Saturday, October 26, 2019

Jalapeno Popper Mushrooms

I tried a new appetizer recipe that I found on Allrecipes. com today.  It was excellent, so thought I would share.

Jalapeno Popper Mushrooms

  • 2 slices bacon
  • cooking spray
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil, or bacon       
  •       drippings
  • 8 mushrooms, stems removed and   
  •         chopped and caps reserved
  • 1 clove garlic, minced 
  • 1 jalapeno pepper, ribs and seeds  
  •        removed, finely chopped (or 
  •        use canned)
  • 1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, 
  •       softened
  • 3 tablespoons shredded Cheddar 
  •       cheese
  • sea salt to taste
  • ground black pepper to taste

  1. Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a baking dish with cooking spray.

  1. To prevent mushrooms from being soggy, remove stems and place upside down in cooking dish.  Bake 15 minutes till they release water before stuffing. 

  2. Fry bacon over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned and crisp, about 10 minutes. Drain the bacon slices on a paper towel-lined plate. Crumble and set aside.

  3. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the chopped mushroom stems, garlic, and jalapeno; (can add a few seeds if you would like it spicier) cook and stir until the mushrooms release moisture and soften, about 10 minutes. Transfer the mushroom mixture to a bowl, and stir in the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and bacon. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon the cheese mixture generously into the reserved mushroom caps, and arrange the stuffed caps on the prepared baking dish.

  4. Bake in the preheated oven until cheese begins to brown, 15 to 20 minutes.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

"God Says: I Am About to Visit the Wilderness" Andrew Whalen, Colorado Springs, CO

With a name like "Shalom in the Wilderness" of course this prophetice word caught my eye!  And as I read it, I claimed it.  We have a house group, we are part of Elevate Praise that is taking 'church' to places other than church buildings, so I say "YES, LORD, Do it here! Do it in our home; Do it in our community! You are welcome in this place"

Launched from the Wilderness 
     On a recent "prayer drive," I heard the Holy Spirit say in my heart, "Wilderness." I thought to myself, "Oh no, God, not more wilderness." And thankfully I heard more. He said, "I am about to visit the wilderness." In that moment I had a flash of understanding that the "proverbial wilderness" is scheduled for a visitation from Heaven.
     One definitions of "wilderness" is "an empty or pathless area or region." I can speak for myself that I have had many seasons where I've felt "empty and pathless." Yet biblically, it is in this very place called wilderness, where we feel unseen, insignificant, lost in seeming darkness, confused, uncertain, and tested, that a coordinated invasion plan is sovereignly launched by Heaven into Earth.
     Many have been tempted to give up on the promises God had once spoken. The wilderness provides an environment where we often feel forgotten, and often assume that the words He gave us are forgotten too. Thankfully, God watches over His Word to perform it (Jeremiah 1:12).
     I believe the last months of 2019 will mark a time of God's "performance" in the wilderness. The Scriptures say that Jesus was sent into the wilderness "full of the Holy Spirit" (Luke 4:1), but afterwards, He came out "in the power of the Holy Spirit" (Luke 4:14). His transition from the wilderness was rapid, explosive, and never slowed down until He fulfilled His mission to purchase mankind for God with His Blood (Revelation 5:9).
     Many people are about to be surprised at the sudden shift from their wilderness into a rapid fulfillment of long-awaited promises. I see many Kingdom-initiated, "cutting edge" books, messages and creative exploits that are about to launch from those who have been hidden and unknown. Hidden technologies, health breakthroughs, fashion lines, community centers, adoption financial aid programs, family value entertainment programs, and so much more are being fitted for launch. All of this is because God is going to visit the wilderness.
     I see many new emerging voices and faces coming into view. Many of those who are being launched from the wilderness will accelerate the changing wineskins. The Kingdom is going to continue to go forward, and it will require a shift from outdated traditions and forms that hinder the cause of Christ. The temptation for some in the Church will be to see the change as rebellion, but God is bringing the change, even in the midst of certain immaturity.
     Many mothers and fathers who have carried a "different spirit" in the wilderness, just like Caleb (Numbers 14:24), are about to "inherit" the privilege and responsibility of shepherding, leading and championing a younger emerging generation into never-before conquered territory. This "Caleb type" generation will share in the spoils of war.
Sent to the Wilderness 
     A few days after the Lord told me that He was going to visit the wilderness, I was given a dream. In my dream, I saw that house churches and other less "organizational" places were being invaded by the Spirit of God. I saw what I knew to be thousands of people at a time packing into one house. I recognized that the focus of these house meetings was prayer.
     In one house, I saw that thousands were waiting in line to sit in a chair and receive prayer. After each person was prayed for they would get up and say, "I have never before been touched by God like that."
     After I woke from the dream, I was led to consider the visitation of God in the wilderness by John the Baptist. In Mark 1:5, "The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to Him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by Him in the Jordan River."
     I believe the dream of the "house churches" was both literal and symbolic. First, I believe that God is literally going to pour out His Spirit on prayer-focused house churches, and many will "go out" to find and encounter God in these lesser known places.
     Second, I believe the house churches may be symbolic for the less-conventional type places where the Church gathers. As God visits the "wilderness," I believe we are going to see barn revivals, house churches, Bible studies and prayer groups become the target of God's Spirit, and thousands will be drawn to find God in these places.
     Certainly we live in great days of transition and visitation. For those of you in the wilderness, get ready! God is about to visit the wilderness.
Andrew Whalen
WHALEN MINISTRIES

Email: wordonfire11@gmail.com
Website: www.whalenministries.com

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Something To Think About

I was listening to a talk by David Wagner yesterday.  He had many good and encouraging things to say but one thing he said in particular, seemed to be a Word from God especially for me.  I had been debating with myself whether to continue with the Elevate Praise events and had been asking God to show me.

David said, "Have you considered we were born with the assignment on our lives to create moments where people can encounter God?"

This quote describes what I envisioned when we began Elevate Praise--a place of encountering God as we came solely to worship Him.  I believe God answered my prayers for guidance.  We will continue meeting monthly with a greater emphasis on promotion of the events during the summer months' meetings at the Linn Park Amphitheater.  Thank you, Lord!


Monday, October 21, 2019

Great Advice!

I just read a great piece of advice from Ray Johnston. He said, "Never listen to criticism from somebody you wouldn't turn to for wisdom."

Friday, October 11, 2019

Heidi Baker's Ministry is Amazing Even the Medical Community

If you know anything about Heidi Baker you know her ministry in Mozambique is astounding.  Now even the medical community is taking notice.  Read the article below BY  posted on  GodTV

Medical Research Team Confirms Healing Ministry of Heidi Baker

Science is no longer at war with miracles

Heidi Baker, missionary and international speaker, has given her life to making the truth of Gospel tangible. Her belief that Christians can be the hands of Jesus and divinely heal has made her somewhat of a saint figure in her own country of Mozambique, and the thousands of testimonies of miracle healings have finally drawn the attention of the scientific and academic community.

Friday, October 4, 2019

Benjamin Franklin Quote

Could this be the reason for so many protests?

"This gave me occasion to observe, that when Men are employ'd they are best contented. For on the Days they work'd they were good-natur'd and chearful; and with the consciousness of having done a good Days work they spent the Evenings jollily; but on the idle Days they were mutinous and quarrelsome, finding fault with their Pork, the Bread, and in continual ill-humour." —Benjamin Franklin (1771)