tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68781597002438100932024-09-19T13:29:27.776-05:00thoughts on life and literatureAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11654262918848053397noreply@blogger.comBlogger86125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878159700243810093.post-10705180500671604772017-03-17T00:00:00.000-05:002017-03-17T13:23:57.545-05:00

Kilbennan St. Benin's Church  (Detail of stained glass window depicting St. Patrick with a shamrock in hand.) Photo credit St. Patrick Although not officially canonized by the Catholic church, St. Patrick has been called a "saint" and recognized as an important figure in Christian history and literature. Below is a copy of a famous poem called "St. Patrick's Breastplate," also

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I'm sharing Irish blessings and prayers today. Crosswalk.com lists many of these here. The story of St. Patrick reveals his testimony of Christ and his influence on Christian faith in Ireland in the 5th century. Irish prayers from this time period include references to nature and God's blessing for daily living. The words of blessing offer faith and hope to encourage us along the

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The Definition The word “blessing” is commonly used in everyday English. Where did it come from? What does it mean? I remember when I was a girl, if someone sneezed, just about everyone in the room (even at a store) would turn and say “Bless you!” or even in German, as an Americanism, “Gesundheit!” This is a request for God to bless you with good health. An online dictionary defines

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This is a very hearty meal for the cooler months. In addition to chicken and rice, this entree has broccoli and cheese, onions, and yellow squash mixed in with cream of celery, mushroom, and chicken soup. This is not low-carb or fat-free, but the recipe can be modified a little by using reduced fat cheese and soup. Serves 8-12. Hearty Chicken & Rice Casserole Ingredients: 1

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Hebrews 4:9-11 9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience. Rest has been defined as "refreshing ease or inactivity after exertion

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Here is an easy version of hamburger stew. Ingredients: 1 lb. ground hamburger meat 1 29 oz. large can of Veg All, homestyle cut vegetables 1 14 1/2 oz. can chopped tomatoes 1 14 1/2 oz. can triple succotash (tomatoes, corn, butter beans) 1 14 1/2 oz. can cut green beans Beef bouillon (no msg, if available) Italian seasoning blend Lawry's seasoning salt (no msg, if available) Salt, pepper

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I heard the beautiful song, "Because He Lives" this week. The lyrics are very inspiring, including the line, "Life is worth the living just because He lives." I searched for it online and came across a worship playlist (at this link). Three of the worship songs are below as videos with lyrics. 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) by Matt Redman Because He Lives It is Well

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11654262918848053397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878159700243810093.post-8187663587140415082017-01-14T11:45:00.003-06:002017-01-16T21:19:25.948-06:00

All of us at one time or another are asked to "get up and share a few words." For me, this has always been such a nightmare! Fortunately, over time, it is not so much the "getting up" as it is the "sharing a few [worthy and insightful] words." We can really mess things up by not being in the moment! I came across this overnight guide to public speaking and really enjoyed its practical and

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This well-known passage is recited often at funerals and other church services and is a source of comfort. A psalm of David. Copied from biblegateway.com. 1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2     He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3     he refreshes my soul. He guides me&nbsp

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11654262918848053397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878159700243810093.post-3995507082957251022017-01-10T11:35:00.002-06:002017-01-10T11:35:42.616-06:00

I'm saving this recipe that I found online so I can find it later. This salad is healthy and delicious. I would recommend slicing the tomatoes and avocado thinner than in this picture! :) Cucumber, Tomato, Avocado Salad Ingredients: 1 cucumber, sliced thin4 Roma (the smaller) tomatoes3 ripe avocados½ red onion, sliced or diced¼ cup fresh chopped cilantroJuice of 1 lemonSalt and black

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I've decided to wait until the second week of January to commit to my New Year's Resolutions. Searching online, I came across a poem that explains why! January Acrostic (With Rhyme) - Poem by Stevie Taite J uncture of the year  A t which we like to make N umerous null promises U ndoubtedly they'll take A bout a week to break R esolutions gone awry Y et again next year

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11654262918848053397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878159700243810093.post-77415705076313242412017-01-08T12:36:00.001-06:002017-01-08T13:07:45.878-06:00

