Waiting on the Lord

Here are a few nuggets I picked up about waiting on the Lord this week at Women’s Bible Study Fellowship as we read and studied “The People of the Promised Land”. Here David, after killing Goliath, waited approx 30 years to be anointed King over all Israel. img_5379-1

David had several opportunities to take things into his own hands. He had multiple opportunities to kill Saul for instance. He was strategic, and a very skilled leader, he had God’s favor, and he knew his success was the Lord’s not his own. He constantly waited for the Lord to win his battles and sought the Lord’s guidance. (Most the time—-but just like us he wasn’t perfect)!

When we are praying, trusting, and waiting on the Lord, how patient are we? When we don’t see the answer, get the answer or the result we expected of our prayers, how often do we take things into our own hands? Make things happen?

How often are we tempted each day to trust in idols of tradition, resources, intuitions, good ideas or the power of positive thinking to carry out God’s work? I think my most frequent error is intuition and good ideas, ah…and positive thinking. I guess I’m guilty of all of these really.

Here are the nuggets:

1. God’s Spirit makes it possible to glorify God and do good for others while we watch in anticipation for answers to our prayers, situations, and even our dreams. (Remember just because something seems like it’s a good idea and comes from your heart, it doesn’t mean you go it alone-wait on the Lord and pray)

2. As we pray and wait, God will be present with us as His Spirit makes us strong as we persevere.

3. When we wait with contentment, we show that we trust God has given all we need for now to do what He wants us to do.

And remember, God never hurries. As my dear elderly friend Susan tells me “God is never early, and God is never late. God is right on time”! God knows the plan and God knows how much time he has!

When things go well we tend to forget about God

Did you ever notice that we are more likely to call upon God when things are not going as well as we are accustomed to?  When the sun is shining, when the temperature is perfect we tend to bask in the sun and plan fun things with friends.  But when we are sick, or the weather is horrible, or the threat of a natural disaster looms we are more likely to think and pray to God for protection or help.

You are not alone!  It is human nature to tend to do that.  Our sinful nature tends to forget God in good times.  In those time we often think we’ve got things under control.  We’re handling things just fine on our own.  In Deuteronomy, God warned the Israelites about this.  During the forty years in the wilderness He met their needs day by day and they knew they depended on Him.  There was no food or water otherwise.  However, as they came near to the Promised Land, God counseled them about the dangers of prosperity.  The Promised Land had abundant water, food, and all the resources they needed.  He knew they would thank Him for taking them there and for all they had.  But He also knew that their attitude would change as they got used to all they had and that they would feel they had things under control and withdraw from their closeness to God.

For me the relevant passage is:

10When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.  11Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day.  12Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, 13and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, 14then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.  15He led you through the vast and dreadful desert, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. He brought you water out of hard rock.  16He gave you manna to eat in the desert, something your fathers had never known, to humble and to test you so that in the end it might go well with you.  17You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.”  18But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.

19If you ever forget the Lord your God and follow other gods and worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely be destroyed.  20Like the nations the Lord destroyed before you, so you will be destroyed for not obeying the Lord your God.  (Deuteronomy 8:10-20)

As I’ve drawn closer to God I’ve become more aware of my behavior and my tendencies and I am learning to guard against them by intentionally remembering God’s answers to prayers and how He has provided for us. I am also more careful to recognize that my abilities and my talents all come from God.  It is a journey but now I am careful to keep my eyes on the prize and not to veer off.

NOx to support Brain Health? What The Clinical Study Results Reveal!

We so often focus on the dense nutrition and weight wellness. But I think this product, Amped NOx, is something worth evaluating as part of your daily regimen for its other benefits too.

As I spend time with some of my friends that are well into their senior years, I realize the various levels of cognitive decline and see the additional struggles. It makes me want to make sure I am doing as much as possible to maintain my cognitive function!

Consuming Amped NOx has proven to increase oxygen delivery during strenuous activity for athletes. What’s so great about it is that it also improves arterial flexibility, endurance, and recovery for everyone just not the athletes!

Amped NOx has shown in clinical studies that it increases cerebral blood flow which supports transport of glucose, oxygen, and other nutrients in our bodies and to our brains.

And do you know that our brain, which weighs approximately 3 lbs, consumes 25% of our overall oxygen? So it’s important to support transporting that oxygen through our bodies efficiently to oxygenate our brains and keep them healthy and fully functioning.

Since Amped NOx also improves arterial flexibility and ultimately supports healthy cognitive function (speed and executive functions specifically), I recommend consuming it daily.

Amped NOx are all natural, taste great, and follow the same great quality standards as every other Isagenix product. Unlike similar products on the market which typically use synthetics and have artificial sweeteners, etc.

This company offers such a wide variety of solutions to meet everyone’s specific goals!

Cost of healthy food vs. cost of healthcare. Which one should you avoid?

A recent study reemphasized that eating a healthy meal costs about a $1.50 more per meal than an unhealthy one.

Based on all the news we’ve seen on healthcare cost escalation, I’m sure that if I saved that $1.50 per meal in the bank, at the best rate possible for that matter, I could NOT save enough money to cover the future costs I would face in the healthcare system based on poor nutrition.

Plain and simple, it is the right thing to do to nourish your body with the food it was designed to get.

Any shift you make to lead a healthier lifestyle is a great step taken; however, one of the most important step is to fuel your body; truly fuel your body.  A year ago we discovered, not a diet, but a new lifestyle in nutrition and we’ve been with it ever since.  It is a nutrition dense system of excellent value to ensure the body is fueled and not starved.  Without balanced macro-nutrients we shoot ourselves in the foot.  If we don’t have great proteins, carbs, and fat and try to exercise we can trigger the body to lose lean muscle instead of fat which is a bad thing!  We want to lose fat while building lean muscles and stay healthy.  That is getting healthy and staying healthy so we can avoid skyrocketing healthcare costs as much as possible.

This is why the ISAGENIX product line is our recommendation to ensure weight loss in the healthiest manner and then maintaining our health.  Once in maintenance mode, the caloric intake can return to a more normal level allowing a continued healthy and balanced lifestyle.  Click Here to get started or contact us for more information.

Brain Food

How eating chocolate can support weight loss. Not Thin Mints!

But what about this brain food wrapped in Belgium chocolate. This is the best tasting chocolate and it is specifically formulated to feed your brain exactly what it needs when it is most hungry. It is low in sugar, vegan, processed at low temps so the chocolate retains the highest level of its nutrients, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and also contains the equivalent of 1/3 cup blueberries worth of antioxidants! Only 60 calories. Love them. ❤️

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And check out Doctor Paul Anderson the formulator teaching us about the science behind the product! I really appreciated the time with him yesterday! #chocolate #weightloss #brainfood #decadence #saltedcaramel #chocolatemint #mint.

 

 

For more information or to purchase Click Here.

If Not Now, When?

When it comes to focusing on your health, losing weight or getting back in shape, it’s easy to say there’s always tomorrow.or push things off for another day. I get it!

But what happens when another day becomes another week, or month, or year?

If you don’t start today, it’s already too late!

Let’s start with your journey and transformation today!

If you are considering getting in the drivers seat for your health and wellness and have questions, drop them in the comments.

We have a huge team of people that have gone before you and we are here to help!

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Seeking Intimacy With God Through Fasting!

Seeking Intimacy with God – The Straight Path

What did this last season in your life look like for you?  Was it full of fun-filled memories with family and friends, exciting, painless, and profitable?  Or was it drab, painful, fearful, and difficult? Were there money concerns, health concerns, employment hardships, broken relationships, loneliness or even a death of a loved one?  Perhaps it was a combination of these things.

What if I told you that there is a path that would lead you to the safest and straightest journey?  What if the hardships and hard times could be minimized?  And in hard times you would be strengthened and protected and comforted? What if you could prepare to navigate the hardships with less fear, anxiety, and anger?  But rather with hope, faith, peace, and joy?

Well let’s take a look at an example of someone who was intentional to do exactly this before they set out on a long journey.  This was Ezra who was preparing to lead a large group of exiled Israelites from Babylon back to Jerusalem.   He was traveling with family, women, children, provisions, money, and other belongings that would be needed enroute and also once they would reach Jerusalem.

What did Ezra do?

  1. He stopped and proclaimed a fast to humble themselves before God
  2. He prayed and petitioned God for a straight path and successful journey

There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaim a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our possessions.  I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, “The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him.  So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.  Ezra 8:21-23

And….God answered his prayers!

You see, Ezra had made a claim about who God was, and then he could only seek the protection and favor from God.  Have you made a claim about who God is?  Let’s break this scripture down and take a closer look.

  1. Following God is the right journey for ourselves—the bible tells us this..

Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105

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

What this means to me is that we need to “dig” into the bible – the inspired word of God.  Get your daily dose of preventative medicine from the Word to proactively keep your heart healthy, guarded, and protected.  Trust that the Lord wants to provision blessings for you, that he hears and answers prayer, and has plans for you to have a bright and prosperous future.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, and will bring you back from captivity.  Jeremiah 29:11-14

Digging into anything indicates that it’s work.  It’s not going to be easy.  It will take intentions, dedication, and self-discipline.  Anything worth doing at all will take these things.  It’s our free will to choose our own priorities too! 

