If there is any excellence...

Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.
Philippians 4:8

Think about excellence.  Hmm...

It didn't take long teaching at a private school to discover that my definition of excellence was very different from most of the parents' definition.  It lead to a lot of frustration and ultimately my resignation. 

Webster's Dictionary defines excellence as superior, very good of its kind, eminently good,  first-class, valuable quality. Yep, my definition exactly!

In this phrase from Philippians, excellence can also be translated as virtue.  Virtue, as defined by Webster's is strength, manliness, valor, conformity to a standard of right (morality), a particular moral excellence, a beneficial quality or power of a thing, manly strength or courage, valor. a commendable quality or trait.

Interestingly, the definition for excellence in this verse, according to Strong's Concordance, means manliness or valor.  Ok, really, when was the last time you used the word valor?  Isn't is a little archaic?  Since we don't use the word much any more, let's see what light Webster's can shed on its meaning.

...strength of mind or spirit that enables a man to encounter danger with firmness, personal bravery, heroism.

I have a nephew-in-law who fits this description.  He is a Marine who has fought for our way of life in America and has faced loss and dangers of many kinds. He also is a loving husband and daddy.  He is an excellent man of valor!

There are lots of movie and TV characters that are portrayed to fit this description.  But, they aren't real.  Do you know any real flesh and blood men who fit this description?  These men encourage and inspire those around them.  If you don't know any men like this, which unfortunately is very likely, go to your church library or a local community library and ask for biographies of men of valor.  You might need to take the definition with you, in case your librarian isn't up on archaic vocabulary.  Just sayin'...  

Be encouraged and inspired!

Vacation Pics

The following pictures were taken on Mother's Day in Asheville, North Carolina.  This first picture is of the beautiful bouquet I found waiting in our room at The Cove from my kids and grandkids.  It was such a wonderful and unexpected surprise!

These pictures were taken in the green house at Biltmore Estate (America's largest privately owned home).  We spent all day there and enjoyed the incredible architecture and amazing gardens.  We almost didn't go because tickets are expensive, but decided to go because my honey knew I would enjoy it and it was Mother's Day, after all!  Imagine our surprise and delight at finding out that, because I am a mom, I didn't have to pay for a ticket!  And the restaurants on the grounds all had gluten free menus.  God's blessings come in strange packages, sometimes, and I was very grateful!

Tomorrow:  Some of the beautiful gardens at Biltmore Estate.

Today's Recipe - Thai Beef Salad
Clean Eating magazine

1/2 cup fresh lime juice
1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped (1/4 cup)
3 Tbsp sweet chile sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 lean flank steak (1 1/2 lb), trimmed
olive oil cooking spray
1 medium red onion, chopped (1 1/4 cup) 
3 medium tomatoes, each cut into 6 wedges
6 cups romaine lettuce, torn
1 English cucumber, thinly sliced (1 1/4 cups)
1/2 bunch fresh mint, chopped (2 Tbsp)
2 Tbsp unsalted raw peanuts (optional)

Preheat grill to medium-high heat or preheat broiler.  Combine first 4 ingredients in a small bowl, stirring well. Set half of lime mixture aside.  Combine other half of lime mixture with steak in a large zip-top plastic bag and seal.  Marinate in refrigerator for 20 minutes, turning once.  Remove steak from bag and discard marinade.

Place steak on grill rack or broiler pan coated with cooking spray and cook 6 minutes per side for medium or until it reaches desired doneness.  Let stand 5 minutes.  Cut steak diagonally, across grain, into thin slices.

Heat a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat.  Add onion and saute for 3 minutes.  Add tomatoes and saute for 2 more minutes.  Place onion-tomato mixture, lettuce, cucumber and mint in a large bowl; toss gently to combine.  Divide salad evenly and top each serving with 3 oz of steak slices.  Drizzle each salad with 1 Tbsp reserved lime mixture and sprinkle with peanuts, if desired.