Ingredients: 1 14 oz. can pink salmon 1 cup seasoned breadcrumbs 1/2 small onion, chopped 2 eggs, beaten 2 tsp lemon juice 1 T fresh parsley, or dried Italian seasoning 1/4 t garlic salt, or season to taste with salt and pepper 1-2 T vegetable or canola oil Preparation: Drain and flake the salmon in a medium bowl. Remove the tiny bones and slivers as much as possible.* Combine salmon,

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The greatest gift I ever received was around Christmas time. It brought great news, joy, hope, and peace, all wrapped up in a story that changed my heart. Long before I understood the Christmas story, I have memories of listening to Linus from the Peanuts comic tell the Christmas story. (posted below) It is a story that is told every year, although some have never heard it. It can be found

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The art of a recipe is usually "about 1/4 this and about 1/2 that," so this won't be "exact," but it is how I made this year's dressing at least! For my daughter who requested I save this recipe, I hope sharing it on here helps. It is similar to how my mom and her dad made dressing, which was also something they did from memory. The key ingredients that make this special are the butter, onions,

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The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,his mercies never come to an end;they are new every morning;great is your faithfulness.(Lam. 3:22-23) Relying on God In Exodus 15, Moses and the Israelites sing a song of praise to the Lord for helping them escape Pharaoh. As Moses lifted his staff, the waters of the Red Sea parted, and the Israelites were able to cross on dry ground. All night, the

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11654262918848053397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878159700243810093.post-81976202422532787872016-09-24T17:12:00.003-05:002017-01-08T13:13:37.415-06:00

As a fun Bible exercise, I tried to remember scripture verses for each letter of the alphabet. It worked for most letters, with some minor exceptions, especially depending on which Bible translation was used. While I was searching online for images, I found a "Gospel Alphabet" already done! It was shared by a blogger at this link. All verses below were found at BibleGateway.com. Enjoy, and

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The Importance of Prayer Jesus taught us to pray in the New Testament. This was the prayer that our church congregation recited every Sunday morning by memory when I was growing up. Today, it still reminds me how I ought to pray, although I often forget. Matthew 6:9-13, King James Version (KJV) After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

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Your Word is a Lamp to My Feet (Psalm 119, verses 1-8) Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes!

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The book of Proverbs chapter 6 begins with "Warnings Against Folly," and verses 16-19 speak to the clamoring voices we see and hear daily on the TV or radio. This passage spoke to me this evening as I watched some of the political news coverage before having to turn it off. Heavenly Father, please heal our land. There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: 

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A psalm of David. 1 The heavens declare the glory of God;    the skies proclaim the work of his hands.2 Day after day they pour forth speech;    night after night they reveal knowledge.3 They have no speech, they use no words;    no sound is heard from them.4 Yet their voice goes out into

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In the first two chapters of Paul's letter to Titus, he gave instructions on how to choose godly church leaders and how members of the church should behave. The societal norms in the first century Roman church were very different than modern society today. I struggled through the second chapter's descriptions of how slaves are to obey their masters, and how women are not permitted to speak. I

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In Titus, chapter 1, Paul gave instructions to Titus on how to appoint godly leaders. In chapter 2, Paul commands Titus and the church leaders to be sound teachers. This includes older men, older women, young men, and even slaves are instructed to demonstrate utter faithfulness to their master so that they might "adorn the teaching of God our Savior in everything."  How does a

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I may have found one of my favorite books in the Bible. It only has three chapters, and the first one was so simple, yet so profound. Paul is writing a letter to Titus, his "child in the common faith." As his mentor, he gives some pointers on how to appoint capable leaders. They should be blameless, a husband to one wife, with faithful children who are not accused of wildness or rebellion.

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When Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua asked him, "Are you for us or for our enemies?" The man replied, "Neither, but as commander of the army of the Lord, I have now come." Joshua bowed face down to the ground in reference to him and asked what message the Lord had for him, his servant? The commander of the

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Joshua secretly sent two spies to survey the land of Canaan, especially Jericho. So these men went to the house of a prostitute, Rahab. Apparently they were noticed, and someone warned the king of Jericho that it looked like spies were in the land. The king sent a message to Rahab warning her to bring the men out. Rahab took the men to the roof and hid them under stalks of flax. She then told the

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