True Freedom for Eternity!

"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." 2 Corinthians 3:17

Tomorrow is "Canada Day" and a few days later is the "4th of July" - both days celebrating FREEDOM.  I am so thankful to have spent my life in North America where we are overflowing with freedom.  I was born in Canada and have lived in the USA for about 20 years now (I married an American).  Putting political opinions aside (capitalism vs socialism) - the only true freedom comes from God through Jesus Christ who died for our sins so that we might have eternal life. 

Dictionary meaning of "Freedom - the quality or state of being free:

a.  as the absence of necessity, coercion or constraint in choice or action.

b.  liberation from slavery or restraint or from the power of another: Independence

c.  Free-will"

(definition from Merriam-Webster.com )

True Freedom is the freedom from the bondage of sin - because Jesus died for our sins we are no longer condemned to a fiery afterlife - instead we are assured a glorious eternity of freedom.  Look at the verse above - wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom!!

"You, my brothers, were called to be free.  But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature;  rather serve one another in love."  Galatians 5:13

Now this does NOT mean that we can do whatever we want - this does NOT mean that we can sin whenever we want to sin.  Being cleansed through the blood of Christ also means that our motives and desires have been cleansed and changed to now strive to act and live like Christ.  We cannot hide behind Jesus saying "I sinned but I can keep on sinning since I'm forgiven"  - no No NO!  That is so hypocritical - that kind of attitude is not truly loving God and not truly loving others - there is NO love in sin.

"Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil;  live as servants of God.  Show proper respect to everyone;  love the brotherhood and believers, fear God, honor the King."  1 Peter 2:16 & 17

Have you ever known someone who can twist the truth and make a sin seem OK?  Something like: "I didn't tell the cashier that she gave me 5 extra dollars in change because I'll put it in the tithe basket on Sunday" - or "It's OK if I don't report cash payments on my income tax because everyone does it and I view it as a gift from God"  - what a distorted way of thinking!  That is exactly like the verse above - using our freedom from God as "a cover-up for evil."  Notice that the verse goes on to say that instead we are to "show proper respect to EVERYONE" and also we are to love everyone!  There is no conniving in love.

"I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts."  Psalm 119:45

If we seek out God's way then we walk in freedom - freedom from guilt - freedom from worry - freedom from eternal disaster.  There is no hopelessness in freedom. 

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.  Stand firm then and don't let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."  Galatians 5:1

The verse above cautions us about extremes - there is the Hippie extreme of anything and everything goes - twisting the truth and calling that "love".  Then there is the other extreme of going back to the old Testament and living under the law.  The whole reason that Jesus died on the cross was to save us from our sin in other words it was for our freedom - Jesus loves us so much that He "has set us free!"

Love + Hope + Freedom = Jesus

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July Chain "Linky" CLIMB

<a href="http://www.godsgrowinggarden.com/p/chain-linky-climb.html" target="_blank"><img alt="God’s Growing Garden" src="http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/o501/AngieOuelletteTower/Climb200_zpse69443c4.jpg" /></a>

Due to a family medical situation - I was unable to have the 4th week of co-hosts during last month's CLIMB  - I apologize. I'd like to thank everyone (both the climbers and the co-hosts) who participated last month! -
You are all so talented & amazing!! 

_________________Follow the Host & ALL of the co-hosts below_______________

Host:  Angie @         

Co-host(s):       

&       
 

 _________________________________________________________________________

The Host - Angie from godsgrowinggarden.com will be giving a FREE "Weekly Ad" space to anyone who co-hosts this Blog Climb !

(The Ad will run live a few weeks after you have co-hosted)

 

Co-Hosting "Aloha Friday" Blog Hop week#4 with Giveaway!

 

I've had so much fun co-hosting this wonderful blog hop!  We're celebrating the last week of June with a Giveaway - Please enter to win!

Also, there is still 1 week left to enter the 3 Giveaways that I have going on here on God's Growing Garden -
Please click HERE to enter those Giveaways also!

Hey there people and a very Happy Aloha Friday to you all! Welcome to the most hoppingest of all hops - The Aloha Friday Hop :)

We have a great team for June - I know you're going to love them! Just don't forget to head down to the linky to click and follow them when you link up your own lovely blogs :) Our hosts and co-hosts links are always the first you will see, so it's easy for you to click and follow.

Grab a button and link up below! If you'd like a different sized button click here. <a href="http://acatlikecuriosity.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Aloha"> <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcsRG1JeP9nS56S6l79G9-AcGXjVFGySBRxsrAvn0dMQuNOC3wLMuhva2VKuChT_9AiEhW73Gxghk6OfLkM_65K_BBwo6ikYe4wiJQoIHwYToKD7VGxAPdBQB-buQ3OCmNOyt5sDFN6Twz/s1600/Aloha+Friday+button+300+with+words.png" border="0" /></a>
 

Don't worry if you already have Jean's lovely Aloha buttons on your blogs - switch if you'd like to. Or choose one of Jean's buttons here.

The rules are the same as before and are posted below. The Aloha Hop is one of the most hoppingest hops of the week, attracting over 400 linkups on the regular. Let's keep that blogging tradition going people!

If you'd like to host future Aloha Hops with us then please get in touch at our swanky new email address alohahop@gmail.com 

We're all set for July with lots of lovely co-hosts but feel free to get in touch about August onwards. We have two spots open for August at the present time. If you were down to co-host July check your spam folder as I sent out a request for details today :)

If you'd like to spread the love even more, why not tweet and twitter all about it? Just click the pic below :)

Here's the extra special addition to our lovely hop. It's an oh-so-easy opportunity for you lovely participants of the Aloha Friday Blog hop to get some exposure to your blogs!!  What do  you have to do to enter?  Just link up to the Aloha Friday Blog Hop Below!! It's that easy!!  No extra forms or hassle, just link up!  Each week we will pick a linker to featured at random and invite you all to say ...

Grab a button if you were featured this week! <a href="http://acatlikecuriosity.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Aloha"> <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWEhAl9c4xVOr7M3mep4e7DF45rdNmN7TNyZLl7zNQ7rPAOGPqP0qm-8Zx4OeQ2yKXJnAG9m6sYWklDcVTB2_dGjoDnHPssGyYl58DEMdhpUOZqZ7qy_LTA7NzhMynMjFRCLqfXmc7-Jpb/s1600/Aloha+Friend+button.jpg" border="0" /></a>

Aloha Hoapili translates as Hello Close Friend. So, without further ado let me introduce you to this week's featured friend ...

Sarah at The Not Quite Military Wife .

Sarah blogs all about being a newlywed mama and a military wife. Want a little taste of her blog? Check out these posts to find out what you've been missing:

Crib Training Conquered  Little Miss Soaking Up The Sun  Attempting a Four Hour Schedule

As it's the end of June our lovely June hop team wanted to go out with a bang by hosting a giveaway for you. Have a look at the lovely prizes on offer above, then enter to win via the Rafflectopter below. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Now let's start hoppin'! Click on the links in the linky to visit some lovely bloggers and make new friends. Oh, and don't forget to link up yourselves!

Aloha and have a great day people!

 

 

 

Egg Basics - SEPARATING YOLKS & WHITES

Egg Basics - SEPARATING YOLKS & WHITES

Separating egg yolks & whites was a frightening task when I was a child learning how to cook and bake.  However, once I learned the proper technique, I was amazed at how the yolk retained it's perfect form while the whites just slipped away.

The following are some of the recipes that I have previously shared with you on this blog that require separating egg yolks & whites (click each title to view more details):

Peppermint Patty Pudding Pops
Orange Mocha Meringue Tarts
Jam-In Lemon Parsnip Muffins
Make Rice Pudding from Leftover Rice
Coconut Cocoa Cream Pie

Below I show you 3 different "tools" to use as a separating option - all using the "Three Bowl Method."



Three Bowl Method

You will need 1 bowl for cracking the egg, 1 bowl for the egg yolks & 1 bowl for the egg whites (see picture above).  The reason for the "cracking" bowl is that sometimes you will have a "suspicious" egg like a bloody yolk or an almost rotten egg (this happened to me once - the egg looked fine from the outside but when I cracked it open it released the most horrid sulfur smell).  Also, there might be little pieces of egg shell that fall into the egg bowl and you will need to fish those shell pieces out before cooking or baking.

Take one egg and begin by cracking the egg in the "separating utensil" over the "cracking" bowl.  Allow the white to slip down into the "cracking" bowl.  Place the yolk into the "yolk bowl" and pour the egg white into the "white bowl."  Continue using this method for all of the eggs required for the recipe that you are making.

Separating Tool #1 (store bought) - There are many egg yolk separating tools that you can buy - this one shown in the 3 pictures below clips onto the edge of a mixing bowl and has small slits large enough for the egg white to slip through.  Clip this tool onto your "cracking" bowl & separate away. 

 

Separating Tool #2 (egg shell) - This is the tool that I use all the time - the egg shell.  When you crack the egg open - take half of the egg shell in your left hand & the other half in your right hand and gently pour the egg back & forth from the right shell to the left shell until all of the white has slipped away.  You should be able to do this in 2 strokes - once to the right & once to the left.  Be careful not to clip the yolk open with the edge of an egg shell!  When you are finished - compost the shell (or discard). 

Separating Tool #3 (your hand) - You can't be afraid of messy hands with this method.  Make sure that you wash your hands thoroughly first.  Place one hand over the "cracking" bowl with your fingers closed and simply crack the egg onto the finger portion of your hand (see picture below).  The egg white will slip through the cracks in between your fingers. 

ENJOY!

See also:
Egg Basics - POACHED
Egg Basics - HARD BOILED
Egg Basics - SOFT BOILED
Egg Basics - SCRAMBLED

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Linked to:
HomeAcre Hop
Couponing & Cooking
Tuesday with a Twist
Humble Bumble
All My Bloggy Friends

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Arugula, Strawberry Salad with Poppyseed Dressing

Arugula Strawberry Salad with Poppyseed Dressing

When I first tried Arugula years ago I thought that it tasted the way that rubber gloves smell.  That was bought Arugula - now I grow my own and I absolutely love it! - There is no rubbery flavor when it is fresh from the garden.  It is tender with spicy undertones and simply scrumptious!

I created this recipe one afternoon when I didn't know what to have for lunch - it is the perfect amount for 2 people.

Printable Recipe

2 cups Arugula (washed & drained)

2 or 3 large strawberries (hulled, washed, drained & sliced)

1 apricot (pitted, washed, drained & sliced)

2 tablespoons sunflower seeds (I used raw seeds but roasted is good also)

1/4 cup Monterrey Jack Cheese (shredded)

Prepare all the ingredients as listed above (wash, drain slice etc).  Take 2 plates and arrange the Arugula leaves equally spread out on each plate.  Add the sliced fruit on top of the Arugula.  Sprinkle sunflower seeds on top of the fruit and then the cheese on top of that.  Make the dressing. 

Poppy Seed Dressing

1 tablespoon poppy seeds (I used white poppy seeds)

1/8 cup apple cider vinegar

1/8 cup Light Olive Oil

1 tablespoon sugar

1/8 teaspoon salt

Measure all ingredients and pour/place in a Mason jar (or any container with a tight fitting lid).  Shake until the sugar is dissolved (make sure that the lid is on tight first!!).  Pour half of the dressing on 1 salad & the second half on the other salad. 

Serve immediately & ENJOY!!

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Linked to:
Humble Bumble
All My Bloggy Friends
Tuesdays With a Twist
Adorned From Above
Waste Not Want Not
I Love My Post
Raising Imperfection
Mix It Up Monday
Foodie Friday

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By Prayer and Petition

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."  Philippians 4:6

Last week we ended a series "Becoming a Christian Soldier" talking about PRAYER (click HERE to view last week's post).  I wanted to continue discussing prayer this week since prayer is so very important in every Christian's life.

Let's start with the definition of

prayer - "an address (as a petition) to God or a god in word or thought,

- an earnest request or wish,

- an act of communion with God, a god, or another object of worship, such as in devotion, confession, praise or thanksgiving

- a religious observance, either public or private"

(these definitions are taken from Merriam-Webster.com & thefreedictionary.com)

The beginning part of the verse above is a stern warning "do not be anxious about anything."  Wow does this ever speak to me! - I have been a nervous person for my entire life - I started showing signs of anxiety when I was only 3 or 4 years old.  (Please forgive the icky visual of the following:) I used to vomit every time I became nervous & I used to warn my parents by saying "my choke is coming."  This nervous vomiting continued during the beginning of my school career and I would be sick on the front porch almost every morning before going to Kindergarten.  Slowly, I made some friends and became less and less nervous about being in that social environment (since it was/is a social anxiety).  The verse above couldn't be any clearer than "do not be anxious about anything."  There is NO situation no matter how large or small that requires us to be anxious!  Never worry about anything!  Worry only wears our physical, our mental & our emotional self down.  Worry is exhausting.

I just love the next part of the verse: "but in everything, by prayer and petition."  This is the opposite of the previous paragraph where we learned that we should worry about NOTHING, rather we should trust God in EVERYTHING by prayer and petition.  When I think of "petition" I think of a political plea where supporters go door to door gathering signatures & other supporters.  Those types of political petitions are time consuming but worth every second because the outcome benefits many people not just yourself.  It is the same way with prayer - the more time you spend with God and the more requests that you send Him - the more answers you will receive.  (Keep in mind that not all answers will be the answer that you wanted to receive).  "Everything" means that you can & should go to God always & ask Him for help in both small and large areas of your life.

Every part of this verse is equally important - "present your requests to God with THANKSGIVING."  For some people the "not worrying" part is the most difficult and for others it is the "being thankful" part that is the most difficult.  There will be many times when God's answer to a prayer might not be what we wanted to hear, however we MUST be thankful.  You'll be surprised that praying for a problematic situation with thanksgiving (a nasty neighbor for example) might actually soften your heart towards that situation (or person).  Be thankful before, during and after your prayer. 

Also, an important part in this last portion of this verse is the use of the word "present."  In other words do NOT demand.  "Present" used in this way gives me a visual picture of us kneeling down with our heads bowed in utmost reverence, worship, respect and admiration.

There are 3 things to remember daily: 

1.  Do NOT worry 

2.  Pray in EVERY situation 

3.  ALWAYS be thankful 

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Co-hosting "Aloha Friday" Blog Hop - Week #3

It's week #3 of the June Aloha Friday blog hop - time just flies when you're having so much fun!

 

I wanted to remind everyone that I have 3 giveaways going on right now to celebrate my Blog Birthday!  You could win:

 

- A Sunflower Necklace

 

- 1 month ad space on my blog (godsgrowinggarden.com)

OR

- "My Cookie Creation Countdown" ebook

 

Click HERE to enter!

________________________________

Hey there people and a very Happy Aloha Friday to you all! Welcome to the most hoppingest of all hops - The Aloha Friday Hop :)

We have a great team for June - I know you're going to love them! Just don't forget to head down to the linky to click and follow them when you link up your own lovely blogs :) Our hosts and co-hosts links are always the first you will see, so it's easy for you to click and follow.

Grab a button and link up below! If you'd like a different sized button click here. <a href="http://acatlikecuriosity.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Aloha"> <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcsRG1JeP9nS56S6l79G9-AcGXjVFGySBRxsrAvn0dMQuNOC3wLMuhva2VKuChT_9AiEhW73Gxghk6OfLkM_65K_BBwo6ikYe4wiJQoIHwYToKD7VGxAPdBQB-buQ3OCmNOyt5sDFN6Twz/s1600/Aloha+Friday+button+300+with+words.png" border="0" /></a>

Don't worry if you already have Jean's lovely Aloha buttons on your blogs - switch if you'd like to. Or choose one of Jean's buttons here.

The rules are the same as before and are posted below. The Aloha Hop is one of the most hoppingest hops of the week, attracting over 400 linkups on the regular. Let's keep that blogging tradition going people!

If you'd like to host future Aloha Hops with us then please get in touch at our swanky new email address alohahop@gmail.com

I believe we're all set for June with lots of lovely co-hosts but feel free to get in touch about July onwards.

If you'd like to spread the love even more, why not tweet and twitter all about it? Just click the pic below :)

Here's the extra special addition to our lovely hop. It's an oh-so-easy opportunity for you lovely participants of the Aloha Friday Blog hop to get some exposure to your blogs!!  What do  you have to do to enter?  Just link up to the Aloha Friday Blog Hop Below!! It's that easy!!  No extra forms or hassle, just link up!  Each week we will pick a linker to featured at random and invite you all to say ...

Grab a button if you were featured this week! <a href="http://acatlikecuriosity.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Aloha"> <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWEhAl9c4xVOr7M3mep4e7DF45rdNmN7TNyZLl7zNQ7rPAOGPqP0qm-8Zx4OeQ2yKXJnAG9m6sYWklDcVTB2_dGjoDnHPssGyYl58DEMdhpUOZqZ7qy_LTA7NzhMynMjFRCLqfXmc7-Jpb/s1600/Aloha+Friend+button.jpg" border="0" /></a>

Aloha Hoapili translates as Hello Close Friend. So, without further ado let me introduce you to this week's featured friend ...

Sara at Live It Well .

Sara blogs all about living well, eating well and life in general. Want a little taste of her blog? Check out these posts to find out what you've been missing:

Exotic Beef Salad  Homemade Soft Pretzels  Free Crochet Pattern

 

Now let's start hoppin'! Click on the links in the linky to visit some lovely bloggers and make new friends. Oh, and don't forget to link up yourselves!

Aloha and have a great day people!