Go To’s

Photo by Martin Lang on Pexels.com

How watermelon juice got baked under a burner of my stove top I’ll never know. I removed it and the dirty drip pan and placed the pan in the sink to soak. I searched in the cabinet for my go-to product for such messes—S.O.S. Steel Wool Pads©. Maybe they are old-fashioned and rarely used these days due to non-stick pans, yet I keep a box on hand just in case. Soon the stove looked shiny clean again.

We all have our go-to’s. Things we refer to and depend on. My planner, iPhone, and travel water bottle are just a few examples. Though easy to take for granted, what would I do without them?

That’s true for the emotional, social, and spiritual areas of life as well. Where do we tend to turn when troubles come, or decisions seem hard to make? There is nothing like a trusted friend you can call (or more often text) in an emergency. One problem though—people are busy and don’t always check their messages or voice mail.

When the go-to’s we hoped to hear from aren’t available, and our heart is hurting or mind is racing, look to the one who will never fail to listen. The Lord is available 24-7, and He answers prayers, comforts, and advises. Psalm 56:3 says, “When I am afraid, I will trust in you.” Depend on God—He will never forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

Contrasts

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Yesterday, my friend on the first floor called to tell me she could see a
rainbow from her window. I ran down the hall to our sixth-floor balcony and saw
it for myself. I hurried and told my husband, Steve, to come right down and on
the way back to the balcony knocked on my neighbors’ doors to tell them, too. We
stood there awestruck by the stunning view (see photo above). Meanwhile, forty-five
minutes south of us where many of our friends and family live, a terrible thunderstorm
raged. I learned later that night of downed trees and flooded roads. I was taken
by complete surprise, since all we experienced were rumbles of thunder and a radiant
rainbow.

That’s how life is, isn’t it? We don’t know what’s happening everywhere, but
only where we are. Good and bad happen simultaneously, from one place on this
planet to another. Even thirty miles away, people might be facing trauma as we
stand in awe viewing God’s colorful creation.

How shall we live with such contrasts? By keeping our eyes and minds and hearts focused on the one thing that never changes—the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the same yesterday, today and forever, Hebrews 13:8. Here are a few ways we might do this:

  • Draw near to the Lord by reading the Bible daily.
  • Pray about what He shows you or about what you don’t understand.
  • Be attentive to the Holy Spirit, seeking direction moment by moment.
  • Pray for chances to share what the Lord is doing or has done in your life.

On this Labor Day weekend, I pray you’ll find rest, refreshment, and perhaps make special memories with family and friends. Most of all, I hope you’ll gather with your brothers and sisters in Christ in church on Sunday to worship and celebrate our wise, wonderful Creator God.



Get Cooking©

Special Offer! Get Cooking by Lynn Lilja

Photo by Julias Torten und Tu00f6rtchen on Pexels.com

There are certain things a cook needs in his or her kitchen. Essential ingredients for busy-day meals. Trusted tools that save time and money. Your list may be different, but here’s a list of five things a kitchen needs. (Get Cooking contains my entire list of 20 Things A Kitchen Needs)

  1. A large saucepan (one handle) with fitted lid without a nonstick surface. Use for mashing potatoes or making a great batch of Calico Chili (recipe below).
  2. A good quality microwave large enough for a four-quart casserole. Some features that save time are the auto-vegetable setting—either fresh or frozen—and the automatic baked potato setting. On a busy afternoon, bake up a few potatoes in the microwave, let them cool slightly, and grate or rough chop for quick hash browns or fried potatoes.
  3. The best knives you can afford. A French knife is the most used knife in my kitchen. I keep a paring knife close at hand as well as a serrated bread knife.
  4. Cookbooks. There’s a saying, “Cooks learn from books.” I did. One I often use is The Joy of Cooking Cookbook. It is more than just a collection of recipes. There are directions for every aspect of cooking.
  5. The most important thing in the kitchen is YOU. Your kitchen may look pretty and be well-stocked, but without you, it’s only a storage room. Please go into the kitchen, open a cookbook, and Get Cooking!

Calico Chili

1 pound chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch chunks, Or 1 pound ground turkey

2 stalks celery, sliced or chopped

1 red bell pepper, chopped 

    1/2 cup chopped onion (I prefer green onions)

    2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced

    1 15-ounce can black beans, undrained

    1 15-ounce can red kidney beans, undrained

    1 15-ounce can chickpeas, drained

    Chili powder to taste (1 teaspoon to 2 tablespoons)

    Salt and pepper to taste

    1/4 cup honey

    Place chicken or turkey in a large saucepan or Dutch oven.  Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon to 2 tablespoons chili powder.  Cook and stir over medium heat until light pink.  Add celery, bell pepper, onion, and garlic.  Cook until meat is fully cooked, and vegetables are crisp tender.  Add black beans, kidney beans, and chickpeas.  Continue to cook on medium heat for 10 to 15 minutes.  Add salt and pepper and additional chili powder to taste.  Stir in honey just before serving.  

    Special Offer!

    Order my book, Get Cooking New LOW Price $5

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    Email Special Offer to agoldilockslife@comcast.net