Independence Day 2016
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Forewarning, some of the images in this video are disturbing, but we need to open our eyes to what our country has become and take back what our founding fathers worked so hard to give us.
The Christ, the Saviour of the World
/There are times when we make decisions because of the influence of others. My Momma learned Bible verses as a little girl from an encouraging, elderly couple who lived nearby. While her family did not attend church often, there was a Bible in the home and good morals taught. My grandmother would help her find the verses so she could learn them every week.
Years later, as my Aunt took her children to church, my Momma felt the pains of guilt for not having her boys in Sunday school. My oldest brother was five years old the first time he went. Every Sunday, Momma took the boys to Sunday school and she sat in a ladies class. For over a year, she listened to the Gospel before she realized she was not saved. After attending ladies visitation with her teacher and hearing about the gracious love of God being shared with others every week, my Momma accepted Jesus as her personal Saviour.
Through the influence of the Coles, my sweet Aunt Sandra, and a dear family friend, I can sit here and write the words
I know Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the World
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Jesus: The Christ, the Saviour of the World
When Jesus traveled to Samaria, He had a reason. It wasn’t a quick change in plans; it was His Father’s will. (John 4:34) Jesus knew there would be revival in that town because of the influence of one woman; a woman decent people avoided. This woman told Him she knew of and was waiting for the Messiah (John 4:25).
Something we tend to forget; the Jews were not the only ones waiting for Jesus.
Jesus always knows. Nothing takes Him by surprise.
While some of the disciples were more concerned about the things in life (Luke 9:57-62), this precious woman left behind her water pot as she went to tell anyone who would listen to what Jesus had said. Going back into the city to tell others showed a test of her faith. (John 4:28)
Are we more concerned about our water potor the soul of another?
Many of the Samaritans came to believe in Jesus because of the influence of this woman, and how she was told about the things she had done. (John 4:39) There were many others to believe on Jesus because they heard Him themselves. (John 4:42) One day we will know just how many people she influenced.
Whether we are influenced by another or hear the Gospel of Jesus ourselves, we can all say indeed he is The Christ, the Saviour of the World.
Quick and Easy Chicken Taco Rice
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Quick and easy recipes are my favorites. Recipes that don’t require a lot of cooking and heating up the house are always on the top of my list during the warmer months. Taco Rice is quick,easy and perfect for the summer months. Using precooked chicken, you can have this on the table within 30 minutes.
My friend Crystal introduced me to this recipe years ago when she had The Homemaker’s Homestead forum. Crystal has a large family and most of her recipes reflect the fact, but they are easy to adjust for your needs. When I first read the ingredients of the Taco Rice Recipe, I knew it was something I wanted to try. At that time we were still eating red meat, but over the years, I have changed the recipe for using chicken.
When I make this recipe, I normally cook a package of boneless, skinless chicken breast and roughly shred it. But last week when I made this, I cooked a whole chicken in the crock pot and picked the meat off the bones and froze what I needed for the day it would be used. If you are only cooking for 1 or 2 people, a package of chicken tenderloins would work perfectly.
I serve Taco Rice with tortilla chips and all the fixings for tacos.
Ingredients:
Directions:
Cook rice and set aside to cool enough to fluff. Fluffing the rice with a fork will keep it from mushing together when adding it to the other ingredients.
In a pan, add butter and sauté onion. Add tomatoes, salsa, taco seasoning, chicken, and rice and simmer for about 5 minutes. Add cheese at the end before serving. If needed, you can add a little water or chicken broth to the pot to keep everything from sticking to the bottom.
If you try this recipe, leave me a comment because I'd love to hear about it. Or if you just want to leave a comment and say, "HI!" do that because I'd love to hear from you either way.
My friend Crystal introduced me to this recipe years ago when she had The Homemaker’s Homestead forum. Crystal has a large family and most of her recipes reflect the fact, but they are easy to adjust for your needs. When I first read the ingredients of the Taco Rice Recipe, I knew it was something I wanted to try. At that time we were still eating red meat, but over the years, I have changed the recipe for using chicken.
When I make this recipe, I normally cook a package of boneless, skinless chicken breast and roughly shred it. But last week when I made this, I cooked a whole chicken in the crock pot and picked the meat off the bones and froze what I needed for the day it would be used. If you are only cooking for 1 or 2 people, a package of chicken tenderloins would work perfectly.
I serve Taco Rice with tortilla chips and all the fixings for tacos.
Chicken Taco Rice
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 3 cups of shredded chicken
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 TBSP butter
- 1 ½ TBSP taco seasoning (I use homemade, but 1 package of store bought will work)
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- Additional water or chicken broth may be needed
Directions:
Cook rice and set aside to cool enough to fluff. Fluffing the rice with a fork will keep it from mushing together when adding it to the other ingredients.
In a pan, add butter and sauté onion. Add tomatoes, salsa, taco seasoning, chicken, and rice and simmer for about 5 minutes. Add cheese at the end before serving. If needed, you can add a little water or chicken broth to the pot to keep everything from sticking to the bottom.
If you try this recipe, leave me a comment because I'd love to hear about it. Or if you just want to leave a comment and say, "HI!" do that because I'd love to hear from you either way.
Jehovah-Jireh (The Lord Will Provide)
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We can be rest assured when we have needs and go to Jehovah-Jireh (the Lord will provide) He will provide, just has His name says.
It was a hard weekend. The job of cleaning out a storage building is never easy, but knowing almost all the items in the building would not make another across country trip was heartbreaking.
Childhood and early marriage mementos were forcefully crammed into boxes with the sides stretched beyond their capability of holding themselves together.
Watching a nine-year-old decide on what he could not live without caused tears to sting the eyes. The trailer pulling away with piles of boxes, different pieces of furniture, and the dining room set my husband worked so hard to give is burned into the back of my mind.
To give back almost all of our possessions was not what I signed up for when my husband went into full-time ministry work, but it was something I had to go through. When I look back on that weekend and remember all the prayers for wisdom and peace about the items to leave behind, Jehovah-Jireh answered those prayers.
You may be thinking the above situation was hard, but it was nothing like when God told Abraham to give his precious, promised Isaac back to the Lord as a burnt sacrifice. (Genesis 22:1-2) Giving our children to the Lord to use is one thing, but to be asked to offer them as a burnt (human sacrifice) offering is beyond our comprehension. Abraham had such strong faith in God, he set out willingly on a journey to give Isaac back to God.
I can only image the conversations between Abraham and Isaac. I wonder if Abraham used this journey as a teaching moment for Isaac, or if they talked about what they were planning on doing when they returned home. If maybe they shared special secrets that only a father and son can share. Hearing the words from Isaac, here’s the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt-offering (Genesis 22:7) must have caused Abraham’s heart to drop to his stomach. I wonder if his voice quivered when he responded that God would provide a lamb. (Genesis 22:8)
Abraham’s faith was tested to a point where most of us would not go willingly. Abraham built the altar, placed the wood on it, bound up Isaac, and laid him on top. While Abraham’s words spoke faith, God tested his actions. The act of preparing to sacrifice Isaac showed just how much faith Abraham had in God.
God saw Abraham and knew his love for Isaac. He also saw the faith Abraham had in the midst of a "nightmare" moment. God provided a lamb (ram) to take Isaac’s place. Just like God provided a Lamb (Jesus) to take our place on the cross.
Childhood and early marriage mementos were forcefully crammed into boxes with the sides stretched beyond their capability of holding themselves together.
Watching a nine-year-old decide on what he could not live without caused tears to sting the eyes. The trailer pulling away with piles of boxes, different pieces of furniture, and the dining room set my husband worked so hard to give is burned into the back of my mind.
To give back almost all of our possessions was not what I signed up for when my husband went into full-time ministry work, but it was something I had to go through. When I look back on that weekend and remember all the prayers for wisdom and peace about the items to leave behind, Jehovah-Jireh answered those prayers.
Jehovah-Jireh { The Lord Will Provide }
You may be thinking the above situation was hard, but it was nothing like when God told Abraham to give his precious, promised Isaac back to the Lord as a burnt sacrifice. (Genesis 22:1-2) Giving our children to the Lord to use is one thing, but to be asked to offer them as a burnt (human sacrifice) offering is beyond our comprehension. Abraham had such strong faith in God, he set out willingly on a journey to give Isaac back to God.
I can only image the conversations between Abraham and Isaac. I wonder if Abraham used this journey as a teaching moment for Isaac, or if they talked about what they were planning on doing when they returned home. If maybe they shared special secrets that only a father and son can share. Hearing the words from Isaac, here’s the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt-offering (Genesis 22:7) must have caused Abraham’s heart to drop to his stomach. I wonder if his voice quivered when he responded that God would provide a lamb. (Genesis 22:8)
Abraham’s faith was tested to a point where most of us would not go willingly. Abraham built the altar, placed the wood on it, bound up Isaac, and laid him on top. While Abraham’s words spoke faith, God tested his actions. The act of preparing to sacrifice Isaac showed just how much faith Abraham had in God.
