Friday, November 22, 2013

Be in Agreement—No Divisions

Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. 1 Corinthians 1:10

Jesus always “agreed” with His Father—He did just what His Father said to do. Can we do any less than agree with other Christians as Paul directed the Christians of Corinth? No divisions— be in agreement—of the same mind. Complete. Complete in your love of the Lord…complete in agreement with each other. Paul goes on to write about being complete in Second Corinthians. For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak but you are strong; this we also pray for, that you be made complete. ... Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:9, 11. You may have to compromise…or change your point of view in order to be in the same mind—or in agreement with others. Can you do that?  

Training Tip – Mount a photo of your family on cardboard and then cut into puzzle shapes. Mix up the puzzle pieces and have your family try to put together the puzzle—one piece at a time with each person taking a turn. They have to be “in agreement”—no division—to get the puzzle put together correctly. 

Lord God, as my children, grandchildren and I seek to know You more…and to be more like You, help us to be of the same mind…thinking alike that we wouldn’t have any strife among us. We praise You for who You are…our Creator, Lord, Savior and Friend. We are thankful for You and for all You provide, do and in all things—we give thanks. 

Friday’s Feast at the Lord’s Table
We’re almost to Thanksgiving so it’s time to start planning the menu…and deciding on pies for dessert. Here’s a compromise between pecan and pumpkin pies. Enjoy! I plan to. 

Pumpkin Praline Torte
¾ cup firmly packed brown sugar  
Click to see savings1/3 cup butter  
Click to see savings3 tablespoons plus 1 3/4 cups whipping cream
1 cup chopped pecans  
Click to see savings4 large eggs  
Click to see savings1 2/3 cups granulated sugar  
Click to see savings1 cup vegetable oil  
Click to see savings2 cups canned or fresh cooked pureed pumpkin  
Click to see savings1 teaspoon vanilla  
Click to see savingsClick to see savings2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice (or 3/4 teaspoon each ground cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt  
Click to see saving1/4 cup powdered sugar 

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Butter two 9-inch round cake pans. Line bottoms of pans with cooking parchment. In a heavy 1- to 2-quart pan over low heat, stir brown sugar, butter, and 3 tablespoons whipping cream until melted and blended, about 5 minutes. Pour half the brown sugar mixture into each of the cake pans. Sprinkle 3/4 cup chopped pecans evenly into pans.

2. In a bowl, with a spoon, beat eggs, granulated sugar, and oil until well blended. Stir in pumpkin and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, and salt to blend. Whisk dry ingredients into pumpkin mixture until well blended. Pour half the batter into each of the pans; smooth top.

3. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of cakes comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool in pans on racks about 5 minutes, then invert onto racks and remove pans and paper. Let cool completely, about 1 1/2 hours.

4. Up to 6 hours before serving, in a bowl, with an electric mixer on high speed, beat remaining 1 3/4 cups whipping cream until soft peaks form. On low speed, beat in powdered sugar and remaining 1/2 teaspoon vanilla just until blended. Set one cake layer, pecan praline side up, on a serving platter. Spread two-thirds of the whipped cream mixture over the top. Set second layer, praline side up, on top. Cover with remaining whipped cream mixture. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup chopped pecans.

Happy Birthday Barry!

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.
© 2013 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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