Hope realized...

My garden is coming alive - just in time for Easter! I planted a bunch of bulbs that I got on sale at Walmart last fall and they are beautiful.  The tulips and grape hyacinths are my favorite.  Along with the pansies, the front gardens are looking colorful...ugly dryness redeemed, hope realized.

Plants in the back yard are starting to bud, as well.  The grass is finally turning green.  Yay!  There won't be any dried grass brought in the house by dogs and small children...until next winter.  I'm very excited that this year I will get to enjoy our lilac bush in bloom.  It does have some drought damage, as does the snowball bush in the front yard, but it is blooming!  I love the delicate scent of lilac.  Just two weeks ago, I checked the dry empty branches of this bush to see if it was still alive...

Towards the end of winter - and this year seemed to be an extra long winter - we look forward to the hope of spring; green returning to the landscape, budding trees and bushes, flowering bulbs, warm earth in the gardens.

It reminds me of my favorite TV shows which all have the same theme:  redeeming what seems impossible to redeem.  These are shows like Restaurant Impossible (we've enjoyed several of Chef Robert's recipes) where Chef Robert comes and rescues failing restaurants by helping the owners understand the problems that are causing them to fail, helping them resolve their conflicts, remaking recipes for tasty food and remodeling their dining rooms to appeal to customers.  He gives the owners hope.

Another favorite TV show is Property Brothers.  Each episode features a couple who have an expectation of their first home being their dream home.  The brothers' first assignment is to help the couple understand the reality of their expectations on a limited budget.  Then they help the couple choose a fixer upper that can be remodeled to be the home they would love.  The couple always comments that they would rather have the dream home without the work and they just can't see how a fixer upper can be turned into what they want.  The brothers confidently tell them that it can be done with a lot of hard work and can be done on their budget.  The brothers talk a lot about the homeowners' need to trust their expert experience.  In the end, even with the inevitable unforseen problems that come up, the home is everything the new owners dreamed of...another avenue of hope.

I had an "ah hah" moment when I realized that I enjoy shows like these because I have come to appreciate and am beginning to recognize the hope that God offers me time and time again when I feel overwhelmed by life.  I was definitely a "fixer upper" when I became His as a child.  It's been a long and sometimes painful process as He has stripped away the old (it must be done before the new can be seen), shown me my failures covered by His grace, and has been and continues to be by my side giving me strength during the "remodeling" process.

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. 
Philippians 1:6

Chef Robert's Chicken with Kale and Sweet Potatoes
I'm not much of a greens fan, but this sauteed kale was delicious and so nutrition packed. 

2 chicken breasts - pounded, seasoned and cooked in butter in a skillet.  Remove chicken from skillet, keep warm.  Put some red wine vinegar or red wine in the skillet, scraping up the bits of chicken and spices.  Reduce to make a nice sauce.  When reduced, add a tsp of butter and whisk.  Set aside.

Kale:
Baby kale (it cooks down so fill a large skillet with the kale)
1/4 cup chopped bacon (I used 2 Tbsp real bacon bits)
1/4 cup chopped onion
2 tsp diced garlic

Saute in skillet until vegetables are translucent and kale is wilted.  Add:
1-2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
1 Tbsp butter
crumbled feta cheese (optional)

Saute until butter is melted.  Serve in a pile on a plate with a cooked chicken breast on top.  Drizzle reserved sauce over the chicken.

Serve with oven roasted sweet potato cubes.

Serves 2

Blinded by emotion...

The last recorded encounter of a woman and Jesus is found in John 20.  Jesus had died on the cross and had been buried in a borrowed tomb.  Then he had risen from the dead, just as he had told his followers he would.  And he appeared first to a woman!  Here's the story...

Mary Magdalene had gone to the tomb early in the morning a couple of days later.  She was there so early that it was still dark.  But she was able to see that the stone at the entrance to the tomb had been rolled away, leaving the inside and the One buried there vulnerable to people with less than honorable intentions - at least that's what she assumed, because she ran to alert Peter and John.

They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.  Assumption based on fear...

The disciples took off to check out her story and, sure enough, the tomb was empty.  But they found something very strange.  The linen cloths that had wrapped the body of Jesus were lying neatly on the burial shelf.  And something very significant; the face cloth wasn't with the linen wrappings but was rolled up and found in another spot.

Here's why that is significant - it was Jewish custom in those days when guests enjoyed a meal at someone's home to use their napkin to indicate whether or not they enjoyed the hospitality and food.  If the napkin was crushed and placed back on the table, it meant the guest intended to return. If the napkin was rolled or folded and laid aside, it meant the guest intended never to return.  Are you getting shivers yet?!

Jesus left a sign for the disciples that he would never return to the grave!  They didn't get it, though, and went home... wondering...

Evidently, Mary Magdalene followed Peter and John back to the tomb because John 20:11 states that after the men left, she was standing outside the tomb weeping.  She had to see for herself what the disciples had described to her.  So, she bent over to look inside and was surprised to see two angels sitting on the shelf where Jesus' body had been placed.  They asked her why she was crying and she told them that she was afraid that someone had taken Jesus' body and she didn't know where they had put him.

She was in such an emotional state that it didn't register in her mind that she had just talked to some angels!  She turned around and saw someone else, but was crying so hard that she didn't see that it was Jesus.  She assumed he was the gardener and begged him to tell her where Jesus' body had been taken.

Can you relate to Mary?  I cause myself emotional stress when I assume things without checking out the facts before I respond.  She was so overwhelmed with her emotions that she didn't recognize Jesus when she came face to face with him.  Think about that for a moment...

Jesus saw her and knew what she was feeling.  It was time for her to live based on reality instead of faulty assumptions.

Mary!

Even through the tears, she recognized his voice in the way he said her name and turned to look at him.

Teacher! 

I'm sure she was shocked and relieved at the same time.  She reached out to grab hold of him - to never let him leave her sight again.  It's interesting that the Greek word for touch in this verse means: touching for the purpose of manipulating.  He stopped her and told her that he couldn't be touched yet.  He knows us so well!

Jesus sent her to tell the disciples what she had seen and heard him say.  She probably didn't want to take her eyes off of him, but she turned and ran, carrying her incredible news in her heart. 

I have seen the Lord!!

Do your negative emotions keep you from recognizing the Lord's presence in your life, especially during difficult times? Are you allowing yourself to be blinded by assumptions?

He's there, calling you by name, waiting for you to recognize him...

Cake In A Mug
Do you ever want just one piece of cake?  And we all know that if you bake a cake, you will eat more than one piece and pay the price in added pounds and feeling yucky.  This is a recipe from Trim Healthy Mama that makes just one piece of cake in a mug.  The cool thing about this cake is that it is sugar-free, quick to make and actually good for your body.  Woo hoo! 

1 egg
2 heaping Tbsp cocoa powder
4 tsp Truvia (from the small container, not the baking Truvia with sugar)
1/2 tsp aluminum free baking powder
dash of vanilla
1 Tbsp water
1 level Tbsp coconut oil

Crack the egg into a large coffee mug and whisk with a fork.  Add the rest of the ingredients and stir until well blended.  Microwave for one minute.  Enjoy your cake!

If you like a fudgy cake, just microwave for 45 seconds instead of a minute.  I eat mine plain, but you can "frost" it with whipped cream cheese or whipped "cream" made from coconut milk. Yum!

The Adulterous Woman...

The encounter of Jesus and an adulterous woman is recorded in the eighth chapter of John.  Jesus was at the temple where he was sitting and teaching the people who came to him.

And the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the midst, they said to Him, "Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act.  Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?"

Well now, isn't that an interesting situation?!  As a woman, I've always wondered what happened to the man that was part of that adulterous act, the very act...but I digress.  Back to the story...

These men weren't really interested in seeking justice or God's will.  They wanted to test Jesus, hoping he would say something so that they would have grounds for accusing him in court.  These men did not see the woman as a person with feelings and a past that had shaped her present world.  They saw her as a pawn for their misled purpose.

Can you imagine Jesus looking each man in the eye after they voiced their challenge, then bending down to write something in the dirt?

But the men kept after him for an answer.  So Jesus stood up and answered them.  It wasn't what they were expecting to hear.

He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.

That's all he said.  Then he bent down and began writing in the dirt again.

Jesus put everyone there on a level playing field - they were all sinners, the men and the woman.  And they'd better be very careful about how they treated other sinners.

One by one, starting with the oldest first, the men all quietly left leaving the woman standing by herself.  That's when Jesus stood and looked at her and she knew he saw her.

Woman, where are they?  Did no one condemn you?

Then she understood that the men who had left were sinners just like her.  I'm sure relief flooded over her and tears of gratitude stung her eyes.

No one, Sir.

Jesus loved her right where she was and told her how to move on from where she was.  She needed to make a decision to live a life of freedom in obedience to God instead of slavery to sin.

Neither do I condemn you; go your way.  From now on, sin no more.

Who do you relate to - the scribes and Pharisees who caught someone sinning?  Do you find yourself all too often pointing out other peoples' sins?  Jesus puts everyone on a level playing field.  We are all sinners and we'd better be very careful about how we treat other sinners.

Or do you feel like you are the one caught in sin?   Jesus doesn't condemn you but offers, instead, truth that leads you to freedom from the slavery of sin.  It's a choice we all have.  What will you choose? Slavery or freedom?  Everything you need to know is in His Word, the Bible.  Pick it up, read it and discover love and freedom.

Chef Robert's Steak and Watermelon Salad
One of the shows I enjoy watching is Restaurant Impossible.  Chef Robert goes in to help failing restaurants.  He deals with personnel issues, personal issues and usually dirty and outdated dining rooms.  The owners are always appreciative because they understand that Robert has helped them refocus to provide a nice atmosphere and tasty food for their customers.  The owners and staff also feel a unity in purpose and everyone is happy and free to do a great job and enjoy their jobs.  The owners also have to make a decision to learn from Chef Robert, to do what he told them because he leaves.  Sounds amazingly like the story of redemption in the Bible...

This steak and salad are amazing!  He served it with street corn.  I forgot to buy corn so I served this recipe with roasted cauliflower sprinkled with shredded Parmesan cheese.  But I will include the recipe for the street corn. 
 

 Tri-tip steak or other lean steak of your choice


Marinade:
1 cup cilantro, chopped
2 Tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
salt and pepper
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp honey
2 garlic cloves, roasted and mashed (or 2 tsp minced garlic)
1 Tbsp Siracha sauce
1 jalapeno, chopped (opt)

Mix the marinade ingredients.  Put the steak in a plastic bag or flat dish.  Pour the marinade over the steak, making sure both sides are covered.  Close the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate overnight.

Before grilling, remove the steaks from the marinade. Save the marinade and heat in small saucepan.  Grill one side of the steaks.  When steaks are turned, put a spoonful of heated marinade on each steak and finish cooking.  Serve, thinly sliced, over watermelon salad.

Watermelon Salad
2 cups watermelon, diced in 1/2" cubes
2 cups tomato, diced in 1/2" cubes (or halved yellow cherry tomatoes)
salt and pepper
1/2 tsp sugar
1 tsp honey
whole mint leaves (opt)
1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion (opt)

Gently mix all ingredients and let sit at room temperature before serving under steak. 

Street Corn

Drizzle small ears of corn with oil, salt and pepper.  Grill until slightly charred.  Drizzle with sauce and sprinkle with Monterrey Jack cheese.  Broil until cheese is melted.  Squeeze fresh lime juice over corn before serving.
Sauce:  Blend mayo, chopped tomato and Sirachi chili sauce.

Woman, you are freed...

And He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath

And behold there was a woman who for 18 years 

had had a sickness caused by a spirit

and she was bent double and could not straighten up at all.

And when Jesus saw her, He called her over and said to her,

"Woman, you are freed from your sickness."

And He laid His hands upon her 

and 

immediately she was made erect again

and 

began glorifying God.

A synagogue official who was angry because Jesus healed (worked) on the Sabbath confronted Jesus in front of the the multitude.  Jesus exposed his hypocrisy by pointing out that he untied his oxen and donkeys from the stall and led them away to water them. Jesus exposed the official's sinful heart and his unloving attitude that even his animals were more important than this woman...whom Jesus saw.

And this woman, a daughter of Abraham as she is,

whom Satan has bound for 18 long years,

should she not have been released from this bond on the Sabbath day?

And as He said this, all His opponents were being humiliated;

and the entire multitude was rejoicing

over all the glorious things being done by Him.

 

Luke 13:12-17

Jesus always sees right to the heart of every person at the moment and states and meets the needs that He sees!  Are you more like the official or the woman who had a need?  Either way, Jesus is who you need!  He sees you!

Mushroom Jambalaya

Serves 4

I've been trying to come up with some meatless meals to save money at the grocery store.  So I came up with the idea to marinate chopped mushrooms in sausage spices overnight, hoping they would be a good substitute for sausage in jambalaya.  It was pretty tasty!

 

For the mushroom "sausage":

8 oz Baby Bella mushrooms, sliced or diced

1 Tbsp brown sugar

3 tsp dried sage

2 tsp salt

2 tsp dried basil

1 tsp black pepper

2 tsp onion powder

1/4 tsp dried marjoram

1/4 tsp crushed red pepper

Marinate overnight in fridge.

For the jambalaya:

2 Tbsp olive oil

1 recipe mushroom "sausage"

1 cup chopped onion

1/3 cup chopped bell pepper

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp cayenne

1 bay leaf

1 cup uncooked rice

2 cups water

Saute the mushrooms, onion and bell pepper in the oil.  Add the rest of the ingredients and cook over medium heat until the rice is cooked.  Enjoy!

Martha, Martha...

Are you familiar with the story of Mary and Martha?  Just in case you aren't, here's the scoop.  These two women were sisters that lived in a village with their brother Lazarus (the guy Jesus brought back to life after he died) and they were dear friends of Jesus.  Martha was a little bossy and wasn't afraid to tell Jesus that He wasn't doing things the way she would do them. She does it in this story and when her brother, Lazarus, died, as well.  In this story, Jesus told Martha off in the kindest of ways, letting her know that the universe did not revolve around her.  Yep...

The story found in Luke 10:38-42 tells about Jesus being welcomed into Martha's home.  Her sister, Mary, was seated at Jesus' feet, listening to Him teach while Martha was focused on putting together a meal that would wow everyone at the table.  She was into the details and everything had to be just right (my interpretation of the situation...from personal experience...).

Well, Martha became frustrated because there was so much to do to pull off this fantastic feast and Mary wasn't helping at all.  She walked into the room where Jesus was talking to Mary and interrupted Him, demanding that He make Mary come help.  Then she inferred that He didn't care because He hadn't already figured out that Martha needed help to pull off the meal she had planned. After all, her hospitality plans were the most important thing happening at her house that day!

 I love Jesus' response to Martha's demands.  I'm sure He chuckled and shook His head as He looked her in the eye.

Martha, Martha,

you are worried and bothered

about so many things;

but only a few things are necessary - 

really only one

for Mary has chosen the good part

which shall not be taken away from her.

 
"Fume if you want, dear, (I imagine Him saying) but what Mary is doing is more important than your complicated plans for one meal.  I'm not going to tell her to help you, but you can plan something simple for us to eat and come join us as quickly as  you can. I would love to fill you in on what I've been teaching Mary."

There's no record of Martha's response, but I think she adapted her plans quickly and joined them.

The problem was not Martha's heart for hospitality.  The problem was that her plans for the meal became more important than her relationship with Jesus. 

My frustrations usually come when my plans and dreams become more important than my relationship with Jesus...sitting at His feet...learning.

Speaking of quick meals...

Shrimp and Cheesy Grits
Makes 2 servings

I first had this dish at the Omni Hotel in Dallas, Texas, when I went on a business trip with my honey.  It is spicy and delicious and oh so satisfying! And it only takes about 15 minutes to make.

1 1/2 cups water
1 1/2 cups milk (I use almond milk)
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup organic corn grits (uncooked polenta)
1/2 cup shredded shard cheddar cheese
2 cups shrimp
1/4 lb organic cooked chorizo sausage, sliced

1.  Saute the sausage until the pieces begin to carmelize (the edges turn golden brown). Using a slotted spoon or a fork, remove the sausage into a small bowl and cover the bowl to keep the sausage warm - leave the oil from the sausage in the saute pan and turn off the heat.
2.  In a saucepan, combine the water, milk, salt and pepper.  Cook over medium heat just until it begins to boil.  Slowly, whisk in the corn grits.  Continue to whisk until the mixture thickens, turning the heat down a little if the grits start popping out of the pan.  Remove from the heat and stir in the cheese.
3.  Saute the shrimp in the sausage oil until cooked through, about 2-3 minutes on each side.  Turn off the heat and add the sausage back into the saute pan.  Stir to mix the sausage and shrimp. 
4.  Divide the cooked cheesy grits into two soup bowls.  Ladle the shrimp and sausage over the grits, drizzling the oil in the saute pan over the shrimp, sausage and grits. 

The Sinful Woman...

The story of this particular woman is found in Luke 7:36-50.  Again, it is a familiar story, but I stopped and really looked at the details of her story and how the men in the story responded to her actions. 

Let's set the stage for the story:

Who:  Simon the Pharisee, Jesus, other guests, the sinful woman (immoral woman)

What:  the men were enjoying a meal at Simon's house, this woman appears with a very expensive vial of perfume to anoint Jesus' feet, Simon assumed that Jesus didn't know who she was and that Jesus couldn't know his thoughts - but Jesus knew both!  Simon learned an important lesson that day.

When: while they were reclined at the dinner table (they didn't sit at the table, but reclined beside the table - how was that comfortable?!)

Why: the woman had heard that Jesus was at Simon's house and she wanted to bless Jesus because she loved Him for loving people like her

How:  she stood behind him, she cried so hard that her tears wet his feet, she wiped his feet with her hair then anointed his feet with her expensive perfume, she kissed his feet - and he stayed where he was and let her do what she came to do


As I was going over these facts of the story, some questions came to mind -

What had she seen and heard about Jesus that made her want to approach a famous but controversial rabbi?

Why did she bring expensive perfume to anoint him?  How could she afford such an item?  Was she a high profile prostitute with wealthy clients?

How did she have access to Simon's house and why did he not have her removed when he clearly knew who and what she was?

Hmm...

I love the result of her brave actions.  Jesus knew who she was, what she was.  But he also knew her heart and her love for him.  Because she took a chance to show him, he provided three things to her:

Forgiveness

Salvation

Peace

He offers the same three things to any of us who approach him with repentance and love - regardless of who or what we are, what we've done...

Sadly, I can't get any pics to upload so today's recipe (Shrimp and Cheesy Grits) will have to wait.  It's a good one, too!  I'll keep trying...

Her son was dead...

Returning to the stories of women Jesus "saw"...

In Luke 7:11-16 we find the story of a widow who's only son had died.  In those days, this was a tragedy!  She now was going to be cast on to the benevolence of society to have her needs met...or not.

The Word says that there were lots of people with her in the funeral procession, but it also makes it clear that she now had no one else to care for her.  Well-meaning friends and neighbors get busy and forget...

Jesus could have kept on His journey, but He SAW her and felt compassion for her...a woman other people would avoid because she wasn't their responsibility.  He knew why this widow was weeping...every reason why she was weeping and said to her, Do not weep.  She probably looked at Him in shock.

But, our Jesus doesn't just say comforting words.  He does things that show us His love. 

The Bible says that He walked up to the coffin and touched it.  The men that were carrying the coffin came to a halt. 

Young man, I say to you, arise!

The widow's son sat up and started talking!  Can you imagine how freaked out the people were who witnessed the young man's coming alive?!  The passage says that fear gripped them all and they began glorifying God.

I LOVE the next phrase - And Jesus gave him back to his mother.  Jesus, who saw every aspect of the widow's heartache made sure that she was the first person to hold this young man in her arms.  I'm sure she felt as if her heart would burst with the joy of it all.  And Jesus did that for her...a woman who just moments before had had no one to care for her...

This same Jesus sees you and me and our struggles and hurts; our weeping...

He tells us, do not weep...because He cares for us!  Do not weep and look expectantly for what He will do...our hearts will burst with the joy of it all!


Egg Stuffed Tomatoes

I recently made this for my honey and me for a weekend breakfast.  It was pretty yummy!

Recipe found on Pinterest  from Give Recipe
Serves 3

3 large round tomatoes
3 tsp butter
3 eggs
salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 375 F.
Cut the tops of tomatoes.

 Remove all the pulp and seeds inside with a spoon. (It helps if you cut around the rim with a sharp knife first.)

Place baking paper in a baking dish and put tomatoes in dish. (I put ours in a muffin tin.  Next time, I will bake them in ramekins.)

Put 1 tsp butter in each tomato and crack one egg in each tomato.
Sprinkle with salt and pepper and herb of choice (I used oregano).

Cook for 25-30 minutes or until egg is cooked to your satisfaction.
Serve hot with toast.  It would also be good with toast sticks for dipping, if you like the yolk runny.

 
 

Merry Christmas...

 Wow, I've been busy...and I've been ill - holiday dinners and parties continue to be a source of hidden gluten (even though I'm assured my food is gluten free by well-meaning people) and dairy is no longer a friend.  So sad...

We frequently say in our family, "It is what it is!"  So, I will look for and be grateful for God's blessings and enjoy spending time with family this Christmas as we welcome our newest granddaughter the day after Christmas.  I'm so looking forward to meeting her!

Life goes on with its joys and difficulties regardless of the season.  So, I pray for all of us and all of you to be grateful for the blessings and moments of joy and to lean on our Savior, Jesus, who gave up Heaven to come to Earth so we can find peace and joy in this life when the inevitable turmoil happens.  May we all find rest and comfort in His wonderful love.

Joy to the world, the Lord has come!

A desperate mother...

November is here and I added the Thanksgiving decorations to the Fall decorations.  I love the history behind the holiday.  We were blessed to be able to take our girls to Plimoth Plantation in Cape Cod, Massachusetts when they were younger after reading The Light and the Glory, the true story of the small band of people who followed God's leading to the new land across the Atlantic.  They made major sacrifices so their families could have freedom to worship God.  If you ever get a chance to go, it is an eye-opening experience. 

Did you know that at one point during their first winter their food consisted of five kernels of corn each day?  The next spring, the nearby Wampanoag Indians taught them how to plant crops in the new land and showed them what was available as game to shoot or catch to feed their families.  The Pilgrims and these Indians enjoyed a good working relationship and the Pilgrims wanted to express their thanks to God and the Wampanoags by having a feast - thus Thanksgiving was born.

Many books picture the Pilgrims as stern religious people who only wore black and white.  But, in reality, they loved color.  Their clothes were colorful as were many pieces of furniture.  They also loved to sing and dance.  Doesn't sound very stern to me!


Jesus Cared About Women

There is a story in Matthew 15 about a Canaanite woman who approached Jesus.  She was desperate to get help for her daughter. 

Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David.  My daughter is cruelly demon-possessed.

This mother loved her daughter and was so desperate for relief for her that she approached this famous Jewish rabbi and begged Him for mercy. She had obviously heard of the miraculous healings He had performed.  That's what she wanted for her daughter and was desperate enough to be bold enough to take a chance that He would hear her and heal her daughter.

Jesus' disciples were offended that she would even approach Jesus and demanded that He send her away. Jesus told them something that seemed to infer that He agreed with them.  I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.  But, I really think He was just trying to get the disciples to think outside the box.

The desperate mother approached Jesus and bowed down before Him.  Lord, help me!  Can you imagine the tears running down her cheeks.  If He wouldn't help her, there was nothing else she could do.  Jesus tested her by His answer to her.

It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.

She boldly answered, Yes, Lord, but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their master's table.  She knew she had no claim on His help, but desperate mothers do and say desperate things.

Jesus could have refused to help her, but He didn't.  At that point, He didn't see her as a Canaanite but as a woman who recognized Him for who He was. 

O woman, your faith is great; be it done for you as you wish.

And her daughter was immediately healed!

Do you ever see yourself as unworthy to ask God for help?  The key is not in our ability to be the right person or to ask in the right way.  The key is in knowing who He is - not just positionally, but relationally.  Do you know Him?  

Suffering from a hemorrhage...

This stack of painted pumpkins is at my friend's house.  So cute!  There's one just like it on the other side of the sidewalk.  They are faux pumpkins she purchased at Michael's.  She had her husband drill a hole and put sand in them so they wouldn't blow away in our lovely Panhandle wind.  Then she painted them.  She will be able to use them for many years to come. 
 ________________

As I began studying the different stories of Jesus' encounters with women, one of the first accounts that came to mind was about the woman who had suffered with a hemorrhage for twelve years.

Twelve years.  Think about it.  That would be like having "that time of the month" for twelve years!  Oh goodness!

The story found in Matthew 9 and Mark 5 records that she had been through many treatments at the hands of many physicians and nothing worked.  Nothing worked.

I've been down that road before.  Being critically ill and going from doctor to doctor, paying thousands of dollars for tests that were inconclusive - it can be so discouraging.  There were many times before I was diagnosed with celiac disease when I wished I could physically do what this woman did to be healed.  But I'm getting ahead of myself.

She had evidently heard that if you wanted to be healed, you had to go see the rabbi Jesus.  You need to understand something.  This woman was considered unclean because of the hemorrhage.  The last thing she could expect would be for a rabbi to lay his hands on her or have anything to do with her.

She was so desperate for healing that she came up behind him in a crowd and touched the fringe of his prayer shawl, reasoning that just touching his garment would bring the relief she craved.

She was right!  She was immediately healed and probably quietly turned to head home even though she wanted to shout and dance. She almost got away with it. But, this is Jesus we are talking about.  He immediately sensed power flowing from his body.

He turned and gave her the opportunity to fess up.  "Who touched my garments?"  The disciples couldn't believe their ears and reminded Jesus that he was in a crowd...he was touched constantly. 

But Jesus knew this woman needed more than healing.  She needed an encounter with him.  He caught her eye and she fell down before him in fear, shaking because she had not had his permission to touch his garments.  Before she knew it, the whole story came pouring out of her mouth.  I'm pretty sure she was crying...

Jesus didn't get mad at her, or condemn her, or show disgust at her ailment or her daring action.  He listened to her story, then he called her Daughter.  Daughter.  Like a loving father.  And told her that her faith had made her well, that she could go with peace in her heart because she had been healed physically and could now live without any of the affliction she had suffered from for twelve long years.  You don't have to see the words on the page - you know she loved him for the rest of her life.

Jesus cares...

It's a beautiful rainy Fall morning, my favorite kind - no wind, just gentle falling rain.  It's the kind of rain that reminds me that God sees me, loves me and covers me with His grace...wonderful life-giving, freedom-endowing grace.


I'm teaching Grown-up Girls at a friend's house on Tuesday mornings.  It's a small group of gracious empty nest women who love the Lord.  I'm used to teaching younger women, so this has been a stretch for me.  However, it has been wonderful to connect with other moms whose children have their own lives apart from us.  There is comfort in our shared heartache.

This particular friend who hosts this group is a designer and her home is gorgeous.  Every week I come home and rearrange some little knick knack.  I learn from how she uses things in unusual ways.  One of the things that got some tweaking was the new blue tray on my coffee table that I found on the bottom shelf at T.J. Maxx.  It makes it so much easier when little ones come over to pick up a tray with all the breakables and put it up where they can't get to it. 

I gathered different fall items and things that fit into the color scheme of red, orange and brown (plus the one green bird planter) and arranged them on the tray.  I messed with it all day until I liked the look of the tray from all angles.  And, yes, I know it will look differently next year...

Jesus Cares About Women

We live in a world where still many times women are overlooked.  I saw a documentary piece about a culture where women still are seen as property.  I couldn't help but wonder what Jesus would do if He encountered those same women.  We will take a look at some of the stories in the Bible about some real encounters.  I hope you will be encouraged.

The first woman I looked at was the first woman in Jesus' life - His mother, Mary.  Luke 1:26-38 is the story of Gabriel announcing the Messiah's coming to Mary, who would bear Him in her womb, then give birth to Him, raise Him and see prophecy fulfilled in His death.

God announced the most important birth in the history of the world to a young woman first.  Think about that for a moment. 

She was also at the foot of His cross as He was dying.  I'm sure her heart was tearing into pieces as she watched His agony.  I can't imagine such a horrific thing.  But, Jesus loved her, looked down in His struggle, saw her and asked John to make sure to take care of her.  (John 19:25-27)

Abba, thank You for sending Jesus to be flesh-and-blood unconditional love for women, as well as men.  Help me as I teach to sound out that message loud and clear so those women who don't know or understand Your love will be set free to receive Your love and live in Your astounding grace.  Amen


Hummus

My honey doesn't like the sound of the name of this dip.  He thinks it sounds like someone clearing their throat.  That's not very appetizing!  So we call it Red Pepper Bean Dip.  Haha!

2 cans garbanzo beans (chick peas), drained and rinsed
3 roasted red peppers from a jar
3 cloves garlic
juice of one lemon
2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp sea salt
a few dashes of Tabasco
1/4 cup water

Put all ingredients into a food processor and process until smooth.  If you like it spicier, you can add more Tabasco or some sliced jalapenos.  Refrigerate.

This "dip" is delicious with any cut vegetables, crackers or chips.

Pumpkins and apples...

As soon as we got back home from celebrating our youngest daughter's birthday and loving on our grandsons, I rearranged some of the Fall decorations with some new things I had purchased.  Have I told you how much I love Fall?  Ha!

Since menopause, I can't remember where I put the decorations the year before so it's like starting all over with new stuff.  Seriously...  If I didn't know how much God loves me, I'd be a little scared.  It also helps to have recently learned that it is completely normal and I can retrain my brain to begin remembering again.  Let's just say that I've gone through a LOT of sticky notes!

My favorite Fall decoration is the pumpkins stacked in the urn on top of a Walmart Fall wreath (on sale).  I purchased the faux pumpkins on sale at Hobby Lobby last year.  This year, I put the urn in my dining room.  I love the colors against the burgundy of the walls.

More Fall decorations next week...


Adjustments

Since eighth grade, I have wanted to be a published author.  So this summer, when my book Grown-up Girls came out, you would think I would be excited that I had finally reached that goal.  I was excited until I realized that women wouldn't just be reading the book and learning God's truth as they worked through its lessons; people would begin to expect things from me for which I was unprepared - like autographs and an instant off-the-cuff synopsis of the book.  I'm a writer.  I have to think about things and see them in print so they make sense in my brain before they come out of my mouth.  I probably looked like a deer in the headlights.  AH!!!!

I'm just going to be honest with you.  It kinda freaked me out!  I am naturally an introvert and my instinct is to hide away at home.  Looking back, I can see how I have intensified one of my coping behaviors to handle the uncomfortable feelings.  Sometimes, I do escape to a quiet place for a few minutes - usually a bathroom.  But, more often I just start chatting away to chase away awkward silence. 

Did you notice my absence from the blog?  Um...yeah - hiding...  I think I'm back, at least for a weekly post.

I've also encountered some spiritual warfare.  The enemy has attacked, while I'm sleeping, with my old fears, waking me in the middle of the night - reminding me of my old insecurities, telling me that I can't teach because I can't remember things.   

I'm so grateful that I can run to my Abba!  He has gently encouraged me that the message He has given me to share is not about me.  It's about how much He loves the women that will receive the message.  And He has assured me that He will use me if I'm just willing - insecurities and all.  I sure love Him!


Crockpot Oatmeal

I saw this recipe on Facebook and thought I'd give it a try since we like oatmeal.  Oatmeal is best if it soaks overnight, so this recipe seemed perfect for us.  We had it this morning and it was delicious.  It was so nice to come out to a healthy hot breakfast ready to eat.

Layer in the crockpot in order - DO NOT STIR:

2 large Granny Smith apples, sliced 
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1 tsp. cinnamon
pinch of salt
2 cups old-fashioned oats
2 cups milk of choice
2 cups water

Cook overnight, 8-9 hours, on LOW

The sliced apples, syrup, cinnamon and salt:

All the ingredients in the crockpot ready to cook:

The cooked oatmeal - Yum!

Jesus and women...

The thought occurred to me that I had never studied the encounters mentioned in the Bible of women and Jesus.  Considering my ministry to women, I thought the information I would glean from such a study would be most helpful...and insightful...and wonderful.

I started with the most famous woman in Jesus' life - His mother.  There were three things that stood out when considering her life in the grand scheme of things. 

First, the person that first knew the Messiah was indeed coming and would arrive in around 9 months was Mary.  Gabriel didn't appear to politicians, rulers or rabbis.  He came to Mary, a very young woman, and announced that the seed of God had been placed in her womb; that she was chosen to carry and give birth to the Promised One. 

For the rest of her life, she had a relationship with the Messiah, whom she knew as her firstborn son.

Second, proper wedding hospitality was important to her.  She and Jesus were at a wedding where the wine ran out.  She knew Jesus better than anyone.  Why did she insist He do something about the situation?  Had she seen Him perform miracles as He was growing up about which no one else knew?  I don't think she was surprised when He performed His first public miracle and made the best wine served at the party. 

The third thing that really stands out is what Jesus did for her as He was hanging on the cross..in agony...struggling to breathe.  It is recorded in the 19th chapter of the book of John that Jesus saw her at the foot of His cross.  He was suffering a slow tortuous death and yet, He made sure to pass on His responsibility, as her first-born son, of taking care of His widowed mother to John. 

This same Jesus loves you and me.  Wow!  Take some time to think about that concept...


Fall

Ah...the heat of summer is almost gone and my favorite time of year is slowly unfurling into all its gloriousness.  I put out all my fall decorations a couple days before Labor Day.  We left town to celebrate our youngest daughter's birthday with her and I wanted to come back to a fall-decorated home.  It would be September, after all! 

I am praying for a beautiful fall this year - one where we can enjoy lots of patio mornings and evenings with family and friends...and mums...and various colored pumpkins...and pilgrims...with a focus on being thankful for both trials (for how they transform our lives) and blessings (for which we do nothing to deserve).

 (artwork by my first-born daughter - this is the mantel in her living room) 

Come on Fall...

Even though the temperatures outside don't reflect that it will officially be Fall in eighteen days, I couldn't wait to put out the Fall decor today.  I love Fall!  Fall means cooler temperatures (eventually), pumpkins, beautiful colorful leaves, golden sunshine, soups, sweaters, jackets and boots, Fall lifegroup classes and fellowships, and the promise of the coming holiday season.  Fall also means focusing on harvest produced by hard work, giving thanks to God for what He provides, and giving to others through hospitality.

I'm going to have a busy Fall this year.  My honey and I are teaching a 5 Days to a New Marriage class.  I'm teaching Grown-up Girls on Tuesday mornings and have two speaking engagements in October.  I'm also taking a genealogy class at our local public library.  It's a free class and the people I've met are most interesting.  I've learned a lot from the last class I took and discovered I still have relatives in Scotland.  I also discovered the military service of my great great grandpa for the Union in the Civil War.  It is so interesting to learn more about these people from which I came!  My honey asked me why I was so curious about my ancestors and I told him that besides loving history, I am searching for my spiritual heritage.  Who was it who first loved the Lord so that it was passed down through the generations?  I'll let you know what I find!

Depression...

Well, the best thing about depression is how grateful one feels when it has passed and one can begin to feel again.  And, yes, I'm speaking out of experience.  I don't like it when I'm depressed, but it is a part of my life due to celiac disease and Epstein Barr. 

So, what does God want me to learn from depression?  He wants me to know that He is always there and will help me remember truth so I can live in grace whether I'm depressed or not...so I can be grateful whether I'm blue or not...so I can extend grace to others who are experiencing depression. 

So when I'm singing the blues, I let my honey know that I'm depressed and it will go away eventually so he doesn't have to worry.  I spend extra time with my Abba.  I eat to feed the nutrient needs of my body and get healthful sleep and sunshine.  And I give myself grace...

Book signing...

Well, my book launch party is coming up in a few days.  Normally, I would be anxious about the details:  What should I wear?  What will I say to people?  How will I sign the books?  Will people like me? 

Wow!  I'm so glad those days are over!  My Abba Father has freed me of so many things I used to worry about.  The truth does set you free!  (John 8:32 - the reference I will put under my name when I sign books)

All three of my daughters were able to go shopping with me for my outfit for the signing, which is a very unusual thing that we are all together to go shopping for clothes.  I've learned a lot about buying clothes, but it was great getting their input.  They even talked me into buying wedges, which are surprisingly comfortable.  More on that...

This last week, God has really impressed on my heart and mind that the book signing is not about me or the fact that I wrote a book.  It is about the message He gave me that is in the book.  The book signing will be an opportunity for me to let women know that He loves them and wants them to live in His freedom. I can't wait to see what He does!!

I lived most of my life under the lie of perfection.  So, naturally, I was relieved when I had a nice outfit for the occasion.  And I felt like I would have enough time to get all the projects done around the house before the event.  Here's how God reminded me that it's not about me.  Last Saturday, I was getting into the shower and noticed a big spider just inside the shower door.  I didn't want to share my shower with it, so I stepped back out to get something with which to kill it.  Somehow, I missed the bath rug and stepped onto the smooth tile...with wet feet. There is a streak of toenail polish on the tile where my foot bent under as I slipped.

I was very grateful that my honey came home from a business trip an hour later.  He took me to the doctor where the x-rays showed torn ligaments and pulled muscles, but no broken bones.  I came home with a lovely boot and orders to stay off my feet.  So much for wearing my new shoes to the book signing...

Really?!  I have people coming from out of town for the event. I've been gone for five weeks helping my oldest daughter with her new baby boy and have weeds to pull, flowers to plant, there are cobwebs in every corner of the house and it is not "company ready"! 

I had an immediate peace that God would make sure everything that needed to get done would be done.  My two youngest daughters are here and they have stepped in and are taking care of the "company ready" details.  I've had time to address postcards for a mailout, reconnect with people and think and pray about the women that will be at the book signing. 

And He knew that I would have an injured foot and would have to wear a big bulky black boot...

So, I will trust Him and wait and see what He does.

Coffee in the rain...

I am sitting in the coolest coffee house with my youngest daughter.  And it's raining - God loves me.  God sees me.  God cares about me.  God uses rain to remind me of these truths. 

And we are enjoying a cup of coffee in this old house, with a beautiful garden, turned into a coffee shop.  What a great way to relish a rainy morning! 

I have been blessed to spend time this past month with all three daughters, my sons-in-law and our grandchildren - three, now, with the new baby grandson.  He is precious, by the way, and already knows his Nanna's voice.  And my honey got to fly in for Father's Day weekend, too.  I love these people, big and small!  It's so easy to tell them I love them and to show them with encouraging conversation, by changing poopy diapers, fixing meals, doing laundry, bathing preschoolers, cleaning my oldest daughter's house while she is recovering from a C-section, playing with blocks on the floor, drawing with chalk in the carport, kissing bo bos and precious faces, lots of hugs and going to bed exhausted and very content. 

As easy as it is to express love to my family, I am becoming aware that I need to do a better job of letting my friends know why I love them.  In the book, Bread and Wine, Shauna Niequist writes about the importance of telling our friends what we love about them.

The heart of hospitality is creating space for these moments, protecting that fragile bubble of vulnerability and truth and love.  It's all too rare that we tell the people we love exactly why we love them- what they bring to our lives, why our lives are richer because they're in it.  

She and her husband have a tradition of toasting their friends on their birthdays over a meal.

Each person comes ready to say something about what that person has brought to their life in the last year or a prayer for the year to come, and after dinner, we toast with those thoughts.

What a great idea!  I think my honey and I may have to start this tradition.  Shauna writes about an evening where they and a group of friends toasted another friend who is a great encourager to all of them.  She had asked his wife about foods that he liked or had special meaning to him to determine the menu for dinner.

The food was good that night.  I loved being able to serve foods that were meaningful to Nathan, that represented his story and history, and we had a great meal together.  But that night wasn't about the food.  The food and the table and laughter helped to create sacred space, a place to give someone the gift of words.  That's what the night was about - sacred space and words of love.

Before I went to Louisiana to help my daughter, my honey and I taught a 5 Days to a New Marriage class for our spiritual children.  The night before we left, we had the last class which began with a meal. Then we all enjoyed a time of telling each person in these three couples what it is we love about them - what each of their personal strengths are.   It was uncomfortable for each person as we all took turns expressing these sacred words.  But, each one left feeling loved and appreciated for who they are, with an understanding of the strengths in who God created them to be.

There is something about loving people over a table of delicious food in someone's home.  There is a connection made that can't be reproduced in a Sunday school room or a room at the church used by a life group, even if food is involved. We've tried, but it's not the same. It is a privilege to be hospitable in our home to express God's love to people.  The food doesn't need to be fancy or expensive.  It just needs to be tasty and nurturing, with the guests' tastes in mind. 

God reminds me all the time how much He loves me.  Now, I get to let my friends know how much and why I love them.  I've got some plans to make...

Hospitality...

My new grandson is just so precious!  And every time I've sat down to write a post in the last two weeks, I've had an opportunity to hold him, instead, so my daughter and son-in-law can get some sleep.  The sacrifices a nanna will make...  I woke up at 4:00 this morning, so I thought I would take advantage of the quiet to write about hospitality. 

My husband and I talked, before we got married, about how hospitality was going to be an important part of our life.  Both of us grew up in hospitable homes so it seemed like the normal thing to do and it has been an important aspect of our lives and ministry in our home; so much so that our daughters all practice hospitality in their homes, as well.

When our youngest daughter came to see her newest nephew, she handed me a book that a friend had given her and said that I would probably enjoy reading it.  She was right!  I am planning on purchasing my own copy of this delightful book - Bread and Wine by Shauna Niequist.  It is full of honest stories of life and the importance of hospitality in ministering to herself, her family and other people along with recipes.  Here is a sample of her philosophy of hospitality:

I believe every person should be able to make the simple foods that nourish them, that feel familiar and comforting, that tell the story of who they are.  Each one of us should be able to nourish ourselves in the most basic way and to create meals and traditions around the table that tell the story of who we are to the people we care about.  And the only way to get there is to start where you are.

She goes on to encourage people who don't know how to cook to invite people over and order pizza.  Serve the pizza with bagged salad and bottled dressing. 

Focus on making people comfortable, on creating a space protected from the rush and chaos of daily life, a space full of laughter and safety and soul.

The next time or the time after that, try grilled flatbread pizzas, and make your own vinaigrette for the salad.  The next time, try a dessert and an appetizer, and little by little, build a sense of muscle memory, a body of knowledge, a set of patterns for how your home and your heart open and expand when the people you love are gathered around your table.

It takes some time to learn, to try and fail and make a mess and try again.  It takes even longer to get truly comfortable, to feel at home with a knife in your hand, to read through recipes as a guideline or set of ideas, to read through and add your preferences and tastes, your history and perspective.  But it's a lovely process, with not a minute wasted.  If you put in the time, the learning, the trying, the mess, and the failure, at the end you will have learned to feed yourself and the people you love, and that's a skill for life -  like tennis or piano but yummier and far less expensive.

I'm not talking about cooking as performance, or entertaining as a complicated choreography of competition and showing off.  I'm talking about feeding someone with honesty and intimacy and love, about making your home a place where people are fiercely protected, even if just for a few hours, from the crush and cruelty of the day.

 It's a perspective on hospitality that my honey and I practice - making people feel nourished in our home with food and love, providing a place where they can kick off their shoes and relax and talk about their struggles without judgment. You can provide that for the people you love, too.  Just simply start where you are. 

More to come:  hospitality and special dietary restrictions 

Grown-up Girls is here...

Wow, it's been almost a year since this project began and now it's a real live book!  I've told many people that I didn't write and publish this Bible study because I have a desire to be famous.  Yikes!! I am much more comfortable in my little private world at home. I have told God more than once, "Ok.  I'm done. I can't do this!"  But, when God puts a message on one's heart, one must obey!

He has been reaffirming to me that the message in Grown-up Girls is not about me.  It's about Jesus and what He has done and is doing in my life and other women through this message.  And God wants women to know that He loves them dearly and desires that they walk in the amazing freedom of His truth.

"And we proclaim Him, admonishing every man (woman) and teaching every man (woman), that we may present every man (woman) complete (grown-up) in Christ."  Colossians 1:18

What an adventure!  I can't wait to hear the stories...

Grown-up Girls is available at CrossBooks, Barnes & Noble and Amazon in a soft cover workbook.  It is also available in an ebook.

Bermuda grass...

I do NOT like Bermuda grass!  It sends out runners, is invasive and is not easy to pull out of the vegetable garden.  Now, the other weeds that have shallow roots or a single root are easy to pull and I don't mind them as much.  Of course, if I just stayed on top of the weeds in the garden, it would not be difficult to control them.  And the vegetables, strawberries and blueberry bushes would be beautiful things to behold!

Maybe because of the HOURS (well, it seemed like hours) spent hoeing the garden growing up, I have an aversion to weeding.  We planted a huge garden every year and enjoyed the fresh food.  Mom would can and freeze so we would have vegetables and pickles during the winter.  Planting the garden was a family affair.  Then my brothers and I would have the responsibility of controlling the weeds.  There was no such thing as sleeping in and if I drug my heels getting out to the garden, I would get too hot while hoeing and would begin to see stars. 

I'm sure all that fresh air and sunshine, along with all the fresh food, kept us healthy while we were growing up.  Plus, it was very tasty!  So, when I had my own family, we planted a garden of some kind every year.  And, yes, I made my kids weed!  The girls still joke about pulling bind weed in El Paso. 

I still have to be careful about staying out in the sun too long when I'm gardening.  If I get overheated, I'm done for the day and end up sitting like a lump on the couch.  My honey knows this about me and reminds me to drink water and take plenty of breaks. 

So this morning, as I was weeding, I thanked God for the overcast morning and was able to get the whole garden weeded so we can plant this weekend -except for a few patches of Bermuda grass.  Yay! 

As I was grunting and groaning trying to pull one of those patches of Bermuda grass, I thought about the curse that God spoke over Adam (and all men to follow) after he and Eve had eaten the forbidden fruit. 

Cursed is the ground because of you; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life.  Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field..."  Genesis 3:17-18

Then it hit me, wait a minute!  These weeds are man's curse!  I will have to tell my honey that it is biblical that he be the one to do the weeding!  I wonder how he will feel about that...

Hahahaha!