Banana Sheet Cake

My family loves this cake, and this week I had a request for it from someone outside my family, so I’ve decided you might enjoy it too. I usually make this in a 12 x 18 x 1 inch pan, but I’m also following up with measurements for a 10 x 15 x 1 inch pan.

• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 2-1/4 cups sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1-1/2 sour cream
• 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1-1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 medium overripe bananas, mashed (about 1-1/2 cup)

In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar, then add the eggs, sour cream and vanilla. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, then stir in the bananas.

Spread batter into a greased 18 x 12 x 1 inch pan. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool and frost (see recipe below). Cut into squares. (I usually do 24 pieces, but you could cut 36 without anyone complaining that you’re stingy.)

Frosting:

• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3-3/4 to 4 cups icing (confectioners’) sugar

In a bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter and vanilla. Gradually beat in the icing sugar.

For 15 x 10 x 1 inch pan:

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1-1/2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 medium overripe bananas, mashed (about 1 cup)

Use the same measurements listed for larger cake above for the frosting. Thicker frosting never killed anyone.

Jesus and the Spirit

From Big Truths for Young Hearts by Bruce Ware:

[W]hy did Jesus have the Spirit of God upon him since he was fully God and could have done all he did by the power of his own divine nature? Answer: even though Jesus was fully God, he did not live his life through his divine power as God, because he came to live a real human life, completely as a man. He came to live as one of us, to experience the limitations and struggles of our life, to undergo the temptations we encounter. But to do this, he could not live truly as a man while also using power that he alone would have as God. To live by his power as God, he would not and could not live as one of us. So instead, as a man, he relied on the Spirit of God to grant him all that he needed to live life faithfully and to carry out everything that the Father sent him to do. As a man, empowered by the Spirit, he fulfilled his calling. And before he left he told his disciples the most amazing thing. He said that the Spirit who had been on him would also be on them. (John 14:16-17; 15:26-27; 16:5-15). They, too, would have the same Spirit empowerment Jesus had used. In this way, Jesus lived a truly human life and really is an example for how his followers should live. As he lived by the Spirit, they are called to live by the Spirit. We are rightly called to “follow in his steps” (1 Peter 2:21). As we trust in Christ and receive his Spirit, then, may we look to Jesus and live more and more like him.

What say ye? 

Round the Sphere Again

If I Blogged from the United States,
I’d be taking advantage of this, because I really like The Jesus Storybook Bible.

Here’s the scoop: If you blog about The Jesus Storybook Bible, you could win 16 copies (a case) of The Jesus Storybook Bible Deluxe Edition! This sweepstakes leads up to the October release of The Jesus Storybook Bible Deluxe Edition, a new edition that includes

the narrative on three CDs so children can read along. Experience all the emotion and drama as award-winning actor David Suchet’s narration brings this storybook Bible to life.

I’ve listened to sample stories from the audio and I’d say they’re quite engaging.

If you want to enter, you’re going to have to hurry. The deadline is tonight, September 10, at 11:59 EDT. If you miss this one, don’t worry. There will be new sweepstakes coming and you can subscribe by email (bottom right corner) to receive updates with the details.

What would I do with a case of these books? I’d donate a couple to the church library, I’d give others as gifts, and maybe I’d give some away here on the blog.

This Is An Adoption-Friendly Blog,
so here’s a link to the details of this years Together for Adoption conference. Speakers and topics include

• Michael Easley, Topic: Orphan Care and Jesus, the Great Servant of the Poor
• Russell Moore, Topic: Adoption and the Renewal of Creation
• Scott Roley, Topic: Adoption and the Pursuit of Racial Reconciliation
• Scotty Smith, Topic: The Freedom of Adoption
• Ed Stetzer, Topic: The Gospel, Social Justice and the Missional Church

You’ll find the latest news from Together for Adoption here.

And while we’re on the subject, check out the web page for ABBA Fund. ABBA Fund

provides interest-free covenant loans to Christian couples who are called by God to expand their families through adoption and who need help with the “cash flow crunch” posed by adoption expenses.

ABBA Fund also has a blog with Christian adoption related news.

Because We Seem to Have a Kid Thing Going,
why not vote for your favorite cartoon theme song? (DeYoung, Restless, and Reformed)