May 3, 2026

You Won’t Let Go

May 17, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

No shadow comes without the light making a way
No raging storm can ever defy one word of faith
My heart remains sure in the wind, sure in the waves

You are the anchor for my soul
You won’t let go
You won’t let go
No matter what may come I know
You won’t let go

No valley low, changes the truth
So I’m not afraid
You hold me close
You lead me through and light up the way

You are the anchor for my soul
You won’t let go
You won’t let go
No matter what may come I know
You won’t let go
You won’t let go

Neither life, neither death,
The highest high, the deepest depth
Nothing can
Nothing can separate
Neither tears, neither trials
Certain as the sun will rise
Nothing can
Nothing can separate

You are the anchor for my soul
You won’t let go
You won’t let go
No matter what may come I know
You won’t let go

My heart remains sure in the wind, sure in the waves, always

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

Written by Michael W. Smith, Seth Mosely, and Mia Fieldes
Sung by Michael W. Smith

* ~ ♥ ~ ✞ ~ ♥ ~ *

If God is for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:31 NIV

Last weekend I had the most incredible experience.  Michael W. Smith led worship at my church, and as a member of our church choir, was able to accompany him as he led.  He (and we) sang several songs from his new CD, Sovereign, and each touched my heart and ministered to me in a very special way.  The first song we sang was this one: “You Won’t Let Go.”  What an incredible message and great reminder!  You know, we go through many trials and tribulations in life. Good times and bad.  I’ve said this before and I will say it again – God is good, all the time! Our circumstances don’t change the truth of who God is.  He is constant.  He is steadfast.  He is faithful.  He is able.  He is still the pillar of fire in our dark times and the pillar of cloud during the day.  He is our rock, our anchor!  And He loves us relentlessly.

I love the Book of Romans.  It was written by Paul to the Gentiles (Gentile meaning anyone who is not a Jew) in Rome.  So much encouragement in this book!  In chapter 8, verses 35-39, Paul writes:

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
As it is written: ‘For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,
neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth,
nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us
from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Isn’t that AMAZING??  It says there is NOTHING that shall separate us from the love of Christ.  NOTHING.  That means that there is not anything that you can do that will keep Christ from loving you.   Does that mean He’ll approve of everything you do?  Of course not.  Does that mean that there might still be consequences for your actions?  Yes, it does.  But will He still love you?  Absolutely.  So through the trials you face, the doubts you have, the times you question His path for you – He still loves you.  When you are angry with Him – He still loves you.  When you don’t act like the child of God that you should – guess what?  He STILL loves you!  And you know what else?  Those things that you’ll do in the future that will break God’s heart?  He will love you with an unfailing love even then.   What a wonderful gift!

So whatever you are facing right now – hardship, trial, stressful situation – know that your God is unchanging.  So you can place all of your faith in the One Who cares so deeply for you!  And He’s never letting go.

Thank you, Lord!

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

Living Water

May 16, 2014 by

Jesus replied,”If you only knew the gift God has for you
and Who you are speaking to,
you would ask Me, and I would give you living water”
John 4:10

We don’t know her name and we don’t know how old she is but her conversation with Jesus is the longest one recorded in the Bible.  Jesus intentionally chose this particular well as His resting stop.  He was tired from traveling.  His disciples went into town for food so He waited for them there.  As we all know, this was planned.  He knew she would be there.  She had a clay jar to fill up with the water from Jacob’s well.

Now, Jews weren’t supposed to talk to Samaritans and men weren’t supposed to talk to women without their husband being present.  But Jesus didn’t pay attention to those rules and He spoke to her directly.  He asked her for a drink.  She replied,  “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman, how can You ask me for a drink?” Jesus responded with the verse (4:10) above—that the water He was offering was Living Water and that she would never thirst again.  Of course, she didn’t understand.  She asked Him where His rope and bucket are and she wanted to know where He would get this water from.  Jesus took the time to minister to her and share with her His love and the life that was intended for her.

