Shepherd’s Pie

This is one of my family’s favorites.  On cold winter days, this comfort food warms your insides.  You will love this recipe! 4 large potatoes, peeled and quartered 1 TBS margarine or unsalted butter 1/4 C milk 1 TBS dried parsley 3/4 tsp salt 1/2 tsp black pepper 1 1/2 pounds ground turkey 2large cloves…

2016 Full of Promise

I have been reflecting over the difficult year of 2015.  2015 had some of the biggest challenges I’ve ever faced and some the greatest moments I’ve ever had.  Last year was full of scary times and scary choices.  I am choosing to look at 2016 as Full of Promise. Sara and I were driving to…

Verse for 2016

“Be completely humble and gentle, be patient, bearing with one another in love.”  Ephesians 4:2 NIV On December 19, I came across this verse and determined in my heart that this verse was going to guide me through the holidays.  I even wrote it on our chalkboard that hangs in the kitchen.  I have decided…

Love and Pray

“But I tell you:  Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”  Matthew 5:44 (NIV) As I was teaching last Friday, messages kept flashing on my phone’s screen…PARIS ATTACKED…TERRORIST ATTACK ON PARIS…ISIS SUICIDE BOMBERS IN PARIS.  I couldn’t wrap my mind around it.  I began to pray for those in Paris. Several days…

He Goes Before You

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”  Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV) This is one of my go to verses when I am uncertain of what lies ahead.  It comforts me to know that “the Lord himself…

Be Still!

“He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet!  Be still!’  Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.”  Mark 4:39 (NIV) I don’t know about you, but I needed this verse today.  It seems that of late, the wind and waves of life have been blowing and crashing into…

Feel Like Quitting?

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”  Galatians 6:9 (NIV) How does that verse strike you?  Lately I have been struggling with a situation in my life.  Sometimes doing the right thing is hard.  Sometimes, how about most…

What Would the Father Do?

“So Jesus said, ‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be, and that I do nothing on my own but speak what the Father has taught me.”  John 8:28 (NIV) Good morning, friends.  I am excited about the verse we are…

3 Steps to Defeat Worry

“Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced  that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.”  2 Timothy 1:12b I stumbled across this verse a few years ago.  I remember it clearly.  It was a Saturday morning.  I had made myself…

Be Strong!

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.”  Ephesians 6:10 (NIV) I have read and recited this verse lots of times and glanced over it to the armor of God passage.  It was an intro for me to focus on being properly equipped for the spiritual battle we are in.  Yet as…