Mark's Favorite Oatmeal Cookies

Mark's favorite cookies are oatmeal cookies. I have experimented with a LOT of recipes trying to find ones that get his seal of approval. It has been a lot of tweaking and testing and this is the recipe that he loves! I like my cookies slightly softer so, I either put "my" cookies in a separate container with a slightly damp paper towel (not touching the cookies though or they will get mushy) or, I microwave a cookie in a slightly damp paper towel for 5 seconds before I eat it - yum! Either way, these are pretty fabulous cookies!

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup dark brown sugar, firmly packed
2 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3 cups oats, old fashioned
1 cup raisins

Steps

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
Cream the butter and sugars until smooth. Beat in the eggs and vanilla and blend until creamy.
In a separate bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder and salt and mix well.
Stir the flour mixture into the creamed mixture on low only until blended. Add in the oats and raisins until just combined. Do not over blend.
Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls (I use an ice cream scoop) onto the parchment lined baking sheets. It is preference but, I like to "smoosh" my down just a bit and make sure the sides are compact so they bake up in a round shape. Keep an eye on them as cooking times vary depending on your oven/elevation etc. I bake for 11 minutes on the center rack and sometimes rotate mid-way (I don't always remember to turn them). Remove the cookies from the oven and allow to cool for two minutes before transferring to cooling racks.

Scriptures / Sunday Chat - Prayer

After this manner therefore pray ye: 

Our Father which art in heaven, 

Hallowed be thy name. 

Thy kingdom come, 

Thy will be done in earth, 

as it is in heaven. 

Give us this day our daily bread. 

And forgive us our trespasses, 

as we forgive our trespassors  

And lead us not into temptation, 

but deliver us from evil: 

For thine is the kingdom, 

and the power, and the glory, 

for ever. 

Amen. 

Matthew 6:9-13 

Pray without ceasing

1 Thessalonians 5:17

Devote yourselves to prayer,

 being watchful and thankful. 

Colossians 4:2 

 

The Lord would speak to 

Moses face to face, 

as one speaks to a friend.  

Exodus 33:11 

Come close to God, and  

God will come close to you. 

James 4:8 

And pray in the Spirit  

on all occasions with all  

kinds of prayers and requests.  

With this in mind,  

be alert and always keep  

on praying for all the Lord’s people. 

Ephesians 6:18 

Do not be anxious about anything,  

but in every situation,  

by prayer and petition,  

with thanksgiving,  

present your requests to God. 

Philippians 4:6 

 

Then Jesus said to the disciples,  

“Have faith in God.  

I tell you the truth,  

you can say to this mountain,  

‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’  

and it will happen.  

But you must really believe it will happen  

and have no doubt in your heart.  

I tell you, you can pray for anything,  

and if you believe that you’ve  

received it, it will be yours.  

But when you are praying,  

first forgive anyone you are  

holding a grudge against,  

so that your Father in heaven  

will forgive your sins, too.” 

Mark 11: 22-25 

 

“What do you mean,  

‘If I can’?” Jesus asked.  

“Anything is possible if a person believes.” 

Mark 9:23 

Jabez cried out to  

the God of Israel,  

“Oh, that you would bless me  

and enlarge my territory!  

Let your hand be with me,  

and keep me from harm  

so that I will be free from pain.”  

And God granted his request. 

1 Chronicles 4:10 

Yet you don’t have what you want  

because you don’t ask God for it. 

James 4:2 

 

With God’s power working in us,  

he can do much, much more  

than anything we can ask or think of. 

Ephesians 3:20  

Until now you have not asked  

for anything in my name.  

Ask and you will receive,  

and your joy will be complete. 

John 16:24 

 

Happy are those who hear  

the joyful call to worship, 

 for they will walk in the  

light of your presence, Lord. 

They rejoice all day long  

in your wonderful reputation. 

They exult in your righteousness. 

You are their glorious strength. 

 It pleases you to make us strong. 

Psalms 89:15-17 

 

Blessed is the one 

  who does not walk  

in step with the wicked 

or stand in the way that sinners take 

 or sit in the company of mockers, 

but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, 

 and who meditates on his law day and night. 

That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, 

 which yields its fruit in season 

and whose leaf does not wither— 

 whatever they do prospers. 

Psalm 1:1-3 

 

Always be joyful.   

Never stop praying.  

Be thankful in all circumstances,  

for this is God’s will for you  

who belong to Christ Jesus. 

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 

Be still and know that I am God 

Psalm 46:10 

Jesus replied, 

“But even more blessed are 

all who hear the word of God 

and put it into practice.” 

Luke 11:28