rubik's cube
1 Corinthians 14:33a For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace...
Chaos and confusion is all around me. I keep trying to figure out what to do next. How is it possible to make sense out of any of this. God is not the author of confusion so surely God can't be in the midst of this. This is CRAZY! I can't continue to keep doing the same thing over and over and over and over and expect a different result - that's the definition of CRAZY isn't it? So how can I 'believe' everyday that God will make a way. I've 'believed' for almost 20 years and day after day the situation seems to get CRAZIER AND CRAZIER AND CRAZIER. SO I must be insane!!!!! I tell the Lord. In my most weary voice, 'HOW CAN YOU LET ME GO INSANE!!! You are the author and the finisher of my faith, so how can you let me be insane?'
He replies. 'RUBIK'S CUBE.' HUH? WTH?(pardon my french, but I talk to My God real regular). He says it again. 'Rubik's Cube.' So I go, sit think about this INSANE answer to my INSANITY question.
I begin to think...Rubik's cube is either COMPLETELY in order or COMPLETELY OUT OF ORDER. Then I realize, no, that's not true. I've gotten one side of a Rubik's cube 'completely' in order before and the rest of it was still more of a 'colorful checker board' than a completed Rubik's cube. I could never actually get the whole thing. Actually, one time I was so frustrated with it, that I peeled the stickers off and put them back on right so it would look like it was done. But I got no satisfaction out of that. I knew it was a lie.
So God began to reveal it to me. The Rubik's cube always has exactly what it needs to be complete, perfect. But in the wrong hands, its a mess. Then I said, YES God. I know that. That's why I give it to you. That's why I put it in your hands. But everytime one side get complete its only for a moment and then its all screwed up again.
And He answered again, 'Rubik's cube'. WHAT!!???!! Stop God! Just make it clear. I'm going INSANE with all this 'Rubik's cube' crap.
So I watched this video - Rubik's Cube AND I AM SHOUTING THE VICTORY IN THE RUBIK'S CUBE!!! The Rubik's cube in the master's hand still has to go through some undoing to get to the complete perfect work. So in the midst of the 'fixing' for my untrained, un-omniscient, eye it looks like MESS!!! But it in God's hands. It is only a few seconds away from PERFECTION!
Jeremiah 29:11For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
HALLELUJAH!! Its not what it looks like. Do your best to follow your daily plans. Pray, seek God, eat and trust. I promise you, I PROMISE YOU that God is working it all out in the midst of us. There is nothing too hard for God. We have to believe that. As insane as that may seem or feel like to the untrained eye we walk by FAITH and not by sight. Stop looking at your situation and look to the HILLS FROM WHICH COMETH YOUR HELP!!
Thanks and Congratulations Time!
Thank you to all the Eden Citizens! All of your help has galvanized me to move to higher heights and deeper depths. I still don't know what the Lord has in store for Back to Eden but I'm walking in it and I'm so thankful for each and everyone of you. You have blessed me with blenders and juicers and projection screens. You have cooked and worked come out to events and 'worked' as if you were getting a paycheck. You have been models and mentors and countless other things too great to mention and I'm humbled to be amongst such an awesome group. My sisters and my brothers. I can't do any of this with out you. THANK YOU!!
Prayer: Lord, we start our THANKSGIVING today. Right now. The thanks is not about turkey or dressing but about YOU and all that you are doing and have done for us and through us and with us and to us. It is only in your hands that we have good success. Today, I give THANKS!!
Monday, November 22, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
Chilly Chili
1lb Ground Turkey
McCormick Chili Seasoning packet
1 medium onion - diced
1 medium green pepper - diced
You can use a 10oz bag of frozen stir fry for a quick tip in place of the chopping onions/peppers
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1 can diced tomatoes (no sodium) (fresh is even better!)
1 can tomato paste (low sodium)
1 can of beans (kidney or pinto - low sodium)
1 packet splenda
Brown grown turkey. Push meat to the sides of the pan and brown onions/peppers in the center of pan (using turkey juices instead of oil). Once carmelized, mix thoroughly with the ground turkey and add remaining seasonings. Add tomatoes (diced and paste) and beans and allow to cook down.
Serve over rice (NY Style) or spaghetti (Chicago Style) or over a baked potato (Back to Eden Style)
McCormick Chili Seasoning packet
1 medium onion - diced
1 medium green pepper - diced
You can use a 10oz bag of frozen stir fry for a quick tip in place of the chopping onions/peppers
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1 can diced tomatoes (no sodium) (fresh is even better!)
1 can tomato paste (low sodium)
1 can of beans (kidney or pinto - low sodium)
1 packet splenda
Brown grown turkey. Push meat to the sides of the pan and brown onions/peppers in the center of pan (using turkey juices instead of oil). Once carmelized, mix thoroughly with the ground turkey and add remaining seasonings. Add tomatoes (diced and paste) and beans and allow to cook down.
Serve over rice (NY Style) or spaghetti (Chicago Style) or over a baked potato (Back to Eden Style)
Is he worth it?
There we were. Laughing, dancing, smiling. He's hanging on my every word. Filling all my empty places. He spent the night and laid it DOWN. Oh it was so good. Every second...perfect. Satisfied to the tips of my toes. Every hair, every nerve ending...stimulated. I can't imaging not wanting to feel this way. When he's with me, I'm completely satisfied. I feel his warmth. It pours all over me. Then, before the dawn...he slips out. Trying not to wake me so that I won't feel the void of his absence. As the light of day begins to wash over me, what should be providing warmth is actually magnifying the cold emptiness that is chilling me to the bone. He was so good to me - but nothing about him was good for me. He's gone back home...to his wife.
I'm really not telling the story to reveal my secrets. Although, I'm a pretty open book. I'm thankful for who I am and I'm very thankful for who I'm not, anymore. But most of all, I'm learning that everything in my life has a lesson in it. You see, that man, who wasn't my man was just enough man to take the edge off of the lonely times. He made me feel so good. I could even fantasize that one day he'd be all mine. Or that he was just 'Mr. In the Meantime'. Whatever he was, I know who and what he wasn't...Mr. NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME! But I know that now. He left in his wake residual scars that would require healing, he left emptiness, for so long he blocked Mr. Right.
