I recently read the best little book in the entire world. In less time than it took me to fly in my recent trip to Texas, I had read the little book of so few pages and was in awe of it’s simplicity and beauty.
With Valentine’s Day we think of love in a romantic sense. Going on a date, getting flowers, eating a box of chocolates, and feeling loved. Then there’s the joke where some call the 14th day in February “Singles Awareness Day” or “SAD”. However, in The Greatest Thing In The World, Henry Drummund spoke at a dinner gathering on 1 Corinthians 13, the Love chapter. The 19th century Scott’s recorded words have been the most understandable and beautiful explanation of the Christian life that I have ever heard (outside of the Bible of course). The Word of God tells us that the most important thing in life is to love God and love our neighbor. The whole of the Old Testament law was to bring order and submission back to a sinful people, so that they would know how to love God and love their neighbor.
I’m far from knowing how to love perfectly, but The Greatest Thing In The World has given me a new vision for love. It’s not a feel good love or the deceptive love we expect to celebrate this time of year, but a love so beautiful that a heart change towards Christ likeness is only possible. I’ve had my fair share of conflict relationally. I still do, but what I know is that no matter how much I’m hated, I must love. No matter if I love to the point of being harmed my those who hate me, my aleingence is not in their opinion. God judges those just fine all on His own. In my flesh I want to destroy those who have wronged me and hurt me, but God has been so gracious to give me a peace and a restraint to live in freedom…to love.
The Greatest Thing In The World, love.
Candied Fruit
fruit
coconut sugar or honey
There are so many directions to go when candying fruit, but the simplest I’ve found is to cover the fruit of choice in a sweetener, in this case I used coconut sugar for the citrus and honey for the cranberries, and then dehydrate until crystalized and chewy. Beware, the citrus fruits I made are addicting. Enjoy!
This looks so great ! We eat so many dried cranberries , but I hve wished I could find some sweetened with honey. Did you start with whole raw ones , or dried unsweetened ones?
We use them for cookies, granola, breads, and these WONDERFUL raw chocolate candies ! I make those every single week–we love them and they are soooo good for us.
You might like to try them, here is the recipe:
Chocolate Drops
1/4 c. raw cacaoa powder ( or cocoa, or carob )
1/2 chopped nuts ( whatever kind you have )
1/2 c. unsweetened coconut
1/2 c. honey
1/2 c. coconut oil
1/3 c. dried fruit , if desired ( I use cranberries–yum ! )
–Mix all together.
Drop on sheet or cake pan by small spoonfuls
Freeze for 15-20 min. on cookie sheet
Keep refrigerated ( coconut oil melts at room temperature very quickly )
These are FABULOUS !!!
Enjoy ! : )
I love your recipes, we enjoyed the herbed cream cheese !
I can’t remember how I found your blog, but I am glad I did ! Thank you for all the encouragement in the Lord also!
Trisha W.
Trisha: Wow, thanks for sharing! The best way I’ve found to sweeten cranberries is to freeze the whole fresh cranberries, thaw, and then dehydrate with honey.
Dearest Hannah,
What beautiful and encouraging thoughts. Thank you so much for sharing your desire to love with Jesus-love. It is such a hard journey, but all of us, God’s children, are in this journey together.
I was so sorry to not make it to your graduation. I’ve been struggling with personal issues myself since Christmas. I’ve tired of fighting and would far rather start living a life of love in Christ. But maybe it is the fighting that gets us to that point. Meanwhile, the pain is there, but so is Jesus.
With love,
E
I recently discovered your blog via Pinterest. Thank you for taking the time out to post these delicious and simple recipes. I’m excited to try them! I’m in the midst of starting a blog and I hope it’s as encouraging, uplifting and beautiful as yours. <3
Ericka: Awww thank you so much for your encouragement :)
Hannnah I just came across your blog from pinterest. I absolutely love it! Thank you for your wonderful posts!
Nicole: Thank YOU!