Power, Love, and Self-Control: January 2011

A Week of Soups

I picked up this book at our public library yesterday. Having visited a monastery last spring, I was curious when I saw this on the shelf of recent additions to our library. I was happy to find some interesting, healthy, and relatively easy recipes. I found several soup recipes that I will make this week. The Soup Section began with this quote:

"For the sake of losing a few pounds, accumulated during those endless agapes and festivities of the year's end, without having to fast or die of hunger, there is no better remedy than a good soup. All it takes is a quick stop at the supermarket, some preparation, and then promptly the fresh aromas begin to emerge from the soup kettle." (Isabelle Delaleu, French chef and dietician)

After church this morning, we'll dine on a slow-cooker bean soup. Then I'll make a QUICK STOP at the supermarket to purchase the ingredients for our week of soups!

Hearty Hamburger Soup I made earlier this week. Yum!

Time to Get Serious About It!

That Woman is a Success . . .
Found at itsnotaboutfood.blogspot.com

who loves life
and lives it to the fullest;

who has discovered and shared
the strengths and talents
that are uniquely her own;

who puts her best into each task
and leaves each situation
better than she found it;

who seeks and finds
that which is beautiful
in all people and all things;

whose heart is full of love
and warm with compassion;

who has found joy in living
and peace within herself.

~ Barbara J. Burrow ~

To which I add, "who makes God's kingdom and His righteousness her #1 priority"....(rlg)

"A day must come in our lives, as definite as the day of our conversion, when we give up all right to ourselves and submit to the absolute Lordship of Jesus Christ. . . . there must be a day when, without reservation, we surrender everything to Him--ourselves, our families, our possessions, our business and our time. All we are and have becomes His, to be held henceforth entirely at His disposal. From that day we are no longer our own masters, but only stewards. Not until the Lordship of Jesus Christ is a settled thing in our hearts can the Holy Spirit really operate effectively in us. He cannot direct our lives effectively until all control of them is committed to Him. If we do not give Him absolute authority in our lives, He can be present, but He cannot be powerful. The power of the Spirit is stayed." (Watchman Nee)

"Each day you take a few small steps, then build on them day after day. There may be set backs, everyone has them, but those victories will add up, and then pretty soon you'll be amazed at how different your life has become. And what could be more alluring than the prospect of waking up to your best life? So roll up your sleeves and get to work!"

"Remember, every step you take toward reaching your weight loss goal is really a gift that you give to yourself. When you eat right and exercise, you are taking care of yourself, treating yourself with respect, and acknowledging that you deserve* to be healthy and happy.” (Bob Green, The Best Life)

Rebecca's note: I have trouble with "deserve". I want to care for my body because God Himself cares for it! Do I "deserve" health? No, in light of my sinful inclinations and the fall of mankind, health is a gift. A GRACE-gift directly from the hand of God--a gift to be handled thankfully and thoughtfully.

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A Week of Soups

Time to Get Serious About It!