Devotional
God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. He says to the snow, "Fall on the earth," and to the rain shower, "Be a mighty downpour."
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Aren't those beautiful words?! "God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding." Amen! Isn't that so?! Instead of spending a lot of time talking or thinking about how marvelous God is - if he is greater than our words can capture (And he is!) - let's praise him in prayer through what we do today; not just in words, but in words and deeds. Like the rain and snow, let's do what the LORD asks of us and bring refreshment to our dry and weary world!
My Prayer...Holy, righteous, and eternal God, you alone are marvelous, mighty, gracious, and holy. God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - we can barely comprehend the distant "outskirts" of your ways,* but we do love you. We admire you. We worship you. You are so far beyond and above us on our best days. We can't quite understand why you would pay such a terribly high cost to redeem people like us and bring us into your holy presence. But, dear God, we thank you and praise you from the bottom of our hearts for loving us, redeeming us, and bringing us your refreshment. In Jesus' name, we praise you. Amen.
* This wonderful thought comes from Job 26:14 ESV:
Behold, these are but the outskirts of his ways, and how small a whisper do we hear of him! But the thunder of his power, who can understand?
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Disclaimer: Content provided by Heartlight, Inc. is for informational and inspirational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for church, pastoral guidance, or professional counseling. Readers are solely responsible for their use of this material.
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Christian Today
SIMPLE COOKING IDEAS
Cozy, bright, and bursting with holiday flavor — these Cranberry Orange Bliss Bites are the perfect little treat when holiday baking season is in full swing and you’re out of time and energy. Inspired by Starbucks’ Bliss Bars, they pack the tart-sweet magic of cranberries and fresh orange zest into tender, no-bake bites you can whip up in minutes!
Even better? They’re vegan, gluten-free, and require zero baking — making them a lifesaver during the busy holiday season.
No-Bake Cranberry Orange Bliss Bites from Minimalist Baker →
Everything you love about enchiladas, minus the fuss! This super flavorful, cheesy vegan enchilada skillet comes together in about 30 minutes with simple methods, minimal dishes, and no need to fill or roll tortillas.
This easy, nourishing dish features tender cubed sweet potato or winter squash, fiber- & protein-rich black beans, and a rich red enchilada sauce. Everything gets simmered in 1 pan and topped with a melty cashew “cheese” that makes it SUPER satisfying and delicious!
Cheesy Vegan Enchilada Skillet (30 Minutes!) from Minimalist Baker →
Honey almond snack cake!? You know you want to jump in on the fun! This GORGEOUS loaf is perfectly moist with a lightly floral flavor and beautiful sponge texture. Bonus? It’s made without gluten or dairy, but no one will know.
It’s the perfect cake for afternoon tea, brunch gatherings, and beyond! Just 10 ingredients, 1 bowl, and simple methods (no mixer) required. Let’s bake!
1-Bowl Honey Almond Snack Cake (Gluten-Free) from Minimalist Baker →
When we add another bolognese to the blog (Yes, we already have versions 1, 2, 3, and 4), you know it’s something special! This newest version is made with EGGPLANT, meaning it’s the perfect bolognese for late summer. It’s light yet satisfying, creamy yet bright, and full of bold Italian-inspired flavor — everyone will be asking for seconds!
Even better? It’s a breeze to make — just 1 pot required!
RECIPES IDEAS
These cranberry orange muffins are moist and tender, with juicy, ruby red cranberries in every bite. Fresh orange juice and zest fill the batter with citrus flavor, and an optional orange glaze gives them a zesty pop. I love these muffins for breakfast on any fall or winter morning, but they’re especially perfect for the holidays. They’d be a delicious way to kick off Thanksgiving or Christmas! I adapted this cranberry orange muffins recipe from my favorite cranberry orange bread. Just like that recipe, these are easy to make with basic ingredients and equipment (you can mix up the batter in […]
This sweet potato casserole recipe has a crunchy, flavorful pecan topping with a creamy layer of sweet potatoes underneath. It’s easy to make with 8 simple ingredients, and you can prep it ahead—the ultimate mark of a great Thanksgiving or holiday side dish, if you ask me! My family always has sweet potato casserole at Thanksgiving. When I was growing up, we had sweet potato casserole with marshmallows on top, but since I started making this pecan version a few years ago, we haven’t looked back. The contrast between the creamy filling and crunchy topping is absolutely delicious, and the toasty […]
This first time I made this au gratin potatoes recipe, Jack and I polished off half the pan ourselves. The thinly sliced potatoes are baked in a rich, garlicky cream sauce with onion and plenty of cheese (cheddar, Gruyère, AND Parmesan for a tangy, nutty punch). I developed the recipe with the holidays in mind. These creamy au gratin potatoes would be an absolutely perfect side dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas. They taste decadent and flavorful, yet they’re simple to put together (and you can even make them ahead). If you’re looking for a show-stopping recipe for your table this […]
This homemade mac and cheese recipe is the ultimate comfort food. It stars a creamy homemade cheese sauce, tender macaroni noodles, and a breadcrumb topping that becomes crisp and golden in the oven. My kids (and husband) love this baked mac and cheese for dinner, and it’s also a crowd-pleasing holiday side dish. Made with 3 types of cheese, it’s rich, flavorful, and guaranteed to be a hit! Homemade Mac and Cheese Ingredients Here’s what you’ll need to make this homemade baked mac and cheese: Macaroni, of course! This cute elbow pasta is perfect for cradling the cheesy sauce. Feel free […]
In this green bean casserole recipe, tender green beans are tossed in a creamy homemade mushroom sauce, then baked with french-fried onions on top. It has the same basic components as the Campbell’s casserole I ate at Thanksgiving growing up—green beans, creamy sauce, crispy onions—but it’s fresher and more flavorful by far. My whole family went back for seconds the first time I served it to them. I hope yours does too! Green Bean Casserole Ingredients Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe: Green beans, of course! I like this recipe best with fresh green beans, especially haricots verts, […]
This corn muffins recipe is one of my favorite side dishes for soups, chili, and stews. Easy to make with 10 basic ingredients, the muffins have a lightly sweet corn flavor and a tender, crumbly texture with delicious crisp edges. I’m happy eating one plain, but these cornbread muffins are also fantastic with a drizzle of hot honey or a slather of honey butter, if you’d like to kick them up a notch. I adapted this recipe from my go-to cornbread. The ingredients are nearly identical, but when I was testing the recipe, I found that I needed a little extra […]
LIFE BALANCE
As a parent and educator with over 20 years of experience in child development, I’ve seen the exact same post-holiday scene play out time and time again: It’s December 26th. The floor is covered in shredded wrapping paper, plastic packaging, and dozens of tiny toy parts that are already missing their matching pieces. By mid-January,...
The post 35 Best Non-Toy Christmas Gifts for Kids (That Aren’t Experiences) appeared first on Simply Well Balanced.
Looking for fun and unique Christmas gift theme ideas for family fun? This list is full of the perfect holiday gift exchange categories. Whether you’re on a budget or looking for the perfect gift, these holiday themes are sure to be a huge help. Once the Christmas season rolls around, shopping and gift-giving seem to...
The post 50 Family Christmas Gift Exchange Theme Ideas appeared first on Simply Well Balanced.
If you’ve shopped for toys lately, you already know the drill: almost everything blinks, makes loud electronic noises, requires a Wi-Fi connection, or comes attached to an app. As parents, it can feel like a losing battle to find retro gifts that hold a child’s attention without handing them another digital device. Over my 20+...
The post The “Throwback Kid” Gift Guide: 12 Classic Toys & Retro Games Modern Kids Actually Want appeared first on Simply Well Balanced.
Wondering how to get kids to do chores without yelling, bribing, or repeating yourself five times? If every day feels like a negotiation meeting, you’re not alone. Most parents describe the exact same loop when explaining the struggles they face when it comes to chores: the request, the ignore, the repeat, the snap. What’s Inside:The...
The post Get Kids to Do Chores Without Yelling (A Discipline Coach’s Guide) appeared first on Simply Well Balanced.
You’re loading the dishwasher one Tuesday evening when it hits you: your 6-year-old is halfway to twelve. And suddenly, it feels like time is slipping through your hands. It’s not panic, exactly. More like a quiet nudge. A reminder that this season (the one with messy craft projects and requests for “one more story” and...
The post 25 Core Memory Family Activities to Do Before Age 12 appeared first on Simply Well Balanced.
If you’re looking for toys your kids will actually want to put down their tablets for, you’ve come to the right place. These 25 open-ended picks are the real deal: screen-free, imagination-fueling, and genuinely fun for kids ages 3 to 8. What’s Inside: You’ll find 25 toys organized into four fun categories (building, pretend play,...
The post 25 Teacher-Approved Open-Ended Toys That Replace Screen Time (Ages 3 to 8) appeared first on Simply Well Balanced.
"I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Gives Me Strength"