The Table

One of my favorite places to be is in our dining room at the table with my family.  I love to cook for everyone, but being at the table is more about sharing our lives through the details of our day.  We start out by sharing something good and something bad (to get the ball rolling), but after years of training, our children need little probing.  


Every few weeks, I try to add a family project to the wall so that we can have a particular focus.  A few weeks ago, I posted 1 Thes. 5:18, and we spent a couple of weeks writing things we're thankful for.  Currently, we have 1 Cor. 10:31 posted.  It says, "So whether you eat or drink or... (we have a blank spot where we fill in all that we may be doing) ...whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."  We teach verses like these over dinner then use the activity over the following days.  Below is a picture.

The table has provided great opportunities for speaking the gospel into every day situations with one another.  This has also proven true when other families join us at the table to support us in our time of need or to be supported in their time of need.


There is another reason I love the table.  I love to cook!  I've always loved to cook, but I've spent the last year trying to cook healthier, more natural meals.  Below is a recipe we have enjoyed this winter.  I suppose this exact recipe could be found online, but I created this based on what I like in Tortilla Soup (so I'm taking credit for it).


Chicken Tortilla Soup


Roast 4 chicken breasts with skin and bone, drizzle with olive oil.  Sprinkle with salt, pepper and cumin.  Squeeze juice of one lime and roast lime as well.  Roast for one hour at 400 degrees.  Cool.  Shred.  Keep the lime.


In a pot, saute, a small diced onion in 2 T of olive oil for 4 minutes.  Add 2 cloves of garlic for 1 min.
Add:
2 boxes organic chicken broth (32 oz each)
1 can diced tomatoes with juice
1 can black beans (drained)
1 can corn (drained)
2 cans diced green chilis with juice
2 T cumin
1 t salt (more if needed)
1/2 t pepper (more if needed)
Brown Rice (I add the 1/2 cup already cooked rice)
Bring to a boil.  Drop to simmer.
Add chicken.
Squeeze in pulp of lime.  I think this is essential.


Topping:
Fresh avocado
Shredded Natural Monterey Jack Cheese
Sour cream
Tortilla Strips

Isaiah 41:10

My favorite verse is .......


               Do not fear for I am with you
               do not be dismayed for I am your
               God I will strengthen you I will 
               help you and I will uphold you
               with my righteous right hand.
     
                    Isaiah 41:10


I like it because it is telling me not to fear because he is good.
It also says he will help us and he does.I also like it because at night 
when I am scared he helps me through the night. I say this verse 
when I am scared and then I pray. One time at VBS [vacation bible 
school] we were talking, and someone said that they liked the verse 
too, and so I thought it it was cool that they used my favorite verse
the same way I do.I really hope that I will always remember that. Since
then I have been thinking. I think that more people should find their 
favorite verse and put it to good use. 


By Sarah 

Struggling with Fear

Fear is a relatively new struggle of mine.  It started less than two years ago on a flight to Montrose, CO on a trip to Telluride.  I've never been crazy about flying, but getting on a 13 row plane made me very unhappy.  Then, came the turbulence.  We were in the wake of a jet for about 20 minutes.  My drink flew up out of my cup, people were losing their lunches, and the attendant was bracing herself until she finally had to buckle.  Death was imminent, but I was still preparing my husband for a 17 hour car ride home.

Since that flight in April of 2009, God has been renewing my mind as it relates to fear.  Before then, I was very critical of people who feared because I found it irrational.  Worry and fear are not only a waste of time but sinful.  I still hold these beliefs, but I have greater compassion for people with these struggles.

In the darkest hour of this fear, I was avoiding God.  I knew He wanted to hurt me or take something from me, so I ignored Him.  I would spend hours or days not talking to Him or reading His word.  Usually God hurting me means that He will take one of my children.  It makes me angry to think He has that kind of control so I ignore Him.  It's all so very bizarre because I love His power and hate it at the same time.  I love and hate fearing Him.

Also, in the midst of this darkness, I was able to see Tim Keller speak.  He said we lack peace because our lives are out of order.  We love things more than we love God.  There it is.  I fear losing my children because I love them more than God.  I fear dying because I love my life more than I love God.  So, my goal has been to love God more.  There is no formula.  There is no time frame.  Just love for God.  That is the solution for fear.

I still struggle with fear on some level daily. I talk to God about my fears instead of ignoring Him.  I love my kids well because there are no guarantees.  I try to love God, then people.  And, I plan trips that can be taken in a car.  Baby steps.