FOOD FOR SOUL
M A G A Z I N E Crossing Enemy Lines Pg. 5-7
Fairytales Come True Pg. 10-13
Cautious Capabilities Pg. 14-15
Find Me in the Desert Pg. 16-17
Saying Goodbye Pg. 18
Recipe for Restoring Body & Soul Pg. 19
Dishing Out Delays Pg. 20-22
Sensational Salsa Pg. 26
Join Jonathan Gundersen, author of “Find Me in the Desert” in his journey through “An Inevitable Trip into One of Life’s Most Difficult Journeys”
Food For Soul Is a menu of inspirational articles, and information to encourage a deliberate lifestyle physically, emotionally, but most important spiritually. Food For Soul serves up recipes for the kitchen, as well as for life! The contributing writers come from all different backgrounds, professions, and experiences that contribute much inspiration! The magazine is a ministry tool to connect and promote individuals, community outreach organizations, and missions to further expand Kingdom work. We sponsor advertising for these organizations to encourage giving, and inspire communities to get involved as we spread the message of Jesus Christ. We pray that you will join us on this mission to mend and help enable a community broken. Sponsor an ad for as little as business. No contract required.
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Isaiah 61:3 (NIV) ‌to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.
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www.foodforsoulmagazine.com Disclaimer of Content Food for Soul assumes no responsibility for the relevance, accuracy, completeness or quality of information provided in this magazine or on the website. Liability claims against Food for Soul which refer to damage of a material or immaterial nature caused by use or disuse of the provided information, or the use of incorrect and incomplete information, are excluded unless Food for soul is at fault through intention or negligence. All tips, and offers through advertisement and or articles and content provided by contributing writers are subject to change and are non-binding. Food for Soul reserves the right to change, add to, delete and temporarily or permanently alter and or edit articles , commentaries, and content in part or in its entirety without prior notice. Any and all information pertaining to health, medical, or mental well-being is provided for reading entertainment purpose offering alternative tips by your choosing not to diagnose or treat any condition. We advise that you speak to your doctor before adding or changing a regimen in your diet and or medication.
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A Word from the Publisher Greetings and a warm welcome to our 14th issue of Food for Soul Magazine! We couldn’t be more excited to have the opportunity to bring to our reading audience pages of awe-inspiring articles, information, and recipes for the soul and the kitchen. Please take some time to get to know the layout of our magazine. You will notice each page is filled with material to enhance, encourage, and provide practical ways to grow spiritually, mentally, and physically. You can look at one category at a time, or examine the articles page by page to choose which to read first. Just as with any paper magazine, you can choose to sit and read the whole thing at once, or come back to this issue several times to digest the articles more leisurely. We established this on-line magazine to promote a strong deliberate life-style of giving and a heart to serve. What you will find in the pages of Food for Soul Magazine, is a collection of inspiring, educational articles written by actual, honest, down-toearth folks who work hard to live deliberately, but who are not afraid to admit the struggles that we often sometimes experience. We are honored to share the work of committed people who live their lives with a purpose and a plan to promote a work that will help many. Feel free to leave comments and share your thoughts or ask the authors a question. We appreciate your support and are so pleased to have you as a reader of Food for Soul Magazine. With warmest thanks,
Brenda Graff
Brenda A. Graff FOUNDER Food For Soul Magazine Being a former news reporter sparked a great desire in me to continue writing and researching, but with a purpose to help others. Being a wife, and mom of six has had its challenges, but it has taught me much along the journey and to utilize the experience to ignite a passion for positive change in our communities. Much time is spent on projects, and ministry. I am Grandmother of two, and when I’m not wrapped up with family or community…spend many hours working on my God-given passion, which is pen to paper with a purpose!
Seeking contributing writers Send comments, recipes, photos, articles, or poems to: INSPIREME@FOODFORSOULMAGAZINE.COM
www.foodforsoulmagazine.com
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rickbrown1life2love.com
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Crossing enemy Lines -Nancy McDade Years ago there was a character on Saturday Night Live called "Church Lady." This character use to have a saying that went like this: "Could it be Satan?" If my memory serves me correctly, "Church Lady" blamed a lot of things on Satan. Although this character was comical, I never want to make light of Satan and the fact that he is a very real being. I also don't want to scare people by going around talking about Satan all the time. I would rather talk about the awesomeness of Jesus. It is my belief, and it is backed up by scripture, that Satan is a very real being. The Bible says that Satan (Lucifer) was an angel, created by God, who decided he wanted to be superior to God. (Sounds like jealousy to me). He did not want to submit to God's authority but he wanted to be a God. (Isaiah 14:13 - 14) God cast him out of heaven and now he walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. (Ezekiel 28, Isaiah 14, 1st Peter 5:8) He is very real, more real than many want to admit. Whatever you want to call him—Satan, Lucifer, the big red fellow, or just the plain old devil— understand this fact: He is real! He’s not a little red cartoon character with pointed ears, a pointed tale, and a pitchfork. He is far more cunning, disguised often in beauty, and charming to deceive even the very elect. (MATTHEW 24:24)
He is far more sinister than we can imagine. Satan is alive and well, and he seeks to destroy you. First of all, I want to say that Jesus is the King of Kings and The Lord of Lords. I don't want Satan to ever think he plays the leading role in my life. Jesus’ finished work on Calvary covered any problem that comes our way. For that I am eternally grateful. When I think of the love that went into His sacrifice, it is completely amazing to me. -Selah But, because Satan is a real being, he cannot just be ignored. It is foolish to think that he does not exist. Because Satan hates God, it is his job to try to destroy anything good in our lives. In fact, the Bible says " he comes to steal, kill and destroy." (John 10:10) Included in his list of priorities, he attempts to take away our joy, hope, witness, health, finances, and a multitude of other things. However, he cannot take away our salvation. We are eternally secure the minute we accept Christ as our savior. (John 10:28-30, Romans 8:3839) But, because he hates God and he hates us, Satan attempts to bring destruction. What better way to get back at God then to try and cancel out the joy that comes with our salvation? He hates us because we are made in the image of God, a constant reminder of the one He truly detest. Satan can and does try to make us live a life of defeat. After all, what better way to mock God then to make a 5 Christian look like a failure?
Have you ever wondered why certain thoughts or behaviors always seem to surface in your life? No matter what you do, this thought or habit follows you around like your shadow on a sunny day. You cannot seem to shake it off no matter how hard you try or how many self-help books you read. Many times those things that we cannot seem to shake off are what the Bible calls "strong holds."(II Corinthians 10:4) The Greek meaning for strong hold is a fortress. A fortress is a strong place, usually made of stone, built to withstand enemy attack. When I think of a fortress, I think of a place at Atlantic Beach, NC called Fort Macon. Fort Macon is a civil war restored fortress. It is made of stone walls and has stood the test of time and enemy attack. Fortresses can be good if they are used for protection from outside invaders but can also be bad if they keep us locked inside the prison of ourselves. Satanic strongholds work the second way. They are the fortresses that keep us locked inside the prison of ourselves. Maybe you have struggled for years with some behavior or thought pattern that keeps reoccurring. "I am not good enough, nobody will ever love me, I am a failure, I must do this drug in order to cope with life. " No matter how hard you try to get loose, this thing keeps resurfacing. This strong hold
or fortress has you bound up, in a prison inside your own body. (People don't like to talk about stuff like this, especially church folk. We are supposed to be perfect right?) Boy, what a great tactic for Satan. If we never tell others that we struggle in certain areas, then Satan can isolate us even more. Even within Christian circles many today are choosing to ignore him and act as if he doesn’t exist, and you know what? That’s exactly what he desires! This is perhaps one of the most effective and deceptive spells hell has cast on humanity today. It is time for the church to stop pretending that Satan is not real. What makes us think that Satan is not real or that he does not attack us? He spoke lies to Jesus why would he not do the same to us? (Matthew 4) Satan promises lots of things wrapped in pretty packages. Underneath the pretty bow is a rotten, stinking box of lies. He is the father of all lies! He speaks things like: "Don't be such a prude, nobody actually lives like that." "Oh, it's ok, it's only a movie."… "This is the 21st century, nobody gets married these days." "You have to live this way, it's the way you were made”. Subtle, cunning, lies. Satan's favorite game is compromise. Maybe you have spent years listening to the lies of the enemy. If you are like me, maybe you are tired. Maybe it's time to stop listening and put the armor on and fight. (Ephesians 6:11-18) 6
The way Jesus defeated the enemy was by speaking God's word. Jesus did not run from the enemy nor did He submit to him. He stood in his face and spoke the word. God's word is powerful. By words, alone, God spoke the world into existence. If God spoke the world into existence, surely we can speak His word and send the enemy on his way. We must stand in the authority that Jesus gave us, not in our own authority, but in His authority. Jesus is so awesome, makes me want to dance like David did. It's time to put the enemy in his place. God has work for us to do. If we are constantly bombarded with negative thoughts and lies from the enemy, how can we ever be victorious? Jesus showed us what to do. Speak the word until the enemy flees. Cross that enemy line! It’s like dealing with a playground bully, stand up to the attack. Remember who has your back? KING JESUS, that's who. Remember, that though the devil has a scheme, God has a plan, and His plan involves taking out the enemy once and for all! Revelation 21:1-4
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds. -2 Corinthians 10:4
Nancy is a wife, mother of two boys, and a registered nurse for 21 years. She enjoys writing, reading, camping, and spending time with family. She is A Warrior Princess for God – A powerfully prayerful soul.
