Our Daily Bread
There is an old song that I love called Ordinary People. Click here to read the lyrics. The song emphasizes what we read about over and over in the Bible -- God using ordinary people! I love reading those stories! They make me feel so much better about myself! ha!
Seriously, God will use anyone that makes themselves available to be used. I have been learning about saints the past few years. I have been amazed at the stories and the ordinary people that gave their lives to God. Like them, we don't aim for sainthood. We are to give ourselves to God to be used for his glory! Let us pray for each other to do that today and every day! Praise God!
Lord, you only ask that we give you our all. How can we not?
Foodie Friday
Two things today. A restaurant review and a recipe (sort of).
Italian place
My roomie wanted to go to Subway near the Giant Eagle grocery store on Dublin-Granville Road. When we parked, we noticed a small Italian restaurant next door. We decided to get pizza and salad instead of Subway! DOH! My roomie had a 10" pepperoni and jalapeno pizza. I had the 10" pepperoni, sausage and mushroom pizza. I also got a house salad. All this set us back a total of $13! Wow!
The salad was good. Fresh lettuce and good dressing. It was tasty. The pizzas, however. were a disappointment. We think it was the sauce that we didn't like. The toppings were adequate and very tasty, but we had to choke them down with that sauce. We couldn't quite put our finger on what we didn't like but neither of us did! I doubt we will be going back.
Recipe: Shrimps in a blanket
I am looking for Mardi Gras appetizer recipes for my dinner group on Sunday. I had an idea of my own this morning -- shrimps in a blanket! I plan to roll the cooked shrimp in cajun seasonings and then roll them up in a crescent roll (much like pigs in a blanket). I will probably brush the crescent rolls with some hot sauce or something like that. I will let you know how they turn out!
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Living out of love for God and pleasing Him should be our heart’s desire. - Our Daily Bread
Friday, February 7, 2014
Thursday, February 6, 2014
I can still hear you...
Our Daily Bread
There are some funny movie and TV scenes where some characters are talking bad about another character who is within ear shot. The maligned character puts her hands on her hips and says "I can hear you. I am right here." The other characters move a few feet away and continue talking. The maligned character puts her hands on her hips again and says "I can STILL hear you!" Ha!
So many times we are the ones that are talking about God as the maligned character in the TV show. We don't realize in times of grief and distress that God hears everything we say and knows everything we think and feel. I can't imagine him putting his hands on his hips (Lord have mercy) but I can imagine him saying: "I can hear you. I am right here." I can also hear God saying to us over and over "I can STILL hear you!" Praise God!
Lord, we know you hear us and know us better than we know ourselves. We thank you and praise you through good times and bad!
Technology Thursday
Garmin Vivofit
There are a lot of "fitness trackers" on the market right now. Garmin, the company that makes GPS systems, is entering this market at the end of March with their Vivofit device. It is not their first entry in the wearable technology field. They have several wristwatch type devices for runners with built in GPS.
The Vivofit has two models -- the base model for $129 and the base model plus heart rate tracker for $179. You can get these a little cheaper on Amazon.com. You can pre-order now if you like.
Here are some blurbs from the Vivofit web site:
vívofit learns your current activity level, then assigns an attainable daily goal. As you meet your milestones, vívofit will adjust your goal for the next day, gradually nudging you toward a healthier lifestyle. At Garmin Connect™, you can earn virtual badges and view your progress on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.
No need to stop and sync your data to see your progress. vívofit stores your stats right on your wrist. Later, with the touch of 1 button, you can wirelessly sync with Garmin Connect, our free online fitness community.
Research shows that prolonged periods of inactivity such as sitting at a desk much of the day decreases your body’s production of fat-burning enzymes. You can reverse that effect by taking frequent, short walk breaks throughout your day.
And while you might lose track of time and forget to move, vívofit knows. A red move bar appears on the display after 1 hour of inactivity and builds when you’ve been sitting too long. Just walk for a couple of minutes to reset the move bar.
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Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13
There are some funny movie and TV scenes where some characters are talking bad about another character who is within ear shot. The maligned character puts her hands on her hips and says "I can hear you. I am right here." The other characters move a few feet away and continue talking. The maligned character puts her hands on her hips again and says "I can STILL hear you!" Ha!