Jesus replies,”Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again.
But those who drink the water that I give will never be thirsty again.
It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”
John 4:13

Of course the woman wants this!  She asked Him for the water, so that she doesn’t have to come to the well ever again.  I imagine that she doesn’t enjoy the looks of other people and the shunning from the other women, for she lived a life of sin.  So Jesus told her to go get her husband and she replied,’I don’t have a husband.’ Jesus responded, ’You’re right, you don’t just have one husband, you have five husbands and you aren’t even married to them. You’re just living with them’.  She is floored that He knew all about her and she asks if He is a prophet and a couple of other questions about Samaritans and Jews.  Can you imagine what the people around them were thinking?  Don’t you know that Jesus didn’t care what they thought?  All He cared about was her and wanting her to know that she is loved and that she was forgiven and that He cared about her.

Jesus gravitated towards the mess of other people’s lives and loved on the ones the world considered unloveable.  And because He did this, she had a new story to tell to anyone who would listen.   She knew there was a Messiah coming but she didn’t know she was talking to Him.  Jesus told her eventually and the disciples returned and, of course, they asked why Jesus was talking to her.  (Did they even need to ask?)  Jesus loves her.  The story ends with the woman leaving her jar beside the well and running back to her village telling everyone to come and see the man that told her everything she ever did and that she believed was the Messiah.  So all sorts of people came from her village to see Jesus.  I imagine there were quite a few lives changed that day, all because Jesus showed this particular woman grace and love.

I don’t know what your story is but I do know that Jesus does and He loves you in spite of who you are and what you may have done.  And if you are a Jesus follower, I pray that you will go to those who are hurting and those who aren’t in your circle of friends.  If we simply stay in our comfort zones, then we will not have the opportunity to share the love of Jesus.  This is the most important decision that anyone will ever make.  This world is so full of hurt and hatred that we as His children really need to be the hands and feet of Jesus and move toward the mess of others lives. In the end, all that matters is what Jesus thinks of us. The world may shun us for choosing to love the sinners, the gossipers, the thieves, the adulterers and the addicts of the world but we are all sinners and we all fall short.  But His grace is free to all who want it!  And then life after life will be changed and all who hear will want to tell anyone who will listen about our Jesus.

  ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~  * 

What about you?  Do you want His grace today?  Do you want this living water that Jesus is offering you today?  If so, then all you have to do is ask.  Start by saying:

Dear Jesus, I know that I am a sinner.  I need Your forgiveness and grace.        I believe that You are the Savior and You died to save me.  I want You to come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior.  Thank You for your love for me.  In Your name I pray, amen.

If you just prayed this prayer for the first time or, if you have rededicated your life today, we want to celebrate with you!  It’s the first day of the rest of your life!

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

Teaching the Young to Seek God

May 16, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

But let all who take refuge in You be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread Your protection over them,
that those who love Your name may rejoice in You.
Surely, Lord, You bless the righteous;
You surround them with Your favor as with a shield.
Psalms 5:11-12

My children are five and three years old respectively.  They are the light of my world.  I wear a necklace which has a birth charm for each of them (you know, the little boy and little girl charms that have their birth stones.)  When my husband got me that one, I hardly ever took it off.  However, I did eventually get bored and changed the necklace out.  This past Christmas my husband got me a silver cross that I have not taken off since December 25 (except for when I had my wisdom teeth pulled).

This cross necklace has come in handy over the last few months.  When our son was around the same age our daughter is now, we started teaching him about what the Cross stood for, and now we have started teaching our daughter the same.  They both know that it stands for Jesus and His death.  Now we are starting to work on the “why” with both—more so with the oldest.  If they can start learning their letters and how to read before the age of five, they can start learning about Jesus.

By helping them learn now, we hope and pray that they each will accept their own shield of faith before they can really be influenced by peer pressure and the outside world.  While they are this young, we still have some control over what parts of the outside world they see.  Hopefully by teaching them young, they will come to know how to seek out God’s protection before they hit their teen years.  They will need discernment to know right from wrong.  They will be able to spread the joy of God to those around them and be a good influence wherever they go.

