Daniel: Breakfast Hash
BREAKFAST HASH
Ingredients:
- 2 Yukon Potatoes
- 1 Cup Butternut Squash
- ¼ Vidalia Onion
- ½ Cup Cherry Tomatoes
- 2 Cups Baby Spinach
- 2 Cloves of Garlic
- 1 Tbsp. Canola Oil
- ½ tsp. Kosher Salt
- Water
- Parsley
Directions:
- Clean, dry and peel potatoes. Cut into ½ inch chunks.
- Peel squash and cut into ½ inch chunks.
- Peel onion and slice into thin strips.
- Clean tomatoes and cut in half.
- Peel and mince the garlic.
- Clean and dry spinach.
- Heat oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add onions and potatoes to the pan. When the onions become translucent, stir ingredients and add the garlic and squash.
- Add 2 tablespoons of water to the pan and cover. Cook for about 10 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Stir frequently and add 2 Tbsp. water as needed to avoid sticking.
- Add remaining ingredients to the skillet and stir. Do not cover the pan. Continue stirring and adding water as needed.
- Cook until tomatoes are soft and spinach is wilted.
- Top with fresh parsley as desired.
If you haven’t figured it out by now this dish is just a twist on the classic fried potatoes most of us grew up eating Saturday morning. Goes great with sliced strawberries or any fruit of your choice.
Daniel: Cucumber Snack
CUCUMBER SNACK
Ingredients:
- 1 Large Cucumber
- ½ Cup Cherry Tomatoes
- ¼ Cup Organic Rice Vinegar
- Cracked Black Pepper
- Salt
Directions:
- Clean and peel cucumber. Cut it in half length-wise, then into sticks ½ inch wide and 2-3 inches long.
- Clean the tomatoes. Cut them in half.
- Add the ingredients into a bowl and toss.
- Add cracked black pepper and salt as desired.
- Enjoy immediately or chill in the refrigerator for an hour.
This simple dish is great for a snack anytime. The rice vinegar has a lighter flavor than some other vinegar varieties. Be sure to read the product labels.
Daniel: Sweet Potato Fries
SWEET POTATO FRIES
Ingredients:
- 1 Sweet Potatoes
- 1 Tbsp. Olive Oil
- ½ tsp. Kosher Salt
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- Wash and dry the potatoes with the skin on.
- Cut the potatoes length wise into the shape of French fries.
- Toss all of the ingredients in a large bowl until they are well coated.
- Lay the potatoes in a single layer on a large baking sheet and roast in the oven for about 15 minutes; flip with a spatula or tongs then roast another 15 minutes or until the potatoes are brown and crispy.
Reduce cooking time for softer fries.
Give Me a Break
“I will also give you rest from all your enemies.”
2 Samuel 7:11
I never thought I was a person who had enemies; just people who I didn’t like and who didn’t like me. That is until this past year. That’s when I realized that there are people who are actively against me. Their words, deeds and attitudes make their opposition very apparent in that sneaky, sly, “Hey girl I like your shoes” sort of way. (I’m giving the side eye.)
Just to give you a visual, I watch a lot of football. Whenever my favorite team plays (THE Dallas Cowboys by the way), I route for them to win. Although I am for the one team, I am not actively against the other. Sure there can only be one winner but I am not hoping for the failure of the opposing team. Does that make sense?
Unlike my football scenario, I realized there were people doing and saying things not just to elevate themselves, but to also diminish me in the mind of others.
So what can you do to catch a break?
Enemies, as they are, don’t commonly go on holiday. They keep pushing your buttons and wearing on your nerves without ceasing. But this scripture offers refreshing hope.
“I will also give you rest from all your enemies.”
Ahhhh! Like the fizz of a lemon-lime soda tickling your nose while sitting in a lawn chair at the beach on a warm summer day.
(Let’s enjoy this moment of peace.)
Now that we’ve woo-saa’d, let’s write this good word on the tablet of our hearts, or in S-Memo, either one works, and carry-on as if we know for certain that soon the Lord will give us rest.
