Christmas Break

Woman to Woman Ministries will be taking a two week break from blogging in order to spend time with our families during the holiday season. We will be back on Monday, January 5th. The Woman to Woman Word Filled Wednesday Link Up will return on Wednesday, January 7th.

During the break, we will still be posting to social media, so please join us here:
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From our families to yours, we wish you a very Merry and Blessed Christmas!

God bless friends!

A Christmas Basket Full of Senses: Celebrating Christmas With Our Senses Part 2

A Christmas Basket Full of Senses 
Celebrating Christmas With Our Senses Part 2

by Angie Ketcham

Ahhh, the glorious gift of our senses to mark the celebration of a Savior that was born to this earth one glorious Christmas night.  The Wise Men knew the treasures our senses held as they placed their gifts before the child King.  It is my hope that I may find worship in every activity I do, that my senses soak in the present of His presence.  Join me on this journey of the senses, where God’s presence can be found in the little things that make this holiday “Holy”. 

The Sense of Taste and Smell: 

It is always wonderful to remember all the delicious treats that would be exchanged at Christmastime.  From the festive dishes that Grandma would spend all day making in the kitchen (especially her yummy dinner rolls whose smell would fill up the whole house) to the large array of chocolates, cookies, and desserts, all of it brings a smile to my face.  All the smells and tastes bring me home for the holidays.

There was the sweetest little lady at our church who would beg us younger girls (who never took the time when we had it) to spend a little time learning how to make such wonderful gifts of seasoned crackers, cinnamon candy, and other delightful treasures that were packaged up and given as gifts to the pastoral staff during the holidays.  Thankfully, Ms. Marie wrote her recipes down for us to pass on the gift to the next generation. 

Seasoned Crackers

1 (12 oz) pkg. Oyster crackers

1 pkg. Hidden Valley Ranch salad dressing

½ tsp. Lemon Pepper

½-1 tsp. Dill Weed

½ tsp. Garlic powder

¾ cup oil

Combine oil, salad dressing, lemon pepper, dill weed, and garlic powder in a 9x13x2 pan.  Add crackers.  Stir until completely coated.  Bake at 250* for 45 minutes.  Stir every 15 minutes.  Pour onto cookie sheets until cool.

The Sense of Hearing

I remember as a young child, I could hardly wait to pull out the beloved Christmas record albums and begin listening to the Christmas sounds of the season.  I remember the scratching sound of the needle as it played across the record time after time.  I remember songs like, “Ho, Ho, Ho, It’s Christmas” and “You Are My Christmas, Carol”, along with the newest sensation at the time, “The Chipmunk’s Christmas".  Yet, none of these songs blessed my heart as the songs of old that talked of that Blessed Christmas Morn.  

I remember practicing “Away In  A Manger” with my Sunday School teacher, Miss Lynn.  We’d sing it over and over again, to get that second verse just perfect.  And, as usual, we’d have to hum a few lines that were forgotten in that verse we practiced so hard.  As I grew older, those precious songs would mean so much more to me to learn the meaning behind the words.  All of them proclaiming Christ’s birth and the sacrifice He would make for you and me.  What beautiful sounds to hear as children sing “O Little Town of Bethlehem”, missing the second line one more time, and bringing a smile to my face.

O Little Town of Bethlehem

O Little Town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie.

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.

Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light.

The hopes and fears of all the years

Are met in Thee tonight.

How silently, how silently, the wonderous gift is given.

So God imparts to human hearts the blessing of His heaven.

No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin,

Where meek souls will receive Him still,

The dear Christ enters in.

-Phillip Brooks

thecomfedpastor.wordpress.com

The Sense of Sight, Smell, and Touch

When I think of all the wonderful sights and smells of Christmas, my senses become overwhelmed!  The lights and the glitter, the bright packages under the tree, the hustle and bustle of crowded streets, and the fires all aglow all touch my heart this time of year.  I enjoy the smells of fir trees and sugar cookies, fresh snow and firewood burning in the fireplace.  But nothing reminds me more of the Christmas story than the candy cane.   The color, shape, smell, and taste remind me of God’s great love story to mankind.

