But, we do need you to stand firm in the Truth. We need you to shepherd, to pastor, to lead, to use your influence for Kingdom impact as darkness consumes. You are called–we are called–to be a wall of light in this dark world. We are called to expose the darkness, stand firm against it, and with the full authority of Heaven make it recede. The culture of “my truth” is not receding; in fact, the silence of the Church has emboldened it and in many cases embraced it. For what gain? To grow a larger church or to retain numbers? To avoid being defamed and labeled? At what cost? The inerrancy of the Truth? Alive and active faith? Countless souls lost because of the Church’s fear to be bold?

The Truth offends. However, it does not need to be shared in offensive ways. But, the Truth does need to be proclaimed, loudly, boldly, and often; it is our commission…

This is not about a political opinion. This is about being alert and sober minded, aware that spiritual warfare with the forces of evil is being waged against the Kingdom. 

Yet, the Church was: 

• silent when the world declared there are more than two genders.

• silent when the world demanded we affirm and validate sexual perversion in our schools. 

• silent as women have had to relinquish safe spaces and their God-given identity as mothers.

• silent as trusted family brands openly declared war on the Truth and our children. 

• silent as darkness openly indoctrinates and claims the vulnerable in society: the lonely, the depressed, the anxious, the traumatized, the mentally ill, and those desperately seeking to be seen and heard. 

Now, the Church is silent as the anger of the lost and broken has been radicalized and weaponized to believe Christians are fascists, the source of oppression in this world, and therefore must be destroyed. 

If silence is the chosen path, then, 

Covenant is just the beginning. 

The enemy uses the world to fan the flames of hatred beneath the banner of love wins, inclusivity, and tolerance. A lie that makes the lost feel found, seen, and heard as it corrupts and hardens; as it lures its prey deeper into darkness and further from the Truth. 

This is nothing new:

Evil prowls and lurks.

It twists and deceives.

And its aim is always to devour everything in its path. 

The Church is not battling a culture war. We are engaged in the exact same spiritual warfare since the fall (Genesis 3:1-24). The serpent of evil, through cunning, convinced Eve to question what God said: “Did God actually say?”  The enemy understands if the world doubts (and now too many within the Church) God’s Word, then unbelief is the outcome. God revealed the enemy’s tactic long ago. Paul reinforced the warning in 2 Corinthians 11:3. Doubting God’s Word is a virus. Easily spread because too few know the Truth as it has been removed from day to day society, too many that do know it don’t cling to it, and too many that cling to it are afraid to share it.

“But Jesus said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God

…because that is why I was sent.” 

Luke 4:43

The Good News has been silenced in the workplace and in schools; it is suppressed, blocked, and silenced across media platforms. Now, in many churches, the Truth is being dismantled and progressed to conform to current trends; in others, it is being diminished by selective message preaching and watered-down, “feel good,” Gospel.  The enemy knows the power of God’s Word and attacks it relentlessly; understanding that in its absence—and in the planting of the thought that it is fallible— the forces of evil can advance.  

This evil devoured Audrey Hale long before it devoured and robbed the world of the goodness of Evelyn Dieckhaus, Mike Hill, Katherine Koonce, Cynthia Peak, Hallie Scruggs, and William Kinney. 

The Church must ask: how many must be devoured before we unify and stand boldly behind the full authority of God’s Word?  How many must we grieve–as the world whitewashes their loss and celebrates the evil responsible–before we engage in the spiritual battle being waged around us? The Church must remember our commission. We must proclaim the Good News. We must work to have God’s Word, His goodness, welcome in the workplace and in our schools. We must stop being silent and shine the light of Jesus Christ so brightly that the darkness remembers it has been overcome and many are rescued from its grasp and brought to new life. The Church must not shrink back nor fear anything other than the Lord. 

“We are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness..it is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.” 

Matthew 5:13 

The Good News teaches how to truly love others: love which is not aimed at self-fulfillment, but is self-sacrificial. God’s Word warns that standing firm in the Truth exposes us to derision, attacks, and persecution, but it also teaches that there is nothing too hard for the Lord; through Jesus Christ all things are possible; and we are more than conquerors. We must trust that God will strengthen and equip us to engage in the spiritual battles of today. If we continue to choose the path of least resistance: silence, withdrawing from culture, hiding our light under a bushel, salt without flavor, doubt what “God said,” then we have stopped truly loving. We are no longer participating in His transformative grace. At best we are a consumer, at worst we will hear the words:

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father…then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you, depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.” Matthew 7:21-23

We have no excuse. We know the Truth. We know Jesus Christ. We have experienced saving grace and a love without blemish or limit. We can discern what the Truth is from “my truth” because God gave us His Word.  And, we know His Word is inerrant, infallible, and living (it doesn’t need to bend to the world and accommodate culture). 

We know there are two genders, male and female

We know God made every individual fearfully and wonderfully, without mistake

We know every individual is of equal value to, and loved by, God,

But we also know that the path is narrow: Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life…

And we know the Jesus of the Bible…

And Jesus flipped tables,

Jesus sought out the lonely and the sick to share the heart of God, His Good News, and His inerrant Truth, 

He met people in their ashes, He met them in their sin and brokenness,

BUT He didn’t join them.

He didn’t validate and affirm.

He didn’t just listen silently and then chose to self-protect (despite knowing the cost).

No, Jesus loved self-sacrificially (all the way to the Cross) to set people free from every enemy stronghold, to let them see the light in the darkness, to give them the choice to believe and live. A choice to exchange their ashes for His crown.

In some cases, He rebuked the evil and cast it out miraculously.

In most cases, He invited the lost to listen to the Truth and then choose for themselves–at the cost of His life–to deny themselves and follow the will of His Father. 

In all cases, everyone who encountered Jesus immediately recognized that He was set apart because of the conduct of His ways. 

Many were agitated by His love, but more were forever changed by it. 

Why? Because His love was perfect. He understood the penalty for not denying self and following the will of the Father is death. 

Audrey Hale is dead. Eternally separated. 

