Resolution 3: Faithfulness

I know, I just mentioned faithfulness yesterday.

Remember the lemons.🍋

When you want to give up because it seems like the roadblocks are many, keep going.

This resolution actually comes from the life of Anna in the book of Luke.

Anna's service may have seemed insignificant (at least before it was documented in the Bible).

Her work was humble, it was behind the scenes.

But her faithfulness was noticed by God.

84 years of service in fasting and prayer.

I want to be that faithful in whatever small ministry I may be given.

When Life Hands You Lemons

While I don't really feel that life has handed me lemons,

there are weeks that are just hard to get through.

There are seasons when stress is difficult to avoid.

There are times when you question what you are doing,

where you are going,

what's going on?

I was just reading about the life of Joseph on Saturday morning.

It reminded me ...

Sometimes everything seems like a trial.

Sometimes things seem unfair. (Why was Joseph in prison?)

Sometimes you may feel (or are) forgotten.

Sometimes you are far from the familiar.  (Egypt instead of with his family)

But it is still God's plan for you ...

... and He can still bless it.

You just have to trust and to be faithful.

And when it seems like lemons ...

make lemon bread (or muffins)

Vegan Lemon Bread

Ingredients

2 cups flour (I used 1/2 gluten-free all-purpose and 1/2 oat flour)

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

3/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp baking soda

1 cup sugar 

3/4 cup milk of choice

1/2 cup plain yogurt (I used vanilla dairy-free yogurt)

1/4 cup oil (or sub applesauce for fat free)

1/4 cup lemon juice

zest of 1 large or 2 small lemons (1 tbsp total)

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Instructions

The recipe works with spelt, white, oat, or gf all-purpose flour.
It technically works with almond flour (and tastes delicious) but won’t rise or look pretty.
I prefer the oil version’s flavor and texture,
 but if you’re used to the texture of oil-free baked goods it’s fine to sub applesauce.

Preheat oven to 350 F.
Grease a 9×5 loaf pan.  Or prepare 12 muffin cups (my choice).
In a large bowl, combine all dry ingredients.
Whisk liquid ingredients in a separate bowl, combine wet and dry, then stir until just evenly mixed.
Spread into the pan or muffin tin.
Bake 50-55 minutes, or until the loaf has risen and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

or (25-30 minutes for muffins).


As a funny note for my nieces and nephews who follow the misadventures of their aunt in the kitchen ...
(remember the blueberry salmon cakes?)
When I made these the second time, I made it with all oat flour.
Wow!  They seemed a lot drier.
As the uncle looked at them, he said they did not look the same.
After a big bite, he uttered,
"I think you forgot something ... like sugar!"
Yes, I had forgotten the sugar.
And as I remade the recipe,
I had forgotten the milk too😊
But, in the process,
I discovered that they are still edible with just the sweetness of the vanilla yogurt.
So on another round, I will probably cut the sugar in half.
And they are very moist with 3/4 cup milk, so this might also be adjusted as you mix.

Always ... No Matter What!

As I started through Genesis again this month,

I was reading the introduction written by the publishers.

This line just jumped out at me

and I hope that it will bless you as well today.

"It is always safe to trust the Lord ...

... famine and feasting,

blessing and bondage."

The publishers were explaining that Abraham and his descendants learn first hand 

that God keeps His promises.

And He is still that same faithful God today!

Resolution 2: Just and Blameless

But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

... Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations,

and Noah walked with God.

Genesis 6:8-9

Don't you love when someone extends grace to you?

How many times does my mouth seem to disconnect from my brain?

How many times do I fail to meet an obligation?

I need a lot of grace.

The Bible says that there is none righteous.

I can't meet God's standard,

so I am glad for the grace that He extends.

Noah found grace as a just and blameless person!

He was not perfect - he was blameless, there was nothing that would stick to him.

He dealt with his sins.

He made things right with his fellow man.

Now that is a worthy resolution:

Live justly and blamelessly.

The Simple Life in 2 Requests

As the title and subtitle of this blog suggest,

my desire is to live a simple life.

I want to keep a quiet life.

I want to foster peace in my home.

I want to be able to hear God speaking.

I want to know His leading.

I want, as much as possible, to make wise decisions to promote health and wellness.

It is easy for the noise of this world to crowd into the home.

