Unfolding the Rosebud

Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) by Hillsong United

2014-09-13T10:00:00.000-05:00

I have been deeply moved and comforted by this song more times than I can remember. The song draws from the story of Peter being called out on the water by Jesus in Matthew 14:22-36:

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

“Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,”he said, “why did you doubt?”

And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.

The song lyrics link the story of Peter to our own lives - to have faith in Jesus, even "when oceans rise." But, it's more than that. We are called to grow deeper in our faith:

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior.

When we feel like we're drowning in life's storms (struggles / obstacles / trials), we are called to:

call upon His name,
keep our eyes above the waves (and on our Lord),
find peace and rest in His embrace,
remember that I am Yours and You are mine.

A Scripture verse that I personally feel a deep connection with is the story of Paul's thorn, in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10:

Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

It is in OUR weakness that HE is strong... His grace is sufficient, and His power is made perfect. Now, do I always delight in my weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, difficulties? No, but I'm doing my best to be faithful in Him. To allow His sufficient grace to help me to grow my faith and trust in Him deeper, so that I can give all glory to Him... on the good days and the bad.

-----

I'm going to post the radio edition (4:15 minutes) and the full edition (9 minutes) - I'll also link to the Oceans Song Story, which has a discussion among the singers about the making of the song.

Radio edition (4:15 minutes)

The entire song is great, though the part that always captures me is around 2:10-4:05.

http://youtu.be/N2PNTq_-mZs

Full edition (9 minutes)

I know it's long, but it's worth it... the part that always captures me is around 3:40-7:45.

http://youtu.be/dy9nwe9_xzw

Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) by Hillsong United

You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand

And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You've never failed and You won't start now

So I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

[6x]
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior

I will call upon Your name
Keep my eyes above the waves
My soul will rest in Your embrace
I am Yours and You are mine

Oceans Song Story - Hillsong United

http://youtu.be/6zlbunWsV5A

Do Everything by Steven Curtis Chapman

2014-09-09T20:00:00.000-05:00

I've heard this song before, but I listened to it this morning after reading a devotional, When Your Pain is Invisible (I wrote a blog post regarding that devotional: When Your Pain is Invisible: You Look So Good). It's a great reminder that we're called to do everything, from the mundane day-to-day to the big once-in-a-lifetime, for God's glory.

Lord, may everything I am and everything I do tell the story of Your grace and bring glory to You. Amen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEqdDdvFXZ0

Do Everything by Steven Curtis Chapman

You're picking up toys on the living room floor
For the fifteenth time today
Matching up socks
Sweeping up lost cheerios that got away

You put a baby on your hip
Color on your lips and head out the door

While I may not know you,
I bet I know you
Wonder sometimes, does it matter at all?

Well let me remind you, it all matters just as long

[Chorus]
As you do everything you do to the glory of the One who made you,
Cause he made you,
To do
Every little thing that you do
To bring a smile to His face
Tell the story of grace
With every move that you make
And every little thing you do

Maybe your that guy with the suit and tie
Maybe your shirt says your name

You may be hooking up mergers
Cooking up burgers
But at the end of the day

Little stuff
Big stuff
In between stuff
God sees it all the same

While I may not know you
I bet I know you
Wonder sometimes, does it matter at all?
Well let me remind you, it all matters just as long
[Chorus]

Maybe your sitting in math class
Or maybe on a mission in the Congo
Or maybe your working at the office
Singing along with the radio

Maybe you're a down and out rock star
Or feeding orphans in the Myanmar
Anywhere and everywhere that you are

Whatever you do
It all matters
So do what you do
Don't ever forget

To do everything you do to the glory of the One who made you,
Cause He made you
To do
Every little thing that you do
To bring a smile to His face
And tell the story of grace

[Chorus]

In every little thing you do
In every little thing you do

Everything I Need by Kutless

2014-03-26T19:30:00.000-05:00

I've been away from my blogs for quite a while. I've been struggling through some things. This song is so powerful, and really resonates with me, so I wanted to share.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=211y1hH8EnI

Everything I Need by Kutless

When every step is so hard to take
And all of my hope is fading away
When life is a mountain that I can not climb
You carry me, Jesus carry me.

[Chorus]
You Are strength in my weakness
You are the refuge I seek
You are everything in my time of need
You are everything, You are everything I need

When every moment is more than I can take
And all of my strength is slipping away
When every breath gets harder me
You carry me, Jesus carry me

[Chorus]

I need You
You are everything I need
I love everything about You

[Chorus]

Whom Shall I Fear by Chris Tomlin

2013-11-14T12:00:00.000-06:00

I absolutely love this song! It really touches my heart, and fires me up. "The God of Angel Armies is always by my side." Wow! What a powerful image this invokes. Our God is one with incredible resources, and He surrounds us with powerful and plentiful strength.

In 2 Kings, Elisha and his servant are up against an enemy king's huge military force.

