Sunday, February 20, 2011


GIVE HIM PRAISE!
(Recipe: Chicken Salad)

Greetings from Florida! My husband and I came down on Thursday and will be here a week or two. The weather is beautiful. So much nicer than the cold and snow we left in Pennsylvania. Love sitting on the beach. We enjoyed a wonderful worship service at our favorite church here in Clearwater. Life is good!

I am going to divert from my “Alphabet Scriptures” and share a Psalm God put on my heart this morning. It is Psalm 148 and I was struck with the simply beginning which says – “Praise the Lord.” Instructions follow as to who or what is to Praise the Lord. People are to praise the Lord – or they are suppose to – but I was amazed at what else God’s Word says regarding praising Him. Let me share this with you. Psalm 148:

vs. 1 – Praise the Lord from the heavens – Think about it, the heavens Praise the Lord!
vs. 2 – Praise him, all his angels and heavenly hosts –Angels give Praise to God.
vs. 3 – Praise him sun, moon, shining stars - I wondered how these might praise the Lord. Then
it occurred to me. Every time they shine in the heavens they are Praising the God who
created them.
vs. 4 – Praise him you highest heavens and waters about the skies – the clouds praise him. I
don’t think I will look at clouds the same way again. Every one of them – as they
move across the heavens – are Praising the Lord!
vs. 7 – Praise the Lord from the earth you sea creatures – Earth and sea life give praise to the
Lord. Next time you see a dolphin jumping from the water – think of him as Praising
the Lord!
vs. 8 – The heavenly elements praise the Lord – lightening, hail, snow, winds – all Praise their
Creator. And we thought snow was a nuisance!! Actually, God is delighted with his
creation. He has given it to us for our enjoyment to remind us of who He is.
vs. 9 - Mountains, hills, trees – all Praise the Lord. When I see a tree swaying in the breeze, I
am reminded “that tree is giving Praise to God.”
vs. 10 – Wild animals, cattle, small creatures and birds – All, in their own way, praise the Lord.
Every song a bird sings is his way of Praising the Lord.
vs. 11 – Kings, princes and all rulers on earth are to praise the Lord …..
vs. 12 – Young, old, men, women, children are to praise the Lord. I’m afraid God might be disappointed with these last two categories. We might be quicker to blame God than
we are to give him praise. How many times this past week have you stopped to simply
Praise The Lord!! Belt out your song to God! Perhaps this week can be a week in which
you, along with all Creation, gives a heartfelt PRAISE TO THE LORD!

Chicken Salad (for sandwich or salad)

4 cups cubed, cooked chicken meat (preferably chicken breast)
1 cup mayonnaise
1 tsp. paprika
1-1/2 cups dried cranberries
1 cup chopped celery
2 green onions, chopped (scallions)
½ cup minced green bell pepper
1 cup chopped pecans
1 tsp. seasoning salt
ground pepper to taste

In medium bowl, mix together mayonnaise, paprika and seasoned salt. Blend in dried cranberries, celery, bell pepper, onion and nuts. Add chicken, mix well. Season with pepper to taste. Chill 1 hour.

Sunday, February 13, 2011


DELIGHT!

I was on a women’s retreat last weekend with my church ladies. What a wonderful experience! One hundred seven women spending time in laughter, fellowship, studying, and fun. The speaker was great, the food delightful, and my roommates the best! If I were to describe the entire weekend with one word it would be the word – DELIGHTFUL!

Delight means, “something that gives great pleasure; to enjoy” - - Yep! That describes my weekend.

As I continue with my Alphabet Scriptures – we come to D – and, you guessed it, my word is “delight or delightful”.

We use this word easily. “The food was delightful.” “It is a delight to know you.” “I can’t remember when I did anything so delightful!”

What does God’s Word have to say about this word, and how are we to apply it to our life?

When it comes to reading Scripture God’s Word says, “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” (Psalm 1:2). Is God’s Word something that gives you great pleasure as you read it?

How are we to respond to our salvation? “Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord and delight in his salvation.” Do you delight in your salvation?

Psalm 37:4 reminds us to, “Delight yourself in the Lord….” How well do we do this? Do you enjoy sitting in the presence of Jesus? Does being there bring you great pleasure? He should be the first person we encounter every day.

Does God ever show delight toward us?

Proverbs 12:22 says, “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful.” If we want to bring delight to the heart of God, let’s be people who are truthful – in everything.

2 Samuel 22:1 begins, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.” King David then goes on to say in verse 20, “He (God) led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me.” (NLT). Isn’t it great to know that God delights in us – delights to keep us safe – delights to rescue us when we need rescuing. No wonder He is my rock, my fortress and my savior.

How should I respond to others?

1 Corinthians 13:6 tells us, “Love does not delight in evil…”. There is evil all around us, yet God says we should not delight in it. God is the final judge. God will reprimand evil. We don’t have to.

Romans 12:10 reminds us, “Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” (NLT). Whom could you show genuine affection to, and honor today? This week? In whom could you show your delight?

This being Valentine’s week, I’m certain we could find someone or Someone in whom we can take extreme delight!

Marilyn’s Chili

2 pounds ground beef, browned
2 cans dark kidney beans, not drained
2 large cans (29 oz.) tomatoes, (puree and diced)
½ large green pepper cut into small pieces
½ large red pepper cut into small pieces
3 stalks celery, cut into small pieces
½ large onion, diced
salt and pepper to taste
¼ tsp crushed red pepper
2 Tbsp. sugar
¼ cup parmesan cheese
3 slices American cheese
chili powder to taste

Mix all into a slow-cooker and cook 6-8 hours.