Saturday, April 19, 2014

Sensational Saturday

I bought these to make big swords  - but they decided they are nicer without handles.....

Arielle needed to drive me to newly opened Dollar General and buy enough noodles for everyone to have their own -  plus  two extras for visitors.  Great fun! 

We were EGGED! We loved the quick visit with Stephanie and Sarah! 

Where could those eggs be? ::wink:: 


Being Egged was a pleasant surprise! We will have to play it forward next year in Sarah's memory. 

Dinner - we just happen to have some burgers to burn....and veggie burgers too.  Nolan was the master of the big grill.....

Though Michael came down from studying long enough to pass on some helpful pointers. 

It was the perfect night to eat outside - and these two provided dinner entertainment....it didn't take long for another game to be invented. I wonder how many new games using the swim noodles will be invented by the end of the summer. ::grin:: 

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

They believed and were Zealous

I read it a week ago. I focused on other parts of the chapter, but it kept resurfacing. 

"...you see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed and they are zealous for the law;....." Acts 21:20.

Paul and his disciples have collected an offering for the Jerusalem church from the Gentile believers. The gift is delivered and instead of a heart-felt thank you, THIS is part of their response to Paul. 

They glorified God when they heard the report of the gospel spreading among the Gentiles. 

But see...there were many thousand Jews, living in and out of Jerusalem, who have believed in Jesus as Messiah. They are zealous for the law. They'll be offended.  Isn't religion always easily offended? 

Paul is asked to make a vow, pay for four others to fulfill their vows...and he does. Paul is all things to all men to win some...he pursues peace. By the end of this chapter he's in jail.  Much, much to glean from studying Acts and Paul's ministry. He is OK with jail - he's zealous for Jesus, for the cause of Christ. 

"....they have believed and they are zealous for the law." 

I read the words. 

I studied the words. 

I prayed the words.

I savored the thought.

Can you imagine the AUDACITY! Why not a thank you?

Because they are zealous for the LAW.

They ARE believers. They know Jesus is the Messiah.  They are zealous for the LAW.

The Greek word used here, Zelotes, means to eagerly desire something. It is also the label given to a Jewish sect that was 1/2 religious and 1/2 political. This sect led to wars in the ancient days.

"....they have believed and they are zealous for the law." 

They aren't zealous for Jesus....or grace or relationship. They are zealous for religion.

How sad. How silly. How like us  me.

I've been told I tend to get "obsessive" about my passions. I prefer to call it "hyper-focused."

It dawns on me -  ANYTHING I am zealous about other than Jesus could lead  to audacious responses and disunity.  Think about it.

We tend to get zealous for so many things....a leader, a ministry, a Bible study speaker, the word, a social cause, politics, the environment, a vision, a diet, an educational style, a medical choice ...but we are called  to be zealous for JESUS. Yes, Scripture mentions being zealous for good works, and spiritual gifts and probably a few other things...but those come in response to relationship with Jesus.

I have really listened this week to the zealousness in conversations, in the media, and  in my heart.

I am determined to be one of which it can be said, "She believed and she was zealous for Jesus, for grace, for the cause of Christ."

She believed and she was zealous for relationship over religion.

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Avocado Salsa Dip with Black Beans and Corn

I made this for last week's BBQ and it was all eaten.  A second dish was brought and eaten as well.  I had ingredients and made more this week.  I'm the only who eats it in our family - but I love it. Yucky photo as I forgot to take a photo either time I made it. This is a couple of days old and the end of my lunch bowl. This would be good to add to a Yumm Bowl

Ingredients:
1 ear corn
2 T olive oil
1 c cherry tomatoes, diced
2 avocados, ripe but firm, pitted and chopped
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained (or a couple of cups of cooked beans)
1/2 medium red onion, chopped

Dressing: 
1 tsp agave nectar
1/2 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 clove garlic, minced
3 T lime juice
Pinch cayenne pepper (or whatever heat you like)
3 T fresh cilantro, chopped
3 green onions, chopped (optional)

Shuck the corn and preheat the grill. Rub with olive oil and place on the grill. Cook for about 5 minutes. Remove from grill. Cool and remove from the cob. Or use frozen corn.

Chop cherry tomatoes, avocados and red onion. Rinse and drain black beans. Combine these ingredients.

In a separate bowl,, mix 2 T olive oil, agave, cumin, lime juice, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper.

Add to the avocado mixture and gently mix to coat everything.

Chop cilantro and green onions and fold into the salsa.
Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...