(Contributing Writer: Marlena Patterson)
The Word: June 14, 2015
Lectionary Scripture readings for the week of…
SUNDAY, JUNE 14, 2015
Proper 6(11)
3rd Sunday after Pentecost
Color: Green
SCRIPTURES:
1 Samuel 15:34 – 16:13
“Then Samuel left for Ramah, but Saul went up to his home in Gibeah of Saul.” [continue reading]
Ezekiel 17:22-24
“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will take a shoot from the very top of a cedar and plant it; I will break off a tender sprig from its topmost shoots and plant it on a high and lofty mountain.” [continue reading]
Psalm 20
“May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.” [continue reading]
Psalm 92:1-4, 12-15
“It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High…” [continue reading]
2 Corinthians 5:6-17
“Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord.” [continue reading]
Mark 4:26-34
“He also said, ‘This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground…” [continue reading]
The Word: June 7, 2015
Lectionary Scripture Readings for…
SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2015
Proper 5(10)
2nd Sunday after Pentecost
General Assembly Sunday
Color: Green
SCRIPTURES:
1 Samuel 8:4-11, (12-15), 16-20, (11:14-15)
“So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah.” [continue reading]
Genesis 3:8-15
“Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden.” [continue reading]
Psalm 138
“I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; before the “gods” I will sing your praise.” [continue reading]
Psalm 130
“Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord…” [continue reading]
2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1
“It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak…” [continue reading]
Mark 3:20-35
“Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat.” [continue reading]
Read Your Bible (Particularly the Proverbs)
These are the proverbs of Solomon, the son of David and king of Israel. They will help you learn to be wise, to accept correction, and to understand wise sayings. They will teach you to develop your mind in the right way. You will learn to do what is right and to be honest and fair. These proverbs will make even those without education smart. They will teach young people what they need to know and how to use what they have learned. Even the wise could become wiser by listening to these proverbs. They will gain understanding and learn to solve difficult problems. These sayings will help you understand proverbs, stories with hidden meanings, words of the wise, and other difficult sayings.
Proverbs 1:1-6 (ERV)
The world would be a whole lot better if everyone just read the Proverbs in the morning instead of the newspaper or our social media news-feeds. I mean seriously. If everyone in the world, Christian or not, just adhered to the Wisdom of Solomon, we may not have half of the issues we have. Why? Because it’s all relevant.Here’s an example. Proverbs 7:6-23 (ERV) begins, “One day I was looking out my window at some foolish teenagers and noticed one who had no sense at all.” I mean seriously. How many times have you looked out your window and saw some teenagers acting nuts-o? And there’s generally one in every bunch that feels like they have to be the wildest.
Anyway, the scripture goes on to say that the teen with “no sense at all”, wound up walking through the neighborhood near “that” woman’s house. Some of you know exactly who “that woman” is. Now, even if you live in a wonderful neighborhood that doesn’t have a “that woman”, then you at least have heard stories about her from friends, or seen her on a popular prime-time television show that’s shown on Thursday nights. (I’m just sayin’.) You can pick one.
The boy knew he had no business over there in the first place. But it’s getting dark and the woman suddenly appears before him. He didn’t even have to read the Proverbs to know she was going to pop up, because in 1984 the prophet Whodini said the “Freaks Come Out at Night”.
Verse 10 says the woman was dressed in her booty shorts and stiletto sneakers because she had plans for him. What? That’s not what it says? So what’s the word the Bible uses? Hmm?
Brothers! Let me tell you something. Most of you are not as smooth as you think. It’s not likely that you “just happened” to notice her from across the room. It was probably planned.
Okay. Let’s jump down to verse 13. I’m going to translate what happens in 2015 while you read along in your Bible. But my version is much cleaner.
“She saw the young man and said, ‘Hey Tony. Where my hug at?’ Then she said, ‘I just got finished making that homemade lasagna and strawberry cheesecake. I told you I could throw down. You should come and get some while it’s hot.”
Know your Bible! Don’t get bamboozled! Now, “that” woman, is your baby mama and you’re stuck with her forever!
Now ladies. Before you jump down my throat, it works both ways. Except a man wouldn’t be called “that guy”, he’d be referred to as, “Girrrrl (with the roll of the eyes), you betta watch out for him because He. Is. A. Dog.” You see; the guys have it much worse. But in case you’re interested in reading it, that version takes place in 2 Samuel 11.
