Week 7 Video Interview: Stanley John

Okay maybe week seven was my favorite week. It is hard to decide. I like that this week was more "college style" learning. It made me excited to start up the college groove this fall. Stanley John was hilarious and very smart. There is never a dull moment when he is teaching. I hope that he will continue teaching SFG Bible school in the upcoming years. Anyway Bible school is coming to an end. I am not sure how I feel about having our last day of classes tomorrow.

SFG Bible School Week 5 Video

Watch this video if you haven't seen it already. Yes I'm in it! Hehe :)

I Like Adoption

Love To Worship Spoken Word

SFG Bible School Weeks 1-2 Video

This video was made by a few of our students. Made me want to laugh and cry. God bless :)

How Do You Know Someone Is "The One"?

I love this!

Lasagna & A Song

 

Tanya made this lasagna for a struggling family in our church (yes, she is a natural cook!), it makes a huge portion so we had to keep half of it. It was good! 

Ingredients

1 pound sweet Italian sausage
3/4 pound lean ground beef

1/2 cup minced onion

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes

2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste

2 (6.5 ounce) cans canned tomato sauce
1/2 cup water

2 tablespoons white sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil leaves
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

12 lasagna noodles

16 ounces ricotta cheese

1 egg

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 lb mozzarella cheese, sliced. 

3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. In a large pan, cook sausage, ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until well browned. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water. Season with sugar, basil, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, 1 tablespoon salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons parsley. Simmer, covered, for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
2. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes. Drain noodles, and rinse with cold water. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese with egg, remaining parsley, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
3. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
4. To assemble, spread 1 1/2 cups of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Arrange 6 noodles lengthwise over meat sauce. Spread with one half of the ricotta cheese mixture. Top with a third of mozzarella cheese slices. Spoon 1 1/2 cups meat sauce over mozzarella, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Repeat layers, and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Cover with foil: to prevent sticking, either spray foil with cooking spray, or make sure the foil does not touch the cheese.
5. Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove foil, and bake an additional 25 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes before serving.

Click this link for the original recipe!

Now to another subject. I was listening to Pandora last night and discovered this song! If you know me, you know that I LOVE songs that have emotion. Though I may not have understand all the words, I was touched deeply. 

Oh yes, translation for you non-Spanish speaking common folk:

Answer me quickly, O Lord;

my spirit fails.

Do not hide your face from me

or I will be like those who go down to the pit.

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,

for I have put my trust in you.

Show me the way I should go,

for to you I lift up my soul.

Rescue me from my enemies, O Lord,

for I hide myself in you.

Teach me to do your will,

for you are my God;

may your good Spirit

lead me on level ground.

For your name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life;

in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.

In your unfailing love, silence my enemies;

destroy all my foes,

for I am your servant.

Psalm 143:7-12

 

The Gospel!

We watched this video in youth a few weeks ago. It is worth another watch. Such a beautiful message.

"...My blood was shed for MORE than just forgiveness. Forgiveness was the avenue through which He could make the escape. He has dealt with the problem of sin- test the door, it's unlocked, walk out!!"

"Not just the penalty-not just the problem-not just the invitation- not just the adoption-not just the commission..."

God bless you!

"Best Brownies" from Scratch

Notice I wrote "best brownies" in quotations. I am not sure if they are the best because I did not get to try them myself! I threw this together last night before our youth choir party. The official recipe that is online includes a recipe for the frosting. I had some chocolate frosting at home that I used and drizzled with warm caramel. It looked good :)

 

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter

1 cup white sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour an 8 inch square pan.
2. In a large saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter. Remove from heat, and stir in sugar, eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat in 1/3 cup cocoa, 1/2 cup flour, salt, and baking powder. Spread batter into prepared pan.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Do not overcook.
4. To Make Frosting: Combine 3 tablespoons butter, 3 tablespoons cocoa, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 1 cup confectioners' sugar. Frost brownies while they are still warm.

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Best-Brownies/Detail.aspx 

There is even a video for those of you who are visual learners!
http://allrecipes.com/video/617/best-brownies/detail.aspx

Holy (Wedding Day)

Don't just go to church- BE the church. Prepare yourself, for our Bridegroom Jesus Christ is coming!

Revelation 19:7 "For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and the bride has prepared herself."

When They Saw the Star

Here is our youth choir this past Sunday singing one of our new favorite songs. Mind you, it may not be the best quality! God bless you all and Merry Christmas! Enjoy the video :)

When they saw a star - Youth Choir of Slavic Pentecostal Church of Rochester, NY from spchurch on Vimeo.

Strange Way to Save the World

Why me? I'm just a simple man of trade.
Why Him? With all the rulers in the world...
Why here inside this stable filled with hay?
Why her? She's just an ordinary girl.

Now I'm not one to second guess what angels have to say
But this is such a strange way to save the world

 This song speaks for itself, give it a listen. 
Merry Christmas everyone!

November 21st

I do not know if I am the only one with this memory, but I feel I should share just to check to see if any one else can relate.

 I remember all the kids gathered around a big calender and the teacher lady went around to each of my peers asking with enthusiasm, "When is your birthday, *insert name*?" Finally this strange tall lady asks me that same question. My palms get sweaty and my heart races.

I don't know.

Teacher probably had to look it up.

The End.
------------------------------------------
A sad story indeed. Considering I was a wide-eyed 4 year old in preschool, that was a scary moment. I was sure to practice saying my birthday in my head from then on. Anyway, that day is today. Happy Birthday to me! November 21st. 20 years old. Landmark moment. I have a path ahead of me. And now here is a song that really touched my heart: 

Already There

From where I'm standing Lord it's so hard for me to see Where this is going And where You're leading me I wish I knew how All my fears and all my questions Are gonna play out In a world I can't control

Oh, oh

When I'm lost in the mystery To You my future is a memory Cause You're already there You're already there Standing at the end of my life Waiting on the other side And You're already there You're already there

Oh, oh, oh, oh

From where You're standing Lord, You see a grand design That You imagined When You breathed me into life And all the chaos Comes together in Your hands Like a masterpiece Of Your picture perfect plan

When I'm lost in the mystery To You my future is a memory Cause You're already there You're already there Standing at the end of my life Waiting on the other side And You're already there You're already there

One day I'll stand before You And look back on the life I've lived I can't wait to enjoy the view And see how all the pieces fit (x2)

One day I'll stand before You And look back on the life I've lived Cause You're already there You're already there When I'm lost in the mystery To You my future is a memory Cause You're already there You're already there Standing at the end of my life Waiting on the other side And You're already there You're already there

You are already there

Mom's Zucchini Bread

If you have never tried zucchini bread I suggest you try out this recipe! I think it is delish :)

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 2 1/4 cups white sugar
• 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups grated zucchini
• 1 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

1. Grease and flour two 8 x 4 inch pans. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
2. Sift flour, salt, baking powder, soda, and cinnamon together in a bowl.
3. Beat eggs, oil, vanilla, and sugar together in a large bowl. Add sifted ingredients to the creamed mixture, and beat well. Stir in zucchini and nuts until well combined. Pour batter into prepared pans.
4. Bake for 40 to 60 minutes, or until tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan on rack for 20 minutes. Remove bread from pan, and completely cool. 

 

Props to Allrecipies.com for providing me with this recipe! Find the link here: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/moms-zucchini-bread/detail.aspx?event8=1&prop24=SR_Title&e11=zucchini%20bread&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e7=Home%20Page 

You can even watch a step by step video here: http://allrecipes.com/video/628/moms-zucchini-bread/detail.aspx?prop24=RR_RelatedVideo

David Dunn - Heart Stops

We dicovered this artist recently and this song got me thinking. I suggest you take a few minutes and listen to it :)

Overwhelmed

It has been a very eventful few weeks ever since getting back from Russia.  This past weekend, we had a "Buryatia Family Reunion" and I know we all loved it. One moment that I do not want to forget was staying up with Mia when we were in Cleavland, we really got to talk about God. Those kind of friendships are precious, the ones where you simply serve one another in encouragement and prayer. I am blessed to have several of such friends in my life, not only from my Buryatia family, but my beloved Rochester family as well. Anyway, after we talked she left to take a shower and I got to have some time alone. It was such a blessing to feel the presence of God. Then randomly this song turned on and it perfectly described what I was feeling.