When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (2 Kings 6:15-17).

Elisha's servant got a glimpse of God's Angel Armies. What a sight!

God is our ever-present defender, our refuge in time of need. He is all-knowing. He loves us unconditionally, and He is in control. So, whatever trial or challenge you face, take heart... the God of Angel Armies is always by your side!

http://youtu.be/qOkImV2cJDg

Whom Shall I Fear by Chris Tomlin

You hear me when I call
You are my morning song
Though darkness fills the night
It cannot hide the light

Whom shall I fear

You crush the enemy
Underneath my feet
You are my sword and shield
Though troubles linger still

Whom shall I fear

[Chorus]
I know who goes before me
I know who stands behind
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

The one who reigns forever
He is a friend of mine
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

My strength is in Your name
For You alone can save
You will deliver me
Yours is the victory

Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear

[Chorus]

And nothing formed against me shall stand
You hold the whole world in Your hands
I'm holding on to Your promises

You are faithful
You are faithful

And nothing formed against me shall stand
You hold the whole world in Your hands
I'm holding on to Your promises

You are faithful
You are faithful
You are faithful

[Chorus] (repeat)

The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

Overcomer by Mandisa

2013-08-16T01:30:00.000-05:00

So, I had my first round of Botox today for my chronic migraines, and this was one of the songs that played during the treatment was. It truly blessed me today, and I wanted to share it here.

This song is a beautiful reminder that God has already overcome and won the battle on our behalf... all we have to do is to "just hold tight, fix your eyes on the one who holds your life [because] there's nothing He can't do."

http://youtu.be/ut8W3V0B9MY

Overcomer by Mandisa

Staring at a stop sign

Watching people drive by
Got so much on your mind
Nothing's really going right
Looking for a ray of hope

Whatever it is you may be going through
I know He's not gonna let it get the best of you

[Chorus]
You're an overcomer
Stay in the fight ‘til the final round
You're not going under
‘Cause God is holding you right now
You might be down for a moment
Feeling like it's hopeless
That's when He reminds You
That you're an overcomer
You're an overcomer

Everybody's been down
Hit the bottom, hit the ground
Oh, you're not alone
Just take a breath, don't forget
Hang on to His promises
He wants You to know

[chorus]

The same Man, the Great I am
The one who overcame death
Is living inside of You
So just hold tight, fix your eyes
On the one who holds your life
There's nothing He can't do
He's telling You

[chorus]

Ground Turkey Risotto

2013-05-07T10:11:00.000-05:00

Jeremy and I have tried this twice now, so we've made a few additional adjustments to the recipe (it's only loosely based on a recipe I found online). It's easy, delicious, and it makes for good leftovers. It can also be tweaked in a lot of ways - use a different ground meat, different or additional veggies (such as, celery, broccoli, peas), additional spices (perhaps some basil or Italian seasoning?).

Ground Turkey Risotto
Adapted from BettyCrocker.com

Ingredients:

¼ - ½ cup diced onions (we use frozen)
1¼ lbs ground turkey
1¼ tsp minced garlic (2-3 cloves)
¼ - ½ tsp black pepper
1¼ cups uncooked arborio rice
32 ounce chicken broth
1 cup chopped carrots
¾ cup Parmesan cheese
[Optional: fresh chives (sprinkle on top before serving)]

*** Use deep skillet or stock pot.

Directions:

Saute onions (this may just be our preference) over medium-high heat for just 1-2 minutes.
Stir in ground turkey, garlic, and pepper. Heat 5-7 minutes over medium-high heat, stirring until meat is thoroughly cooked.
Stir in the arborio rice and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
Stir in the chicken broth. Heat until boiling.
Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.
Stir in the chopped carrots. Cook uncovered 5-7 minutes longer, or until liquid is absorbed.
Remove skillet from heat.
Stir in the Parmesan cheese, cover, and let stand 3 minutes.
Serve.

Beauty From Pain by Superchick

2013-02-11T16:00:00.000-06:00

I haven't heard this song in quite some time, but I randomly started singing it a couple nights ago. It just resonated so much with me - I listened to it three or four times in a row. It's a somewhat dark song, I suppose; but I find it beautiful. It's raw and honest, yet offers hope that "there will be a dawn," and "there'll be beauty from pain."

http://youtu.be/M-GPbYcTDbQ

Beauty From Pain by Superchick

The lights go out all around me

One last candle to keep out the night
And then the darkness surrounds me
I know I'm alive but I feel like I've died
And all that's left is to accept that it's over
My dreams ran like sand through the fists that I made
I try to keep warm but I just grow colder
I feel like I'm slipping away

[Chorus]

After all this has passed, I still will remain
After I've cried my last, there'll be beauty from pain
Though it won't be today, someday I'll hope again
And there'll be beauty from pain
You will bring beauty from my pain

My whole world is the pain inside me
The best I can do is just get through the day
When life before is only a memory
I'll wonder why God lets me walk through this place
And though I can't understand why this happened
I know that I will when I look back someday
And see how you've brought beauty from ashes
And made me as gold purified through these flames

[Chorus]

Here I am at the end of me (at the end of me)
Tryin' to hold to what I can't see (to what I can't see)
I forgot how to hope
This night's been so long
I cling to Your promise
There will be a dawn

[Chorus]

Forgiveness by Matthew West

2012-11-17T20:00:00.000-06:00

What an amazingly beautiful song this is! Forgiveness can be such a difficult thing to do - forgiveness of ourselves and others. But, our God has already forgiven us, and it is by His grace that we can forgive others.

