A Savior (Not A Condemner) Is Born

At the suggestion of Beth Moore during the Living Proof Live Simulcast this past August, I have decided to make an "ABCs list of scripture." What this simply means is finding a verse from the Bible that starts with each letter of the alphabet to encourage you to memorize scripture. I have slowly been working on my list and today I decided the verse I was going to use for the letter "F" was John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Pretty appropriate seeing how Christmas, the day we were given God's son, is just three days away. However, this verse is not the focus of my entry today. Though I am eternally thankful for God's gift, the following verse, John 3:17, spoke volumes to me this morning. "For God did NOT send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." (All caps my emphasis.)

I have always had a tough time accepting grace. The fact that I have been forgiven and not condemned is something I have to constantly remind myself of. Being a legalistic perfectionist, I find it difficult to forgive myself of failures and mistakes and expect others, including Christ, to do the same. I have read and memorized the scripture that says there is no condemnation in Christ but a sneaky little voice will creep into my head and remind me of all my past shortcomings. Fortunately though, a more powerful source constantly reminds me that God's Son came to save me and not condemn me. What a great verse. God telling us that he didn't send his Son to "clean house" and wipe out all the riff raff but to love, heal, forgive and offer mercy to anyone who chooses to accept these gifts.

So this Christmas, as I watch one of my children open the gift under our tree that holds the baby Jesus from our Nativity scene, I WILL be reminded that I have been forgiven, that I am loved and that my failures will not keep me from being the woman God has intended me to be.

No fail dinner tonight, clam chowder with English muffins toasted and topped with cheddar and tossed salad.

Fish or Clam Chowder
2 cups chicken stock
2 cups diced potatoes
2 tbsp butter
6 slices bacon, chopped
1 med onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb fish fillets, cubed or 2 cans whole baby clams, drained
1/8 tsp dried whole thyme
1 pint half and half
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
3 whole English muffins, split
6 slices cheddar cheese

Bring stock to a boil in a large sauce pan then add potatoes. Cover and cook 10 minutes. In a small skillet, melt butter then saute bacon with onions and garlic until bacon is lightly browned and veggies are tender. Add bacon, onion, garlic, drippings, fish or clams and thyme to potatoes in the stock. Simmer 10 minutes then stir in half and half, salt and pepper. Simmer 5 more minutes then sprinkle with parsley. Toast English muffins lightly then top halves with cheese and broil until cheese is melted. Serve with chowder and salad. Serves 6.

Bah Humbug

As the familiar Christmas song goes, "Tis the season to spend money, fa la la la la la la la la..." Ok, so maybe it doesn't go quite like that but lately that's the version I've been hearing in my head. From Christmas presents to parties it seems like there is always something else requiring the usage of my well-worn debit card and dwindling bank account. And unfortunately at times like this my inner scrooge appears and makes me wish I had more, more, more while finding myself becoming envious of those who do. Then this morning I read something in my Bible that reminded me more money will never be what I need.

In Psalm 49, verses 16 through 19, the psalmist wrote, "Do not be overawed when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases; for he will take nothing with him when he dies, his splendor will not descend with him. Though while he lived he counted himself blessed--and men praise you when you prosper--he will join the generation of his fathers, who will never see the light of life."

Yikes, "never see the light of life," can you imagine? So often we think people who have an abundance of wealth are "living the life" but according to this passage the life they are living does not compare to the life Christ's offers and many people who appear to have it all will never actually experience the greatness or 'light of life'! Obviously this is not about wealthy Christians who have chosen Christ because wealth does not exclude us from Heaven, it's about those who allow their wealth to hinder them from depending on the Lord for their salvation and just as money will not exclude you from Heaven, it will not guarantee you a spot there either. All the money in the world could not buy the 'light of life'.

So while I was thinking I needed more, God gently reminded me that a more thankful attitude and a better understanding of the riches I have in His son is what I really need. More Him, less me.

You don't have to be rich to afford dinner tonight...pulled pork quesadillas with cilantro-lime sour cream and black bean and corn salad.

Pulled Pork Quesadillas
1 (2-3 lb) Boston butt roast
Salt
Pepper
Garlic Salt
Chili Powder
Ground Cumin
1/2 to 3/4 cup BBQ sauce
8 flour tortillas
2 cups monteray jack cheese, shredded

Place pork roast in crock pot and sprinkle generously with spices on all sides. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or until pork shreds easily with a fork. Remove from crock pot and shred. Add bbq sauce and set aside. On a flour tortilla place enough pulled pork to cover the bottom leaving about 1/2 inch along the edges. Top with cheese and another tortilla. Repeat with remaining tortillas. Heat large skillet over medium heat. Cook quesadillas 2-3 minutes on each side until light brown and cheese is melted. Serve with cilantro-lime sour cream.

Cilantro-Lime Sour Cream
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
juice from 1 lime
1 clove garlic, minced
1 cup sour cream

Mix well and chill until ready to serve.

Black Bean and Corn Salad
2 (15 oz) cans black beans, drained
2 cans whole kernel corn, drained
1 green pepper, chopped
3 plum tomatoes, chopped
1 medium red onion, chopped
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 tbsp fresh lime juice
1/2 tsp ground cumin
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro

Mix all ingredients and chill until ready to serve.

God's Sense of Humor

"Do not test the Lord your God..." Deuteronomy 6:16

Yesterday I did just that. I tested God. I had been debating whether or not I should attend a ladies conference this weekend and couldn't shake the feeling that the Lord really wanted me to be there. As I considered all the reasons why I shouldn't go I realized they were based upon my selfishness. One particular reason I clung to was not having the extra money to purchase a ticket. That's a good one right? After all it is Christmas time and I have all those gifts to buy...but wait a minute, wasn't I going to be spending the exact amount next week to enter a running race? A race that I wanted to participate in and one that more than likely would not provide any spiritual growth. This is where the test came into play.

I was on my way home from running errands when I thought, "Ok God, if you want me to go to the conference then let there be a check in the mail!" I smugly pulled into our driveway, got out of the car and walked directly to the mailbox knowing there would not be a check in the mail. And I was right. Ha! There was no check in the mail! But wait, what was that thin envelope sandwiched between the Pizza Hut coupons and a flyer from Verizon? There was a check in the mail! I tore into the envelope thinking I had gotten really good at predicting God when the first thing I noticed was the sentence, "This is not a check." What?? Inside the envelope was not a paycheck but the direct deposit receipt from Eric's last paycheck. It held no monetary value and was actually mailed late. I couldn't help but laugh! Here I was expecting God to perform like I wanted Him to and for a brief moment He let me think He did!

How great is our God's sense of humor that He allows us to think we are in control only to gently remind us later how much we really need to let go of our ideas and expectations and let HIM write the stories and miracles of our lives. I like to think God was in Heaven laughing at me as I tore into that envelope thinking I had Him all figured out. I could hear His beautiful laugh followed by His gentle voice saying, "Daughter, my plan is so much better than you think. Stop trying to guess my actions. Don't test me, just trust me."

Needless to say, I'm going to the conference this weekend. No God did not send a check for the exact amount, though I know He could have, but He did teach me a few lessons: That I need to trust Him even when it seems like the resources needed to do so are not there, that He cannot be predicted and that He has a great sense of humor.

One thing you can predict is that Beef and Vegetable Soup along with grilled cheese sandwiches will be enjoyed for dinner!

Beef and Vegetable Soup (aka Stone Soup*)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 lbs beef roast cut into 3/4" chunks
1 med. onion, chopped
4 (14.5 oz) cans beef broth
1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
2 cups water
1 bay leaf
1/4 tsp dried thyme
1/4 tsp pepper
1 lb carrots, peeled and chopped
1 lb red potatoes, scrubbed and chopped
3 celery stalks, chopped
1 (10 oz) pkg frozen corn
1 (10 oz) pkg frozen peas

Brown beef in oil in large pot. Add onion and cook 5 minutes. Stir in broth, tomatoes with juice, water, bay leaf, thyme and pepper. Bring to a boil then cover, reduce heat and simmer 45 minutes. Add carrots, potatoes and celery then cover and simmer 45 more minutes. Add peas and corn and simmer for 15 minutes. Serve with grilled cheese sandwiches.

*A great story to share with your kids while making this soup is the fable about Stone Soup. You can read one version of the story here: http://www.dltk-teach.com/fables/stonesoup/mtale.htm

Great Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
8 slices multi-grain bread
8 slices of muenster cheese
1 med onion, thinly sliced
1 med tomato, thinly sliced
butter

Heat skillet or electric griddle to med heat. Layer each sandwich with cheese, onion, tomato then another slice of cheese. Butter outsides of sandwich and cook until golden brown. Enjoy!

**Oh, and as a side note we did receive an unexpected check in the mail today. It wasn't the exact amount of the conference but it was enough to help. God's little way of reminding me He is still in control. :)