November 18, 2024

Thai Tea with Coconut Cream Condensed Milk – Vegan

May 12, 2014 by

2014-05-11 19.54.27

Thai food fans…what beverage do you indulge in when you go out to enjoy a meal at your favorite Thai restaurant? For me, it is a tall Thai iced tea!  Yum!  But this truly is a decadent indulgence, for sure.  Now the ‘tea’ part is usually not the problem…it is the addition of the creamy, very sweet ‘milk-y’ portion that is of concern.

So, when my daughter, Kassia, and I were planning our Mother’s Day meal, we decided NOT to cook but to get Thai takeout… some sushi, some pineapple fried rice, a couple of (rice) noodle-based dishes, and some curry.  Delish!  But we thought that we would make the dessert, soup, and beverages to accompany the restaurant-prepared food.

She chose a recipe for a black rice (rice) pudding topped with toasted coconut flakes and homemade coconut milk whipped topping. I was given responsibility for the soup (I made Tom Kha Ga–a coconut milk-based soup with chicken and mushrooms fantastically flavored with lemongrass, lime, and ginger; Dana has a wonderful recipe here; check it out!) and the  beverages. We put out a selection of flavored seltzers, some mango 100% juice for the grandkids, a nice bottle of Reisling, and a big pitcher of Thai iced tea and (to keep to our choices to eat healthier) a small bowl of homemade condensed milk made with coconut milk and agave nectar. This fit right into our healthy but oh-so-yummy point of view so I thought that I would share it with you! Enjoy!

Coconut Condensed Milk

Ingredients:
(1) 14 ounce can full-fat coconut milk2014-05-12 02.26.01
1/4 cup coconut sugar (or sweetener* of your choice)

Directions:

  • Pour the coconut milk into a small, heavy-bottomed stainless saucepan, and heat over medium-high heat ‘til it comes to a boil, about 5 minutes
  • Whisk in the sweetener of your choice ‘til thoroughly blended
  • Bring back to a boil, and immediately reduce heat to medium-low maintaining a constant simmer; whisk every 5 minutes or so
  • Continue to simmer for 35-45 minutes, ‘til the content is reduced by about half

To serve, fill a tall glass with ice cubes. Fill almost up with Thai tea, and then add 1-2 tablespoons of your homemade, healthier condensed milk.

You can, of course, use whatever spicy tea that is your favorite. To replicate that delicious beverage served in most Thai restaurants, use traditional Thai tea which produces a vibrant orange-colored, full flavored tea.

* I prefer using coconut sugar or honey as my natural sweetener, but agave nectar, pure maple syrup, coconut nectar, or stevia should work just fine. Adjust sweetness to taste; enjoy!

♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥

God loves you!  ♥  (Don’t ever forget that!)

♥  coleen

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(He’ll) Finish What He Started

May 11, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

I don’t have to know you 
To know that you will go through 
Hard times 
It’s just part of life 

Don’t let that moment blind you
Don’t let it define you 
Take heart
That’s not who you are 

Our God is able
More than capable 
To be faithful 
Until the end 
He’ll finish what He started 

No matter what you’ve done 
Grace comes like a flood 
There’s hope to carry on 
He’ll finish what He started 
No matter what you face 
His mercy will not change 
He’s with you all the way 
He’ll finish what He started 

Remember you’re forgiven
So there’s no need to give in
To the lie 
That you’re disqualified 

Our God is able
More than capable 
To be faithful 
Until the end 
He’ll finish what He started 

No matter what you’ve done 
Grace comes like a flood 
There’s hope to carry on 
He’ll finish what He started 
No matter what you face 
His mercy will not change 
He’s with you all the way 
He’ll finish what He started 

This work He started in you now
He’s faithful to complete it 
The promise was sealed when He cried out
It is finished 

He’ll finish what He started 

No matter what you’ve done 
Grace comes like a flood 
There’s hope to carry on 
He’ll finish what He started 
No matter what you face 
His mercy will not change 
He’s with you all the way 
He’ll finish what He started 

~  Listen while you read!  ~

~  Singer/Songwriter: Bart Millard; Performed with MercyMe  ~

Let’s pray first, ok?

Dear Lord, how thankful to KNOW beyond a shadow of doubt that You will finish what You have started…in each of us!