I already pray daily that God protects them with His shield.  They are little and young.  They do not fully understand how the outside world works.  Hopefully we can equip them to be able to rejoice in the Lord and seek His protection when they are older and begin to spread their own wings.  May they be able to sing for joy to God when they do.

 *   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the blessings and protection You give our family. We seek to do right in Your eyes and to sing for joy in Your presence. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

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

Brandon’s Shield

May 15, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

But let all who take refuge in You be glad, let them ever sing for joy;
and may You shelter them, that those who love Your name may exult in You.
For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O Lord,
You surround him with favor as with a shield.
Psalms 5:11-12

On a Thursday evening I get a text from my son, saying he was not feeling well.  I ask him to describe his symptoms and I also get his step-dad involved.  We think he needs to drink something to help ‘clean’ him out.  When he does get the bottle of nasty-tasting stuff, he can’t keep it down.  He tries to sleep that night but not very well.  The next morning,  he asks that I call one of my friends who is a nurse practitioner and get him an appointment.  At 1:15 pm he goes for the appointment.  After the exam she determines it could be appendicitis, and sends him for a CT scan to get better information.  Brandon calls to say he is going in for the scan at 3 pm.  I am praying this whole time asking for God’s help in evaluating the situation quickly.  Brandon calls after the scan to say he is going home.  I suggest that he go over to see my friend/nurse practitioner, Julie, for the results. By the time he gets to the office she has called me to say he has appendicitis and for us to go to the emergency room.

I reach Brandon just as he is getting out of his truck, and tell him to meet me at the ER… that he does have appendicitis…and they will be operating today. I ask him to call his dad and I contact my husband, John.  I managed to get there before Brandon and tried to get paperwork started but he had to be there.  Once he arrives, he checks in.  This is about 4 pm. John arrives around 4:05 and we all sit down.  At about 4:15 we are called back to a room where everyone has a job and are asking Brandon questions.  They begin putting in an IV and drawing blood.  Julie had tried to reach the surgical group she knew that were very qualified to work on Brandon, but could not reach them.  When she spoke with the ER doctor, he said he would take care of reaching one of the team.

By 5 pm Brandon was being wheeled up to the surgical suite to begin the process. This was my first time experiencing emergency surgery on my child (who happens to be 23).  I was a nervous wreck, but Brandon had peace about the whole situation.  From the time he was hurting to the time we left the hospital, he had a peace about him.  I kept looking at the clock in the waiting room.  The surgeon had said it was a 45 minute procedure and recovery would be about an hour. A friend of ours came out who had assisted with the surgery.  Her name is Rose, and she has a sweet, sweet spirit.  It was then I knew Brandon was well covered in prayer while he was being operated on.  God is so merciful!

The surgeon came out and said Brandon was doing great!  Brandon would have to take it easy for a week to 10 days before he could go back to work.  I was just so happy to hear that he was fine!  I stayed the night with Brandon at the hospital and neither of us got much sleep.  Saturday around noon he was discharged; and we went to my house where he would stay with us for a couple of days.  He is a little sore, but moving around.  He is such a trooper…not asking for attention, just wanting to get better and get back to work.

Through this whole adventure, I can see how God shielded and protected Brandon.  Brandon was wise enough to listen to his body—the way God designed us—and knew that something was not right.  And from the CT scan we learned that Brandon was born with just one kidney that is functioning.  I know God has this covered, but we are now going to get a little education on what he should and should not do.

 *   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Father, thank You for taking care of my son.  Thank You that I will be able to have many Christmas, birthdays, and other celebrations with him.  I thank You for Your mercy and Your shield.  I thank You that You give us mom-hearts to pray every day for our family and that we have great pray-ers as friends. I pray Your protection around those today who are hurting and seeking You. May someone give them a word of knowledge and comfort from You.  In Jesus’ name I pray, amen!