"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you" (Colossians 3:12-13)

http://youtu.be/h1Lu5udXEZI

Forgiveness by Matthew West

It's the hardest thing to give away
And the last thing on your mind today
It always goes to those that don't deserve

It's the opposite of how you feel
When the pain they caused is just too real
It takes everything you have to say the word...

Forgiveness
Forgiveness

It flies in the face of all your pride
It moves away the mad inside
It's always anger's own worst enemy
Even when the jury and the judge
Say you gotta right to hold a grudge
It's the whisper in your ear saying 'set it free'

Forgiveness, Forgiveness
Forgiveness, Forgiveness

Show me how to love the unlovable
Show me how to reach the unreachable
Help me now to do the impossible
Forgiveness, Forgiveness
Help me now to do the impossible
Forgiveness

It'll clear the bitterness away
It can even set a prisoner free
There is no end to what its power can do
So let it go and be amazed
By what you see through eyes of grace
The prisoner that it really frees is you

Forgiveness, Forgiveness
Forgiveness, Forgiveness

Show me how to love the unlovable
Show me how to reach the unreachable
Help me now to do the impossible
Forgiveness

I want to finally set it free
So show me how to see what Your mercy sees
Help me now to give what You gave to me
Forgiveness, Forgiveness
Forgiveness, Forgiveness
Forgiveness

Bruschetta Chicken

2012-08-10T17:00:00.000-05:00

Jeremy and I tried this recipe for dinner a few nights ago, and it was delicious! We'll definitely be making this again. It was even good the next day as leftovers - and I'm not a leftovers person. And, if you have picky eaters... you can just leave the tomato mixture off, and just have parmesan-crusted chicken. This is a great recipe, and pretty easy to put together. Enjoy!

Bruschetta Chicken
Adapted from Lindsey Meredith

Ingredients:

Chicken Breading:
1/4 cup flour
1 egg, beaten
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, butterflied
3 Tbsp grated parmesan cheese
3 Tbsp breadcrumbs (or garlic croutons)
garlic powder
1/8 to 1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 to 1 Tbsp butter, melted

Tomato Mixture:
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (drained)
2 to 2-1/2 Tbsp basil
1/2 tsp minced garlic
1/2 Tbsp olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 °F.
Grease baking dish (8x8 or 9x11).
Mix flour, garlic powder, and pepper in a shallow bowl.
Place beaten egg in separate shallow bowl.
Dip each butterflied piece of chicken into flour mixture, then into beaten egg. Place chicken in baking dish.
Combine parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, and melted butter, then sprinkle / spread onto chicken.
Loosely cover baking dish with foil.
Bake for 20-30 minutes, or until top is browned and chicken is cooked through (use meat thermometer).
Drain tomatoes (may want to chop them up a bit more). Combine with basil, olive oil, minced garlic, and salt and pepper (to taste).
Spoon tomato mixture over chicken, and return to oven for 5-10 minutes (or until tomato mixture is heated through).
Allow rest for a few minutes, after you take it out of the oven.
Serve and enjoy!

Missing PapPap

2012-06-22T16:00:00.000-05:00

My PapPap passed away 10 years ago, today. I can't believe it's been that long. The memories that I have of / with him are such a cherished piece of my heart.

I wish that PapPap and Jeremy could have met each other. I think they would've really gotten along well. But, Jeremy and I started dating a month or so after PapPap passed away. But, I know that he's looking down from heaven and smiling that Jeremy and I have each other.

It just occurred to me that I have yet to finish the mini-scrapbook that I started making years ago. It just became too much for me to handle, so it was pushed to the side. I'm going to start working on it again, so that I can get it finished in the next couple of months. I just read a short letter I wrote to him four days after he passed away, and it brought me to tears. I'm going to write him another short letter today.

He holds such a special part of my heart, and I'm so grateful that we had the time we did together.

I love you, PapPap!!!

Cheesy Chicken & Wild Rice Casserole

2012-06-22T12:00:00.000-05:00

Jeremy and I tried these a few weeks ago, and it's absolutely DELICIOUS!!! It tasted great the night we made it, and as leftovers (and I'm not much of a leftover person). We'll definitely be making this again!