I'm not going to tell you how this relates to food today - because its much more than food. Its about figuring out your value and expecting, demanding...REQUIRING nothing less. That requires self control, patience, prayer - all of the same things we need on this journey for wholeness in our health too.
2 Timothy 1:7 - "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (sound mind is translated to discipline and self control)
Weekend Plans!!
Diva's Day Out!
It's not too late. Free food, $5 dollar manicures, $7 pedicures, $1 per minute massages, $15 dollar photo shoot, handbags, jewelry and more more more !!! $10/advance - $12/at door!!
Back to Eden is a VENDOR!!! (Thank you to my B2E support team! One day God is gonna let me put ya'll on STAFF!! - AMEN!!!)
Recipe Remix!!
Chilly Chili
Prayer: Back to Eden family - please pray for the success of the Diva's Day out event. Pray for my family. Pray for your families. Pray for the unity and success of the Body. Pray that we find our focus. Pray that God honor the desires of our hearts. Pray without ceasing. Pray. The importance of prayer can never be over emphasized. JUST PRAY!
Love you! Have a great weekend!!!
I'm really not telling the story to reveal my secrets. Although, I'm a pretty open book. I'm thankful for who I am and I'm very thankful for who I'm not, anymore. But most of all, I'm learning that everything in my life has a lesson in it. You see, that man, who wasn't my man was just enough man to take the edge off of the lonely times. He made me feel so good. I could even fantasize that one day he'd be all mine. Or that he was just 'Mr. In the Meantime'. Whatever he was, I know who and what he wasn't...Mr. NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME! But I know that now. He left in his wake residual scars that would require healing, he left emptiness, for so long he blocked Mr. Right.
I'm not going to tell you how this relates to food today - because its much more than food. Its about figuring out your value and expecting, demanding...REQUIRING nothing less. That requires self control, patience, prayer - all of the same things we need on this journey for wholeness in our health too.
2 Timothy 1:7 - "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (sound mind is translated to discipline and self control)
Weekend Plans!!
Diva's Day Out!
It's not too late. Free food, $5 dollar manicures, $7 pedicures, $1 per minute massages, $15 dollar photo shoot, handbags, jewelry and more more more !!! $10/advance - $12/at door!!
Back to Eden is a VENDOR!!! (Thank you to my B2E support team! One day God is gonna let me put ya'll on STAFF!! - AMEN!!!)
Recipe Remix!!
Chilly Chili
Prayer: Back to Eden family - please pray for the success of the Diva's Day out event. Pray for my family. Pray for your families. Pray for the unity and success of the Body. Pray that we find our focus. Pray that God honor the desires of our hearts. Pray without ceasing. Pray. The importance of prayer can never be over emphasized. JUST PRAY!
Love you! Have a great weekend!!!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
For Colored Girls
Note: I did not write this email nor do I know the original author. But it was so profound and struck so close to home for me I wanted to be able to refer back to it and share it. I'm not a fan of 'fwd's and typically DON'T EVEN READ THEM. But I'm glad God led me to read THIS WHOLE LONG THING because it is right on point in so many ways.
I love my sisters...of every color. Let's share love!!
Subject: For Colored Girls
When I first heard of the movie "For Colored Girls" I got so excited. I had the
idea of getting as many women together that I could think of to go see this
movie. I had visions of group discussions and moments shared with one another
that would lead to healing and growth, I guess I kind of imagined a Womens
Empowerment Conference type of setting.
Well after I shared my idea with a few women, reality set in and I realized
that so many of us wouldn't be willing to participate for various reasons: You
don't like me, you don't care for somebody I might invite, you only hang out
with certain people, you don't understand the big deal about Tyler Perry making
yet another movie about black people and our issues for all the world to see,
you don't like crowds, so n so is too ghetto, such and such is too uppity
etc... It has ALWAYS amazed me that we as black women are each others biggest
critics. We are the quickest to bring each other down, find each others faults
and nit pick at a sister until she has nothing left, nothing left to give and
then we step over her and call her worthless. We take the prettiest women and
tear them down for thinking "they are cute" but turn around and dog the average
sista because "she know she should take better care of herself than that - can't
believe she got a man!" We call strong women female dogs and accuse weaker women
of riding somebody else's coat tails. We tell a big sista to put down her burger
and turn around and criticize a skinny woman for not picking one up. We ride the
loud mouth woman for "talking to darn much" and likewise torment the quiet woman
for "Being too quiet and needing to take up for herself" Sad part is we don't
discriminate, we talk about everybody!!!
I've watched women dog out everybody from Oprah for catering to white people and
Halle Berry for not being able to keep a man to young Willow Smith for acting to
darn grown in her recent video. All of these females are successful and there is
something about each one of them to be proud of but a lot of us can't seem to
see that. I have to wonder since we all share a common thread (whether we want
to admit it or not) is there something about ourselves that we don't like, what
has happened to us that we cannot seem to get along. Why is that we fight
amongst ourselves, backstab & steal each others men(only to find out we should
have left him where we found him). We cannot seem to be unified to support and
stick up for one another. Everybody seems to be out for themselves while other
groups unite against us but nobody else has to bring us down because we trample
on the spirits of each other daily.
Even if you live in a mini mansion, drive a luxury car, have good credit, rich
handsome husband etc, this does not mean that should look down your nose at the
woman with 4 kids, no husband, living in income based housing struggling to keep
her lights on. We ALWAYS think the grass is greener on the other side, I had a
woman who's child father is MIA tell me that I should never complain because I
receive a decent amount of child support and I laughed and let her know that I
would gladly give every dime back if he would come relieve some of this
overwhelming pressure of feeling inadequate as a parent. If I could get just
one full night of sleep or not always be on the verge of losing my job because
I’m the one that has to call off or leave work for one reason or another to
accommodate my child - yeah he could DEFINITELY have his money if I could have
some peace! Money alone doesn't make you happy (not true happiness), good
credit doesn't keep you satisfied, beauty doesn't make you any less insecure,
fame doesn't make you less vulnerable or cause you to be a good judge of
character and being stuck up and mean doesn't keep you warm at night or prevent
you from being lonely.
You don't know how the sista sitting right next to could have carefully put on
her make up this morning to hide the beating from last night. The teacher you
handed your child over to this morning could have sent her children off to
school from a dark house with empty bellies. The teller you just got rude with
at the bank could know that today is her last day on her job and have no idea
how she is going to survive past next weekend. The sista at the office that
appears so busy could be typing her goodbyes to all the people that she loves
because she plans to blow her brains out tonight after she tucks her babies into
bed. The woman you pass in the hallway could be on her way to have an abortion
because she fears what others might think or how the woman that sent you this
e-mail may drink an over abundance of alcohol every night to mask the nightmares
of an abusive childhood.
Ladies we HAVE TO DO BETTER!!! I'm not suggesting that we all like each other
and be phony, But I am asking that we all try to respect each other. You HAVE
NO IDEA what the next woman is going through, you don't know what past or
current hurt and pains have shaped her into who she is today. We spend so much
time trying to be as strong and hard as we are expected to be that we end up
cracking from the inside out piece by piece. If we would spend 1/3 of the time
we spend tearing each other down to build someone up, encourage someone, show
someone some love, we could truly make a difference and save someone's life.
PLEASE don't be the straw that breaks another woman's back. Believe me when I
tell you that there is a woman out there that needs your smile, your hug, your
support, your prayer.
I hope that you read this and get something out of it other than a laugh and
that you pass this on to as many women as you can to let someone know that you
believe they are somebody special and that if need be you are available to
listen. Nothing bad is going to happen if you don't forward this e-mail but I'd
like to think that something positive will happen if you choose to pass it
along. May favor be extended to each and everyone in your lives, keep your head
up and know that someone somewhere cares!!!
Beloved, resist the temptations that the devil brings to cause you to get
discouraged. Stand strong and believe. Refuse to allow fear to undermine your
faith and your ability to achieve and maintain emotional and mental stability.
The breakthrough that will follow this time of testing will be well worth the
effort necessary to overcome, says the Lord.
John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In
the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the
world."
Listen! Do you hear the trumpet resounding in the realm of the Spirit? I am
calling you, My beloved, to rise up and go forth by My power and anointing to be
all that you are destined to be. It is time to come up out of every place of
discouragement and defeat; rise up in restored faith and renewed hope. You will
break away from all that has held you down if you will only believe. Let victory
resonate, says the Lord.
Hosea 6:1-3 Come, and let us return to the LORD; for He has torn, but He will
heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up. After two days He will revive
us; on the third day He will raise us up, That we may live in His sight. Let us
know, Let us pursue the knowledge of the LORD. His going forth is established as
the morning; He will come to us like the rain, like the latter and former rain
to the earth.
I love my sisters...of every color. Let's share love!!
Subject: For Colored Girls
When I first heard of the movie "For Colored Girls" I got so excited. I had the
idea of getting as many women together that I could think of to go see this
movie. I had visions of group discussions and moments shared with one another
that would lead to healing and growth, I guess I kind of imagined a Womens
Empowerment Conference type of setting.
Well after I shared my idea with a few women, reality set in and I realized
that so many of us wouldn't be willing to participate for various reasons: You
don't like me, you don't care for somebody I might invite, you only hang out
with certain people, you don't understand the big deal about Tyler Perry making
yet another movie about black people and our issues for all the world to see,
you don't like crowds, so n so is too ghetto, such and such is too uppity
etc... It has ALWAYS amazed me that we as black women are each others biggest
critics. We are the quickest to bring each other down, find each others faults
and nit pick at a sister until she has nothing left, nothing left to give and
then we step over her and call her worthless. We take the prettiest women and
tear them down for thinking "they are cute" but turn around and dog the average
sista because "she know she should take better care of herself than that - can't
believe she got a man!" We call strong women female dogs and accuse weaker women
of riding somebody else's coat tails. We tell a big sista to put down her burger
and turn around and criticize a skinny woman for not picking one up. We ride the
loud mouth woman for "talking to darn much" and likewise torment the quiet woman
for "Being too quiet and needing to take up for herself" Sad part is we don't
discriminate, we talk about everybody!!!
I've watched women dog out everybody from Oprah for catering to white people and
Halle Berry for not being able to keep a man to young Willow Smith for acting to
darn grown in her recent video. All of these females are successful and there is
something about each one of them to be proud of but a lot of us can't seem to
see that. I have to wonder since we all share a common thread (whether we want
to admit it or not) is there something about ourselves that we don't like, what
has happened to us that we cannot seem to get along. Why is that we fight
amongst ourselves, backstab & steal each others men(only to find out we should
have left him where we found him). We cannot seem to be unified to support and
stick up for one another. Everybody seems to be out for themselves while other
groups unite against us but nobody else has to bring us down because we trample
on the spirits of each other daily.
Even if you live in a mini mansion, drive a luxury car, have good credit, rich
handsome husband etc, this does not mean that should look down your nose at the
woman with 4 kids, no husband, living in income based housing struggling to keep
her lights on. We ALWAYS think the grass is greener on the other side, I had a
woman who's child father is MIA tell me that I should never complain because I
receive a decent amount of child support and I laughed and let her know that I
would gladly give every dime back if he would come relieve some of this
overwhelming pressure of feeling inadequate as a parent. If I could get just
one full night of sleep or not always be on the verge of losing my job because
I’m the one that has to call off or leave work for one reason or another to
accommodate my child - yeah he could DEFINITELY have his money if I could have
some peace! Money alone doesn't make you happy (not true happiness), good
credit doesn't keep you satisfied, beauty doesn't make you any less insecure,
fame doesn't make you less vulnerable or cause you to be a good judge of
character and being stuck up and mean doesn't keep you warm at night or prevent
you from being lonely.
You don't know how the sista sitting right next to could have carefully put on
her make up this morning to hide the beating from last night. The teacher you
handed your child over to this morning could have sent her children off to
school from a dark house with empty bellies. The teller you just got rude with
at the bank could know that today is her last day on her job and have no idea
how she is going to survive past next weekend. The sista at the office that
appears so busy could be typing her goodbyes to all the people that she loves
because she plans to blow her brains out tonight after she tucks her babies into
bed. The woman you pass in the hallway could be on her way to have an abortion
because she fears what others might think or how the woman that sent you this
e-mail may drink an over abundance of alcohol every night to mask the nightmares
of an abusive childhood.
Ladies we HAVE TO DO BETTER!!! I'm not suggesting that we all like each other
and be phony, But I am asking that we all try to respect each other. You HAVE
NO IDEA what the next woman is going through, you don't know what past or
current hurt and pains have shaped her into who she is today. We spend so much
time trying to be as strong and hard as we are expected to be that we end up
cracking from the inside out piece by piece. If we would spend 1/3 of the time
we spend tearing each other down to build someone up, encourage someone, show
someone some love, we could truly make a difference and save someone's life.
PLEASE don't be the straw that breaks another woman's back. Believe me when I
tell you that there is a woman out there that needs your smile, your hug, your
support, your prayer.
I hope that you read this and get something out of it other than a laugh and
that you pass this on to as many women as you can to let someone know that you
believe they are somebody special and that if need be you are available to
listen. Nothing bad is going to happen if you don't forward this e-mail but I'd
like to think that something positive will happen if you choose to pass it
along. May favor be extended to each and everyone in your lives, keep your head
up and know that someone somewhere cares!!!
Beloved, resist the temptations that the devil brings to cause you to get
discouraged. Stand strong and believe. Refuse to allow fear to undermine your
faith and your ability to achieve and maintain emotional and mental stability.
The breakthrough that will follow this time of testing will be well worth the
effort necessary to overcome, says the Lord.
John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In
the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the
world."
Listen! Do you hear the trumpet resounding in the realm of the Spirit? I am
calling you, My beloved, to rise up and go forth by My power and anointing to be
all that you are destined to be. It is time to come up out of every place of
discouragement and defeat; rise up in restored faith and renewed hope. You will
break away from all that has held you down if you will only believe. Let victory
resonate, says the Lord.
Hosea 6:1-3 Come, and let us return to the LORD; for He has torn, but He will
heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up. After two days He will revive
us; on the third day He will raise us up, That we may live in His sight. Let us
know, Let us pursue the knowledge of the LORD. His going forth is established as
the morning; He will come to us like the rain, like the latter and former rain
to the earth.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Collard Greens
Directions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add garlic, and gently saute until light brown. Pour in the chicken stock, and add the turkey leg. Cover the pot, and simmer for 30 minutes.
- Add the collard greens to the cooking pot, and turn the heat up to medium-high. Let the greens cook down for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Reduce heat to medium, and season with pepper to taste. Continue to cook until the greens are tender and dark green, 45 to 60 minutes. Drain greens, reserving liquid. Mix in red pepper flakes if desired. Use liquid to reheat leftovers.
Not my goodies!!
The temple of God. The place of worship. The holy place. The place of communion with the Lord. The place of honor. The place of refuge. Defiled. How can you help me Lord to choose to honor you Lord when I am in fear? Help me not to be slack concerning you. Lord, I seek you. I seek you deliberately. Remind me that I make choices each day to serve you and that whether I choose wrongly or choose NOT to choose I still choose. Cover me with a mindfulness that serving you is a daily decision that doesn't happen by accident or force.
2 Kings 16: 8 And Ahaz took the silver and gold that was found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king's house, and sent it for a present to the king of Assyria.
I choose the things of God and give them to man. All my goodies. I give them away. Out of fear. If I'm honest, lots of the decisions I made over the years were out of fear. Not all of them, but some. Sometimes my choices were made out of lonliness, some anger, some sadness but yeah...lots of them fear. Fear that I'd be alone, or fear that no one would want me or fear that no one COULD love me. Fear that this would be forever. FEAR that this is all that there is, so why bother or why not? I can't live forever without eating cake? I can't go on forever without having sex? I can't wait for THE one...I can settle for SOME one. I don't have to wait for the ring - he LOVES me. We are gonna get married (one day).
I'm just saying, some decisions are made in the moment because I allowed fear (in the form of lack of self control) to govern my decisions. Little by little. Strong holds slip in and before I knew it, I was sacrificing my most precious gifts! Just me, maybe not you. Just me - that's all I can talk to. Just me.
So - can I never eat cake? Can I never have sex? (this was then not now - I's married now - LOL) Am I doomed to pay for my choices forever? No! Thankfully, God is remolding me, rebuilding me. In this process there are a lot of things that I 'could' do that I (emphasis on 'I') cannot do (for now). There are still some areas of my life that need purging and clensing. God is still establishing my value. I still get to easily distracted. So for now - REBUILD ME. Tear me down so that I may be build up in your image. Ahaz is dead - let me walk in my Hezekiah season Lord!
Congratulations!!
YOU MADE IT! Its November 2010...I bet you didn't think it would get here this quickly! Just weeks before the season of FOOD, FAMILY, FUN! But its also the season for lots of people to suffer the reality of their emptiness, loneliness and great depression. Often the reality of this season reminds some of what we 'don't' have rather that what we have to be thankful for. Many of us turn to alcohol, food or other vices to fill the empty voids in our lives. Let's be mindful of this season. Not only for ourselves but for those we love or come in contact with. Be nicer than usual. Open your heart to someone new. Be God's hand extended. Instead of eating or drinking find social situations to share in. We don't want to put on the 'annual 10lbs'. Let's release and open up ourselves to love!!
Weekend events:
Saturday - Freedom Park 10am (Charlotte, NC) 5K
CureSearch
Saturday - Diva's Day Out 2-6pm @ The Wine Up (Charlotte, NC)
Admission is $10 in advance/$12 at the door
Free food, $5 dollar manicures, $7 pedicures, $1 per minute massages, $15 dollar photo shoot, handbags, jewelry, door prizes, a fashion show by MAKellz @4pm and so much more!
BACK TO EDEN IS A VENDOR!!! Please come out and support me in my first event as a 'vendor' OMG!!
Recipe:
Collard Greens
Prayer: Lord, help me to honor you today. Help me to make conscious decisions to let you guide me and lead me. Help me to believe your report and not my FEELINGS. Help me to continue to pray for the changes in the situations in my life and to sure them up with action and not talk. Help me to build up those connected to me and not destroy. Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be accepted in thy sight. I love you Lord. Thank you for not giving up on me!!
Special prayer: You know what she's standing in the need of Lord. Make haste. Let the answer come early and place her heart in perfect peace. Amen.
2 Kings 16: 8 And Ahaz took the silver and gold that was found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king's house, and sent it for a present to the king of Assyria.
I choose the things of God and give them to man. All my goodies. I give them away. Out of fear. If I'm honest, lots of the decisions I made over the years were out of fear. Not all of them, but some. Sometimes my choices were made out of lonliness, some anger, some sadness but yeah...lots of them fear. Fear that I'd be alone, or fear that no one would want me or fear that no one COULD love me. Fear that this would be forever. FEAR that this is all that there is, so why bother or why not? I can't live forever without eating cake? I can't go on forever without having sex? I can't wait for THE one...I can settle for SOME one. I don't have to wait for the ring - he LOVES me. We are gonna get married (one day).
I'm just saying, some decisions are made in the moment because I allowed fear (in the form of lack of self control) to govern my decisions. Little by little. Strong holds slip in and before I knew it, I was sacrificing my most precious gifts! Just me, maybe not you. Just me - that's all I can talk to. Just me.
So - can I never eat cake? Can I never have sex? (this was then not now - I's married now - LOL) Am I doomed to pay for my choices forever? No! Thankfully, God is remolding me, rebuilding me. In this process there are a lot of things that I 'could' do that I (emphasis on 'I') cannot do (for now). There are still some areas of my life that need purging and clensing. God is still establishing my value. I still get to easily distracted. So for now - REBUILD ME. Tear me down so that I may be build up in your image. Ahaz is dead - let me walk in my Hezekiah season Lord!
Congratulations!!
YOU MADE IT! Its November 2010...I bet you didn't think it would get here this quickly! Just weeks before the season of FOOD, FAMILY, FUN! But its also the season for lots of people to suffer the reality of their emptiness, loneliness and great depression. Often the reality of this season reminds some of what we 'don't' have rather that what we have to be thankful for. Many of us turn to alcohol, food or other vices to fill the empty voids in our lives. Let's be mindful of this season. Not only for ourselves but for those we love or come in contact with. Be nicer than usual. Open your heart to someone new. Be God's hand extended. Instead of eating or drinking find social situations to share in. We don't want to put on the 'annual 10lbs'. Let's release and open up ourselves to love!!
Weekend events:
Saturday - Freedom Park 10am (Charlotte, NC) 5K
CureSearch
Saturday - Diva's Day Out 2-6pm @ The Wine Up (Charlotte, NC)
Admission is $10 in advance/$12 at the door
Free food, $5 dollar manicures, $7 pedicures, $1 per minute massages, $15 dollar photo shoot, handbags, jewelry, door prizes, a fashion show by MAKellz @4pm and so much more!
BACK TO EDEN IS A VENDOR!!! Please come out and support me in my first event as a 'vendor' OMG!!
Recipe:
Collard Greens
Prayer: Lord, help me to honor you today. Help me to make conscious decisions to let you guide me and lead me. Help me to believe your report and not my FEELINGS. Help me to continue to pray for the changes in the situations in my life and to sure them up with action and not talk. Help me to build up those connected to me and not destroy. Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be accepted in thy sight. I love you Lord. Thank you for not giving up on me!!
Special prayer: You know what she's standing in the need of Lord. Make haste. Let the answer come early and place her heart in perfect peace. Amen.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Diet Coke Chicken
Diet Coke Chicken
It's really easy and good! It is like barbecued chicken, makes 4 servings
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1 cup catsup
1 can Diet Coke (other diet sodas work well too!)
Put chicken in a non-stick skillet. Pour catsup and diet soda over the chicken. Turn heat to medium-high and cook chicken for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Cover, reduce heat to simmer and cook another 15-20 minutes. Remove lid, and cook until sauce thickens and sticks to chicken. Sauce will taste like BBQ and the chicken is very tender.
Note: You can make shredded BBQ chicken with this. Simply use 2forks and pull chicken apart about 15 minutes before it's finished cooking. You could also add some black pepper and diced onions right when you start to cook it.
Add with a side of rice and green beans for a complete lunch or dinner for just about EVERY body type. Be sure you use your scale! This is so good you'll want to CHEAT!
It's really easy and good! It is like barbecued chicken, makes 4 servings
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1 cup catsup
1 can Diet Coke (other diet sodas work well too!)
Put chicken in a non-stick skillet. Pour catsup and diet soda over the chicken. Turn heat to medium-high and cook chicken for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Cover, reduce heat to simmer and cook another 15-20 minutes. Remove lid, and cook until sauce thickens and sticks to chicken. Sauce will taste like BBQ and the chicken is very tender.
Note: You can make shredded BBQ chicken with this. Simply use 2forks and pull chicken apart about 15 minutes before it's finished cooking. You could also add some black pepper and diced onions right when you start to cook it.
Add with a side of rice and green beans for a complete lunch or dinner for just about EVERY body type. Be sure you use your scale! This is so good you'll want to CHEAT!
Its a thin line between love and CAKE!
2 Samuel 13: 1 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her. 2 And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do any thing to her
6 So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and when the king was come to see him, Amnon said unto the king, I pray thee, let Tamar my sister come, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her hand.
11 And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took hold of her, and said unto her, Come lie with me, my sister. 12 And she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me; for no such thing ought to be done in Israel: do not thou this folly.
14 Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her. 15 Then Amnon hated her exceedingly; so that the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love wherewith he had loved her. And Amnon said unto her, Arise, be gone.
Not the (bleeping) cake again!!
So, as I am reading this, I'm real curious as to how THIS lesson will help me with my 'cake' issues. So I say - ok God. SMH (shaking my head). Do it.
Tamar is the 'cake' in my story. Now all of my food issues have absolutely NOTHING to do with food - understand that I am fully aware of that in my life now. NOTHING. The food is and has always been symbolic, unfortunately - the symbolism that it represents still has calories in it, so the pounds - yeah...notsomuch symbolic. I see 'Tamar' (my cake) and instead of being content with all that I have (I'm Amnon - I'm a child of the king) and all that I stand to inherit/gain (um, did I say...I AM A CHILD OF THE KING - the first born child of the king! I will inherit the throne - I am a child of God I shall inherit the earth!).
I, instead focus on what I don't have - TAMAR (cake). I allow my focus to over come me OVER TAKE me. TAMAR is all I can think about. The love I have for 'her' is so powerful that I can't even focus, I can't even think! I gotta have her!!!
So of course the spiritual war that is going on inside of me collides with one of the principalities out there, just ready to 'help me out' - my 'friend' who shows me, you can have 'Tamar' just do this, this and this (read it for yourself in vs. 3). So, instead of casting down those vain imaginations...I creep. I creep off and do the deed. I have me some TAMAR. oooooh...I thought she was gonna be soooooo good, I couldn't wait!! (and maybe she was for a moment - uh, in case your TAMAR ain't cake (or is cake) - know that it could be GOOD for... a moment).
Then the reality of my actions come to light. The lusty haze is broken. My vision is clearer. And because I know what I have done is SOOO wrong that I don't want any association with it - I begin to DESPISE the very thing that I was in love/lust with just minutes ago! Turning all my anger, all my hatred, all my feeling of failure and despair on that CAKE!! I mean on TAMAR! Its her fault. Why did she have to be so mmmmm....good!
NO! ITS MY FAULT! I have to own and take responsibility for my own actions in this world. I had opportunities to make better decisions just like Amnon did. My 'cake' has evolved over time from men (and/or women), money, drugs...etc (fill in your own blank). But it has always really been the same. A void. An empty place that no matter how I try can only be filled WITH GOD!!
How you fill the void with God will vary from person to person but trying to fill it with anything else will prove as fruitless as trying to fill the Grand Canyon with a bucket of sand. It ain't gonna happen. Fill it with worship, fill it with 'work-ship', give yourself to the Lord of your own gifts and talents. He'll show you. Just invite Him in.
Congratulations Time!!
Michelle Cromwell (SN: she was the one who showed us how she got her 'butt' in two weeks - LOL) She uploaded her first Youtube Video! This girl can SANG! and she is on the come - up! Check out her live performance at Club Prevue (Charlotte, NC) With Christ ALL things are possible - A cutie tootie bootie and a singing career - you just can't beat God giving!
Judy D. - For the love of Christ and the power of the sisterhood!! (we don't need no travelling pants - we have the powere of the HOLY SPIRIT) Thank you!! Love you!! Keep being you!!!
Sherry T. - For the daily prayers and the love that you share with me every day. Thank you for being so transparent in Christ. Thanks for letting God use you and show 'us' how awesome He is!
K.W. - For standing fast in the midst of your storms knowing that God is able and that you are not in ANY of this alone. You are my family. I'm so proud of your PRESS, your PUSH, your perseverence. Its ok to be human. God hears you and pity every groan. I LOVE YOU!!! and we're walking!!
Recipe: Diet Coke Chicken
Prayer: Lord, help us to regain the authority over our minds. Help us to make decisions that honor you and give you glory. Remind us daily that you are the source of our strength and the strength of our lives. Bless each of us each day to wake up, DECIDE who we shall serve and WALK in VICTORY!!
In Jesus Name!! AMEN.
Special prayers: Lord, thank you for getting my mom safely to NY. Now order her steps and guide her feet. Keep her from harm and cover her mind Lord. Let her stay focused on you and trust you completely. Give her peace.
Day 4:Pray that your husband will grow in leadership skills in your relationship—protecting and
providing for you. Pray that he will lead you wisely and love you sacrificially, so that God will
be glorified in your marriage. (Eph. 5:25-29; Col. 3:19)
6 So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and when the king was come to see him, Amnon said unto the king, I pray thee, let Tamar my sister come, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her hand.
11 And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took hold of her, and said unto her, Come lie with me, my sister. 12 And she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me; for no such thing ought to be done in Israel: do not thou this folly.
14 Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her. 15 Then Amnon hated her exceedingly; so that the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love wherewith he had loved her. And Amnon said unto her, Arise, be gone.
Not the (bleeping) cake again!!
So, as I am reading this, I'm real curious as to how THIS lesson will help me with my 'cake' issues. So I say - ok God. SMH (shaking my head). Do it.
Tamar is the 'cake' in my story. Now all of my food issues have absolutely NOTHING to do with food - understand that I am fully aware of that in my life now. NOTHING. The food is and has always been symbolic, unfortunately - the symbolism that it represents still has calories in it, so the pounds - yeah...notsomuch symbolic. I see 'Tamar' (my cake) and instead of being content with all that I have (I'm Amnon - I'm a child of the king) and all that I stand to inherit/gain (um, did I say...I AM A CHILD OF THE KING - the first born child of the king! I will inherit the throne - I am a child of God I shall inherit the earth!).
I, instead focus on what I don't have - TAMAR (cake). I allow my focus to over come me OVER TAKE me. TAMAR is all I can think about. The love I have for 'her' is so powerful that I can't even focus, I can't even think! I gotta have her!!!
So of course the spiritual war that is going on inside of me collides with one of the principalities out there, just ready to 'help me out' - my 'friend' who shows me, you can have 'Tamar' just do this, this and this (read it for yourself in vs. 3). So, instead of casting down those vain imaginations...I creep. I creep off and do the deed. I have me some TAMAR. oooooh...I thought she was gonna be soooooo good, I couldn't wait!! (and maybe she was for a moment - uh, in case your TAMAR ain't cake (or is cake) - know that it could be GOOD for... a moment).
Then the reality of my actions come to light. The lusty haze is broken. My vision is clearer. And because I know what I have done is SOOO wrong that I don't want any association with it - I begin to DESPISE the very thing that I was in love/lust with just minutes ago! Turning all my anger, all my hatred, all my feeling of failure and despair on that CAKE!! I mean on TAMAR! Its her fault. Why did she have to be so mmmmm....good!
NO! ITS MY FAULT! I have to own and take responsibility for my own actions in this world. I had opportunities to make better decisions just like Amnon did. My 'cake' has evolved over time from men (and/or women), money, drugs...etc (fill in your own blank). But it has always really been the same. A void. An empty place that no matter how I try can only be filled WITH GOD!!
How you fill the void with God will vary from person to person but trying to fill it with anything else will prove as fruitless as trying to fill the Grand Canyon with a bucket of sand. It ain't gonna happen. Fill it with worship, fill it with 'work-ship', give yourself to the Lord of your own gifts and talents. He'll show you. Just invite Him in.
Congratulations Time!!
Michelle Cromwell (SN: she was the one who showed us how she got her 'butt' in two weeks - LOL) She uploaded her first Youtube Video! This girl can SANG! and she is on the come - up! Check out her live performance at Club Prevue (Charlotte, NC) With Christ ALL things are possible - A cutie tootie bootie and a singing career - you just can't beat God giving!
Judy D. - For the love of Christ and the power of the sisterhood!! (we don't need no travelling pants - we have the powere of the HOLY SPIRIT) Thank you!! Love you!! Keep being you!!!
Sherry T. - For the daily prayers and the love that you share with me every day. Thank you for being so transparent in Christ. Thanks for letting God use you and show 'us' how awesome He is!
K.W. - For standing fast in the midst of your storms knowing that God is able and that you are not in ANY of this alone. You are my family. I'm so proud of your PRESS, your PUSH, your perseverence. Its ok to be human. God hears you and pity every groan. I LOVE YOU!!! and we're walking!!
Recipe: Diet Coke Chicken
Prayer: Lord, help us to regain the authority over our minds. Help us to make decisions that honor you and give you glory. Remind us daily that you are the source of our strength and the strength of our lives. Bless each of us each day to wake up, DECIDE who we shall serve and WALK in VICTORY!!
In Jesus Name!! AMEN.
Special prayers: Lord, thank you for getting my mom safely to NY. Now order her steps and guide her feet. Keep her from harm and cover her mind Lord. Let her stay focused on you and trust you completely. Give her peace.
Day 4:Pray that your husband will grow in leadership skills in your relationship—protecting and
providing for you. Pray that he will lead you wisely and love you sacrificially, so that God will
be glorified in your marriage. (Eph. 5:25-29; Col. 3:19)
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Easy Vegetable Soup
Easy Vegetable Soup
2 cups vegetable stock (low sodium)
1 tbsp Garlic Paste
1 large onion - chopped
2 carrots - chopped
2 celery stalks - chopped
1 can garbanzo beans
1/4 cabbage (chopped)
1/2 tsp olive oil
To a large pot, medium heat oil, add garlic paste and onions. Cook until onions are translucent. Add stock, cook about 5 mins, add all the rest of the vegetables (except cabbage). Cook 15 mins. Add cabbage, cook until tender.
Serve over rice or over a hand ful of rice pasta noodles for a YUMMY warm soup. Add a boiled egg (no yolk) for protein. DELICIOUS!!
2 cups vegetable stock (low sodium)
1 tbsp Garlic Paste
1 large onion - chopped
2 carrots - chopped
2 celery stalks - chopped
1 can garbanzo beans
1/4 cabbage (chopped)
1/2 tsp olive oil
To a large pot, medium heat oil, add garlic paste and onions. Cook until onions are translucent. Add stock, cook about 5 mins, add all the rest of the vegetables (except cabbage). Cook 15 mins. Add cabbage, cook until tender.
Serve over rice or over a hand ful of rice pasta noodles for a YUMMY warm soup. Add a boiled egg (no yolk) for protein. DELICIOUS!!
whooopppsss....Slipping
Psalm 94:18 When I said, "My foot slippeth," thy mercy, O Lord, held me up
Just walking along...and WHOOPS - I begin to fall. Thank God you are right there. You caught me and you held me up and you kept my foot from dashing against the stone. Instead of being thankful, I'm caught up in aggravation for the fall I almost had. Wow. The thoughts are so tricky. So easy to slide from right to left. Making a decision to do right and then being diverted, o so subtily. Off track. How do I get back up? JUST GET BACK UP. Actually, when I think about it, I didn't fall - not like I was beginning to allow my mind to convince me. I am WAY better than I used to be and as I allow God to 'perfect' me, I will have some set backs. But they are only 'failures' when I stay there.
Today is your day. New mercies. Don't look back. Look ahead. Trust God. Make a decision right now to do your level best. NOW is all you have control over. Matter of fact, why not trust God even with the things YOU have control over - He's gotta be able to do a better job with it than you? I think that's what I'll do. Deciding to turn over the reigns to the Most High has to be the right thing to do. Let's do it together. The best thing about it, is He won't be overwhelmed with ALL of our issues at the same time even though I can get overwhelmed with just my own little issues. Git it Big Poppa. Do your thang. I love you!
Congratulations time:
Kim J.- MD, Down 3 more lbs!! You are doing it for real. Its a lifestyle and you are living by example - Ms. Keilah (senior year stress and all) holding steady and losing those INCHES!! So proud of this mom/daughter team!
Jennifer R. NC, I'm so proud of you! Off to a great start with a bullet!! We going grocery shopping saturday and getting that daughter all ready to jump on board with you! Mom's take note - its a family thing!!
