Treasures From the Heart

Treat yourself with this Month's Special

2009-04-01T16:26:00.000-07:00

Come to my site www.naturesheartlandcandlesandbath.net/ to get a bag of Tarts for 5 bucks! I'm always adding more products to my site...so come by to check it out. :)

Our Father

2009-04-01T15:52:00.000-07:00

I cannot say OUR if my Religion has no room for others and their needs.

I cannot say FATHER if I don't demonstrate this relationship in my daily living.

I cannot say WHO ART IN HEAVEN if my interests and pursuits are in earthly things.

I cannot say HALLOWED BE THY NAME if I, who is called to bear HIS name, am not Holy.

I cannot say THY KINGDOM COME if I am unwilling to give up my own sovereighty and accept the righteous reign of God.

I cannot say THY WILL BE DONE if I am unwilling or resentful of having it in my life.

I cannot say ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN unless I am truly ready to give myself to His service here and now.

I cannot say GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD without expending an honest effort for it, or by ignoring the genuine needs of others.

I cannot say Forgive Our Trespasses As We Forgive Those Who Trespass Against Us if we continue to harbor a grudge against anyone.

I cannot say Lead Us Not Into Temptation if I deliberately choose to remain in a situation where I am likely to be tempted.

I cannot say Deliver Us From Evil if I am not prepared to fight in the spiritual realm with my sword the weapon of prayer.

I cannot say For Thine Is The Kingdom if I am unwilling to let the Lord take complete control.

I cannot say Thine Is The Power if I fear what my neighbors and friends may say or do.

I cannot say Thine Is The Glory if I am seeking my own glory first.

I cannot say Forever if I am too anxious about each day's events.

I cannot say AMEN unless I 'm honestly willing to worship in Spirit and Truth.

Trust Him, God has everything under control. If it was not so, he would have told you.

My Site is up! Natures Heartland Candles and Bath

2009-03-12T09:48:00.000-07:00

Hi, well its up finally...there still some things I want to add...but for the most part my little online store is open. Come on by!

http://www.naturesheartlandcandlesandbath.net

Nature's Heartland Candles and Bath

2009-03-11T21:55:00.000-07:00

I want to introduce you to my new business, Nature's Heartland Candles and Bath... I'm currently working on my site, I'm hoping to post the link here soon. I know, I do not like the word "soon" it sounds almost like it will never come...but it will...I've been working hard to get everything up and running! I'm offering, soy candles, tarts, tealights, handmade sachets.
So please be patient... :)

Winter's Day

2009-02-15T16:31:00.000-08:00

For the Love of Baking...recipe

2009-01-12T18:45:00.000-08:00

I can tell you one thing... I'm a pack rat of sorts. Many moons ago I used to love to cross stitch.. cross stitching was fun back then (before reading glasses)... working up close just doesn't appeal to me anymore. But what I do like is looking back through the pages of worn out cross stitch magazines.
One of the mags has a few recipes. So I'll share one with you...by the way...this recipe is very good! You'll want to try it. :)

Fresh Apple Cake
4 C. peeled, sliced apples
2 C. sugar
2 C. flour
1-1/2 teasp. baking soda
2 teasp. cinnamon
1 teasp. salt
***
2 eggs
3/4 C. vegetable oil
2 teasp. vanilla extract
1 C. chopped pecans

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In large bowl, stir together apples and sugar. Add dry ingredients; stir well. In separate bowl, beat eggs, oil and vanilla. Stir egg mixture into apple mixture, blending thoroughly until moistened. Stir in pecans. Pour into greased 13x9x2 inch pan. Bake 50 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly pressed. Serve with warm Apple Dessert Sauce
12 to 15 servings

========================
Apple Dessert Sauce

1 C. sugar
1/2 C. butter or margarine
1/2 C. heavy cream or evaporated milk
1 teaspoon vanilla

Place all ingredients in saucepan; stir. Bring to boil over medium-high heat and cook 3 minutes. Serve warm.

