One Solitary Life

Many years ago someone wrote a very famous essay about the impact of Jesus’ life. It goes like this: 

Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another village. He worked in a carpenter shop until he was thirty, and then for three years he was an itinerant preacher. He never owned a home. He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never had a family. He never went to college. He never put his foot inside a big city. He never traveled two hundred miles from the place where he was born. He never did one of the things that usually accompany greatness. He had no credentials but himself. 

While still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against him. His friends ran away. One of them denied him. He was turned over to his enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed upon a cross between two thieves. While he was dying, his executors gambled for the only piece of property he had on earth—his coat. When he was dead, he was taken down and laid in a borrowed tomb, through the pity of a friend. 

Nineteen long centuries have come and gone and today he is the centerpiece of the human race and the leader of the column of progress. I am far within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, all the navies that ever were built; all the parliaments that ever sat and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as has that one solitary life. (Evidence That Demands a Verdict, p. 140) 

There is seemingly no better time than the Christmas season to envision the glory of God. As we wonder at the nativity scenes and decorations throughout our city, in stores and shopping malls, homes in our neighborhoods, all aglow with the twinkling lights are our attempts to capture the glory, but ultimately we must remember that Christmas represents God's gracious plan of redemption. 

In Jesus we see both man and God. We can relate to Him as a fellow human being, but always remembering He is God! Proclaiming Truth, He taught us how to live. Radiating grace, He showed us what it means to forgive. And as the only begotten of the Father the unique Son, His coming into our midst showed us that God has a plan for us...to be with Him forever! 

John 3:16"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." (NIV)
Merry Christmas!!

Recipe for Lovers: Fresh Cranberry Salad

The recipe for lovers series provides a fun and easy activity for newlyweds to do together, or for each other as a nice gift... tested and tried, straight from the Powers' Kitchen!

Fresh Cranberry Salad/Relish for the Holidays

Photo Source: Real Mom Kitchen

This is so good it could be dessert. Everyone will want to take some home!

4-cups (1-lb.)fresh- cranberries

1-cup sugar

1-envelope-Knorr unflavored gelatin

½ Cup Orange juice

1-Cup chopped celery

1-cup chopped apple (-I like Granny Smiths)

1-cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Wash cranberries: drain and remove stems. Put through food processor or just chop until coarse.
Add sugar stir let stand for 15 minutes
Stir occasionally
Chop celery, apple, and nuts coarsely
Sprinkle gelatin over orange juice in a small pan to soften.
Place over low heat stir until gelatin is dissolved.

Add gelatin mixture to chopped cranberries, apples, nuts and celery mix well –pour into an oiled mold Bundt cake pan or loaf pan and pat down into the mold –Refrigerate 6-8 hours (you can make this a day or two ahead).When ready to serve dip the mold bottom into a sink of hot water… just for a minute –place red leaf lettuce on the top of the mold (lettuce leave tops extending a bit over the edge of the mold) and a plate on top of that and flip over. Serve with real whipped cream –we love it!

Lasts for several days to have with leftover turkey.~ Kathleen Powers

L'Auberge, Del Mar Wedding

This wedding was last month at L'Auberge~Del Mar. The couple and the attendants were from Las Vegas and are entertainers. It was a blast and very beautifully decorated!

To See or Not to See: Should You Have a “First Look”

Here is a short and sweet guest post from So Eventful.

The tradition of the bride and groom waiting to see each other at their wedding until the walk down the aisle is just that- a tradition! It's one that started many years ago and for some, has either remained a tradition or has turned into a superstition. However, a “First Look” is a special few moments before the ceremony during which the bride and groom see each other for the first time. Many people choose not to have a first look because of a superstition that seeing each other before the ceremony will bring upon bad luck to the couple.

However, the tradition of a first look came along way before this fear of bad luck. In fact, the superstition stemmed from tradition which began because of arranged marriages. Men and women were set up in arranged marriages before ever meeting or seeing each other. This was to ensure that the groom would not run away after seeing his future bride; hence the veil to cover the woman’s face. Traditionally the bride wore a veil over her face from the beginning of the ceremony, through their vows, up until they were officially married and the groom would finally lift the veil to kiss his bride. Nowadays things have changed. Marriages are no longer arranged and traditions are not always being withheld. Couples are changing things up and now instead of waiting until the end of the ceremony for the reveal, they are having a First Look and enjoy a few special moments together alone.

So Eventful is a professional, full service company that does everything from weddings, social events and everything in between. www.so-eventful.com for more details.