Funnel Cakes

 I Adore Funnel Cake

Nothing beats a homemade funnel cake—crispy, golden, and dusted with just the right amount of powdered sugar. Bonus points for cinnamon!

Ingredients:

• 

• 4 cups flour

• 1/3 cup sugar

• 2 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 2 1/2 cups milk

• 3 large eggs

• 3 cups vegetable oil

• 1/2 tsp vanilla

• Powdered sugar to finish

Directions:

1. Heat oil in a deep skillet to 350–375ºF. Test with a drop of batter—it should bubble.

2. Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add milk, eggs, and vanilla—mix until smooth.

3. Pour batter into a gallon-size Ziploc, snip a 1/4-inch corner, and drizzle into hot oil in a swirling web.

4. Fry 2 minutes until golden, flip, fry 1 more minute. Drain on paper towels.

5. Dust with powdered sugar and serve hot. 

Set Apart for His Purpose by Ginger Chapman

 

1 Corinthians 6:11

And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (NIV)

 

Sanctified

 

        The word “sanctified” means to be set apart.  When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, God sets us apart.  He expects us to be different from those who are not sanctified.  He has a specific purpose for us.  Can people tell that we are different from the unbelievers?  Do we have to wear a cross around our neck or have some kind of Christian symbol on our car for people to know we are different?  They should be able to tell by our speech what we do, what we don’t do and even how we drive.  Think about what you did yesterday, what you said, what you didn’t do and how you drove.  Were you a reflection of Jesus?  Let us practice being true to our sanctification.  Let us demonstrate to the world how a sanctified person acts, speaks and the things we don’t do.  Let us consistently honor our calling to follow our Lord Jesus, God’s Son, by reflecting Him in all we are.

By Ginger Chapman

Walking by Faith Through the Fog by Ginger Chapman

 Psalms 113:3

From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.  (NIV)

 Sunrise

        I enjoy doing my prayer walk at sunrise.  It is such a joy to praise God while looking at His beautiful artwork.  Today it was foggy.  No sunrise was visible.  That didn’t mean there was no sunrise. Actually, the sun never rises; the earth turns making it appear the sun is rising.  Even when we can’t see the sun “rise” it still becomes daylight, evidence of the sun “rising.”  God is Spirit.  We cannot see His Spirit.  But, like the evidence of daylight showing that the sun did indeed “rise,” there is evidence all around us that God’s Spirit is here.  We cannot deny God created all.  The variety in our creation, so many different kinds of insects in their intricate and unique forms, so many different kinds of vegetation with different forms of beauty and on and on.  As we look over our lives, we can see evidence of God’s protection.  Many times, we’re in the fog and the evidence is harder to see but that doesn’t mean God isn’t here.  As I walked in the fog seeing only the step in front of me, so we are to walk through life even when we only see the step right in front of us that God reveals.  I trust there will be mornings without fog and I can once again enjoy the “sunrise,” and I trust when I only see one step in front of me, God will show me each step to take in my (and your) life.

By Ginger Chapman

The Art of a Compliment

The Art of a Compliment: Why It Matters and How to Do It Right

Compliments aren’t just about making someone else feel good—they boost the giver, too. A thoughtful compliment can break the ice, motivate, inspire, comfort, reward, validate, and even diffuse stress. But a careless one? It can backfire.

Here’s how to make your compliments count:

Be Sincere. People know when you’re genuine. If you can’t honestly compliment a haircut or outfit, focus on something you can praise—jewelry, a smile, or even effort. Speak from the heart.

Be Specific. Instead of “Nice job,” try: “I love how you added that detail—it really makes the painting come alive.” The more specific, the more meaningful.

Back It Up. Show that your words have weight: “That blouse is beautiful—it really brings out the blue in your eyes.” Authenticity is everything.

Keep It Unconditional. Avoid tacking criticism onto praise. “This meal was great…except for the mushrooms” is no compliment at all.

And receiving compliments? Just as important:

Say Thank You. Don’t deflect or try to repay it immediately—it can feel forced.

Don’t Disqualify It. Responses like “It was nothing” or “This old shirt?” erase the giver’s effort and kindness. Accept it fully.

Compliments are a small gesture with a big impact. Given thoughtfully and received graciously, they can lift spirits, strengthen relationships, and create a ripple of positivity in your day-to-day life.

Rejoicing Like Winners by Ginger Chapman

 

Psalms 89:16 

They rejoice in your name all day long; they celebrate your righteousness. (NIV)

 

Psalms 89

 

        Watching the rejoicing over the Chicago Cubs winning the world series I can’t help but wonder why we don’t rejoice like that over our salvation and over all the wonderful blessings God freely gives us.  The Cubs fans are so very excited.  Where is our excitement?  We may show some excitement for a brief moment, but the Cubs fans went on throughout the night with their excitement and they’re still excited today and rejoicing, letting the whole world know they are the winners.  When is the last time we stayed up all night praising our God?  We are the winners of a full, abundant life throughout all eternity.  What are we doing, as individuals, to let all around us know of the joy, salvation and blessing that can be there’s as well?  Enough words written.  Just think about it. Are we doing what Psalms 89:16 says?

By Ginger Chapman

A Warning We Cannot Ignore by Ginger Chapman

 

Acts 13:40-41

Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you: ‘Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you. (NIV)

 

Scoffers

 

        This prophecy is still alive for today.  Our nation is full of scoffers.  They are scoffing God.  They scoff those of us who worship God.  We already see some things occurring that are hard to believe.  If we Christians don’t intercede, if we remain quiet in the presence of scoffers, if we turn our eyes away from sin we are being as the scoffers for we are being disobedient to God.  It is time for us to spend much time in prayer rather than complaining.  We must make sure our own lives (actions, inactions, speech and thoughts) are in accordance with the Word of God.  If we are not praying for our country, our government and our leaders we have no business complaining.  God promised if we would humble ourselves and pray, He would forgive our sins and heal our land.  If we love God, if we love the freedom to worship Him, we had better get busy and do what He has said.

By Ginger Chapman

Holding Tomorrow in God’s Hands

 Matthew 6:34

Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (NIV)

 Tomorrow

         Several nights ago, I didn’t sleep.  I was stressed and worried about something I was going to have to do in a few days.  I was full of “what ifs.”  I tried to tell myself it would be covered in prayer and God would be with me but that didn’t help the stress and worry.  I had already done the same thing a week before and it was very costly and difficult.  Granted, it could have been even worse, but God did protect me.  A few days before this event was to take place, I was told I didn’t need to do it.  What relief.  But what peace was wasted by my stressing out over what might be but turned out not to be.  Jesus gave such wonderful advice.  We don’t know what tomorrow will bring.  We don’t really know what the next hour or minute will bring.  Stressing and worrying about what isn’t right in front of us is a waste of time, energy and emotion.  How wonderful that we need not do that.  We can choose to be in total peace because we have a loving and powerful Father Who has promised to meet all our needs and give us a full and abundant life.  Our Father always keeps His promises.  He holds all our tomorrows in His loving, powerful hands.

By Ginger Chapman

Saved by Grace Alone by Ginger Chapman

 

Ephesians 2:8-10

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. (NIV)

 

God’s Grace

 

        We can memorize the entire Bible and not be saved for eternal life and forgiven for our sin.  We can go to church every time the doors are open, be a leader or pastor in church and still not be saved.  We can do all manner of what is good and not be saved.  The only way to be saved is by the grace of God.  The way to receive that grace is to ask God for forgiveness and accept His Son, Jesus, into our hearts, minds and lives as the Lord, the ruler of our entire being.  When we accept Him and choose to follow Jesus in obedience to what is recorded in His written word, The Holy Bible, God gives us His grace of forgiveness and adopts us as His children.  He fills us with His love and His Holy Spirit Who enables us to love God.  When we love someone, we want to please them.  To please God, we walk in obedience to His statutes.  When we fall, we ask forgiveness and choose to move on from that falling and walk on.  We bear the consequences of our actions or inactions in our physical bodies, but we also enjoy the forgiveness of God and the knowledge that nothing can separate us from His love once we receive it through His Son, Jesus.  Let us praise and thank God today for the gift of His grace the choose to show Him our love through obedience by allowing His Holy Spirit to love and help others through us.

By Ginger Chapman

Opened Minds, Living Scriptures by Ginger Chapman

 Luke 24:45

Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. (NIV)

 Scriptures

         After several decades of meditating and studying the scriptures, I needed a fresh outlook.  One time I rewrote the book of John making it written to me personally putting in the appropriate pronouns or my name as fit the sentences.  I made it really come alive.  Now I am in the process of rewriting the book of Psalms, making those prayers personal prayers from me to God.  Sometimes I must change more than pronouns to make them my prayers.  I’ve even been able to include the elections in this country in some of the psalms and many personal subjects.  Below is an example.  I encourage you to give it a try, but in your own way.

 Psalm 3

Lord, how many are the foes of this nation

Even many in this nation are against Your children

Many are saying

Christians cannot pray or say the name of God or Jesus in public

You are a shield around us

You lift our heads high

We call out to You, Lord

Answer us from Your holy mountain.

We lie down and sleep

When we wake, You sustain us.

We will not fear though our nation appears against us.

And assails our very freedom

Arise Lord

Deliver us from our enemies

Strike them in their mouths

Break their bit against our freedom

From You comes deliverance

May Your blessing be on us, Your children

By Ginger Chapman

Hiney Hiders

 Okay, I know this is a totally random post… I discovered this in the facilities at Vicksburg National Military Park, and I must share this.

Drumroll please… the company name?

Hiney Hiders!!! 

Seriously, how clever is that?!

Family Recipes - Derby Pie

This week we are sharing a favorite recipe.

Source

Derby Pie

1 stick butter, melted & cooled
1 c. sugar
1/2 c. all purpose flour
2 eggs, beaten
1 c chocolate chips
1 tsp. vanilla
1 unbaked pie crust

Mix sugar, flour, butter & eggs together. Add chocolate chips and vanilla. Pour into pie crust and bake at 350 for about 50 minutes.

You have no idea now good this is. I put it in the fridge and eat it for breakfast!!!

Acceptance

 

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Quote

Acceptance is not submission; it is acknowledgment of the facts of a situation. Then deciding what you're going to do about it.

-Kathleen Casey Theisen

(From the Archives)

Recognizing His Voice by Ginger Chapman

 Acts 12:14

When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!”  (NIV)

                             Voice

 We live in a day where we text, message, twitter and e-mail people.  It seems that using our cell phones to actually make a call is a burden to us.  We would rather just send a text.  We might think it’s more convenient for all involved or maybe we think we’re saving time.  There is something about the human voice.  We can identify people by their voice.  Yes, our cell phones also identify who is texting or calling but, when we hear a voice, we hear more than just mere words.  We hear the emotions behind it whether it be pain, anger, love or any other emotion.  The girl at the door didn’t need Peter to identify himself; she knew his voice.  Neither did Mary at the empty tomb of Jesus.  She didn’t recognize Him by sight but as soon as He said her name, she knew it was Jesus who spoke.  The voice and the expression in the voice gives meaning to the words.  When we actually speak vocally to one another we are actually communication more than just words.  We are putting real meaning behind the words.  There are times when just sending the words electronically is the right thing to do.  We need to have discernment.  Let us slow down a little and ask God how he wants us to communicate from time to time.

By Ginger Chapman

Our Walk

I praise You, Lord that I can trust

The path you have me walk.
I need not know where it will lead
Because I know You know.
I need not understand why or where
I trust leave those both with You
And yet I listen in my prayers
In case You want to share.

Sometimes I’d like to know the why.
I’d like to understand
Sometimes I’d like to know the where
So I could make some plans
But then I think that if I knew
I’d interrupt Your plans
For Your ways aren’t for me to plan
But just to hold Your hand.

Many times we find we are walking a path we don’t like or understand. Sometimes it seems we have been down the same type of path at other times. Our finite minds always want to understand our circumstances. We want to know where we are headed so we can “chart our course.”

In the Christian walk our “chart for our course” is in the Bible. Our path leads to eternal life with God, our Father and Jesus Christ, His Son and our Savior and Lord. The directions God wants us to take on our way to our Home are His choice. We are on this earth to give Him pleasure. We do this with our fellowship with Him, our trust in Him, our obedience to Him and our love for Him. All these, fellowship, trust, obedience and love, can be carried out without knowing the why’s or where’s of our walk.

It is so nice to be able to just walk and trust. I know where my walk will end. I can trust God’s hand to guide me every step of the way. When my finite mind pushes it’s questions into my attention, I can pause, turn my eyes on my Father, and choose to trust His wisdom and love. Peace overflows as I do this and I can continue my walk in fellowship, trust, obedience and love.

GinRich.

Mrs. Geraldine's Ground Beef Casserole

Confession: this photo does not do this recipe justice. Trust me—this is hands-down one of our family’s all-time favorites. Always a hit, never disappointing, and seriously… ahh-mazing. Once you try it, you’ll be making it again and again!

• 
  

• Ingredients:

  • 1 lb ground beef

  • 1 (15 oz) can tomatoes

  • 1/4 cup chopped onion

  • 1/4 cup chopped bell pepper

  • 1/4 cup chopped celery

  • 1 (8 oz) can mushrooms

  • 2 tbsp brown sugar or 2 tbsp sweet pickle juice

  • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

  • 1 (10 3/4 oz) can cream of mushroom soup

  • 1/4 lb sharp cheddar cheese

  • 1 (6 oz) package angel hair pasta, cooked (approx. size—original recipe said “small bag”)

  • 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce

  • Salt and pepper, to taste

  Directions:

  1. Brown the ground beef in a large skillet or Dutch oven.

  2. Add onions, bell pepper, and celery; simmer for 15 minutes.

  3. Stir in tomatoes, tomato sauce, mushrooms, brown sugar (or pickle juice), and Worcestershire sauce.

  4. Season with salt and pepper.

  5. Cook in the skillet for 1 hour.

  Optional: sprinkle cheddar cheese on top for a melty, savory finish.

  This is comfort food at its best—hearty, flavorful, and perfect for feeding a hungry family. Pair it with a fresh salad or some crusty bread, and you’ve got dinner that will get raving reviews every time.

•  

From Food.com

I found it here:  Mrs. Geraldine's Ground Beef Casserole

Guarding the Heart from Pride by Ginger Chapman

 

Proverbs 24:17

 

Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice,

 

Gloating

 

        Do you drive by a car that’s been pulled over for speeding and think, “Aha, he got what he deserved.”  Do you judge someone who isn’t obeying a certain scripture verse which you have no trouble obeying?  This is gloating.  We are putting ourselves in the place of judging others.  There is only one judge.  His name is Jesus.  We have no right to judge others when we ourselves, are far from perfect.  We each have our own areas of temptation, failure and success.  We are each different.  Jesus said for us to love one another and encourage one another.  Let’s put our efforts into our own relationship with Jesus and through growing in Him others will see by our actions and hear by our words and be encouraged to work on their own relationship with Jesus.  Gloating is nothing more than pride and we have nothing in and by ourselves to be prideful.  Let us thank and praise God that He loves us just the way we are yet loves us so much that He desires the best for us.

