Life Hack Chicken Tenders

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My mom-in-law's life hack-

Place frozen, yes frozen, chicken tenders in a nonstock skillet, season, cover, and cook on low until done. This made the tenderest, juiciest chicken, AND it's convenient! 

Thanks, Mama Jane! 

Samson - Caught in the Act

The Joy of the LORD is Your Strength

Today’s personal lesson leads me to one learned by the people in Jerusalem at around 400 BC. History is wonderful because it holds records of people like us who lived and strained and overcame (or not). Travel back in time with me to imagine this brief scenario for a minute.

The people of Jerusalem had been captives in Babylon long enough to forget their native language of Hebrew. Now exiled and with the priest, Ezra, standing above them on a special wooden platform he built just for this occasion, they hear him read the words of the Hebrew Law at this public assembly, where the Levites translate it for them. For the first time, many hear and understand God's teachings through the Law and begin to wail and to weep. Surprisingly, they are told to be silent with their lamenting and advised to rejoice in their deliverance - not only a physical one, but evidently a spiritual one too. 

Ezra, the priest, exhorts them: “Go, eat rich foods and drink sweet drinks, and allot portions to those who had nothing prepared; for today is holy to our LORD. Do not be saddened this day, for rejoicing in the LORD is your strength!” - Nehemiah 8:10 Purim is born. 

Thank God He is not a god of gloom and doom! Being sinful by old nature does not exempt us from also partaking in God's goodness by our new nature in  Him. In fact, the truth is the opposite of what you would expect. The more sinful we have been, the more reason for rejoicing to get past it! Even in mere rejoicing we are repenting, turning our attention to the Father and feasting in the greatness of His goodness that delivers us from ourselves. 

Sometimes our temptation is to remain downtrodden, or worse yet, to presume that someone else should be that way; yet God, in His merciful ways that are not like our ways, comes in and declares it time for a feast of joy! 

In short, today's lesson for me is this:

If, when we are enlightened by God's word that we are living in error, we forget to rejoice in God's strength that delivers us, then we forsake the very purpose of repentance itself - the fullness of joy through our deliverance.  

Stated positively:

If, when we are enlightened by God's word as to how we should be living, we embrace it and return, then we receive the fullness of joy, within which God intends for us to live daily.

Front Porch Pet

Meet thamnophis marcianus - aka the front-porch, checkered gartersnake or Mouse and Rat Patrol.  If you look closely, you can see a lump from a recent meal. Within this same area we have also seen a coral snake and water snake or water moccasin (we didn't get close enough to tell), so we're glad to see this docile and more harmless creature take up residence. 

Gartnersnakes are good for the environment surrounding one's home because they eat bugs and mice. These grow to be up to four feet long and live up to ten years. We're hoping our little buddy here stays and even starts a family.

Spider

Does anyone know what kind of spider this is?