“Where Does My Hope Come From?”

My hope comes from knowing that I have an Eternal Home filled with Love, Comfort, and Joy. Although, I wander a sojourner here on this earth…I rejoice knowing that He who calls me is living inside my heart and counsels my soul, “Child this is the way to walk, the way to go, the way to love, the way to forgive, the way to live so that others may see that in this life - there’s more.”

I love knowing that he’s prepared a place for us (John 14:1-3) filled with Grace, Peace, and Comfort. I long to reside in the royal priesthood of His Kingdom. I am naught but a speck of sand. A small pebble thrown into the rivers of this life. May the ripples of my path lead others whom He has called – who are lost and scattered back into His Loving arms. Into still waters. His rod and staff…they comfort me. (Psalm 23) His voice tells me, “That I am His and He is mine.” (Song of Solomon 2:16)

My hope dwells in His Presence. Every day, I make a choice to rejoice and live life to its fullest because He cares for me. He protects and provides for us. He died for us. He rescued us from the mire and dressed us…by His Wounds we are healed. (1 Peter 2:24) No other kingdom that I know of here on this earth has ever had a King who died while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8) so that we may live in eternity as citizens in Heaven where peace and love exist. It is humbling to be called His Chosen, His royal priesthood, His daughters, His Own. What an honor it is to be able to call upon Him – My Father, My Friend, My Savior, My King, My Shepherd, My Everything. All I can do is admire him and sing, “Holy, Holy, Holy. He is Worthy of all Praise. He is the Lord of all.”

Jesus is our Hope. Nothing compares to all that His Father has offered. May His Word always light our paths (Psalm 119:105). May the light he’s given to us and our other fellow companions in Him be a magnificent city on the hill – a Beacon of Truth, Wisdom, and Hope to others. May we live life to its fullest embracing his grace and forgiveness. May we find Beauty in all things that He has created and laugh at the days to come. May He be glorified in all that we do and may we always Hope in Him.

Reflection on God's Names 

by Marcie Bradshaw

~ El Simchath Gili - means GOD MY EXCEEDING JOY ~

O God you are joyful, my God of Hope. El Simchath Gili is one of His many beautiful names. I never knew that God had a name for Joy. Did you? Smack me silly...I don't know about you, but I have often thought of Him as a quiet, stoic, just, loving but firm Father who's shouldering so many burdens. God is quiet. God is just. God is loving. God is firm in his commands. He does shoulder many burdens, but he is also a mighty God. All of these things above certainly describe who He is to me and so many others...but I had never taken the time to reflect on the fact that he is a God who is joyful and likes to laugh. He likes to have a good time and celebrate. 

Lately, I'm finding myself making more conscious efforts to turn back and praise Him with joy and singing for all the blessings that he's given to me and my loved ones. He likes to laugh and hear how much I appreciate and love all the blessings he's bestowed upon me. I've learned that he's not always stoic, stern, and that he definitely doesn't feel overwhelmed or overcome by the evil in this world. He's not always disappointed and disapprovingly looking down at the world from his Heavenly Throne shaking His head in disappointment at my constant failures and sins.

He's rejoicing when a sinner repents. He's singing and dancing along with us in the victories of our lives as we follow in His Son, Jesus', footsteps. Our seemingly small victories are mighty and powerful in the spiritual realm.  

He laughs at all of his beloved children's little quirks. He embraces us with love and joy. He is the God of all Hope even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. I will fear no evil for my God, My Heavenly Father, El Simchath Gili, God My Exceeding Joy...my Savior is with me in this life into Eternity.

May you and I find ourselves rejoicing in the LORD, rejoicing in Him always. 

Question: How does God's restoration, redeeming love, and joy motivate me to serve Him? Especially after times of refinement?

Reflection Scriptures: Isaiah 41:18, Psalm 126: 1-6, Philippians 4:4, 1 Thessalonians 5:16, 1 Peter 4:13-19, Proverbs 31: 25

Psalm 43:4 ESV

Then I will go to the altar of God,
    to God my exceeding joy,
and I will praise you with the lyre,
    O God, my God.

Check out this video that gives a visual of how God restores our fortunes like streams in the Negev (Ps 126:4)

https://youtu.be/S02RRTlWDPM

Mediterranean Pie

 MMMmmmman! This recipe is so tasty, and a classic dinner go to for my husband and me. It is so fun to make together. He and I concocted this recipe by being inspired by the Mediterranean influences and... yes, it's basically a quiche but we don't like that word, ha! Together we decided to call it, "Mediterranean Pie", because who doesn't love a savory pie? 

We make our own pie crust but when we are just plain tired and need to get cooking faster, we will use organic premade frozen pie crust we get from the store.

(Preheat oven to 350 degrees before you get started.)

Prep in a separate small bowl, then set aside.

1 and 1/2 cup of Spinach. 

In a separate medium bowl (then set aside)

Whisk 1 and 1/4 cup of milk and 4 large eggs, then add: 

1/2 cup of shredded cheese or more if you'd like (we use sharp Wisconsin cheddar)

add a pinch of parsley and a dash of oregano.

salt/pepper to taste

Next, sauté in a nonstick skillet add a tablespoon of olive oil:

quarter of an onion or 1 small shallot diced into small pieces.

small, diced pepper of your choice: (We like to use our fresh garden bell peppers, or we'll buy a Poblano pepper from our local grocery store)

After you've sauteed the onion and pepper, add the below to the skillet and continue to sauté until the Spinach is wilted and feta cheese has melted a little: 

3 sundried tomatoes

1/3 cup of feta cheese

1 and 1/2 cup of Spinach.

Set the sauteed onion, pepper, sundried tomatoes, spinach, feta cheese mixture to the side and let it cool down for a little bit. Add the sauteed mixture to the pie crust, pour in the egg, milk, herbs and cheese mixture into the pie crust. Put the pie onto a baking sheet to keep the pie steady as you insert into the oven. 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, bake for approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. Prep time: 30 minutes Cook time: 45 minutes to an hour...pie should jiggle firmly. Total cook time 1 and a half hours.

Tips:

Be sure to preheat the oven to 350 degrees...right before you start to prep the pie ingredients. 

Dry bake your pie crust to ensure you don't get a soggy bottom crust. 

`Cultivated Community ~ Get Outside & Unplug

Hey there, thanks for visiting! I'm not sure where this blog will lead and have decided to make this blog an outlet for my desire to write. Here's one little blog I wrote for Cultivated Community a while back ago. 

I'd love to hear your thoughts and what things you like to read in on blogs. Do you like short and sweet or long and thoughtful because I can be a mix of both things:) It's my hope that you leave this read with a Living Hope and are inspired to Get Outside, Unplug, & Dream...chat w you soon :) 

Get Outside & Unplug 📚🦋💖 – Cultivated Community