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A HEART OF THANKSGIVING
Janis Smith If someone handed you an apple representing the year gone by and asked you what you were thankful for, what would you say? “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” Proverbs 25:11 THEN… This is exactly what we did at my home church growing up. Ours was a little country church nestled in the farmland of Goshen, Ohio. Most of the people were farmers. Some worked in service stations, local businesses, orchards and a few like my Father worked in offices in Cincinnati. Simple people that loved God. Simple people that depended on the Hand of Almighty God to send the rain and bring in the harvest, bless the multiple births of farm animals to feed their families, bless the chickens to lay fresh eggs everyday and fresh meat to take to the market. When it came to Thanksgiving, we were thankful for safety, health, provision and love as we reflected on the blessings of God. Thanksgiving season is a chilly time of year in the North but a warm place in the heart. People bustle around in their coats and hats and it is not unusual to experience a light powder of snow. The eve before Thanksgiving the church folks brought in hot apple cider from an Orchard nearby, a basket full of apples, some candy and nuts for the children. One by one as we entered the church we reached down in the basket of apples symbolizing the year gone by. It was also a thoughtful reminder of the sacrifice of praise that we were about to offer Jesus through the word of our testimony. Greeting each other was also a special part of the evening, reminiscing the memories of each friendly hello. The candles were lit casting a dim light onto our faces in the moonlit eve of Thanksgiving Day. Sounds of music would begin as we circled around singing praises to God. After a season of worship, one by one we journeyed to the front of the little country church. With glowing faces, hearts of thankfulness and tears of joy we would express those things that we were thankful in our own unique way. First and foremost thankful hearts cried out praises for Jesus and His great sacrifice and love for us. It was our relationship with Him that was most important. We rejoiced in the birth of babies, weddings, salvations, new trucks and unexpected blessings. Family, friends, new adventures, jobs, health, harvests and restoration were also among some of the things we thanked God.
Some years were easier than others. Those years when we lost loved ones were more difficult. However, we always rallied together and found a way to thank God even in our loss. He was with us in the fire. Our loss was a celebration of His precious saint coming home. The fires purified us and made our relationship with Jesus stronger. “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:37-39 WE WRAPPED OURSELVES IN THE GARMENT OF PRAISE! "...To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.” Isaiah 61:3
It was a time of anticipation as we came together as the body of Christ wrapping ourselves in the beautiful garment of Praise. The God of miracles and wonders was with us, inhabiting our praise. Evident in the spirit of thankfulness and blessing, our praise rose as a sweet perfume rising to glorify the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Another amazing thing happened along the way. We all grew. His Hand was upon us. We were surrounded by His Seven-fold Spirit. God gave us more Wisdom and the Understanding how to use it. He gave us Counsel and the Might to carry it out. He revealed to us in a greater way Who He Is and who we are in Him and the knowledge to walk forward into our destinies. He stretched our faith overshadowing us with His love. He kept His promise to reveal MORE. “For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, …AND NOW The things we were thankful for in years past are the same wonderful things we are thankful for today in greater, deeper ways. The names may have changed along with our present circumstances but one thing remains unchanged and that is Jesus. He is the same yesterday, today and forever and His love for us is everlasting. “Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep. O LORD, you preserve both man and beast. How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart.” Psalm 36:1-10 PRAISE THE NAME OF THE LORD! FOR HE IS WORTHY OF OUR PRAISE! HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER!!! HOLY, HOLY, HOLY IS THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY WHO WAS AND IS AND IS TO COME! PRAISE THE NAME OF THE LORD! THE APPLE IN YOUR HAND As you pick up an apple, a hot piece of apple pie, a cup of hot apple cider or some fresh apple butter, this Thanksgiving Season, take time to thank God. Thank Him for the great things He has done in your life, the life of your family, friends, church, workplace and nation. Thank Him for the breath you breathe every day and His everlasting, unconditional love for you. Sing praises to His Name! EMBRACE THE BEAUTIFUL GARMENT OF PRAISE "Their descendants shall be known among the Gentiles,
