Scripture Memory Team Verse 11 – June 1, 2015

June 1, 2015 12:02 PM 0

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Proverbs 3:21-22 (NLT)

21 My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment.
    Hang on to them,
22 for they will refresh your soul.
    They are like jewels on a necklace.

Jewels

Common sense – a flower that doesn’t grow in everyone’s garden. In fact, there appears to be great disparity of common sense in our society. The definition for common sense is “sound practical judgment that is independent of specialized knowledge, training, or the like; normal native intelligence.”  And then there’s discernment…”acuteness of judgment and understanding.” I believe each are gifts and go hand in hand, or better yet, heart to heart. 

Today, June 1, is the one-year anniversary in my job as Administrative Assistant to our School Superintendent. [I’ve been working in our local school system for 26 years, promoted into this position June 1, 2014.] This year my job has been challenging and oftentimes lonesome. (It really is lonely at the top, and by “top” I don’t mean to sound arrogant, but my boss is the boss of everybody, and also the boss of me!)  I’ve learned so much and I’ve prayed for wisdom in trying situations, but I’m telling you…good old common sense and discernment have been my special comrades each day.

My favorite part of this passage is “they will refresh your soul.” Folks with common sense really are refreshing to one’s soul. Have you ever heard someone that can just bring something down to the level of good old common sense? That is refreshing, isn’t it?  In this world today it appears that folks not only lack common sense, some appear to have no sense. Voting on what marriage is? Come on people – God established that and it has not changed. Common sense, please!

So today as I post my scripture memory verse, I am thankful to say that I desperately want to never lose sight of common sense and discernment. I’m going to hang on to them and keep my soul refreshed.

As Voltaire said, “Common sense is not so common.”  So fashion that necklace of jewels around your neck and hang on tight to common sense and discernment! You will be the better for it and so will those around you.

GRANJAN

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June 1, 2015 12:02 PM 0

Scripture Memory Team Verse 10 – May 15, 2015

May 21, 2015 10:39 AM 0

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Psalm 68:19 [Amplified Bible]

Blessed be the Lord,
Who bears our burdens and carries us day by day,
even the God Who is our salvation!
Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

I’m reading through the Chronological Bible this year. I am enjoying this plan very much and learning more than I ever imagined, which always makes me happy. [Just this morning I spent some time trying to identify a bird I’ve seen around our pond this Spring. I pray I never cease wanting to discover and learn. I believe it keeps me young…at heart. The bird was an Eastern Kingbird in case you’re interested.]  🙂

Anyway, I am now in the Psalms and they are beautifully arranged.  The Psalms of King David come alive as you read them aligned with the times of despair in his life as he was writing them.  I read PSALM 68 recently and this was one of those jump off the page verses for me. My favorite portion is that the Lord carries us day by day. I pray I never lose sight of that wonderful truth. Obviously the Psalmist felt the same way as he exhorts us to “Selah…pause and calmly think of that.”

So when I need to pause and calmly think of that awesome truth, I pray the Good Lord brings this memory verse to my mind. I’m thankful for God as He is my burden bearer, day by day carrier, and my salvation.

In Christ,

GRANJAN

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May 21, 2015 10:39 AM 0

Scripture Memory Team Verse 8 – April 15, 2015

April 16, 2015 10:28 AM 0

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I am moving along in my journey of participating with the SIESTA SCRIPTURE MEMORY TEAM 2015! The verse The Lord led me to for this go-round is from the New Testament Book of JAMES, my husband Gary’s favorite book of the Bible. One of the best Bible studies I’ve ever completed was entitled JAMES: MERCY TRIUMPHS by author and teacher Beth Moore [her ministry, Living Proof Ministries, is also the founder/sponsor of the Scripture Memory Team].  I remember my friend and partner in women’s ministry at Second Baptist Church, Cindy Schult, saying, “I feel as if we are leaving behind a dear friend,” when we completed the study on that last night. It was a tremendous study and we all learned so much. Here is my memory verse from the 19th verse of that first chapter, taken from the Amplified Bible.

James 1:19 – Amplified Bible (AMP)
Understand [this], my beloved brethren.
Let every man be quick to hear [a ready listener],
slow to speak,
slow to take offense and
to get angry.

I had a friend send me a tweet regarding this verse saying “this is a hard one to live by.” A text conversation with another dear friend earlier yesterday shared the same sentiment when I texted her the verse. Let’s break it down:

QUICK TO HEAR [A READY LISTENER]
I am not quick to hear because I often find myself formulating my response to the person talking to me rather than really listening to them. I am over 10 months into my new position and I’ve had to do a lot of listening, more than ever. So it’s safe to say I’ve listened more than talked…at least while I’m at work. True. It’s been hard for me because I am a talker…but I have learned that it takes practice and concentration and intention to really listen. It’s actually hard. Sometimes I want to say, “if you only knew how much I really wanted to say when I was listening…”  I attended a women’s ministry leader’s retreat called “SELAH” this past January 23-24 in the North Georgia mountains. The main speaker gave me a great takeaway. She said we need to W.A.I.T.  Stop and wait and ask yourself, “Why Am I Talking?” W=Why A=AM I=I T=TALKING? Get it? So I typed it out and taped it to the bottom of my computer monitor. It is a trigger for  me when I see it to stop and W.A.I.T. if need be! And it often is!

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SLOW TO SPEAK
If you are practicing the “W.A.I.T.” [Why Am I Talking] discipline, then you are going to be slow to speak. I’m asking the Lord to keep me from the habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion. Give me ears to hear and a heart to just listen…and listen well.

SLOW TO TAKE OFFENSE AND GET ANGRY
The only way to handle being offended and getting angry is by walking daily in the power of the Holy Spirit. It is difficult and only comes about by much prayer. I also believe that growing older and acquiring the wisdom that accompanies aging is a benefit! You’ve seen more and just know when to “pick your battles.”  And always, above all – we must put on love.  Being Christ-like in our response when offended will bring much harvest if the offense is one concerning our faith. I Peter 3:15 talks about always being ready with a response that is gentle and courteous.  If the offense is personal it may be harder especially if it involves your family or friends. The best response is a soft answer and avoidance of anger.

Well, this is a great verse and I pray one that will settle deep in my heart. So now, I’m going to sign off so I don’t have to say, WAIT …”Why Am I Typing?” 🙂

GRANJAN

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April 16, 2015 10:28 AM 0

Scripture Memory Team Verse 6 – March 15, 2015

March 16, 2015 3:13 PM 0

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Proverbs 8:10 (NLT)
Choose my instruction rather than silver,
and knowledge rather than pure gold.

I love this verse, I love the Proverbs. My  husband has been reading through the Proverbs on a daily basis for many years, over and over each month. He always reminds me that never once do you read in Proverbs about people being “too quiet,” but there are plenty of passages with warnings for the wisdom in guarding your mouth and zipping your lips (my wording there). So this go-round I wanted to choose a verse from Proverbs and this one means so much to me for two big reasons right now, today. First, I want to be a wise woman of God. To be wise I know I need to receive instruction from God. That instruction is found in the pages of His Word, the Bible. The next reason is a song I’ve been rehearsing for about a month now. It’s a new beautiful arrangement of a timeless song. Our choir will be singing it this coming Sunday, March 22! I am going to be singing the solo. George Beverly Shea who traveled and sang with the Billy Graham Crusades sang this song all the time. It references that silver and gold mentioned in Proverbs 8:10. It’s an old song written in 1922 by Rhea A. Miller entitled, “I’d Rather Have Jesus.”

I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
I’d rather be His than have riches untold;
I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands;
I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand.

Chorus:
Than to be the king of a vast domain
Or be held in sin’s dread sway;
I’d rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.

I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause;
I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I’d rather have Jesus than worldwide fame;
I’d rather be true to His holy name.

He’s fairer than lilies of rarest bloom;
He’s sweeter than honey from out the comb;
He’s all that my hungering spirit needs;
I’d rather have Jesus and let Him lead.

 Blessings to you today,

GRANJAN

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March 16, 2015 3:13 PM 0

Scripture Memory Team Verse 5 – March 1, 2015

March 1, 2015 9:07 PM 1

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My heart has been stretched with emotional swings this weekend…sorrow from the sadness of a funeral to the joy of a wedding, both events within a few hours yesterday and all with people we’ve known and loved for many years at our home church, Second Baptist, Warner Robins.

We began Saturday morning by attending the funeral of Dirinda Maxwell, a precious 51-year-old woman and friend who lost her battle with cancer. Her service was a true celebration of her life and the confidence that it truly was well with her soul. Dirinda was a cheerful and content woman of faith. Her funeral began with the congregation singing “10,000 Reasons – Bless the Lord,” and ended with “I Will Rise.” Pastor Mike Dorough shared a verse that had blessed Dirinda on her journey the past few months. I immediately knew it was going to be my memory verse for this post today.

Nahum 1:7

The Lord is good,
A stronghold in the day of trouble;
And He knows those who trust in Him.

Here is the link to the Living Proof Ministries post for the Scripture Memory Team, Verse 5 from Beth Moore.

The wedding of Nick and Hannah Prieto was beautiful. Nick is a young worship pastor that we’ve been blessed to know almost his whole life. My husband Gary prayed a blessing over them at the wedding. It brought back so many memories of our wedding. I was a young girl marrying a music man too and I didn’t know much of anything except that I loved him and wanted to spend my life with him. Now almost 38 years later we’ve had a great day at church, he’s still leading worship and he’s still my music man and I still love him with all my heart. God is so good to me.

Love and prayers for the Maxwells and the Prietos tonight. God knows those who trust in Him.  Nahum 1:7

GRANJAN

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March 1, 2015 9:07 PM 1

Cream Cheese Pound Cake – Recipe

February 16, 2015 9:12 PM 2

Yesterday was my sweet husband’s birthday and that man of mine dearly loves a pound cake, so I made a special one for him using my heart-shaped pan. You can order one for yourself by visiting this Williams-Sonoma Site.IMG_8978

RECIPE
Cream Cheese Pound Cake
3 sticks butter (softened – room temperature)
1 8-ounce block of cream cheese (softened – room temperature)
3 cups of sugar
6 large eggs (room temperature)
1 Tablespoon vanilla
3 cups White Lily all purpose flour (sifted)

1. Butter and flour the pan generously. [I used Butter Flavor Crisco, but Baker’s JOY spray is my go-to.]
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2. Whip softened butter and cream cheese well, then add sugar and beat at medium speed for 3 minutes, until light and fluffy.
[I LOVE THIS MIXER. It literally makes me so happy to use it. Baking becomes an EVENT, not a routine thing. And celebrating my wonderful husband’s birthday and love for pound cake is an event in itself! AND did I mention it was also Valentine’s Day while I was baking?]IMG_8990

3. Add eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition.

4. Add vanilla.

5. Lower mixer speed, and slowly add sifted flour.

6. Pour batter into pan. (It is a thick batter, so it is more of a “spooning” into the pan.)IMG_89917. Place in a cold oven and set temperature to 300 degrees. Bake for 1 and 1/2 hours.

There was too much batter for this pan, so the cake began to rise over the top of the pan…  WOW! It rose so high I literally sliced the top off before I turned the cake out of the pan! Gary loved eating that buttery crunchy top. IMG_8992

8. Let cake cool about 10 minutes in pan and then gently turn onto a platter or cake plate.

Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband, Gary. I love him so much and I’m so thankful he loves my cooking and is enjoying his pound cake. These are the beautiful pink roses he gave me for Valentine’s Day. He had them waiting at the table when we went out to dinner.IMG_8979

I close with this beautiful picture of the clouds set in the shape of a heart framed by the valley and mountains. Enjoy your loved ones, make time to bake their favorites and celebrate love and family. Each day is a gift and treasure from the Good Lord.IMG_8994

Job 37:16 (NLT)
Do you understand how he moves the clouds
    with wonderful perfection and skill?

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February 16, 2015 9:12 PM 2

Scripture Memory Team Verse 4 – February 15, 2015

February 16, 2015 8:31 PM 0

10292544_713027298804447_2891017255611194206_nI love the memory verse I have chosen this go-round. In fact, just last week I shared it with a woman at work via email. I was congratulating Lisa Hill on her new job as the Assistant Principal at Bonaire Middle School.  Lisa she said she was going to memorize it too. I shared with her that this passage from Isaiah 33:6 had been a source of strength and encouragement to me when I began my new job in the Superintendent’s office last June first. I needed it again this past week and felt impressed to add it to my Scripture Memory Team list of verses.

God is my CONSTANT source of stability. When everything around me was changing and I needed stability – God provided just what I needed in the most perfect way – abundantly giving me safety and wisdom right on time when I asked Him for help with a new task. He will do the same for you. Ask Him in faith and believe Him to be your constant source of stability too. 

Isaiah 33:6 – NET
He is your constant source of stability;
he abundantly provides safety and great wisdom;
he gives all this to those who fear him. 

The link to the Living Proof Ministries post can be found HERE.

GRANJAN

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February 16, 2015 8:31 PM 0
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