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9/16/08 Fireproof Your Marriage, 20 Tips, Free, Picky Eaters, Healthy Recipes, Children

#1 · September 16, 2008, 3:03 pm

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Posted by: jhbreneman <jhbreneman@...>
HEART TO HEART NEWSLETTER
ENCOURAGEMENT TO WOMEN
Compiled especially for you with love by Lois Breneman

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9/16/08 Fireproof Your Marriage, 20 Tips, Free, Picky Eaters, Healthy Recipes, Children
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IN THIS ISSUE:
NINE STEPS TO FIREPROOF YOUR MARRIAGE
FIREPROOF: A POWERFUL FILM ABOUT A CRUMBLING MARRIAGE
TEN TIPS ON APPLIANCES, FOOD, FELINES AND FUTONS
TEN TIPS FOR HOME IMPROVEMENT
FREE SERVICES AVAILABLE TO YOU
HOPE AND HELP FOR YOUR PICKY EATERS
DELICIOUS AND HEALTHY RECIPES FOR GROWN-UPS AND CHILDREN
        FRIED APPLES
        APPLESAUCE
        SWEET YOGURT
        HUMMUS
        ALMOND -SESAME BUTTER
        ROASTED SALTED ALMONDS
        IMMUNE SUPPORT BREAKFAST
TEACHING "WHY" HELPS KIDS FOR THE FUTURE
STRATEGIES TO HELP DEAL WITH BLAMING
TEACHING CHILDREN
A TEACHER SEES A BOY
OH, THE SPIRITUAL INSIGHT OF YOUNG CHILDREN!
PLEASE VOTE IN THIS CRUCIAL AND CLOSE U.S. ELECTION

Note from Lois: The first article in today's newsletter features the first part of a very long article by Dennis Rainey, the Founder of Family Life Today. The eight remaining steps in his article will follow in future editions of this newsletter.

NINE STEPS TO FIREPROOF YOUR MARRIAGE
By Dennis Rainey - www.familylife.com - Used by permission

Isolation is a disease that afflicts every marriage at some point. A husband and wife slowly drift apart in ways they don't even recognize at first. Signs of isolation include the following:

A feeling that your spouse isn't hearing you and doesn't want to understand
An attitude of "Who cares?" "Why try?"
A feeling of being unable to please or meet the expectations of your spouse
A sense that your spouse is detached from you
A refusal to cope with what's really wrong: "That's your problem, not mine."
A feeling that keeping the peace by avoiding the conflict is better than the pain of dealing with reality

If you are starting to observe these symptoms in your marriage, you have begun experiencing the disease called isolation.

Every marriage, no matter how good, needs a plan to defeat isolation and to bring about intimacy. Isolation is like a terminal virus that invades your marriage, silently, slowly, and painlessly at first. By the time many couples become aware of its insidious effects, it can be too late. Your marriage can eventually be crippled by boredom and apathy, and it could even die from emotional malnutrition and neglect. Follow these nine steps to fireproof your marriage:

Step One: Learn about God's blueprints for marriage

If you were to survey couples and ask, "What is your plan for making your marriage work?" you would hear the following response from many of them: "We have a 50/50 relationship. We meet each other halfway. We each do our part."

On the surface, the 50/50 plan sounds fair and reasonable. In reality, this plan is destined to fail. The problem is simple: It is impossible to determine when your spouse has met you halfway.

Many times in a marriage, both partners are busy, overworked, tired, and feel taken for granted. If you try to operate according to the 50/50 plan, at some point you will start accepting your spouse according to his performance. Your natural selfishness will cloud your judgment, and you will start thinking that your spouse isn't doing enough to keep the marriage and the family going. Thomas Fuller captured the thought process that occurs in most marriages: "Each horse thinks his pack is heaviest."

Ultimately, the world's plan, the 50/50 performance relationship, is destined to fail because it is contrary to God's plan.

You can read dozens of books about what people think the plan for marriage ought to be, but since God created marriage, you should find out what His blueprints are for building a marriage. Here are three key principles:

1. To mirror God's image. "After God created the earth and the animals, He said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.' God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them" (Genesis 1:25–27).

Your marriage should reflect God's image to a world that desperately needs to see who He is. Because we're created in the image of God, people who wouldn't otherwise know what God is like should be able to look at us and get a glimpse.

2. To mutually complete each other and experience companionship. Scripture clearly outlines a second purpose for marriage: to mutually complete one other. That's why God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him" (Genesis 2:18).

Adam felt isolated in the Garden, and so God created woman to eliminate his aloneness. Writing to the first-century church in Corinth, Paul echoed the teachings in Genesis 2 when he asserted, "However, in the Lord, neither is woman independent of man, nor is man independent of woman" (1 Corinthians 11:11).

You need each other. You recognize that now. But if you build your marriage according to God's blueprints, as the years go by you will really appreciate the genius of how God has custom-made your mate for you.

3. To multiply a godly legacy. A line of godly descendants—your children—will carry a reflection of God's character to the next generation. Your plans for children may still be in the future, but if He blesses you with this gift, you will be in for an amazing adventure.

God's original plan called for the home to be a sort of spiritual greenhouse—a nurturing place where children grow up to learn character, values, and integrity. One of your assignments is to impart a sense of destiny—a spiritual mission—to your children. Make your home a place where your children learn what it means to love and obey God. Your home should be a training center to equip your children to look at the needs of people and the world through the eyes of Jesus Christ.

Your marriage is far more important than you may have ever imagined because it affects God's reputation on this planet. That's why it's essential for you to set Jesus Christ apart as the Builder of your home.

FIREPROOF: A POWERFUL FILM ABOUT A CRUMBLING MARRIAGE
By Bob Lepine - www.familylife.com
© Copyright 2008 by FamilyLife. All rights reserved. Used by permission
Click here to find more on FIREPROOF and to watch the movie trailer.

These days, the average Hollywood produced movie costs more than $100 million to make. Some of those movies set new box office records (think The Dark Knight). Some hemorrhage money (think Speed Racer, if you can remember it. Cost to make--$160 million. Domestic box office receipts--$45 million. That's a lot of millions lost).

The average movie made in Albany, Ga., however, costs quite a bit less. Since 2003, Sherwood Baptist Church has produced three full length motion pictures: Flywheel, which played in local theaters for eight weeks and has since sold 40,000 DVDs; Facing the Giants, the 2006 film that cost $100,000 to make and earned $10 million in domestic box office receipts, and has gone on to sell more than 1.5 million DVDs; and their latest film, FIREPROOF, which opens in theaters next week on September 26. FIREPROOF was big budget for the church—it cost $500,000 to make.

The actors worked for free.

Church members did the catering.

The movie locations were made available at no cost.

And the men who produced, directed and wrote the film are on the pastoral staff at the church.

While FIREPROOF undoubtedly won't make as much money at the box office as Speed Racer lost, those who see this powerful story will find themselves moved in a way that Speed Racer – and most big budget movies today—can't seem to pull off.

FIREPROOF tells the story of Caleb and Catherine Holt, a "dual income, no kids" couple living in the suburbs in Albany. Caleb is the fire chief; Cat handles public relations for a local hospital. Their seven-year marriage is crumbling, and neither one knows how to rescue it. When Caleb confides to his father that divorce is imminent, his dad challenges him to take the "love dare"—a 40-day experiment that teaches Caleb how to demonstrate sacrificial love for his wife. Caleb takes the dare, but his heart isn't it. The question is, will his heart change, and can he turn things around before it's too late?

Along the way, FIREPROOF takes us into the center of what life looks like in too many marriages. Much to Catherine's disgust, Caleb looks at pornography on the Internet and dreams about buying a boat. Catherine has lost all respect for her husband, and is responding to the kind words and caring gestures of a doctor at the hospital where she works. Caleb and Catherine are two individuals who pass each other in the kitchen and who no longer share a bed—strangers living in the same house.

