1 THESSALONIANS 5:18 ON 5/18

It’s Monday again and I’m still in pain.  Does it help to be grumpy and complain?  Um…  no.

 …give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  – 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Is today Thanksgiving?  Well, shouldn’t we give thanks to the LORD every day?  It’s what God wants us to do.  It’s His will for our lives!  So yes, today is Thanksgiving!

Not only are we to be thankful people, but we are to give thanks to the LORD in all circumstances!  Oh – now the stew gets thick, doesn’t it?  I don’t always feel like being thankful.

Don’t you think that God knows we’re going to have difficulties and trials along the way?  Of course He does!  I believe He wants us to lean on His power and wisdom even more when the going gets tough.

We can gain even more perspective into this portion of Scripture if we expand a bit on it:

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

While the seas are calm it’s easy to rely on our own thoughts and reason to get by.  I submit that as the seas are stormy, we need to hang on to Christ and His perfect timing even more!  My boat is rocking in a storm right now – and it’s a challenge to be joyful and pray continually, but I know that’s exactly what I need to do – and give thanks – no matter what.

Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.  – Thích Nhất Hạnh

God’s Holy Spirit is the source of joy, and joy makes me smile!  I know God has everything in His very capable hands.  Again it’s Monday, but it’s okay!  🙂

MARCH IS NATIONAL CAFFEINE AWARENESS MONTH

I know it’s Monday and you might be tempted to call in and skip work.  I thought I might give you a few suggestions about the excuse you give.  These excuses didn’t work the first time, so chances are they won’t fly a second time either:

• My false teeth flew out the window while I was driving down the highway.
• I quit smoking and I’m grouchy.
• My favorite football team lost on Sunday, so I needed Monday to recover.
• I received a threatening phone call from the electric company and needed to report it to the FBI.
• I got lost and ended up in a different state.

And while I’m giving you Monday morning advice – let me tell you what NOT to say to the officer who pulls you over for speeding this morning:

• Officer, I was speeding because I hit a skunk a few miles back and I was trying to outrun the smell.

Yes, folks – that’s a real excuse that my husband, a former officer, heard from a guy.  Actually, it did work because it made my husband laugh – he did let the guy go.

March is NATIONAL CAFFEINE AWARENESS MONTH!!!  My question is…  can one consume too much caffeine on a Monday morning???

Wow – there’s something to think about.

What is your Monday morning source of caffeine???

It’s amazing how quickly an office full of people can go through one pot of freshly brewed coffee.  There are other sources of caffeine besides coffee though – I know it’s hard to believe, but it seems there is a new trend toward those energy drinks – like Red Bull.

A few years ago there were several reports of deaths from over consumption of energy drinks.  Apparently the caffeine over stimulated the heart, causing death.  I haven’t heard any of those stories lately – and I’m not sure if it’s because young people have gotten smarter or the stories just don’t make headlines anymore.  I’m sure there is still some pending litigation.

Caffeine is a drug – a stimulant!  I know if I have too much caffeine and then don’t have any for a while – I get a huge migraine headache.  Excedrin Migraine (which, interestingly enough, contains caffeine) is the answer for me.  Weird though – I have to take the migraine pill – I can’t just load up on caffeine from any other source – that makes the headache worse.

A girl I worked with used to have a diet Dr. Pepper every morning of the world – that was her caffeine source.  A lot of people choose pop instead of coffee for their morning fix.  I used to walk in to work every morning with my large refillable mug of coffee from the QT.  There’s no way I was going to throw stones at the pop drinkers I worked with.

I have a flirting acquaintance with diet pop.  In my mind I know it’s not good for me – it’s got all those chemicals I can’t pronounce and is sweetened with aspartame to boot.  It’s unhealthy bad stuff – but I go back to diet Dr. Pepper time and again.  I quit and say I won’t drink anymore – but once in a while I just have to indulge again.

The main sources of caffeine for me are chocolate, coffee and diet Dr. Pepper…  oh, and Excedrin Migraine when I get a migraine headache from withdrawal.  Am I aware of caffeine?  Yeah, I think it’s safe to say I’m quite aware of it.  🙂

 

PICK STRAWBERRIES DAY

When I think of spring, I automatically think of strawberries! Although I eat a golden delicious apple every day, I also incorporate strawberries into my diet in season. I think it’s fun to have them out at parties with the chocolate fountain as well. How can you possibly have a bad time when there are chocolate-covered strawberries at a party?

My mother in law grew strawberries and she used to invite me over to help her pick them. The fields of strawberries looked as though they were growing in little mounds. She had the places higher where the strawberries grew. I asked her why one time and she said it has to do with the irrigation process. She used a unique sort of terracing method that was quite effective. I sure got spoiled on those berries and the ones we buy at the grocery store are just not as tasty.

I remember humming the Beatles’ hit song, Strawberry Fields as I was picking them. Funny what comes to mind sometimes…

Today is PICK STRAWBERRIES DAY!!!  I want to share one of my favorite smoothie recipes with you.  Now, some of you who are diabetic are going to tell me there’s no way I should be drinking this because of all the natural sugar.  I’m very strict about the serving size.  I don’t drink more than 6 oz. of this wonderful stuff – any more than that and I would be asking for trouble!  I hope you enjoy it – sparingly, of course!!!  😉

STRAWBERRY, PINEAPPLE AND ORANGE SMOOTHIE

2 fresh pineapple slices

4 strawberries

½ banana

1 cup orange juice

½ cup plain yogurt

1 tbs agave nectar (I use Stevia)

3 ice cubes

You can add ground flax seeds or raw oatmeal for added fiber benefit

Blend everything until desired consistency

Put a little paper umbrella and a bendable straw in your glass and go to the deck or patio.  Mmm…  what a yummy way to end a hectic Monday!!!  Cheers!!!   😀