God takes no pleasure in her death: 

 “As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways!

Ezekiel 33:11

And neither should we.

A young woman, twisted by evil, has been consumed and lost. The Church must rise to meet this evil and seek to change it, turn it! 

We must love as Jesus loved, live as He lived, so we can be used to set the next Audrey Hale free before what possessed her is empowered to consume others. 

We must rebuke evil.

We must invite the lost into our church homes, into our lives so that we can share the Good News and speak Truth into their lives.

So that they see by the conduct of our ways that we are set apart, 

So that they can experience God’s love and

question the lies of this world,

feel the weight of its velvet shackles, and

recognize the darkness and depth of the pit in which they choose to live because the enemy has made it feel comfortable. 

We must reclaim our saltiness, engage in the spiritual battle, and be an active part of the great commission so those that are lost have their ears and eyes opened, 

their hearts softened where they can experience true love, saving grace and

The hope,

The peace,

The joy and 

The freedom 

That can only be found at the foot of the Cross.

Because if we choose to remain silent, Covenant will be just the beginning.

The Church must unify and hold steadfastly to the Truth.

We must embrace that proclaiming the Truth will offend, it will come at a cost,

but we are called to leave the 99 and rescue the one.  

The silence of too many of our church pastors and influencers has weakened the flock and emboldened evil; allowing it to control the narrative for too long. 

Silence is not deepening roots,

It is not winning hearts and minds. 

It is not honoring or glorifying God.

It is not leading the Church well. 

And, it rescues no one. 

Silence adds grief to the unimaginable loss of Evelyn Dieckhaus, Mike Hill, Katherine Koonce, Cynthia Peak, Hallie Scruggs, and William Kinney. 

Lights lost too soon in this world. 

‘Saltless-ness’ is rooted in fear of this world and aimed at self-preservation. 

And, we must pray for it to be uprooted and re-directed for good. 

The Church must lead by proclaiming truth boldly,

Self-sacrificially loving,

So that darkness recedes. 

While still being a source of comfort for the flock and the lost because it is a necessity. 

While still fervently praying for the humility to submit to the authority of God.

While remembering that we must love our enemies and pray for those that persecute us, 

But steadfastly refusing to take any part in the unfruitful works of darkness.

Although some evil cannot be stopped on this side of Heaven, the Church must remember our inheritance of unfading, imperishable hope. As we rest in the truth that Evelyn Dieckhaus, Mike Hill, Katherine Koonce, Cynthia Peak, Hallie Scruggs, and William Kinney are with Jesus and find comfort in this Truth. We must also–while evil celebrates a temporary win–seek God wholeheartedly to equip and embolden our words. To be given a willingness to preach the Kingdom with all openness and unhindered from fear so that another lost individual is turned from their evil way and wickedness is not allowed to run amuck. 

It's time to expose the enemy.

It's time to abhor and overcome evil, by holding fast to what is good,

It is time to put on the full armor of God and bear the image of Christ without fear of anything other than God. 

it is time to speak.

Because the Love of Jesus,

And God’s Truth boldly proclaimed by a united Church

is the only way to set people free. 

”I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away.Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.”

John 10:11-15

So, today’s blog post is a bit like a Thanksgiving prep recipe. Basically, tackling the feast one bite at a time so no one day is overwhelming.

PREP WEEK

MONDAY

• complete grocery shopping (I grocery shop once, but you can buy all your non-perishables earlier to make this day even easier. Monday can just be for turkey and perishables

• go through all of your recipes and create a “day of” game plan (all the oven temperatures, cooking times, if guests are bringing foods that require stovetop or oven time) this is a necessity so you can work around a turkey that gobbles up all your oven space (see what I did there)

• make any side dishes that benefit from a few days in the refrigerator (eg. cranberry and apple sauces)

• if your turkey is frozen, check defrost times. Most frozen turkeys require 24-48 hours to fully defrost. If you are brining your bird, then you are already 48 hours out from needing it to be defrosted

TUESDAY

• make your brine (you can leave brine covered on stovetop until needed tomorrow)

• if making homemade cornbread, biscuits, or bread for dressing, then make it today. When cooled, break it or crumble it up and spread on cookie sheets to get stale. If not making any breads or biscuits, take the bread you are using and prep it to get stale

• make your “make-ahead” gravy (yes, you can still opt to make day of gravy because no one ever complains about too much gravy, but this gives you the option to not have to stress about “time crunch, make my makeup run, are there any burners available on the stove top, can’t fix it if it is lumpy” gravy crunch time (also, many brine recipes make the drippings far too salty so this avoids that potential travesty as well)

WEDNESDAY (this is actually your busiest day of cooking)

• make all the desserts

• make all the side dishes: dressings, casseroles, macaroni and cheese, etc. Cover each and refrigerate overnight

• make appetizers or dips can be made ahead

• its turkey bath time! Right before bed: remove giblets from turkey, rinse, and submerge it fully in the completely cooled brine (I use a brining bag and then set inside a cooler with ice packs and ice. If you live somewhere cold this is a no hassle process because cooler can stay outside. If your bird is smaller (10-12 lbs) chances are it will fit snugly in a bin drawer of your refrigerator. If you celebrate in warm places with a larger bird and available refrigerator space is already dicey, then two options: ditch a brining recipe or buy a high quality cooler that will keep your turkey chilly

• pro tip: its a good day to make an overnight egg casserole or have a breakfast plan in mind (cereal for all in the morning works); you don’t want people needing your kitchen, making lots of mess (can I give you the gift suggestion of paper plates for all meals prior to Thanksgiving meal), and generally making you reconsider your decision to love these people

TURKEY DAY:

• obviously every one has their own Thanksgiving meal schedule so this is a unique day, but do you remember that Monday game plan? Well, get it out and reverse engineer from your serving time (don’t gloss over prep time prior to oven time. Eg: buttering turkey and stuffing with aromatics, topping a casserole if that needs to be done day of, etc).

• if you did all the prep week stuff, then today all you really have to do is get the turkey in the oven, make mashed potatoes (if having), and any fresh veggies or salads you want. If you didn’t make the “make-ahead” gravy, then you have that on your plate as well.

