November 22, 2024

My Heart Is Filled With Thankfulness

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 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts.
For as members of one body you are called to live in peace.
And always be thankful.
Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives.
Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom He gives.
Sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.
And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
Colossians 3:15-17

*   ~   ♥   ~    ✞    ~   ♥   ~   *

My heart is filled with thankfulness
To Him who bore my pain
Who plumbed the depths of my disgrace
And gave me life again
Who crushed my curse of sinfulness
And clothed me with His light
And wrote His law of righteousness
With pow’r upon my heart
My heart is filled with thankfulness
To Him who walks beside
Who floods my weaknesses with strength
And causes fears to fly
Whose every promise is enough
For every step I take
Sustaining me with arms of love
And crowning me with grace
My heart is filled with thankfulness
To Him who reigns above
Whose wisdom is my perfect peace
Whose every thought is love
For every day I have on earth
Is given by the King
So I will give my life my all
Stuart Townend
written along with Keith & Kristyn Getty

This Week…Psalms 118:1 and 2

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Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
His faithful love endures forever
Psalm 118:1

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Here on the Seeking Him devotional blog, we are focusing our thoughts for the next few weeks on giving thanks, gratitude, and being thankful.  This week our devotional writers have greatly encouraged us as they pointed us to our good God to Whom much thanks is due.  Please click on each link to read each complete devotional; here are a few excerpts from their thoughts….

In Reasons to Give Thanks, Cynda …. goodness is Who He is.

“What I need to remember is that circumstances do not determine my reasons for giving thanks.  My reasons for giving thanks are summed up in John 3:16 (God so loved that He gave) and Psalm 118:1 (He is good).  Goodness is part of God’s character, it is what He is.  His love is faithful, enduring, and eternal. And those are the only reasons I need.”

In Without God’s Love, Ahmee brought our attention to what it would be like if we didn’t have God’s love…

“Without God’s love we would be some very sad people.  Without the love of God, Jesus would not have been sent for us.  Without Jesus we would all be bound by the law.  Bound by the law we’d be doomed to live far more strict lives or suffer the consequences.  Without Jesus we would be stuck trying to be”good enough.” Thank God that is not the case!…”

In God’s Goodness, Ann shared a number of Scriptures that speak of how good our God is…

“The whole of Psalm 118 praises the Lord for His everlasting love for His people…how good He is from the start to the end.  The Bible gives us Scriptures that show God’s goodness in many ways…we see the goodness of the Lord being shown in different ways.  Brethren, let us trust in the Lord always for, indeed, His love endures forever….

In Thanks and Praise, Tina reminded us to bring attention to our great God and His love—and why…

“During this holiday season, we tend to think of things we are thankful for, such as our homes, jobs, and children.  We should, but we should also pause and meditate on how God has watched His creation grow and evolve over the centuries.  We are created to tell others about His great love for you and me…”.

The Love Of God

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The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell
It goes beyond the highest star
And reaches to the lowest hell
The guilty pair, bowed down with care
God gave His Son to win
His erring child He reconciled
And pardoned from his sin

Could we with ink the ocean fill
And were the skies of parchment made
Were every stalk on earth a quill
And every man a scribe by trade
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry
Nor could the scroll contain the whole
Though stretched from sky to sky

O love of God, how rich and pure
How measureless and strong
It shall forevermore endure
The saints’ and angels’ song

The Gaither Family
composed by Frederick Lehman

 *  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

We have been called and chosen.  Why?  Just one reason—Almighty God loves us.  Paul says that God has set His love on those whom He loves from all eternity (Ephesians 1:4).  If you are a child of God, there has never been a time when God did not know you and did not love you.  Before you were even born He had determined to set His love on you.  He chose us not because we were love-able; but we became love-able because He chose us and desired us.