Steven and Alex Kendrick, the two brothers who produced and directed the movie, respectively, and who wrote the screenplay together, successfully capture the reality of a marriage that has moved to isolation. Their pastoral experience working with real life couples in marital distress enables them to bring authenticity to the screen. From Caleb and Catherine's poisonous 50-50 approach to marriage to next door neighbors who can't help seeing what's happening, the movie captures—in a way that most movies never do—what is going on in millions of homes.

Kirk Cameron gives a surprising and stunning performance as Caleb Holt. Best known for his role as Mike Seaver on the television show Growing Pains, Cameron skillfully portrays a husband who can lead a team of men to a house fire and can rescue a child trapped inside, but can't figure out how to rescue his marriage. It's a performance that redefines and expands what Cameron is capable of as an actor.

Erin Bethea is in her first leading role in a film, playing Caleb's wife, Catherine. Her acting background includes work as a contract actress for Disney at the Magic Kingdom theme park in Orlando and a small role in Facing the Giants. The rest of the cast (made up of amateur actors and actresses, most of them Sherwood church members) does a commendable job, with a few providing standout performances. Real life Marine Captain Ken Bevel stands out as Michael Simmons, Caleb's co-worker and confidant.

Let's be honest. Much of the acting in Fireproof has a "community theater" feel to it. Most of these actors are not members of the Screen Actors Guild, and there are places where their lack of experience shows, just as it did in Facing the Giants. Even though the film makers have taken a big jump forward with FIREPROOF, there is still at least one scene in the film where the acting is cringingly stiff.

But FIREPROOF ultimately triumphs (just as Facing the Giants did) because it is a powerful story told well. It presents the gospel in a way that will be panned by mainstream movie critics but that will ring true with viewers. The Kendrick brothers have carefully avoided becoming too heavy handed with the message of the film. It's clear, but it's presented in a way that keeps viewers from feeling "preached at."

FIREPROOF is a compelling, entertaining and inspiring movie. When it hits theaters the last Friday in September, it will find itself competing for an audience with My Best Friend's Girl, an R-rated romantic comedy that stars Kate Hudson and Dane Cook, and Nights in Rodanthe, a PG-13 movie with Richard Gere and Diana Lane (based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks). You can be certain that the other movies cost a lot more money to make than FIREPROOF. You can also be certain that the movie with the half-million dollar budget made by the church folks in Albany will tell a more powerful, more true-to-life love story than either of the other two.

TEN TIPS ON APPLIANCES, FOOD, FELINES AND FUTONS

Removing Mineral Deposits in an Iron ~ When the vents on the bottom of your iron get clogged with mineral deposits, steam is unable to pass through to steam your clothes. Remove mineral deposits by putting equal parts of vinegar and water in your iron and turn it on the highest setting. Let the steam work its way through the holes until the clogs have cleared up. Using distilled water will prevent clogging, since the minerals are removed.

Stretch the Use of an Appliance ~ Years ago we had a dryer that I had to crank by starting the drum to spinning with my hand - sort of like a Model-T Ford! It was kind of fun! My husband offered to replace it, but I told him it was rather fun and I did this for a year until something else quit on the dryer! At least it made me laugh every time I dried a load of clothes!

Why Clean Lint Filter? ~ Over 14,000 fires are caused annually by lint build-up in clothes dryers. Clean the lint filter after each use or at least every other time. Wash the lint filter screen, using hot soap, water and a brush twice each year for a more efficient dryer.

Small Items in Dishwasher - Save the net bags that oranges and lemons come in for those tiny lids and items that tend to get lost in the dishwasher. Clip the bag shut with a Pampered Chef Twixit or a metal clip from the office supply.

The Magic Sponge Eraser Comes Through Once Again! After washing out your crockpot, if hard-to-clean stains remain, use a magic sponge eraser. Stains are easily removed.



Make Italian Sausage using Lean Ground Beef! Transform ground beef into Italian Sausage by adding a packet of dry Italian salad dressing mix to one pound of meat. Mix well and use this "sausage" for meat loaf, sausage patties, or breakfast casseroles.

An Easier Way to Serve Ice Cream ~ Allow the box of ice cream to soften, peel the box away, and use a large French knife to slice the ice cream into slabs.

Using Broccoli Stalks ~ Many people don't realize that broccoli stalks are also edible and delicious when steamed or sliced into salads in the raw form. The key is to peel the outer layer of the stalk with a knife, or start at the tip and pull. The stalks taste delicious and you're getting extra vitamins and minerals than by eating the florets alone.

Inexpensive Cat Food ~ Cats love fish, and you might want to supplement your cat's diet with

a spoonful of generic tuna fish, sardines or inexpensive from the dollar store. They'll love it.

Fancy Futon Covers ~ Change the look of a futon by covering with a fitted sheet in your choice of color and fabric. Easy to wash!   If the sheet is wrinkled, use a steamer to smooth it out. Add a couple pillows and a throw for a whole new look. If you sew, your choices of a futon cover are expanded. You can use the current futon cover as a pattern.

TEN TIPS FOR HOME IMPROVEMENT

Clean Roof Gutters ~ Keep the rain water flowing in your roof gutters by placing a screen over them. Allow the rain in and keep leaves out. It's dangerous climbing on the roof to clean them out.

Undisturbed Garbage Cans ~ Place moth balls or ammonia in your trash cans, so raccoons, dogs (and maybe even bears) will not disturb your garbage.

Lawn Mower Care ~ When the mowing season is past, pour a fuel stabilizer into the gas tank, cover the exhaust pipe, and store the lawn mower in a dry place for the winter.

Tree Placement ~ Trees have many practical purposes when planted in the right area. They will reduce your air conditioning bills when planted to block the afternoon sun. When planted on the north side of your home, they will reduce your heating bills.

Winterize the Soil ~ In northern climates, protect your perennial flowers, bushes and trees by using a mulch with straw, hay, pine needles or shredded leaves. Spread to winterize the soil around your plants to prevent the alternate freezing and thawing of the soil.

Fireplace ~ Clean discolored fireplace bricks by using spray-on oven cleaner. Beware of fumes. Open windows while doing this job.

Damp Closets? ~ Put charcoal in an empty coffee can and punch holes in the lid. Put in damp closets to absorb the moisture.

Rust-proof Your Tools ~ Attract any moisture that would rust your tools in your toolbox by loosely wrapping a piece of charcoal or chalk in a paper towel and keeping it in your toolbox.

Rodent-proofing ~ Keep rodents from coming into the house or garage by spreading moth flakes around the perimeter of the house.

Fragrant Home ~ Create a lovely fragrance in each room by spraying a tiny bit of light perfume on light bulbs of lamps while they're cool (turned off).   Dab cotton balls with perfume and tuck in your drawers and closets. Go easy though, since some people have allergic reactions to perfume.

FREE SERVICES AVAILABLE TO YOU

Extension Service - A Very Helpful Free Service in Many Communities

Our state and local taxes pay for a helpful service that many people never use. Check the government pages of your phone book for "Extension Service," "Cooperative Extension" or "Extension Agent" for your county or city.  Our county Extension Service has a very capable Master Gardener and a Home Economist on hand to answer questions.  Or if you have a question they cannot answer right away, they will do research for you and call back. If they don't have the answer, they will refer callers to technical university nearby. Last week I called the Extension Service about one of our favorite trees, since our mature sugar maple tree doesn't look as healthy as usual. They asked me to bring in three leaves, which I did the next day. The Master Gardener was able to diagnose the problem, after examining the leaves under a microscope, and I got to see them as well. Very interesting! I was also given a list of licensed arborists in the area who will be able to help us with our ailing tree.

Free Resource for Homeschoolers: www.HomeschoolFreebieOfTheDay.com

Thanks to Bethany Hargett in Pennsylvania for her recommendation!

HOPE AND HELP FOR YOUR PICKY EATERS

By Mary Hunt - http://www.everydaycheapskate.com/ - Used by permission

Got picky eaters? I'm pretty sure I got you beat. My younger son brought new meaning to the phrase, making me uniquely qualified to say, "Don't get mad, get clever." Use these simple techniques to get your kids to eat a greater variety of healthy foods without resorting to mealtime confrontations, or worse, force-feeding.

BE PREPARED. Keep a cooler in the car stocked with carrots, pretzels, yogurt and water when you're out with the kids. This trick will head off the "I'm starving to death!" syndrome that can cause an otherwise reliable automobile to veer suddenly into a fast food drive-thru lane.

HAVE FUN. Giving leftovers a new name and a new look can make all the difference. My boys loved "Bits and Pieces," a highly anticipated and often requested lunchtime treat that was nothing more than leftovers cut into tiny pieces to be eaten with a toothpick: cheese, meat, fruit, vegetables, pasta, bread, hard cooked eggs and so on. Anything in the refrigerator was a candidate.

DIP IT. Kids love to dip, so use that to your advantage. Dip cooked carrots into a tiny dish of maple syrup; fresh broccoli florets and other veggies into Ranch-style dressing; chicken into yogurt and honey; apples and bananas into peanut butter. Introduce hummus and mild salsa as dips. Both are highly nutritious and go well with veggies, chips and whole wheat croutons.

GET SNEAKY. Soy milk, for example, is a terrific source of healthy phytochemicals. Most kids who are not allergic to milk will not prefer soy, so hide it in a recipe that calls for milk: oatmeal, mashed potatoes or macaroni and cheese. Throw a handful of chopped fresh spinach into the spaghetti sauce and call it "spices." Sprinkle a bit of wheat germ into a tossed salad.

ALLOW TREATS. It's okay to have special treats occasionally. Instead of forbidding sugary cereal forever, make it "Saturday Cereal." Fruit juice, water and milk most of the time make "Sometimes Soda" more appealing. "Movie Candy" helps to make your very special family times more fun.

Try not to comment on what your kids eat. Bite your tongue to make sure you don't blurt something like, "Eat your vegetables!" A parent's job is to serve nutritionally-balanced meals. Your kids are responsible for eating them.

If you turn into a food enforcer, your kids will resist. Soon mealtime will become a battleground and, before you know it, lifelong food attitudes will be set. As long as you balance smart food choices and physical activity with occasional treats, your children will be fine.

Remember my picky eater? The stories I could tell. But none of that matters now. He grew into a fine adult and wonderful husband who enjoys everything from sushi to soy, vegetables and fish. He's living proof that there's hope for any picky eater!

If you need ideas and dipping sauce recipes, send $6 to Dip It!, c/o Debt-Proof Living, P.O. Box 2135, Paramount, CA 90723 or visit the Dip It! page at the Debt-Proof Living online bookstore and I'll send you recipes for 25 different, quick and easy nutritional dipping sauces your kids will love!

DELICIOUS AND HEALTHY RECIPES FOR GROWN-UPS AND CHILDREN
We all know that sugar and artificial sweeteners are harmful for our health. It isn't the easiest thing cutting down or getting off sugar, but these recipes will definitely help make the transition more bearable.  Stevia is a wonderful natural sweetener, and it's actually good for us! Although the cost is higher for the volume, just a tiny bit is needed. These first three recipes will help soothe your sweet tooth without harming your body. My daughter-in-law, Rachael Breneman in Ohio, encouraged me with most of these recipes.

FRIED APPLES
4 large cooking apples (Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Winesap, Jonathan, Ginger Gold
approx. 1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
approx.  6 Tbsp. butter (or half butter and half olive oil)
approx. 1/2 tsp. stevia
plain yogurt, sweetened with stevia and pure vanilla

Remove the core of apples and slice, leaving skin on. Melt butter in frying pan; add apple slices and cook until soft. Add cinnamon and stevia to taste. Serve with plain yogurt, sweetened with stevia and pure vanilla.

APPLESAUCE
Buy unsweetened applesauce and sweeten it yourself with stevia. You will find applesauce in your grocery store, labeled "No Sugar Added." It's still a good idea to read labels to be sure.

SWEET YOGURT

To a carton of plain, low-fat Dannon yogurt, add stevia and pure vanilla as a sweetener. Stir well. It's delicious this way, but you may want to add chopped fruit such as strawberries, blueberries, pineapple, bananas, apples, peaches, plums, grapes, etc.

HUMMUS
15 oz. can or 1 2/3 cups cooked garbanzo beans (chickpeas) - keep some of the liquid
1/4 cup sesame butter
3 Tbsp. olive or flax oil
1/4 tsp. ground coriander
1/4 tsp. paprika
2 Tbsp. minced fresh parsley for garnish
3 Tbsp. lemon juice
2 medium cloves of garlic
1/4 tsp. ground cumin
1/4 cup minced scallions

In food processor, process beans, tahini, lemon juice, and oil until coarse paste consistency. Use as much of the bean liquid as needed to reach desired consistency. Add the garlic, coriander, cumin, paprika and blend thoroughly. Transfer to bowl and stir in scallions (you might want to skip this because I know you don't do well with raw onions) Cover and refrigerate. Garnish with parsley before serving. Good with carrot and celery sticks.

ALMOND -SESAME BUTTER

Mix almond butter with sesame butter to thin it down a bit and also cut the cost. Delicious! Use as a dip for apple slices, carrot sticks, celery sticks and cucumber slices. A great evening snack! This is also good on toast.

ROASTED SALTED ALMONDS
Purchase unroasted almonds, since many roasted nuts are roasted in unhealthy oils. Roast unroasted almonds yourself, by toasting them in a frying pan or on a bar pan with a combination of olive or canola oil and butter in the oven. They can also be toasted in the microwave, being careful that they do not burn. Sprinkle with sea salt (garlic or onion salt, if you wish). Allow to cool completely before storing in bags or containers. If roasting a lot of almonds, store in freezer until ready to use each container. These are very satisfying!

IMMUNE SUPPORT BREAKFAST
Thanks to my sister-in-law, Yvonne Walker, in Washington for this recipe!

4 cups rolled oats (old fashioned, not quick cooking)
2 cups oat bran
1 cup raisins
1 cup sunflower seeds (can be ground)
1 cup raw, unsalted, sliced almonds
1 cup lecithin granules
1 cup flax seeds (need to grind in coffee grinder - measure before grinding)
1 cup wheat germ

Mix all ingredients together and store in refrigerator. Use 1/2 to 1 cup. Mix it with a mashed banana and a couple of tablespoons of organic yogurt and a few drops of vanilla stevia. We have also added blueberries, blackberries - whatever fruit you might want to add. Enjoy!

TEACHING "WHY" HELPS KIDS FOR THE FUTURE
This tip comes from the book Home Improvement, The Parenting Book You Can Read to Your Kids by Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller RN BSN - Used by permission

We encourage parents to ask their children a series of questions after every discipline experience. One of those questions is, "Why was that wrong?" Some parents like this question because it appears to be a set-up for a parental lecture. Resist this urge. You may have a desire to lecture but your child may quickly turn you off.

Furthermore some children answer this question by saying, "because you shouldn't do it." Again, this is an opportunity to help children understand some of the deeper issues involved.

Rather use this question to address heart issues directly. Through dialogue you can point out the bad attitudes like pride, selfishness, anger, or disrespect. Also, you can help children understand the values behind the rules. If you tell your four-year-old son to stay in the back yard and he violates that rule, you can teach him about living within limits. The same value will be taught to him at seventeen years old when he wants to stay out past curfew. By talking about the values, you prepare children to handle a variety of different rules and to translate those rules from one situation to another.

Help your child learn that behavior is only a symptom of something deeper. Parents and children see the behavior but it's important to look at the heart. The Bible is full of principles that will help a child be successful. You may refer to the scriptures or even tell a Bible stories that's appropriate. The question, "Why was that wrong?" helps you do significant teaching every day as you work with your kids.

STRATEGIES TO HELP DEAL WITH BLAMING
A YouTube Video Tip by Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller RN BSN - Used by permission

Note from Lois: I just wanted to tell you ladies how wonderfully the Lord orchestrated this next article by Judy Batford, the poem, and the following four quotes from children! The Lord had them all sent in during the last week, and they fit together so beautifully! I just wanted you to know it was the Lord who did that! Not me! J

TEACHING CHILDREN
By Judy Batdorf - Used by permission

Over the years I have taught Sunday School to many age groups, but I especially enjoyed teaching the three to five year age group. I found out that I was learning as much as I was teaching them. What a joy and privilege to teach these young hearts and minds the truths of God's eternal Word.

At this age their minds are like sponges, soaking up the facts and remembering without the clutter that comes with the years. How often I have been put to shame when one of those little ones remembered the previous lesson down to the exact details, which I had forgotten, and wondered how much I could even remember from last Sunday's sermon.

Oh, the excitement of seeing the Bible come alive through their shining eyes. Just to see the look on their faces as you describe the walls of Jericho tumbling down, or the Israelites crossing the Red Sea on dry land. It makes us think how often we let the Bible become humdrum and commonplace to us because we have heard it so many times before.

Sometimes there are humorous incidents like the little boy who described to me in great detail how Jesus chased the money changers out of the temple and said, "You have made my house a den of thorns," instead of thieves. I had to smile as I realized another recent lesson was about the crown of thorns. At other times there are heart rendering incidents like a teacher related in an article I read. As she was telling the story of the crucifixion and showing the pictures of the nail prints in the Lord's hands, a little three-year-old, his eyes welling up with tears and a tiny voice full of emotion said brokenly, "When I get to heaven, I'm going to kiss Jesus' hands right where the blood is."   That simple heartfelt statement ought to speak a sermon to our own hearts. Tears ought to come to our eyes, too, as we ponder the amazing grace that sent the Savior to die for such a one as I, and our hearts should whisper, "May I love you dear Lord as much as this little child loves you."

Sometimes at the end of an active and noisy class, when your nerves are frayed, when the hyperactive ones have been more active than usual, and you wonder if anything has been accomplished, that is when the Lord reminds you of the verse, "In due season ye shall reap if you faint not." Galatians 6:9.

The following poem is one that I have kept and referred to through the years, and it has never failed to touch my heart anew at each reading:

THE TEACHER SEES A BOY
Author unknown

His trousers are torn, rolled up to the knee,
A hole in his shirt which he caught on a tree,
But I see a soul for whom Jesus has died,
Clothed in His righteousness, pressed to His side,
I see not labor and hours of prayer,
Spent for that freckle-faced naughty boy there.
But I see a Savior with arms open wide,
Waiting in heaven to take him inside.
I see not freckles, but a man fully grown,
A heart filled with God's Word I've faithfully sown,
A life speaking forth for the Savior each day --
O Lord, for this boy I most earnestly pray.
I see not mischief, but energy bent,
Put to the task where the Lord wants it spent;
O God, make this lively mischievous boy
A power for thee, to thy heart a joy.

OH, THE SPIRITUAL INSIGHT OF YOUNG CHILDREN!
Recently our Youth Pastor, Mark Hopkins, shared from the pulpit two amazing comments his four year old son said this summer. I asked if he'd type them out to share with "Heart to Heart." His wife, Valerie, is a "Heart to Heart" subscriber. Here they are!

#1- I had taken my son, Garrett, to Brusters' Ice Cream back in June for a father/son time before I headed to Thailand for a missions trip. We sat down in the car and I told Garrett to sit up front with me while we remained parked in the Brusters parking lot. I turned and looked at my 4 year old Garrett and said, "Garrett, what would you like to talk about?" Garrett replied, "Let's talk about sin!" I replied, "Sin, what do you mean?" Garrett said, "You know the things that you shouldn't do, and the things you should do!"

#2- In July, Garrett and I were sitting at the table eating and he begged me to go over and visit our neighbors and invite them to church. So Valerie and I (and both of our children) went over and gave our neighbors a gift and a neighbor to neighbor packet. We had a great time talking with them and it was a joy to spread some "seed" of the Gospel. We headed back to the house and Garrett asked me excitedly and repeatedly, "Dad, are they going to come to church with us?" I told him that we would have to pray about that and that I hoped they would soon. He continued to ask. Finally, I asked Garrett, "Why do you want them to come to church so badly?" Garrett looked at me frankly and said, "Because they need to learn about God!" I now understand more each day what Jesus meant by having a "childlike" faith!

From Melanie Busby in Georgia ~ My four year old son had learned about the Good news (Christ died for us) and the Bad news (all have sinned) in AWANA. As I was making up our neighborhood newsletters, he asked me, "What are we giving the neighbors -- the good news or the bad news?"

From Alison Buck in Ohio as told by her Aunt Sharon ~ The first time Trevor, 6, took Communion, in the cracker were little holes. He looked up at me and said, "Mommy, I got Jesus' hands." I blinked and whispered, "Why do you think that, Trev?" His reply, "Cuz, there are holes in here from the nails." The tears just kept trickling down my face during the rest of the service.

PLEASE VOTE IN THIS CRUCIAL AND CLOSE U.S. ELECTION

        The next President of the United States will no doubt appoint at least two Supreme Court Justices who will serve for a lifetime. What kind of Justices do you want? A lot of crucial decisions hang in the balance -- decisions that will affect your family and mine. Please make it a matter of prayer, know the candidates, and vote in harmony with the Lord's will.

        Voter Registration is way up this year! If you are not already registered, the deadline to register in Virginia is October 6. It may be different in various states. Call your Registrar to be sure you register before your state's deadline. It's easy to do. Your local librarian can also help. If there is a chance that you will not be able to go to the polls to vote on November 4, because of being out of town, having health reasons, or for any reason which makes it impossible for you to vote on that day, it's easy to apply for an Absentee Ballot. If you know of elderly family and friends who would not be able to get to the polls, help them with Absentee Ballots. Your Registrar or librarian can help with simple details.  Every vote counts!

Pray for the thousands of people who suffered loss from the last few hurricanes!

Please remember to pray for each dear Heart to Heart lady and her family as you receive your newsletter.  Many ladies are going through very tough times and need our prayers!
   Pray each day for the protection of our troops, as well as for their families left at home!

(¨`·.·´¨)                     God bless you and your family and keep you in His loving care!

`·.¸(¨`·.·´¨)                           And remember, I love to hear from you dear ladies!

      `·.¸.·´                                             Your Heart to Heart friend,

"Heart to Heart                                                                        Lois

                                                            Jer. 33:3 & Eph. 3:20

The purpose of the Heart to Heart Newsletter is to encourage women and build biblical values into daily living through practical creative ideas for the Christian family regarding marriage, children, homemaking, and much more. Receive this free bimonthly newsletter by listing your name, city, state, e-mail address, and name of your referral person and sending it to Lois at <a title=mailto:jhbreneman@... href="mailto:[email protected]" target=_blank>[email protected]. New subscribers will receive a Welcome, a "Start-Up Kit," and several recent newsletters.

