March 18, 2011
Blue's Clues
At the moment, Lili's favorite show is Blue's Clues. And since it's on Netflix, she can watch it over... and over... and over again. This morning, when Blue put her paw print on the screen, Lili sighs deeply and says, "Not Blue's Clues again!" I think she was hoping they were going to do something other than the norm... "Blue's Clues". I love her!
March 17, 2011
Chocolate-Pecan Toffee Torte
This past Saturday, I made Chocolate-Pecan Toffee Torte from my wonderful cookbook, NBC Sunday Night Football Cookbook. Like the last cooking adventure, this recipe was done by a Philadelphia Eagles Chef. And since I've been doing all dinners from the book, I thought I'd give a dessert a try.
There are 3 differnt layers to the Torte, and here is what each one calls for.
Pecan Layer
- 1 1/2 cups pecan halves
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 Tbs all-purpose flour (if you grind your own wheat, that works just as well.)
- 2 Tbs unsalted butter, chilled and cut into pieces
Chocolate Layer
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 6 oz semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 Tbs corn syrup
- 1 Tbs unsalted butter
Toffee Cream Layer
- 1/2 cup plus 1 1/2 Tbs granulated sugar
- 2 Tbs corn syrup
- 2 cups half and half
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 Tbs instant espresso
- 2 large eggs
- 2 large egg yolks
- 4 Tbs cornstarch
- 1 cup confectioners' sugar
- 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into pieces, at room temperature
- Whipped cream
- Chopped toasted pecans
The resipe is kinda long to type it all out, so if you would like it, please email me or message me on Facebook.
But here are some of my side notes.
- I would say, if you are don't this for when having company for dinner, make it the day before. Because it's better if it sits overnight.
- I seemed better to freez it rather than it being in the refrigerater.
- And if you are not a big coffee fan, you might want to cut the espresso in half, because it's very coffee'y.
- It's very, very rich. Even thought it says cut it into eight pieces, I cut it into sixteen.
Everyone in my fam loved it! I'd say this is a redo!
There are 3 differnt layers to the Torte, and here is what each one calls for.
Pecan Layer
- 1 1/2 cups pecan halves
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 Tbs all-purpose flour (if you grind your own wheat, that works just as well.)
- 2 Tbs unsalted butter, chilled and cut into pieces
Chocolate Layer
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 6 oz semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 Tbs corn syrup
- 1 Tbs unsalted butter
Toffee Cream Layer
- 1/2 cup plus 1 1/2 Tbs granulated sugar
- 2 Tbs corn syrup
- 2 cups half and half
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 Tbs instant espresso
- 2 large eggs
- 2 large egg yolks
- 4 Tbs cornstarch
- 1 cup confectioners' sugar
- 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into pieces, at room temperature
- Whipped cream
- Chopped toasted pecans
The resipe is kinda long to type it all out, so if you would like it, please email me or message me on Facebook.
But here are some of my side notes.
- I would say, if you are don't this for when having company for dinner, make it the day before. Because it's better if it sits overnight.
- I seemed better to freez it rather than it being in the refrigerater.
- And if you are not a big coffee fan, you might want to cut the espresso in half, because it's very coffee'y.
- It's very, very rich. Even thought it says cut it into eight pieces, I cut it into sixteen.
Everyone in my fam loved it! I'd say this is a redo!
Bon Appetit!
OJ and the Glory of God
Monday night, I read the chapter five in Pierced by the Word, called "How to Drink Orange Juice to the Glory of God".
In a paragraph John Piper says:
"So I draw this somber conclusion: It is sin to eat or drink or do anything not for the glory of God. In other words, sin is not just a list of harmful things (killing, stealing, etc.). Sin is leaving God out of account in the ordinary affairs of your life. Sin is anything you do that you don't do for the glory of God.
But what do unbelievers do for the glory of God? Nothing. Therefore everything they do is sinful. That is what I mean by saying that, apart from saving grace, all we do is morally ruined.
This, of course, raises the practical question: Well, how do we "eat and drink" to the glory of God? Say, orange juice for breakfast?
One answer is found in 1 Timothy 4:3-5:
[Some] forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.
Orange juice was "created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe... the truth." Therefore, unbelievers cannont use orange juice for the purpose God intended-- namely, as an occasion for heartfelt thanksgiving to God from a true hear of faith."
Later he says;
"Believing this truth in the Word and offering thanks in prayer is one way we drink orange juice to the glory of God."
I must confess, most of the time I don't pray before a meal, or really offer up any kinda thanksgiving to our Father. This was very convicting. How often do I stop and pray? Not much...
In a paragraph John Piper says:
"So I draw this somber conclusion: It is sin to eat or drink or do anything not for the glory of God. In other words, sin is not just a list of harmful things (killing, stealing, etc.). Sin is leaving God out of account in the ordinary affairs of your life. Sin is anything you do that you don't do for the glory of God.
But what do unbelievers do for the glory of God? Nothing. Therefore everything they do is sinful. That is what I mean by saying that, apart from saving grace, all we do is morally ruined.
This, of course, raises the practical question: Well, how do we "eat and drink" to the glory of God? Say, orange juice for breakfast?
One answer is found in 1 Timothy 4:3-5:
[Some] forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.
