Reflections on 2009

Greetings to you all in the New Year! I know, I know, I'm long overdue for a post! Forgive me please. Seminary life thus far has been a blessed experience! It has also bred demands on my time and my energies in ways that remain to be articulated in the fullness of it's weight. I'm sitting in my beloved Dunn Bros. coffee shop in MN. I've been home for nearly two weeks and as my time draws to a close here before I'm back into the swing of Seminary life, I wanted to share some reflections on 2009. I was having coffee with my pastor this morning and it was laden with sage advise and the wisdom that he offered in regards to making the most of my time at school. We both agreed that putting in place disciplines from the onset was both beneficial to my well being (spiritually, physically, psychologically)now and to my future ministry life. I was asked some really good questions about what was or wasn't in place and as I was forced to recount these things. Something that P.B. said solidified for me the things that God has taught me over 2009. He said in so many words that discord in one area or discipline leads to the downfall of all other disciplines. I couldn't agree more. This got to thinking and I wanted to list some of the important take away lessons from my 2009.

1.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and Love your neighbor as yourself" Luke 10:27.

Straight from the mouth of our savior Jesus!

2. Rest...holy rest, true Sabbath rest does not only your body good, but your spirit and your heart. This doesn't mean doing whatever you want on your day off...it's different from chill time. Rather, it means carving out intentional time to clear away all the distractions and to get time with the Lord. It purposes to
fill you back up, replenish you for the purposes that God intended. Fun time, chill time is different. I think we all take too much liberty to entertain chill time and not enough of the holy rest that God put in place for OUR good.

3. Keep Going!

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and the perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow wary and lose heart" Hebrew 12:1-3.

We keep on going because Jesus marked this race out for us...he set the pace, follow Him! Life is hard sometimes, but it is also filled with exceedingly beautiful and joyful moments! Capture them! Hold on to them and when you face a hill and you know it's gonna hurt, keep running! We have all been called to be champion marathoners through the Grace of Jesus Christ. Don't give up because there is always hope in Him.

4. God is trustworthy! When you are tempted to think otherwise, read Hebrews 11.

5. Forgive!

"12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another" Colossians 3:12-13

6. Be Grateful and Give Thanks! It's easy to dwell on things that aren't going right or that don't line up with our version of how things should be. It's easy to reside in the mire of pain and disappointment. Doing this however will only leave you to be swallowed up by despair. The reality is we are not worthy of God's love, His peace and His goodness, YET He does love us deeply and He grants us His peace and goodness through Jesus Christ. There is much to be thankful for...therefore we ought to be grateful in ALL circumstances of our faith life.

"...and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to god the Father through him" Colossians 3:15b-17

7. Pray continually! 1 Thessalonians 5:17. Everything you do necessitates prayer. Every moment, every decision is an opportunity to ask for wisdom, guidance and courage to do not only the right thing, but the outcome that God desires. God delights in us when we bring our requests our concerns to Him in prayer! A dear friend of mine put it like this (paraphrased)"Every time we pray, it's like we are putting a spotlight on it so that God can tend to it, respond to it, see it and ultimately fulfill it in accordance to His sovereign will."

8. Be disciplined! In all areas. For me, these have been the areas of foremost importance (Not in any particular order): 1. Prayer life 2. Devotional time in the written Word, the Bible and supplemented by books on theology. 3. Working out 3-5 times a week. 4. Eating healthy but also leaving room to enjoy treats in moderation. 5. Studying 6. Ministry responsibilities 7. Time serving others 8. Loving well through Quality time with friends and loved ones 9. Knowing my limits by trusting in God's ability above my own. 10. Sleep! Balancing all of these priorities require steadfast attention to all areas. It means knowing when to say no sometimes. Hearkening back to my convo with P.B. The neglect of one area of discipline, leads to the eventual downfall of all! Enlisting God's help through prayer will sustain you in all of this! :)

9. Be Present. Take each moment as it presents itself to you as a gift. Even when that gift is a challenging one that pushes you to your limits. Being present helps to give you pause in all circumstances and allows you to be more aware and open to God's blessings. It makes you more aware of peace, joy and fulfillment. It helps to keep you in accordance with God's will for your life. How many times have we taken something and run with it without it being warranted? Whether it was a comment from someone, an idea for work, a purchase, a big decision...whatever! And how many times were we way off in that leap? How often have we spent concerted energy worrying about the future that we've spoiled moments in the present? It is the present time that we can actively engage in and participate in. We can't undue the past, we cannot predict the future. When we act as prisoners to our past by constantly looking behind us and trying to change things we cannot change...When we obsess about the future which we cannot directly control, we ultimately miss out in the moments that create the sum parts of our lives. Being present means you are truly living.

10. Take a chance! Dream up God's best for you. When you are truly abiding with the Lord, your desires should align ultimately with His desires for you. All things are possible through God. I'm not saying that you won't experience hardship or challenges along the way. In fact, it's inevitable! However, it is in those hardships and trusting in God all the more that produces a faith that is Rock Solid. On Christ the solid rock we shall stand indeed! In doing this, you are refined. Look at these moments as opportunities that will develop your faith, strengthen it and grow it. God will use you in big ways for His Kingdom! This is the ride of your life! Take a chance! Get on! You will experience things you never could have thought possible! ~ Every day I awake and choose to Follow God is like getting on that ride. What's so great is that God's Grace is Sufficient and in those moments when inevitably we don't get on the ride...it doesn't mean we are banished forever from it. God takes us by the hand, brushes off our dirty knees when we have fallen and picks us back up, inviting us to get back on that ride! or Race. :)

Blessings to each of you in 2010. May you experience all that God has for you!

