Don't Give Up----Your Prayers Are Being Heard

Did you ever do this... ??? You pray and pray and pray and ask for mercy and grace. You pray for changed hearts. Anything ----any sign at all. And then it happens a little glimmer.. a little ray of hope, 

Just like Elijah when he prayed for rain in the midst of a 3 1/2 year drought.. and I Kings 18 reads "So he went up and looked, and said, “There is nothing.” And seven times he said, “Go again.” Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, “There is a cloud, as small as a man’s hand, rising out of the sea!” 

So he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops you.’” Now it happened in the meantime that the sky became black with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy rain."

 Well, maybe there's a little cloud as small as a man's hand, but it's something, ya know?? Then the darkness, then the black clouds and wind.. and then the rain!! 

What you prayed for with all your heart, starts to barely break through.  Are you shocked and surprised and say.. oh it's just a little cloud almost in disbelief?? Or is this the beginning of God's answer little by little. 

It assures me to NOT give up To keep Asking, Seeking, and Knocking.  Matthew 7:7,8  reads, 7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."

God's not done.. He doesn't quit.  He doesn't give up. Thank God!!      I need to keep praying and get in my War Room and pound the heavens even more.  Don't give up loved one. Watch the heavens for that little cloud.!!  And put on your whole armour.  It's a spirtual battle we're fighting.  

TERROR ---WHERE WERE YOU AND HOW DID IT AFFECT YOUR LIFE?

       

            The day was beautiful.. a lovely early September day... then while watching Fox Morning News, it began for me.  What?   Oh no....they said a plane crashed into one of the World Trade Center buildings!   Was it pilot error?  Was it just a fluke?   Was it a small plane?    No.. it was a passenger jet!  Oh no!!  The poor people... how many would die and how many would be injured..     Then right before our eyes.... another plane.........the other World Trade Center building!  This was no pilot error! 

This was a terrorist attack against the United States.. How?  Why?  

    And then, there we were glued to the television in amazement and wonder... watching people running for their lives.. then again. The news breaks out with another plane crashing into the Pentagon....

then another one in the hills of Pennsylvania outside of Pittsburgh (possibly headed for the White House). 

 Oh dear God in heaven... what's happening?  Will more come?  Will more people die?

    We call our loved ones in those areas...   Myself...... I called my 5th child, Jonathan, who lives in Washington, DC.   I called my sister, Patty, who lives in Virginia outside Washington near Dulles Airport.  Is everyone all right? 

     My dear friends, I know we all have stories to tell of that fateful day... where we were.... what we were doing... who we knew that lived near the areas... and then there were those who received phone calls to say their last 'good byes' from the airplanes or business offices in the towers...Phone calls or visits from the police or fire departments telling them that their  loved ones bodies had been recovered and yes...they had died.   For days and weeks and yes even months later, families still waited word.  In fact, just this past week or so, a couple of men were located in a local hospital with amnesia who were victims of 9/11.  Their families were rejoicing... but the victims didn't remember who they were.

     There's coming a day, dear ones, when we will all face this time in our lives.  It may not be a terrorist attack or

explosion of such magnitude.. but someone dear to us will depart this earth for their final destination.

    You, too, will feel the pain and hurt and despair that they feel at the loss of this loved one.   Some of us have lost parents or children or sisters and brothers and other family members or friends.  It's so hard, isn't it?  But an old hymn says it well.. "What a day that will be.. when my Jesus I shall see.. when  I look upon His face... the One who saved me by His grace.. When He takes me by the hand.. and leads me to the Promised Land.. what a day.. wonderful day that will be."  

The Bible says that our life is but a vapor...disappears in a moment... time will be no more.. and eternity awaits us.   Are you ready?Are your loved ones and friends ready?   Have you talked to that neighbor near to you who doesn't know this Saviour.  None of us is promised tomorrow... Proverbs 27:1 "Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth..."  

     So.. take this 911 Memorial time as an opportunity to share Jesus Christ with those who know not our precious Saviour..Don't let them go into eternity without Him .. knowing that you didn't share His love.. It only takes a minute.. and it lasts forever and forever!!!!

JUST A THOUGHT!!!!

Just thinking as I'm looking at this beautiful sunshiny day.. Boy do I love Spring!! 

Then I think about the Lord and all this beautiful creation that He just spoke into existence.  In the beginning was the Word and  the Word was with God and the Word was God. His spoken Word... all for us.

I've been rehashing things in my mind concerning attitudes and such why we do what we do.

As a pastor's wife for over 39 years now, it always amazes me about people and the 'whys' and 'why nots' of our motivation to serve Jesus. I fail Him miserably every day and have to confess to Him of my thoughts and attitudes--- (so thankful He forgives me). But, my heart breaks as I see not only myself but others that just go on day by day with concerns of this world. 

Do we really think about the Lord through it all?? Is He our first and utmost reason behind what we do? Do we really do all we can for His honor and glory and for each other? 

I just wish we could get just 'one' dose of HIS glory for us to jumpstart our love and motivation to serve Him more fully. O to be like Him.

Help me Lord to honor and glorify YOU--- to think of others more than myself----to really put things into perspective and put my priorities in order.

 After all, only one life will soon be past----only what's done for Christ will last. 

Are you doing all you can for Him?? I hope so. I know I need to re-prioritize things myself. To God be the glory!!

Have a GREAT SON-shiny day!!  And take time to smell the roses!!

PASKA AND KOLACHY 2015

My life is rich in wonderful Ukrainian culture and heritage.

Along with  the pysanky (Ukrainian Easter eggs) I also enjoy cooking and baking those scrumptious Ukrainian foods and delicacies. 

My favorite time of year for baking is Easter.  Here's pictures from this year's baking adventure. 

These rolls are sometimes to referred to as Kolachy.   They can be made with a variety of fillings.  Our favorites are a nut filling, apricot and poppyseed. 

These are some of the rolls filled and ready to be baked.

All baked and ready to be tasted!!

The paska baked with a few different designs.  The most popular is the braided ones. 

For recipes check here---

Georgia's Ukrainian Paska

Georgia's Kolachy (Nut Rolls)

Have a wonderful, blessed Easter celebrating our Saviour's Resurrection

Georgia's Million Dollar Meatloaf (Named by my hubby)

 

2-3# ground chuck

2 eggs

1/4 # crushed saltine crackers (1 sleeve)

Water to moisten

1/4 green pepper

1 medium onion

2 large stalks  celery with leaves

5 baby carrots

1 t. coarse black pepper

1 and tsp. garlic salt

4-6 dashes hot pepper sauce

Combine ground beef, eggs, crushed crackers in bowl and add just enough water to slightly moisten the crackers. In a food processor or chopper, combine the onion, pepper, celery and carrot and pulse until fine. Add this and remaining ingredients together and mix well.  Add a few shakes of hot sauce into the mixture. It will  look a little dry but during the cooking process, the juices of the vegetables will add to this.  Form into loaf or place in large loaf pan. Bake in oven at 350 degrees for at least an hour or until nicely browned. Then turn oven down to 300 and cover lightly with foil and bake another 1 and 1/2 hours until done.  For a little more "zip" sprinkle top with additional hot sauce. 

MATTERS OF THE HEART/LOVE LIFTED ME..... From Georgia's Heart

LOVE LIFTED ME..... 

I was sinking deep in sin far from the peaceful shore

Very deeply stained within sinking to rise no more

Then the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry

From the waters lifted me, now safe am I.

Love lifted me

Love lifted me

When nothing else could help

Love lifted me. 

Love lifted me

Love lifted me

When nothing else could help

LOVE LIFTED ME.   

Yes, it's all the matter of the heart and love.  The greatest love story ever told is found in John 3:16.  "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Nearly 42 years ago on a chilly Cleveland day in March, I was presented with the question, "If you died tonight, would you go to heaven?"  

I had all the pat answers.   I believe in God.    I believe the Ten Commandments.  I try to be nice to people.  

But it wasn't until this verse was shared with me, that I began to wonder.   Would I go to heaven when I died?

The dear lady, Jean,  said this to me----"For God so loved GEORGIA that He gave His only begotten Son, that if GEORGIA believed in Him, she would not perish but have everlasting life."

She then told me,  Revelation 3:20 "Behold I stand at the door and knock, if any man open the door, I will come in to him  and  sup with him and he with me."  