Orange juice was "created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe... the truth." Therefore, unbelievers cannont use orange juice for the purpose God intended-- namely, as an occasion for heartfelt thanksgiving to God from a true hear of faith."
Later he says;
"Believing this truth in the Word and offering thanks in prayer is one way we drink orange juice to the glory of God."
I must confess, most of the time I don't pray before a meal, or really offer up any kinda thanksgiving to our Father. This was very convicting. How often do I stop and pray? Not much...
♫I Can Only Imagine♫
I must confess, I haven't been listening to worship music at all lately... been listening to a lot of KJ-52 or Red.
But the last few weeks the course of I Can Only Imagine has been suck in my head. Don't get me wrong, I'm not upset I can't get it out of my head... it's an amzing reminder. "Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel. Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still. Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall. Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all." Man, just reading it, I'm tearing up. Surrounded by His glory! I can only imagine! Scratch that... I can't imagine what it's gonna be like. It's to much to grasp. Am I going to dance or be in awe? Am I gonna sing, or will I be able to speak? Will I even be able to stand? Or will I just fall on my knees? What a day that's gonna be!
Here are the rest of the lyrics to the song.
I can only imagine
What it will be like
When I walk
By your side
I can only imagine
What my eyes will see
When your face
Is before me
I can only imagine
Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still
Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
When that day comes
And I find myself
Standing in the Son
I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever
Forever worship You
But the last few weeks the course of I Can Only Imagine has been suck in my head. Don't get me wrong, I'm not upset I can't get it out of my head... it's an amzing reminder. "Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel. Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still. Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall. Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all." Man, just reading it, I'm tearing up. Surrounded by His glory! I can only imagine! Scratch that... I can't imagine what it's gonna be like. It's to much to grasp. Am I going to dance or be in awe? Am I gonna sing, or will I be able to speak? Will I even be able to stand? Or will I just fall on my knees? What a day that's gonna be!
Here are the rest of the lyrics to the song.
I can only imagine
What it will be like
When I walk
By your side
I can only imagine
What my eyes will see
When your face
Is before me
I can only imagine
Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still
Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
When that day comes
And I find myself
Standing in the Son
I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever
Forever worship You
March 15, 2011
A Snapshot from Life
03/12/2011 - How often do we look like this when we don't get what we want, even if that thing is something we should not have... (I was not torchering her FYI, Kel took something away Brina didn't need to have, just as I was taking the picture. My poor baby!!!)
It's All About God
Last night I read this part in Pierced by the Word, and thought I would blog it.
John Piper says,
"That is why we exist -- to display the glory of God. Human life is all about God. That is the meaning of being human. It is our created nature to make much of God. It is our glory to worship the glory of God. When we fulfill this reason for being, we have substance. There is weight and significance in our existence. Knowing, enjoying, and thus displaying the glory of God is a sharing in the glory of God. Not that we become God. But something of His greatness and beauty is on us as we realize this purpose for our being -- to image-forth His excellence. This is our substance."
It reminds me of the verse 1 Corinthians 10:31, "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
When I read this, it made me want to jump up and worship our wonderful Creator!
John Piper says,
"That is why we exist -- to display the glory of God. Human life is all about God. That is the meaning of being human. It is our created nature to make much of God. It is our glory to worship the glory of God. When we fulfill this reason for being, we have substance. There is weight and significance in our existence. Knowing, enjoying, and thus displaying the glory of God is a sharing in the glory of God. Not that we become God. But something of His greatness and beauty is on us as we realize this purpose for our being -- to image-forth His excellence. This is our substance."
It reminds me of the verse 1 Corinthians 10:31, "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
When I read this, it made me want to jump up and worship our wonderful Creator!
March 12, 2011
Why God's Forgiveness?
I'm reading two books right now. For my morning quite time, I'm reading Choosing Forgiveness by Nancy Leigh DeMoss, then reading Pierced by the Word by John Piper before bed. I'm not going to post something from every chapter like I have done before, but I'll post little quote that really stood out to me.
Last night I read meditation 2 in Pierced by the Word. It is called "God is the Gospel", and John Piper starts it off with this.
"Have you ever asked why God's forgiveness is of any value? Or what about eternal life? Have you ever asked why a person would want to have eternal life? Why should we want to live forever? These questions matter because it is possible to want forgiveness and eternal life for reasons that prove you don't have them.
Take forgivenss for example. You might want God's forgiveness because you are so miserable with guilt feelings. You just want relief. If you can believe that He forgives you, then you will have some relief, but not necessarily salvation. If you only want forgivenss because of emotional relief, you won't have God's forgiveness. He does not give it to those who use it only to get His gifts and not Himself."
Later in the chapter he says, "Forgiveness is precious for one final reason: It enables you to enjoy fellowship with God."
Wow! I don't know about you, but I sure have done this. And really, we aren't thinking of God at all. It's all about ourself! Me, me, me. There's a big difference in wanting relief, and wanting fellowship with God. And I hope next time, when I want God's forgiveness, that I'll be able to remember this, and check my motive behind it.
Also, I would really encourage you to read Pierced by the Word by John Piper. It's an amzing book! The chapters are meditations, and they only take 10 -15 minutes to read. But wow! That are so deep, and very convicting. It's a great book of truth!
