November 19, 2024

CHRISTLife – Twelve: Reality’s Negative Side

January 28, 2014 by

Christlife graphic wk3_2

Oh, boy…so, we KNEW that eventually we would get to this subject—the sinful flesh. If only Satan hadn’t deceived Eve and Eve hadn’t convinced Adam and Adam hadn’t eaten that rotten apple!  But, that DID happen.  And so all mankind has the problem of indwelling sin to deal with.  It is important, as Mrs. Myers points out, that we do admit and acknowledge it.  To ignore sin in our hearts means we will never deal with it…and there will be no opportunity to bring glory to God.  By God’s glorious grace and MERCY we have been given a new nature and a new life through Christ!!!

This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you,
that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.
If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness,
we lie and do not practice the truth;
but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light,
we have fellowship with one another,
and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves
and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous
If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.
1 John 1:5-10

What hope, what comfort, what encouragement we can each receive from this passage of Scripture!  So, tell me…are YOU encouraged?

It breaks down fairly simply:

  • I sin. You sin. We all sin.
  • But if we confess our sin, He forgives and cleanses us.
  • Don’t say ‘I don’t sin’—you are deceived.
  • Jesus’ blood cleanses us from all sin.

Mrs. Myers writes, “But we’re also to remember that this sinful nature is now only our false self; it is no longer the ‘real me!’ It’s our former self parading as our true self…Our true self is the new person we are in Christ…cleansed, enriched, and enabled to please and glorify our risen Lord. Having been born of God, we have both a new nature and a new heredity” (page 51). As you consider these Truths, my sisters, how do you communicate this in your ‘inner identity album’?

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * 

Dear Lord, we are SO encouraged!  Yet more Truth to hold in our hearts!  How thankful we are to know, Lord, that while You are clearly aware of our sinful, fleshly, ‘old man’ nature that sins…You have given us this precious, unfathomable gift through Jesus’ blood of cleansing from all sin.  You, Father, are oh-so-very good to us!  May we remain not only thankful but humble recognizing yet again our GREAT NEED for You, Lord!  Please help us, Lord, to never become blasé about it but that our hearts are always concerned and yearn to sin less and less…to bring You more and more honor and glory!  We pray and ask these things in Jesus’ name.  Amen. <3

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SoupPalooza 2014: Chili w/ Veggies

January 27, 2014 by

Final Week of SoupPalooza 2014!  Here on the Monday edition of the At Home w/ GCH blog, we have celebrated with four different soup recipes: Mushroom Soup with Wild Rice, Baked Potato Soup, Turkey Veggie Soup, and today’s recipe, a Chili w/ Veggies.  Each recipe a completely different ‘style’ soup than the next!  From Mr. Hayden and I, we hope you have enjoyed the variety…He certainly has!

This week’s recipe was inspired by a suggestion from our Dana Kim in her recent post ing of a Cabbage and Pineapple Slaw recipe.  (Boy, was that good!)  She hinted at a recipe for a spicy soup or chili.  So, I prepared BOTH her recipe along with mine…here y’go!  2014-01-25 22.54.47

Ingredients

2# ground beef (or turkey)
2-3 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium-sized sweet onion, chopped
1 large red bell pepper, chopped
4-5 ounces Baby Bella mushrooms, chopped1 medium-sized sweet onion, chopped
3 tablespoons chopped garlic (I use jarred)
1-28ounce can crushed tomatoes
1-15 ounce can dark red kidney beans, rinsed
1-15 ounce can black beans, rinsed
1 package taco seasoning (* see below for ‘homemade’ seasoning recipe)
1-2 cups frozen corn, defrosted
Optional toppings: sour cream, shredded cheese, chopped avocado, salsa

Directions

 

  • Saute the ground meat ‘til all the pink is cooked out.  Drain away the excess liquid and set the cooked meat aside.
  • In the same pan, add 2 tablespoons olive oil to heat over medium heat; add the chopped onion and mushrooms.  Saute for 5-6 minutes.
  • Add in the chopped bell pepper; stir well.  Saute the veggies for approximately 6-7 minutes ‘til just beginning to get slightly brown.
  • Lower heat and add chopped garlic.  Stir constantly for 1 additional minute.
  • Increase heat to medium-high, pour in the chopped tomatoes and the taco seasoning mix.  Stir.
  • Finally add back the cooked meat as well as the beans; stir well ‘til all is combined.
  • Bring just to a boil; and lower heat so the mixture is gently simmering.

Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix

1/4 cup chili powder
3 tablespoons dried minced onion
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1+1/2 teaspoons salt (optional, I do not include it)
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground chipotle pepper
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/3 cup cornstarch

Place all ingredients in a small glass jar; shake really well ‘til all ingredients appear to be evenly distributed.  (To substitute for the mix that comes in a yellow package: use 3 tablespoons of mix and 1/3 cup water for each pound of meat.)

♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥

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

♥  coleen

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CHRISTLife – Eleven: A Self-Opinion Too Low

January 27, 2014 by

Christlife Graphic wk3_1

Need to begin with prayer today!

Dear Lord, thank You for all Your  encouraging and uplifting words that tell us of Your great love for us! It truly is amazing to me!  I come to you acknowledging my struggle to simply believe Your words.  I repent of this, Lord!  I so want it to be my constant confession that I am only AND completely what You have formed and made me to be.  Please cause your words to carve new patterns into my mind…patterns of joy and peace and quiet confidence that ‘I am who God says I am!’  Help me, Lord, to intentionally choose to speak these words of life over myself…knowing that You have already done so!  May my mind be renewed and transformed to line up with Your perfect will.  Thank You for all that You are working and bringing to pass in my life…and for my sisters, Lord, I pray the same. In Jesus’ powerful Name. Amen.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Oh, I am SO determined to get this Truth into my heart!!! (Anyone else choosing to do so?  Do I hear your ‘amen!’)  I was convicted, as I read this chapter (five times, don’t you know!)

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the Head…Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. But that is not the way you learned Christ!—assuming that you have heard about Him and were taught in Him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor….

Ephesians 4:15-25 excerpts

By God’s grace, (and His revelation to my heart through His Holy Spirit), I have never understood this beautiful section of the Book of Ephesians in the way I do now!  I now realize that I am to ‘speak the Truth in love’ and ‘speak the Truth with <my> neighbor TO M.Y.S.E.L.F.!!!  Truly what a revelation!  Perhaps you have already understood this…but to me and my little heart this is revolutionary!  And I am so thankful! I can ‘be renewed in the spirit of <my> mind…and put on <my> new self!’

So, will you make a stand along with me!  Together can we choose the Truth and be intentional in our trust and believing of God’s Word! “I am what God says I am” by God’s grace, and compassion, and lovingkindness towards me…I am getting it! (Thank You, Lord!!!!!)

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CHRISTLife – Week Three

January 26, 2014 by

christlife graphic 2

A recurring theme this upcoming week in our study CHRISTLife: Embracing Your True and Deepest Identity will be the incomparable, unconditional, amazing LOVE that God has for us! Our author reminds us over and over of God’s love for us!

In Jeremiah 31:3 we hear God tell us of His love.

I have loved you with an everlasting love;
therefore with lovingingkindness I have drawn you.

We also are reminded of God’s love in Psalm 36.

How precious is Your steadfast love, O God!
The children of men take refuge
and put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.

As well as in 1 John 4:9-10.

In this the love of God was made manifest among us,
that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.
In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us
and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Along with this, Mrs. Myers puts in front of us the Truth that, in spite of our actions at times, God is always faithful and keeps His promises. Whether we ever believe them or not. Think about the children of Israel. They knew of God’s promise to lead them, protect them, guide them, feed them, guard them. But they were often disobedient to His simple commands. As such, because of His love for them, God had to help them to learn…as He will with us, too.

You must carefully follow every command I am giving you today, so that you may live and increase, and may enter and take possession of the land the Lord swore to your fathers. Remember that the Lord your God led you on the entire journey these 40 years in the wilderness, so that He might humble you and test you to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commands.

Deuteronomy 8:1 and 2

During this week, we also make the transition from ‘Part 1: Who You Really Are…At First’ TO ‘Part 2: Your Life IS Christ.’ Listen to the following statement Mrs. Myers makes.

“As we hear and believe all that God tells us—as we intentionally think these truths and begin to act accordingly—He unfolds the true personality He designed us to be” page 60. (Oh! Don’t you just love that!)

And so we learn more of the Truth as we begin to believe what God says about us. And as we trust Him and take Him at His Word, we will begin to be freed from lies and misconceptions we have held in our hearts.

As we continue our study, the fact remains that we need to be diligent in reminding ourselves constantly of these Truths. One would think that, with all the many many many examples and proofs that God so graciously shows us about how very much He loves us, we would be convinced. However God is equally as patient with us as He loves us. The negative images that we have allowed into our hearts can be replaced by the Truth of just “Who we ARE” in Christ. But it takes work and effort on our part. Thankfully, we are not left to do this on our own. God can and will help us through His Holy Spirit! Remember to pray, pray, pray!

Friends, I hope that the beautiful lyrics of this song can be a tool for you to use to pray and sing your heart out to God. Your heavenly Father has MUCH to say to you…MUCH to remind you of…MUCH healing and deliverance and blessing to give to you as you seek Him!

*  ~  * ~  * ~ * ~ *

Over time You’ve healed so much in me, and I am living proof
That although my darkest hour had come, Your light could still shine through
Though at times it’s just enough to cast a shadow on the wall
I am grateful that You’ve shined Your light on me at all

Who am I, that You would love me so gently?
Who am I, that You would recognize my name?
Who am I, that You would speak to me so softly?
Conversation with the Lord Most High…who am I?

Oh, “Amazing Grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now am found. Was blind, but now I see”
And the more I sing that sweet old song, the more I understand
That I do not comprehend this love that’s coming from Your hand.

Grace, grace; God’s grace
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within
Grace, grace; God’s great grace
Grace that is greater than all my sin

Lord, Who am I? Who am I?
Lord Who am I? Who am I?

 

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CHRISTLife – God Has Surely Listened

January 25, 2014 by

saturdayprayersandpraisesshort

Quite the journey this is turning out to be, wouldn’t you say?  This study of CHRISTLife: Embracing Your True and Deepest Identity is no light matter!  Our author, Mrs. Myers, has been challenging us to dig deeply as we consider some of the questions she has posed throughout our readings this week.

  • Right off the bat on Monday, we are reminded that we have the freedom to choose whether to focus on the images in our minds that pull us down or lift us up.  And she asks, “Are you fully using this…freedom for spiritual growth...?
  • Then later in the week, we are reminded that God made us for Himself…and that our love for Him should be with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30).   And the question is asked, “Are there areas of life in which I’m holding <God> at arm’s length?”
  • And a little further into our reading this week, we read, “To be realistic in the way we view and accept ourselves—that’s the challenge.”  (Ummmm…yes, yes it IS!)  Do we view ourselves too highly…or perhaps too lowly?

These questions and the thoughts that have been wandering around in my head and heart have caused me to recognize anew how very much I must be running to my Father and seeking His help and guidance and answers through prayer!  How about you?

I have been so comforted through this as each day I have also been reading the Seeking Him daily devotionals blog here at Girlfriends Coffee Hour (do you ‘follow it?).  This week, our friends who write the devotionals have been sharing on Psalms 66:16-20.  Listen:

Come and hear, all you who fear God;
let me tell you what He has done for me.
I cried out to Him with my mouth;
His praise was on my tongue.
If I had cherished sin in my heart,
the Lord would not have listened;
but God has surely listened
and has heard my prayer.
Praise be to God,
who has not rejected my prayer
or withheld his love from me!

Oh, how good God is!!!  Did you read that?  God ‘has surely listened and has heard my prayer.’  You know, God is not expecting anyone of us to live perfectly. Or expecting us to never have doubts, or worries, or be unsure of just how to change. Perfection will be reached—not by anything we will EVER do—but only through Jesus, our Lord, at His return.  We have been enabled in so many ways to grow to be holy and pure as our Lord, and to be able to renew our minds, and to take our thoughts captive to obey Him!  But it is a lifelong process begun when we are born anew!  For now, we do struggle. And we do falter…and we do fail at times.  And so we need to remain prayerFULL.  We must consistently be seeking God and His help as we endeavor to be our best for Him.

So as you think back on what you have considered and learned this week…and in your struggles to wholeheartedly address these issues that come up…remember to pray.  And as you pray, remember that “God has surely listened and has heard my prayer.”

*  ~  * ~  * ~ * ~ *

“Our whole being by its very nature is one vast need; incomplete, preparatory, empty yet cluttered, crying out for Him who can untie things that are now knotted together and tie up things that are still dangling loose.”
C. S. Lewis (quoted on page 44)

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Alone…Yet Not Alone

January 24, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

~  Listen while you read, please!  ~

I’m alone…yet not alone. God’s the Light that will guide me home.
With His love and tenderness, leading through the wilderness,
And wherever I may roam, I’m alone…yet not alone.

I will not be bent in fear. He’s the Refuge I know is near.
In His strength I find my own. By His faithful mercies shown.
That so mighty is His shield, all His love is now revealed.

When my steps are lost and desperate for a guide,
I can feel His touch, a soothing Presence by my side.

Alone, yet not alone; not forsaken when on my own.
I can lean upon His arm, and be lifted up from harm.
If I stumble, or if I’m thrown, I’m alone…yet not alone.

When my steps are lost and desperate for a Guide,
I can feel his touch, a soothing Presence by my side.

He has bound me with His love; watchful angels look from above.
Every evil can be braved for I know I will be saved.
Never frightened on my own; I’m alone…yet not alone.
I’m alone…yet not alone.

~  Performed by Mrs. Joni Eareckson Tada ~

~  Written by Bruce Broughton, Dennis Speigel  ~

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

As I viewed these video clips, I was struck by the fact that the children kept the Truth—that they had been taught by their parents—in their minds and hearts.  And it sustained them through this horrific, brutal time.  Such were similar words that the Psalmist confessed over and over.  He was “alone…yet not alone” many, many, many times.  David was sure that Jehovah (the LORD) was always with him, even when he was (actually) alone.

The Lord is my Light and my Salvation—whom shall I fear or dread?
The Lord is the Refuge and Stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?
When the wicked, even my enemies and my foes,
came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
Though a host encamp against me, my heart shall not fear;
though war arise against me, [even then] in this will I be confident.
For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter;
in the secret place of His tent will He hide me; He will set me high upon a rock.
And now shall my head be lifted up above my enemies round about me;
in His tent I will offer sacrifices and shouting of joy;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.
[What, what would have become of me] had I not believed
that I would see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living!
Wait and hope for and expect the Lord;
be brave and of good courage
and let your heart be stout and enduring.
Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord.
Excerpts from Psalm 27

Perhaps these were among the words the real-life children portrayed in this movie recited in their minds.  For each of us, too, we must not only know that these things are true but it is vitally important to get the Scriptures ingrained into our minds.  There is nothing to replace memorizing God’s Word.  For there will be those times when we need to immediately remember that God is our Light, our Refuge, our Strength,  our Shield.  And that we are NOT alone.

Verses 13 and 14 of Psalm 27 are my life verses.  I cling to them…sometimes daily! There have been numerous times, throughout the years I have <endeavored> to follow Jesus as my Lord, when I have felt desperately alone.  But each time, the deliverance for my heart has come from God as I kept reminding myself of this Truth.  And remembering that, yes, I was alone…yet not alone.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Lord, You are so faithful!  You have provided so amazingly for us through the Truth told to us in Your Word!  Without it…where would we be?  But You are our Light, our Refuge, our Strength, our Shield…that is the Truth.  And You have promised to Your children Your love, tenderness, grace and mercies, Your Presence!  Please help us, Lord, through Your Holy Spirit to hold Your Word in our hearts that it might sustain us, uphold us, ground us, build us up, guide us.  And may we always remember that while we truly might be alone…we are yet NOT alone.  Thank You, dear Lord!  We love You!  We praise You!  We thank You!  In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

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CHRISTLife – Nine: Too High or Too Low

January 23, 2014 by

Oh, how we suffer and struggle under the lies and misconceptions we struggle with in our hearts!  (I can almost see your beautiful heads nodding in agreement.)  We must find a way to “be realistic in the way we view and accept ourselves” (page 40).  As we continue along in CHRISTLife: Embracing Your True and Deepest Identity, Mrs. Myers lovingly and faithfully keeps bringing us back to the Truth of who we are in Christ.   Or, as we like to phrase it, ‘I AM who God says I am!’  There is a children’s song, originally sung by the Gaither Family back in the day 😉 that could be our new anthem. As you listen along, hopefully you will be renewed in your mind to sing along believing that you ARE a Promise (with a capital P)!

I am a promise…I am a possibility
I am a promise with a capital “P”
I am a great big bundle of potentiality
And I am learnin’ to hear God’s voice
And I am tryin’ to make the right choice
I am a promise to be anything God wants me to be

  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~  *  

Kim shares another page with us from her ‘Inner Identity Album’ along with her encouragement for us today:iiakimiamapossibility
“I love this page because it serves as a reminder that even though there may be times in our walk with God that it doesn’t seem like He is working, or perhaps we are walking through circumstances and they are screaming loudly—these are the Truth’s that we can hang on to!

He loves you
He has good plans for you
He is working for your good
He hears you
You are His
He will never leave you or ever forsake you
HE IS FAITHFUL in ALL Things!!!

These reminders could not have come at a better time for me…God’s timing is always perfect!”

  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~  *  

So, sisters, Kim and I pray for you (and ourselves!) that

  • you will keep on listening to hear God’s voice (He has MUCH to tell you!)
  • keep on trying He’ll help you make the right choice (He never leaves nor forsakes you!)
  • ‘cause you’re a Promise to be anything He wants you to be (Jeremiah 29:11-14).
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CHRISTLife — Seven: Who I Am As a Created Being

January 21, 2014 by

Christlife graphic 1045_n

Don’t you just love thinking ‘I AM who God says I am’…?  Now wait…before you start telling me ‘But, Coleen, I just don’t always believe it!’…just think about it. Meditate on it. Pray to God asking Him to help you understand who you are. As Jason Gray writes in the song, Remind Me Who I Am “Tell me once again who I am to you who I am to you. Tell me lest I forget who I am to you…that I belong to you.” God will answer that prayer! Saturate your mind and heart with the Truth of who you are ‘cause God says you are! And trust God to heal and deliver and mend up that little heart of yours (mine, too).

In reading Chapter 7 today, Mrs. Myers writes, “Knowing the Truth about our identity begins with a better grasp of who we are as created beings—a better understanding of the God-intended qualities each of us shares with all mankind…Simply because I am a human being created by God, I have capacities and potential abilities that can lead to a rich life…” (page 30).

In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of His glory.
Ephesians 1:11 and 12

We ARE blessed, chosen, adopted, accepted, redeemed, forgiven

I am the apple of my Father’s eye ~ Psalm 17:8
I am blessed ~ Galatians 3:9
I am not alone ~ 1 Corinthians 10:13
I am joyful ~ Psalm 30:11
I am heard ~ Psalm 66:19
I am safe ~ Psalm 62:8
I am hopeful ~ Hebrews 10:23
I am able ~ 2 Corinthians 12:9
I am gifted ~ 1 Corinthians 12
I am not abandoned ~ Lamentations 3:31
I am fearfully and wonderfully made ~ Psalm 139:14
I am being changed into His image ~ 2 Corinthians 3:18
I am a new creation ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17
I am reconciled ~ Colossians 1:21-22
I am forgiven ~ Ephesians 1:7
I am redeemed from the curse of the Law ~ Galatians 3:13
I am elect ~ Colossians 3:12
I am set free ~ John 8:31
I am one in Christ ~ John 17:21
I am everything I need to be in Him ~ 2 Thessalonians 1:2
I am above and not beneath ~ Deuteronomy 28:13
I am rescued from my enemies ~ Luke 1:74
I am strengthened and helped ~ Isaiah 41:10
I am created for a purpose ~ Romans 9:11
I am called of God ~ 2 Timothy 1:9
I am saved by mercy ~ Titus 3:5
I am chosen ~ 1 Thessalonians 1:4
I am victorious ~ Revelations 12:11
I am an heir with Christ ~ Romans 8:17

(AND more!)  Please share something you KNOW God says that you ARE in the comments below…thanks!

  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~

Lord, I pray to You asking Your blessing for my sisters as Paul did, “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Please bless them each with your grace and mercy as they continue to pursue keeping Your Truth in their hearts. Praying and asking in Jesus’ name.   Amen.

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SoupPalooza 2014 – Mushroom Soup with Wild Rice

January 20, 2014 by

SoupPalooza continues! Here on our healthy but oh-so-yummy! Monday’s on the At Home w/ GCH blog, we are promoting soup, soup, and soup! This is National Soup Month, and my husband, Robert, certainly enjoys his bowl of soup—he would eat soup every single day! (I know, you’ve heard this before…but it is true!)  So, I have committed to serving soup at one meal each day for all of National Soup Month.  So far, so good!

This week one of the soups I made was a hearty, earthy Mushroom Soup. Oh, if you could have smelled this house…between the onions, garlic, mushrooms, and thyme! This soup is thick and creamy…and I thought it would go really well with the recipe that Dana shared with us recently—Spinach Salad w/ Warm Bacon Dressing. She is SO right…soup and salad? Such a great combination!

Don’t forget to utilize the search button on our website to check out soups from SoupPalooza 2013 along with soups that Dana has shared with us, too! I would love to hear what varieties of soup you and your family enjoy! Leave a comment below, ok?

Now, I did use one *secret ingredient…want to know what it is?  Dried Mushrooms.  Incredible Ingredient…you really should get some for your pantry!  They can be purchased in the spice aisle, or the ethnic foods aisle of your grocery store.  They come in a small baggie.  And are really inexpensive, too!  I put mine into a grater like this one.  Super easy to use!  And the grated mushrooms add SUCH a depth of flavor!  Try adding a tablespoon or so to any number of dishes: quiche, stews, marinara sauce, soups, etc.   Try it; I think you will like it!2014-01-19 14.50.21

I used a combination of the fresh mushrooms…about 1 pound altogether. Whichever (shitake, button, baby bella) mushrooms you choose to use, be sure to cook them deeply before adding the flour, wine and stock. Along with the onions, they should get really brown and caramelized. This takes a little while, but this is also where the soup gets its deep savory flavor and richness.2014-01-19 16.41.34

Ingredients:
1/2 cup wild rice
1/2 teaspoon butter2014-01-19 14.44.05
1 cup broth
1 cup water
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup onions, chopped
1 cup celery, chopped
1# mushrooms, white, baby bella, shitake, cleaned and chopped
1/4 cup brown rice flour (you could use all-purpose flour)
1 teaspoon kosher salt, freshly ground pepper to taste
1/2 cup red wine
2 teaspoons fresh thyme, separated
6 cups broth or stock
8 ounces frozen carrots, defrosted
2 cups cooked wild rice
1/2 cup half and half (or milk)
1/2 cup sour cream

Instructions

  • In a small saucepan, melt 1/2 teaspoon butter. Stir in wild rice to coat with butter, and heat for 1 minute.
  • Pour in broth and water. Bring to a boil; cover and immediately reduce heat to very low; simmer for approximately 45 minutes or ‘til liquid is absorbed.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a medium-sized saucepan or soup pot over medium heat.
  • Add onions, mushrooms, and celery and cook, stirring often, until softened (7-8 minutes).
  • Allow the mushrooms and onions to get some color.
  • Sprinkle flour over cooked veggies along with salt and pepper; cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. (This is where I added my ‘secret ingredient; *see above.)
  • Stir in wine and thyme; increase heat to medium-high and reduce ‘til the liquid is almost absorbed.
  • Add broth and carrots to pan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and allow to simmer for 7-8 minutes.
  • Scoop out the carrots and just a bit of the veggies, and set aside.
  • Using an immersion blender, puree the soup and the veggies ‘til smooth;
  • Add back in the carrots, along with the half and half and additional thyme.
  • Heat over low ‘til piping hot! When ready to serve, place a small portion of wild rice in the bottom of the bowl or mug, add soup and top with a dollop of sour cream. Enjoy!

   ♥      ♥      ♥      ♥      ♥ 

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

♥   Coleen

Filed Under: At Home w/ GCH Tagged With: , , , , , ,

CHRISTLife – Six: Choosing New Images

January 20, 2014 by

christlife graphic2961_n

How is your inner identity album coming along? I’ve talked with a few ladies and there seems to be lots of different ways of crafting them. Some are putting collages together with words and pictures cut-out from magazines and other publications. Some are journaling their thoughts and prayers. Some are making actual pages for a scrapbook. Some are sketching. But one thing that is consistent from each who have shared with me is that they are amazed at what they are finding in their heart! Mrs. Myers poses some very pointed questions, doesn’t she? Don’t shy away from them…I do understand that they are difficult, at times, to honestly answer. But if we want to deal, once and for all, with the negative ‘self-talk’ and the lies that we have come to believe, well, no one can stop that for us…just you (and me!).

David wrote in Psalm 139 that God knew everything about him.

  • God formed and made him
  • God knew him before he was born
  • God was aware of everything he did
  • God knew what he would say, and think

God was fully acquainted with the whole makeup of David—his abilities and talents, his temptations and weaknesses, his doubts, his sins, everything. And God still saw him as “… a man after His own heart,” (1 Samuel 13:14).

David knew the Truth…and believed it. He choose to think what God knew about him. And, yes, there were times he faltered; so he sought God’s help. And so should we.

Can you say, as David did:

Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!
Psalm 139: 23

There is no one—never will be—who cares more for you than your heavenly Father! His heart is for His children! He loves you with an unconditional love and He is “…your Refuge and dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deuteronomy 33:27). God is the very best One to run to when we need to deal with our hearts!

  • He formed and made you
  • He knew you before you were born
  • He is aware of everything you have done (and will do)
  • He knows what you have said (and will say)
  • He knows your innermost thoughts…and He loves you!

Now HERE is true perspective:

My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts, says the LORD.
And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so my ways are higher than your ways
and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:8 and 9 NLT

God Almighty—the Creator of the heavens and everything upon the Earth, the Sovereign God with an eternal plan of redemption for all mankind—His thoughts are the ones that are True, right, and should matter. When we are doubting, we can turn to the Scriptures and be reassured of just how God thinks of us. When we are shaken by hurtful words and accusations from others, God’s Word can be the soothing balm for our souls. When the enemy attempts to dissuade us from believing the Truth, we have the Scriptures to stand upon and say, as Jesus, did, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written…” (Matthew 4:3-11). We have the choice, moment by moment, to choose what we believe. And as we make the choice that lines up with God’s thoughts we will strengthen our hearts to make that good and right and positive choice the next time. When David cried out to God to ‘search’ his heart and ‘know’ his thoughts…

Will you draw near to your Father and ask Him, as David did…
Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!

  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~

Dear Father, You know us…inside and out. And You love us—You really, really love us! Help us, Lord, to allow You to show us what is truly in our hearts as well as the way to deal with it. Help us to seek Your guidance and admonishment so that we can live in the freedom and the Truth that You have for us. Help us to ask You to search us, try us, and know us! WE need Your help, dear Lord! We pray and ask these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Filed Under: CHRISTLife Bible Study Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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