Kathy Howard's Blog: Unshakeable Faith for Life, page 62

5 Benefits of Living a Holy Life

“Holiness” is often misunderstood. Many believers think living a holy life is just too hard. Or too boring. Or simply undesirable. But Jesus died so we could be holy. If we belong to Jesus, we are a “new creation,” a “new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:23-24). Holiness is for our good and God’s glory!

On Monday, January 5th, some friends and I kicked off a January emphasis called New Start 15. The goal of New Start 15 is to encourage and challenge Christians to live the holy life to which God calls us. New Start 15 combines a 15-day Bible reading plan and daily blog posts to help us understand what holiness is, why we would want to be holy, and how we can practically live out holiness in our daily lives. And we bring it all together in this Facebook community. (It’s not too late to start! See your invite here.)

Week One of New Start 15

This first week, we read five passages from Scripture that highlighted five benefits of living a holy life. If you missed any of the days this week or are just joining in on the January emphasis “New Start 15,” then check out the summary below:

1. Holiness fosters intimacy with God and builds spiritual strength and stability – On Monday we read Psalm 15:1-6 and shared 3 posts from New Start 15 contributors.

“Intimacy, Holiness, and Power” by Angela Mackey
“I Dare You” by Heather Riggleman at The MOM Initiative
“How a Sinful Woman can be a Holy Wife” by Julie Sanders

2. Holiness makes us useful and effective for God’s purposes – On Tuesday we read 2 Timothy 2:20-26 and I shared “Am I Useful to God?”

3. Holiness in your life causes people around you to glorify God – On Wednesday we read 1 Peter 2:9-12 and shared New Start 15 contributor Christen Price’s blog “Something in the Water.”

4. Holiness builds peace with God – On Thursday, we read 2 Peter 3:10-18 and Lori Moody shared “Two Ways to Invest in Your Future.”

5. Holiness pleases God and produces “fruit” – On Friday, we read Ephesians 5:1-17 and Heather Riggleman shared “The Art of Losing Yourself.”

And those 5 benefits are just the beginning of how God blesses a holy life!

New Start 15 Week Two Preview

In the second week of New Start 15, we will explore God’s call to holiness. Here are a few of things we’ll consider:

Why God calls us to holiness
How holiness is possible in a believer’s life
Where does the power come from to live a holy life

Want to learn more? Here are a few things to help you join in!

Original Invitation to New Start 15
Bible reading plan
New Start 15 Facebook group
Daily Blog Schedule
List of Suggested Resources

How have you thought about holiness in the past? Have you thought a holy life was too hard? Simply undesirable? Would love to hear your thoughts!

 

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2 Ways to Invest in Your Future

My guest blogger today is Lori Moody. Lori is a New Start 15 contributor. 

Nine earthquakes hit the Dallas area this week. A recent article in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram quotes a few locals:

    I’ve never felt an earthquake before 

    I’ve never experienced it

    I don’t know what to do when an earthquake hits

    Next time we need to be coached…

Because earthquakes rarely happen in Texas, most Texans live like they would never happen. Many believers have a similar attitude about the return of Christ. Because Christ’s return is delayed, we often live like He will never return.

In 2 Peter 3:10-18, Peter addressed some believers who apparently doubted Jesus’ promised return. He reminded them that one day the heavens and earth will pass away, that all things on earth will be burned up, and by the spoken Word of God a new heaven and earth will come into being.

Sometimes, like these first-century believers, we too doubt Jesus’ imminent return. And if He doesn’t return, we won’t be judged. Therefore, instead of living for eternity we live for the here and now.

But just as God used Peter to urge believers two thousand years ago, He also urges us to look forward to the future in two ways:

1. Investing in the eternal (2 Peter 3:10-13)

We spend so much of our lives investing in the work of our own hands, often at the exclusion of investing in things of eternity.  Because of sin, this world is under a curse of destruction; judgment is coming, and the things of this earth will melt away. A.W. Tozer states it this way:

The whole purpose of God in redemption is to make us holy and to restore us to the image of God. To accomplish this He disengages us from earthly ambitions and draws us away from the cheap and unworthy prizes that worldly men set their hearts upon.

We should hate what sin has done to this world and begin to love the things that God loves. According to Spurgeon, “Holiness and godliness will outlive even the flames of the last great day.” The “new” has already come in our hearts (2 Corinthians 5:17), and a new heaven and earth are on the way! Therefore, let’s invest in our eternal future.

2. Living a holy life (2 Peter 3:14-18)

In this passage, Peter repeatedly calls believers to live a holy life (vs. 11, 14). The English word holy means “well” or “whole.” Therefore, to be holy means that we are spiritually healthy and that we recognize the hand of God in all things. It’s not that we can be completely holy, but that God imparts His holiness to us through Christ. He sets us apart, and then we give our lives over to the ways of God.

There was a time in my life when I wanted very badly to please God. I think it was born out of my need to be loved and accepted. I was a rule-follower and always wanted to do the right thing. I’m not sure exactly when it happened, but through many years of growing in the grace and knowledge of God, I now want to please God because I love Him. There is a huge difference in my motivation and it’s very freeing.

Let’s not seek holiness in order for God to love us, let’s seek it because He already does.

When Christ does return, we want to “be found by Him” spiritually healthy and whole. John Piper says it this way, “These two motivations God gives us for our sanctification: 1) that the earth and all the vain accomplishments of man are going to be burned up, and only the fruits of holiness will remain; and 2) that the promise of new heavens and a new earth shines so bright with God’s righteousness and glory, how can we not walk in the light!”

Thank you Lori Moody for sharing with us today! Lori serves on the Women’s Ministry Leadership Team of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention and speaks at women’s conferences, retreats, and events.

For more about New Start 15:

Visit our Facebook page
Your invitation to a New Start in 2015
New Start 15 Bible Reading Plan
New Start 15 Suggested Resources
New Start 15 Blog Schedule
Yesterday’s post by Christen Price

 

 

 

 

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Am I Useful to God?

One morning I was running late to church to lead the weekday ladies’ Bible study class. Two stoplights from my destination, the driver of the only car in front of me sat through the green light without making a move while she talked to the person in the passenger seat. I “patiently” waited behind her while the light turned red.

When the light turned green for the second time, it looked as if she might not make that one either, so I hit my horn. No, not a friendly, quick, little “toot.” It was an irritated, long blast. She began to move very slowly and I barely made it through the intersection before the light turned red again.

“I’ll show her,” I thought. As soon as I had the chance I darted around her, tossing back one of those icy glares as I sped by.

I approached the last light and got in the right lane to make my turn. I glanced in my rear view mirror. She was also in the turn lane. One block from church I was hit with a horrible possibility. What if the woman in the car was headed to my church? At that time, a community group met in our building on Tuesday mornings. She would see me go in and know I was one of those “Christian” women.

“No,” I reassured myself. “What are the chances? Surely she is headed to one of the homes in the neighborhood.”

I slowed to make the turn into the church parking lot. Another furtive glance in the mirror confirmed my worst fears. She was also turning! I scooted into the one remaining parking spot close to the doors while she drove further down the lot. I was inside the building and headed to my classroom before she got her seat belt unfastened.

Conviction & Repentance

Immediately, the Holy Spirit pressed in with conviction. Had those few moments gone differently, God may have used me to encourage the driver or share Jesus with her. When our paths crossed in the parking lot, perhaps God would have given me an opportunity to invite her to Bible study. But my anger and impatience did not make me “useful to the Master” that morning for encountering the woman. In fact, my heart attitude also compromised my fitness to lead that morning’s Bible study group.

I submitted to the Holy Spirit and responded to His conviction with repentance. I also prayed my sinful actions would not have a negative spiritual impact on the woman. I asked Him to completely fulfill His purposes for her life. Unfortunately, I was not blessed to be a part of what He wanted to do that morning.

In Paul’s second letter to his “spiritual son” Timothy, he emphasized how vital it is for believers to pursue holiness if we want to be effective instruments for God’s use. Here’s how Paul put it:

If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work. Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts. Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.  

2 Timothy 2:21-24, NLT

Pursue Holiness to be Useful to God

If we want God to work in and through our lives to reach people for Christ and to carryout His eternal purposes we must “keep ourselves pure.” The Greek word means to “cleanse, clean thoroughly, purge.” If we want to be fully useful to God we must rid our lives of any and everything that could limit our usefulness.

