Today's Menu:
???
I think maybe a breakfast smoothie
Trying to find a vegetarian chili recipe
Detailing
Today I hide in my heart Psalm 94:19 and commend it to you: "When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul."
I went to bed very early last night. I was tired and found myself dozing so decided why fight the feeling. I ended up waking up at 2:20am with random anxious thoughts plaguing me. The last several months have been the first time in my life that I have had difficulty sleeping through the night. I lay in bed for a while listening and then praying, releasing the things that were troubling my mind to the Lord. Then I journalled. There is something about putting my thoughts to paper that allows me to truly release them in a way I cannot with simply verbal prayers. But I am still awake....so I did a Wii Fit Body Test. All I am saying is that there is room for improvement but this fast is really helping me get to where I need to be.
God is really clearing out a lot stuff in me and around me. I mean that both physically, emotionally, and spiritually. There is much in me to release to God: sorrows that have broken my heart, disappointments that almost crushed my hope, wounds inflicted by friends, some "No's" to my prayers, the list continues....This is not a wash, it is a detailing job. A slow, meticulous cleanse.
I have not gotten that release/breakthrough/freeing feeling that comes with fasting and praying through. I haven't reached my "sweet spot" of settling in and riding it out, yet. I have not received any grand revelation or even a word that I recognize as such; just an abiding presence. I feel God near me but still behind the veil. I feel like I am moving through a cave of gauze. I can see my way but the light is filtered, I have not made it into the sunlight yet. And that is ok because I know that the exit to the cave is near. There is a press in my spirit that tells me to keep going. I can't wait to see what the end will be!
Just read Felicia and Tammy's comments on day 6. I completely agree. After I wrote today's blog, I was showering and was thinking about my birthday (the big 40 is coming) and what I wanted. I felt like God was telling me to write it down, ask for it, make my list. In this season I think one of the things I am challenged to do is to dream again...no, BELIEVE again, past the disappointments...probably more on that tomorrow
ReplyDeleteI did my Wii Fit Body Test as well. During the fast, I have committed to not just become spiritually fit but also to get physically better as well. I find myself praying while working out instead of just wishing the clock will hurry up.
ReplyDeleteI am going to try this chili recipe today:
12 oz Morningstar crumbles (vegetable crumbles found in the frozen foods section)
1 large chopped onion
1 chopped bell pepper
15 oz can of Bush’s chili beans
Small can of Bush’s black beans
15 oz can of diced tomatoes
8 oz can of tomato sauce
3 teaspoons of chili powder
chopped jalapeno
Throw it all in, mix it up, and cook it slow until its hot.
I will eat it with brown rice. I'll let you know how it turns out.
That just brought tears to my eyes because that is how I am feeling. Nothing is clear yet but I know I have to keep pressing on. I feel God near me though I havn't heard any great revelation yet...It's just a time of clensing and release. Releasing hurt and anger and pain, but its being done slow and steady and I just have to hold on.
ReplyDeleteHere is a veggie chili recipe someone gave me that I will try this week.
1 tbsp olive oil
2 cups chopped onion
3 garlic cloves, minced
4 cups water, divided
2 tbsp chili powder
2 tbsp worcestershire sauce
2 cans (14.5 oz) diced tomatos, undrained
1 can (15 1/2 oz) chickpeas, rinsed & drained
1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed & drained
1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, rinsed & drained
1 can (16 oz) cannellini or other white beans, rinsed & drained
1 (6oz) can tomato paste
1) heat oil over med heat. add onion, & garlic; saute 3 min or until tender. add 3 cups water & next 8 ingredients, stirring to combine.
2) combine remaining cup of water and tomato paste in a bowl, stirring with a whisk until blended. Stir tomato paste into bean mixture. Bring to boil; reduce heat, and simmer 5 min or until thourghly heated.
makes 8 servings (1/2 cup)
Good day family...I hope all is well with everyone.
ReplyDeleteSo it looks like we are having chili today... I love beans and rice.
I feel out of the loop not having a wii fit. But I do have a scale that tells me my water weight, fat percentage, and body weight. I have not lost any pounds since I been on the fast. I have been fluctuating a pound or two which may be water gain from you know what this week.
I took a nap a little later than usual yesterday and did some housework when I woke up. After I finished the housework, I could not go to sleep. So I decided to go and check out a movie at 11:00 pm. I went to Jersey Garden Mall and decided to see whatever was playing. I don’t watch a lot of television and the last time my TV was on was when I watched the finale of So You Think You Can Dance. So, I didn’t have any idea of what I wanted to see. It just so happened that "Inglorious Bas^$#*’s" were playing. I was not too thrilled by the name but I did not want to wait around so I brought a ticket. Boy was I in for the shock of my life. I almost walked out of the theater when it occurred to me that the movie was about Nazis. I did not know how the story line was going to play out but the first scene had me on the edge of my seat and there were several other times this movie pulled me to the edge and had my mind racing. I am thinking that the fast has heightened my sensitivity. I could hardly contain myself while watching this movie. It seemed like I felt every blow that thrown and felt all the anxieties of the characters on both sides of the story line. This movie was so brutal that I found myself cringing in my seat, covering my eyes, and shaking my head in utter disbelief of what I was seeing on the screen.
