March 16, 2026

Pineapple-Chicken Salad

June 30, 2014 by

Y’know when a friend is on vacation and they post gorgeous photos of beautiful scenery, fun-in-the-sun…and yummy food?!! (Well maybe just a pic or two of yummy food!)  My friend, Cynda, and her family recently vacationed at the beach in Mexico. She included amongst all of the gorgeous sunrise scenes, and shots of her grandson being adorable, a pic of a delightful chicken salad that she enjoyed for lunch one day. It looked SO good that I was prompted me to make it for supper! This recipe fits the bill for our ‘healthy but oh-so-yummy’ POV since it is loaded with veggies, the fruit of an entire pineapple, and lowfat chicken breast. I also used equal portions of mayonnaise and Greek yogurt to lessen the fat grams/calories of the dressing. Perhaps this isn’t exactly the same recipe as the chef who prepared it for Cynda but we enjoyed it very much…hope you and your family do, too!

NOTE:  This salad should be put together IMMEDIATELY before serving!  Trust me.  I learned this lesson the hard way—I had to prepare this meal TWICE.  While a delightful combo when eaten fresh, pineapple and chicken do NOT marry well to sit around together!

Early one afternoon, I put this salad together and tucked it away in the refrigerator awaiting suppertime. Pulled it out, layered the pineapple shells with Boston lettuce leaves, piled in the salad, scattered the nuts atop, and proudly carried those plates to the table. We sat down, thanked our gracious God for His provision of food and His blessings, scooped up that first bite, popped it into our mouths…and then right back out. Ummm, yeah. YUCK!  Robert immediately blamed the chicken for being bad (but I knew it was just fine).

I did a little sleuthing around the internet and found out that the enzymes in the pineapple had ‘cooked’ the <already cooked> chicken and changed the texture and taste. (I can attest to that!)  EPIC failure!  But I remade the recipe…and this time added the pineapple (as the recipe NOW reads) just prior to serving.  Problem solved…it was delicious!  So, eat it all up…go ahead, I am giving you permission.  This will not be good if you save leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch.

Pineapple – Chicken Salad

2014-06-26 20.04.14

(makes 2 generous portions)

ingredients:
2 cups cooked chicken*, chopped 2014-06-26 15.14.28
1/3 cup shredded carrots
1/3 cup finely sliced sweet onion
1/3 cup finely chopped celery
1/3 cup EACH diced red and yellow pepper
fruit of 1 fresh pineapple (here is a great tutorial on how to cut  a pineapple)
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning, freshly ground
pineapple boats
lettuce leaves
pitas, or flour tortillas (optional)
slivered almonds (or chopped nuts of your choosing)

*I poached 1# of chicken breast but you could use leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken

directions:

  • whisk together the mayo, yogurt and seasonings; set aside
  • in a large mixing bowl, combine chicken, and all the veggies
  • pour the dressing over the chicken and veggies; combine well
  • refrigerate ‘til ready to serve
  • when ready to serve, add pineapple chunks to the dressed chicken salad
  • scatter nuts across the top

2014-06-26 15.23.40

serving suggestions:  this can be served right in the pineapple ‘shells” (boats), or you can line the pineapple with lettuce leaves, or serve the chicken salad wrapped up in a lettuce leaf, or stuffed into a pita (or folded tortilla wrap). You choose!!!  Enjoy!

♥   ♥   ♥   ♥   ♥

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

♥  coleen

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

Godly Fear

June 30, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear Him,
upon them that hope in His mercy;
Psalm 33:18

Our hope in God leads to a manifestation of godly fear in us.  With His offer of hope, God only asks us to accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.  When we make a decision to choose Christ, godly fear then begins to manifest in us as we mature in Christ.

Godly fear is the outward evidence of a Christian’s hope in God’s mercy.  When we truly place all of our hope in God, it becomes a fervent emotion filled with godly fear.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever.
Psalm 111:10

King David said that God’s watchful eye is on you even when you can’t see the path He has you on or the direction He wants you to take. This thought is repeated in 2 Chronicles 16:9:

For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth,
to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.

God’s eyes are constantly looking to protect, sustain, and bring us through the difficulties we encounter every day. Our heavenly Father desires to bless our lives, so He watches for that moment when we are particularly needy.

Generally, fear and hope are thought to be in conflict with each other; but in the Presence and worship of God they are found side by side in perfect and beautiful harmony. And this is because in God Himself all apparent contradictions are reconciled. Righteousness and peace, judgment and mercy, holiness and love, infinite power and infinite gentleness, a majesty that is exalted above all heaven, and a condescension that bows very low, meet and kiss each other.

There is indeed a fear that has torment, but it is cast out entirely by perfect love. But there is a fear that is found in the very heavens. Let us in our waiting ever seek “to fear the glorious and fearful name, THE LORD THY GOD” (Deuteronomy 28:58).

The deeper we bow before His holiness in holy fear and adoring awe—in deep reverence and humble self-abasement, even as the angels veil their faces before the throne—the more His Holiness will rest upon us, and the soul will be filled to have God reveal Himself.

The deeper we enter into the truth “that no flesh glory in His presence” (1st Corinthians 1:29) will it be given us to see His glory. “The eye of the Lord is on them that fear Him, on them that hope in His mercy” (Psalm 33:18).

The true fear of God will be so far from keeping us back from hope!  Rather it will stimulate and strengthen it.  The lower we bow, the deeper we feel we have nothing to hope in but His mercy.  The lower we bow, the nearer God will come and make our hearts bold to trust Him.

 *   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

LORD, we trust in You today, even when we cannot discern Your Presence to direct our path. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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

God’s Great Dance Floor

June 30, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

I’m coming back to the start
Where You found me
I’m coming back to Your heart
Now I surrender
Take me
This is all I can bring

I’m coming back to the start
Our God is freedom
And here we feel Your heart
Your heartbeat for us
Take me
This is all I can bring

You’ll never stop loving us
No matter how far we run
You’ll never give up on us
All of heaven shouts: ‘let the future begin’
Let the future begin

Take me
This is all I can bring

I feel alive, I come alive
I am alive on God’s great dance floor
I feel alive, I come alive
I am alive on God’s great dance floor
I feel alive, I come alive
I am alive on God’s great dance floor
I feel alive, I come alive
I am alive on God’s great dance floor
I feel alive, I come alive
I am alive on God’s great dance floor
God’s great dance floor!

Songwriters: Martin Smith, Nick Herbert, Chris Tomlin
Performed by Chris Tomlin, Passion Band

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

“No matter how far we run, You’ll never give up on us.”  To me, this speaks to mankind. Just think, that for over two thousand years after Jesus was on the earth, most things have not changed.  From the beginning of time, our ancestors lived life as the best they could. They chose to follow God or not. They chose to have joy or sorrow in their hearts.

Look at what God has done for His people, Israel. He chose to make them from a promise He made to Abraham. His family were idol makers. God knew something about his heart and chose to test him through making him wait for the birth of his only son into the promise. At the birth of Isaac there was a celebration of life. I like to think of God being impressed by Abraham’s trust and of Isaac’s trust of his father. Isaac had to accept God in his own life and learn to trust him.

We rear our children in the church, but they have to make trusting God their own. Our kids think life shows them what and who God is in their life. But it is up to us to guide them into making right choices. Just as the kings of Israel knew who God was, some decided not to follow after God. They chose to lead the people astray. God cannot make someone want to follow Him, our hearts have to be willing to accept God.  We also need to remember to celebrate the small victories, so we do not get weighed down with the world’s problems.  We need to dance on God’s big dance floor!

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Father, help us to remember to celebrate life.  Often times we make our lives too hard or complicated.  We forget to look out past the weeds to see the beautiful butterflies or animals that You have created for our and Your enjoyment.  Thank You for the little treasures we receive—the bird songs, the crisp morning air, the baby’s cry, the ability to get up out of our beds.  Thank You for the inspiration music gives to us to dance!  Thank You, in Jesus’ name.  Amen!

