in the kitchen

 ‘For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory’  II Cor. 4:17

 

It has been a while since I’ve written –

But, as I sat at my desk praising the LORD this morning, this dropped on my heart

That picture above is a picture from my kitchen

I am starting a business and needed pictures for my website

The point is to show some of what goes into our products –

We select the finest ingredients that we can: vanilla, sugar, flour, salt, milk, butter

On their own, each of these ingredients is not that appealing –

            Not even the butter which is unsalted

And who really wants milk without a slice of cake or some cookies on the side?

 

However, when all of those ingredients are combined and mixed with other components; when the eggs are separated; when the mixture is beaten, laid into a mold and placed into a heated oven to bake – it creates something truly amazing!

 

If you take out too late – it will burn

If you take it out too early – it will be under-cooked and ruined

Precision is key - It must stay in a precise amount of time

This is true of baking and other forms of cooking as well

 

Mother’s Day is approaching this Sunday

This is my first mother’s day on this earth without my Mom who is now residing in heaven

I’ve been thinking about her a lot lately – and shedding some tears

            I miss her something terrible!

They are great memories. And one of my favorites is when she lived with me and my sons. My Mom did not bake a great deal. However, she was an amazing cook. And whenever she would cook, I would wait until she was not watching and sneak a taste out of the pan before it was done. 

I recall times when I burned my fingers, tongue or the roof of my mouth trying to hurry to eat it before she would catch me. Yes, I was [and sometimes still am] an impatient being . And when she would catch me, she would slap my fingers and say, ‘Get out of that pot! Out of my kitchen!’ Now – that was funny because it was actually my home; but it was unmistakably her kitchen when she was cooking in it.

 

I recall one instance where the LORD spoke to me after one of those exchanges with my Mom. And this is what He spoke to my spirit:

‘That is exactly how you are with Me at times. I am preparing something amazing for you. But you are impatient – sneaking into the pan, not getting the full effect of what is being prepared [because it is not finished yet] and hurting yourself in the process. If you will wait, you will receive My best – something delicious.’

 

You see – the process [the ingredients, in baking and cooking; the trials in life], they are all needed to bring about something magnificent. You may be experiencing bits and pieces which, on their own, are unappetizing. You might be frustrated, feeling beaten by life and circumstances. You may be weary from the amount of time required or parched from the heat and the cooking/baking process.  Yet, it is all a part of the plan, process and product of The Master Baker who says to you today, ‘I know the plans I have for you … plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a hope and a future.’ Jeremiah 29:11

 

Rest assured that the LORD is working all things together for your good

          And for His glory

He is in the kitchen and He is fixing you something beautiful ... something beautifully delicious!

 Have a Blessed Day!

 

‘I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe even if it were reported to you.’

Habakkuk 1:5 GWT

the following

‘Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation." And this she did for many days."' Acts 16:16-18

Paul and Silas were in Philippi on a tour to share, teach and preach the gospel when they obtained a new follower

Yet, Paul and Silas did not need a notification to alert them to their new follower

She was intent on being a nuisance and an ever-present source of noise

She more than made her presence known – so much so that Paul finally had to address it

Understand that not everyone’s intention in following you is because they admire you

Some are present with the sole-purpose of tracking your movements –

                and trying to be a source of distraction and irritation

This young lady was no different, except that her actions were being led by demonic forces

‘Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour. But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities.’ Acts 16:18-19

Paul was annoyed with the demon spirit within the girl and called it out

The masters were irate when they realized their profit machine had been tampered with

The girl was likely exasperated from being abused, controlled and manipulated

After all, she was a simple and helpless slave, a pawn being exploited and dominated

                Used by her masters [much like a pimp utilizes a prostitute]

                Used by the demon [as a willing or unwilling vessel]

She was no longer in control of her own actions – her mind, will, emotion and body all held captive

 

Paul knew what it was like to be used by the enemy in the most vile ways –

He used to lead the charge in killing followers of Jesus Christ, and thought he was on a holy mission. He continued in his efforts, even standing by and consenting at the stoning of Stephen [Acts 7 & 8]

He carried on with his daily business until Jesus interrupted his assignment –

Paul was literally knocked from his high horse, blinded and ultimately transformed [Acts 9]

Paul was annoyed with the spirit which the girl carried [or the spirit which carried the girl]

It can be viewed either way. Her actions were not her own.

Her assignments for many days was to be a distraction and to attempt to interrupt the work of ministry being performed by Paul and Silas. But God had a very different assignment for her life on that particular day – FREEDOM

Jesus said in John 10:10, 

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. 

I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

Understand that the battle is not against flesh and blood

Many of the people we encounter on a daily basis are an empty shell

Worn out, broken and used by life and the enemy – they need love and deliverance

They need Jesus – a genuine encounter like Paul had, a freeing encounter like the girl had

Our task is to keep to our assignments,

shining the light of the LORD and being that light to the best of our ability

‘Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints.’ Ephesians 6:18

But remember that everyone needs prayer – the just and unjust alike

Let us pray that the people following us to Jesus are not only those who already know Him.

 

Have a Blessed Day!

 

‘The LORD is not willing that any should perish’

2 Peter 3:9

WHAT A MATCH!

 

Our leading text points to a monumental wrestling match …

There are many struggling matches taking place in our world today:

The match of families against challenging times,

The match of ethnic groups against social injustices,

The match of hearts wrestling with the bitter pain of loss,

The match of my nation in an electoral process,

The match of all nations against COVID-19,           

The match of  the world against what has been an unimaginable 2020.

 

All are challenging matches of strength and resolve;

And, we could discuss at length any one of these situations – and many more

However – today we are focusing on a match which Jacob had in the Old Testament

What a Match! 

The story tells of Jacob’s encounter with a man –

     A Man who we later understand to be the LORD

And how Jacob boldly declared, even after significant personal injury,

     ‘I will not let go unless You bless me’ [Genesis 32:26]

 

The response from the Man was this,

“Your name will no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed" Genesis 32:28

 

That is a power-packed statement!

 

You have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed

 

Now, I have always understood the struggle with man …

But, can anyone truly struggle with God and prevail?

After all, He is the LORD Omnipotent – All Powerful and Mighty

He cannot be overcome by anyone or anything

 

Yet Jacob is told, ‘you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed’

 

I believe the prevailing victory that Jacob encountered pointed toward the first part of the declaration which was delivered to him at the end of this long wrestling match

 

‘Your name will no longer be called Jacob, but Israel’

 

Jacob underwent a life-changing, identity altering experience –

An experience which was not the sole product of his encounter with the Man that night;

Rather, he had many experiences which culminated in his encounter with the Man that night.

 

His birth name was Jacob – which means ‘one who grabs at the heel’, ‘supplanting’ or ‘deceiver’

His new name was Israel – meaning ‘God Contended’, ‘Wrestles with God’ and/or ‘Triumphant with God’

He was Triumphant with God

Triumphant over an upbringing plagued by favoritism, competition, contention and family dysfunction – playing his own role in the situations and living up to his name

Triumphant over being tricked in business dealings

 Triumphant over an identity crisis which started from his infancy

And now here he was, not stealing a blessing by trickery this time, but obtaining a blessing by clinging to the Blessing Giver

 

It was not a short process –

This wrestling match occurred on the eve of him meeting his brother whom he had tricked out of blessing many, many years earlier – at least twenty years. In the process, he had endured many challenges. He had also amassed a large family, servants and great wealth

 

Yet, here he was still seeking a blessing from the LORD

 

I believe he understood that there was a blessing with his name on it –

     A blessing he would not have to manipulate or trick others to obtain

Because a blessing received by ill-gotten means is not a blessing at all and certainly not one which can truly be enjoyed with peace

 

‘I will not let you go unless you bless me’

 

And that is exactly what happened –

‘Then he blessed him [Jacob] there. So Jacob called the place Peniel saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.”’ Genesis 32:29-30

 

I believe all the trials Jacob faced – and the transformation he underwent – prepared him for the blessing which was for him all along.

 

What God has for you is for you!

 

You do not have to want or grasp for the blessing of another.

And, even when you miss the mark [which we all have at one point or another], it does not cancel out the call of God on your life or the blessing He has reserved just for you.

 

It may take a while for the blessing to fully manifest.

But, in the process, the LORD will use all of your circumstances –

     to prepare you for what He has prepared for you.

 

If you will patiently wrestle and work & struggle and strive –

     allowing your character to be developed

If you will steadfastly cling to the Blessing Giver –

You will ultimately prevail … and you will not be disappointed. 

I promise!

  

‘For the vision is yet for the appointed time;

It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail.

Though it tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay.’

Habakkuk 2:3

 

Have a Blessed Day!

WSR: BREATHLESS

Greetings …

I pray all is well with you tonight - 

Even as I am full aware and saddened that THINGS ARE NOT WELL

They are not well in our spirits

They are not well in our emotions

They are not well in our nation … the United States

‘United’ … that is strong word

Thus far, 2020 has seen us ‘united’ –

United is witnessing the tremendous loss of life due to COVID-19

United in enduring restrictions due to COVID-19

United is disbelief of a MAN being gunned down by vigilantes

United in shock and horror of the life being squeezed out of a MAN

Yet, despite all of these instances of being united –

There remains such great disunity and division

It leaves me BREATHLESS

My heart aches tonight –

Part of it is because I am still attempting to cope with the loss of my mother two weeks ago. However, part of it is because of the tremendous injustices which take place on a continual basis. It resurfaced intense feelings and opinions regarding injustices in this world – regarding my mom, regarding our communities, regarding our society at large and regarding myself. This has been a hard year and it is only the end of May.

Again, it leaves me BREATHLESS

When I viewed the video of George Floyd –

it filled me with intense and profound sadness.

I was sad for this MAN

I was sad for his family

I was sad for our communities

I was sad for black people – men and women

That could have been one of my sons

That could have been one of my nephews, one of my cousins

That could have been my brother or my Father

That could have been me –

I have had the ‘discussion’ with my sons – in an attempt to try to preserve their lives if ever they have an encounter with the police. And they have had encounters. Thankfully, they have lived through the encounters. But it is a real concern. I am concerned every time they leave the house. This should not be.

I have been profiled by the police – pulled over by two police cruisers for a working ‘non-working’ tail light. One approached on the right, one approached on the left – and I sat terrified, knowing full well that one wrong move by me could mean I would never see my sons again. This should not be.

DO NOT MISUNDERSTAND ME –

I am not anti-police. My cousin was a police officer, my ex-husband was a police officer and a corrections officer. I have great deal of respect for law enforcement officers and the unique challenges they face on a daily basis. But, like any field of employment, there are good and there are bad. When it is bad … it is very bad, and sadly, often directed at people of color. But that is not the only thing that has me troubled.

I am saddened at the violence being perpetrated by civilians; I am overwhelmed at the destruction taking place in cities throughout our nation.

There are protesters who should have the right to peacefully demonstrate. They are attempting to draw much needed attention to the disparities which exist in our communities. And then there are terrorists who are bent on destruction and dishonest gain. They should be ashamed of themselves and they should be arrested. ALL THE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN OUT IN THE STREETS FOR THE PAST FEW DAYS – THEY ARE NOT ALL THE SAME.

There are peaceful protesters who should have the right to peacefully demonstrate.

Yet sadly, there are many who will continue to ignore the voice, the cries of the protesters – using as an excuse or justification, the actions of the terrorists. This should not be.

 

UNDERSTAND, THAT THERE IS A DIFFERENCE EVEN IN HOW MANY POLICE VIEW AND TREAT WHITE AND NON-WHITE PROTESTERS

 

When there were protests to have the country open back up, some of those protesters, white protesters, were screaming right in the face of police officers. Contrast that with a video from New York last evening where a young black man, hands raised and standing in front of an officer, was approached by that officer, had his mask removed by that officer and was pepper-sprayed in the face by that officer. This should not be. I love all people – but I am also not blind to disparities based upon race and socio-economic factors.