Moral of the story: Be mindful of what you bring before you during the fast. Be prayerful about your activities. This short period of time should be focused on seeking the Lord. Even when we get bored or can’t sleep, talk to the Lord about it. Use every opportunity to seek him. You never know when he will show up at your well!
btw @ carin...im going to wholefoods this evening and will pick up the corn thins for you. will bring them to church 2morrow..
ReplyDelete..anybody else need some thing from wholefoods..going once going twice...holla...lol
I am concocting some chili dish as I write. Wish I had read the blog sooner but it tastes pretty good!
ReplyDeletehey everyone...
ReplyDeletei decided to go a different route today. i had some chicken style seitan - a wheat protein that been waiting patiently for its turn to be eaten. :) I browned it in a pan and added lima beans, spinach, and stir fry vegetables.The instructions on the package advised me to make a sauce out of the broth that remained in the pacakage. I used arrowroot to thicken the broth. once the sauce was made, i just mixed it in with vegetables and sietan. I had this over brown rice and i am eating it as i type. it pretty tasty. (for some reason it has a seafood taste - like octopus or squid) It is definately a delightful change from what i been eating over the past week.
What's on your plate this evening....
The chili was delicious! I ate it with a baked potato. This is a definite keeper going forward though I'll probably add meat to it.
ReplyDeleteHow did everyone else do?
Hello all,
ReplyDelete@ Tammi - Thanks so much!!
Rev I sent you an email with a website for vegetarian chili, all different kinds with reviews by the folks that belong to the site.
BTW the site if anyone else is interested is www.sparkpeople.com, go to the menu @ the top and search for vegetarian dishes or whatever else you may have a taste for. Most of the recipes are from the people who access the site and so are the reviews. They really have some great recipes.
I was in a clean up mood today after I went to the gym this morning and I did it in total silence while talking to God just like He was in the room with me watching me. No great revalations but I did feel a sort of peace in my spirit that made me smile to myself because my mood was immediately elevated and it wasn't from what I heard but what I felt - a calmness in my soul.
I was afraid to get on my WII fit board because that little board tells all your buziness LOL, LOL. I am not doing so bad - to date I have lost about 10lbs (not from the fast alone) and this is over a 3 week period, but I still need to get my body balanced, I tend to lean towards my left because that is my strong side and sometimes I almost fall even in flat shoes. I need to continue to strengthen my core, other wise I am on the right track. I really believe that as we become accustomed to eating healthier our bodies will follow with some cardio, strength training and body toning.
Also for the ladies that are having a problem sleeping, try some Melatonin or Valerian before you go to bed - they are all natural and are not habit forming.
Let me know how you like the website - Holla back
Be blessed
Hey ya'll,
ReplyDeleteI just spent the last 3 hours cooking for the week...I feel ready for the week ahead now...felt like I was scrambling alittle last week for my dinners. Breakfast and lunch were cool. With this being done I can focus on working out, this week.
I made whole wheat spaghetti and prego sauce. Sauteed spinach with garlic, roasted cauliflower, brown rice, sauteed potatos with peppers and onions, baked salmon and the veggie chili.
an adjustment to the chili recpie that i posted eariler. I added crushed red pepper and one more tablespoon of chili powder. Also added seasoning to mixture (season salt, garlic powder, onion powder and pepper). Also I let it simmer for about 30 min on low heat. It came out great!
Now I can go to bed in peace!
WOW Meatless Chili
ReplyDeleteInteresting! I might even try it - what did I just say see i told you I am not going to know who I am.
Yesterday was a day of sleeping and relaxing and answering my niece Diamond's questions. She is an eight year old lawyer - lol! She finally asked - TT why are you eating like this. I explained to her that I was believing God for a blessing and wanted to do something that showed him that i was serious. She looked and later she said I guess so because giving up meat is serious. You have to know Diamond to understand her statement but she is an African American child and meat is the first thing that goes on her plate.
She stayed around me all day even when I was sleeping I would wake up and there would be Diamond. She had lots of questions and thinks her TT has all the answers. So everytime she noticed that I was awake I got a question or two or three or as many as she could get in before I went back to sleep.
My sister had a rough emotional morning. Some mornings she wakes up feeling like her old self and some morning she wakes up feeling not her best. She is a very involved Mommy and feels extremely bad because she can't do all the things with the kids that she normally does. We talked about it and I am going to pick up a journal for her. I told her as much as praying and reading the word works it helps to get your thoughts out on paper. (Great minds - I had not read Rev. St. Clair's blog but God blessed me ) By evening, my sister was on the phone witnessing to a lady from her church who was in the hostipal and feeling a little useless to her family. I am just amazed at God and how he works and his timing.
Oh about the omelets, my brother in law found eggs on sale for .92 cent. God has jokes! I am going to cook them on Saturday morning for the kids. They do breakfast at school and are not trying to mess with me and my cooking when they are getting ready for school. We made smoothies by their request of course my nephew couldn't get with the food in the cup and wanted bacon and grits. My nieces were excited about the smoothies but still wanted their bacon. I am their TT and I do understand.
Well it's time to get ready for school and do the drop offs. My sister is going to try to walk a little bit outside tomorrow. Pray for her. Her name is Charla.
hey sister felicia, will remember your sister in prayer today.
ReplyDelete@tanya, looks like you got a veggie cafe going on over there...Whose down to raid her fridge for the goods...lol
my dinner for the week is simple - salads! :)
have a blessed day everyone and look forward to seeing you at service this evening...