A Touch of Hymn

 

One of the many things that I enjoy doing

 is transforming an object from one state to another.

Kinda like when God gets a hold of us (or we let Him!)

We are transformed from glory to glory. 

 I guess it's in the genes!

 

 

So when I'm "thrifting",

 I'm always looking at something to see if there is a use or a potential for use.

When I saw this "candle box", I saw potential.

I just needed some paint, some modge podge, and some pages from an old hymnal.
(I get my Modge Podge from Michaels)

I painted the box black.

 I like to have pieces of black in my home

 because it stands out and also helps to show up everything else.
I  purchased some old hymn books last summer for 25 cents each.
You can read that post here.
I ripped a few pages out and pre-arranged how I was going to display them.
I applied a coat of modge podge first and then put the first sheet down. I covered that with modge podge and applied the next sheet and so on and then gave the finished look  a few more coats.

This is what I put in the box and it doesn't look too bad.
But it's a candle box right?
And how pretty would the words of the hymn look
with the glow of candle light!

Still have the fake snow in the jar. Looks good with the black.

I chose the words to this hymn to remind me
 of the price that was paid for my salvation.

A little touch of purple for spring?

It doesn't take much time or money to create a unique piece.

Once I start I want to keep going. So I did.

But that is for another day to share.

Have a wonderful weekend!

 

Blessings,

To see the list of parties that I will be sharing at, click here.

Jennifer Rizzo

Gift of Grace

This week I'm going to share a devotional with the ladies about the life of Martin Luther so I thought I would share a bit with you as well.

 

I know it's not about thrifting or creating,

but today it is about history and its influence for us today.

Today it is about God's wonderful gift of grace to us.

 

Luther is considered the leader of the Protestant Reformation.

 

He was born into Roman Catholicism in a small town near Berlin, Germany.

By age 21, Luther received a Master of Arts degree and then began

 to pursue the study of law as his father had hoped.

 

But, while travelling through a terrible thunderstorm,

 Martin narrowly escaped a lightening strike.

Martin cried out to God and vowed to serve Him if he survived.

Martin Luther honoured his vow.

He entered the Augustinian Order at Erfurt, much to his father's disappointment.

He was driven by the fears of hell, God's wrath, and a need to gain assurance of his own salvation.

In 1511 Luther moved to Wittenburg to earn his Doctorate of Theology.

Martin Luther (1483-1546)

 

As Luther pursued the study of the Scriptures,

 especially the letter of the apostle Paul,

he received revelation and understanding that he was

"saved by grace through faith" alone.

 

He began to teach as a professor of biblical theology and couldn't help but teach this wonderful realization of salvation and forgiveness.

 

In 1514 Luther began to serve as a priest for Wittenburg's Castle Church. The people embraced this new theology and many came to listen to this preacher.

During this time, Luther became aware of the Catholic Church's

 unbiblical practice of selling indulgences

 (promise of reduced punishment for sins for themselves or loved ones).

Luther publicly disputed this dishonest practice and abuse of church power.

 

On October 31, 1517 Luther nailed his famous 95-Thesis to the Castle Church door.

This was a defining moment in Christian history.

Martin Luther refused to recant his beliefs and was therefore officially excommunicated by the Pope.

Luther escaped (through a planned kidnapping) to Wartburg Castle where he was protected by friends for almost one year.

During this time, Luther translated the New Testament into the German language, giving ordinary people the opportunity to read God's Word for themselves.

 

In 1529, Martin Luther penned the hymn "A Mighty Fortress is our God".

It was translated from German to English in 1853 by Frederic H. Hedge.

 

This is the actual handwriting of Martin Luther and his signature. It is public domain.

 

Martin Luther struggled with oppression while translating the Bible.

The last thing Satan wants is people having access to the truth thus exposing his lies.

Luther persevered and the words to his hymn reflect his struggle.

 

While Luther wasn't perfect, (who is!) I am grateful for his stance despite the powerful organization he was up against.

It is truly a wonderful truth to know

 that we could never earn or pay enough for our sins.

 

 It is a gift.

 

A Gift of Grace.

 

In the video below, Chris Rice sings this wonderful hymn,

"A Mighty Fortress is our God"

Enjoy.

 

 

Blessings,



The Absolute Best Banana Bread

In my last post I mentioned that I had made some

Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins

for the ladies at the Windsor Life Centre where I volunteer every week.

 

I added chocolate chips to a banana cake recipe that I have made for years.

 

Recipe

 

1/2 cup butter

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 cup sour milk (I use 1/4 cup vinegar and 1/2 cup milk; combine before starting)

2 med-large bananas smashed or to equal one cup.

 

Grease and flour a 9 x 5" loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes.

 (Depends on your oven)

Beat the first four ingredients very well until it is fluffy

 and looks more white than yellow.

Add the dry ingredients and stir in well.

Add the sour milk.

Smash up the bananas just before you are ready to put them in the batter

so it doesn't start turning brown.

Gently hand stir in the smashed bananas. I always do this at the end.

This recipe works well as a doubled recipe.

(When you have extra bananas that are at the point when your family won't eat them)

When I double the recipe, I use a bundt pan and a smaller loaf pan (8 x 4).



 

If you do a double recipe you can get 36 large muffins. I added two cups of chocolate chips to the recipe. I always use the paper cups when making muffins, and they peel off quite easily.



It really is the best Banana Bread!



Try it and see (taste!)

 

Blessings,

To see some of the parties I like to join in on click here.