4 1-oz unsweetened chocolate squares
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup water
Stir chocolate squares, sugar, and butter together in a medium saucepan over low heat. Stir constantly until well combined. Whisk in water until sauce is smooth. Spoon into a pretty jar. Decorate with small ornaments or personalized labels. This has all of the anti-oxidant benefits of dark chocolate and is low in fat.
This delicious topping is the perfect topping for ice cream, pound cake or as a dip for fruit.
Yields approx. 1 cup (from Mature Living Dec. Magazine)
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Ecclesiastes Chapter 8
Key verses in Chapter 8 to think about:
8:6 - For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter, though
a man's misery weighs heavily upon him.
8:8 -No man has power over the wind to contain it,
so no one has power of the day of his death. As no one is discharged in
time of war, so wickedness will not release those who practice it.
8:17 - No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all his efforts to search it out, man cannot discover its meaning. Even if a wise man claims he knows, he cannot really comprehend it.
(NIV version)
8:6 - For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter, though
a man's misery weighs heavily upon him.
8:8 -No man has power over the wind to contain it,
so no one has power of the day of his death. As no one is discharged in
time of war, so wickedness will not release those who practice it.
8:17 - No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all his efforts to search it out, man cannot discover its meaning. Even if a wise man claims he knows, he cannot really comprehend it.
(NIV version)
Monday, November 29, 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Ecclesiastes Chapter 7
As I posted in my interpretation of Chapter 6, our life's purpose isn't always the most important thing to worry about. Our purpose should be to worry about our destiny or eternity. As Chapter 7 of Ecclesiastes teaches us, (see v. 1-2) that it is our destiny to die and this should not be taken lightly. For life is temporary. Death lasts for eternity. If we live our life for God and HE is our savior, then the ending is better than the beginning! That is exciting to me. Life is fleeting, live it to please God. Patience is better than pride. We do not need to be provoked in our spirit, for anger is for the foolish. What does anger solve? Nothing, period.
Perhaps the most profound and meaningful verse in chapter 7 is verse 14.
It says "When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider:
God has made the one as well as the other. "Therefore, a man cannot discover anything about his future." To me this means God is in charge, do what he says and TRUST HIM. Then you can be sure HE's got your back and eternity with HIM will be worth everything you went through HERE, under the sun.
Perhaps the most profound and meaningful verse in chapter 7 is verse 14.
It says "When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider:
 |
| photo by Freida |
An apple a day
'Yes, it's pretty hard,' the optimistic old woman admitted. 'I have
to get along with only two teeth---one upper, one lower--but, thank
goodness, they meet.'
to get along with only two teeth---one upper, one lower--but, thank
goodness, they meet.'
Friday, November 26, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Ecclesiastes Chapter 6
The verse that popped at me in Chapter 6 was verse 7 and it reads
"All man's efforts are for his mouth, yet his appetite is never satistied."
This speaks for itself.
"All man's efforts are for his mouth, yet his appetite is never satistied."
This speaks for itself.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Ecclesiastes Chapter 5
Chapter 5 has key verses that tell us what things we should do while here on earth whether we understand them or not. In other words,
God is God and is in heaven, we are down here. Who are "we" to question God. When or if God gives us any wealth and posessions, and enables us to enjoy them, then we should be content with what we have and be good stewards of it. Because in the end vs. 15 reminds us that "Naked a man comes from his mother's womb, and as he comes, so he departs." The blessings and possessions we have while on earth are gifts from God, we do not own them, for if it weren't for God, we wouldn't have anything. We need to "guard our steps" and be careful not to make a vow to God and not fulfill it. Work hard, enjoy it, but remember to thank the GIVER! vs. 12. The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but "the abundance of a rich man permits him no sleep."
Consider this: God does not mean for us to understand everything about our life or his purpose for us. Instead, focus on our eternity and not on the mundane things in life. Your interpretation of the verses in Ecclesiastes may be very different from mine. That's ok, and the way it should be. God speaks through his word "differently" to each one of us. We need only to listen and God will speak.
God is God and is in heaven, we are down here. Who are "we" to question God. When or if God gives us any wealth and posessions, and enables us to enjoy them, then we should be content with what we have and be good stewards of it. Because in the end vs. 15 reminds us that "Naked a man comes from his mother's womb, and as he comes, so he departs." The blessings and possessions we have while on earth are gifts from God, we do not own them, for if it weren't for God, we wouldn't have anything. We need to "guard our steps" and be careful not to make a vow to God and not fulfill it. Work hard, enjoy it, but remember to thank the GIVER! vs. 12. The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but "the abundance of a rich man permits him no sleep."
Consider this: God does not mean for us to understand everything about our life or his purpose for us. Instead, focus on our eternity and not on the mundane things in life. Your interpretation of the verses in Ecclesiastes may be very different from mine. That's ok, and the way it should be. God speaks through his word "differently" to each one of us. We need only to listen and God will speak.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Ecclesiastes: Chapter 4
The rising and fallling, the peaks and valleys in our lives are what
make it interesting. Though circumstances sometimes seem unbearable and
scarey, we can be assured that God is behind every scene that unfolds in our lives and HE has our back. When we fall, he always sends a friend our way to "pick us up!" There is no need to worry about our purpose every minute. All in due time will be made known.
We see after reading chapter 4, that the writer is still mostly negative about
what he sees and understands about life, however I chose today not to focus
so much on what this chapter is still dwelling on, but what comes later on as we continue through the reading of Ecclesiastes. Hang in with me, and
there is a positive lesson to be learned here.
But tonight, just know that we (you) are not alone in this world. The God who created you and I loves us so much and always has a purpose in mind for us. We will have to just trust him.
photo by Freida
make it interesting. Though circumstances sometimes seem unbearable and
scarey, we can be assured that God is behind every scene that unfolds in our lives and HE has our back. When we fall, he always sends a friend our way to "pick us up!" There is no need to worry about our purpose every minute. All in due time will be made known.
We see after reading chapter 4, that the writer is still mostly negative about
what he sees and understands about life, however I chose today not to focus
so much on what this chapter is still dwelling on, but what comes later on as we continue through the reading of Ecclesiastes. Hang in with me, and
there is a positive lesson to be learned here.
But tonight, just know that we (you) are not alone in this world. The God who created you and I loves us so much and always has a purpose in mind for us. We will have to just trust him.
An apple a day
A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue,
but the parent of all other virtues.
but the parent of all other virtues.
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