Although Paul does not give us a complete list in this passage, he does tell Timothy to “flee from” some things and to “pursue” others. The list below comes from the larger passage of 2 Timothy 2:

The condition of our lives – our speech, behavior, attitudes, motives -determines how useful we are to God, how effective we will be for His eternal purposes. A believer, who purposefully strives to live a holy life, can be powerfully used by God.

And God does command us to strive for holiness.

Do your best (work hard, study, be diligent, strive) to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed… 2 Timothy 2:15a

I want to be an instrument God can use! How about you? Let’s ask Him to show us any areas of our lives that prevent or limit the way He wants to use us. Let’s commit to a new start in 2015! (Miss the invitation to participate in New Start 15? See it now.)

How could God use you this year? Is there anything in your life right now that’s preventing God from using you to the fullest potential?

More on “New Start 15″

Your invitation to participate
Kathy’s personal commitment
New Start 15 Bible Reading Plan
New Start 15 Facebook page
New Start 15 Suggested Resources
January 5 New Start 15 blogs by contributors Angela Mackey and Heather Riggleman

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Your New Start Begins Today!

January 5, 2015 is the first official day of New Start 15, a month dedicated to help us live out the “new creation” Jesus died to make possible! Read below to find out more!

The New Start 15 campaign combines a Bible Reading Plan, daily blog posts from our team of contributors, and a Facebook community to help us discover, commitment to, and practically live out the holy life God calls us to. (This invitation post will tell you more.) If you want to learn more about holiness, here’s our suggested resources.

I encourage you to like the Facebook page, read the Bible passage Monday thru Friday, and follow the daily blogs that will help us understand how to apply God’s truth to our lives!

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17

The post Your New Start Begins Today! appeared first on Kathy Howard.

Holiness is Only One Shade of White

Two years ago, when I learned how popular the book “Fifty Shades of Grey” was among Christian women, I felt heartsick. I was shocked that believers could rationalize the reading of a novel categorized as “erotica.”

But “Fifty Shades” is not the problem. It’s merely a symptom of a greater issue. The church has forgotten what it means to be holy, to be “in the world, but not of it.” While I may not read ‘mommy porn,” I can’t say my life is completely holy. My “shades of grey” simply pop up in other areas.

So, while God has given me a burden to call Christian women back to holiness, He has also reminded me that He’s not done with me. He still has work to do in my life. He wants to clean up and wash away my areas of grey. Although I’m one of the leaders of New Start 15, I will also be a full participant. (In case you missed the New Start 15 invite, here it is!)

God’s not done with me. He wants to wash away all my areas of grey. #NewStart15
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God Is the Standard for Holiness

Where I get tripped up is that I tend to compare myself to other Christians. I think I’m okay because I’m not as unholy as this person or that person. But then God reminds me – again – that His holiness is the standard.

God calls His people to be holy in all we do. To be holy as He is holy.

As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.  But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy. 1 Peter 1:13-16, NIV

God Himself is our pattern, our example. In Him there is no grey, no darkness. He is the epitome of holiness.

God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5, NIV

That may sound like a tall order, but God has provided “everything we need for life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3) through the presence and power of His Holy Spirit residing within us.

God demands holiness. He provides everything we need for godliness. #NewStart15
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In 2015, I will be asking God to continue to grow me in Christ-likeness, to show me areas of my life that need His cleansing power. My prayer now is that He will help me to obey. That He will give me the desire to take off the old and put on the new. To be holy, as He is holy.

Some friends are joining me in this journey toward holiness and you’re invited too! We’re calling this January emphasis New Start 15. If you’d like a New Start too, here’s some ways you can join in:

“Like” the New Start 15 Facebook page for daily updates and encouragement.
Download the New Start 15 Bible Reading Plan and use it through the month of January. (It starts Monday, January 5th.)
Follow the New Start 15 Blog series on the contributors’ blogs. These blogs will align with the Bible Reading Plan and help us along the journey! Tomorrow, my friend Julie Sanders will share about her own journey toward holiness.

My prayer for you – and myself – is that God will fill us with a desire to live a life that pleases Him and points others to Jesus. And as we live this holy life, that our relationship with Him will deepen and grow.

What about you? Would you describe yourself as “holy?” Will you join me on the New Start 15 journey toward holiness? You can keep up with everything by “liking” the New Start 15 Facebook page!

 

The post Holiness is Only One Shade of White appeared first on Kathy Howard.

Want a New Start in 2015?

I love the “undo” button on my laptop. You know the one – that little arrow that curves to the left. When you click it, the last thing you did magically disappears.

Sometimes I wish life had an “undo” button. I could click it to magically erase the unkind words I blurted. Or wipe out my selfish behavior. Or eliminate that wrong decision. To “undo” all those things that brought unwanted consequences or now weigh heavy on my conscience.

Yep. In fact, sometimes it would be great to start over all together. To get a clean slate. To get a complete do-over.

Guess what? If you’re a Christian, that’s exactly what you got when you entered into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. And sister, if things have gotten a bit off track since then, it’s not too late to undo and start new. In fact, now is a great time for a NEW START.

If you’d like to “undo” a few things or even start new on a bigger scale, consider joining me for “New Start 15.” During January, a few friends and I will be leading a month-long journey into holiness. Together we’ll explore what it looks like to become a “new creation in Christ,” to practically live out the set-apart, holy life to which God calls us.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 2:17, NIV

The “old” life looks like the world around us. And it’s burdened with the weight and consequences of worldly living. But the “new” life is radically different from the world, holy and set apart to God.

There is glorious freedom and joy in living a life of holiness. Freedom from the weight and consequences of sin. And joy in a deeper intimacy with our holy God.

Do you like the sound of freedom and joy? The chance for a New Start? Our God is the God of second chances, clean slates, and do-overs.

Participation in New Start 15 is simple. Here are a few ways you can get involved:

Use the New Start 15 Bible Reading Plan in your personal quite time January 5 – 23. (Free PDF download, version A or version B)
Like the New Start 15 Facebook page to keep up with daily devotional blog posts, get words of encouragement, and share thoughts from your own journey. (You can also download the New Start 15 bloggers list and schedule.)
Follow the New Start 15 “blog hop” January 5-23 (weekdays only) as the New Start 15 team blogs about living the new, holy life in Christ. (List of New Start 15 contributors)
Check out the New Start 15 Resources List for books, Bible studies, blog posts, printables and more to help you on your journey. (Free Download)
Invite your friends to join you in the New Start 15 journey by sending them the link to this post.

Do you long for deep intimacy with God? Do you desire for your life to please and glorify Him? Do you want your life to point others to Jesus? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then New Start 15 is for you! Join us in January as we dig into God’s Word to find out what He says about living the new, holy life in Christ.

Are you ready for a New Start? I’d love to hear your thoughts and comments. Or simply let me know you’re in! Happy New Year!

 

 

 

 

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God’s First Christmas Morning

There’s a red Radio Flyer wagon waiting under the tree for our young grandson. I can’t wait to see his reaction on Christmas morning.

The excited anticipation of a gift-giver is one of the special joys of Christmas. You know the feeling – when you just can’t wait to see how your loved one will react when he opens that “perfect” item you found for him or when she finally sees that thing you made just for her.

Sometimes reality meets or even exceeds our anticipation. Other times, our excitement is quickly deflated by the receiver’s reaction. Perhaps our gift missed the mark. Or maybe the receiver failed to appreciate the value of the gift. Or the love that motivated the giving.

Imagine God the Father as the first Christmas approached. He had prepared the perfect Gift. A Gift to meet the ultimate need of every soul. Was He giddy with anticipation? Did He carefully watch each face as the Gift was revealed?

Some received God’s Gift with joy and wonder. Others, not sensing the value of the Gift, casually tossed the Gift aside and quickly moved on to something else. Still others violently rejected His Gift.

Imagine how the various reactions to His Gift impacted God. Was He pleased? Angry? Sorrowful? Heartbroken?

Of course He knew in advance how people would react. And yet He gave.

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.  John 3:16

God gave His only Son that first Christmas to meet our greatest need. Our sin has separated us from God. We stand condemned, in need of a Savior. So God became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). Immanuel came and showed His love for us by dying in our place (Romans 5:8). No greater love. No greater gift.

How have you responded to God’s great gift of Love? With gratitude and humble submission? Or with rejection or simple indifference?

He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him. Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.  John 1:11-12

If you are a child of God, celebrate this Christmas with joy! Express your humble gratitude to God for His indescribable Gift. If you’ve never received God’s great Gift of love, don’t let another Christmas go by without accepting the salvation He offers in Jesus Christ.

I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:11

 Want to accept God’s great Gift? Find out more about how to have a saving relationship with Jesus.

The post God’s First Christmas Morning appeared first on Kathy Howard.

Discipleship Resources for Your 2015 Goals

 

Have you set any spiritual goals for 2015? Last Thursday’s post offered some tips and tools for evaluating our spiritual health and setting some goals. Spiritual growth requires discipline and intentionality. As the apostle Paul said, we must “train ourselves for godliness” (1 Timothy 4:7-8). Today, I simply want to share some discipleship resources to help and encourage you as you work toward those goals. If you have some favorite websites, books, or resources, please feel free to share them with us in the comment section!

 

Quiet Time Help & Encouragement:

“God is My Refuge” – This 12-week devotional book guides us to discover God’s faithful promises for difficult times and helps us apply them to our lives. Find out more and download a free day’s devotional.
Hello Mornings – Thousands of women from all over the world have found encouragement and accountability to make spending time with God their first priority. This online ministry connects women in small community groups.
Quiet Time Tips – free download from Kathy!
10 Tips for a Great Quiet Time – My friend Teri Lynn Underwood shares helpful hints!
“Savoring Living Water: How to Have an Effective Quiet Time” - Kindle book by Lara Williams, Katie Orr, & Sarah Mattern

Bible Reading:

Bible reading plans – I have 6, year-long plans on the resources page of this website, free to download. The plans vary widely in daily reading length, so you can choose one that meets you where you are in your spiritual journey.
Bible Gateway plans – This site (which is one of my favorites) has numerous free plans available. Plus, you can receive daily reading reminders by email!

Bible Study:

Online study – There are four complete Bible studies on this website. Follow the link and check out the categories in the left sidebar. The studies include Ephesians, The Fruit of the Spirit, Hebrews, and a condensed version of my published study “Unshakeable Faith.”
List of 7 “Must-Have” Resources
List of great online Bible study tools
Bible Study Books - I have four published studies. One may be just what you’re looking for!

1. “Unshakeable Faith: 8 Traits for Rock-Solid Living”

2. “Before His Throne: Discovering the Wonder of Intimacy with a Holy God”

3. “God’s Truth Revealed: Biblical Foundations for the Christian Faith”

4. “Embraced by Holiness: The Path to God’s Daily Presence”

Women’s Bible Study Cafe – This online study group begins new studies in January.
Your church – If your church offers a women’s Bible study group, I encourage you to join. There is no substitute for studying God’s Word with members of your own church body!

Scripture Memory:

“Hide His Word” – This Facebook group does a wonderful job of encouraging and helping people memorize Scripture!
Memverse – This online system helps you memorize and review Scripture!
Scripture Memory Tips - this free download gives helpful tips for memorizing God’s Word.
Scripture Memory Plans – the resources page of this website offers 5 free plans!
Charlotte Mason’s Scripture Memory System – Extremely detailed idea for organizing your memory verses!

Prayer Resources:

Praying Life Foundation - Free prayer resources & articles from Jennifer Kennedy Dean
21 Ways to Pray for Other Christians - PDF to download included with blog post
Sharing Jesus Prayer Guide - Ways to pray for yourself & others as you tell them about Jesus.
“Take Words with You: A Manual for Intercession” - free resource from DesiringGod.org that helps you pray Scripture
21-Day Prayer Challenge – Join Christen at “The Uncontainable Truth” this January!

Other resources to check out:

Girlfriends in God – Encouraging, daily devotional
Do Not Depart – This practical site helps Christians abide in Christ.
The M.O.M. Initiative – Mentoring for women in all phases of life!
Living Better at 50+ - online magazine for Christian women covers home, health, fashion, finances, faith, and more!

Do you know of a helpful resource for those of us seeking to follow Christ more closely in 2015? Tell us about it in the comments!

The post Discipleship Resources for Your 2015 Goals appeared first on Kathy Howard.

Spiritual Goals for Spiritual Growth in 2015

This time of year, many of us reflect on the condition of our lives. We may evaluate the health of our bodies, our relationships, or our work situation. We may even “resolve” to change things. But if we’re really serious about improvement, we will set some goals and establish a plan to move forward. But have you ever considered doing the same with your spiritual health? The New Year is the perfect time to do some “spiritual evaluation” and set some spiritual goals for growth.

We can’t cause our spiritual growth. Only the Holy Spirit has the power to transform us into the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). But God does expect our obedient and active cooperation (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). One way we can purposefully “train ourselves to be godly” (1 Tim 4:7-8) is through spiritual evaluation and goal setting.

This post includes both a “Discipleship Evaluation” tool and a “Spiritual Goals Worksheet” for you to do just that. But keep in mind, resolutions and goals are often hard to keep. Statistics show that, at best, only 46% of New Year’s resolutions are still kept six months into the year. People lose their resolve quickly because they set unattainable goals.

First, use this free Discipleship Evaluation form to honestly evaluate your current spiritual condition. This tool covers 17 different key discipleship areas. Your weakest areas can be great growth areas in 2015.

Next, set spiritual growth goals using the five tips below. Planning is not “unspiritual.” Living a life that glorifies God will not happen by accident. This free “Spiritual Goals Worksheet” walks you through specific areas of discipleship such as time with God, ministry, service, and Christian education.

Most importantly, ask God to guide you as you evaluate your spiritual health and set goals for growth. He will bring the spiritual transformation as you strive to live a live that pleases Him.

The following five tips will help us set personal discipleship goals that will keep us growing through the year:

Concentrate your efforts. Set just one, two, or three goals at a time. Don’t spread yourself too thin. When you experience success then add another goal.
Be realistic. Set attainable goals. If you don’t read your Bible regularly now, don’t set a goal to read the entire Bible in three months. Instead commit to read it 3 to 5 times per week.
Think concretely. Set goals so progress can be measured. For instance, this goal is too ambiguous: I’m going to spend more time with God. Instead be concrete: I will read one Bible chapter and pray for 10 minutes five times a week.
Include strategies. Develop strategies designed to move you toward your goals. If one goal is to memorize Scripture, determine how you will do that. What verses you will memorize? How often you will tackle a new one? What memorization techniques you will use?
Create manageable steps. Break your overall goal into a series of smaller goals that are doable and will foster success.

Be sure to come back by on Monday for a resource list to help you meet your goals!

How do you feel about setting spiritual goals? Have you ever set spiritual goals in the past?

 

 

The post Spiritual Goals for Spiritual Growth in 2015 appeared first on Kathy Howard.

Love means Crème Brûlée

We celebrated my husband’s birthday last week. Poor Wayne, it’s tough when your birthday is so close to Christmas. It can easily get lost in the activities of the season.

This year I wanted to do something special, just for him. To show him that his birthday does matter.

Wayne doesn’t love cake. So over the years I’ve made his favorite pie – Coconut Cream – several times. One year I made Tiramisu. That was a disaster. But that’s also another story.

This year I wanted to tackle his absolute favorite dessert. When we go out to eat, if it’s on the menu, he orders it. But this dessert intimidates me. I’ve always considered crème brûlée to be super “fancy,” something too difficult for me to tackle. But this year I worked up the courage to give it a try.

First, I Googled “easy crème brûlée recipes and found a couple I could use as a starting point. Then I went to Bed, Bath, and Beyond and bought four crème brûlée ramekins. Then, I headed to the grocery store to pick up heavy cream.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, last Wednesday, I embarked into new territory and made my first ever crème brûlée. I didn’t taste it before I served it so I was a bit nervous when I set it on the table in front of Wayne. I breathed a huge sigh of relief when he pronounced it “delicious!” And you know what? It was!

The most exciting part of the whole process is that Wayne was pleased. He knew I had gone out of my way to try something new solely because I knew he would like it.

Wayne isn’t on Facebook so I shared photos and comments throughout the process. A number of my FB friends asked for the recipe so I’m sharing it here. I created this one by combining elements from two. I hope you enjoy. I would love to hear how it goes and even see photos!

click to print

 

Think about the people you love. What are some ways you could show them they’re special to you?

 

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