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FOOD FOR SOUL Feed yourself some soul food by ordering one of these books. I have personally read each that I share….and with high recommendations believe they are lifeencouraging, life-shaping, and soul-filling!
These are a few top picks read. I found them to be spiritually life-altering. -Brenda Graff Need growth? More intimate relationships? A heart transplant? I recommend the following goodreads! These books are available through Amazon In the Desert you may find that • God is not always who We think He is. • Sometimes we need to be pushed over the edge to become healthier.
In (Un)Qualified, Pastor Steven Furtick helps you peel back the assumptions you’ve made about yourself and see yourself as God sees you.
By mixing humor with poignant truths and practical methods for finding hope when life gets tough, Stan Toler will have you boldly laughing in the face of difficult circumstances.
It's only in this expressing of gratitude for the life we already have, we discover the life we've always wanted...
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More Recommended Reading‌ Discover what a ME-free world looks like, starting here.
How something positive can be salvaged from every agonizing experience, even when your faith has truly been tried by fire.
The Extravagant Fool is about encountering God with an uncommon intimacy.
Freedom that comes when we stop acting and start loving.
Carla challenges the reader to develop a moment-bymoment living, walking, breathing relationship with Jesus!
Where are great leaders like Elijah today? Uncompromisingly strong, yet self-controlled. Disciplined, yet forgiving. Audaciously courageous, yet kind. Heroic in the heat of battle, yet humble in the aftermath.
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Fairytales Come True Meet John Tracy - a National Charting Artist John Tracy has a reputation for crafting lyrics that cut right to the heart of the matter, making his music relevant to all of us on this human journey. Inspired by his folk, blues and acoustic rock influences, his songs fortify the human connection – truly REAL MUSIC for people living REAL LIFE. How did you get your start in music? I have actually been playing acoustic guitar since I was 16 years old and wrote my first song when I was 20. I always had a passion for music, but more than just playing the music of my heroes, I wanted to create my own. When I was 22 I recorded my first demo, made a couple of trips to Nashville and even had a publishing contract for one of my songs. But honestly, the desire to meet my soulmate and have a family burned stronger, so I decided to do what every good young professional does and join the corporate world. I still dabbled with my music, but more as a hobby. We had two girls, bought the house, got a dog, etc. and 25 years later at the beginning of 2006, I woke up one morning and realized I couldn’t suppress this unfulfilled artist side of me. Underneath all of the stress of my career it bubbled to the surface. So I sat down and talked it over with my wife and kids and with a lot of prayer, ventured out into this journey as full-time performing songwriter. As it so happened, at that time I was working on my first fulllength CD project. I had done several demos, but really wanted to do a feature album. My wife had encouraged me to move forward and as it turns out, we finished the project and launched the CD a month after I quit my conventional job. It started what my wife likes to call “Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.” What do you write about and why? I write what I know about. The basis mostly comes from my personal experiences with life, love and family. I am very transparent when I craft songs which I think is one thing that really draws people to my music. People tell me all the time how they hear their life stories in my music. What is your songwriting process? I am really not one of those songwriters who can just sit down every day and crank out a song. I wish I could, but for me it really comes from an inspiration to say something that matters. Typically, I start with the melody first. I spend a lot of time “doodling” on the guitar, playing with notes and sounds until something catches my ear. Sometimes I keep melody pieces in my library for years before I actually use them to create a song. 10
Then when I get an idea for what I want to say, I look for a melody that matches those lyrics. I work really hard to make sure the words I choose flow with the notes in the melody. For me songwriting can be such a juxtaposition – something so excruciatingly difficult and yet so incredibly fulfilling and rewarding. What are you most afraid of on this journey? I think as artists, we’re always a bit insecure. We are creating something very personal for the world to see, we lay ourselves bare and seek approval of our art from the masses. We want to please, to be validated as being a great songwriter, performer (or whatever our art is). Every time someone says something positive and affirming about our art, we store it in a little locker inside of ourselves so when doubt creeps back in, we can pull those good things back out and remind ourselves why we will get up tomorrow and do it all again. What is your personal definition of success? On the practical side, success in this career is measured by my ability to continue to do the thing I’m passionate about and support my family. It’s a challenging thing to do as an independent artist (an artist not signed to a traditional label). God is faithful and He continues to make a way, which urges me on to keep doing what I believe He created me to do. On a deeper side, my music will be successful if it connects with people, has an impact on their lives and leaves them feeling inspired or encouraged after they have listened to it. What is my overall goal for my life and career? To me those are almost two different things. My overall goal for my life is to leave a positive legacy behind for my girls built on a healthy relationship with them. God has really blessed me with a magnificent wife and two incredible children. My deepest desire is that they know how important they are to me and how much I love them. If I have all the money, material success or fame, but leave this world without them knowing that, then I have been a failure. My goal for my career is to continue to do the thing I love and be able to support my family. However, I don’t want to accomplish this goal at the sacrifice of the one above.
