What's Cookin' Wednesday!

So technically this should be on the leftover page, but it turned out so good, leftovers was the last thing we were thinking of!!!!  I have seen recipes for enchilada soup, but have never tried it.  The Saturday after Thanksgiving I decided to pull out the leftover turkey and come up with a soup with what I had on hand.  It was scrumptious if I say so myself ;-)

I cooked this in the crockpot on high for about 3 1/2 hours, but it could be done on low for about 5-6 hours or on the stovetop on low for an hour or so.  For the toppings we added cheddar cheese, crushed tortillas and homemade guacamole.

Soup

19 oz can enchilada sauce
1 cup water or chicken stock
15 oz can whole corn
15 oz can tomatoes with chilies (I used chipotle chilies but you can use green chilies as well)
15 oz can black beans - rinsed and drained
15 oz can pinto beans - rinsed and drained
2 tsp cumin
1 - 1 1/2 tsp garlic, cilantro, onion powder, salt and lime juice
2 cups cooked and chopped turkey or chicken
2 diced and seeded jalapeno

I took out the girls' portions about 30 minutes before we ate and kept warm.  I then added the jalapeno for more heat.  The soup was good without the jalapenos, but we like heat.  You could also add pickled jalapenos or 1/2 tsp of cayenne pepper.  You may want to adjust the seasonings to your families' liking.


Guacamole

2 avocados
1 chopped and seeded jalapeno or 2 Tbsp pickled jalapeno
1 tsp lime juice
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp cumin
1 tsp cilantro

I use an immersion blender which makes the guacamole creamy but with a few chunks.  It is fantastic with just chips, but it is super with this soup!

I hope your family enjoys...and definitely don't call it leftovers!!!!

Today's Verse and the girls' verse for the week...
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."  Romans 10:9

Keeping Secrets

It is secret keeping time and it is sooooo hard.  The secrets I am referring to is the presents that will begin to appear under the Christmas tree.  Somehow someway, I usually end up spoiling the "secret" presents I purchase for my husband.  His birthday is this week and all the surprises I had in store has been told in advance because of one reason or the other.  It always seems to happen, but thankfully he is not big on surprises anyway :-).

My girls love surprises, so I love keeping their Christmas presents a secret.  I am just as excited about Christmas morning as they are.  I know their faces will shine and the smiles will be huge when they see that trampoline.  It has been a wish for a while, and keeping the secret that we actually have purchased it (The first and hopefully last time I do the whole Black Friday thing!!!) is really difficult.  I hope when they begin talking about getting a trampoline that I don't smile too big or make a face that might spoil the secret.

I am also in the midst of keeping another big secret from my oldest daughter.  She is receiving a special award at school tomorrow.  I was told to keep it a secret from her, and boy has that been hard!!!  The excitement of seeing her little face when her name is called is the only thing that is helping to keep my lips sealed.

Surprise gifts are hard to keep secret when you know how much joy it will bring.

The ultimate present of this Christmas season, Christ's birth, was never meant to be kept a secret.  His love and forgiveness is the best gift anyone could receive this season.  While we may be hiding toys for our little ones, purchasing surprises for parents, or planning something special for our spouses, we cannot forget to be sharing the Good News.

Today's Verse
"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."  
Luke 2:11

He was born to save the world, to save any who would accept His free gift.  It is not a secret gift, but a gift to all.   Share the good news this season.  Stand up for the reason we as Christians are celebrating Christmas.

December Challenge

I have to be brutally honest...I am already suffering from Christmas panic.  I am not sure why.  I am not sure how.  But I am anxious as the season approaches.  Buying gifts and parties, get togethers and cantatas, the packed calendar, and did I mention the shopping. (Which I know sounds crazy, but as a woman I don't enjoy it very much, and especially when it is so crazy in the stores this time of year!)

Our tree is up, our stockings hung, and every Christmas novelty that makes noise seems to be singing in my house right now.  Although I love the decorations and the Reason for the season, I still seem to be more and more stressed each year.  What if nobody likes what I got them?  What if I forgot somebody?  What if I have double booked us? (Which did happen last year - yikes!)

