Mini Cheesecakes | Jenna's Favorite Recipes

There’s just nothing like cheesecake, but some recipes can be overly complicated. I’m a low  maintenance baker; if it involves separating eggs or putting things in a water bath, that’s a step too far for me. I love this recipe for its simplicity, its clean ingredients, and above all its tasty results! If you’re looking for an easy, crowd-pleasing recipe to celebrate Father’s Day  or any other summer occasion, you can’t go wrong with this one. It would be even more tasty with some of the homemade jam from last month’s recipe as a topping, so give it a try!

Ingredients:

· 1 & 1/4 cups almond flour

· 3 Tbsp maple sugar or other sweetener

· 5 Tbsp grass fed butter, melted

· 8 oz cream cheese, room temp.

· 1 large egg, room temp.

· 1/4 cup maple syrup or other sweetener

· 1/4 cup sour cream, room temp.

· 1 tsp vanilla extract

 Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 350 and line a 12 cup muffin tin paper with liners.

2. To make the crust, mix together the almond flour, 3 Tbsp of sweetener, and butter until thoroughly combined. Press the mixture into the muffin liners evenly.

3. To make the filling, mix all of the other ingredients until smooth. Spoon the mixture into the liners on top of the crust (about 2 Tbsp for each cup)

4. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.

5. Remove from oven and let cool completely on the counter. Then chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours, until ready to serve.

 *This recipe took inspiration from the website jenniferbanz.com

Death After Tax Season: A Gift To Your Loved Ones | Reece's Peaces

They say two things in life are certain: death and taxes. Now that tax season is behind us, perhaps it is a good time to turn our attention to the other certainty. Not to dwell in sadness, but to prepare in love. 

As a minister, I have spent more time in funeral homes than most, and one thing I have learned is how valuable it is for individuals to have their affairs in order before they pass. While most people think about the major items like wills, finances, and estate planning, one important detail is often overlooked: planning your funeral service. 

In moments of grief, families are often left trying to choose scripture readings, hymns, and songs that feel right. It is a task that can feel overwhelming and can sometimes lead to    disagreements during an already emotional time. Having your preferences written down is a beautiful gift you can leave for your loved ones. It offers them guidance and peace when they need it most. 

Here at the church, I have several service outlines from members who have thoughtfully planned ahead. Others have entrusted their wishes to a family member, included them with their will, or made arrangements directly with a  funeral home. All of these approaches work well. 

This month, I invite you to take a quiet afternoon to consider your own wishes. Choose two scripture passages and two or three hymns or songs you would like included in your service. You can give a copy to me for safekeeping or simply make sure it is placed with your important documents where your family can find it. 

Taking these small steps now can spare your loved ones from difficult decisicions later. More importantly, it allows your faith, your hopes, and your love to be clearly expressed even after you are gone. 

God Be With You Till We Meet Again | Marc's Music Notables

In 1880, Dr. Jeremiah Rankin, Pastor of First Congregational Church in Washington, D.C., was looking for a farewell hymn to close the worship service. “Blest Be the Tie That Binds” was a possibility, but he wanted something less formal, more engaging.

Not finding the hymn he was looking for, he set out to write it. He took a dictionary from his bookshelf and began looking at words such as “farewell” and “goodbye” to see if they would spark his imagination. The definition that he found for “goodbye” included the words “God be with you” and so a hymn was born.

Dr. Rankin wrote a verse and chorus for his new hymn and sent them to two people asking for a tune.  He chose the tune written by William Tomer, a part-time church musician, and was so enthusiastic that he sat down and wrote seven more verses.

Ira Sankey, the music director for Dwight L. Moody, learned of the hymn and began using it as a closing hymn in Moody’s evangelistic services, popularizing it worldwide.

“God Be With You” is a simple hymn that employs a considerable amount of repetition throughout. Perhaps that is part of its charm. It is like a simple prayer, words from the heart, expressing again and again the lovely sentiment, “God be with you till we meet again.”

God be with you till we meet again;

By His counsels guide, uphold you,

With His sheep securely fold you;

God be with you till we meet again.

Till we meet, till we meet

God Be with you till we meet again.

Till we meet, till we meet,

Till we meet at Jesus' feet;

Till we meet, till we meet,

God be with you till we meet again.

 God be with you till we meet again.

