April 24, 2011
4.24.2011
4.21.2011
The Gift
April 21, 2011
Indulge me for a moment. Put yourself into this story and really think about it as you read it.
Your neighbor is very sick. Dying, actually. He needs a kidney. There's no way around it. The only problem is that you are the only match for him in the whole world. So, you agree to donate one of yours. It's the only way to save his life. So, the surgery is scheduled. The night before, you have your favorite dinner with your family, you know, just in case. At this point, you're probably starting to feel some fear and concern. You might even share a few tender words with those you cherish the most. You want to be sure to leave nothing left unsaid. You're thinking about what you are about to experience. There's the routine stuff- blood work, paperwork, you know the drill. You're probably starting to question your decision, at the same time, realizing that you really don't have a choice, being the person you are. You're just doing what needs to be done. You're probably not real excited about having to go under the knife. Especially because there's a catch. You've got to go through this surgery without the benefit of anesthesia or pain medication. They are going to strap you to the operating table and slice open your flesh and cut out one of your kidneys with you fully aware of everything that is happening and in so much pain that there are no words to adequately describe it. Imagine the drive to the hospital. What thoughts are going through your mind? Are you reconsidering your decision? You could easily turn around. Run. Hide. Why would you volunteer for this knowing fully what lies ahead of you? Are you nuts?!?
I have been thinking back to the week before THE crucifixion. I've been imagining how the human Jesus was feeling. Dread? Sadness? Fear? He knew the sacrifice He was about to make. He knew what He was facing. He knew that He was going to have to go through unfathomable, barbaric torture! Yet, He did it anyway. Have you ever tried to grasp what He really endured for us? Jesus not only died for us, he died in such a painful, humiliating way. Shouldn't we live for Him?
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
That, my friend, is Easter. It's not only the moment of death of our Savior. It's the time that led up to it. It's the sacrifice. And it's the Resurrection! He lives! He defeated the grave. Far cry from chocolate bunnies and marshmallow chickens, huh?
Indulge me for a moment. Put yourself into this story and really think about it as you read it.
Your neighbor is very sick. Dying, actually. He needs a kidney. There's no way around it. The only problem is that you are the only match for him in the whole world. So, you agree to donate one of yours. It's the only way to save his life. So, the surgery is scheduled. The night before, you have your favorite dinner with your family, you know, just in case. At this point, you're probably starting to feel some fear and concern. You might even share a few tender words with those you cherish the most. You want to be sure to leave nothing left unsaid. You're thinking about what you are about to experience. There's the routine stuff- blood work, paperwork, you know the drill. You're probably starting to question your decision, at the same time, realizing that you really don't have a choice, being the person you are. You're just doing what needs to be done. You're probably not real excited about having to go under the knife. Especially because there's a catch. You've got to go through this surgery without the benefit of anesthesia or pain medication. They are going to strap you to the operating table and slice open your flesh and cut out one of your kidneys with you fully aware of everything that is happening and in so much pain that there are no words to adequately describe it. Imagine the drive to the hospital. What thoughts are going through your mind? Are you reconsidering your decision? You could easily turn around. Run. Hide. Why would you volunteer for this knowing fully what lies ahead of you? Are you nuts?!?
I have been thinking back to the week before THE crucifixion. I've been imagining how the human Jesus was feeling. Dread? Sadness? Fear? He knew the sacrifice He was about to make. He knew what He was facing. He knew that He was going to have to go through unfathomable, barbaric torture! Yet, He did it anyway. Have you ever tried to grasp what He really endured for us? Jesus not only died for us, he died in such a painful, humiliating way. Shouldn't we live for Him?
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
That, my friend, is Easter. It's not only the moment of death of our Savior. It's the time that led up to it. It's the sacrifice. And it's the Resurrection! He lives! He defeated the grave. Far cry from chocolate bunnies and marshmallow chickens, huh?
4.20.2011
Let's Eat: Week 8
April 20, 2011
Watching My Weight Wednesday
Another week has come and gone, and I find myself very pleased. I am not the skinny 19 year old girl I was when I married my love, but, today, I am the smallest that I have been in well over 4 years! I cannot say enough about this diet that I am on. It really, really works.
Monday, I was in Wal-Mart (UGH) shopping for the week and wondering what I was going to make for dinner. I needed something quick, easy, and yummy. Oh, and low-carb! So, we're coupon shopping when my youngest son spies the "Sample Lady"! My kids live for samples in the grocery store! So, we mosey on over and they wipe out her stash of angel food cake with strawberries and cool-whip. In the ruins, I saw a little cup of something with chicken in it. "Oh, what's this?", I asked. "It's chicken salad," she replied. So, I tasted. It's not often they offer something that fits within my boundaries. Now listen, I appreciate a sample just like the next girl, but, I know that they're set up to sell their product that's usually out of my budget and I'm usually pretty good about just walking away without buying it. Oh, but, this was so good that I actually bought the stuff to make her Chicken Salad. Here's the recipe, Cajun style:
You'll need to combine a bag of Tyson Grilled & Ready oven roasted, diced chicken (heated), some chopped celery and green onions, a splash of lemon juice and about 1/2 - 3/4 cups of mayo. The lady added red, seedless grapes to hers, but I left them out of mine. Your choice. People, it was good! You can eat it alone or on bread. Obviously, I ate mine sans bread.
"You say, 'Food is for the stomach, and the stomach is for food.' This is true, though someday God will do away with both of them."1Corinthians 6:13
"Those who think it is all right to eat anything must not look down on those who won't. And those who won't eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them." Romans 14:3
4.19.2011
The Case of the Missing... well, you'll see!
April 19, 2011
I am so confused. I just don't know what to make of the following exchange. Maybe you can help me......
Drake: Mom! I've got armpit hair! And it's not just peach-fuzz. It's getting black.
Karli: Drake. Stop looking at your armpit hair.
Drake: Karli, you're so lucky that you have armpit hair!
What?! I was driving at the time, so later on, I checked this alleged armpit hair. (Drake's, not Karli's) Yeah. The boy's got Nothing. Barely peach-fuzz, and only if you look at it a certain way with the light shining just so. Do you think I might be in trouble? Aye-yi-yi! And now, I'm wondering WHY would I even check to see if he had armpit hair in the first place. I need a vacation!
I am so confused. I just don't know what to make of the following exchange. Maybe you can help me......
Drake: Mom! I've got armpit hair! And it's not just peach-fuzz. It's getting black.
Karli: Drake. Stop looking at your armpit hair.
Drake: Karli, you're so lucky that you have armpit hair!
What?! I was driving at the time, so later on, I checked this alleged armpit hair. (Drake's, not Karli's) Yeah. The boy's got Nothing. Barely peach-fuzz, and only if you look at it a certain way with the light shining just so. Do you think I might be in trouble? Aye-yi-yi! And now, I'm wondering WHY would I even check to see if he had armpit hair in the first place. I need a vacation!
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