So today as we get back to school and work after a wonderful Thanksgiving break, I am trying to take deep breaths as I look at our already full calendar.  I am praying over the month ahead.  I am focusing on the fun and joy that comes with all the activities.  I am thanking our heavenly Father for the True Reason we celebrate this time of year.  I am challenging myself to consider others everyday.

Yes, here is my challenge to myself and I would love for you to join me...

Every day in December, I vow to think of someone else instead of stress over my chaos brought on by the hectic season.  It may be baking cookies for a friend, sending a text or email to a family member, helping out a stranger, spending extra time in prayer for someone in my life.  The list of acts of kindness for others is endless.  I pray for God's guidance in this area of my life.  I feel He has laid this plan on my heart and I pray He will lead me to know what He will have me do each day!  When I start to panic over an extra long to do list, I will focus on someone else.

Today's Verse
"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS:  for he shall save his people from their sins."  Matthew 1:21

Jesus was sent to this earth for us.  He came to save us from our sins!  He came for our sakes.  Let's think of others this Christmas season and allow Christ's love to show through our lives!


Also, speaking of doing something everyday in December, there is a great Advent Calendar activity on the Thriving Family website.  If you have little ones, I definitely suggest checking it out.  My girls are counting down until they can begin our nativity Advent calendar.  It is hung and ready to go!  Check out the website for a hard copy of the devotions and activities for kids!
http://www.thrivingfamily.com/Features/Web/2012/advent-calendar.aspx

Thanksgiving

What a wonderful week!  I love Thanksgiving.  No presents!  Just giving thanks, good food, fun times, parades on TV, family, rest, decorating for Christmas, shopping, and the fun list goes on and on.  Hopefully during turkey day, we think extra hard about how thankful we are for all our blessings!

Thanksgiving should not be practiced one day a year, but every single day of our lives.  We can find at least one thing to thank the Lord for everyday.  It is nice to have a special day set aside to dwell on our thankfulness and teach our kids an extra lesson on the importance of being thankful.

It was awesome how God had me read 2 Corinthians chapter 9 yesterday, the first day of Thanksgiving week.  This chapter is most popular for verse 9 where we read the importance of being a cheerful giver.  Down further in the chapter we read, "Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving unto God;  For the administration of this service not only suplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God."  verses 11-12.

My prayer is to make sure my family shows "many thanksgivings unto God" this holiday week and the season ahead.  2012 has had many trials in our little family, as I am sure every family has faced trials, but we still have tons to be thankful for no matter what storms may be raging in our lives!  We could fill pages upon pages of blessings starting with the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus' life for the payment of our sins.  Let's make sure God knows just how truly thankful we are for His gift of salvation and the many blessings He has given us.

Today's Verse
"Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift."  2 Corinthians 9:15



I will be taking the rest of the week off to focus on time with family and extra time in the kitchen.  I wanted to share some fun thanksgiving ideas.  Some I am sure you have seen before, others may be new, so I hope your family enjoys!

Pilgrim Hat cookies

I have seen these many ways, but I used chocolate dipped marshmallows, fudge dipped Oreo's, and yellow decorating icing!  Simply dip your marshmallows and place on top of cookies.  Place in fridge to allow the chocolate to set.  Use yellow icing to make belt and buckle around cookie.  Yummy treat and perfect for school Thanksgiving functions!

Turkey Cookies

Again, I have seen these lots.  I simply use a boxed sugar cookie mix.  Bake as directed.  Use decorating icing to attach the candy corn.  Then use the yellow icing for eyes, beak, and feet.  Make sure you add a little red icing for the gobbler.  So cute!

Famous Pumpkin Roll - I have already made this twice this pumpkin season and will make another this week!  Yummy and so fancy looking, but yet easy!

cake 

3 eggs

1 cup sugar

2/3 cup canned pumpkin

1 tsp lemon juice

3/4 cup all purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

filling

8 oz room temp cream cheese

4 Tbsp room temp butter

1/2 tsp vanilla ext

3/4 cup powdered sugar

Grease 15x8 pan and preheat oven to 350.  Beat eggs for 2 min then add sugar slowly.  Continue to beat for 3 1/2 minutes.  Fold in pumpkin and lemon.  Mix together flour and spices.  Fold into batter.  Batter will not be thick!  Spread in pan and bake for 12-16 minutes.  Remove and allow to cool to touch.  Immediately place on cotton towel and roll up.  Allow to completely cool.  While cooling make the filling by beating the 4 ingredients until icing like consistency.  Spread in cooled, unrolled cake.  Roll back up and sprinkle with powdered sugar.  Store in refrigerator.  

Pumpkin Turkeys

We had so many mini pumpkins in our house this year it was unbelievable.  Instead of throwing them all away, we used them to make turkeys.  It would also be fun to write your blessings on the feathers as a family.  Simply cut out feathers, beak, gobbler, and feet from construction paper.  Paint on eyes, or you could purchase the craft googly eyes.  Cute turkey centerpieces for Thanksgiving!

Turkey Relay

We came up with this fun game to do at my daughter's school.  The kids had a blast.  I am sure any family would enjoy participating during turkey day.  Simply find two paper turkeys, two cups with rocks in the bottom to help from tipping, and craft feathers.  Split up into two equal teams.  Have the children run to the cups with the feathers inside while carrying the turkey.  Stick a feather in the turkey and run it back to the next player.  If the feather falls out, they must pick up the feather and replace it before moving on.  First team to have all the feathers in wins!  Nothing like a good competition at the family get together!

Disconnected Grapes

I would love to know the hours I have logged washing and cutting grapes over the last 5 years!  I have posted before about my girls' love of the fruit.  Every morning I pick a few off the vine, I wash them and then cut them.  My oldest daughter likes them halved while my little one still needs them quartered. Everyday I spend large chunk of time preparing this part of breakfast.  One day this weeks, to my girls dismay, we were out of grapes.  I had not had a chance to run to the market the day before, so they had to settle for canned pineapple.  But I have to admit it was a nice break not to stand there and cut, cut, and cut some more!!!

There are so many Bible lessons that can be taught concerning the grape.  I think of the garden of Eden and all the wonderful fruits it must have had.  I know the grapes there were super sweet!  The air was so fresh and filled with all those yummy, fruity smells.  I think of the promised land.  I remember as a little girl imagining those giant grape clusters that were brought out of the promised land.  (Num 13:23) It took two men to carry the cluster.  Those were some good grapes I am sure!

My girls have such pickiness when it comes to grapes.  They definitely like the purple grapes instead of green.  They prefer for them to be seedless.  And most importantly, as I have told you before, they cannot be "squishy".  Something about a super soft inside makes both of my girls spit them back out.  So, as I cut the grapes when a 'squishy" grape is discovered, I either pop it in my mouth, save it for dad, or in the trash it goes.  It can be the best looking grape ever, but the inside of the fruit is what counts!

How do grapes get squishy?  The most squishy grapes are those found at the bottom of the bag.  Those grapes have been separated from the cluster.  They have nothing keeping them with the group.  They are disconnected! 

These grapes do not have the life source of the vine or the company of other grapes.  They are slowly becoming yucky inside.  Now if the grape has just become detached, there is still a chance it is edible.  But if it has been alone for too long, it can be really, really squishy and there is no chance anybody wants it!

When I cut into a squishy grape only one passage comes to mind, John 15:1-5 " I AM the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.  Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away:  and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.  Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.  Abide in me, and I in you, As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine, no more can ye, except ye abide in me.  I am the vine, ye are the  branches:  He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit:  for without me ye can do nothing."

Alone at the bottom of the bag, disconnect and getting squishy...that is what happens to us as Christians when we put God on the backburner.  When He is not number One in our lives.  When we are not spending time with Him praying and reading His Word.  When we are not actively attending church and fellow-shipping with other believers.  We are becoming mushy inside when we disconnect, just like that squishy grape.

Unlike that grape, we can be reconnected with The Vine.  We can never stick that grape back on.  That squishy grape can never be restored.  But oh how thankful I am that we can be restored when we have disconnected.

Today's Verse
""Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;"  2 Cor 3:5

Our sufficiency is of God and without Him we can do nothing.  Words to hide in our heart and remember always.  Re-connection is possible, we just have to ask!

What's Cookin' Wednesday

This was an absolute childhood favorite...Hamburger Turnovers!

I would love rolling out the biscuits and helping my mom prepare these little bundles of hamburger bliss.  I was a picky child, so I am sure she liked having something I would eat!  When I was younger we made these with two biscuits each, but now I only use one biscuit and have double the amount.  These freeze well or are great as next day lunch!  Also, I have an alternative to french fries...roasted asparagus.  My husband, who is a major french fry fanatic even loves my roasted asparagus.  And then finally, just in time for Thanksgiving, we have a chocolate chip pumpkin cookie.  I can take no credit for this recipe as it is from Taste of Home and I have not altered it in any way.  My mom prefers these without the chocolate chips, but my girls love love love these cookies.  A yummy meal that is super easy!  I hope your family enjoys!

Turnovers

8 large canned biscuits (like Grands Pilsbury)
1 - 1 1/2  lb browned hamburger (cooked with salt and onion powder and drained)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp onion powder or 1/2 of real onion cooked with hamburger if preferred
2 cups favorite shredded cheese (one of my girls prefers cheddar the other mozzerela so this can be altered for their specific likes)

Roll biscuits out until about 7-8 inches round.  Fill one half with about 1/3 cup hamburger meat and sprinkle with 1/4 cup cheese.  Fold remaining half of dough over hamburger and press with fork.  Bake on cookie sheet for 20-25 minutes or until browned at 375 degrees.

Asparagus

Cut ends off of asparagus and rinse well.  Line a jelly roll pan with tin foil and spray with olive oil.  In a single layer place asparagus   Spay with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic and italian seasoning.  (When I fix these with Chinese food I substitute the garlic and italian seasoning with ginger and they are delicious as well!)  Bake in 400 degree oven for 12-18 minutes!

Pumpkin Chocolate chip cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup quick-cooking oats
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup canned pumpkin
• 1-1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

• In a bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine the flour, oats, baking soda and cinnamon; stir into creamed mixture alternately with pumpkin. Fold in chocolate chips.
• Drop by tablespoonfuls onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 12-13 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool. Yield: 4 dozen.

Today's Verses

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee:  for my strength is made perfect in weakness...for when I am weak, then am I strong."  2 Corinthians 12:9a and 10b

Armed to Go!

I am a firm believer that some things are just better as a name brand.  Don't get me wrong, I love a bargain and buy plenty of generic brands.  But some things just can't compare to the "real deal".  One of my examples is the Thermos brand.  My girls and I have thermos containers that truly keep water ice cold for 12 hours straight.  Even on the hottest of days, it stays cold.  I remember the first night we bought these amazing things.  My loving husband filled them up for us and placed them in the fridge the night before.  As we headed out the door, I grabbed our bottles and took a huge gulp expecting cold, refreshing water.  Instead I got a mouthful of luke warm water.  How in the world could this water be cold after being in the fridge all night?

The answer was simple, it was well protected.  The outside of the thermos was made to protect the inside contents from the outside elements.  Luke warm water was placed in the thermos, and even in a 36 degree fridge for 8 hours, it was kept luke warm.  Nothing could penetrate that barrier.

We learned to fill the thermos with ice water if we wanted ice cold water.

God's protective armor is like a thermos.  It can protect us from all outside elements of the world.  Are we putting on the protective armor of God that is discussed in Ephesians chapter 6?

That armor should be adorned everyday.  It can protect us from every sinful element the devil can throw at us...the darts of doubt, the arrows of destructive thoughts and attitudes, the temptations, and all the negatives in the world will fall away when it hits His armor.