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

I Can Just Be Me

June 29, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

I’ve been doing all that I can
To hold it all together, piece by piece
I’ve been feeling like a failure
Trying to be braver
Than I could ever be
…It’s just not me

So be my Healer, be my Comfort
Be my Peace
‘Cause I can be broken
I can be needy, Lord, I need You now
To be, be my God
…So I can just be me

I’ve been living like an orphan
Trying to belong here
But it’s just not my home
I’ve been holding on so tightly
To all the things that I think
That satisfy my soul
…But I’m letting go

So be my Father, my mighty Warrior
Be my King
‘Cause I can be scattered, frail and shattered
Lord, I need You now
To be, be my God
…So I can just be me

‘Cause I was lost
In this dark world
‘Til I was finally found in You
So now I’m needy, desperately pleading
Oh Lord, be all to me

So be my Savior, be my Lifeline
Won’t You be my everything?
‘Cause I’m so tired
Of trying to be someone
I was never meant to be

Be my God, please be my God
Be my God so I can just be me
So I can just be me
…I can just be me

Singer / Songwriter: Laura Story, along with Jason Ingram

* ~ ♥ ~ ✞ ~ ♥ ~ *

Can’t you just imagine leafing through your Bible and coming upon these words…they are so similar to one of David’s songs, don’t you think?  This song sings just like one (no, like MANY) of the psalms.  Perhaps these words are very similar to a song in your own heart?  I’ll tell you…they are close to my own, at times.

Oh, I can whine…and complain!  Despite the great measure of grace and blessing that my God has poured into my life, at times I seem to forget.  I can become overwhelmed with the situations and circumstances.  And then  attempt to wrestle with these ugly things rather than resting and relying on my God.

Silly me!  I try to take things into my own <incapable> hands instead of seeking the only One Who IS capable—my Lord, Jesus the Christ, the One to Whom all “all authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given…” (Matthew 28:18).

I (and you also, my friends!) we are not alone in struggling with matters such as this!  We’ve already recognized that David called out to God in his struggles. But we also have the examples and godly encouragement of other men throughout the pages of the Bible.  The Apostle Paul and his disciple, Timothy, are two who I thought of immediately!  Paul wrote in his letters to encourage the believers in the first century Church <and us, too!!!> to rely on all that Christ had made available.

But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you,
for My power is made perfect in weakness.”
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses,
so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses,
insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities.
For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9, 10 ESV

In Paul’s letters to Timothy, as he taught him regarding leadership, Paul faithfully reminded Timothy that God is the One Who is to be trusted and relied upon.  For example, He said:

That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know Whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.
2 Timothy 1:12 NIV

All throughout the Scriptures, God’s people are instructed over and over and over again of the simplicity of the commands He has for us.

He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you
but to do justly,
and to love kindness and mercy,
and to humble yourself and walk humbly with your God?
Micah 6:8

We need to remember.  And to trust and obey.  It is SO much simpler to do things God’s way!  And then ‘I can just be me!’   Amen?

 * ~ ♥ ~ ✞ ~ ♥ ~ *

Oh, how we praise You, dear Lord!  What joy we have in our hearts knowing that You ARE our Healer, Comfort, Peace… our Father, Mighty Warrior, King… our Savior, Lifeline… truly our everything!  How gracious, kind, and compassionate You are towards our human nature which, at times, is weak and needy and tired!  Thank You for how patient and longsuffering You are with us…never leaving us nor forsaking us even when we are whiny and complaining.  Thank You for Your grace and mercy, Your lovingkindness, Your forgiveness, Your love!  Thank You for always being there when turn our little hearts around and acknowledge that You have not changed…and never will.  Thank You for forming and making us—to ‘just be me!’  We love and adore You, Faithful Father!  And pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

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

Popsicles!

