A is for Apple Crisp

Our leader suggested reading the verse prior

 and the verse after and it's really helped my

understanding.

This morning I started reading the portion of the notes again in the BSF International weekly lesson. It generally takes me anywhere from one-three days to complete it. I read and re-read, look up definitions, read some cross references and of course, there's the stop and start of daily life going on around us. In the lesson we read from childhood Jesus obeyed God's command to meditate on the Scriptures. Jesus learned Scripture in the same way anyone does - through hard work and devotion to God. His mind was so saturated with the Old Testament that most of His words were directly based on it. Can you imagine that from age 12? In a place where no television resides, (my biggest distraction I hate to admit), I'm sure there were other things that could have deterred his focus. I looked up the scripture that went along with this, also the definition of meditate. At this point He had my full attention, "like a tree planted by a stream of water." I'm getting rooted. The latin meaning for meditate is measure. To meditate is to think deeply, focus ones mind for a period of time, plan mentally ... consider. The most meditating I've ever done in the past is reciting a verse over and over in my mind when I couldn't sleep, Psalms 4:8 "I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone oh Lord, make me dwell in safety." I wonder what it would feel like to do this from the age of 12, day and day and night after night. I mean really meditate. Furthermore, Jesus knew that following God's will involved believing His purpose would be fulfilled because of absolute faith in His promises and by His power alone … the power was by His spirit only. John 1:9 says, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Notice it says commanded, not wavering belief. I'm telling myself don't wonder if he's going to be there - it's concrete, a fact. Do not be afraid because He said so. Do not be discouraged because He said so. If He's given me His spirit he surely is with me wherever I go. To find a Bible Study Fellowship in your area search: https://www.bsfinternational.org   

Creed practicing his kitchen skills with a Curious Chef nylon knife very
kid friendly. This knife resembles a smaller version of a lettuce knife.  

Alpha-Bakery Children's Cookbook published by General Mills.

This afternoon Creed and I started our Saturday cooking class with the children's cookbook, "AlphaBakery," published by General Mills. The recipes are based on the alphabet and we started with A is for Apple Crisp. Creed helped cut the apples into small chunks with a Curious Chef nylon knife, and measured the ingredients for the crumble topping. We substituted an all-purpose gluten-free flour for regular flour and earth balance for the butter. It turned out really yummy. I was surprised that it wasn't sweeter and Creed ate a couple of bites before deciding he really didn't care for it. He loves to help me make pancakes and anything else he can get into in the kitchen. Usually when he helps prepare it, he eats it. Not today. I'm hoping to inspire a love of cooking just like Mama and Daddy. To learn more about kid friendly kitchen products by the Curious Chef look here: http://www.curiouschef.com. The only product we've tried is the kid-friendly knife, which Creed is able to work pretty well. When we cook together I pull out a set I put together in coordinating colors from the Dollar Tree.