Jul 13, 2020 | Books, Faith, Reviews
Radical: Taking Back Your Faith From The American Dream by David Platt is not for the faint-hearted. It is not only a riveting and extraordinary read but also far from conventional in terms of his beliefs surrounding his faith. Platt boldly challenges readers to sacrifice and leave behind all of their worldly possessions.
The very first chapter is titled ‘Is Jesus Worth Losing Everything?’ It’s a tough question to answer, but Platt pulls no punches. He encourages us to find the greatest thing to live for—the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Forsaking the American Dream
Platt mentions the Great Commission from Matthew 28, which pushes Christians to go out and make disciples of all nations in the name of the Holy Trinity.
We have all been called to evangelize the world for God. This undertaking is daunting but requires all of our efforts. By accepting the Great Commission, we must forsake the American Dream.
We are taught at an early age to gain as many earthly accolades as possible, and that the goal is to be rich and successful. But there’s a thin line between living for God and living for the world. It can be challenging to actually live how Jesus said we should.
Thankfully, we have excellent examples—the disciples.
The disciples abandoned their careers, family, and convenience to follow Jesus. They left certainty for uncertainty, safety for danger—all selfless actions to make sure the gospel advanced.
Pursuing a Sacrificial Life
David Platt calls us to stop placing our primary focus on living the American Dream, but instead, pursue living a life that is sacrificial by displaying more love and bringing more awareness to God and His kingdom.
The first time I read this book, I honestly didn’t love it — I was convicted. I never really assumed my faith had been rooted in the American Dream until I truly entered a relationship with Christ.
The second time, I loved it and it spoke to my heart.
On my third time reading it, I decided to take a different approach. I’ve been taking my time to get through the entire book, but it is incredibly fulfilling.
Each chapter has me reevaluating my heart, identifying my counterfeit gods, and implementing strategies to hold myself and our family accountable.
Focusing on Eternity
The cost of truly following Jesus is high. It requires being willing to let go of everything else.
Do you know what could be potentially standing in your way? As you read “Radical”, much will be exposed to you.
At the end of this book, David urges us to take the Radical Experiment, which is a one-year commitment that should be pursued seriously.
You’ll have to read the book to better understand, but the purpose is for Christians to spend their lives fulfilling God’s mission of exposing people to His love.
This requires us to come to the end of ourselves, and that can be challenging yet rewarding! Whatever dream you may see for your life pales in comparison to the plans that God has in store for you.
Building up treasures for eternity is far greater than building up temporary treasures here on earth. Make God’s plans your plans. His plans are far more fulfilling and ultimately the best for you.
Jul 11, 2020 | Breakfast, Food
Our family loves blueberry muffins! We enjoy them, obviously, for breakfast but also throughout the week as a quick snack. Muffin Monday is a staple to our meal schedule because this recipe is easy and delicious, and my family cannot get enough. They also make the perfect snack for little hands.
For breakfast, I typically make a quick batch of muffins with a protein (like turkey sausage) and fruit. These muffins are great for an on-the-go breakfast for the mornings when we have to hurry out of the house.
I’ve ordered muffins from local grocery stores and bakeries, but this Prince Charming of mine does not approve. Maybe it’s because my little guy enjoys helping me bake this family favorite —or maybe he just loves Mommy’s cooking. Either way, blueberry muffins are an awesome filling treat, and Daddy grabs his fair share as well!
If your family loves blueberry muffins and you don’t mind baking them from scratch, then this recipe is for you! (Krusteaz Wild Blueberry Muffin Mix is a favorite of ours when we don’t take the from-scratch way.) However, this recipe is so easy, you may never pick up a boxed mix again.
*You’ll notice I’ve added some suggestions with the ingredients below, but feel free to use the items that your family enjoys. Just don’t forget to add an abundance of LOVE!
Ingredients:
½ cup softened butter (Earth’s Balance)
1 ¼ cups sugar or 1 cup Monk Fruit for my super healthy folk
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups flour
½ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ cup milk (Almond Milk or Oat Milk)
2 cups blueberries, washed, drained and picked over – or 2 cups frozen blueberries, thawed
3 teaspoons sugar (optional)
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 400.
- Mix the butter and 1 1/4 cups sugar until it is light and soft.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each.
- Add vanilla.
- Sift in the flour, salt, and baking powder, into the creamed mixture alternately with the milk.
- Mash 1/2 cup of the blueberries with a fork and mix into the batter.
- Fold in the remaining whole berries.
- Line a 12-cup standard muffin tin (or a 6-cup jumbo muffin tin) with cupcake liners
- Fill with batter.
- Sprinkle the 3 teaspoons sugar over the tops of the muffins, reduce oven heat to 375, and bake at 375 degrees for about 30-35 minutes.
- Remove muffins from the tin and cool for at least 30 minutes.
- Store muffins uncovered in a cool dry place and eat away!
Jun 25, 2020 | Family & Home, Home Organization
Organizing makes my heart happy! I’m always working on home improvement tasks, and it brings me great joy to see it all come together. Like most of my projects, my organization method changes according to the task at hand. I’m constantly moving items around to find the perfect, most efficient places for things.
Regardless, I want to make sure that the most vital items are nearby and easy to find when I need them. Even in my junk drawers, I typically keep a pack of baby wipes, pens, coins, batteries, and the list goes on! I’m sure it’s obvious by now that I like to be prepared.
I have three great tips for getting your drawers organized (regardless of what room those drawers are in) and keeping important items at your fingertips.
