Janice Hanna's Blog, page 6

Heavenly Protection

For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

Psalm 91:3-4 ESV

My father called me one morning and shared the most amazing story of God’s protective hand in his life.

He had been sitting in his bedroom earlier that morning watching television. My dad heard a noise from downstairs but ignored it. He assumed it was my stepmother returning from taking my younger siblings to school, her usual routine. 

Some time went by and she never came upstairs.

The noise, however, continued.

Curiosity aroused, my father went to the top of the stairs and called out her name. There was no response. Once again, he called out to her—walking slowly down each step as he did. 

Upon rounding the halfway point, he was astounded to see a large man at the foot of the stairs holding a knife!  The man demanded money, forced my father back up the stairs and into the master bedroom at knifepoint. Having recently made a trip to the bank, my dad had an extraordinarily large amount of money on him, which he handed over without question. 

The man was not content with just the money, however. He tied my father up and told him that he was going to kill him. 

My father responded: “You can’t kill me. I’m a Christian.”  

For some unknown reason, the man got very nervous, untied my father and fled the house. The money was taken, but my dad’s life was spared.

  Perhaps you’ve heard similar stories. This just happens to be one that I know of, personally. Time and time again God places a cloud of protection over his children. He snatches us out of the fire, and the world watches in amazement. Oh, they try to figure these things out logically, but we know better. There is no logic greater than our supernatural God.

Challenging Thought: Evil still exists in this world, but God has promised to take care of His own. How has He done that in your life?  

Read more devotions like this one in a new book Janice co-authored with Louise Looney titled An Overcoming Walk of Peaks and Valleys, now available on Amazon!

The post Heavenly Protection appeared first on Janice Thompson, Author.

Moving Out of the Driver’s Seat

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Galatians 5:1 (NIV)

I raised four teenage daughters at the same time.

Can you even imagine?

Keeping them safe was always a priority, but never more so than when they started to drive. There are no words to express the feeling of ‘moving out of the driver’s seat’ for the first time. 

Handing the responsibility over to my oldest daughter, I thought I might not make it through the experience. Fear gripped me at every turn. 

To her credit, she proved to be an extremely good driver, and as time went on, I found myself more and more relaxed as she settled in behind the wheel. In fact, we took a road trip from Texas to Montana and she did much of the driving. 

As each of the other daughters took their turn in the driver’s seat, I worried less and less. Maybe I just forgot to worry? I’m not sure, but the fear dissipated over time, until I didn’t even think about it anymore. 

The Lord has since reminded me of the many times that He wanted to take the keys from my hand and climb into the driver’s seat of my life. Many times, I refused to budge, choosing instead to cling tightly to the steering wheel, knuckles turning white.

What role do you find yourself in today?

Are you the nervous passenger, wondering where God is taking you and fearing you might not make it? Or, are you the one behind the wheel, determined to do things your way? 

It’s time to hand the keys over to Him, my friend. He knows the way. And He’s the best driver around!

Challenging Thought: Do you have to be the one in charge? What would it look like, if you let go and let God?

Read more devotions like this one in a new book Janice co-authored with Louise Looney titled An Overcoming Walk of Peaks and Valleys, now available on Amazon!

The post Moving Out of the Driver’s Seat appeared first on Janice Thompson, Author.

Katie Sue’s Easy Homemade Ice Cream

Easy Homemade Ice Cream

Per person:

,  1⁄2 cup milk,  1⁄4 cup half-and-half,  1 Tbs. sugar,  1⁄4 teaspoon vanilla,  1 sandwich size zip bag,  1 gallon size zip bag,  2 cups ice,  1 tablespoon rock salt,  Favorite toppingIn smaller zip bag, add the milk, half-and-half, sugar, and vanilla. Seal tightly. In the larger bag, add the ice, salt, and smaller zip bag, and seal tightly. Shake vigor- ously for about five to ten minutes. Remove zip bag containing ice cream and rinse or wipe with cold water to remove salt on outside of bag. Open carefully and dig in. You can top with your favorite topping.

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He Shuts the Mouths of Lions

My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.”

Daniel 6:22 ESV

When Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den God chose to shut the mouths of those terrifying beasts so that they could not harm him. Talk about a miraculous, supernatural intervention! 

I got to thinking about that as I pondered the current state of the world. All around us, lions are roaring. We hear them on the news, on social media, on the job, and even in the marketplace. It’s hard to ignore the roar. 

The enemy is skilled in the art of distraction, isn’t he? If he can’t stop us completely, he’ll just distract us with a loud, fake roar, intended to throw us off-course and make us lose our focus. He’s the king of chaos, and knows just what to do to propel believers into confusion and fear. 

The Bible calls him “the enemy of our souls who comes to steal, kill, and destroy” and that’s a more-than-adequate description! He is the “roaring lion” whose voice is trying to steal our joy, our peace, and our hope and we need to remain aware of his tactics so that we can adequately tune him out. 

There’s another lion. . .

One we read about in Revelation 5: “One of the elders said to me, “Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals.”

Jesus is the Lion of the tribe of Judah, and His mouth is wide open, too. Only, He’s not speaking words of chaos and confusion. He’s saying, “Come to me, all of you who are weary, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

This is quite the opposite from our enemy, isn’t it?

To fully see the contrast, check out John 10:10: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

What a contrast! One lion brings chaos, death, hopelessness. The other brings life…and that to the full! There is abundant life for those who follow the lion of the tribe of Judah, so the choice today is clear. Follow hard after the Lion who promises life. 

Challenging Thought: Which roar will you listen to?    

Read more devotions like this one in a new book Janice co-authored with Louise Looney titled An Overcoming Walk of Peaks and Valleys, now available on Amazon!

The post He Shuts the Mouths of Lions appeared first on Janice Thompson, Author.

Intervention

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the  Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.

Jeremiah 29:11-12 ESV

Susanna Wesley was the mother of John and Charles Wesley, some of the world’s greatest evangelists. God used these two godly brothers greatly during the First Great Awakening. But did you know that the Wesley home burned to the ground when John was just a small boy and he almost lost his life in the process? 

The fire broke out late at night, sometime before midnight. The whole family was in bed, asleep. They had no idea they were in trouble until the corn-chamber fell on one of the daughters, little Hetty. The child woke and ran to call her father. 

I’m sure you can imagine that the whole scene was pure chaos at that point. There was no time to grab anything. They lost most of their belongings. But, with the help of Susanna’s husband and their maid, most of the children were spared. 

After arriving outside in the garden. . .

The wind drove the flame with great vengeance. At that point, covered in burns, Susanna realized that little John was missing. He’s still upstairs in his room. 

Can you imagine? The family heard his cries coming from the nursery. At this point Susanna’s husband tried valiantly to rescue him, but could not. So, he commended the child’s soul to God and went back to caring for those who had survived.

Meanwhile, young John climbed up to the window and they managed to pull him out, just in time. History records that Susanna Wesley was particularly careful from that time forth to pay special attention to young John’s spiritual training. She felt very strongly that God had spared his life for a reason. 

And indeed, He had. Consider the fact that something served as a barrier between the young child and the overwhelming smoke and flames. God intervened just in time. That’s often how it is in our lives. The time of intervention comes, usually just in time. As you have probably heard time and time again, “God is never late!”  His timing in our lives is absolutely perfect!

Challenging Thought: Can you think of a time when God miraculously intervened in a situation on your behalf?

Read more devotions like this one in a new book Janice co-authored with Louise Looney titled An Overcoming Walk of Peaks and Valleys, now available on Amazon!

The post Intervention appeared first on Janice Thompson, Author.

Mary Elizabeth’s Tea Party Sandwiches

Mary Elizabeth: Welcome to America

Bread (white, wheat, or raisin) Butter for spreading Sandwich fillings:

Chicken salad
Tuna salad
Pimento cheese spread Cream cheese and jam Cucumber and cream cheese

Chicken salad, tuna salad, and pimento cheese

Take two slices of bread and, using a butter knife, spread both slices of bread with a small amount of soft butter. Then, on one slice, spread chicken salad, tuna salad, or pimento cheese generously. Place the other slice of buttered bread on top of the filling and press together gently.

Take a sharp knife (ask your mom to help you with this) and cut off the crusts. Then cut the sandwich across one way, turn and cut across the other way, making 4 triangle tea sandwiches.

Cream cheese and jam

Take two slices of bread and, using a butter knife, spread one slice of bread with softened cream cheese. On the other slice of bread, spread about one tablespoon of strawberry or raspberry jam. Put the slices together and press gently.

Take a sharp knife (ask your mom to help you) and cut off the crusts. Then cut the sandwich across one way, turn and cut across the other way, making 4 triangle tea sandwiches.