All my love,
MEL

Making the best of bed rest

This past week I was laid up in bed with the flu. Thankfully it was not H1N1, but it took it's toll nonetheless. Sounds funny, but I actually approached this past sickness as a much needed vacation or retreat from student life. It's funny because I am finding that being in seminary and studying all the time can breed a stagnation in your personal devotional life. I have had to fight for time in God's word that isn't for a class reading assignment and finding time where you are fresh to pray is even more challenging when the day is done and you're spent. Yet God is faithful and he will intervene in ways that may even come by way of illness. I had sweet time with Jesus while I was sick. I was able to have continuous times of prayer and my attention was undivided. I didn't have much strength to pick up text books, but I did have enough strength to pick up my small Bible and read for the fulfillment of my very thirsty spirit. I also wanted to know in what ways I could better honor God in some of the areas of my heart that continue to resurface and He was ready to meet me and speak to me. It was sweet to be in His presence and to cast my cares, my burdens and the burdens of the numerous people in my life unto Him. Truly, being laid up in my bed was a time of worship! It was as if I was on a bed in the middle of paradise. No place safer, no peace so sweet then to be in the throws of prayer. To be still, to listen and to know that God will have His way and He will break through. His Holy spirit comes and will work, convict, correct, encourage, promise and lavish you with the grace and love of our Heavenly Father. I pray that it doesn't always come down to me getting sick to get back on track in finding intimate communion with God, but I'm so grateful that God has infinite measures to break through when inevitably I will fall short. I was richly encouraged by the call in Romans 12:1-2 "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

I didn't realize that the very rest that I needed in the depths of me would come by way of bed rest. It was the most worthy way to spend my time and my strength in holy pursuit of the Great I Am. Worthy is He of our praises, our adoration, worship, honor and all glory. I will leave you with the words of J. Wilbur Chapman "This is your privilege for this day and every day, to live in the very atmosphere of heaven while working down here in the sin-tainted atmosphere of this world. It is the personal appropriation of Christ that makes this world like heaven. It is the sweet fellowship that opens our eyes, so that again and again we cannot help saying, "you know that I love you."

~Mel

Reflections on the Evangelical Student Fellowship Retreat

This past weekend I was able to leave the city to go on a retreat with some of my faithful friends at PTS. It was hosted by the Evangelical Student Fellowship group and the theme was "What does it mean to be Evangelical?" More specifically "What does it mean to be Evangelical in light of the context of One Holy Catholic, Apostolic Church?" We were blessed to listen, think through, meditate, pray through and even apply what we were engaging in during our workshop time. Tim Baker and Matt Bell were our guest speakers. More than that, these faithful brothers in Christ helped us wrestle with and break through some of the barriers that we Christians face in a post modern world. They are post graduates of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and are both entrenched in their Ph.D. Studies in Patristics (the study of the writings of the church fathers). Their commitment to the Gospel and their burden for the church is obvious. This passion has led them to start the "Ancient Christian Faith Initiative." Their website is an interactive site or I guess it could be said that it's more of a resource for events,seminars and online classes. I highly recommend you take a look at the site and if possible take advantage of this awesome tool.

One of the most impacting truths I took away from this weekend was the reminder that we as Believers must hold together our deeply rooted traditions with our modern experiences. That is to say that being engaged in our world and culture should never come at the cost of letting go of or loosening the Biblical standards that we are called to. We can and should trust/submit to the teachings of God's word because God's word was entrusted to our Apostolic fathers. That and many subsequent works that offer rich understanding of the Bible by the ancient Christian fathers should be studied and learned. These sources have sustained time and the same truths laid out for Christians then, hold true for us all the more now.

One of the maladies that we discussed in the modern church was that of Inclusion. Inclusion is of course a loving and biblical concept. As we look at how Jesus extended himself to and cared for the marginalized, we know that that is something we then are called to do. We are instructed to care specifically for the widows and the orphans. Clearly we can look around our modern world and see the long withstanding tradition of caring for those who cannot care for themselves. We can observe that churches bring in people who are on the fringe. The early church was known for taking on "civic" reform and change just by obeying that command. They were doing things to care for the sick and for the elderly. It seems that some churches today are more concerned with not offending anyone or promoting the transforming work of the Gospel by discipling these very people who are clearly in need discipleship. In an effort to include and accept all, the church today neglects to practice authentic inclusion, which comes through instruction and truth. Of course these observations aren't to disparage our Brothers and Sisters in the Universal Church Body...but rather to identify ways to bring the intrinsic fuction of the Church back into the realm of our cultural climate.

These types of conversations matter. They matter especially to a room full of seminarians who are being equipped to go out into ministry...ministry in the church. We worked through some case studies and were able to draw truths from individual reflection and group discussion. What I appreciated most about these brothers who led us was that they care massively for the applications of these truths in ministry. We got to apply what we were talking about and lay hands on and pray for our brothers and sisters who were up against difficulties in the very Body of Christ. It was an encouraging and edifying time!

