In the Midst

Today I was involved in one the most difficult circumstances I've faced recently. I supported a friend as she and her sons (ages 8 and 6) and their extended family endured funeral home visitation.

The grief and a loss of a husband/father/son is real.

I was, however, reminded that in the midst of pain and sorrow there is joy.

Joy
Is heard in kind words;
Is seen in a genuine smile;
Is hearing children laugh and play;
May be accompanied by tears;
Is expressed in an embrace;
Is enjoying time and a glass of wine with childhood friends;
May mean giving of yourself for the sake of another;
Is love in action

I am going to bed emotionally and physically exhausted, but grateful for the love of God Christ displayed in the midst of sorrow and loss.

Zephaniah 3:17
"The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing."

The Joy of Breakfast - Muffin Tin Omelets

Muffin Tin Omelets (Weight Watchers 2 Points Plus)

Servings – 8

Ingredients

2 cups egg substitute, nonfat (such as Egg Beaters)

½ cup fat free milk

4-6 oz non fat Greek yogurt, plain

½ cup tomato, diced (if you use canned, be sure to drain)

Chopped onions, mushrooms, other veggies (optional)

2 cups spinach, chopped (if frozen, thaw and drain)

Salt

Pepper

Muffin pan – large cups

Cooking spray

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350

Lightly coat muffin cups with cooking spray

Combine eggs, milk, yogurt and tomatoes in medium bowl

place ¼ cup chopped spinach in each muffin cup

fill with ½ cup egg mixture

bake at 350 until eggs are set, 30-40 minutes

run a knife around edge to release

Lord, Please Show me Your Glory

I'm awake LORD..."Please show me your glory" esv.to/Ex33.18-19

God woke me up a little before 6am this morning and invited me to spend time just listening to His encouragement and truth.

This comes on the heels of exhortation through the sermon from Blake Chilton, Student Pastor at The Village, Flower Mound campus.

The text was Exodus 33.

The Israelites have just been rebuked for trusting in themselves, creating and worshipping an idol (the golden calf). They are commanded to leave Sinai and go "to the land which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."

God declares He will drive out their enemies and He will send an angel with them, but His presence will not be with them because of their sin...the people are distraught! (and rightly so)

Moses, instead of hiding and hanging his head, approaches the LORD in humility.
Moses goes to God and asks for His presence and then goes a step further and asks to see His glory

Do I live this way?
Do I desperately seek the presence and glory of God - even when I have sinned? Do I move away and try to clean up first?
Am I prone to move forward without Him?
Am I so self-sufficient that His presence is an additive rather than a necessity?
Would I rather have more of Him or more of His stuff?
Does the thought of a day or moment without the presence of God grieve me?
Do I live out the distinction of a reconciled life?
Am I on mission?

"And [Moses] said to [the LORD], 'If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight...Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people from every other people on the face of the earth?'" ~ Ex 33:15-16

~ Count it All Joy ~
in His grace and mercy
Michelle