God's Growing Garden: July 2023

Monday, July 31, 2023

You're the STAR - Week#5 EXTRA (July 2023)

I can't believe it's the end of July already - summer is flying by quickly!

Thank you again for joining us!

There are many ways to follow me:

Angie @ God's Growing Garden

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Before we continue onto the Linky party I wanted to share from my blog:
Fruit Feature - RASPBERRIES

WELCOME to the July 2023 "You're the Star" Blog Hop!

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WELCOME to EXTRA feature week of the July 2023 "You're the STAR" blog hop!
(Sometimes we will have 5 Mondays in a month - these 5th special Mondays are called "EXTRA feature" days)

Meet all of your STAR Hosts

Swing by the STAR Hosts blogs:
Angie @ God's Growing Garden
Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures
Colleen @ Butterfly in the Attic
Mel @ Decor Craft Design

Michelle @ Moms Are Frugal
Kris @ Kris and Larry . com

Lisa @ Lisa's Everyday Life

Fiona @ Dolly Dowsie
Bev @ Eclectic Red Barn
Niki from Life as a LEO Wife

This is a month long Linky party featuring YOU!

There will be 4 different features each week and 4 different feature categories (except for this special EXTRA day - we will be featuring 4 extra). Just to be clear - this is NOT a themed party - you may link up ANY family-friendly blog posts any day of each month.
The "theme" occurs in our weekly features:
WEEK#1 GARDEN - gardening, homesteading, recycling &/or preserving (this can include any type of green living, while remaining family friendly),
WEEK#2 CREATIVE - arts & crafts, music, writing &/or dramatic arts (this can include sewing, dance, art history, handmade jewelry, computer art, fashion etc - anything creative while remaining family friendly)
WEEK#3 FAMILY - parenting, fitness, finances & inspirational (this can include anything about children like: education ideas for children, also self help, beauty etc - anything family friendly)
WEEK#4 HOME - recipes, home décor, antique/DIY &/or travel (this can include anything about your home - even history posts - all while remaining family friendly)

by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo ShopHoppingFeatured_zpsf9fab123.jpg

(All features were chosen from the June 2023 "You're the Star" blog hop)

Shorebirds on a Summer Tablescape by Whispers of the Heart

Outback Blooming Onion by EsmeSalon Recipes

The Best Way To Cut A Watermelon by Grammy's Grid

A Colorful Summer Patio by Debbie-Dabble Blog

If you've been featured then please grab a STAR button below:

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All Hosts/CoHosts will post this blog hop on every Monday of each week.
Please link up your family friendly blog posts below!
It wouldn't be a linky party with YOU!
(IMPORTANT NOTE: by linking up you understand that you might be featured next month and if so, we will use some of your photos from your post - rest assured - we will always link back to your lovely blog. We might also share your fantastic posts on social media. Also, you may link up as many family-friendly posts as you like & YES - other blog hops &/or giveaways are welcome {giveaways and blog hops will NOT be featured though} Thank You & ENJOY! )

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Sunday, July 30, 2023

God's Power Within Us #1 - NOT A Spirit Of Fear

God's Power Within Us #1 - NOT A Spirit of Fear

I thought that this topic would just require a single post, but after doing my research I realized that this will have to be a series. God's Word is full of passages talking about His power within us and showing us that we have nonstop access to His strength every second of every day.

I also realized that the Christian population as a whole has become wimpy and wishy-washy. The proof of this wimpiness occurring is obviously seen in the national human trafficking statistics. It is estimated that 2 MILLION children go missing every year (click HERE to view my post on "The Sound of Freedom"). How could we (as a society) allow this to happen!!!!!

Remember, Jesus said that we (Spirit filled Christians) are able to perform all of the miraculous works that Jesus did when He was here in human form. Actually, Jesus said that we would do EVEN GREATER than what He did (see Scripture passage below).

John 14:12-14 also shows us how powerful the name of Jesus Christ is: "If you ask anything in My name". (It is important to note that these miracles must glorify our Heavenly Father).

The verse below is probably one of my favorites - when we draw on Christ's strength, nothing is impossible (within God's Will of course).

Since there are so many wonderful "Power" passages in God's Word, I decided to write a "Power" post on the last Sunday of every month.

Below is the featured "power" verse for this month:

The Holy Spirit is indescribably powerful! - And this is the Spirit inside of us!!

Being filled with the Holy Spirit means that there is no room for fear!

Previous "FearNot Friday" Posts:

Psalm 23:4

Fear & the Heart

Have You No Faith?

God Is With You Wherever You Go

God Will Never Leave You

No Fear When Heat Comes

We Are Children of God

Held In God's Hand

Be Courageous - God Goes With You

Dwell Safely Without Fearing Evil

Copyright, Permissions & Disclaimer

by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo Day_zpsb50f87c9.jpg

Linked to:

Unlimited Link Party #123

Thursday Favorite Things

You're the STAR

Tuesdays with a Twist

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Take Up The THANKFULNESS Challenge!

I challenge you to thank God for something everyday for one year! Either write it down in a diary OR share with us on a blog. If you have a blog & would like to share your THANKFULNESS posts with us, then please fill out this form: 365 Days of Being THANKFUL form - click HERE and you will be added to the THANKFULNESS page.

Tuesday, July 25, 2023

Tuesdays with a Twist Blog Hop #535

Welcome to Tuesdays with a Twist #535!

Before we get to the blog hop today -

July & August are all about garden produce - all month I will be featuring past garden veggie/fruit posts from this blog:

Growing & Harvesting Okra

Checkout wonderful seeds at Mary's Heirloom Seeds

click HERE to shop for the best seeds

Or click picture below:

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Also, checkout one of my Bags/Purses available at Zazzle:

Evening Sun Mix Sunflower Tote Bag
by GodsGrowingGarden

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Good Morning and Welcome to another No Rules Party!

We're your hosts & co-hosts

Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures
Angie @ God's Growing Garden
Checkout my amazing "Featured" Pinterest Board

(click HERE to view & follow)

Features!

Each co-host will be sharing her own picks for Features. This gives everyone a better chance of being featured. Be sure to check all of our blogs to see if you were featured!

My Features this Week are:

1. "DIY Bottle Garden" by Mami Made It

2. "Upcycled Denim Fabric Baskets" by My French Twist

3. "Crepe Myrtle Time In Central Florida" by Comfort Spring Station

If you've been featured we'd love for you to grab a button.

The party starts every Tuesday at 7am EST and will continue until Saturday at 11:59pm. Feel free to stop back any time and "like" your favorites. Please visit other blogs if you have a moment.

Share older posts as well as new ones. No limit on links!

*Pictures should be your own*

By linking up you give us permission to use these photos

(with proper link backs) in our features. And now for the party!

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Grow your own!
Many wonderful garden products from
"Mary's Heirloom Seeds"!!
click to view

Monday, July 24, 2023

You're the STAR - Week#4 HOME (July 2023)

We're in for a 90+ degree week this week - I hope that you are staying cool.

Thank you again for joining us!

There are many ways to follow me:

Angie @ God's Growing Garden

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Before we continue onto the Linky party I wanted to share from my blog:

by Angie Ouellette-Tower for https://www.godsgrowinggarden.com/ photo DSCF9989_zpsccbrbi5d.jpg

Apricot Bundles (RECIPE)

by Angie Ouellette-Tower for http://www.godsgrowinggarden.com/ photo YoureTheStarHopLarge_zpsjbrldhcx.jpg

WELCOME to the July 2023 "You're the Star" Blog Hop!

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WELCOME to HOME feature week of the July 2023 "You're the STAR" blog hop!
Meet your HOME week Hosts

This week is HOME feature week
Swing by the Home Hosts' Blogs:
Bev from Eclectic Red Barn
Niki from Life as a LEO Wife

This is a month long Linky party featuring YOU!

There will be 4 different features each week and 4 different feature categories. Just to be clear - this is NOT a themed party - you may link up ANY family-friendly blog posts any day of each month.
The "theme" occurs in our weekly features:
WEEK#4 HOME - recipes, home décor, antique/DIY &/or travel (this can include anything about your home - even history posts - all while remaining family friendly)

(All features were chosen from the June 2023 "You're the Star" blog hop)

July 4th Baker's Rack by Common Ground

35+ Strawberry Treats by Serenity You

House Gnomes: Door Tour by Studio 27 By Jennifer Adams

Red, White & Blue Layered Fudge by Cindy's On-Line Recipe Box

If you've been featured then please grab a STAR button below:

*******************************************************

All Hosts/CoHosts will post this blog hop on every Monday of each week.

Please link up your family friendly blog posts below!

It wouldn't be a linky party with YOU!

(IMPORTANT NOTE: by linking up you understand that you might be featured next month and if so, we will use some of your photos from your post - rest assured - we will always link back to your lovely blog. We might also share your fantastic posts on social media. Also, you may link up as many family-friendly posts as you like & YES - other blog hops &/or giveaways are welcome {giveaways and blog hops will NOT be featured though} Thank You & ENJOY! )

___________________________________________________________________

Sunday, July 23, 2023

Jude #5 - Apostates Predicted

Jude #5 - Apostates Predicted

We continue studying the book of Jude. This is part five.

In the New King James Version, the word "Apostate" is used in the subtitles. We previously defined that word but here it is again, just in case you missed the last couple posts:

Apostate - one who refuses to obey or follow their religious faith; abandonment of a previous loyalty.

Jude continues on by describing these "apostates" in even more in detail (see verse 16) - we will define some (just to make it clear):

Grumbler - to mutter in discontent; growl, rumble

Complainer - to express discontent; gripe

In my mind, grumbling is more insulting than just complaining. Mumbling is a complaint under your breath - just loud enough and enunciated enough for others to hear.........for the purpose of offending the person that the complaint is about. Whereas, a complaint is just a picky person whining because they didn't get their way (not an insult against someone else).

They are probably similar but that's the distinction between those two words in my opinion.

These apostates live their life according to whatever they desire - always putting themselves first/before others. Living their lusts.

Not only does their corruption show through their actions but also through their speech:

"great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage."

Getting others to do what they want. This distorted, twisted, fake way of speaking defiles the apostate while also possibly causing others to sin. These "swelled words" might cause other believers to support evil instead of living for Christ.

Jude reminds us that we were warned that believers would be ridiculed by these "mockers." Aren't we seeing that totally play out today? Christians are one of the most "made-fun-of" people in society today. This mocking is cruel because they are essentially ridiculing the Holy Spirit.

In verse 19 Jude actually says that these apostates do NOT have the Holy Spirit!

When I saw the word "sensual" used, I thought that's a strange word to use when talking about causing divisions but then when reading the official definition it makes sense:

Sensual - deficient in moral, spiritual or intellectual interests

Let's recap what we've learned over the past couple posts in regards to the evil actions of the apostates:

We learned that the corruption from these apostates can manifest as -

- sexual immorality (Sodom & Gomorrah)

- ultimate power (Cain & Abel)

- financial gain/bribery (Balaam)

- fame/control (Korah)

- stealing from the poor (Agape Feasts)

- grumblers & complainers

- selfish/living in lust

- divisive

- mockers

VOID of the Holy Spirit

We were warned about these infiltrators/apostates - let's make sure to pay attention so that we can identify these evil doers and immediately remove them from the Body of Christ/Christian family.

Saturday, July 22, 2023

Garden Fresh Strawberry Applesauce

Garden Fresh Strawberry Applesauce

There are many different varieties of applesauce that I have shared on this blog:

Cinnamon Applesauce

Blackberry Applesauce

Rosehip Applesauce

This year, since I had such a wonderful strawberry crop (click HERE to view "Strawberry Stages: From Planting to Eating"), I decided to share my strawberry applesauce recipe.

I knew that summer apples would not ripen at the same time as strawberries. So, I processed some strawberries from my garden while they were in season and froze them until the apples were ripe. Summer apples are in prime season right now!

Frozen strawberries, (already hulled and chopped)

Apples processed through the food strainer (click HERE to learn how)

Printable Recipe

Strawberry Applesauce

1 cup mashed strawberries (rinsed, hulled & mashed/chopped. I used frozen - in this case thaw before making applesauce)

5 cups apple puree (What I call "apple puree" are apples that have been cooked down, cooled and then processed through a food strainer - click HERE to view how to use the food strainer)

1/2 cup to 3/4 cup sugar (depending on you desired sweetness)

Juice from 1/2 a lemon

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

In a large size saucepan, combine the mashed strawberries and apple puree. (see pictures below).

Stir in the sugar, lemon juice and cinnamon.

Bring to boil and then turn down the heat to low and simmer for about 30 to 40 minutes - stirring often (see picture below).

Scoop off the foam (as seen on the edges in the picture above) until it resembles the picture below.

While the sauce is simmering you should gather your canning jars, lids and rings (you will need about 3 pints, or 5+ jelly jars). (see Canning Basics - Jar Sizes). Also, gather all other canning supplies: (see Other Canning Supplies) Start the water boiling for Jar sterilization: (see Sterilizing Jars & Lids) . Taste the applesauce - you might want to add more sugar.

By now your jars should be sterilized and ready to be filled. Take the jars out of the boiling water (I use my jar remover and make sure that the water is drained out of each jar). Ladle the applesauce into each jar making sure not to go above the bottom of the threads on the jar. Continue filling until all of the applesauce has been used up. Wipe the rim of each jar with a damp cloth making sure that any sauce residue is gone (any residue left on the rim can stop the jar from sealing). Place a sterilized lid on each jar and then tighten a ring on each jar.

Place all jars in a "Water Bath Canner" and process (boil) the filled jars for 15 minutes (make sure that the water level in the Canner is 1 inch above the tallest jar)
After boiling for 15 minutes, remove the jars and place them on the counter or table to cool (I always place them on a cloth because there have been a few times when a jar cracked and then the contents oozed out making a mess - the cloth will help if that happens). You will hear the wonderful popping sound of your jars sealing.