Quiet Moments

Monday, March 9, 2020

The Most Cherished Guest Ever!

Psalm 65:4 "Blessed are the chosen! Blessed the guest at home in your place!"

There's an uniquely exceptional and welcoming presence about someone who is truly gifted with a spirit of hospitality! When you walk into their home, they make you feel like you belong and you are special to them, they make you feel valuable as a person, accepted for who you are and they freely share their time and all they have with you.... Well, there's nothing else in the world that can truly replicate that feeling, that special touch!

This is the heart of our Heavenly Father towards each one of us! To all who have put their trust in His Son Jesus and committed their lives to him; the acceptance that he gives, the welcoming in, the open arms, the sharing freely of all that he is and has is amazing, beyond our comprehension! When we experience this 'Welcome home', then we know exactly what this Psalmist meant when he penned, "How blessed the guest at home in your place!" Such a special feeling this is, being welcomed into God's presence!

The word blessed here in the Hebrew means, "How happy!" The emphasis is on the degree of happiness, it implies such a fullness of joy that nothing else can take up any space in the heart of this one who has been welcomed in!

I have found this truth to be so real in my own life! And I am so grateful to the Lord for showing me such kindness and care, making me feel welcome and valuable in his sight. What a wonderful place to be! No wonder my heart yearns to live there every moment of every day forever!

How about you? Have you experienced this welcome too? If not, its there waiting for you! Our heavenly Father's arms are always open wide to those who realize their need for him, who lay all of their sins and sorrows down at the feet of Jesus and in full trust give their lives to him!

Why not come home to Jesus today!?devotiontimes.blogspot.com

Waste Not, Want Not!

One of my favourite things to do is to make a big pot of homemade soup. It's a tradition from my Dutch heritage. My parents and grandparents always took the time and put their love into their pots of homemade soup. Plus, I get to use some of the leftover foods that might otherwise be tossed into the garbage or compost bin. I begin with the leftover carcass or bones of a roasted turkey, chicken or ham, put it in a pot, cover it with water, add some celery hearts that I stored in the freezer, onions that are getting old, garlic and some savory spices. I bring it to a boil, then turn it down and simmer it all with the lid on for at least 2-4 hours. Then I strain out all of the vegetables and bones/meat, cool down the broth, then make soup out of it the next day....yummmy! :! Pictured here is the turkey soup I made recently. What's better that a bowl of hot soup on a cold winter day?!

Today's Tip

Lemons and Dawn

Try squeezing a lemon by using a strainer. Squeeze the lemon in smaller pieces over a glass measuring cup... it's easier on your hands and the pits won't get in the juice! :) If you've also used a garlic press for your recipe and want to get rid of any lingering garlic odour - throw the leftover lemon rind into a dish with hot water, and soak your garlic press in it for a little while. Last, but not least - you want to get rid of the onion and garlic odour from your cutting board! When you're done soaking the garlic press in the lemon water, rub the cutting board with the lemon rinds, then scrub vigorously with some hot water and Dawn Dish Soap, rinse and whala, you're done! :)