I tend to read several books at a time; I don’t know why. I always finish each one. I think it’s because there are so many good books out there that I want to read that I start them all at the same time thinking I’ll never have the time if I just read one at a time. I thought I’d share them with you.

Beauty Tips from Moose Jaw: Travels in Search of Canada by Will Ferguson
My “for fun” book.

Ferguson is a Canadian author and has written several book about Canada, such as Why I Hate Canadians, and How to be a Canadian. In this book he travels across Canada and write about different towns; its quirks and its history. He’s witty and interesting.

The Emotionally Healthy Church by Peter Scazzero
My “office book”. My office at work is studying it together.

So far this is a great book. The premise is that often in discipleship the church forgets the emotional aspect of people’s lives. If we are emotionally immature then we are spiritually immature. It’s been good reading for me as it’s forcing me to face issue’s in my life that I haven’t wanted to for years. For example, where does my anger come from?

Strong Women, Soft Hearts by Paula Rinehart
This is “my personal devlopement” book.

So really I’ve only read the into and chapter 1 of the book. But already I know this is going to be a good book for me. I feel like I’m a strong woman but with a heart that I turn hard when certain situations arise. I had to harden my heart years ago in order to live without getting hurt. I don’t know what it means to be strong and have a soft heart. I hope this book along with prayer with help me understand.

Any good books you ladies are reading that you’d like to recommend? I’m always up for more books to read.

I made Alisa Villareal’s Pear/Apple Crisp last night for Paul.

It was DIVINE. Can I get a witness?

This particular recipe is super easy and has just the perfect “crisp” to apple ratio. Paul had more than one serving (but don’t tell him I said so), and the first serving was pretty hefty, I must say.

I made it in advance yesterday afternoon, covered it in foil and put it in the refrigerator, and then baked it 3 hours later. And it turned out perfect.

That fact alone makes it the perfect dessert recipe for a busy mom or working woman!

So run on over to the Recipe Section and print out this recipe.

And then, for Pete’s sake, make the thing! You won’t regret it. I promise.

My friend Cathy and I were discussing ground beef the other day, and how we don’t have a bunch of recipes with ground beef in them. So here are a couple to add to your collection, Cathy (and anyone else who might want some yummy things to do with one of the cheaper meats, ground beef.) So, does the picture make you want to never eat meat again, or is it just interesting to see!!!

Mini Meat Loaves From Patricia Williams/Cooking Light

1/2 cup ketchup
1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 pound ground sirloin
3/4 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1 large egg, lightly beaten
Cooking spray

Preheat oven to 400°. Combine ketchup and mustard, stirring well with a whisk. Reserve 2 1/2 tablespoons ketchup mixture. Combine remaining ketchup mixture, beef, and next 6 ingredients (beef through egg) in a large bowl, stirring to combine.

Divide beef mixture into 4 equal portions. Shape each portion into a 4 x 2 1/2-inch loaf; place loaves on a jelly roll pan coated with cooking spray. Spread about 2 teaspoons reserved ketchup mixture evenly over each loaf. Bake at 400° for 25 minutes or until done. Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1 loaf)

Mexican Lasagne by Alisa Villarreal

1 1/2 lbs. ground beef
8-12 oz. salsa
1 can refried beans
8 oz. sour cream
5-7 taco shells
grated Mexican Cheese

Brown and drain ground meat, add salsa. In 8 x 8 greased pan, layer as follows:

1/2 each of: meat mixture, broken taco shells (covering meat mixture), beans, sour cream, cheese; then repeat layers.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Can be eaten as a dip served with Tostado Chips or as an entree served with Mexican Rice and a green salad.

Jesus is busy.Sometimes, I get the feeling that Jesus sits on his throne, much like the captain of the Starship Enterprise, and watches life unfold on earth below him. And then I sing songs like I did this past Sunday and I think I may have my Jesus picture a little skewed.

The song Before the Throne of God Above squashes my view of a sitting Savior.

As Great High Priest, Jesus Christ is constantly talking to the Father (God) on my behalf. This means, every time I pray, He is going to the Father and asking for that prayer to be answered. And he’s not just asking; he’s pleading.

Which reminds me of The West Wing…

In the show (and in real life), people who are desperate for help will go to members of the President’s inner circle and plead their case. These people know that the guys in the inner circle have the President’s ear and that their best chance for hope is to have their cause tied to a person whom the President trusts. They need an advocate and they find it in a small group of employees in the West Wing.

Jesus Christ is my advocate. And he doesn’t just march into the Oval Office and petition a case. As King of Kings, he is in the throne room of heaven–a royal courtroom–defending my cause to the Creator of the universe. He’s my personal lawyer, pleading for me, protecting me, and representing me.

Jesus is busy.

And when I picture him this way, it makes me re-evaluate what kind of requests I want attached to his name. Since when we pray “In Jesus’ Name,” it’s not just like signing a letter with “sincerely.” It’s more like, “hey, God. Do this beause JESUS is asking you and he’s in your inner circle and you trust him and he’s got a perfect reputation, so you should probably do what he says.” (But with a little more reverence).

All this talk and I only made it through the first stanza.