PRISCILLA SHIRER LIVE RALLY!

April 11, 2014 8:23 AM 0

We are just days away from the PRISCILLA SHIRER LIVE RALLY event! I hope you are planning to attend!

RALLYWHAT:    Priscilla Shirer Live – RALLY!

WHEN:    Thursday, April 17, 2014 – Doors Open at 6:30 PM

WHERE:  Second Baptist Church “Hangar”  – 2504 Moody Road, Warner Robins, GA  31088

WHY:       Because God is going to do something amazing at PSL – Warner Robins – August 22-23, 2014

This event is going to be great with lots of great food, fun, and fabulous door prizes.  VIP Tickets will even be given away at the event!

SEE YOU THERE!

Jan

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40 Days – Lent 2014

March 5, 2014 10:10 PM 1

Today is Ash Wednesday and marks the first day of Lent. Growing up Southern Baptist, I never heard any mention of “Lent.” However, this marks the third year I’ve been intentional during this “40 Days” time.  Intentional for me in that I focus my mind and heart on why we as Christians celebrate this time of year.  For those of you like me, who did not grow up in a church that formally practiced this tradition, here is a definition of Lent:

Lent is a time when many Christians prepare for Holy Week/Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline. The purpose is to set aside time for reflection on Jesus Christ – His suffering and His sacrifice, His life, death, burial and resurrection. Lent runs from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday and so includes 40 weekdays.

We may not have observed Lent, but for over 20 years my church (under the direction of my wonderful husband Gary) presented “The Warner Robins Passion Play” for our community. Through music, worship, and drama, we depicted the life of Jesus, His crucifixion and resurrection.  Some of the most wonderful times as a worship ministry have been during this Holy Season.  I love this time of year – everything shouts NEW LIFE!

I want to share the devotionals that I have used during the 40 days of Lent.  The first one is free and is from Ann Voskamp’s blog, “A Holy Experience.” Click here on “The Trail to the Tree.”  It is a beautiful devotional. This is how Ann describes Lent: “It’s the preparing the heart for Easter. Like going with Jesus into the wilderness for forty days, that we might come face to ugly face with our enemy. Our sacrificing that we might become more like Christ in His sacrifice.”

Another one is a book entitled “Reliving the Passion“ by Walter Wangerin, Jr.  It is a 40 day devotional from the New Testament gospel of Mark.  It’s poetic and dramatic and I loved every page.

This year I am reading a book entitled “Draw the Circle,“ by Mark Batterson. It is a 40 day prayer challenge that his church (National Community Church) in Washington, DC has used during Lent.

Please let me share that I don’t see Lent as anything “ritualistic” or a way to garner favor with Jesus.  God’s saving grace is free and I can’t do anything to cause God to love me any more than He already does.  I won’t “give up” anything – He gave His all for me. And another thing – my faith is a daily faith – experienced minute by minute.  These 40 days are special to this time of year and the significance of Easter in the life of a believer – but EVERY DAY is a gift of grace to me!  I especially love this song by Keith & Kristyn Getty – “The Power of The Cross.” Here is the first portion…
Oh, to see the dawn of the darkest day
Christ on the road to Calvary.
Tried by sinful men, torn and beaten then
nailed to a cross of wood.
This the power of the cross
Christ became sin for us!
Took the blame, bore the wrath 
we stand forgiven at the cross.
I pray you will seek daily solitude these next 40 days – in prayer – in worship, thanking Jesus for His supreme sacrifice on the cross for you.
Gran Jan
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Fabulous February – 2014

February 28, 2014 10:08 PM 2

I fully hoped with much faith that 2014 would be a “better” year than 2013 was for our family.  God is faithful and was so good to see us through the trials we faced. I experienced His grace in so many ways in 2013.  I wrote about it in a post entitled Triple Trials. You can’t always see God’s purposes in every season, but His peace and His presence are very real.

February has been a great month for so many reasons! Remember my blog counting to 1,000 GIFTS when I posted pictures and shared the JOY of counting His gifts of grace? Well, this post is going to be similar as the pictures tell the story…here goes!