Last night I read meditation 2 in Pierced by the Word. It is called "God is the Gospel", and John Piper starts it off with this.
"Have you ever asked why God's forgiveness is of any value? Or what about eternal life? Have you ever asked why a person would want to have eternal life? Why should we want to live forever? These questions matter because it is possible to want forgiveness and eternal life for reasons that prove you don't have them.
Take forgivenss for example. You might want God's forgiveness because you are so miserable with guilt feelings. You just want relief. If you can believe that He forgives you, then you will have some relief, but not necessarily salvation. If you only want forgivenss because of emotional relief, you won't have God's forgiveness. He does not give it to those who use it only to get His gifts and not Himself."
Later in the chapter he says, "Forgiveness is precious for one final reason: It enables you to enjoy fellowship with God."
Wow! I don't know about you, but I sure have done this. And really, we aren't thinking of God at all. It's all about ourself! Me, me, me. There's a big difference in wanting relief, and wanting fellowship with God. And I hope next time, when I want God's forgiveness, that I'll be able to remember this, and check my motive behind it.
Also, I would really encourage you to read Pierced by the Word by John Piper. It's an amzing book! The chapters are meditations, and they only take 10 -15 minutes to read. But wow! That are so deep, and very convicting. It's a great book of truth!
March 11, 2011
Gotta Do What Ya Gotta Do...
For months now, I have tried and tried to get Snuggs to stop scratching my bed. I have bought him a condo and a scratching post. But that didn't help. Then I googled to find tips on how to get cats to stop scratching an area and start scratching the post. A few tips I found were;- play with them by the post and show them that they can scratch it. (tried that)
- place it by their food and water to show that it is theirs to mess with (tried that)
- place by the area they scratch the most showing them they can scratch this aswell (tried that)And last;
- wrap foil around the surface that is being scratched and place post next to it.
This is what I am attempting now. If this does not work... I am not sure what to do next. Because as you can see from the pictures, my sheets are getting messed up. They look like this on 3 of 4 corners. Thank goodness there is another covering under the sheet and the mattress is not damaged! I just wrapped the corners last night, so well see how this goes.... But do any cat owners have better idea's? I'd love to hear about them!
Something Sweeter Than Honey
I just started reading Choosing Forgiveness by Nancy Leigh DeMoss, and she has a Spurgeon quote in there that I love. So I thought I would share it with the blogging world....
"To be forgiven is such sweetness that honey is tasteless in comparison with it. But yet there is one thing sweeter still and that is to forgive." -C. H. Spurgeon
"To be forgiven is such sweetness that honey is tasteless in comparison with it. But yet there is one thing sweeter still and that is to forgive." -C. H. Spurgeon
March 10, 2011
A Snapshot from Life
03/09/2011 - I love it when my baby sleeps with me, and I love that pink nose. (Sorry if you think I take to many pictures of my cat... but he's my baby =) )
Hebrews 4:12
I'm starting to read John Piper's book, Pierced by the Word, and on the opening page he gives a verse. And what an amzing one it is! It's found in Hebrews 4:12.
"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."
"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."
Maple and Chile-Glazed Pork Chops
Last night was dinner night, but I was unable to make it to the store, marinate it, and have it on the table at a decent hour. So Kel was gracious enough to switch dinner night with me. From my wonderful NBC Sunday Night Football Cookbook, I made Maple and Chile-Glazed Pork Chops (a Philadelphia Eagles chef's recipe), with backed beans and corn.
Recipe calls for;
- 1/2 cup ancho chili powder (I used regular chili powder)
- salt & pepper
- four 16oz porterhouse pork chops (I used 7 boneless thin pork chops)
- 2 cups apple juice
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 2 TBS lemon juice
To marinate, mix chili powder and 2 tsp of salt on a plate. Rub mixture on chops, then place on a plate, covere with plastic rap, and refrigerate for 4 hours. I didn't have time to marinate for 4 hours, so I cut the time in half. Either way works.
About 20 minutes before the 4 hours (or 2 hours) is up, in a medium saucepan, combine the apple juice, maple syrup, and lemon juice. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Once brought to a boil, cook until reduced to a glaze, about 10 minutes.
Set oven to 400 degees. Then line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil.
Once you remove the chops from the refrig, brush with glaze on both sides. Place on backing sheet and bake for 20 minutes.
This meal was sooooooo easy! Not much prep work at all. Next time I think I'm gonna do mashed potatos along with the corn and beans. Also, I think corn on the cob would be a lot better than canned (I'm a fresh veggies kinda girl anyways). But since they are outa season, canned does fine.
This is a 5 star meal.
Bon appetit!
Recipe calls for;
- 1/2 cup ancho chili powder (I used regular chili powder)
- salt & pepper
- four 16oz porterhouse pork chops (I used 7 boneless thin pork chops)
- 2 cups apple juice
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 2 TBS lemon juice
To marinate, mix chili powder and 2 tsp of salt on a plate. Rub mixture on chops, then place on a plate, covere with plastic rap, and refrigerate for 4 hours. I didn't have time to marinate for 4 hours, so I cut the time in half. Either way works.
About 20 minutes before the 4 hours (or 2 hours) is up, in a medium saucepan, combine the apple juice, maple syrup, and lemon juice. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Once brought to a boil, cook until reduced to a glaze, about 10 minutes.
