Tuesday, April 18, 2017

"CHILL BABE"


Joel 1:3
Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation.

This series is dedicated to my mom.  
Written by someone who loves the mother/daughter relationship;  
a mom who loves her mom, whom loved her mom.

 “Becky Landrum”

RECIPE #1

NEWLY TOSSED SALAD

When I became excited about writing this series of bible devotionals so many cliché’s started coming to mind right away.  One of them is a cliché that has recently come into our home.  

It is very common to hear the words, “Chill Babe!” spoken by a wonderful young man in my daughter, Beth’s life.  It tickles Jason (Beth’s significant “other”) and I to watch how it always seems to make her laugh after a “stressful” day and then we all laugh.  Oh, the times that many of just need to step back and “Chill Babe”.

When we think of summer we think of salads that are cold, quick and something that we don’t have to heat the house up with.

In our first recipe we will do a “Newly Tossed Salad”.  As we make our salad tonight we will be using green leaf and romaine that has a “Chill” on it.   We will mix and “Toss” our lettuce up with some fresh ingredients that I am sure would delight anyone’s taste buds.  

Before we begin, let’s remember what God’s Word tells us about “Tossing” in Hebrews. All the while we will use the word ‘lettuce’ or ‘Let Us…’ as a jump off for what God wants us to know.  


HEBREWS 12:1 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, 
LET US throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And 
LET US run with perseverance the race marked out for us,

In these economic times and world turmoil, it is so easy for us to get our minds off of where they should be.  We have a fear of the future, a fear of losing our homes, a fear of losing our health, etc.  God wants us to be careful to not let the cares of the world bog us down so much that we forget His promises and “WHO” He is.

The book of Hebrews is hard to understand, unless you first understand about the priesthood talked about in the book of Leviticus and what that role played.  They practiced “The sacrificial lamb” to atone for their sins by which a priest had to represent the people and their sins.  Atonement came through the shedding of the blood of the sacrifice.  Hebrews focuses on the “Superiority of Christ” and how He is the “Sacrificial Lamb”.  He took our place so that we might be free.  

It is a blessing….a release from the chains of sin…. to know what…. II Timothy 2:8-10 says, “Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David,    This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal.  But God’s word is not chained!  

Father, thank You for Your Word!  May we grow closer to You!  Help us to “throw off” or “Toss” everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.  And Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Keep our eyes on the prize which is You!

RECIPE #1

NEWLY TOSSED SALAD W/BALSALMIC DRESSING

INGREDIENTS:
PURPLE LETTUCE (THOUGH IT’S NAME IS RED LEAF LETTUCE)
GREEN LEAF LETTUCE
1 CARROT
PURPLE ONION
1 CAN MANDARIN ORANGES
BACON BITS
PARMESAN CHEESE

DRESSING:
BALSAMIC VINEGAR
WATER
OLIVE OIL
SALT 
COARSE BLACK PEPPER
SUGAR
MINCED DRIED GARLIC
PARSLEY

PREPARATION OF VEGETABLES
1.  WASH AND TEAR LETTUCE
     (USING SILVERWARE WILL BROWN THE LETTUCE QUICKLY)
2.  WASH, PEEL AND FINELY SHRED 1 CARROT 
3.  THINLY SLICE ½ OF ONE PURPLE ONION
4.  DRAIN MANDARIN ORANGES
5.  GRATE FINE ¼ CUP OF PARMESAN CHEESE

TOSS TOGETHER ALL OF THE ABOVE AND BEGIN TO MIX THE BALSALMIC DRESSING.

BALSALMIC DRESSING
Combine all of the ingredients for dressing and whip with a whisk.  Either serve with a small ladle from a nice bowl or a decanter.




Friday, May 1, 2015

MOTHERHOOD

My Lesson From a Tissue Box


I was shopping at ALDI’s the other day and purchased some tissue for my allergies.  This year for the first time I have really struggled with the pollen.  When I brought it home I didn’t realize that the colors on the box actually matched my colors in my house. 

I thought to myself, “Hey that blends in with my color scheme in the bathroom so well!”  Just as soon as I placed it on the shelf it hit me that  ‘our tears blend in so well with the color scheme of our life’.  For it is in our struggles, heartaches, and tears of joy that God makes us who we are. 

The scripture says that He bottles every tear.  I got to thinking about why He would bottle our tears and then thought of motherhood.  It’s funny how you can recall your children’s tears of struggles, heartaches, and tears of joy more quickly than some of the more ordinary days of their lives. 

I was thinking…
That is what actually molded them into the people that they are today.  How they interact with those who have gone through similar struggles, heartache and tears of joy.  God was preparing them all along for what was to come not only in their lives but He was preparing them to be the ‘Arms of Jesus’ for others. 

We all have a purpose and with ‘Mother’s Day’ fast approaching it reminds me even more of our jobs as parents.  We need to be vigilant in making both the good and hard moments count!  We are not promised tomorrow so make sure the moments we have are moments that have counted!

Whether you have a child or may have influence in the life of a child be vigilant!  Be a ‘Warrior Woman’.  Someone must care.  Rally the troops and pray for each other.


Happy Mother’s Day to all the women I know! 


Friday, March 20, 2015

Mother's Hospitality

Hospitality comes with an open heart to others.  I remember growing up how my mother exemplified that “Christian Hospitality”.  We would have people drop in all the time and it never exhausted my mother.  She was always willing to share and even if the “fare” of what we ate wasn’t that fancy….it was still the best meal you would ever have because it was made with love and served with love with thoughts of love for the people that shared our table.

This seems to be a thing of the past…no one sits on porches anymore (if they have them).


Communication has pretty much become nil due to technology and the busyness of every day.  The art of cooking and sitting around the table are all but gone with a few exceptions.  Let’s get back to the basics of family living, devotions with family and just living out life together.  Sharing your thoughts with each other and asking about a person’s day.  Home is an important place to teach the truths of God and His word declares it!  We are to write them upon the walls!


I Corinthians 5:8
*LET US keep the Festival, not with the old bread leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.


The verses to share tonight talk about edification (that requires talking) and we are to “keep the Festival” of what….sincerity and truth!

 


Romans 14:19
*LET US therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.


Today's recipe is not only fast but healthy!

 
Tri-Colored Pasta Salad
Ingredients
Mueller's Tri-Colored Pasta
1 cucumber
1 red bell pepper
1 green bell pepper
1 orange bell pepper
1 diced up carrot
1 package of the small round salad tomatoes cut in half
1 small can of sliced black olives
1 half head of cauliflower cut up to the flower leaving no stem
(Any or all raw veggies are optional or add your own)
Small Diced Monterey Jack and Mild Cheddar Cheese chunks
1 bottle of Kraft Italian Dressing (use to taste)

Dice and mix all of the veggies while boiling the pasta.  Let the pasta cool or rinse under cold water (I prefer to add the cold Italian Dressing to the already cooled down and drained pasta as not to miss any of the integrity of the pasta.)  Then all you do is mix it all together.  With this salad it tastes even better as it sits in the refrigerator since the dressing soaks up into the vegetables.  If anyone cannot have dairy products you just omit the cheese.  Enjoy!










Friday, August 1, 2014

STOP.....LISTEN TO YOURSELF.....IS IT WORTH IT?

STOP.....LISTEN TO YOURSELF.....IS IT WORTH IT!



I have heard so many express a desire to read and watch Fifty Shades of Gray.  To me it is sad to see some post about this book, movie and the desire of some to read and go watch.  Many Christian women are posting within Facebook about the eagerness to see such perversion.  Yes, it is your choice.  

Why is this frenzy happening?  We need to raise our boys to become men who actively seek the guidance of God and will romance and continue to romance their wives so that they will not have to seek after such filthy literature and movies.  Please daughters, "Fix your eyes on Him!".  He is our one true King and lover of our soul.  Give your desires and secrets to Him alone and watch Him work miracles in your life.  The more you love Him, and love him (your significant other) the more that romance can and will bloom!

I get we were made to have those wonderful romantic feelings yes!  The ultimate romantic is our Creator and His heart must break over knowing His daughters are engaging in such provocative and mind searing words and movies.  YOU ARE WRONG IF YOU THINK THIS DOES NOT MATTER AND I'M CLOSED MINDED.  Then you also must not believe in the words of God.     