In this is love: not that we loved God,
but that He loved us
and sent His Son to be the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice) for our sins.
1 John 4:10

You see, at just the right time when we were still powerless,
Christ died for the ungodly.
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person,
though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die.
But God demonstrates His own love for us in this:
While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:6-8

From the foundations of time, Sovereign Almighty God has desired His children. And He made a way—a very, very hard way—for sinful, not love-able people to be brought to His Holy Self.  And that was through the sacrifice and death of His Son, Jesus Christ.  And then through the centuries leading up to the perfect time when Jesus would come to the earth to show this incredible love, at sporadic times there were a few people who recognized this love that God had for mankind. David the psalmist was one.  He wrote many, many times about the reality of God’s love for himself.

And even Job, through all his worrying and complaining and the very difficult times he had, knew and was convinced of God’s love for man. Listen…

What is man that you make so much of him
and that You set Your heart on him,
and visit him every morning…?
Job 7:17 and 18

God spoke through any number of the writers of the Scriptures of His love, grace, and mercy.

Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works,
but according to His own purpose and grace
which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity,
2 Timothy 1:9

I have loved you with an everlasting love;
I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.
Jeremiah 31:3

Particularly through the life of one prophet, Hosea, God showed what the depth of His love looked like…right alongside the depravity of the idolatry of His people.  The whole book of Hosea illuminates this truth but in particular I love one verse:

I led them with cords of kindness, with the bands of love,
and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws,
and I bent down to them and fed them.
Hosea 11:4

And then Jesus came! And showed clearly the depth of God’s love for mankind. He lived love to the nth degree always being the epitome of God’s love.  Listen to this Truth (I know it is so because it is in God’s Word)…truth hard to comprehend but true nonetheless!

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels,
nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come,
nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing,
will be able to separate us from the love of God,

which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38 and 39

Such love is so very difficult to grasp with our minds, BUT, because God tells us so through Paul’s words, we KNOW it to be true!  And through the power and influence of the Holy Spirit we are able to experience it with our hearts.

…And 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 which surpasses knowledge,
that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:17-19

Truly not feasible by our own doing, our own efforts, our own works. And this is the awesome Truth of God’s desiring us—it is not based on you or me but completely on Him!

 *  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

Lord, I ask that You help each of us to hold these Truths in our minds and our hearts.  There is nothing greater than Your love!  There is no more sure thing than Your love!  Please help us to live every day confessing and believing that,

“…neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate <me> from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus <my> Lord.”

We stand in awe of You and this awesome love of Yours!  We love You and adore You; praying in Jesus’ precious name.  Amen.

You Are My Hiding Place

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You are my hiding place
You always fill my heart
With songs of deliverance
Whenever I am afraid
I will trust in You

I will trust in You
Let the weak say
I am strong
In the strength of the Lord

Selah
written by Michael Ledner

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble;
You surround me with songs of deliverance.  Selah.
Psalm 32:7

Sometimes we find ourselves in the place where we want to hide…to be in a secret spot…away from trouble and strife. At those times, it is best not to run and isolate; and try to be alone. It is best to seek our God.

Then you will call upon Me, and you will come and pray to Me,
and I will hear and heed you.
Then you will seek Me, inquire for, and require Me [as a vital necessity]
and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:12 and 13

To know God’s promises brings such peace and comfort to our minds, does it not?  Here we read of His particular promise to hear when we call and His promise to be found when we seek Him.  His promise to us (to me and you!) is so simple! Listen…

my part: call upon Him…seek Him with my whole heart
His part: He will hear and heed…He will be found

The psalmist surely understood these promises!  David was chased, hunted down by Saul and his army.  He had to hide in caves and amongst the rocks on the cliffs.  He was all alone during most of this time…alone—except for the abiding Presence of his God!  David knew that his God would hide him.

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.
Psalm 27:5

For David this was literally true.  For us, however, most of our ‘hiding’ is not out in the wilderness.  Our hiding is in plain sight—we hide our hearts, our feelings, our thoughts.  But we can turn to the One Who loves us so and seek Him.  And when we do, He will be found.  And He will hide us in His shelter.