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HEART TO HEART NEWSLETTER
ENCOURAGEMENT TO WOMEN
Compiled especially for you with love by Lois Breneman

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9/16/08 Fireproof Your Marriage, 20 Tips, Free, Picky Eaters, Healthy Recipes, Children
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IN THIS ISSUE:
NINE STEPS TO FIREPROOF YOUR MARRIAGE
FIREPROOF: A POWERFUL FILM ABOUT A CRUMBLING MARRIAGE
TEN TIPS ON APPLIANCES, FOOD, FELINES AND FUTONS
TEN TIPS FOR HOME IMPROVEMENT
FREE SERVICES AVAILABLE TO YOU
HOPE AND HELP FOR YOUR PICKY EATERS
DELICIOUS AND HEALTHY RECIPES FOR GROWN-UPS AND CHILDREN
        FRIED APPLES
        APPLESAUCE
        SWEET YOGURT
        HUMMUS
        ALMOND -SESAME BUTTER
        ROASTED SALTED ALMONDS
        IMMUNE SUPPORT BREAKFAST
TEACHING "WHY" HELPS KIDS FOR THE FUTURE
STRATEGIES TO HELP DEAL WITH BLAMING
TEACHING CHILDREN
A TEACHER SEES A BOY
OH, THE SPIRITUAL INSIGHT OF YOUNG CHILDREN!
PLEASE VOTE IN THIS CRUCIAL AND CLOSE U.S. ELECTION

Note from Lois: The first article in today's newsletter features the first part of a very long article by Dennis Rainey, the Founder of Family Life Today. The eight remaining steps in his article will follow in future editions of this newsletter.

NINE STEPS TO FIREPROOF YOUR MARRIAGE
By Dennis Rainey - http://www.familylife.com - Used by permission

Isolation is a disease that afflicts every marriage at some point. A husband and wife slowly drift apart in ways they don't even recognize at first. Signs of isolation include the following:

A feeling that your spouse isn't hearing you and doesn't want to understand
An attitude of "Who cares?" "Why try?"
A feeling of being unable to please or meet the expectations of your spouse
A sense that your spouse is detached from you
A refusal to cope with what's really wrong: "That's your problem, not mine."
A feeling that keeping the peace by avoiding the conflict is better than the pain of dealing with reality

If you are starting to observe these symptoms in your marriage, you have begun experiencing the disease called isolation.

Every marriage, no matter how good, needs a plan to defeat isolation and to bring about intimacy. Isolation is like a terminal virus that invades your marriage, silently, slowly, and painlessly at first. By the time many couples become aware of its insidious effects, it can be too late. Your marriage can eventually be crippled by boredom and apathy, and it could even die from emotional malnutrition and neglect. Follow these nine steps to fireproof your marriage:

Step One: Learn about God's blueprints for marriage

If you were to survey couples and ask, "What is your plan for making your marriage work?" you would hear the following response from many of them: "We have a 50/50 relationship. We meet each other halfway. We each do our part."

On the surface, the 50/50 plan sounds fair and reasonable. In reality, this plan is destined to fail. The problem is simple: It is impossible to determine when your spouse has met you halfway.

Many times in a marriage, both partners are busy, overworked, tired, and feel taken for granted. If you try to operate according to the 50/50 plan, at some point you will start accepting your spouse according to his performance. Your natural selfishness will cloud your judgment, and you will start thinking that your spouse isn't doing enough to keep the marriage and the family going. Thomas Fuller captured the thought process that occurs in most marriages: "Each horse thinks his pack is heaviest."

Ultimately, the world's plan, the 50/50 performance relationship, is destined to fail because it is contrary to God's plan.

You can read dozens of books about what people think the plan for marriage ought to be, but since God created marriage, you should find out what His blueprints are for building a marriage. Here are three key principles:

1. To mirror God's image. "After God created the earth and the animals, He said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.' God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them" (Genesis 1:25–27).

Your marriage should reflect God's image to a world that desperately needs to see who He is. Because we're created in the image of God, people who wouldn't otherwise know what God is like should be able to look at us and get a glimpse.

2. To mutually complete each other and experience companionship. Scripture clearly outlines a second purpose for marriage: to mutually complete one other. That's why God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him" (Genesis 2:18).

Adam felt isolated in the Garden, and so God created woman to eliminate his aloneness. Writing to the first-century church in Corinth, Paul echoed the teachings in Genesis 2 when he asserted, "However, in the Lord, neither is woman independent of man, nor is man independent of woman" (1 Corinthians 11:11).

You need each other. You recognize that now. But if you build your marriage according to God's blueprints, as the years go by you will really appreciate the genius of how God has custom-made your mate for you.

3. To multiply a godly legacy. A line of godly descendants—your children—will carry a reflection of God's character to the next generation. Your plans for children may still be in the future, but if He blesses you with this gift, you will be in for an amazing adventure.

God's original plan called for the home to be a sort of spiritual greenhouse—a nurturing place where children grow up to learn character, values, and integrity. One of your assignments is to impart a sense of destiny—a spiritual mission—to your children. Make your home a place where your children learn what it means to love and obey God. Your home should be a training center to equip your children to look at the needs of people and the world through the eyes of Jesus Christ.

Your marriage is far more important than you may have ever imagined because it affects God's reputation on this planet. That's why it's essential for you to set Jesus Christ apart as the Builder of your home.

FIREPROOF: A POWERFUL FILM ABOUT A CRUMBLING MARRIAGE
By Bob Lepine - http://www.familylife.com
© Copyright 2008 by FamilyLife. All rights reserved. Used by permission
Click here to find more on FIREPROOF and to watch the movie trailer.

These days, the average Hollywood produced movie costs more than $100 million to make. Some of those movies set new box office records (think The Dark Knight). Some hemorrhage money (think Speed Racer, if you can remember it. Cost to make--$160 million. Domestic box office receipts--$45 million. That's a lot of millions lost).

The average movie made in Albany, Ga., however, costs quite a bit less. Since 2003, Sherwood Baptist Church has produced three full length motion pictures: Flywheel, which played in local theaters for eight weeks and has since sold 40,000 DVDs; Facing the Giants, the 2006 film that cost $100,000 to make and earned $10 million in domestic box office receipts, and has gone on to sell more than 1.5 million DVDs; and their latest film, FIREPROOF, which opens in theaters next week on September 26. FIREPROOF was big budget for the church—it cost $500,000 to make.

The actors worked for free.

Church members did the catering.

The movie locations were made available at no cost.

And the men who produced, directed and wrote the film are on the pastoral staff at the church.

While FIREPROOF undoubtedly won't make as much money at the box office as Speed Racer lost, those who see this powerful story will find themselves moved in a way that Speed Racer – and most big budget movies today—can't seem to pull off.

FIREPROOF tells the story of Caleb and Catherine Holt, a "dual income, no kids" couple living in the suburbs in Albany. Caleb is the fire chief; Cat handles public relations for a local hospital. Their seven-year marriage is crumbling, and neither one knows how to rescue it. When Caleb confides to his father that divorce is imminent, his dad challenges him to take the "love dare"—a 40-day experiment that teaches Caleb how to demonstrate sacrificial love for his wife. Caleb takes the dare, but his heart isn't it. The question is, will his heart change, and can he turn things around before it's too late?

Along the way, FIREPROOF takes us into the center of what life looks like in too many marriages. Much to Catherine's disgust, Caleb looks at pornography on the Internet and dreams about buying a boat. Catherine has lost all respect for her husband, and is responding to the kind words and caring gestures of a doctor at the hospital where she works. Caleb and Catherine are two individuals who pass each other in the kitchen and who no longer share a bed—strangers living in the same house.

