Day 155 |  Friday, 21 August 2020

From the Church Mouse
Today is Foodie Friday, so please let me introduce you to the lowly, and often misunderstood onion. Though all vegetables are important for health, certain kinds offer unique benefits. Onions are members of the Allium genus of flowering plants that also includes garlic, shallots, leeks and chives. These vegetables contain various vitamins, minerals and potent plant compounds that have been shown to promote health in many ways. In fact, the medicinal properties of onions have been recognized since ancient times, when they were used to treat ailments like headaches, heart disease and mouth sores.

Here are 9 impressive health benefits of onions:

1. Packed with Nutrients
2. May Benefit Heart Health
3. Loaded with Antioxidants
4. Contain Cancer-Fighting Compounds
5. Help Control Blood Sugar
6. May Boost Bone Density 
7. Have Antibacterial Properties
8. May Boost Digestive Health
9. Easy to Add to Your Diet.

 
Now for my favorite onion recipe: Restaurant-Style French Onion Soup    
Classic French onion soup, similar to one you can get in a restaurant. Made with wine and sherry to bring out the beef flavor of the broth. Two different cheeses top it off to give it that bubbly, browned, and stretchy topping.

Prep: 20 mins      Cook: 1 hr 15 mins      Total: 1 hr 35 mins      
Servings: 6      Yield:  6 servings

Ingredients:

• ½ cup butter;  

• 8 sweet onions, sliced; 
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste;
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, or to taste
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme;
• 1 cup red wine;
• 1 tablespoon sherry;
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 quarts beef broth;
• 1 French baguette, cut into 1/2-inch thick slices
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, or as needed;
• 6 slices Swiss cheese;
• 6 slices provolone cheese

Instructions:
 Step 1
Melt butter in a large soup pot over medium heat. Cook and stir onions, garlic, salt, black pepper, and thyme until onions are soft and brown, about 30 minutes. Pour in red wine and sherry; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until you can no longer smell alcohol cooking off, about 15 more minutes.

 Step 2
Sprinkle onion mixture with flour and stir until coated; cook for 10 minutes. Pour in broth, stir to blend in flour, and simmer until slightly thickened, about 20 minutes.

Step 3
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) while soup is simmering. Arrange bread slices on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil.

Step 4
Toast the baguette slices in the preheated oven until golden brown, 12 to 14 minutes, turning the bread over halfway through cooking. Remove toast and set aside. 

Step 5
Set an oven rack about 8 inches from the heat source and turn on the oven's broiler.

Step 6
Ladle soup into 6 oven-proof crocks, filling them about 3/4 full. Place 1 or 2 bread slices into the bowls and top each with a slice of Swiss cheese and a slice of provolone. Carefully place filled crocks onto a sturdy baking sheet.

Step 7
Broil soup until the cheese is browned and bubbling, 3 to 4 minutes.

Cook's Note:
Use a slicer attachment of the food processor to make easy work of slicing onions. Purchase day-old bread, then slice and bake ahead of time, keep in a resealable bag.

​Nutrition Facts Per Serving:
792.4 calories; protein 31.3g 63% DV; carbohydrates 77.2g 25% DV; fat 37.7g 58% DV; cholesterol 86.3mg 29% DV; sodium 2169.7mg 87% DV.
© Copyright 2020 allrecipes.com. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.allrecipes.com 08/20/2020
 
 

Day 154  |  Thursday, 20 August 2020

 A Beginning: God's Love
 “New every morning is God's love, poured out upon us, washing away the past, shining hope upon our path, awakening joy deep within, renewing the earth. Great is God's faithfulness,
God's mercy never ends.”

 A Prayer of Invocation:
“Gracious God, you are the fount of every blessing. As a deer longs for flowing streams, so our souls long for you. As a tree planted by the water continues to bear fruit despite the heat and lack of rain, so we seek to be sustained through the droughts of our lives. May we draw near and drink deeply from your living water this day. Amen.”

 A Prayer of Confession:
“Loving God, you know me. You know the inner thoughts of which I am ashamed and the visible deeds I regret. You know my struggle to live faithfully: being generous to those in need; being forgiving to those who have hurt me; being patient when there is so much to do; taking time for prayer in the midst of busyness; being loving, when judging and criticizing are my first thoughts.
Loving God, you know me, love me, forgive me, trust me, and I stand in awe at your amazing grace. Keep me on the path of Christ and lead me to deep joy and abundant gratitude. In his name. Amen.”

