Meatless Monday: Vegan Breakfast

    I have discovered a real breakfast winner!  Seasoned black beans and meatless grounds with toast and fresh strawberries make a very satiating protein-packed meal.  And, it was quite easy to prepare. 

1. Drain and rinse a can of black beans.  Season them in a bowl and set to the side.
2. Add about a tablespoon of oil to a pan and heat on medium high.  (I used avocado oil.)
3. Add meatless grounds to the pan.  Season and brown the meatless grounds.  
4. Then, add the black beans to the grounds.  Mix together and allow to cook to your liking!  As it cooks, cover with a lid to maintain moisture.
5. To complete this meal, I made toast and sliced a few strawberries.

Enjoy!

These are the meatless grounds that I used.

Meatless Monday (UN-Chicken Salad Sandwich)

   To make this delicious UN-Chicken Salad,

1. Drain and rinse a can of chickpeas.  
2. Using a food processor, a potato masher or a fork, slightly break the chickpeas into smaller pieces - leaving some whole.  If you are using a food processor, do NOT process until smooth.  Processing until smooth will give you the consistency for hummus.
3. Add the same seasonings that you would add to chicken salad.  Season to taste.  
4. Add mayo and/or mustard, chopped celery and bell pepper.  
5. Remember, season according to your liking!

   I have used toasted and (UN)toasted wheat bread to make sandwiches.  This can also be eaten with crackers.

When your heart is brimming with heaviness, 

and there is no one to talk to - 

what do you do?

The Raging Storms Of Life

     At this very moment, many of us are facing stormy, turbulent situations in our lives. The raging storms of life seem to be getting the best of us.  You, like many of us, may even (at times) feel as if you are a lonely, lost boat drifting in turbulent waters.

• Are the ferocious waves of life pounding, without mercy, against you?
• Are the forces of pain and despair forcing you further away from the shores of safety?
• Does it appear that you have no obvious guidance - you're just going with the flow?
• Do the clashes of thunder grip you with the fear of loss and defeat even though you have been told to "fear NOT". (Isaiah 41:10)
• Does the darkness of the prevailing clouds seem to overshadow the light of God's everlasting WORD?

      As bleak as the situation may seem, there is safety and there is sunshine behind the dark cloud. We may not see it.  As a matter of fact, sunshine may be no where in sight.  Although this storm is difficult and it appears to have no end,

• The God whom we serve will speak peace at the appointed time. (Isaiah 60:22)
•  He will navigate us to safety.
• And, HE will anchor us in still waters!

       Until HE does, we must keep our faith in the WORD and understand that this, too, shall pass. How do we know this?

Romans 8:28 reminds us that,

For we know that all things (this is all encompassing) work together for the

good of those who love God and to those who are the called according to His purpose.

What Will Happen If I Don't Help My Brother?

It is our Christian duty to help our brothers and sisters in need.  Pretending that racism does not exist will NOT make it go away.  

"Faith WITHOUT works is dead."

James 2:26

Remembering Ahmaud Arbery

Jehovah-Shaphat

(the God who Judges),

We know you have not

forgotten us,

nor have you forsaken us. 

Your WORD says that you are with us always.  We ask you, HOLY ONE, in the name of Jesus,

to forgive us of our sins, 

to have mercy upon us,

to protect our children from evil,

and

to cover us with your shield of protection.

We thank you for granting us peace during this time of anger, frustration, and turmoil.

-In the name of Jesus, AMEN.