This one has been with me for a couple of weeks, but now it seems more important...
Luke 18:1-8
This is a parable that Jesus uses to "show that at all times [we] ought to pray and not lose heart"
Jesus tells us that there is a judge in a certain city who neither fears God or respects man. A widow in that same city continually comes to the judge to ask for legal protection against her adversary. Since the judge does not fear God or respect man, his continual response is "no."
Then the parable continues...
After this persistent widow's constant pleas with the judge, he decides to give in to her request. He gives in, not based on his integrity or his desire to help or do good, but he gives her the legal request she asks for solely to keep himself from being "worn out" by the woman.
Jesus' following commentary tells us that God will "bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night."
A couple of things resonate with me today. First, the persistence of the woman in the face of certain rejection. How quickly I give up! When I see the slightest hint of resistance to my desire, I often throw my hand in the air, say "oh well" and move on to the next thing... not this woman. She continues to "wear the judge out" with her request.
How much more quickly I give up when I feel like God isn't going to answer my prayer. But the parable teaches that persistence pays, and that God "will bring about justice for [His elect] quickly."
The other thing that resonates with me today is probably more convicting. The last line in the passage says "However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?"
"Surely," we say, "He will find faith on the earth when He returns." My question is, will He find the kind of faith that this widow exhibits in my life when He returns.
I confess, not lately. I repent. I turn to my LORD and ask, "God give me the faith to pray at all times and not to lose heart."
Lord, you know what I am dealing with today. Lord you know that I cannot do anything to make any of these situations any better. Lord you know that my heart is not to change circumstances or situation, but my desire is for you to change hearts. God, I pray today, and tomorrow, and the next day, and the day after that, that You will do your work in my life and the lives of those around me involved. God I trust, I have faith in You, that You will do what You say You will do, that You will "bring about justice quickly." I pray to you knowing your character, your desire, and your love. I also pray to you knowing that there is nothing I can do. God, Help! Amen.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
a birthday review
Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me!
I turn 27 tomorrow, yeah sometimes it makes me feel old. At least I'm not 37 yet I guess. As I get older, I sometimes look back at things that have happened in the past; when I graduated high school, when I was saved, when I got married, when I had my kids, different important stuff.
The interesting thing about looking back is that the memories are usually so fresh, "it seems like only yesterday" kind of stuff. Then I think about when, or, how long ago it really was. I graduated high school 9 years ago! NINE YEARS! anyways, because of this, I want to look back at the past year and put it into perspective for myself.
A year ago I had a 19 month old girl, and a 7 week old girl. I had been living at my current residence for almost a year, and I had started a new (albeit familiar) job for almost two months.
Since then, Mara has started sitting up, eating, walking, and darn near talking. Abigail is almost 23 years old now ready to move out, get married, have kids, and change the world. Kidding. She is ready to change the world though, trust me. We have rearranged the house I think three times now, initially putting the girls in separate rooms, then in the same room, and now in separate rooms again. The last change ended up with me and my wife moving out room into the family room.
We tried moving from this house, to a bigger one (the aforementioned lack of an extra bedroom being the catalyst for this attempt) and were told we would have to wait at least six months (this information being the catalyst for the last rearranging of furniture). So, we are cozy in the house, and almost have it conformed to our desire to last another six months.
The job thing has probably had the most drastic change in the past year (which sounds ludicrous since I have two baby girls) but a lot has happened, mostly good. It turns out, I am still pretty good at flipping pizza and have had a couple of promotions. Of course I am still waiting for the one that could change my lifestyle from a late night hourly employee to a schedule making salaried company man. it will come... eventually.
One of my dogs lost its hearing, or she is more stubborn than we initially thought. We have been blessed by God's favor too many times to recall, but a couple of things have been the aforementioned healthy, happy family, the aforementioned dream job, and a van. God is good!
My wife and I have been married for another year, and I guess at some point in the near future, the honeymoon is supposed to be over and things should start getting miserable, but all I can remember is how awesome she is to me and my daughters and what a blessing it is to have her in my life. I love her more today than I did yesterday and a lot more today than I did a year ago. maybe that is because as I grow older I see how hopeless I would be on the "open market" but I think it has more to do with the fact that God has blessed our love with his and is constantly leading us together toward himself.
a football season has come and gone, which saw some very interesting things, Favre and Saints to name a couple.
all in all, it has been a great year, and I am ready for another. hope you are too!
I turn 27 tomorrow, yeah sometimes it makes me feel old. At least I'm not 37 yet I guess. As I get older, I sometimes look back at things that have happened in the past; when I graduated high school, when I was saved, when I got married, when I had my kids, different important stuff.
The interesting thing about looking back is that the memories are usually so fresh, "it seems like only yesterday" kind of stuff. Then I think about when, or, how long ago it really was. I graduated high school 9 years ago! NINE YEARS! anyways, because of this, I want to look back at the past year and put it into perspective for myself.
A year ago I had a 19 month old girl, and a 7 week old girl. I had been living at my current residence for almost a year, and I had started a new (albeit familiar) job for almost two months.
Since then, Mara has started sitting up, eating, walking, and darn near talking. Abigail is almost 23 years old now ready to move out, get married, have kids, and change the world. Kidding. She is ready to change the world though, trust me. We have rearranged the house I think three times now, initially putting the girls in separate rooms, then in the same room, and now in separate rooms again. The last change ended up with me and my wife moving out room into the family room.
We tried moving from this house, to a bigger one (the aforementioned lack of an extra bedroom being the catalyst for this attempt) and were told we would have to wait at least six months (this information being the catalyst for the last rearranging of furniture). So, we are cozy in the house, and almost have it conformed to our desire to last another six months.
The job thing has probably had the most drastic change in the past year (which sounds ludicrous since I have two baby girls) but a lot has happened, mostly good. It turns out, I am still pretty good at flipping pizza and have had a couple of promotions. Of course I am still waiting for the one that could change my lifestyle from a late night hourly employee to a schedule making salaried company man. it will come... eventually.
One of my dogs lost its hearing, or she is more stubborn than we initially thought. We have been blessed by God's favor too many times to recall, but a couple of things have been the aforementioned healthy, happy family, the aforementioned dream job, and a van. God is good!
My wife and I have been married for another year, and I guess at some point in the near future, the honeymoon is supposed to be over and things should start getting miserable, but all I can remember is how awesome she is to me and my daughters and what a blessing it is to have her in my life. I love her more today than I did yesterday and a lot more today than I did a year ago. maybe that is because as I grow older I see how hopeless I would be on the "open market" but I think it has more to do with the fact that God has blessed our love with his and is constantly leading us together toward himself.
a football season has come and gone, which saw some very interesting things, Favre and Saints to name a couple.
all in all, it has been a great year, and I am ready for another. hope you are too!
Sunday, July 18, 2010
What is on those Hash Browns?
ooh... its been too long.
Tonight was going to be ordinary, watch the next food network star then go to bed. Didn't happen. I got hungry, as often happens when I watch the food network. But what should I fix so close to bedtime without time for a shopping trip? Let me tell you!
I didn't have much to choose from. The leftovers had been eaten by my girls before bed, so I had to whip up something new. I knew my wife wanted hash browns, but I wanted something with protein. I am a meat and potato guy. I have this... Chicken breast, but they are frozen, oh no!
I start the chicken in the oven, no seasoning, just get it cooked because I am tired and I want to eat before I go to sleep. 380 degrees, fifteen minutes. Flip then start the hash browns.
Frozen hash browns is always the way to go for me because every time I try them from scratch, I get mad and the Hash browns turn out miserable. Not with frozen hash browns! Heat the pan up with some veggie oil to med-high and throw on the potatoes. cook for 8-10 minutes and flip. The chicken should be about finished.
When the chicken is done and the hash browns are on the home stretch, cut up the chicken; but it's plain chicken, no flavor... I love this rosemary garlic seasoning that we have, and it sounds great with the hash browns. The chicken is cut (diced) and mixed with this seasoning and I flip the hash browns when they are cooked to make sure I am happy with the color and done-ness. I am.
I pick the least done side of the potatoes and put them on the heat while I add the diced rosemary garlic chicken and (drum roll) the cheddar cheese. Cover with plate and let the cheese melt. When the cheese melts, I cut the potatoes in half and plate up the food. Almost ready to eat and my mouth is watering.
What now? I am afraid that the dinner is going to be dry with the potatoes and the chicken with the dry seasoning on it. But what do I add to rosemary garlic chicken covered hash browns? It has to be a tomato based sauce right? Ketchup, barbecue sauce, or something... Nope. Look in the fridge... Ranch.?. perfect.
I drizzle ranch dressing on the rosemary garlic chicken covered hash browns and we eat. WOW, so good I had to add it to the blog! try it and enjoy, ask me questions if it doesn't turn out right... I am no trained chef, but I may be able to help!
good luck
Tonight was going to be ordinary, watch the next food network star then go to bed. Didn't happen. I got hungry, as often happens when I watch the food network. But what should I fix so close to bedtime without time for a shopping trip? Let me tell you!
I didn't have much to choose from. The leftovers had been eaten by my girls before bed, so I had to whip up something new. I knew my wife wanted hash browns, but I wanted something with protein. I am a meat and potato guy. I have this... Chicken breast, but they are frozen, oh no!
I start the chicken in the oven, no seasoning, just get it cooked because I am tired and I want to eat before I go to sleep. 380 degrees, fifteen minutes. Flip then start the hash browns.
Frozen hash browns is always the way to go for me because every time I try them from scratch, I get mad and the Hash browns turn out miserable. Not with frozen hash browns! Heat the pan up with some veggie oil to med-high and throw on the potatoes. cook for 8-10 minutes and flip. The chicken should be about finished.
When the chicken is done and the hash browns are on the home stretch, cut up the chicken; but it's plain chicken, no flavor... I love this rosemary garlic seasoning that we have, and it sounds great with the hash browns. The chicken is cut (diced) and mixed with this seasoning and I flip the hash browns when they are cooked to make sure I am happy with the color and done-ness. I am.
I pick the least done side of the potatoes and put them on the heat while I add the diced rosemary garlic chicken and (drum roll) the cheddar cheese. Cover with plate and let the cheese melt. When the cheese melts, I cut the potatoes in half and plate up the food. Almost ready to eat and my mouth is watering.
What now? I am afraid that the dinner is going to be dry with the potatoes and the chicken with the dry seasoning on it. But what do I add to rosemary garlic chicken covered hash browns? It has to be a tomato based sauce right? Ketchup, barbecue sauce, or something... Nope. Look in the fridge... Ranch.?. perfect.
I drizzle ranch dressing on the rosemary garlic chicken covered hash browns and we eat. WOW, so good I had to add it to the blog! try it and enjoy, ask me questions if it doesn't turn out right... I am no trained chef, but I may be able to help!
good luck
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)