The politics of today get even Christians worked up, troubled, and worried.

A fast-paced life crowds out meaningful time to read, study, and memorize God's Word.

In America, our lives are often so "easy" that we lack true dependence on God.

When bowing before an Almighty God,

the requests could be numerous and great.

Nothing is too hard for God.

But the writer of Proverbs had just two requests.

Proverbs 30:7-8

Two things have I required of thee;

deny me them not before I die.

Remove far from me vanity and lies:

give me neither poverty nor riches;

feed me with food convenient for me.

If I were to boil them down,

the simple life would

1.  avoid pride and lying

2. be content with what God provides

How many times do I complicate life with my pride or with a tangled web of lies?

I may fail to end a dispute because of selfish pride.

I may not be content with or acknowledge a ministry God has given because I feel I deserve something "greater."

I may fail to submit to authority because it goes against my pride.

I may lie which leads to another lie or the confusion of trying to remember what lies I had told.

I may also complicate my life in search of things.

God provides for my needs

and often for my wants.

If I would just be content in His provision,

I would save a lot of time, effort, and money

thereby keeping my life simpler.

Crockpot Adventures

A Tuesday transformation tip.

A beautifully scented home!

About 3 weeks before Christmas,

I began using my crockpot to make a simmering potpourri.

I guess I saw it somewhere online and thought it would work for me.

No dangerous candles,

no stovetop burner on,

no expensive essential oil.

The first pot I made just had "cutie" peels, cloves, and cinnamon sticks.

Then I made one with lemon slices, eucalyptus, and vanilla.

Christmas was orange, cranberry, and rosemary.

This was the prettiest one!

We really enjoyed one last week with coffee beans, cinnamon sticks, and vanilla.

It smelled like a bakery/coffee shop.

I highly recommend this if you are showing a home to sell - truly a "homey" smell.

This week I have lemon slices and ginger slices.

I am looking forward to spring when I can use my lavender plant for lemon lavender.

I also have a lemon balm plant that might work well with a citrus mix.

I use for about a week (though by days 6 and 7 it is not near so fragrant).

I do have to add water each day, but it does not need tending too much.

Back to School

Hubby and I are going back to school tonight.

We will be headed to the local community college

to take an 8-week course on American Sign Language.

We believe that all total there could be 24 weeks of classes if we take all 4 units.

2 of the units are offered back to back in the Spring

and another 2 units are offered back to back in the Fall.

Why a Sign Language course?

Well, the church we are presently attending has a ministry to the deaf.

And while we may never reach interpreter status,

we would at least like to be able to "speak" with the other folks that we are worshipping with.

So here we go!

If you think of it,

you can pray that we can learn it well

and be able to use it where God has placed us now and in the future.

Family Photo IV

One of the family pictures involved fruit.

It was a clue taken from the book of Haggai.

The clue told the family what book the uncle is writing on

and encouraged them to set the right priorities.

We were sent pictures of guava, starfruit,  and dragonfruit. 

We have been intrigued by dragonfruit for a while, so we tried it this weekend.

You cut it and scoop it out like an avocado. 

It has seeds and texture like a kiwi.

It is not overly sweet and even approved by the keto diet.
In the picture, it doesn't look all that great, but it was good.

Overall, a fun experience.

Building Strength: Resolution 1

It is typical this time of year to hear of resolutions.

"I will work out more."

"I will lose weight."

The local gyms are packed with people starting the year by making a change.

There are many new runners along the side of the road.

The local stores are advertising weights, yoga mats, and protein shakes.

I will admit,

we did buy a new pair of dumbbells to add to our collection😃

I do advocate good health.

I like to encourage exercise.

I try to be a balanced example in my eating.

But more important than physical muscles and strength

is building a reliance on God.

Psalm 105:4

Seek the LORD and his strength.

I need to seek Him and His strength

in service, 

in everyday tasks,

in hard places,

for wisdom and direction,

for victory over sin,

in ministry,

in my finances,

in the face of temptation,

in sickness,

in areas to exercise discipline,

for guidance in witnessing.

Later in Psalm 105 ...

Psalm 105:37

...there was not one feeble person among their tribes.

Out of all the Jews in the wilderness, ... not one lacked strength.

They had the LORD's enabling and strength.

Why then do I try to work in my own strength when His is so much greater?