November 24, 2024

This Week…Jesus’ Words on Faith (Mark 2:3-5)

February 6, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

 Then they came, bringing a paralytic to Him, who had been picked up and was being carried by four men.  And when they could not get him to a place in front of Jesus because of the throng, they dug through the roof above Him; and when they had scooped out an opening, they let down the [thickly padded] quilt or mat upon which the paralyzed man lay.  And when Jesus saw their faith [their confidence in God through Him], He said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven….”

Mark 2:3-5 AMP

This has been the final week of our current series—Jesus’ words on faith—here on the Seeking Him devotional blog.  Each week our devotional writers have shared and reminded us about what our Lord taught on this very important subject.  (If you haven’t had the opportunity to read through these wonderful devotionals, just click above on the Seeking Him button and scroll backwards.  The series began on January 11th.)  We have looked at these four particular records from the Gospels which are just a few examples where Jesus spoke to His disciples as He  taught them the value and importance of having faith.

Matthew 8:23-26

Mark 5:24-34

Matthew 6:33-34

Mark 2:3-5

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

In Extended Faith, Ahmee made such a great point about our faith and how it affects others.

“Not only can our faith be of use to the non-believer, but believers can help other believers, too.  Our faith is not just our faith. Our faith can extend to the lives around us.  And sometimes that’s what we need.  We need others to believe for us and with us.  This is why fellowship is important.

Faith—your faith—is for more than just you.
Share it. Use it. It has great power.“

❦

In From Paralyzed to Forgiven and Healed, Tina wrote about the value of godly, praying friends.

“Friends.  What would we do without our friends?  The man in our Scripture today would not have been able to receive his healing had his friends not put their faith into action…and been willing to get help for their friend.  We are not told whether the man had been paralyzed for a long or a short time; we just know that he was paralyzed.

Do you have such love for a friend—in which you would go to that much trouble for them?  If not, then we really need to look at our friend list and see who God would direct us to help.”

❦

In Level of Faith, Ann encouraged us to have a high level of faith.

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans 10:17 KJV

“If you don’t hear the Word of God you will not know what the Word has for you.  These people in Mark 2, had been hearing a lot of things that Jesus did, for Jesus went about doing good.  So, the news that Jesus healed people was all over their cities [Mark 1:29 – 34] and through many testimonies they had been hearing of Him healing many as well as His miraculous deeds.  Their level of faith grew each day by hearing these testimonies and probably many others, too, had followed Him to another place where the miracle took place in their presence.

When you have a high level of faith you can do the extraordinary—this is what we see in our Scripture this week.  Their level of faith did not allow stumblingblocks to the healing of their brother; hence, the opening on the roof.”

❦

In Faith and Forgiveness, Cynda focused on a fundamental truth—

“Faith is the key.

In this one verse (Mark 2:5), Jesus makes it abundantly clear what is most important.  It isn’t our physical well-being, our monetary wealth, or our social status.  It is the state of our soul, our spiritual well-being.  Our greatest need is for salvation.  One of the greatest miracles is God freeing us from the power of sin because of faith.  He is the only One who can truly set us free. Four simple words—”Your sins are forgiven.” No qualifiers.  Jesus doesn’t say because you are pretty you are forgiven.  He doesn’t say because you are smart you are forgiven.  No, all that is required is faith…faith in Jesus Christ.  Just like that our sins are forgiven.  Past, present, and future.  Permanently erased.  And sometimes, it is all because someone interceded in faith for us.”

❦

And in Strong Faith, Laura also wrote on the value of faith.

“Faith is one of the strongest weapons we have as humans when it comes to facing the different trials of the world.  It can carry us through the toughest times and can give us joy during the good times.  Faith is the best tool we have to face evil in a world that is changing before our eyes. Faith is what gives us the strength to keep on searching for answers. ”

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

As always, our heart and prayer to God is that these devotionals will encourage you to seek Him and that you will be drawn closer in relationship with Him.

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Doer Of Your Word

February 5, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

I looked in the mirror of Your Word knowing I’d see
A clear reflection of what You saw in me
You gently showed me the state my heart was in
And how the world had deceived me again

Went away determined to take the narrow path
But in a moment my foolish ways were back
It’s elementary there must be something wrong
And I’m starting to realize this can’t go on

(Wanna be a) doer of Your Word
Never, ever forget the truth that I have learned
(Be a) doer of Your Word
I wanna be a doer of Your Word
Keep on obeying everything I’ve heard
(Be a) doer of Your Word

It’s not the first time its happened won’t be the last
I think I’m finally mature but just a little too fast
I close my Bible convinced I’m really changed
But I’m not any different ’til I obey

What does it mean to call You Lord of my life
If I ignore the things You say
Help me remember that my greatest delight
Is following Your commands
And give me strength to stand and be a doer of Your Word

Songwriter: Bob Kauflin ~~ Performed by Glad

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

“If you know…you must do.  Because to NOT do,
when you KNOW, then there is a problem.”
– Mrs. Lisa Bevere

And here’s why she said that…

Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do
and does not do it, to him it is sin.
James 4:17

Ouch. So. True!   This struck my heart and caused me to remember the admonition and encouragement from the Book of James on this very topic.

But prove yourselves doers of the Word,
and not merely hearers who delude themselves.
For if anyone is a hearer of the Word and not a doer,
he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror;
for once he has looked at himself and gone away,
he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was.
But one who looks intently at the perfect law,
the Law of liberty, and abides by it,
not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer,
this man will be blessed in what he does.
James 1:22-25 NASB

I just ♥ the Book of James, don’t you?!?  Here in chapter one, we are being

  • built up to handle the temptations that invariably come our way (verses 2-4)
  • encouraged to ASK God for His wisdom knowing that He gives it generously (verse 5)
  • reminded that rewards await us eternally when we persevere in these trials (verse 12)
  • thankful because our Father only gives what is good and perfect to us (verse 17)
  • warned to be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger (verse 19)

And then James writes, “But prove yourselves doers of the word…” (verse 22).  Yes, oh, yes; yes, I will!  Does your heart respond like that? (I do think that it does!)  Throughout the Scriptures, ‘…men spoke from God as they were moved by the Holy Spirit’ (2 Peter 1:21), and that is how we received the Scriptures.   As we read and consider and contemplate the words in God’s Word we are moved and compelled and motivated and spurred on (and convicted and reproved also!).  They motivate us to be DO-ers and not hearers only.

But if we want to be DO-ers of the Word then we must be HEAR-ers also. Now I don’t think this simply and exclusively means that we are to ONLY be audibly listening to the Scriptures. I think that it means really hearing it…in your mind and in your heart! And trusting and having faith in what is ‘heard.’

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
Romans 10:17

A good friend once said, “Don’t just listen to it…don’t just study it; you have to DO what it says. Otherwise, you fool yourselves. It is wasted…and the Word will NOT be wasted!”  She went on to share a question that she regularly asks herself,

{ Am I doing the things that I am studying and learning and absorbing? }

(Wanna be a) doer of Your Word
Never, ever forget the truth that I have learned
(Be a) doer of Your Word
I wanna be a doer of Your Word
Keep on obeying everything I’ve heard
(Be a) doer of Your Word

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

You Are God Alone

February 4, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

You are not a god created by human hands
You are not a god dependent on immortal man
You are not a god in need of anything we can give
By Your plan, that’s just the way it is

You are God alone
From before time began
You were on Your throne
You are God alone
And right now in the good times and bad
You are on Your throne
You are God alone
You are God alone

You’re unchangable
You’re unshakeable
You’re unstoppable
That’s what You are

You’re the only God whose power none can contend
You’re the only God whose name and praise will never end
You’re the only God who is worthy of everything we can give
You are God and that’s just the way it is

Billy and Cindy Foote

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

I am reading along through a devotional study of the Book of Esther over at She Reads Truth.  (I know some of you are, too…it’s been great, yes?)  And I am reminded again…truly, I am humbled again…to recognize God’s providential hand of blessing that is so evident throughout the Book of Esther.  There is not even one single word throughout all ten chapters of the Book of Esther which is attributed to God, or His dealings with Esther, the King, or Uncle Mordecai.  No directive, no command, no blessing…no actual interaction with the Almighty God that is recorded.  However, we clearly can see His hand of blessing, His hand of direction, His guidance and His provision—His providence.

PROVIDENCE is defined by Webster’s Dictionary as “foresight; timely care; particularly, active foresight, or foresight accompanied with the procurement of what is necessary for future use, or with suitable preparation. In theology, the care and superintendence which God exercises over His creatures.”

The Bible Dictionary says this about providence,
“When applied to God the idea takes on a vastly larger dimension because God not only looks ahead and attempts to make provision for His goals, but infallibly accomplishes what He sets out to do.  And because it is God’s governance that is in view, it encompasses everything in the universe, from the creation of the world to its consummation, inclusive of every aspect of human existence and destiny.  This divine, sovereign, and benevolent control of all things by God is the underlying premise of everything that is taught in the Scriptures.”

And the Scriptures contain oh-so-very-many examples of His divine providence…here are a few.

  • Baby Moses, being hidden in a basket in the river; found by Pharoah’s daughter and adopted into Pharoah’s family.
  • Daniel a Jewish slave in Babylon becoming Nebuchadnezzar’s advisor.
  • Joseph, envied by his brothers, sold by them into slavery in Egypt and becoming second in power after Pharoah.
  • Jonah’s refusal to obey, his consequences and, through them, the Ninevites choosing to repent.

Throughout the Scriptures, we are reminded of God’s desire to have His people (us!) recognize His perfect care for and love for us as evidenced by His providence.

Earnestly remember the former things, which I did of old;
for I am God, and there is no one else;
I am God, and there is none like Me,
Declaring the end and the result from the beginning,
and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying,
My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure and purpose…
Isaiah 46:9 and 10

The world calls this coincidence…happenstance…serendipity…fate.  We call it the providence of God—His AWEsome watching over, His perfect care, His provision (both immediate and in the future).

When I applied my mind to know wisdom and to see the business activity and the painful effort that take place upon the earth—how neither day nor night some men’s eyes sleep—
Then I saw all the work of God, that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun—because however much a man may toil in seeking, yet he will not find it out; yes, more than that, though a wise man thinks and claims he knows, yet will he not be able to find it out.

Ecclesiastes 8:16 and 17

Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in Your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.
How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God!

Psalms 139:16 and 17

Ultimately, our great God has all of eternity in mind and planned for us.  His sovereign plan (which includes all the faithful who have come before us) will come to pass for one reason alone—He is God, and that’s just the way it is!

And all of these, though they won divine approval
by [means of] their faith,
did not receive the fulfillment of what was promised,
Because God had us in mind
and had something better and greater in view for us,
so that they [these heroes and heroines of faith]
should not come to perfection
apart from us [before we could join them].

Hebrews 11:39 and 40

…making known to us the mystery of His will, according to His purpose, which He set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Him, things in heaven and things on earth. In Him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of His glory. In Him you also, when you heard the Word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit….

Ephesians 1:9-13

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

What other examples of God’s providence do you remember from the Scriptures?
How about His providential hand of blessing in your own life?
(Perhaps you might share your answer in the comments below.)

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

Mexican Rice (with a secret ingredient)

February 3, 2015 by

Intrigued?  What is the ‘secret ingredient’, you ask?  Cauliflower.  Yup! Cauliflower makes a great stand-in for traditional rice.  Oh yes, you can google cauliflower rice…but you better be prepared for the many-many-many recipes, healthy-living blogposts and articles that you will find!

2015-02-02 20.41.17

Cauliflower ‘rice’ fits so perfectly into our healthy-but-oh-so-yummy POV.  (Click here  to check out some nutritional facts about cauliflower.)  And here are links to a couple of articles I found so interesting…they will surely expand your vision of some of the myriad ways that you can use cauliflower as a substitute in some very appealing recipes!  Check ’em out!

How-To Substitute Cauliflower Deliciously….

25 Of the Best Cauliflower Recipes on Pinterest

Here in our home we have enjoyed <really enjoyed!> ‘riced’ cauliflower as the pinch-hitter in fried rice, rice pudding, Cauliflower&Veggies and, most recently, in Mexican Rice.  This Mexican Rice would be a nice side dish to the recipe Dana shared with us last week… Veggie Burritos.  Season this ‘rice’ dish in the ways that your family would enjoy…toss in some finely diced jalapenos or add a can of chipotle in adobo or simply add a tiny bit of crushed red pepper for some spiciness!  Enjoy!

Mexican Cauliflower Rice

2015-02-02 20.47.44

ingredients:
1 medium-sized head of cauliflower, “riced” **
2 tablespoons olive oil (or fat of your choice)
1 cup bell peppers (red, yellow, or green), diced
1/2 onion, diced
2 tablespoons chopped garlic (I use jarred)
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon oregano
2 teaspoons chili powder (I used chipotle)
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 cup broth (chicken or vegetable)
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes (I used Rotel brand)
assorted toppings: diced avocado, sour cream, shredded cheese, guacamole

directions:

** to make “riced” cauliflower, break the head of cauliflower into florets cutting off large stems (save for soup!). place the florets in the bowl of your food processor and pulse until it breaks down and resembles pieces of rice (this only takes 10 or so ‘pulses’). or you can simply use a cheese (box) grater. always process the cauliflower for “rice” while it is still raw.

  • heat olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat
  • add onion and sauté for 5 minutes
  • add diced peppers and continue to saute for additional 5 minutes
  • lower heat and add chopped garlic and seasonings; stir constantly for 1-2 minutes
  • add in the “riced” cauliflower and stir to mix all veggies and seasonings together
  • stir in the tomato products and broth; raise heat to medium-high and bring to a boil
  • cover and lower heat to a simmer
  • cook ‘til liquids have been absorbed (20-25 minutes)
  • taste (carefully!) for additional seasoning

♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥

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

♥  coleen

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I Know Who Holds Tomorrow

January 31, 2015 by

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So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow,
for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own.
Sufficient for each day is its own trouble.
Matthew 6:34 AMP

I don’t know about tomorrow
I just live from day to day
I don’t borrow from the sunshine
For it’s skies may turn to gray
I don’t worry o’er the future
For I know what Jesus said
And today I’ll walk beside Him
For He knows what lies ahead

Many things about tomorrow
I don’t seem to understand
But I know Who holds tomorrow
And I know Who holds my hand

Ev’ry step is getting brighter
As the golden stairs I climb
Ev’ry burdens getting lighter
Ev’ry cloud is silver-lined
There the sun is always shining
There no tear will dim the eye
At the ending of the rainbow
Where the mountains touch the sky

Songwriter: Ira Stanphill ~~~ Singer: Alison Krauss

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

Week Three…Jesus’ Words on Faith (Matthew 6:33-34)

January 30, 2015 by

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Therefore do not worry about tomorrow
for tomorrow will worry about itself.
Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:34 NIV

Jesus’ words…such the good thing to remember!!!  He spoke these words along with other instructions as He taught His disciples to not be anxious or filled with worries and fears.  He directed them to seek God and that God would take good care of them.   He was teaching them about having faith.

This is our third week of looking at Jesus’ words on faith here on the Seeking Him devotional blog.  Our bloggers, Ahmee, Ann, Cynda, Laura, and Tina, have shared their hearts about concerns for tomorrow, worry,  and faith.  Please listen….

 

In One Day At a Time, Ann encouraged us with the lyrics to a great song!

“This Scripture reminded me about a song I know (and I know most of you know it)…

♫ ♪ ♫  One day at a time, sweet Jesus
That’s all I am asking from You
Help me today to do everything that I might do
Yesterday is gone, sweet Jesus; and tomorrow may never be mine
So, for my sake, teach me today, one day at a time   ♫ ♪ ♫

This is very encouraging.  As God knows everything we need and so we need to know that He won’t deprive us.  And the Word says “And who of you by worrying and being anxious can add one unit of measure (cubit) to his stature or to the span of his life?” (Matthew 6:27).”

❦

Ahmee made a great point about planning in Not Worrying Doesn’t Mean Don’t Plan:

“Worrying often comes from us depending on ourselves instead of the Lord. If we are depending on the Lord in every area of our life, then there is no need for us to worry!  Planning, on the other hand IS something we can do.  Here’s an example:  if you know that you make “X” amount of money each week and you have “X” amount of bills to pay each week, then making a budget for the upcoming weeks is not worrying; it’s called planning.

Planning is essential to our well-being.  God said in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you…”  God thought it was a good idea to have a plan for us; so we, too, should have plans in our lives.

Notice I didn’t say ‘plan our lives’…I said, ‘plans IN our lives.’

Only God can plan our lives.  The Bible says, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” (Proverbs 19:21).

❦

Cynda directed us to the importance of Staying In the Presence.  

“How many times have you heard the phrase ‘One day at a time…’? Hundreds, maybe even thousands?  It sounds trite but it is exactly what we need to do—take one day at a time.  But HOW do we do that?  By staying in His Presence. Philippians 4:6 gives us the best advice and provides step-by-step instructions for staying in His Presence.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.
Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.

As we begin to thank God for all He has done, it causes us to reflect back on our life.  Psalm 77:11 (NLT) encourages us to recall what He has done and remember the miracles He has performed in our lives.

But then I recall all You have done, O Lord;
I remember Your wonderful deeds of long ago.

When we remain in His Presence, we have no need to worry.  He knows the plans He has for us…plans that give us hope (Jeremiah 29:11).  So let’s stop the worry and enjoy this day in His Presence.

❦

Laura reminded us in Tomorrow Is Another Day of Scarlett O’Hara and her penchant to put things off ’til tomorrow.  Far more importantly Laura also reminded us of this Truth:

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1

“For those of us with strong faith in God, we do not have to worry about today or tomorrow.  God has everything in control.  We cannot see what tomorrow will bring.  We do know what will happen tomorrow if we have an appointment or something else scheduled.  However, we do not know what will happen around those planned parts of our day. We cannot control what will happen during the day.  Only God can.  Through faith we know that tomorrow will be there. Through faith, we hope and pray that we will see tomorrow.  Faith gives us the certainty that what we can’t see or touch really does exist.  Unlike Scarlett, we do have to live in the here and now.”

❦

And in Trust Do Not Worry, Tina gave us the example of her parents who were always able to provide for their family…just like our God does.

“Dad worked at a saw mill while Mom stayed home.  She worked part-time at a veterinarian clinic which she truly loved!  They were poor and worried how to make ends meet. Mom and Dad always were able to provide for us.

Likewise, God provides for us.  All we have to do is trust Him.  As our parents provided for us, and we provide for our families, God will provide.

All we have to do is ask and trust that God will be there.“

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

Psalm 100

January 29, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Enter in through the gates
Enter in here with praise
Come before Him, come bring your song
We are His people, He is our God

For the Lord is good, and His love endures
His love endures
For the Lord is good, and His love endures
His love endures
Forevermore His faithfulness, it has no end
For the Lord is good, and His love endures
His love endures

Enter in to His courts
Enter in with grateful hearts
Come before Him, come bring your song
We are His people, He is our God

Raise your voice, shout for joy all the earth
We sing a new song now
We sing a new song now

It’s your love
His love endures
His love endures

Forevermore His faithfulness, it has no end
For the Lord is good, and His love endures
His love endures

Singer / Songwriter: Chris Tomlin along with Jason Ingram

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

As the last notes of this anthem play, my heart resounds the joyous statement of this song: His love endures!  (How about you?)

Are we not so very thankful that His love endures?  Without the enduring, faithful, steadfast, unconditional love of our God…where would we be?

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

His love which endures forever has made a way for us to have ‘forever’—eternal life—with Him!

And y’know what?  It has absolutely nothing to do with anything we have done or ever could do!  We have trust and confidence in our God because He always brings His Word to pass!  He is the only One Who does not change.  And so, yes, His love endures forever!

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father of lights
with Whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
James 1:17

God is not man, that He should lie,
or a son of man, that He should change his mind.
Has he said, and will He not do it?
Or has He spoken, and will He not fulfill it?
Numbers 23:19

For I the Lord do not change….
Malachi 3:6

Whenever you might be tempted to despair, consider this thought:
His love endures forever.
When you want to give up, remind yourself:
His love endures forever.
When you think you have had all you can possibly take…
lift your head, and shout to the heavens:
His love endures forever!

Say it to yourself.  Repeat it.  Sing it.  Memorize it.  Write it down on a sticky note and place it where you—and your loved ones!—will see it (on the bathroom mirror, on the dashboard of your vehicle, on the refrigerator, in a lunchbox): His love endures forever. Encourage your husband: His loves endures forever.  Tell your children: His love endures forever.  Remind your sweet friends: His love endures forever.

No matter the troubles that come your way…His love endures forever.
No matter how you feel about those troubles…His love endures forever.
No matter what…His love endures forever.
Whether we choose to believe it (or not) nothing changes…His love endures forever.

And so, with believers throughout the centuries, may we echo their praises.

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever.

  • David, the Levites, and the Israelites
    1 Chronicles 16:34, 41
  • Solomon, the musicians, and the singers
    2 Chronicles 5:13; 7:3; 20:21
  • The Levites and the RE-builders of the Temple
    Ezra 3:11
  • David and the other psalmists
    Psalm 100:5
    Psalm 106:1
    Psalm 107:1
    Psalm 118:1, 6, 29
    Psalm 136 (twenty-six times!)
  • Jeremiah and the children of Israel
    Jeremiah 33:11

May I encourage you to think back on the many, many, many ways you have experienced God’s enduring love and ‘Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.”

And remember…no matter what:
He loves you today, tomorrow, and always.
His love endures forever!

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

SoupPalooza 2015 Ham {Not Split Pea} Soup

January 28, 2015 by

Final week of SoupPalooza 2015!  Oh…i really wanted to wow you with some extravagant, lucious, inspiring bowl of yumminess!  I thought of doing a Norwegian-style fruit soup…but couldn’t find just the perfect fruits at this time of year.  I thought of doing a gluten-free, grain-free paleo version of Chicken and Dumplings…but had to ‘dump’ the dumplings (still working on that!).  And then I ran across a great deal on a nice, big ham…and was going to make split pea à la Gramps (my dad)…but then when I made this oh-so-full-of-flavor ham stock (who knew?!?), I thought ‘Just keep it simple, coleen…’  This is a good soup to round out SoupPalooza 2015.  It is simple, hearty, flavorful, adaptable.  And I can tell you…the guy who has enjoyed soup every day this month was very thankful to come home to a steaming mug-full of this!  (He told me to tell you that he hopes you enjoy it just as much!)

This fits well into our healthy but oh-so-yummy point of view—full of veggies, full of flavor, low-fat.  I hope you follow Robert’s lead and enjoy some soup!

2015-01-25 18.51.38

 Ham {NOT Split Pea} Soup

ingredients:
1 leftover hambone (with a decent amount of meat attached)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, diced
6-8 ounces mushrooms (I used Baby Bellas), diced
2 carrots, peeled and diced
1/2# red or yellow potatoes, peeled and diced (I used baby Yukon gold)
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
2 tablespoons chopped garlic (I use jarred)
1 cup canned white kidney beans, drained and rinsed (optional)
1 cup frozen corn kernels
1 cup petite frozen peas
1 teaspoon each dried thyme and tarragon
2 bay leaves
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
meat from leftover hambone

directions

  • place hambone into your largest stockpot and add enough cool, filtered water to cover the bone halfway (for me this was about 8 cups)
  • cover and bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for an hour or so; remove hambone
  • allow to cool slightly and skim off any nasty business from the surface 😉
  • cut away and set aside all the meat from the bone; discard bone
  • heat olive oil in another stockpot over medium heat
  • add onions and mushrooms; saute just ‘til mushrooms are beginning to caramelize
  • add diced carrots and potatoes; saute for additional 5 minutes or so
  • add chopped garlic, stirring constantly for 1 minute
  • stir in ham stock, beans, corn, peas, and seasonings
  • bring back to a boil; cover and reduce heat; simmer until potatoes are tender, about 10-12 minutes; remove bay leaves (discard)
  • add ham pieces; mix in thoroughly and continue to simmer ‘til heated through, 2-3 minutes
  • serve hot and steamy

    ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥

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

    ♥  coleen

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

In The Stillness

January 28, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Here in the stillness my heart is at rest
Alone in the silence, that’s where I hear You best
In the rush of the river, like a song in the breeze
It’s here in the stillness You speak to me

When I’m lost in Your Presence the world disappears
Taking all of my troubles…my burdens, my fears
Oh how gently You hold me, You are all that I see
It’s here in the stillness You speak to me

I will be still, I will stand in awe
Oh, just to know You are my God
You are my God

Yes it’s here in the stillness You speak to me
You speak to me
Oh speak to me

Singer/Songwriter – Ali Matthews

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

One of the absolute joys of the privilege we have to be in a relationship with our heavenly Father is our ‘quiet time’ with Him.  Not only is it such a joy but it is necessary to dwell in His presence…to choose to have a dedicated, purposeful, intentional, devoted quiet time.  Of course there are many different components that make up this time with God, such as:

  • reading the Scriptures
  • meditating and considering those words
  • singing our praises
  • thankfulness
  • intercession
  • personal prayer

But I do believe that there is one essential aspect—stillness—which presents itself in two very needful ways:

actual physical-absence-of-distracting-noise quiet
(and, perhaps even more necessary,)
a quiet, still, peaceful heart

Our Lord recognized His need for quiet and time alone to pray to His Father.  If He, in His perfect sinless life, needed quiet time to be still and alone seeking the Father then we surely do also…and even more so! His example speaks clearly to us.

And in the morning, long before daylight,
He got up and went out to a deserted place,
and there He prayed.
Mark 1:35

…and great crowds gathered to hear Him and to be healed of their infirmities.
But He would withdraw to desolate places and pray.
Luke 5:15, 16

(Perhaps, when our Lord was alone, he sang words similar to those in that beautiful song we just listened to….)

There is also another type of stillness—a quiet, still, peaceful heart.  Isn’t this something that each of us yearns for?  Truly I believe it can only be found as we seek Him.  There is a incomparable quietness that we are promised as we trust in our Lord.

Be still and rest in the Lord;
wait for Him and patiently lean yourself upon Him;
fret not yourself because of him who prospers in his way,
because of the man who brings wicked devices to pass.
Cease from anger and forsake wrath;
fret not yourself—it tends only to evildoing.
For evildoers shall be cut off,
but those who wait and hope and look for the Lord
shall inherit the earth.
Psalms 37:7-9

Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah.
Psalms 46:10 and 11

And. as Jesus Himself said to us,

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden
and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest.
[I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]
Matthew 11:28

In closing, consider these verses in which the psalmist speaks about his quiet time with his God.  As we intentionally pursue having quiet time alone with our God may we ‘pour out our heart before Him; God is a Refuge for us!’

For God alone my soul waits in silence; from Him comes my salvation.
He alone is my Rock and my Salvation, my Fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.
For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from Him..
On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty Rock, my Refuge is God.
Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him;
God is a Refuge for us. Selah
excerpts from Psalm 62

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

May I suggest, before you run along and jump into your ‘to-do’ list, that we each stop for a few minutes and be still and quiet before the throne of God…worshipping and giving Him our praise for the joy and privilege of these times of stillness and quiet alone with Him!  Oh, how He loves us so!

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

Heal Me, O Lord

January 24, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

A woman who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years, and had endured much at the hands of many physicians, and had spent all that she had and was not helped at all, but rather had grown worse—after hearing about Jesus, she came up in the crowd behind Him and touched His cloak.  For she thought, “If I just touch His garments, I will get well.”  Immediately the flow of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.  Immediately Jesus, perceiving in Himself that the power proceeding from Him had gone forth, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My garments?”  And His disciples said to Him, “You see the crowd pressing in on You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’”  And He looked around to see the woman who had done this.  But the woman fearing and trembling, aware of what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth.  And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your affliction.

Heal me, O Lord
And I will be healed
Save me and I will be saved
Heal me, O Lord
And I will be healed
For You are the One I praise
You are the One I praise

Singer / Songwriter ~ Don Moen along with the Hosanna Music singers

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