 A Prayer of Adoration:
“Lord God, we come to adore you. You are our Creator, and you granted us being. Without you we could not be. Before we were born, before time began, you were. When time is finished, when the universe is no more, you will still be. Nothing can take your power from you. Nothing can limit or overcome your love. And in your presence, we can only be silent before the mystery of your being, for no words of ours can do justice to your glory. Amen.”

 A Prayer of Thanksgiving:
“Gracious God, you have given us all things. You have given us minds for thinking, hearts for feeling, a soul for connecting with you. We are thankful for the blessing of material things, for family and friends. We are more thankful for the gift of life, which, in your grace, you have given us so that we might be in relationship with you. May we not sacrifice our souls to what is plentiful on this earth, but to your call for our ministry together. Thanks be to you, O Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer. Let us adore you always! Amen.”

 A Blessing:
Romans 8:37-39
“We are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
​
 Quotation:
“I am convinced one of the joys of heaven will be discovering the hidden ways that God, in his sovereignty, acted in our lives on earth to protect us and guide us so as to bring glory to his name, in spite of our frailty.” -Billy Graham
 
Today: States that are being stretched to the limits with COVID-19
 
 

Day 153  |  Wednesday, 19 August 2020  -  Noontime Prayer

  A Beginning
“A Gift of a new day, unlived, untried, ready to be opened.  A new day with surprising miracles; with love to be given, kindness to be shared and peace to be enjoyed.  A gift of a new day, God’s gift to us.  Let us receive tit with joy and live it in expectation.”

 An Invocation:
“Precious God surround us with your presence so we may breathe deeply of this moment and discover a fountain of joy, a river of light, a stream of hope. 
Precious God come in word and silence, in song and prayer, and lead us to the heights of glory.

Precious God visit us now with your peace and power that makes all things new.  Renew the earth and renew us by your grace.  Amen”

 A Prayer of Confession:
“Holy God, like a loving father and caring mother, you watch over us and beckon us to follow the right path. But we get stuck: stopped by our fear of trying something new, trapped by our memories of past failures, caught in a web of conflicting choices, halted by the clamor of many voices. We know the distress of worry and the blur of tears. Like staring at an empty page, we feel trapped and hesitant. Free us, O God, to follow with joyful steps, to hear clearly your directions, to be bold in our loving, courageous in our caring and brave in our speaking. Through our Lord, Jesus. Amen”

 An Affirmation: Heart
(Psalm 7:10; 13:5; Jeremiah 31:33; Matthew 6:21; 12:34; Ephesians 3:16-17)

“We believe God is our shield, who saves the upright in heart. Our hearts shall rejoice in our salvation.

We believe God has made a new covenant, as promised by his prophet, "I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

We believe that where our treasure is, there our hearts will be also. We believe that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

We believe that, according to the riches of his glory, God will grant that we may be strengthened in our inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith, as we are being rooted and grounded in love.”

 A Prayer for Learning:
“Loving God, you sent your Son to be our rabbi and teacher. He taught crowds and disciples, he welcomed children and the outcast. His teaching was not formal, yet it was profoundly life changing.

Help us to pay attention to each lesson we receive - from stories in the Bible to events in our lives. We learn in different ways, O God. Do not let us be closed when a new lesson comes, do not let us think we have all the right answers, help us not to be one-dimensional people.

Give us a depth of faith that opens us to new lessons every day. Amen.”

 A Blessing:
“Let God love you. Lean on the everlasting arms. Let God love you. Lean on the Holy Spirit. Let God love you. Let Jesus into your hearts. Amen.”