Steven and Alex Kendrick, the two brothers who produced and directed the movie, respectively, and who wrote the screenplay together, successfully capture the reality of a marriage that has moved to isolation. Their pastoral experience working with real life couples in marital distress enables them to bring authenticity to the screen. From Caleb and Catherine's poisonous 50-50 approach to marriage to next door neighbors who can't help seeing what's happening, the movie captures—in a way that most movies never do—what is going on in millions of homes.

Kirk Cameron gives a surprising and stunning performance as Caleb Holt. Best known for his role as Mike Seaver on the television show Growing Pains, Cameron skillfully portrays a husband who can lead a team of men to a house fire and can rescue a child trapped inside, but can't figure out how to rescue his marriage. It's a performance that redefines and expands what Cameron is capable of as an actor.

Erin Bethea is in her first leading role in a film, playing Caleb's wife, Catherine. Her acting background includes work as a contract actress for Disney at the Magic Kingdom theme park in Orlando and a small role in Facing the Giants. The rest of the cast (made up of amateur actors and actresses, most of them Sherwood church members) does a commendable job, with a few providing standout performances. Real life Marine Captain Ken Bevel stands out as Michael Simmons, Caleb's co-worker and confidant.

Let's be honest. Much of the acting in Fireproof has a "community theater" feel to it. Most of these actors are not members of the Screen Actors Guild, and there are places where their lack of experience shows, just as it did in Facing the Giants. Even though the film makers have taken a big jump forward with FIREPROOF, there is still at least one scene in the film where the acting is cringingly stiff.

But FIREPROOF ultimately triumphs (just as Facing the Giants did) because it is a powerful story told well. It presents the gospel in a way that will be panned by mainstream movie critics but that will ring true with viewers. The Kendrick brothers have carefully avoided becoming too heavy handed with the message of the film. It's clear, but it's presented in a way that keeps viewers from feeling "preached at."

FIREPROOF is a compelling, entertaining and inspiring movie. When it hits theaters the last Friday in September, it will find itself competing for an audience with My Best Friend's Girl, an R-rated romantic comedy that stars Kate Hudson and Dane Cook, and Nights in Rodanthe, a PG-13 movie with Richard Gere and Diana Lane (based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks). You can be certain that the other movies cost a lot more money to make than FIREPROOF. You can also be certain that the movie with the half-million dollar budget made by the church folks in Albany will tell a more powerful, more true-to-life love story than either of the other two.

TEN TIPS ON APPLIANCES, FOOD, FELINES AND FUTONS

Removing Mineral Deposits in an Iron ~ When the vents on the bottom of your iron get clogged with mineral deposits, steam is unable to pass through to steam your clothes. Remove mineral deposits by putting equal parts of vinegar and water in your iron and turn it on the highest setting. Let the steam work its way through the holes until the clogs have cleared up. Using distilled water will prevent clogging, since the minerals are removed.

Stretch the Use of an Appliance ~ Years ago we had a dryer that I had to crank by starting the drum to spinning with my hand - sort of like a Model-T Ford! It was kind of fun! My husband offered to replace it, but I told him it was rather fun and I did this for a year until something else quit on the dryer! At least it made me laugh every time I dried a load of clothes!

Why Clean Lint Filter? ~ Over 14,000 fires are caused annually by lint build-up in clothes dryers. Clean the lint filter after each use or at least every other time. Wash the lint filter screen, using hot soap, water and a brush twice each year for a more efficient dryer.

Small Items in Dishwasher - Save the net bags that oranges and lemons come in for those tiny lids and items that tend to get lost in the dishwasher. Clip the bag shut with a Pampered Chef Twixit or a metal clip from the office supply.

The Magic Sponge Eraser Comes Through Once Again! After washing out your crockpot, if hard-to-clean stains remain, use a magic sponge eraser. Stains are easily removed.

Make Italian Sausage using Lean Ground Beef! Transform ground beef into Italian Sausage by adding a packet of dry Italian salad dressing mix to one pound of meat. Mix well and use this "sausage" for meat loaf, sausage patties, or breakfast casseroles.

An Easier Way to Serve Ice Cream ~ Allow the box of ice cream to soften, peel the box away, and use a large French knife to slice the ice cream into slabs.

Using Broccoli Stalks ~ Many people don't realize that broccoli stalks are also edible and delicious when steamed or sliced into salads in the raw form. The key is to peel the outer layer of the stalk with a knife, or start at the tip and pull. The stalks taste delicious and you're getting extra vitamins and minerals than by eating the florets alone.

Inexpensive Cat Food ~ Cats love fish, and you might want to supplement your cat's diet with

a spoonful of generic tuna fish, sardines or inexpensive from the dollar store. They'll love it.

Fancy Futon Covers ~ Change the look of a futon by covering with a fitted sheet in your choice of color and fabric. Easy to wash! If the sheet is wrinkled, use a steamer to smooth it out. Add a couple pillows and a throw for a whole new look. If you sew, your choices of a futon cover are expanded. You can use the current futon cover as a pattern.

TEN TIPS FOR HOME IMPROVEMENT

Clean Roof Gutters ~ Keep the rain water flowing in your roof gutters by placing a screen over them. Allow the rain in and keep leaves out. It's dangerous climbing on the roof to clean them out.

Undisturbed Garbage Cans ~ Place moth balls or ammonia in your trash cans, so raccoons, dogs (and maybe even bears) will not disturb your garbage.

Lawn Mower Care ~ When the mowing season is past, pour a fuel stabilizer into the gas tank, cover the exhaust pipe, and store the lawn mower in a dry place for the winter.

Tree Placement ~ Trees have many practical purposes when planted in the right area. They will reduce your air conditioning bills when planted to block the afternoon sun. When planted on the north side of your home, they will reduce your heating bills.

Winterize the Soil ~ In northern climates, protect your perennial flowers, bushes and trees by using a mulch with straw, hay, pine needles or shredded leaves. Spread to winterize the soil around your plants to prevent the alternate freezing and thawing of the soil.

Fireplace ~ Clean discolored fireplace bricks by using spray-on oven cleaner. Beware of fumes. Open windows while doing this job.

Damp Closets? ~ Put charcoal in an empty coffee can and punch holes in the lid. Put in damp closets to absorb the moisture.

Rust-proof Your Tools ~ Attract any moisture that would rust your tools in your toolbox by loosely wrapping a piece of charcoal or chalk in a paper towel and keeping it in your toolbox.

Rodent-proofing ~ Keep rodents from coming into the house or garage by spreading moth flakes around the perimeter of the house.

Fragrant Home ~ Create a lovely fragrance in each room by spraying a tiny bit of light perfume on light bulbs of lamps while they're cool (turned off). Dab cotton balls with perfume and tuck in your drawers and closets. Go easy though, since some people have allergic reactions to perfume.

FREE SERVICES AVAILABLE TO YOU

Extension Service - A Very Helpful Free Service in Many Communities

Our state and local taxes pay for a helpful service that many people never use. Check the government pages of your phone book for "Extension Service," "Cooperative Extension" or "Extension Agent" for your county or city. Our county Extension Service has a very capable Master Gardener and a Home Economist on hand to answer questions. Or if you have a question they cannot answer right away, they will do research for you and call back. If they don't have the answer, they will refer callers to technical university nearby. Last week I called the Extension Service about one of our favorite trees, since our mature sugar maple tree doesn't look as healthy as usual. They asked me to bring in three leaves, which I did the next day. The Master Gardener was able to diagnose the problem, after examining the leaves under a microscope, and I got to see them as well. Very interesting! I was also given a list of licensed arborists in the area who will be able to help us with our ailing tree.

