Menu Plan Monday, Mar 1, 2010

I'm getting bored ... so I pulled out another cookbook that

we haven't used in a while. It was a Christmas gift a couple

of years ago & although I don't really use the brand name

stuff it lists, it's full of good ideas... and they're easy to make.

All the meals listed below that are linked are from this cook-

book...

MONDAY

Lunch - Scrambled Eggs & Home Fries (made from leftover potatoes from Sun.)

Dinner- Beef & Onion Fajitas (using leftover Roast from Sun, too)

TUESDAY

Lunch- Baked Tomatoes Risotto w/Grilled Chicken

Dinner- Sandwiches

WEDNESDAY

Lunch-Crock pot Meatballs/Sauce & Spaghetti

Dinner- Do Overs

THURSDAY

Lunch- Homemade Mac & Cheese, tossed salad

Dinner- Crock Pot BBQ Beef Sandwiches

FRIDAY

Lunch- Rice & Chicken Skillet

Dinner- Homemade Pizza

SATURDAY

Lunch- TBA

Dinner- Red Bean Soup & Sausage, Bread

SUNDAY

Lunch- Crock pot Cajun Style Country Ribs,

Veggies & Rice

Dinner- Do overs

For more ideas see orgjunkie.org

I Know that Rich Guy

When the rich young ruler came to talk with Jesus

he comfortably asked, "What deed must I do to have

the kingdom of God?"

He was willing to "do" something, assuming that it was

a simple task, or perhaps something he could give out

of his abundance. He didn't seem worried, but actually

more like excited!

Jesus' answer baffled and saddened him.

"Give up everything & follow me."

He walked way.

Those of us who don't consider ourselves to be "rich"

don't put much stock in this story.

Hold on a second... I think we know that "rich guy"...

He's us. He's me. (and I'm not talkin' about money)

We're willing to do something for God if it's out of our

abundance & ease... stuff or skills we can quickly & easily do or give.

But Jesus doesn't want presents or an occasional task

done "all for the glory of God" (spoken in a King James voice).

Jesus want US! All of us.

The heart of us that will say,

Jesus, I'll give you...

- what I love

- what I enjoy

- what makes me feel worthwhile

- what brings me joy

- what I long for, even dream for

- what "only seems fair"

Then we have to trust that He loves us so much that

He'll do what's best.

He IS worth it.

What does this mean... for you?

Menu Plan Monday, Feb. 22, 2010 SNOW WEEK!

It's snowing like crazy!

Schools are closed.

(of course we're NOT... traveling to & from school

isn't an issue for us! hee hee)

And it's supposed to snow ALL week long!

and I'm OK with that!

(don't hate me, please!)

MONDAY

Lunch- Scrambled Eggs & Bacon, grapes

Dinner- Homemade Chili & Mexican Cornbread

(making extra for my neighbors who lost a loved one)

TUESDAY

Lunch- Homemade Mac & Cheese, green peppers

Dinner- Ranch Chicken Casserole

WEDNESDAY

Lunch- Pasta Primavera

Dinner- Do Overs

THURSDAY

Lunch- Tuna Melt Sandwiches, carrot sticks

Dinner- Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

FRIDAY

Lunch- Taco Bowls (w/leftover chili)

Dinner- Homemade Whole Wheat Pizza

SATURDAY

Lunch- Chicken Tortilla Soup & Cornbread

Dinner- Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

SUNDAY

Lunch- Crockpot Roast, Potatoes & Carrots

Dinner- Pin Wheel Wraps

For more ideas check out Orgjunkie.com

Don't listen to THAT girl

You know the girl...

the one that always seem to have some crazy story

that you just know is NOT true.

You sorta nod,

smile,

squirm

and look for a way outa the conversation cuz

she's just saying crazy stuff & you don't know how to respond..

and you just cannot listen to another second of her nonsense.

You know.

Yes, you KNOW that girl ....

but the problem is, you actually listen to a girl just like her

each morning while you're getting dressed,

when you're working out,

while you're shopping,

when you're with a group of other ladies.

In those times, YOU LISTEN!

cuz that girl talking to you is the same girl

that looks at you every morning in the mirror.

She's talkin' crazy...

and you've been listen to her...

and believing her.

Don't.

Phil. 4:8

More Than...

God cares for these little birdies that were in my

neighbor's backyard...

eating the bread crumbs she tossed out.

God cares for the flowers...

(that don't grow in Michigan right now

but we did get some for Valentine's Day!)

How much more does God love us!

We're worth more than these simple creations.

Even MORE!

So...Trust Him!

Luke 12: 23-32

Sit Down?

The crowd stood around, looking confused

and completely unsure of what to do next.

Too hungry to go home now.

Too late to stay any longer.

Now what?

"How annoying," thought the Twelve.