Lord, I pray for my sisters—Your darling daughters—asking that You build a confidence in each of their hearts so that they can sing out with me, “No matter what <I> face…His mercy will not change… He’s with <me> all the way… He’ll finish what He started!!! ”  I pray, Father, that they will be able to recognize that Your mercy does cover…and that Your grace is enough…and that Your love for them never fails, is unconditional, never-ending, ever-present.

Help them (me, too, Lord!) to remember that You are faithful and always bring to pass every promise of Your Word.  May they be made strong in Your strength while weak in their own.  I pray, from the bottom of my heart, thanking and praising You for all You are doing in them and for them and through them…as You finish what You started.   Thank You, Lord…in Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

* ~ ♥ ~ ✞ ~ ♥ ~ *

We have my precious friend, Becky, to thank for this song.  (Ok, not for the actual song…but for our sharing this incredible song together!)  Thank you, Becky!  And, Becky—He’ll finish what He started in you…He promised!  Here’s the promise:

And I am convinced and sure of this very thing,
that He Who began a good work in you
will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return],
developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.
Philippians 1:6 AMP

Does that not just thrill your heart?!!!?  Oh, it does mine, too!  And why?  Because it is all about HIM!

  • He began
  • He will continue
  • He will develop it
  • He will bring it to full completion!

What joy!  What confidence!  What inspiration!  What hope!

And I do SO love that God will continue it ‘until the day of Jesus Christ’—until our Lord comes back to this earth in all His power and majesty and executes righteousness and judgment everywhere to everyone!  Then His work in us will be totally and completely finished!

But equally I DO so love that all along…right now, and tomorrow, and next week, next month, next year, and right up ‘til we are gathered together in Christ…He will be developing us, and perfecting us, and bringing us along!  This work that He will finish, He is performing that finishing right now!  Jesus fully understands what we are going through!   But yet, in the throes of the temptations and feeling so weak, we can know that mercy and grace will be given to help us in our time of need as He develops and finishes His work in us!

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses,
but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace,
that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:15 and 16

So do not worry or be anxious!  Do not fret or wonder if your past, your sins, your weaknesses, your faults, frailties, and failures will prevent you from finishing.  Remember, this is God’s work in you and,

Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.
1 Thessalonians 5:24

The Lord will perfect that which concerns me;
Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord, endure forever—
forsake not the works of Your own hands.
Psalm 138:8

 

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Jesus’ Words Up On a Mountaintop

May 10, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.  Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.  Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.  Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.  Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.  Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.   Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

  ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~  *

May i introduce you to this beautiful song written by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette.  It is sung to the tune, SLANE, which we traditionally know as ‘Be Thou My Vision.’   Below is an instrumental version of the traditional song so that you can sing these lyrics about Jesus preaching the Sermon on the Mount.  I hope it blesses you as much as it did me when i stumbled upon it!

Up on a mountaintop, Jesus sat down,
Teaching the people who gathered around:
Look for the blessings that God kindly brings;
God’s loving kingdom is changing all things.

You are the salt and you’re also the light.
Flavor God’s world, with your faith shining bright.
Know that I’ve come here, God’s word to fulfill.
Keep the commandments and follow them well.

Let go of anger, for it is a sin.
It will destroy you, both outside and in.
Even your thinking can lead you astray;
Whatever tempts you, just throw it away.

Keep strong the bonds between husband and wife;
Keep your commitments for all of your life.
Don’t swear by heaven or by earth below;
Let “yes” be “yes” then,
and let “no” be “no.”

If any hurt you, then you may resist,
But not with hatred or weapon or fist.
God’s way is stronger than any you face;
Stand up and love them! And give them God’s grace.

Love those who hate you and pray for them, too.
God’s mercy reaches out far beyond you.
Seek, as God’s people, God’s wholeness each day
So you can witness to God’s perfect way.

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Cinquo de Mayo Salad and Salsa

May 5, 2014 by

Who loves Mexican food? Raise your hand! Oh, me, too! So in keeping with the Festival of Cinquo de Mayo, we enjoyed a delicious Tex-Mex meal over the weekend. Of course, I wanted to keep to our healthy but oh-so-yummy point of view. Included below are two healthy, full of fresh ingredients and easy recipes for side dishes: a Black Bean warm salad and a simple mango salsa. Enjoy!

2014-05-04 19.14.29

Black Bean Salad

Ingredients:2014-05-04 19.09.00
1 cup corn, either frozen, or cut fresh off the cob
1/2 yellow bell pepper, diced
1/2 red bell pepper, diced
1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
1 heaping tablespoon chopped garlic (I use jarred)
1/2 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
1 tablespoon, plus additional 1/8 cup, extra-virgin olive oil
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
Sea salt, freshly ground pepper
1 cup grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
2 teaspoons minced, seeded jalapeno pepper (optional)
1 small avocado, halved, pitted and diced
1 teaspoon lime juice, fresh if possible
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, leaves and stems

Directions:

  • Cook the bell pepper and onions in the olive oil 5-6 minutes over medium-high heat in a saute pan.
  • Add the corn, and cook for 3-4 minutes more.
  • Then add the chili powder and chopped garlic, and cook for 1 more minute stirring constantly so that the garlic does not burn.
  • Reduce heat and toss in the black beans to warm through.
  • Add the additional olive oil and toss to coat evenly. Adjust seasoning with sea salt and pepper.
  • Remove from the heat and gently fold in the tomatoes, (jalapeno pepper, if using) avocado, and cilantro.   Serve immediately.

Simple Mango Salsa2014-05-04 19.08.18

Ingredients:
1 large mango, peeled, pitted, and cut into medium-size dice
1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
2-3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
2 teaspoons minced seeded jalapeño pepper (optional)

Directions:
Gently combine all ingredients in a small bowl; chill in refrigerator ‘til ready to serve.

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Acts Of Love

May 4, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Sitting at the stoplight
He can’t be bothered by the heart-cry
Written on the cardboard in her hand
But when she looks him in the eye
His heart is broken open wide
And he feels the hand of God reach out through him
As Heaven touches earth

Oh – we bring the Kingdom come
Oh – with every act of love
Jesus, help us carry You
Alive in us, Your light shines through
With every act of love
We bring the Kingdom come

There’s silence at the table
He wants to talk but he’s not able
For all the shame that’s locked him deep inside
But her words are the medicine
When she says they can begin again
And forgiveness will set him free tonight
As Heaven touches earth

God put a million, million doors in the world
For His love to walk through
One of those doors is you
I said, God put a million, million doors in the world
For His love to walk through
One of those doors is you

~  Sing this song with me as our prayer and worship today.  ~

Written by Singer/Songwriter Jason Gray along with Jason Ingram

* ~ ♥ ~ ✞ ~ ♥ ~ *

Over on our Seeking Him devotional blog, we are just finishing up nine weeks of studying the Beatitudes.  Y’know, the portion of the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus taught the blessing of having certain ‘heart attitudes’ i.e., being meek, having humility, mourning, etc.  This past week, our focus was on Matthew 5:10.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

It almost seems that, in this beautiful song, Jason Gray could be offering up a suggestion for an addition to the Beatitudes.  “Blessed are those who do acts of love…for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.”  Living our lives with a heart to carry out acts of love definitely puts us in the category of those who are ‘blessed!’

Let all that you do be done in love.
1 Corinthians 16:14

This verse follows along after the great ‘LOVE’ chapter in 1st Corinthians.  No words minced here:  ‘Let a-l-l. that you do….’  Not some things, not a random act, not one good deed per day—but all that you do.  Whew!  Really?!?  When Paul penned this (inspired by the Holy Spirit…2 Peter 1:21), he wrote all and all was the directive.  And we CAN do this!  Here’s how….

And whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus and in [dependence upon] His Person, giving praise to God the Father through Him.
Colossians 3:17 AMP

(Thank You, Lord!)  It is not in our own strength but in dependance on Christ Who dwells in us.  Just as our Lord truly did all in love, so can we!  We have the mind of Christ, remember?

But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts of His heart.
1 Corinthians 2:16

And so, we determine and choose to live as Jesus did. As Laura reminded us the other day, “WWJD—What Would Jesus Do?”  We are His hands and feet in this world.  No longer does the Savior walk this earth reaching out to and ministering to all those around Him.  Just as Jesus was the physical, living proof of His Father…we can, too!  Remember, Jesus encouraged His disciples that they would be known as His by their love (John 13:35)!  Us, too!!!

