Praise- Acts 16:25-26

Acts 16:25-26 NIV
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.





Prayer and singing were so much a way of life for Paul and silas that, even in difficult circumstances, they continued to respond from their hearts in praise to God. The relationship between their song of praise and their supernatural deliverance cannot be overlooked.Praise directed toward God can shake open prision doors! Today, as well, praise will cause bondages and temptations to drop away. Learn to praise God even when things are not going well, not only for the purpose of deliverance but because God is worthy of our praise regardless of ehat is happening to us.
See also 1Thess 5:16-18, Is 61:3 & Heb. 13:10-15

The gift of faith

Habakkuk 2:4  NLT


4 “Look at the proud!
They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked.
But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God.

Faith is the tread we hang onto when our life is falling apart. We experience it when we see the power of an ocean and the fragility of a dried-up dandelion. And we know that at such times we are in touch with the Spirit.
  In decribing this gift of faith, I am not saying that we always feel vibrant and cofident. Even the most spiritual and most faithful among us at times have dark moments and gloomy moods. But with faith we have resilience, we have reservoir of courage, strength and hope to draw onn when we encounter pain. And we stand ready to be used by the Spirit in whatever plan God has for our lives.
  When we feel the Spirit, it's like coming out of a fog. We know it can get foggy again,but we also know that there's sunshine behind the fog, and the mists will clear, and the Spirit will shine through once again. The light of the Spirit frees people, unburdens them, fosters growth and transformation and allows them to make healthy choices.
  Spirit comes to us like wind blowing through and through - taking away pretenses, games, phoniness. We are who we are. We are set free. And free people help set others free.

God, show me how to live my life by faith, through your Spirit.

Your grace is enough

Crockpot Beef Stew Recipe WW 7pts

Crockpot Beef Stew Recipe

Ingredients:

1 pound beef stew meat — cubed, 1″
 McCormick Beef Stew seasoning
15 ounces green beans, fresh or frozen
1 medium onion, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
2 large carrots, sliced
1 cup cut up mushrooms
1 mediumn potato, diced
2 cups water


* If you can not find McCormick Beef Stew seasoning use another brand of seasoning or use your own favorite spices i.e.: salt, pepper, garlic, or onion soup mix :)


Directions:
Put in a crock pot and simmer about 8 hours Low 4 hours High.
Makes 8 servings.
1  Cup Serving = 7 Weight Watchers Points

Crockpot Pork Roast- 3 WW points

Crockpot Pork Roast



2 1/2 to 3 pound pork boneless sirloin roast
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
3/4 cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 medium carrots, finely chopped or shredded
1 medium onion, finely chopped (1/2 cup)
1 small shallot, finely chopped (2 tablespoons)
1/4 cup half-and-half
2 to 3 tablespoons country-style Dijon mustard


Trim excess fat from pork.


Heat oil in 10-inch skillet over med.-high heat. Cook pork in oil about 10 minutes, turning occasionally, until brown on all sides.


Place pork in 3 1/2- to 6-quart crock pot.
Mix remaining ingredients except half-and-half and mustard; pour over pork.
Cover and cook on LOW for 7 to 9 hours. or until pork is tender.


Remove pork from crock pot; cover and keep warm. Skim fat from pork juices in cooker, if desired. Stir half-and-half and mustard into juices.


Cover and cook on HIGH about 15 minutes or until slightly thickened. Serve sauce with pork.


Serves 8.


Per serving: cal 175, fat 9g, sat fat 3g, chol 55mg, sod 390mg, carb 5g, fib 1g, prot 20g
3 WW points