Today my car was (over)due for some routine maintenance.
To be precise, my odometer read 97,000 miles and some change, and it was in for its 90,000 mile check-up.
Oops. Life just got busy.
Anyway, I knew I was going to be spending a nice little chunk of change for that, and although I didn't want to, I was appreciating that my car is solid, gives me no trouble, and so on.
You know, exercising gratitude.
And then I got the call where they've discovered that the front brake pads need replacing pronto, and that the serpentine belt, while not super-urgent, will need to be replaced at my next servicing.
(I can't wait.)
All the sudden, my nice little chunk of change had grown to a slightly larger chunk of change, and let's just be honest, I'm having to dig deep for some thankfulness.
Gotta just be thankful that my brakes are functioning like they should; that I can afford routine maintenance in hopes of avoiding unexpected repairs; that I can drive myself to the football game of the week this weekend with a renewed peace of mind.
Darn you, Thankful Thursdays. You challenge me so.
Your turn. Be challenged, and be grateful!
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
good grief
My gals and I are closing in on the end of the Old Testament. Can. Not. Believe it.
I thought Leviticus would kill us, but as it turns out, the major prophets have been really hard for me!
I've been happy to meet the minor prophets. Happy to move away from the "Israel, you continue to disappoint Me" theme, and eagerly toward the "but don't worry, I'm keeping my promise to restore you" theme.
Glory to God.
In particular, Ezra has been such a sweet character study for me. Here's why:
the set-up
After seventy years of captivity in Babylon, a remnant of Israelites is released by King Cyrus to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple.
Despite all sorts of opposition, they persist and complete its reconstruction. A long-awaited celebration ensues!
ezra's mission
Sixty years later, Ezra is sent to Jerusalem, and commissioned to evaluate the people's spiritual state; to appoint godly leadership; and to establish a judicial system to punish the disobedient.
In short, he is working to ensure that God's people are living in alignment with His law.
the sober welcome
When he arrives in Jerusalem, Ezra is greeted with some heartbreaking news:
The people of Israel, including their leaders, had married Canaanite wives, a direct sin against God's command (Deuteronomy 7:1-6).
Go ahead. Shake your head in disbelief. I did, too.
ezra's grief & confession
Upon hearing this, Ezra is painfully grieved. He tears his garments, plucks out his hair and beard (this is serious, folks!), and literally collapses to the ground in devastation.
"At the evening offering, I got up from my humiliation, with my tunic and robe torn. Then I fell on my knees and spread out my hands to the LORD my God. And I said: My God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift my face toward You, my God, because our iniquities are higher than our heads and our guilt is as high as the heavens." (Ezra 9:5-6)
the conviction
I just love this story, and I just hate this story.
I love Ezra's heart.
I hate Israel's tragic cycle of sin.
But if I'm honest, can I say that I'd have the same reaction as Ezra?
Would I weep over, and feel ashamed of, these people's (or my) sin? Doubt it.
Would I have been faithful to pray on their behalf? Not so likely.
Would I have grieved so deeply for this break in fellowship? Probably not.
the challenge
The Bible gives us beautiful examples of people who are deeply grieved by their own sin, or the sins of God's people: David, the Apostle Paul, Daniel, Isaiah, and now Ezra.
What's the deal with all the grief? Why should we feel it so? Why are we called to it?
When we are growing in Christ, our hearts should be broken in response to sin, because sin is dishonoring to Him, and because it brings about a nasty separation from a holy God.
And then the kicker: if we are truly being molded into the likeness of Christ, our hearts should be responding as His would, and we know that He is grieved over our hardened hearts (Mark 3:5).
And one more for good measure: would we ever really know forgiveness and restoration without knowing brokenness and heartache?
the cry
Holy and Gracious Lord, give me a heart like yours that weeps for the lost; that breaks at the mere thought of separation from you; that shares in Your good and godly grief, so that I might know and understand your forgiveness and faithfulness more fully.
I thought Leviticus would kill us, but as it turns out, the major prophets have been really hard for me!
I've been happy to meet the minor prophets. Happy to move away from the "Israel, you continue to disappoint Me" theme, and eagerly toward the "but don't worry, I'm keeping my promise to restore you" theme.
Glory to God.
In particular, Ezra has been such a sweet character study for me. Here's why:
the set-up
After seventy years of captivity in Babylon, a remnant of Israelites is released by King Cyrus to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple.
Despite all sorts of opposition, they persist and complete its reconstruction. A long-awaited celebration ensues!
ezra's mission
Sixty years later, Ezra is sent to Jerusalem, and commissioned to evaluate the people's spiritual state; to appoint godly leadership; and to establish a judicial system to punish the disobedient.
In short, he is working to ensure that God's people are living in alignment with His law.
the sober welcome
When he arrives in Jerusalem, Ezra is greeted with some heartbreaking news:
The people of Israel, including their leaders, had married Canaanite wives, a direct sin against God's command (Deuteronomy 7:1-6).
Go ahead. Shake your head in disbelief. I did, too.
ezra's grief & confession
Upon hearing this, Ezra is painfully grieved. He tears his garments, plucks out his hair and beard (this is serious, folks!), and literally collapses to the ground in devastation.
"At the evening offering, I got up from my humiliation, with my tunic and robe torn. Then I fell on my knees and spread out my hands to the LORD my God. And I said: My God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift my face toward You, my God, because our iniquities are higher than our heads and our guilt is as high as the heavens." (Ezra 9:5-6)
the conviction
I just love this story, and I just hate this story.
I love Ezra's heart.
I hate Israel's tragic cycle of sin.
But if I'm honest, can I say that I'd have the same reaction as Ezra?
Would I weep over, and feel ashamed of, these people's (or my) sin? Doubt it.
Would I have been faithful to pray on their behalf? Not so likely.
Would I have grieved so deeply for this break in fellowship? Probably not.
the challenge
The Bible gives us beautiful examples of people who are deeply grieved by their own sin, or the sins of God's people: David, the Apostle Paul, Daniel, Isaiah, and now Ezra.
What's the deal with all the grief? Why should we feel it so? Why are we called to it?
When we are growing in Christ, our hearts should be broken in response to sin, because sin is dishonoring to Him, and because it brings about a nasty separation from a holy God.
And then the kicker: if we are truly being molded into the likeness of Christ, our hearts should be responding as His would, and we know that He is grieved over our hardened hearts (Mark 3:5).
And one more for good measure: would we ever really know forgiveness and restoration without knowing brokenness and heartache?
the cry
Holy and Gracious Lord, give me a heart like yours that weeps for the lost; that breaks at the mere thought of separation from you; that shares in Your good and godly grief, so that I might know and understand your forgiveness and faithfulness more fully.
Monday, September 26, 2011
protein-crazy enchiladas
Who knew I'd be finding such fun recipes during my busiest season?
This one is super easy, quite tasty, and it packs a lot of protein punch.
And, because I thought "Chicken and Black Bean Enchiladas" was way too boring, I present to you ...
Protein-Crazy Enchiladas
EVOO
1 small onion, diced
2-3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 lb. chicken tenders, cut into bite-size pieces
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 small can of green chiles
1/3-1/2 c. of your favorite salsa
4 flour tortillas (I used wheat ones, but any will do)
Monterrey jack and cheddar cheeses, shredded
But either way, the leftovers made for a tasty lunch today!
This one is super easy, quite tasty, and it packs a lot of protein punch.
And, because I thought "Chicken and Black Bean Enchiladas" was way too boring, I present to you ...
Protein-Crazy Enchiladas
EVOO
1 small onion, diced
2-3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 lb. chicken tenders, cut into bite-size pieces
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 small can of green chiles
1/3-1/2 c. of your favorite salsa
4 flour tortillas (I used wheat ones, but any will do)
Monterrey jack and cheddar cheeses, shredded
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- On medium-high heat, saute onion and garlic in a couple tablespoons of EVOO, about 2 minutes.
- Add chicken and saute about 5-6 minutes. (It's okay if the chicken isn't all the way done ... you have more cooking to do!)
- Add black beans, green chiles, and salsa. Reduce heat and simmer until the sauce is slightly thickened. (I used taco sauce here, because that's just what I had on hand, but I'm sure any fun salsa will be tasty and add personality.)
- Divide the chicken mixture among your tortillas, roll them up, and place them seam-side down in a shallow baking dish, coated with cooking spray. (I should note here that if I'd had more room in my dish, I'd have rolled up a fifth one, because the filling was plentiful. Your tortillas might be big enough, though, so just roll with it. No pun intended.)
- Top with cheese (you know me, the more the better), and bake for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese is nice and bubbly.
But either way, the leftovers made for a tasty lunch today!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