No one has ever seen God;
but if we love one another,
God lives in us and His love is made complete in us.
1 John 4:12

And so we should be living our lives with acts of love as the standard, the norm, the given…truly, our hearts’ desire. We have been enabled…we can do this!

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,
compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,
bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other;
as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
Colossians 3:12-14 ESV

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue
but with actions and in truth.
1 John 3:16-18

An act of love can look like oh-so-many different things…

  • to a relative living cross-country, it could be a photo montage of your kiddos latest antics…
  • to the elderly widower who around the corner, it could an invitation to have supper with your family…
  • to the crossing guard who is there every morning and every afternoon to guide the kids across the busy city street, it could be a cup of hot coffee…
  • to another mom sitting watching tee-ball practice, it could be a listening ear…
  • to your super-tired hubby who has worked extra late for the third-night-in-a-row, it could be some freshly baked cookies and a shoulder rub…
  • to the friend anticipating another round of chemo, it could be the promise of going and sitting with them during that time….

You get the picture. It is not in the bigness nor the smallness of the act…it is being Jesus’ hands and feet.  It is loving with His love!

“God put a million doors in the world
For His love to walk through
One of those doors is you”

Jesus our Messiah was THE Door (John 10)…the Way, the only Way, to the Father.

May we, as He was, be a door for others to walk through to reach God’s love.

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Beautiful Words

May 3, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.  Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.  Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.  Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.  Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.  Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.

*  ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~  *

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:10

Beautiful Words, beautiful Words, He spoke beautiful Words.
The wind lay still, and the whole world listened as He spoke beautiful Words.

Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth.
Blesses are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the Children of God.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake;
For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you,
And shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Beautiful Words, beautiful Words; He spoke beautiful Words.
The wind lay still, and the whole world listened as He spoke beautiful Words.

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Glazed Baby Beets and Carrots

April 28, 2014 by

Wait ‘til you see what I found at the grocery store!

2014-04-27 17.32.46

So with my list in hand, I started wandering through the produce department… sweet potatoes; check.  Cantaloupe; check.  Red grapes; check.  Broccoli crowns; check! And then I noticed this mound of small brownish-purplish balls filling the case beneath the broccoli…what?  They were baby beets!  Not on my list…but who cares? AND (thank You, Lord!) they were only 99cents per pound! So, 3 pounds came home with me!

I knew that I wanted to feature them in our At Home w/ GCH blog today, but I had to come up with a different way to prepare them. It couldn’t be my favorite way to serve (ok, eat!) beets—roasted over baby greens with goat cheese! We’ve already done that here … so I perused the Internet and found a number of recipes for glazed beets. Here’s my version; enjoy!

Glazed Baby Beets and Carrots

2014-04-27 19.58.42

Ingredients:
1 pound baby beets, peeled
1/2 pound small frozen carrots (we use these from Trader Joe’s)tjsparisiennecarrots
2 cups juice or chicken broth (I used mango 100% juice)
1 tablespoon honey
3 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar (I used honey balsamic)
sea salt, freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

  • Steam beets and carrots ‘til almost done (when a thin-bladed knife goes through with just a bit of resistance).
  • Set aside the (almost cooked) veggies, and dump the water out of the pan.
  • Into the same pan, add the liquid of your choice and bring to a boil.
  • Pour the veggies back into the pan along with the honey. Stir ‘til combined and bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat so that the liquid is gently simmering.
  • Continue to cook veggies for 5 minutes or so, spooning the liquid over them occasionally so that they get good and coated.
  • Stir in the balsamic vinegar and simmer for another five minutes.
  • Remove pan from heat, and pour into a serving bowl scraping in all of the liquid, too.
  • Season well with sea salt and freshly ground pepper.
  • Makes approximately 4 servings.

♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥

God loves you!  ♥  (Don’t ever forget that!)

♥  coleen

 

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Grace Flows Down

April 27, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
Amazing love
Now flowing down
From hands and feet
That were nailed to the tree
As grace flows down and covers me

It covers me, it covers me
It covers me, and it covers me

It covers me….