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

Strangely Dim

May 15, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

I’ve got all these plans piled up sky high
A thousand dreams on hold
And I don’t know why
I got a front row seat
To the longest wait
And I just can’t see
Past the things I pray
Today

But when I fix my eyes on all that You are
Then every doubt I feel deep in my heart
Grows strangely dim
All my worries fade and fall to the ground
‘Cause when I seek Your face and don’t look around
Any place I’m in grows strangely dim

Sometimes where I stand
On this narrow road
Is in a raging storm
Or a valley low
But oh oh oh oh oh oh

But when I fix my eyes on all that You are
Then every doubt I feel deep in my heart
Grows strangely dim
All my worries fade and fall to the ground
‘Cause when I seek Your face and don’t look around
Any place I’m in grows strangely dim

I don’t know, I don’t know
What tomorrow may hold
But I know, but I know
That You’re holding it all
So no matter what may come

I’m gonna fix my eyes on all that You are
Then every doubt I feel deep in my heart
Grows strangely dim
All my worries fade and fall to the ground
I’m gonna seek Your face and not look around
‘Til the  place I’m in grows strangely dim, strangely, strangely dim

Songwriters – Mia Fieldes, Seth Mosely, and Francesca Battistelli
Performed by Francesca Battistelli

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I once heard it described to me that what you focus on is what you magnify. Imagine looking through the lens of a camera when you focus on what you are taking a picture of the things around it grow dim. When life’s circumstances are coming at us it is easy to get distracted by what’s coming at us instead of turning our focus to the One Who will bring us through it.

I love these words from this old hymn…
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace

When we choose to turn our focus to Jesus the things of this world—our circumstances, doubts, and worries—grow strangely dim.  When we are fully focused on Him there is fullness of joy!!!

Psalm 16:11 ESV states it beautifully,
You make known to me the path of life;
in Your presence there is fullness of joy;
at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

“What’s the secret to joyful heart living and to having fullness of joy?  According to the Scriptures listed above, we obtain fullness of joy from being in the Presence of God.  And we enter into the Presence of God by praising Him.  And when we have joy, then we also have strength.

So, whenever I am feeling less than joyFUL, or am feeling weak or am facing something difficult and need more strength, I stop what I am doing and begin to praise God. Sometimes it may take awhile for me to get my mind to quit thinking about everything else and just focus on HIM, but before long, I can feel His Presence and my joy returns, along with strength.

Isn’t it great to know that we have the power to enter into the Presence of Almighty God whenever we want to?”
(excerpt from JoyfulHeartLiving.com)

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Heavenly Father, I thank You that when we turn our focus to ALL that You are the things of this world grow strangely dim.  Thank You for the peace in Your presence.  May we be filled with the fullness of joy that can only come from You…in Jesus’ name!!!  AMEN!!

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

Three Mistakes to Avoid in Your Exercise and Eating Program

May 14, 2014 by

Avoid
Think back with me for a minute…Did you decide at the beginning of the year to start exercising again and eating better? Maybe you bought the new socks, shoes, workout clothes… purchased all of the food and ingredients for the diet which you heard gets results?  If so, here is my question: Did you stick with it or did you make one of the three mistakes that need to be avoided in an Exercise and Eating Program to be successful?

Over the past 20 years in the fitness industry, I have seen so many who start out with good intentions to exercise and eat healthy, but quickly throw in the towel when it seems to be too much. If that sounds familiar, have you ever felt:

  • Overwhelmed because it feels impossible to work for your schedule?
  • Frustrated because you cannot maintain a healthy weight when things get too busy?
  • A lack of confidence in making the right food choices because you follow a prescribed “diet”?
  • Unclear of HOW to take the knowledge you have and actually do it?
  • A lack of peace and balance because this one area of your life is affecting so many other areas?

