Main Course Monday #1

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Part of being a Satisfied Spirit is taking joy in the everyday things of life.  That includes cleaning, laundry, dusting, crafting and everything else that goes on in my home.   And cooking is part of the list and I like to cook (especially in my crock pot/slow cooker).  After all, we all have to eat! Right?

Here’s a recipe for Beef Barley Soup that can be made in the morning and will be ready for the evening meal.  If it’s your plan to do this I recommend setting out the ingredients the night before so all you have to do is dump it in your Slow Cooker/Crock Pot.

 

1/2 cup barley
1/2 cup dried split peas
3 beef bouillon cubes — crumbled
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1 bay leaf

(You’re going to have leftover barley and split peas so why not make several batches of this dry mix and store them in glass jars in the pantry.)

Spray the crockpot with any cooking spray (This makes it easier to clean.) and add the following:

1 can sliced carrots      1 can beef chunks     1 can diced tomatoes     6 cups water

Pour in the dry mix. Stir. Set the crockpot on low.  Let it cook all day.

Oh, my, I can imagine the awesome smell from the kitchen already.  I will have corn muffins or corn chips on the table with a fresh fruit salad.  My mouth is already watering.  I can hardly wait for dinner.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

Double Standards

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I’ve been reading through the book of Proverbs this week and have been amazed at the number of references to double standards.  We’re going to land on one Proverb, in particular, today. Chapter 20 verse 10 is very precise in its wording yet there is a deeper meaning to it.  It appears to be talking about weights and measures in the world of commerce but there is also a deeper meaning that applies to everyday life.  (I used the New Living Translation for this picture.)

  • Commandment 8 tells us we are not to bear false witness.  That’s dishonest and God has no use for it and reminds us of His desire for us to stop lying throughout the Bible. (Leviticus 19.11, Proverbs 12:22, Colossians 3:9, Revelation 22:15 and so many more…)
  • We are not to say one thing and mean another.
  • When we consider another person higher or lower than ourselves because of what they have or don’t have we are using a standard that is totally against God’s standard of simply loving one another.
  • God does not want us to cheat in any way.  God knows our hearts and minds.  We’re so full of double standards.  How about this one, do as I say, not as I do.  Or, you can listen but do not comment.  Or, That’s so easy, but you can’t do it yourself.
  • What did Jesus say about the issue?  Check out Matthew 7:3-5.

    In the culture we live in double and multiple standards exist everywhere.  My prayer is we will all be able to see the planks in our own eyes before we comment on the specks in someone else’s.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

 

God Hates …

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Our culture does not like to think of God as hating, yet, the Word is clear about what He hates. Check it out…

Let’s look at each segment and see how it applies to our lives.

  • Haughty eyes:  I found this definition of haughty in the Cambridge English Dictionary: Unfriendly and seeming to consider yourself better than others. Suppose you just heard a new music group and began talking about with others.  If you give the idea that they are somehow less informed than you that’s being haughty.  Anytime you present yourself as somehow better than others that’s being haughty.
  • A lying tongue: I’m sure we all know the meaning of the word lying.  Simply saying something that is not true.  Not just a blatant outright untruth but those little half-truths (So-called white lies fit here.) and those words that sound good but carry a different meaning. (Like saying you love the dress another is wearing but your body language says you look horrible in that color or style.)  Get it?
  • Hands that shed innocent blood: Drive-by shootings, suicide bombings, abortion, euthanasia…  Have we become so jaded (unmoved) to this that we no longer care?
  • A heart that devises wicked schemes: Bullying is one of the most prevalent problems in our homes, schools, work, churches, government… Have you been intimidated into doing something you haven’t wanted, strong-armed into telling lies or saying mean things to and about others, kept quiet about an incident…  All of this just to fit in.  Bullies devise ‘wicked schemes’ to stay in control.  God knows and He hates it.
  • Feet that are quick to rush into evil: The intent of the person who fits this category is simply one who intends to create trouble.  Doesn’t matter who, how, where.  If the opportunity arises they’re there.  And it happens quickly!
  • A false witness who pours out lies:  Both of these phrases are the same concept.  False witnesses are liars!  And man, are they good at it.  Let’s look at a possible scenario.  Someone comes to you and says, I saw Doris at the coffee shop with Darrin.  I think they’re having an affair.  You discuss it, add other possible instances to it, talk with others about it, and the whole thing gets blown out of proportion.  This one fabricated lie has the potential to destroy lives.  My advice: Follow the 9th Commandment. Don’t lie!
  • A person who stirs up conflict in the community: Are you bitter about something or someone?  If you can say yes to this you are ripe for stirring up conflict.  If you have a problem with someone go to them, directly.  Don’t use it against them to rile up the entire community.  (Think about the election last year.  Conflict was created by the media and opponents and the country is still stirred up.)  Let it go!

There you have it.  God is not a hateful God!  He is more than loving.  He cannot disown Himself (see 2 Timothy 2:13).  If any of these fit you take it to Him.  He will forgive and heal you.

Know that the LORD is good and His mercies endure forever! Psalm 100:5

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

5-Sentence Friday 1 Corinthians 16:13

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I decided to take the Strong, Brave, Loved 21-day Challenge with Holly Garth.  Today’s verse and devotional were both powerful and convicting for me.  Through many of my life experiences, it has been necessary to have strength and bravery as part of my arsenal.  Things like surviving a tornado that landed on the patio of our first home, surviving a t-bone crash, standing up for those who have been wronged, and many more of the uncertainties in this life, have required my dependence on the strength and courage that is given by God.

  1. Choose your battles carefully.  You don’t have to fight every one.
  2. Know that the evil one is always trying to get through your guard.
  3. Know God’s Word and use it to determine what He expects of you.
  4. Stand and persevere when you know it’s right.
  5. True strength is knowing where your power really lies.

I’ve discovered that sometimes we lose the battle, or it appears that way.  If we know it’s the right thing to do we should be doing it.  God is always the final judge.  Wouldn’t you rather hear why did you than why didn’t you?

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

Best Friend Forever

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Have you ever thought about God as your Best Friend Forever?  I think that’s part of how He wants us to see Him.  Think about some characteristics of your earthly best friend.   Do words like encouraging, honest, trustworthy, strong, available, loving, caring, compassionate, kind, gentle, patient …, top the list?  God is already all of this and more.

God is always there, always available, always loving, always forgiving, exactly who He says He is.  Not only that, He never changes. (James 1:17)  I always know where I stand with Him.  Who wouldn’t want a friend like this?

Can we find a friend so faithful?  Who will all our sorrows share?  These words, from a much-loved hymn,  popped into my mind while writing this.  We may have the most awesome friends on earth but…  Are they always faithful (always wanting what’s best for us)?  Do they share our sorrows or even know what they are?  My BFF knows my sorrows.  He knows my every care.  He knows what I need when I need it.

My best Friend loves me so much that even when He finds it necessary to discipline me I still know and feel His love.  Those of us who have earthly friends like this are incredibly blessed.  (Proverbs 27:5-6)

Develop your earthly friendships.  They really matter.  But never forget to continue to mature in the relationship you have with the One and Only.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie