Here are three recipes you can make for your father and each has a twist to honor your Heavenly Father.

Double Chocolate Peanutty Shake

“Shake” off worldly influences that try to discourage you and draw you away from God. Stay focused on God and His blessings.

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Hebrews 12:2 NIV

Yogurt Pudding Freeze

“Pudding” God’s Word in your heart is honoring. Put scripture around you so you will see it frequently and it will make an impression on your heart. Memorize the Bible. It is an honor to our Heavenly Father, when we choose to fill our minds with His words.

“How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

Psalm 119:9-11 NIV

Strawberry Banana Sipper

By bearing spiritual “fruit”, we are honoring our Heavenly Father. He is pleased when your example is a testimony of His love and sacrifice.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance.”

Galatians 5:22-23 KJV

Honor your earthly father with your love, respect, and a special treat.

Use one of these recipes to make him a treat and include a list of the top 10 things you love about your father.

Double Chocolate Peanutty Shake

Yeild: 2 1/4 cups

1 cup chocolate ice cream, softened

1 cup cold chocolate milk

1/3 cup creamy peanut butter

Place all ingredients in a blender container; cover. Blend on medium speed until smooth and frothy. Serve immediately over ice cubes in tall glasses.

Yogurt Pudding Freeze

Yield: 2 Cups

1 package (3.4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding and pie filling

1 cup cold milk

1 container (8 ounces) lowfat vanilla flavor yogurt

Ice cream cones

Colored sprinkles

Make pudding according to package directions using milk and yogurt. Freeze in bowl several hours or overnight. To serve, remove bowl from freezer and let stand at room temperature about 15 minutes. Scoop into ice cream cones using a small ice cream scoop or teaspoon. Decorate with colored sprinkles, etc. Serve immediately.

Strawberry Banana Sipper

Yield: 2 1/4 cups

2 cups cold milk

1 cup fresh strawberries

1/3 cup sliced banana

3 tablespoons honey

3 teaspoons vanilla extract

Place all ingredients in a blender container; cover. Blend on medium speed until smooth and frothy. Serve immediately over ice cubes in tall glasses.

Enjoy, as you honor your father and Heavenly Father!

Recipes are from the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council.

Every day we should show grandparents our love and appreciation. This Sunday, September 13′th 2009 is a day set aside as Grandparents Day. Are you running behind and need a last minute idea for your children to do for their grandparents?

Try one or more of these quick and inexpensive ways to show love and appreciation.

• Make a homemade card or bookmark and decorate it with love. Older children can write 1 Thessalonians 3:9 on their card. Print or write it out for younger children.

“For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God” 1 Thessalonians 3:9 NKJV

As they are making their card explain that the verse means we can thank God and be happy that we have grandparents.

• Sing “Happy Grandparents Day! (Tune: “Happy Birthday”)

Happy Grandparents Day to you,

Happy Grandparents Day to you,

Happy Grandparents Day, I love you!

Happy Grandparents Day to you!

• Make a video that includes each family member telling a special memory they have of being with them.

• Call or tell them in person a genuine “I Love You!”.

• Paint a small box, put a pretty sticker on it, and fill it with notes of appreciation.

• Make a homemade, special treat that they enjoy and deliver it with a big hug.

• Write the reasons why you love them on a fancy paper. Younger children can draw pictures of a special memory or what they like about their grandparents. Roll it up and tie a pretty ribbon around it.

• Go to their house and do something helpful for them. When you are finished sit down and talk. Have them tell you stories about the old days.

• Make a heart from your fingerprints.

Press each finger on a stamp pad and then put your fingerprints onto a paper in the shape of a heart. Write a special note in the center.

Most of all pray for your parents and grandparents and tell them you love them!

F – Foundation

Build a solid foundation for your family. There are many ups and downs in life. Strength from a secure foundation will help your family stand strong.

How do you build a strong foundation?

• Have the Lord Jesus Christ as the foundation of your home.

“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work.” – I Corinthians 3:11-13 NIV

Try your best to keep your family focused on the Lord. When trials come you will be able to stand. It is never too late to build a foundation. You may have to work harder at it but the blessings will come.

A – Activities

Build upon your foundation by spending time together as a family doing activities. Time spent doing daily family devotions and having dinners together will help you to build strong walls. It is easy to let outside activities draw your family apart. Strive to do at least one fun activity together each week.

M – Memories

Make memories! Don’t let another day slip by without spending time together. The busyness of life is like a weed. It starts out small and then grows bigger and bigger. The fun memories that you can make as a family get choked out. Prioritize what is important to your family. Stay focused on that goal.

I – Important

Show your family that they are important. Take time to listen. Make eye contact and listen to what they are saying. Letting your mind wander will distract you from what they have to tell you.

Picture this in your mind. Johnny tells you he found a frog in the backyard. Your first thought is “I hope he didn’t bring it into the house.” If you listen to what he has to say you will find out that he watched the frog eat a bug. It was an amazing and important part of his day! You are important to him and he wanted to share this special memory with you.

Don’t miss out on small moments that are important to your family.

L – Love

Love is from God. 1 John 4:7 tells us “love one another: for love is of God”. Families often have disagreements. This should not keep us from loving each other.

The Bible tells of the prodigal son. “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.”- Luke 15:20 KJV

Despite his son’s mistakes he loved him. Everyone makes mistakes. We can use them as a learning experience. Having someone love and help you through your mistakes will help you to learn and grow.

Y – Yourself

You are important to your family. They need you to be an example and teacher to them. Your priorities, values, and actions are being watched. Are you being a godly example?

Use the letters in FAMILY to build a strong family!