 God be with you till we meet again.

Easiest (Healthiest) Jam | Jenna's Favorite Recipes

As fresh berries come into season, it’s the perfect time of year to make jam! Not everyone has time to go about the traditional canning process, so thank goodness for this simple, quick, and healthy jam recipe! The secret to this jam is chia seeds, which absorb the juice from the berries, thickening the jam and giving it a perfect consistency. Bonus - they’re full of fiber, protein, and Omega-3 fatty acids! Not only is this jam nutritious and guilt free… it’s delicious on toast, scones, ice cream, a charcuterie board, and anywhere else you might use regular jam or jelly!

 Ingredients:

· 3 cups fresh (or frozen) berries

· 1/2 Tbsp lemon juice

· 2-3 Tbsp honey, maple syrup, or other sweetener

· 2-3 Tbsp chia seeds

· 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)

 Directions:

1.  In a medium saucepan, bring berries, sweetener and lemon juice to a simmer over medium low heat. Add a little extra lemon if you like your jam slightly tart.

2. Gently mash the berries, and let simmer about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Remove from heat. Stir in the chia seeds  (and vanilla if using) and let it sit for 10-15 minutes, until thickened.

If it doesn’t thicken as much as you’d like, add some extra chia seeds.

4. Let the jam cool. Store in an airtight     container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks,  or freeze to use later.

 *This recipe took inspiration from the website frommybowl.com

Life Between 4 & 5 | Mike's Manna (Rev. Dr. Mike Gatton)

The beginning of Psalm 13 laments, “How long, O Lord?” Have you ever asked that question? Most of us have. They say, “Into each life a little rain must fall,” bur there are times when the rain becomes a monsoon, and we feel like we’re drowning in the deluge.

There is a pattern in Psalms. They begin with an intimate address naming God as a friend. Then there is a  complaint telling the problem. Next comes a petition, asking and sometimes demanding that God do   something. Followed by a motivating word that appeals to God’s vanity - fix this so everyone will see how great you are. Sometimes there’s a desire for revenge - “Get ‘em, Lord!” And finally, the assurance that the prayer has been heard, therefore a word of praise. 

With that in mind, listen again to Psalm 13. “How long, O Lord, how long?” After chemo and months of radiation treatment, the blood counts are not good, the cancer is back. “Will you forget me forever?” When your child has lapsed once again to the addiction that has plagued their life. “How long will you hide your face from me?” When the insurance company denies your claim for life-giving medication. “How long must I wrestle with my thoughts,” asks the victim of sexual abuse who can no longer trust anyone. “And every day have sorrow in my  heart?" asks the mother who has lost two sons in the senseless killing in the West End. Lamentations everywhere. But then verse 5 and 6, and suddenly a change, “I trust in your     unfailing love, my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me.”

In between verses 4 and 5, something changes. Born out of memory, hope arrives. Yes, things are bad, but  I remember when they weren’t, when I knew God cared about me, and I know that day will come again.   

It seems to me that the church, when it is at its best, lives its life between verses 4 and 5, when tears are shed, but hope is alive. We remember the despair of Good Friday, knowing that the joy of Easter is coming. Tony Campolo recalled the most powerful sermon he ever heard. It was a simple message, starting softly, building in volume and intensity until the entire congregation was involved:

It’s Friday. Jesus is arrested in the garden where he was praying. But Sunday’s coming.

It’s Friday. The disciples are hiding and Peter’s denying that he knows the Lord. But Sunday’s coming.     

It’s Friday. Jesus is beaten, mocked, and spit upon. But Sunday’s coming.

It’s Friday. Those Roman soldiers are flogging our Lord, and they press the crown of  thorns down into his brow. But Sunday’s coming.

It’s Friday. See him walking to Calvary, the blood dripping from His body. But Sunday’s coming.

It’s Friday. See those Roman soldiers driving the nails into the feet and hands of my Lord. But Sunday’s coming.

It’s Friday. Jesus is hanging on the cross, bloody, and dying. But Sunday’s coming.     

It’s Friday. Jesus is hanging on the cross, heaven is weeping, and hell is partying.               

But that’s because it’s Friday, and they don’t know it, but Sunday’s a coming.    

Between verses 4 and 5 it’s Friday, but Sunday’s coming, and that is where the church finds its meaning.