In my own personal meditation of everything we were learning, I had to praise God that He would affirm and confirm every foundational brick that He laid in my time being a part of FUSION (At New Hope Church). As the Matt and Tim emphasized the importance of Christian tradition and as they pointed us to the Gospel message on the Cross, I was brought to the FUSION mission statement which I had affixed to the back of my Bible. I was grateful to know that their is faithful teaching from Humble Pastors and teachers like Tim and Matt as well as my former Pastor Bryan McWhite, Pastor of Young adults at New Hope Church.I'll leave you with this from FUSION's Mission Statement:
The fusion community is a place for you to belong and to become.

We are committed to loving Christ and learning to live in his ways by hearing and doing his Word. We love modern worship and cultural engagement, but not at the expense of truly biblical teaching. We love to live in community, to invest in our small groups, and to serve the community together, but we want those things to flow out of a heart filled with God-exalting, joy-inspiring, love-producing biblical truth.

We're not about reinventing.
We're about rediscovering what has always been true.

I pray for the truth to grip the hearts of all church leaders today and to come.

Let's go Deeper!

The past couple of days have been challenging...rough actually. The awareness and the reality of my life here has taken hold and there are truly moments when the loneliness is palpable. I knew this was to be expected, I prayed over it as I thought about what the process of making friends looked like and what type of community I was going to step into. I also prayed over the ebb and flow that comes in the balancing act of managing a busy schedule. I did all these things knowing that inevitably these were areas that could possibly be a source of discouragement for me. Orientation and the first week of classes bombarded us with activity, serving as the impetus for connecting and getting to know people. That has been a wonderful experience...a blessed experience. I've visited some churches and attended some services and it's too early to tell where I'll land. I just keep entrusting that to the Lord to make it known to me. I trust in that implicitly.

Here's the thing, with classes already underway and routines being established, autonomy beckons. That's not a bad thing necessarily, but it opens the possibility of allowing for navel gazing. It's seems impossible to think that any of the connections made during the past week of Seminary Bootcamp, implies immediately established or sustaining intimacy, or to think that trust is guaranteed both on the giving end and the receiving end. To those who know me and know me well, I'm a person who can establish a rapport in a social setting. I do that pretty well. However, being the deeply relational person that I am (after all, I am made in the Likeness of God and He is indeed a relational God)I long to be understood, I long to be truly valued in the communal sense and through friendship. I long to do and be those very things as well. I know that it takes time, so I continually remind myself of that.

During Chapel last week, the preacher spoke about the dangers of putting people in a box. It's a dangerous thing to make snap judgements, it's a harmful thing to make comments based on one's perception of another (GOSSIP!). He warned that when we do this, we effectively contribute to the tearing away at or the hampering of the very Body of Christ. I was so encouraged by that message. It's a good reminder especially in light of a new school year beginning, new faculty and staff, new students, established students alike...we are all in a very real context for this truth to apply itself. It's human nature for us to label people. We do it to draw a big picture for ourselves...a picture that tells us how we relate to one another,all the while trying to discern where our own place exists on that landscape. It can serve an immediate purpose of putting a name to a face and a snap context...especially when you are learning 60-75 names, can be helpful! But the call to move beyond that is necessary. Just as quickly as we build up that structure or picture in our minds, we have to work just as diligently and intentionally to tear away at the layers. We must do this in order to get to the very heart, the very core of one another. We all have a story that lends itself to why we are who we are. Yet despite that, because of the certainty in the part of our identity that calls us sons and daughters of Christ Jesus, we have a jumping off point! I praise the Lord for that! That right there is comforting to me amid this process.

I hold fast to the love and faithfulness of our Father through our Lord Jesus Christ. I'm grateful for the whisperings of the Holy Spirit as He guides me, invites me to trust in Him and to be still before God. I do this knowing that there is no trial, no suffering greater than the suffering our Savior faced when He was abandoned and left violently alone to face the wrath of God for OUR sins. He did this so that we could know more thoroughly God's love for us. And in that love I can know with certainty that God's Grace is indeed sufficient!

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Father, I pray for my brothers and sisters in Christ that have stepped out in an act of obedient faith to follow you to this place of refining. We know that in your Sovereignty and in your Kingdom, we have a place. May we rest in that and allow peace to reside in us as we seek after you more deeply in study so that we could be more effective for your Kingdom work. Most of all I pray that in all that we do, it would be for YOUR Glory sake. May your very words stay close to our hearts and may your words be ever sweet to our weary bodies, thirsty spirits and our lonely hearts. May we find refuge in your unwavering faithfulness to us and may we cherish more and more the sufficiency of your Amazing Grace!

In the Name of Jesus we pray...Amen.

The Big Move to Pittsburgh

It's hard to believe that the time has already come for me to start my studies at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary! In some ways, this new chapter in my life has been a long time coming and in other ways, it's come up way too quickly for me to even wrap my mind around! I took my time driving out here. I set no agenda for myself, stopping when I wanted to stop and driving for as long as I wanted. At my pace, I made it to Pittsburgh in two days! If I'm being honest, I think in some ways I was delaying the process because it was ridiculously difficult to say good bye to dear friends, family and co workers.

Settling into my new studio apartment has taken some getting used to. No complaints of course, but it has been a while since I've had contend with the noises and sounds of a bustling city, neighbors and the likes of heavy doors opening and slamming shut. On the one hand there's that, but on the other, I have a network of people to share in this living experience! I have even benefitted from the kindness of my upstairs neighbor. In passing conversation, it was brought up that I had no furniture. I knew I would have to haul my stuff by myself so I have opted to slowly invest and build up a collection over time. One purchase that I mentioned was on the top of my list is a bed. From that mention came her offer for me to borrow a futon matress she was not using. I had spent the first three nights on the floor and so this was a much welcomed gesture...especially after having to move all of my stuff alone! Did I mention I had to move my stuff all by myself???? Okay enough with the pity party right. My place is starting to feel like home. I would say that the bulk of my boxes and bins were full of kitchen ware, appliances, dish and glassware as well as an extensive collection of spices and pantry mainstays. I may not have a couch, I don't have a TV or an extensive shelving system, but my kitchen stuff is neatly put away!!! I've already cooked a few meals and have even baked cookies in my cute little kitchen.