Cucumber and cream cheese

4 ounce package of cream cheese, softened 2 tablespoons chopped chives (optional)
1 cucumber, sliced into thin rounds

Mix chives into the softened cream cheese. Spread one side of bread with cream cheese. Top with 2-3 slices of cucumber. Spread cream cheese on the other slice of bread and put slices together. Press gently.

Take a sharp knife (ask your mom to help you) and cut off the crusts. Then cut the sandwich across one way, turn and cut across the other way, making 4 triangle tea sandwiches.

Variation

In addition to triangle tea sandwiches, you can use cookie cutters to make decorative sandwiches. Use your cookie cutter and cut out the center of several slices of bread. Remove the crusts. Follow instructions above for adding different sandwich fillings.

Store sandwiches in a waxed paper-lined plastic container with slightly damp paper towels between the layers and on top. Seal tightly and place in refrigerator until time to serve.

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Modern Day Donkeys

For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

James 3:16 ESV

I get a little envious of others sometimes. In fact, truth be told, I often fight the temptation to crave what my friends and neighbors have. I covet.

Don’t get me wrong. . .I’ve read the Ten Commandments. I know we’re not supposed to struggle with envy. But this whole thing about not coveting your neighbor’s donkey has always been a little hard to grasp. Is it actually possible to be jealous of a donkey, or have I completely missed the point?

In order to better understand this concept, I decided to put the scripture in modern terms. Here’s what the final commandment might say, if the Lord had waited until the 21st century to share it:

Don’t envy your neighbor when he gets a brand new SUV and you’re still driving a 1999 Chevy that once belonged to your uncle, who passed it to your father, who in turn passed it to you. Instead, thank God that you have a vehicle to drive. There are actually people on the planet who would give their eye teeth to have your car.Don’t envy your friend when her husband takes her on a second honeymoon to Hawaii. Instead, pray for her safety, and for a season of refreshing for her marriage.Don’t be jealous when the guy across the street can afford a landscaping service to care for his lawn and yours hasn’t been manicured in months. Instead, get out the lawnmower and get to work. You probably need the exercise.When on an airplane, don’t envy the people in first class. Thank the Lord for frequent flyer miles and enjoy the ride.When standing in the check-out line at your local grocery store, don’t envy the lady in front of you who apparently has the funds to do serious shopping. Thank God for your coupons and your ability to budget wisely, then wait patiently for your turn.

You get the point! I can’t really blame the donkey for my troubles. Jealousy is something that I can learn to control, and you can, too. With God’s help, we can get rid of the donkeys in our lives. 

Challenging Thought: Have you struggled with envy? How can you overcome the temptation to be jealous of others?

Read more devotions like this one in a new book Janice co-authored with Louise Looney titled An Overcoming Walk of Peaks and Valleys, now available on Amazon!

The post Modern Day Donkeys  appeared first on Janice Thompson, Author.

It Might Be Day Seven

By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.

Hebrews 11:30 ESV

I recently heard an amazing message about Joshua at the walls of Jericho from a worship leader by the name of Tauren Wells. He shared that there is some speculation among scholars that, when the walls of Jericho finally fell, they fell in such a way that they actually became ramps into the city. 

The very thing the enemy had been using to keep the Israelites out turned out to be the very thing He used to bring them in! Wow!  

Fascinating, right?

Hearing this story makes me wonder if God still moves like that today. Is He asking us to participate in the tumbling of walls so that we can gain entry into something far better? If so, what level of participation is required from us? And, equally as important, are we willing to keep walking, even when we feel like giving up? 

I don’t know what Jericho you’re circling right now. I have a few, and sometimes I feel like I’ve marched around the walls of my proverbial Jericho more than my fair share of days. When it comes to prayers for this broken world, I feel like I’m on day 53,625. And when it comes to more personal issues, I feel like I’ve spent years circling those walls and haven’t yet seen them fall. It’s easy to get discouraged. 

Keep Marching!

Today, be reminded that obedience requires marching, even if you doubt the walls will ever come down. Day after day Joshua marched. No doubt it seemed to take forever. But he would never have entered Jericho if he’d taken a hiatus. 

We can’t stop, no matter how discouraged we might get. Remember, the walls of Jericho dideventually fall…and became ramps into the city. And also remember, God required more of Joshua on the final day than in all the days prior. (On that final day he had to circle the city seven times and then the priests were instructed to blow their horns, which is what brought the walls down.) 

This might be Day Seven for you. 

Victory only comes to those who don’t quit. 

Keep marching.

Challenging Thought: When you feel like giving up, what practical steps can you take to keep putting one foot in front of the other?

Read more devotions like this one in a new book Janice co-authored with Louise Looney titled An Overcoming Walk of Peaks and Valleys, now available on Amazon!

The post It Might Be Day Seven appeared first on Janice Thompson, Author.

Candy Lane’s Hand-Painted Valentine Sugar Cookies

Beyond the Sea

Cookie Ingredients:

Two sticks (one cup) butter

1 extra-large egg

1 cup powdered sugar

½ cup granulated sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp almond extract

3 cups flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

Royal Icing Ingredients:

4 1/2 tbl meringue powder

1/2 cup + 2 t/l water

1 tsp cream of tartar

1 tbl vanilla

1/2 tsp almond extract

One bag (7-8 cups) powdered sugar

Cookies: 

Mix butter, egg, sugars, vanilla and almond extract until creamy. In separate bowl 

sift flour, baking powder and salt together. Add slowly to wet ingredients. Put the 

dough into a freezer-safe bag and chill (in the freezer for 15 minutes or the 

refrigerator for 30 minutes to an hour). Put waxed paper on the counter and set a 

portion of the dough on it. Set another piece of waxed paper on top of the dough. 

Using doubled paint sticks on either side, roll out the dough and use cookie cutters 

to cut. Bake at 375 for ten minutes or your preference. Don’t over-bake. Cool on 

racks until room temperature. Don’t attempt to decorate until the cookies are 

completely cooled. 

Royal Icing: 

Put all items except powdered sugar into mixing bowl. Mix until frothy (less than a 

minute). Add full bag powdered sugar and mix until incorporated (a few seconds). 

Turn mixer on low and beat for ten minutes non-stop until it’s meringue-like in 

texture. Immediately cover with plastic wrap (touching the icing) and a damp towel 

above that.  Now it’s time to color your icing. Scoop out about a cup of the icing into 

a small bowl and add your coloring gel. Mix thoroughly. Add water, (a few drops at a 

time) to get the icing to desired consistency for piping. (Piping/outlining icing 

should be the consistency of toothpaste. Flood icing should be the consistency of 

honey.) Pipe onto cookies using piping bags with #2 tips. 

The post Candy Lane’s Hand-Painted Valentine Sugar Cookies appeared first on Janice Thompson, Author.

Temper, Temper!

A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.

Proverbs 15:18 ESV

Years ago, I was preparing breakfast for my family. I started the process of peeling back the paper on a can of biscuits, then placed it on the counter while I left the room to tend to something else with one of the kids. 

Suddenly I heard a terrible explosion!  

It sounded like a gunshot. My entire family raced to the kitchen. Imagine our shock to discover biscuits now covered the entire room. There were biscuits on the wall, biscuits on the counter, and biscuits on the floor. 

I couldn’t figure out how it had happened. And then I realized that I’d started the process of releasing the pressure by pulling off the outer layer around the can before leaving the room. My actions had actually caused this disaster, though not on purpose. 

None of us dared move until we were sure the explosion had fully ended. Then the cleanup began. (Have you ever tried to clean up sticky uncooked biscuits? They make quite the mess!)

Oh, My!

I got to thinking about how my temper is a bit like that can of biscuits. Sometimes I let life’s frustrations build up, like the pressure inside of that biscuit can. I tuck away my anger as long as I can. Then something happens—often outside of my control—and the proverbial biscuits come shooting out of the can. I make a tremendous amount of noise, and mess up everything in sight with my angry outburst. Then I leave a shocked audience to clean up after me.

How do we stop anger?  

It must be diffused at its root. We have to make a conscious effort not to let the pressure build to the danger point. Otherwise, those biscuits are going to mess up a perfectly lovely room. And possibly ruin a few relationships. 

Perhaps this is one reason the Bible says we shouldn’t go to bed angry. If we let things fester overnight, they’re sure to build over time. Release the pressure a little at a time by giving those situations to God before they get out of hand. Your family and friends will thank you, if you do. 

Challenging Thought: What are some practical ways you can address anger or frustration? 

Read more devotions like this one in a new book Janice co-authored with Louise Looney titled An Overcoming Walk of Peaks and Valleys, now available on Amazon!

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