive into the book of Joel, a book I had never read.  I wasn't sure why because I didn't even know about the content of the book or what message God was revealing through it.  Not knowing this, Jeffrey happened to quote something that came from the book of Joel one afternoon so I took that as a cue from God for me to go ahead and read it, and with Jeffrey.  He agreed and we each read on our own time and discussed it a few days later.  It was really neat for me to be able to have that experience with Jeffrey and share our thoughts on what the scripture said and how we felt it spoke to us, individually and united. Of course I wanted to share that time again so I was up for reading whatever was next! :)  Ok, so why was I feeling led to go to the book of Jonah?  Seriously?  Another Old Testament book and a book I had never read?  Jeffrey had already started on a different reading plan but said he would catch up with me so I went ahead and started reading Jonah.  I'm a much slower reader than him anyway so it was fine :)  So off I go to read Jonah by myself.

Don't we all know about the book of Jonah?  Isn't the story of Jonah in the belly of a fish something we learn about as children?  Isn't that the first thing that you think about when someone mentions Jonah - a fish?  That's what I always thought about.  I actually never even read the book of Jonah until 2 days ago for 2 reasons.  One - I already knew the story right? Jonah lived in the belly of a fish for 3 days and God saved him.  Done.  Two - Because "I knew" the story it never occurred to me to actually read the book.  I much more enjoy the New Testament writings from Paul and the apostles and any book with the red letters :) Plus, it's a little crazy actually reading about a man who supposedly lived inside a fish, right?

After reading I didn't really have any questions or concerns arise so I drifted off to sleep.  I decided to re-read it last night just to go back over it as I always remember things better through repetition and I wanted to have a refresher course before Jeffrey and I discussed it.  As I read through it the second time, I seemed to be more focused on the actual personal feelings and actions of Jonah - and realized I can be just like him.  The last two verses were wake up calls.  Those verses spoke to me and I didn't really like it to be honest.  

Jonah 4:10-11
¹⁰ But the Lord said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. ¹¹ And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?”

That was the Lord's final response to Jonah.  Jonah was angry that God was choosing to pour out His grace on the city of Nineveh, which is exactly why Jonah was disobedient in the first place.  Jonah knew the kind of God the Lord was and didn't want a land full of wickedness, who by the way hated his people, to be spared.  He knew when God told him to go to Nineveh to preach to the people and warn them of God's wrath that He would spare them should they repent - and that's exactly what happened.  

How many times have we wanted revenge?  Wanted someone to suffer for their consequences? How many times does it make us furious to see someone live in constant sin apart from God and seem to prosper?  How often do we get taken advantage of, lied to, or betrayed by someone who seems to have no conscience about it?  We want them to pay for it.  We are hurt so we want them to hurt.  If we are honest, how many times do we get mad at God for showing someone grace who we feel doesn't deserve it?  Why should they get immediate grace and begin a road to confession and healing when we are still hurt by their actions?  That doesn't seem right does it?  How can we not be in the wrong yet suffer longer than the person that wronged us?  What if they wronged our loved one?  I know I have felt all of those emotions.   But I also have to remember that I was given that exact grace that I sometimes don't want others to receive just yet.

I'm sort of back tracking here but aren't those emotions the exact reasons that we choose to deliberately be disobedient like Jonah?  God gave Jonah two commands.  #1 - Go to Nineveh and #2 - Preach to the people there.  He didn't suggest it, He told Jonah to do it.  Jonah didn't want to give the people a chance to repent from his preaching so he fled, choosing to live in knowing disobedience.  I say knowing because it wasn't something Jonah was confused about or needed to pray about to see if it was really God telling him to go.  He knew it.  Because of Jonah's decision to flee, he was stuck at sea alone for 3 days nearly dying.  However, even in the midst of Jonah's clear disobedience, God saved him.  Jonah had a second chance to do what God asked of him and so he did.  Did Jonah deserve grace?  Here is someone, a prophet used by God, who would ultimately change the fate of a people group.  Seems to be a man pretty in tune with God and recognizes His voice don't you think?  Shouldn't he be held to a higher standard?  Or should he?  Do we, as a society, sometimes give a pass to those who "just don't know" yet seem to watch those who claim righteousness, through Christ, through a microscope waiting for them to fail so we can tear them apart because of it?  I guess my point is, we all need grace.  We all need forgiveness.  We all need someone who will fight for us. Nineveh needed grace.  That city needed someone who would bring the word of  God to them. They needed Jonah's intervention on their behalf.  God sent Jonah to fight for His people. Whether or not Jonah wanted to complete the mission God had given him, God still used it not only to save the people of Nineveh but to glorify Himself.  God also seized the opportunity to teach Jonah a lesson...and show him saving grace as well.

Jonah wanted justice.  He wanted them to suffer consequences for their wicked ways.  Why should they get away with acting like heathens then just be forgiven with the snap of a finger? Jonah became so consumed with God's grace over the people of Nineveh that he'd rather die that continue to see it.  As Chapter 4 wraps up, while Jonah is camped out waiting to see the fate of the city, he had taken shelter under the shade of a type of plant God provided.  The next day, the plant was eaten and destroyed by a worm and made Jonah even more angry.  Not only was he emotionally miserable, he was physically miserable too. This is where the last two verses of the book that I mentioned spoke to me personally.  Here they are again...

Jonah 4:10-11
¹⁰ But the Lord said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. ¹¹ And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?”

In direct response to the verses, Jonah was so focused on something, a mere plant, that had a lifespan of less than a 24 hours.  He was comforted by that plant.  When it was taken away, he was furious beyond control that he'd rather die?  To care and mourn over something that he had nothing to do with, his hands had no part in creating, his heart which had no compassion for the breath of life that came from that plant, nor did he do anything to sustain or help sustain the life of that plant.  He only took from it and gave nothing to it or for it.  He cared for it none, expect for the fact that it helped him.  And yet Jonah gets so full of rage over a caring and gracious God who wants to save His children?  Children that He created, breathed life into, provided for, and receives nothing from.  Not only children that He knew before they were knit together in their mother's womb, but lost children.  Children who needed His grace.  His love.  His patience.  His pursuit of them.  Jonah just expected God to have no compassion for His most prized possession?  Reminds me of Matthew chapter 6 when Jesus speaks about worrying.  The birds in air, reap and sow nothing, yet God takes care of them, feeds them.  And yes Jesus talks about plants and how the flowers grow in the field. without even laboring.  He sustains their life.  Jesus specifically says in verse 30, "If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will He not much more clothe you-you of little faith?"  Remember that plant that gave shade to Jonah, here today and gone tomorrow?  Jesus even said it!  Jonah's focus and perspective was on that which was not God's heart.  It was about his heart.

Sometimes it's so hard to put aside our hearts for God's.  Again, another glimpse into Matthew chapter 6....verse 21 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also".  We need to be more about the business of what's eternally treasured instead of what's temporarily gained.

God clearly speaks through scripture that He desires no one to perish, both in the Old and New Testament.

Ezekiel 18:32 - For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD.  Repent and live!

1 Timothy 2:3-4 - This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.

So what can I learn from Jonah?

• To be obedient upon God's calling even when I don't want to.  Running away in disobedience sets me apart from Him.  Those consequences affect not only myself but others around me.
• To admit the error of my ways and cry out to God in repentance.
• To understand that my grievances affect others.
• The lost and wicked should be prayed for and pursued, not forgotten and turned a blind eye to.
• I am not judger, God is.  
• I am not to be a slave to vengeance.  God is my Avenger.
• To be reminded that I was given grace and deserved it no more than those who I choose to be angry at or desire vengeance against.
• That God loves all of His children and that I am no more loved or less loved than those who don't know Him.
• To be more focused on the repentance and changed heart of others versus seeing God's wrath poured out upon them for wrong doings.
• When God puts someone on my heart to love or pray for or be the hands and feet of Christ to that I want no part of, do it anyway.  That's the Gospel.