Chocolate Zucchini Cake

Posted on August 10, 2016 by Jennifer Grace

zucchini cupcakes So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quickly, make ready three measures of fine meal; knead it and make cakes.” Genesis 18:6 (NKJV)

It’s that time of year again…zucchini time! Our vines are just bursting with these versatile veggies. Already we’ve had them on the grill and baked in cupcakes. To keep ahead of their production, we’ll have to shred or slice and freeze them, and share with all the neighbors. Please holler if you you want any! If you happen to have an abundance at your house, you will certainly want to try this recipe for Chocolate Zucchini Cake (gluten-free and dairy-free). It’s one of our favorites.

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups Gluten Free Flour
3/4 cup baking cocoa
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup applesauce
2 cups monk fruit, coconut sugar, or other sweetener
3 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
3-4 cups zucchini, coarsely shredded (1 medium zucchini)

Putting it together:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Line muffin pans with paper, or grease and flour 3 round cake pans.

Mix together dry ingredients: Gluten-free flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In a stand mixer, combine coconut oil, apple sauce and monk fruit.
Add eggs and vanilla to stand mixer, mixing well.
Add the dry ingredients and shredded zucchini to the stand mixer. Mix 1 minute or until combined.

Portion batter into prepared pans. Bake 35 minutes for cupcakes or 1 hour for cakes. Baking time depends on moistness of zucchini. Cool on wire racks and frost with your favorite chocolate frosting (we like ganache made with melted dairy-free chocolate chips and a bit of coconut milk). Enjoy your zucchini season!

The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying:
“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love;
Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.” Jeremiah 31:3 (NKJV)

Tea Time with Jeremiah

Posted on August 3, 2016 by Jennifer Grace

My Tea Cupp Prayers is all about using God’s Word as a conversation starter as you sit down with Jesus for a cup of tea and prayer. My favorite verses come from the Psalms, but there are great verses throughout the Bible which I also love. Jeremiah offers some of the most heart-felt verses.

If we think we are going through tough times, we should look at Jeremiah. According to John MacArthur in his study Bible (page 1059), “Jeremiah has been known as the ‘weeping prophet,’ living a life of conflict because of his predictions of judgment by the invading Babylonians. He was threatened, tried for his life, put in stocks, forced to flee from Jehoiakim, publicly humiliated by a false prophet, and thrown into a pit.”

Here is a fellow who knew pain and suffering, yet had a dedication to God’s calling on his life. This is a prophet we can trust with words for talking with God. And so I picked out a few verses for you today. Perhaps you will discover even more as you read Jeremiah. Have a blessed TEA TIME with Jeremiah and Jesus!

Today’s TEA CUPP: Try these verses from Jeremiah as conversation starters for your prayer time today.

T for Thanks:

Praise the Lord of hosts,

For the Lord is good,

For His mercy endures forever. Jeremiah 33:11 (NKJV)

E for Exalt:
Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You. Jeremiah 32:17 (NKJV)
A for Admit:
For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.  Jeremiah 31:34 (NKJV)

C for Call:
Thus says the Lord: “Stand in the ways and see,

And ask for the old paths, where the good way is,

And walk in it;

Then you will find rest for your souls…”  Jeremiah 6:16 (NKJV)
U is for Understanding our story:
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;

Before you were born I sanctified you... Jeremiah 1:5 (NKJV)

P is for Promises:
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)
P is for Petitions:
Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed;

Save me, and I shall be saved,

For You are my praise. Jeremiah 17:14 (NKJV)
Extra verses for wives to pray for their husbands:
Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,

And whose hope is the Lord.

For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,

Which spreads out its roots by the river,

And will not fear when heat comes;

But its leaf will be green,

And will not be anxious in the year of drought,

Nor will cease from yielding fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NKJV)
 Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. 
Quote from The MacArthur Study Bible, 1997, Word Publishing, Thomas Nelson, Inc.

My Dear Loved One

Posted on June 19, 2016 by Jennifer Grace

easter_cross_light_2012_c1 My Dear Loved One,

You are my Daddy, my brother, my cousin, my aunt, my niece, my landlord, my milkman, my son’s coach, my son’s college roommate, my student, my neighbor, my grocery store checker, my friend’s child, my high school chum, my employer, my friend.

You have a reservation in heaven. I made it for you every week in my prayers. Others have been calling in reservations for you, too. To confirm you are on the list in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Revelation 21:27), please accept Jesus (read on).

It will be such a great time! The streets are paved with gold in this beautiful city. There is a river flowing from the throne of God and a tree that bears a different fruit every month (Revelation 22:1-2). And we will never have tears again, for there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain (Revelation 21:4).

How did I hear about this ultimate destination? In the best travel brochure of all, the Bible. Jesus told me to not be troubled, to believe in Him and God. He said, “for in My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.” (John 14:1-4)

My dear loved one, I asked Jesus to prepare a place for you, too. My prayer above all other prayers is for you to know Jesus. Why? Because I want you to be in heaven for eternity, not in hell where there really is fire (Revelation 20:15). I want you to enjoy Jesus’ love and forgiveness on earth, and have His forever joy and peace in heaven.

I want you to know the One who delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the Lord in the Land of the living (Psalm 116:8-9). So many times I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living (Psalm 27:13).

For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God, Whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me (Job 19:25-27)! Now my citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:20).

The neat thing is when you come near to God He will come near to you (James 4:8). I want you to know that through Jesus Christ the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you (Acts 13:38). And when you receive Him and believe in His Name, He gives you the right to be children of God (John 1:12).

God promises that whoever calls upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved (Acts 2:21). My dear loved one, please ACCEPT JESUS and confirm your reservation today. If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9).

And when that day comes when Jesus calls you home, I know you will go out with joy and be led out with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands (Isaiah 55:12). When you reach heaven, you will enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise (Psalm 100:4) and I will be so thankful to God that you confirmed your reservation. I love you, my dear loved one! And Jesus loves you most of all!

Today’s Tea Cupp: But I pray to you, Lord,
in the time of your favor;
in your great love, O God,
answer me with your sure salvation (Psalm 69:13)

And since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful. (Hebrews 12:28)

Scripture is taken from

Tea with My Best Friend

Posted on June 2, 2016 by Jennifer Grace

No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. John 15:15 (NKJV)

My favorite time of the day is the first hour of the morning when I have TEA with my Best Friend. We sit together on the sofa, I read His Word in the Bible, and then I use His Word for a conversation starter, as I talk with Jesus. This is my quiet time. This is my prayer time. This is my tea time with my Best Friend.

Jesus tells us in the book of John that we are His friends. In John 15:15 He says, “I have called you friends.” Isn’t that great news! Doesn’t that touch your heart? The Creator of the universe and Savior of your soul is your Friend. Jesus is always beside us, just waiting for us to chat with Him.

How might your conversation with Jesus go? There are so many stories in the Gospels you can use, from Peter to the woman at the well. Or, perhaps you would like this dialogue Jesus had with a blind man…

Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be brought to Him. And when he had come near, He asked him, saying, “What do you want Me to do for you?”

He said, “Lord, that I may receive my sight.”

Then Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” Luke 18:39-42 (NKJV)

One morning I shared the blind man’s request with Jesus. I said, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.”

And Jesus replied, “Jenny, what do you want me to do for you?”

I answered, “Lord, may I receive Your healing, and publish My Tea Cupp Prayers, and fulfill Your call. And may all on my prayer list love You.”

And Jesus answered, “Receive your good health, Your faith has made you well.”

Today’s TEA CUPP: Have TEA with your Best Friend today! Call to Jesus, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Hear Jesus ask you, “What do you want Me to do for you?” And pour out your heart to Him.

But to You I have cried out, O Lord,
And in the morning my prayer comes before You. Psalm 88:13 (NKJV)

Kidney Bean Burgers

Posted on May 18, 2016 by Jennifer Grace

kidney bean burgers So when he had received food, he was strengthened… Acts 9:19 (NKJV)

One of the yummiest and easiest burgers I’ve made recently, this kidney bean burger recipe is a keeper! It starts with canned kidney beans, cutting the cook time of other recipes. Kidney beans have a natural sweetness, are packed with protein, and their red color is reminiscent of real burgers on the grill. Keep this recipe handy for your Memorial Day weekend and summer cookouts!

Ingredients:

1 cup dairy-free plain yogurt
1/4 cup green onions, chopped
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/4 teaspoon salt

2 cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed
2 slices gluten-free bread, toasted and cubed
1/2 cup green onion, chopped (the rest of your bunch)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
dash cayenne pepper
dash pepper
2 eggs, beaten
olive oil

Combine the yogurt, green onions, oregano and salt in a small bowl. Cover and chill in frig.

In a stand mixer, mash the kidney beans. Add the bread crumbs, green onion, garlic powder, cayenne, pepper, and eggs. Mix well, until it is a good paste-like consistency.

Prepare a grill mat by coating with olive oil. Spoon the burger mixture into 8 patties on the grill mat. Grill approximately 8 minutes per side. Serve kidney bean burgers topped with the yogurt sauce and your favorite burger toppings. With sides of veggies, chips and watermelon, you are set for a summer cookout!

Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. John 8:36 (NKJV)

Favorite Home School Readers

Posted on May 11, 2016 by Jennifer Grace

Teach me Your way, O Lord;
I will walk in Your truth;
Unite my heart to fear Your name. Psalm 86:11 (NKJV)

Which books do I still keep on my shelf after 20 years of homeschooling? Please let me share them with you!

