Every good thing I have comes from you.”

Everything that's good comes from God!! In this 21 day fast, God has been reminding me of how good He has been to me.  I have so many reasons to be thankful.  The pace of my life has had to slow down to prepare each day, and that's been much needed discipline for me.  Here is what I want to do different:

1. Thank God for every opportunity to be used by Him.  Its the greatest privilege on earth!

2. Thank God for what He has NOT allowed me to do.  Its a hidden blessing!!

3. Tell Stephanie specifically what I'm thankful for in her and tell it to her more often.

4. Tell Landon, Catherine and Caroline specifically what I'm thankful for in them and tell it to them more often.

5. Tell the people I serve with more often how thankful I am for them.

Gen. 32:24-32

 24 This left Jacob all alone in the camp, and a man came and wrestled with him until the dawn began to break. 25 When the man saw that he would not win the match, he touched Jacob¹s hip and wrenched it out of its socket. 26 Then the man said, ³Let me go, for the dawn is breaking!²

   But Jacob said, ³I will not let you go unless you bless me.²

 27 ³What is your name?² the man asked.

   He replied, ³Jacob.²

 28 ³Your name will no longer be Jacob,² the man told him. ³From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won.²

 29 ³Please tell me your name,² Jacob said.

   ³Why do you want to know my name?² the man replied. Then he blessed Jacob there.

 30 Jacob named the place Peniel (which means ³face of God²), for he said, ³I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been spared.² 31 The sun was rising as Jacob left Peniel, and he was limping because of the injury to his hip. 32 (Even today the people of Israel don¹t eat the tendon near the hip socket because of what happened that night when the man strained the tendon of Jacob¹s hip.)

This is one of those passages that messes me up. There are times we need to wrestle with God. "Wrestling with" means to not let go of, calling out to Him, and asking Him to align you with Him, to show you where you need to surrender, and for a miracle in the needs of your life. When we prevail in prayer till the answer comes, it leaves me different (limping). Have you given up on a burden in your life.  Are you still the same or are you limping? As we close in on the first week of fasting, keep wrestling!!

Daybreak is coming!!

Matt. 8:18-22(NLT)

 ¹⁸ When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he instructed his disciples to cross to the other side of the lake.

 ¹⁹ Then one of the teachers of religious law said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”

 ²⁰ But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.”

 ²¹ Another of his disciples said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.”

 ²² But Jesus told him, “Follow me now. Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead.”

In Jesus' economy obedience is to be instantaneous!!  The Wow is in the Now!!  What step of obedience have you have called me to that I'm reluctant to obey?   

Garden Vegetable Soup (tried and true)

4 tbl olive oil

2 c of chopped leeks white prt only (about 3)

2 tbl minced garlic

Salt – to taste

2 c carrots, peeled and chopped (I got mine in the pkg to save time)

2 c potatoes peeled and diced

2 c fresh grn beans broken into ¾ pieces

2 qurts of veg broth (4 cans-14oz)

4 c peeled, seeded, and chopped tomatoes (4 medium)

2 ears of corn (kernels removed)

Pepper-to taste (I used about a tsp)

1 tsp parsley

3 tbl minced onions (or use fresh onions)

1. heat the olive oil in lg heavy pot over medium-low heat. Once hot add leeks, garlic and salt and sweat until they begin to soften. (about 5-7 min)
2. Add the carrots, potatoes, and green beans and continue to cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Add the stock, increase the heat to high, and bring to a simmer.
4. Once simmering, add the tomatoes, corn, and pepper. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook until the vegetables are tender (for us it was about 35 mintues)
5. Then remove from the heat add parsley and serve (you can add salt and pepper if you need).

My kids loved it!

Greek Vegetable Stew

2 tbl olive oil

2 onions chopped

1 lb grn string beans (broken in ½)

1 pkg of spinach (frozen or fresh)

4 c water

6 zuchini

4 yellow squash

2 c celery leaves (I like celery-so I used it all)

4 tomatoes, quartered

1 tsp salt

8 lemon, slices

1 tbl dried oregano

3 tbl fresh basil

2 cloves chopped garlic

2 tbl lemon juice

1. Lightly brown onions in a hot, dry skillet in 2 tbl oil
2. Add oregano and garlic, cook 1 min.
3. Add 4 c of water and tomatoes. Cook 10 minutes.
4. Add remaining ingredients. Cook covered for 40-45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Serve with a lemon slice.

Matt. 9:10-11(NLT) "Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners.  But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with such scum".

This verse deeply challenges me when I read it because this move by Jesus was unprecedented!  Rabbis didn't do this and if they did their teaching opportunity was trashed!  What step do you want me to take today Jesus, that leverages my reputation? 

I'm praying for you today that you will experience God's very best!!

1. Petty Arguments.

    Action Step: Reconcile!

2. Regretting Regrets.

   Action Step: Enjoy & Engage Today!

3. Giving Fear Room & Time.

    Action Step: Focus my thinking on Gods Promises!

4. Delaying Difficult Conversations.

    Action Step: Pray about the approach, Clarify the Issue, Schedule the Mtg., Leave it @ Office!