The Story of the Candy Cane

madvapes.com

During the middle ages, mothers would use plain white sugar sticks to calm their fidgeting children during long mass services.  In 1670, a choirmaster in Cologne, Germany decided to bend the sugar treat to remind the children of the shepherd’s staff of those very first visitors to the manger the night Jesus was born.  They also were reminded that the songs they were singing in the choir were singing about the birth of the Good Shepherd.  As the children began to read, they noticed that by turning the candy cane upside down, you can form the letter “J”, the first letter in Jesus’ name.

metrovoice.net

Over the years this candy became of favorite throughout Europe and America.  Candy makers later added the colors of the red stripes to symbolize that Jesus was God’s gift of forgiveness and love.  They also added the peppermint taste  to represent our lives washed clean by God’s gift of grace.

-taken from “Creating Christmas Memories:  Traditions to Celebrate  With Family”

I challenge you this week to slow down and take it all in.  Live in the moments that we have now.  Use every minute to absorb the miracle of His birth through your senses and be a living example of worship to our King.

        

Jehovah Sabaoth, the Lord of Hosts...

by Debi Baker

The phrase 'Jehovah Sabaoth' which means 'Lord of Hosts' is used well over 270 times in the Word of God.  'Host' is defined as a great number of something or an army.  The phrase 'Lord of Hosts' implies the idea of great power.  God has dominion over all of creation and that includes the angels, humans, stars, the sun, the moon, the animals and even Satan and his imps.  

photo credit

We read in 1 Samuel 17:8-11 NLT how Goliath taunted the Israelites.  "8 Goliath stood and shouted a taunt across to the Israelites.  'Why are you all coming out to fight?' he called.  'I am the Philistine champion, but you are only the servants of Saul.  Choose one man to come down here and fight me!  9 If he kills me, then we will be your slaves.  But if I kill him, you will be our slaves!  10 I defy the armies of Israel today!  Send me a man who will fight me!'  11 When Saul and the Israelites heard this, they were terrified and deeply shaken."

All of Saul's army was in fear of ONE giant of a man.  Does that make sense to you?  How can an entire army be afraid of one man, no matter his size?  I'll tell you how...because they were allowing themselves to be deceived by the devil.  Because Goliath looked big, the enemy let the imaginations of the army run wild and the warriors began to believe 'big equals better.'  These were God's people.  They were supposed to rely on HIM and not themselves or anyone or anything else!

Then in 1  Samuel 17:45 NKJV, we find a young [probably around 12-13 years old] David boldly proclaiming to Goliath and all those around him, "45 You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin.  But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied."   

David was trusting not in himself but in the assurance that God was with him and He would be victorious because of GOD.  We all have giants in our life.  Those giants can cause us to fear and tremble...BUT...we need to remember 'Jehovah Sabaoth, the Lord of Hosts' is with us...He has our back.  There is NOTHING the enemy can do to us that can change that fact!   Goliath came before the army of Israel with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin.  David came before Goliath with GOD.  The use of weapons require ME to do the work of battle, but in God, it's not me, it's HIM!  No weapons are needed!!

This next statement I will make is so profound...it was given to us during Bible Study last night...

What is the worst case scenario concerning your giant?  If what you are afraid will happen does happen, what is the worst thing that could happen?  The answer to that is "With God, there is NO worst case scenario!"  There is nothing your giant can do to you that God can't handle!

When facing a giant in your life, remember this, you are too blessed to be distressed!

Face your giants with boldness the way David came before Goliath.  The world said David was crazy...but God...God intervened and David was victorious in His Name!!

Have a 'giant defeated' day!!!

Gingerbread Cookies with Royal Icing

By: Melissa Baker

Gingerbread Cookies:

Recipe courtesy of www.FoodNetwork.com

1 package sugar cookie mix

1 egg

1/2 cup  all-purpose flour

1/4 cup melted butter

2 tablespoons pumpkin pie spice

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 cup dark molasses

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Royal Icing:

2 large egg whites or 5 tablespoons meringue powder

2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice or 1teaspoon vanilla extract

3 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted

Food coloring if desired

Directions for cookies:

Pre heat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large mixing bowl, blend all ingredients together and chill for up to 1 hour. Roll dough out on floured board about 1/8-inch thick. Cut desired shapes with cookie cutters and place onto sheet pan. Bake for 8 minutes in preheated oven.

Directions for Icing:

With a hand mixer, beat the egg whites with the lemon juice or extract until frothy. Add the sifted powdered sugar and beat on low speed until combined, smooth and shiny. Turn to high and beat for approximately 5 minutes until stiff and glossy. Add food coloring, if desired and transfer to a pastry bag to pipe onto cookies.

For the Gamer's Wife...

Does your play video games? Does it bother you?

My husband goes through phases. He plays video games regularly for a few months, then he tires of it and won't play for a few months. He is on his gaming phase right now.

I realized something one night while he was playing; I love when he plays video games!

Yep, you read right. I love when my husband plays video games. Why? Because I get to enjoy his happiness. I get to hear his laughter. I get to see him bonding with the kids. I get to snuggle next to him with a book as we both do something we enjoy.

Now, the video games my husband plays are family friendly and he plays with the kids. Our family loves Mario and sports games. It becomes a family activity, a time to bond and laugh together.

Is your husband a gamer? There are several types of gaming here.

• First, we have the the kind like my husband. The one whose games are clean and friendly and it is a family affair. If this is your husband, embrace it! Enjoy it! Love it! Even play a game with your husband. My husband and I enjoy playing the old time Mario games when the kids go to bed. It becomes a date of sorts.
• Second, we have the gamer who plays with his buddies. There is nothing wrong with this gamer. Just like your husband, you want time away to do things with your friends from time to time. This is his way of getting that time. If it becomes a problem in the family, where he is gone with his gaming buddies more than home, simply talk to him. Work out a schedule where he can get that time away occasionally.
• Third, we have the gamer who plays games that might be inappropriate. If this is your husband, first pray over him. Lay hands on his gaming system and pray that God would allow only clean things to come out of it. Then talk to him in a calm way. Explain that you want your home to be Christ centered. Ask him if he could find games that are family friendly. If your husband is not yet a believer, spend extra time in prayer before going to him. If he balks at first, simply go back to prayer, don't push him.

Whatever type of gamer your husband is, don't nag him, embrace him.

Does your husband game?

Are Christmas Cards Worth It for Single Women?

by Brenda Rodgers

As a single woman I always felt silly sending Christmas cards.

I had a dozen reasons why I shouldn’t – they cost money, they take time, and then of course the reason that was my reason for not doing a lot of other things, too - Christmas cards are for people with families.

If social media were popular six years ago, I could have also added that everyone knows what I look like now anyway. So why send a card with a picture of me and a dog (except that I didn’t have a dog)?

But despite all of these reservations, every year I found myself sending Christmas cards. With a picture of just me. And a message. A message with a purpose.

I want to encourage you, as a single woman, to do the same.

The Bible specifically tells us that the enemy uses our circumstances to take our focus off of God and put in on ourselves. And what better time for him to do this than at Christmas as we celebrate the birth of our Savior.

Every year as I considered not sending Christmas cards I thought about the one friend who might not have even thought about Jesus throughout the year or during the season. I imagined my card triggering a wondering. And that wondering leading to salvation.

Think of your Christmas cards not as a way to share all of your blessings or lack of aging or your current status. But put the focus back on Jesus and think of them as a way to open your friends’ minds to the idea of our Savior’s birth.

How do I choose Christmas cards? 

1. I make sure they are affordable.

I do not like spending tons of money on Christmas cards.  You can buy find affordable picture cards on any of the popular photograph websites. If you enjoy using photo editing programs like PicMonkey.com or Photoshop, you can make your on. Or even better, you can get Christmas cards on sale after Christmas and save them for next year. You don't have to be like everyone else. I still love a folded Christmas card without a picture but a handwritten note. 

