Banquet With The King: Search results for cioppino

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Friday, October 20, 2023

Bread?

Prayer – Lord, I am hungry—for Your words to fill my heart and life.

Jesus replied, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” John 6:35

Meditate. Are you hungry?

What food are you craving? Carbs, meat, seafood stew, sweets, chocolate, apples…or bread?

We all have hunger at some point in time. We hunger for yummy foods…and even for spiritual food. We have a void in our lives and try to fill it with all kinds of things. Things sort of become idols to us…like types of entertainment, sports, and even food. But Jesus told His followers the truth. He is the Bread of Life. He was honest with those who were seeking…even if they just wanted to be fed.

Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs. But don't be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval." They replied, "We want to perform God's works, too. What should we do?" Jesus told them, "This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent." They answered, "Show us a miraculous sign if you want us to believe in you. What can you do? After all, our ancestors ate manna while they journeyed through the wilderness! The Scriptures say, 'Moses gave them bread from heaven to eat.'" Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, Moses didn't give you bread from heaven. My Father did. And now he offers you the true bread from heaven. The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." "Sir," they said, "give us that bread every day." Jesus replied, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” John 6:26-35

David gave his son, Solomon, wise advice to seek the Lord. It is imperative today to seek the Lord while there is still time in our lives. Do you want to be rejected by the Lord? Whatever you choose, it results in a forever situation. Either with Jesus and never spiritually hungry again—or rejected forever. The choice is yours.

And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the LORD sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. 1 Chronicles 28:9

Jesus also declares those who seek righteousness…right living…will be blessed.

God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice (righteousness), for they will be satisfied. Matthew 5:6

If you are hungry for God’s word, dig into it today…right now. Reading through any of the Gospels is a good place to start. Blessings on you as you seek the Lord—the Bread of Life.

Verse of Salvation ~ This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. Romans 13:11-12

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

Cioppino at Mike's Seafood Restaurant
Ocean Shores, WA
Enjoy with some crusty bread!

Have you ever been to Ocean Shores, Washington—or would you considering taking a trip there just to bask in the sound of the roaring Pacific Ocean? Another good reason to visit that city is a restaurant Mike’s Seafood. We were there recently…and a few years ago…and each time I had a bowl of Mike’s wonderful seafood cioppino. Ahhhh! I swear it is my favorite of all the cioppino I’ve had…or prepared myself. You can find many recipes if you just Google cioppino--or go to Banquet With The King: Search results for cioppino (kingstablefeast.blogspot.com) for an early version I enjoyed of this seafood stew. Add the types of seafood you enjoy--since not everyone like octopus or scallops...or just can't afford crab. Treat yourself to whatever you enjoy...and serve it with some crusty Italian or French bread.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Friday, March 29, 2019

Banquet in Heaven

Memory Verse of the Week ~

I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life. 1 John 5:13

Eternal life. Eternal life in Heaven will include a great banquet. What food do you expect at that Banquet? Seafood is so very tasty. I would hope we'll have some in Heaven.

Here on earth…God made the oceans and the fish.

Then God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply. Let the fish fill the seas, and let the birds multiply on the earth." Genesis 1:22

The LORD does whatever pleases him throughout all heaven and earth, and on the seas and in their depths. Psalm 135:6

The Lord does what He wants to do. I hope it includes serving seafood in Heaven!

Prayer ~ Lord God, I am listening to Your Word…to Your voice calling me to obedience. May all that I think, say and do bring You honor and glory as I wait for that great Banquet we will all have together in Heaven.

Daily Bible Reading: Joshua 22-24

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

Seafood Stew

One of my all-time favorite foods is a seafood stew called Cioppino. Different restaurants all along the Oregon coast prepare it with lots of variation in the names and ingredients. It is not a poor man's stew--but I'm sure some alternative ingredients could bring the cost down while still keeping the taste incredible.

Here's my rendition of this stew that I most recently enjoyed in Pacific City, Oregon at the original Pelican's.

Seafood Stew – Cioppino for 8

¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 large onion, coarsely chopped

4 garlic cloves, grated

2½ teaspoons fresh thyme

2 teaspoons dried oregano

1 tsp fresh fennel, chopped

1/2 teaspoon crushed red-pepper flakes

1 dried bay leaf

1 can (28 ounces) whole peeled tomatoes with juice, crushed

1 cup dry white wine

1½ cups water

1 cup fish stock or bottled clam juice

2 pounds shell-on Dungeness crab legs, cut into 2-inch pieces (optional)

20 littleneck clams, scrubbed well

1 pound firm, skinless fish fillets (red snapper or salmon), cut into bite-size pieces

12 medium scallops

1 cup coarsely chopped calamari rings

16 small octopuses

1 pound large shrimp (about 30), peeled and deveined, tails left on if desired

Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

½ cup coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Tasty little octopus

1. Heat oil in a large stockpot over medium heat. Cook onion and garlic until onion is translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in thyme, oregano, red-pepper flakes, and bay leaf.