Start Fresh
Anytime I’m organizing a new drawer, I begin by removing everything. Doing this gives me a clean slate to work from, and it inspires my vision. Once everything is on the counter, I categorize all the items. This is the time to toss anything unnecessary and take stock of what’s left. After you’ve narrowed down your collection, it’s time to organize everything into containers.
Measure Twice, Cut Once
For deeper drawers, I recommend drawer dividers. For smaller, shallow drawers, I recommend drawer organizers. There’s nothing like seeing all your items in their own spaces. You can also measure your drawers to ensure you purchase the right tools for your project. This way, those dividers will fit perfectly into position. These products and so many others can be found at The Container Store local spots or on their website.
Give Yourself A Win
For clothing, I typically hang the majority of our things, t-shirts included. We use drawer space in the bedrooms for undies and some athletic shorts. For the kids, I like to fold their pajamas and thin lounging sets, putting each outfit together. This way, my kiddos are able to find certain outfits without destroying the whole system. This saves time, gives the kids some independence and maintains my folded arrangement. It’s a win for everyone!
Containers, drawer dividers, and baskets always provide a cleaner look and solve any mess. And the good news is that you don’t have to break the bank to make your drawers look sleek! I prefer iDesign, The Home Edit, and The Container Store products, of course, but I also randomly find other great organizing pieces at Target or At Home Stores. Even the Dollar Store has great organizing items.
Here’s a great tip to leave with you: Don’t leave valuable drawer space filled with unnecessary things! Organizing your drawers is easy and worthwhile. I encourage you to reclaim your junk drawer, today!
Jun 20, 2020 | Food, Main Menu, Tamela's Tailgate Treats
If you’ve met my parents, you’re fully aware that my mom does not have a love for the kitchen. My dad has always been the chef of the family, while our darling diva has a small arsenal of recipes. Now, don’t be fooled, because each meal she does packs a flavorful punch!
My mom, Pam, makes the best chili. It’s perfect at any time of year, especially when you want something easy and delicious. As a young adult experimenting in the kitchen, I’ve added my little twist, which my family and guests absolutely love.
I’ve included a few optional ingredients (like quinoa and corn), but feel free to do whatever works for your family. That’s the great thing about chili; it’s such a simple dish but you can add or remove any ingredient to make it your own. If Mommy dearest is visiting, she literally stands over me to make sure I’m following her recipe to the “T”. I can’t blame her though, because this chili is amazing! You’ll see what I mean when you make it.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 tbsp. of oil (avocado oil)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
- 1 white onion diced fine
- 1 green pepper diced fine
- 2 tbsp. tomato paste
- 2lb. ground turkey, beef, or meatless meat crumbles (optional)
- 1 pack of chili seasoning
- 1 tbsp. chili powder
- 1 ½ tsp. ground cumin
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- 1 ½ tbsp. adobo seasoning
- ½ tsp. paprika
- ½ tsp. curry powder (optional)
- pinch of sea salt
- pinch of ground black pepper
- 2(16-oz) cans kidney chili beans, drained
- 1(16-oz) can pinto chili beans, drained
- 1 cup of quinoa(optional)
- 1 can of whole corn, drained (optional)
- 1 (28-oz) can crushed tomatoes
TOPPINGS
- Shredded cheddar
- Sour cream
- Thinly sliced green onions
- Diced pickles(optional)
DIRECTIONS
- In a large Dutch pot over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion and cook until soft for about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant for about one more minute, then add tomato paste and stir. Add ground turkey and adobo seasoning and cook until no longer pink. Drain fat and return to heat.
- Next, add chili and curry powder, cumin, oregano, paprika, and season generously with salt and pepper to your liking. Pour in kidney and pinto chili beans and crushed tomatoes. Add (optional) quinoa or corn, drained if using.
- Bring chili to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Season with more salt and pepper, if necessary.
- Chili gets thicker as it cooks. If you prefer thick chili, let this one simmer for an additional 30 minutes.
- Ladle into bowls and top with cheddar, sour cream, green onions, and diced pickles (optional). Oh, and please don’t forget the love, my secret ingredient!
That’s it; you’re done! Enjoy your new favorite bowl of chili!
Photo cred: Nick Evans (with Macheesmo.com)
Jun 4, 2020 | Books, Faith, Football, Reviews
Champions, like seeds, only gain strength when you bury them. – Matshona Dhliwayo
Finding true victory in the midst of adversity can be challenging. An individual must realize that despite how victorious they may potentially become in the world, true victory only arises when they champion their faith in the Lord. The world’s vision of success often does not align with how God views achievement. Demario was deemed unsuccessful, especially early in life, and despite coming up short many times, he always got up stronger and more determined.
His story is one of how to champion goals and also how to champion faith! His story is compelling, and his book Unsuccessful Champion is a quick read because you will feel like he is sitting down with you to share.
Unsuccessful Champion was written to inspire anyone who has a dream and wants to be successful. We all have different callings in our lives and our paths are unique. Regardless of our journey, there is a champion inside of us, fighting to be the best at what we do.
Champions are founded in the relationships they have with God and their family. Each day, God calls us to live lives that set us apart for His glory. There is no end to what He has planned for us. There are times when what the world has to offer may seem appealing or glamorous but finding true victory and true riches comes from Christ. Regardless of how successful or unsuccessful Demario was at times, his fulfillment and true victory is always in Christ!
Let his story be an example to you—that though your beginning may be small, where you finish can be great.
Forget what people may have said about you or tried to convince you that you could not have. God can change any situation and make it better than our wildest dreams. I recommend this book to anyone who feels discouraged and needs to know that they are not alone. Your worth is not in what the world offers, but in the ultimate prize God has in store for you.
Watch the full book review video here: https://thefword.us/videos/