She continued, "Georgia, Jesus has been knocking at the door of your heart all your life.  And YOU are the only one that can open it up and let Him in."     I was amazed and stunned at the same time.  God loved ME that much and has been knocking on my door and wants to be a part of MY life???"

I told her plain and simple, "Shoot, if I had known He was knocking, I would have let Him in."  

It was then and there, the first time I was presented with the Gospel of God's love through Jesus Christ that I wanted to accept Him as my Lord and Savior and I DID..

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to share my testimony of God's love with three precious souls at the mission.   Praise God they all received the message and received the Saviour. 

Maybe you're seeking and searching and wondering and never knew truly how you could have a wonderful love experience with the Savior of the world and Creator of the universe.   It's so simple, it's almost unbelievable.  But believe me, after all the years----as the song goes..  sweeter as the years go by. It definitely is.  I would have never traded this.

Simply pray this prayer if you're truly sincere about this decision. 

"Dear Jesus, 

I know that I'm a sinner and I know that You love me and died for my sins on the cross.   I believe that you were buried and rose the third day .   I ask you to forgive me of all my sins and come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior.  Thank you Lord for saving me. "  

THAT'S IT.  

Oh love that will not let me go.    Don't let another day go by without knowing with a certainty that Jesus loves you----He died for you on the cross for your sins----was buried and rose again.  And now He sits on the right hand of God His Father interceding on your behalf daily.

NOW  THAT'S LOVE.   

At this time of the year, when we're talking all about Valentines and candy and gifts.  Choose Jesus.   This is a gift that will last through eternity.    Have any questions, feel free to message me.   

HAM BAR-B-QUE

A very simple and tasty sandwich we had growing up in Western Pennsylvania.   Always used Isaly's chip chopped

ham.  

1 pound  shaved or chipped deli ham (preferably a plain boiled ham it has less salt)

12 oz. Chili Sauce

3/4 cup Ketchup

1/2 cup Brown Sugar

Buns (preferably from bakery)

Put chipped ham into medium sauce pan.  Shred it up and tear apart.   Add all the chili sauce plus 3/4 cup

ketchup and 1/2 cup brown sugar.  

Mix well until it it all blended.   Taste and see if you'd like to have a little more brown sugar.  It's up to you. 

Turn the stove onto medium low heat and stir occasionally so it doesn't stick.   Heat it through and let it bubble a 

bit.  Turn down to low or warm until you're ready to serve.  Nice big bakery buns are the best to serve it on  

WHAT WORD WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE??

Picture compliments of Incourage

Doing some re-thinking in this New Year.  I'm not one for making "resolutions" because  I end up not keeping them any way

So as I started doing my reading through the Bible in the Year,  I found some other devotional apps that I downloaded 

my YouVersion Bible App.  

 One is called "One Word That Will Change Your Life."   This is only a 5 day plan, but it's jam-packed with 

thought provoking ideas.    Reading the Scripture, you are encouraged to see what word stands out that the Lord is

trying to get you to think about and apply for the year.  

Already the Lord has spoken to my heart with one simple word----LISTEN!!   The word LISTEN entails many different 

aspects.  

#1  LISTEN to my Word - Read it daily and seek what it is that I'm trying to tell you.

#2 LISTEN to My still small voice -  When you pray to Me, listen to what I'm saying to you.  It will always be based

on my Word.  But it takes being quiet in order to hear.

#3 LISTEN to those around you.   First of all, those in your family who are closest to you. Second, to those around you in church,

work, or wherever you find yourself.   Don't always be the talker!!   Be a listener ---a listener cares and hears and takes

action.

Well that's what I'm learning so far.  and it's only the 3rd week of 2015.  What else do you want me to hear from 

you, Lord?   May I be willing to hear and act upon what I hear.     

I Samuel 3:10  "And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel Samuel.  Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth."

Psalm 27:4 "One thing have I desired of the Lord that will I seek after; that I may dwell in he house of the Lord

all the days of my life to behold the beauty of the Lord and to enquire in His temple"

It took Samuel three times to actually respond to the Lord speaking to him.   Sometimes it takes us a while, 

but then we get the hang of things.    

Listen----He's trying to tell you something.  Just wait and see!