Friday, December 19, 2014

Hello friends!

As promised, here is a decadent dessert perfect for your holiday dinner! The secret is: IT IS HEALTHY! But don't worry no one will know! My family will be enjoying this for Christmas and I hope you will too!



Don't forget homemade whipped cream or coconut cream makes everything better!!

Lots of Love,
Ashley M.

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Secrets

Dear Friends 

I pour out my heart to you today.

Secrets are the devils play things.



If you keep them they will only fester. Secrets harm more then they could ever do good. Secrets turn to twisted worms inside your heart and soul. 

I'm not just talking about the he said she said stuff either. I'm talking about betrayal, hurts, wrongs done against each other. You know, the thoughts and feelings rolling around in your head at night keeping you from sleep. Yeah I know you know the ones I'm talking about.
I see so many of my friends and family suffer from them. They make us bitter, paranoid, and downright hateful. Those memories make your insides turn and blood boil. We all keep them, hoping no one will ever know how we really feel. We dont want to shatter this perfect image we only think we have built of ourselves.
News flash you guys no one is perfect, hence the whole reason for Jesus. And let me tell you guys confession is a powerful thing. Let me give you guys a tiny example.

I was totally geeking out about a book series I was reading and my husband said you are such a nerd, and it really hurt my feelings. I didn't want my husband thinking I was stupid and it kind of crushed me and I felt awful. Normally I would have just kept that stupid feeling inside and let it fester. But instead I got up the gumption to tell him " hey that makes me feel stupid" and guess what happened?
He said "sorry honey I was just playing around" I said "ok  honey but it hurt me" and he said sorry and all was forgiven and let go. Can you guess what would have happened if I kept how I felt a secret?
God only knows but I can take a guess. I would have held unto that feeling. Secretly thinking my husband thought I was stupid. silently adding every other stupid thing I thought I did together till I cracked. What would happen then? (I know for a fact the devil loves to use hurt, anger and betrayal against  Gods people. My soul may be saved, but I am sure he will try to render me as useless as possible) Maybe I would have taken course to end my marriage or spiraled into he depths of depression. I really hope you all are following where I am going. If not let me give you one more example.

I lived in terrible fear that I would lose my children. Especially my youngest, as he is a gift my husband never expected to receive. It was so bad that on some days it was all I could do to keep myself from curling into  little ball and crying.Oh and then when Ebola came to Texas I was a mess. It wasnt until I confessed all my fear to a group of women I trusted that I was set free. We prayed and I lay all my fears at the feet of Jesus. My fears diminished.

You see the devil was using my fears in both situations to control me. To make me less capable then I should be. Only in confession and at the foot of the cross can we be set free. Secrets have a way of burrowing deep inside us, no matter the size. They wreak havoc on how we perceive the world around us and those that inhabit the world.

If you want another example of secrets gone wrong read the story of King David and Bathsheba. No one came out a winner in that one and neither will you.

So whats my point here?

James 5:16

16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Give up those secrets. They aren't doing you any good and certainly not keeping you from being hurt.
I'm not saying it will be easy or comfortable at first. But I will say that,
Luke 8:17 
For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all.

It is your life. Do not let secrets and the devil control it. 

Love,
Ashley B.

Friday, December 5, 2014

Santas Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie and a Gluten Free Treat






This cookie pleases even the most skeptic of Gluten Free baking. Every one in my house loved these goodies and I think Santa will too.







The goods


The Mix


Cookie Soldiers 


Reach in and enjoy a yummy treat or two


Love,
Ashley B.



Saturday, November 29, 2014

Advent Chain

Here is an advent chain I made for my family last year and they loved it. all you have to do is print them out, cut them into strips and glue them in order in links. Every night the kids take turns getting a link and reading the corresponding Bible passages. To print left click on image and select print. I recommend choosing the landscape option in your printer options. I also print it on card stock but i think it be fine on regular printer paper.



























I would love to hear back from you all in the comment section. Let me know if your family enjoyed this special time together.

Love,
Ashley B.

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Happy Thanksgiving




Luke 10:41-42
41 And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”


Let us take Jesus at his word here and not worry about to many things. Let us chose the path of Mary and enjoy the  company of the loved ones around us. Not every single thing needs to be just so. It's just food you guys. Take a deep breathe in and slowly let it out. Lets face it, Martha will forever be remembered as the frustrated one .... thats sure not how I want my family and friends to remember me... I chose to be Merry, get it Mary... lol ok I'm done. Happy Thanksgiving Y'all 

Love,
Ashley B.

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Thanksgiving Favs



I love this time of year, when we are to pause to give thanks for all things. It is hard to remember some times how truly blessed we are. It is so easy to fall in the habit of gratitude for all the things we have- cars, homes, tangible possessions. What we forget is that these things just distract us from what are the true blessings in our lives. There is not even time to actually think about what we are thankful for with all the holiday preparations we have deemed necessary. Spending all day in the kitchen lends little time to contemplating the truly beautiful things about our lives. So, I offer you a couple dishes that are simple and delicious. They do not take much time to prepare and are perfect for any holiday meal! may these recipes inspire you to contemplate exactly how you want to spend your days. This year I look forward to simplicity in the kitchen so I may have more time to spend with those I am thankful for and to take time to thank the One who have given me all that I have and is the reason I am here to give thanks. 





I hope you enjoy these recipes and your day of giving thanks! May it be a blessed day for you!

Lots of Love,
Ashley M.

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Fall Favorites staring the Wonderful Pomegranate





It is fall and I am excited! I love all the inspiration that comes with fall, especially in the kitchen. We are reaping the rewards of all the hard work through out spring and summer- harvesting all the beautiful crops of root vegetables, winter squash, and so much more! We here at For GOD so Loved The Mom are excited to bring you a series of recipes using all the wonderful foods fall has to offer.
Now it is not fall in my opinion until I enjoy...





There are so many amazing and wonderful recipes that use pomegranate or you can simply enjoy the seeds freshly picked out of its shell. In staying true to my usual posts I am going to share two simple, easy, and delicious recipes using these scrumptious seeds!



Since you have 1/2 the seeds left over and you simply can't let them go to waste ;) here is a dessert recipe to help you finish those seeds off!


I hope you enjoy these recipes as much as we do!
Lots of Love,
Ashley M