Anyway, you read the rest for yourself. All I’m saying is, read your Bible. Particularly the Proverbs. They can save your life.
(Contributing Writer: Marlena Patterson)Our Vision in Stained Glass
The stained glass windows in our sanctuary depict our vision of family, ministry and our commitment to our culture, identity and heritage. The windows throughout the church are the original windows, completely refurbished for the present sanctuary. The faces in the windows have been redone to reflect our African backgrounds. The flesh tones are varied to display the richness of our diversity. The street level windows on the P Street side are based on Ndebele tribal patterns of Southern Africa. The nine-panel window above the choirs has, at its base, three panels similar to the Ndebele styled designs. The blue above the designs is for the waters of our middle passage. Out of the sands of a new world rise the hands in rich multi-color that represent the hands of our ancestors reaching up to God in prayer. From these hands emanate a rainbow-representing our many gifts and talents. Above the center panel is the star of hope that has guided us through life’s difficult struggles. The center panel is a chalice—the cup of the new covenant. From this cup, many people drink and become one in the Spirit.
Read about the redesign of Shiloh’s Stained Glass Windows.
Why We Read the Bible
Have you ever heard or said any of the following statements?“I’m a busy person with a lot to do. I don’t have time to read the Bible.”
“I already believe in Jesus Christ. I’ve already heard the Gospel. So I don’t need to read the Bible.”
“I don’t think I need to read the Bible as long as I’m a good person and I treat others with love.”
“I go to church on Sunday and Bible Study during the week. That’s enough Bible for me.”
Many people wonder why followers of Christ should read the bible. Others see it as something that’s good to do, but it’s not necessary. The following Scriptures should answer the question…
Why should I read the bible?
Jesus then said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
Don’t stop reading this book of the Law, but day and night think of what it says, so you can be careful to do everything written in it; then you will prosper and succeed.
“And now I entrust you to God and his care and to his wonderful words that are able to build your faith and give you all the inheritance of those who are set apart for himself.
But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People need more than bread for their life; they must feed on every word of God.'”
It is not the flesh that gives a person life. It is the spirit that gives life. The words I told you are spirit, and so they give life.
And the Scriptures were written to teach and encourage us by giving us hope.
Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word. Then my Father will love him, and we will go to him and make our home within him. The one who doesn’t love me doesn’t keep my words. The words that you’re hearing me say are not mine, but come from the Father who sent me.
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God’s way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do.
For the word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are.
God’s Word is alive!
The more you expose yourself to it, the more it will expose itself to you. To know God better you must spend time hearing what He has to say. The Bible is His message to you. If you want Him to listen to what you have to say, you should also listen to what He has to say. Although God can also speak directly to your heart, you need to know His written Word so you can judge whether God is speaking to you, or the enemy is trying to deceive you.
God will not love you more because you read the Bible.
It’s for your benefit — not required to make God love you. However, without reading the Bible, you will not grow spiritually, and you will be more easily deceived. Prayerfully reading the Scriptures yourself is the only real defense against being misled.
God’s Word is truth (John 17:17).
Do you want to know the truth? If so, don’t spend your time on lesser, unreliable things?
The promise of Jesus in John 8:31-32 is for you. If you continue in the Word of God, you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free!
Your spiritual life is important.
You always have time for what you consider important.
Only those who continue in God’s Word come to the place of knowing called faith. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17).
Jesus taught that God’s Word is a seed (Luke 8:11). Plant the seed of God’s Word in your life and you will reap blessings.
(Contributing Writer: Joy Patterson)The Word: May 31, 2015
Lectionary Scripture readings for…
SUNDAY, MAY 31, 2015
(Trinity Sunday: First Sunday after Pentecost)
Color: White or Gold
SCRIPTURES:
Isaiah 6:1-8
“In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple.” [continue reading]
Psalm 29
“Ascribe to the Lord, you heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.” [continue reading]
Romans 8:12-17
“Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it.” [continue reading]
John 3:1-17
“Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council.” [continue reading]