Special thanks!
Special thanks to Amanda B. and St. Paul's for having me out last night to speak with Davidic Praise Litergical Dance team. I'm blessed to be able to share with you what God desires for you. Continue to honor your bodies as a temple for the Lord. He is blessed by your praise! Present your bodies a LIVING SACRIFICE...its our reasonable service!
What's up next for Back to Eden:
RAP (Review All Pitfalls) Session
Friday, November 19 · 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Where: 301 W. 24th Street, Charlotte, NC 28216
Topic: S.O.S. (Sedentary Off Season)
Tell the truth and shame the devil! We often use the holiday season as an excuse to fall off the wagon. Then New Year's resolution time comes around and we are further behind then when we started. Lets try to nip this thinking in the bud and get off to a jump start for the new year. Please RSVP. I'd like to try something different for the 'food' part of this fellowship and I need a head count to be able to figure it out.
There is no cost to you. You may bring a friend, they don't have to be Back to Eden. Just RSVP. Thank you!
Recipe: Easy Vegetable Soup
Prayer: Lord, cover us and keep us. Prepare us and strengthen our hearts for a lifetime of commitment to you. Bless our husbands Lord (the ones we have and the ones we want). Cover our families. Bless the wives Lord. Keep and comfort our hearts. Remind us to turn to you in every need. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Special Prayer: Lord, bless my mother. Allow her to arrive safely in NY and guide her feet to find all that she seeks of you. Cover her with favor and grace. Let her heart find safety in you. Be peace and peace be still. In Jesus name. Love you Mom.
Just walking along...and WHOOPS - I begin to fall. Thank God you are right there. You caught me and you held me up and you kept my foot from dashing against the stone. Instead of being thankful, I'm caught up in aggravation for the fall I almost had. Wow. The thoughts are so tricky. So easy to slide from right to left. Making a decision to do right and then being diverted, o so subtily. Off track. How do I get back up? JUST GET BACK UP. Actually, when I think about it, I didn't fall - not like I was beginning to allow my mind to convince me. I am WAY better than I used to be and as I allow God to 'perfect' me, I will have some set backs. But they are only 'failures' when I stay there.
Today is your day. New mercies. Don't look back. Look ahead. Trust God. Make a decision right now to do your level best. NOW is all you have control over. Matter of fact, why not trust God even with the things YOU have control over - He's gotta be able to do a better job with it than you? I think that's what I'll do. Deciding to turn over the reigns to the Most High has to be the right thing to do. Let's do it together. The best thing about it, is He won't be overwhelmed with ALL of our issues at the same time even though I can get overwhelmed with just my own little issues. Git it Big Poppa. Do your thang. I love you!
Congratulations time:
Kim J.- MD, Down 3 more lbs!! You are doing it for real. Its a lifestyle and you are living by example - Ms. Keilah (senior year stress and all) holding steady and losing those INCHES!! So proud of this mom/daughter team!
Jennifer R. NC, I'm so proud of you! Off to a great start with a bullet!! We going grocery shopping saturday and getting that daughter all ready to jump on board with you! Mom's take note - its a family thing!!
Special thanks!
Special thanks to Amanda B. and St. Paul's for having me out last night to speak with Davidic Praise Litergical Dance team. I'm blessed to be able to share with you what God desires for you. Continue to honor your bodies as a temple for the Lord. He is blessed by your praise! Present your bodies a LIVING SACRIFICE...its our reasonable service!
What's up next for Back to Eden:
RAP (Review All Pitfalls) Session
Friday, November 19 · 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Where: 301 W. 24th Street, Charlotte, NC 28216
Topic: S.O.S. (Sedentary Off Season)
Tell the truth and shame the devil! We often use the holiday season as an excuse to fall off the wagon. Then New Year's resolution time comes around and we are further behind then when we started. Lets try to nip this thinking in the bud and get off to a jump start for the new year. Please RSVP. I'd like to try something different for the 'food' part of this fellowship and I need a head count to be able to figure it out.
There is no cost to you. You may bring a friend, they don't have to be Back to Eden. Just RSVP. Thank you!
Recipe: Easy Vegetable Soup
Prayer: Lord, cover us and keep us. Prepare us and strengthen our hearts for a lifetime of commitment to you. Bless our husbands Lord (the ones we have and the ones we want). Cover our families. Bless the wives Lord. Keep and comfort our hearts. Remind us to turn to you in every need. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Special Prayer: Lord, bless my mother. Allow her to arrive safely in NY and guide her feet to find all that she seeks of you. Cover her with favor and grace. Let her heart find safety in you. Be peace and peace be still. In Jesus name. Love you Mom.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Beet Juice - w/pomegranite YUMM
1 beet
1/2 pomegranite
1 celery stalk
1 carrot
1 handful of parsley
1/2 cucumber
Run through juicer and DRINK IT UP! yummmy and sooo RED I love RED!!
1/2 pomegranite
1 celery stalk
1 carrot
1 handful of parsley
1/2 cucumber
Run through juicer and DRINK IT UP! yummmy and sooo RED I love RED!!
Potassium Drink - Carrot based
Potassium Drink Recipe
4 medium carrots, greens removed
1 stalk of celery
1 apple
handful of fresh parsley
handful of fresh spinach
1/2 lemon, peeled (optional)
Process the ingredients in a juicer and serve.
Carrot - Cabbage Juice; umm...yumm?
Carrot - Cabbage juice
2 carrots
1/4 cabbage
Push through the juicer into a nice chilled glass. It was actually good. I am enjoying it right now:)
Just starting this juicing thing, so my recipes are a bit novice but I'm documenting them so I'll know what I like and what I don't. If you have a recipe you like - please add the comment!
thanks!
2 carrots
1/4 cabbage
Push through the juicer into a nice chilled glass. It was actually good. I am enjoying it right now:)
Just starting this juicing thing, so my recipes are a bit novice but I'm documenting them so I'll know what I like and what I don't. If you have a recipe you like - please add the comment!
thanks!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)