Skipping Isn't Just For Kids

Have you ever watched a child skip? I have, it caused me to wonder why we stop skipping when we are adults. When you watch a child skip they effuse so much joy that it becomes contagious. With abandon they skip, not caring what anyone thinks of them. Something within them makes them want to do this. Like something is just welling up within them.

I came across an obscure scripture this morning and I have just been meditating on it all day. It says, "But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall." Malachi 4:2 (NASB)

Another version says those who revere My name. When we have reverence for God, we want to honor and magnify Him. We love Him. We want to keep His commandments, we pay attention to Him and His Word and we want to obey Him.

I believe that this sun of righteousness is none other than Jesus the coming Messiah. He is who we place our hope upon. Now we look for His second coming with great anticipation!

Have you ever watched a young calf skip about in a field? My Dad had cows when I was a little girl. They are so cute when they skip around. When they are let out of their stalls into an open field they just skip around in delight of the freedom. When we belong to the Lord we have freedom in Christ. He alone has the ability of giving us what our hearts truly long for...real and lasting joy, freedom and happiness. He fulfills the longings of our souls. We are content in Him.

Suddenly I feel like skipping! Who would like to join me?

Slow Cooker Rosemary-Garlic Beef Roast

I love this cool weather! One draw back though is my herbs are not looking so great, so I have been looking for recipes to add my herbs to. Here is a recipe that I found that I think is a keeper.

Slow Cooker Rosemary-Garlic Beef Roast

Ingredients:

1Tb. olive or vegetable oil

1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

5-6 lb. beef boneless roast

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

2 Tb. chopped fresh rosemary

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. coarsely ground pepper

1 medium onion, sliced

1 cup beef broth

3 Tb. chili sauce

1/3 cup all purpose flour

Directions:

In a small bowl, mix oil and Worcestershire sauce; brush over beef roast. Rub roast evenly with garlic, rosemary, salt and pepper. In slow cooker, add onion. Pour 1/4 cup of the broth over the onion. (Can also add other veggies i.e. mushrooms, carrots, potatoes, etc. if you add a lot of vegetables, put them on the bottom and then the roast, must also add more liquid. About 2 to 3 cups of liquid to cover the vegetables.)

Cover and cook on Low heat setting 8 to 9 hours. Can also cook on High for 4-6 hours.

Remove beef from cooker, cover to keep warm. In small bowl, mix remaining 3/4 cup broth, the chili sauce and flour, stir into hot mixture in cooker. Increase heat setting to High. Cook uncovered for 5 to 10 minutes or until thickened. Serve gravy with beef. If you want to make this lower in calories, just skip the gravy.

Hope you enjoy!

A Poetic Reflection From My Daughter of September 11, 2001

September 11, 2001... We can all remember what we were doing that day. I watched this nightmare all play out on T.V. After the second plane crashed into the second tower, I thought, "Oh no, this is not an accident!" My second thought as a Mom went straight to my kids and wondering if they were alright. How would they be affected by this? What are they thinking and feeling? Well, later that day when my 14 year old daughter, Ashley came home, she wrote a poem about what she felt that horrific day. I have kept it for 10 years and would like to share it with you today.

United We Stand

September 11th, that was the day

When hate unleashed itself'

And innocent people had to pay.

Out of the depth of hell

Came terrorists filled with rage

Along with the towers they fell

They let evil out of it's cage.

The evil that was let go

It was hateful and savage

It was felt high and low

And through the towers it ravaged.

All the people who were killed

In the planes and towers there

Have ultimately instilled

A tremendous need for prayer.

Evil left thousands dead

It caused fear that made us blind

Because we can't see what's ahead

And we can't get free from what we've left behind.

This had also revealed

Who is weak and strong

At the wreckage they peeled

And searched all night long.

Amidst the hate they gave compassion

They taught us not to fear those

Who thought hate was the fashion

These are true heroes.

We are now filled with sorrow

But lessons are what we've gained

Because we aren't promised tomorrow

And that can not be explained.

It's only by God we can get through

This evil that has no face

He is the only way that's true

He carries us with His grace.

This tragic day of September

It has touched one and all

But one thing we must remember

United We Stand- Divided We Fall.