 Quotation:
“God is able to make a way out of no way and transform dark yesterdays into bright tomorrows. This is our hope for becoming better men and women. This is our mandate for seeking to make a better world.” -Martin Luther King, Jr.
​
TODAY _ Prayers for Herb Cook

​Day 151  |  Monday, 17 August 2020

This Week Exercise Group #4
 
From the Church Mouse
I’ve decided to share with you, on Mondays, things that are special, encouraging, and maybe some things that I have found to be uplifting, like the animal parables or things that have been special to me for most of my life. Sometimes these things will be spiritual, but sometimes they might just be funny. I call each of these things “emotional word pictures.” The brain seems to remember these especially well.
Today’s offering is both spiritual and funny. It is attributed to a 17th century nun who is anonymous. Although the author is unknown, she has shared with us something that is wonderfully applicable to us at this stage of our lives and at this most trying time we must all live through and survive. I hope you enjoy both her wisdom and her humor.
 
17th Century Nun’s Prayer
Lord, thou knowest better than I know myself that I am growing older and will someday be old.

Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion.

Release me from the craving to straighten out everybody's affairs. Make me thoughtful, but not moody: helpful, but not bossy.

With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it all, but thou knowest, Lord, that I want a few friends at the end.

Keep my mind free from the endless recital of details; give me wings to get to the point.

Seal my lips on my aches and pains. They are increasing, and love of rehearsing them is

becoming sweeter as the years go by. I dare not ask for grace enough to enjoy the tales of other’s pains,

But help me to endure them with patience. I dare not ask for improved memory,
but for a growing humility and a lessening cocksureness when my memory seems to clash with the memories of others.

Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally, I may be mistaken. Keep me reasonably sweet;

I do not want to be a saint - some of them are so hard to live with – but a sour old person is one of the crowning works of the devil.

Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places, and talents in unexpected people.
​
And give me, oh Lord, the grace to tell them so.    
 
 
 

​Day 150  |  Sunday, 16 August 2020

 The assigned scripture lessons for this the 11th Sunday after Pentecost are: Genesis 45: 1-15; Psalm 133; Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 and Matthew 15:21-28.

 Last weeks lesson from Genesis was Joseph being sold by his brothers.  This week we skip ahead a bit to Joseph revealing his identity to his brothers.  He has been in Egypt and was now Pharaoh’s right had man.  He was helping the people through the famine.  The brothers were very jealous of Joseph, the youngest.  Remember that they wanted to kill him, but his brother Rueben convinced them to just throw him in the cistern.  Then along came the caravan so they sold him to the Midianites.  The Midianites later sold Joseph to the Egyptians.  Joseph rises to power with Pharaoh after interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams.

Joseph’s brothers, because of their jealousy, intended something very evil to happen to Joseph and they lied to their father about Joseph.

 Genesis 45:1-15 The Message
“1 Joseph couldn't hold himself in any longer, keeping up a front before all his attendants. He cried out, "Leave! Clear out - everyone leave!" So there was no one with Joseph when he identified himself to his brothers. 2 But his sobbing was so violent that the Egyptians couldn't help but hear him. The news was soon reported to Pharaoh's palace. 3 Joseph spoke to his brothers: "I am Joseph. Is my father really still alive?" But his brothers couldn't say a word. They were speechless - they couldn't believe what they were hearing and seeing. 4 "Come closer to me," Joseph said to his brothers. They came closer. "I am Joseph your brother whom you sold into Egypt. 5 But don't feel badly, don't blame yourselves for selling me. God was behind it. God sent me here ahead of you to save lives. 6 There has been a famine in the land now for two years; the famine will continue for five more years - neither plowing nor harvesting. 7 God sent me on ahead to pave the way and make sure there was a remnant in the land, to save your lives in an amazing act of deliverance. 8 So you see, it wasn't you who sent me here but God. He set me in place as a father to Pharaoh, put me in charge of his personal affairs, and made me ruler of all Egypt. 9 "Hurry back to my father. Tell him, 'Your son Joseph says: I'm master of all of Egypt. Come as fast as you can and join me here. 10 I'll give you a place to live in Goshen where you'll be close to me - you, your children, your grandchildren, your flocks, your herds, and anything else you can think of. 11 I'll take care of you there completely. There are still five more years of famine ahead; I'll make sure all your needs are taken care of, you and everyone connected with you - you won't want for a thing.' 12 "Look at me. You can see for yourselves, and my brother Benjamin can see for himself, that it's me, my own mouth, telling you all this.