So many times we are the ones that are talking about God as the maligned character in the TV show. We don't realize in times of grief and distress that God hears everything we say and knows everything we think and feel. I can't imagine him putting his hands on his hips (Lord have mercy) but I can imagine him saying: "I can hear you. I am right here." I can also hear God saying to us over and over "I can STILL hear you!" Praise God!
Lord, we know you hear us and know us better than we know ourselves. We thank you and praise you through good times and bad!
Technology Thursday
Garmin Vivofit
There are a lot of "fitness trackers" on the market right now. Garmin, the company that makes GPS systems, is entering this market at the end of March with their Vivofit device. It is not their first entry in the wearable technology field. They have several wristwatch type devices for runners with built in GPS.
The Vivofit has two models -- the base model for $129 and the base model plus heart rate tracker for $179. You can get these a little cheaper on Amazon.com. You can pre-order now if you like.
Here are some blurbs from the Vivofit web site:
vívofit learns your current activity level, then assigns an attainable daily goal. As you meet your milestones, vívofit will adjust your goal for the next day, gradually nudging you toward a healthier lifestyle. At Garmin Connect™, you can earn virtual badges and view your progress on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.
No need to stop and sync your data to see your progress. vívofit stores your stats right on your wrist. Later, with the touch of 1 button, you can wirelessly sync with Garmin Connect, our free online fitness community.
Research shows that prolonged periods of inactivity such as sitting at a desk much of the day decreases your body’s production of fat-burning enzymes. You can reverse that effect by taking frequent, short walk breaks throughout your day.
And while you might lose track of time and forget to move, vívofit knows. A red move bar appears on the display after 1 hour of inactivity and builds when you’ve been sitting too long. Just walk for a couple of minutes to reset the move bar.
********************************
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
My worst critic
Our Daily Bread
Do yoi sing or play an instrument or get in front of people in any capacity? What do you say when someone compliments you? Do you smile and say thank you or do you quickly point all the flaw in your performance? I pray some day I will just smile and say thank you and stop being my own worst critic!
Most folks think that is what God does to us -- be our worst critic! Noooooo! I love this paragraph from today's devotional:
Wow! I challenge each of us to read this paragraph every day this week as a reminder! Praise God!
Lord, thank you for only wanting what is best for us. Please help us to realize what those things might be!
Wellness Wednesday
Easy Mind Tricks To Keep Food In Check
From Mother Nature Network's Melissa Breyer:
The formula for losing weight couldn't be simpler: Consume fewer calories than you require, which means eat less and/or exercise more. To lose a pound of fat there needs to be a deficit of roughly 3,500 calories; so, for example, burning an extra 500 calories a day — or consuming 500 fewer calories a day — will result in the loss of about a pound in a week.
However, while the math is simple, getting there seems far from easy. And thus comes a slew of miracle supplements (“burn fat fast without even trying!”), fad diets (may we offer you a binding corset or surgically-attached tongue patch?) and fancy gizmos (hello, Japanese diet goggles).
But the truth is, losing weight takes work. That said, interesting research has revealed that some simple tricks can make the work a little easier; specifically, creating small obstacles and changing cues.
A study in Switzerland found that the relative availability of food influences food intake. Researchers for the study say that eating is an automatic behavior that can be disrupted when any additional effort is required.
Study participants were invited to sample freely from a bowl of candies; one group was offered unwrapped candies while another group was given wrapped ones. Participants who had to unwrap the candy themselves ate on average 3.6 pieces, while those who had no unwrapping to do ate 5.5 pieces each.
Similarly, in another experiment those who were asked to use tongs to take the candy ate significantly less than those who used their fingers; and in yet another experiment, the results were the same, even when the choice was between high-fat chocolates and dried apricots, indicating the tongs, not the food, were the deterrent, researchers said.
The moral of the story? While the packaging-minded among us may not want to purchase individually wrapped treats, we can still create similar obstacles. For example, wrap snacks in reusable packaging, make snacks hard to reach (just store them in the garage!) or of course, you could resort to eating snacks with tongs!
In a different but similar vein, consider the work of clinical dietitian and author Timi Gustafson, R.D., who explores habits and how they can sabotage our best laid plans to eat well. In a blog for online newspaper SeattlePI.com, Gustafson takes a scientific look at the influence our daily habits. In one case, a woman with an “addiction” to pastries simply changed her driving route to avoid passing her favorite bakery and her “addiction” was eventually cured (and she lost 50 pounds along the way).
Another person exploring the amazing pull of routine as it relates to diet is New York Times journalist Charles Duhigg, who wrote the book "The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business." Similar to the bakery visitor, Duhigg had a chocolate-chip cookie habit; and he was also able to escape the rut by switching up his routine by avoiding the cafeteria during the afternoon slump and socializing with co-workers instead.
**************************************
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13
Do yoi sing or play an instrument or get in front of people in any capacity? What do you say when someone compliments you? Do you smile and say thank you or do you quickly point all the flaw in your performance? I pray some day I will just smile and say thank you and stop being my own worst critic!
Most folks think that is what God does to us -- be our worst critic! Noooooo! I love this paragraph from today's devotional:
We all know things about ourselves that no one else knows—failures, faults, sins—that although confessed to God and forgiven by Him may come back to accuse us again and again. John, one of Jesus’ close followers, wrote about God’s love for us and the call to follow His commands, saying: “By this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things” (1 John 3:19-20).
Wow! I challenge each of us to read this paragraph every day this week as a reminder! Praise God!
Lord, thank you for only wanting what is best for us. Please help us to realize what those things might be!
Wellness Wednesday
Easy Mind Tricks To Keep Food In Check
From Mother Nature Network's Melissa Breyer:
The formula for losing weight couldn't be simpler: Consume fewer calories than you require, which means eat less and/or exercise more. To lose a pound of fat there needs to be a deficit of roughly 3,500 calories; so, for example, burning an extra 500 calories a day — or consuming 500 fewer calories a day — will result in the loss of about a pound in a week.
However, while the math is simple, getting there seems far from easy. And thus comes a slew of miracle supplements (“burn fat fast without even trying!”), fad diets (may we offer you a binding corset or surgically-attached tongue patch?) and fancy gizmos (hello, Japanese diet goggles).
But the truth is, losing weight takes work. That said, interesting research has revealed that some simple tricks can make the work a little easier; specifically, creating small obstacles and changing cues.
A study in Switzerland found that the relative availability of food influences food intake. Researchers for the study say that eating is an automatic behavior that can be disrupted when any additional effort is required.
Study participants were invited to sample freely from a bowl of candies; one group was offered unwrapped candies while another group was given wrapped ones. Participants who had to unwrap the candy themselves ate on average 3.6 pieces, while those who had no unwrapping to do ate 5.5 pieces each.
Similarly, in another experiment those who were asked to use tongs to take the candy ate significantly less than those who used their fingers; and in yet another experiment, the results were the same, even when the choice was between high-fat chocolates and dried apricots, indicating the tongs, not the food, were the deterrent, researchers said.
The moral of the story? While the packaging-minded among us may not want to purchase individually wrapped treats, we can still create similar obstacles. For example, wrap snacks in reusable packaging, make snacks hard to reach (just store them in the garage!) or of course, you could resort to eating snacks with tongs!
In a different but similar vein, consider the work of clinical dietitian and author Timi Gustafson, R.D., who explores habits and how they can sabotage our best laid plans to eat well. In a blog for online newspaper SeattlePI.com, Gustafson takes a scientific look at the influence our daily habits. In one case, a woman with an “addiction” to pastries simply changed her driving route to avoid passing her favorite bakery and her “addiction” was eventually cured (and she lost 50 pounds along the way).
Another person exploring the amazing pull of routine as it relates to diet is New York Times journalist Charles Duhigg, who wrote the book "The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business." Similar to the bakery visitor, Duhigg had a chocolate-chip cookie habit; and he was also able to escape the rut by switching up his routine by avoiding the cafeteria during the afternoon slump and socializing with co-workers instead.
**************************************
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
No power over me
Our Daily Bread
I laugh when some friends want to go to the restaurant called Hooters. Pretty girls in tight clothes are the servers. They can be known to be a little flirty and usually end up getting a bigger tip for it. When one of them started flirting with me, I chuckled and said 'you have no power over me'. hahaha!