2. I only look for Christian themed cards.

This goes back to my purpose for sending Christmas cards.  My purpose is to use them as a tool for sharing the Gospel and keep the meaning of Christmas Christ-centered. It's possible that my card is the only representation of Jesus a person holds or hangs on their pantry door. 

3. I choose cards with a fair amount of text space that I can change.

I rarely use the default wording or message that the company uses to advertise the card.  I like to write my own personal message, so I make sure to choose a card that I can change and that has adequate text space.

Do you send Christmas cards?  Please share with me in the comments why you do or don't.

A Christmas Basket Full of Senses: Celebrating Christmas With Our Senses Part One

procarept.org

A Christmas Basket Full of Senses

Celebrating Christmas With Our Senses

By Angie Ketcham

About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews?  We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”  …They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.  Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  Matthew 2:  2 and 11

The Wise Men that came to visit Jesus knew that this baby boy was special.  They knew that this moment in time was significant in history and they were fully committed to the task of worshipping this boy-child, King of the Jews.  They chose to worship with the giving of precious gifts, a sacrifice of great value.  Scholars contend that these gifts would be given for spiritual symbolic reasons:  the gold as a precious metal-the sign of deity, frankincense as perfume or incense-the sign of his priestly role and healing, and myrrh as anointing oil-the sign of the significance of his death and embalming. 

These gifts stand out to me as significant for the way they each affect our senses.  Gold shines and glows.  Its beauty is talked about throughout the Bible.  It always represents royalty and righteousness, a picture of what God wants us to be:  pure and spotless, an image to behold. 

Airportplazajewelers.com

Frankincense is a very highly potent scent that has been used since ancient times for the purposes of healing arthritis, oral issues, and an array of other problems. The fragrance is used as a popular ingredient in cosmetic products and also used in incense burners for centuries.  The scent is closely associated with religious traditions and rites within the Christian faith.

organicfacts.net

Frankincense also relates to our sense of touch.  It can be rubbed on the skin for softer skin and for a relaxant to relieve stress and anxiety.  It has been proven that the sense of touch can make a baby calm.  It can help a child’s brain to be stimulated and for neurons to connect for better brain functioning.  It can cause a baby with low birth weight to begin gaining weight.  It heals connections within the nervous system so touch does not cause pain, but pleasure.

dhealthstore.com

Myrrh is also an highly potent oil that is taken from the Commiphora tree.  It is used throughout history as perfume, incense, and medicine.  It can be ingested by mixing it with wine. It is a bitter and spicy resin that has high healing properties, just as Frankincense.  It was used in Ancient Egyptian graves for mummification of the important leaders and rulers.  It was used in Jerusalem in the Temples as a holy anointing oil of the high priests and kings.  Because of the anesthetic properties of Myrrh, it is believed that in Mark 15:23, when Jesus was offered wine drugged with myrrh to more easily endure his cross, he refused so he could go through the suffering with a clear mind. 

Most importantly were the sounds that were heard on that blessed night the Wise Men found the boy-child, Jesus.  Scripture says they saw the child and bowed down and worshiped him.  I wonder if their songs of worship brought tears to all those in the room?  I wonder if their words soothed the hearts of an anxious, weary mom whose little one wore her out completely?  I wonder if heaven stopped to hear the sounds of wise men seeking the adoration of this child, King of the Jews?  I wonder if God himself smiled down as hearts were bowed in respect, offering everything they had?

Sandyfbc.com

When I think of this most holy days of celebration of the birth of our King, I want to first, offer myself as an act of worship.  May I fall on my knees and bow my head, turning from the daily activities at hand, to seek the one it’s all for, Jesus.  May I use the senses that God has already given me to remember what took place on that blessed day that Jesus was born and for what took place on that blessed day when Jesus gave His life for me on that cross.  May I find worship in every activity that I do and may my senses remind me of the Savior that came that day.  Join me again next week as I focus on some “senses” that make our Christmas season one to remember.

Peace...

by Debi Baker

"²³ ...the Lord said to him, 'Peace to you.  Don’t be afraid, for you will

not die.'  ²⁴ So Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and called it

Jehovah Shalom.  It is in Ophrah of the Abiezrites until today."

Judges 6:23-24 HCSB

Imagine how you might feel if God came to you with a special mission.  That mission would is to deliver your country from their enemies.  What would go through your head?

photo credit

This is what happened to a very timid, shy, insecure, weak Gideon.  An angel of God appeared to him giving him that very assignment.  Gideon's response was that he was the weakest of his clan, how could he deliver his people. 

God chose Gideon because he was weak.  Because Gideon was weak, the glory would certainly go to God.  God saw something in Gideon that he did not see in himself. 

Gideon presented a sacrifice before the Lord.  God received the sacrifice…a meal on a rock, with broth poured over it.  When God touched the sacrifice with the staff in his hand, vs. 21 of Judges 6 tells us that fire rose from out of the rock and consumed the meat and bread.  God goes on to tell Gideon that he is safe, he is not to fear...he won't die.  And then Gideon built an altar to the Lord.  He called it Jehovah Shalom - God is our peace.  

God gave Gideon peace which overcame any fear he had to do the task set before Him.  Gideon went on to defeat the enemy without crippling fear.  God's peace enable him to do what God called him to do.  And God's peace can sustain us through impossible circumstances.  With His peace, we can conquer all fear!   

"⁹ …My grace is all you need.  My power works best in

weakness...¹⁰ when I am weak, then I am strong."
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NLT

 

"³¹ … If God is for us, who can ever be against us?"

Romans 8:31 NLT

May you always have the peace that only God can give.  Jehovah Shalom - He is our peace!

Stop Ignoring God

By: Shari A. Miller

You know that still small voice that you sometimes hear.

The one that's gentle speaking to you. Guiding you. Directing you. Telling you what to do.

Friends, if you are part of the family of God, that voice, is the voice of God.

And you know what. It's time to stop ignoring God.

"If you love me, you will obey what I command. John 14:15

Even during the business of the Christmas season. We must listen to what he is telling us and obey.

If that means slowing down and cutting out an extra Christmas party, so be it, obey. If it means buying one less gift and spending time ministering to others instead, obey. If it means not baking that last batch of cookies and spending time in his Word instead, obey.

One of my favorite hymns is, "Trust and Obey," by John Henry Sammis. It states a complete truth that will forever stand the test of time. "Trust and obey, for there is no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey."

This Christmas season, let go of your personal agenda and what society says should be done. Instead, listen to God and follow his agenda.

The secret to having the best Christmas ever is to......stop ignoring God. Trust his voice. Follow his leading, even if it means going into the uncomfortable. 

Are you ready to lay down your ways for God's? I know I am. My striving and planning to get from my point A to point B, has gotten me no where. 

Let's give Christ the best present ever this season. The gift of utter surrender to his call.

He replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it." Luke 12:8

It is time for our Woman to Woman Word Filled Wednesday Link Up. We desire to connect women of God with one another and encourage each other in Christ. So grab a cup of coffee, sit back and visit a few blogs. Be encouraged and share your own stories in their comments.

Use the hashtag #w2wwordfilledwednesday! 

Three rules to this link up:

1. Must be a {Christian} faith post.

2. You must link back to W2W somewhere in your post.

3. You must visit and comment on at least one other blog in the link up.

<a href="http://www.w2wministries.org/"><img src=" http://i1025.photobucket.com/albums/y320/mom2ljgz/W2W%202014%20design/w2wlinkup_zps470c8848.jpg"/>

An InLinkz Link-up

Simple Chicken Cordon Bleu



Recipe courtesy of TasteOfHome.com



By: Melissa Baker

Prep/Total Time: 25 min.

