HOLY COW! I am entered into the Favorite Chef contest & The voting is today! Will you please vote for me?
Friends! I have a HUGE request for TODAY!! I was recently accepted to compete in the International “Favorite Chef” Contest sponsored by Bon Appétit Magazine. The winner gets to appear in the magazine (OMG!!) and ALSO wins $20,000.00!
(GASP! SWOON!)MY FATE depends ENTIRELY on the willingness of my friends to VOTE for me (often) and to SHARE the link to vote (It’s completely based on online votes). I am going to be counting on you! The voting begins TODAY, February 16th!
Can I count on you to help me? Pretty please?
Here is the link! AFTER you vote, please forward this letter to anyone you think might vote and share with their friends!
VOTING STARTS TODAY (the 16th) AT 10:00 PST and 1:00 EST!
I made this one night on a whim and it’s become one of our favorite side dishes. It freezes well and is great left-over too!
Start by chopping all of your vegetables. I didn’t photograph all of them, assuming everyone knows what chopped onions and mushrooms look like as well as shredded carrots. The truth of why this photo is posted? I think this is a pretty picture.
I used two things in this recipe that you might not have readily on hand. The first is a basic thing you can get at the store: Arrowroot. This is thickening agent that I am told is paleo. You can also use corn starch or even a handful of panko bread crumbs. The second is from Trader Joe’s (and you can totally leave it out if you can’t get it). It’s Trader Joe’s “21 Seasoning Salute”. I really like it because it adds a little more depth of flavor with just a hint of spice. If you can’t find this, just use a Tbsp of Italian seasoning and some dried thyme.
Then you start with sauteing your onions and carrots. I let them go a little and then add in my chives and salt and pepper. I would also add the mushrooms once these are starting to get soft. I didn’t have mushrooms when I made this last night, so you won’t see them pictured.
I was using frozen spinach last night so I added it here. USUALLY I make this with fresh spinach. which I think is more fun. IF you use the fresh spinach, wait until the end to add it. Seasoned collard greens are delicious in this too.
After your veggies are just turning soft, it’s time to add the squash. I wait until later to add the squash because it softens up pretty quickly and you don’t want to over cook it and have a squishy gratin. That’s never cool.
Put the squash in and do your best to incorporate it. Season it again with more pepper and your dry seasonings. I usually will cover the pan at this point and allow the squash to steam a bit.
Then add the cream. Stir and let cook for about five minutes to heat through. Sprinkle on the arrowroot and stir until it dissolves.
Once it’s simmering (takes about 5 minutes), remove from the heat and stir in your cheese. We like it really cheesy so I always add more than the recipe calls for but you do YOU.
Here is what it looks like with the cheese stirred in and transferred to a baking dish.
Then all this is left to do is top it with fried onions. We love spice, so we usually do a combination of fried onions and fried jalapeños. Then sprinkle a little cheese in with them (optional).
This next photo is how we usually make it-completely covered with yummy goodness.
Ingredients:
1 large onion, chopped
1 medium zucchini, sliced diagonally 1/4 inch thick
2 medium yellow squash, sliced diagonally 1/4 inch thick
3-4 mushrooms sliced (button or cremini work well)
3 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for coating dish
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
1-2 cups cream
2 tablespoons Arrowroot
2-3 Tablespoons Trader Joe’s 21 Seasoning Salute
2 Tablespoons fresh thyme
2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan or Pecorino/Romano
1/2 cup grated cheese (Use your favorite. I like Gouda or Gruyere)3 cups fresh spinach
1 medium clove garlic, minced
2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
2 cups prepared fried onions & jalapeños if you like (French’s or whatever brand you like)
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees
This dish can be made and baked in a cast iron skillet or you can sauté the veggies, add the cream and cheeses and then transfer it to a casserole dish for baking.
Over medium heat, sauté onions in the olive oil until almost translucent. Add the garlic and stir, then add in the squash, zucchini and sliced mushrooms. Season liberally with salt, pepper, thyme and Trader Joe’s 21 Seasoning Salute. Cover the dish for about 4 minutes. Stir well, then stir in the fresh spinach.
When the spinach has wilted a bit, add the cream bringing it up to a simmer. (About 5 minutes) Stir in the arrowroot. Remove from heat.
Stir in the cheese, reserving 1-2 Tablespoons for the top.
Transfer to a casserole dish (optional), top with fried onions, remaining cheese and fried jalapeños (optional).
Bake 20-25 minutes until the top is crispy, brown and bubbly.
Sometimes I think we’d all be better off without social media. (In fact, I know we would, but I also know there are many positives that come along with it when it’s used correctly, so I’m not going to go there today.)
I really hate bloggers who try to come across as if they can make sense of the nonsensical. This isn’t me trying to do that, because I absolutely know there is no sense to be made out of the current state of the world. Every place I look I see people broadcasting their opinions of our Government and our people and the people in charge. I see Trump haters, I see Democrat haters, I see people condemning racism, I see people condemning rioting and looting, I see Black Lives Matter, I see All Lives matter, I see people shouting to defund the police, I see people posting photos of abused animals, I see people fighting oppression, I see people correcting the spelling and grammar of strangers and friends, I see people making fun of all of the above. It doesn’t end. I could fill this entire blog with “I see’s”.
We don’t walk down the street and shout in the faces of the strangers we pass, “Impeach Trump Now!”; “Stop Abusing Animals!” (Oh wait. Seems like we are doing that now.) Why do we do what we do on social media? Just stop.
One of the anomalies I’m finding lately is that people who absolutely never like or comment on a single thing I post, feel it’s perfectly fine to come through and leave lengthy comments educating me on why I am wrong in my opinion. For those who need a reminder of the definition of the word “opinion”, I am leaving it below.
o·pin·ion/əˈpinyən/noun
a view or judgment formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge.
I find it both hilarious and offensive that people who have known me for my entire life-the very ones who have at times berated me because I am “too nice” and “too giving” now border on calling me a “racist”, and worse in my opinion (there’s that word again) they imply I need to be educated about racism.
I pretty much spend every part of my life in the service of others. This is a choice I’ve made for myself because of the one reason that I’ve published numerous times before: God sees. If I come across something on social media that isn’t what I believe or think is true, I read it and move along knowing that differences of opinion are totally fine. I don’t dislike a person because he/she doesn’t believe the same as I do and I definitely do not berate or look down on anyone who is different than me either. That’s called respect and it makes me sad that we seem to be losing that in our society.
You know what else is sad? I started this blog in JANUARY. I felt this way PRIOR to what is currently taking place in our world. How much worse is everything right this moment compared to the olden days of January, 2020?
It’s enough already. It’s time for ALL of us to STOP and remember that we belong to one another. We are all spirits living a human existence the best way we know how. We need to join hands and help one another and stop all of this nonsensical posturing.
If you believe in something, by all means shout it from the rooftops. I will open my eyes and and ears to see and hear you and I won’t be berating you or unfriending you if I don’t agree with what you say. Let’s all afford one another the right to their opinions.
Also remember that how you treat others speaks volumes about who YOU are not vice versa.
Today’s Prayer:
Dearest Lord,
There are relationships in every community and family in the world in need of your healing. There are relationships in my own life that I have no idea what to do to heal.
You do.
A long time ago I used to pray this simple prayer, “Dearest Lord. I can’t. You can. Please do.” This is the only prayer that comes to my heart lately. I remain open to your healing and to your direction on what to do next.
Until then, I will continue in your service, trying desperately to hold on to hope. My faith will never waver.
I have had all I can stand of naysayers and fear mongerers. (Yes I know that’s not a word.) GOD and goodness always prevail.
And He said to them, “Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it shall move; and nothing shall be impossible to you. -Matthew 17:20
Once upon a time I felt so alone and unable to trust even one human being that I spent nearly a year of my life quiet inside. Feeling I couldn’t tell another living soul what was happening with me; I drifted forward -some of those days uncertain I could last even one more day on this earth.
One day, on the way home from work I felt compelled drive across town, completely out of my way to stop at was once my favorite church in the city. I followed my intuition. Soon enough I was kneeling in a beautiful grotto reduced to tears, unable to pray, unsure of just about anything. All I could muster was, “Please help me.” Minutes later a warm hug came into my heart that said, “Do not be afraid. I am with you. Pray. Pray. Pray.”
I went home and began to do exactly that and my life changed in miraculous ways. Almost forty years later, I am here to tell you that prayer is still one of the most, if not The most powerful tools we each possess.
By definition, the word, “pray” means: 1: to make a request in a humble manner; 2: to address God or a god with adoration, confession, supplication, or thanksgiving. For me, it has always meant constant conversation where I listen and pay attention as much as, if not more, than I speak.
When I first started writing this blog (it has been sitting here for weeks unfinished), I was upset by the number of people saying that we will never be the same again after this pandemic; that we would never recover. I was mortified hearing people say that we could never sing in church again and that we might never be able to have large gatherings. The worst I heard was that Grandparents may never see their families in person again because of the risk. I am always against broad generalizations, but these…they stuck in my heart BIG because I know how powerful God is.
This was of course, before George Floyd was murdered. (Yes, I know there are others and I know their names.)
I hate it when monumental things happen and ordinary people like me decide to weigh in and explain what is happening and what we should be doing. The truth is, the only legitimate answer I continually come to for myself is prayer.
Spare me your lists of things I ought be doing. Truth be told, I was already doing them eons before any of this stuff happened. It doesn’t take a lot of effort to look for the beauty and the good in people, because it’s present in all of us. It doesn’t take a lot to stand with those who need inclusivity, assistance, justice, acceptance, equality, a voice and/or especially love -because it’s what is expected of ALL of us.
It is still true that hearts and voices joined together, lifted to the heavens land squarely in the lap of the Almighty. God hears us and He STILL answers prayers. I will continue to use my knees as I always have and while I’m at it, I’ll be praying that your prayers are joined with mine.
PS-You’re missing out if you don’t click through and listen to this beautiful song!
When We Pray by: Tauren Wells
Lyrics:
People hurting, people broken Beaten down and feeling hopeless Wonder if it’s gonna always be this way Who will speak up for the captive Show some love and heal a past that Binds the wounds we think will never go away But what if we could be a people on our knees As one before the King ‘Cause we believe All the world starts changing When the church starts praying Strongholds start to break Oh, when we pray Prison walls start shaking At the sound of praising Nothing stays the same Oh, when we pray Oh, when we pray, oh I see revival rising I see hope on the horizon As a generation stepping out in faith Because we will be a people on our knees As one before the King ‘Cause we believe All the world starts changing When the church starts praying Strongholds start to break Oh, when we pray Prison walls start shaking At the sound of praising Nothing stays the same Oh, when we pray Oh, when we pray, oh Let Your kingdom come, Lord Let Your will be done
In Jesus’s name (when we pray) In Jesus’s name (when we pray)
From The Angels:
You are part of an awesome and powerful team of benevolent beings. They surround, guide, and love you constantly. If you are in danger, they will intervene with warnings or lifesaving measures. If you are afraid, they will comfort you with the energy of Divine love. If you are confused, they will whisper guidance in your ear.
Your angels and guides ask you to talk to them more frequently. Have mental conversations with them about everything, and you will soon see evidence of their existence. Soon, the angels will enlist you to help other people. If you ever feel doubtful about your ability to help others, ask the angels to help you release these fears.
God, the angels and the ascended masters who love, protect and guide you are watching over you right now. YOU ARE NOT ALONE and YOU ARE SAFE!
All of your prayers are always answered. Sometimes you may not feel this way, because the answer comes in unexpected ways. Perhaps you receive an intuitive feeling or a new opportunity appears–or a book falls off the shelf. The angels answer our prayers very often by giving us ideas or information in these everyday ways.
The angels request that you be extra observant at this time. Notice everything that you hear, say, think, and feel. Be especially alert to help that comes to you, and be sure to accept that help. You do deserve this assistance and many times God enlists people to act as Earth angels who bring you answers to your prayers.
Fear not, beloved one. Your prayers have been heard and answered.
Jesus looked straight at them and answered, “This is impossible for human beings, but for God everything is possible.”
Matthew 19:26 GNB
Today’s Prayer:
Dear Lord,
It feels gloomy outside today, even though the sun is shining and it’s trying to enter my soul. Please help me to defeat it. When I was down and scared and I reached for your hand, it was there. I know it’s there right now because I believe even though I cannot see.
Please send the light of your love into every person’s heart. Enlighten us and enable us to see one another through the eyes you intended us to use all along–the eyes of love, compassion and understanding. Help us to recognize that we belong to one another and that it’s up to each of us to take care of one another.
Help us to listen to and finally hear one another and let us do so with the intent of finding our similarities instead of our differences. Reform the hearts that need it; open the hearts that need it; heal the hearts that need it.
Help us all to shine in the light of your unending and all encompassing love and forgiveness.
If you can’t have comfort food during the Apocalypse, when can you have it?
Do I really need to write something descriptive about chicken breasts stuffed with ooey gooey cheese and yummy jalapeño? Let’s talk instead about how long it took me to figure out how to get that little squiggley accent mark (it’s called a tilde, by the way) over the “n” in jalapeño. Good grief, and I have a degree in Spanish?
Anyway, this recipe was born out of a deep need for something yummy and different for dinner. Although this recipe is far from “different”, it’s not in our usual repertorio, so I am allowed to act like it’s brand new. It’s also great for people who are limiting carbs. I paired it with spaghetti squash mixed with peppers and onions and served it with a side of avocado (aguacate is one of my favorite Spanish words. Ask my husband.) and sour cream.
The instructions for this are very simple so I didn’t take photos of the process. Here is what ours looked like before it went into the oven. They remind me of little mummies:
I did these in a square baking dish but hind site tells me they would have done better on a rack over a sheet pan. Next time, grasshoppah…..next time.
At the last minute I decided to drizzle maple syrup over the bacon to add a little bit more flavor.
After they come out of the oven, let them rest before slicing, otherwise you will have cheese oozing out all over.
Hungry yet? (¿Tienes hambre todavia?)
I intentionally bought more jalapeño’s than I needed and I doubled my stuffing mixture so I could make some actual jalapeño poppers at the same time. When they were all made, I put them on a sheet pan and froze them over night. This morning I took them out and put them in a freezer bag so we’ll have them when we want them later.
Adios Amigos!
Jalapeño Popper Stuffed Chicken for Two
Ingredients:
Two large chicken breasts
Stuffing mixture:
4 oz. softened cream cheese
¼ cup sour cream (optional)
2 large jalapeno’s, diced
¾ cup grated Cheddar Cheese
¼ cup chopped cilantro (fresh)
1 garlic clove, grated
S & P to taste
2 Tbsp. taco seasoning (Use what you like)
1 lb. bacon (Use what you like although thin slices work best)
Maple Syrup (Optional)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees
Rinse and the chicken breasts dry. Cut a deep slit in each one to make a pocket for the cheese mixture. Salt and pepper the inside and outside of each breast. Set aside.
In a bowl, combine all of the stuffing mixture ingredients. I usually microwave the completed mixture and stir well to combine. If it’s too runny, put it in the refrigerator before trying to stuff the chicken with it. You want it to be pliable but not loose.
Stuff the breasts liberally with the cheese mixture but do not over-stuff. You want to be able to close them.
Wrap each breast tightly with as many strips of bacon needed to cover. (It’s bacon! Use a LOT!)
Brush maple syrup over all over the bacon. (You’re welcome in advance.)
For best results place the breasts on a greased rack over a sheet pan. IF you don’t have this, use a baking dish.
Bake for 30 minutes, then flip and bake 15 minutes more. If you are using a baking dish, you may want to use a turkey baster to suck out excess juices.
Finally, if you want the bacon to be very crispy, flip the chicken back over and broil it on high for 2-3 minutes. WATCH CAREFULLY so it doesn’t burn.
In case you didn’t get the memo, you are supposed to be eating delicious comfort food during the pandemic. Here is an easy recipe that’s relatively inexpensive, too.
Warning: This recipe isn’t keto friendly; this recipe isn’t low-carb; this recipe isn’t low fat; this recipe isn’t loaded with vegetables and it doesn’t pack a huge nutritional punch. Haven’t you heard? We are in the middle of a pandemic and the best food to eat in a pandemic is COMFORT FOOD!
This dish is so simple to make I put it together from start to finish in less than thirty minutes. If you have children, I am certain they will love this. What’s not to love?
Since I am pretty certain most of you know how to chop veggies, brown ground beef and mix things in a bowl, I am sparing you photos of all of that. Instead, here is what your layers will look like.
Bottom layer:
Middle layer:
Next layer:
Top it with the Cheese:
Here it is out of the oven garnished with basil:
Now IF you really wanted to, you could add some extra veggies to the meat mixture. Spinach and mushrooms would be great in there–even frozen peas. Use your imagination.
We served ours up with a drizzle of Sriracha and some more fresh herbs. I think a healthy dollop of sour cream (and even a little salsa) would be delightful as well.
Kicked up Beef Noodle Casserole (ala: Bahbah)
(Serves 8-10)
Ingredients:
8 oz. package egg noodles
2 Tbsp. Olive oil
1 ½ Lb. ground beef (can substitute ground chicken, turkey or pork)
1 large green pepper, diced
1 large onion, diced
(1) 15 oz. can tomato sauce
(1) 15 oz. can diced tomatoes, drained
3 cloves garlic, minced (more if you are a garlic freak like me)
2-3 Tbsp. Italian seasoning
2-3 Tbsp. Fresh basil, chopped
2 Tbsp. fresh chives, chopped
S & P to taste
8 oz. package cream cheese, softened
1 cup cottage cheese
1 cup sour cream
2 Cups Mozzarella, grated (don’t be lazy, do it yourself)
1-2 Cups sharp cheddar, grated (see above)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees
Over medium heat, brown the ground beef in skillet with 2 Tbsp. Olive oil. Season with salt and pepper, 1 Tbsp. Italian Seasoning and garlic.
Meanwhile, boil the pasta according to package directions.
In a bowl, mix together soften cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, 1 cup of Mozzarella cheese, 2 Tbsp. fresh chives, salt & pepper and a pinch of Italian seasoning.
When the meat has browned, add in the onions and peppers and cook about five minutes until softened. Then mix in the drained diced tomatoes and tomato sauce. Add another Tbsp. of Italian seasoning and a few pinches of salt and pepper. Simmer 2-3 minutes.
Remove meat mixture from heat and add in the drained pasta and 2 Tbsp. fresh basil. Stir well to incorporate.
Grease a 9 x 13” baking dish, add half of the meat and noodle mixture to the bottom as the first layer. Spread the cheese evenly over the layer, then add the rest of the meat and noodles over it.
Top with the remaining Mozzarella and Cheddar cheeses.
Bake 20-25 minutes until brown and bubbly. Garnish with the remaining fresh Basil.
Let cool at least 15 minutes before serving. (Tastes GREAT the second day and it freezes well too!)
Lately it seems that my signs are coming by way of songs. Often I get so busy with the tasks of each day and the responsibilities of my many jobs, that I feel pressed to find my inspiration. So often lately, the minute this comes to my mind, a sign appears.
Yet another time God places exactly what I need right in my path. So beautiful!
While the entire country has been quieted and people all over are staying healthy at home, it seems like my professional and personal life has ramped up to be busier than ever before. There aren’t enough hours in my days lately. I am beyond grateful for this, but often it makes this little blog of mine have to take a back seat.
As so often happens, when I am looking for the words I want to say, God places them right in front of me in the most beautiful ways. This morning, it’s a song. Please consider this my love note to you today and always. AND if you need to send a love note to someone, by all means share this.
God Bless you!
Love, Bobbe
From the Angels:
The angels know that you’re busy, with many Earthly demands on your time. They want to help you with your responsibilities through the process of balance. Whenever our schedules become disproportionate, our energy drops. Lowered energy creates the illusion that there isn’t enough time in the day, so a vicious cycle of time limitation ensues.
Your angels ask you to add regular doses of meditation, exercise, and play to your days. They know that balancing your life between, work, play, spirituality, exercise, and relationships helps you to grow and feel joy. If you feel overwhelmed by your responsibilities, don’t hesitate to ask God and your angels to lift your burden.
The angels guide you to immerse yourself in beautiful music. Music lifts your spirit above earthbound concerns and elevates your thoughts to Divine Love.
You have angels with you who want to help you through the healing properties of music. They ask you to add more music into your life. They guide you to play soft background music while you dress, work, and play. They also ask you to whistles and sing more often.
You may have your very own musical gifts. Have you felt guided lately to comprise a song, participate in a musical play, join a singing groups or band, or play an instrument? These inner nudges may be coming from your angels, who can see your God-given gifts. They know that your musical talents will help others. So, they ask you to be an Earth angel by expressing your gifts of song and melody.
Spending time alone in nature is important for you. Even five minutes in a garden is healing for you right now.
Interact with nature more often, every day if possible. Your angels and the nature angels are helping you discover and give your gifts to the world. Help them to help you by spending more time in nature.
You are extra sensitive to energies and emotions right now. Honor yourself and your feelings.
Sensitivity is a beautiful and powerful gift, and there’s no such things as being “too sensitive”. Your sensitivity helps you know the truth about situations and people, and it’s important for you to trust and follow these hunches, intuitions, and impressions. Spend some time alone in nature to further develop your sensitivity. Avoid harsh situations and chemicals. Ask heaven for help in choosing life-affirming foods, beverages, companions and activities. Know that its safe for you to feel deep emotions, as they’re a part of your sensitivity. Visualize yourself sealed in beautiful bluish-white light. This light dissolves lower energies, transmuting them into love.
Today’s Prayer:
Oh my Jesus,
It is true that in this world we DO have trouble and lots of it. It’s very easy to see only the darkness. It is very easy to fall into despair. We are separated from one another; isolated from our friends and loved ones; worried about staying well; afraid for those who aren’t. I could continue but you know exactly what’s in my heart.
Today I want to ask you to keep reminding us that you HAVE overcome the world and this pandemic will be healed by your capable hands.
The other night I laid my head upon your knee and as you stroked my forehead you told me that “all will be as it should” and I believe.
Lord Jesus, help us all to be your instruments. Though it may seem as though our hands are tied, may we be reminded that it’s an illusion. There are always things to be done in order to show our love for one another.
Thank you for protecting our loved ones and for your unending presence in our lives.
We love you and we pray in your name.
Amen
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
So much stuff is circulating the Internet these days. Here is something that I love along with a little message from the angels and of course, today’s prayer.
I am sorry I have been absent for a few days. My husband and I were working on catering a lot of Easter meals for LOTS of people! After a day or two of rest, I will get back to regular posts.
Love to all. Happy Easter.
Bobbe
I saw this on Facebook yesterday. It’s perfect:
Me: Okay, God, here’s the thing. I’m scared. I’m trying not to be, but I am.
God: I know. Want to talk about it?
Me: Do we need to? I mean, you already know.
God: Let’s talk about it anyway… We’ve done this before.
Me: I know, I just feel like I should be bigger or stronger of something by now.
God: *waiting patiently, unhurried, undistracted, never annoyed.
Me: Okay. So, I’m afraid I’ll do everything I can to protect my family and it won’t be enough. I’m afraid of someone I love dying. I’m afraid the world won’t go back to what it was before. I’m afraid my life is always going to feel a little bit unsettled.
God: Anything else?
Me: EVERYTHING ELSE.
God: Remember how your son woke up the other night and came running down the hall to your bedroom?
Me: Yes.
God: You were still awake, so when you heard him running, you started calling out to him before he even got to you… remember? Do you remember what you called out to him?
God: Why did you call to him? Why didn’t you just wait for him to get to your room?
Me: Because I wanted him to know that I was awake, and I heard him, and he didn’t have to be afraid until he reached the end of the dark hallway.
God: Exactly. I hear you, my child. I hear your thoughts racing like feet down the dark hallway. There’s an other side to all of this. I’m there already. I’ve seen the end of it. And I want you to know right here as you walk through it all, you’re okay. I haven’t gone to sleep, and I won’t.
Me: *crying. Can we sit together awhile? Can we just sit here a minute before I go back to facing it all?
God: There’s nothing I’d love more.
(Copied from a post on Facebook)
From the Angels:
Spend some time in quiet reflection today. This is not a time to be seeking messages for yourself, but rather the time is now to reflect on the events that lead to your world’s celebration of Easter.
Think beyond rabbits and eggs and baskets. Think beyond the movies and media coverage of Easter. Think beyond your church’s celebration of Easter, your family parties, and your children’s bonnets. Instead, sit alone and reflect on who the man Jesus was and what his life on earth was. How did he live? What are the lessons he taught and why was he condemned to death? What must he have endured?
Now realize the truth. He knows you personally. He is not some far off, story book entity who once lived on earth. He lives, He loves you and He wants to hear from you.
Today all of heaven is in song. Your devotions and love and celebrations join with our vibrations to honor our Lord. The song of your heart rings loudly regardless of where you are…Let us praise Him for He is risen. Alleluia.
Today’s Prayer:
Dearest Lord,
Though we may not be able to be together to celebrate in the way we are used to, we love you and we praise you and we thank you for sending us your only Son. This is the perfect time for us to bring Him closer and to form a closer relationship with Him.
As always, we thank you for our Blessings , especially those that are not readily apparent to us.
It is said and it is true that it’s the little things in life that carry us through. God doesn’t always speak from the mountain top…
If you have been following along with these blogs lately, you may already realize that when you keep yourself open to signs, symbols and messages from above, they appear in sometimes vast numbers.
Having felt like crap for a couple of days and knowing that I needed to lean into my faith more than usual, Palm Sunday night I was up off and on silently singing the “Our Father” (It’s my go-to thing to do when my brain will not turn off.) In between my pitch perfect renditions (ha ha), I was talking to Jesus; telling Him my troubles, asking His help, and also thanking him for my Blessings. I told Him that I knew tomorrow would be a brighter day and I promised to continue to try to do my little bit of good wherever possible.
The next morning I got in the car and headed off to work. One of the cool parts of my church job is that I get to be the first (and sometimes only) person to receive special donations sent in for special reasons. Monday the first envelope I opened was from someone I hadn’t heard of before. Inside was a sizable check with a hand-written note attached. “Please make sure this is used to help someone in need at this time.” Of course I cried. What a beautiful thing to do. The second envelope I opened was yet another designated donation. This one had instructions that it is to go to help pay for the meals my husband and I are creating for people who are isolated at home. More happy tears.
To be honest when I finished opening the daily mail, I was so giddy with joy I felt like dancing. The spirit of love and charity is alive and very well in the world right at this moment and thank you, Jesus, I get to experience it first hand nearly every day.
That afternoon I got in the car and when I flipped on the radio, the song that was playing was saying these exact words, “It’s gonna be a brighter day.” I couldn’t tell you the artist, the station, or the tune, but I heard those words and my heart smiled. Indeed.
I had been dreading having to stop at the store, but I forced myself to do it anyway. The was no line and very few people. As I pushed my cart along the isle, a house flag stopped me in my tracks. “Enjoy the little things”, it said, and beneath the words were beautiful, happy flowers in vases. I grabbed it and threw it in my cart. I don’t own a flag pole. This is going on my front door.
Later on the way home I passed a sign out in front of a closed restaurant. It said, “This too Shall Pass.” I know the owner put this up because of the pandemic, but I also know God intended me to see it when I did. I don’t have a lot of memories of my Mom teaching me profound things in life but this phrase is one she did teach me early on and it’s one I have used as a mantra forever.
It is true that “This too shall pass”. While we are waiting, let us all be open to the serendipitous signs that are out there serving as tiny cheers from beyond. We will get through this. We are not alone.
From The Angels:
You are going through a time of rapid spiritual growth. Enjoy the process!
During this time, you might feel a mixture of many feelings: confusion, excitement, fear, and wonder. You love your renewed connection with the Divine, and you wish you could read, study, learn, or meditate on a full time basis. Simultaneously, though, you may worry about the implications that your spiritual studies will have on the rest of your life. What impact will your new spiritual pursuits have on your job, marriage, or friendships? These worries create a fear that may erode the enjoyment your spiritual studies bring you.
Surrender these fears to God, dearest one! Trust hat you are supported, loved, and guided each moment. Don’t worry about how your future will blend with your spiritual growth! Trust that the same Power that brought you to your spiritual spiritual path will also take care of everything else for you. After all, this Power supports all of the planets in the sky. It will surely support you perfectly, too.
You are in communication with your angels, and the messages that you are receiving are very real indeed. Trust them.
This message is validation from your angels that you really are hearing them. You have been receiving repetitive messages through your feelings, dreams, visions, inner voice, or knowingness. Are you listening and trusting these messages? Are you following them?
If you get an. Inclination to call someone, o somewhere, or read something,, it’s important to follow this guidance. Your angels ask you to give all your Danube’s or worries. About Divine. Guidance to them. Know that you truly are communication with heaven, and enjoy the conversations!
You have all of the Power of your Creator within you! All the power of Divine love, wisdom, and intelligence is available to you. You have the spiritual power to see angels and the future. You have intellectual power to tap in to the universal wisdom of the One Mind. You have emotional power to empathize with others, and physical power that is truly unlimited.
The angels ask you to give them any fears you may have connected with being a powerful person. Your angels see a quiet and beautiful aspect of your true power, stemming from the only power in the universe: Divine Love. Allow yourself to shine with this radiant love so that your true power can radiate out into the world in miraculous ways.
Today’s Prayer:
Dearest Lord,
Thank you that in the midst of all of this fear and uncertainty, the signs of your love still shine through. Although it’s easy to turn a blind eye and to dwell in feelings of boredom and fear, you help us to look up and to recognize love can and still does shine bright in the world.
Help us all to shine where we are planted -to do our little bits of good wherever we can. Help us to take care of one another, which is what you have always taught us.
Thank you for your love,
Amen.
Lyrics to “A Brighter Day” by Kirk Franklin
When I close my eyes and think of you And reminisce on all the things you do I can't imagine my life without you It's like paradise now I know that it's real (um) It's a mystery for someone to give their life just for me What you did on calvary Makes me wanna love you more
[Chorus] I never knew I could be so happy And I never knew I'd be so secure because of your love Life has brand new meaning It's gonna be a brighter day, brighter day
Never thought that I would smile again I never thought the dark clouds would end Never thought the dark clouds would end Never thought that I could have a friend That would keep me never leave me alone (um) Jesus you're my everything The only one that makes my heart sing (heart sing) Now I know what real love means It's everlasting, lasting.
[Chorus]
Nothing can compare to the joy ya bring an ever lasting love affair Jesus my life will never will be same I found someone who truly cares
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