Last week I found myself sitting on 250 acres of land in the mountains of East Tennessee surrounded by exotic animals, rolling hills, a beautiful estate and all the peace and quiet I needed. This came as an answer to my prayers!  However,  I didn’t realize I’d prayed that big (I didn’t, but I have a BIG God)!

A couple of months ago, I began asking the Lord to provide some extended time for me to dig into His Word in order to prepare for some upcoming speaking engagements.  I imagined a day or two at a cabin, but the Lord did what only He can do and sent me to this beautiful location for an entire week.

This is Elijah’s Harbor – a retreat place devoted this past week to encouraging pastors and their wives.  My husband and I were here by invitation in order that we might come away and rest and recharge.  Our way was paid by an anonymous giver.  That is amazing to me.

We were allowed the freedom to choose to be as active as we wanted, or as still as we liked.  We had a great mixture of both.  The activities included riding four-wheelers, swimming, playing table games, strolling around the property, ping pong, pool, and an auction in town (my first, but hopefully not my last!  I loved it!). 

 For the quiet part of the time there, I got to spend the entire morning of each day in a beautiful location studying, talking with the Lord and preparing for the upcoming events.  God was so good to speak to my heart and direct my thoughts in a much greater way than I’d even imagined!

Often we pray, and then act surprised when we see God answering that request.  That was certainly the case with me.  I’d asked God for this, yet last week as I sat there and realized that He had answered in such an awesome way, I was as stunned as a half dead fly on the end of the swatter! 

God loves us and wants us to bring our needs to Him.  He also delights in answering those requests and providing for us in amazing ways.  James 5:16 says, The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. 

Be on the lookout for God’s work in your prayer life.  Watch like a keen bird watcher on the prowl of a rare species in the woods.  Oh, and keep praying.  Don’t give up.  The answer you’re waiting for could be just over the next hill.

Not sure why, but Blogger would not let me post today until this very minute.  Maybe the Lord wanted me to get some other things done instead.  At any rate, I will be posting tomorrow (Lord willing!).

Thanks for understanding.

We took a ride through the country in the afternoon and noticed how parched the cornfields look.  The lack of rain is showing in their drooping, shriveled stalks.  You could almost hear them calling out for water.

Later in the day I stepped out onto my front walk to clean things up and looked in disbelief at how in the midst of my also dying phlox, this one viney kind of weed was looking very prolific – spite the lack of rain!  It was standing up straight and tall with new little sprouts everywhere! 

As I set to the task of removing the unwanted plantlife, I thought about how very much weeds are like ungodly disciplines. 

• They both require very little effort to grow. Even in a drought, my weeds are growing! When I’m not being watered by the Word of God, or I’m walking under the control of my flesh, ungodly things grow quickly – criciticism, complaint, discontement, bad attitude, selfishness, and pride – to name a few. 
• They are both discouraging.  Where I’d love flowers to be blooming, weeds are taking over!  When I’m not pulling out the sinful things from my life I see a setback instead of progress.  (Thank the Lord for His forgiveness!)
• Both are the result of sin.  Weeds took over Adam’s garden after he and Eve sinned.  Ungodly disciplines are a part of my life because of my sinful choice.
• Both are ugly.  I planted flowers for beauty, but cannot see them for the weeds! God desires for us to be a reflection of Him, but when we aren’t getting rid of ungodly habits, our testimony for Him is hidden.
• Both can be removed!  When I get out there with work gloves on, I can spray and also pull those ugly rascals out of my flower beds.  When I humble myself before the Lord and confess my sin, it’s gone – as far as the east is from the west.  Psalm 103:12

What’s growing most in your heart – godly disciplines and fruitfulness or the weeds of ungodly things?  Get out the weed killer of humility and become a thing of beauty for God’s glory!

With love,

Welcome to my kitchen! This week we’re leaving the parsonage and heading further south for a visit to the kitchen of Denise’s original cooking protege’ (yours truly, her oldest daughter). I’m bringing you a simple recipe that can be on the table in 30 minutes!

I think I copied this chicken pot pie recipe from Rachael Ray’s magazine years ago (am I old enough to say “years ago?”). I spruced it up with the topping from my mom’s Parmesan Knots. The Knots recipe is for 3 cans of biscuits, so I’ll add my modified version below.

Easy Chicken Pot Pie

2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
I used cooked white meat from .98/lb chicken breasts I got on sale and froze in Ziploc bags…if you’re in a pinch you could use the meat from a rotiserrie chicken…that’s just not the frugal route. 😉
1 can cream of chicken soup (can use fat free)
1/4 t salt
1/4 t pepper
3/4 cup milk
10 oz. frozen vegetables of your choice (My sweet husband doesn’t care for extra stuff in his pie, so I left these out because he’s worth it!)
10 count canned biscuits
**I will probably add another can of soup and extra milk the next time I make this. The liquid magically soaks up into the biscuits while the dish is baking.

Combine ingredients; bake, covered,  at 400 degrees for 15 minutes.
Remove foil, place biscuits on top of chicken mixture. Bake 15 minutes, uncovered, until biscuits are browned.


Remove from oven and brush with parmesan herb topping:
1/4 C olive oil
1/4 C grated parmesan cheese
2 T italian seasoning
1/2 t garlic powder

This comforting and filling dish was ready in 30 minutes, always a plus on Sunday. This would also be nice for a busy weeknight.

What was cooking in your kitchen this weekend?

Thanks for reading!

Whitney

Yesterday I mentioned how good it is to change your cooking methods so you don’t get into a rut.  The same thing is true in your daily Bible reading.  If you find yourself not getting a blessing out of your time of feasting in God’s Word, perhaps it’s time to change things up a bit.  Maybe it’s time to try one or more of these ideas:

• Play meditative music while you’re reading.  I love The Wilds CD, Fireside.  I also have a few piano CD’s I play.  I find music without singing is better for me – otherwise I’ll sing along!
• Keep a journal of short thoughts as you read.  Write down what the Lord says to you as you read.  It doesn’t have to be paragraphs – just a few bulleted thoughts will aid you in remembering what you’ve read.
• Look for specific things as you’re reading:
• Is there anything here that points to the Savior?
• Is there a promise for me to claim?
• Is there an example here for me to follow?
• Is there a command for me to obey?
• Is there a sin to avoid?
• Go to a different spot for your devotions.  Now that it’s pretty outside, perhaps a spot on the deck or porch would be inviting (if it’s not too distracting).
• If you’re weary of the method of your Bible reading, try a new plan.  You don’t have to wait until January first!  I began reading through the Bible just 65 days ago, and I’m loving it!
• Pray about whom you can share your Bible reading with today.  God will prepare you to encourage others with what He gives you in His Word that day!  Remember, it doesn’t matter what your opinion is about a person’s situation.  You need to point them to the Truth of the Bible.

I trust that your time in the Word, if it needs to be refreshed, will be better than the chicken you grill out on the patio!  The psalmist said God’s Word was sweeter than honey.  That is what God intends for it to be.  If you’re not tasting the sweetness, refresh your time with the Lord today.

What did the Lord say to you in His Word today?

See you in church!

Be refreshed,