New Frontiers - Move Forward with Jesus!

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:
The old has gone, the new is here!
- 2 Corinthians 5:17. NIV The Holy Bible

Embark on new horizons with our Lord Jesus Christ!

Move forward in His will. Pray often and experience the life He wants you to live.

Love the people he puts in your path with the 9 Fruits of the Spirit.

Rest in the knowledge that He chose you to do good things on earth!

He has an exciting plan just for you!

It is ongoing and transforming.

It will be revealed daily in His perfect timing, each little step. 

 

¹⁶ I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you

with power through his Spirit in your inner being,

¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,

¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people,

to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,

¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—

that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

 

- Ephesians 3:16 - 19 - NIV The Holy Bible.

 

<><

 

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Scrumptious Hummingbird Cake!

Hummingbird Cake Design made
with pecans and shredded coconut.

My mom made this wonderfully delicious Hummingbird Cake

for my birthday celebration this summer.

It was the first time our family ever had it and

I am sure it will be made again in the future!

This recipe is located on the Living Well Spending Less web site

which features photos of the cake making process.

We used the site's recommended cream cheese frosting.

The preparation time is well spent in order to enjoy this fantastic flavorful dessert!

 

Recipe: Hummingbird Cake

Summary: This truly southern cake is simply to die for!

Ingredients

• 3 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 2 cups very ripe chopped bananas
• 8 oz. crushed pineapple (un-drained)
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)
• 1/2 cup coconut
• Browned Buttter Cream Cheese Frosting
• 3/4 cup coconut
• softened butter & flour for greasing pan

Instructions

1. Grease & flour 2 9″ round baking pans.
2. Beat eggs in small bowl.
3. Add eggs and oil to flour mixture; stir with spatula just until moistened.
4. Stir in bananas, pineapple, pecans, and coconut. Mix at medium speed until well blended, about 1 minute.
5. Pour batter into baking pans. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes, until knife inserted into middle of cake comes out clean.
6. Cool in pan on wire rack for 10-15 minutes, then invert cakes onto wire rack and cool completely.
7. Spread coconut and pecans on baking sheet; bake at 350 degrees for 5-8 minutes until toasted.
8. Spread Browned Butter Cream Cheese Frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake. Sprinkle top with pecans and/or coconut if desired.

Preparation time: 5-10 minutes

Cooking time: 30-35 minutes

 



Happy Baking!

 

* <>< *

 

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Plenty of Foods that Begin with P

UPcycled Pizza Owl Image created by Laura Moody.
She used magazine pages and a paper plate in her design.

At a business luncheon I encountered a co-worker who shared her thought that all the delicious foods started with the letter P. She referenced pizza and pasta, adding how they were terrible for her waist line but that she enjoyed them so much!

 

That day's conversation stayed with me for multiple reasons but for the purposes of this entry, I want to add to her list of palatable foods that begin with the letter "P". :)

palm hearts, pancakes, Panini (a grilled sandwich), papaya, paprika, Parmesan cheese, parsley, parsnips, pasta noodles, pastry, peaches, peanut butter, peanuts, pears, peas, pecans, peppercorn (crushed spice), peppermints, pepperoni, peppers, persimmons, pesto, pickles, Pierogi (dumplings), pies, pineapple juice, pineapple, pink lemonade, Pistachio pudding, pistachio nuts, pizza, plantain, plums, polenta, pomegranates, pop tarts, popcorn, popsicle, pork chops, pork steaks, pork ribs, porridge, portabella mushrooms, pot pie, potato chips, potato pancake, potatoes, pound cake, pralines, pretzel, prune juice, prunes, pudding, pumpernickel bread, pumpkin seeds, pumpkin, punch

I know there are a few I missed. Let me know your favorite food in the Comment box below. :)

 

I particularly like eating the fruits, vegetables and nuts but certainly enjoy treats of pizza, pasta, potato chips, pancakes and pound cake when the opportunities present themselves! 

I just have to remember: Everything in Moderation. :)

 

⁹ The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. (Genesis 2:9 - NIV Holy Bible)

 

Have a great day! <>< Laura

 

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Madison Latimer - A Follower and Artist Too

I discovered the painter Madison Latimer when I visited Charleston, SC in June 2015. She had a tent there at the Piccolo Spoleto Festival Art Show showcasing her colorful canvases of bird fowl that included chickens, guineas and peacocks.

 

What I enjoyed a great deal was that the Lord allowed me to see her truck (in photo above) on route to the event. It certainly caught my attention and I had no idea it was associated with anyone at the festival. There are many trendy businesses in that area and since no name appeared on it, I was not sure who might use such an eye-catching truck.

I soon found out. :)

 

After my family and I arrived and started to peruse the artist tents, I found myself shortly thereafter standing in front of images of happy lively birds and

reading a framed page of Ms. Latimer's testimony.

 

What I like most about her story above is that she obeyed God. "Period."

 

This is exactly what we all need to do daily. 

Jesus died on a cross to save us and we owe our very lives to him.

 

He has a plan in mind for each individual created and knows best.

Are you willing to find out what your God given purpose is?

 

Seek the Lord your God and learn what peace, joy and love really are!

That my friends is truly living!

 

An incredible adventure awaits. :)

<><

 

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What's Your Cup of Tea?

Pink hibiscus flower and turquoise mug painted with acrylic
on wooden kitchen cabinet door = UPcycled ART :)
Photo by Laura Moody.

According to sources, tea is the second most highly consumed beverage in the world. As a gal with a southern background, I was raised on drinking tea. We mostly consumed Lipton black tea when I was younger but over time I have learned to appreciate green tea and oolong tea along with other unique tinctures.

 

Here is a list of several businesses who sell tea bags that I have enjoyed over the years: 

 

Nature's Promise Organic Decaf Lemon Ginger Green Tea from Giant Food Stores

 

Trader Joe's Organic Ginger Pear White Tea

 

Prince of Peace Oolong Tea (also sold at Whole Foods stores)

 

Novus Tea 100% Organic South Indian Select Green Tea

(now only sold by Bigelow as traditional black tea)

 

The Republic of Tea Get Clean and Get Gorgeous Teas

 

Twinings 100% Organic Rooibos Tea

 

If you ever find yourself sightseeing in Charleston, SC, be sure to visit the Charleston Tea Plantation. It is the only tea business in America that grows AND sells its own tea leaves!

 

The operation offers very well done tours (including one by trolley of the grounds) and shares interesting details of its tea growing, leaf collecting and multiple packaging processes. There is also a gift shop on site where tea is served throughout the day. (Click on the word "tours" above for nice photos of the gift shop.) Bonus - no pesticides are used on the crops and land at this environmentally conscious farm!

 

Enjoy a cup of beneficial tea today! :) <>< Laura

 

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Christmas 365 days a year! Our God is an Awesome God!

Magnolia bloom. Photo by Laura Moody, Nashville, TN.

A few years ago I heard a WAMU.org radio show on Christmas night.

It was a recording of the Dec. 24, 1949 CBS Grand Central Station presentation

Miracle for Christmas.

An ambulance driver named Mac...

meets God and realizes how amazing our Lord and Savior is. :)

09:30 p.m. Grand Central Station12/24/49 Miracle for Christmas (Pillsbury) (CBS) (29:42)

Worth a listen if you have never heard old time radio programming.

The above link associated with the phrase "An ambulance driver named Mac" features the text script for the show.

Additionally - someone uploaded the episode to YouTube. Oh the days of technology that we live in!

Enjoy! <>< Laura

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Not I, But Christ by Corrie ten Boom

Pink oriental lilies. Photo by Laura Moody, Nashville, TN.

I have only recently read my first text by Dutch Christian writer Corrie ten Boom. She endured much, loved much and had the opportunity to travel the earth sharing the Truth of the Gospel and the Good News of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with many different people groups around the globe.  

 

The book Not I, But Christ, copyright 1983, ISBN 084074112X, features not only her precious insights and experiences but photographs from her multiple journeys.

It is a wonderful, encouraging and enlightening read!

 

Have a terrific day! <>< Laura

 

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Love Is The Answer Each and Every Day

 

 

 Love is a simple concept but oh so hard to implement sometimes isn't it? In one's effort to be selfless, we want to help our friends, neighbors, co-workers and even folks on the other side of the globe when we are able.

 

Finding a balance in managing our own lives and then finding moments to assist others doesn't have to be such a challenge. My theory is that we must schedule it in (e.g. find an interesting organization to volunteer a few hours each month) or at most, be prepared to leave what is occupying our immediate attention to make a positive difference when we are able. Of course, that requires we be alert to what is going on around us at various hours of the day.

 

When you are outside gardening or walking in the neighborhood, make conversation with your neighbors. You never know when you might need to contact them or vice versa because of a need. When you are out running errands, look for opportunities to lend a hand - perhaps opening the door for someone who has their hands full or even by picking up a dropped item in an aisle of a retail store. It's not hard. Usually these "random acts of kindness" take less than a minute.

 

In addition to the Holy Bible, one of the best books I have read on love is titled Falling In Love With America Again by Jim DeMint. The author helps readers understand that by being do-gooders in our own neighborhoods, we are able to make America a more enjoyable place to exist.

 

Jim DeMint also lays out plainly what the American government was created to do and what it is now doing and how Americans may help the government be a better governing body. It is filled with real-life stories of many individuals and groups who are helping others in the name of love. Imagine if all peoples practiced helping in their communities! Then the entire world would be impacted in wonderful ways!

 

I encourage you to pick up and read a copy of Falling In Love With America Again. Be inspired to make a difference where you live!

 

Peace to you! <>< Laura

 

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The Ultimate Gift movie and book - "We Grow As We Go"

Photo by Laura Moody, Nashville, TN

 

 My friend Bea made a wonderful comment as a group of us sat at round table in church discussing a lesson from the XEE (Evangelism Explosion) curriculum. She said, "We grow as we go." So true! We cannot learn everything in a day, thus the journey before us!

I pray everyone's life might exemplify this idea. It certainly was a prominent part of The Ultimate Gift movie's main plot which shares with the audience the growth of a young cad growing into a respectable man.

The Ultimate Gift movie features fresh faces and also actors who have been in the entertainment industry for decades. James Garner, Bill Cobbs, Brian Dennehy, Lee Meriwether and Abigail Breslin are just a few of the featured cast members.

I hope you will have a chance to see it. Check your local library, Netflix or a Christian book store for copies. The Ultimate Gift movie is also available for sale at Amazon.

What I found equally as appealing as the movie itself is the story of Jim Stovall who wrote the novel The Ultimate Gift. His journey has not been dull!

May you too walk in a way that pleases our Lord and Savior Jesus, seeking his will, learning and understanding what God wants to teach and share with you and thus enjoying the time spent!

<><

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Chemical Glossary

Wild flowers in back of dump truck. Photo by Laura Moody, Nashville, TN.

It’s tough these days to understand many of the labels on our food, not to mention our clothing! The company Lifekind has graciously placed a timely glossary
on their web site for viewers to peruse.

There are many man-made chemicals in our world and God allows them to exist.
Some may be helpful but anything in large doses could be harmful and
cause havoc in our environment and our bodies.

Be alert to toxins that you are able to avoid and certainly be "green" when able. :)

Peace to you! <>< Laura

 

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PureGivesBack Initiative - ThePureBar.com

White Rose of Sharon.
Photo by Laura Moody, Nashville, TN.

Pure Organic is a company that makes nutritious products for human consumption!

 

Recently I purchased their Pure Organic Wild Blueberry Bar from my local Kroger grocery store and I appreciated its taste very much. :) Their fruit and nut Pure bars are gluten-free, soy-free and dairy-free as well as Kosher, organic, vegan and non-GMO.

 

What I discovered today is that they also give back to society through their PureGivesBack initiative.

 

Learn more by visiting their well-done web site through the links here in my post.

 

Be Happy By Eating Healthy! <>< Laura

 

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Quote by Rabindranath Tagore

Photo by Laura Moody, Nashville, TN

"The butterfly counts not months but moments, and has time enough."

- Quote by Rabindranath Tagore

I discovered these words while enjoying the book 

"One Hundred Butterflies" by Harold Feinstein. 

The photographer and Hachette Book Group collaborated on a text 

filled with large striking images of colorful butterflies 

and decorated a few pages with quotes by notable individuals. 

Mr. Tagore's words reminded me of Jesus 

telling us in the Holy Bible verses Matthew 6:25 -34 "Do Not Worry." 

I so appreciate that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has absolutely 

EVERYTHING under his control. 

Each moment we exist is in his more-than-capable hands. 

God knows already the works that he has prepared in advance for each of us to do! 

Our lives will transpire exactly as they should: 

in our Lord's perfect will and in his incredibly perfect timing.

May joy, love and peace overflow in the majority of your journey's moments!

Happy August! <>< Laura

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