God saw Abraham and knew his love for Isaac. He also saw the faith Abraham had in the midst of a "nightmare" moment. God provided a lamb (ram) to take Isaac’s place. Just like God provided a Lamb (Jesus) to take our place on the cross.
Because of God’s faithfulness to provide, Abraham called the altar place
Jehovah-Jireh (The Lord Will Provide)
God will provide Himself a Lamb
The only sacrifice that sin demands
Just as He proved to Abraham, He would provide Himself a Lamb
Behold the Lamb, God Himself the Lamb
The only sacrifice that sin demands
Just as He proved to Abraham, He would provide Himself a Lamb
Behold the Lamb, God Himself the Lamb
God Himself the Lamb, Robert Griffith
If you’re wondering about our things we gave back to the Lord, He gave them back to us.
Homemade Taco Seasoning
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There is something about homemade taco seasoning! Creating your own seasoning can help you remove or lessen certain ingredients. This homemade taco seasoning is better than any store bought package.
Read MoreThe Lily of the Valley {Thankful Thursdays}
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The Lily of the Valley is a humble little flower, they grow in places that are shady and lowly. They are not flashy or showy, nor do they grow on thick, strong bushes. They are a delicate, gentle flower. If you are like me and love flowers you try your hand at planting a few bulbs in hope they will grow and bloom into something beautiful in a flower bed. My somewhat green thumb can’t seem to grow anything here in Montana, even a few bulbs of Lily of the Valley.
Humility is a trait we see in Jesus throughout the Gospels. He could have been born in a palace and placed in the royal baby crib and given the luxuries as a royal offspring. But God chose for Jesus to be born in a lowly stable and His bed, a food trough for animals. Jesus grew up in a carpenter’s home, in a regular town, with regular parents and siblings. While He wasn’t ordinary, I’m sure He grew up within an ordinary life with family and friends. One day we may hear all about the childhood Jesus had that is not recorded in the Bible.
Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (bold emphasis is mine)
When Jesus chose His disciples, He chose ordinary men. These men were dedicated to their families and occupations, they knew hard work and were willing to be used of God. Jesus and these men left behind everything they owned and everyone they knew to teach and share the Gospel with others.
Matthew 8:20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
When Jesus and His disciples traveled, they did so in a way that did not bring them recognition; they humbly went not making a grand entrance. Ordinary people followed Jesus throughout the towns, many who were looking for the hope that only He could give and all saw and heard the true authority of Jesus.
Jesus’ birth was lowly,
Jesus - The Lily of the Valley
Humility is a trait we see in Jesus throughout the Gospels. He could have been born in a palace and placed in the royal baby crib and given the luxuries as a royal offspring. But God chose for Jesus to be born in a lowly stable and His bed, a food trough for animals. Jesus grew up in a carpenter’s home, in a regular town, with regular parents and siblings. While He wasn’t ordinary, I’m sure He grew up within an ordinary life with family and friends. One day we may hear all about the childhood Jesus had that is not recorded in the Bible.
Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (bold emphasis is mine)
When Jesus chose His disciples, He chose ordinary men. These men were dedicated to their families and occupations, they knew hard work and were willing to be used of God. Jesus and these men left behind everything they owned and everyone they knew to teach and share the Gospel with others.
Matthew 8:20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
When Jesus and His disciples traveled, they did so in a way that did not bring them recognition; they humbly went not making a grand entrance. Ordinary people followed Jesus throughout the towns, many who were looking for the hope that only He could give and all saw and heard the true authority of Jesus.
Jesus’ birth was lowly,
but His life and works were exalted.
I’ve found a friend in Jesus, He’s everything to me,
He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul;
The Lily of the Valley, in Him alone I see
All I need to cleanse and make me fully whole.
He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul;
The Lily of the Valley, in Him alone I see
All I need to cleanse and make me fully whole.
The Lily of the Valley – Charles W. Fry
The Holy One of God {Thankful Thursdays}
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One day, every tongue will profess Jesus is the Holy One of God. For many, that day professing Jesus will be easy, but for others it will be difficult.
Jesus and His teachings affected people in different ways in the New Testament. For many there was healing, love and compassion, the power of bringing a loved one back to life, and the casting out of demons. Then there were those who did not like Jesus, who He claimed to be, and His teaching was not what they wanted to hear.
At Capernaum, Jesus entered the synagogue and taught. His teaching was not like that of others; it showed authority. (Mark 1:22) While many were amazed at Jesus, there was one who became unnerved by His presence. So much so, he called Jesus by name wanting to be left alone and asked if He was going to destroy him. The demon that possessed this man knew Jesus and the power that filled Him. (Mark 1:23)
The words, I know Thee who thou art, the Holy One of God (Mark 1:24) shows this demon acknowledging Jesus as God the Son and professed it. This demon also knew of its destruction and what will happen one day to Satan and his followers.