Some timing tips:

• remove turkey from brine in the morning (rinse the bird inside and out) and set at room temperature for as long as your comfort level/safety precautions allow so that you can prep for roasting and it isn’t cold (again, a straight out of the refrigerator/ice pack cooler bird will take longer to cook then planned for)

• remove dressings and casseroles from refrigerator at least 30 minutes prior to cooking time so they are not chilly and demand increased cooking time (note: most turkeys require up to 45 mins of rest time, most dressings and casserole bake for 30-45 minutes. This is fantastic because you can take everything out of fridge 30 minutes before turkey is done and bake them while Mr. Turkey rests)

• remove cranberry and apple sauces (make ahead gravy too, but I cover that next) from refrigerator when turkey comes out of oven. Again, this allows chill to back off and flavors to develop more fully

• put “make ahead” gravy in saucepan and keep on a low simmer, stirring occasionally while turkey rests

• take any refrigerated desserts out right before you carve the turkey

Just a few more to decrease stress tips:

• I make my mashed potatoes in the morning. When finished, I generously butter the inside of a slow cooker, drizzle in a bit of half and half (or milk), put all the mashies in, cover top with butter wrappers or buttered wax paper, then set slow cooker to warm (low is still too hot and forms a crust or browns sides, yuck). Sometimes I remember to give the potatoes a stir, sometimes not. I’ve held my mashed potatoes this way for four hours with complete success! When I take turkey out of oven, I check the temperature of the potatoes, give it a good stir, and either leave until serving time on warm or set to low to get a bit more heat through

• I set any bites or appetizers in an area that keeps my cooking zone clear of company; a kitchen is the heart of the home and it is normal and lovely to gather there, but having people underfoot in the thick of cooking can, well, turn even a Mary into a Martha (and turn a Martha like me, into a not lovely hostess)

• I went the day of gravy route and now its lumpy (immersion blender, voila, no lumps)

• you cooked, don’t clean up

I pray this helps make your Thanksgiving day less stressful, encourages and equips you to consider hosting Thanksgiving if you never have, and plants the seed of wanting your home to be a constant gathering spot. Hospitality is to love as you are loved, but often we don’t invite people over because of self-imposed pressure. I promise you don’t have to have chef-level cuisine—I promise you can even serve a Sharon level completely burnt Marie Callender pie or have to order take-out because your oven stops working—to be abundantly blessed by a day set aside to give thanks for God’s provision, enjoy fellowship, and be filled with gratitude (maybe mixed with a bit of family drama annoyance, but mostly love).

Let’s not let the enemy convince us hosting others is too overwhelming, but choose to take celebratory feasts one bite at a time, so we have a day where we are overwhelmed by His goodness.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Ingredients:

• 2 c all-purpose flour (spoon and level method)

• 1/2 c cocoa powder (I use Hershey’s special dark, but any will work-even expensive high-end stuff, ;)

• 1 t baking soda

• 1/2 t sea salt (don’t substitute kosher or iodized)

• 1/2 t cinnamon (this is optional)

• 1/8-1/4 t cayenne (again totally optional)

• 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened (16 T)

• 1 1/2 c dark brown sugar

• 1 egg

• 1 t espresso (2 T instant espresso dissolved in 1 oz of hot water)

• sugar for rolling

Directions:

• Pre-heat oven to 350 and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, sea salt, and spices if using.

• In the bowl of a stand mixer (or use handheld), beat together the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and coffee. Mix to completely combine. Scrape down sides of bowl as needed.

• Add the dry ingredients to the wet, on low, mix until just combined (again scrape down sides as needed).

• In a small bowl, add about 1/4 c sugar.

• Using a 2 T scoop, or eyeball about 2 T, roll the dough in your palm and then roll in sugar. Place about 2 inches apart on baking sheet. (I can get about 8 per sheet).

• On the middle rack, bake 10 mins for softer up to 12 for more crunch.

• Remove and cool cookies on rack. When cool, store in airtight container.

EXCERPT DAY ONE:

“God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.”

Psalm 46:5

As women, we build things. 

Our bodies grow new life.

Our hearts shape family.

Our hands create countless meals and keep things orderly.

Our prayers nurture others.

Our fortitude rears children through every hurt, every triumph, and every season.

Our love strengthens and softens our husbands.

Our words pour into and sharpen friends. 

We build home, family, community, and a future that remains anchored in unconditional love. 

We live our lives focused on serving the needs of others. 

Often sacrificing who we are and the things we want 

to make others shine. 

The enemy is well aware that women are powerful Kingdom builders. 

Warriors that must be disrupted, distracted, and destroyed.

So, he tears us down through lies about our worth and beauty; 

shifts our focus from the source of our power to the work of our hands;

The enemy constantly wears us down through circumstance, comparison, and toil to make us question the goodness of God.

The enemy whispers “you cannot pour from an empty cup” but leads us to the bitter well of this world rather than to the well of living water. 

The well where Jesus is encountered. 

The One who lovingly beckons: come to me all who are weary. 

Take my yoke; it is easy. 

Drink from my cup. 

Thirst no more. 

Be still and experience peace…..

Ingredients:

Broth:

• 2 quarts (8 c) beef broth

• 2 T fish sauce

• 2 T + 1 t sugar

• 2 inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and sliced

• 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced into half moons

• 3 whole cloves

• 3 whole star anise

• 1 cinnamon stick

• 2-3 cardamon pods

• 1/2 t coriander seeds

• 1/2 t whole peppercorns

• pinch of salt

Directions:

• In a stockpot, add the beef broth and bring to a low boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer, and add the fish sauce, sugar, ginger, and onion.

• For aromatics, wrap up the cloves, star anise, cinnamon, cardamon, coriander seeds, and peppercorns in a cheesecloth and tie with kitchen twine into a satchel. Add satchel to broth. (You can add directly to broth because it is strained before serving.

• Once aromatics are added to broth, simmer for 30 minutes partially covered. No longer!