As we grow in the Lord, we find that the trials and tribulations of this life have less and less power over us. We can look those trials in the face and say "you have no power over me!" Praise God! Let us remember that each time we face some new challenge (or opportunity for faith). Power is ours through the Holy Spirit!
Lord, we thank you and praise you for all you give us including power over circumstances!
Teaching Tuesday
1 and 2 Peter
We studied 1 and 2 Peter this week. I didn't realize that both books were NOT attributed to the apostle Peter! 2 Peter is anonymous. Apparently, it had so much good stuff in it that the book became part of the canon (official Bible).
There are some main themes running through both books like the importance of the community of the church and the seriousness of backsliding (or falling away from the Lord). I liked the sections where it talked about the church a lot. The seriousness of backsliding and the language around it was scary to me. I know those passages have caused much dissension in the church over the centuries about the security of salvation.
There are also several odd passages like when Jesus was compared to the mysterious priest to Abraham called Melchizedek. It made a good point that Jesus is the ultimate high priest.
Read through the books sometime. There is some good stuff. There is some odd stuff IMHO.
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Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. - 2 Thessalonians 3:16
I laugh when some friends want to go to the restaurant called Hooters. Pretty girls in tight clothes are the servers. They can be known to be a little flirty and usually end up getting a bigger tip for it. When one of them started flirting with me, I chuckled and said 'you have no power over me'. hahaha!
As we grow in the Lord, we find that the trials and tribulations of this life have less and less power over us. We can look those trials in the face and say "you have no power over me!" Praise God! Let us remember that each time we face some new challenge (or opportunity for faith). Power is ours through the Holy Spirit!
Lord, we thank you and praise you for all you give us including power over circumstances!
Teaching Tuesday
1 and 2 Peter
We studied 1 and 2 Peter this week. I didn't realize that both books were NOT attributed to the apostle Peter! 2 Peter is anonymous. Apparently, it had so much good stuff in it that the book became part of the canon (official Bible).
There are some main themes running through both books like the importance of the community of the church and the seriousness of backsliding (or falling away from the Lord). I liked the sections where it talked about the church a lot. The seriousness of backsliding and the language around it was scary to me. I know those passages have caused much dissension in the church over the centuries about the security of salvation.
There are also several odd passages like when Jesus was compared to the mysterious priest to Abraham called Melchizedek. It made a good point that Jesus is the ultimate high priest.
Read through the books sometime. There is some good stuff. There is some odd stuff IMHO.
********************************
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. - 2 Thessalonians 3:16
Monday, February 3, 2014
Resolutions 2014
Our Daily Bread
Did you make any New Years resolutions for 2014? Have you broken them all yet? ha! I have already noticed the number of folks at the gym decreasing (like me for example!). I have kept a few of my resolutions, but I am struggling with what to do the rest of the year!
The devotional writer gave up on resolutions many years ago, but decided to add a new important one this year: to not judge folks and not be a hindrance to anyone. Wow! Very important! She referred to Romans 14:13 as her scripture reference. Check out that whole chapter and see what you think! Are there any February 2014 resolutions we need to make?
Lord, we thank you and praise you for new beginnings and for your instructions on how to live our lives!
Movie Monday
I saw the movie Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit yesterday after church. I enjoyed the mindless yet suspenseful entertainment. The movie was based on characters by Tom Clancy. I don't think this particular movie was one of his stories. The action scenes were OK. The story interesting. The characters engaging. It was entertaining.
I give this movie two bear paws. Not a lot of surprises. Would be a great Netflix rental.
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Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Did you make any New Years resolutions for 2014? Have you broken them all yet? ha! I have already noticed the number of folks at the gym decreasing (like me for example!). I have kept a few of my resolutions, but I am struggling with what to do the rest of the year!
The devotional writer gave up on resolutions many years ago, but decided to add a new important one this year: to not judge folks and not be a hindrance to anyone. Wow! Very important! She referred to Romans 14:13 as her scripture reference. Check out that whole chapter and see what you think! Are there any February 2014 resolutions we need to make?
Lord, we thank you and praise you for new beginnings and for your instructions on how to live our lives!