IT IS OUR PRAYER THAT YOU JOIN WITH US "Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands! Know that the LORD, He is God. “All the angels stood around the throne
SOME APPLE FACTS: *Granny Smith — Excellent for eating and baking, though a little on the tart side. Excellent storage. * Rome Beauty —Excellent for pies and sauces; OK for eating. Mild flavor. Excellent storage. * Red Delicious — Not recommended for pies or baking. OK for sauces. Good eating apple with sweet flavor and crisp texture. Good storage. * Winesap—slightly tart/spicy, firm. Very good fresh, pies. Good for sauces and baking. * Jonagold —Good for pies; excellent for baking and eating. Crisp texture. Good storage. * Empire — Good for sauces and baking; excellent for pies and eating. Firm texture. Good storage. *Mutsu —Excellent for eating; good for sauces and baking; fair for pies. Excellent storage. * Golden Delicious—Sweet, tender. Very good for sauces, fresh salads and baking, Excellent for pies. *Jonathan—Moderately tart and tender. Very good fresh, salads, sauces and good for baking. *Honey Crisp—These are my personal favorite for eating!!! They are crisp, tart and sweet. Their distinctive color is two toned yellow and red. They come out early in the season so you’ve got to be quick to spot them out. These apples are known to keep well in a refrigerated area, about 6 months. It will last for an hour in a salad without browning and are great for baking whole and in a crisp. Excellent for baking. *Cameo-- Firm semi-sweet/tart apple similar to the Honey Crisp. Very juicy apple another perfect choice for simply eating. However it is good for cooking It is said to be a mixture between the red delicious and golden delicious. *McIntosh—tart, tender. Good fresh, salads and pies. Very good for sauce and poor for baking.
“Keep me as the apple of Your eye;
Remember, Apples are 'heart healthy.' We have all heard the old adage
APPLE RECIPES FROM YOUR ASPIRE TEAM APPLE CAKE 2 cups white granulated sugar Sift dry ingredients together. Beat eggs, sugar and oil. Stir in dry ingredients. Add vanilla. Then apples and pecans. Pour into a well-greased tube pan and bake 1 hour and 10 minutes at 350 degrees. When cake is almost done, make sauce topping, which is optional. 1 cup brown sugar, well packed Mix and cook 3 minutes. Pour hot sauce over cake and let remain in pan 2 hours. Remove and turn right side up. CARAMEL APPLES Sandra Bontemps 3 cups sugar Put in a heavy saucepan, 2 1/2 cups sugar, butter and milk. Mix well; place over medium heat. Cook 12 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Add vanilla. Put the other 1/2 cup sugar in a heavy iron skillet. Melt sugar until a golden brown color; do not burn. Add to caramel candy and beat until hard consistency. Use Granny Smith or your favorite apples and dip or spread caramel candy all over them. Then roll or spread them with chopped pecans. Delicious! FRESH WALDORF SALAD Janis Smith 2 medium apples, coarsely chopped (about 2 cups) Mix apples, raisins/grapes and nuts in one bowl. Sugar, vinegar and mayo in another. Then toss the mixture together for a fresh salad.
CAMEO APPLE TOPPED FRENCH TOAST Janis Smith French Toast: 4 eggs Cameo Apple Topping: 3 tablespoon Butter 4 Cameo Apples, Peeled, Cored & Sliced (or Honey Crisp) 2/3 cup Brown Sugar 1/8 teaspoon Cinnamon Beat eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla & cinnamon together in large bowl. Soak bread slices in mixture 5 minutes or until saturated. Heat 1 tablespoon butter in large skillet over medium heat. Press each bread slice into nuts to coat, if desired. Cook 2-3 minutes until golden brown on each side, turning once. Repeat with remaining bread slices and nuts, adding butter to skillet as needed. Serve hot with apple topping. For Topping: Heat butter in medium skillet over medium heat until melted. Add apples: cook 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add sugar and cinnamon; cook 2 minutes more or until apples are slightly soft. (serves 4)
“Keep my commands and live,
MAY YOU BE BLESSED TO OVERFLOWING
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