• While broth simmers, cook rice noodles to package directions and shave or slice beef as thin as possible. Prep toppings.

• About 5 minutes prior to cooking time, check broth to make certain spices have infused and if you need to adjust the sweet (sugar) or the salt.

• Strain the broth and return to pot so that it remains at a simmer (it needs to be hot enough to cook beef at serving time)

Bowls:

• Rice noodles cooked to package instructions (I use rice vermicelli)

• thinly sliced sirloin or tenderloin (mandolin to make paper thin or find shaved beef so hot broth cooks it through)*

• bean spouts

• thai basil or regular, whole leaves

• fresh cilantro, sprigs

• Scallions, sliced to green part

• Jalapeno, sliced

• Lime, cut into wedges

• Hoisin sauce

• Chili sauce such as Sirarcha

Optional: thinly sliced yellow onion, shredded carrot

Assembly:

• Place thinly sliced steak into the bottom of each bowl and fill bowl with hot broth.

• Add cooked rice noodles.

• To keep it simple and customizable, I set all the toppings out and allow each person to top as they wish.

* If you cannot find shaved beef (my grocery store sells shaved ribeye for sandwiches so it keeps it super easy for me), slightly free the beef because it makes it easier to slice thinly.

Ingredients:

• 2 c AP flour (spoon & level method)

• 1 t baking soda

• 1/2 t kosher salt

• 1 large egg

• 1 c sugar

• 5 1/3 T butter (1/3 c vegetable oil works as well but I prefer butter)

• 1/3 c sour cream

• 2/3 c whole milk

• 1 t vanilla extract

For the Swirl layer: in small bowl mix together and set aside

• 1/2 c sugar

• 1 T ground cinnamon

For the Streusel Topping: in small bowl, mix together with a fork or fingers and set aside

• 2 T sugar

• 1 t ground cinnamon

• 2 T butter, room temperature

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease with nonstick spray or butter from wrapper a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan.

• Whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt together in a bowl. Set aside.

• In the bowl of a mixer fitted with paddle attachment, add the egg and 1 cup of sugar. On medium speed, beat until well combined. Add the butter, beat until light.

• Add the sour cream, milk, and vanilla extract. Beat until combined, scraping down sides as necessary.

• Add the dry ingredients, and mix until just combined (scraping down sides). Do not overmix.

• Pour half the batter into prepared loaf pan. Cover with almost all the swirl mixture (leave out about 1-2 T). The layer will be quite thick. Cover the swirl with remaining batter. Adding as best you can so you don’t have to spread the batter across swirl (it will stick and be messy). Sprinkle top with the remaining swirl mixture.

• With a knife, start at top edge of loaf pan, insert knife to bottom and in an S motion pull knife through batter until you reach opposite end of pan. Resist the urge to over-swirl.

• Distribute streusel mixture across top.

• Bake the bread for 45-50 minutes. Half way through, cover loosely with aluminum foil to prevent browning. Test for doneness with a toothpick. It should come out relatively clean (but not dry!). My oven takes 45, but my mom’s: 50 minutes. A little under is better than a little over!

• Cool in loaf pan completely. Then carefully remove, slice and enjoy!

Note: you can make this recipe into muffins. Just reduce cooking time to 18-22 minutes. For streusel topping, you can add crushed nuts of choice as well, about 2 T.

His words…

Slay me. 

Humble me.

They draw me into the deep, endless well of forgiveness found in Jesus. 

His constant teaching, 

leading, and

guiding:  

to be merciful.

to turn the other cheek.

to remove the log from our own eye.

to do the seemingly impossible this side of heaven: 

and relinquish 

all the hurt, 

all the pain, every injustice,

and 

FORGIVE. 

“Forgive them for they know not what they do.”

His words…

Convict me.

Strengthen me.

They release me from the chains of pointing my finger in anger.

He softens my heart and pierces it with His love:

A love that doesn’t measure or

judge,

one that isn’t focused on getting even or 

even being right,

A love that endured the greatest inequity to give rise 

to a conquering freedom.

Freedom from the weight of being wronged,

the gaping wound of being injured, and 

the virus of being offended.

A conquering freedom from the ruinous path that leads to death: 

resentment, retaliation, and retribution. 

“Leave your gift there before the altar and go…be reconciled.” 

His words…

Command me.

Empower me.

Forgiveness is a gift. 

One that isn’t rooted in “deserve” nor one that condones another’s sins or actions. 

A gift that may not be fully received by the other which might make an earthside relationship impossible. 

But, in the act of freely offering the gift of forgiveness, one relationship is deepened: the one you have with Jesus.

Through forgiveness, 

You enter more fully into God’s peace,

Into His joy,

Into the complete healing only found at the foot of the Cross.

And because there–in Him–where all things are possible,

A way to reconciliation, here, opens. 

Forgiveness forges a path of kindness and compassion for others to follow.

It softens hearts; 

It opens eyes to the wonder of Jesus Christ. 

It transforms  us into doers of

His Word. 

Some first steps to forgiveness:

1. Humility: recognizing how much you have been forgiven by God. We are called to cancel the debt and forgive every trespass because our debt and trepasses have been covered by grace. (Eph 4:32; Col 3:13; 1 John 1:9; Matt 7:3-5)

2. Acknowledge & Relinquish: Don’t hide from the feelings created, but don’t sit in the ashes with them. Ask God for the words to address the offender so that the conversation leads to healing, perhaps even reconciliation. Give every emotion to God and ask Him to help release you from each. Allow God to take your thoughts captive rather than being help captive by the offender. (Eph 4: 26-27; Eph 4:31; Matt 18:21-22; Phil 4:6-7)

3. Pray & Act: We are called to love our enemies, this is a high and seemingly impossible calling. Yet, Jesus constantly repeats that we are to bless those that curse us, to pray for them, and to love them. As counterintuitive and unworldly as this step might feel; it is Biblical. Begin by asking the Lord to soften your heart and to touch the heart of the one who offended. Pray for His transformative power to be active in every aspect of the circumstance. Resist the temptation to retaliate in word or deed. Ask how can your actions be loving? Perhaps silence is called for. Perhaps anger can be uprooted through acts of service. Each circumstance is unique, however, praying and leaning into acts of kindness and compassion will always produce fruit. (Luke 6:27-36; Romans 12:14; 1 Peter 3:9; Matt 5:44)