Today let’s look at our reading books. I’m so thankful God started us on these readers with our first child, because they are the best! I’ve tried other books over the years, and nothing compares with these Pathway Readers. The books are for grades 1-8, and my only wish is that they had four more books to go through 12th grade!

From First Steps to Our Heritage, you will read stories about Amish families, like Peter and Rachel’s. The black and white illustrations never show the people, just the scenery and animals. But that doesn’t bother our children. It lets them imagine what the characters look like. Each story is a lesson in character building, as we read about boys and girls who try to do their chores and lessons and be good, just as we are trying to do at our house. As we reach the upper grade books, we read more stories from history, some of the best collections I’ve seen.

The highlight of my morning is sitting on the sofa with my children, reading these books. We especially enjoy taking turns reading pages. This makes it easier for a slower reader. The youngest play toys on the floor at our feet, enjoying the stories as well. More than once a child has exclaimed, “I remember this story!” when it came his year to read it in the book. He really was listening when playing at our feet!

Millers

Another set of books we truly love are The Miller books by Mildred A. Martin. These titles include Storytime and the Millers, School Days and the Millers, Wisdom and the Millers, Prudence and the Millers, Growing with the Millers, and Missionary Stories with the Millers. The Miller family stories will stick with you and your children, long after the day is over. I remember crying through many of the Missionary Stories, asking the kids to finish reading for me. Your children get to learn life lessons right along with the Miller children, as their parents bring them up in the Lord.

The entire set of Miller books is available from Milestonebooks.com right now for only $39.50. Another great investment for your home school!

With Pathway Readers and Miller books as the core of your reading program, you won’t need much else. However, it is always fun to sit as a family each evening, enjoying a classic read-aloud. So, next time I will share our favorite series and classics that are still on our bookshelf after 20 years of home school.

Until then, God bless your home school!

Hear, my children, the instruction of a father,
And give attention to know understanding. Proverbs 4:1 (NKJV)

Tea in the Morning

Posted on May 4, 2016 by Jennifer Grace

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)

My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord;
In the morning I will direct it to You,
And I will look up. Psalm 5:3 (NKJV)

My dear Tea Cupp friends, today I want to encourage you to have TEA with Jesus first thing in the morning, as the sun is rising. I know days get hectic, and some mornings the baby wakes up sick, and all kinds of other events clutter the morning hours. But we are better armed for the battle, if most days we start by meeting Jesus for a quiet cup of tea.

Can you set the alarm a half hour early? Don’t check your smart phone or the the news. Just heat the tea kettle, pour yourself a hot drink, and curl up on the sofa with your Bible and mug. Here you will find the Word you need for the day. Here you will find strength for whatever you face. Here you will find grace and mercy and joy and peace and wisdom and power and…….we find it all at the foot of Jesus’ cross, in God’s Word, the Bible, in the whisperings of the Holy Spirit.

There are so many benefits to having a quiet time with Jesus at the beginning of each day. Here are a few…

Jesus is First! We always want our priorities to match our lives and vice versa. If we really want Jesus to be first in our lives and hearts, we have to put Him first each day. Give your Best Friend the start of your day!
Before the chaos. We know how the unexpected can happen every day. The phone rings with bad news, or maybe it is good https://onhealthy.net/product/lexapro/ news that takes time to relate. The washing machine overflows. There is a knock at the door. So many things can happen as the day goes on. Meet with Jesus early before the chaos of the day.
A fresh start. If you’re like me, there is always something from yesterday that needs forgiving, a wrong thought, a wrong word, impatience, etc. Ask Jesus for forgiveness and strength for the new day. Maybe this day will go better!
Marching orders for today. It’s sure good to get directions for the day, before it begins. If Jesus has a special calling for you, you’d like to know so you can be ready. Sometimes He reminds me to text a friend or pray for a family member. Other times there is a bigger call. Keep a notebook handy to jot down any messages.
Leave your worries with Jesus. Perhaps you couldn’t sleep last night because you were worried. Don’t let those worries ruin your day. Pour out your heart to Jesus and leave those worries with Him. Petition the Lord for all on your prayer list. Know that God has you covered today.

Today’s TEA CUPP: Come, come sit at His feet this morning. Pour a cup of tea. Start your day with Jesus.

In the Morning When I Rise Give Me Jesus

Ho! Everyone who thirsts,
Come to the waters… Isaiah 55:1 (NKJV)

On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” John 7:37-38 (NKJV)

Prince of Peace Tea

Posted on April 27, 2016 by Jennifer Grace

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27 (NKJV)

Last summer, in our family’s efforts to give up carbonated beverages with high-fructose corn syrup, we found this delicious beverage at our local store, Peace Tea. Though the artwork on the cans is expressive of the 60’s with peace symbols and “V” fingers, the name gave me an idea.