Lastly I wanted to mention that I am in need of prayers! The realization that I'll be studying under a world class faculty is exciting, but daunting. I'm having a hard time disassociating my undergrad experience to the one I'm about to begin. I just ask that you would pray for me to have a deep dependcance on the Lord for strength in order that I may honor Him during my time of studying. During Orientation, it was mentioned a few times that although grades are a big component of our education, getting perfect grades is not the end all be all of this experience. This school is very passionate about producing pastors but in the same breath, their commitment to academic excellence is not matched by many other Seminaries. School came easy to me growing up and I developed some lazy study habits. It wasn't until my last year of my Undergrad that I felt like I broke the bulk of them. I realize that seminary is completely different in terms of the nature of the course work and the fact that I get to engage daily in Theology and eventually come out conformed to be more like Christ through this transforming experience. I know this to be truth, but that doesn't mean that I'm not struck with the weight of this responsibility and gift! Afterall, this is meant to equip me to pastor God's people in vocational ministry one day! So, if you could just be praying this for me as I'm ramping up to start classes, I would be most grateful.

My address is 700 N. Highland Ave. Apt.# 311, Pittsburgh, PA 15206. Please feel free to send notes and cards! I'll need the encouragement! Since I know that some of you are already wanting to send care packages...God Bless you for that! Please send it to my school mailbox to ensure safe delivery. That address is 616 N. Highland Ave. Box# 67, Pittsburgh, PA 15206.

I love you all and I miss you more than I can even express. Thank you for your prayers and all the well wishes at each turn of this adventure!

Blessings upon blessings...
MEL
P.S. Yes, I did take this picture, with my lame, stone aged digital camera and I still got skills so those of you that I know are gonna give me a hard time about my camera...can suck it!!! :)

Marathon Cookies...Adventurous Palates Required!

This is for all my fellow runners out there. I would say that a good 10-15 people in my life are running a 5K, a half marathon, triathlons or a full on marathon. Let me say this...KUDOS! I have been a runner for about 14 years. I go in phases, but I always come back to it. Sometimes you just have to run it out. There is something about the feeling of finding and sustaining your body's rhythmic cadence all while getting some serious sweat time in. It often double duties as my think time or prayer time, but I try to be intentional about enjoying my surroundings while I run. There is an amazing sense of accomplishment when you run because you can actually say you went somewhere and saw some things vs. the standard gym treadmill routine (which cannot be avoided in snowy winters of MN). I see the appeal is what I'm getting at. That said...I have never had any desire to run more than 6 miles. I guess it would be safe to say that a 10K is my limit...so for all you hard core runners, I have a special recipe for you! It requires an open mind and it's more savory than sweet, but it's a great way to replenish and refuel after a long run! ENJOY!!! Let me know what you think. This recipe and others like it can be found at: 101cookbooks.com.

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Marathon Cookies
My guess is that you could substitute spelt flour or all-purpose flour if you don't have whole wheat pastry flour on hand, or have difficulty finding it.
2 cups rolled oats (not instant oats)
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1 tablespoon aniseed, crushed in mortar and pestle (or spice grinder)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
zest of one lemon
1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
one 15-ounce can white kidney, great northern, or navy beans, rinsed & drained
1/4 cup olive oil
1 cup natural cane sugar (or brown sugar)
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup chopped dates
1/3 cup sesame seeds

Preheat your oven to 350F degrees and place a rack in the top third. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Pulse the oats in a food processor (or blender) until they resemble a raggy flour. Transfer the oats to a large mixing bowl and whisk in the flour, aniseed, baking powder, baking soda, lemon zest and salt.

Pulse the beans and olive oil in the food processor until they are creamy. Add the sugar, egg, and vanilla extract and pulse until smooth. Scrap down the sides of the bowl once or twice along the way.

Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and stir until the ingredients start to come together. Sprinkle the dates across the top of the batter and stir until everything just comes together.

Place the sesames seeds in a bowl. Make each cookie with a scant 1/4 cup scoop of dough. Roll each scoop of dough into a ball then coat it with sesame seeds. Set each ball on the prepared baking sheet and with the palm of your hand flatten the dough just a bit (see photo). Repeat with the remaining dough, leaving at least an inch or so between each cookie - they'll spread a bit, but not much. Bake for about 15 minutes or until the sesame seeds around the bottom start to get golden.
Makes about 1 1/2 dozen cookies. I'm not 100% sure about the yield here because I tested a variety of cookies sizes.

For every problem...every anxiety...

This morning I woke up to things just not going right. There has been an overarching theme as of late that seems to tempt my natural propensity to lose heart and freak out in times like this. I like to fix problems and get to the bottom of things and sometimes, that causes me to rely on my own strength and not on the strength of our Heavenly Father. He is the one who is in control. When we as believers consistently talk about God's Sovereignty but find it hard to believe what we know in our heads, say with our mouths, this is an exercise in faith. The truth is, the news that I've been receiving lately has been very demoralizing and when you continue to get news about things that should be in place that aren't...repeatedly, it hurts, it's confusing, it's discouraging. That is why I wanted to share this prayer for today. I opened the devotional for today and this simple prayer reminded me of whom I could go to for strength, whom I could go for encouragement, whom I could extend my arms to and know that I can be carried out of this season, intact and unscathed. So today I am choosing to place my complete trust in Jesus. I am relinquishing my frustrations and worries over to the Creater of All things, the Sustainer. If you're reading this and find yourself in a similar place, I hope I can encourage you with this simple reminder. We are now our own, we don't have dominion over our lives. We belong to Jesus. To me, that is such a relief. I find comfort and rest in that. Hope you can too. I am reminded by the rich promises in Romans 5:1-5
"1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a]have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we[b] rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3Not only so, but we[c] also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."

Lord, I give thanks for this day, I give thanks for another opportunity to live out my faith and live out what it means to trust in you. Thank you for reminding me of your Greatness and your provisions through this loving reminder through scripture and through prayer.

Today's Prayer

For every problem, every anxiety, every temptation, every sin in my life, there is a deliverer--Jesus Christ! Thank you, God, for your sacrifice, your love, your way to reach down and pull me up. Please forgive me and help me to stand sure-footed and steady on the Rock of my salvation and not to slip and fall into the mire of the world. Please, be in control of my life...and I know everything will be all right. In Jesus' name, amen.

Have a blessed day everyone,
MEL

How to make your Anger productive...excerpt from Dr. Gary Chapman

How do we approach the very powerful emotion of anger in such a way that helps us respond in a biblical and productive way? It is easy for us to accept the consequences of our anger when we justify it from a place of entitlement. How can we contribute to the success in the outcome of a situation that has provoked anger within us and most of all...How do we respond in such a way that honors God? I think Dr. Chapman's approach is spot on. Next time you find yourself angry, stop and ask how you can turn the situation around for the good of everyone involved.

MEL

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"I'm Feeling Angry"

When you are angry, the first positive step is to admit to yourself that you are angry. Say aloud, "I'm feeling angry." The second step is to ask God to help you handle your anger in a positive way. "Lord, help me to do what is right and good with my anger." The third step is to ask, "Did someone sin against me?" If so, the biblical answer is to lovingly confront the person and seek reconciliation.

On the other hand, if you are angry simply because something happened that irritates you, ask "What can I learn from this experience?" If the other person habitually arrives late for your appointment, perhaps you can talk with them and negotiate change. Thus the anger has served a positive purpose. God wants to teach you how to handle your anger in a godly way.

When you are angry, be sure to get the facts before you take action. You hear your spouse tell someone on the phone, "I'll be there tomorrow night." You know that tomorrow night is your date night, so you get angry. Before you storm in and say something harsh, take time to ask, "Did I hear you promise someone to do something tomorrow night?" Your spouse says, "Yes, I told mom I'd bring her blanket by. I thought we could do it either before or after we go out to eat."

Your anger subsides because you took time to get the facts. Often we jump to conclusions about what someone said or did, and we accuse them in anger. We ruin a perfectly good evening because we failed to ask questions.



Adapted from Anger: Handling a Powerful Emotion in a Healthy Way by Dr. Gary Chapman. To find out more about Dr. Chapman's resources, visit www.fivelovelanguages.com.

Devotional thoughts on Responding Biblically to Adversity

Today's Prayer

God, When I remember the story of Joseph's life, I realize how you want so much more for me than I could ever dream of. I also see how you can turn what man means for evil into what you mean for good. Please bring this to my mind whenever I'm feeling doubt and confusion; whenever I'm feeling oppressed and alone; whenever I'm feeling unjustly treated; whenever I think that I don't have something I need. I know that you are in control. I pray that I will always allow you to do your work and that I will not interfere in your plans for me. Please give me strength and fill me with your desires for me. Thank you, loving Father. In Jesus' name, amen.


Responses to Adversity
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman
06-08-2009

"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior" (Hab. 3:17-18).

When we experience adversity, we generally respond in one of three ways: (1) we become angry; (2) we try to gut it out; or (3) we accept it with joy.
Anger
When adversity comes our way, we say, "Why me, Lord?" We become bitter and resentful and blame God and others for our problems. We view ourselves as victims and demand that God answer our accusing questions: "Why don't You love me, Lord? We feel entitled to life, health, wealth, and happiness.
Gutting It Out
Another way we respond to adversity is by adopting a stoic attitude, repressing our emotions. We lie to ourselves and say, "I'm gutting it out. I'm demonstrating endurance." In reality, we are merely isolating ourselves with a shell of false bravado. We don't meditate on God's love, we don't pray, we don't believe God really has anything good planned for us. We simply tell ourselves, "This will soon be over. I'm a survivor." We never receive what God has planned for us if we stay here.
Acceptance with Joy
This is the response God seeks from us. When adversity comes, we rest in His love and trust that He knows best. We realize that nothing can happen to us without His permission. If there is pain in our lives, we know it's because God deems it necessary for our growth or wishes to use our pain to minister to others.
God revealed to the prophet Habakkuk that Israel was soon to be invaded by the Babylonians. Habakkuk knew that Israel was about to suffer intense adversity as part of God's loving discipline of His people. Habakkuk faced the looming national tragedy with an attitude of acceptance with joy.
If Habakkuk could be joyful in the face of a national calamity, then we can rejoice in the Lord no matter what comes our way.

Healthy Summer Eats!

Summer time really lends itself to promoting healthy eating. Inherently our bodies crave fruits, vegetables especially now and since we look for reasons to be outdoors, grilling instantaneously becomes our prefered method of cooking. It is for me anyway! Grilling just makes food taste better and let's face it, there is nothing tastier or friendlier for your waistline than a salad with tons of freshly chopped veggies, fruits and lean protein! Here are a couple of great meals under 200calories: Bon Appetit!

Marinated Flank Steak
Serves: 8
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Nutrition Score per serving:
Nutrition score per serving: 179 calories, 11 g fat (55% of calories), 3 g saturated fat, 1 g carbs, 19 g protein, 0 g fiber, 287 mg sodium

Ingredients1 1 1/2- to 2-pound beef flank steak
1/4 cup chopped fresh rosemary or 1 tablespoon dried rosemary
1 tablespoon chopped fresh marjoram or 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano or 1 teaspoon dried oregano
3 cloves garlic, minced (1 1/2 teaspoons)
1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Directions
1. Trim fat from meat. Score both sides of steak in a diamond pattern by making shallow cuts at 1-inch intervals; set aside. In a small bowl, stir together rosemary, marjoram, oregano, garlic, paprika, kosher salt, crushed red pepper, and black pepper. Stir in the oil until combined.

2. Spoon herb mixture evenly over both sides of steak; rub in with your fingers. Place steak in a shallow dish. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least an hour, or overnight.

3. If you're using a charcoal grill, place meat on the rack of an uncovered grill directly over medium coals. Grill for 17 to 21 minutes or until medium doneness (160°F), turning once halfway through grilling. (If you're using a gas grill, preheat grill. Reduce heat to medium. Place meat on grill rack over heat. Cover and cook as above.)

4. Transfer grilled meat to a cutting board. Cover and let stand for 10 minutes. To serve, slice very thinly across the grain.

~~~~~

Wild Mushroom and Tomato Ragout with Polenta
Serves: 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Nutrition Score per serving:
(2/3 cup polenta, 2/3 cup ragout): 164 calories, 5 g fat (26% of calories), 1 g saturated fat, 26 g carbs, 4 g protein, 2 g fiber, 55 mg calcium, 2 mg iron, 177 mg sodium

Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 shallot, peeled and thinly sliced
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon tomato paste
2 cups sliced assorted mushrooms (such as cremini, shiitake, and oyster)
3 ½ cups low-sodium vegetable broth, divided
1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary (or ½ teaspoon dried)
1 teaspoon chopped fresh sage (or ¼ teaspoon dried)
2/3 cup quick-cooking polenta
2 tablespoons shaved Parmesan

Directions
•Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add shallot and vinegar and cook for 2 minutes. Add tomato paste and mushrooms; cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
•Pour in ½ cup broth, bring to a boil, and reduce to a simmer. Cook for 5 minutes. Add grape tomatoes and cook 5 more minutes until sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat.
•Bring 3 cups of broth, rosemary, and sage to a boil in a medium saucepan. Slowly pour in polenta. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly for 4 to 5 minutes until mixture thickens.
•Spoon polenta into four bowls and top each with a portion of ragout and a sprinkling of Parmesan.

~~~
Smoked Salmon Salad With Grapefruit and Avocado
Serves: 4
Prep Time: 7 minutes
Cook Time: n/a
Nutrition Score per serving:
Nutrition score per serving (14 of salad): 169 calories, 28% fat (5.5 g; 1g saturated), 55% carbs (24 g), 17% protein (7.5 g), 4 g fiber, 61 mg calcium, 1mg iron, 582 mg sodium.

Ingredients
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons grated orange peel
2 teaspoons honey
2 teaspoons olive oil
Salt and ground black pepper to taste
6 cups mixed baby greens
23 cup thinly sliced red onion
4 ounces sliced smoked salmon (lox)
16 peeled ruby grapefruit segments (available prepared in produce department, or use 1 1/2 grapefruits)
14 avocado, peeled, pitted and cut into thin wedges

Directions
Whisk vinegar, orange peel and honey in a large bowl to blend. Gradually whisk in oil, then add salt and pepper. Add baby greens and onion and toss to coat with dressing.

Arrange salmon on one half of a platter and mound greens on other half. Arrange grapefruit segments and avocado wedges around edges of platter.


~RECIPES FOUND ON SELF MAGAZINE.COM~

To Blog or Not to Blog...That is the Question.

Do you follow blogs? Do you blog yourself or are you thinking about starting one up? Read this article I came across in the Boundless Webzine. It tackles a lot of the heart issues pertaining to the cost vs. benefit of reading or writing blogs. Ultimately we should ask ourselves who our blogs benefit and most of all...who does it honor? This was a balanced approach to an issue that is very relevant and an overall helpful article. I hope you walk away with as much as I did. Blessings! ~MEL

P.S. I had some issues with embedding the link (this is not the first time this has happened) so here is the the Url: http://www.boundless.org/2005/articles/a0001340.cfm

For the Tape Your Eyelids Open Kind of Mondays...