While Satan and his demons have power, Jesus can hinder them; stop them from speaking and cast them out. Hold thy peace, and come out of him. (Mark 1:25) Jesus showed His authority and power while casting out the demon. (Mark 1:27)
Jesus taught with authority and He demonstrated (performed miracles) with authority; an authority we must not deny. For those who deny there is a God, a Jesus who died on the cross, and a Holy Spirit who was sent to be our Comforter, they too will one day profess Jesus is the Holy One of God.
May we set our thoughts upon Jesus and say during the day, "Thou Holy One of God, may we allow you to glorify Thyself through us."
Jesus and His teachings affected people in different ways in the New Testament. For many there was healing, love and compassion, the power of bringing a loved one back to life, and the casting out of demons. Then there were those who did not like Jesus, who He claimed to be, and His teaching was not what they wanted to hear.
The Holy One Of God
At Capernaum, Jesus entered the synagogue and taught. His teaching was not like that of others; it showed authority. (Mark 1:22) While many were amazed at Jesus, there was one who became unnerved by His presence. So much so, he called Jesus by name wanting to be left alone and asked if He was going to destroy him. The demon that possessed this man knew Jesus and the power that filled Him. (Mark 1:23)
The words, I know Thee who thou art, the Holy One of God (Mark 1:24) shows this demon acknowledging Jesus as God the Son and professed it. This demon also knew of its destruction and what will happen one day to Satan and his followers.
While Satan and his demons have power, Jesus can hinder them; stop them from speaking and cast them out. Hold thy peace, and come out of him. (Mark 1:25) Jesus showed His authority and power while casting out the demon. (Mark 1:27)
Jesus taught with authority and He demonstrated (performed miracles) with authority; an authority we must not deny. For those who deny there is a God, a Jesus who died on the cross, and a Holy Spirit who was sent to be our Comforter, they too will one day profess Jesus is the Holy One of God.
May we set our thoughts upon Jesus and say during the day, "Thou Holy One of God, may we allow you to glorify Thyself through us."
Meaningful Conversations With God
/Do you like being talked to? Do you like having meaningful conversations? I do to an extent being an introvert, but that is another story. What about living within the walls of your house with others and not talking with them unless they wanted something? It’s a little odd isn’t it, trying to imagine not talking with someone unless they wanted something. But you know, many of us do it all the time, every day in fact.
Meaningful Conversations With God
I’m going to share something with you about me today. I’ve shared it before, but if you’ve missed it in the past here it is...
If I don’t
purposely set aside time
in the mornings
, I
won’t talk
to God or read my Bible
during the day unless I make a quick “Lord help me” plea. When my day gets going, I don’t think about anything else other than what I’m focused on. Now that my son is independent in his school work, I’m not needed as much with that so I can focus on homemaking. By the time I remember I need to pray and read my Bible I am up to my elbows in cleaning.
The next time my devotion comes to mind, I’m preparing supper and expecting my husband’s return home from work; another moment where something special was pushed aside. The next time I would think about praying and reading my Bible is at bedtime. Some nights, I am so worn out I’m asleep before my head hits the pillow. Other nights I quickly run to the kitchen table to pray and read a quick chapter in Psalms feeling guilty of what I’ve done.
Just recently, a day went by without me reading my Bible. When I realized I let the distraction of a Saturday morning cause me to not have my devotions it was midnight and I was sitting outside with my husband while he was taking pictures. Watching the Milky Way come into view along with the cool Montana night air wisping around my face and arms it hit me, I was enjoying the beauty of God’s creation, but I missed out on a special time with the Lord that day.
I understand it is difficult to find time, especially if you work outside the home; I was in your shoes for five years. While
most of the time, I encourage you to find what will work for you and let nothing disrupt it. You may need to wake up a little earlier in the mornings or if you’re a night owl, a nightly devotion after everyone is in bed may be the perfect time for you.
Meaningful conversations are usually out of love or care not a forceful, unpleasant situation. Spending time with the Lord should be out of love not a required action. We should enter our special time with joy and happiness, not dread and discontent.
We like meaningful conversations and God is the perfect One to have them with because He listens and cares about what you have to say and He gives wonderful advice. Advice we can know and trust it is in our best interest. But, He also wants to tell you special little secrets that only He can whisper in your ear.
When we don’t have meaningful conversations with the Lord,
we miss out on so much He wants to share with us.
Have you missed any of these posts?
Having A Relationship With God