Think back…maybe you don’t need to go too far into your memories…to a time when you called out to your heavenly Father and sought Him with all your heart.  When, perhaps, you were going through a situation and you needed His protection over your heart. When He heard you…and was found by you…and He hid you (your feelings, your thoughts, your heart).  How did you feel then? Did you have that “…peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, <which> will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus?” (Philippians 4:7) I trust you did!

And so I encourage you, my friends, cling to His promises and purposefully take a stand on them!  He will hide you!  Trust Him knowing that,

I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!
Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord!
Psalms 27:13 and 14

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Lord, thank You for Your promises!  Thank You for Your love!  Thank You for the joy of knowing You will hide us!  Thank You for the peace we have that is beyond our ablity to understand…but we do trust You and we do believe!!!  Thank You in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Twice-Baked Sweets

Oh, now this was comfort food!  I guess I was just ‘in a mood’ for something like this—filling, creamy, sweet yet tangy—and it smelled so good!  AND still stayed within the healthy but oh-so-yummy parameters.  This is an easy, quick (minus the baking time for the potatoes) meal to prepare…and could be a simple meatless meal, too.

The “twice-baked” potatoes of my past have been big ol’ russets…with butter a-n-d sour cream.  (how about you?)  The sweet potatoes, while yes, still containing lots of carbs also are high in fiber and lots of good vitamins and minerals i.e., beta-carotene and anti-oxidants.  Enjoy!

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Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes

ingredients:

2 large – extra large sweet potatoes
1/2 small red onion, diced small
1/2 red or yellow bell pepper, diced small
1/4 – 1/3#  asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
6 ounces ham, diced (I used a ham steak)
1/2 cup Greek yogurt (or sour cream)
4 ounces gorgonzola cheese, crumbled, divided
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon white or black pepper

directions:

  • bake sweet potatoes at 400 for 35-45 minutes, depending on size ’til soft.  when done, set out to cool for 3 or 4 minutes.  slice off the very tops and, carefully, scoop out the majority of the baked potato. leave the shells to one side and place the filling into a large bowl and mash up.
  • meanwhile, in a large saute pan over medium high heat, heat oil and add the cutup veggies.  cook, stirring occasionally, for 6-8 minutes ’til asparagus pieces are just tender when poked with a sharp knife tip. remove from pan and add to bowl with mashed sweets
  • add the ham chunks to the pan and cook 5 minutes or so, allowing to brown up just a bit
  • add to the bowl with the  veggies
  • add the Greek yogurt along with most of the gorgonzola (save a bit out for topping); mix together completely. season to taste with s&p.
  • place the potato shells into a baking dish and add back the potato mash with veggies and ham (they will be very well-stuffed.)
  • top each stuffed potato with a bit of the remaining cheese
  • place in oven for 10 minutes or so ’til cheese is melting and filling heated piping hot

♥   ♥   ♥   ♥   ♥

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

♥  coleen

His Love Endures Forever

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Every day throughout November, we’ll bring you a  devotional focused on giving thanks, gratitude, or giving of ourselves. We welcome you to check in each day and give thanks along with us !

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
His faithful love endures forever
Psalm 118:1

Give thanks to the Lord
Our God and King
His love endures forever
For He is good, He is above all things
His love endures forever
Sing praise, sing praise

With a mighty hand
and outstretched arm
His love endures forever
For the life that’s been reborn
His love endures forever
Sing praise, sing praise
Sing praise, sing praise

Forever God is faithful
Forever God is strong
Forever God is with us
Forever, forever

From the rising to the setting sun
His love endures forever
By the grace of God
We will carry on
His love endures forever
Sing praise, sing praise
Sing praise, sing praise

His love endures forever
His love endures forever
His love endures forever
Forever
Sing praise, sing praise
Sing praise, sing praise

Forever You are faithful
Forever You are strong
Forever You are with us
Forever and ever, and ever

 

Weekly Recap…Psalm 18:30

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As for God, His way is blameless.
The Word of the Lord is tested [it is perfect, it is faultless];
He is a Shield to all who take refuge in Him.
Psalm 18:30

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Here on the Seeking Him devotional blog, we have completed a short series looking at the importance and magnitude of God’s Holy Word.  This week our devotional writers have greatly encouraged us as they shared their belief and trust that God is our Shield, protecting us and providing refuge for us in these devotions.  Please click on each link to read each complete devotional; here are a few excerpts from their thoughts….