June 27, 2014 by

apple popsicle

I guess this is less of a recipe, and more of an exhortation:  You should be making your own popsicles this summer!  My mom made these Popsicles for us when we were kids, and now my girls are helping me make them, and loving the results.

The most basic thing you can do is just freeze apple juice.  That’s it!  My girls like pieces of fruit in their popsicles, too.  The first run was halved cherries frozen in the apple juice, and the next batch was chopped strawberries.  You can do just about anything:  concord grape juice, lemonade, pureed watermelon!  Nearly any fruit you like can be added in—just make sure you chop it into small bits, and kind of stir it around with the juice to make sure you don’t have a just a big clump of fruit in the middle.

What’s even better than popsicles?  Jell-o Pudding Pops!  These are just like the ones I’d eat as a kid, when they still sold them in stores (remember this commercial?)  They’re easy and so good.

My popsicle set is this one:

zoku mini pops

 

I like the small size for my little girls.  You can also use it to make cake pops, but I haven’t done that (yet?).  Check online or in housewares stores to find the popsicle molds best for your family.  Let’s get freezing!

Apple Strawberry Popsicles

Makes 9 mini popsicles

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup minced fresh strawberries
  • 1 cup apple juice

Directions:

  1. Make sure popsicle mold is clean!  Chop strawberries and put a teaspoon of fruit in each mold.  Fill the mold to the line with apple juice and stir to distribute fruit.  Insert sticks into popsicles.
  2. Freeze for 6 hours.  Pop out of the molds and watch your kids’ faces light up!

 

Jell-O Pudding Pops

Ingredients:

  • 1 small package Instant Jell-O Pudding (go for the chocolate!)
  • 2 cups milk

Directions:

  1. Quickly whisk together pudding mix and milk.  Spoon into molds and insert sticks.
  2. Freeze.  Eat.  Watch reruns of The Cosby Show!


Explore, experiment, enjoy! — Dana

To view even more of Dana’s unique recipe, you can visit her at Frugal Girlmet!

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

Looking In The Right Place

June 27, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

I cry to you, O LORD;
I say, “You are my refuge,
my portion in the land of the living.”
Attend to my cry,
for I am brought very low!
Deliver me from my persecutors,
for they are too strong for me!
Bring me out of prison,
that I may give thanks to your name!
The righteous will surround me,
for you will deal bountifully with me.
Psalms 142:5-7

I can just hear and feel the anguish of the psalmist here.  Sometimes we can feel so bullied, so utterly defeated that we do not know where to look.  Feeling desperate…with nowhere to go, it seems that our last resort is to call upon God for deliverance.  But then, the psalmist motivates himself and suddenly knows that God will deliver him from his dilemma.

There is such trust in David’s words.  Can you feel it?   Can you almost feel God’s loving care ready to assist David through his trial?  Often times, David found himself in difficult circumstances, either of his own making or by another’s jealousy.  David could have blamed God for his situation, but when he cries out passionately to God for His divine intervention, we know that God will be there to rescue him.

Think of Peter, he was another passionate man that often spoke or reacted without thinking of consequences, but Jesus knew Peter’s heart and knew Peter would lead the disciples once He was gone. Jesus saw beyond the rash actions, the quickness to judge and this speaks to me! The Holy Spirit reveals different aspects of God in people to us when we are ready to accept them, when the revelation will have the most impact on our life. This is discernment, this is trusting in the gifts God has bestowed upon us.

To some of us He gives us faith.  To others hospitality, teaching, encouragement, praise. We are not to have every one of them, nor are we to be jealous of  other people’s gifts.  Get rid of jealousy.  It takes too much time away from us and from God.  God is jealous for us to have a relationship with Him, not with social media, with our computers, with our televisions or whatever would take us away from time that is spent with Him.  We are to use these things as tools to reach the lost and to reach those who have become lost along the way. We all have done this. We all have strayed away, and then we come back. Just as David had. God loved him no less, maybe even more, when he strayed, then came back.

