Works for Me Wednesday: Dynamite!

Hey Friends! It's a beautiful, hot, sunshiny summer day here in West Michigan, so I'm going to try and quickly get some work done, and then head outdoors to play with my gang! I wanted to share with you a reminder of God's goodness and power (I know I needed this reminder today!), so please enjoy the repeat from earlier this year....


OK, so I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed today. It started yesterday with another morning home with my sick daughter. I'm sorry to say it was not a very "Thankful Thursday" for me (until John came home and I could finally go to the store to buy laundry detergent!).

8 days straight of sick kids (can anyone say "stir crazy"?!), busy family life with 4 kids and a high maintenance dog, still feeling under the weather myself, plus...a couple of very important speaking engagements coming up, journeying with close friends through hard stuff, and more!, has left me exhausted and overwhelmed.

I think I need a 2 day nap!!

But then I'm reminded of God's promises, specifically in 2 Corinthians 12:9. Jesus said to the apostle Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness".

I love that word power. In the original Greek language, it is the word 'dunamis' meaning might, strength, great ability. It's where we get the word 'dynamite'. Dynamic power! It is the power of transformation, and - amazingly - it was released for us when Jesus was raised from the dead! (Did you catch that ~ for us!)

I want this POWER in my life! When I am weak (which is daily!) ~ I want to be strong and mighty and full of His dynamic power! I have tried to live life on my own before, and failed miserably. And, Lord willing, I won't go back. What freedom comes when we take the pressure and expectations off of us - and put them back on God and His Word. He is Able!!

As a Christian, we have ALL the POWER we need for ALL the problems we face! Let me say that again..we have ALL the POWER we need for ALL the problems we face! God's incomparably great POWER is available to help us!!

I get so fired up about this! Sometimes I just want to scream from a mountain top, "Where is the POWER??!!" To watch Christian men and women living defeated, empty lives - or even mediocre lives - thinking that's all there is to the Christian life - breaks my heart!! Jesus desires us to live full, abundant, glorious lives in Him!

I'm not sure when this post finds you today...perhaps weary and exhausted like I am? Overwhelmed? In the midst of relationship challenges? Job concerns? Financial pressures? May our weaknesses put God's POWER on display all the more!

Teach us, O Lord, how to live in the fullness of Your power!

Let's pray: Dear God, We acknowledge You as our All-Powerful God! Lord, today we may feel ___________, but the Truth is that in You, we are strong, and able, and mighty! Please release Your power in our lives. We invite You to go to work! Use us, O Lord, for Your Kingdom purposes! For Your Glory alone! Amen.

P.S. For more Works for Me Wednesday tips, take a peek here! Have a fun, power-filled day!!

Tasty Tuesday...Easiest, Yummiest Chicken Ever ~ plus GIVEAWAY!

Hey Friends! Welcome to Tasty Tuesday! I'm curious...does anyone else wrestle with having a healthy meal ready for your family in the midst of full, hot summer days?? Who wants to spend hours in the kitchen when we could be out playing?? What's a busy woman to do??

Well here is my all-time favorite, easiest, yummiest chicken dish ever!!

I like to make a chicken taco bar (yes, we do have Taco Tuesday's!)

I have all the "fixins" prepared in bowls in the fridge ready to pull out at supper time (lettuce, cheese, salsa, sour cream, tomatoes, taco shells, etc..). The chicken is so easy and delicious!

Chicken Tacos ~ Crockpot style

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 1.25 oz package taco seasoning mix
1 cup water

Spray inside of slow cooker with cooking spray. Combine chicken, taco seasoning mix, and water and mix well. Cover and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours or high heat for 3-4 hours. Remove chicken and shred with 2 forks. Service in hard or soft tortillas and garnish with your fixins!

We have a counter in our home that serves as our Taco Bar. I bought baskets with liners (so easy and cheap!) for our Taco Night! The kids love it (and so do their friends)! Enjoy!!


And speaking of delicious crockpot meals...a few weeks ago I had the chance to meet Beth Bergen, otherwise known as the Queen of Crockpot Cooking. What a sweetie! We met at the recent Speak Up! Speaker's Conference I attended. Here's a picture of me and Beth (with her crockpot cookbook!)

Beth has been on an amazing journey, and is now writing, speaking, blogging (click here), and whipping up amazing recipes! I was thrilled when she had 3 of her Crockpot cookbooks left! I bought one for myself, gave one to my new friend April, and saved one to give to a blessed *She Sparkles* friend ~ maybe YOU!!!

