Light and Dark

Although I love that it's light out when I wake up in the mornings I'm not crazy about it getting dark so soon in the evenings. All summer long we were able to enjoy several hours of sunlight outside after eating dinner but now with the time change we basically have to turn on every light in the house just to see what it is were about to eat for dinner!

This morning (while enjoying the sunlight) I read in Ephesians chapter five that Paul noticed a difference in the light and darkness as well and though he wasn't referring to "Daylight Savings Time" he wrote about something much more important. In verse eight he wrote, "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light". Now my kids LOVE playing in the dark with flashlights but I'm not thinking this is what Paul meant by "children of light." However, there is a lesson to be learned in the flashlight:

1. To be effective a flashlight has to be turned on. If we are to be effective as Christians, we need to be turned on and into God's will.
2. To be effective a flashlight has to be pointed in the right direction, ahead of you where you are trying to go, not behind you spot-lighting where you have been. To be effective Christians we need to point the way to Jesus and salvation.
3. Finally, to be effective a flashlight's batteries occasionally need to be recharged. To be effective Christians we need to recharge ourselves by spending time in the Bible, worshipping God and by spending time with other Christians encouraging each other.

All the lights in our house will be on tonight as I make Chicken Parmigiana for dinner! May our home be a light in our neighborhood!

Chicken Parmigiana
4-6 chicken breast fillets (thin sliced)
3/4 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1 egg, beaten
1/3 cup vegetable oil
4-6 slices Provolone cheese
1 (15 1/2 oz) jar spaghetti sauce
1/2 box of spaghetti noodles

Cook spaghetti according to package directions then drain and set aside. Heat spaghetti sauce in medium sauce pan over low heat.

Combine breadcrumbs, salt, pepper and Parmesan cheese. Dip chicken in egg then coat in breadcrumb mixture. Place chicken on a cookie sheet and chill in fridge for 10 minutes. Heat oil in large skillet over med heat. Saute chicken in oil until golden brown on each side. Remove chicken from skillet and place in a 13x9x2 baking dish. Spoon a little spaghetti sauce over each chicken fillet then bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes. Add a slice of Provolone cheese to each chicken fillet and bake an additional 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Pour remaining sauce over noodles. Serve chicken with sauce and noodles and a salad.