For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
Matthew 7:2
Honesty is a fruit of a Spirit-filled life. Loving our neighbor as our self prohibits our being dishonest with him.
The story is told of a farmer who delivered a pound of butter to the baker each week. In turn, he would purchase a loaf of bread from the baker. The baker noticed that the pound of butter seemed to be getting smaller and smaller. One day he confronted the farmer about the apparent problem.
“Don’t you have scales to weigh your butter?” he asked.
“No,” the farmer replied.
“Well,” asked the baker, “how do you know you are giving me a pound of butter if you have no scales?”
The farmer answered, “I always use your loaf of bread, which is labeled one pound, as a balance.”
Verse 12 of our Scripture reading teaches us to do to others as we would have them do to us. Verses 18–20 remind us that a good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit. Our daily conduct should reflect an attitude of putting others first. Let us always be sure to be honest in all our dealings.
Traveling home from the distant town of Jinotega late one afternoon, we were all tired. The road was bad, the vehicle was crowded, and it was one of those times when it would have felt really good to have been at home NOW instead of traveling another two or three hours. Jinotega is situated in a valley, among the beautiful rugged
mountains of Nicaragua. Naturally, the road is a genuine mountain road, winding through the hills and hollows. As we rounded a curve, to our right unfolded one of the most beautiful sunsets one could ever hope to see. Out across a valley, behind a distant mountain, the sun was setting in full grandeur, like a golden ball of fire. Being from the western plains, we viewed the awesome scene with something like a holy emotion.
We say the elderly are in the sunset of life, but in reality, none of us, whether middle aged or young, know just where our “sun” is positioned on the horizon. The apostle Paul said in Philippians 1:20 whether by life or death his desire was to magnify Christ.
There is a feeling akin to a holy awe that comes over us when we take a tiny infant into our arms for the first time. The miracle of life is awesome. Is it any less awesome to stand by the still form of a loved one who has won the battle and gone to meet his Maker and his Savior? There is rejoicing in heaven over one soul that is saved, but what must take place when one saved soul returns to the God who gave it, having magnified the name of Christ first by his life, and then again by death?
I spent today in the soap kitchen. Apricot Goat's Milk Soap, Chamomile Oatmeal Goat's Milk Soap with Shea Butter, and Masala Chai Goat's Milk Soap. UMMMM smells good!
Melanie in Greece
My recipe blog: http://www.homesteadblogger.com/melskitchen/
My website: http://www.avravounou.gr
1 tablespoon fresh tarragon or 1 teaspoon dried tarragon
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Salt & white pepper
2/3 stick butter
½ cup flour
1 stick butter, melted
2 teaspoon curry
Chicken broth
1 cup whipping cream
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Cover breasts w/ vermouth. Add tarragon & marinate 3+ hours. Drain and reserve. Rub w/ lemon, salt & pepper. Saute in 2/3 stick butter until white. Place in baking dish and bake 8 minutes. Sauce: stir flour into melted butter. Cook 3 minutes. Stir in curry. Add broth to make 4 cups, stir until thick. Stir in Cream. Spoon over chicken and bake 5 minutes.
That ye be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets.
2 Peter 3:2
When Henry Nelson of Wilmington, Delaware, arrived home one evening, he discovered that his apartment complex was being fumigated with hydrogen-cyanide. He removed the sign, tore down the barricade, and went in. Neighbors tried to warn him and called the authorities. But by the time help arrived, it was too late. Henry Nelson was dead.
Mount St. Helens in the Cascade Mountains of Washington state was dormant for several hundred years. However, a few years ago, authorities discovered that there was activity and reason to believe there might be a serious eruption. People were evacuated from the area. But Harry Truman, who had grown up on those beautiful slopes, refused to leave. When the eruption was over, Harry and his home were buried under tons of volcanic ash.
Both men disregarded both written and verbal warnings, and it cost them their lives. If they had learned to be attentive, they would not have died.
When we ignore the instructions of the written Word, we show the highest disregard for God. “My son, hear the instructions of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother. For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck” (Proverbs 1:8, 9).
1 medium tomato, peeled, seeded, chopped and drained
2 Tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
2 Tablespoons snipped parsley
1/4 cup butter, melted
Place 1 piece of chicken, boned side up, between 2 pieces plastic wrap. Working from the center to the edges, pound lightly with a meat mallet forming a thin rectangle shape. Remove plastic wrap. Repeat with remaining chicken. Place a ham slice and a cheese slice on each cutlet. Top with some chopped tomato; sprinkle lightly with sage. Fold in sides; roll up jelly roll style, pressing to seal (use toothpicks if necessary). Combine bread crumbs, Parmesan and parsley. Dip chicken in butter, then roll in crumbs. Bake in a shallow baking pan in a 180°C (350°F) oven for 40-45 minutes. Remove to a serving platter. Stir mixture remaining in pan till spoon; spoon over chicken. Serves 6.
This is a really tasty, inexpensive granola that the children and I love! Imagine it served with yogurt and berries, in the spring...YUM!
Vanilla Granola
10 cups rolled oats
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup (or more) flax seeds (optional)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cinnamon
2/3 cup coconut oil (use vegetable oil if you have to)
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup white sugar
2 1/2 Tbsp vanilla
Preheat oven to 300. Lightly oil a 11x15 glass baking pan, or cookie sheets
In a large bowl, combine oats, brown sugar, flax, salt and cinnamon.
In a small saucepan, combine honey, coconut oil, and white sugar. Cook over low heat until sugar has dissolved and everything is combined.
Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. It will bubble and foam. Pour over oat mixture and mix with a wooden spoon (or your hands) until oats are evenly coated.
Pour into prepared baking dish and bake for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Leave on counter uncovered overnight to cool. In the morning, break apart and store in an airtight container.