"Send'um home. They're not gunna find any food

standing around here looking dumb."

"You Feed'um," Jesus said.

What?

How in the world could twelve regular guys feed

5000 men, not to mention all the ladies and the

countless thousands of children runnin' around,

crying, needing to wipe their noses.

Jesus then took inventory of the food they did have.

(If you wanna even count it as food; it was so little.)

Five flat breads and two small fish. Big deal.

Not even a man-sized lunch.

"Tell the people to sit down," Jesus told the Twelve.

Sit down? Why?

What in the world was He thinking?.... but OK

"Ok people. People! PEOPLE!!!!

Sit down! DOWN!...that's right...

What?... I..I...I don't know why?

Just because the Master said so, that's why,"

growled the Twelve.

They're sitting... restlessly.

"What's going on?"

No one could really see what was going on in front.

"What's happening? Why are we sitting."

Restless, waiting people can create frustrated energy,

and this could get dangerous.

But... this setting prompts a different attitude.

HOPE.

Look around.

The hungry, clueless crowd has turned into

an expectantly obedient gathering.

Why? No one can see anything.

Why?...

JESUS!

He ordered the "sit down."

He's orchestrated the "hold" posture.

When Jesus instructs a pause it's meant to

produce faith... a looking forwarding to what His plan will be.

Something is going on.

No one can see it. But everyone who is sitting & continues to

strain their neck to see Jesus can sense it.

Wait...

Anticipate!

Menu Plan Monday, Feb. 8th AND Feb. 15th

MONDAY

Lunch- Frito Salad (tossed green salad w/Fritos on top)

Dinner- Chili Cheese Burritos (w/leftover chili from super bowl)

TUESDAY

Lunch- Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Sweet Carrots

Dinner- Sandwiches, Tomato Soup

WEDNESDAY

Lunch- Mac & Cheese, Sausage

Dinner- Mexican Salad

THURSDAY (Mom arrives from Colorado late tonight)

Lunch- Pin Wheels, Chips, Peaches

Dinner- Chicken Fajitas, Rice

FRIDAY

Lunch- French Fry Salad (green salad w/veggies & french fries)

Dinner- Heart-shaped homemade Pizza

SATURDAY

Lunch- Crock Pot Roast Beef, Potatoes, Carrots

Dinner- Heart Shaped Pancakes, Sausage

SUNDAY Valentine's Day

Lunch- TBA

Dinner- Heart Shaped Grilled Cheese

___________________________________________

MONDAY, President's Day Feb. 15th

Lunch- Cherry Walnut Muffins

Dinner- Kennedy's Beef Stroganoff, homemade noodles,

Laura Bush's Cowboy Cookies

TUESDAY, Feb. 16th

Lunch-Grilled Chicken, LBJ Stuffed mushrooms, Gr.Beans

Dinner- TBA

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 17th

Lunch- Lasagna, Salad

Dinner- Sandwiches, carrot sticks

THURSDAY, Feb. 18th

Lunch- TBA

Dinner- Ham, Broccoli, Rice

FRIDAY, Feb. 19th

Lunch- Thomas Jefferson's Mac & Cheese

Dinner- Homemade Veggie Pizza

SATURDAY, Feb. 20th

Lunch- President Reagan's Chili , Corn Bread

Snack- Abe Lincoln Cabins

Dinner- Potato Soup

SUNDAY, Feb. 21st

Lunch- Ranch Dorito Casserole

Dinner- TBA

For a zillion more ideas see Orgjunkie.com

Shh... or not?

Have you noticed that it's often our tendency to clam up,

stop communicating, keep things tucked inside

when we MOST need to express them?

What's the deal?

Maybe guilt? ...

"We shouldn't think this, we're Christians, we're supposed to turn

the other check."

Maybe hurt?...

"The other person should be the one to initiate this conversation."

Maybe anger?...

"I have to cool down first, then say something."

(but that was weeks ago)

Maybe fear?...

"Saying something will just make it worse."

(but being quiet just breaks things down anyway)

Maybe the Martyr syndrom?...

"I'll just suck it up. No biggie."

(but it is or you wouldn't still be thinking about it)

or Maybe any one of a zillion other reasons...

---------

Ephesians 4 (several verses)

"Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other,

making allowance for each other's faults because of your love."

"Instead, there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes."

24 "You must display a new nature because you are a new person,

created in God's likeness – righteous, holy, and true.

25 So put away all falsehood and "tell your neighbor the truth"

because we belong to each other.

26 And "don't sin by letting anger gain control over you."

Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry,

27 for anger gives a mighty foothold to the Devil. "

---------

I have to check my own heart & motives first (through prayer).

Then proceed with humility and caution.

How do you decide when you should speak up?

How do you motivate yourself to speak up,

to confront, to say what's going on inside...

without being a jerk or full of accusations?