2. Add crushed tomatoes and their juice, white wine, water, and fish stock; bring to a simmer. Note you can make this stew to this point and save it in the refrigerator for 2 days. Heat to simmer when ready to continue preparing the stew.

3. Add crab and clams. Simmer, covered, until crab shells turn bright pink and clam shells open, about 10 minutes. Season fish with salt and pepper. Add fish, shrimp, scallops, squid, and scallops to stockpot. Simmer, covered, until fish is opaque and shrimp are pink, 2 to 3 minutes. Discard bay leaf and any unopened clams.

4. Remove pot from heat. Sprinkle with parsley. Season with salt and pepper. Serve and enjoy with a crusty French bread.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

www.blueletterbible.org/dailyreading

Friday, February 28, 2025

Book of Ezra – Finding Jesus?

Come out—come out—wherever you are? Do you remember playing Hide-and-Go Seek as a kid? I do. It used to be a favorite summer evening game growing up especially when we had friends over for special occasions like the 4^th of July. We’d quickly and quietly hide—trying not to be found. When we’d hear the seeker shout “Olly, Olly, oxen free (meaning all ye, all ye, out are free”) we knew the game was over and relieved that we hadn’t been found. When searching for those hiding, we’d anticipate joyously finding them. In Psalm 119 the lost sheep wander around. Are we like lost sheep? When looking for Jesus in the Book of Ezra, it was like looking for the hiding kids. Where is He? He's got to be here somewhere! I did find a few verses with the word LORD—which is our go to clue for Jesus as Yahweh—the Creator. The Book of Ezra tells the story of the Jews who came back to Israel at the direction of King Cyrus of Persia. They were to rebuild the Temple and the walls around the city of Jerusalem. God was in that and He brought back from captivity all the right skilled people together to do the work…His work.

Ezra had been in captivity in Babylon and now he was free to go back to Jerusalem. He was obedient to God, to the letter of the Law. As a scribe Ezra would have known the law because he had the opportunity to study it for himself as he copied the text. He had to know the law inside and out in order to teach it to the Israelites. Having lived in Babylon in captivity the general Israelite population was not familiar with the Law and the religious regulation like they would have been had they lived in Israel all their lives. There was no Temple in Babylon and religious commitment was not the same in Jerusalem. Headed back to Jerusalem after seventy years in Babylon, Ezra was determined to know the Law so that he could teach it to the Israelites as they returned. He valued the God, the Torah—the Law—and the people returning to Israel. His desire to please God gave Ezra a good motivation to obediently study the Law and teach the regulations to the Israelites.

What is your motivation to study God’s word? I read and study God’s word—to learn more about Him—so seek His approval. Being loved and approved of is the most important thing in anyone’s life. That is good motivation. Would you choose to study like Ezra did?

Then they celebrated the Festival of Unleavened Bread for seven days. There was great joy throughout the land because the LORD had caused the king of Assyria to be favorable to them, so that he helped them to rebuild the Temple of God, the God of Israel. Ezra 6:22

This Ezra was a scribe who was well versed in the Law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given to the people of Israel. He came up to Jerusalem from Babylon, and the king gave him everything he asked for, because the gracious hand of the LORD his God was on him. ... Praise the LORD, the God of our ancestors, who made the king want to beautify the Temple of the LORD in Jerusalem! And praise him for demonstrating such unfailing love to me by honoring me before the king, his council, and all his mighty nobles! I felt encouraged because the gracious hand of the LORD my God was on me. And I gathered some of the leaders of Israel to return with me to Jerusalem. Ezra 7:6, 27-28

O LORD, God of Israel, you are just. We come before you in our guilt as nothing but an escaped remnant, though in such a condition none of us can stand in your presence. Ezra 9:15

(Underlined for emphasis.)

Prayer – Lord Jesus—rescue us and show us Your unfailing love just like You did for the Israelites as they rebuilt the Temple. Put Your gracious hand on each of us…for we praise You moment by moment, day by day, year by year, as You rebuild Your Temple in our hearts.

Meditate. Consider God’s guidance in scripture.