Mondays are hard. Let's be real about this fact. It's a jolt back into the work week and the inevitable start to activities that comprise our overbooked calendars. I don't think I need coffee more than I find myself needing it on Monday mornings in order to hit the ground running. This Monday I decided to pick up coffee for my coworkers. My friend and coworker L.S. was up all night with her child and despite this fact, managed to drag herself into work. Mom's like L.S. are heroes...but this Monday I was hers!!!! L.S. referenced the Tom and Gerry clip above to describe how tired she was. Enjoy!!! For all you hard working peops out there, don't forget to stop and take moments to enjoy life. Simple pleasures like coffee on a Monday morning (as necessary as it may be), a clip from you tube that makes you pee your pants from laughter, time in God's word and time in prayer. Whatever it may be...stop to enjoy it and relish it and above all, give thanks for those moments. Trust me, you won't remember the excessively busy moments, but the ones that brought you a little joy and a moment of serenity are the ones that will get you through life.

~ MEL

Meditations on Good Friday

The moment I opened my eyes today, I asked God to keep me fixed on HIM. I knew that the day would bring about a lot of activity and I did not want to lose sight of nor did I want to neglect the significance of Good Friday. As I hunkered into the Word of God today, I found myself wanting to know what was going on in the mind of Jesus, what his priorities were leading up to His arrest which ultimately led to His death on the cross. Of course my heart was heavy laden with thoughts of what our Savior endured on our behalf, but I was also incredibly encouraged and grateful for His prayer interceding for himself, his disciples and all who believe in the Good News of Jesus Christ. I read John 17 in it's entirety and I was so moved by the strength and compassion of our Lord in the very face of what was to come. I see Jesus pleading on our behalf and I can't even comprehend how complete His love for us is. I'll leave you with this "Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them" ~John17:25-26. That was the desire of our Mighty Savior, our Great Redeemer. So as you mourn his death, I pray that you would be encouraged by the words of Jesus as we move into what we know is to come. We anticipate celebration! It was finished this Good day, this Very Good Friday. May the Peace of our Lord Jesus Christ dwell in your hearts this day and always.

~Mel

JOHN Chapter 17

Jesus Prays for Himself
1After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. 5And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

Jesus Prays for His Disciples
6"I have revealed you[a] to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. 7Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. 8For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. 9I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. 10All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. 11I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name—the name you gave me—so that they may be one as we are one. 12While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled. 13"I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 14I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17Sanctify[b] them by the truth; your word is truth. 18As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.

Jesus Prays for All Believers
20"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24"Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. 25"Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."

Prayer for Healing

I pray for the lonely, the disillusioned, the broken hearted and the lost. Father may you mend the wounds that gape, leaving them exposed to the ensnarement...the entanglement of discouragement, sin and the lies from the enemy. Would you take them into your grip and draw them ever nearer to you? Surround them with words of encouragement and healing from your Holy Spirit through loved ones and friends or even a kind word from a stranger, an agent of your mercy. Have compassion and pour your tender mercies upon them. I ask that your healing salve be ministered upon them and the sweetness of your presence bring comfort and peace. Would you please bring them out of darkness and replace their discontentment and brokeness with a joy that surpasses all understanding.

I pray this in the Precious name of Jesus, AMEN.

~With All My Love,
MEL

By Who's Might?

If you find yourself striving, if you find yourself weary,if you are tarrying in hope, may this prayer bring you comfort. May it make haste in reminding you that we needn't rely on our own strength to sustain us. We will tire...we will lose steam and eventually our efforts will leave us devoid of the life that was well intentioned to glorify HIM at that rate. May your faith and the source of your strength be that of an Oak...firmly planted and rooted in HIM. ~MEL

"Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit," says the Lord Almighty.
~ Zechariah 4:6~

Lord, empower me by Your Spirit today. I do not want to do anything out of vanity or just trying to "climb every mountain" on my own. I long to be led by Your Spirit, not by human initiative and man-inspired positive thinking. Please help me to be a positive, joyful person, full of Your Spirit, inspired by Your Word, and busy about Your work as I go through daily life. I pray that all I do will glorify You and be evidence of Your power and Your might and Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Food for Thought followed by: Wild Fried Rice Recipe

So I know that this may be a cop out as far as posts go...such is my life right now. It was kindly pointed out to me that it's been a LONG time since my last post. Oh for shame! ;) I'm coming off of an insanely busy season...yet again. It feels good to take a moment and complete a thought, capture it even. Around the time I turned 30, I decided it was necessary to re-gauge my life canisters for mind, body, soul and spirit. I realized that some areas were full to the brim and others...depleted virtually dry. In an effort to steward my temple better, I got back on my work out routine and eating plan. If you eat a clean diet, it leaves you some wiggle room for days where nothing short of a burger will cut it. I realize that as someone who enjoys cooking, this may come easier to me than for some. However, stepping outside of the box and committing yourself to rolling up your sleeves and preparing a good meal for yourself doesn't just keep extra lb.'s at bay. I've found that intrinsically when there is a concerted effort put in to achieve balance in one area...one cannot help but to find that it postures itself into all areas!

It can be easy to chalk up our bodies as just a temporary and fleeting shell, but consider this, we are made in God's image. I'll say it again, we are made in God's image. Therefore it does matter very much how you treat your temple because HE intentioned us to do much with our bodies for his Kingdom work. By effect, we honor HIM by honoring the temple with which HE has blessed us.