In Take Heed, Clella reminded us that we need to know and heed to God and His promises…

“…Because God’s way is perfect, and His word is flawless, and He has promised to protect His children, we need to take heed.  Yes, like David, we have enemies—whether in the physical or in the spiritual—who try to “entangle us with cords of death” (Psalms 18:4-5).  But if we take heed of God and His Word, He will ”avenge us, and save us from our enemies” (Psalms 18:47-48).  When we are faithfully in God’s Word, then we will know God and experience His deliverance….”

In Daddy’s Protection, Tina gave us the example of God’s love has protected us….

“Remember, as a child, how our dad was our hero?  How he could not do any wrong in our eyes?  Well, God wants us to love and trust Him like that…As we grew older our dads made mistakes, because they are human. They maybe did not show up at a ballgame, dance recital or have time to listen.  But I know Who does—God our Father.  He has time to listen to all of our issues.  He is always there….”

In God’s Pure Word, Ann shared the blessings and benefits of God’s Word…

“There are benefits and value to God’s Law and Word.

The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
Psalm 19:8

The ‘precepts of the Lord’ are definite rules concerning righteous living that are a joy to the godly.  The ‘commands of the Lord’ are the authoritative source of guiding light for the faithful who seek His way…”

In There is Refuge in God’s Word, Ahmee pointed us to some important reminders of the refuge and warnings that God’s words can be for us…

“I know our verse (Psalm 18:30) is most likely referring to physical refuge—as in keeping you safe from bodily harm.  But when I read it the first refuge I thought of was emotional refuge.  Life can be rough and it has this way of wearing you down, if you let it.  God’s Word does have a way of warning us about certain situations. However, whether we listen, or not, is up to us.  I think Proverbs is a really great book that lets us know “If this…then that”.  We can find refuge in the Lord’s words by avoiding these situations….”

I Can Leave It In Your Hands

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The dawn is breaking and I can hear Your whisper on the breeze
The world is waking and I am here to meet You on my knees
When I’m with You my soul finds rest
‘Cause I can leave it in Your hands

The day keeps coming pulling me a million different ways
I’m always running but never seem to catch the things I chase
When I’m with You my soul finds rest
‘Cause I can leave it in Your hands

Every sorrow, I leave it in Your hands
Every sickness, I leave it in Your hands
All my failures, I leave ‘em in Your hands
Amen. (I leave it in Your hands)

So I am laying the weight of all these burdens at Your feet
No more waiting ‘cause You’ve already won my victories
In Jesus my soul finds rest
‘Cause I can leave it in Your hands

Every promise, I leave it in Your hands
Every healing, I leave it in Your hands
And my future, I leave it in Your hands
Amen. (I can leave it in Your hands)

It’s Your hands that form the mountains
Your hands set boundaries for the seas
And in Your hands You hold tomorrow
The same hands that took the nails for me

Unspoken  
Mike Gomez, Jon Lowry, Chad Mattson and Ariel Munoz
*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *
Where would we be if it were not for choosing to ‘leave it in His hands’?  We can proclaim our trust as the psalmist did.