My husband designs and makes bullet proof vests.  It is a very important job to protect those who are risking their lives to protect us.  The men and women who wear that armor depend on that armor daily to save their lives.  But one big thing has to happen in order for the armor to work...they have to be wearing it!

Same for goes for us!

If we want to resist the Devil, the armor has to be put on daily.  Our Bible can't sit on the table until Sunday; God should not only hear our praises on Sunday;  we cannot just pray when we are in crisis, and we cannot just think about the armor of Ephesians 6 when we hear a pastor preach on the subject. We daily must read our Bible and arm ourselves with the whole armor of God.



Today's Verses

Ephesians 6:10-18

King James Version (KJV)

¹⁰ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
¹¹ Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  ¹² For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  ¹³ Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  ¹⁴ Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;  ¹⁵ And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;  ¹⁶ Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:  ¹⁸ Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Every morning as I walk down the hall towards our kitchen, the screen to our security system is lit up with the words..."Armed to stay".  My prayer as I punch in those numbers to disarm the system is that our family will put on the whole armor of God, and be armed to go...go out into the world and "stand against the wiles of the devil".   Let's pray and make sure we as Christians are armed to go as you leave every day!



This weekend we celebrated Veterans day.  Did you think about the sacrifices that have been made and are still being made today?  Do we pray for our current service men and women?  Are you thankful for those women and men that have given their lives for our freedom...freedom to worship and freedom to proudly wear our armor of God.  Did you think about the Ultimate sacrifice of our Savior?  A sacrifice that was made for the whole world!   I thank our soldiers past and present who have fought for this great nation.

What's Cookin' Wednesday!

So with not much time and a hurt hand, I didn't really do much "cooking" last week.  So no brand new recipes to share :-(.

I did however make a fruit tray for a Friday meeting and I wanted to share a tip about that and my Nanny's delicious fruit dip recipe.  I had to call her and make sure I was getting the right ingredients!  I am so thankful for my Nanny, and I am especially thankful that she is such a great cook.  She and my mama, who is also an awesome cook, taught me everything I know!

Have you ever cut apples for a party only to have them turn brown before the party even started.  Well, for a fun and tasty treat that the kids and adults both love, try shaking your diced apples in jello.  Just wash and dice apples; place in large ziplock bag and add a few tsp of cherry, raspberry, or strawberry jello powder.  Shake it up (my girls love doing this part), and wha-la...you have yummy candy apple treats. They do not turn brown, and the kids will eat their apples for sure.  I pack these in my daughter's lunch box.  Every time I take these to an event, they are wiped out and I get a ton of people asking me how to do it.  My husband's family especially loves this treat, and requests it every Christmas.  There are a few diabetics in his family, so I use sugar-free jello powder and splenda.  Taste just as yummy and very healthy!


For my Nanny's fruit dip...

8 oz cream cheese at room temperature
3 Tbsp milk
7 oz jar marshmallow fluff
8 oz extra creamy cool whip

Beat the cream cheese and milk.  Once combined, add in marshmallow fluff and beat until smooth.  Slowly fold in cool whip with a spatula until well combined.  Refrigerate and enjoy with your favorite fruit.  It is so heavenly.  My girls also like to dip graham cracker sticks in it.  Yummy stuff!


I hope you will try these treats and your family enjoys!

Today's Verse

"For the scripture saith, WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH ON HIM SHALL NOT BE ASHAMED."  

Romans 10:11

I Voted

I voted!  Did you?

I am not going to get political today.  That is just not me.  I will say I voted and thankfully it didn't take me very long :-).

I think I heard it said best by a local radio personality on a Christian radio station yesterday...
"Pray.  Vote.   Pray."

Pray about your vote.  Go out and cast your vote.  Then, pray about the outcome and the direction our nation is headed.  It is a right and privilege to go out and vote today.  A privilege many men and women have died for and continue to fight for to this very day.  We are a blessed nation.  I am more than thankful to be able to worship my Lord freely and openly.  I am more than thankful that I have the right to vote for whom I choose to vote for.  I am more than thankful that I am an American.