Verse of Salvation ~ Give me a helping hand, for I have chosen to follow your commandments. O LORD, I have longed for your rescue, and your instructions are my delight. Let me live so I can praise you, and may your regulations help me. I have wandered away like a lost sheep; come and find me, for I have not forgotten your commands. Psalm 119:173-176

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

One of my all-time favorite foods is a seafood stew called Cioppino. I recently had it at an Anthony’s restaurant in celebration of my Granddaughter’s, Julia, 10^th Birthday.

Seafood Stew – Cioppino for 8

¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 large onion, coarsely chopped

4 garlic cloves, grated

2½ teaspoons fresh thyme

2 teaspoons dried oregano

1 tsp fresh fennel, chopped

1/2 teaspoon crushed red-pepper flakes (optional – add for spicy heat)

1 dried bay leaf

1 can (28 ounces) whole peeled tomatoes with juice, crushed

1 cup dry white wine

1½ cups water

1 cup fish stock or bottled clam juice

2 pounds shell-on Dungeness crab legs, cut into 2-inch pieces (optional)

20 littleneck clams, scrubbed well

10 mussels, preferably from Penn Cove

1 pound firm, skinless fish fillets (red snapper or salmon), cut into bite-size pieces

1 pound large shrimp (about 30), peeled and deveined, tails left on if desired

Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

½ cup coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

1. Heat oil in a large stockpot over medium heat. Cook onion and garlic until onion is translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in thyme, oregano, red-pepper flakes, and bay leaf.

3. Add crab, mussels, and clams. Simmer, covered, until crab shells turn bright pink and seafood shells open, about 10 minutes. Season fish with salt and pepper. Add fish and shrimp, to stockpot. Simmer, covered, until fish is opaque and shrimp are pink, 2 to 3 minutes. Discard bay leaf and any unopened clam or mussel shells.

4. Remove pot from heat. Sprinkle with parsley. Season with salt and pepper. Serve and enjoy with a crusty French bread.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Friday, December 22, 2023

Can You Look for God’s Word and Listen?

Prayer – Lord, it’s time to look for a “word” to focus on in 2024. Your word is always right. May your word…be my word.

For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. As the Scriptures say, "People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field. The grass withers and the flower fades. But the word of the Lord remains forever." And that word is the Good News that was preached to you. 1 Peter 1:23-25

Meditate. Consider God’s words and listen to what He is saying.

Our scripture focus for today repeats the verses from Isaiah 40:6-8,

A voice said, "Shout!" I asked, "What should I shout?" "Shout that people are like the grass. Their beauty fades as quickly as the flowers in a field. The grass withers and the flowers fade beneath the breath of the LORD. And so it is with people. The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:6-8 (Underlined for emphasis.)

Shout. How many times have you actually heard someone “shout” anything having to do with God’s word…unless it is a preacher speaking from the pulpit. Most of us talk about scripture in regard to prayer with friends and family—but we don’t “shout” at anyone or anything. We may talk about God’s word quietly in Bible studies. Has anyone ever challenged you to “shout” God’s word? I don't think shouting is part of our culture--except at sporting events or family feuds. That passage in the Isaiah scripture also tells us that God’s word is eternal…stands forever.

His word is true—and we can trust what God says. Do you? Are you looking and listening?

For the word of the LORD holds true, and we can trust everything he does. Psalm 33:4

So, search God’s word and see for yourself. There is an interesting passage in which the prophet Ezekiel was told to prophecy about the dead rising and listening to God’s word. Listening is important—and what are you going to do with what you hear? James teaches…do it.

Then he said to me, "Speak a prophetic message to these bones and say, 'Dry bones, listen to the word of the LORD!'" Ezekiel 37:4

But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. James 1:22

Read it. Listen. Do it. No one wants to be a fool. You don’t have to shout…just obediently obey God.

Verses of Salvation ~ While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God. Even though Jesus was God's Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him. Hebrews 5:7-9

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

Don't be fooled by the serpent.
The pomegranate is good food--
--not one that will give you knowledge...
just healthy eating!

Christmas is almost here. What’s on your menu? Jesus’ birth was probably celebrated with a simple meal of hummus, bread, grapes, olives, and maybe pomegranate. I think I’ll add an appetizer of pomegranate to our seafood cioppino meal. Pomegranate has been grown in the Promised Land for centuries—actually millennium. Remember that the twelve spies brought back pomegranates when they were sent into the Promised Land by Moses to check it out. Jewish tradition has said that there are 613 seeds in each pomegranate, the same number of laws that God gave to Israel. That is a lot of seeds…and a lot of juice. Eat up and enjoy the vitamins, fiber, and taste.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories