Just a Closer Walk With Thee

Today's blog will be short. I'm keeping it that way because I don't want you, the reader, stuck in front of your computer on such a lovely fall day. You should get outside and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine!

That's what I did yesterday. I took a nice long walk through the woods.



As I walked deeper and deeper into the woods, all the clutter in my life seemed to fall away like autumn leaves, until it was just me and God...


...and my guilt.


I won't get into specifics, but I did (or rather didn't do) something this week that I'm not proud of. I had an opportunity to reach out in love to another person, and instead I held back. Why? Because I didn't consider this person worth it. I'm ashamed to say it, but it's true.

Just imagine if God did that. If He made a list of criteria and then only accepted those who qualified! I'd never measure up. And yet, I'd done that to someone God placed in my life. He gave me the opportunity to know them, help them, learn from them, and I backed away. I'm like the Unmerciful Servant in Matthew 18 and the Pharisee in Luke 18 rolled into one.

But out there, with the breeze gently blowing, and the butterflies fluttering along the path, I could finally see what God was trying to tell me. God is love. And God is in me. He loves me. And through Him I can and will love others. Not because of what I am, or who they are, but because of who He is.

It was a real epiphany. And I don't think I would have gotten it if I was surfing YouTube videos all afternoon.

So put on your walking shoes and get back to God. He has so much He wants to share with you. He's just waiting for you to go on a walk with him.

Fall Check List

Autumn is officially here. Time to get out your fall check list. Don’t have a fall check list? That’s okay. You can use mine.

1. Rake leaves into a pile

2. Jump in leaves

3. Repeat

4. Bake something with "tart apples thinly sliced" in the list of ingredients

5. Bake something with "Pumkin" in the title

6. Treat yourself to some Brach’s Candy Corn and/or Kraft Caramels

7. Get out the box labeled "WINTER CLOTHES" from the store room

8. Lovingly remove each sweater, turtle neck, and Cuddl Dud™ from the box

9. Refill the box with shorts and tank tops

10. Cross the word "WINTER" off the box, and scribble "SUMMER" below it

11. Return it to the storeroom

12. Keep your calendar handy and update as needed with joyfully anticipated concerts, retreats, Holiday parties, and family gatherings. (They'll be here before you know it!)

To help you with number 5, here's a little recipe I like that's fun and easy to make. I found it in a Weight Watcher's Cookbook, so it's not all that bad for you either. Enjoy!

Pumpkin Crescent Rolls

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Baking Time: 9 minutes

INGREDIENTS

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup canned pumpkin

3 tablespoons cooking oil

2 tablespoons brown sugar

2 teaspoons granulated sugar

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

DIRECTIONS

1. In a medium mixing bowl combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, and salt.

2. In a small mixing bowl combine pumpkin, oil, and brown sugar. Add pumpkin mixture to flour mixture, stirring with a fork until combined. Form into a ball.

3. Line a large baking sheet with foil. On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough gently for 10 to 12 stokes. Divide the dough in half. Roll each half into a 10-inch circle. Cut each circle into 8 wedges. Starting at the wide end of each wedge, loosely roll toward the point. Place, point side down, about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. Curve ends of rolls slightly.

4. Combine the granulated sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over crescents. Bake in a 400° oven for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm. Makes 16 rolls.