Saturday, July 24, 2010

Do one thing.



“No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.” ~ 1 John 4:12

We come to know God through the love of others. Others come to know God through our love.
When you think of changing the world, what comes to mind?

We know that the two greatest commandments are to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love others as we love ourselves.

Love.
Such a simple word and yet living it out sometimes seems so hard. Why? Because we’ve made it a complex thing. Really though, love is simply showing concern for the well-being of another person.
Love (noun): unselfish loyal and benevolent (or kind) concern for others

Changing the world sounds like a huge impossible feat But it can be done! Even the smallest gesture of love can impact someone in a major way and turn their life around. Think of the message the preacher gave that God used to bring Rev. Billy Graham to Christ. Think of all the thousands and thousands of people God has brought to Himself through Billy Graham!

Here are a few easy steps you can take to start carrying out God's command to love:
  • Decide to be a difference maker. Make the choice to impact someone’s life.
  • Answer these questions:~Who do you already know that you can impact? What does he/she need?
    ~What abilities and gifts has God given you?
    ~Put ‘em together. How can you use what God’s given you to impact this person?
  • Do one thing to share God’s love. Don’t overwhelm yourself thinking you have to be that person’s savior. That’s what Jesus is for. :) Just meet a need that he/she has.
[By the way, here's a hint: It's a good idea to ask God who HE would like you to share His love with today. Chances are He's got someone specific in mind that you may not have thought about, maybe even someone you wouldn't think needs to see His love. Trust your gut instinct. God knows what each person needs, and He will tell you who and what if you ask Him.]
Here are some practical ideas on what you can do:
  • Be available for them.
  • Help them see their situation from a different perspective.
  • Do a random act of kindness for them…even anonymously
  • Put an encouraging Bible verse on their Facebook page (or send them a text or email)
  • Give them a gift. Put a note on it that says, “God loves you and I do too!”
"Knowing you love them is encouraging, but knowing God loves them is life changing." ~Shannon Primicerio
  • Make them laugh when they’re down.
  • Be a good listener and let them vent.
  • Refuse to judge them.
  • Read a quote, magazine or passage in a book that makes you think about them? Type it up and give it to them.
  • Pray with them. And definitely pray for them.
"Prayer is the greatest act of kindness." ~Unknown
  • Fight for them. Show them you've got their back.
  • Give sacrificially (maybe even in a way that they’ll know you made a sacrifice for them)
Have more ideas? Leave a comment & share with us. :o)

CHALLENGE: We're challenging everyone to DO ONE THING.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Recipe: Red, White and Blue Trifle


 


You simply can’t get any easier than this and … it’s absolutely delicious! My Red, White and Blue Trifle only has four basic ingredients. And it has an awesome “wow” factor! It looks so pretty when you bring it to the table. Everyone will think you worked for hours. :)



For an extra special presentation on the Fourth of July, you can top the trifle with sparkler candles. You can find these in the bakery department of your grocery store or at a craft store. They are very tall, skinny candles that give off subtle sparks when you light them! Do NOT, however, try to use regular Fourth of July sparklers. They make a huge mess and will ruin your dessert!


OK – here’s the recipe. I hope you enjoy making it as much as you do serving and eating it!


Ingredients:*Assorted berries (I buy a package each of strawberries, raspberries and blueberries)
*1/3 cup of sugar
*Angel Food Cake (Make from scratch, from a box, or purchase a ready-made angel food cake from your grocery store)
*Two 8 oz. containers of Cool Whip, thawed* (see note below)

If using strawberries, set one aside to use as garnish then remove the green leaves and slice the remaining berries into a large mixing bowl. Add the other berries and the sugar and mix to combine. Set aside so the berries and sugar start making some juice. This will only take about 30 minutes.


Tear the angel food cake into chunks (about the size of golf balls).


In a pretty glass bowl or trifle dish, layer as follows:

1/3 of the Angel Food Cake
1/3 of the Berries
1/3 of the Cool Whip


Repeat two more times so that you have three layers. Garnish with a whole strawberry or a few scattered berries.


*TIP: When you purchase Cool Whip it will be frozen. Let it sit in the refrigerator overnight to thaw. DO NOT try to thaw Cool Whip in the microwave. Trust me … it will make a horrible mess and the Cool Whip will melt, not thaw. It will be unusable.


Enjoy!