4 Servings

Ingredients:
4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (6 ounces each)

4 thin slices deli ham

2 slices Swiss cheese, halved
1/4 cup butter, melted

1 envelope seasoned coating mix

Directions:

1. Flatten chicken to 1/4-in. thickness.

2. Place ham and cheese down the center of each; roll up and secure with a toothpick.

3. Place butter and coating mix in separate shallow bowls.

4. Dip chicken in butter, then roll in coating mix.

5. Place in a greased 2-qt. microwave-safe dish.

6. Cover loosely and microwave on high for 5-7 minutes on each side or until no longer pink.

7. Let stand for 5 minutes. Discard toothpicks.
8. Serve with rice or vegetables.

Yield: 4 servings.

Devotions for Couples

When trouble comes, what is your first response? Yell at your husband? Maybe cry on his shoulder? Pray together?

I'll be the first to admit that my first response is typically to cry. Praying along with my husband is normally the last thing that comes to mind. How sad is that?

Prayer with our husband should be the beginning of our day, the end of our day and how we handle life's problems. When you are facing a trial, fear, doubt, anger or sadness, go to your husband and pray together.

There's a quote that says a couple that prays together stays together. As a couple, we bond emotionally and physically. Praying together lets us bond spiritually.

Will you make prayer with your husband your instant refuge?

Awaken Love couples devotional from the movie, The Song, is a must have devotional for married couples. Awaken Love is a journey to awaken love in your marriage. This 6 week devotional will help you:

• deepen desire
• increase intimacy
• fight fair
• rediscover romance
• cultivate commitment
• foster faith

To enter to win Awaken Love, complete each task in the rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Shiny Objects

 

 Shiny Objects

by Angie Ketcham

Thanksgiving came and went like a whirlwind of traveling, family, church commitments, and food.  Lots of food.  Trying to wrap my mind around the thought of already entering another Christmas season, I thought about the piles of boxes and clutter that had been loaded up in my attic storage this summer, all in front of the Christmas tree and décor that contained everything needed to create the holiday spirit. I put it off as long as possible, but for some reason my children were anxiously awaiting to get that tree up.  So, I took a deep breath and headed up the stairs where my project awaited me. 

Unpacking the ornaments, all I could think about was all the things outside of that box that needed to get done.  The laundry was piled a mile high from the Thanksgiving travels.  School lessons needed to be prepared for the rest of the week.  Writing articles were due.  Church lessons needed to be studied.  And yet, here I was, stringing ribbon across a tree and unpacking ornaments to hang upon this well-traveled tree.  Surely the never ending list of things to do should override all this extra fluff. 

A young family that is staying with us right now joined us this year in this annual ritual.  The two year was dancing around unable to contain her joy.  Her mother scolded her, as every time I climbed the ladder to adjust a ribbon, she would follow me up, so excited to help her Auntie A trim the tree.  She could hardly wait for me to get the ornaments out of the box before she would grab them and dance them over to the tree, set them upon a branch, and sit with a smile on her face for the proud work she did or telling mommy how “preeddy” the object was.  She squealed with excitement when the lights were lit up and made sure everyone stopped to look at the beauty of the tree that so faithfully reminds us Christ’s birthday is soon to be celebrated.  I couldn’t help but smile at the wonderment that she was experiencing, perhaps for the very first time.

And God’s soft voice spoke to me later that evening as I sat alone with the house lights down low and just the glimmer of the lights on the tree lighting the room.  Somehow the lights seem to say to me don’t forget to enjoy the shiny objects.  Don’t be so caught up in all the cares of this world that you forget the magic of the season.  Christmas can be a lonely and hard time for some.  It can be tempting to not even participate in the hub bub of the season. But the Christ Child was not born into this world to be forgotten.  No, He came so that we could have Hope.  That Hope would overcome the world!  That you and I could lay down our heavy load and know that this small baby now lies in that manger would very soon carry my load and yours to the cross. And because of this, our burden is light.  The magic of the season.

I’m thankful for the shiny objects that interrupt me during this busy season.  I pray that I can allow myself to be distracted, even just for a brief moment, and make beautiful memories with those I can be the light to this season.  I challenge you to take time to be distracted by shiny objects too.  Hope is always found there.