Meditate.
Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the LORD will be joyful. The wise are known for their understanding, and pleasant words are persuasive. Proverbs 16:20-21
Are your words to others pleasant?
If so, you are a good witness for the Lord. Pleasant words are persuasive.
That is a good thing. Mean words drive others away. How can you tell others
about the Lord if you offend them with your words or actions?
Kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul and healthy
for the body. Proverbs 16:24
When I dig into God’s word, I find
such wonderful truths and secrets that God has for us. Kind words just open the
doors to more understanding.
Yet when I am among mature believers, I do speak with
words of wisdom, but not the kind of wisdom that belongs to this world or to
the rulers of this world, who are soon forgotten. No, the wisdom we speak of is
the mystery of God—his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it
for our ultimate glory before the world began. But the rulers of this world
have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious
Lord. That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, "No eye has seen, no
ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who
love him." But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit.
For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God's deep secrets. No one
can know a person's thoughts except that person's own spirit, and no one can
know God's thoughts except God's own Spirit. And we have received God's Spirit
(not the world's spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely
given us. 1 Corinthians 2:6-12
God shows us such amazing things. Search His word today for yourself and draw closer to Him as you bask in His glory and love. It is there…hiding in your Bible…just waiting for you to discover all that He has for you.
Prayer ~ Lord God… My
steps have stayed on your path; I have not wavered from following you. I am
praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I
pray. Show me your unfailing love in wonderful ways. By your mighty power you
rescue those who seek refuge from their enemies. Guard me as you would guard
your own eyes. Hide me in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 17:5-8
Swan at Swan Lake, Sumter, SC
Hide me in the shadow of your wings.
Show me the mysteries of Your Word, Lord.
Verses of Salvation ~ So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord's kindness. 1 Peter 2:1-3
Friday’s Feasting at the King’s Table
We can’t live on bread alone. Have some fish stew with that bread…but don’t stew about your relationship with God or with others. In doing a little research on fish stew on the internet I found that there are Fish Stew recipes from countries all around the world…Greece, Brazil, Italy, Moroccan, Basque, Mediterranean, Normandy, Portuguese, Spanish, Jamaican, simple and quick fish stews including at least one from North Carolina. You can Google and pick a country to try one that appeals to your taste and smell (assuming you don’t have COVID and can smell and taste!) in flavors that you love.
Here’s a quick and easy one with which to start. Add the flavors like fennel, cumin, cayenne pepper, rosemary, or even dill to suit your taste.
Quick and Easy Fish Stew – adapted from Pinterest, Food Network and my own cooking attempts
1½ pounds filet fish – use what is available to you…rockfish, cod, mahi mahi, salmon, red snapper
Olive Oil – 6 tablespoons
Garlic 1-3 cloves grated
Onion – 1 white, yellow or sweet, finely chopped
Celery – 3 ribs, chopped
Oregano – pinch or 1 twig fresh, minced
Thyme – pinch or 1 twig fresh, minced
Bay leaves – 3 whole
Tomatoes – fresh or canned - 2 cups peeled and chopped
Green pepper – optional – 1 – chopped
Mild chili peppers – optional – seeded and chopped
Tomato paste – 2 teaspoons
Tabasco sauce – 1 shake or 1/8 teaspoon
½ cup dry white wine
1 cup water
1 cup chicken broth or fish stock
Parsley – ½ cup, chopped or snipped – last minute garnish
Green onions – 2 chopped – last minute garnish
Optional additions to suit your tastes:
1 cup chopped clams
Mussels or butter clams -1 pound in the shell, well washed
Shrimp – 1 pound thawed, if frozen
Sauté the garlic, onion, celery and peppers in the olive oil until tender. Add the desired herbs (except the parsley and green onion), tomatoes, wine, water and broth. Simmer for about one hour. Add the fish and any other optional meats. Add the parsley and chopped green onions. Cook about 5 minutes, until the fish flakes easily. Remove the bay leaves. Serve with a nice grainy roll, cornbread, rice and/or tossed salad.
Think pleasant, not mean
Available as an e-book
or paperback at Amazon.com
No comments:
Post a Comment