NasieInspirasie / NationInspiration

Welcome to the December edition of Creative Cookie! Holiday Fun with family and friends -  and as always a great family celebration isn't one without something to eat! the Creative Cookie recipe for this month is this mouth-watering shortbread cookie - Colorful and great in taste - Be sure to give it a go! "POP-Culture" COoKie Recipe 230g unsalted butter, softened 250g castor sugar 2 x egg yolks 10ml vanilla extract 2-3 cups cake flour 2ml salt 45ml milk Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Line baking trays with wax paper Beat the butter and castor sugar in a bowl until smooth and creamy, add the egg yolks and vanilla and mix for another minute, scraping down the sides to incorporate all the ingredients. Sift together the flour and salt Add 1 cup of flour and the milk and mix, then add remaining flour Mix until combined into a dough and set aside for approx 20 min Roll the dough out onto a lightly fl...

Fearless Written by New York Times Best – Selling Author Eric Blehm Fearless is the inspiring true story about an American Hero, Adam Brown, a small town American boy which became a top U.S Navy SEAL. This is a rare look behind the scenes of the highly secretive and demanding world of special operators, exposing the human elements involved in this unique group of people and especially in Adam.  He ultimately paid the price for his love of his country and his convictions.  The book explores with honesty and honors the paths Adam went on. From drug addict, jailed, surrendering to Jesus and finally finding his purpose in life as a SEAL.    He is portrayed as a tender Warrior. A Mister “I got it” always ready to do the hard stuff but able  to switch to a gentle and caring person, father and husband. Something I did not expect from a hard-core Warrior. His faith in God and the strength and peace he got from his Savior is a true testimony to eve...

Hello and Welcome dear readers,  a While ago I had a strong desire to go to the rubbish dump near our house and invite willing models along to be photographed in this smelly location! Initially the idea was: "No matter the circumstances, God can use it for your Good and for His Glory...He will give you Beauty for your Ashes". To be completely honest, I just went for it (took photographs randomly) and trusted God with the details of the message. What unfolded was an inspirational, sometimes overlooked, story of Ruth and Naomi in the Bible... Here we have a 4 chapter book in the bible, nestled in between the time of the Judges; Israel didn't have a king and "everyone did as they pleased".... and the Book of Samuel; with Kings in the making... So if the Old Testament were to be a song, the book of Ruth would be the intimate and soulful "Bridge" of that song :)...joining the verse and chorus, making it interesting and giving it meaning. ...

Earlier this year NasieInspirasie attended a City Changers Programme at the Doxa Deo North Campus Church in Pretoria. a Very inspiring and informative course.  Just a reminder to us that everyone was called to make a difference. Doesn't matter who you are, or who you are not!  God is looking for willing hearts and hands. As part of the programme we reached out to  a needy school in our community.  Laerskool Leeufontein. They needed their media center painted,  ceiling was put in as well as shelves for books ect.  We had a great time getting to know each other  and working together as one. Here are a few happy-snaps celebrating  the difference made and the day! And the media room was without form, and void;  and darkness was upon the face of the deep.... hehehe Christa, one of our city changing leaders ...and then hunger set in ... the funny bunch my daughter hanging ou...

To every thing there is a season,  and a time to every purpose under the heaven:  A time to be born,  and a time to die;  a time to plant,  and a time to pluck up  that which is planted;  A time to kill, and a time to heal;  a time to break down,  and a time to build up;  A time to weep,  and a time to laugh;  a time to mourn,  and a time to dance  Ecc 3:1-4  When I was little we used to live in a lovely  environment close to the beach. I had a fun childhood and remember  always being outside with my sister ,  playing until dinner time (until the cows came home)! At some point my father had health problems,  they thought is was a heart attack of some sort, but it was the muscles around his heart pulling together due to stress. Soon afterwards, as a gift to my mother, he bought her this clock. The family laughed and joked and said that my...

Ah, the winter, what can one say about that…fluffy blankets and even fluffier  scarves, warm cuddles on the couch in front of a toasty fire, hearty soups and  Lemon  meringue…. YES, I said Lemon Meringue……hehehehe….comfort food  (high in  “yummiestness” and high in sugar). This recipe is quick, easy and pretty much fool proof.  So if you have never attempted  to make Lemon Meringue, give it a go…. REALLY, WHAT’S THE WORST THAT CAN  HAPPEN!!? Ingredients: 1 packet Tennis biscuits 1 tin Condensed milk 2 eggs 125ml (½ cup) Lemon juice 150g Butter (You could use Margarine, but WHY?)  ¼ Cup (60ml) Castor sugar Method: 1. Melt the Butter. 2. Crush the Tennis biscuits until finely crumbled (I put them in a plastic bag and give them a  good whack with the rolling pin,  but you could use the food processor also)  and add the melted  butter 3. Press into pie dish (us...

Faith Happens   Written and Directed by Rick Carside What do ordinary people with extraordinary problems have in common? This movie is based on actual events that happened over a period of 30 years in the church that Rick Carside grew up in. With characters like a drug addict, a spunky old lady, an African refugee, a pastor, a cancer patient and a Chinese entrepreneur to name a few, all of them need to face life’s curve balls. Through the challenges that each character face, they learn about God’s amazing grace and love which change their lives forever. They learned to walk in God’s eternal truth and see miracles happing. What I like about this movie was the fact that it gave hope and it inspired me to look at my faith and how I live according to it. It reminded me about that verse in the Bible that says “…the just shall live by his faith ….”(Hab 2:4). The single one aspect that I’ve again learnt was that even though things seems bad, God is f...

Hello there everyone! This month we are getting into the creative side of things. The first of many to come with Mari Williams. Not only is she my sister; she is wife to Chef,  Barry Williams, mommy of two boys,  "home executive" (fancy word for stay@homeMom) and.... She bakes Cakes! Cookies! and gets all crafty in the kitchen. Do yourself a favor and try out this Yummy Cookie recipe she is sharing with us this month. much love, iskra “Yummylicious” Chocolate Cookies My dear Hubbylicious works away from home for 3 months at a time and he sent me this recipe to make when he comes home.  Since then, I make him 3 dozen to take with every time he goes.  It’s his little bit of home that he takes with him. Crunchy on the edges and chewy on the inside, they will be a mouth-watering contribution to any household.  You are going to need: 1 Cup (250 ml) Softened Butter 1 Cup (250 ml) White Sugar 1 Cup (250 ml)...

“Ek Droom van ‘n Droom” by Elsje Neethling Blair in conjunction with Maretha Maartens. A powerful, well-written and easy to read autobiography  of Elsje Neethling Blair (Journalist, Jeweler and sister to Ryk Neethling)  She has had a 18 year long  struggle with cancer  and has kept a strong belief and a will to Dream.   She believes that dreams are an expression of your soul  and needs to be born and brought into maturity despite one’s circumstances .  This book was filled with extra-ordinary and ordinary miracles  Elsje and her family experienced in life. This brings glory to God our Father.   What impressed me as a reader was the way she shared her  intrinsic relationship with God even if it was a situation of struggle or blessing.  Gently, though a strong message;  that we should be faithful with what we received even if it is little or much. T...