4. Remember the Truth: forgiveness is the very character of God and you are His image bearer. Forgiveness does not make you a doormat; rather, it is the path to experiencing the empowering freedom, joy, and peace you have been given through Jesus Christ. (Numbers 14:18; Isaiah 43:25; Psalm 103:2-3; 1 Tim 1:15-16)

Ingredients:

• 2 T olive oil

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

• 1/2 t salt + more to adjust taste

• 1 t garlic powder

• 1 t italian seasoning

• 1/4 t ground black pepper

• 4 T butter

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 15 oz. can diced tomatoes, somewhat drained

• 3-4 c baby spinach (or baby kale, or arugula, you get it)

• 1/2 c heavy cream

• 1/2 c Parmesan Reggiano cheese, grated

• 1 pinch of lemon zest and 1/2 t fresh squeezed lemon juice

Directions:

• In a 12 inch or larger skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine 1/2 t salt, garlic powder, italian seasoning, and 1/4 t ground pepper. Season each breast with mixture. Add seasoned chicken to hot skillet. Cook until golden, appoximately 5-8 minutes per side (depending on thickness of breasts). When finished, remove and set aside.

• In same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Melt butter and add minced garlic, stir and cook foe 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add diced tomatoes and spinach. Season with a pinch of salt. Cook until spinach has begun to wilt.

• Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan. Bring to a simmer and then reduce heat to low. Gently simmer to reduce a bit and thicken, approximately 3 minutes. Return chicken breasts and juices to skillet.* Cover and cook for 5-7 minutes (until chicken is cooked through).

• Remove lid. Taste and adjust seasonings. Add zest and lemon juice to brighten.

  Serve with lemon wedges, fresh basil, parsley, and grated Parmesan. Stand alone or absolutely fabulous over pasta.

Notes:

• You can choose to slice the chicken breast before returning to skillet (I do this when I’m serving over pasta). If you slice chicken breasts, then just add to skillet and cook until heated through, 3-5 minutes.

Ingredients:

• 2 c chicken stock

• 1 can coconut milk

• Just enough water for liquid content to reach 4 cups.

• 1 T sugar

• 2 c long grain white rice or jasmine rice

Directions:

• Bring 4 cups of liquid mixture to a boil. Add 1 T sugar. (watch this will boil over in a flash!)

• Stir in rice.

• Lower heat to a gentle simmer (medium low) and cover with tight fitting lid.

• Cook for 20 minutes. No peeking.

• Turn off heat. Allow it to steam with lid on for 10 minutes before serving.

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken breasts*

• Salt & pepper

• 2 T olive oil or coconut oil

• 1/2 large red onion, diced

• 1 red bell pepper, seeded & diced

• 4 garlic cloves, minced

• 1/2 t turmeric

• 1/8 t cayenne pepper (or to taste)

• 1 T cornstarch

• 1 c chicken stock

• 1 can coconut milk

• Zest & juice from 2 limes

• 1/2 c heavy cream

• 1 jalapeno, seeded & sliced or diced

• Cilantro

Directions:

• In a dutch oven or 12 inch skillet, heat olive or coconut oil over medium high heat for 1 min. Meanwhile, season chicken breast with salt and pepper, cut into slices.

• Add slices of chicken to dutch oven or skillet. Brown for 5-7 minutes (turn once so they get some nice color).

• Remove chicken and set aside. Lower heat to medium, add onion and bell pepper. Soften for 5 mins, stirring so not to brown. Add minced garlic. Cook 1 minute.

• Add turmeric and cayenne. Stir to combine.

• Whisk 1 T of cornstarch into 1 cup of chicken stock. Add to sauteed vegetables. Return heat to medium high and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.

• Add 1 can of coconut milk. Stir to combine and add chicken and accumulated juices.

• Gently simmer for 5-10 minutes.

• Add zest and lime juice. Stir in heavy cream.

• Taste and adjust seasonings (I always add salt & pepper here!)

Serve over coconut sticky rice with jalapeno, fresh cilantro, and a wedge of lime per person.

Suggested additional toppers: sprouts, Thai or regular basil, siracha or other hot sauce.

*I often marinate my chicken breast in olive oil, lime juice, seasoned with salt, pepper & garlic and then grill. I slice and add to dutch oven right before serving (with accumulated juices).

Ingredients:

• 2 c all-purpose flour

• 1/3 c sugar

• 2 1/2 t baking powder

• 1/2 t salt (for a bit of a woohoo, if you have lavender salt, yum!)

• Zest from one lemon

• 1 stick butter (8 T), frozen

• 1/2 c heavy whipping cream + 2 T for brushing tops of scones prior to baking

• 1 large egg

• 2 t vanilla extract

• 1 cup frozen blueberries

• Coarse sugar for topping (optional)

For the Lemon Glaze:

• 1 c confectioner’s sugar

• Juice from one lemon

Directions:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment and set aside.

• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and lemon zest. Using a grater (I use a flat with non slip grip, but a box grater works too), grate the frozen butter into the flour mixture. Using your hands, quickly combine the butter into the flour (working the butter into the flour a bit to create a crumb texture—less is better than too much!). Set aside.

• In measuring cup, whisk together the heavy cream, egg, and vanilla extract. Set aside.

• Add frozen blueberries to flour mixture. Toss to coat.

• Drizzle the cream mixture over the top of the flour mixture and fold until it just comes together and moistens (will be crumbly).

• Flour countertop. Pour mixture onto countertop and using hands form dough into a ball and then flatten into an 8 inch disc. Transfer disc to parchment lined baking sheet. With bench scraper or large knife, cut into 8 triangular wedges (cut disc in half, cut each half into quarters). Separate wedges by 1-2 inches. Place baking sheet in freezer while oven pre-heats.

• Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees with baking rack in center.

• Remove scones from freezer and brush tops with heavy cream. If using coarse sugar, dust each wedge.

• Bake in oven 18-22 minutes until golden (check at 18!)

• Remove to cooling rack.

• As they cool, whisk together confectioner’s sugar and lemon juice. Add a touch of cream if too thick to drizzle. Drizzle glaze on scones.

Serve and enjoy!

I’m not a combative person. I’m not a complainer. I’m a peacemaker and a solution seeker. 

But above all, I am a daughter of the King and must stand firm in the truth. Above all, my obedience to the Lord and adherence to His truth is my priority. Above all, I know that although I am in this world, it is not my home. Therefore, I am not called to mirror its trends nor go along affirming or validating its many broken ways. I am an image bearer and I am called to be an ambassador for healing in a world filled with pain. 

Two weeks ago, members at my health club (where I have been employed for the last ten years) reached out to me in despair. A man was in the women’s locker room. They complained to management and were told it was a transgender woman. The individual is an employee so is protected by federal laws to choose the locker room where she is most comfortable. I went to lead management–after more encounters with male anatomy in the women’s locker room were reported--and was met with the same dismissiveness: her protections were more valued, her comfort mattered more than the discomfort of the hundreds of paying biological female members, and her declared identity carried more weight than anatomical reality. In short, lead management’s stance: biological women need to stop being narrow-minded bigots. I prayed for direction. I prayed to the Lord to guide my next steps. As I prayed questions settled in my heart: How long will I allow the truth to be dismissed and silenced? How long will I allow the hurting and their enablers (both within and outside the church) to believe that affirmation and validation are love? How long will I allow the fear of worldly consequences–loss of employment and friendships, being called a sea of “isms” and pejorative labels intended to make me feel like a horrible, heartless person–to override my fear of the Lord and outweigh my call to be salt and light in the world? How long will I tolerate the world’s intolerance of God’s (and scientific) TRUTH?

I chose to stand firm in the truth and engage in this battle. I called out to the Lord to make a way, to battle on my behalf. I prayed to be humbled and remain obedient to God’s will. I prayed to not be led astray by my feelings or a personal agenda. I prayed to be a light for the light of the world and to be consumed by the Lord’s love. Two weeks into this battle and I am confident that I am following the Lord’s will. I know because despite unpleasant circumstances, difficult conversations, and hurtful name calling, I continue to be filled with peace. I continue to be strengthened against falling prey to anger or fear, but equipped to engage with gentleness, love, and patience to the best of my broken ability. I continue to pray that my actions and words in this battle reflect Jesus: who came for the lost, the broken, and the outcasts. The Jesus who came for me and you. The Jesus who came for the transgendered. The Jesus who preached to love others as He has loved. The Jesus who was unafraid to speak undiminished, unvarnished truth because He knew: the truth sets people free. The truth saves. The Jesus who spoke truth and met the broken where they were. The Jesus who ministered to their hurt, but did not affirm or validate their brokenness. No. His love healed and He called them to the path of Life. He bound up their wounds, broke their strongholds, and called the lost by a new name:

His children and heirs.  

So with a desire to help others be bold in the face of pejorative name calling and fear of worldly consequences–enemy tools to silence truth–I will share my notes after each slur. Please know, I’ve prayed about this blog post as well. I don’t typically write about personal things, but Kingdom hope. Truly know this post comes from a humble desire to encourage and build up the body to stand firm in the truth and to be image bearers in their words and actions; to plant Kingdom seeds for the lost. I write this in the hope that those hurling these slurs, slanting the actual issue through their lens of pain, guilt or a worldly understanding of love, and for the many fueled by the lie that they are victims or less than in God’s eyes to see the other side with the same degree of tolerance and compassion they demand. I write this because my heart breaks as I watch the church conform to the world rather than knowing we are called to conform to Christ. No matter the cost. 

To my notes (which I’ve cleaned up so they are coherent). 

Homophobe. This one was interesting because I do not know the transgendered woman’s sexual preference. Never occurred to me to be concerned about her sexual preference. Initially, I worried the hurt I might cause my many dear homosexual friends and former business partner. Would they be heartsick at the idea that I have been deceiving them all these years. But, that worry was eased in recognition of the truth. I am not homophobic. My dear friends know that our love for each other is not diminished by our brokenness, rather it increases in the face of it. Our love is the fruit of building an intentional relationship with one another; not one rooted in the superficiality of our differences or our different opinions. Our desperate need for grace and forgiveness is equal. I continue to be more heartsick that many of my homosexual friends do not believe that Jesus pursues them as fervently as He pursued me. I am heartsick that the church doesn’t make the gay community feel welcome and that so many in their community have been “church hurt”. I pray they know that surrender of your old self isn’t easy for any one, but that mercy and comfort await all. I pray they know the seat next to me every Sunday is open so that they hear the truth: salvation cannot be earned; no one is worthy but all are invited. Salvation is the most beautiful undeserved gift from a righteous, loving, and good God. 

Transphobe. Again, this label is tossed about despite the truth that the initial complaints were not about a transgender using the women’s locker room, but the belief that a man was in the locker room. So, when it was discovered that the individual identifies as a women does that negate concerns/feelings of discomfort about a penis in the women’s lockerroom (no one wants to have an honest conversation about this/more on this later)? I am not afraid of the transgendered. I am afraid for them. I am afraid that unresolved trauma (which I learned from the activist I reached out to in an effort to better understand–that the experience of abuse and sexual molestation is disproportionally high in this community) is manifesting itself as a desire to dismantle, destroy, and erase their God-given identity. I am afraid that their desire to be affirmed and validated blinds them to the truth that unresolved hurt that turns inward to self leads to a life consumed by bitterness and anger. I am afraid that if fear silences the truth or compels us to the easier road of affirmation or validation of their choices, we condemn them to a life of pain (mentally, emotionally, physically). Our silence and/or support is leading to a generation of surgically and hormonally mutilated adults; a generation who conflate love with affirmation and validation and who are now further lost in the pain of constant medical care from the complications of castrations, mastectomies, grave hormonal imbalance, and sexual disfunction. Again, I am not afraid of (nor do I hate) the transgendered, I fear for them. Altering our physical appearance never heals our inward hurts (this is a shared experience of human-ness). My deepest desire is to build relationships within this community. Relationships that are built on mutual respect so that trust develops and truth can be shared. Truth is the way to their healing and wholeness. Truth, spoken in love, ministers and has the power to demolish strongholds. I want my path to healing, wholeness, and freedom from my strongholds to be experienced by every human. I want every human to follow the path of life; to surrender all that they carry to the beauty, peace, and freedom found in Jesus Christ alone.  

Bigot. This label is fascinating. Reminds me of a childhood chant: “ I’m rubber and you are glue. Whatever you say bounces off of me and sticks to you.” I am not intolerant of LGBTQIA+ opinions or choices. In my conversations and research, the transgender and their supporters are, in fact, intolerant of any opinion that does not embrace total affirmation and validation of their opinions and choices. I am not intolerant of their lifestyle. I am simply intolerant of male anatomy being allowed in women’s locker rooms where young girls are a constant. Not because I believe the transgendered are predatory. I don’t allow my young daughters to watch movies with male nudity. That doesn’t make me a bigot nor someone who is accusing them of predatory intent; it makes me a mother who wants to protect her children’s innocence for as long as I am able. I am also intolerant, as an adult, of being exposed to male anatomy that is not my husband’s; it is not honoring to my marriage vows. The activist asked that I don’t conflate “anatomy with identity.” I am not conflating the two because the two are by scientific and Biblical definition ONE. The transgender activists with whom I spoke will tolerate nothing short of a world where anatomy and biology are disassociated from gender. However, anatomical and biological differences matter. They matter in a locker room (another discussion but they matter in athletic competition as well). If a person with female anatomy enters the women’s locker room I am not going to inquire about her biological gender because I am not afraid of transgendered people. I have no desire to bar them from the world nor put them in uncomfortable or unsafe situations. The world is complicated, but the truth is simple: if you have male anatomy, I do not care how you identify: your anatomy matters (and it is disingenuous for the transgender to say they don’t conflate anatomy and physical appearance with identity, if it doesn’t matter to them–if declared identity was the answer–then they would not be battling so desperately for hormonal and surgical intervention). I am not bigoted against the transgendered, nor are the vast majority of women who have complained against these policies. The simple issue: penises in a female locker room are not acceptable.

Religious zealot. I do not consider myself a religious person. Nor am I a fanatic. I am in a relationship with Jesus Christ. I do not hate, but I know that love without truth is NOT love. Conflating love with affirmation or validation is a ruinous path. However, I am not called to judge or condemn with the truth but to sit in the ashes with the broken because I am broken. I do not judge because I am not righteous. I do not cast stones because stones can and should be cast at me. However, I equally cannot forsake the truth to make those that I love (or myself) feel better. My house is built on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ. I believe He is who He says He is. I am called to love others as Jesus loved me: 

1. Minister to the hurting to bind up their wounds with truth 

2. Plant Kingdom seeds so all can experience the freedom that comes from surrendering to and choosing to follow Christ

My prayer for the transgendered, indeed for all that are hurting, is to know that Jesus Christ was sent for all of us. A life-affirming relationship with God waits. I know because God faithfully pursues what is His. I know that His mercy and comfort are available to all. And, every single person who chooses to surrender their life to the truth is set free from the penalty of their sin (not from sinning). I know because I am a sinner. Broken and in desperate need of God’s grace and forgiveness. My need for Jesus is no greater or less than any others. His grace is not just sufficient for my sin but for all sin. How do I know? Because at the age of forty, Jesus changed everything and made me new. I know because I experience a love like no other by faithfully and obediently following Christ.

So what is my label? 

Jesus knows.

And He calls me by my true name:  

A daughter of the King. 

I choose to be in a relationship with Jesus Christ, not to live as a religious zealot who looks to their own righteousness and strength. I have nothing that He does not give. Jesus is the Lord and Savior of my life. 

He is the way, the truth, and the life. 

I choose to surrender all that I am–all that I did–for all that Jesus is and all that He did because in this world I remain in desperate need of His grace, forgiveness, and power. I choose to follow Jesus because He is my strength, my peace, my patience, and my armor in this fallen and broken world. I choose to be obedient to the truth because I am called to be an image bearer and a seed planter.

I pray for every person in this fallen world  to recognize that Jesus is better than any lifestyle, any sin, and any fleeting worldly promise or desire. So, as I walk my path of sanctification to become more Christ-like, I do my broken best to stand firm in the truth, plant seeds, and to be a source of comfort and light to all that cross my path in this world. 

I will–for as long as I am abled by the One–to do my broken best to know Jesus better so that my life makes Him known. I will trust. I will obey. I will be unafraid to proclaim the truth, to move when He says move. 

My hope is that this individual and all others that believe they must carry the burdens of this world alone (or believe they are strong enough on their own) choose to run to the Cross. I pray they lay every burden and hurt down. I pray they surrender to their desperate need for Jesus and to the truth. I pray they become my brothers and sisters in Christ and know the seat next to me every Sunday is open.

Because Jesus is the source of true healing. 

I believe His every word.

He is the Light in the darkness;

A love that refines and restores,

A love that changes everything. 

Jesus is the only one who knows our true names.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33 

Ingredients:

For the Filling:

• 1 t lemon zest

• 2 T fresh lemon juice

• 1 1/2 T cornstarch

• 1 lb strawberries, hulled and halved

• 1 1/2 lbs peaches, peeled, pitted, and sliced

• 1/2 c brown sugar (light or dark they both work!)

For the Crumble:

• 2/3 c all-purpose flour

• 2/3 c oats (I use Bob’s Red Mill Old Fashioned)

• 1/2 c chopped pecans

• 1/4 c brown sugar

• 1 t ground cinnamon

• 1/4 t kosher salt

• 1/2 c (1 stick) chilled unsalted butter, cut into pats

• Confectioners sugar or cinnamon sugar to dust at serving

Directions:

• Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Butter an 8 inch cast iron skillet or baking dish and set aside.

• For the filling: In a bowl, whisk together the lemon zest, lemon juice, and cornstarch until smooth. Add the strawberries, peaches, and brown sugar. Gently toss to coat fruit. Pour into the prepared baking dish.

• For the Crumble: In the bowl of a food processor, combine the flour, oats, pecans, brown sugar, cinnamon, and kosher salt. Pulse to combine. Add the pats of butter and pulse until pea size. Sprinkle the crumble over the filling to cover.

• Bake for 40 minutes or until the filling is bubbling and the top is a light golden color (if using dark brown sugar it will be a darker golden brown).

• Cool for 5 mins and then dust with Confectioner’s sugar or cinnamon sugar.

WE must look up and follow the One.

Let’s stop demonizing each other and look to the enemy who seeks only to steal our peace and joy; to kill our hope and destroy our love for one another.

Let’s seek the source of our peace, joy, hope, and love: JESUS.

Let’s be the source of a great revival. A revival that finds the lost, heals the sick, and restores all that are broken to wholeness in Christ.

All the saints: the time is now.

Let’s instill truth and put it into practice.

Let’s instill all that is noble, right, pure, lovely and admirable.

Let’s build one another up with humility and patience.

Let’s bear one another in love so that all are moved to cry out in desperation for God’s grace. So that all know Jesus is the way, the truth, and the LIFE.

Let’s rebuke the enemy’s discord and clothe ourselves in the harmony found at the foot of the Cross

Sow Kingdom seeds.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz. bacon, cooked to crispy and diced

• 8 cups trimmed, bite size broccoli florets

• 1/2 c diced red onion

• 1/2 c golden raisins or grapes, halved

• 1/2 c pepitas or chopped toasted pecans

Dressing:

• 1 cup mayonnaise (Dukes or Miracle Whip if you like it sweeter)

• 1 T apple cider vinegar

• 1/4 c sugar

• salt & pepper to taste

Directions:

• Cook your bacon to desired crisp. Drain on paper towel. When cool, dice and set aside.

• In a shallow saute pan, bring water to a gentle boil. Add broccoli for just 1-2 mins to brighten but not soften. Transfer to ice bath to stop cooking process. Drain. (You can skip this step for extra crunchy, raw broccoli).

• In a large mixing bowl, add all of your dressing ingredients. Stir to combine. Taste and adjust flavors as desired.

• Add diced bacon, broccoli, diced onion, raisins or grapes, seeds or nuts. Toss to combine and coat everything well.

• Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes prior to serving to allow flavor to develop.

Options: you can add any cheese you like (cheddar is traditional); substitute dried cranberries, add tomatoes, red cabbage.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups thick cut extra sharp Cheddar cheese (I use Tillamook)

• 6 oz cream cheese, softened

• 3-4 T Mayonnaise (Duke’s because I like the flavor)

• 1/4 t garlic powder

• 1/4 t cayenne pepper (optional, but I use a 1/2 t)

• 4 oz jar diced pimento, drained

• 3 scallions, thinly sliced into the green part

• Seasoning salt & ground black pepper to taste

Directions:

• In a standing mixer or bowl with handheld mixer, whip the cream cheese until light and fluffy.

• Add the cheese, Mayonnaise, garlic powder, cayenne pepper and mix on low speed until well combined. Add the pimentos and most of the scallions. Mix until just incorporated.

• Add seasoning salt and black pepper. Give a mix. Taste. Adjust as needed.

• Transfer to an airtight container or serving bowl. Top with remaining scallions.

Options to fancy it up: dash Worcestershire sauce; grated Vidalia onion; chopped pecans; diced jalapeño, switch out one cup of extra sharp Cheddar for Gouda, Monterrey Jack, Pepper Jack…you get it; hot sauce; and of course crispy diced bacon. Because, its bacon.

Ingredients:

• 1 medium jicama (approximately 1 lb), peeled and julienned (you can also shred in a food processor)

• 1/2 red onion, diced

• 2 scallions, thinly sliced into green

• 2-3 carrots, julienned

• 1/2 c chopped fresh cilantro

• 1 jalapeno, seeded and minced

• 1/4 c + 2 T mayonnaise

• Zest & juice from 2 limes

• 1/4 t kosher salt

• 1/8 t fresh ground pepper

Directions:

• In a large mixing bowl, add all the veg (jicama through jalapeño).

• In a small measuring cup, add your mayonnaise, zest, juice, salt & pepper. Whisk to combine. Taste and adjust flavor as desired.

• Pour the dressing over the veg. Stir to combine and coat. Cover and refrigerate one hour to allow flavors to develop.

You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life,

and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 23 (NLT)

With arms wide open….

When you are searching, questioning, doubting, struggling,

God’s Word:

reveals,

answers,

confirms; it is a comforting embrace, a strong shoulder, and a constant reminder that hope is yours.

In Psalm 23:

I learned that God relentlessly pursues. His love pursues not just lost sheep, but His children.

He will never forsake you,

or turn away.

His Spirit whispers truth and convicts. He holds you to the path of faith. The path that leads to life. He is lamp and armor. His power is yours. Through His Spirit, God pursues you from within. No matter where you wander,

He is there in the wandering; in the midst of all you think. All you feel. All you battle.

In Revelation 3:20:

I learned that God patiently waits. He keeps watch with a hope and a love that you cannot fathom. He waits for you to open the door and invite Jesus in. He waits for you to exchange all that you are for all that He is. He waits for you to take a drink from His well; to pull a chair up to His table and partake in His feast. He waits for you to put everything down and sit at His feet. He waits in love. Waiting to hear the lock of a hardened heart, the chain of unbelief or doubt be undone. Jesus is the key, but you must make the choice.

God pursues as He waits.

On the doorstep of your brokenness,

With arms wide open.

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

Revelation 3:20