I’m saddened and overwhelmed and BREATHLESS.

I do not know what the answer is …

I have been having some hard discussions with the LORD

I do not understand how or why wickedness seems to prevail in so many instances. It has been a triggering situation for me – unearthing painful feelings associated with many of the injustices I have witnessed and endured … both generally and personally.

However, this I do know –

‘I would have lost heart unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.’  Psalm 27:13

This is what I am clinging to this evening.

 

I pray you have a blessed and safe evening –

I pray you will join me in praying for our world

LOVE 2020: LOVE LIVING ...

Hello Friends!

I hope you had a good day today –

I am so glad to spend a few moments with you today –

Continuing our talk on LOVE,

And today I would like to share some thought on our need to love living

This post occurred to me when I was driving home from church yesterday

Something caught my eye –

to such a degree that I had to turn my car back to get a picture

And this was it –

Some delicate pink roses, growing in the midst of a mess

Twisted, dried up branches, dead leaves, you name it

But there were these roses – and mind you it is still winter for another month!

As I drove farther along, I came across these:

There was a press on my spirit:

BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED

BLOSSOM WHEREVER YOU FIND YOURSELF – NO MATTER THE SITUATION

DEFY THE ODDS AND DO WHAT THE LORD HAS CREATED YOU TO DO

“For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved,

                And those who are perishing” II Corinthians 2:15

But what does this have to do with ‘loving living’?

Life will not always be pleasant –

Indeed, you may go through some seasons where it seems like all is failing

But you must not let that discourage you or rob you of your joy

Even if you do not love your life circumstances at the moment,

                It is possible to love living …

There are some dark, tangled places –

     where only you have been appointed to bring beauty;

Places where the LORD has designated you

     to be a sweet fragrance and a shining light.

I know it is not pleasant – but is it is worth it

Several years back, the LORD asked me a question,

‘Will you stay in the fire long enough for someone else to see Jesus?’

It was a reference to the three Hebrew boys who were tossed in the flames

When you have a few moments, you should read it [Daniel, Chapter Three]

It is a compelling tale – not of how God kept His chosen servants from a fiery trial,

                But how He walked beside them through the flames,

                And the impact it had on all who were observing them

And this is what the LORD is speaking to us all:

‘When you pass through the waters,

     I will be with you;

And when you pass through rivers,

     they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire,

     you will not be burned;

The flames will not set you ablaze.”

Isaiah 43:2

‘So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God.

I will strengthen you  and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

Isaiah 41:10

I put in a post just the other day,   

‘Thus far, you have survived 100% of the toughest moments life has thrown your way’

Even if you do not love everything about your life at this moment,

Love Living …

God is not through with you yet –

And He has good plans to prosper and not to harm you. [Jer. 29:11]

Have a Blessed Evening!

Cling to the Sword!

‘And after him was Eleazar … one of the three mighty men with David … He [Eleazar] arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil.’ II Samuel 23:9-10 (KJV)

What an image!

This mighty man of valor fought so hard and long that his hand ‘clave unto the sword’. The word for clave in the Hebrew is ‘dabaq’ which means: to cling, stick, stay close, cleave, keep close, stick to, stick with, follow closely, join to…

He was so determined in his fight against the enemy that his hand clung to the sword. It stuck to and with the sword. It stayed close to the sword. It cleaved unto the sword. His hand kept close to the sword. His hand followed closely and joined to the sword.

‘And the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil.’

Because he remained focused, diligent and persistent – because he clung to the sword – the LORD brought about a tremendous victory. And the only thing left to do when it was all over was to collect the spoils from the enemy.

•Do you need tools to fight the battle you are in?
•Do you have a desire to annihilate the enemy?
•Do need a TODAY victory where you can take back all enemy has stolen from you and others?

DO WHAT ELEAZER DID … CLING TO THE SWORD!

Ephesians 6:13-18 tells us to put on the full armor of God when going into battle. But I especially like verse seventeen which tells us, ‘take … the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God’.
• As I stick to (and with) the sword, it enables me to cut down the enemies which have surrounded me
• As I embrace the truth of God’s Word and apply it to my life, I am equipped for an unrelenting battle
• I am empowered as I keep my hand close to the ‘sword, which is the word’ – as I allow it to direct the works of my hands, my actions
• When I am joined to and follow closely the Word of God, which is the sword of God, I have everything I need

The victory is sure if I will but cling to the sword of God, to the Word of God!

Understand, however, that dogged determination is not enough…

My determination must be accompanied by His sword, by His Word, by His Spirit.

This is the word of the LORD: ‘It is not by force nor by strength, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.’ Zechariah 4:6 (NLT)

CLING TO GOD’S SWORD – CLING TO HIS WORD
DESTROY THE ENEMY … WIN THE BATTLE … COLLECT THE SPOILS!

*Re-Post 4/12/19. Originally posted on this site 04/29/10

TAKE TWO, TAKE THREE ... TAKE TEN

Good Morning Friends!

It is the middle of the week … and only SIX days left until Christmas!

It seems the older I get, the faster time flies

Which is why it is so important to make the most of every moment –

Even if it takes multiple takes to get it right.

In my post ‘blessings, blessing, blessing …’  I wrote about my opportunity to be a blessing last week. I baked a rum cake for my niece! Then, when I was done cooking for her, I decided to make some treats for my house.

I also have started receiving requests from others for my cakes. Therefore, I thought it would be a good idea to take some pictures and that it would make for good advertising material for future orders.

This is the picture I ultimately shared online:

THESE ARE THE MULTIPLE TAKES IT TOOK TO GET THERE!!!

SO – WHY SHARE THIS WITH YOU TODAY?

Understand that life is very much like my cake journey         

It often takes many attempts to reach the end point

However, what often gets publicized is only the end product

We see the athlete holding the Olympic medal

We do not see the grueling practices which took place every day, beginning before sunrise

We see the entrepreneur and the multi-million dollar business

We do not see the three bankruptcies that led up to that point

We see the joyous wedding ceremony pictures

We do not see the tearful nights of loneliness that lasted for years leading up to that day

We see the happy family portrait

We do not see the three miscarriages and the complicated adoption process which transpired leading up to that blessed family image

THE PUBLISHED STORY IS NOT ALWAYS THE FULL STORY

Please do not misunderstand my point –

If you are one of those unique individuals who gets a wonderful shot on every first take, praise God for that blessing! I celebrate with you.

For the rest of us – I offer these closing reminders:

TAKE TIME TO CELEBRATE WITH OTHERS

When you see that ‘snapshot’ –

A great dessert, a great body, a great marriage, a great job, a great life –

Learn to celebrate with others

You have no idea what they have had to walk through to get to that point

TAKE TIME TO CELEBRATE WITH YOURSELF

For some of us, this may prove more difficult than the challenge of celebrating others

We can often be our very worst critics

Perhaps you are frustrated today that there have had to be so many ‘takes’ in life

Perhaps you feel like you still have not mastered that ideal shot or image

I say ‘ideal’ because there is no perfect shot or image – no perfect life

Whether you are on take one, take seven or take twenty-seven,

What matters is that you are still a part of this canvas of life;

With all of its hiccups, missteps and mess-ups

We live in a culture that celebrates finish lines – a culture which often fails to celebrate the process of getting to the finish line. Yet it is the process which shapes us as individuals and leads us to our greatest moments. And, as you observe the sights this season and take stock of your life as the year draws to a close

KNOW THIS –

THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY is writing you an amazing story

Enjoy the journey – because that final product is going to be a one-of-a-kind masterpiece!

Praying You Have a Blessed Day!

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus”

Philippians 1:6