Archives for January 2019

As White as Snow.

January 22, 2019 · by · 4 Comments

I’m sitting here, Indian style, at my dinning room table …

Looking out the window, I see the most beautiful picture of God’s grace. Two feet of snow landed in our neck of the woods over the weekend. Churches were closed on Sunday and schools were closed today along with practices. I had only two clients this morning because of the school closings and I left early for the day. There’s an acceptable quiet nature amidst the mad flurry outside.

It’s stunning.

Glistening.

Breathtaking.

All of the weeds I failed to pick, the cracks in the driveway I haven’t fixed, and the toys in the backyard the kids forgot to put away.

It’s all covered in a clean, white, beautiful blanket of snow.

As I let our playful Labradoodle outside, I am taken away by the magnitude of the bright white covering the entire neighborhood and into the distance.

The sameness and goodness of it all.

Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD.
“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.
-Isaiah 1:18

“Let us settle the matter”, He says… I just love Him.



She shared with me all of her mess. The many ways she self- sabotaged, the people she hurt and how shameful she felt…

God used this moment of truth to give her truth.

“When God looks at you He sees you clothed in white. He sees His perfect Son.”

She looked at me in confusion…

“But, I did ____ … and ____ …and I am still struggling with ____.

“I know. Grace doesn’t make any sense does it? It’s injustice and charity at its finest.”

She nodded.

God wants us to be obedient because He loves us and doesn’t want us to go through this life wasting away time getting ourselves in and out of trouble.

He wants to save us pain. He wants us to bear fruit.

His word is not meant to exclude us, it’s meant to protect and save us.

There is absolutely nothing that can separate you from the love of God that comes through Jesus. (Romans 8:39) There is also no condemnation through Christ. (Romans 8:1) NONE. No matter what you do, how hard to fall, or what you think or say. That part is certain. We are saved through faith alone. (Ephesians 2:8)

That’s why grace is so amazing.

We might read this and feel grace is unfair.

You mean to tell me a thief on a cross, a murderer, an adulteress, and a woman with 5 husbands could be saved by grace?

Yep.

If justice is what we want…it comes in the form of a humble living God who died for all of our sins, so that we could have it. He decided He’d just take care of all of it right then and there. It’s finished. If we are saved and trying to get justice here on earth, we are mistaken to what that looks like…

Thank you, God, because we’d all be in for it if this wasn’t the truth.

Not one of us is righteous in our own efforts. Notta one. Not me, not you, not anyone. We are all on even playing field. (Romans 3:10)

Friends, I write this to give you truth, hope and God’s peace. Whatever is on your mind, whatever you are struggling with, or however you view yourselves, please be reminded you are clothed in white in God’s eyes because of his grace and effort on the cross.

There isn’t a thing you did or can do to stain what you’re wearing. You’re His. You’re beautiful. You’re made for something more. Go live in His peace and allow His love to work through you to others.

Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.
3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance[a]: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raisedon the third day according to the Scriptures, 

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 (The Gospel of Jesus)

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Filed Under: Devotionals, Finding Comfort ·

Vinny’s Sicilian Meatballs

January 21, 2019 · by · 10 Comments



Today, I have two special men guest posting. My brother-in-law Joe and my father-in-law Vince who both happen to be “comfy in the kitchen”. One of their family favorite recipes is “Vinny’s Sicilian Meatballs”. Vince passed his version of the recipe (which includes a *secret ingredient) down in the family. He and Joe make these often for family gatherings – we all look forward to them and are they ever delicious.

And like all family recipes, this ones come with a story…

Vince, making meatballs on Sunday morning.
(I was sitting at the breakfast bar, anxiously awaiting my turn to taste test and had to snap this photo. An example of love pouring out in the kitchen.)


Here is what Joe has to say…

My dad is first generation American. Both of his parents “came over on the boat” from Sicily. I grew up loving his cooking: Eggplant, Chicken Parmesan, Pasta, and Meatballs.

Especially the meatballs.

On Sundays, dad would begin his sauce early in the morning. After it started to simmer, he would begin to make the meatballs.

My friends all knew the Sunday routine … they loved his meatballs just as much as I did. They even planned sleepovers on Saturdays just so they could wake up on Sunday morning to an atypical, yet delicious feast of dad’s meatballs for breakfast. The savory aroma would wake us up and still half asleep we’d meander downstairs to pick them hot out of the frying pan. We’d have to toss them back and forth from one hand to the other so not to scald our hands because they were so hot.

Whatever we didn’t devour, dad placed in his sauce for us to eat for dinner that night. We all loved Sundays and looked forward to this act of love and service our dad did for us.

Now, Dad and I both enjoy and take turns making meatballs for the family.

Matt, Vince, and Joe
Grant, Joe, Sarah (my sister-in-law) and my mom

Eating together at ” the aunts’ ” We all brought an Italian dish. Joe brought the meatballs. Grant, my son, ate about 6 and they were huge!
Joe and Grant have a tentative date to teach Grant how to make these now.

Another funny story that goes along with this recipe is that there’s a *secret ingredient* – These twin brothers can be known to hassle their sweet dad, by the way. He’s a great sport. 

The question is often asked, “Did you remember the secret ingredient?”

“Sicilian A-1 Sauce”
Joe displaying the *secret ingredient*

We hope this might have sparked familiar memories you had growing up and gave you a smile. We also hope you enjoy this family recipe, and will make your own memories on Sundays!

Vinny’s Sicilian Meatballs

A family favorite, passed down from generation to generation… with an added secret ingredient. 
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 8

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb 80 % Lean Ground Chuck
  • 1 Tbsp A-1 Steak Sauce *The Secret Ingredient
  • 2 Large Eggs
  • 1/2 Cup Seasoned Bread Crumbs
  • 1 tsp Basil
  • 1 Tbsp Parsley
  • 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/4 cup Grated Cheese

Instructions
 

  • Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Use your hands, yes it gets a little messy and boy, is it cold.
  • Heat olive oil in a pan on medium/high heat.
  • Take about 1/4 cup of meat (however large you want the meatballs to be) and roll them in a ball.
  • Brown on the stove until done and place in sauce to simmer.
  • Another option is to brown on stove, then place in a 350 oven for approximately 15 mins or until cooked through (depending on the size of your meatballs). 

A huge “thank you” to Vince and Joe for sharing their recipe, story, and family meal ministry with all of us!

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Filed Under: Appetizers, Cooking For A Crowd, Entrees, Uncategorized ·

3 Perspectives On Change.

January 20, 2019 · by · 2 Comments




There are only a few certainties in life, but one thing is for sure…change is gonna come. Depending on our history, the types of changes we encounter, and our perspective, we can determine what we make of change.

Here are three perspectives on change…

1. For some, change is frightening, uncomfortable, and something to avoid.

Change means bad.

Perhaps an unexpected event happened and life as she thought she knew of it, was all of a sudden not so. This association with change can stick in our mental weaving if we allow it.

Perhaps he had to move all the time as a child… his home went into foreclosure each time dad lost a job. Moving equals scary now.

Or, he got let go from a job and now any change to employment triggers anxiety. Change means he isn’t good enough.

Maybe she found out she’s pregnant and although she’s overjoyed at the thought of this, shadow memories of a miscarriage remind her of her bodily changes and it’s painful beyond description. Pregnancy changes equal anguish.

“Please, lord …no more change, she says here. It’s just not what I need or want …”

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

– 2 Timothy 1:7

2. Some accept change because they know it’s inevitable and it gives them opportunities to grow.

It’s neither good nor bad- it just is what it is. There’s a healthy normalization assigned to the experience.

Change means what it means and it’s acceptable.

This is when she gets married and her heart breaks and rejoices at the same time. She leaves the comfort of her family of origin and onto the new life ahead.

He graduates college and misses “his people”, but he lands a job he worked hard to get.

She has a baby and life changes dramatically – little sleep, new worries, but oh, how precious. She can’t imagine life without her bundle of joy.

This is rational and good. Come what may. I’ve got this. God’s got my back. Bring it.

Bitter sweetness.

In a perfect world. We’d live here. There’s a healthy give and takeaway. 

“There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens.”

