Flying Solo

Saturday Halloween Treat and A Movie

 
Halloween Popcorn Treat 

Ingredients:
Vegetable cooking spray
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/3 cup popcorn kernels
3 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
6 cups (12-ounces) mini marshmallows
6 fun-size caramel peanut chocolate bars (such as Snickers), cut into 1/4-inch pieces
3 (3-inch) chocolate chip cookies, crumbled
1/3 cup chopped salted almonds,
1/2 cup orange and black chocolate candies (such as M and Ms)

Directions:
Spray the inside of a large mixing bowl with vegetable cooking spray, and lightly spray a baking sheet. Set aside.
In a 3 quart or larger, heavy-bottomed pan, heat the oil and popcorn over medium-high heat. Cover the pan and shake gently. Cook until all the kernels have popped, about 3 minutes. Place the popcorn in the prepared bowl.
In a medium saucepan, heat the butter over low heat. Add the vanilla extract and marshmallows. Stir constantly until the marshmallows have melted and the mixture is smooth, about 5 minutes. Pour the melted marshmallow mixture over the popcorn. Using a spatula, sprayed with cooking spray, stir until the popcorn is coated. Spread the mixture over the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle with the chocolate bar pieces, cookies, almonds and chocolate candies. Using a spatula, gently press the toppings into the popcorn. Allow the mixture to dry for 1 hour.

Break into 2-inch pieces and store airtight in a plastic container.

Serving Suggestion: Place in small plastic bags and seal with colored ribbon.

 

 
The Prestige 

"The Prestige" begins with shots of several dozen top hats mysteriously strewn about in the woods. (Remember them for later). Next Michael Caine's character, Cutter, explains the three parts of a magic trick while performing a disappearing bird trick for a little girl. First, there's "The Pledge," where the magician shows you something ordinary, like a bird.

Fridays with Ken

Ken, you still ask me often to “take that to God and ask Him what He wants to tell you about that.” A lot of people don’t know how to do that. Could you explain what that looks like to them?

This is one of those questions that require a book.  Here are a few suggestions: Listening to Love by Jan Meyers; Scared Romance by Brent Curtis and John Eldredge; Abba’s Child by Brennan Manning.  These books will help you journey into a more intimate relationship with God.  I find that when most people go to God it is a detached practice of sharing a list of concerns and needs.  We’re taught in church to go to God but we’re often not exposed to the practice of listening and building intimacy with God.  We hear catch phrases like “you should have a personal relationship with Jesus” but don’t know how to engage with Him.  I encourage folks to start with the practice of journaling.  For me journaling is a practical way to engage with prayer…both the speaking to and listening for God.  Simply start by writing down your prayer to God and when you’re finished ask Him what He wants to say to you.  Whatever pops into your mind write it down.  Don’t question it.  When you’re finished go back and read asking this question, “does this line up with scripture?”  If it is congruent with scripture then trust that it’s from God…if not then mark it out and move on.  God is a generous and tender father who wants to speak to us.  We need to quite ourselves in order to hear Him.  Don’t worry about making a mistake because is you’re seeking Him with a pure heart He will be patient as you learn to listen.

 

Why are we so afraid to take our deepest desires to our Father but not our needs?

Needs tend to be more like a shopping list where desires are far more intimate.  When we trust God with our desires we run the risk of deeper disappointment.  The more we grow in God’s love the more freedom we have from the fear of disappointment.

Ken Edwards is a graduate of the University of Arkansas and has earned a Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Counseling and a Master of Arts in Religious Education of Southwestern Seminary. But his discernment matches his education and for me often the greater gift. He lives with his wife Janet and three children in Franklin, Tennessee. And this is him enjoying what he loves, the mountains in Wyoming. Except he's usually behind the camera. And he has been kind enough to spend Friday’s with us. What he is offering us regarding his time is a gift. I hope we will take advantage of it.

 

Got Question's for Ken? Email your questions to [email protected]

 

Thursday Thumbprints

This is from Denise…

Right after my divorce a sweet friend was going through a divorce as well. Money was tight for both of us. However, her needs at the time were far greater than mine. My heart so desperately wanted to meet every financial need that she had, but I couldn’t. But one night I just asked her, what are your immediate needs? “What do you need right now?”
“Like right now?”
“Yes, like right now.” I said.
She was hesitant. “Well, I could really use some dish towels.”
I had some virtually brand new ones in my drawer so I pulled them out and handed them to her. “Okay, what else?”
“Serious?”
“Yes, what else.”
“I really need a small vacuum cleaner that I can get up and down the steps.”
Low and behold I had one of those too that I never used.
“Anything else.”
She was loving this by now. I was enjoying myself too.
“I really need a self-propelled lawn mower.”
Dare to guess what the last item was I loaded up in her car before she left? Yep, a self-propelled lawn mower.
When she left God spoke so sweetly, “I gave her exactly what she needed and allowed you to do exactly what your heart desired.”

God loved both of us in our details that day. She left with every immediate need that she had. And I was given the opportunity to bless her the way I so desired to bless her. God reveals Himself differently to each of us. The question is…are we looking and listening?

Wednesday Homework

Our final homework assignment this month is to remember. Some of you God has worked in your details, or loved you in your details, but we can get so focused on what we lack, that we miss all that He has done. Today, sit down with a pen and paper and begin to ask God to show you where He has loved you in your details. It could be a person He brought in your life at just the right time. It could be something He gave you wisdom to do that was so beyond your abilities. It could be a door He opened that you could have never opened for yourself. Or it could have been a prayer He answered that only you and He know about. I have a feeling it could be all of the above. Now, take time to remember. Because in remembering the enemy loses any ground he could have gained by the lie we often believe, “God doesn’t love me that way. God does something for everyone else, but He never does anything like that for me.” Does He not? I dare you to remember…

Tuesday Tips

Two years ago around Halloween my brother and his wife carved these pumpkins for the Monday Night Football event.
She is a Colts fan and he is a Titans fan. I thought it was amazing! So, I wanted to share it with you...

 

Perfect Pumpkins

Crafty Carving Tips from FamilyFun

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If you're looking for a great pumpkin to carve this Halloween season, take a cue from Linus and head directly to the patch. To locate a commercial grower in your area, contact your state agriculture department. Then you can call the farm directly to inquire about hours, prices and available varieties (Connecticut Field, Howden and Baby Bear are good bets for carving; Small Sugar, Golden Cushaw and White pumpkins are choice for pie making). Ask if the pumpkins are displayed at a stand or if you can harvest your own from the field. Do they charge by the pumpkin or the pound?

Once there, after your family has surveyed the lot, you're probably in for a patch-side debate over the perfect specimen. Whether you plan to decorate with a row of small and medium-size globes or a single huge one (the largest one on record was grown in Washington state and weighed a whopping 827 pounds), be sure the pumpkin you choose is symmetrical enough to rest squarely on a flat surface. Pass over any with bruises, cracks or broken stems, because they tend to deteriorate quickly.

Plan on carving no earlier than a day or two before Halloween--jack-o'-lanterns have short "step" lives. And remember to bring your porch pumpkin indoors on nights when the temperature is expected to drop below freezing.

CARVING TIPS

• Draw your design on the pumpkin with a water-based marker beforehand. Mistakes are erased easily with a damp sponge.

• Cut the top and any large areas with a sharp, straight-edged knife. A dull blade is not a safer alternative.

• Serrated metal saws, now widely available in carving kits, are a safer alternative to knives and allow younger children to get in on the action.

• Carve away from yourself; kids should carve only under adult supervision.

• Never hold the knife in a stabbing position.

• When carving, keep a portion of the knife blade in the pumpkin and use slow, steady saw strokes.

• Cut the lid at an angle so the outside diameter is larger than the inside.This prevents the top from falling into the pumpkin when it shrinks.

• Scoop out seeds and stringy flesh with a large spoon or ice cream scooper.

• Carve the facial features closest to the center first and work outward. Cut out the larger features in sections.

• Use an X-Acto knife for details and the tip of a potato peeler to make small circles and curves.

• Remove carved portions by gently pushing them into or out of the pumpkin.

• Reattach a section that is accidentally removed by using a toothpick to pin it back in place.

• Make design holes large enough to provide adequate ventilation for the candle.

• Flatten a spot in the base of the pumpkin for the candle but avoid digging too deep because the pumpkin becomes prone to rot.

• Make sure the flame is not too close to the top of the pumpkin.

• To prolong the life of the jack-o'-lantern, seal in moisture by coating all cut surfaces with petroleum jelly or vegetable oil, or cover it with a damp towel when not on display.

• Consider giving smaller children stickers, tempera paint, or markers to decorate their own pumpkins.

Monday Musings

After my divorce I would ride down Franklin Road and pass this quaint little brick church. And each time I would pass it I’d say, “Father, if I ever get remarried, I’d love to get married in that church.” So, when Philly and I settled on a wedding date, there was really on one date in April that worked. Because of our travel schedules and the kids travel schedules it was jus the idyllic week. We were pretty late in the game from a planning schedule but I called Owens Chapel in the hope that it would be available, even though April and June are two of the busiest wedding months.

I got precious Ms. Reed on the phone and said, “I can’t imagine you have April 10th available to rent the church do you?”
“Well, honey, all I can tell you April the 17th had ten brides call for that day. But not one bride has booked April 10th.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“No, every other Saturday is booked, but not that one.”
“That is wonderful!”
“You know what I call that baby.” She said, “I call that faith. God meant for you to have that chapel that day. Just for you.”

I couldn’t help but smile. That is how He loves me. And I knew she was right. Every day that we take our older girls to school now we pass by Owen’s Chapel. And each time I do it is as if God is saying, “That’s how I love you baby girl.”

That’s how He loves you too…He loves you in your details.

Sunday Reflections

This is your time. Reflect with us about your week, your friends, or what God has become to you. This is your space. Your time.