By Ginger Chapman

Merry Christmas

One in Purpose, One in Him by Ginger Chapman

 

John 17:20-23

 

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me, and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. (NIV)

 

One

 

        My favorite prayer in the Bible is the prayer Jesus prayed just before He was crucified.  In His prayer, He prayed for me (and for you).  The question is what did He mean when He prayed for us to all be one just as He and the Father are one?  We are all individual people.  Look around at how we act toward one another.  Even in our churches there are signs of animosity and bitterness.  I believe a major part of being one is to be of one purpose.  Jesus and the Father had the purpose of showing us the love of God and how God created us to live our lives.  We have a common purpose that should unite us as one.  We are to love and glorify God and share Him with others.  We each are unique and have a unique way of doing this.  The way in which God leads me to share His love with others is different from the way He leads you to share.  This doesn’t mean my way is right and yours is wrong.  We should remember we are unified in our purpose even though our way of showing and fulfilling that purpose might be different.  Let us not be so quick to judge or criticize another but look at each other recognizing our oneness of purpose and relationship to Jesus and our Father through the one and same Holy Spirit living in each of us.  Through His Holy Spirit we are one.

By Ginger Chapman

Featured Art

K's Masterpiece - Age 5

The Right Amount of Time by Ginger Chapman

 

Ecclesiastes 3:1

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: (NIV)

 

Extra Hour

 

        I really enjoyed having an extra hour yesterday, especially on a Sunday.  It gave me extra time to prepare my heart to join other believers in worship of our God.  But by the time 11 PM came, I wasn’t so delighted to have a day that was 25 hours rather than 24.  When God designed the day into 24 hours, He knew the endurance of the fleshly body.  We may think we need extra time each day, but God, in His wisdom, knows we would abuse the time by abusing our bodies even more than we do now.  There is a time appointed for everything we need to do.  Our problem is we don’t consult God on how to use the time He provides for us and what to do and when to do it.  We all have the same amount of time in a day.  Some may think the days are too long and some may think the days are too short.  Some of us vacillate between the two thoughts depending on the day.  To start our day out talking to God and asking Him to order our day is the best use of our time and, when we do this, we will find the time we have in that day is just the exact right amount of time.  Let us let the Creator of the day, the Creator of time, guide us in the best use of it.

By Ginger Chapman

K is Engaged

K told me a story tonight: When she was on the school bus today a boy asked her "Will you marry me?" K being in kindergarten told the boy, "no". She then told me, "But mommy, he is handsome."

My Five Year Old Daughter and Her Children are Moving In

We’re heading to Dollar Tree tonight after picking up all the big kids. K is fully prepared—armed with her entire life savings: $2.60, gathered from random house discoveries and her very first visit from the Tooth Fairy.

On the drive:

K: Maybe I should save all this money so I can buy a house.
Me: Houses cost a lot of money, honey. More than you can even count.
K: Oh.

Later…

K: Mommy, when I’m a mom, I’m going to live with you.
Me: Why? So I can help with the kids?
K: No.
Me: Because you love me so much?
K: No.
Me: Then why, K?
K: Because I don’t have enough money to buy a house.

Love her. 

Paper golf phase 2

Nathan expanded his paper golf course!

Paper Golf Anyone?

Nathan, my little brilliant 12 year old, apparently was bored after he completed the mock testing at school yesterday. He created this elaborate paper ball golf course. The double with the ramp and chute certainly would be a challenge.

Should I Read my Oncology Report?

Today marks six years since my breast cancer surgery at 29 weeks pregnant. Some anniversaries feel heavy, but this one feels grounding. That season changed me in ways I’m still discovering. It strengthened me, softened me, and reminded me how fragile—and beautiful—life really is.

I am deeply grateful to be here. I know not everyone receives that gift. Surviving isn’t something I take lightly. At the same time, I’ve learned it’s okay to feel tired of carrying the story. Cancer may be part of my past, but it doesn’t get to define my whole future.

Recently, I connected with someone who had the same diagnosis. There’s something powerful about those conversations—a quiet understanding that doesn’t need many words. It’s a reminder that none of us walk hard roads alone.

For years, I avoided fully reading my old oncology reports. One sentence about a high chance of recurrence once overwhelmed me. But time has given me perspective. Those words were written in uncertainty. Today, I’m living in reality—and reality says I’m here. Healthy. Growing. Moving forward.

The greatest lesson these six years have taught me is this: joy is meant to be celebrated now, not postponed out of fear. Worry steals more moments than it protects.

So today, I choose gratitude. I choose presence. I choose to celebrate life—not someday, but today