– Ecclesiastes 3:1


3. Others beg for change. This is where daily life is physically and emotionally painful. This is when living in each second gets us through to the next.

These are my people. This is my tribe.

I’ve had all three perspectives, but I can identify the most right here. And Lord, don’t you let me forget it.

Change is a beggar’s prayer.

Friends, I get it…

Words can say, “it won’t always be this way.” But it feels like there’s no way out.

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

-1 Cor 10:13

Someone whispers to her (with a concerned look) the old faithful, “ This too shall pass.” She rolls her eyes and thinks of the sheer length, magnitude, and muddy perspective of her trials. “God doesn’t see me and neither does anyone else.” She might say to herself. She might even get angry and find her own way to cope. Her pain seemingly costs more. One moment of “happiness” to escape the feeling of emptiness and pain is what she might barter. She’s human, isn’t she…

This is where cruelty of life can linger.

Where parents see their children suffering of illnesses in longevity with little hope of earthly healing.

Where a husband watches his young wife die of cancer when he imagined he’d be sitting with his arm around her in the church pew on a Sunday morning.

Where a child is sexually abused by a relative and she cannot comprehend why this is happening and why no one is stopping it.

This pain exists, friends. If we haven’t been through it, praise God. But we need to know it exists. We don’t have to go far to find someone in this kind of pain…

This is where we beg and plead for God to make a change.

“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”

-Psalm 34:18


Change. It’s circumstantial and different for all of us. But, it will come.

And out of the few certainties we have in life, one is particularly worth highlighting. Jesus doesn’t change.

I know it can feel like a kick in the gut to read this. How cliche of a Christian to throw that out there, right?

Once we put our faith and trust in the gospel of Jesus Christ, we are saved and sealed. NOTHING can change that.

His perspective on change is something we cannot even grasp because He sees into eternity. He knows the truth about where we our saved souls will be! But, He also cares for what we are going through in the present and realizes our limitations to fully comprehend what He does.

Don’t loose hope, Dear One. You will get through this and it will be through the recourse of change. Come what may, let God be your anchor and stability through it all.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever.”

-Hebrews 13:8

“This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil.”

– Hebrews 6:19
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Filed Under: Finding Comfort, Uncategorized ·

Hot Coats.

January 18, 2019 · by · 2 Comments

She is clothed in strength and dignity and laughs without fear of the future.
-Proverbs 31:25

“Ok Kiddos! Hot coats! Get your hot coats here!”

I’d yell as if I were selling hot cross buns…

I marketed them with joyful enthusiasm. They’d run to the laundry room door where I stood with an invitation to both arm sleeves.

“Ahhhh…”

With a deep inhale of fresh laundry sheet scent and familiar warmth from the drier, they would hop in the van and off to school we went, all smiles.

Getting out door for elementary school with three little ones in the frigid Ohio winter was always a chore. I found out one day, just after I was legitimately getting their coats from the drier, the promise of being clothed in warmth was a motivator.

“Hmm…that was easy, I’ll remember this tactic.”

So, that’s what we did. Illegitimately. Each morning.

Winter coats went in the drier at breakfast and when it was go time, it was off to the laundry room.

Forbid I ever missed a day of hot coats…I’d have 6 angry eyes looking at me as if I strategically planned a strike.

“Oh, for cryin in the mud, you guys are spoiled. Let’s just do this, come on pouty faces, in the van you go.”

I’d talk to myself and shake my head. “Hot coats, I didn’t have hot coats as a kid.” Then I’d smile, “Whatever makes them know I’m thinking of them and whatever works.”

It gave them something to look forward to in order to face the cold uncomfort. In a way, it made them feel safe. It was small, but big. Oh, do I love that memory.

All too often God speaks in the every day. This reminded me of how I feel when I read his word before I go out into the cold. When I’m anxious, unsteady, and afraid…I know I can clothe myself in scripture and feel safe and warm in his loving arms. When I leave without it, I can tell a difference. Sure, it takes a few extra moments and slight planning, but it makes the day begin better than it would have without it…

It’s a reminder that God thinks of me in big things and the little things…

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Filed Under: Finding Comfort ·