War Room

I went to see the movie "War Room" with two of my dearest friends this afternoon.  It's the kind of movie that leaves you thinking the rest of the day.

Priscilla Shirer is a gifted Bible teacher that I've learned so much from over the past several years.  She stars as one of the main characters, Elizabeth.  Her marriage is on "the rocks" when she meets her newest client Miss Clara who teaches her the power of prayer.  I want a copy of the script so I can write down many of the quotes from Miss Clara.  Oh how I want to be that kind of woman NOW - whose relationship with Jesus is evident in every area of her life.

These are a few nuggets I want to remember:

1.   When in a relationship crisis, don't try to fix the other person.  Concentrate on my own heart before the Lord and deal with my own sin, anger, unforgiveness, and hurt.

2.  There is NO room for doubt when I pray.  James 1:8

3.  Forgiving doesn't mean you are a "push over."  It means you are taking the harder road but the only one that offers peace.

4.  Listen to my kids - really listen.  I can't get these moments back.  I want them to be in my life forever & that starts with the way I love them now.

5.  Praying out loud is POWERFUL.  I practice this in my car often when I'm alone.  I need to do it more.

6.  In one scene Priscilla (Elizabeth) receives a text from a friend that could have put her in a panic.  Instead of panicking or texting back, she prays.  She prays out loud and with boldness and conviction.  It works!

7.  Don't pass up a chance to mentor someone God puts in my life.  My past mistakes, choices, and lessons need to be put to good use for the Kingdom.

8.  Listen to those wiser and further along in their walk than me.  Don't be prideful or distracted and miss a chance to grow in Christ.

9.  Carve out time to write scripture each day.  And hand write prayers to Jesus.  The written word has power.  Create a War Room where I can meet with God.

10.  Lord, I don't want to be lukewarm.  I want to be on fire for you.  Make me a warrior for Your Kingdom.

If you see the movie, comment and let me know what you took away!

praying I am bolder for Him -
leanne

Chocolate Peanut Butter Delights

When I was younger, my friend Ashley's mom made a version of these that I loved.  She would make these cookies and spaghetti every time we came over to play.  Eating these bring back fun memories! 

Yield: 3 dozen

Ingredients

• 3 cups quick-cooking oats
• 3/4 cup honey
• 2/3 cup natural peanut butter, optional
• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine honey, peanut butter and coconut oil, stirring until everything blends together smoothly.
3. Stir in oats, cocoa powder, vanilla and salt and mix until everything is fully incorporated and coated.
4. Use a spoon or small cookie scoop to drop cookies down onto parchment-lined baking sheets, then place in freezer for at least 15 minutes to set.
5. Store in an airtight container either in the fridge or freezer (depending on how you like them) and enjoy!

On My Nightstand...

My girls took a very lukewarm bath tonight.  After investing, Bentley discovered we are out of propane gas - again.  He reminded me that at least it's warm outside this time which means our house temps won't drop.  I called to leave a message with the company who delivers our gas and they were going to send out a guy tonight.  When he called me at 9:00 p.m. to say he would drive from Durham to Apex to get the truck, I just decided a bath could wait.  He was so nice about it and honestly I was going to work out in the morning anyway :)!  

All that introduction to say, I had a few minutes to spare (since I didn't shower), so I thought I'd blog.  It's been a while.  For those of you who frequent our site for stored recipes, I hope you like the new design.  It just needed something fresh and hip.  Alas, I went to my friend Ashley - who is crazy talented and visits this blog more than I do probably - for help:).  Several clicks later and we have a fresh look that makes me happy!

I know I have a stack of recipes to share, but they are all organized in my notebook downstairs and I'm upstairs :).  I'll share recipes soon.  Summer break is a mere 7 weeks away!  I am thrilled unlike most of my friends.  We got a taste of slowing down over the past several days and it felt so good.   

So the reason I got on here was to blog about books I've read recently that I recommend.  People ask me how I find time to read.  It's so cliche but "we find time for the things we enjoy."  And mainly it's because I gave up TV.  As in, I don't follow any shows.  We don't even have cable and our antenna won't pick up local stations because we live in the woods :).  Bentley manages with re-runs of shows on Amazon Prime while he works or when he can't sleep.  He only misses it during times like tonight (National Championship Game).  But he listens to the radio which makes me kind of laugh because it's so old school and I love it.  He has a great imagination and can envision all the plays I am sure :). 

Banana Muffins

Mix together these wet ingredients:

1 cup ripe bananas (about 2 medium sized bananas)
1 egg or flax egg (2 tbs. flax meal mixed w/6 tbs. water & let stand for 5 minutes)
1/2 cup milk (almond, soy, coconut, etc.)
1/3 cup maple syrup
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/3 cup coconut oil melted

Mix together these dry ingredients:
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 3/4 cup flour (whole wheat, gluten free, etc.)
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1/2 cup pecans or walnuts (optional)

Combine wet with dry ingredients.  Poor batter into muffin tins and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.  Makes 16 muffins.

Enjoy for breakfast or as a snack!

-leanne