VERSE OF THE DAY!

To all who received him, to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God — children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
—John 1:12-13

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
We live in a time and culture of rights. "It's my right to ___." Just fill in the blank. But we don't have a right to be God's child. We are given that right by God's grace. This right came to us at great cost to God. Jesus' came to earth, lived, died and was raised from the dead. We receive this grace through faith: God gives us new birth as we trust in Jesus as Lord and we are baptized and reborn through the power of the Holy Spirit (John 3:3-7; Titus 3:3-7). To be born of God, to be born from above, to be born "again" is the gift of adoption into God's family and brings us all the rights of heirs in God's house (Galatians 3:26-4:7). So let's not take this grace, this blessing, this adoption, this right for granted! We are God's children right now (1 John 3:1-3). Let's give thanks for this grace and live like we belong.

My Prayer...
Abba Father, thank you for including me in your family. May my life reflect your influence, character, mercy, holiness, compassion, righteousness, and love. I want to be like you, my Father. So just as I was born into your family by the power of the Holy Spirit, please fill me with your Spirit so that I will more closely reflect you in all I do and say this day. In the name of my older brother Jesus I pray. Amen.

Maldives!

VERSE OF THE DAY!

[Jesus said] "You are the light of the world. Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
—Matthew 5:14-16

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Our life will not be neutral. We will either point others away from God or show them that allegiance to God is important. Let's make an intentional effort today to shine the light of God's holiness and grace in all we do and say.

My Prayer...
O God, may the words of my mouth, the actions of my life, and the influence of my deeds show others your holiness and grace and lead them to acknowledge your majesty and might. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Sooooooooo Beautiful!!

Roasted Salmon

Ingredients:
- 2 pounds new potatoes
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- 2 handfuls green beans (we used haricot vert)
- 1 cup pitted Kalamata olives
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 20 ounces salmon, cut into 4 filets
- 1/2 cup basil pesto

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Quarter potatoes and trim the ends from green beans. De-stem tomatoes, if necessary.
2. Place potatoes in an oven-proof pan and drizzle with olive oil. Top with salt and pepper and then place in the oven for 30-45 minutes until starting to brown. Cooking time depends on the size of your potatoes. Make sure to turn them every 15 minutes or so.
3. Once potatoes have started to brown, top with tomatoes and cook for another 10 minutes.
4. Add green beans, olives, garlic, and salmon. Reduce heat to 300 degrees F and cook for another 15 minutes.
5. Remove dish from the oven. Top salmon with pesto and serve!

VERSE OF THE DAY!

I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life.
—Psalm 119:93

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Much like the rules parents have for young children — don't drink what's under the cabinet, don't play in the street, don't walk out from behind parked cars... — God's guidance is not to restrict us, but to protect us. His commands, both positive and prohibitive, are for our protection and perfection. By them we find life and have it preserved. (The Old Testament Law had all sorts of cleanliness laws that did not make any sense at all until thousands of years after they were written when we began to understand bacteria and viruses. All through these years, the Israelites were preserved by God's command when they had no real understanding why God had given the laws in the first place.)

My Prayer...
Holy Lord, help me see your words as life. I know you have given your commands, your will for holiness, to bless me and protect me. Use your Spirit to make my heart less stubborn and my life more nearly conformed to your will. In Jesus' name and by his power I ask it. Amen.

Nectarine and Fig Summer Salad with Crispy Pancetta

Ingredients:
4 cups spring greens
2 cups baby arugula
8 slices of pancetta, fried
2 nectarines, sliced
1 cup fresh figs, quartered
4 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
1 avocado, sliced
3 tablespoons chopped pistachios
a pinch of salt and pepper

Nectarine Vinaigrette
1 large nectarine, peeled and cubed
1/4 cup golden balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons honey
1 garlic clove, freshly grated
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/3 cup olive oil

Directions:
Add the greens and arugula to a large bowl and season with a bit of salt and pepper. Add the pancetta, sliced nectarines, figs, goat cheese, avocado and pistachio to the greens and toss as desired. Dress with the nectarine vinaigrette!

Nectarine vinaigrette
Add the nectarine cubes to a blender or food processor and blend until completely pureed. I have a vitamix and it purees it completely, but if your blender leaves some chunks, you can add a little water to the blender, blend it and then strain out the juice. Combine the nectarine puree, vinegar, hoey, garlic, salt and pepper in a large bowl and whisk together. Stream in the olive oil while constantly whisking until the dressing comes together. Store in the fridge for up to one week.

Disney Wedding Cakes!!

VERSE OF THE DAY!

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
—Philippians 3:14

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
The way to walk a tightrope is to keep ones sight on the goal, never looking down to the ground nor over our shoulder at what is behind. The way to walk with Jesus is to keep our eye on the goal, his victory waiting for us when he returns, not on the ground (our failures) and not what is behind (our accomplishments). The goal of the Christian walk is to keep walking toward Jesus until we walk with him in heaven.

My Prayer...
Lord, I look forward to the day when you call me by name and walk hand in hand with me. Until that day, help me fix my eyes on what you want me to be and not what I've done. By your grace and in the holy name of Jesus I ask it. Amen.

Best Stone Art Ever!!!!

VERSE OF THE DAY!

Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
—Hebrews 12:1

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
With all the great heroes of the Bible, both big and small, we can do God's work with confidence. But to boldly go where he wants us to go, we must first be willing to let go of the sin that entangles our lives, distorts our vision, enlarges our doubts, and robs us of our spiritual vitality and stamina.

My Prayer...
Holy Father, forgive me for my sin. Not just my blatant sins, but my willingness to dabble in things that are not holy, to flirt with things that are spiritually dangerous, and to expose myself to things that leave a residue of Satan's world. Give me strength to say no to the things that distract me from you and to embrace with passion those things that make me more like you. In the name of Jesus my Lord I pray. Amen.

SOUR CHERRY POPSICLES

SOUR CHERRY POPSICLES

Makes 8 1/3-cup size popsicles

Ingredients:

2/3 cup water

2/3 cup sugar

3 cups pitted sour cherries (a little over a pound of whole cherries)

Directions:

Make a simple syrup by cooking the sugar and water in a small saucepan until the sugar dissolves, stirring a few times. Turn off the heat and let the syrup cool to room temperature.

Process the cherries in a food processor or with an immersion blender until completely blended. You should have about 2 cups of blended cherries. Stir in the cooled simple syrup. Pour the mix into popsicle molds (I use this guy) and slip the popsicles into the freezer until frozen, about 4 hours.

To remove, let the mold rest on the counter for a few minutes. Alternatively, run the mold under lukewarm water for about 20 seconds. They should slip out with a tug.

Magical Photos Of Happy Children Playing From Around The World!