Children See, Children Do. Be a Good Influence.

Bear Rescues Crow, Aww Soo Cute!

How to Make Pancakes Healthier

Mmm, I love Pancakes- one of my fave breakfast foods!

However, as they are made from white flour and sugar,
they are not necessarily the healthiest for us.

Here are 6 ways to make those Flap Jacks healthier for everyone in the family:

1. Try adding mashed sweet potatoes to your pancake batter
2. You can also try adding oats to the batter
(you have oatmeal in the mornings anyways right?)
3. Fruit is another great thing to add in the pancake batter,
and you know it will taste delicious
4. Instead of using an egg, you can try using a mashed banana.
5. Instead of using a cup of oil to make the pancakes fluffy,
you can use half a cup of applesauce instead.
6. And finally, try putting yogurt on top of that pancake for added sweetness,
rather than dousing it in maple syrup. Yogurt is sweet and a good
source of protein!

Have fun flippin' those healthy pancakes!

Source:   http://www.fitsugar.com/Tips-Healthier-Pancakes-19913367 

Who has the Most Giving Heart? Find Out who!

Here's an interesting eye-opening social experiment.

Check it out!

 

 

This video is a good reminder of the bible verse:

"When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required." Luke 12:48

Some people could watch this video and think to themselves... well, if the guys at the Pizza shop were given a Free Pizza, would they have been just as generous as the other person?

Was the person who shared their pizza only generous because he had been given a Free one? Would he still have been as generous if he had bought a couple of slices with his own money?

Regardless of where the pizza came from- one major difference is  that the people in the Pizza shop likely had jobs, and could obviously afford a pizza. And the one who could not afford, still shared.
That's the biggest difference.

Hope this video serves as an inspiration to all of us to be generous with the blessings, money, resources that God has blessed us with.  And when we have, we can give.

The easiest way to do so, if we are feeling too selfish even if we have (which is a natural human tendency), is to offer whatever we're giving to others, as an Act of Worship to a Great God who provides for us always. And when we do this with the mentality that we are going to use our resources so that God's love will be known, giving becomes easier. Try it! :)

Proof God Exists

Very good analogy/video that proves the existence of God's love.

 (although not so sure if Albert Einstein really said this, the message is very good!)

Turning the Other Cheek- Wimpy or Bold?

In Luke 6 in the bible, Jesus teaches...

"If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn the other cheek.
If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also."

Sometimes I think that some Christians take this
teaching the wrong way,
in that it means to be a wimp, and to let the abuser
continue to abuse.

But in fact, this line means the opposite.
Because when you think about it-
it takes a lot of courage, boldness, and maturity to face
your bully in Peace, rather than either running away,
or being angry and fighting back.

Jesus also teaches:
"Love your enemies.
Do good to those who hate you.  
Pray for the happiness of those who curse you.
Pray for those who hurt you."
When things are taken away from you,
don't try to get them back."

So basically- not only has Jesus instructed us to
Stand tall and face our opponent in Peace- but also to Pray for them.
Love them (otherwise you become a victim of your own anger).

And if they have stolen something from you,
whether that be your pride, happiness, joy, money, family,
friends, or material object, don't try to get revenge.

I love this teaching about Christianity.

It teaches us to have Zero Hate in our lives,
no matter what kind of injustice we may have faced.

It teaches us to stand tall against our opponents-
but to do so in Peace.

At the end of the day, if your heart is right with
God, no matter how difficult the situation is,
your situation is GUARANTEED to resurrect from the dark
times and transform into something beautiful.

Just wait on the Lord, and Trust He will do this for you.

As Jesus says in John 3:16,
"Whoever believes in me will have eternal life."

So if you seem dead tired from being the victim of bullying or injustice... 
Just know that if you can face your opponent in Peace,
and you can Pray for them, And Love them,
no matter how badly they've hurt you,
you're on the right track to the good life.

God's Love is for Every body

In Matthew 13:47, Jesus says...

 

“The kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown
into the sea and gathered fish of every kind."

What can a story of a fishing net and a great catch of fish tell us about God's kingdom?
Back in Jesus' time, as a boat moved through the waters, a net was drawn into the shape
of a cone which took in all kinds of fish.
It usually took several men to haul such a net to shore.
What is Jesus' point here?
Just as a net catches every kind of fish in the sea,
so the church acts as God's instrument for gathering in all who will come.
Just as the net does not or cannot discriminate,
so the church does not discriminate between the good and the bad,
the useless and the useful.
God's kingdom is open to all who will accept and believe. :)
Our duty as Christians is to gather and welcome in all who will come.
God offers the treasure of his kingdom to all.