Psalm 1

The Message Bible often has interesting ways of putting things- I like this passage from the Message.  Read it in your own version and compare the two!  Today’s focus: God has charted the road you take.

 

How well God must like you- you don’t hang out at Sin Saloon, you don’t slink along Dead-End Road, you don’t go to Smart-Mouth college.  Instead you thrill to God’s word, you chew on Scripture day and night.  You’re a tree replanted in Eden, bearing fresh fruit every month, never dropping a leaf, always in blossom.  You’re not at all like the wicked, who are mrer windblown dust- without defense in court, unfit company for innocent people.  God charts the road you take.  The road they take is Skid Row.

 

 

Dear heavenly Father-  Thank you today for showing your like/love for those who follow you and what you desire for them.  Bless each of us ladies today, Lord.  Our hearts are in the right place, even if we do mess up time and time again.  Thank you for charting our path for us so that we need not worry.  Help us to not worry about that same exact path but to have faith that you’ve got it handled ahead of us.  Thank you Jesus!  -amen

What to eat at the Fair

Since we will be camping at the 4-H fair next week, I thought I would spend some time discussing what I enjoy of “fair food” and what we cook at the camper while camping there.

My list of “to die for” and “can’t live without” from the Fair-

1. Shaken Lemonade
2. Fish and Fries
3. Fried Cheese
4. Wet Burrito
5. Shaved ice
6. Taco in a Bag (or Walking Taco)
7. Soft Pretzel
8. Elephant ears
9. Pork Burger
10. Corn on the Cob

NOTE: a couple of those are considered healthy, I think. . . . . .

But seriously, how do we live at the fair and not double in size in 7 days?  I try to purchase fair food for one meal and one snack each day and that is it.  The rest of the time we eat at the camper.  But living in a camper at the fairgrounds is completely different than “going camping”.  Camp fires cannot be left unattended  and besides that, it’s usually like 9000 degrees the week of the fair and no one wants to have an outdoor fire to warm up by.   But we do have a stove and microwave in the camper and a grill that I keep outside as well.

Last year, 3 kids, me, and my honey/husband only part time – we went through 2 cases of bottled water (I buy this and teach them how to mix their own koolaid, gatorade, etc. mixes in them rather than buying tons of soft drinks) and 10 gallons of “from home” water.   The 10 gallons of water was used for cooking and drinking because we don’t like the taste of the fair water.  We did use fair water for bathing and toilet facilities though.

But because the “fair life” is not a sit at the campfire all day kind of life, the food must be different.  We have cold cereal or breakfast bars nearly every morning.  We have lunch meat or hamburgers/hotdogs for lunch/dinner.  I do bring eggs and ham too and keep pancake mix in the camper.  There will also be tons of carbs for the kids to snack on.  I did not say it would be a healthy week by any means.  I also keep apples, oranges, and maybe a banana or two on hand as well.  Plenty of coffee and Coca Cola for me!

Any fair campers out there have any thoughts on how they do it?

Comfort Zones

In Joshua 14, Caleb and Josh are in their 80’s and discussing the goodl ole days of being great warriors.  Josh is dividing up the land they won and Caleb is complaining that he did not receive the land God promised him for “wholly following the Lord”.  At 85, Caleb picks up his sword, trains an army, and goes and fights and wins the land that was rightfully his.  AT 85!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

The lesson in this story:  If you want to claim God’s best for you, don’t plan on spending much time in your present comfort zone.

 

Countless Christians allow fear to stop them in their tracks because they assume that the feeling of fear is a red light from God and they assume that a feeling of courage is a green light.  Yet, the Bible says that when we feel fear in following God, we are told to take courage.  In fact, those who achieve greatness for God run toward discomfort because that is where you borders will expand. 

 

A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for. -William Shedd

 

Isaiah 40:31  They that wait upong the Lord will renew their strength;  they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run, and not grow weary; and they will walk and not faint.

 

-Excerpts from “The Prayer of Jabez” Day 12

 

Lord, what mountains do You want me to ask for in Your name today?  Thank you for giving us courage in the face of discomfort.  Stretch us all today, Lord.  Help us to jump in with both feet, knowing that you will lift us up and out of the mire if we do things wholly for You.  We love you Lord and we lift our voices to worship You!  Thank You! -amen

Burgers, Onion Rings, and Fries Oh My!

