December 26, 2024

Mango Lassi

August 11, 2015 by

This past weekend, my sister and niece were visiting from Minnesota <happy me!>.  On Sunday, rather than cooking another meal together, we decided to treat ourselves to some yummy Indian take-out…yup!  (Actually, Amy “treated” us all!)

So I wanted to add a couple of special beverages and decided on these lovely shakes and a big pitcher of iced sweet&spicy chai tea.  They turned out to add just that extra touch to our smorgasbord (I know, I know…crossing cultures here!) of delightful Indian curries, chickpea salad, lovely appetizers…and, of course, a pile of naan to scoop it all together!  According to Wikipedia, a lassi is a traditional, yogurt-based drink and is popular in India.

Whether you enjoy this beverage to cool yourself on a hot summer’s day or, as we did, to accompany some hot & spicy Indian food—this is refreshing and delicious.  And it fits perfectly into our POV—healthy but oh-so-yummy!  I used a few ripe mangoes as the base for ours, but this would be equally delightful prepared with strawberries, or papaya, or bananas!  Enjoy!

2015-08-10 16.29.24

Mango Lassi

(this makes enough for (4) four tall glassfuls)

ingredients:

2 large mangoes, pitted&peeled – cut into chunks (about 2 cups)
8 ounces plain Greek yogurt
1/2 cup sweetened almond milk (or regular milk)
2 tablespoons honey
dash or two of ground cardamom
1 cup ice cubes

directions:

  • place mango and milk into blender; puree
  • add balance of ingredients; blend thoroughly ’til ice is crushed and all is frothy

♥     ♥     ♥     ♥     ♥

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

♥  coleen

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Your Hand Is Upon Me

August 11, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

You have enclosed me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is too high, I cannot attain to it.
Psalms 139:5 and 6

Dear Lord, such a picture that is—‘enclosed…behind and before’…with ‘Your hand upon me’!!  Truly that IS too wonderful for me…and if I did not read it in Your Holy Word quite possibly I wouldn’t believe it.  You are such an awesome God!  You remind us in the most tender ways of Your great love and care for us.  We are held in Your hand and protected, provided for, guided, loved.  Lord, help us to hold this vision—this Truth—in our minds and hearts so that when those times of worry and doubt and fear come (and they do!) we will be drawn quickly back to You and Your providential lovingkindness.  Thank You, dear Father, thank You!  In Jesus’ name, we pray.  Amen.  <3

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Who Am I?

August 9, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

 You hem me in behind and before,
and You lay Your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
Psalms 139:5 and 6

Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever-wandering heart

Not because of who I am
But because of what You’ve done
Not because of what I’ve done
But because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
Vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I’m calling
Lord, You catch me when I’m falling
And You’ve told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours

Who am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love
And watch me rise again
Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me

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This Week…Psalms 139:1-3

August 7, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

 You have searched me, Lord,
    and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways.
Psalms 139:1-3

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

This week, here on the Seeking Him devotional blog, we have looked at the Truth that our wonderful God knows all about us.  Our devotional writers have shared this understanding with us in the devotionals that they have written.  Here are a few of their thoughts….

In God Loves Our Brokenness, Tina reminded us that God can use us for His glory….

God loves our brokenness. Why? Because it is through our brokenness where He can begin to ‘FIX‘ us. God will:

  • F ocus on what is right in us, He will help us build our character to be a reflection of Him
  • I ntends to heal us and will use us as
  • eX amples of His great love and mercy

Also, God can use our past to help others to see Him as our Redeemer.  We can know that God will soften our hearts to forgive ourselves and use our lives to win others with similar situations to Him.  We just have to be willing.  We have to allow ourselves to be molded and shaped into what God can use. We will not be perfect; we are human.  But God can use our humanity to reach those who are unsaved…we will be able to reach others with our lives and show how God redeemed us from our path of sin and unrighteousness.

❦

In To Be Known, Ahmee shares how much it means to her to be ‘known’ by God….

These three verses focus on one of the many aspects of God that I truly love and adore—He knows me.  Coming from a place in my life where I felt misunderstood, weird, different, and alone into a relationship with my Lord Who knows everything about me has been amazing.  Some people have things about themselves that they want to hide or hope others never find out…and they behave the same with God.  I’ve never been that way.  God knows everything about me, whether I tell Him or not.  And He knows everything about me whether I want Him to know or not.

Nothing I do, say, or think as well as nothing I have thought, said, or done,  can change the fact that God loves me.

  • He loves me just the way I am.
  • He doesn’t separate the good from the bad.
  • He doesn’t only love me when I behave.
  • He doesn’t only love part of me.
  • He loves all of me.

❦

In Divine Knowledge, Ann relates how these characteristics of God—His omniscience and His omnipresence—are described throughout Psalm 139….

In verses 1-3 of Psalm 139 it shows God knows all our inward thoughts, motives, desires, and fears as well as our outward habits and actions.  He knows all we do from the beginning of the day to its end.  In everything we do, He encircles us with His care and lays His hand of favor upon our heads.  Our God knows everything and so we should not deceive ourselves that He is not there watching when we are doing what is not pleasing unto Him.  He sees all.  Refer to the verses below for a good understanding of how God operates:

Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God
the Creator of the ends of the earth,
He will not grow tired or weary
and His understanding no one can fathom.
Isaiah 40:28

He reveals deep and hidden things,
He knows what lies in darkness and light dwells with Him.
Daniel 2:22

…do not be like them for your Father knows
what you need before you ask Him.
Matthew 6:8

…and again, The Lord knows
that the thoughts of the wise are futile.
1 Corinthians 3:20

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You Are Familiar with ALL our ways

August 6, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

You have searched me, Lord, and You know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
You perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
You are familiar with all my ways.
Psalms 139:1-3

Oh, dear Father…to be known by You!  You—the Creator of the heavens and the earth, the One Who hung the moon and each and every star and planet!  You—the Designer of all life here on this Earth—the animals, the birds, the fish, every type of plant and tree!  You—Who made the sun to give light to the daytime and the moon to give light to the night-time!  What a wondrous (and true!) thought that ‘You are familiar with all my ways!’  Oh, we also know about our ways…and some of them are not so good, Lord.  But You love us in spite of our faults and failures, our sins, our idiosyncracies.  Lord, today may we recognize the great privilege of this.  You are so good to us!  We praise and thank You in Jesus’ name.  Amen.  <3

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Take My Life And Let It Be

August 6, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Take my life, and let it be 
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee
Take my moments and my days 
Let them flow in ceaseless praise 
Let them flow in ceaseless praise 

Take my hands, and let them move 
At the impulse of Thy love 
Take my feet and let them be 
Swift and beautiful for Thee 
Swift and beautiful for Thee 

Take my voice, and let me sing 
Always, only, for my King
Take my lips, and let them be 
Filled with messages from Thee 
Filled with messages from Thee 

Take my silver and my gold 
Not a mite would I withhold 
Take my intellect, and use 
Every power as Thou shalt choose 
Every power as Thou shalt choose 

Take my will, and make it Thine
It shall be no longer mine
Take my heart; it is Thine own 
It shall be Thy royal throne
It shall be Thy royal throne 

Take my love; my Lord, I pour 
At Thy feet its treasure-store 
Take myself, and I will be 
Ever, only, all for Thee
Ever, only, all for Thee


School of Worship 
Frances Havergal – lyrics; Henri Malan – melody 
*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14
The psalmist, David, certainly seemed to have the same praise-filled thoughts in mind as did Ms. Havergal!  In this beautiful song of commitment, not only does she pledge her life (moments, days) but her physical selves (hands, feet, voice and lips) as well every thing of value she had (silver&gold, intellect) but all that was intriciscally ‘them’ (will, heart, love…and whole self).  How about you?  I am sure you have voiced words similar to these to Almighty God.

God deserves our all, every bit of what makes you…you; and what makes me…me. Anything that is in us that is good and righteous and pure and holy He has given to us…none of it is of our own doing.

Which is your favorite verse of this song?  Is there a particular one that your heart just sings out?  (Would you take a moment and leave a comment below sharing your thoughts?)  I love each and every one the verses but I think my current favorite is this one.

Take my love; my Lord, I pour  at Thy feet its treasure-store. 
Take myself and I will be ever, only, all for Thee (ever, only, all for Thee).

The love that I have is only pure and good and perfect love because God has placed it into my heart.

Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us,
for God’s love has been poured out in our hearts
through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us.
Romans 5:5

And so, I have this beautiful love—truly my ‘treasure-store’—to pour at His feet symbolically as a sacrifice.  It symbolizes my promise, my commitment, my pledge of my whole self to the One Who loves me so!

Consider these verses, friends, as further statements of dedication and commitment. God truly deserves all that we are—proof of our love for Him!

I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg you in view of [all] the mercies of God,
to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God,
which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.
Romans 12:1 AMP

I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy.
Leviticus 11:44

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

My life
My hands
My feet
My voice
My silver and gold
My moments and my days
My will
My heart

Quite the list, hmmm?   Today, right now even, may we each make a conscious choice to dedicate all that we are to Him—‘Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee.’

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

How Can I Keep From Singing Your Praise

August 5, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

There is an endless song
Echoes in my soul
I hear the music ring
And though the storms may come
I am holding on
To the rock I cling

How can I keep from singing Your praise
How can I ever say enough
How amazing is Your love
How can I keep from shouting Your name
I know I am loved by the King
And it makes my heart want to sing

I will lift my eyes
In the darkest night
For I know my Savior lives
And I will walk with You
Knowing You’ll see me through
And sing the songs You give

I can sing in the troubled times
Sing when I win
I can sing when I lose my step
And I fall down again
I can sing ’cause You pick me up
Sing ’cause You’re there
I can sing ’cause You hear me, Lord
When I call to You in prayer
I can sing with my last breath
Sing for I know
That I’ll sing with the angels
And the saints around the throne

 Chris Tomlin
written along with Ed Cash and Matt Redman

 *   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

My whole being shall be satisfied…and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.
Psalms 63:5

To the end that my tongue and my heart
and everything glorious within me
may sing praise to You and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.
Psalm 30:12

Take a moment, please, and think back to last night as you laid your weary head down on your pillow…. Did your thoughts turn to praising the Almighty with joyful lips?  Did you remember the blessings and mercies and grace that He had given to you throughout the day?  Did you meditate and consider how very much He had helped you and guided you?  Did you recognize that He had protected you…and did you rejoice?  (I ask these same questions of myself!)

I think, for most of us, we DO thank God for the day that has just past.  But…then perhaps we get distracted thinking about all that has occurred during the day.  We remember conversations—good AND not-so-good.  We think about unfinished tasks and projects.  We add to the ‘to-do’ list we carry around in our heads.  Maybe we even start worrying over the next day that hasn’t even begun yet.  But there is a better idea!  Try thinking these things:

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true,
whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—
if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Philippians 4:8

So take another moment, please, and think about yesterday again….  Was there truth?  Were things right?  Can you remember something lovely that happened?  Did a friend do something you admired?  Did God’s blessings cause your heart to sing His praises?  I venture to say that yes…YES!…there were true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and PRAISEworthy things!!!  Thinking about these kind of things will cause us to praise our great God with joyful lips.  Remembering  the grace and mercy that He gave to us will give us much to meditate upon.  Dwelling upon the goodness of our God will lift our heart and we will rejoice!

Tonight, as you again lay your beautiful head down, sing and speak praises to Your Father!  Instead of worry and concern, allow all the truth, the right and lovely, the pure and admirable, the excellent, the PRAISEworthy things to fill your heart and mind.  Give praise to the One Who supplied your needs, Who protected you, Who led you and guided you.  Rest, my friend, in the comfort and blessing of His presence…and I am sure you will wake up in the morning, saying as the Psalmist did:

But I will sing of Your mighty strength and power;
yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy and loving-kindness in the morning;
for You have been to me a defense and a refuge in the day of my distress.
Unto You, O my Strength, I will sing praises;
for God is my Defense, my Fortress, and High Tower,
the God Who shows me mercy and steadfast love.
Psalms 59:17 and 18

And, perhaps, singing the sweet words of this song…

‘How can I keep from singing Your praise?  How can I ever say enough?  How amazing is Your love?  How can I keep from shouting Your name?  I know I am loved by the King…and it makes my heart want to sing!’

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Almighty God, You are Holy, You are Faithful, You are Sovereign, You are Love!  Please help us through Your Holy Spirit to remember to think on the true, the right, the lovely, the pure, the admirable, the excellent, the praiseworthy things…and to praise You, Lord!  We do sing out our praises…in Jesus’ precious name.  Amen.

 

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Shrimp, Pasta and Veggies

August 4, 2015 by

During the summer months, I like to have a few healthy but oh-so-yummy meals in the rotation that are quick to prepare, don’t heat up the kitchen (and the cook!), but are still delicious and satisfying.  You, too?  I find the easiest way to accomplish this is to keep the ingredients on hand for these few meals.

This recipe is a good example.  The frozen shrimp is a standard in our freezer (oh…the possibilities!).  Mushrooms and onions are always on hand, too…and any fresh green veggie (broccoli, for example) would work well, too.  Everything else is pretty much a pantry staple.  Be sure to generously season this dish as you go along…and taste just before serving to add more, if needed.  Enjoy!

Shrimp, Pasta and Veggies

2015-07-22 20.53.05

 

ingredients:

2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, divided
2 tablespoons butter, divided
1# large raw shrimp, peeled and cleaned
lemon pepper seasoning
10 ounces mushrooms, sliced
1 small sweet onion, chopped
1 medium zucchini, sliced in half lengthwise, then into half moons
2 tablespoons minced garlic, I use jarred
1-1/4 cups chicken broth (I subbed in white wine for 1/4 of broth)
8 ounces dry spaghetti
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup packed basil, chopped (or 2 teaspoons dried basil)
juice from 1/2 lemon

directions:

  • heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat
  • pat shrimp dry then season on both sides with lemon pepper seasoning
  • add to pan,  saute until pink on both sides and just barely cooked through, less than 2 minutes per side; set aside in a separate bowl
  • add remaining tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter to pan along with mushrooms and onions.  saute ‘til mushrooms are golden brown, 7-8 minutes; then add zucchini and cook ‘til veggies are just turning tender
  • add garlic and season with additional lemon pepper seasoning; stir continually for about 1 minute ‘til garlic is aromatic
  • pour in chicken broth then turn heat up to high and boil ‘til broth has reduced by approximately 1/2
  • meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil; add spaghetti and cook according to package direction ’til just al dente (spaghetti will cook a bit more in the sauce). drain and set aside
  • once broth has reduced, turn heat to medium low; then add basil, lemon juice, and remaining 1 tablespoon butter; stir to combine
  • add pasta and veggies to sauce;  toss to coat the pasta w/ sauce and distribute veggies
  • finally add shrimp and parmesan cheese; toss ‘til combined

♥     ♥     ♥     ♥     ♥

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

♥  coleen

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Psalm 139

August 2, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

You have searched me, Lord, and You know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
You perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
You are familiar with all my ways.
Psalms 139:1-3

Rebecca St. James, singer/songwriter
 *   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

You search me
You know me
You see my every move
There’s nothing I could ever do
To hide myself from You
You know my thoughts
My fears and hurts
My weaknesses and pride
You know what I am going through
And how I feel inside

But even though You know
You will always love me
Even though You know
You’ll never let me go
I don’t deserve Your love
But you give it freely
You will always love me
Even though You know

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This Week…Psalms 9:9-10

July 31, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

The Lord also will be a stronghold for the oppressed.
A stronghold in times of trouble;
And those who know Your name will put their trust in You.
For You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.
Psalms 9:9-10

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

This week, here on the Seeking Him devotional blog, we have been focused on the Truth that our wonderful God and Lord is our Stronghold and never forsakes those (us!) who seek Him.  Our devotional writers have shared these promises given in this week’s passage through the devotionals they have written.  Here are a few of their thoughts….

In Blessings Are Better, Ahmee shared a really good perspective….

Here’s a thought: instead of asking God to give you money, why not ask Him to show you how to biblically manage your money so that you are better equipped to avoid money shortage situations.  Here’s another thought: instead of asking God for a better job, why not ask Him to show you how to appreciate the one you have.  My pastor told us that miracles are nice, but blessings are better.  At first I didn’t get it, but he explained that miracles go against natural happenings.  You know…the impossible.  Blessings go with natural happenings, i.e., blessed with a promotion for your great work or money in savings because you managed it correctly.

So, are you asking God to do all the work? Or are you willing to do your part?
God loves to help.

❦

In God’s Promises, Ann reminded us of the promises made to those who seek God….

Indeed, those who seek the Lord will never be forsaken; that is the promise of God to us.  He also said “Seek Ye first the kingdom of God and its righteousness and all these things shall be added unto You”…What is it to seek the Lord?  Seeking the Lord means seeking His presence…having access to Him.  The Bible repeatedly calls us to seek the Lord and to seek His presence continually.

Now set Your mind and heart to seek the Lord your God.
1 Chronicles 22:19

God has made these promises to those who seek Him:
• Deuteronomy 4:29  But if from there You seek the Lord your God, you will find Him if you look for Him with all Your heart and with all your soul.
• 2 Chronicles 7:14   If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
• Proverbs 8:17   I love those who love Me and those who seek Me find Me….
• Luke 11:9   So I say unto you, Ask and it will be given to you, seek you shall find, knock and the door will be opened to you.

❦

In Shelter In God, Tina encouraged us to remember that God is our Refuge and Shelter….

 Shelter  –
1: a structure that covers or protects people or things
2: a place that provides food and protection for people or animals that need assistance
3: a place to live

Refuge  –
1: shelter or protection from danger or trouble
2: a place that provides shelter or protection

For those who have grown up in a normal household, you probably have a healthy reality of what a home should be—calm, peaceful, neat, well-groomed…both inside and out. At least I thought this was so.  Growing up for me was not this way…  I learned life was not always fair. But God always provided a way.

I had choices to make: I could either live thinking about what had been taken away from me…or I could give them to God and know He would be faithful to restore them back to me.  So I made those choices, everyday, to live (and still do).  I do not always succeed but I do my best.  God is my Shelter and my Refuge.  He is the one I am learning to run to for all things. Not to others, but to God first.

❦

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