Your tenderness is moving, You refresh my soul
With words of pristine water
That bathe and make me whole
Your holiness is burning through my very soul
Your words consume like fire
I'm purified like gold

I'm overwhelmed by You, Your sovereign majesty
I'm captured in the passion of a Holy King
And I've been reconciled to the Son of Peace
I belong to You, You belong to me

Your authority is comfort
It brings me to my knees
A noble God of justice, You give mercy's peace
Forgiveness is humbling it makes my life bow
Beneath the oak of friendship I lay my burden down

You are my future, You are my hope
My one desire, my forever love
You are my future, You are my hope
My one desire, my Forever Love

Putting Up Cross in Buryatia, Russia 2012

I would really love to post more about Russia but I need some major down time to do that. So watch this video and you will feel like you were right there with us :) We were laughing at one point in the video because after Sergey's speech, he began walking in the wrong direction and someone said "Hе в ту сторону!"

 June 2nd, 2012 "I will never forget climbing the hill with the team, in Podlapatki. I had no idea that we were putting a cross on the hill. I got the change to nail in my first nail ever into the cross. Of course I failed horribly (shocker) and Tony had to help me. But as I was trying to nail in the nail I was imagining nailing my sins to the cross. My fears, doubts and burdens. It was a powerful and humbling experience." -Tanya

Recent Stuff...

All of my moments in darkness seem to be temporary
When I began to think about all of the things you went through because you love me
I know that you love me
The weight of this world trying to pull me down
But I think about you I begin to smile
Joy you bring me joy
You bring me joy
You bring me joy
You are my joy
Momentary afflictions preparing me for eternal glory.

I've been listening to this song for a few weeks and these words are always so encouraging... So much has been going on recently. So take a listen.

Clear The Stage

Clear the stage and set the sound and lights ablaze

If that's the measure you must take to crush the idols

Jerk the pews & all the decorations, too 

Until the congregations few, then have revival

Tell your friends that this is where the party ends 

Until you're broken for your sins, you can't be social

Then seek the Lord & wait for what He has in store 

And know that great is your reward so just be hopeful


'Cause you can sing all you want to

Yes, you can sing all you want to

You can sing all you want to

And still get it wrong;
worship is more than a song


Take a break from all the plans that you have made 

And sit at home alone and wait for God to whisper

Beg Him please to open up His mouth and speak

And pray for real upon your knees until they blister

Shine the light on every corner of your life

Until the pride and lust and lies are in the open

Then read the Word and put to test the things you've heard 

Until your heart and soul are stirred and rocked and broken

'Cause you can sing all you want to

Yes, you can sing all you want to

You can sing all you want to

And still get it wrong; worship is more than a song

We must not worship something that's not even worth it

Clear the stage, make some space for the One who deserves it


'Cause I can sing all I want to

Yes, I can sing all I want to 
I can sing all I want to

And still get it wrong

And you can sing all you want to

Yes, you can, you can sing all you want to

You can sing all you want to

And still get it wrong; worship is more than a song
Worship is more than a song
Worship is more than a song
Clear the stage and set the sound and lights ablaze

If that's the measure you must take to crush the idols

This song is really... truthful. The truth does hurt sometimes. And these words can hurt, it pierced into my soul, opening it to reality. Worship is more than a song, it's a way of life. Church is more than a stage, its a body. And I believe that God will continue the work that He has started! (That's His promise.) I pray that our youth will have a soul that is stirred and rocked and broken, especially this week as we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ! It is a time to dwell on the fact that Jesus payed the price for my sin and I can be made into a new creation only through His power! Be blessed.  

Beloved: The Last Supper

This is a video from Vadik's Blog... Visit his blog by clicking  here.

This blew me away. Comment what you think.