How is this alright for you to think this will not harm your thoughts, your dreams, and in the long run possibly your marriage.  We are to fix our thoughts on things that are pure, and lovely and admirable. (Philippians 4:8)!  Are the words you are reading just that;  pure, lovely and admirable?  You will want more and more if you start down that road.   Don't let Satan win!  Don't start going down that road!  

YOU ARE HIS! 

I AM A DAUGHTER OF THE KING, A mother, A grandmother, an Aunt, a friend and as such I am praying today and right now for each of my family and friends that we will remain strong and guard our hearts and minds!  Don't hate because I love you so deeply that I want to warn you.  Love is truth!


Friday, June 15, 2012

How do you describe "Worn Out" ......

So....I wonder how all my friends describe "Worn Out"?  Will you bite the bait and comment?  I promise if you do I will pray for you after I "Like" it on Facebook or after I read your comment.  There is a reason behind the question......and there are helps out there which I promise to post at a future date!

Come on...don't be shy!

Thursday, June 7, 2012

The Taste of Coffee...and life!

I love grabbing a cup of Java and His word in the mornings!  Taste and see that the Lord is good, was part of my scripture reading this morning, in Ps. 34:8!  The taste of coffee reminded me of my life this morning.

My trials...well they can make me 'bitter' or 'better'.  I choose to be better.  His word reminds me of His constant love and care for me.  He says His plans are better than mine! (Jeremiah 29:11)  I can be 'strong' or I can be 'weak' I choose both because in Joshua 1:9 He tells me to be strong and courageous, but in weakness His power is made perfect, 2 Corinthians12:10. 

I'm glad it's okay to not want to go through trials and tribulations because Christ wanted to not have to die on the cross.  He knew it was the only way that I would be able to have access to the heavenly Father!  Tomorrow, will be difficult but I know He is here! (Matthew 28:20b)

Friday, May 4, 2012

A Song In My Heart

Wow....I can't and really do not want to get this fantastic song out of my heart and mind that I have been singing incessantly!  It's "Hold Me"!  Have you heard it?  Here are the magnificent words that speak my exact feelings:


I’ve had a long day I just wanna relax
Don’t have time for my friends, no time to chit-chat
Problems at my job, I'm wonderin’ what to do
I know I should be working but I’m thinking of You and
Just when I think this crazy world is gonna bring me down
That’s when Your smile comes around

Oh, I love the way You hold me, by my side You’ll always be
You take each and every day, make it special in some way
I love the way you hold me, in Your arms I’ll always be
You take each and every day, make it special in some way
I love You more than the words in my brain can express
I can’t imagine even loving You less
Lord, I love the way You hold me
Whoa oh oh oh oh oh oh, oh whoa, I love the way You hold me
Whoa oh oh oh oh oh oh

Well You took my day and You flipped it around
Calmed the tidal wave and put my feet on the ground
Forever in my heart, always on my mind
It’s crazy how I think about You all of the time
And just when I think I’m ’bout to figure You out (figure You out)
You make me wanna sing and shout

I’m so grateful and thankful for all You’ve done
Wish I could tell You in a short story or poem
But, all I have is my voice and this guitar
And You have my heart

Oh, I love the way You hold me, by my side You’ll always be
You take each and every day, make it special in some way
I love the way you hold me, in Your arms I’ll always be
You take each and every day, every day, every day
Oh, I love the way You hold me, by my side You’ll always be
You make each and every day, oh-so-special!
I love the way you hold me, in Your arms I’ll always be
You take each and every day, make it special in some way
I love You more than the words in my brain can express
I can’t imagine even loving You less
Lord, I love the way You hold me
Whoa oh oh oh oh oh oh, oh whoa, I love the way You hold me
Whoa oh oh oh oh oh oh, oh I love

(I love, I love, I love, I love the way you hold me) x 3
(I love, I love, I love, I love the way you, the way you)

Mmmmm....that's just good!  That is like my Lord Jesus!  I love the way He holds me!  He calms that tidal wave!  Yes....He can take each day and every day and make it special!  Boy....it is true that my brain cannot express the feelings I have for Him!  I love His words to me!!!



So full of Him, today!  I love the way You hold me!