praise him

Over the next few weeks leading up to Valentines Day I am following Courtney over at Women Living Well in her task of praising her Husband in five specific and different ways each week. The first, is to show praise verbally. Even boyfriends like to be praised : ) This morning my boyfriend came over, and made me a fresh vanilla latte before church. He is so considerate and sweet. Praise God for lattes and the men who make them.

haven

haven. just saying this word exudes serenity.
as i go about my day today i am realizing that i want to make my life a haven. i want my life to be marked by tranquility, calmness, and consideration. i want to take the time to breathe and embrace.

september has been an overwhelmingly busy month. i am over-committed and running dry. i am literally working at least sixty hours a week. this doesn't work so well with maintaining good relationships.

i feel guilty for not being there for my family and friends. i don't want to be that person.

so, today is a new day. i am lighting my pumpkin spice and caramel apple scented candle. im stepping back and bringing balance into my life. i am doing what i need to do and not taking on more than i can afford. im praying today and connecting with those that are most important to me.

building bridges

This morning I read a bit of Cornell West and I was encouraged by his insightful words. Mr. West says the ideally educated person is the prophetic thinker, ‘one who lives in and understands multiple realities and uses such understanding in building bridges between and among these varied worlds.’

This quote reminds me of who we are called to be as Christians...
We are called to live in this world, and bring the hope of the future (and even present) reality that awaits those who receive salvation from Jesus.

To be this prophetic thinker, West says discernment, tracking hypocrisy, hope, and connection are whats most important.


‘We must keep foremost in mind the notion that history is incomplete, that the world is unfinished, that the future is open-ended and that what we think and what we do can make a difference.’ - Cornell West

discipline and compassion

“It was character that got us out of bed, commitment that moved us into action, and discipline that enabled us to follow through.”

“Discipline is remembering what you want.”

“Many of life's circumstances are created by three basic choices: the disciplines you choose to keep, the people you choose to be with; and, the laws you choose to obey”



I took some sort of self assessment a few years ago and scored the highest on discipline and compassion. These days...I'm not quite sure were this once ever present discipline went. I am sure it is hiding somewhere, but I'm not sure where.
I hate fighting this daily battle within myself: Doing Enough vs. Not Doing Enough
How do you know?
Lately, I don't feel as if I am doing 'enough.' But I know I am doing a lot. Maybe I am just not doing the right things...or the things I want to be doing; building relationships, establishing roots, growing in my relationship with Jesus, reading his word.

to cook

I didn't grow up cooking, but oh how I love making beautiful and yummy food.

I have been slowly gathering recipes, and I don't want to forget them. So I'm blogging the down... :)

Pineapple Ginger Rice
Ingredients: Pineapple, Brown Rice, Edamame, 1 Tablespoon Ginger, Cilantro
Pineapple Salsa
2 Cups Diced Pineapple, ½ Cup Chopped Cilantro, ¼ Cup Chopped Red Onion, 1 Chopped Serrano Pepper, 1 Lime (juice and zest) More Options: Dash of Dark Rum, Spearmint, Chopped Red Peppers, Chopped Apple
Coconut Mushroom Rice
1 Cup Coconut Milk, 2 Cups White Rice, 1 Splenda, 1 Cup Mushrooms, ½ Cup Crushed Peanuts, Red Chili Pepper Sauce
More Options: Add Chicken
My Favorite Pita
Pita Bread, Regular Hummus, Sun-dried Tomatoes, Basil, Feta
More Options: Add Chicken
Bruschetta
1 Dozen Roma Tomatoes, Basil, Three Cloves of Fresh Garlic, Olive Oil, Lemon, Balsamic Reduction, Feta, Crostinis
Veggie Delite
Kidney Beans, Sweet Red Onion, Peppers, Feta

Remember: Fridge Life
• Cooked leftovers, four days
• Raw eggs, three to five weeks
• Hard boiled eggs, one week
• Salads, such as egg, macaroni, potato or tuna, three to five days
• Stuffed pork and lamb chops or chicken breasts, one day
• Ground beef/chicken/turkey/veal, one to two days
• Stew meats, one to two days
• Ham, three to seven days
• Hot dogs, one week if opened, two weeks if unopened
• Bacon, seven days
• Steaks/roasts, three to five days
• Poultry, one to two days
• Fresh fish/shellfish, one to two days