Jello No-Bake 2 Layer Pumpkin Pie!

Easy pie for thanksgiving!!!
I was looking for something quick and easy and semi-traditional for Thanksgiving dessert and ran across this gem! Steve says with every bite, "Man that pie is so good!" It is a winner!

You'll need:
1-9" graham cracker pie crust (reduced fat)
(cream cheese layer Ingredients)
4 oz softened cream cheese (can use fat free or reduced)
1 1/2 c. Cool Whip (non fat)
1 T. Sugar
1 T. Milk (rice, skim...any kind ok)

(Pumpkin layer Ingredients):
1-16 oz can all natural pumpkin
2 packages vanilla jello pudding mix (powdered)
1 c. Milk (I used rice milk since we don't do dairy)

1.Mix all ingredients with wire whisk until blended together well and smooth into bottom of a 9" graham cracker pie crust.

2. Blend together pumpkin layer ingredients and smooth onto top of white layer

3. Freeze 2-3 hours to set. Put in fridge until ready to serve. Serve chilled with whipped cream. Goes great with coffee!!!

1 Thessalonians 5:18...Give thanks in all circumstances... :)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING and Happy no-baking!!!! I sure am thankful for this easy to make (and low fat!) pie!

Ginger

Don't have coffee with the devil

Imagine for a moment that you're on the way to have a coffee date with Jesus. You walk in to the cafe, and find Him smiling, seated with a worn leather chair reserved for you next to the fire place. He leans your way and begins to tell you about how much He loves you. How glad He is that you're there. He tells you of your intrinsic value and promises never to leave your side. He reminds you how much He enjoys you and that He is so glad that you've chosen to spend time with Him.
But then, in the midst of your conversation, you notice your former friend, the devil, out of the corner of your eye. He walks boldly into the room, you flinch as he scoots right up to the empty table next to you and begins to whisper to you, "don't listen to Him...that is a bunch of garbage...you're not even a real Christian! Your foolish to believe that you're valuable! I mean, look at you! You're an idiot! Do you want me to tell you how many times you've messed up!?!"
That old, familiar whisper reminds you of your insecurities, your failures, your broken dreams. You lean in closer to the whisper of your enemy, and now begin to take to heart what he says, the words of Jesus fade into the background of the cafe rumblings. Jesus continues to talk to you, telling you the truth about your identity, but you find yourself listening intently to the devil's whisper.

Within a few minutes of soaking up the filthy lies of the enemy, your heart has been saturated with filth, leaving no room for the truth of the One who loves you. You turn back to Jesus and say, "you know, I hear what you're trying to tell me and all, but I really don't deserve to hear it. After all, I really don't believe what you say about me...I really believe what the devil says about me."
Now, that may be a bit extreme, but think of how often we do that when we choose to believe the lies of the enemy in our daily lives! It may come as a passing thought in the mirror, "I sure am ugly" or we may reach for our vice of choice, believing "once an addict, always an addict." The problem is, that when we believe the lies about our identity, we are in agreement with te devil. Let me say that again...when we believe lies about our identity, we are agreeing with the devil and are telling Jesus that we would rather side with the one hates us and wants to kill you, steal all you have and destroy everything God wants for you!

Jesus tells us in John 8:31-32, 31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 8:44 says this, "You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies."
We have an opportunity each day to agree with what God says about us or to agree with the adversary and what he has to say about us. When we come to faith in Jesus Christ, we must know our identity as God's beloved children who can walk in total freedom if we would just believe what He says! If we don't know who we are, the devil would be glad to define that for us!

One way that we can know who God says we are, is to read the Holy Bible, His word and to study it. A great place to study about our identity in Christ is the book of Ephesians. One of my favorite passages in all of scripture talks about putting on the armor of God. In Ephesians 6:12-18, Paul reminded the church in Ephesus to be aware that they are in spiritual battle that cannot be won with earthly weapons. Among those weapons is the belt of truth. Now, as a fashion-conscious gal, I love a good belt to accessorize my wardrobe. But Paul wasn't talking about being fashion forward...he was taking about standing in war...and having the truth buckled around the waist so as never to lose it...to keep it on even in the battle. The important principle here is that we must hold to the truth of our position and identity in Christ in this day. Long after those words were written by the Apostle Paul, we are still challenged to hold on to the truth of who we really are.
Lean in to the voice of the One who is longing to share His love for you! Go ahead-- tell that devil that you're on a date with Jesus...and his days with you are OVER! Then, be sure to tell him as you and Jesus sit side by side, "Oh and by the way, devil, you are a LIAR and nothing you ever say is true...so thanks for confirming that the opposite of what you try to tell me is true...I AM LOVED and VALUABLE! I AM MORE THAN A CONQUEROR, AND THE CROSS WAS AND IS ENOUGH AND THE BLOOD COVERS AND CLEANSED ME FROM THE PAST!!!"

Raise that Latte up high to toast the Most High!!!
Ginger <3

Storm shelter

Today I heard of the hurricane that swept through parts of the USA...bringing ruin to many homes and even death for some. Breaks my heart to think of people suffering and scrambling for shelter as the elements traumatize regions of people.
Sometimes we are caught in the middle of unexpected storms in our own lives...death, sickness, divorce, financial hardship, academic challenges, job troubles, relationship struggles... It can feel overwhelming and maybe frightening in that place. Where do we turn in the midst of a storm?
I am reminded once again...as this storm swirls about our nation...God is good...ALL the time! He is worthy of praise--even in the storm--even when nothing seems to be going right and nothing is certain. He is there to be our shelter in the storm. We can either turn from Him or to Him...the choice is ours.

The following psalm has been on my heart all day. Let these words bring peace and comfort as you focus on God's peace and protection over you in the midst of any storm.

"Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked. If you say, "The Lord is my refuge,"
and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent. "Because he loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him;I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation." (Psalm 91:1-16 NIV)

Peace,
Ginger

Where you go I will go...what a ride!!!

I said to the Lord in my single days the same words found in the book of Ruth as Ruth said to Naomi, "Where you go, I will go." I cried out to God many times saying, "Have your way in my life!" Years later, I am reminded of those heartfelt prayers. Sitting in a passenger seat of a mini van, I watch my answer to prayer, my husband Steve, as he drives north. Pavement beneath the minivan slides behind us as we are about to embark on our new ministry assignment--pastoring a church! I had no clue what was in store for my life when I was a young single woman at Nyack College when I gathered with other young ladies to pray for our future husbands. Now, some may have thought we were crazy spending time praying for our faceless future spouses,
but as I look back, I am so glad we did!
Back to the present time...I'm watching out the window (as I take breaks from typing on my smartphone) and realizing that every inch of this stretch of land on this journey has been mapped out by my Heavenly Father long ago! This was not a surprise to Him...in fact we are doing what He created us to do. I spent many single years comforting myself with these words, "Trust in the Lord with all of your heart. Lean not on your own understanding, but in all of your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6). I'd remind God that He knew better than I do about what is best. And again I posture my heart before Him, reminding myself that He has an amazing adventure for us! Not just for me, but for each of us!!! When we say yes to His route for our journey,
we can trust that it will be GOOD!!! I'm going to sit back and enjoy the minivan ride, but also this entire journey with God! I'm all in, baby!!! Are you? I encourage you to take time right now and ask God to help you to trust Him and give you a renewed passion to continue adventuring with Him. Whatever season of your journey, we can trust in this promise found in Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
Have an awesome trip beloved ones!!
Peace and giggles,
Ginger <3

First comes love...then comes blog...

I have baked a dozen muffins and am now sitting on the couch wrapped in my hubby's Green Bay Packer fleece blanket. The electric fireplace has been flicked on and is now sending a nice toasty swirl of warmth through the air, occasionally piercing through the chill that nips at my toes. I'm waiting for my husband to come home...I can hardly wait to see him! Even though we have been together 24/7 for the past few days, I still have a little ache in my heart when we are apart. (I just accidentally rhymed...love it). In about a week or so, we will be celebrating 1 year of marriage! One crazy, fantastic, over the top incredible, adventurous year of marriage! So this blog is dedicated to the many loves of my life and their inter-connectedness. Faith. Family. Fun. Food. Friends...only the squeaky clean f words will you find here! Here's to blogging! May the light shine on the Savior, Jesus Christ in every entry and in all I do in life.
Peace and giggles,
Ginger