Oh taste and see...

Daily Verse

Psalms 34:8
O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

Thoughts:

Every day we face troubles, whether big or small, what we do about them can affect our lives for the better or for the worse.  Have you ever prayed to God asking him to help you from situations that trouble you?  Have you still worried about what the outcome of this trouble will be even though you prayed?  We have all been faced with this at some point in time.  God says "blessed is the man that trusteth in him" so in order for us to be blessed we need to put trust into action.

Prayer:

Dear Father

We are so blessed to be alive and are glad that you have allowed us another day.  Lord help us to always seek you first and trust you implicity. 

Thank you for your grace and love, in your name we pray....

Amen

Verse of the Day: 1Samuel 2:2

There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.

The truth is written.  Let us live in complete faith, knowing and believing that God is our rock and a very present help in time of need.

Let us pray

Dear Jesus

We thank you for being there for us even though we do not deserve it.  Help us to remember that no matter what happens in our lives you are always there for us.  Continue to hold our hand and lead us forward to everlasting life.  In Jesus name, Amen

Healthy Eating: Golden Beet Salad with Shallots, Parsley, and Orange Miso Dressing

for the salad:
3-4 medium golden beets
10 small shallots
1 cup uncooked rainbow quinoa
1.5 cups vegetable broth
2 small seedless navel oranges, segmented and chopped (see note)
1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
handful finely chopped pistachios, for garnish (optional)
Orange Miso Dressing: (makes: ~1/3 cup)
1/3 cup orange juice
1 tbsp toasted sesame oil (or olive oil)
1-2 tbsp light miso dressing (I used 2 tbsp chickpea miso), to taste
1 medium garlic clove, peeled
1/2 tsp minced fresh ginger
1/2 tsp cane sugar (or maple syrup), or to taste
1. Preheat oven to 375F and line a dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot with a piece of parchment paper.
2. Trim beet greens, leaving 2-3 inches of the stem on the beet (this prevents the beet from drying out while roasting). Note: If you buy loose beets without stems this is fine too. Use what you can find. Reserve beet greens for sautéing, if desired. Wash beets, but do not peel them.
3. Place beets inside the pot. Drizzle on olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roll around the beets to coat.
4. Soak shallots in a bowl of water for a few minutes. This helps to loosen the skin. Slice both ends off the shallots and then peel all the skin off each. Place a piece of tin foil on the counter (about 1 square foot) and place the shallots on top. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt and pepper. Rub the shallots to combine. Gather the tin foil at each side and crinkle it upward to seal the top. Place shallots in the pot along with the beets.
5. Place lid on pot and roast beets and shallots for about 1 hour at 375F.
6. Meanwhile, cook the quinoa. Rinse the quinoa in a fine-mesh strainer and place it into a pot along with 1.5 cups of vegetable broth. Bring to a low boil, reduce heat to low-medium, and cover with tight fitting lid. Simmer for 17-20 minutes covered, or until all the water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes. Fluff with fork.
7. Prepare the dressing by processing together all the dressing ingredients. I like to use a mini processor for my dressings because the clean-up is minimal. You could also whisk everything together by hand too.
8. After 1 hour, remove pot from the oven to check on things. Remove the shallots and set aside on the counter (keep the tin foil on so they stay warm). Carefully, prick the largest beet with a fork. If it slides easily through, it’s ready. If your fork feels resistance, it needs more time in the oven. I had to cook my beets for about 1 hour and 25 minutes, so don’t be alarmed if it takes you more time.
9. Remove beets from oven, remove lid, and allow beets to cool until they can be handled. Trim both ends of the beet and discard. Run water over beets and peel the skin off with your fingers (the skin should slide off fairly easily) and then slice beets into bite-sized pieces for the salad.
10. To assemble the salad: Toss together the cooked quinoa, chopped parsley, Herbamare or sea salt, and a couple tablespoons of the dressing. Gently fold in the shallots, segmented oranges, and beets. Drizzle on the rest of the dressing, sprinkle on pistachios (optional), and serve immediately.
Source

Verse of the Day: Isaiah 53:5-6 - He was wounded for us

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Let us always remember that Jesus died for our sins, he was battered beaten and bruised & bared the cross for us.  So many of us have strayed from the teachings of the Lord  and seem to have lost our way.  Jesus died so that we might be saved, let us pray that we are saved in God's kingdom so that the sacrifice Jesus made will not be in vain.


Let us pray

Dear Jesus

We thank you for dying on the cross to save us from our sins, help us to remember that it was not some sort of fairytale but a true to life story.  Help us to realize that we would not be here if it wasn't for the sacrifice you made for us.  Lord we humbly ask for your forgiveness of our sins, help us this day to be renewed in you, help us to commit to your word & your will, starting right now.  Lord we need peace, understanding and a clear mind.  In Jesus Name. Amen

Verse of the Day: Romans 5:1 - Faith Justified

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Once we've accepted God as our Saviour  we should be completely dedicated to him.  Our Faith should be stronger, and our deeds and actions should be of the likeness of Christ.  We will be more at peace and all our worries and cares will seem insignificant.  Let us pray that our faith in Christ remains strong.


Let us pray

Dear Jesus

Thank you for your love and for dying on the cross to save us from our sins.  We pray today that you will renew our faith in you.  Help us to see how much easier our lives will be once we surrender to you completely.  Help us to be steadfast and strong in you.  In Jesus name, Amen

Verse of the Day: Proverbs 1:1-8 - Learn, Understand & Gain Wisdom

 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;
² To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;
³ To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;
⁴ To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
⁵ A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
⁶ To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
⁷ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
⁸ My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:

 Giving instruction to others is good, but it is also good to receive instruction & to learn from your elders.  Sometimes we think we know it all and think we can teach others a thing or too, but if we don't follow the right instructions we may be headed for trouble.  Let's ask God to help us in our daily lives that we will listen to instruction, understand it so that we may be wise in the Lord.

 Let us Pray

Dear Jesus

Thank you for giving us life & a mind to think,  help us to realize that without you we are nothing.  Help us to realize that with you we can do anything.  Help us also to realize that we need to understand what it means to humble ourselves & learn. Help us to be wiser in you! In Jesus name, Amen

Ephesians 6:7-8- Doing Good Service

 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
⁸ Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.

Ever do something good and expect praise from the one you've done the good deed?  If you don't receive any praise or accolades you feel as if this person wasn't grateful.  We need to realize that when we do good it should be wholeheartedly for God He is the one that will reward you for your good deed.  We need to stop looking towards man for praises and start praising God for the blessings he's bestowed on us.


Let us pray 

Dear Jesus

We thank you for your love and for your grace.  We are grateful that you have rewarded us for our good deeds.  Help us to realize that you are taking notes and that every good we do is tallied up and will be presented to us on judgement day.  Guide us through our journey in life so that we may continue to do good deeds, not for worldly gain but for spiritual gain and a spot in the heavenly kingdom.  In Jesus Name, Amen