  1. Following God is the right journey for our children

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.  Proverbs 22:6

 So is my word that goes out from my mouth:  It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.  Isaiah 55:11

 Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.  Philippians 1:6

 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.  Psalm 119:11

These verses are so promising to me.  It was a priority for me to engage my children in the church, learning about Jesus.  We were so fortunate to have a great local Awana program which encouraged learning and memorizing bible verses.  Sometimes as young adults as we are spreading our wings and further exploring and identifying who we really are, it is easy to slip away from the church and from Jesus.  The great news is that when we have planted that seed with our children and entrusted the Lord with their lives, he will use that seed and his word to call them back to him!   Our children are our heritage and our future.  The best path for them and the best chance for a good tomorrow is for them to follow Jesus. 

  1. Following God is the right journey for our possessions

God does care about our possessions.  Having possessions is not sinful or bad.  Possessions can be resources to bless others and to take care of and provide for our families.   God does not want us to be materialistic, but at the same time, the Lord does care about us having available funds to meet our needs and others even through to our future 401Ks and retirement portfolios.    This doesn’t mean that everything will always be smooth either.  Just take a look at the volatility of the stock market recently!  But what God tells us is that in these times he will be with us, we will not be overwhelmed, we will not be burned or consumed by the fire!

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. Isaiah 43:2  

But I am not ashamed, for I know who I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.  2 Timothy 1:22

Note the verse in Isaiah did not say we would always go around the trouble, but rather that we would go through the trouble.  We can expect to encounter strong currents, droughts, fires, and lost lives.   But we can be assured that the Lord is in control and he is more than adequately able to guard all that he has entrusted to each of us.

Why does fasting humble us before God?  Hunger is one of the quickest ways to total weakness.  When we are weak, we call out to the Lord.  When we become hangry, most of us don’t behave at our best—we can all probably admit that!  Many times, when we feel that all is well, that is when we are furthest from God because we are not seeking him—we are doing just fine on our own.   Fasting is a way of conditioning ourselves, practicing being hangry, taking time to dig deep roots and be in the Lords’ word, to spend more time with the Lord in prayer and contemplation, before we are in the fire, in trouble, or confronted with the desire to sin.

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you…” 1 Peter 5:6

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-11

This is what the Lord says:  “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord.  He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes.  He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a land where no one lives.  But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord whose confidence is in him.  He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.  It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green.  It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.  The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.  Who can understand it:  “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve”.  Jeremiah 17:5-9

It is very common for people to fast in various ways.  I’m not extremely knowledgeable in all the historical biblical fasting methods like the “Daniel” fast for instance but I do know what is common in our local churches and with our friends.  

Here are a couple of options – my personal preference is the first one below:

  1. I prefer this as it keeps me out if the kitchen and I can spend more time with the Lord AND I feel it is the best option for my body. It’s the Isagenix supported liquid fast.  I use the Isagenix botanicals Cleanse for Life®. I consume minimal quantities of fiber snack wafers and a couple of other support products as/if needed to keep my blood sugar levels at a healthy functioning level.  The proprietary products infuse Eastern herbs and plant extracts to support my body in its release of toxins.  You can read more about that here.  Infusion of Eastern and Western Philosophy into our Products for over 16 years!  Ultimately, I put myself in a conditioning situation which requires me to lean on the Lord, to be self-desciplined, spend more time in the Word, and less time in the kitchen.  I love this process as it also gives my digestive system a break, lets my body perform it’s natural detoxification and cellular repair, and draws me closer to the Lord.  I love fueling my body and soul simultaneously!
  2. Some people do a liquid fast and refrain from consuming any solid foods.  Some people struggle with this due to sensitivity with blood sugar/insulin levels (diabetes, hypoglycemia, etc.)   They vary in the liquids they consume with the very basic just plain water.  I have heard of others doing juice cleanses or even water or tea infused with garlic! Phew!
  3. Others fast from certain functions or specific items which also enables them to spend more time with the Lord, in prayer, and in his word.
    •  TV
    • Social media
    • Alcohol
    • Caffeine
    • Sugar/Sweets

Regardless of the method of fasting that you choose, the Lord will draw near to you as you draw near to him!

Have you surrendered everything to him?  Your life, your children, your finances, your employment, your health, your will, your all?  When you do this, you are leaning on the Lord in obediance and allowing him to direct your path. You acknowledge that he is a good Father and his guidance is the most optimal path for you.   Our human sinful ways will still crop up and get in our way sometimes!  Set the intentions and pray through the year that the Lord guide you through the rough times – The Lord knows your heart!  I pray that the Lord would shower you with his blessings and favor for his glory in your upcoming season.

God Bless You!

Lentil, Chorizo, Shrimp & Scallop Salad

This is absolutely one of my favorite dishes to make.  

You can incorporate it into your meal as a salad, a tapas, or as your full meal.  It’s very versitile.  The taste of the roasted bell peppers with the lentils over arugala is so delicious.  Then the Chorizo flavor that is picked up and transferred to the scallops and shrimp in the skillet is absolutely succulent!

Prep Time: 30 min Makes/Yield: 4

Ingredients

•1¼ cups puy lentils •2 red bell peppers, quartered, cored, and seeded •6 tablespoons olive oil •3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar •5 oz chorizo, thinly sliced or diced •12 oz of scallops or shrimp or 50/50 mix, rinsed and patted dry •2 cups arugula leaves •salt and pepper (I added a few mushrooms because I had some on hand.  definately mix it up based on what you have in your refrigerator)!

Steps

1.Cook the lentils in a saucepan of simmering water for 15–20 minutes until just tender but still holding their shape. Drain the lentils, rinse in cold water, and drain again.img_4429

2.Meanwhile, arrange the peppers, cut sides down, on a piece of foil on a broiler rack, brush with 1 tablespoon of the oil and broil for 10–15 minutes until softened and lightly charred. Wrap in foil while hot. When cool enough to handle, remove the skins and slice the flesh.

3.Mix 4 tablespoons of the oil in a bowl with the vinegar and a little seasoning. Add the lentils and toss well, then stir in the pepper strips. Cover and set aside.

4.When ready to serve, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil in a skillet, add the chorizo, and fry for 2 minutes. Add the scallops and cook for 3–4 minutes, turning once, until browned and just cooked. Divide the arugula leaves between 4 serving plates. Spoon the lentils on top, then add the chorizo and scallops and serve immediately.

Peach Glazed Cornish Hen

Why not?  We have so many peach preserves from our very fruitful peach tree! img_4509 This was absolutely fabulous!  I find that one hen per person is more than sufficient and we had enough leftovers to make homemade noodle soup with the leftover meat from the hens.

Cornish game hens are a broiler chicken that is mostly comprised of white meat only. Also known as poussin, the Cornish hen has a delicate flavor and is often roasted whole or barbecued. There are many ways to season and prepare Cornish hens, like with orange marmalade or spice.

This recipe is great for single servings or entrees for dinner parties or holiday meals. You can serve the hens straight out of the oven, as you would a roasted chicken, with crispy browned skin and moist, tender meat. Sides that go great with the hen include roasted or steamed vegetables, baked or mashed potatoes, or a simple salad.

Ingredients                                                                                   

  • 4 (1 to 1 1/4-pound) Cornish game hens
  • Your choice of glaze and rub ingredients (see below)

Steps to Make It

If you want to dress up your Cornish game hens, prepare the hens before roasting with one of the rubs detailed below.

Add the glazes in the last 15 or 20 minutes of roasting, as noted.  img_4503

  1. Roast the hens at 375 F for about 1 hour, regardless of the glaze or rub you choose (or if you choose not to add one at all).
  2. When the juices run clear (when a thigh is pierced with a knife) and a meat thermometer registers 170 F, the hens are done.
  3. Serve Cornish game hens simply roasted out of the oven or with one of the variations detailed below.
  • Total: 70 mins
  • Prep: 10 mins
  • Cook: 60 mins
  • Yield: 4 Cornish Hens (4 Servings)

Recipe Variations – Below from The Woman’s Day Cookbook by Kathy Farrell-Kingsley, the following recipes highlight seven different delicious sauces that take less than 10 minutes to make and give some pizzazz to Cornish hens. You can also use these ideas for roast chicken by increasing the cooking time accordingly.

  • Apricot Glaze:Mix 1/2 cup apricot jam, 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard, and 2 tablespoons honey. Brush the apricot glaze over the hens during the last 15 to 20 minutes of roasting.
  • Asian Accent: Mix 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of chicken broth, and 1 teaspoon of sesame oil. Brush the mixture over the hens and pour a little into the cavities before roasting.
  • Citrus Glaze: Mix 1/4 cup of thawed, frozen orange juice concentrate, 2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard, and 2 tablespoons of honey until well-blended. Brush the glaze over the hens during the last 15 to 20 minutes of roasting.
  • Garlic-Herb: Mix 2 tablespoons of minced fresh garlic, 2 teaspoons of finely fresh chopped thyme, 2 teaspoons of finely chopped fresh rosemary, and 2 teaspoons of finely chopped sage. Loosen the breast skin of each hen and rub one-quarter of the mixture under the skin of each bird.
  • Lemon-Basil: Rub the outside of the hens with a cut lemon and brush with melted butter. Place one lemon half and a sprig of fresh basil into each cavity.
  • Mexican Spiced: Rub the outside of the hens with packaged taco seasoning and lightly coat with cooking spray.
  • Mustard-Herb: Coat the outside of each hen with about 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard. Sprinkle with a mixture of dried tarragon, basil, and thyme. Deglaze the pan after roasting with 3/4 cup of white wine and serve with the pan juices.