But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord,
I say, “You are my God.”
My times are in Your hand…
Psalms 31:14 and 15

These could easily have been similar words to what Ezra voiced in his prayers to his God.   Many things were performed by God through the life and ministry of the priest Ezra and it was very apparent that Ezra’s life was in God’s hand (Ezra 7: 6, 9, 28).  Most notably were the events which led to Ezra being commanded to come before King Artaxerxes (the son of Ahaseurus (Xerxes)—yes! THAT Ahaseurus…the husband of Esther!) to write a most important letter to be carried throughout the kingdom which determined that much wealth and “things” were acquired for the beautifying of the Temple in Jerusalem. (You can read the whole amazing record here.)

On the first of the first month he started out from Babylon,
and on the first of the fifth month he arrived in Jerusalem,
for upon him was the good hand of his God.
For Ezra had prepared and set his heart to seek the Law of the Lord
[to inquire for it and of it, to require and yearn for it],
and to do and teach in Israel its statutes and its ordinances.
Ezra 7:9 and 10

Ezra wrote (‘scribed’) the king’s decree and also accompanied the letter throughout the kingdom. He thoroughly understood the magnitude of this event and praised God saying,

Blessed be the Lord, the God of our fathers [said Ezra],
Who put such a thing as this into the king’s heart,
to beautify the house of the Lord in Jerusalem,
and Who has extended His mercy and steadfast love to me
before the king, his counselors, and all the king’s mighty officers.
I was strengthened and encouraged,
for the hand of the Lord my God was upon me,
and I gathered together outstanding men of Israel to go with me to Jerusalem.
verses 27 and 28

God’s hand accomplishes small and mighty things!  The point is not in the enormity of His blessing but the point is His sovereignty!  Our God has had the entire world and the lives of every person ever born ‘in His hand’ all along.

The prophet Isaiah was given many strong encouraging AND admonishing words to speak to God’s people.  He had told them just how to pursue God when fasting and they chose to do it their own way…and they did not receive the things they were asking of the Lord.  And Isaiah plainly told them why “the Lord’s hand” was against them.

Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened at all, that it cannot save,
nor His ear dull with deafness, that it cannot hear.
But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God,
and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.
Isaiah 59:1 and 2

We, as well, must always have the true fear of the Lord in our hearts compelling us to believe (and obey!).

Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest,
any one of you may seem to have come short of it.
For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also;
but the word they heard did not profit them,
because it was not united by faith in those who heard.
For we who have believed enter that rest….
Hebrews 4:1-3

God’s heart (and His accompanying hand of provision and blessing) is to always provide what is good and best for those who seek Him.  As Unspoken sings, “every sorrow…sickness…failure as well as every promise…healing…and our future” are best left in His hand.  Amen?

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord
with all your heart and mind
and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.
In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him,
and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.
Be not wise in your own eyes;
reverently fear and worship the Lord
and turn [entirely] away from evil.
Proverbs 3:5-7

He Knows My Name

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He counts the stars one and all
He knows how much sand is on the shore
He sees every sparrow that falls
He made the mountain and the seas
He’s in control of everything
Of all creatures great and small

He knows my name
Every step that I take
Every move that I make
Every tear that I cry

And He knows my name 
When I’m overwhelmed by the pain
And can’t see the light of day

I know I’ll be just fine ‘cause He knows my name

I don’t know what tomorrow will bring
I can’t tell you what’s in store
I don’t know a lot of things
I don’t have all the answers to the questions of life
But I know in Whom I have believed

He knew who I was when He carried the cross
He knew that I would fail Him but He took the loss

 The McRaes
Written by Annie and Kelly McRae

*  ~  ♥  ~   ✞   ~  ♥  ~  *

For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life,
nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening
nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth,
nor anything else in all creation
will be able to separate us {me!} from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38 and 39

This passage seems to have been my almost constant confession this past week or so….  Oh, and how I endeavor to cling to these promises!  I want to say, as Paul did, that ‘I am persuaded…’ though, I must admit, that I do falter in my persuasion.  And times do come when my little heart is not quite so brave.  But here’s what I do know….

…Nevertheless I am not ashamed:
for I know whom I have believed,
and am persuaded that He is able
to keep that which I have committed
unto Him against that day.
2 Timothy 1:12

And I remember, and am greatly encouraged, as I read through the Scriptures and see the strong evidence of God’s provision in the lives of His people…for example, His man Job.  Job went through much but he knew his life was in the Almighty’s sovereign and powerful hand.  And so, he could say this–

But He is unchangeable, and who can turn Him?
And what He wants to do, that He does.
For He performs [that which He has] planned for me,
and of many such matters He is mindful.
Job 23:13 and 14

I know that You can do all things and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.
Job 42:2

See, me, myself, on my own?…well, I get weary; and I am not strong at times.  But not my God!  Oh, He is able!  He is unchangeable!  He is faithful!  He can do all things!  He keeps His promises!  And so I trust His Word(s).  Therefore when I remember He has said, “I formed you and made you,” “I will never leave you nor forsake you,” “My grace is sufficient for you…” I am encouraged and strengthened!

One of my favorite Scriptures is Psalm 139—it is such a beautiful prayer of praise to Almighty God!  Throughout this psalm, David acknowledges God’s providence, His sovereignty, His foreknowledge, His provision, His protection, His wisdom, and truly, His love.

Below are excerpts from Psalm 139…may I suggest you read these verses aloud, allowing Your eyes and ears and mind to take them in. Consider them, my friend; dwell on them.

And may your heart be reminded and strongly encouraged as you remember that God Almighty, your heavenly Father, truly KNOWS your name.  He knows you—every step, every move, every tear, every pain, all your heartache, all your ways.  He knows all about you, inside and out, before and behind, sitting down and rising up. He knows your inward parts, your frame, your thoughts, your words, all your ways, all your days.

He knows y.o.u., my friend…He knows your name!

O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
You understand my thought from afar.
You scrutinize my path and my lying down,
And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.
Even before there is a word on my tongue,
Behold, O Lord, You know it all.
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.
For You formed my inward parts;
You wove me in my mother’s womb.
I will give thanks to You,
For I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;
Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;
And in Your book were all written
The days that were ordained for me,
When as yet there was not one of them.
How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand.
When I awake, I am still with You.

Sweet&Spicy Turnips and Squash

Turnips…do you love ‘em? I do! Whether it’s my Dad’s always delicious, traditional mashed turnips and carrots, or a puree of turnips with butter and brown sugar (I know, I know…), or chunks of turnips in a stew—they are yummy and satisfying. But recently I was looking to do something different with these guys.

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Roasted along with my stand-by fav veggie—butternut squash—they turned out great. A tiny bit sweet, and a little spicy…I believe that fits in nicely with our healthy but oh-so-yummy POV. And, I am thinking they will show up on our Thanksgiving table in a few weeks!  Enjoy.

2015-10-26 13.09.36

Sweet&Spicy Turnips and Squash

ingredients:

1# turnips, peeled
1 small butternut squash (about 1+1/2 – 2#), peeled and seeded
2-3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 small red onion, halved and sliced
2 tablespoons molasses (or 100% pure maple syrup)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon each nutmeg, ground cloves, star anise Chinese five-spice powder
1/2 teaspoon sea salt

directions:

  • preheat to 450; generously line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper
  • slice turnips in half and then into 1/2# slices; slice butternut crosswise into 3/4″ X 3/4″ sized pieces
  • toss together with oil, s&p in a large bowl until well coated
  • pour onto lined baking sheet and spread out into an even layer (set the bowl aside; don’t wash it just yet!)
  • roast the veggie for 10 minutes. carefully pour back into the bowl (I simply picked up the parchment paper by the edges…don’t worry…it will not burn you.)
  • add in the onions and spices; stir gently to combine. then pour the molasses all around and give another stir to coat thoroughly
  • pour the coated veggies back onto the lined baking sheet
  • return to oven for 20 or so more minutes (give a quick stir about halfway through) ‘til tender
  • sprinkle with additional sea salt before serving

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

♥  coleen