Eating well does not mean you have to sacrifice taste and flavor. Eating well means that you are being intentional about what you are putting into your body. It means you care. Sometimes it's just a matter of cutting out certain ingredients in your favorite recipes and substituting healthier ones in. I love fried rice for example. I'm Korean...us Asians have to use up rice that is beyond a day old. That's essentially where Fried Rice came from. You don't get good Fried Rice by using freshly prepared rice. That would be disastrous! You may be nodding your heads in agreement if you've ever made that mistake. :) Anyway, I digress! Below you will find a wonderfully healthy take on Fried Rice. You can take liberties on this recipe. Feel free to add any lean meat of your choice like Chicken Breast, Pork tenderloin, Shrimp or beef tenderloin. You can also add in spinach, chinese brocoli or bok choy for some greens rich in iron, vitamins and a good source of added fiber. The recipe as it stands is vegetarian, but so good. I'm a fan of meat...but sometimes it's good to give your liver a break! :) Wild rice will give this recipe a nutty, crunchy/chewy texture that will dance in your mouth, but you can certainly use brown rice as well! Have some chili garlic sambali sauce on the side or throw it in while you wok toss your dish for a major KICK! ENJOY and remember...honor thy temple for it is the dwelling place of the Lord.

~Mel
***************
Wild Fried Rice Recipe

Use your widest skillet here to get the eggs as thin as possible. Sometimes I brown the tofu first, sometimes I use it raw, and just toss it in the skillet toward the end to heat it up.
1 scant tablespoon toasted sesame oil
1 scant tablespoon olive oil
3 - 4 good quality eggs, well beaten with a big pinch of salt
1 small red onion, finely chopped
1 1/2 cups cooked wild rice
6 ounces extra-firm nigari tofu, cut into 1/2-inch cubes, raw or browned in a skillet ahead of time
2 big handfuls of pea sprouts, chopped green beans or peas
1+ tablespoon tamari or soy sauce
In a large, clean skillet, heat the toasted sesame and olive oil. When they are nice and hot (but not too hot!), pour the eggs into the pan, count to ten, then gently swirl the pan to create a thin layer of egg evenly distribute across the pan. Cook this thin omelette for about 45 seconds or until it sets up. Fold the eggs over on themselves and cook for another 30 seconds or so (but avoid scorching) before transferring to a cutting board. Let it cool a bit, then slice into strips. Set aside.
Don't bother cleaning the skillet outright, just scrape or wipe out any remaining egg. There should still be enough residual oil to cook the onions over medium high heat for a minute or so. Stir in the wild rice and tofu and cook until heated. Now stir in the pea sprouts, and cook for 20 seconds. Gently add the eggs back into the skillet and finish by adding the tamari. Use a spatula to stir until the tamari works its way around the pan. Taste, and adjust - more salt (or tamari), or maybe a pinch of red pepper flakes...
Serves 2-3 as a main.

Australia offers 'best job in world' on paradise island...

Australia offers 'best job in world' on paradise island...

To All My Fellow COLD Winter Climate Dwellers:

I stumbled upon this article at yahoo.com this morning. Can I just say...VERY tempting, especially considering that the temperature was -20 this morning when I left for work and it took me 1 hour and 15 minutes to get there (my normal commute is 20-25 minutes). You're welcome to commiserate with me! Sorry, I couldn't embed the link so here it is: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090113/od_afp
/lifestyleaustraliatourismoffbeat_20090113032028


MEL

Birches, by Robert Frost

~I took this picture up in Duluth, MN recently...It reminded me of one of Frost's poems.~ MEL

Birches
by: Robert Frost

When I see birches bend to left and right
Across the lines of straighter darker trees,
I like to think some boy's been swinging them.
But swinging doesn't bend them down to stay.
Ice-storms do that. Often you must have seen them
Loaded with ice a sunny winter morning
After a rain. They click upon themselves
As the breeze rises, and turn many-coloured
As the stir cracks and crazes their enamel.
Soon the sun's warmth makes them shed crystal shells
Shattering and avalanching on the snow-crust
Such heaps of broken glass to sweep away
You'd think the inner dome of heaven had fallen.
They are dragged to the withered bracken by the load,
And they seem not to break; though once they are bowed
So low for long, they never right themselves:
You may see their trunks arching in the woods
Years afterwards, trailing their leaves on the ground,
Like girls on hands and knees that throw their hair
Before them over their heads to dry in the sun.
But I was going to say when Truth broke in
With all her matter-of-fact about the ice-storm,
I should prefer to have some boy bend them
As he went out and in to fetch the cows--
Some boy too far from town to learn baseball,
Whose only play was what he found himself,
Summer or winter, and could play alone.
One by one he subdued his father's trees
By riding them down over and over again
Until he took the stiffness out of them,
And not one but hung limp, not one was left
For him to conquer. He learned all there was
To learn about not launching out too soon
And so not carrying the tree away
Clear to the ground. He always kept his poise
To the top branches, climbing carefully
With the same pains you use to fill a cup
Up to the brim, and even above the brim.
Then he flung outward, feet first, with a swish,
Kicking his way down through the air to the ground.
So was I once myself a swinger of birches.
And so I dream of going back to be.
It's when I'm weary of considerations,
And life is too much like a pathless wood
Where your face burns and tickles with the cobwebs
Broken across it, and one eye is weeping
From a twig's having lashed across it open.
I'd like to get away from earth awhile
And then come back to it and begin over.
May no fate willfully misunderstand me
And half grant what I wish and snatch me away
Not to return. Earth's the right place for love:
I don't know where it's likely to go better.
I'd like to go by climbing a birch tree
And climb black branches up a snow-white trunk
Toward heaven, till the tree could bear no more,
But dipped its top and set me down again.
That would be good both going and coming back.
One could do worse than be a swinger of birches.