What Is Your Problem

Posted on 19/02/2020 by Mirjam Fels

Do you have a problem — a struggle with certain sins in your life? Is it easy for you to admit it?

It hurts whenever people wrongfully judge us, doesn’t it? There are millions of reasons, however, for us to judge others — we think. We don’t want to face our own faults, let alone admitting them. In fact, we mastered to cover them well. In the end, we are not as bad (as so and so), are we?

Two years ago I had the privilege to help out at a Children’s Bible Camp. My part during this one week was to teach the memory verse. I share a little story with the kids. It was my confession of having a problem with Gummi Bears (not the television series but the fruit gum candy). Yes, the children had a big grin on their faces, too. 🙂

My point was? The problem might start out very small, but it can grow into a big one quite fast. When we refuse to deal with problems they can heap up into a huge mountain. Such a humongous pile is hard to crush. You will need something, Someone, stronger than yourself to pulverize that mountain!

Do I have a problem, a struggle with certain sins in my life? I sure do. Is it easy for me to admit them? Um, certainly not! It’s always best to face them, though. 1 John 1 says that,

8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

Confessing our sins is very important and asking God for His wonderful Mercy and Forgiveness is so healing!

There is absolutely no sin — none of our problems — too much to forgive! Jesus has the power to forgive sins. Will you come to Him with your burdens today and lay your sins at His feet?

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Pancake Tuesday

Posted on 17/02/2020 by Mirjam Fels

Advertisements of stores in Ireland and shelves in supermarkets reveal the fact that Shrove Tuesday is coming up soon.

This year it’s on the 25th of February which is only 7 days away! Say, are you prepared for the special day? Or do you still need an inspiration or recipe for it?

Pancake Tuesday isn’t the only day, though, on which you can serve this dish. According to my husband,

Pancakes are perfect on any day and at any time!

An old cookbook says that the Dutch brought them to America, and that in Pennsylvania the Germans served their pancakes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Can you tell that German natives like to eat their Pfannkuchen?

The Mexicans love their Tacos, and the Germans love their Pfannkuchen. Both dishes are made of flour and other ingredients, and both of them are quite versatile. They come in various sizes, shapes and textures, and they are perfect for savory or sweet dishes. I’ll talk more about Tacos in another post.

Let’s get back to Shrove Tuesday or Fastnachtsdienstag as we would call it in Germany.

How about making pancakes from scratch? Following is one of my recipes I’ll share with you. (More to come in future posts. Did I tell you that we love to make and eat our Pfannkuchen? 🙂 )

  • Whisk 3 medium eggs and a dash of salt.
  • Slowly add 300ml milk. Continue to stir.
  • Add 250g of white flour (or 200g of whole wheat flour) and mix well.
  • Bake / Fry (makes about 5-6 pan-sized or 6-8 small size pancakes)
  • Place fried pancake on plate and cover with another plate to keep warm.

Do you like yours a little thinner? Then add a bit more liquid to the batter. Or, do you prefer thicker ones? Then add more flour to the batter. If you want them pan-sized fry them in a skillet. Or use a frying pan or a griddle to make smaller sized pancakes.

Some Irish families serve them with lemon juice which sounds a bit odd to me. Spread chocolate or hazelnut spread, jam, or peanut butter on them. Or make a savory dish by topping them with cheese, fried chicken, cooked vegetables or whatever you like. Be creative! Enjoy your Pancake Day!

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Valentine’s Day

Posted on 14/02/2020 by Mirjam Fels

Do you and your husband celebrate the 14th of February, making this a magnificent day for each other? Yes? Happy Valentine’s Day! No? You don’t have to wait until the next one is coming up in 2021. Instead, take time to make days special for you and your husband throughout the year.

What would be so extraordinary on a typical Valentine’s Day?

Some celebrate with a fancy dinner at their favorite restaurant or by cooking a special meal at home. Others, who are having more money available, might surprise their spouse with a stay at a luxury hotel. Then there are the ones who buy gifts like pralines or flowers or a ticket for a sport event. Whatever the case, we like to go beyond everyday life and make this day a “perfect” — or nearly perfect — day for us as a married couple.

What about throughout the year?

I don’t remember the title of the book but it surely wasn’t one about marriage. The author devoted a chapter to time management. In that particular part of his book he shared that he keeps one day off. It’s a day that belongs to him and his wife only. They will go for special meal and/or on a day trip or spend time shopping together.

I found this a great idea and shared that thought with my husband. Yes, we have put the thought into action and set apart one day of the week for us.

What about throughout the months, weeks, days?

On the other side, I thought, why couldn’t we make every day a special day — at least in some way? It doesn’t take much. All it takes is to cook his favorite dinner (now and then), buy a chocolate bar or another sweet or savory snack for him, surprise him by welcoming him with a hearty hug, kind words, and a smile. And then there is: just being content. Ouch! A hard one, I know. But important! In fact, so important that I will pick up this topic again in one of my next posts.

 

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