I spoke at a retreat for pastor’s wives in North Georgia at the beautiful Georgia Baptist Conference Center in Toccoa.  The theme was “Live Out Your Legacy,” and God blessed in every way. The most precious time for me was when my son Jeremy introduced me before I spoke on Friday evening. Talk about a living legacy! He made me cry my eyes out – it was a surprise and a blessing all rolled together. I love him so much! He and his brother were pure JOY to raise.

PWRetreat

We’ve had a TRUE winter here in the South. Lots of snow and lots of fun! I’m hoping tomorrow when March rolls in…we can see some signs of sweet Springtime! I’m ready to get in the garden.

Zeke-snowman snowbabies

Abe-JD&snowBasketball Snow

We’ve had some great meetings this month and the momentum is building! Second Baptist Church Warner Robins is blessed to host Priscilla Shirer Live this coming August 22-23, 2014. The event is open to all women and we hope that all 2,300 seats are taken! Please go to LIFEWAY to order your tickets before June 27th for a discount!PSL-SBCWR

This blog began because of my JOY in becoming a grandmother.  The joy continueth…

EM and bitty babyZeke-possum

marshmellowsZekefeedingAbeAforAbe

More random… My friend Jan and I auditioned last summer in Atlanta to be on the Wheel of Fortune! We did really well and made it through to the final cuts… SEVEN MONTHS LATER…we were called to go to Culver City, CA for taping, and the snowstorm of Atlanta cancelled our flights and the trip to “spin the wheel” was postponed.  The fine folks at Wheel of Fortune say we are at the top of the list for rescheduling a “Girlfriends Getaway” themed week…and we hope it’s soon! “TEAM JAN” is ready to go!

WOF

Quilting is another love of mine. I made a quilt this month at my sister’s request (several months ago) to help raise funds for her son’s high school baseball program.  She is in charge of the annual big fundraiser.   I sure hope it does well for them – tomorrow is the big day!  Ola-Quilt

My sweet husband and I had the privilege to attend our son’s church this month! It was our first time to be there since they moved last September. This Sunday was special for several reasons…it was our first occasion to attend, we were able to hear Jeremy preach a wonderful message, it was my husband’s birthday, and our youngest grandchild “Abe” was dedicated to the Lord.  Our hearts were overflowing.

Abe-DedicationAbe-ittybittyAbe&pop&me

February 2014 has also provided some good times here at the Farm enjoying the sunsets and time around the fire pit on those rare warm days we enjoyed. SunsetFirepit

Teaching Wednesday Night Bible study is a JOY and privilege.  To experience learning and growing in the Word of God is something I hope to never take for granted.  This study “Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World” has been timely, rich, and wonderful!MaryHeart

I always see a pattern in these posts…faith and family – the two treasures I hold dear.  I hope that never changes. I’m so very thankful.Christmas2013

Love and JOY from Gran Jan on this last day of Fabulous February 2014!

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Jalepeno Cornbread Recipe

January 21, 2014 10:19 AM 0
Muffins-Tin
Muffins-Plate

I love cornbread and I love spicy food. So jalepeno cornbread is my favorite as I especially love jalepeno peppers. When I make this cornbread, I add in lots of chopped pickled jalepenos.  My recipe makes 12 muffins or a 10-12″ cast iron skillet of cornbread.

Gran Jan’s Jalapeño Cornbread

Ingredients:

  • 2 beaten eggs
  • ¼ Cup corn oil
  • 1 Cup buttermilk
  • 1  medium to large onion, diced
  • 1 14.5 ounce can of creamed corn
  • 2 Cups self-rising cornmeal – White Lily preferred
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese (freshly grated)
  • 4-5 Tablespoons of diced pickled or fresh jalapeños (or less or more)

Prepare:
1.  Mix eggs and oil together, whisking until well blended.
2.  Pour in buttermilk, add diced onion, and then fold in creamed corn.
3.  Next add cornmeal and stir well. 
4.  Lastly, add shredded cheese and diced jalapeños. 
5.  Bake in a 450 degree pre-heated oven for about 25-30 minutes. Batter will be thick. You won’t be able to “pour” it out into the skillet, but it should not be too thick. You can add a splash of buttermilk if it seems too thick. You will learn the right consistency in time.

BAKING OPTIONS: Use a muffin tin or a cast-iron skillet.

You may pour about 1/3 to 1/2 cup of the batter into each tin of a greased muffin tin (makes 12), or use a  good old Southern cast-iron skillet two ways:

First and “easier/safer” is to grease your skillet with solid Crisco shortening and then sprinkle it with cormeal and scrape the batter from your mixing bowl into the cold skillet to bake, OR:

you can pre-heat your skillet with oil or shortening in the oven or on the stovetop until the oil is hot and “glistening.” When you scrape the cornbread batter into the skllet, it will sizzle and be so crunchy. Be so careful handling that hot skillet. I like to pre-heat my skillet on the stovetop so I only have to move it in and out of the oven one time! Skillets are heavy – be careful!

Jalepeno cornbread is so good with chili, soup, stew, or my favorite…a bowl of either pinto beans, great northern beans, or black-eyed peas!

I hope you make some soon!
GRAN JAN

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What A Difference A Day Makes

December 26, 2013 10:28 PM 0

My daughter-in-law Carrie recently tweeted about the significance of December 10th to her heart and my son’s heart…because December 10th is the day that “hope deferred became a tree of life.”  

Zeke-Dec 10 Tweet

The day Carrie discovered she was expecting a baby…after years of waiting and after a failed adoption.  More than a failed adoption, actually a scam. My son wrote about this event in their lives, and I ran across his writing the other day and have been wanting to share this story of hope and answered prayer!  The story never ceases to bless me and amaze me! We give  ALL praise to God for His miracles in our lives.  The story of Zeke…

WhatADifferenceADayMakes

Merry Christmas and may God continue to be near and dear and prepare us all for His Mighty workings in our lives in 2014.  I am believing God!

Gran Jan

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Giveaway Winner – The Women of Christmas!

November 29, 2013 9:25 PM 0

Congratulations to comment #2 – “Heather.” YOU WON THE BOOK!

Please email me [[email protected]] your mailing address so that I may get your book “The Women of Christmas” in the mail!

Congratulations to Heather and God bless everyone! I thank you all so much for taking the time to leave a comment here.  

Blessings, Jan 

 

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Thankfulness Giveaway!

November 22, 2013 8:59 AM 23

ThankfulPumpkinThanksgiving is very special to me – so wonderfully uncluttered…if you don’t count my kitchen while I’m in there cooking up a storm! (I’m a messy cook, but a good one…according to my husband and sons).  I treasure the simplicity of what Thanksgiving stands for: thankful hearts, grateful hearts, family time, and delicious food. Thanksgiving isn’t ruined with commercialization by the media (only because marketing for Christmas begins in August and that is where their focus is). I love to celebrate one holiday at a time – and I want to savor Thanksgiving before I begin the countdown to Christmas.

I celebrated my birthday last Saturday (November 16) and it was a good one! While counting my blessings I decided to host a giveaway here on my blog! The gift is a wonderful book by Liz Curtis Higgs entitled “The Women of Christmas.”  I’ve given copies to my mom, by dear friend Lanie and I have one for YOU too!TheWomenOfChristmasTo enter the giveway, all you need to do is leave a comment below and tell me about your favorite Thanksgiving tradition or food.  I will take comments through Thanksgiving Day.  A winner will be randomly selected, and I will get your book in the mail right away! I want you to be able to savor this joyous time of year that we celebrate Emmanuel, God With Us.  I’m so thankful He is with us every moment of every day.  Another reason I love Thanksgiving: EVERY DAY is Thanksgiving when you live with a grateful heart and count your blessings and realize it’s all grace.

Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room,

Thankful

 

 

Jan

PS: Make sure to leave your email in your post so I may get in touch with you if you WIN!

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