If you ever felt that way, I would like to share three mistakes to avoid which can lead to a consistent program and give you results.  This week, we will focus on:

Setting Unrealistic Goals and Expectations

It is too much of a shock on your body and lifestyle to go from no exercise to attempting to exercise 5-7 days a week; nor is it realistic to try and change everything in diet.

Before writing an exercise plan for my clients, we look at their schedule to assess what type, intensity, and duration would be best for them to meet their fitness goals as well as accommodate their lifestyle.  Do you evaluate your goals and plan to assess if they are realistic and doable for your schedule as opposed to setting out to exercise with no rhyme or reason?  For example, you may have been able to work out at the gym every day at one time in your life, but now it is more realistic to exercise at home 3 days a week.  With the appropriate type and intensity, you can still get results.

Instead of trying to eliminate everything you think is unhealthy from your diet all at one time, consider making minor changes that are doable and will build your confidence to continue.  Small changes may look like:

  • adding 2 servings of fruits and vegetables a day,
  • preparing a healthy lunch to take to work instead of eating out,
  • cutting out just one unhealthy choice

Be realistic and avoid this mistake in your exercise and eating program by  setting realistic expectations that fit into your schedule.  You will see that you can have  CONTINUOUS success.

This week, I challenge to you think about how you can set realistic expectations for yourself.  Next week, I will share the 2nd mistake to avoid to have a consistent program.

In Good Health,
Crystal

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

I’m Not Who I Was

May 14, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

I wish you could see me now
I wish I could show you how
I’m not who I was
I used to be mad at you
A little on the hurt side too
But I’m not who I wasI found my way around
To forgiving you
Some time ago
But I never got to tell you soI found us in a photograph
I saw me and I had to laugh
You know, I’m not who I was
You were there, you were right above me
And I wonder if you ever loved me
Just for who I wasWhen the pain came back again
Like a bitter friend
It was all that I could do
To keep myself from blaming you

I reckon it’s a funny thing
I figured out I can sing
Now I’m not who I was
I write about love and such
Maybe ’cause I want it so much
I’m not who I was

I was thinking maybe I
I should let you know
I am not the same
But I never did forget your name
Hello

Well the thing I find most amazing
In amazing grace
Is the chance to give it out
Maybe that’s what love is all about

I wish you could see me now
I wish I could show you how
I’m not who I was

Listen while you read…

~  Singer / Songwriter: Brandon Heath  ~

* ~ ♥ ~ ✞ ~ ♥ ~ *

About 6 years ago, I started mending fences and rebuilding relationships with people I had really hurt during a really horrible time in my life.  I was in a slimy pit and I was stuck there for a while.  I hurt everyone that I held most dear and  loved the most.  Can you relate?  Is there anyone in your life that you want to tell them that you aren’t that same person that you were?  Now that Jesus is first in your life again, or maybe for the first time, you want to shout it from the rooftops that your life looks so different now.  Your light shines only for Him.  You aren’t that same gossip that used to tell what you heard about others.  You aren’t that same jealous friend that wasn’t happy for the good things that happened for others.  You aren’t that same person that held a grudge instead of giving grace and forgiveness.  And doesn’t it feel good?

Brandon Heath wrote this song about his stepmom.  After his father and she got a divorce, he lost touch with her.  He didn’t try to reach out to her.  Many birthdays and holidays went by without even so much as a card.  Later, when his life was radically changed and Jesus took the wheel, he wanted her to know that he had changed.  He wasn’t that same man and he wanted her to know that he actually cared about her…he even loved her.  What an amazing story of how our Jesus takes lives and redeems them and rebuilds them and makes it so good that we want to shout it from the rooftops!

The line “I figured out I can sing, I’m not who I was” tells me that when you give your life to Jesus and you allow Him to live through you, you find gifts that He has given you that you never knew you had.  What is your life like now?  Can you go back through and see where He has changed you?  Guess what!  You don’t have to speak any words for people will know Who you serve and follow by the way you live now.  You will live your amends and apologies, and people will see the grace that you so readily give instead of holding grudges.  I’m praying with you today that our lives will reflect Him and that we will live the abundant life because we have been totally transformed!

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Let us pray:  Dear Lord, You still change lives radically and change us from the inside out.  You fill us with Your Spirit and we cannot help but smile and spread the joy that we have.  Thank You for the gift of forgiveness that we can readily forgive those that wrong us.  We give up the sins of our past and start living out our amends to those we have wronged.  Oh Lord, we love You!  And we are no longer who we were!  In Jesus name, amen.

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

A Promise to Surround

May 13, 2014 by

SeekingHimLogo

But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You;
Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them;
Let those also who love Your name
Be joyful in You.
For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous;
With favor You will surround him as with a shield.
Psalms 5:11-12

If all God told me for the rest of my life was that He was my Shield, I would be okay. If all I heard was that I could trust in Him, and take joy in Him, I would be okay. Or if all I heard was that He would defend me, I would be okay.  But He doesn’t just tell us one or two of these things, He promises all that, AND on top of it all, He adds favor and love.

Joy is only one word I would use to describe how I feel when I step back and realize that He is my Shield.  On a day-to-day basis He stands in front of me, protecting me from the arrows that are being thrown at me and my family.  He is defending us against the attacks, seen and unseen.

For the LORD will be your confidence,
And will keep your foot from being caught.
Proverbs 3:26

Because I know that He walks with me and protects me, I can walk with confidence and be joyful in Him. Even on the days when I feel vulnerable and alone, I know He is there, and I can lift my head and rejoice in all He does for me.

This week I am going to focus on the word “surround” used in Psalm 5:12.  Not only does our Heavenly Father promise this, but He does it in a way that ensures our ultimate protection.  He doesn’t say that He will guard our front or back, He promises that we will be surrounded.  So dear sisters, take joy in the fact that His promises remain true; remember that we are protected from each side; and that the One who died on the Cross for our sins, not only did that but gives us love, protection, and the joy we need to walk the path He has created for us on a daily basis.

  ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~  *

Let’s Pray: Dear Heavenly Father, the hedge of protection that You surround us with on a daily basis is not some random story told in our youth, but instead it is a reality that we are blessed with through every breath we take. In Jesus’ Name, we pray, amen.

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

Lose Myself

May 13, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Take all of the good and all of the bad
‘Cause all of it’s on me
Take all of my ways, the things that I chase
The things that control me

And all that I hide, could You bring it to life?
Could You open my eyes and show me?
Take all that was me and shape it to be
Reflecting You solely

I wanna lose myself, lose myself to find You
I wanna lose myself, lose myself to find You

I don’t care how it sounds
Burn it up to the ground
Your kingdom, my desire
I wanna lose myself, lose myself to find
To find…find You

(I need to find you/I need to find you)
As all of the fates, I’ll be on my way
The wreckage behind me
My feet on the ground, two hands reaching out
The future is blinding
So what is stirring in You? May You stir up in me
All the dreams that You placed inside me
Take all that You see and shape it to be
The story You’re writing

I wanna lose myself, lose myself to find you
I wanna lose myself, lose myself to find you

I don’t care how it sounds
Burn it all to the ground
Consume me with Your fire
I wanna lose myself, lose myself
To find…find You
I need to find You…So do not hide your face from me
Do not hide your face
Do not hide your face from me
Please don’t hide
I’m gonna lose myself, lose myself to find
To find you
I need to find you…
I need to find you…
I need to find you…
I need to find you…
So do not hide your face from me
Do not hide
So do not hide your face from me
Do not hide
I need to find you.
So do not hide your face from me
Do not hide
So do not hide your face from me
Do not hide
So do not hide your face from me
         Please don’t hide your face

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

Written by David Garcia, Toby McKeehan, Chris Stevens/Performed by Toby mac

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What does it mean to ‘lose myself to find Christ’? In Matthew 10:29 NLT it says,

If you cling to your life, you will lose it;
but if you give it up for Me, you will find it.