David was not perfect in his life as a man, husband, father, son. But his love, faith, and trust in God was absolute.  He knew when he could bargain with God and when God’s word was final.  There is no denying the bond these two had.  God loved His son, Solomon, as well.  Before Solomon allowed his wives to corrupt him, he had a great relationship with God.  Oh, for Solomon’s wisdom in our day!  I am sure someone would find a way to interfere with his words.

My prayer for those who read this today is that no matter where you are in your walk—if you have not strayed recently or have strayed so far away—know that God loves YOU.  God is standing at the door and knocking.  He wants to keep His children safe and with Him.  Are you one of His?  If not, please pray this prayer with me…

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Heavenly Father, I choose Jesus as Lord of my life.  I humble myself in repentance and turn away from ungodliness.  I choose to forgive those who have wronged me.  I offer myself as a servant of the living God.  I rejoice that through the blood of Jesus all my sins are forgiven; through the blood of Jesus I am redeemed out of the hand of the devil; through the blood of Jesus I am sanctified, set a part to God.  I rejoice in my Lord and my Redeemer, amen.

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

Three Wooden Crosses

June 27, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv
There are three wooden crosses on the right side of the highway
Why there’s not four of them, Heaven only knows
I guess it’s not what you take when you leave this world behind you
It’s what you leave behind you when you go

That farmer left a harvest, a home and eighty acres
The faith an’ love for growin’ things in his young son’s heart
An’ that teacher left her wisdom in the minds of lots of children
Did her best to give ’em all a better start
An’ that preacher whispered: “Can’t you see the Promised Land?”
As he laid his blood-stained Bible in that hooker’s hand

There are three wooden crosses on the right side of the highway
Why there’s not four of them, Heaven only knows
I guess it’s not what you take when you leave this world behind you
It’s what you leave behind you when you go

That’s the story that our preacher told last Sunday
As he held that blood-stained Bible up
For all of us to see
He said: “Bless the farmer, and the teacher, an’ the preacher
“Who gave this Bible to my mamma
“Who read it to me”

There are three wooden crosses on the right side of the highway
Why there’s not four of them, now I guess we know
It’s not what you take when you leave this world behind you
It’s what you leave behind you when you go

Songwriters: Kim Williams and Doug Johnson
Performed by Randy Travis and Josh Turner

 *   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Every time I hear this song I can imagine the story it is telling…

A bus has wrecked. Three people have died—a farmer, a teacher, and a preacher. The farmer left the love of farming to his own son. The teacher left her wisdom to her students. A preacher leaves his Bible with a hooker who then uses it to turn her life around. She reads the Word and turns from her possibly horrible miserable life. She has a young son of her own. She reads those same life-saving words to her own son. Her son would become a preacher….

Now these are some honorable legacies!

We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation
the glorious deeds of the Lord, and His might, and the wonders that He has done.
Psalm 78:4

The hooker in the ballad above did not hide ‘the glorious deeds’ from her son.  She did not hide from him what saved her life. Instead, she gave him the same tools that were given to her by a dying preacher to make sure that her son did not follow the same path the she had.  She got to see a great legacy formed when her son decided to become a preacher. We as parents leave legacies to our children.  They watch everything we say and do, and they learn by listening to us and watching us.

As parents it is up to us to leave our children with a good foundation in Christ. We pass our morals and beliefs onto our children through our actions and conversations with them. They then will turn around and pass it down to their own kids. Leaving a godly legacy becomes more important with each passing generation as this world begins to turn from God.

We should not hide these things from our children. In the song the hooker does not hide her life from her son.  Instead, and this is my imagination working, she shares what her life was like to him and reads to him the Bible, which saved her life.  The preacher made sure that the legacy of God continued when he passed his bloodied up Bible to someone who was in desperate need of it.  I like to imagine that the hooker was on her way to a new life, and the preacher was God’s instrument in making sure that she made herself better and left a good legacy herself.  We need to follow this example and leave a good legacy for our own children.