Free Resource for Homeschoolers: http://www.HomeschoolFreebieOfTheDay.com

Thanks to Bethany Hargett in Pennsylvania for her recommendation!

HOPE AND HELP FOR YOUR PICKY EATERS

By Mary Hunt - http://www.everydaycheapskate.com/ - Used by permission

Got picky eaters? I'm pretty sure I got you beat. My younger son brought new meaning to the phrase, making me uniquely qualified to say, "Don't get mad, get clever." Use these simple techniques to get your kids to eat a greater variety of healthy foods without resorting to mealtime confrontations, or worse, force-feeding.

BE PREPARED. Keep a cooler in the car stocked with carrots, pretzels, yogurt and water when you're out with the kids. This trick will head off the "I'm starving to death!" syndrome that can cause an otherwise reliable automobile to veer suddenly into a fast food drive-thru lane.

HAVE FUN. Giving leftovers a new name and a new look can make all the difference. My boys loved "Bits and Pieces," a highly anticipated and often requested lunchtime treat that was nothing more than leftovers cut into tiny pieces to be eaten with a toothpick: cheese, meat, fruit, vegetables, pasta, bread, hard cooked eggs and so on. Anything in the refrigerator was a candidate.

DIP IT. Kids love to dip, so use that to your advantage. Dip cooked carrots into a tiny dish of maple syrup; fresh broccoli florets and other veggies into Ranch-style dressing; chicken into yogurt and honey; apples and bananas into peanut butter. Introduce hummus and mild salsa as dips. Both are highly nutritious and go well with veggies, chips and whole wheat croutons.

GET SNEAKY. Soy milk, for example, is a terrific source of healthy phytochemicals. Most kids who are not allergic to milk will not prefer soy, so hide it in a recipe that calls for milk: oatmeal, mashed potatoes or macaroni and cheese. Throw a handful of chopped fresh spinach into the spaghetti sauce and call it "spices." Sprinkle a bit of wheat germ into a tossed salad.

ALLOW TREATS. It's okay to have special treats occasionally. Instead of forbidding sugary cereal forever, make it "Saturday Cereal." Fruit juice, water and milk most of the time make "Sometimes Soda" more appealing. "Movie Candy" helps to make your very special family times more fun.

Try not to comment on what your kids eat. Bite your tongue to make sure you don't blurt something like, "Eat your vegetables!" A parent's job is to serve nutritionally-balanced meals. Your kids are responsible for eating them.

If you turn into a food enforcer, your kids will resist. Soon mealtime will become a battleground and, before you know it, lifelong food attitudes will be set. As long as you balance smart food choices and physical activity with occasional treats, your children will be fine.

Remember my picky eater? The stories I could tell. But none of that matters now. He grew into a fine adult and wonderful husband who enjoys everything from sushi to soy, vegetables and fish. He's living proof that there's hope for any picky eater!

If you need ideas and dipping sauce recipes, send $6 to Dip It!, c/o Debt-Proof Living, P.O. Box 2135, Paramount, CA 90723 or visit the Dip It! page at the Debt-Proof Living online bookstore and I'll send you recipes for 25 different, quick and easy nutritional dipping sauces your kids will love!

DELICIOUS AND HEALTHY RECIPES FOR GROWN-UPS AND CHILDREN
We all know that sugar and artificial sweeteners are harmful for our health. It isn't the easiest thing cutting down or getting off sugar, but these recipes will definitely help make the transition more bearable. Stevia is a wonderful natural sweetener, and it's actually good for us! Although the cost is higher for the volume, just a tiny bit is needed. These first three recipes will help soothe your sweet tooth without harming your body. My daughter-in-law, Rachael Breneman in Ohio, encouraged me with most of these recipes.

FRIED APPLES
4 large cooking apples (Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Winesap, Jonathan, Ginger Gold
approx. 1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
approx. 6 Tbsp. butter (or half butter and half olive oil)
approx. 1/2 tsp. stevia
plain yogurt, sweetened with stevia and pure vanilla

Remove the core of apples and slice, leaving skin on. Melt butter in frying pan; add apple slices and cook until soft. Add cinnamon and stevia to taste. Serve with plain yogurt, sweetened with stevia and pure vanilla.

APPLESAUCE
Buy unsweetened applesauce and sweeten it yourself with stevia. You will find applesauce in your grocery store, labeled "No Sugar Added." It's still a good idea to read labels to be sure.

SWEET YOGURT

To a carton of plain, low-fat Dannon yogurt, add stevia and pure vanilla as a sweetener. Stir well. It's delicious this way, but you may want to add chopped fruit such as strawberries, blueberries, pineapple, bananas, apples, peaches, plums, grapes, etc.

HUMMUS
15 oz. can or 1 2/3 cups cooked garbanzo beans (chickpeas) - keep some of the liquid
1/4 cup sesame butter
3 Tbsp. olive or flax oil
1/4 tsp. ground coriander
1/4 tsp. paprika
2 Tbsp. minced fresh parsley for garnish
3 Tbsp. lemon juice
2 medium cloves of garlic
1/4 tsp. ground cumin
1/4 cup minced scallions

In food processor, process beans, tahini, lemon juice, and oil until coarse paste consistency. Use as much of the bean liquid as needed to reach desired consistency. Add the garlic, coriander, cumin, paprika and blend thoroughly. Transfer to bowl and stir in scallions (you might want to skip this because I know you don't do well with raw onions) Cover and refrigerate. Garnish with parsley before serving. Good with carrot and celery sticks.

ALMOND -SESAME BUTTER

Mix almond butter with sesame butter to thin it down a bit and also cut the cost. Delicious! Use as a dip for apple slices, carrot sticks, celery sticks and cucumber slices. A great evening snack! This is also good on toast.

ROASTED SALTED ALMONDS
Purchase unroasted almonds, since many roasted nuts are roasted in unhealthy oils. Roast unroasted almonds yourself, by toasting them in a frying pan or on a bar pan with a combination of olive or canola oil and butter in the oven. They can also be toasted in the microwave, being careful that they do not burn. Sprinkle with sea salt (garlic or onion salt, if you wish). Allow to cool completely before storing in bags or containers. If roasting a lot of almonds, store in freezer until ready to use each container. These are very satisfying!

IMMUNE SUPPORT BREAKFAST
Thanks to my sister-in-law, Yvonne Walker, in Washington for this recipe!

4 cups rolled oats (old fashioned, not quick cooking)
2 cups oat bran
1 cup raisins
1 cup sunflower seeds (can be ground)
1 cup raw, unsalted, sliced almonds
1 cup lecithin granules
1 cup flax seeds (need to grind in coffee grinder - measure before grinding)
1 cup wheat germ

Mix all ingredients together and store in refrigerator. Use 1/2 to 1 cup. Mix it with a mashed banana and a couple of tablespoons of organic yogurt and a few drops of vanilla stevia. We have also added blueberries, blackberries - whatever fruit you might want to add. Enjoy!

TEACHING "WHY" HELPS KIDS FOR THE FUTURE
This tip comes from the book Home Improvement, The Parenting Book You Can Read to Your Kids by Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller RN BSN - Used by permission

We encourage parents to ask their children a series of questions after every discipline experience. One of those questions is, "Why was that wrong?" Some parents like this question because it appears to be a set-up for a parental lecture. Resist this urge. You may have a desire to lecture but your child may quickly turn you off.

Furthermore some children answer this question by saying, "because you shouldn't do it." Again, this is an opportunity to help children understand some of the deeper issues involved.

Rather use this question to address heart issues directly. Through dialogue you can point out the bad attitudes like pride, selfishness, anger, or disrespect. Also, you can help children understand the values behind the rules. If you tell your four-year-old son to stay in the back yard and he violates that rule, you can teach him about living within limits. The same value will be taught to him at seventeen years old when he wants to stay out past curfew. By talking about the values, you prepare children to handle a variety of different rules and to translate those rules from one situation to another.

Help your child learn that behavior is only a symptom of something deeper. Parents and children see the behavior but it's important to look at the heart. The Bible is full of principles that will help a child be successful. You may refer to the scriptures or even tell a Bible stories that's appropriate. The question, "Why was that wrong?" helps you do significant teaching every day as you work with your kids.

STRATEGIES TO HELP DEAL WITH BLAMING
A YouTube Video Tip by Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller RN BSN - Used by permission

Note from Lois: I just wanted to tell you ladies how wonderfully the Lord orchestrated this next article by Judy Batford, the poem, and the following four quotes from children! The Lord had them all sent in during the last week, and they fit together so beautifully! I just wanted you to know it was the Lord who did that! Not me! J

TEACHING CHILDREN
By Judy Batdorf - Used by permission

Over the years I have taught Sunday School to many age groups, but I especially enjoyed teaching the three to five year age group. I found out that I was learning as much as I was teaching them. What a joy and privilege to teach these young hearts and minds the truths of God's eternal Word.

At this age their minds are like sponges, soaking up the facts and remembering without the clutter that comes with the years. How often I have been put to shame when one of those little ones remembered the previous lesson down to the exact details, which I had forgotten, and wondered how much I could even remember from last Sunday's sermon.

Oh, the excitement of seeing the Bible come alive through their shining eyes. Just to see the look on their faces as you describe the walls of Jericho tumbling down, or the Israelites crossing the Red Sea on dry land. It makes us think how often we let the Bible become humdrum and commonplace to us because we have heard it so many times before.

Sometimes there are humorous incidents like the little boy who described to me in great detail how Jesus chased the money changers out of the temple and said, "You have made my house a den of thorns," instead of thieves. I had to smile as I realized another recent lesson was about the crown of thorns. At other times there are heart rendering incidents like a teacher related in an article I read. As she was telling the story of the crucifixion and showing the pictures of the nail prints in the Lord's hands, a little three-year-old, his eyes welling up with tears and a tiny voice full of emotion said brokenly, "When I get to heaven, I'm going to kiss Jesus' hands right where the blood is." That simple heartfelt statement ought to speak a sermon to our own hearts. Tears ought to come to our eyes, too, as we ponder the amazing grace that sent the Savior to die for such a one as I, and our hearts should whisper, "May I love you dear Lord as much as this little child loves you."

Sometimes at the end of an active and noisy class, when your nerves are frayed, when the hyperactive ones have been more active than usual, and you wonder if anything has been accomplished, that is when the Lord reminds you of the verse, "In due season ye shall reap if you faint not." Galatians 6:9.

The following poem is one that I have kept and referred to through the years, and it has never failed to touch my heart anew at each reading:

THE TEACHER SEES A BOY
Author unknown

His trousers are torn, rolled up to the knee,
A hole in his shirt which he caught on a tree,
But I see a soul for whom Jesus has died,
Clothed in His righteousness, pressed to His side,
I see not labor and hours of prayer,
Spent for that freckle-faced naughty boy there.
But I see a Savior with arms open wide,
Waiting in heaven to take him inside.
I see not freckles, but a man fully grown,
A heart filled with God's Word I've faithfully sown,
A life speaking forth for the Savior each day --
O Lord, for this boy I most earnestly pray.
I see not mischief, but energy bent,
Put to the task where the Lord wants it spent;
O God, make this lively mischievous boy
A power for thee, to thy heart a joy.

OH, THE SPIRITUAL INSIGHT OF YOUNG CHILDREN!
Recently our Youth Pastor, Mark Hopkins, shared from the pulpit two amazing comments his four year old son said this summer. I asked if he'd type them out to share with "Heart to Heart." His wife, Valerie, is a "Heart to Heart" subscriber. Here they are!

#1- I had taken my son, Garrett, to Brusters' Ice Cream back in June for a father/son time before I headed to Thailand for a missions trip. We sat down in the car and I told Garrett to sit up front with me while we remained parked in the Brusters parking lot. I turned and looked at my 4 year old Garrett and said, "Garrett, what would you like to talk about?" Garrett replied, "Let's talk about sin!" I replied, "Sin, what do you mean?" Garrett said, "You know the things that you shouldn't do, and the things you should do!"

#2- In July, Garrett and I were sitting at the table eating and he begged me to go over and visit our neighbors and invite them to church. So Valerie and I (and both of our children) went over and gave our neighbors a gift and a neighbor to neighbor packet. We had a great time talking with them and it was a joy to spread some "seed" of the Gospel. We headed back to the house and Garrett asked me excitedly and repeatedly, "Dad, are they going to come to church with us?" I told him that we would have to pray about that and that I hoped they would soon. He continued to ask. Finally, I asked Garrett, "Why do you want them to come to church so badly?" Garrett looked at me frankly and said, "Because they need to learn about God!" I now understand more each day what Jesus meant by having a "childlike" faith!

From Melanie Busby in Georgia ~ My four year old son had learned about the Good news (Christ died for us) and the Bad news (all have sinned) in AWANA. As I was making up our neighborhood newsletters, he asked me, "What are we giving the neighbors -- the good news or the bad news?"

From Alison Buck in Ohio as told by her Aunt Sharon ~ The first time Trevor, 6, took Communion, in the cracker were little holes. He looked up at me and said, "Mommy, I got Jesus' hands." I blinked and whispered, "Why do you think that, Trev?" His reply, "Cuz, there are holes in here from the nails." The tears just kept trickling down my face during the rest of the service.

PLEASE VOTE IN THIS CRUCIAL AND CLOSE U.S. ELECTION

The next President of the United States will no doubt appoint at least two Supreme Court Justices who will serve for a lifetime. What kind of Justices do you want? A lot of crucial decisions hang in the balance -- decisions that will affect your family and mine. Please make it a matter of prayer, know the candidates, and vote in harmony with the Lord's will.

Voter Registration is way up this year! If you are not already registered, the deadline to register in Virginia is October 6. It may be different in various states. Call your Registrar to be sure you register before your state's deadline. It's easy to do. Your local librarian can also help. If there is a chance that you will not be able to go to the polls to vote on November 4, because of being out of town, having health reasons, or for any reason which makes it impossible for you to vote on that day, it's easy to apply for an Absentee Ballot. If you know of elderly family and friends who would not be able to get to the polls, help them with Absentee Ballots. Your Registrar or librarian can help with simple details. Every vote counts!

Pray for the thousands of people who suffered loss from the last few hurricanes!

Please remember to pray for each dear Heart to Heart lady and her family as you receive your newsletter. Many ladies are going through very tough times and need our prayers!
Pray each day for the protection of our troops, as well as for their families left at home!

(¨`·.·´¨) God bless you and your family and keep you in His loving care!

`·.¸(¨`·.·´¨) And remember, I love to hear from you dear ladies!

`·.¸.·´ Your Heart to Heart friend,

"Heart to Heart Lois

Jer. 33:3 & Eph. 3:20

The purpose of the Heart to Heart Newsletter is to encourage women and build biblical values into daily living through practical creative ideas for the Christian family regarding marriage, children, homemaking, and much more. Receive this free bimonthly newsletter by listing your name, city, state, e-mail address, and name of your referral person and sending it to Lois at <a title=mailto:jhbreneman@... href="mailto:[email protected]" target=_blank>[email protected]. New subscribers will receive a Welcome, a "Start-Up Kit," and several recent newsletters.

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