Thursday 28 February 2013

Healthy Eating: Grilled Kale Salad




Grilled Kale Salad with Beets, Figs, and Ricotta (serves 4 as a first course, 2 as a hearty main dish)
  • 4 small golden beets, peeled and cut into wedges
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 Tbs. balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tsp. maple syrup
  • one bunch of dinosaur (lacinto) kale (or green kale), bottoms of the stems removed
  • 12 fresh figs, black mission or Turkish brown figs, stemmed and halved
  • 1 generous cup of fresh ricotta
  • salt and pepper
  1. Preheat your oven to 425F.  Toss the beet wedges with 1 Tbs. olive oil and sprinkle them with salt.  Spread them in a baking dish and roast, stirring occasionally, until tender, 20-20 minutes.
  2. Whisk together 2 Tbs. olive oil together with the balsamic vinegar and the maple syrup.  When the beets come out of the oven, toss them with the dressing.
  3. Heat your grill and coat the kale with the remaining olive oil and a good sprinkling of salt.  Spread the leaves out on the grill and cook them, turning each over once, until they have developed crispy edges and charred splotches, several minutes.  Transfer the kale to a cutting board, remove the tough center stems if you wish (I don’t bother, but it definitely means more chewing), and chop it coarsely.
  4. Put a spoonful of ricotta on each salad plate, then divide the kale between the plates.  Divide the beets between the salads, and drizzle some of the dressing that is leftover from the beets over each of the salads.  Finally, divide the figs between the salads, dollop the remaining ricotta over the salads, sprinkle each with salt and pepper, and serve.   SOURCE

Verse of the Day: Proverbs 31:31- Fear the Lord & Be Praised

Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Let us be strong in Christ and focus on what is important so that our works will be praised.  It is so easy to be consumed by self.  But if we have the right aspirations and fear God at all times, all of the work that we put in daily will not be in vain.  Let us ask God to help us to live daily through him only and to fear him.

Let us pray

Dear Jesus 

Thank you for your power and omnipotence!  We humbly seek you now Lord, we would like to be connected to you in every way possible.  Show us how we can live a life filled with you. Successful & strong and fearing you.  In Jesus name, Amen

Wednesday 27 February 2013

Verse of the Day: Job 1:20-21- Praise Him in the good and the bad

20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, 21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.

After all the pain and heartache Job suffered his faith and trust did not waver in the Lord.  Let us remember that we should still praise God, in the good times and the bad times.  

Let us pray

Lord you are merciful and kind and we are grateful for all you have given us.  Lord help us to be grateful to you even when things are not going our way.  Help us to praise you in the good and the bad. In Jesus name, Amen

Tuesday 26 February 2013

Verse of the Day: Mark 8:36 - Don't lose your soul to the world

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

Everyday we strive to be more successful, to be richer than we were the year before, to have the finest clothes, cars and to be more educated.  Nothing is wrong with reaching for the best,  we are God's children and He would expect nothing less of us, it's in our nature.  But He would not be proud of us if we kept reaching for the best and pushing Him further down our #1 list.   Let us remember in our daily drive in doing our best, that we always put God first.  A humble man that may not have the drive others have, but prays without ceasing, reads God's word daily and listens to his voice, may have a better chance of getting to heaven than the one that incessantly strives to do his best and leaves very little time for God.  Let us pray for balance in our lives that we will learn to put God first and continue to seek Him as we also strive for excellence.

Let us pray

Dear Lord

We love you and we are grateful that you have spared our lives.  We ask today for your blessing upon us.  We need you Lord now more than ever.  We ask Lord that you will help balance our lives.  Help us not to rush prayers, or to rush reading your word, but help us to take our time to understand your word and to listen to your voice.  As we prepare for your coming, help us to realize that you are the one giving us the drive and that we should use it wisely. Help us not to lose ourselves to the world but to lose ourselves in you.  Keep us all safe from harm and danger and our eyes fixed towards you In Jesus Name, Amen

Monday 25 February 2013

Verse of the Day: 1 John 1:9- Confess your Sins & Don't Look Back

 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

God sees and knows your sins, you may try to hide them from those around you but they are never hidden from Him.  All you need to do to wipe your sin slate clean is to come clean to God.  Genuinely ask him to forgive you from your sins.  If you are repentant then God will forgive, he will not dwell on your mistakes and neither should you.  Remember your slate is clean, you have another chance to start over, don't dwell on your past mistakes.  Let us pray for the courage to not look back but to move forward once we've asked God to forgive us.

Let us Pray

Dear Jesus

You are almighty and we praise your name, we thank you for that word called forgiveness.  We thank you that you can forgive us when we do wrong and that we have another chance at doing what is right.  We are so grateful to you! We ask today that you will give us the strength we need to keep our eyes and our minds forward and to not look back on our past mistakes.  Lord you are almighty and omnipotent and we thank you.  In Jesus Name, Amen

Sunday 24 February 2013

Verse of the Day: Jeremiah 29:11-13- Got Plans for the future? Seek God first!

“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 on 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.” 
 
It's as simple as that really.  We need to realize that the only way to truly prosper and be fully satisfied in life is to simply turn to God for guidance.  He sees all the plans we are making and the busy lifestyle we lead as we try to get these plans into fruition.  He shakes his head at us because he can see the road blocks up ahead and all because we didn't seek Him first.  Let us pray for guidance and strength from the Lord and let us remember that everything we do we should always seek Him first.

Let us Pray

Dear Jesus

We thank you for looking out for us even though we barely blink at you.  Help us Lord to realize that all we need to do to prosper is to turn to you.  You have the answers to all of our questions, Your grace & your love is genuine, so help us to realize this and to seek you first in all things.    We are grateful to you Lord, In Jesus Name, Amen

Friday 22 February 2013

Healthy Eating: Antioxidants


Verse of the Day: 2 Corinthians 9:7- A Cheerful Giver

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

As we give to those who need it the most.  Let us remember to give from our heart and with love, not only because God says to, but because we genuinely want to.  Let us pray that as we help those who need help (and even those who think they don't), that we give happily, only hoping and praying the best for our receivers.

Let us Pray

Dear Jesus

We are ever grateful for your kindness and the truth of your word.  Help us today that we will follow your scriptures thoroughly.  You say to give cheerfully to others, so help us to do just that.  Help us to thirst only for you Lord and to be loving and kind to those around us.  Give us strength and a good heart.  In Jesus name, Amen

Thursday 21 February 2013

Verse of the Day: 1 Corinthians15:1-4 - He Died for our Sins

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Today, let us ask God to for the right frame of mind to understand the bible and to carry His word in our hearts and mind daily. It's a struggle, but we need to remember that Jesus died for our sins and he is counting on us to remember that and to follow in his ways so His sacrifice will not be in vain.

Let us pray

Dear Jesus

We are so grateful that you gave us a chance in this life by dying on the cross to save us from our sins. Lord we know we are living in the last days and that your coming is eminent, help us to understand your words and to hide them in our hearts and minds so that we will not sin against you.  Help us to preach your word to those of the world and not to ignore the voice that speaks truth to us.  Thank you for your love and grace In Jesus name, Amen

Tuesday 19 February 2013

Verse of the Day: 2 Timothy 1:7- Riding ourselves of fear

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

It can very difficult to overcome fear,  it's like an automatic feeling when something doesn't feel right.  But with God's help we can eliminate that fear and live in power, love and a sound mind.  Let us pray today that God take away that fear so that we may live in peace and of a sound mind.


Let us pray

Dear Jesus

We thank you for your love and for your power.  We pray today that you will help us to face our fears head on and say " you will not overcome me anymore".   Lord give us strength to do this and the courage we need to resist the tempter.  You are almighty and we praise you.  In Jesus name, Amen

Monday 18 February 2013

Verse of the Day: Romans 8:38-39

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Let us strive to continue to love Christ as he has loved us.  Let us pray that nothing will separate us from loving Him.


Let us pray

Dear Jesus

We thank you for your eternal love.  We ask that you will help us to always love you.  Help us not to go astray by worldly things blocking us from that love. Keep us in your care and help us to be eternally grateful for your love and for dying on the cross to save us.  In Jesus name we pray, Amen

Friday 15 February 2013

Verse of the Day: John 4:24- Worshiping God

God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”


Now there are a couple of things that stand out in these couple of Bible verses, spoken by Jesus. First is that He said the TRUE worshipers will worship God in spirit and truth. What does this mean? It means that there are also false worshipers who claim to be Christians, but the way they live and "worship" shows that they are not true followers of Christ. Again, the fact that Christ said that the TRUE worshipers would worship in spirit and truth shows that there would be false worshipers. The second is that He said we MUST worship God in spirit and truth, which shows that any other form of worship is unacceptable. So we need to look at how to worship God and what our worship is like. Is it in accordance with God's Word in the Bible? 

Please read the rest of this from this source discussing this bible verse:

Let us Pray:

Dear Jesus

We thank you for your word the Bible.  As we read up on your word and worship you.  We ask that we will only worship you as it is written in your word.  Help us to seek out the truth and to always pray for understanding and truth.  You are our strength and we thank you.  In Jesus name Amen

Thursday 14 February 2013

Verse of the Day: John 13:34-35 Love

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Let us ask God to help us in our daily lives that we will learn to love others, that we not hold grudges or be selfish but that we give our love to those around us so that they may see Christ through us.

Let us Pray

Dear Jesus

Thank you for that special gift called Love.  Thank you for your love.  We ask that you will help us to be more like you, to aim to love others the way you love us.  Help us to be kind, caring and to rid ourselves of negativity and hate.  You are our strength Lord and we call upon you to see us through.  In Jesus name, Amen

Wednesday 13 February 2013

Verse of the Day: Lamentations 3:15-16

The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.

Silence and meditation is important when seeking Christ. We need to learn to quiet our minds so that we can hear His voice.  Remove the distractions of the world, work & just plain being busy and subject yourself to solitude where it is just you and God.  Let us pray for the patience & faith we need to leave everything behind, come as we are and meditate on God.


Let us Pray

Dear Jesus

We thank you for your blessings and for the hope of your soon coming.  We pray today Lord that you will help us to have faith in you.  We want to be ready for when you come and we would like to meditate more.  We want to hear your voice Lord directing us of our path in this life.  Please teach us how to be patient, how to have faith in you and how to just believe.  Help us to realize that we are nothing without you.  Keep us ever close to you we pray.  In Jesus name, Amen

Tuesday 12 February 2013

Verse of the Day: Isaiah 53:6

We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

In this day and age there are so many distractions to knock us off our path, it could be friends, family, social media, television and so much more. Let us pray for the Lord to guide us back on that path that we strive to follow.

Let us pray

Dear Jesus 

We thank you for forgiveness and the opportunity to start a new when we sin.  We ask today Lord that you help us back on that path to righteousness.  Please help us to resist temptation and the things of the world that are not of you.  Lead us to you we pray in Jesus name, Amen

Monday 11 February 2013

Healthy Eating: Health Benefits of Coconut Oil and Cooking Uses for Coconut Oil

 

Coconut oil was once a heart-health “don’t” thanks to its 87 percent saturated-fat content. Solid at room temperature, it’s making a comeback in some packaged foods and for cooking and baking. While it may be marketed as helpful for cholesterol levels, some nutrition experts disagree about the health benefits of coconut oil. “Coconut oil contains a mixture of saturated fatty acids, some of which don’t adversely affect cholesterol levels,” says Joy Dubost, Ph.D., R.D., a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. “But while its predominant saturated fat —lauric acid—does raise beneficial HDL cholesterol, it also raises harmful LDL cholesterol, which can increase the risk of heart disease.” Look for coconut oil, in jars or tubs, near other cooking oils in large supermarkets, in the natural-foods section, or in natural-foods stores. Wondering how to cook with coconut oil? In our healthy coconut-oil recipe for Coconut-Carrot Morning Glory Muffins, we use coconut oil sparingly, in place of butter or other oils.

 Source

Verse of the Day: 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.


As we journey into following after Christ, we begin to realize that there can only be one kind of true love and that is the love that the scripture describes.  Let us ask God to help us to use that kind of love towards others, in our daily lives.

Let us Pray:

Dear Jesus

Thank you for your love, the patient, kind and UN-proud love.  We ask today that you will help us to exercise that same type of love to our family, spouses, friends and even our enemies.  Show us how to love and treat others the way you would want us to.  You are our strength and our redeemer and we thank you.  In Jesus name, Amen

Sunday 10 February 2013

Verse of the Day: Proverbs 31:0

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.


Self explanatory.  Let us always strive to fear God and put Him first in our lives.  Let us pray for God to help us along our journey.


