Pressing On

Vegetarian Chili

January 2nd, 2010 Filed under Food 5 Comments

Ingredients:

2 large carrots, diced (1 cup)

2 celery ribs, diced (1/2 cup)

1 medium-size sweet onion, diced

Vegetable cooking spray

2 (8-oz.) packages sliced fresh mushrooms

1 large zucchini, chopped (1 1/2 cups)

1 yellow squash, chopped (1 cup)

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 teaspoon dried basil

1 teaspoon seasoned pepper

1 (8-oz.) can tomato sauce

3 cups tomato juice

2 (14 1/2-oz.) cans diced tomatoes, undrained

4 (15-oz.) cans pinto, black, great Northern, or kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1 cup frozen whole kernel corn

Sauté first 3 ingredients in a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat 10 minutes or until onions are translucent. Add mushrooms, zucchini, and squash; sauté 3 more minutes. Add chili powder and next 2 ingredients, and sauté 5 more minutes.

Stir together tomato sauce and tomato juice in a 6-qt. slow cooker until smooth. Stir in diced tomatoes, next 2 ingredients, and carrot mixture. Cover and cook on LOW 8 hours.

Note: Cool leftovers, and freeze in plastic freezer containers or zip-top plastic freezer bags for up to 2 months.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 124 Fat: 0.8g Protein: 7.4g Carbohydrate: 24.5g Fiber: 7g Iron: 2mg Sodium: 566mg Calcium: 63mg

Autumn Glazed Pork Chops

January 2nd, 2010 Filed under Food Comments Off

Ingredients:

4 pork, boneless loin chops, 3/4-inch thick

1/4 teaspoon pepper, black ground

1/4 cup(s) apple cider, or juice

1/2 cup(s) cranberry sauce, whole

2 tablespoon honey

2 tablespoon orange juice concentrate, frozen

1/4 teaspoon ginger, ground

1/8 teaspoon nutmeg, ground

Spray a large nonstick skillet with nonstick coating. Heat over medium-high heat.

Sprinkle both sides of chops with pepper. Brown chops on each side in hot skillet. Add apple cider. Cover tightly; cook over low heat for 5-6 minutes or until chops are just done.

Drain off juices.

In a small bowl combine cranberry sauce, honey, orange juice concentrate, ginger and nutmeg. Pour over chops.

Cook for 1-2 minutes, until heated through.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 220 Total Fat: 5 g Cholesterol: 47 mg Sodium: 47 mg Total Carbohydrate: 25 g Protein: 19 g

Easy Turkey Meatloaf

January 2nd, 2010 Filed under Food Comments Off

Ingredients:

1 1/2 lb. ground turkey

2 eggs

1/8 c. tomato paste

1/8 c. fat free chicken stock

¼ t pepper

½ t basil flakes

¼ t oregano

1 c oatmeal

½ c fat-free milk

Mix all ingredients, except oatmeal and milk, together in a large bowl. Then stir in oatmeal until desired consistency (using your hands is easier to mix). Place the mixture in a 2 quart baking dish. Shape with your hands to make an oval, not allowing the loaf to touch the sides. Pour the milk over the meatloaf mixture. Cover the dish with aluminum foil or lid. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes, uncover and bake for 10 more minutes. Makes 8 servings.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 239 Total Fat: 12 g Total Carbohydrate: 9 g Protein: 24 g

Lime Chicken

January 2nd, 2010 Filed under Food Comments Off

Ingredients:

1/4 cup(s) lime juice

2 tablespoon oil, canola

1 tablespoon vinegar, white

1 teaspoon cumin, ground

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 pepper(s), jalapeno, sliced

1 1/4 pounds chicken, breast, boneless, skinless, tenders removed

Whisk lime juice, oil, vinegar, cumin and salt in a small bowl. Stir in jalapeno. Place chicken in a shallow baking dish and pour the marinade over it, turning to coat both sides. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, turning once, or overnight.

Preheat grill to high heat. Oil the grill rack. Grill the chicken until cooked through and no longer pink in the middle, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Let cool slightly; thinly slice crosswise. Serve warm or chilled.

To make ahead: Marinate chicken in the refrigerator for up to 1 day and/or refrigerate cooked chicken for up to 1 day.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 71 Total Fat: 2 g Cholesterol: 31 mg Carbohydrate: 1 g Protein: 11 g

Favorite Memory 2009

December 31st, 2009 Filed under Personal Comments Off

One of the most common comments I hear from people, “You are always going somewhere.” And it is true. I am blessed to have friends all over the world with an open invitation to come. There is Julia in San Salvador, El Salvador who always asks me to come to their lake house. Or Joan and her wanting me to come to Orlando for some “Becky” time. There is ice-skating available for most of the year in Karrie’s home in Brandon, Manitoba. And of course how much I love going to see Vicki and her family on the beach in Edisto Island, South Carolina.

But the most special place for me is in Auburn, Georgia with Team Jenkins. Why so special? I have my own room. When Andrea and Bowdie were building their dream home, they talked about Aunt Beck’s bedroom but I thought it would be a guest room and that is where I would stay. It was to be on the 2^nd floor right next to the boys’ room. Well, I knew it was a bit more when Andrea called and asked me what color I wanted the walls to be. What a joy to sleep in that yellow room for the first time in the Spring of 2008!

Well, this past September when I came for a visit I was humbled by the love and acceptance Andrea demonstrated to me. When I told her I was coming she rebuked me a bit since I had not given her much notice (I think it was less than a week) and when I walked into the room I saw what she had been up to. My room was not only yellow but totally decorated with photos of the boys and I.

There was a bulletin board with notes of why the boys and Andrea and Bowdie love me (I am such a “words” girl.)

Aunt Becky's the best because when I make a train track she says, "Good job." ~Jacob

One thing I love about Aunt Becky is she takes us to Waffle House. ~Jarrett

I love it when Aunt Becky toks me to wofol hous. ~Blaine

We love Aunt Becky because she prays specifically for our boys on a regular basis. ~Bo & An

Andrea had even set up a desk in my room with my own coffee mug to have my quiet times.

This is one of my favorite memories from 2009! What is one of your favorite memories?

New Season for Becky Begins 1/10/10

December 10th, 2009 Filed under Personal 2 Comments

iStock_000003898245XSmall It was a warm, August day in Raleigh, NC as I sat across a mother of two who was once a college coed in the Sunday school class I taught. It is always a joy to be with my former “girls” and watch as the Lord has made them into Godly women. Anyway, she asked me, “Becky, why don’t you teach a Sunday school class now?” “Well, Steph, I really think I don’t because no one asked.”

As the Lord would have it, less than 48 hours later, Carolyn O’Neal, women’s director at Houston’s First Baptist Church calls and asks me if I would pray about teaching a class. Once again, “here’s your sign.” At first the thought was to start in September but it was just too close so we will launch the new class on 1/10/10 at 8:20 am. I am so excited!!

The new class is for women of all ages and is named Titus 2. In Titus 2, there is a clear call for the older women to teach the younger woman. It is a call that is lived out way more often through modeling than through teaching. The Titus 2 class will illuminate the Word and provide practical ways to live out this biblical mandate. Together we will unite to encounter the Lord in a personal and profound way.

Each day over the next 30 days, I will be posting a new prayer request for the class via twitter (@kbeck) and facebook. Would you please join me in prayer? And if you are ever in Houston on Sunday at 8:20 am, please come by and join us!

I am broke! What about your bank account?

December 2nd, 2009 Filed under Bible Comments Off

iStock_000001604513XSmall The Lord is teaching me a brand new concept. Well, at least it is brand new to me but it is has been around for 1,000s of years. The heart of it comes from the very first beatitudes from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. “Blessed are the poor in spirit…” (Matthew 5:6)

While in Canada, I picked up Barbara Henry’s (http://barbarahenry.wordpress.com/) Renewing the Heart for Women: Life Principles from the Beatitudes and it is already rocking my world. Let me share a bit from Day Four Week One.

Galatians 2:16, 3:2-7 (New American Standard Bible)
…nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified…This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain–if indeed it was in vain? So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Even so Abraham BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS. Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham.

These verse show that my works bring about nothing. My justification and sanctification are works of Christ and the Holy Spirit through me. (Check it out in The Message as well (http://bit.ly/4yxmDV). Barbara draws a wonderful picture of what this looks like:

Think of spiritual wealth in terms of a bank account in heaven. Since we are spiritually bankrupt in and of ourselves, Christ made the deposit for our “savings” account (justification), and the Holy Spirit makes all the deposits in our “checking” account (sanctification). By faith we make withdrawals from both accounts. Our good works are the fruit of those withdrawals but can never be considered part of the deposit because we are poor in spirit. We have nothing to deposit.

WOW! This is such a paradigm shift for me. I thought my good works – especially in relation to my prayer times, Bible reading, Bible studying, etc. – were making deposits into my spiritual bank but in reality I am making withdrawals. The Spirit of God is rising up in me to go to my prayer spot and seek His face so that I can be empowered to do His good works. I come broke – empty – needy. To be honest with you, it flies into the face of my pride!! What do you mean I have NOTHING to offer? Surely, there is something I can bring to the table. But, alas, I bring nothing. Nada. Zilch.

However, the great news is that my spiritual bank account will never fall below the limit. There will never be any insufficient funds fees. As a daughter of the King, I have a sweet Daddy who ALWAYS keeps my bank balance full and passionately calls me to spend freely. May I be found making lots of withdrawals throughout the day!

I’ve Heard It said, “The world is going to hell in a hand basket…”

November 12th, 2009 Filed under Personal 2 Comments

Not too long ago, a friend and I were sitting around bemoaning the state of affairs in our country today and if we said it once we said it 100 times, “The world is going to hell in a hand basket.” Crime is up. Jobs are down. Retirement accounts are disappearing. Fidelity in marriage is blase. Integrity in business is naive. And the list went on and on!!

Then it (I think it was the Holy Spirit) hit me that all that might be true but it is not true at 5800 Lumberdale #37 – my little corner of the world. It is not true at the two homes in S. Houston called LifeHouse. Yes, the world is a mess and the list is long that points out the social ills in our land. But it is not the WHOLE world and if more of us (beginning with me), lived out a different way of life then the world just might change.

What if instead of always looking out for ourselves, we started to defer to others, how different would it be? What if instead of demanding our rights, we started living up to our responsibilities? What if instead of spending more on things that will never satisfy, we started giving to those who have nothing?

And to those of us who claim to be Christian – what if instead of bowing to idols, we started destroying those idols? What if instead of treating the Word of God as a Sunday only thing, we started reading it daily? What if instead of being self-followers, we started being a Christ follower? What if instead of trying to find our satisfaction in things that will never remain, we sought satisfaction in eternal things?

What if…? Oh God, let it begin in me.

Are you willing to ride your horse hard?

October 23rd, 2009 Filed under Intentional Living Comments Off

View from Horseback One of the devotions I read from is The One Year Book of Christian History by E. Michael and Sharon Rusten where each day tells of an event that happened that day in Christian history. Today’s reading was a writing by Nathan Cole, a farmer and carpenter, that told of his journey to hear the legendary preacher, George Whitefield. Here is just a portion:

…one morning all on a Sudden, about 8 or 9 o’clock there came a messenger and said Mr. Whitefield preached at Hartford and Weathersfield yesterday and is to preach at Middletown this morning [October 23, 1740] at ten of the Clock. I was in my field at Work. I dropt my tool that I had in my hand and ran home and run through my house and bade my wife get ready…and run to my pasture for my horse with all my might fearing that I should be too late to hear him. I brought my horse home and soon mounted and took my wife up and went forward as fast as I thought the horse could bear, and when my horse began to be out of breath, I would get down and put my wife on the Saddle and bid her ride as fast as she could and not Stop or Slack for me except I bad her, and so I would run until I was much out of breath, and then mount my horse again, and so I did several times to favour my horse, we improved every moment to get along as if we were fleeing for our lives, all the while fearing we should be too late to hear the Sermon..

And when we came within about half a mile of the road that comes down from Hartford Weathersfield and Stepney to Middletown; on high land I saw before me a Cloud or fog rising. I first thought it came from the great river, but as I came nearer the Road, I heard a noise something like a low rumbling thunder and presently found it was the noise of horses feet coming down the road and this Cloud was a Cloud of dust made by the Horses feet. It arose some Rods (rod = 16.5 feet) into the air over the tops of the hills and trees and when I came within about 20 rods of the Road, I could see men and horses Sliping along in the Cloud like shadows, and as I drew nearer it seemed like a steady stream of horses and their riders, scarcely a horse more than his length behind another, all of a lather and foam with sweat, their breath rolling out of their nostrils in the cloud of dust every jump; every horse seemed to go with all his might to carry his rider to hear news from heaven for the saving of Souls…

Mr. Cole made it in time to hear Rev. Whitefield and according to him, “My hearing him preach gave me a heart wound.” I’m afraid to say that in my world of great preaching on a weekly – and even daily – basis I am not quick to throw my tool to the ground and mount my horse to get a heart wound. Oh, I make excuses…I am too busy. Too tired. Too whatever. But the truth is I am just spoiled.

Thank you, Lord, that I live in a nation that the Word can freely be taught. Thank you, Lord, that I live in a city where I have countless opportunities to hear – live – anointed preachers of God. Forgive me, Lord, that I have taken this all for granted. May I be quick to drop the things of this world (and my flesh) and ride hard after the things of God.

How about you? What are you riding hard after?

Jer. 29:11 is true now as it was in 33 AD!

September 22nd, 2009 Filed under Personal Comments Off

iStock_000004215230XSmall God has a plan for me (and for you). This plan is not my plan because His ways are not my ways nor are His thoughts my thoughts. But I do know that the plan will prosper me (especially as my soul prospers) and will not harm me and will give me hope and a future. I believe these things are for today.

After coming back after a fantastic time with my Atlanta and Charleston friends, I was a little down one morning when I awoke so I really needed to be reminded of the Truth of Jeremiah 29:11. Here is how He did just that…

As I sought the Lord in December for my yearly focus, He said, “Don’t be a fool.” Well, if I am not foolish woman than I must be a wise woman (see Proverbs). So some of my goals included studying the Proverbs and doing a comparison of foolishness vs. wisdom. Also, since all of my foolish behavior begins in the mind I committed to a deeper level of scripture memorization and Bible reading.

Now this is where the plan comes in… for Christmas Carole Lewis gave me our church’s devotional and as I read the introduction that morning this paragraph jumped out at me. “As you read these wisdom devotionals BTW – the entire devotional is all about gaining wisdom! How cool is that?), remember that the Word of God expresses the mind of God. His thoughts are available to us. Let these devotionals help you dig deeper into His revelation. Let His Spirit change your thinking. Most of all, let your mind be renewed and your life be transformed.”

He has a plan for me and He has already provided my daily direction through this devotional!! What He has asked of me is not too difficult (see Deuteronomy 30:11) and He has already made a way. Now, it is just up to me – this living sacrifice – to do the next right step. May I be a wiser woman in the coming months!

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Vegetarian Chili

January 2nd, 2010 Filed under Food 5 Comments

Autumn Glazed Pork Chops

January 2nd, 2010 Filed under Food Comments Off

Easy Turkey Meatloaf

January 2nd, 2010 Filed under Food Comments Off

Lime Chicken

January 2nd, 2010 Filed under Food Comments Off

Favorite Memory 2009

December 31st, 2009 Filed under Personal Comments Off

New Season for Becky Begins 1/10/10

December 10th, 2009 Filed under Personal 2 Comments

I am broke! What about your bank account?

December 2nd, 2009 Filed under Bible Comments Off

I’ve Heard It said, “The world is going to hell in a hand basket…”

November 12th, 2009 Filed under Personal 2 Comments

Are you willing to ride your horse hard?

October 23rd, 2009 Filed under Intentional Living Comments Off

Jer. 29:11 is true now as it was in 33 AD!

September 22nd, 2009 Filed under Personal Comments Off

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