13 Tell my father all about the high position I hold in Egypt, tell him everything you've seen here, but don't take all day - hurry up and get my father down here." 14 Then Joseph threw himself on his brother Benjamin's neck and wept, and Benjamin wept on his neck. 15 He then kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Only then were his brothers able to talk with him.”

 “Holiness of heart and Life” “’You Meant It for Evil; God Meant It for Good’”
​
“How often can we see in retrospect that good outcomes were birthed from treachery?  The story of Joseph’s astonishing reversal of fortunes teaches that all things can indeed work together for good for those who love God, that any given moment is not the last moment, that life in God’s hands has forward movement and holds the possibility for restoration (resurrection?) on the other side of desperate circumstance.  Notice that this good outcome is accompanied by forgiveness and restitution of family and community, products of Joseph’s own choices.”  Wesley Study Bible CEB page 63.

 Lord, our God, thank you for taking circumstances in our lives that we deem to be disastrous and turning them into something good.  Lord, Hear our prayers.

Today: Stamp out jealousy when you see it.
 

Day 148  |  Friday, 14 August 2020
From the Church Mouse

Favorite Foodies for Friday
I will tell you the absolute truth: if I have any of my kids or grandkids to our house, I have to cook these two recipes or lose my membership in the family. Actually, I don’t think that would really happen, but they do ask me to make these dishes often. Try them! They are wonderful!

STROGANOFF STEAK SANDWICH
READY IN:  35mins
YIELD: 6  sandwiches

INGREDIENTS:

• 2/3 c. beer
• 1/3 c. cooking oil
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 2 lb. flank steak, about 1 inch thick
• 2 tbsp. butter
• 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
• 4 c. sliced onion
• 12 slices French bread, toasted
• 1 c. dairy sour cream, warmed
• 1/2 tsp. prepared horseradish

 
In shallow dish, combine beer, oil, salt, garlic powder and pepper. Place flank steak in marinade; cover. Marinate overnight in refrigerator or several hours at room temperature; drain. Broil flank steak 3 inches from heat for 5 to 7 minutes on each side for medium rare. In saucepan, melt butter blend in paprika and a dash of salt. Add onion; cook until tender but not brown. Thinly slice meat on the diagonal across grain. For each serving arrange meat slices on 2 slices French bread. Top with onions. Combine warmed sour cream and horseradish spoon onto each sandwich. Sprinkle with paprika. Makes 6 servings.
 
Watermelon Salad
​
Prep:     20 mins      Servings:  8
Nutrition:  186.6 calories; 5.1 g protein; 12.9 g carbohydrates; 16.7 mg cholesterol; 358.4 mg sodium.
  Ingredients:

• One small seedless in-season watermelon
• 2 cups crumbled gorgonzola cheese
• 3 cups spring greens
• ⅓ cup pine nuts, toasted
• ¼ cup olive oil
• freshly ground salt
• freshly ground black pepper

Instructions:
Step 1:  Cut 1 inch thick watermelon slices; Remove rind; then slice into 1 inch by 5 inch pieces.
Step 2:  Place two watermelon pieces, parallel to each other, 4 inches apart; place two more pieces across the first two. Cross the next slices across the last two.
 
Step 3:  Place the spring greens into the opening created by the crossed watermelon slices.
 
Step 4:  Sprinkle the toasted pine nuts and the crumbled gorgonzola cheese over the spring greens.
 
Step 5:  Drizzle olive oil over the salad. Finish with ground salt and pepper to taste.  
 

Day 147  |  Thursday, 13 August 2020
​
 COVID update – 8/12/20 2:30 pm 262 with 106 in battalion 3

 A Beginning:
“God is at work. Light pierces the darkness. Love calms fear.  Joy tickles sadness.  Hope lifts up despair.  Peace disarms anger.  Kindness dances around hostility.  Music sings away troubles.  God is at work!  Rejoice!”

 A Prayer of Invocation:
 “Loving God, give us open hearts, as open and eager as a toddler's first steps.  Give us open ears, that we may hear your words fresh and wild, comforting and challenging us. Give us open hands, ready to receive a blessing and willing to offer gentle care. Loving God, show us the depths of your grace in these precious moments and in your holy Word. Amen.”

 A Prayer of Confession:
“Holy God, like a loving mother and a caring father, you seek the best for us, desiring health and wholeness, peace and justice for all creation. Yet we seek our own way, wandering off toward the gods of success, popularity, wealth or comfort. We look for immediate satisfaction, the quick fix, a temporary relief. We sit at the wrong table, ignore our troubling conscience and try to numb our loneliness.

“Teach us, loving God, that our true home is with you, that you have a place for us at the banquet, that you adorn us with the finest robes and place us on the right path again and again. Fill us with your deep and abiding joy. Amen.”

 An Affirmation of Faith:  A New Thing  (Isaiah 42:5-9; Revelation 21:5)
“We believe that the LORD is God,
who created the heavens and stretched them out,
who spread out the earth and what comes from it,
who gives breath to the people upon it
and spirit to those who walk in it:
who called us in righteousness,
who took us by the hand and kept us;
who has given us as a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to
bring out from the prison those who sit in darkness.
We believe the former things have come to pass, and new things now spring forth.
For we believe the one seated on the throne of heaven who says "See, I am making all things new."”

 A Prayer for Quietness:
“As the world rushes by, O God, we want to slow down and find meaning in you. In the age of information, may we stop and listen and empty ourselves to find the simple and true message about your love for every human being.  Create in us a place that is not touched by the world that calls us to rush, hurry, consume and satisfy all our wants. Simplify our desires so that they become one with your desire for us. And when we are weary, give us the strength to find the quiet place that renews us for the days ahead. In your goodness, we pray. Amen.”

 A Blessing:
“May the blessings of God warm you like the sun.  May the love of Christ wash over you like a gentle rain. May the joy of the Spirit raise you to new heights like an eagle soaring.”

 Quote: “The best rose bush, after all, is not that which has the fewest thorns, but that which bears the finest roses.” -Emily Dickinson
 
 

​Day 146  |  Wednesday, 12 August 2020     
 
Forgot on Monday – Exercise Group #3

Romans 12:9-21  CEB
9 Love should be shown without pretending. Hate evil, and hold on to what is good. 10 Love each other like the members of your family. Be the best at showing honor to each other. 11 Don’t hesitate to be enthusiastic—be on fire in the Spirit as you serve the Lord! 12 Be happy in your hope, stand your ground when you’re in trouble, and devote yourselves to prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of God’s people, and welcome strangers into your home. 14 Bless people who harass you—bless and don’t curse them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and cry with those who are crying. 16 Consider everyone as equal, and don’t think that you’re better than anyone else. Instead, associate with people who have no status. Don’t think that you’re so smart. 17 Don’t pay back anyone for their evil actions with evil actions, but show respect for what everyone else believes is good.

18 If possible, to the best of your ability, live at peace with all people. 19 Don’t try to get revenge for yourselves, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath. It is written, Revenge belongs to me; I will pay it back, says the Lord. 20 Instead, If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. By doing this, you will pile burning coals of fire upon his head. 21 Don’t be defeated by evil, but defeat evil with good.

The Message
9 Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. 10 Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle. 11 Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, 12 cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder.  13 Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.  14 Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath.  15 Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down.  16 Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody.  17 Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone.  18 If you've got it in you, get along with everybody.  19 Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it."  20 Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he's thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness.  21 Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.

 “Holiness of Heart and Life” “Marks of a Christian”
          “Love is routinely preached.  But the litmus test of this love is whether it is genuine or hypocritical, out of self-interest or putting others’ well-being first.

          “Wesley’s general rules of ‘doing no harm, avoiding evil, and doing good of every possible sort’ are ways to help us practice love in our lives.  For Wesley, faith and works are two sides of the same coin.

          “Wesley’s ‘going on to perfection’ requires the practice of spiritual disciplines.  Love is expressed in works of piety, our devotion to God, works of mercy, and our compassionate treatment of others.” 

Wesley Study Bible CEB page 1434
 We all know that the greatest commandment is all about loving others as we love ourselves.  If we do not love ourselves, then how can we love others?  This section from Romans is a reminder that loving others is such an important part of our relationship with God.  It reminds us that we cannot fake our love for others and that loving others is not about us.  We may find some folks really hard to love, that is when we leave them up to God and let God deal with them.

 Today: is your love from the center or do you fake it on occasion? 
​
Holy God, make us more loving, right from our centers.  Lord, hear our prayers.  Amen