This morning I woke up with Philippians 4:8 on my heart.
…whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Paul is writing to the church at Philipi and encouraging them to think on things that are good. It is easy to find things in our lives that aren’t going as we thought they would or aren’t going well at all. But what is worthy of praise?

If everything seems likes it’s crashing around me, and by the way it’s not, I can praise Jesus Christ everyday all day for saving me from eternal death. I can look around at God’s creation and praise him for how lovely he made everything. He made an amazing man when he created my husband who is honorable, loving, wise, and kind.

He has provided me with three wonderful sons whose destiny is far beyond what my mind can comprehend. If no one else loves me or supports me, I know my family will always be there for me. Even though miles separate me from some of my family, God makes a way for us to remain close through phone calls and visits.

Philippians 4:9

⁹What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

It’s easy to know what to do, but it requires discipline to put what I know into practice. When I think on the things that are lovely, commendable, just, pure, honorable, any excellence, or any worthy of praise, then I have Peace. Today, I choose to put what I know into practice.

Today is the first day of Fall. I have many fond memories of Fall as a child. When we lived in Ohio, my family would pile in the car and head to the nearest apple orchard to pick the beautiful specimens off the trees.

The orchard would have hot apple cider and sometimes apple cider doughnuts. One didn’t actually chew these doughnuts, but they melted in the mouth with the first bite. Before the cook could finish preparing a fresh batch of doughnuts the hot ones were devoured leaving not even a crumb on the plate.

Several years ago, I stumbled on a recipe for apple cider doughnuts in a magazine. On my next shopping trip, I collected the  necessary items to make these delightful treats. They were delicious.

Enjoy a little bit of Fall with this recipe.

Apple Cider Doughnuts
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2/3 cup sugar
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
2 eggs
1/3 cup apple cider
4 tbsp. butter, melted
Oil for frying
Glaze
1 1/2 cup confectioner sugar
3 tbsp. apple cider

In a large bowl sift together dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs and cider. Stir in melted butter. Make a well in the flour mixture and stir in the wet ingredients. Turn the soft dough onto a floured surface and pat into a 1/2 inch high round. Heat 3 inches of oil in a deep pot over medium heat. Then use a doughnut cutter to form rings (or use a glass and poke holes in the rings). Once the oil begins to bubble, use a spatula to carefully lower doughnut into oil. You can cook several at a time-just don’t overcrowd them. Once the doughnuts rise to the surface and begin to brown, flip them over with the spatula. Remove after 2 to 3 minutes or when golden brown. Drain on paper towels on a plate.

For glaze, stir together the confectioner’s sugar and the cider and spoon the mixture over the doughnuts. Yum! Yum!