Let us Pray:

Dear Jesus

Thank you for your grace and love.  We ask that you will keep us strong both mentally and physically, help us to realize that we are nothing without you and that we should learn to love and fear you and to always put you first.  In Jesus name, Amen

Friday 8 February 2013

Verse of the Day: Matthew 5:43-45

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Let us pray for a kind heart and a positive Godly attitude, an attitude so positive that those who hate and despise you will be changed.  

Let us pray:

Dear Jesus

Thank you for loving us. Help us to love our enemies as you love them also.  Keep us strong and help us to have a positive attitude and a kind heart.  As we strive to be more like you, please keep us on the straight path in Jesus name, Amen

Thursday 7 February 2013

Verse of the day: 1Thessalonians 5:1-3

Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

God is coming very soon whether we want Him to or not, It's up to us to be ready for Him when he comes.  God says we do not know the day or the hour, But what we do know is that He will be coming unexpectedly and those who do not watch & believe will be caught off guard.  Let us not be one of those who are caught of guard. As we watch for the signs and get ready for his coming, let us pray that we put away all our sinful ways and turn fully to Him.

Let us pray

Dear Jesus

We thank you for your promise that you will be coming soon.  Help us to realize that you put us on this earth to do good.  Help us to do what is right in your sight and to prepare diligently for your coming.  We ask for strength to carry on your work diligently as it is tough out in this world to stay focused.  We give you praise and honor.  In Jesus name Amen

Wednesday 6 February 2013

Verse of the day: Proverbs 21:21

"Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor."

Let us ask God to guide us as we pursue Him daily and seek out righteousness and love.

Let us pray

Dear Jesus

Thank you so much for giving us another chance at life.  Thank you for your son that has died on the cross to save us from our sins.  Lord, we ask today for your guidance as we reach towards righteousness and love.  Help us to only seek out the things in life that are lovely, pure and true.  Help us to be kind, loving and positive to others.  You are our light and our salvation and we praise your name.  In Jesus name, Amen

Tuesday 5 February 2013

Verse of the day: Luke 6:38

"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Sometimes we get so caught up in our everyday lives that we don't stop to consider that we should take a portion of what we have, whether it be food, clothing or money, and donate them to those who need them the most.  God encourages us to give, and rightfully so, He allowed us to have the things we do, so why not give to those who don't?  Let us pray for a giving heart.

Let us pray

Dear Jesus 

Thank you for the things you have given to us.  We are so privileged and we are eternally grateful.  Lord today we ask that you will help us to have more of a giving heart.  Help us to realize there are so many people out there who don't have what we do, so help us not to look down on them but to give so that they may benefit.  Thank you Lord for your mercies.  In Jesus name, Amen

Monday 4 February 2013

Verse of the day: Proverbs 2:10-11

For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.11 Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.

If you turn your hearts and your mind towards God then in turn He will reward you with wisdom and knowledge.  Let us pray for the Lord to guide our hearts and minds towards Him, forsaking all others and following only Him.

Let us pray

Dear Jesus

Thank you for giving  us the power of knowledge and for showing us that all we needed to get that is by following you and your word.  Help us to understand that your love for us is real and that we just need to turn our hearts and our minds fully to you.  In turn, we may partake of all the blessings you have in store for us!  In Jesus name, Amen

Sunday 3 February 2013

Verse of the day: 1 Chronicles 16:11,12

Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.12 Remember the wonders he has done,  his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,

God is our refuge and strength, let us always remember to seek him first before trying to tackle our own issues.  He has done so many wondrous things.  Let us pray that we will always remember to ask God first.

Let us pray:

Dear Jesus

Thank you for your love and strength.  Thank you for your blessings and the many miracles you have performed.  Help us to remember that before we try to tackle and solve our own issues, that we should seek you first for you know what is best.  In Jesus name, Amen.

Friday 1 February 2013

Verse of the Day: 2 Corinthians 6:1,2

 As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For he says,
“In the time of my favor I heard you,
    and in the day of salvation I helped you.”[a]
I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

Let us not ignore the word of God when it is heard.  God hears our cries and speaks to us through his word, he helps us along even when we are too busy to realize.  Let us pray that our eyes are always open to see the favors and grace God has given to us.

Let us Pray

Dear Jesus

Thank you for giving us a chance at life.  Thank you for your word and the promises you give to us through those words.  We pray that your messages through your word, be received with an open mind and heart and that we will be grateful for the favors you have bestowed on us.  In Jesus Name, Amen

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