Yup, that’s tonight!  I might throw in some watermelon.  On an “I have time to cook for real” day, I might give you a recipe for homemade fries or rings but not today. . . . . Today it will be burgers on the grill and fresh from my grocer’s freezer onion rings and fries. . . . . .

On a similarly unhealthy note, today I ran into a former co-worker of mine.  She was the first person to introduce me to the idea of drinking water for health and she’s just a healthy person inside and out.  Not flashily so, but just healthy.   Anyway, I run into her for the first time in like 10 years and what am I filling my cart with?  Hamburger Helper, Little Debbies, Bacon, Paper Plates, Plastic Cups, etc.  I know that I’m preparing for living in a camper for a week at the fairgrounds but here stands my “lead me to health” friend and I have an entire cart full of junk food and environment killing products. . . . . . .nice. . . . Impressed aren’t you. . . .

Please don’t call PETA or Vegetarians Anonymous on me either when you find out that the animals my children are taking to the fair will be in our freezer in no time. . .

Have a great one!

Don’t Worry, Be Happy!

Okay, so I ended up reading Phillippians 4:1-9 but it started out with only 6 and 7.  These are the verses that remind us to not worry about anything but to pray about everything and God will give  us peace. 

 

Don’t Worry, Be Happy!

 

Paul was still in prison when he wrote this letter to the people of Phillipi.  Not onlly was he in prison but his whole ministry was under attack by people competing against him.  He’d been in this ministry for 20 years and things seemed pretty bad and tiring on the outside.  But the outside didn’t matter to Paul because he was filled with God’s joy on the inside!!  His God-given joy was overflowing into his letter to  the people in Phillipi, he was uplifting them like only God could have gotten him to do!  Can you imagine feeling down on yourself because life is just getting too crappy?  Everyone is bickering.  Things just aren’t looking good.  Then you receive a letter from a guy in prison who tells you not to worry, to be happy in Jesus???????  I tell you what I would either feel pretty bad or want to return the letter with a punch in the face to Paul for being so cheerful. . . . . . grrr. . . . .

 

Anyway, infectiously joyful Paul made the following points in these 9 verses:

1. Stay true to the Lord
2. People who love the Lord should settle their disagreements quickly.
3. Always be full of joy and make sure others can’t help but notice.
4. Be considerate in all you do.
5. God is coming soon!
6. Don’t worry about anything
7. Pray for everything.
8. Tell God all your needs
9. Thank God
10. God’s peace is more wonderful than humans can understand
11. His peace will guard your heart and mind
12. Keep your thoughts on what is true, honorable, and right.
13. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable.
14. Think about things that are excellent worthy of praise.
15. Keep putting into practice all the things Paul showed/taught by his example.

 

That’s a lot of information for 9 little verses!  Paul didn’t include any fluff here, it’s like he was so full of joy that he just had to spit it out before he burst!  Makes me think of the 13ish year old girls who can’t stop talking- it’s out of their control!  Makes me smile!

 

Dear Heavenly Father- Thank you for showing me these verses today!  What a great way to start the morning!  My mind is swirling with VBS this and VBS that- help me to stay focused on you!  Throughout the day, help me to have infectious joy!  I want to have that!  Help me to pray for everything!  Help me to worry about nothing!  Bring that peace that is more awesome than I can understand!  With all my love and thanksgiving, Amen

Boiled Dinner

It’s green bean season!  It’s time for one of my favorite meals!  A few years back my mom had to have a procedure done and dad needed me to pick her up.  I had to use a babysitter who I had never used before, but someone I trusted fully.  To my surprise, not only did my kids have a wonderful time but when I went to pick them up, I was sent home with dinner for my family as well.  It was called Boiled Dinner. . . .

5 medium potatoes, peeled and quartered or 10-15 red potatoes scrubbed

3 cups fresh green beans, snipped and cleaned or 2 cans green beans

1 large sweet onion, chopped as large as your family can stand it (green onions work too)

1 package rope style smoked sausage, sliced

salt/pepper to taste

Put all the ingredients in a stock pot.  Add an inch or so of water.  Bring to a boil.  Cover and reduce heat to simmer.  Simmer 30 minutes and check potatoes and beans for doneness.  Can serve as soon as they are done or can be left on simmer for a while.

I have always used smoked sausage but I suppose you could use fully cooked ham, chunked – as well.  The last time I made this, I added some coursely chopped cabbage and it was wonderful! 

 I have also made it with canned whole potatoes and canned beans.  It is done when the meat is heated through- one of the quickest hot meals I have ever made!

Enjoy!

Tacos with Homemade Salsa

Tonight we are having Tacos!

My Salsa recipe is quite simple.

1 tomato chopped or diced

1/2 onion chopped or diced

1/4 jalepeno chopped into teeny, tiny pieces

1 Tbl dried cilantro or 1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro

2 dashes of lime juice

salt and pepper to taste

Combine and enjoy!!

Trials

I received a phone call this morning from a frustrated guy who was standing on the side of the road waiting for a DOT officer to tell him how many ways he violated the rules of the road.  I was being asked if I knew where the fire extinguisher was in the truck or if there even was one.  This frustrated guy was really feeling a bit like Job, I’m sure.  So, I decided that all of us have been pretty down and out in some portion of our lives and we all could use some encouragement and a reminder to press on!  

Deuteronomy 31:6

 

Be Strong.  Take Courage. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you.  He’s right there with you.  He won’t let you down; he won’t leave you.

 

Moses and God’s people are standing at the Jordan River.  They are ready to step into the promised land despite their opposition.  Moses has been preaching continuosly on their journey reminding them of what lies ahead and of God’s promises of protection, strength, and meeting their needs. 

 

We are still God’s people today.  God is walking your path ahead of you.  He won’t let you down.  Perservere!!!!!

Heavenly Father- Thank you for the rain.  Thank you for the baby ducklings that are cheaping behind me. Thank you for friends.  Thank you mostly today for DOT officers who keep our roads safe (even if they are there to let us know where we went wrong. . . .lol)  Help us all to press on, to continue along the path you have paved for us!  Give us patience and understanding.  Give us strength to keep up.  Thank you again!  In your name, Amen

I’m back online!

Sorry about my absence! I thought my computer was up for the recycling bin, but low and behold it was merely a 2 minute fix that my handy dandy neighbor man corrected for us!  He deserves so much more than chips and salsa and a can of pop (which he wasn’t here long enough this time to even get any of!)  Anyway, I will try to get some devotions up for all of you later on today.  Next week I will be busy with the 4-H fair but I’m gonna try to put some stuff on here with publications dates for the future – If I can figure out how!

Time to go get #3 up for day camp!  I’m so proud of him!  He is going to daycamp without his brothers and is willingly riding in a carpool that I have not even driven for yet (today is my day)!  Kudos to #3  He’s an awesome boy!

Beef, it’s what’s for dinner!

Today’s meal: 

• Hamburgers,
•  leftover corn,
• leftover mac n cheese,
• raspberry lemonade

 

When we have our cow processed at the plant, we pay extra for them to patty some of the ground beef.  This makes it so much easier, come meal time.  There is no thawing or prep necessaary!!  I light the grill, throw the frozen burgers on and voila!- Dinner!

You can buy pattied burgers at the store too.  If you go to the freezer section of your grocer, you should be able to find an 8 lb box of burgers.  These patties are flash frozen and then put into a cardboard box.  If you want to save yourself some time and money, you can patty your own burgers and freeze them.  After you have shaped them, place two (2) sheets of waxed paper between each burger.  Wax paper doesn’t freeze and so separating them will be much easier.   To separate frozen patties, bang them on the counter on their side or slide a butter knife in between.

If you are preparing your meal in the house instead of the grill, you have a couple options for frozen patties.  You can put them in a hot skillet with a small amount of water and a tight fitting lid or you can broil them in your oven.  I don’t have a broiler pan but I do have two cookie racks.  I put the cookie racks on a cookie sheet and this works as an excellent substitute for a broiler pan.  Heavy cookie sheets work best, thin ones may warp and spill the grease into your oven.

Some of you may like to flavor your burgers with something.  We do not use anything but salt and pepper but I know some people use garlic salt or seasoning salt with excellent results.  When grilling them I also grill onions- they are delicious!!

Enjoy your burgers!