Tag Archives: Texas

Apple Cider Vinegar Medium Roast

05 Sunday Apr 2020

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It was dark when I entered the kitchen on Palm Sunday. I immediately noticed a half-full carafe of water on my husband’s coffee pot—what a pleasant surprise. I poured the water in the side cylinder and brewed up

photo of coffee mug on top of book

Photo by fotografierende on Pexels.com

his favorite decaf Dunkin Donuts medium roast.

He walked out shortly after and said, “Oh, thank you, honey, how thoughtful.”, took a sip, and suddenly a vast expanse of quiet loomed.

“Ahh, I was cleaning the pot with vinegar last night, tastes like you may have used that water.”

Nice, what a way to begin your Sunday morning. Coffee and vinegar.

As we all spend extra time together sheltering in place, are your words edging on the sour?

Do they give grace to those who hear?

Are your Zooms and calls filled with words that build up others in need?

“No rotten talk should come from your mouth, but only what is good for the building up of someone in need, in order to give grace to those who hear.

Ephesians 4:29 HCSB

 

Shovel Guy

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I walked in front of a garbage truck the whole time I was out for my lunchtime stroll. It seemed to rev up loudly each time it moved beyond a few cans. It reminded me of how it feels when a person in a bad mood makes contact with you; it’s also with the stench and noise of their bad attitude.

Daisy age 16Don’t assume ownership and try to fix the venomous words spewing. It’s not ours to own. It’s the Lord’s work to repair.

There was a neighbor who was always angry when I walked our sweet Daisy by his yard. He was so upset one day, he took a shovel and began tossing dog poo out in the street with a shovel. He said, “You people need to pick up after your dogs.” By the size of the doggy doo, I knew it was a much larger dog than Daisy, leaving him treasures. I looked over, showed him my bag and softly said we always use a dog waste bag. “He replied, I bet.” At this point, I moved quickly, so I wasn’t on the receipt of a shovel full of ….. Daisy decides to hang out by his red fire hydrant and locks in her legs and won’t move. She’s checking pee-mail, and I’m getting nervous as shovel guy moves closer. I want to lecture him on contaminating our ecosystem, but as the shovel approached, I scooped up our sweet Shitzu and walked on the other side of the street. I continued to do so each evening until he recently moved.

I couldn’t fix my neighbor. He is the Lord’s to repair.

No rotten talk should come from your mouth, but only what is good for the building up of someone in need, to give grace to those who hear. And don’t grieve God’s Holy Spirit, who sealed you for the day of redemption. All bitterness, anger and wrath, insult and slander must be removed from you, along with all wickedness. And be kind and forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ. Ephesians 4: 29-32

Healing – Part 10

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Go to Church

Find a bible-based church that’s not so large you get lost in the shuffle.

“See and be radiant and your heart will tremble and rejoice.”  (first half of Is. 59v.5)

Experience the transformative power of God’s Word.

Sorrow is better than laugher, for sadness has a refining influence on us.

Ecclesiastes 7:3

Just soak it all in.

Rest.

Worship.009

Teaching.

The old.

The young.

Cry.

Church is a safe place to weep.

The deeper the sorrow, the less the tongue has to say.

The Talmud

Healing – Part 5

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In line at the grocery store a young mom started setting items aside she could not pay for–

bananas, apples, and other veggies.  I handed the money to the cashier and she, with her many lovely long braids, and her sweet children were on their way.

I’ll never see this family again, but I assured her it was from God and He loves her.

Standing in line at the gas station one of our coaches from the high school was checking out.  It was less than $10.00 but it gave me the opportunity to thank him for all he does for the young people in our community and a simple God Bless you.

You are reading this and thinking I don’t have any extra.

Save a quarter a week till you have a dollar and give it away and bless another.

Perhaps one of my biggest adjustments to having an empty nest is the grocery store, mine is HEB.  Feeling blue grocery shopping alone one Saturday, two teen girls stood in front of me at the checkout counter with a giant bottle of chocolate syrup. The only thing I said as I slipped several dollars to the cashier on their behalf was “God Bless you” to the two smiling young faces. It ended up being on sale and just one dollar, but it was my small way of demonstrating God’s love toward others, and God lifted my spirits as I gave just a little away, my unexpected blessing from Him.

A young mom from our neighborhood texted me to see if she could pick up some food for her three small children from our churches pantry. I could not get there, but the owner of the preschool was there to help, and helped her carry the groceries to her car where she quietly handed the young mom an envelope with extra cash.  That mom called me later to say how she could not believe how God had met her need so quickly.  Sometimes our random acts of kindness are really divine appointments– God’s way of letting others know they are loved and not forgotten.

Feeling Sad?

Be the hand of God.

 

A Quiet Place with God – Part 10

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Later, He appeared to the Eleven themselves as they were reclining at the table. He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who saw Him after He had been resurrected. Mark 16: 14 HCSB

Rebuke.

While hiking I was struck by the tree on the left and how lush and green and full of life.

The tree on the right was dead.

We grow and flourish as we listen to Gods word and take action to change when He convicts us and rebukes us with His Word.

Listen and receive the rebuke.

Most of our family has given up coffee, but I still make it for one.

As the coffee drinker woke late to find no coffee, I simply said “Wake five minutes early and make it yourself.”

 

God immediately rebuked me quietly in my heart and I made the coffee and ran it to my beloved coffee drinker and handed a to go cup through the window.

My day had begun in the Word and contemplation just an hour before, but I had chosen a harsh response.

Conviction comes as we clear our minds and focus on the Word

The Lord will give us the self-control and  Holy Spirit to do His will and be His vessel.
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The rebuke put me back onto His path.

Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.” Proverbs 3:6

IMG_5125Then He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation.”

Mark 16:15 HCSB

 

Gluten Free UT Burnt Orange Cornbread Cake (egg, wheat and milk free)

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IMG_4218Preheat oven to 425 degrees

1/2 c Gluten Free Bisquick

1 c pumpkin

1 c cornmeal

1/4 c unsweetened HEB applesauceIMG_4217

5 tablespoons of sugar

1 cup HEB Almond milk

4 ts. baking powder

1/4 c oil (vegetable or coconut)

Spray pan generously with Spectrum Coconut oil

Mix all ingredients and pour into a Texas or 9/13 pan and bake for 30-35 minutes at 425 degrees.

Allow cake to cool for an hour in the pan before flipping!

Perfect for picky tailgaters! The cake is most and delicious!

Gluten Free Baked Beans

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1 package of dry navy beans

1/4 c brown sugar

4 pieces of  turkey bacon ( I’ve found some excellent nitrate free at Natural Grocers)

1 tsp. salt

3 tbsp. molasses

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Rinse and sort out the strange beans from the bag. Boil beans in 6 cups of water for two minutes.  Set for one hour.

Place beans in a crock pot and add 1/4- 1/2 pound of cooked turkey bacon, 1/4 c brown sugar, 1 tsp. salt and 3 tablespoons of molasses.

Fill up crock pot with water covering beans with at least several inches of water and cook on low overnight for 6-8 hours.

Seems like a lot of work, but I was bringing dinner over to a friend who comes down with migraines after consuming pork and she is restricting salt.  The recipe is from HEB a food market in Texas near our home. The only changes I made to the recipe was to increase the bacon and use a crock pot instead of boiling on the stove for several hours. Canned beans contain trigger items for my sweet friend, but I love HEB Borracho Beans with Shiner Bock Beer.

The beans are just lightly sweet and perfect with eggs topped with basil leaves cut “chiffonade style” or thin strips with a scissors( a full leaf is too much for breakfast faire) and salsa in lieu of toast.

The meal I made for her had baked chicken and rice with a little chicken broth for flavor. The beans placed in a couple of mason jars.

This also is a perfect way to serve for a tailgate. I’ve transported beans unsuccessfully in my trunk, even placing the crock pot in box.

Pour beans into the jars, seal the tops and place in a pot with a hot brick (wrap in foil) and snuggle the glass with napkins.  The beans are easily consumed with a fork, standing at your tailgate.

Words That Heal- Part 6

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lThe rain was heavy in Texas and everyone pitched in to shovel stinky fly covered manure.

Who knew mucking stalls could be such a cathartic experience. It was perfect timing after being on the receiving end of a hateful verbal assault.

The words stung and smelled and brought a bitter taste to my mouth as I breathed in the fumes of vitriol thoughts of another.

The pungent odor assaulted my nose and eyes as the scene flashed before my mind.

What happened to bring this upon myself?

Verbal offenses usually bounce off me, but this one stung.

The delivery was akin to vomit all over me.

In other words poor delivery, but yes I got the message.

How can I remove this branding from my brain?

What actually works to remove filth from your mind?

Unwholesome images and words the Lord does not want you to own.

Walking out the door before heading off to the barn, a dear friend

Linda Z. called and prayed over the phone with me.

I could hear the whipping pages of her bible as she spoke these words over me to our Lord Jesus Christ.

“Silence the ugliness…God your blood has set us apart. This is an opportunity. I surrender. Vengeance is yours. May truth knock them over. The words will not hinder nor rob Trish anymore. She is the daughter of a King and you dance over her. (Referencing Zephaniah 3:17) Trish has things to do for the Lord and she will not carry this with her. This is not for her she is in service to the King (Galatians 5) this thing before her is a horror movie and she will set no vile thing before her eyes. ”

Thank you Jesus.

We worked hard for about three hours filling wheelbarrows and tossing the contents over a cliff.

My back was not sore at all the next day.

It was exhilarating and my strength renewed.

 

 

*Today‘s blog is in honor of my dear friend Linda Znachko.

Linda ministers and touches lives all over the globe speaking and serving the Lord.

God illumines all she touches.

Her work exists to help make sure that every child receives a name in life.  Isaiah 43

heknowsyourname.org

Words That Heal – Part 3

30 Saturday Mar 2013

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This weekend the world takes a breath, shops close early, and families spend time together in prayer, fasting and contemplation of Gods sacrifice of His Son Jesus.photo (81)Ecce Homo  circa 1623 Daniele Crespi    “Behold the Man”

Our family viewed at The Blanton yesterday on Good Friday. Notice Pilate touching Jesus arm.

The world becomes quiet.

 Quiet waiting before The Lord in prayer will give Him a chance to change your mood. The situation may not change, but you will have changed for the better in spite of the situation” Robert A. Cook

Psalm 88 v.1,2 is a cry of desperation  Lord, God of my salvation, I cry out before You day and night. May my prayer reach Your Presence;  listen to my cry.

There are times we must walk dark valleys and we can only get on our face before Him and plead.

Our hearts are so tainted we let sin bloom dark.
Jesus let the eyes of our hearts open to Your calling.
When words escape you let quiet rest in your soul and sing softly and praise His wonders.

Jesus took the penalty of our sin,  your sin, and my sin.
When Jesus died on the cross our sin was covered with His blood.
He died in our place.
“But He was pierced because of our transgressions, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on Him, and we are healed by His wounds.” Isaiah 53:5

His Words spoken out loud heal our wounds.
Praying for each of you!
2 Corinthians 5:21