Munch Time

2009-01-12T18:36:00.000-08:00

"Stained Glass Masquerade" Casting Crowns

2009-01-12T17:43:00.000-08:00

Is there anyone that fails

Am I the only one in church today feelin' so small

Cause when I take a look around

Everybody seems so strong, I know they'll soon discover

That I don't belong

So I tuck it away, like everything is okay

If I make them all believe it, maybe I'll believe it too

So with a painted grin, I play the part again

So everyone will see me the way that I see them

Chorus

Are we happy plastic people

Under shiny plastic steeples

With walls around our weakness

And smiles to hide our pain

But if the invitation is open

To every heart that has been broken

Maybe then we close the curtain

On our stained glass masquerade

Is there anyone who's been there

Are there any hands to raise

Am I the only one who's traded

In the alter for a stage

The performance is convincing

And we know every line by heart

Only when no one is watching

Can we really fall apart

But would it set me free

If I dared to let you see

The truth behind the person

That you imagine me to be

Would your arms be open

Or would you walk away

Would the love of Jesus

Be enough to make you stay

Stained Glass Art by Mary 2009

The view from 3rd floor...

2008-12-29T13:24:00.000-08:00

This was the view we saw out of our third floor apartment, yokota air base Japan. 1994-95.

Walking the town at night...

2008-12-29T13:19:00.000-08:00

Town at night....

Could be the town of Fussa...where we lived 10 months before moving on base housing.

Continuation of "Lost feeling"....lost in Tokyo...

2008-12-29T12:22:00.000-08:00

Well- what could we do? Yes, we were mad, upset that somehow we made a big boo-boo....and frankly I was ready to pull out my hair....and the hair of my husband!! *Huge sigh* Between the time I thought I would just scream... hubby remembered a calling card he had tucked away... Oh goody... who do we call?! I remembered now....we could call our friends...afterall he could speak Japanese....now all we needed to do is find someone willing to talk to our friend...and maybe somehow we could get directions to lead us out of this city and back on track again! ...The search was on.... we pulled into a parking lot of a restaurant....it looked like an American Denny's .....we walked in..... the smell of fish & curry hit us in the face....we knew this was no Denny's we knew. .... "Umm...sir?....yes...you there behind the counter....could we have you to talk to our friend??" *This was all done by me...using gestures with my hands...as if I were talking on the phone* This poor man must have thought...crazy Americans! Finally, he agreed to speak with our friend. We waited...nearby....we observed others watching us. okay.
Here we were...feeling very silly...as we tried to figure out what this man was trying to say to us....about the only thing we could figure out was .... the directions were vague.... we thanked him..by bowing....and we left.
Believe it or not.... we somehow managed to get out of the city.... only to find ourselves driving along the sea.... the smell of freshly caught fish filled our noses.... Seagulls flew and hung above the fishing boats...nets were cast.... the men hauled huge loads of fish up to their boats.... what an interesting sight to see!
The time was late afternoon. Thank goodness we brought something to munch on....crackers, chips, soda pop... it was enough to give us energy as we kept driving....on our journey...of faith....yes, we were on a journey of faith....we had to cry out to God to help during this "lost" time....we weren't sure if we would ever find our way to see our friends....nor were we sure that we would make it to the air base. ..... We drove past towns....Kawasaki.....Toyota.... * so that's where they get the names for their cars and trucks* .... our trip took us along....hills....mountain side towns.....down hair pin turns....winding up this way....down the next.... all very interesting... we decided at that point that God was ultimately in charge....Okay God where to now?

Believe or not--we finally found the highway we needed all along....and we were on it.....yay!....It was already dark.....but thank God, he was leading us.

Although very tired, we reached the town in which our friends lived. But this time we called and asked if they would come to lead us in. They did.... Thanksgiving time had passed..it was already 2 or 3 A.M. But....Thanks giving hadn't really passed at all...... We were very thankful to God in the Highest for making a path for us that day!

The next time you feel lost and afraid.... come to Jesus.....for He knows the way!

That "Lost" feeling...

2008-12-29T11:23:00.000-08:00

Have you ever been lost before?

We made plans to visit a family that we'd never met before. We were stationed over in Japan...and this American missionary family lived in the southern part of Japan...on the same part of the island... (so we didn't actually have to leave the island). We had only spoken on the phone a few times...and one of those times they had invited us to come to dinner during Thanksgiving. We were both excited at the thought of meeting one another. So we asked for directions. *We had never really driven very much-so we wanted to make sure what highway to take*... Their directions seemed clear and easy to follow... and the main highway a sure thing to find. So we decided to visit the Recreation Center to see if they had a copy of the highways...afterall, we needed to make sure where we needed to go!

Well, Thanksgiving morning of '93 came very early....we packed up the Honda and headed out into the glorious sunny day.. Ahhh...what fun it seemed to be going on our very first trip, since coming to Japan that October. Scenery of houses, people walking and riding bikes seemed to fill our view out the window. We had already been driving for what seemed like a long time, when we came into some heavy traffic..*which was normal*.... as we kept going....we came to a big tunnel sort of thing....*what was this we thought*.... there were no tunnels shown on our map, nor did the people say we would be making most of our decisions in tunnels. *Oh-no we gasped* ... Sigh...so in we drove (where else could we go)...the traffic was still heavy as we inched our way through....inching along...gave us the needed time to turn the map light on...to look over the directions... Ah-haa...there was a sign posted ahead... yes, it did resemble the words on our map... okay then-we'll go that way! We could finally breathe a sigh of relief knowing we had picked the right way.
Time had flown by as we drove on.... every once in a while we'd pop out into the open only to drive into another long, long, long, tunnel.... *one thing I can say about Japan, the tunnels have interesting features....like a small window...so you can tell if is still day or night-but if you don't look quickly you'll miss it* Finally.....we popped out into the ......the......wonderful world of TOKYO....Uh-Oh!.....what happened..... this.....can't be right. But there we were....small and tiny against the huge, HUGE downtown buildings! .........what to do?...... *continued*

Thank you!

2008-12-29T10:17:00.000-08:00

Your arms are full of packages...you can't possibly get the door open without dropping a few boxes....so here comes someone to open the door for you. Your greatful...and say-Thank you!

We are "greatful" when someone steps in to help us... The Lord loves to hear his people say-Thank You!

Dear Lord, I am greatful for your tender mercies everyday. Thank You, for giving me a heart for you. Thank You, for helping me through the everyday trials that I face. And Thank You, for listening to all my prayers. Amen.

Read Psalm 136:2

Japan at sunset

2008-12-28T22:42:00.000-08:00

Sunset in Japan, photo taken by my husband (Mark). We were stationed at Yokota Japan, from '93 - '97. We've always liked this picture.

You Can Count on Me....about friendships

2008-12-28T22:12:00.000-08:00

People all over the world, are looking for friendships... there's a need in our hearts, to have a friend. Someone we can turn to when times are tough. Someone to hug....to share a smile with... to be there when we cry.

Sometimes friends are hard to come by.... if you're still looking for someone that you can turn to when times are rough....and you just need someone to hear you. Call on God. He's right where you are.... come to Him. He already knows what you are going through. He's not too big to hear you. He LOVES you. So come....

Cast your cares on Him for He cares for you. I Peter 5:7

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3

Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. John 14:1

So come....cast your cares, your worry and your fear at the feet of Jesus.

Happy New Year....

2008-12-28T21:39:00.000-08:00

What plans do you have for the New Year? Maybe its to eat healthy.... Whatever you've got planned.... make room in those plans to include Christ.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6.23
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:17
He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him. John 3:36
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

All you have to do is ask...Jesus into your heart. Dear Lord Jesus, I am a sinner. You died on the cross for my sins. I ask that you will forgive me, come into my heart Jesus. Now that you are in my heart my sins are covered in the blood of Christ. Thank you, dear Jesus.