If we cling to the world, and the ways of the world, we will lose the abundant life that was meant for us to live.  I heard a pastor once say, “I don’t struggle with offense, jealousy, or any of the negative emotions. I would have to get into my flesh to struggle with that!” Isn’t that SO TRUE!!!  Living in the freedom that Jesus meant for us to live means not living according to our fleshly emotions and the standards of the world; but instead giving up those things of the flesh and trusting God in the midst of them.

For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh,
but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
Romans 8:5 NLT

We were intended to live higher and to be spiritually-minded—not to live carnal or according to the flesh.  Oh, there is SO MUCH FREEDOM when we choose to live as God intended for us to live and not live according to our feelings.  It is then, and truly then, that we can live in freedom instead of defeat.  Most importantly we can only do what God calls us to do through His strength and not our own.  It is then that we lose ourselves and, instead, truly find and live in freedom.

* ~ ♥ ~ ✞ ~ ♥ ~ *

Heavenly Father, thank You for revealing those things that are hindering my walk with You and for the strength and the courage to lose myself so I may find You…. I thank You for the life of Freedom only found in You. In Jesus’ name, amen!!!!

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

Thai Tea with Coconut Cream Condensed Milk – Vegan

May 12, 2014 by

2014-05-11 19.54.27

Thai food fans…what beverage do you indulge in when you go out to enjoy a meal at your favorite Thai restaurant? For me, it is a tall Thai iced tea!  Yum!  But this truly is a decadent indulgence, for sure.  Now the ‘tea’ part is usually not the problem…it is the addition of the creamy, very sweet ‘milk-y’ portion that is of concern.

So, when my daughter, Kassia, and I were planning our Mother’s Day meal, we decided NOT to cook but to get Thai takeout… some sushi, some pineapple fried rice, a couple of (rice) noodle-based dishes, and some curry.  Delish!  But we thought that we would make the dessert, soup, and beverages to accompany the restaurant-prepared food.

She chose a recipe for a black rice (rice) pudding topped with toasted coconut flakes and homemade coconut milk whipped topping. I was given responsibility for the soup (I made Tom Kha Ga–a coconut milk-based soup with chicken and mushrooms fantastically flavored with lemongrass, lime, and ginger; Dana has a wonderful recipe here; check it out!) and the  beverages. We put out a selection of flavored seltzers, some mango 100% juice for the grandkids, a nice bottle of Reisling, and a big pitcher of Thai iced tea and (to keep to our choices to eat healthier) a small bowl of homemade condensed milk made with coconut milk and agave nectar. This fit right into our healthy but oh-so-yummy point of view so I thought that I would share it with you! Enjoy!

Coconut Condensed Milk

Ingredients:
(1) 14 ounce can full-fat coconut milk2014-05-12 02.26.01
1/4 cup coconut sugar (or sweetener* of your choice)

Directions:

  • Pour the coconut milk into a small, heavy-bottomed stainless saucepan, and heat over medium-high heat ‘til it comes to a boil, about 5 minutes
  • Whisk in the sweetener of your choice ‘til thoroughly blended
  • Bring back to a boil, and immediately reduce heat to medium-low maintaining a constant simmer; whisk every 5 minutes or so
  • Continue to simmer for 35-45 minutes, ‘til the content is reduced by about half

To serve, fill a tall glass with ice cubes. Fill almost up with Thai tea, and then add 1-2 tablespoons of your homemade, healthier condensed milk.

You can, of course, use whatever spicy tea that is your favorite. To replicate that delicious beverage served in most Thai restaurants, use traditional Thai tea which produces a vibrant orange-colored, full flavored tea.

* I prefer using coconut sugar or honey as my natural sweetener, but agave nectar, pure maple syrup, coconut nectar, or stevia should work just fine. Adjust sweetness to taste; enjoy!

♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥

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

♥  coleen

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