Set oven to 400 degees. Then line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil.
Once you remove the chops from the refrig, brush with glaze on both sides. Place on backing sheet and bake for 20 minutes.
This meal was sooooooo easy! Not much prep work at all. Next time I think I'm gonna do mashed potatos along with the corn and beans. Also, I think corn on the cob would be a lot better than canned (I'm a fresh veggies kinda girl anyways). But since they are outa season, canned does fine.
This is a 5 star meal.
Bon appetit!
March 09, 2011
What the Heck?
I love sports. I'm a little over board when it comes to it, not like your typical girl. I'm starting to think I might not ever find a guy who will like having a girl whose as into storts as I. But only God knows. And if it's His plan for me to enjoy sports alone, then He is really gonna have to give me strength. Cuz it's no fun watching them alone and Twitting about it because theres no one to talk to. I'm 100% my fam is sick of hearing me talk about it all.
In the last week, I posted that I have made the decision to only have one top team in the NBA. After 9 years of Miami and LA Lakers being both my teams, Miami is now my favorite team, followed very, very closely by the Lakers. After a great start to the season, they aren't doing so hot. As of right now, they have a 5 loss streak. Not cool! But it makes no since! Both Wade and James have a great game, averaging 25+ points each, and most games getting triple doubles, if not very close to it. Even Bosh more than half the time has a decent game. Three players right? So why are they losing. From what my dad and I have been reading, Wade and James on different occasions have spoken how they are not pleased with their Coach. And after watching the games from this past week, I'm convinced that the Miami Heat is becoming a team divided. It's not only team vs. team on game nights, but players vs. coach. And I personally don't think Spoelstra knows how to handle a team with 3 all-stars.
Another thing, stop switching the freakin' starting line up. Want my opinion? Mario Chalmers at point, Dwyane Wade and Lebron James as guards, and Chris Bosh and Erick Dampier down at post. What a team that has been! When they put James at point, he can't do it. He does better when he is not in control of the game. He's not a point. Then, when you put guys like Mike Bibby in the mix, forget it! Sure, sub him in for a few minutes, seconds even, to give the guys a break. But then take him right out! Please! I'm not one to get ticked off about sports like some people... but this is really making me start to sin!
Well, that's my two-cents.
In the last week, I posted that I have made the decision to only have one top team in the NBA. After 9 years of Miami and LA Lakers being both my teams, Miami is now my favorite team, followed very, very closely by the Lakers. After a great start to the season, they aren't doing so hot. As of right now, they have a 5 loss streak. Not cool! But it makes no since! Both Wade and James have a great game, averaging 25+ points each, and most games getting triple doubles, if not very close to it. Even Bosh more than half the time has a decent game. Three players right? So why are they losing. From what my dad and I have been reading, Wade and James on different occasions have spoken how they are not pleased with their Coach. And after watching the games from this past week, I'm convinced that the Miami Heat is becoming a team divided. It's not only team vs. team on game nights, but players vs. coach. And I personally don't think Spoelstra knows how to handle a team with 3 all-stars.
Another thing, stop switching the freakin' starting line up. Want my opinion? Mario Chalmers at point, Dwyane Wade and Lebron James as guards, and Chris Bosh and Erick Dampier down at post. What a team that has been! When they put James at point, he can't do it. He does better when he is not in control of the game. He's not a point. Then, when you put guys like Mike Bibby in the mix, forget it! Sure, sub him in for a few minutes, seconds even, to give the guys a break. But then take him right out! Please! I'm not one to get ticked off about sports like some people... but this is really making me start to sin!
Well, that's my two-cents.
March 07, 2011
"There & Back Again; A Hobbits Tale" By Brittany Fernandez
Chapter 1: The Decision
Well, if you follow me on Facebook or Twitter, you would know that my family's moving back to VA. Hence the title of this post There and Back Again; A Hobbits Tale By Brittany Fernandez.
Years ago, a friend of mine, (who was well over 6 feet) called me hobbit, and the name stuck. So... this is a Hobbits tale... of our move back to VA... by me! And if you don't know what a hobbit is... first off, you are crazy for not knowing! But, it's really short people on the best movie ev'a (aka my favorite movie), Lord of the Rings. It's a must see!
You may be asking yourself, "Why are the Fernz making that big move again, in just 2 years?" And I would answer your question with this. In the last two years, my family of five, has been through a lot. And when I mean a lot... I mean a lot! Like for instance, my family has been to more churches in the last 2 years, than us 3 kiddos have been in our entire lives... so well over 20 years. Can we say (in a surfer accent.), DUDE? Yep. It's crazy to think about. But not only moving from a church affects our lives, but our friendships as well. It's been a hard road. With other things happening, we all feel beat up, but then refreshed at the same time. I know for me, going through these hard things, I can see God used them for good. And He has taught me lessons through these hard things we have been through. And the amazing thing is, I still need to learn so much more! At the age of 20, I feel like I have been through everything in life... but in reality, my life is just getting started! But I know God has everything under control. Like my favorite verse says in Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." I just want to get up, put in my Sons and Daughters, Sovereign Grace cd, and worship!
Another reason for our big move, is because we don't belong here. It doesn't feel like home... like VA does everytime we visit. Then again, we aren't regretting that we moved here. No! We can see that God used this time in Florida to help us. Individually and as a family. I'm gald for it, but I'm also glad to be going home. I know for me... it's time to move on. And this is one of God's steps for getting me there.
Well, if you follow me on Facebook or Twitter, you would know that my family's moving back to VA. Hence the title of this post There and Back Again; A Hobbits Tale By Brittany Fernandez.
Years ago, a friend of mine, (who was well over 6 feet) called me hobbit, and the name stuck. So... this is a Hobbits tale... of our move back to VA... by me! And if you don't know what a hobbit is... first off, you are crazy for not knowing! But, it's really short people on the best movie ev'a (aka my favorite movie), Lord of the Rings. It's a must see!
You may be asking yourself, "Why are the Fernz making that big move again, in just 2 years?" And I would answer your question with this. In the last two years, my family of five, has been through a lot. And when I mean a lot... I mean a lot! Like for instance, my family has been to more churches in the last 2 years, than us 3 kiddos have been in our entire lives... so well over 20 years. Can we say (in a surfer accent.), DUDE? Yep. It's crazy to think about. But not only moving from a church affects our lives, but our friendships as well. It's been a hard road. With other things happening, we all feel beat up, but then refreshed at the same time. I know for me, going through these hard things, I can see God used them for good. And He has taught me lessons through these hard things we have been through. And the amazing thing is, I still need to learn so much more! At the age of 20, I feel like I have been through everything in life... but in reality, my life is just getting started! But I know God has everything under control. Like my favorite verse says in Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." I just want to get up, put in my Sons and Daughters, Sovereign Grace cd, and worship!
Another reason for our big move, is because we don't belong here. It doesn't feel like home... like VA does everytime we visit. Then again, we aren't regretting that we moved here. No! We can see that God used this time in Florida to help us. Individually and as a family. I'm gald for it, but I'm also glad to be going home. I know for me... it's time to move on. And this is one of God's steps for getting me there.
Humility (Chapters 5)
*I know this post looks long... but it really only takes 6 minutes or so to read. Hope you take the time to read and comment!*
Since finishing Humility last week, I have wanted to pick it up again, and read it over and over. It's that amazing! But I think I'll be moving onto Choosing Forgiveness by Nancy Leigh DeMoss, for reasons I'll explain later.
I'm kinda glad I didn't blog about the book while reading it, cuz it's a great "re-refresher" (as Shawn Spencer would say) to blog about what really stood out in the book. God has really used it in my life. I've been able to point out sin I didn't know was there, just living my life I've noticed I need a lot of help from Him who created me!
Chapter 5, As Each Day Begins, he talks about us starting our mornings off with putting our focus on God, and not what the day holds. C.J. gives a list of things that he tries to do daily to "weaken pride and cultivate humility". He gives this list not for you to have, but rather for "recommendations". He goes on to say, "But let me impress this on you: You should have a list. You should be purposeful about this. Each day you should be planning the defeat of your greatest enemy and cultivate your greatest friend."
1) Reflect on the wonders of the cross of Christ. He says this one is "the most consistently helpful item on the list." He gives a quote from Martyn Lloyd-Jones, "There is only one thing I know of that crushe me to the ground and humiliates me to the dust, and that is to look at the Son of God, and especially contemplate the cross. 'When I survey the wondrous cross. Oh which the Prince of Glory died, My richest gain I count but loss. And pour contempt on all my pride.' Nothing else can do it. When I see that I am a sinner... that nothing but the Son of God on the cross can save me, I'm humbled to the dust.... Nothing but the cross can give us this spirit of humility." The following paragraph he goes on to say, "John Stott helps us understand why the cross has this powerful effect: 'Every time we look at the cross Christ seems to be saying to us, "I am here because of you. It is your sin I am bearing, your curse I am suffering, your debt I am paying, your death I am dying." Nothing in history or in the universe cuts us down to size like the cross. All of us have inflated views of ourselves, especially in self-righteousness, until we have visited a place called Calvary. It is there at the foot of the cross, that we shrink to our true size.'"
2) "Begin your day by acknowledging your dependence upon God and your need for God. Purpose by grace that your first thought of the day will be an expression of your dependence of God, your need for God, and your confidence in God." This is something I fail to do. My mornings tends to look like this; hitting the snooze for the 3rd, 4th, 5th time I think to myself, "I'll sleep for 9 more minutes (till the next time I hit snooze)"...alarm goes off once again, "just 9 more minutes" or "I don't want to get out of my warm bed just yet". Or days I'm off, and Snuggs is still asleep, "when he gets up, I'll get up too." As you can see, I'm not a morning person... never have been. And because of that, it's very difficult to get up and have a quite time for me. Most mornings, I have to sit and drink coffee for 5 minutes or so before I can put my glasses on and read my Bible. C.J starts this section off with "How we begin our morning so often sets the tone for the day. I'm convinced that the most decisive ttime of our day is very often our first waking moments, because they color everything to come. Later he then gives another quote by Martyn Lloyd-Jones, "Have you realized that most of your unhappieness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking to yourself?" I can totally relate. And I know I listen to myself daily. We need to "acknowledge our dependecne upon God" first thing!
3) "Begin your day expressing gratefulness to God. 'Thankfulness,' Michael Ramsey reminds us, 'is a soil in which pride does not easily grow." Again, something I fail to do. I think I complain more than expressing gratefulness. He asks, "Are you a thankful observer of the countless indications of His provision, His presence, His kindness, and His grace?"
4) "Practice the spiritual disciplines - prayer, study of God's Word, worship. Do this consistenly each day, preferably at the day's outset, if possible. If we're properly motivated, this will be a daily demonstration and declaration of our dependence on God and our need for Him." A great book for this would be Spiritual Disciplines, also by C.J. Mahaney. It was the book our small group at Redeemer went through, and I found it very helpful. A book I want to read over and over.
5) Seize your commute time to memorize and meditate on Scripute. I don't really have a "commute" to work, but when we would travel an hour and a half to CrossWay and since I get motion sickness, I would listen to Sovereign Grace music, and worship on the way.
6) Cast your cares upon Him. This is something C.J. says not to do just in the morning, but through out the day. He gives the verse in 1 Peter, 5:6-7, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."
One of the closing paragraphs he says "I have to remember that whatever I feel buried under care, the real issue is pride and my self-sufficiency. I must deliberately and specifically cast my cares upon Him and thereby humble myself. Don't be mistaken. God hasn't gone anywhere. He's just as sovereign, just as good, just as faithful when I'm buried under care as He was in those early hours of communion. The issue isn't God. It's my pride, that resists trusting in Him through dependence upon Him. In fact, I should also recognize that all the cares coming my way are actually provided by God specifically for the purpose of cultivating humility in my life. I shouldn't act surprised when they come, because there's a reason. God wants me to learn to depend on Him, to need Him, and in the end to give glory to Him with an ever-deepening appreciation for the mighty hand of God." I want to depend on Him... what about you?
Since finishing Humility last week, I have wanted to pick it up again, and read it over and over. It's that amazing! But I think I'll be moving onto Choosing Forgiveness by Nancy Leigh DeMoss, for reasons I'll explain later.
I'm kinda glad I didn't blog about the book while reading it, cuz it's a great "re-refresher" (as Shawn Spencer would say) to blog about what really stood out in the book. God has really used it in my life. I've been able to point out sin I didn't know was there, just living my life I've noticed I need a lot of help from Him who created me!
Chapter 5, As Each Day Begins, he talks about us starting our mornings off with putting our focus on God, and not what the day holds. C.J. gives a list of things that he tries to do daily to "weaken pride and cultivate humility". He gives this list not for you to have, but rather for "recommendations". He goes on to say, "But let me impress this on you: You should have a list. You should be purposeful about this. Each day you should be planning the defeat of your greatest enemy and cultivate your greatest friend."
1) Reflect on the wonders of the cross of Christ. He says this one is "the most consistently helpful item on the list." He gives a quote from Martyn Lloyd-Jones, "There is only one thing I know of that crushe me to the ground and humiliates me to the dust, and that is to look at the Son of God, and especially contemplate the cross. 'When I survey the wondrous cross. Oh which the Prince of Glory died, My richest gain I count but loss. And pour contempt on all my pride.' Nothing else can do it. When I see that I am a sinner... that nothing but the Son of God on the cross can save me, I'm humbled to the dust.... Nothing but the cross can give us this spirit of humility." The following paragraph he goes on to say, "John Stott helps us understand why the cross has this powerful effect: 'Every time we look at the cross Christ seems to be saying to us, "I am here because of you. It is your sin I am bearing, your curse I am suffering, your debt I am paying, your death I am dying." Nothing in history or in the universe cuts us down to size like the cross. All of us have inflated views of ourselves, especially in self-righteousness, until we have visited a place called Calvary. It is there at the foot of the cross, that we shrink to our true size.'"
2) "Begin your day by acknowledging your dependence upon God and your need for God. Purpose by grace that your first thought of the day will be an expression of your dependence of God, your need for God, and your confidence in God." This is something I fail to do. My mornings tends to look like this; hitting the snooze for the 3rd, 4th, 5th time I think to myself, "I'll sleep for 9 more minutes (till the next time I hit snooze)"...alarm goes off once again, "just 9 more minutes" or "I don't want to get out of my warm bed just yet". Or days I'm off, and Snuggs is still asleep, "when he gets up, I'll get up too." As you can see, I'm not a morning person... never have been. And because of that, it's very difficult to get up and have a quite time for me. Most mornings, I have to sit and drink coffee for 5 minutes or so before I can put my glasses on and read my Bible. C.J starts this section off with "How we begin our morning so often sets the tone for the day. I'm convinced that the most decisive ttime of our day is very often our first waking moments, because they color everything to come. Later he then gives another quote by Martyn Lloyd-Jones, "Have you realized that most of your unhappieness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking to yourself?" I can totally relate. And I know I listen to myself daily. We need to "acknowledge our dependecne upon God" first thing!
3) "Begin your day expressing gratefulness to God. 'Thankfulness,' Michael Ramsey reminds us, 'is a soil in which pride does not easily grow." Again, something I fail to do. I think I complain more than expressing gratefulness. He asks, "Are you a thankful observer of the countless indications of His provision, His presence, His kindness, and His grace?"
4) "Practice the spiritual disciplines - prayer, study of God's Word, worship. Do this consistenly each day, preferably at the day's outset, if possible. If we're properly motivated, this will be a daily demonstration and declaration of our dependence on God and our need for Him." A great book for this would be Spiritual Disciplines, also by C.J. Mahaney. It was the book our small group at Redeemer went through, and I found it very helpful. A book I want to read over and over.
5) Seize your commute time to memorize and meditate on Scripute. I don't really have a "commute" to work, but when we would travel an hour and a half to CrossWay and since I get motion sickness, I would listen to Sovereign Grace music, and worship on the way.
6) Cast your cares upon Him. This is something C.J. says not to do just in the morning, but through out the day. He gives the verse in 1 Peter, 5:6-7, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."
One of the closing paragraphs he says "I have to remember that whatever I feel buried under care, the real issue is pride and my self-sufficiency. I must deliberately and specifically cast my cares upon Him and thereby humble myself. Don't be mistaken. God hasn't gone anywhere. He's just as sovereign, just as good, just as faithful when I'm buried under care as He was in those early hours of communion. The issue isn't God. It's my pride, that resists trusting in Him through dependence upon Him. In fact, I should also recognize that all the cares coming my way are actually provided by God specifically for the purpose of cultivating humility in my life. I shouldn't act surprised when they come, because there's a reason. God wants me to learn to depend on Him, to need Him, and in the end to give glory to Him with an ever-deepening appreciation for the mighty hand of God." I want to depend on Him... what about you?
March 05, 2011
A Snapshot from Life
03/04/2011 - Clydesdale fundraiser thingy with the fam. And these things were HUGE!
March 02, 2011
Honey Mustard Chicken
Last night I made one of my favorite meals of all time, Honey Mustard Chicken! It's one my mom has made for years when I have requested, and it's even been a birthday meal. This would be my favorite home cooked meal, and last night, I made it myself.
It calls for:
- 2 Tbs margarine
- 1/3 cup honey
- 2 Tbs mustard
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp curry powder
- 4 chicken breast
*we double the sauce, but we just like to have a little more than what it calls for.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix everything but the chicken in to a sauce pan, and bring to a boil. While the sauce is heating up, cut the chicken and place in a 9x13 pan. Then pour the sauce over. Bake for 20-25 minutes.
Bon appetit!
It calls for:
- 2 Tbs margarine
- 1/3 cup honey
- 2 Tbs mustard
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp curry powder
- 4 chicken breast
*we double the sauce, but we just like to have a little more than what it calls for.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix everything but the chicken in to a sauce pan, and bring to a boil. While the sauce is heating up, cut the chicken and place in a 9x13 pan. Then pour the sauce over. Bake for 20-25 minutes.Last night, the honey was dripping out to slow... and I wanted to get things done. So this is what I did as I poured everything else in. I was having a little fun. →
You can make it with rice, or any side dish. Our fam likes it best with mashed potatos and broccoli best. Bon appetit!
March 01, 2011
I Have Concluded...
Today is the first day of March, as you should know. But as March begins, March Madness draws near! Tis the season for basketball!!! I'm bursting with excitment for it! I've been outside shooting, been watching my teams on our new 42" HD TV, and yesterday watched Lebron James' movie "More Than a Game" (which I loved!). Then last night, I was so in the mood to watch basketball, I went onto the ESPN app on my 360 and watched the Auburn vs. Arkansas game from last Saturday (even though I knew they had lost by 2).
Well, to get to my point. If you don't know, since 2002 I have had two NBA teams. The LA Lakers and Miami Heat. Lately I've been thinking, and have finally concluded... I have one I like more than the other. It just made since. One of these teams has my top two basketball players... my favorite coach of all time not only coached for this team, but is now the owner, and I live in the state they represent. Miami Heat is now my team of teams! Followed very closely by the LA Lakers.
Well, to get to my point. If you don't know, since 2002 I have had two NBA teams. The LA Lakers and Miami Heat. Lately I've been thinking, and have finally concluded... I have one I like more than the other. It just made since. One of these teams has my top two basketball players... my favorite coach of all time not only coached for this team, but is now the owner, and I live in the state they represent. Miami Heat is now my team of teams! Followed very closely by the LA Lakers.
Humility (Chapters 3 & 4)
As of right now, I am on chapter 12 of Humility, but I want to blog about the whole book. I need to just make a point to sit down and blog, rather than letting it build up like this. So, here is chapters 3 & 4.
In chapter 3 he talks about Greatness Redefined. In this chapter, C.J. Mahaney talks about the verses in Mark, when the desciples are descussing who is the greatest out of the twelve. How often have you wondered if you are the greatest? Being involved and consumed in sports as much I was, this was something I struggled with... almost daily. And how often, after serving in any kinda way, do we lift ourselves up? Whether we keep it to ourselves or share it with others. Either way it's pride, and we are taking all the glory from God.
In Mark 10:43-44 Jesus says, "But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all". Mahaney goes on to say, "As sinfully and culturally defined, pursuing greatness looks like this: Individuals motivated by self-interest, self-indulgence, and a false sense of self-sufficiency pursue selfish ambition for the purpose of self-glorification. Contrast that with the pursuit of true greatness as biblically defined: Serving others for the glory of God. This is the genuine expression of humility; this is true greatness as the Savior defined it." Just like it says in 1 Corinthians 10:31, "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." Do ALL! Doesn't say half, or almost, but ALL. That's how I want to live! Doing all for the glory of God!