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

Keep the Light On...

2008-12-28T21:25:00.000-08:00

When I was a kid, I was afraid of the dark.... I would tell mommy to please keep the light on. She would plug in a small night light beside my bed....the glow from this little light....made my fears go away.

Here are some scriptures to help you keep the "light on".... The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? .... Psalm 27:1-3

View my scrapblog

2008-12-28T21:06:00.000-08:00

http://www.scrapblog.com/viewer/viewer.aspx?sbid=1234795

Need Peace?

2008-12-28T19:27:00.000-08:00

It seems that we are living in times of trouble, times of uncertainty. Economic failure, foreclosures.... gas prices low...but cost of living up.... What to do? Worry produces headaches and heartaches. So let us not worry.... let us meditate on this: To know Jesus, is to know Peace. Here are some scriptures to place in our hearts. Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in you.

Philippians 4:6-7 reads: Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thankgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

And Colossians 3:15 reads: And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

Psalm 4:8 reads: I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

Fear will flee

2008-12-28T18:39:00.000-08:00

What do you have to fear, with God as your confidence? He protects you from being snared like a wild animal by the world's troubles. With His hand over you, no sudden event or evildoer's plot can destroy you. Give Him your confidence, and fear will flee.

"From Spiritual Refreshment for Women: Everyday Encouragement, published by Barbour Publishing, Inc. Used by permission."

To meditate on; Do not be afraid of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; For the LORD will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being caught. Proverbs 3:25-26

2008-12-28T18:29:00.000-08:00

Here is a picture I created in the paintbrush program of my computer... in 2002. Cardinals always look like they're ready for Christmas.

Something to think about...

2008-12-28T17:55:00.000-08:00

Let me first say, that God has given every one a mind, and what we think about determines which way we will go. If we let ourselves think on good things, what is pure, noble, lovely, anything of good report...then our attitude will be good. If we allow our minds to fill up on things that are bad....worry....doubt. Then we'll find ourselves looking downward... God will not control our minds...its up to us what we think.

Let us meditate on these things; .."Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are lovely,...things are of good report,....anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8.

Forgetting things that are left behind...

2008-12-28T17:26:00.000-08:00

....It seems I'm always leaving things behind...my car keys...my mind...a favorite writing pen...a password to my favorite site....the list is endless.... eventually I do find these things.... except the password... I searched high and low! I ask myself...did I leave it in my index card file?...in the little book?.... on a scrap piece of paper?..... maybe its in the drawer?..... All that looking...and end up empty handed. *sigh* I decided not to worry about this little teeny tiny piece of information. Just let it GO!

Need help letting go of the past?.... In Philipians chapter 3 verse 13... it says, "forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead."

memories of Christmas past.....

2008-12-28T16:38:00.000-08:00

When I think of Christmas... visions of sugar cookies with colorful sprinkles dance in my head. And with every Christmas card...I think of snow....glistening in the sunlight.
Mittens hang by the fireside.... steamy hot chocolate with floating marshmallows.... Pretty ornaments hang on every branch of the Christmas tree.... and there I am.... looking up at the tree.... hoping that Santa will bring every toy I wished for! Oh, the memories of Christmas past....is a joyful thing....

Here in the present.... I think of what to buy for my husband.... hmmm would he want to open a box of sox? Maybe .... a nice sweater..... I know, he would like a gadget of some sort. So rush to the store I go.... I looked at a circular saw.... hmmm is that what he wanted? .... Scratching my head I walk down every isle....only to find that I'm lost in the sea of "what to gets".....

On Christmas day we enjoyed a good time opening gifts....and yes, Santa did get what we wanted. .......

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down....and running over. Luke 6:38