Cheesy Chicken & Wild Rice Casserole
Adapted from picky-palate.com

Ingredients:

3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup diced onions (approximately 1/2 - 1 medium onion)
1/2 cup celery, finely diced (approximately 3 stalks celery)
1 cup peeled and diced carrots (approximately 3 carrots)
2 Tbsp fresh minced garlic
2 cups shredded, cooked chicken breast
2 cups steamed white rice
16 ounce prepared wild rice (recipe recommends Trader Joe's, but we just prepared Uncle Ben's wild rice)
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp garlic salt

Cheese Sauce:

4 Tbsp butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 cups chicken broth
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Top with 1-1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350ºF.
Heat oil in a medium pot over medium heat.
Saute onion, celery, and carrots until softened, about 10 minutes.
Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.
Stir in chicken, both rices, salt, pepper, garlic salt. Reduce heat to low.
To prepare cheese sauce, melt butter into a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
Whisk in flour, salt, and pepper. Then, slowly pour in chicken broth, whisking continuously.
Whisk until thick and nearly boiling. Stir in cheese until melted.
Pour cheese sauce into rice mixture. Transfer to a 9"x13" baking dish.
Top with additional cheddar cheese.
Bake at 350ºF for 25-30 minutes, or until cheese is melted through.
Serve.

Baked Cinnamon Breakfast Bites

2012-06-20T12:00:00.000-05:00

Jeremy and I tried these a few weeks ago. I think we added too much of the crisp rice cereal and cooked them a bit too long (I've adjusted the cooking time below). They were okay, but we'll have to try them again to see if it's a keeper recipe.

Baked Cinnamon Breakfast Bites
Adapted from OhMySugarHigh.com

Baked Cinnamon Breakfast Bites

Ingredients:

1-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup crisp rice cereal, coarsely crushed
2 Tbsp plus 1/2 cup sugar, divided
3 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup butter-flavored shortening
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 cup butter, melted

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425ºF.
Mix flour, crushed cereal, 2 Tbsp sugar, baking powder, and salt in large bowl.
Cut in shortening with pastry blender or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Add milk and stir just until moistened.
Roll dough into approximately 2-1/2 dozen 1" balls.
Mix cinnamon and remaining sugar in a small bowl.
Drop balls (one at a time) into melted butter and roll in cinnamon sugar mixture.
Place balls onto greased cookie sheet(s).
Bake at 425ºF for 12-15 minutes (careful not to overcook), or until inserted toothpick comes out clean.
Cool for a few minutes in pan before removing.
Serve.

Audience of One by Big Daddy Weave

2012-06-02T15:00:00.000-05:00

I've been listening to inspiring music today, and while many songs have touched me, this song jumped out to me. I think it's a beautiful (and timely) reminder that it is to our Lord that my life is devoted... He is my audience of one. I long to live a life that brings glory to His name, and sometimes I need to be reminded of what is most important in my life.

http://youtu.be/EFxVfAZj5Q0

Audience of One by Big Daddy Weave

I come on my knees
To lay down before you
Bringing all that I am
Longing only to know you
Seeking your face
And not only your hand
I find you embracing me
Just as I am

And I lift these songs
To you and you alone
As I sing to you
In my praises make your home

[Chorus]
To my audience of one
You are Father, and you are Son
As your spirit flows free,
Let it find within me
A heart that beats to praise you.
And now just to know you more
Has become my great reward
To see your kingdom come
And your will be done
I only desire to be yours,
Lord

So what could I bring
To honor your majesty
What song could I sing
That would move the heart of royalty
And all that I have
Is the life that you’ve given me
So Lord let me live for you
My song with humility

And Lord as the love song
Of my life is played
I have one desire
To bring glory to your name

[Chorus]

And we lift these songs
To you and you alone
As we sing to you
In our praises make your home

[Chorus]

Beautiful to Me by Kerrie Roberts (Easter Sunday)

2012-04-08T12:00:00.000-05:00

Today is Easter Sunday. A day of celebration. Jesus' death on the cross revealed the depth and the magnitude of His love for us. His resurrection of Easter morning reveals His mighty power. There is nothing that can separate us from our Father's love.

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39)

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16)

Christ loved us so much that He sent His son to die, so that we could have eternal hope! Hallelujah, Christ is risen! Thanks be to God!

"The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay" (Matthew 38:5-6)

Blessings on this glorious Easter Sunday!

http://youtu.be/IyI_duB-k-s

Beautiful to Me by Kerrie Roberts

So much I don't understand
That I’d change if I wrote the story
How pain can heal and death bring life
How defeat can bring such glory
You didn't hold back one breath
You even gave Your last one
So I’d live

[Chorus]

It's beautiful to me
Your holy mystery
I'm standing here in awe
Of how you make everything
So beautiful to me
Someday I will see
How You hold this wounded heart
And make it perfect and complete
And it's beautiful to me
Beautiful

I don't deserve Your suffering
I should be the one who's bleeding
But Your broken body gives
This broken spirit what it's needing
You reach through time with Your sacrifice
Your wounded hands holding this fragile life

[Chorus]

This ache, this longing
This heart that I've been searching
In this moment while I'm breaking
Show me
Your plan, Your promise
A pain that has a purpose
I let you in to use it

And just like Your hands built heaven’s hall
You’re making me so beautiful

[Chorus]

Beautiful, beautiful
Beautiful to me
Beautiful to me

The Wonderful Cross by Chris Tomlin (Good Friday)

2012-04-06T14:30:00.000-05:00

Today is Good Friday, the day that Christians commemorate the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus Christ at Calvary. It is a day often filled with fasting, prayer, repentance, and meditation on the agony and suffering of Christ on the cross. The biblical account of His crucifixion, His burial, and His resurrection are found in the 4 Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) - Matthew 27:27-28:8; Mark 15:16-16:19; Luke 23:26-24:35; and John 19:16-20:30.

The hours from noon to 3pm are often observed on Good Friday with a period of silence because it was during these last three hours of Jesus' suffering that darkness fell over the land. There was an earthquake, tombs broke open, and the curtain in the temple was torn from top to bottom - "Truly this was the Son of God" (Matthew 27:45-54).

Forgiveness: "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34)
Salvation: "Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43 )
Relationship: "Woman, behold thy son! Behold thy mother!" (John 19:26-27)
Abandonment: "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34)
Distress: "I thirst" (John 19:28)
Triumph: "It is finished" (John 19:30)
Reunion: "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit" (Luke 23:46)

I hope everyone has a blessed Good Friday.

http://youtu.be/9hGhrYnChkI

The Wonderful Cross by Chris Tomlin

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of Glory died
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride

See from his head, his hands, his feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did ever such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown

[Chorus]
O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful cross
Bids me come and die and find that I may truly live
O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful cross
All who gather here by grace draw near and bless
Your name

Were the whole realm of nature mine
That were an offering far too small
Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all

[Chorus] (repeat)

It's the glory and the pain
Wonderful cross

[Chorus] (repeat)

Our Hope Endures by Natalie Grant

2012-03-29T17:00:00.000-05:00

I ran across this song the other day. I'd never heard it before, but it resonated with me.

"For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified" (Romans 8:24-28).

"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see" (Hebrews 11:1).

"There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off" (Proverbs 23:18).

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him" (Psalm 28:7).

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'" (Jeremiah 29:11).

"Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging" (Psalm 46:2-3).

"Praise to God for a Living Hope
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls" (1 Peter 1:3-9).

"Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold" (2 Corinthians 3:12).

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer" (Romans 12:12).

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:13).

"God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf" (Hebrews 6:18-21).

http://youtu.be/QrBLhyNNjYg

Our Hope Endures by Natalie Grant

You would think only so much can go wrong
Calamity only strikes once
And you assume this one has suffered her share
Life will be kinder from here
Oh, but sometimes the sun stays hidden for years
Sometimes the sky rains night after night
When will it clear?

[Chorus]
But our Hope endures the worst of conditions
It's more than our optimism
Let the earth quake
Our Hope is unchanged

How do we comprehend peace within pain?
Or joy at a good man's wake?
Walk a mile with the woman whose body is torn
With illness but she marches on
Oh, 'cause sometimes the sun stays hidden for years
Sometimes the sky rains night after night
When will it clear?

[Chorus]

Emmanuel, God is with us
El Shaddai, all sufficient (repeat)
We never walk alone
And this is our hope

But our Hope endures the worst of conditions
It's more than our optimism
Let the earth quake
Our Hope is unchanged

Tomato & Pesto Chicken

2012-03-29T16:30:00.000-05:00

Jeremy and I tried this recipe for dinner last night, and it was delicious! We made some changes to the original recipe (of course!), and it turned out great. I'm getting to be a pro at forgetting to take a picture, when we try new recipes. I'll try to get better at that. The main differences between the original recipe and what we did... we cut the recipe in half, we used chicken thighs instead of breasts, and we cut the broccoli and chicken into small pieces. Anyway, this is a dish that we'll definitely make again.

Tomato and Pesto Chicken
Adapted from Hunts.com

Ingredients:
4 oz dry penne pasta, uncooked (4 oz = 1¼ cup)

Hunt's Tomato & Pesto Chicken

1½ cups small fresh broccoli florets (we used a 9 oz package of frozen broccoli)

1 Tbsp olive oil
3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-size pieces (we used thighs)

½ can (or 7.25 oz) Hunt's® Diced Tomatoes, undrained
½ can (or 4 oz) Hunt's® Tomato Sauce
¼ cup soft cream cheese spread
8 tsp refrigerated basil pesto

Directions:

Cook pasta according to package directions.

If using fresh broccoli florets, add for the last 2 minutes of cook time.
If using frozen broccoli florets, steam in microwave (then we cut the broccoli up to be in smaller pieces) and set aside.

Meanwhile, heat oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
Add chicken; cook 3-5 minutes or until lightly browned.
Add undrained tomatoes and tomato sauce; bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to medium-low; cover.
Simmer 5-8 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink in centers (165°F).
Remove chicken from skillet; keep warm. (not sure how necessary it is to remove chicken at this point... we cut it into bite-size pieces, rather than leaving the chicken thighs/breasts whole)
Add cream cheese to sauce remaining in skillet; stir until cream cheese is melted completely.
Stir in pesto; simmer 2 minutes to thicken slightly.
Drain pasta.
Add pasta, broccoli, and chicken to skillet; stir together.
Serve.

Sea of Faces by Kutless

2012-03-28T14:00:00.000-05:00

This is such an encouraging song. How wonderful to be reminded that God always has time for each of our lives. He sees, hears, and loves each and every one of us. Among all of the people and chaos of this world, we can always be assured that He sees us... He loves us. And what a beautiful gift that is!

http://youtu.be/aYkowPR82Iw

Sea of Faces by Kutless

I see the city lights all around me
Everyone's obscure
Ten million people each with their problems
Why should anyone care

And in Your eyes I can see

[Chorus]
I am not just a man, vastly lost in this world
Lost in a Sea of Faces
Your body's the bread, Your blood is the wine
Because you traded Your life for mine

Sometimes my life it feels so trivial
Immersed in the greatness of space
Yet somehow you still find the time for me
It's then You show me Your love

And In Your eyes I can see
And in Your arms I will be

[Chorus]

If only my one heart
Was all you'd gain from all it cost
Well I know you would have still been a man
With a reason
To willingly offer your life

[Chorus] (repeat)

Just one in a million faces

Breaded Pork Chops

2012-03-28T12:00:00.000-05:00

I can't actually remember where I found the original recipe that inspired this dish, but I do know that it ended up as a combination of the original recipe and me tinkering with it (partially because we were only cooking a few pork chops). And, they ended up delicious!

Breaded Pork Chops
Adapted from tasteofhome.com

Ingredients:

2-3 boneless pork chops
1 egg
3 Tbsp milk
1 cup combination of saltines and breadcrumbs
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
Italian seasoning
Olive oil
2 cloves of garlic
Flour
Garlic pepper (optional)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325ºF.
Get 3 separate dipping trays lined up near the stovetop.
Stir together flour and garlic pepper (optional) in tray #1 for dipping.
Beat egg and milk together. Pour into tray #2 for dipping.
Mix breadcrumbs, saltines, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning together in tray #3 for dipping.
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in garlic.
One at a time, dust each pork chop into flour/garlic pepper mixture, then egg/milk mixture, then breadcrumb mixture. Cook in skillet (with oil and garlic) for about 5 minutes per side.
Cook all pork chops at 325ºF for about 25 minutes (pork should be at least 160ºF on the inside - do not undercook).
Let pork chops stand for 5 minutes before serving.

The Show by Lenka

2012-03-27T14:00:00.000-05:00

We watched Moneyball a few weeks ago... and loved it! I really enjoyed the movie, but this song really stuck with me. Enjoy!

http://youtu.be/biXGO32uGbU

The Show by Lenka

[Chorus 1]
I'm just a little bit caught in the middle
Life is a maze, and love is a riddle
I don't know where to go
Can't do it alone

(I've tried)
I've tried, but I don't know why

Slow it down, make it stop
Or else my heart is going to pop
Cause it's too much, yeah it's a lot
To be something I'm not

I'm a fool out of love
Cause I just can't get enough

[Chorus 1]

[Chorus 2]
I'm just a little girl lost in the moment
I'm so scared but I don't show it
I can't figure it out
It's bringing me down
I know, I've got to let it go
And just enjoy the show

The sun is hot in the sky
Just like a giant spotlight
The people follow the signs
And syncronize in time

It's a joke, nobody knows
They got a ticket to the show
Yeah

[Chorus 1]

[Chorus 2]

Oh oh
Just enjoy the show
oh oh oh oh oh

[Chorus 1]

[Chorus 2]

Dum de dum,

Duh dum de dum
Just enjoy the show

Duh dum de dum,

Duh dum de dum
Just enjoy the show

I want my money back
I want my money back
I want my money back
Just enjoy the show (repeat)

Cinnamon Crisps

2012-03-27T12:00:00.000-05:00

We made these one night for dessert. I accidently overcooked them a little, so they were a little more like cinnamon sugar chips.

When I was younger, my mom would make a similar thing... I think it was easier and tastes as good (or better). I'll go ahead a make a recipe for that (she always just made it... no recipe needed) - see below.

Cinnamon Crisps

Recipe from FamilyFun.go.com

Ingredients:

4 Tbsp butter
6 (6-inch) flour tortillas
2 to 4 Tbsp sugar
1/4 to 1/2 tsp cinnamon

honey

Directions:

Heat the oven to 450º.
Melt the butter in a large baking sheet in the oven, about 2 minutes.
Stir together the sugar and cinnamon.
Place the tortillas in the baking pan (they may overlap a bit), turning each once to coat both sides with butter.
Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the tortillas.
Bake the tortillas until golden and puffed in spots, about 7 minutes. (you may want to move the tortillas after a few minutes in the oven, especially if there is a lot of overlapping) * Do not overcook *
Serve them warm - we served with honey drizzled over cinnamon crisp.

Mom's Recipe

OurBestBites.com

Ingredients:

flour tortillas

butter or margarine

cinnamon sugar

Directions:

Heat the oven to 350º.
Cut each flour tortillas into quarters.
Spread some butter on one side of each.
Lay buttered tortilla quarters down on a baking sheet (overlapping just a little on some corners).
Sprinkle tortillas with cinnamon sugar.
Bake until hot and as crispy as you like. (to make them cinnamon chips, cook approximately 10-12 minutes - look for edges to curl and crisp up)
Serve warm.

I suppose you could brush melted butter and add cinnamon sugar on each side of the tortilla quarters, then cook at 400º for 6-7 minutes.

The Real Me by Natalie Grant

2012-03-26T14:00:00.000-05:00

This song is so relevant to me. My sister has always told me that I'm an oyster... that I have a hard outer shell, but hold a beautiful pearl within. I've always had trouble opening up and allowing others to see the real me... In some ways, I've gotten better with this... but, in other ways, I've gotten worse at it.

Living with an invisible illness can make this even more of a challenge. I find myself guarding myself much more around a lot of people. Many people don't know how to be around someone that lives with pain all the time. So, they may ask, "How are you?" but they're really just looking for a quick answer (i.e., "I'm okay")... and that's what they normally get. It really drains my energy to try so hard to let some people see the real me, especially if I don't feel like they really care. It's hard to open up and pour out your heart to someone, and then nothing happen.

To those in my life that I feel truly do care and want to know the real me, I'm an open book. Many (not all) of these people are friends that I've made online since the accident. We have an unspoken bond because we're each dealing with illness and pain in our lives.

But, our Lord sees the real me... "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations" (Jeremiah 1:5). I'm so grateful that He sees and loves the real me!

http://youtu.be/i6RezoHKni0

The Real Me by Natalie Grant

Foolish heart looks like we're here again
Same old game of plastic smile
Don't let anybody in
Hiding my heartache, will this glass house break
How much will they take before I'm empty
Do I let it show, does anybody know?

[Chorus]
But you see the real me
Hiding in my skin, broken from within
Unveil me completely
I'm loosening my grasp
There's no need to mask my frailty
Cause you see the real me

Painted on, life is behind a mask
Self-inflicted circus clown
I'm tired of the song and dance
Living a charade, always on parade
What a mess I've made of my existence
But you love me even now
And still I see somehow

[Chorus]

Wonderful, beautiful is what you see
When you look at me
You're turning the tattered fabric of my life into
A perfect tapestry
I just wanna be me

[Chorus]

And you love me just as I am
Wonderful, beautiful is what you see
When you look at me

Rice/Tuna/Peas Casserole

2012-03-26T12:00:00.000-05:00

My mom used to make this casserole for us... it's simple, quick, and great (especially on cold winter days and/or when you're sick). We made it a couple weeks ago - so good! Of course, I forgot to take a picture (I'll try to remember next time I make it).

Rice/Tuna/Peas Casserole

Ingredients:

1 cup rice
1 (10 ¾ oz) can Campell's cream of mushroom soup
1 (5 oz) can chunk light tuna in water, drained and flaked

frozen peas

Directions:

Cook rice on stove.
Stir cream of mushroom soup into the cooked rice.
Stir in tuna and peas (as many as you'd like - I love a lot of peas).
Keep on heat until everything is warm - only takes a couple minutes.
Serve hot.

Held by Natalie Grant

2012-03-25T14:00:00.000-05:00

This song is so powerful! It always gives me goosebumps. What an amazing God we have!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11).

This song reminds us that there is no specific promise of deliverance here on earth. Good things happen to bad people, and bad things happen to good people - that is the nature of life in a world filled with evil. We must remember that there is a much larger spiritual battle that we cannot even begin to understand. Thus, we feel that God abandons us and allows us to experience terrible loss... when He could easily intervene on our behalf. But, we cannot even begin to fathom God's point of view of the circumstances and losses - they're part of something much greater.

What we do know about God is that

He is good
He is holy
He is all powerful
He created us
He loves us unconditionally
He sent His only Son to live among us and die in our place
He accepted the blood shed by Jesus Christ as the price of redemption from an eternity in hell, once and for all
He allows each and every one of us on earth to lay claim to that redemption by confessing the name of Jesus
He promised us an eternity with Him in heaven

But, He didn't promise us heaven on earth. He promised that evil men would hate and seek to kill us... that persecution would be rampant... that the earth would crumble around us. He promised us that He would be coming for us, and that He will avenge us.

