Rerun, Kathy's Kitchen, Icebox Brownies

 

We enjoyed this in Kathy’s kitchen again recently. This originally appeared on my blog on August 11, 2023

 

Icebox Brownies

 

I haven’t made this one for years. I think it’s time.

 

Ingredients:

3 cups crushed graham cracker crumbs

1-1/2 cups nuts

1 cup sweetened condensed milk

½ cup margarine

12 ounces chocolate chips

 

Directions:

Melt margarine and chocolate.  Add graham cracker crumbs, nuts and milk.  Grease a 9-by-13-inch pan, and press the mixture into it.  Chill in refrigerator several hours, until firm.  Cut into squares.   

Jesus is King, Mark 1:35-45

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”

Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”

Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.

Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.

 

The people kept looking for Jesus, but as a wise king, he went to be by himself and pray, keeping himself close to God the Father, asking for his support.

 

I have always been touched by this story with the man with leprosy. No one wanted to touch this unclean man, but he asked Jesus to touch him, if he was willing. And, Jesus was willing. I praise God that he is always willing to touch the unclean. He touched even me.

 

Jesus had reason for asking the man to keep quiet about what happened at that time, but I want to be more like him, sharing with unstopping enthusiasm what Jesus has done for me.

 

Father, thank you that you love the unclean, that you are willing to touch us and make us clean. 

Always Looking for Good New Books

The Water Keeper by Charles Martin. I usually read three or four books at the same time, picking up a different one, laying it down, picking up another. This is one of the few books I’ve read that I couldn’t lay down. A story of love, of god’s love, of broken people racing to rescue other people from horrific crime. Of broken people being made new.

 

Calm in the Mountain Storm by Misty M. Beller. Misty and I were critique partners some years ago, giving each other assistance and suggestions for our writing. Since then, Misty has written many books, about the Western US and the mountains. This is one of those books, filled with lovely descriptions of the mountains, adventure, faith. Misty M. Beller is an author you will learn to love.

 

Invisible by Lorena McCourtney. I have found a delightful new series. A cozy mystery where the sleuth is a little old lady, LOL she calls herself. She trusts in God, can never pass up an opportunity to sniff out a mystery, and has a delightfully fun and funny bunch of friends.

 

The emerald tide by T. Davis Bunn. Another book by an author I have so much respect for. Quality writing, depth of characters. Beautiful descriptions of very different communities in California and in Italy. Romance and suspense dealing with centuries-old paintings and ancient treasure.

 

Midnight on the Scottish Shore by Sarah Sundin. World War II in Scotland. Includes danger, faith, beautiful descriptions of Scotland, Romance, double agents, family turmoil, personal sacrifice.

 

A few days full of trouble: revelations on the journey to justice for my cousin and best friend, Emmett Till by Wheeler Parker and Chris Benson. Fourteen-year-old Emmett Till was lynched, beaten and murdered in 1955. In this book his cousin, who was with Emmett in Mississippi right up to the moment he was kidnapped, tells a powerful story. From the beginning he tells what he witnessed; describes the murder trial; goes through years of Emmett’s effect on civil Rights activism and laws against racism and racial crime. He gives detailed explanations of Emmett Till’s case being reopened in the early 2000s and starting over again in 2017. This is a long, carefully detailed book, worthy of studying. 

Diamonds from Isaiah Chapter 3

Verses 5,8-11,13-15:

People will oppress each other— man against man, neighbor against neighbor.

The young will rise up against the old, the nobody against the honored.

Jerusalem staggers, Judah is falling;

their words and deeds are against the Lord, defying his glorious presence.

The look on their faces testifies against them; they parade their sin like Sodom;

    they do not hide it. Woe to them!

    They have brought disaster upon themselves.

Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds.

Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them!

They will be paid back for what their hands have done.

The Lord takes his place in court; he rises to judge the people.

The Lord enters into judgment against the elders and leaders of his people:

“It is you who have ruined my vineyard; the plunder from the poor is in your houses.

What do you mean by crushing my people and grinding the faces of the poor?” declares the Lord, the Lord Almighty.

 

Father God, I am glad you are the judge. You know every bad thing that has ever been done to people, Lord. I shake to think of the punishment that is coming to some. I praise you, Father, for the forgiveness you have poured upon me, for the forgiveness you freely offer to all who seek you. 

Guest Author Interview with Janet W. Ferguson

Janet has been a critique partner friend for many years. I find her stories deeply moving. Check them out.

 

Kathy: Would you give our readers a brief bio? What do you enjoy doing when you’re not writing?

Janet: I'm from Mississippi. I've worked in a variety of careers, one of them being a high school librarian. I love great books!

I enjoy walking and exercise on most days and traveling to new places when I can.

 

How do you share your faith with your writing?

When I start a story I usually have a faith question in mind that I or someone else might struggle with, and I grapple with it through the characters.

 

Do you consider yourself a plotter or a pantser?

Pantser for sure! I know the characters and the faith question and a few ideas, then just start writing.

 

Can you share with us about your latest book? 

My latest book came out of often hearing about science and people unable to believe there is a Creator.

I had a character who I knew did not believe and I started researching proof for God as a Creator.

I had read books in the past like The Case for Faith by Lee Strobel and C.S. Lewis books like Mere Christianity and others, but wondered what new information was out there. I started searching the internet and podcasts. One I found intrigued me with the name, I Don't Have Enough Faith To Be an Atheist. I started listening to the episodes where he had scientists, then followed links to those scientists' podcasts or books. It was very interesting to know that many astronomers and physicists believe in God and why they believe. A lot of it was so deep, I didn't want to try to explain, but I did lock onto the case that our universe if fine-tuned. I would suggest researching for those struggling with their faith to check out some of this information.

My goal is to help others feel more confident that there is a case for faith.

 

Are you already planning your next book? Tell us about it. What are your writing goals?

Right now I am keeping my first grandbaby, but a few stories are brewing.

 

Until April

Michael Galloway has always believed freedom means living life on his own terms. His career is dedicated to saving the environment and teaching others the importance of taking care of the earth, rivers, and oceans. He’s building a life with no room for complications. Especially in his love life.

 

Then tragedy turns April Yancy’s world upside down.

 

After her husband’s death, April discovers he’d been hiding devastating secrets, leaving her buried in debt and struggling to protect her children’s future. The last person she expects to come to her rescue is Michael—the man who shattered her heart years ago.

 

Michael has few regrets, but hurting April back in grad school still haunts him. When her situation grows desperate, he devises a risky plan to help her rebuild her life…even if it means jeopardizing his carefully guarded independence.

 

Accepting Michael’s shocking offer could cost April more than her pride. His resistance to her faith clashes with the convictions she holds dear, and trusting him again feels impossible. Yet as doors keep opening and her prayers keep nudging her toward him, April begins to wonder if God is offering her a second chance at more than survival.

 

An emotional second-chance love story of forgiveness, redemption, and unexpected faith.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H358D2V5/

Release date: June 25

 

Janet W. Ferguson 

FHL Readers' Choice Award Winning Author

Christy Award Finalist

Maggie Award Winner

https://janetfergusonauthor.com/

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