The Blessings.

Teaching little ones the Word of God is a blessing.

Bringing meals to families struck by illness or loss is edifying to the family of God.

Providing rides to church for those who need them serves the body of Christ.

Praying with the brokenhearted is a mighty act.

Sending a card to a friend who is struggling strengthens the body of Christ.

Motherhood is a blessing.

Faithfully praying for your brothers and sisters in Christ is valuable ministry.

Staying home and creating a peaceful garden in the middle of the jungle of the world where our husbands and children can thrive is a blessing.

Ladies, don't let those who feel that serving the church in these ways is somehow less valuable than those who lead large ministries discourage you. Those who have large teaching ministries are not more valuable than those who faithfully home school their own children, or lead VBS, or teach children's Sunday School.

Your ministry to your family and your church, no matter how small it may seem, is a big thing in God's economy and the rewards are eternal.

Take heart dear friends, your contributions to the family of God through your diligent work as wives, mothers and as a sister in Christ matter and may be more valuable than you know. You don't need a large ministry to be a "good steward of the manifold grace of God."

1Peter 4:8-11:
 Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.
9 Be hospitable to one another without complaint.
10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
11 Whoever  speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever  serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Gluten Free Ginger Ale Bread

I was trying to come up with a tasty gluten free bread similar to beer bread, and came up with this today. It is easy to make, gluten free, moist, and not a bit crumbly.

3 Cups ATK GF flour blend*

¼ cup sugar

1 Tbsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

¼ tsp xantham gum

3 Tbsp melted vegan butter (use real butter if you don’t need it to be dairy free)

1 can Ginger Ale

Preheat oven to 375.

Stir together dry ingredients first. Add ginger ale and butter, stir until evenly combined. Pour into a greased loaf pan – stoneware is best of you have it.

Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. It will be slightly browned and cracked on top, but will not brown as well as bread made with wheat flour.

*I have found that ATK GF flour blend is the best 1:1 substitute for baking. You have to buy the individual ingredients and mix your own batch, but it is worth it. I use soy milk powder instead of milk powder because ours has to be dairy free. I usually make a double batch and just store it in a gallon size freezer bag in the freezer.
 Here is the link for the recipe:
https://www.cooksillustrated.com/recipes/7854-americas-test-kitchen-gluten-free-flour-blend

You could use a different GF flour blend, and I’m sure Sprite or Seven Up would make great bread too. Do not use beer. Beer contains gluten. Yes...you would be surprised how many people do not know that.