Movie Monday
I saw the movie Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit yesterday after church. I enjoyed the mindless yet suspenseful entertainment. The movie was based on characters by Tom Clancy. I don't think this particular movie was one of his stories. The action scenes were OK. The story interesting. The characters engaging. It was entertaining.
I give this movie two bear paws. Not a lot of surprises. Would be a great Netflix rental.
*************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Sunday, February 2, 2014
Our lighthouse
Our Daily Bread
There is a traditional folk hymn called The Lighthouse. I think I first heard it sung by the Bill Gaither Family many years ago. Check out the lyrics here. We all know what a lighthouse is. don't we?
The Holy Spirit can be many things to us. One of which is a lighthouse when we seem to be tossed and battered by life's storms. Praise God! We also know that the Holy Spirit can help us discern truth when we face life's easy and difficult questions. I said easy questions too because we often try to handle too many things on our own and get it wrong! I know I have!
What about you? Are you being tossed and battered by life's storms? Seek comfort and guidance from the Holy Spirit. All you have to do is ask!
Lord, we thank you and praise you for sending your Holy Spirit to us. Please help us seek the Holy Spirit every day!
Psalm Sunday
We are almost done with the songs of ascents. Psalm 129 is another one that we may not understand in today's language and culture, but we can still get some meaning out of. I love verse 2. Check that one out!
Psalm 129
A song of ascents.
1 “They have greatly oppressed me from my youth,”
let Israel say;
2 “they have greatly oppressed me from my youth,
but they have not gained the victory over me.
3 Plowmen have plowed my back
and made their furrows long.
4 But the Lord is righteous;
he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked.”
5 May all who hate Zion
be turned back in shame.
6 May they be like grass on the roof,
which withers before it can grow;
7 a reaper cannot fill his hands with it,
nor one who gathers fill his arms.
8 May those who pass by not say to them,
“The blessing of the Lord be on you;
we bless you in the name of the Lord.”
**********************************
I pray the weight of my sins doth not crush me back to dust from where I came. I pray that God create in me a new, clean heart and place a right spirit within me. Restore to me the joy of my salvation. Praise the Almighty God from whom all blessings flow.
There is a traditional folk hymn called The Lighthouse. I think I first heard it sung by the Bill Gaither Family many years ago. Check out the lyrics here. We all know what a lighthouse is. don't we?
The Holy Spirit can be many things to us. One of which is a lighthouse when we seem to be tossed and battered by life's storms. Praise God! We also know that the Holy Spirit can help us discern truth when we face life's easy and difficult questions. I said easy questions too because we often try to handle too many things on our own and get it wrong! I know I have!
What about you? Are you being tossed and battered by life's storms? Seek comfort and guidance from the Holy Spirit. All you have to do is ask!
Lord, we thank you and praise you for sending your Holy Spirit to us. Please help us seek the Holy Spirit every day!
Psalm Sunday
We are almost done with the songs of ascents. Psalm 129 is another one that we may not understand in today's language and culture, but we can still get some meaning out of. I love verse 2. Check that one out!
Psalm 129
A song of ascents.
1 “They have greatly oppressed me from my youth,”
let Israel say;
2 “they have greatly oppressed me from my youth,
but they have not gained the victory over me.
3 Plowmen have plowed my back
and made their furrows long.
4 But the Lord is righteous;
he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked.”
5 May all who hate Zion
be turned back in shame.
6 May they be like grass on the roof,
which withers before it can grow;
7 a reaper cannot fill his hands with it,
nor one who gathers fill his arms.
8 May those who pass by not say to them,
“The blessing of the Lord be on you;
we bless you in the name of the Lord.”
**********************************
I pray the weight of my sins doth not crush me back to dust from where I came. I pray that God create in me a new, clean heart and place a right spirit within me. Restore to me the joy of my salvation. Praise the Almighty God from whom all blessings flow.
Saturday, February 1, 2014
Icons
In the sessions about iconology I keep wondering how humans can possibly use icons without making them into idols. We have seen that over and over again in the Bible. I will listen and learn!
I was fascinated by the process of
creating a religious icon, at least the little bit I learned about last night.
Looking forward to the day. Praise God!
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