 *   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Dear Heavenly Father, please guide me in helping to leave a Godly legacy to my children.  May they learn how good You are and that You will never leave them. Please protect them and help them build their own Godly legacies.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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

Jonah and the Big Fish

June 27, 2014 by

jonah2.2prayer

Jonah and the Big Fish

I’m sure if you have been to Sunday School ever in your life, you have heard the story of Jonah and the big fish.  Here is a little recap: God orders Jonah to go to Ninevah to warn them that God is going to smite them for their sins.

The Word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai.
“Go to the great city of Ninevah and preach against it,
because its wickedness has come up before Me.”
Jonah 1:1-2

Like many people these days, Jonah isn’t thrilled to go to Iraq and his new assignment.  So he goes missing, nowhere to be found.  Next thing we know, he is jumping ship at Joppa and is headed for Tarshish and God is really not happy with him.  So He sends a storm of huge proportion and the sailors start to pray for a rescue,  “each cried out to their own god…”.

Then the Lord sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose
that the ship threatened to break up. All the sailors were afraid
and each cried out to their own god…
Jonah 1:3-5

As the storm gets rough, Jonah goes below the deck and takes a nap.  Why is he sleeping at this stressful hour?  He is avoiding difficulty.

It doesn’t work.  The captain decides to wake him up and the rest of the sailors are trying to figure out why all this is happening to them.  Jonah begins to explain that he worships the Lord God Almighty and that at this very moment, he is fleeing the Lord’s commands.  The sailors are so afraid to hear about God.  They all worship a god of their own so why are they so frightened of the Lord? They are realizing that Jonah’s God is mightier than their own.

Finally Jonah tells them to throw him overboard to please the Lord.  The sailors hesitate at first, not really wanting to toss him over.  They try to row the other way but it’s all for nothing.  So, as a last resort, they throw him overboard (verse 15) and guess what?  The storm stops and the sailors make a sacrifice to God (verse 16).

The Lord God Almighty provided a large fish to swallow up Jonah (verse 17). “Provided” is amazing.  The fish isn’t really a punishment, the fish is salvation.  Jonah spends a long, relaxing weekend in the belly of a fish.  He stayed on his knees praying the whole time and thanking God for rescuing him from death (Jonah 2:2-9).  God commands the fish to spit him out.  He is free and ready to do God’s work.

Do you see how much prayer plays such a big part of this story?  God hears and answers and saves him from certain death.  But the miracle doesn’t stop there. Jonah goes to Ninevah.  The Ninevites pray and it works and God pardons the city.  Prayer again is working (Jonah 2:1,10)!!

Prayer leads to God’s provision—always.  It may not be exactly what you asked for but God always answers.  And, depending on how close you are listening, you just may hear Him.  We see God’s character; He may be demanding but He is always merciful. And you may see something as punishment but it  just may be saving your life.  Whatever you may be going through right now, the Lord knows and He sees and He is ready to save you.  His timing is perfect.   Whether He sends a fish (or spares you the fish), He is always on your side and He has a perfect plan.

Do you know Him? I love Him so much that I want everyone to get to experience His love. If your answer is “no, I don’t know God”, then I ask you to pray this simple prayer with me.  Today is your day and your life can change.

  *   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Let’s pray together: Dear God, I know I am a sinner and I need forgiveness.  I believe that Jesus, Your Son, shed His blood for me and my sins are forgiven.  I confess Jesus as my Lord and Savior and accept You in my heart.  Thank You for grace unlimited and for this new life that is mine through You.  In Your name I pray, amen.

Filed Under: encouragement Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Safe Place

June 26, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

I cry aloud to the LORD;
I lift up my voice to the LORD for mercy.
I pour out before Him my complaint;
before Him I tell my trouble.
When my spirit grows faint within me,
it is You who watch over my way.
In the path where I walk
people have hidden a snare for me.
Look and see, there is no one at my right hand;
no one is concerned for me.
I have no refuge;
no one cares for my life.
I cry to You, LORD;
I say, “You are my Refuge,
my Portion in the land of the living.
Psalms 142:1-5

The beauty of David’s words paints the picture of where he was in that time of his life.  We see his pain and hear his cry for help.  I have never been in a cave or running for my life, but I can relate to David’s words…I think we all can to some extent.

