Their Soaked Seats Upon Their Wooden Boat

Replace Fear With Faith – Part 2

A storm is a small price to pay to stroll with Deity. 

Peter, Christ’s disciple, had an opportunity to learn this as well. 
After a day of teaching, healing, ministering, and miracles, Christ instructed his disciples to travel ahead by boat to another town. 
Jesus sought solitude on a mountain to talk with God. It was late in the day, and darkness fell.

Out on the water, waves crashed against the disciples’ boat as the storm seas raged. The disciples, many experienced seamen, likely tried with all of their strength to row their boat to safety. Yet after hours, without success and fatigued, they feared they would drown. 

From their soaked seats upon their wooden boat, they saw a man or a spirit walking toward them on the water. At first, fear accompanied their thoughts, as they did not know it was Christ. Jesus tells them it is Him and to “be not afraid.”
Jesus asks Peter if he will have faith to meet Him on the waves. He invites Peter to walk with him. For a moment in focused faith on Christ, Peter walks on the water. As the storm rages, Peter’s faith weakens, his doubts overwhelm him, and he begins to sink into the sea. Christ stretches forth his hand and rescues Peter. They both enter the boat, and the sea is calm. They have all reached the shore at their destination. Jesus testifies through this miracle that He is the Son of God.

What did the disciples need from Christ that day? 
What were their hearts prepared to receive?
Why did God send His Son to testify to them, bless them, and encourage them? 
Do we recognize times when God prepares and teaches us about Christ? 

Choosing to walk to Christ–
Choosing to walk with Christ-
Choosing to replace fear with faith-
Doesn’t mean choosing a harder way. 

-JC

Frosted Chocolate Cake Cookies

Chocolate Cake Cookie Dough:
½ cup soft butter
¾ cup sour cream
½ cup vegetable oil
2 cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3 ½ cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1  teaspoon salt
—
Chocolate Buttercream Frosting:
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup heavy cream
3 tablespoons corn syrup
3 cups powdered sugar, measured, then sifted
3/4 cup dark cocoa powder, measured, then sifted
1 cup soft butter
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
2 tablespoons milk

• In a large bowl, cream the butter, sour cream, oil, and sugar with an electric mixer on medium-high speed for about 2 minutes, or until light and fluffy.
• Add the eggs and vanilla. Stir just until combined—do not overmix.
• Add the dry ingredients: cocoa, flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Mix until the dough is fully incorporated.
• Scoop the dough into 28 equal balls. (Approximately 1.75 oz each.) Chill the dough balls for 3+ hours.
• Gently roll the chilled dough into balls and place on a greased or parchment-lined aluminum baking sheet.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 14+ minutes. 
• Allow cookies to cool completely. 
• Melt chocolate chips into cream. Stir in corn syrup until smooth. Let the mixture come to room temperature.
• Sift powdered sugar and cocoa into a large mixing bowl. 
• Add butter, vanilla, salt, and milk. 
• Mix on medium-high speed for about 2 minutes, or until the frosting is smooth.
• Hand-stir in melted chocolate mixture.
• Spoon the frosting into a piping bag or gallon-size freezer-strength Ziploc.
• Pipe swirls of Chocolate Fudge Frosting on top of cooled cookies.
• Let the frosting set. Share!