May 7 – Fruit Trees

Proverbs 11:30

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who is wise wins souls. (NASB)

Last summer I got to pick blueberries, cherries, and apricots with my grandchildren. Of course the blueberries were growing on bushes, not trees, but they were tasty, right in the field! The other fruit we waited to wash before it was eaten, but it was tasty as well. Fruit that is tree ripe, picked at perfection, is always so much tastier than the store bought variety that was probably picked green and allowed to ripen later. Is it more alive still since it is still hanging on the branch? Is that like the tree of life?

 Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden of Eden so that they wouldn’t eat of the Tree of Life after they had eaten from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil (see Genesis 3:22). Solomon writes about the tree of life being a source of life, that wisdom is a source of life to those who obtain it (see Proverbs 3:18). The key is wisdom. So what does it mean to be wise? The dictionary tells us that “wise” is having the power of discerning and judging properly as to what is true or right; possessing discernment, judgment, or discretion. Discernment, judgment and discretion are good traits that have value for anyone. They are especially admirable qualities that are of value to righteous people---people striving to live for Jesus.

This verse above says that wise men win souls. Win souls for Jesus. That means more people around the banquet table. Sounds good to me. That banquet table will have an interminable supply of food---more than enough, so bring it on and come join me at the King’s Banquet Table.

Lord, give me wisdom, like Solomon, to know You more deeply and to win souls for You.  

Chicken Salad with Fresh Bing Cherries

1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cooked; use leftover, poached or roasted; cooled and diced 1 cup pecan, toasted for ~5 minutes at 350 degrees F., coarsely chopped

½ cup diced sweet onion

1 rib celery, diced small

½ pound fresh cherries, pitted – use a cherry pitter (available from kitchen supply store)

¾ cup mayonnaise, preferably olive oil mayo

 2 Tbsp white wine vinegar

1 Tbsp curry powder, optional
1 tsp fresh thyme, chopped fine
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

In a medium mixing bowl place the chicken, onion, celery, cherries, and pecans. Add mayonnaise, vinegar and seasonings. Gently stir so that all contents are lightly covered. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Can be served on a bed of lettuce, in a lettuce wrap or on bread. Serves 4-6.

Prepare the chicken salad except for the cherries before you go to the orchard to pick the cherries. Then when you return home, wash and pit the cherries and add them to the chicken salad for a quick summer meal. Enjoy!

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.