Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
In her book, Let Me Be a Woman, Elizabeth Elliot records the story of a friend who had great difficulty accepting the looks God had given her. While everyone this girl knew had grown beautiful golden hair, hers was black. And while they were all still growing, she had stopped. She grew to be only about four feet ten inches tall.
Eventually, she reached the country to which God had called her to be a missionary. One day, she stood on the wharf in Shanghai and looked around at the people to whom He had called her. “Every single one of them” she said, “had black hair. And every one of them had stopped growing when I did.” She was able to look to God and exclaim, “Lord God, You know what You’re doing!”
Are you struggling with something specific today? Have you been asking, “Why Lord?!” Whether we realize it or not, God knows what He’s doing! We may not understand it today — but He has known these things from the very beginning. And He really is carrying out His great plan in us! Cheer up! God is preparing His vessels for GREAT things! There’s so much work to be done!
FRIENDS:
Father, You are in control and how often we need to be reminded of that. Your mercy towards us in unlimited. The only reason this world continues is because you have mercy upon us. Millions of people today are receiving food for which they'll never give thanks. We're breathing air that we take for granted. Somehow, though, you continue to bless us and we are grateful for that. In Jesus' name, Amen.
~JOB~
It's easy to thank God when he does what we want. But God doesn't always do what we want. Ask Job.
His empire collapsed, his children were killed, and what was a healthy body became a rage of boils. from whence came this torrent? From whence will come any help.
Not from his wife, You can't blame her for telling Job to curse God. but to curse God and die?
Then come his friends. They mean well, but they comfort poorly. They tell him he must have been pretty bad to get it so bad.
"With friends like you guys. . . ." Job says and ten tells them to take their theology back to the dime store where they bought it. Getting no comfort from family or friend, he goes straight to God and pleads his case. His head hurts. His body hurts. His heart hurts. And he can't tolerate anymore half-baked answers. "Why is this happening to me?" he demands.
And God answers. Not with answers but with questions. An ocean of questions. Space doesn't permit their listing, but one or two will convey the point. "Can you shout an order to the clouds and cover your self with a flood of water? Can you send lightning bolts on their way? do they come to you and say, 'Here we are'?" (38:34-35)
After several dozen of these, Job is left on the beach drenched and wide-eyed, knowing he will never argue with the ocean again. He lifts his hand and cries, "Enough." He has gotten the point. What is it.
God owes no one anything. No reasons. No explanations. Nothing. If he gave them, we couldn't understand them.
Which makes the conclusion of the book all the more moving. Even though God owed Job nothing, he have him everything. New health new business, new family. And most of all, new insight.
God is God. He knows what he is doing. When you can't trace his hand, trust his heart.
FOOD:
Two recipes today....one reduced fat and the other....not.
SOUTHWEST BURGERS....a great way to cut the fat content in hamburger.
These tasty, low fat burgers use extra-lean ground beef combined with mashed black beans to reduce fat content and make moist, flavorful patties. The jalapeno pepper, cumin and cilantro add a nice little kick. Use a hotter chile pepper if you prefer, or omit it altogether if you want a more subtle flavor. Serve burgers on a whole grain or sourdough bun with plenty of low fat condiments. Fresh salsa and low fat sour cream work perfectly.
* 1 cup reduced-sodium black beans, rinsed
* 1/4 cup minced red onion
* 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely chopped
* 2 tsp ground cumin
* 3/4 pound extra-lean ground beef
* 1/4 cup tomato sauce
* 1 egg white
* 2 tbsp fresh chopped cilantro
Preparation:
In a small bowl, mash black beans with a fork. Add onion, jalapeño pepper and cumin. Mix well. Place ground beef in a large bowl, followed by the bean mixture. Add sauce, egg white and cilantro. Blend well with a fork.
Form into four 3/4-inch patties.
Broil or grill for 5-6 per side until internal temperature reaches 160 degrees.
Per Serving: Calories 145, Calories from Fat 40, Total Fat 4.4g (sat 2.2g
Old-School King Ranch Chicken Casserole
This is a dish you will find at all Texas church potlucks
1 cooked 2 1/2 pound fryer (cooked with cumin, onion, celery and garlic) shredded
10 corn tortillas
1 onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, seeds and stem removed, diced
2 cups of grated cheddar cheese
1 can of cream of mushroom soup
1 can of cream of chicken soup
1 cup of chicken broth
1 can of Ro-Tel tomatoes
1 tsp. of chile powder
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine soups, broth, Ro-Tel tomatoes and chile powder; blend until smooth.
3. Place a layer of chicken in a greased casserole dish.
4. Add layers of tortillas, onion, bell peppers, cheese and sauce.
5. Repeat layers, ending with cheese.
6. Bake uncovered for half an hour or until brown and bubbling.
FUN:
