"I can never tell a lie," so reportedly said George Washington who also allegedly chopped down a cherry tree. Whether a legend or not, it's a story we love to tell--and I can even make a good cherry cheesecake to prove it! It's Presidents Day in the USA today and we honor our leaders--the list runs from the foot of George Washington's cherry tree, past the log cabin where Abraham Lincoln grew up, through a John F. Kennedy PT boat rescue, a jazz saxophone Bill Clinton concert, a George Bush Texas cowboy hat, and now on to our current head-of-state, President Barack Obama, with a basketball in hand!
Let's focus on one of my personal "George" favorites: President George W. Bush who is more than a cowboy hat, a cute smile and a charming way. He's even more than the "faith-based programs" he presented. He's a faith-based Christian--and all politics aside, I applaud his unashamed faith in Christ. Reminds me of that George Washington cherry cheesecake--and here's why!
Watch me make it - first comes the foundational crust; then the filling, then the luscious cherries...but without the crust, it's not going to be the finger-lickin' dessert it really is. You see, life's like that too....without a "faith-base," life can lack the "taste and texture" of the goodness and grace of God that lies beneath everything a Christian is and does.
How's YOUR cherry cheesecake faith today? Is it just a wedge cut out of the serving dish....a small "percentage" of those famous circles drawn to illustrate the way we spend our time? OR is it the very foundation that makes the WHOLE cake taste GOOD, down to the last bite! May we incorporate into the very foundation of our lives the faith we cherish....and like the cherry cheesecake crust, may it undergird everything we are and do!
And then, when someone asks, "Did YOU chop down that cherry tree?" you can grin, grab a fork and say, "I cannot tell a lie--this cake is GOOD--taste it!" That's how faith works--it's truthful, it's timely, it's test-proof--and it tastes GOOD! Believe it--have a great day--and check out Peggie's famous cheesecake recipe at Peggie's Kitchen!!
Delight in a Word from the Well--a refreshing in the Water of His Word
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20)."
Draw from the Well--a prayer for renewing strength for this day
"Lord, may our faith be more than a piece of the piece of the pie--or cake--may it be the very foundation all we are, say and do. May our lives reflect the goodness and grace of our Lord; may we attract others to the full life we have found in You, In Jesus' Name, Amen."
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Cherry Cheesecake Note: This is
the dessert that has made Peggie famous...grin...!
Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
Ingredients:
CRUST
l pkg. Duncan Hines cherry cake mix (reserve 1 cup of dry cake mix)
2 T. oil
1 egg
FILLING
2 pkgs. 8 oz. Phila. cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 cup of cake mix reserved above
TOPPING
2 env. Dream Whip (whip as directed on pkg.)
2 can Wilderness Brand Cherry Pie filling
In a large bowl combine ingredients for crust. Mix well, and press on bottom of 9
x 13 pan (spray with PAM first!); set aside. In same bowl, mix all the
ingredients for filling and beat until smooth. Pour over crust and bake at 300
degrees for about 90 minutes--until center is done. When cool, spread with Dream
Whip and Cherry Pie Filling.
Variation: All ingredients the same except substitute orange or chocolate cake
mix. Top with Dream Whip; sprinkle with nuts.
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TODAY'S FEATURED LINK!
Peggie's Kitchen--for more good recipes!
Visit the White House! . . . White House 101
Annie's Presidents' Day Page
Surfing the Net with Kids: The Presidency
The Presidents of the United States
With thanks to Songs of Praise for the beautiful music playing on this page. Visit Songs of Praise for other beautiful tunes by many talented artists (CDs are available).