No matter the outcome today, let's continue to pray for our nation, pray for the President that is voted in office for the next four years, and pray for every elected official.  We may not agree with those in office, but it is our job as Christians not to bad mouth them, but simply pray for them!

May God continue to bless America!

Today's Verse
"LET every soul be subject unto the higher powers (governing authorities).  For there is no power but of God:  the powers that be are ordained (appointed by) God.  Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God:"  Romans 13:1-2a

Stopping and Starting

Aren't you glad God has a sense of humor.  We are made in His image, and we all possess a sense of humor, well most of us anyway :~).  So you know He has to have one.  I heard a preacher say once, you know He has a sense of humor because He created men and women so differently!  Have you ever had something happen that you know could have only been orchestrated by God.  It could be miraculous or just plain funny!  Well I have had plenty of moments and one such event happened this weekend.  It was so funny, I couldn't stop laughing and I knew only God could make it happen...

I have a  bad habit, well in all honesty I have a few, but this one is something I have recently been trying to change.  I love to exercise, and, in the next breath... I hate to exercise also.   I start and stop all through the year.  It feels so good to get into a consistent exercise routine. I feel better about myself and can feel the benefits that come with exercise.  But, it feels good to skip the routine every now and then.  And suddenly every now and then becomes weeks, and there I am... right back to not exercising at all.   I am not proud of it, but I just keep stopping and starting every exercise plan I start.  I have been this way since college!

So this weekend I was trying to start again.  Starting can be so difficult.  The time.  The energy.  The effort.  The willpower.  So much has to be in place and arranged just to get in a few minutes of walking or an exercise video.  But as I lay on my floor after stretching, I started feeling bummed out.  I thought of all my starts and stops.  My beginnings then only to fail AGAIN.  I was feeling sorry for myself.  So, I cried.  I then began to pray.  I literally said outloud, "God, does the Bible even say anything about exercise?  I know we are suppose to take care of our bodies, but do You say anything about actual exercise in Your Word?"  I felt better after my little pity party, and I hopped up to proceed with the day.

Fast forward a few hours later, and I sit down with Bible in hand.  I was very blessed to have a devotion printed in a small daily devotion publication for Oct, Nov, and Dec.  I have been reading along as part of my quiet time.  I turned to that day and there it was..."Fit for Life" by Lisa Crayton.

"You have got to be kidding me."...I said outloud for nobody but God to hear!

I laughed so hard.  Only God could have allowed me to suffer and cry out to Him, ask those specific questions, and then two hours later put this in my hand.

I begin to read the suggested verses, 1 Timothy 4:6-16.  There it was in black and white..."But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.  For bodily exercise profiteth little:  but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come."  1 Tim 4:7-8

I knew many books of the Bible spoke of strength, and I knew Paul wrote of running the race, but there it was...the actual word "exercise".  My KJV Women's Study Bible says this about the verse, "For physical exercise is of limited value, but godliness, the result of spiritual exercise, has unlimited value, since it brings blessings for both now and eternity."

So am I going to try to keep up with my exercise routine?  Yes.  I don't think God was trying to tell me it was ok not to exercise.  I do think He wants to make sure I am not starting and stopping my spiritual exercise.  There again, sitting down with God in His Word and praying takes time, effort, energy and willpower to have that One on one time with our Savior, but this is must for living the best life He has for us.  Yes there are many proven positive effects from exercise, but I can guarantee the positive effects of reading my Bible and praying are much greater for me.

Things might happen, and we might skip a day of reading our Bible, but let's not ever make it two days and never ever a week.  Stay in His Word everyday!  Our quiet times will aid us in fighting the temptations we face, brighten our outlook on life, provide wisdom, strengthen our faith, revive us, comfort us, and the list goes on and on and on!

Today's Verse
"Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually."  1 Chronicles 16:11

Let's leave the stopping and starting behind and continually seek His face!