But God....

One day hopefully real soon, the Lord will show you who you really are. He will show you that you are a sinful person, that there is nothing we can do to earn God's graces, that we are children of wrath and His wrath abides on us.

BUT GOD....

Two of the most beautiful words in the English language...

Ephesians 2:1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Red Velvet Cupcakes

Directions

For the cake:

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups sifted cake flour

2 tablespoons Dutch process cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened

2 large eggs

1 cup buttermilk

Either 2 ounces red food coloring for deep red color.

or 1 ounce for lighter red, which is what I use.

1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Cake:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

1. Line cupcake pans with 24 liners.

2. In a bowl, sift together flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt; set aside.

3. In a large bowl, cream together sugar and butter.

4. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time.

5. Alternately add flour mixture and buttermilk.

6. Beat in food coloring and vinegar, then add vanilla.

Divide batter evenly in the cupcake pans.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Turn out onto a rack to cool.

For the Frosting:

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter or margarine, softened

1 pound box confectioners' sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese and butter. Beat in confectioners' sugar until fluffy. About 8 minutes. Beat in vanilla.

Place frosting in a pastry bag or plastic bag with small corner cut out and ice half the cupcakes.

On the other cupcakes take a sharp knife and cut a cone shape out of the center of each cupcake. Take the underside and reserve for crumbs. Fill each cavity with frosting and top with the cap. Dust with powderd sugar. Use the crumbs to top the iced cupcakes.

Place in refridgerator for a few hours before serving.

Daybook Entry

FOR TODAY...

Outside my window...is the remains of the 4" snowfall we got a few days ago. There has been just a hint of a promise of sunshine.

I am thinking... about my visit with my grandchildren coming up soon.

I am thankful for... the "Brokenness" Sermon by Dr. Voodie Bachman.

I am wearing... house working cloths although I haven't attempted housework today.

I am remembering... that we have bible study tonight.

I am going... to bible study later this evening.

I am currently reading... Grand Weaver by Ravi Zacharias

I am hoping... to complete my memory verses for this week.

On my mind... My mothers health.

Noticing that... I can't really pay attention to the radio and write at the same time.

Pondering these words... "Why were we created?"

In the kitchen... is left overs and a simple meal so we don't have a lot to do before we go to bible study.

Around the house... quiet

One of my favorite things ...knitting