I know that there have been times when I felt alone, unsure of what lies ahead in my next step.  Similar to David, I have felt tired and worn down by the weight of this world.  Through all of the struggles and pain of life David remembered one thing:

When my spirit grows faint within me, it is You who watch over my way. (verse 3)

When it seems as if there is no one on our side and loneliness is closing in on us, we should remember David’s words—it is God who watches over our way.

I cry to you, LORD; I say, “You are my Refuge, my Portion in the land of the living. (verse 5)

One of our basic needs in life is the feeling of safety—a place where we can breathe and release our cares.  God is that safe place; He is our Refuge.  After a stressful day at work…when the kids seem to be pushing every button you have, when that impossible situation arises and you don’t know what to do…turn to your Refuge and He will give you peace.

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Let’s Pray:  Dear Heavenly Father, life can lay snares in our path that we don’t see until it is too late.  But, despite what happens on our journey, we can take relief in knowing that You are here…You are our peace, our joy, our refuge! Thank You for this.  Thank you for being our safe place.  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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

I Will Not Be Moved

June 26, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

I have been the wayward child, I have acted out
I have questioned sovereignty and had my share of doubts
And though sometimes my prayers feel like they’re bouncing off the sky
The hand I hold won’t let me go
and is the reason why…

I will stumble, I will fall down
But I will not be moved
I will make mistakes, I will face heartache
But I will not be moved
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
I will not be moved

Bitterness has plagued my heart many times before
My life has been like broken glass, and I have kept the score
of all my shattered dreams and though it seemed
that I was far too gone
My brokenness helped me to see it’s grace I’m standing on

I will stumble, I will fall down
But I will not be moved
I will make mistakes, I will face heartache
But I will not be moved
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
I will not be moved

And the chaos in my life has been a badge I’ve worn
And though I have been torn
I will not be moved

I will not be moved
I will make mistakes, I will face heartache
But I will not be moved
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
I will not be moved

Singer / Songwriter: Natalie Grant
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What does it mean to be solid in your faith?

The definition of the word solid is “…firm and stable”.  How can we be firm and stable—solid— in our faith when the storms of life are threatening to take us down? Although not the easy path the answer is a simple one—it is a choice.

When life seems out of control and you don’t feel as though you are going to get through it, you have to choose to trust in God. He promises to get us through the storms and, if we don’t give up or lose hope, we will see the victory in the end.

A solid faith is not based on circumstances.  It is trust and hope in God in the midst of the circumstances…refusing to be moved from that place.  I trust in You, Lord, for You are faithful!!!

Although most of my circumstances have not been pleasant (and many I would not have chosen), God has been faithful. In each and every one, I have experienced Him in such a powerful way and learned lessons I would not have otherwise learned. When something comes my way, I am always looking for those blessings in disguise along with what God wants me to learn through it.

Anyone who listens to My teaching and follows it is wise,
like a person who builds a house on solid rock.
Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise
and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.
But anyone who hears My teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish,
like a person who builds a house on sand.
When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house,
it will collapse with a mighty crash.
Matthew 7: 24-27 NLT

We must be building our lives on Christ the Solid Rock and refusing to be moved when the storms of life come.  Otherwise we are on sinking sand…and there goes our hope and our strength.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
Proverbs 13:12 ESV

Let us become a tree of life as we choose to put our hope in Him.

And let us not grow weary of doing good,
for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Let us choose not to become weary
Galatians 6:9 ESV

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Oh Father, life is hard—there is no doubt about it.  But You have told us to take heart because You have overcome the world.  May we choose to put our hope and trust in You and not grow weary and give up!  If we continue to fight the good fight, we will be victorious.  Thank You for that promise…in Jesus’ name, amen.

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