When bad things happen in our lives, when our hearts are broken and cold with grief, when we feel farthest from Him... we are called to remember that He never promised a life without heartache, but He has promised to be there. What comfort that brings to those who have placed their faith in God's promise of eternity - there is more to life than life here on earth.

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away" (Revelation 21:4).

One day, we will experience pure joy and security without the presence of evil, death, and fear of loss. Until then... His arms are enough.

“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deuteronomy 33:27).

http://youtu.be/tRrQp47CYPk

Held by Natalie Grant

Two months is too little, they let him go
They had no sudden healing
To think that providence
Would take a child from his mother
While she prays, is appalling

Who told us we'd be rescued
What has changed and
Why should we be saved from nightmares
We're asking why this happens to us
Who have died to live, it's unfair

[Chorus 1]
This is what it means to be held
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive

[Chorus 2]

This is what it is to be loved and to know
That the promise was that when everything fell
We'd be held

This hand is bitterness
We want to taste it and
Let the hatred numb our sorrows
The wise hand opens slowly
To lilies of the valley and tomorrow

[Chorus 1]

[Chorus 2]

If hope if born of suffering
If this is only the beginning
Can we not wait for one hour
Watching for our Savior

[Chorus 1]

[Chorus 1]

Meatloaf Muffins & Sassy Mashed Potatoes

2012-03-25T12:00:00.003-05:00

We decided to try out a few new recipes, and they turned out pretty good. I've never made meatloaf before, I've never eaten parsnips before... so this meal involved several firsts for me.

The original reason I chose meatloaf muffins was because we were looking for something to cook quickly, using some ground turkey that we had already thawed out. I didn't have any oats, so I used breadcrumbs. I didn't use parmesan cheese (I forgot... but we really like them without it). I used tomato sauce in the meatloaf, and then topped them with ketchup (I'll put more on the tops, next time I make these).

The sassy mashed potatoes was just something that I saw one day on the Rachael Ray show. I didn't even know what a parsnip was. The show was talking about sneaking vegetables into dishes, so that kids will eat more vegetables... I don't have kids, but I have a problem getting enough vegetables into my diet (I just don't really like a very wide variety), so I thought it'd be worth a shot.

Overall, everything turned out very tasty. The meatloaf muffins were delicious! The sassy mashed potatoes were pretty good, but they need something because the flavor is very bland (we're going to at least use more garlic, next time we make them). When I had leftover potatoes, I melted some cheese into it... I think I liked it better that way.

Meatloaf Muffins

Adapted from here

Ingredients:

1 tsp olive oil

1/2 small onion, minced (we used 1/4 cup frozen minced onion)

1.3 lbs ground turkey or ground beef

1/2 cup breadcrumbs or oats
1/3 cup parmesan cheese (optional)
1 egg

1 tsp marjoram
1/2 cup tomato sauce or ketchup (plus some for the top)
1/2 tsp garlic powder
salt and pepper
2 tsp worcestershire sauce
Whatever other veggies you have on hand (onions, mushrooms, zucchini, broccoli, carrots, spinach, lentils…)

Directions:

Saute onions in a skillet with olive oil. Set aside (cool down).
Heat oven to 350ºF.
Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl.
Press the meat into ungreased muffin cups (you should be able to get 8 to 12 out of this amount of meat).
Top with tomato sauce/ketchup on each one. (we used ketchup on the top - we'll be more liberal with it next time)
Cook for 30-35 minutes.
Let sit 5 minutes before serving.
Serve two per person.

(Using 1 egg, 93/7 Ground Turkey, 1/2 cup of ketchup and dividing into 10 meatloaf muffins, the calorie count is about 110 per muffin)

Sassy Mashed Potatoes
Adapted from RachaelRayShow.com and DrWeil.com

Ingredients:

2½ to 3 lbs red or white new potatoes, washed and cubed (we used red potatoes)

2 (or more) parsnips, peeled and cubed

4 to 6 cloves of garlic (we only used 2, but will use more next time), crushed
1 cup milk
3 tablespoons butter

black pepper
salt

cheese (optional)

Directions:

Put the potatoes, parsnips, and crushed garlic cloves in a large pot with water, making sure that the water completely covers them.
Bring to a boil, lower the heat to medium, then cover and simmer for 20 - 30 minutes, stirring occasionally with a spoon.
Test the tenderness of the potatoes with a fork; they should pierce easily and be tender, yet firm.
Drain any remaining liquid and mash the potatoes with a potato masher until there are no visible lumps.
Add the milk and butter and continue to mash until the potatoes are smooth and creamy.
Stir in seasonings, and beat thoroughly with a wooden spoon until all the seasonings are completely mixed in. (stir in cheese - optional)
Cover and serve warm.