Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Scripture Chirp

What is a Scripture chirp? It's a little capsule of truth from the Bible - simplified but true. Please take the time to read in entirety. It will bless you. Especially if you KNOW you are His.

Psalms 121
The LORD is your help and your Protector who is always present for you.

Monday, September 27, 2010

Eat, Pray, Love

Yeah, I just saw the movie, spent 2:15 hours soaking up some pretty empty philosophy on God, relationships and meaning of life. The company was sweet - thanks to Lori - the movie was free - thanks to NCG theatre - the experience was limp - thanks to the writers ( I don't know or care who they are).

No, I didn't read the book and don't tell me "Oh, the book is so much better". I won't read it. I got enough of the core meaning in the movie and didn't "buy" it. No time for that - literally and figuratively.

I'm sticking to the Truth. I know it. I believe it. It lives with me and guides me true north.


Friday, September 24, 2010

Bite Size Brain Snack

Great occasions do not make heroes or cowards; they simply unveil them to the eyes of men. Silently and imperceptibly, as we wake or sleep, we grow strong or weak; and at last some crisis shows what we have become.

Monday, September 20, 2010

A Word About Vampires





People in the know about blogs say that occasionally you should create a bit of tension through your content. Apparently it's good to stir up the pot from time to time. So here goes.

Let me start out by saying that this is not meant to be judgmental in any way. You're going to have to trust me on that because what I am about to say may feel like I'm stepping on some toes.

But I think we will agree on the fact that we're all entitled to our opinions. So, since this is my blog, I want to express mine here. Thanks for hanging with me with an open mind.

Vampires are all the rage - bestselling books and blockbuster movies abound. Apparel and other branded crap are readily available. Girls from pre-teen to menopause are putting down the bucks to ride the wave of vampire admiration. I hear about it just about every day.

I have two things I want to say about all that. First, it seems to me that there is plenty of evil in this world. I've seen it first hand, even recently. So my logic tells me that since there is so much of it that I can't control being put in front of me, I should at least use the brains and discernment God gave me to steer clear of it when I have the choice.

It's simple to me - vampires represent an evil, dark side of the human realm of thinking. Are they real? Isn't this all just fiction? Is it, really??!! Whether it is or isn't, I know based on the Bible that there is a very really enemy whose purpose is set on evil. He is alive and well in our world whether we choose to believe in it or not. That said, the next point is what rings true in my spirit as I consider the whole vampire mania.

It's important to know that "blood" is serious business to God. In His economy it is life-giving in both the physical and spiritual sense. It is of such premium value to Him that He required His precious Son's own blood to purchase our relationship with Him. What sacrifice! He exists to give LIFE in every way you might think about it. Our next breath, tomorrow sunrise, the balance of nature rely on His life-giving nature.

The vampire craze reduces blood to something that snuffs out life and leaves the victim lifeless - physically and spiritually. It takes away life. It kills. That is it's purpose.

I ask myself what positive influence could come from this life-killing story line. Does it honor the God of Life in any way. More importantly, does it cause the average reader to discount or diminish the value of LIFE? This series is a not so subtle scheme of the enemy to wrap his warped lies in a psuedo-love story. I wonder how many $$ they have captured from the innocent minds they have poisoned? It's staggering.

We live in turbulent times, physically and spiritually. We would do well to listen and walk carefully when it comes to opening our minds to darkness.

Friday, September 17, 2010

An Italian Hoop-de-doo Recipe


I LOVE HAVING DAUGHTERS!!!!! I REALLY LOVE HAVING DAUGHTERS!!!!!!!!!
The reasons are endless but just look at them. There wild and wonderful and
THEY ARE MINE!!



One of the great things about daughters is all the things you can share. From closets to secrets to health and beauty ideas. And certainly recipes!

Here's one I made for my Monday night Bible study group this week. I got it from Julie (far right) who lives in Colorado. A good recipe exchange is only a phone call or email away between the two of us.

Not only did it smell fabulous and look beautiful - it tasted GREAT!! The best part is I made it the night before and then put it in the oven from the fridge. So easy!!

Here's what you need:
2 cans petite diced tomatoes (you can use the flavored kind if you want)
1 bag of chopped frozen spinach in the bag not the box
1 bag of frozen ravioli - meat or cheese; colored or not
2 cups of fresh grated parmesan cheese (grate your own or buy the tub, DON'T use the canned kind)
Fresh or dried basil, S&P, fresh or jar minced garlic, oregano

Here's what you do:
Pour first can of tomatoes in the bottom of a cake pan. Add garlic. Sprinkle chopped spinach over that. Salt and pepper generously. Lay the ravioli over that. Take 1/2 the parm cheese that you have mixed with basil and oregano. Spread it on top of the frozen ravioli. Then just repeat the layers. Tomatoes/garlic/s&p/spinach/ravioli/cheese. Put some diced fresh tomatoes on top if you have some. Drizzle a lot of olive oil over the whole thing. Either bake immediately or refrigerate and then bake.

We served it with a nice soft loaf of French bread and dipping oil.

There was not a spec left. Delicious and I'm thinking pretty healthy too!!

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Hymn Hum

  1. Thinking this week about all the ways we try to gain God's approval and a relationship with him. Going to church, giving $$, praying a certain prayer, being "good", serving - while all these should flow out of our relationship with God - not one or all of them can establish it.
  2. These deep lyrics remind us that there is only one way to a relationship with God. I hope you can hear the melody as you read them.

  3. Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
    Let me hide myself in Thee;
    Let the water and the blood,
    From Thy wounded side which flowed,
    Be of sin the double cure,
    Save from wrath and make me pure.
  4. Not the labor of my hands
    Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
    Could my zeal no respite know,
    Could my tears forever flow,
    All for sin could not atone;
    Thou must save, and Thou alone.
  5. Nothing in my hand I bring,
    Simply to Thy cross I cling;
    Naked, come to Thee for dress;
    Helpless, look to Thee for grace;
    Foul, I to the fountain fly;
    Wash me, Savior, or I die.
  6. While I draw this fleeting breath,
    When my eyes shall close in death,
    When I rise to worlds unknown,
    And behold Thee on Thy throne,
    Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
    Let me hide myself in Thee.

Monday, September 6, 2010

Change is a'comin'

Change - what a word. How does it strike you? What visceral response do you have to just seeing the word. Some women I've met break out in hives at just the thought of it. Others squirm in their chairs. Still others are grabbing for their seat belts in readiness for the adventure.

"One thing that will never change is that things will always change." There's a bite size brain snack for you. (ck out others on my blog) Everything in this life is subject to change on a moments notice.

My daughter, Lori, not only likes change but invites it. She not only invites it, she's an agent of it. She's a bright young woman with a quick mind that will always find a way to be occupied. When she sees something, it comes naturally for her to view it not as it is but how it should or could be. Now this attribute can have a few downsides but we're not talking about those.
The great outcome of this attitude is that her world is alway in motion. Things are ever changing and becoming something different and better than what they used to be.

If a room is in neutral, Lori sees it in color. If a relationship is stagnant, she infuses energy into it. If an activity is boring, she conjures up fun. I just love that about her. People like Lori are the folks in your life that you gravitate to when your looking for ideas, for out of the box thinking and just plain good times.

Whether you welcome change or detest it - it's coming. Here are some things you may be able to do to "deal".

1) BE OPEN - take the lid off the box you live in
2) SEE NEW OPPORTUNITIES - stick your head out of the box and take a peek
3) MAKE A DECISION TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT - put one leg up over the side of the box
4) GET OFF YOUR BUTT AND EXPERIENCE SOMETHING NEW - jump out of the box
5) ONCE YOU'VE DONE, DECIDE WHETHER YOU LIKED IT OR NOT - pick up the lid to your box
6) IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, TRY SOMETHING ELSE - put the old lid on the old box with super glue

See, that wasn't hard. Your now LIVING outside your boring box. Enjoy!!!!

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Cooking Surprise

I'm making it my motto to think differently in the kitchen. I'm so bored with the same old meals, made the same old way. Even the simple meals can use a little refreshing. Tonight I decided to make quesadillas. A good idea came to me as I perused what was available in my kitchen. Here's the outcome.

Brown 1 pound of ground beef on med.high heat. While its cooking sprinkle a packet of taco mix over the meat. Add frozen pepper/onion mix to taste. Add a tablespoon or two of salsa as it cooks. Let it cook on med. high until pink is gone from the meat. It will be "saucy".

Get out your Pizza Pizazz. If you don't have this counter top appliance, go to Wal Mart and buy one. It's about $50 but worth every penny. You'll use it over and over for everything from pizza to tuna melts to heating leftovers that need to be crispy. Maybe put it on your Christmas list. I've given all my girls one from year to year.

Spray oil on the first tortilla and place it oil side down on the pizazz. Spread the tortilla with a small amount of sour cream. Then layer grated cheese, seasoned meat, cheese and the second tortilla. Spray the top of the tortilla so it will get crispy. The great thing about the pizazz is that it cooks from the top and bottom at the same time.

When the quesadilla is browned and crisp, slide it onto a plate with a spatula. Let sit for a minute or so and then cut with a pizza cutter. Serve with salsa and sour cream. DELICIOUSO!!!

Add frozen chopped onion, frozen onion/pepper mix,taco seasoning and salsa to your list of things to keep stocked in your kitchen.