The gift of baking.

Today I have a stock of ammunition lined up for my "bake out". Three pounds of butter await the fate of my mixers and oven. Recipes have been chosen including favorites from the past and those new to be explored.
An ingredient list is to be compiled, checking out supplies I have on hand and what is needed. Of note, flour will be finished soon and needs to be bought!!
I have two full days to accomplish all I want to get done. I have already made a batch of my son's favorite shortbread cookies, for him to take home. Another batch is needed while he is here. Ginger bread and cocoe/coconut cookies are amongst the building list of items to bake.
I had a cautioning and discussed it with my friend. "Am I showing that food is love?" I asked. " Every single birthday cake, I ever baked for my kids was baked WITH love!" she exclaimed.
Then it occured to me. As long as I did other things to express my love to my son that I loved him, baking or creating food was an act of love!
So on with the worship music! Today I am listening to my friend's Debbie Knighton Fortnom "reCOLLECTION" CD, available through CD baby or www.DebbieFortnum.com Part of her money raised goes to "poverty revolution" You can download her CD or get a hard copy!!
So come on a baking, praying, worshiping spree this upcoming thanksgiving weekend!
God bless,
The gift giver

Here is some money for your son's birthday dinner, God told me to give it to you

It had been a powerful church service yesterday. At the end of the service about five of us women got together, and prayed for each other's needs. I could see God at work.
Suddenly a woman I had talked to before church pulled me aside. Earlier I had told her excitedly about the birthday plan I had for my son in a restaurant when he arrived here in about 10 days. I had got a "groupon" which made the dinner half price!
Quietly she slipped some money into my hands that was rolled up. "Here is some money for your son's birthday dinner," she said "God told me to give it to you, and I have learned that I need to listen to what God says."
My eyes welled up in tears as I thanked her. She had given me thirty dollars! Through her listening to the Holy Spirit God it was showing me that I was reaping financially what I was sowing. Everyday I had given away something, since begining my giving challenge I had received something. I was journaling it, so I would not forget.
I had not been expecting that at all. But this weekend I had bought diapers, and some potluck food items that almost came to that exact amount of money for a baby shower put on by my friend. Considering that I had a wonderful dinner with my friend and company, the Lord had blessed me even more.
I do know that God has my heart in the right place as I am not expecting it. I am just wanting to know His views on giving, through His eyes. I have been entering online contests, I must confess though, with the hope of winning something nice. But I know if God wants me to win, I will win.
So if you have accepted this giving challenge, I encourage you to keep track of what you give, and how God responds! Be cautious that your heart does not turn to greed and just stand back in awe and see the hand of the Master at work! You will see His love for you and for others along the way!!
God bless,
The gift giver

Anonymous giving

It is easy to look back in time and remember how a special gift received made you feel? How would you feel if you didn't even know the giver who gave you the the gift? Would that make it seem even more special?
In anonymous giving the recipient feels no need to repay the giver. There is a freediom and almost a surprise and joy. For me the most impressionable way of this gift giving ad been gift certificates mailed to me in a card.
This is why many of my cards come with the "Blessinng" words found within it.
So this weekend, I encourage you to bless someone anonymously. Let the circle of love begin with you today!!
Blessings,
The gift giver

Meditating on Chris Tomlin's song "Our God is Greater."

Today I feel a little distracted from writing a post about giving but I would rather write about the power of God!!
This week has been a difficult one for me, with old emotions re-surfacing. What I do realize is that God wants to do a deeper healing and I am ready. Before I can "give" myself fully in marriage to a man there are core relationship issues I need to work out so I am not attracted to men whom hurt me. Wow that is deep stuff!!!
As difficult as this has been to look at, along with my relationship with food to cope or as a source of comfort, Jesus has been with me the whole way. The song by Chris Tomling "Our God is Greater." has been meditating on the deeper valves of my heart.
I encourage you to google his name and song putting "you tube" beside it. You might want to hear it a few time over, looking at the beautiful nature scenes. Then to sit in a private area, get comfortable, close your eyes and really listen to the words. What is the song speaking to you? For me it was speaking of God's boundless power. He will get me through any painful experience I was going through and to simply lean on Him.
I can't tell you how many times that song has resonnated with me today. For you it may be a different song. I would love to hear of your comments of your songs and stories! Or you can email me privately @ giftgiversboxshowschristslove@gmail.com Remember their is power is sharing our stories and gifts you can give to those facing other sturggles!!
Be blessed! Have a listening time with God today. If you do not own any Christian music, google 106.5fm praise channel) and thrift stores are good starting places!
In prayer,
The gift giver!!

The gift of hospitality:it is the company that is the real gift!!

This weekend had been having a particulary lonely one for me. My son was busy in his life, so he didn't return my phone calls or texts on his days off like he usually does. "Oh how I miss you," I thought. My heart was pained by our 8 month physical separation. It is difficult as a mom to let go!
My sister had an insane schedule of family commitments. She had time to text me twice in ten days and I had missed two of her messages. This lack of contact was so difficult as she was a teacher, going from having the summer off to back into the reality of her life. My heart was grieving.
But along came Sunday and a friend who so often offered me an after church invitation for lunch offered one!
I loved to go to her house for lunch as nothing needed to be perfect. She whized around the kitchen serving myself, another mother with her two kids, as well as her own smookie dogs! They were delicious!! We had little cupcakes she had got at Wallmart, and icecream from the other friend. Not a low calorie lunch but worth the fellowship and fun!
She then dyed her friend's hair and I gave her a scalp massage!
We watched a movie, which I fell asleep in the middle of!! But my friend had taken my lonely weekend and ended it up with such a "girlie" day! She is gifted in the gift of hospitality. I think this is a real love language and it ministers to peoples hearts and souls!
Thank you my friend for making my day! Sunday can be lonely after church if you live on your own!! It is the company that is the real gift!!

Getting rid of "excess" one gift at a time

While it is another blog day today and I am sipping on my coffee trying to recall what God has shown me about giving this week. He has shown me two main things.
Firstly that there is joy in giving your excess away, whether that is money or belongings. Secondly, it can be difficult to give away "things", even if we haven't used them for a long time.
I have items in my apartment which I haven't used in years which will surely benefit someone else. I have loved seeing or hearing about the reactions of someone being given a random gift or blessing by me. Since this one year challenge of giving began for me (Sept. 8th) I am already feeling a release from "things". I am also having to be deliberate and think about my giving each day.Today I have a Joyce Myers book for a friend. Praise the Lord!!
I have also learned that giving up some items can be difficult. Suddenly re-looking at an item one has not even used can bring about this new "love" for the iteme. I'll see the item I have a double for, and I'll think "I'll need it one year." One year never comes and I am crowding up my cupboard space! The cookbook I hold onto for those few recipes stays on my book shelf.
Just last night I really saw this over a "homemade" loaf of bread. I had not given to anyone yet yesterday, as my friend did not accept my gift of clothing. She had given me two delicious loaves of bread with lentil soup. I felt the nudging of the Holy Spirit to leave one of the homemade bread loaves in my lobbey.
I rationalized thinking that I could put 1 loaf of frozen store bought bread out instead. But when I really thought about it I really remembered how the fact that the bread was homemade was such a blessing to me. I was feeling blessed and fortunate to be able to leave that gift of bread out for somebody, knowing God was at work!
It has really taught me not to ignore the nudgings of the Holy Spirit, though sometimes I will have no other understanding other than it is part of God's plan. I know my own greed can get in the way. Mold my heart Lord! Mold me! Maybe God's plan, was to start molding me!

"The Lord watch between me and thee when we are absent from one another" Genesis 31:49

"The Lord watch between me and thee when we are absent from one another."Genesis 31:49
Being a gift giver this scripture rings out from the mountaintops to me.
Firstly it describes my own brokeness from divorce. So clearly I remember the days when everything I knew fell apart. I went through the motions of life, surviving to get my parenting tasks for my five year old son done. He depended upon me and I wanted his life as normal as it could be. Tireless nights were with my pillow and rolls of toilet paper, wiping up the tears of my sorrows. I just felt so overwhelmed. Like no one knew what I was going through and I was the only one.
But the Lord knew of this whole situation and the circumstances of why we were absent from each other. We both have our own accounts to give before the Lord. Out of tragedy he bloomed this ministry!
In the people that the Lord has directed me to minister to, many have deep woundings. "When we are absent from one another" it screams out and echos with grief and loneliness. So many people around us are hurting and grieving if we take the time to notice and help.
I remember each person and their unique ways that reached out to me in my crisis time. That is pretty amazing. Sad that there was so few. But rich, for the depth of kindness shown at the exact time I needed it.
Some of you have started my give a gift every day for a year challenge. I challenge you to make something special for someone hurting this week. Even that person who irritates you as they seem stuck!! Pray first and see yourself as a bridge to help that person to Jesus. I encourage others who are not following the challenge to follow. Remember we can change lives with our prayers to Jesus and one gift, one day at a time! I wonder what Jesus' hands looked like in his lifetime?
Blessings
The gift giver!