It Is All About Trust

As I prepare for my fifth trip to Haiti I have been wondering where the funds will come from? Not sure why these feelings of doubt come to mind. I know in my heart and also from past experiences every time the Lord calls me to go, he always provides the way!  I guess the planning side of me wants to know every single detail. Not that planning is bad, it is a beautiful gift from God that helps to steer the body of Christ toward the accomplishment of God-given goals.

It is all a matter of trust. God would not ask us to do something he could not handle. I was reminded in my quiet time about the story of Jesus feeding thousands with just five loaves of bread and two fish. The disciples thought they were going to have to go buy the food. In other words they were focusing on what they did not have and what they needed to do rather than focus on what God has done and what he is able to do!

Lord I pray, please help me to focus on a Mighty God who can do all things and not let the lack of resources blind me from seeing the your mighty power oh God!  It’s about trusting You Lord, completely!

 

 

 

 

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight

Is it better to speak the truth that hurts then heals ~ than comfort and then kills?

 

When you care about someone, it is tempting to avoid telling the truth, especially if that truth might hurt or push a friend away. And you may even be tempted to speak less than the truth to your friend because you don't want to hurt or offend him/her or (worse) be accused of being a "control freak, self-righteous or fill in the blank" But a faithful friend must sometimes speak words that may bring pain. But if your words are spoken out of love and are they offered as "faithful wounds," the kind that are necessary for your friend's best interests then God will use it for His Glory.


Ephesians 4:15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.

Proverbs 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

Familiar Bible Phrases in Modern Day Culture

Ever notice how many phrases we say that are directly tied to God’s word?

• Woe is me (Job 10:15)
• The writing is on the wall (Daniel 5:5-6)
• A drop in the bucket (Isaiah 40:15)
• I am at my wits end (Psalms 107:27)
•  Bite the dust (Psalm 72)
• Walk the straight and narrow (Mathew 6:24)
• Labor of love (Thes 1:2)
• Go the extra mile (Mathew 5:41)
• As old as the hills (Job 15:7)
• Apple of my eye (Deut. 32:10)
• Turn the other cheek (Mathew 5:39)

If you know one please feel free to share. Let's see how many we can come up with.

Hunting for Salbutes

In 2006 and 2007 I was blessed to take a couple of mission trips to Orange Walk Belize. My husband and I were introduced to missions through a wonderful couple from our church.

Kenneth & Barbra Montgomery

 They are two of my favorite people in the world and I thank God for their ministry. They are true examples of disciple makers. No matter were they go the light of Jesus shines bright. With Christ's leading through Mr. Kenneth and Mrs Barbie I have fallen in love with the people of Belize. I also became pretty fond of the cooking there too! Which brings me to the hunt for Salbutes.

Since my last trip to Belize I have been on the hunt for a great Salbute recipe. This is what I would call a delicious Belizean tostada. 

UNBELIZABLE  I finally found one that I think is close.

Ingredients for masa

ok... I cheated on this one. I used store bought pre made masa tortillas

Ingredients for Baking Chicken

1 sweet onion chopped

2 cups chicken broth
2 balls red racado spice

2 T wrochtishire sauce 

salt and pepper -- to taste  (I used season salt - this is big in Belize)

Bake at 350 for 1 1/2-2 Hours or until done

Let cool shred and store in juices overnight in frig.

Reheating the Chicken

Put chicken and juices in large skillet adding 1/2 cup chicken broth and 1tsp red racado. Heat until juices are evaporated. Do not over cook or it will be dry.

Toppings
1 cup shredded Mexican Style lettuce
1 1/2 cups cooked chicken -- shredded
1 can refried beans

Bunch Grape tomatoes – sliced
Avocado slice for each salbutes -- (optional)

Ingredients for pickled red onions
2 red onions -- peeled and thinly sliced
1/2 cup lime juice
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano -- (optional)
salt and pepper -- to taste

Directions for the pickled red onion: Place onions in a saucepan, add water to cover, bring to a boil and remove from heat. Drain and rinse in cold water to stop the cooking process. Place the onions in a glass container with lime juice, dried oregano and salt and pepper. Allow to sit for several hours before serving. They keep up to one week in the refrigerator.

Assemble Salbutes: Top each salbutes with a thin  layer of refried beans, chicken. shredded cheese, lettuce, pickled red onion and sliced tomato. Place a slice of avocado, if desired. Serve immediately.

Top with Belizean hot pepper sauce for a bit of spice!

Well it looks and smells right.... now for the taste test.

The results are in and the hunt is over!

       Now if I could just make those cool pastries! 

     I may just have to  settle for a coca-cola in a bag :)

Enjoy!

Being kind is not always easy

Being kind is not always easy.

I find it very difficult to always be kind to those who have hurt me either intentionally or by being immature or ignorant in their attitudes and actions.  My natural instinct is to retaliate. “Eye for an eye” Right? Wrong! This is one of those bible verses that gets misquoted often. Don't take my word for it listen to what Jesus said in Mathew  “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

This is some hard stuff to grasp! God mandates us to forgive and to be kind in radical ways. So how do we accomplish this? 


Reflecting on His forgiveness for us helps us to show forgiveness ourselves.

First thing I try to do is to reflect on GOD for who HE is and what he has done for us, all  though we hurt Him, God chose to die for us because He loves us that much. The ultimate radical act of kindness! This is something I tend to loose focus of sometimes. Not sure why, because when I sit and truly think about it I am astonished by His mercy and grace!

Once again my word of the year is “Focus”.

We can not do it on our own.
Next ~ Seek God in prayer ask for His guidance after all He has sent us the ultimate guide “HIS SPIRIT” to live inside of us. After asking we need to be willing to listen. By being in His word daily. How can we know HIS instructions if we don't read the manual?

Read His instructions.
B=Basic
I=Instructions
B=Before
L=Leaving
E=Earth

Another thing we should do is begin praying for those who have hurt us. I find it hard to be upset at someone if I am genuinely praying for them.

But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. —Matthew 5:44 

Dear Lord help me to be kind to everyone always filtering my words through your Spirit. Help me to see others as you see them. 
In Jesus Name ~ Amen.

Slave Wars

Did you know 27 million people are trapped in slavery? 

Here is a video I made to help make people aware of  this sad truth. Please feel free to share it with your friends.

Good Friends Good Food & Good Fun!

This past weekend was our last weekend before school starts back so we spent it with good friends. We took a road trip to Madison Indana. It was a very neet town with lots of history, good food and lots of fun with friends.

Old Fire Station

Broadway Fountain

Dr. Hutching's Office

Town Shops

Old Button Factory

Irish Church

Lanier Mansion

Hinkle Burger's

  Clifty Falls