MORNING PRAYER

                                   Father,
                                                        Thank You for this new morning and the 
                                                   privilege of beginning the day with You. As
                                                   today unfolds, give me wisdom to handle 
                                                   every situation I encounter. Let my speech be
                                                   seasoned with grace and my thoughts pleasing 
                                                   to You. I am grateful to know that regardless
                                                   of where this day takes me, You will be right
                                                   here with me. There is no shortage of good
                                                   things in Your presence. 

                                                       Help me to live with my mind set on things
                                                    above so that Your light would shine in my
                                                    life and Your name would be glorified.
                                      
                                                    Amen.

                                                       O satisfy us in the morning with Your
                                                    lovingkindness, that we may sing for joy and
                                                   be glad all our days.

                                                                                                  -Psalm 90:14

                                      

Adopting A Nurturing Attitude

"We were gentle among you,
just as a mother cherishes
her own children."
--1 Thessalonians 2:7

The apostle Paul adopted a nurturing attitude when teaching people. He knew believers needed the "milk of the Word" for spiritual growth 
(1 Peter 2:2).

But he also gave much special attention to the concerns of those believers that he cared for. "We dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children," Paul said, "encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God" (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 NIV).

Oh beloved, as we serve each other, may we serve with the tender loving care of our Savior, encouraging and comforting each other in our spiritual growth and journey (Hebrews 10:24).

Dear Lord, help me to be sensitive and caring as I serve others. Help me to love others tenderly as You so tenderly love and care for me. Amen.

God pours His love into our hearts to flow out to other's lives.

     Have a Jesus filled Sunday.

PUERTO RICAN CHRISTMAS SHORTBREAD THUMBPRINT COOKIES WITH JAM FILLING

This recipe brings such wonderful memories of growing up in Puerto Rico.

My mom always made sure there was a delicious snack waiting for us after school. These shortbread cookies were our absolute favorite with a cup of Ginger tea, or hot chocolate. Although they are a typical dessert during the Christmas Holiday, mom never hesitated in baking these all year round.

Buen Apetito!

Ingredients:

1 cup sugar

2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 cup Crisco (baking shortening) at room temperature

2 egg yolks

2 tsp. almond extract

1 tsp. vanilla extract

4 1/2 cups all purpose flour (good quality flour)

Food coloring (optional)

Note: A variety of jams is recommended, since these shortbread cookies are thumbprint cookies (guava and raspberry jam is our favorite) but of course the jams are optional as well. If you decide not to use jams, then you don't have to press in the thumb to make the indentation.

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

2. On medium speed beat sugar, butter, and shortening until light and fluffy, for about 3-4 minutes.

3. Add in the egg yolks, and beat until combined. Add in the almond and vanilla extracts, and beat until combined. Slowly add in the flour, 1/2 cup at-a-time, and mix on low speed until the batter is thick.

4. Using a measuring tablespoon, roll out balls of 1 tbsp full and place them on the lined cookie sheets. Slightly make an indentation in the center of the cookie with your thumb. It's during this step that you fill the thumbprint with the jam of your preference (this step is optional)

5. Bake at 350 degrees until the cookies are slightly golden, about 20 minutes. Cool slightly and enjoy!

This recipe yields 4 dozen thumbprint cookies.

"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." 1 Timothy 4:4-5

THE POWER TO CHANGE

"Do not conform to the patterns 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."
     Romans 12:2


Educator and best-selling author, Tony Wagner is a firm believer in "disruptive
innovation" that changes the way the world thinks and works. "Innovation occurs in every aspect of human endeavor," and "most people can become more creative and innovative...given the right environment and opportunities."

Paul was a first-century innovator who traveled throughout Asia Minor, telling people how they could be transformed by faith in Jesus Christ.
To the Christians in Rome, Paul wrote, "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing they way you think" (Romans 12"2).

He urged them to give themselves fully to God. The world has changed dramatically since Paul's time. But the longings for love, forgiveness, and the power to change remain the same. Jesus the Great Innovator, offers all of these and invites us to experience a new and different life in Him.

Let's Pray,
I'm thankful for the ways You're changing me. Lord, help me to be open to You and to cooperate with Your work in me. Transform my life for You. Amen.

God takes us as we are, but never leaves us that way.

Yolanda
Take Delight In The Lord,

PRAISE AND GRATITUDE!

Psalm 150 is a beautiful expression and reminder to us that the Holy Scriptures contain the formula for our total and ultimate fulfillment in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Praise the LORD!
     Praise God in His sanctuary;
     Praise Him in His mighty expanse.
     Praise Him for His mighty deeds;
     Praise Him according to His excellent
        greatness.

     Praise Him with trumpet sound;
     Praise Him with harp and lyre.
     Praise Him with timbrel and dancing;
     Praise Him with stringed instruments
        and pipe.
     Praise Him with loud cymbals;
     Praise Him with resounding cymbals.
     Let everything that has breath praise
         the LORD.
     Praise the LORD!

This Scripture teaches us such an amazing lesson in praising the Lord!

It teaches us where to praise, why we're to praise, how we're to praise, and who should offer praise.

We are to praise Him in the "sanctuary."
We are to praise Him for the wonderful blessings He bestows on us.
We are to praise Him for "Who He is." His awesomeness, His power and "great excellence."
We are to praise Him as our "Father Elohim" our all-powerful "Creator."
We are to praise Him "loudly", "tenderly","eagerly","graciously", "fearlessly."
We can praise Him in so many different ways, wherever we are!

Who should praise Him? (v.6) says, "Everything that has breath"! That clearly means the rich and poor, the young and old, the white and the black, the sick and whole, the weak and strong. Every living creature on the face of the earth!

God is the "breath of life", let's confess it, believe it and acknowledge His strength and vastness!

Thank You, Heavenly Father!

Archie

                                   In Loving Memory,
                                        Archie
                                                           October 15, 2014

Our friend Kimm from (Reinvented) just shared that their beloved pet Archie, passed away sometime last night. The family woke up this morning to find Archie resting peacefully. Here is a pic of Archie. At some time or another, we've all experienced the loss of a loved one, whether a human relative, a friend, or a pet.

Their not "just" pets. Their family, our children, and they come to fill a deep, deep part in our hearts. We enjoy the laughter they bring into our lives, and we worry when their sick, or not their usual playful selves. We love just as much as they do just hanging out cuddling on the couch, and rubbing their tummies. As time goes by, we seek their companionship and unconditional love.

So here's to you,  Archie...  Thank you for the beautiful memories! You will always live in our hearts!

Your time on earth has reached an end

Our home will never be the same

For memories of you greeting me

Will always linger and remain.

Your napping spot, your feeding bowl

Your toys are still scattered

Your life on earth as my best friend

Tells the world how much you mattered.

And now my dear beloved pet

One last command I send

Please wait for me in heaven

As my eternal friend.

(Poem by Theresa K. Hardy)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAlE7fMYXaU  I Loved You Best

My Vegan Corner

I know it's been awhile since I posted anything remotely close to food, but life happens! Although I have been extremely busy, I always find time for the best of the best... Jesus! He has been busy advising me into taking more time alone with Him. And so I have agreed to obey! I have claimed a nice little spot in my backyard under this great, old, massive oak tree, and have made it my place of "worship." As I continue to press on with my quiet time, the Holy Spirit has been instructing me on my eating habits, and steering me towards a more raw diet.

In the midst of my quiet time the Lord has been teaching me more about "His flow" and instructing me on less participation of the "worlds flow". It was during this time that I discovered the awesome vegan website ohsheglows.com. Angela is such a gifted blogger, and an amazing vegan cook. She and her husband are both vegans, and she incorporates an incredible selection of raw foods. While her recipes are incredibly delicious, they're simple, filling and very easy to make. Some recipes can be prepared ahead of time, freeze them, and pull them out when you need them.

This was my breakfast today, after my workout at the gym. If you an an early morning eater then by all means you can certainly have this even before your workout, I chose to have it after because I am not an early morning eater. First thing in the morning I make myself a Green smoothie, and an hour later a cup of either Green tea, or Camomile tea.

Note: For energy and strength, remember to eat some protein and some carbs before your workout. Nick English wrote a great article about the "12 Complete Vegetarian Proteins."

Go to www.http://greatist.com/health/complete-vegetarian-proteins to read up on the variety of proteins we can all benefit from.

Although this here is somewhat my creation, I did get to use some of the dinner leftovers from Angela's recipe for the Ultimate Green Taco Wraps with Lentil-Walnut Taco Meat. What an amazing dish!

This deliciousness consists of:

1 slice of toasted Ezequiel bread.

3 Tbsp of the Lentil-Walnut Taco Meat (vegan + Gluten-Free from Oh She Glows).

A generous helping of the sauteed red, green peppers & onions.

Avocado slices (as many as you can fit on the slice of Ezequiel bread).

A sprinkle of some Hemp seeds, Chia seeds, and ground Flax seeds.

1 Tbsp (or two) of Angela's Homemade Vegan Sour Cream. YUM!

Fresh fruit of your choice.

Because all the fruit I had at hand was a couple of bananas and a bowlful of grapes, I chose the grapes simply because I really didn't want anything sweet to take my taste buds away form the savoriness of the Lentil-Walnut Taco Meat. But you can have whatever fruit you have at hand, or skip the fruit all together if you prefer.

I wasn't too sure what to call this, and after much thought I decided to call this creation, My Vegan Deliciousness!

My beverage was a delicious and refreshing concoction of:

8 oz of bottled water

2 Tbsp of 100% Organic Maple Syrup Grade A

A dash or pinch of Cayenne pepper

2 Tbsp of freshly squeezed lemon juice

I also use this concoction when I am detoxifying in conjunction with a colon cleanser from WholeFoods. This is something I do once every 3 to 4 months, just to keep my "pipes" clean and healthy.

So there you have it my friends... a delicious after workout vegan breakfast! Simple, filling, healthy, easy and yummy!

Now you all can head over to Oh She Glows, and checkout what Angela's up to. I guarantee you she's up to something really good! Have fun!

Blessings,

In His grace,

Yolanda