Put thighs in crock pot and toss in flour. Mix together the rest of the ingredients in a bowl than stir into the crock pot. Cook on low approximately 8 hours.
My tendency is to be a self-defeating person. I over think situations and many times discount them before they even begin. When we, The River Church staff, began looking into the Daniel Fast and preparing for it, I was very hesitant. I had never participated in one and knowing that this would stretch over three weeks made me want to run!! I came up with lots of excuses as to why it would be difficult, but in the end, I was obedient to what I knew God was challenging me to do.
I have been asked several time what God has been doing in me through this time of fasting and for a while, I was not sure how to answer. I haven't heard God's voice loud and clear or had a huge revelation, but as I began to seek God as to what this fast was about for me, I realized that it was something far simpler. Obedience. I was so full of myself running up to the fast that I had made my feelings, my convenience- ME- a priority instead of GOD. Letting go of the fear and agitation wasn't over night, but as the first week came to a close I was so full of joy! I had made it one week and I knew that God would be there for me the rest of the way. As much as I don't have any desire to change over to a vegan lifestyle :), I feel such peace that my obedience has taken me to a new level in my relationship with God.
Today is my birthday and though I won't be celebrating with cake and a big dinner, I am joyful. What a better way then to start out another year sacrificing my personal desires for HIS.
"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." John 10:27 NIV
Last week, as I was driving to the church building, I took notice of a field I pass on my way there. There are always a large number of sheep and cows and even a few Emus grazing, but today I noticed something a bit unusual. There was a man crouched down near the corner of the barn and he seemed to be talking to two small spotted lambs near by. They were frozen, bodies tense and ears perked. It instantly became obvious to me that he was probably the farmer and they were his lambs. I have read that sheep grow accustom to their shepherd's voice and that they will come when they hear it. It was clear that these lambs were not yet used to hearing the farmer call them and he was working on introducing himself to them. In time, they will learn that he is there to care for them.
As I drove on, God brought to mind how those of us who are Christians are sheep as well. We know our Shepherd's voice and we know that we can trust Him. But there are many people who walk through the church doors on a Sunday who are just like those lambs. They are curious, they see others trusting Him but they still have a lot of reservations. Its our job, as believers to not only introduce people to Christ, but to show them He is trustworthy. I believe that begins with creating a place where they feel safe and accepted. Even if your church family has long been a welcoming community, we need to continue to find ways to increase that. I know that many of us are very busy on Sundays serving in an area of the church, catching up with friends or perhaps needing to slip out for another obligation, but look for opportunities to meet and welcome new faces. The elders and staff at our church are making great efforts to make that even easier for our congregation, but we still need to take initiative. If your church is doing things “right” then you're going to grow. The challenge will be to make sure those who are searching stay to find the Answer.
Our family recently had the privilege of pre-screening the new Disney Movie Tangled in 3D. While I had heard the Rapunzel story as a child growing up, I honestly couldn't remember much about it except that there was a girl with long hair and a witch who held her captive. As the storyline of Tangled unfolded, I knew almost immediately that the writers had added a great deal of back story to the tale. It added a new dimension to Rapunzel and her very VERY long hair. The characters had a lot of personality and I found myself being drawn in very quickly. There were many entertaining characters, especially in one scene in which Rapunzel and her "guide", Flynn Rider, are checking out a local "diner". The climax of the story was full of emotion and excitement. I honestly felt myself getting teary and rooting for the "good guys". In the end, the resolution was fairy tale-ish, yet full of fun. Besides the engaging story line, I was most drawn to the animation itself. There were many times, the things on the screen seemed so "real". I am not one for spending a lot at the theater, but I have to say of all the movies I have seen in 3D, this would be far worth the extra spent. Overall, I was very impressed with Tangled. Even our 11 year old son said he enjoyed it (though he will be sure not to admit that to anyone at school). If you are considering taking your kids, I would say "GO FOR IT!".
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.” Job 1:21
When I read the book of Job, I am amazed that he made it through his situation alive. The guy lost his source of wealth (herds, flocks, camels and servants), experienced the loss of not one but ALL of his children, became struck with sores all over his body and then was surrounded by his wife and friends who could only continue to question why God would allow this to happen to him. In today's world, he would have been given loads of antidepressant medications, round-the-clock counseling and locked up in a hospital room for observation. We probably wouldn't expect a very good outcome. Instead, Job somehow holds onto his faith in God and in the end, is blessed beyond measure. His faith seems almost unattainable.
While I was in Pittsburgh, for the Seminars 4 Worship conference, one of the many things I walked away with was the song "We Still Believe" that Kathryn Scott shared with us. It reminded me not only of Job and his plight but of all the times, I have had to stand firm in my faith even when it seemed God wasn't there. The words of that song are the symbol of all of us who have suffered loss, those who have experienced God's blessings, and those who are still waiting for an answer. They are the cry of one body of believers all confirming that no matter situation we are in, we still believe that God is Good and Faithful. No matter what I have to yet face in life, I know that God is powerful enough to move but even more wise to know when not to. I pray that where ever you are in your journey, you will one day be moved to sing out these words in faith and surrender.
We Still Believe
From the thankful heart to the battle-scarred From the comforted to those who grieve From the mountaintop to the empty cup From the waiting to those who have received We cry out as one
We still believe We still believe We're still surrendering our hearts Your faithfulness is our reward
We still believe We still believe And though the journey has been hard We will confess your goodness, God We still believe
From the reborn hope to the weary soul From the quest for truth to those who seek From the soaring wings to the shattered dream From the broken to those who have been healed We cry out as one
We still believe We still believe We're still surrendering our hearts Your faithfulness is our reward
We still believe We still believe And though the journey has been hard We will confess your goodness, God We still believe
Through the fire, through the pain We offer you our yes again
Through the fire, through the pain We offer you our yes again
"You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Galatians:5:13-14
The River Youth have been exploring what it means to "truly love your neighbor as yourself" on Sunday nights. Its been a challenging message for both the teens and for the adults. It has really caused me to question my own motives and actions. How many times have I judged someone based on how they look or their circumstance? I ashamedly admit that I have and if we are all honest, everyone of us have done the same thing. When I see someone on the corner begging for money, why is my first reaction to question if he is really poor? When I deal with rude people at the grocery store, why do I get irritated instead of praying that God will touch them? Our neighbors are not just the parents that we share a conversation at the bus stop, or who happen to have a lawn that butts up to ours. They are the hurting, the broken, the lost, the hungry and the homeless. They are the teen mothers who struggle with the decision to keep their babies. They are the men who lost their jobs and have no where to turn except to the streets. They are the women who are worn out and tired as they go from one job to the next just to keep food on the table for their little ones. Most of all, they are the children that God cares for and KNOWS BY NAME. When we reach out to least of these, when we love the unlovable, we are serving Christ. I hope that you will walk away this week challenged to make a difference in our community and in our world. Whether that means going to Haiti to serve the people there, or that means donating shampoo or toiletries to a local mission, DO SOMETHING. When we serve in love, we are giving God the ultimate form of worship.
"I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent." Revelation 3:1b-3a
Right before the drought that has hit our area of the country, I bought quite a few plants for a flowerbed off of our patio. One of them being a Gardenia. Gardenias are beautiful plants with full blooms but they are also very stubborn. They only like so much sun, need lots of water and even are particular on the temperatures they will bloom in. When the drought set in, I wasn't very mindful of the grass and even much of the flowers. I figured eventually it would rain and they would be fine. Some of them were. The Gardenia plant, on the other hand, is a far cry from o.k. It is pretty close to death. Even though I watered it occasionally (which kept the rest of the plants alive) I didn't give it the time and amount of sustainable water it needed. I am not sure how much longer it will last, but I am holding on hope that it will make it. Our spiritual lives can be similar to that Gardenia. Some of us do just enough to get by (go to church, say a prayer before a meal) and that might sustain us for a while. It could potentially sustain us for years. The problem is, without growth, without taking the time to really nurture our faith, we can not live out our lives the way God intended. When we merely maintain our faith, we might be able to get through daily issues and even raise our kids to want to go to church. But, when the fire and drought come, we will find that what we have used to keep us feeling o.k. will not get us through the hard times. If we never learn to seek God earnestly and learn to do what He taught, we will wither away. If we want to learn to feed ourselves, we have to take time and effort. It means not just going to church, but being a part of a church whether its serving, being in a small group or other involvement. We need to not just pray at our meals, but seek Him we need direction, thank Him for his many blessings and cry out to Him when we are suffering. We need to find ways to help us grow in our walk with Christ. I hope that this week, you will search out areas in your spiritual life that need tending to.
I married my best friend almost 17 years ago and we are proud parents of two amazing teens. I grew up in the Detroit area but moved to southern Ohio in 2009. We are blessed to be a part of The River Church and serve on staff.
