Life Lessons from Tamar: What are you willing to risk?

Dig into the S.O.I.L!

Here's a simple but effective tool that I'm using to dig into God's Word! I pray that it's helpful for you. Blessings!

The Truth Will Set You Free

The Truth Will Set You Free
25 years ago I broke free from bulimia and today's video is my personal testimony about that struggle. I call it self harm in the video because, for me, fasting was my punishment for binge eating.#bulimia #Truth #MotivationalMonday
Posted by Alida Sharp on Monday, August 17, 2015

Drink Some Water

Draw from TheWell that never will run dry!

Gluten Free Baking

I've had a taste for Carrot Cake for quite a while now. I've been experimenting with different flours and most recently baking with oats and am really excited about how this turned out. It's dense, moist, and full of flavor. Texture wise it's kind of a cross between a cake and a banana bread. Anyhow, it ticked all the boxes for me and I love it!  If I make any modifications in the future I'll let you know.

Alida's Carrot Cake

2 ½ cups oats

2 ripe bananas

2 eggs

2 cups shredded carrots

1 cup diced pineapple

½ cup raisins

¼ cup coconut oil

¼ cup brown sugar

1 Tbsp cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

• Mash the ripe bananas and pineapple together in a large bowl. (I used a pastry cutter)
• Add in carrots and raisins.

• Add in eggs, vanilla, and oil, mixing thoroughly.

• Add in oats, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and sugar, continuously mixing.
• The mixture should be a little thicker than normal cake mix. (It's more like a banana bread texture)

• Pour into pan, greased with coconut oil

• Bake for 20-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when poked into the center.

Top with a cream cheese frosting if desired or just eat it plain!

God Knows Who You Are

Maybe you don't know who you are...but God knows who you are!

Marriage Monday

‪#‎MarriageMonday‬: when you and your spouse remember 

that you are on the same team you can encourage, support, empower, 

and spur one another on to conquer whatever comes your way!

Learn in the Light

Comparison is the thief of joy

It's so easy to see a post on social media and then think that everyone else's life is perfect. Comparison is the thief of joy. Don't compare your worst to someone else's best. Don't compare your rocky beginning to their triumphal finish. Keep focused on who you are called to be and walk in the joy that He has for you!

The Benefits of Music Education

We had a great show today on Divaz Next Door discussing the benefits of music education with Yoelvis Lunar of Allegro Music School. We were treated to performances by four students; Lorraine, Jessica, Simon, and Marlon, who each did an awesome job! Here's the YouTube link if you missed the live show!

A Few Good Men...

We had a great discussion on Divaz Next Door with these two incredible dads about fatherhood!

A mother's heart...

I'm feeling grateful for the wisdom of my elders today. This quote is from a conversation I had with my Auntie Martha. She always reminds me to stand up and face whatever God allows in my life. And I'm still standing. If you're a mom I hope her words can encourage you as well.

Internet Safety for Kids and Teens

Shasta Wade and I discussing internet safety with the help of special guest Mervin Budram of TAS Belize.

Domestic Violence Doesn't Discriminate

Andrea and I were blessed to have Nicole C. Mullen with us on Divaz Next Door today. She shared her story about domestic violence and gave hope and encouragement to many women through her testimony!

What If?

The thought of seeing a reflection of my character in a mirror drives me to my knees. I pray that my thoughts, actions, and beliefs are in alignment. And I pray that my character reveals an integrity and authenticity that is pleasing to Him.

Close encounters with Christ

As I was reading in chapter 20 of the book of John, I noticed that there are three types of encounters with Christ;

Jesus appears to Mary and He gives her a Message.

Jesus appears to the disciples and gives them a Mission.

Jesus appears to Thomas and gives him a Mandate.

Let's take a look at each one:

John 20:11-18

Jesus meets Mary Magdalene early in the morning in the tomb as she's standing there lost in grief. He shows Himself to her, but she doesn't recognize Him, so He calls her by name, thrilled at the sight of Him she wants to hold on and not let Him go...but He wants her to serve Him. She is given a task she must complete. She must tell the disciples about Jesus' impending ascension to the Father. She is the one chosen and entrusted with this important Message. 

John 20:19-23

Jesus meets with the disciples later that same evening as they are locked away in fear. Thomas is not there. Jesus comforts the rest of them with His gift of peace, He reveals Who He is, He breathes on them and tells them to receive the Holy Spirit, and then He explains what He wants them to do. Armed with the blessing of the Holy Spirit they are now expected to step outside of their fear...He is sending them out of that room and into the world...because they have a Mission to accomplish.

John 20:24-29

Jesus meets Thomas eight days later. Thomas is present with the other disciples this time but he is filled with doubt. Jesus greets them all with His peace and then turns His focus onto Thomas. This doubter is called upon to touch and see the scars of Christ, He highlights Thomas' need for proof and then He gives him a strong Mandate to obey regarding his attitude...stop doubting and BELIEVE!

All of these encounters with Jesus are up close and personal. Do you long for such a meeting with Him?

Perhaps, like Mary, Jesus is right there with you in your grief but you have not recognized or perceived His presence. Perhaps, like the disciples you're in fear of what's coming next. Perhaps, like Thomas you're in doubt and waiting for God to prove Himself to you.

Are you ready for a Close Encounter with Christ during this season of Lent? Perhaps, as you open your eyes and your ears and your heart to Him, He will reveal Himself to you. He will comfort you. and He will meet you where you are. 

Are you ready to be sent forth with a Message to give? 

Are you seeking to be sent out on a Mission for Him?

Are you in need of a Mandate regarding your current attitude?

Whether you are in grief, in fear, or in doubt, 

God will meet you right where you are.

Taking inventory with one word in mind...

Do I feel passionate about my relationship with God? Am I living a wholehearted life? What things do I feel like I need to change about my spiritual life? What areas of my life are suffering due to complacency? 

These are a few of the questions that I'm asking myself. At the end and beginning of each year is a great time to take stock of one's life. An inventory if you will. Start with the most important relationships and move out from there. 

Personally, I start with God...

How have I treated God over the past year? What type of relationship do I have with Him? Is He first in my daily life and not just on the papers in my journal? How is my prayer life? How often do I praise and worship Him? How can I serve Him better? How often do I express my gratitude toward Him? 

Then I have to check in with me!

How have I treated myself over the past year? Is my body a temple dedicated to God's glory? Is my mind filled with excess frustration or fear? Am I telling myself the truth about my gifts, talents, body, health, etc? Am I working to improve my skills? 

After that I move on to my husband...

How did I treat my husband? Does he feel valued and loved? What is important to him? What he is struggling with? What are his personal goals and dreams? How often do I let him know how much I appreciate him? 

You get the idea, don't you? 

Go through each relationship with a few questions. Then you can move on to your work/ministry, hobbies, goals, dreams...what have you. Take inventory of your gifts and talents. Ask yourself questions and take the time to thoughtfully and prayerfully answer them. Get out your Bible and learn what God says about how to interact with Him. Take some time to learn what the Word says about you as a person and as His child. Pray about your purpose and your calling. Listen to His still small voice. 

For me the year 2015 will be a year of PASSION. A year of wholehearted focus on being and doing what He has called me to be and do.  A year of putting my all into whatever I'm doing and whoever I'm with. A year of living life to the full!

I'm a woman, a wife, a mother, and soon to be a grandmother. I'm a counselor, a singer/songwriter, a worship leader, a co-host on a talk show.  I want to do all that I'm doing with intention, without reservation, with PASSION! 

As you listen to God's word for you

 allow Him to speak into your life as never before. 

Allow Him to set the tone 

for this New Year of your life and beyond. 

May you be blessed beyond

 all of your expectations. 

And may 2015 be your best year yet!

Easy Toffee aka 'Christmas Crack'

Normally this recipe is made with saltines on the bottom layer. Since I'm gluten free I couldn't use the regular crackers and I haven't seen any gluten free alternatives here in Belize. However, I recently found a gluten free Rice Biscuit Cereal and decided to see if they would work in this recipe and they did!

Oh my goodness does this treat live up to it's nickname. I couldn't stop eating it until it was all gone! I have to add this to my Christmas treats for next year!!!

Easy Gluten Free Toffee

Ingredients:

3 cups Gluten Free Rice Biscuit Cereal (or Rice Chex)

1/2 cup butter

1 cup brown sugar, packed

1 bag semi sweet chocolate chips (apx 2 cups)

optional:

salt

pecans

Instructions:

*Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

*Line cookie sheet with rice chex

*In a saucepan using medium heat, combine butter and brown sugar. Stir constantly. When it comes to a boil, slowly pour mixture over rice chex and spread with a spatula to cover. (Don't worry about being perfect!)

*Bake for about 5 minutes

*Remove from oven and cover with chocolate chips, let them sit for a minute or two and then use a spatula to smooth out the chocolate.

*Top with nuts and/or salt 

*Refrigerate until set.  Then cut or break into pieces.

I used the nuts with a bit of salt sprinkled on top...YUMMO! Enjoy!

Merry Christmas!

Blessings to you!

From start to finish...

Personally, I think Tom is one of the most creative people on the planet...but, perhaps, I might be biased! He was asked to do some artwork for the set of Divaz Next Door which is a local talk show on PlusTV, a Christian TV station, here in Belize. Here are some photos that I put together showing the evolution of his artwork!

His initial concept

He wasn't happy with the direction of this one...

So he changed direction.

Cirilo's preparing the set

The table was custom made by Pastor Scott Stirm and his son Shane.

all set and ready to go!

And it's show time! 

We had an informative talk with Mrs Arzu about the Garinagu people of Belize

Andrea and I also enjoyed a song by David Smith of Roots and Honor Records!