When he moves on to chapter 4, he talks about Greatness Demonstrated. He starts off in the second paragraph with, "Here's an essential truth: To learn true humility, we need more than a redefinition of greatness; we need even more than Jesus' personal example of humble service. What we need is His death. Listen again to what Jesus said in Mark 10:45: 'For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.' The Savior here is clarifying for His desciples the difference betweenn His example and theirs; He's emphasizing the uniqueness of His own sacrifice. He's telling them not only that true greatness is attained by emulating His axample, but also that true greatness is not even possible for us apart from the Savior's unique sacrifice."
Remember the verse he gave, Mark 10:45? "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." He goes on to talk about the ransom. He gives a quote from Donald English which I loved. "Ransom was a familiar image in the Jewish, Roman, and Greek cultures. It was the price paid to liberate a slave, a prisoner of war, or a condemned person". I've always heard us referred to as that, the ransom, but have never really thought to much about it. But this changed my view of it totally! Me, a slave, a prisoner, someone who is condemned... to what though? Sin. Sin has made me a prisoner. This hit me harder than it has before. I was speechless. But because of the work Chirst did on the cross, I am set free! I've been paid for! "A divine rescue is absolutely necessary" as C.J. says.
Towards the end of the chapter, C.J. gives a quote by Leon Morris.
"God created man, created him to be His own.... God set him in Eden to live in fellowship with Him, but man sinned. Man became the slave of evil. He cannot break free. This is precisely the situation that the ancient world saw as calling for an act of redemption. We who belong to God have gotten into the power of a strong enemy from which we cannot break free. If I can say it reverently, God, if He wants us back, must pay the price.
And the great teaching of the New Testament is that God has paid the price. He has redeemed us. Christ became our Redeemer.... To release the slaves of sin He paid the price. We were in captivity. We were in the strong grip of evil. We could not break free. But the price was paid and the result is that we go free."
We go free! That just makes me want to jump up and worship! What about you?
"By this we know love, that Christ laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers." - 1 John 3:16
In chapter 3 he talks about Greatness Redefined. In this chapter, C.J. Mahaney talks about the verses in Mark, when the desciples are descussing who is the greatest out of the twelve. How often have you wondered if you are the greatest? Being involved and consumed in sports as much I was, this was something I struggled with... almost daily. And how often, after serving in any kinda way, do we lift ourselves up? Whether we keep it to ourselves or share it with others. Either way it's pride, and we are taking all the glory from God.
In Mark 10:43-44 Jesus says, "But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all". Mahaney goes on to say, "As sinfully and culturally defined, pursuing greatness looks like this: Individuals motivated by self-interest, self-indulgence, and a false sense of self-sufficiency pursue selfish ambition for the purpose of self-glorification. Contrast that with the pursuit of true greatness as biblically defined: Serving others for the glory of God. This is the genuine expression of humility; this is true greatness as the Savior defined it." Just like it says in 1 Corinthians 10:31, "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." Do ALL! Doesn't say half, or almost, but ALL. That's how I want to live! Doing all for the glory of God!
When he moves on to chapter 4, he talks about Greatness Demonstrated. He starts off in the second paragraph with, "Here's an essential truth: To learn true humility, we need more than a redefinition of greatness; we need even more than Jesus' personal example of humble service. What we need is His death. Listen again to what Jesus said in Mark 10:45: 'For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.' The Savior here is clarifying for His desciples the difference betweenn His example and theirs; He's emphasizing the uniqueness of His own sacrifice. He's telling them not only that true greatness is attained by emulating His axample, but also that true greatness is not even possible for us apart from the Savior's unique sacrifice."
Remember the verse he gave, Mark 10:45? "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." He goes on to talk about the ransom. He gives a quote from Donald English which I loved. "Ransom was a familiar image in the Jewish, Roman, and Greek cultures. It was the price paid to liberate a slave, a prisoner of war, or a condemned person". I've always heard us referred to as that, the ransom, but have never really thought to much about it. But this changed my view of it totally! Me, a slave, a prisoner, someone who is condemned... to what though? Sin. Sin has made me a prisoner. This hit me harder than it has before. I was speechless. But because of the work Chirst did on the cross, I am set free! I've been paid for! "A divine rescue is absolutely necessary" as C.J. says.
Towards the end of the chapter, C.J. gives a quote by Leon Morris.
"God created man, created him to be His own.... God set him in Eden to live in fellowship with Him, but man sinned. Man became the slave of evil. He cannot break free. This is precisely the situation that the ancient world saw as calling for an act of redemption. We who belong to God have gotten into the power of a strong enemy from which we cannot break free. If I can say it reverently, God, if He wants us back, must pay the price.
And the great teaching of the New Testament is that God has paid the price. He has redeemed us. Christ became our Redeemer.... To release the slaves of sin He paid the price. We were in captivity. We were in the strong grip of evil. We could not break free. But the price was paid and the result is that we go free."
We go free! That just makes me want to jump up and worship! What about you?
"By this we know love, that Christ laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers." - 1 John 3:16
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