Grace flows down it covers me
All of my sin, all of my sin, it covers all of my sin
It covers my heart, it covers my heart
Thank You, Jesus…Thank You, Jesus…sweet Jesus

Songwriters: Louie Giglio, David Bell, Rod Padgett
Sung by Christie Nockels

*  ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~  *

Y’know, I think that grace and love must be intertwined in the heart of God…what do you think? It seems that, whenever we see the grace of our Father being poured out, His love is so evident also.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:16

God had a plan…He made a way…for the redemption of all mankind. Nothing but the grace (and, oh yes, the mercy!) of God manifested through the sacrifice of Jesus could have ever been enough to give us eternal, everlasting life. Throughout the ages, God’s love and grace kept His plan from being destroyed.

He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done
but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus
before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed
through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death
and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
2 Timothy 1:9-10

The apostle Paul was a man who always purposed to magnify and speak well of the grace and mercy which he had received. Paul was humbly and completely aware that ‘grace flowed down and covered’ him!

…and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance,
that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.
But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost,
Jesus Christ might display His perfect patience as an example
to those who were to believe in Him for eternal life.
1 Timothy 1:14-16

In all of Paul’s encouragement and admonition through each of the Epistles, he wrote over and over again to the first century believers of the greatness of God’s grace. Paul seemed always to endeavor to help the people (and us, too!) to remain aware and thankful for God’s love and grace!

According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world,
that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love:
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children
by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,
To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved.
In whom we have redemption through His blood,
the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace;
Ephesians 1:4-7

But God—so rich is He in His mercy! Because of and in order to satisfy
the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us,
Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses,
He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ;
[He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life
with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favor and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved
(delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation).
And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together
[giving us joint seating with Him] in the heavenly sphere
[by virtue of our being] in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
He did this that He might clearly demonstrate through the ages to come
the immeasurable (limitless, surpassing) riches of His free grace
(His unmerited favor) in [His] kindness and goodness of heart toward us in Christ Jesus.
For it is by free grace (God’s unmerited favor) that you are saved
(delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) through [your] faith.
And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing,
it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God;
Ephesians 2:4-8 AMP

Take a moment, would you, and just read that out loud to yourself…or go here and listen to it in a few different versions.

You and I have been so overwhelmingly covered by God’s free grace! Each of us, I am sure, has story after story to relate of the love and grace that God has shown to us. Would you share with us one time when God’s grace (and love) flowed down upon you? You can tell us either below in the comments, or come over into our Fellowship Group and share your praise for His grace there! We will all be so encouraged!

May I finish here today, speaking a blessing (written in the book of 2nd John)  over each of you!

Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father
and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love.
verse 3

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Make Me A Channel Of Your Peace

April 26, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Matthew 5:9

Make me a channel of Your peace
Where there is hatred let me bring Your love
Where there is injury Your pardon, Lord
And where there’s doubt true faith in You

Make me a channel of Your peace
Where there’s despair in life let me bring hope
Where there is darkness, only light
And where there’s sadness, ever joy

Oh, Master grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved as to love with all my soul

Make me a channel of Your peace
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned
In giving to all men that we receive
And in dying that we’re born to eternal life

Oh, Master grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved as to love with all my soul

Make me a channel of Your peace
Where there’s despair in life let me bring hope
Where there is darkness, only light
And where there’s sadness, ever joy

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: , , , , ,

Our Hearts Still Burn

April 23, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Faded hope and grim despair on the day of the murdered king
Foolish minds and unbelief could not grasp what the prophets sing:

Did not Jesus have to suffer, enter glory through agony
When the King unpacked his Word their hearts leapt and their eyes could see

Everything the Scriptures say in the Prophets, the Law, the Psalms
Touching Jesus, called the Christ, is fulfilled in this gospel song

The Messiah had to suffer had to rise on the first Lord’s Day
We proclaim to every land true forgiveness in Jesus’ name

We were deaf but now we hear Scripture’s voice both in type and word
Unbelief that had us chained has become in our eyes absurd

Did our hearts not burn within us as He spoke with us on the way
And our hearts still burn with fire as His Word speaks to us today

~  Words and Music by Matt Boswell and D. A. Carson  ~
~ Sung by Jeremy Casella ~

*  ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~  *

Luke 24:13-33
And behold, that very day two of [the disciples] were going to a village called Emmaus, [which is] about seven miles from Jerusalem.
And they were talking with each other about all these things that had occurred.
And while they were conversing and discussing together, Jesus Himself caught up with them and was already accompanying them.
But their eyes were held, so that they did not recognize Him.
And He said to them, What is this discussion that you are exchanging between yourselves as you walk along? And they stood still, looking sad and downcast.
Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered Him, Do you alone dwell as a stranger in Jerusalem and not know the things that have occurred there in these days?
And He said to them, What [kind of] things? And they said to Him, About Jesus of Nazareth, Who was a Prophet mighty in work and word before God and all the people—
And how our chief priests and rulers gave Him up to be sentenced to death, and crucified Him.
But we were hoping that it was He Who would redeem and set Israel free. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things occurred.
And moreover, some women of our company astounded us and [drove us out of our senses. They were at the tomb early [in the morning]
But did not find His body; and they returned saying that they had [even] seen a vision of angels, who said that He was alive!
So some of those [who were] with us went to the tomb and they found it just as the women had said, but Him they did not see.
And [Jesus] said to them, O foolish ones [sluggish in mind, dull of perception] and slow of heart to believe (adhere to and trust in and rely on) everything that the prophets have spoken!
Was it not necessary and [essentially fitting that the Christ (the Messiah) should suffer all these things before entering into His glory (His majesty and splendor)?
Then beginning with Moses and [throughout] all the Prophets, He went on explaining and interpreting to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning and referring to Himself.
Then they drew near the village to which they were going, and He acted as if He would go further.
But they urged and insisted, saying to Him, Remain with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is now far spent. So He went in to stay with them.
And it occurred that as He reclined at table with them, He took [a loaf of] bread and praised [God] and gave thanks and asked a blessing, and then broke it and was giving it to them
When their eyes were [instantly] opened and they [clearly] recognized Him, and He vanished (departed invisibly).
And they said to one another, Were not our hearts greatly moved and burning within us while He was talking with us on the road and as He opened and explained to us [the sense of] the Scriptures?
And rising up that very hour, they went back to Jerusalem….

What a glorious account!  Can you even imagine???  Try…put yourself in the sandals of Cleopas and his friend as they trudged along saddened to their very core.

Three days earlier Jesus had been crucified by death on the Cross before the entire city.  And His disciples had clearly been expecting that He would be alive (not that they understood HOW that would happen!).  But after the women came back from the now empty tomb…and Jesus’ body was missing…and told them a “tale” about angels…and Jesus being alive…well, it was just TOO much!  Perhaps these two disciples just needed a break from all the emotion and drama and weariness and desperate sadness, and set out for this short journey.

Obviously all that had transpired was pressing on their minds and hearts…it was the center of their conversation as they meandered along.  Then, the very One Whom they spoke of was suddenly walking alongside them.  (Note that they recognize Him as the Lord…their eyes were “held.”)  And Jesus (so kind! Is our Lord not the most compassionate?!?) spoke with them, drawing them out…and finally, our Lord begins to explain “…and interpreting to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning and referring to Himself….” as He continued walking along them.  All the while, teaching and reminding and explaining and expounding to them about Himself…to no avail…UNTIL He was sharing a meal with them, and had taken the bread, broken it, and was giving it to them.  Then their ‘eyes were instantly opened and they clearly recognized Him’...they got it!  The next words they spoke always thrill and amaze my heart: “Were not our hearts greatly moved and burning within us while He was talking with us on the road and as He opened and explained to us the Scriptures?”

(Ok, you can put your own sandals back on.)  This—dullness of heart and mind, failure to hold the Word in our hearts, inability to put the truth of the Scriptures together—is our quandary, at times, too.  But we DO also have those times when our hearts are ‘greatly moved’ and are ‘burning within us,’ don’t we?  And so we should praise and thank the Lord for those times…and ask for more!  This Jesus, who strolled along the road to Emmaus with Cleopas and his friend, also walks and talks with us…me and you!  In fact, He now lives within us; He is always available to us; He is interceding for us at the Father’s right hand!

My prayer for all of us is that we would seek our Lord, asking His wisdom, seeking His truth, receiving discernment and guidance and knowledge…and that we would voice our thankful praise saying, “Were not our hearts greatly moved and burning within us while He was talking with us….”

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,
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