Saturday, April 14, 2012

Sweet Lemon Praise


When life gives you lemons and for some reason you can’t make lemonade, find a recipe for a lemon cake. The secret is to turn bitter into sweet.



My RB loves lemon pie. Lemon Meringue pie just calls his name. A few years ago he found a rival for his love. Our friend, Lorna, makes a two-crust lemon pie. Can we say, "deliciously taste-bud-pleasing in a sweetish-tart kind of way? All in a flaky crust.

I'm not sure what all Lorna puts in her pie, but I am certain it includes sugar. Putting whole lemons between the crusts just wouldn't work. But when she puts in the sugar---we all want a [huge] piece. In the same way, our bitter trials can be turned into something those around us would like to taste. 

We are cautioned against this bitterness in Hebrews 12:15. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you. The last part of this verse tells us why bitterness needs some sugar. Two words: corrupting others. 

Our bitter spirits will corrupt others, and instead of drawing our loved ones and associates to our Jesus, we will turn them away from the One they need.

So what is this sugar we put into the trials of our lives? It's thankfulness--I believe it is verbal praise to our God. When we are thanking God there isn't room for bitterness.


If you are struggling with bitterness from life's heartaches, I challenge you to search out praise verses in God's Word. Begin in the Psalms and highlight every verse that praises God. Begin praying the verses in your quiet time. You'll be amazed what happens in your heart.

Like making something sweet out of lemons, make something sweet out of your trials. Praise the Lord in song, for he has done excellent things (Isaiah 12:5).


  Praise the Lord by Russ Taff

When you're up against a struggle
That's shattered all your dreams
And your hopes been cruelly crushed
By Satan's manifested schemes.
And you feel the urge within you
To submit to earthly fears,
Don't let the faith your standing in
Seem to disappear --


CHORUS:
Praise the Lord. He will work for those who praise Him. 
Praise the Lord. For our God inhabits praise.
Praise the Lord...And those chains that seem to bind you
Serve only to remind you,
As they fall powerless behind you --
When you praise Him.

* * * * *


Sweet Lemon Gift

I have a friend going through some trials. I had fun filling this basket for her.


Book: God Makes Lemonade (Amazon: $6.00)
Lemon Bar Candle (TJ Maxx)
Chex Lemon Buddies (recipe below)
Lemonhead Candy
Lemon Whoopie Pie Mix (Hobby Lobby)



Chex Lemon Buddies

9 cups Rice Chex® cereal
1 1/4 cups white vanilla baking chips
1/4 cup butter or margarine
4 teaspoons grated lemon peel
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

2 cups powdered sugar 


Directions:

1. Into large bowl, measure cereal; set aside. 

2. In 1-quart microwavable bowl, microwave chips, butter, lemon peel and juice uncovered on High 1 minute; stir. Microwave about 30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth. Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated. Pour into 2-gallon resealable food-storage plastic bag.

3. Add powdered sugar. Seal bag; gently shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper or foil to cool. Store in airtight container.





Linked to: