November 14, 2024

Beautiful, Terrible Cross

April 13, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

There is a beautiful terrible Cross
Where though You committed no sin
Savior, You suffered the most wicked fate
On the cruelest creation of men

Yet on that beautiful terrible Cross
You did what only You could
Turning that dark-inspired evil of hell
Into our soul’s greatest good

We see the love that You showed us
We see the life that You lost
We bow in wonder and praise You
For the beautiful terrible Cross

There on that beautiful terrible Cross
Though darkness was strong on that hill
You remained sovereign, Lord, still in control
As Your perfect plan was fulfilled

We see the love that You showed us
We see the life that You lost
We bow in wonder and praise You
For the beautiful terrible Cross

Oh, we gained the riches of Heaven
Jesus, You paid the horrible cost
We stand forgiven and praise You
For the beautiful terrible Cross

        ♥  ~   ✞   ~  ♥

In the Cross, in the Cross
Be my glory ever
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river

 ~  Songwriters: Todd Smith, Chad Cates, Tony Wood  ~

Performed by Selah

Additional lyrics to ‘Near The Cross‘ by Fanny Crosby and William Doane

*  ~  ♥  ~   ✞   ~  ♥  ~  *

Despite the utter depravity, the evil, the darkness and destruction which was intended by the enemy of our soul’s on that dark, dark day…there truly never was nor ever will be any thing MORE perfectly and purely beautiful than the Cross on which the Christ accomplished God’s perfect plan. When the time came, Jesus willfully, intentionally, purposefully gave up His life. All because of love.

And Jesus cried again with a loud voice and gave up His spirit.
And at once the curtain of the sanctuary of the temple was torn
in two from top to bottom; the earth shook and the rocks were split.
The tombs were opened and many bodies of the saints
who had fallen asleep in death were raised [to life];
Matthew 26:50-52

It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three,
because the sun’s light failed. The curtain of the sanctuary was split down the middle.
And Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I entrust My spirit.”
Luke 23:44-46

When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon.
And at three Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lemá sabachtháni?”
which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “Look, He’s calling for Elijah!”
Someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, fixed it on a reed, offered Him a drink,
and said, “Let’s see if Elijah comes to take Him down!”
But Jesus let out a loud cry and breathed His last.
Then the curtain of the sanctuary was split in two from top to bottom.
Mark 15:33-38

Magnificent, incredible, beautiful acts of nature happened at the very moment of Jesus’ laying down His life and offering Himself as the perfect, spotless Lamb—

  • the sky became as dark as night for three hours
  • the massive (60 foot high and four inches thick) curtain in front of the Holy of Holies in the temple at Jerusalem tore in half from TOP to bottom
  • the tombs opened and many of the believers were raised to life
  • there was an earthquake

There was nothing…at all…beautiful about the Cross itself.  But there is no denying the beautiful awesomeness, the absolute perfection in the events surrounding Jesus’ death on the Cross.

To me, the love that Jesus proved by His sacrifice of Himself…is beautiful.  The redemption of all mankind and Jesus’ presenting us all back to God the Father…is beautiful.  And the mercy and grace that was poured out on each of us…is beautiful.  What can be more beautiful than having the Hope of spending eternity in the Presence of Almighty God and our Lord, Jesus the Christ?

In the words of another songwriter, I sing,

“Oh Lord You’re beautiful…
Your face is all I seek
For when Your eyes are on this child
Your grace abounds to me!

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

Showing Mercy

April 12, 2014 by


SeekingHimLogo

We have now entered the season of Lent.  For many Christians, Lent is taken as a time of preparation for the celebration of Easter where God miraculously redeemed mankind by resurrecting His Son from the dead. It is also a time to consider what Jesus said and did; and how we should be living in light of His Words.  ✞ ♥

During this season, here on the Seeking Him devotional blog, we have chosen to focus our devotionals on Jesus’ instructions and admonition communicated in Matthew chapter 5—the Beatitudes.  Jesus said, “Blessed are…” and He went on to give instruction as to how to be “blessed.”  To be ‘blessed’ is to ‘be happy, or to be envied.’   Truly for the Christian, we ARE blessed—oh, how very blessed we are!  Those who observe our lives should clearly be able to tell that we ARE blessed—and that we KNOW it! ✞ ♥

Please consider Jesus’ instructions along with us.  We pray that our words will encourage you and spur you on to be prepare your hearts for the joyous celebration of His Resurrection!  ✞ ♥

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 
Matthew 5:7 NIV

Two examples of showing mercy.  May they each encourage you greatly!  ♥

Our Merciful Lord

Blessed are the Merciful

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Strawberry Muffins (GF)

April 7, 2014 by

2014-04-03 11.47.32

So, I don’t know about your area, but we have had strawberries in abundance here in upstate NY…and they have been beautiful and fragrant and delicious!  My granddaughter, Kaylie Joy, just LOVES strawberries!  I had made a batch of these muffins and when she tasted one, she asked if we could bake some together…how could i say ‘no’?!  We actually doubled the ingredients and it worked very well. And we baked them up as a dozen standard size muffins and 3 dozen mini-muffins.  In either size, they baked beautifully!

kayliemuffins
This recipe (adapted from a similar one over at the Spunky Coconut – one of my very favorite gluten free, refined sugar free blogger/bakers) fits well into our healthy but-oh-so-yummy point of view:

  • uses honey or agave nectar and liquid stevia rather than refined white sugar
  • are gluten free with protein-rich almond flour and a bit of brown rice flour replacing wheat flour

Strawberry Muffins (make approximately 14)

2014-04-04 14.56.51

Ingredients:
2 cups almond flour
1/2 cup brown rice flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon finely ground sea salt
1 cup fresh strawberries
1/2 cup coconut oil, liquified
1/3 cup honey or agave nectar
6-8 drops vanilla liquid stevia
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 large eggs, at room temperature

Directions:

  • preheat oven to 350
  • line muffin cups with paper liners
  • wash and dry strawberries; chop finely (not mushed, but small)
  • sift together the dry ingredients; set aside
  • pour liquified coconut oil, sweeteners, and extract into bowl
  • using electric mixer, beat for one minute, then add eggs one at a time
  • slowly add dry ingredients, beating just ’til thoroughly combined
  • by hand, gently fold in strawberries
  • scoop into muffin cups, filling almost to brim
  • bake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes
  • remove from muffin pan onto cooling rack; allow to completely cool

 

Tip: Coconut oil needs to liquify in order to be blended into a batter. Depending on the time of year (summer..no problem; winter…a problem) you might need to warm it up. You could either scoop out the required amount of coconut oil and place it in a glass measuring cup on your stovetop as the oven preheats. Or it can be microwaved for approximately 30+ seconds (depending on the quantity you need) and then stirred. Either way add it into your mixing bowl and combine with other liquid ingredients prior to adding room temperature eggs.

♥   ♥   ♥   ♥   ♥

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

♥  coleen

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

Remember

April 6, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

This is the Body that was torn for us
This is the Blood that was spilt
Points to the pain You endured for us
Points to the shame, the blame, the guilt

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, come…move our hearts to remember

This is the Lamb who was slain for us
So we, the Church, may enter in
So bittersweet when we think of You
The One who bore our curse, our sin

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, come…move our hearts to remember

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

Singer / Songwriter: Laura Story

 *  ~  *  ~   ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥    ~  *  ~  * 

Sometimes, we forget.  (And how could we forget?)  But we do.  (I don’t know how…but we do.)  We forget our Suffering Savior.  We forget His hurt and tortured and bruised Body.  We forget His spilled Blood.  And I think that our Lord knew we would forget; remember what He said to His beloved apostles as He shared His final meal with them?

Then He took a loaf [of bread], and when He had given thanks,
He broke [it] and gave it to them saying,
This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.
Luke 22:19

Undoubtedly, those twelve men had no idea what Jesus was communicating to them. But within a few days, they knew.  Perhaps, they then were asking God to move their hearts to remember also.

Paul also caused the believers in Corinth to remember:

For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
1 Corinthians 11:24-26

There are many, oh-so-many, reasons for us to remember what Jesus accomplished through His death and sacrifice on the Cross. Here are just a few. “Lord,…move our hearts to remember!”

He himself bore our sins in His body on the Cross,
that we might die to sin and live to righteousness
1 Peter 2:24

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh,
God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,
having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness,
which stood against us and condemned us;
He has taken it away, nailing it to the Cross.
And having disarmed the powers and authorities,
He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the Cross.
Colossians 2:13-15

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law by becoming a curse for us— for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”
Galatians 3:13

For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God
through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled,
shall we be saved by His life.
Romans 5:10-11

…Knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold
from your futile way of life inherited from your fathers,
but with precious Blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the Blood of Christ.
1 Peter 1:18-19

…Having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt
that stood against us with its legal demands. This He set aside, nailing it to the Cross.
Colossians 2:13-14

God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us,
so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.
2 Corinthians 5:21

And we must intentionally remember because

“…the message of the cross is sheer absurdity and folly
to those who are perishing and on their way to perdition,
but to us who are being saved it is the manifestation of the power of God.”
1 Corinthians 1:18 AMP

These next couple of weeks are an excellent time to determine to focus on Jesus’ sacrifice, and all that He went through (His betrayal, His trial, His torture, His crucifixion) leading up to His death and (oh! joy!) His Resurrection!  There are many things one can do to purposefully ‘remember’ Jesus’ accomplishments, such as…

  • Read through Matthew chapters 26 and 27; Mark chapters 14 and 15; Luke chapters 22 and 23; John chapters 17 through 19
  • Download an app (on your tablet or smartphone) of a daily devotional focusing on Jesus’ last days. One suggestion would be the YouVersion of the Bible.
  • Listen to hymns and other Christian songs which help you to recognize and remember what Jesus went through. And sing your praise! (Perhaps make a playlist.)
  • Ask a loved one (a family member or a friend) to be your accountability partner during this time.
  • Watch a movie depicting this time period of our Lord’s final days.
  • And finally, but most importantly, pray…asking God through the Holy Spirit to help you to remember.  It is a prayer I know He will answer.
Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

As The Deer – Matthew 5:6

April 5, 2014 by

We have now entered the season of Lent.  For many Christians, Lent is taken as a time of preparation for the celebration of Easter where God miraculously redeemed mankind by resurrecting His Son from the dead. It is also a time to consider what Jesus said and did; and how we should be living in light of His Words.  ✞ ♥

During this season, here on the Seeking Him devotional blog, we have chosen to focus our devotionals on Jesus’ instructions and admonition communicated in Matthew chapter 5—the Beatitudes.  Jesus said, “Blessed are…” and He went on to give instruction as to how to be “blessed.”  To be ‘blessed’ is to ‘be happy, or to be envied.’   Truly for the Christian, we ARE blessed—oh, how very blessed we are!  Those who observe our lives should clearly be able to tell that we ARE blessed—and that we KNOW it! ✞ ♥

Please consider Jesus’ instructions along with us.  We pray that our words will encourage you and spur you on to be prepare your hearts for the joyous celebration of His Resurrection!  ✞ ♥

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled. 
Matthew 5:6

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

Lemon – Mustard Roasted Baby Potatoes

March 31, 2014 by

2014-03-29 20.57.45Sometimes I find that I am preparing the same boring side dishes to serve with our meals.  How about you?  So I always have my eye open for little tweaks or twists on the ‘same old, same old’ standards…like roasted potatoes.  These were on my menu this week. So I planned on buying some red potatoes.  And then, when I was at the grocery store, I found some lovely baby red potatoes.  Oh, happy me!

2014-03-29 20.08.29

Take a look around in the produce aisle at the grocery store or at the Farmer’s market.  They come in either red or yellow (Yukon Gold) or (my favorites!) even purple varieties.  When you find them, buy ‘em!  You will not regret it!  They can be boiled, steamed, roasted, baked, grilled…I suppose you could even microwave them.

These Lemon-Mustard Potatoes will get some crispy edges and have a yummy coating baked right on!  We enjoyed them with baked tilapia filets and steamed fresh green beans.  This recipe makes approximately 4 servings…easily doubled!

2014-03-29 21.05.09

Lemon – Mustard Roasted Baby Potatoes

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Zest of 1 large lemon
Juice of that lemon (approximately 3 tablespoons)
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon fresh thyme (or dried, if that is all you have)
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (I used lemon pepper)

1 1/2 pounds baby red potatoes
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 375. Line a heavy baking sheet with foil. Set aside.

For the vinaigrette:

  • Zest and juice the lemon.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, mustard, thyme, salt, and pepper until smooth. Remove 2 tablespoons of the vinaigrette and set aside. (I used this extra bit to coat the fish filets.)

Prepare the potatoes:

  • Scrub the potatoes.
  • Cut in half any that are larger so that all of the potatoes are approximately the same size.
  • Place the prepared potatoes into the bowl along with the vinaigrette.
  • Stir to thoroughly coat them.
  • Pour out onto the lined baking sheet.
  • Bake for 15 minutes, then turn over.
  • Check the potatoes with a thin-bladed knife after 25 minutes. They are done when the knife easily slides right through the potato. They might take up to 45 minutes depending on their size. (If not quite done, continue roasting.)
  • When done, scoop into a serving bowl and sprinkle with a bit more salt and pepper. Enjoy!

♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥

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

♥  coleen

 

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

Oh, The Deep, Deep Love of Jesus

March 30, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus, vast unmeasured, boundless, free
Rolling as a mighty ocean, in its fullness over me
Underneath me, all around me, is the current of Thy love
Leading onward, leading homeward to Thy glorious rest above

O the deep, deep love of Jesus, spread His praise from shore to shore
How He loveth, ever loveth, changeth never, evermore
How He watches o’er His loved ones, died to call them all His own
How for them He intercedeth, watcheth o’er them from the throne

O the deep, deep love of Jesus, ’tis a heav’n of heav’ns to me
And it lifts me up to glory, for it lifts me up to Thee, yeah
And it lifts me up to glory

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

Lyrics: Samuel Francis / Music: Thomas Williams /
Performed and sung by Selah / and danced by Praise in Motion

*  ~  *  ~    ♥ ~ ✞ ~ ♥    ~  *  ~  * 

Such a stirring, convicting song!  These lyrics remind us of the the immensity and the magnitude of Jesus’ love.  As the song goes, “…vast, unmeasured, boundless….”  No love on this earth ever was, nor ever will be, greater!  His is a deep, deep love!

Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down His life for His friends.
John 15:13

Truly, it could only have been His pure love that compelled Him to die for us. Jesus was fully aware of the kind of sacrifice that was required to redeem mankind.  In His last moments of freedom, while praying in the Garden at Gethsemene, He agonized over what He knew was to come.  And yet, He did it. For us…with deep, deep love!

For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps
for a good man someone would dare even to die.
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that
while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Much more then, having now been justified by His blood,
we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.
For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son,
much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
Romans 5:6-10

And so deep is this love of Jesus for us that it requires being born-again…to have Christ living in us…to even comprehend this deep, deep love!

But, by God’s grace and through the indwelling of His Holy Spirit, we are given some insight into this love.  And to begin to know this love.  Truly, I believe, it will take us having the new minds and new bodies which are promised to those that are His when He returns to fully comprehend.  Perhaps it is just too much for us to completely understand His deep, deep love at this point.

…that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend
with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
and to know the love of Christ…
Ephesians 3:17-19

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers,
nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature,
shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38 and 39

“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you…” (John 15:12).  These were Jesus’ words to His closest friends during the last meal He would share with them.  He knew the time was imminent and that the time was at hand when He would show His deep, deep love.  He gave clear command to them…and to us—we are to do the same.

And so, what does that mean to you (me, too) today?  How will we show this deep, deep love of Jesus to others today?  This wasn’t Jesus’ suggestion or even His plea…it was His command.  And it is how the world will know that we ARE His!

By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.
John 13:35

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

Humble, Humble Jesus

March 29, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

We have now entered the season of Lent.  For many Christians, Lent is taken as a time of preparation for the celebration of Easter where God miraculously redeemed mankind by resurrecting His Son from the dead. It is also a time to consider what Jesus said and did; and how we should be living in light of His Words.  ✞ ♥

During this season, here on the Seeking Him devotional blog, we have chosen to focus our devotionals on Jesus’ instructions and admonition communicated in Matthew chapter 5—the Beatitudes.  Jesus said, “Blessed are…” and He went on to give instruction as to how to be “blessed.”  To be ‘blessed’ is to ‘be happy, or to be envied.’   Truly for the Christian, we ARE blessed—oh, how very blessed we are!  Those who observe our lives should clearly be able to tell that we ARE blessed—and that we KNOW it! ✞ ♥

Please consider Jesus’ instructions along with us.  We pray that our words will encourage you and spur you on to be prepare your hearts for the joyous celebration of His Resurrection!  ✞ ♥

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 
Matthew 5:5

Humble and human, willing to bend You are
Fashioned of flesh and the fire of life, You are
Not too proud to wear our skin
To know this weary world we’re in
Humble, humble Jesus

Humble in sorrow, You gladly carried Your cross
Never refusing Your life to the weakest of us
Not too proud to bear our sin
To feel this brokenness we’re in
Humble, humble Jesus

We bow our knees
We must decrease
You must increase
We lift You high

Humble in greatness, born in the likeness of man
Name above all names, holding our world in Your hands
Not too proud to dwell with us, to live in us, to die for us
Humble, humble Jesus

We lift You high
We lift You high

 * ~ ♥ ~ ✞ ~ ♥~ *

Singer/Songwriter – Audrey Assad

 

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

(It Will Not Be) Unredeemed

March 26, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

The cruelest word, the coldest heart
The deepest wound, the endless dark
The lonely ache, the burning tears
The bitter nights, the wasted years

Life breaks and falls apart but we know these are

Places where grace is soon to be so amazing
They may be unfulfilled, they may be unrestored
But when anything that’s shattered is laid before the Lord
Just watch and see, it will not be unredeemed

For every choice that led to shame
And all the love that never came
For every vow that someone broke
And every life that gave up hope

We live in the shadow of the fall but the Cross says these are all

Places where grace is soon to be so amazing
It may be unfulfilled, it may be unrestored
But when anything that’s shattered is laid before the Lord
Just watch and see, it will not be unredeemed
Oh, He will wipe every tear…will not be, be unredeemed

Places where grace is soon to be so amazing
It may be unfulfilled, it may be unrestored
But you never know the miracle the Father has in store
Just watch and see, it will not be
Just watch and see, it will not be unredeemed

Performed by Selah
Written by Chad Robert Cates / Tony W. Wood/ Brian David Petak

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * 

“We live in the shadow of the fall BUT the Cross says these are all places where grace is soon to be so amazing!” This “where grace is soon to be” is where I want to live…to stay…to abide.  You, too?

At the Cross, mankind was clearly shown the depth of God’s heart…His love for us. Almighty God has purposed from the beginning of time to bring mankind back into the relationship He designed and wanted.  It is in and through Christ’s accomplishments on the Cross that we have received much grace!

But God demonstrates His own love toward us,
in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8

…Knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold
from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers,
but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.
1 Peter 1:18-19

That’s us (you and me)—not redeemed with perishable things but with Jesus’ blood as He gave His life on the Cross!  Jesus’ death on the Cross and all that God planned to bring to pass at the Cross is all about His grace and love! Through His broken body and His shed blood, He redeemed us unto Himself – making us forever free, justified, forgiven, alive, purchased, and redeemed!

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us—
for it is written,“Cursed be every one who hangs on a tree”—
that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles,
that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Galatians 3:13 and 14

He destined us in love to be His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will,
to the praise of His glorious grace which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses,
according to the riches of His grace.
Ephesians 1:5-7

We are now, and will be for all eternity, God’s children—all to His praise and glory! And we have a glorious life to live now…in spite of every situation and circumstance that tries to break us and cause us to focus on the hard, sad, evil things that do occur at times. But God—we have His promises to cling to!

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,
for those who are called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28

…Fear not, for I have redeemed you…I have called you by your name; you are Mine.
Even everyone who is called by My name, whom I have created for My glory, whom I have formed, whom I have made.
Isaiah 43:1, 7

The love of God—shown to us through the sacrifice of Jesus our Lord—is all we need to help us to focus on the Truth and set our minds to believe all that God has promised. In doing so, we can remain faith-filled knowing He is faithful!

[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.
Psalms 27:13-14

And so, in spite of cruel words, cold hearts, deep wounds, endless dark, lonely aches, burning tears, bitter nights, and wasted years, we press on…we seek God…we choose to remain faithful to Him because “it may be unfulfilled, it may be unrestored but you never know the miracle the Father has in store; just watch and see, it will not be unredeemed!”

God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more,
neither shall there be anguish nor grief nor pain any more,
for the old conditions and the former order of things have passed away.
And He Who is seated on the throne said, See! I make all things new.
Revelations 21:4

Let’s pray:  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory (Ephesians 1:3-12).   Amen and Amen!

may I encourage each of you to sing as the Psalmist did,

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the adversary
Psalm 107:2

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

Baby Greens with Roasted Sweets and Candied Nuts

March 24, 2014 by

2014-03-23 20.32.38

Baby Greens with Roasted Sweets and Candied Nuts

Ingredients:
1 really big sweet potato, peeled and cubed
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons water
1/4 cup sugar (brown or coconut)
1 cup nuts (walnuts, pecans, almonds)

4-6 cups (or more) baby greens
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1 cup cubed English (seedless) cucumber
1 cup small tomatoes (grape or cherry)
1/2 cup shredded carrots

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 425. In a bowl, combine cubed sweets and EVOO. Season well with sea salt and freshly ground pepper. Pour onto a large baking sheet. Place in oven for 20-30 minutes (depending on the size of your cubes) ‘til beginning to caramelize; don’t allow to over-brown. They should be just starting to soften but not mushy.
  • While sweets are roasting, combine water and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir frequently. When the mixture just comes to a boil, add in the nuts. Stir well to thoroughly coat each nut. Continue to stir and simmer for 1 more minute. Remove from heat and immediately pour onto a piece of parchment paper. Make sure that the nuts are separated and not clumped together. Set aside to cool completely.
  • Prepare the salad components and layer into a salad bowl.
  • Remove the sweets from the oven when they are done and allow to cool just a bit.
  • Top the prepped salad with the sweets and the candied nuts.
  • Serve with your favorite vinaigrette. Enjoy!

♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥

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

♥  coleen

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