Quiet Moments: 2014

Saturday, December 6, 2014

He Knows Your Name!

“...the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.” John 10:2-5

If you are one of the Lord’s sheep, then this devotional is for you!

Your name is really special!

You know why?
Because it is yours!
When someone calls your name, you recognize that they are speaking to you. What if we didn't have names? We can hardly imagine life without them! How would we get someone’s attention? “Hey you!” or “Listen up!” would be a couple of possibilities, but it would not be a very personal way of communicating, would it? There is something about having our very own name that is actually very special. Now, if you’re like me, you may not always have liked your given name, but you didn't have any choice in the name you were given at birth. That was your parents’ privilege. After all – they brought you into the world!
God knows your name, and that is very special! You are NOT a “nobody”! You are one of His flock! And since you ARE one of His sheep, then He will call you by name and lead you in the path that He wants you to take. You follow Him, because you recognize His voice.

Jesus said that His sheep run from the voice of a stranger, because they don’t know that voice. There is a relaxed feeling when you hear the voice of a good friend or loved one. If someone would call out your name in a crowd and you didn't know them, you wouldn't respond – why? Because you wouldn't trust someone who would talk to you that doesn't KNOW you! So, also, because we know the voice of our Good Shepherd, we know He won’t lead us wrong. He has our best interests at heart.

Listen for the Lord's voice today!

Remember - He knows your name!

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! :)