I quickly fetched two cans from our recycling bin and snapped a photo for my website. What could be a better flavor for My Tea Cupp Prayers than Peace Tea? Wasn’t Jesus the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)? What can we learn by drinking Peace Tea?

My lovely Wednesday morning Bible study ladies teach me so much! Our current study is on the book of Romans, and we just completed Chapter 5. We learned how we, like the first man Adam, would have inherited God’s wrath because of our sins. BUT, because of our faith in Jesus, instead we inherit PEACE and eternal life.

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2 (NKJV)

As soon as we ask God for forgiveness, we have peace with Him. Even if we don’t feel at peace, we have peace because of Jesus. And nothing can snatch us from His hands! Nothing!

For I am persuaded that neither https://tramadolmain.com death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things http://ambienbuy.net present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (NKJV)

So why might we still not feel peaceful, even though we have peace with God? It’s this fallen world we live in! As long as we live in this world of sin, we will have troubles, the Bible promises that:

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:33 (NKJV)

Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. Matthew 10:34 (NKJV)

So, what are we to do? Keep praying! Keep having TEA with Jesus each day. Pour out our hearts to Him and let Him take our troubles, filling our cups to overflowing with the Prince of Peace Tea.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Sip a Prince of Peace Tea CUPP today. Ask God for forgiveness and the gift of His peace. Let Jesus take your worries. May the Holy Spirit fill your cup to overflowing!

Afraid to Tell

Posted on March 30, 2016 by Jennifer Grace

afraid to tell So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. Mark 16:8 (NKJV)

It happens every spring when I read the Easter story from the book of Mark. I’m taken back to a time when I said nothing to anyone, because I was afraid. Perhaps you have a similar story.

We were at a church camp conference in Georgia with the theme, “This is My Story.” Whenever there was a lull between events, the crowd would launch into a lively rendition of the old hymn. “This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long…” The song still rings in my heart almost two decades later.

Between singing and game workshops, maintenance manuals, recipe exchanges and all the other information you need to run a church camp, there was a delightful morning Bible study. I wish I could remember the name of the speaker who led this, an energetic, Asian-American dynamo. She ran us through the life of Jesus in the book of Mark, because that is Mark’s pace. She explained to us how most scholars believe the last twelve verses were tacked on later, so Mark 16:8 is really the final verse. And what does this verse tell us?

So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. Mark 16:8 (NKJV)

Who were these people? Mark 16:1 tells us they were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome who brought spices to anoint Jesus’ body. They didn’t know how they would move the big stone that blocked the tomb. So when they arrived, they were so surprised to see the stone already rolled away. An angel in the tomb told them, “He is risen!”

Isn’t that the best news of all! Would you run tell all your friends? Well, according to Mark, these women were afraid and didn’t tell anyone at first. I wonder how many of us are like that. Do we know the Good News of Jesus’ resurrection, but are too scared to tell others?

The Bible study speaker challenged me to not be afraid to tell my story. That very day I wrote my story in my journal. The next Christmas I sent it out with our Christmas cards. Today I continue to look for ways to tell others about the love of Jesus, how He saved me by dying on the cross, and that He is risen. Many days, I’m still afraid, but the Holy Spirit nudges me to share more and more. Are you being nudged, too?

Today’s TEA CUPP: Read Mark 16 today. Celebrate the Good News that Jesus is Risen! Then find someone to tell the Good News of how Jesus has helped you.

But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him.” Mark 16:6 (NKJV)

Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV)

Who Cares???

Posted on March 23, 2016 by Jennifer Grace

question-questions_answers_5 A pastor who is often a special speaker at our church, travels with a business card that asks, “Who Cares? If you die and go to hell, who cares?”

Right on his business card he answers this tough question with 7 answers:

# 1 – God cares: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (NKJV)

# 2 – Jesus cares: For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. Matthew 18:11 (NKJV)

# 3 – All people in heaven care: I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. Luke 15:7 (NKJV)

# 4 – All saved people care: And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” Revelation 22:17 (NKJV)

# 5 – All people in hell care: That he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment. Luke 16:28 (NKJV)

# 6 – I care: For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. Romans 1:16 (NKJV)

# 7 – Do you care? If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: My friend, after reading the answers to #1-6, I hope you will answer a big “YES” to #7! God, Jesus, the saints, the sinners, including me, all want you to follow Jesus. Please join me in confessing Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Dear Jesus, I believe in You! Please be Lord of my life. I believe You died for my sins and God raised You from the dead. I ask for your forgiveness. I look forward to eternal life with You in heaven. Please help me to live each day for You from this day forward. Thank you, Jesus. I love you! Amen.

A very happy and blessed Easter to you, dear friend!

Special thank you to Rev. Dr. Samuel G. Karunanithi from Living Word Church in Bridge City, Texas!

My TEA CUPP Prayers

Praying God's Word … Inviting Ladies to TEA with the King of kings!

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