To win my giveaway and receive Beth's latest Crockpot Cookbook, please leave a comment in the comment section answering the following question:

Why would you like to win Beth's "What a Crock" cookbook??

Extra Entries:

•Follow *She Sparkles* via Google Friends Connect
•Subscribe to *She Sparkles*
•Add my *She Sparkles* button to your blog
•Tweet about this giveaway including a link to this post

Please be sure to leave me a comment to let me know your extra entries.

RULES: Starts today, Tuesday, July 6th and ends Friday, July 9th at 9 PM. Winner will be posted on my blog during the week of July 12th.

If your email address is not connected to your ID, please leave your email address with your comment or email it to me at cindy.bultema@comcast.net with the subject "Giveaway".

So what's for dinner at your house tonight?? I'd love to hear your Tasty Tuesday ideas!!

Have a GREAT day filled with God's richest blessings!!

P.S. I am participating in Tempt Your Tummy Tuesday, Dining With Debbie, and Tuesday's at the Table recipe exchanges. For more delicious recipes, please check out these links. :)

Five Friday Finds: 4th of July Edition (You won't want to miss this video!)

Hey Friends! Happy Friday to you! Are you ready to celebrate the 4th?? Woo Hoo!!

I know I already posted my 4th of July Family Fun ideas (recap here) ~ but I couldn't resist sharing some more amazing 4th of July Finds with you!

Here is my Top 5 list of 4th of July Friday Finds (make sure to scroll through the whole list ~ # 5 is my favorite!)


1. Traci Michele @ Ordinary Inspirations was the first one to introduce me to these Star Spangled Cupcakes. Check them out! Would your kids not love these or what???

You can get more directions to make these amazing creations here!


2. If you are wondering how best to lift our country in prayer for the 4th, there are a number of 4th of July prayers here.

3. If you want to spend some time sharing some 4th of July trivia, you can print off a copy here.

4. If you live in Michigan and are wondering when your favorite parade and/or fireworks are being held, you can check out an up-to-date list here.


5. And last, but certainly not least, please check out this Youtube clip. You will love it! I don't want to ruin the surprise ~ but it does go with our 4th of July theme. Would you believe over 3 million people have watched this talented artist?! (He also happens to be Dave, the brother of my best friend Julie). Enjoy!

Hope you enjoyed my 4th of July Friday Finds! Have a safe, joy-filled 4th of July! Many blessings to you!!

P.S. For more Friday Finds, please visit Traci at Ordinary Inspirations here.

Things I Love Thursday: Art From My Table

If you are looking for 4th of July Family Fun ideas, be sure to check out my recent post here!

As I mentioned earlier this week, I will never be known for my fabulous cooking skills (recap here). However, that doesn't mean I don't enjoy reading and collecting recipes or visiting cooking blogs.

In fact, my all-time favorite cooking blog is Art From My Table. I love it!

Chellie, the chef extraordinaire and blog author of Art From My Table, is passionate about cooking, intentional about serving fresh and whole foods to her family, and does an amazing job of posting creative, healthy, mouth-watering dishes.

When I saw her recipe for Black Bean and Corn Salsa, my mouth began to dance!! Yum!



Jokingly I invited myself to be her official taste tester (believe me, I know salsa!) ~ and Chellie, being the awesome friend and woman that she is, offered to come to my home and prepare it for me and my family. In fact, she offered to prepare a whole meal. WOO HOO!!

The menu I selected: Enchilads verde, the black bean and corn salsa, and then Chellie surprised us with Blueberry Crumble for dessert. What a blessing to have Chellie hard at work in my kitchen, while I was hard at work in my office. I loved hearing the chop, chop, chop from my desk. I think I need a personal chef every day!! :)

Before she left, Chellie taught me how to cut an avocado. Can you believe it? I'm 40 years old and never knew. But no longer! Look at what a serious avocado student I am!

To enjoy the recipes and a photo recap of Chellie's adventure yesterday, head on over to Art From My Table here. Please be sure to introduce yourself to Chellie and let her know you came from *She Sparkles*. I know she'd be glad to meet you!!!

For more Things I Love Thursday ideas, hop on over to my real-life neighbor Jill at The Diaper Diaries. (She's also hosting a fabulous giveaway ~ be sure to check it out!)

Thanks for stopping by *She Sparkles* !! Have an amazing, joy-filled 4th of July!