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Al Kniola of 88.1 WVPE Public Radio, Elkhart, IN said of his latest album: “John Tracy’s new CD is an excellent album in all respects – songs, recording quality, production, vocals, talent – you name it.” It is clear that John Tracy is an artist who serves as an inspiration for all walks of life, offering a perspective in his songwriting that is different than most and much more relatable to a wider audience. He has studied the craft of songwriting with some of the industry’s best including Don Henry, Ellis Paul and Steve Seskin. Laying his soul bear and openly sharing his experiences, he has earned the reputation as a lyricist who cuts right to the heart of the matter, impacting us with each word and note. “John Tracy’s genius in delivering lyrical melodies of all things that we experience as humans may only be surpassed by his mastery of the guitar. John will tell you he loves writing songs, but his music tells you that he loves the human connection.” – Jeff Curtis, Executive Director, The Orange Downtown Alliance (Orange, VA) His dedicated effort to giving each song something sonically unique makes listening to his body of work a delight to the ears. With a vocal delivery smooth and warm, John’s voice has a timbre that calms the spirit and allows the heart to hear the depth of his lyrics. Having shared his music on an international level at events across the US and Europe, he is a seasoned performer. His shows leave you inspired, like time spent with an old friend. Jon Stein of WTBQ – Hootenanny Café, Goshen, NY said: “There are songs and CDs that capture my attention and there are CDs that capture my attention and captivate my heart and soul. John Tracy’s CDs and songs do just that. From the moment I started listening, I was hooked. I am still captivated. John Tracy knows how to write songs and melodies that draw the listener in.” “John is an exceptional artist. His original pieces are hallmarked by lyrics that move the audience. The complexity of his compositions and his skill in playing them create a sound that is marvelous to hear. As a singer, he projects a warmth and energy that is infectious.” – Clair F. Myers, Ph.D., Executive Director, Wayne Theatre Alliance
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To read more about John Tracy or purchase his music visit links below: Website – www.johntracymusic.com Facebook – www.facebook.com/johntracymusic Twitter – www.twitter.com/johntracymusic YouTube –www.youtube.com/johntracymusic Instagram – www.instagram.com/johntracymusic Music Available for Purchase at: Website –ITunes - http://bit.ly/HEAiTunes Amazon MP3 - http://bit.ly/JTAmazonMp3 Streaming Music On: Pandora - http://bit.ly/jtpandora Spotify - http://bit.ly/jtspotify
John Tracy Who he is…
Music Videos on YouTube: Fairytales Come True https://youtu.be/d5Efgtxnx3U Happy Ever After https://youtu.be/W3_hqNAaqNU
He is a national charting artist having two singles from his latest album “Happy Ever After” reach the top 10. His newest single, “Fairytales Come True” was the number one most added song two weeks in a row in its release to radio and stayed in the top 10 for five weeks, topping out at #5 on the National FMQB Adult Contemporary chart. The title track from the album, “Happy Ever After” also debuted as the number one most added song in its initial week to radio and rose to #10 during its time on the chart. Both singles were included in the United Kingdom’s “Brit Rock Show,” syndicated to 81 UK radio stations as well as five other syndicated shows across the UK and Europe. Their associated music videos have attracted attention from all over the music video programming spectrum, including video on-demand, multi-market, retail pool/content providers and internet programmers, being shown in prominent retailers, nightclubs and restaurants in the US and Canada. 13
Cautious Capabilities Cautious: Being aware of potential risk and modifying your behavior accordingly; taking reasonable care to avoid risks; being reluctant to act; taking into consideration all possible circumstances and consequences before acting. Capabilities: The ability necessary to do something. Talent that could be developed: the potential to be used for a particular purpose. Do you remember the first time you rode a bike? Most start out learning with someone behind them holding onto the seat to help keep you balanced as they run alongside of you. Then came that joyous moment when they let go, you peddled without realizing you were doing it on your own. Then when the reality hit that no one was holding you up, did you fall? Did you keep peddling faster going forward? Did you become paralyzed with fear…suddenly, realizing that no one was there to keep you from falling? How many times did it take scraping your knees before you learned to use the brakes? Most eager bike riders have scraped their knees and ran into bushes to break their fall many times before perfecting this skill. You could say, “That looks a little dangerous, maybe I should stick to walking instead”, and sit idly by watching all the others get around with ease and in quicker time no less. Eventually, you would begin to feel a little defeated or even jealous at the fact that others are moving beyond their fear. How many times have you said to yourself, “If only I could_____then, I could_____ (be successful, be happy, be at peace, be whatever it is that you believe that condition would bring to you) …if conditions were right. What is stopping you from getting from point A to point B? What is it that you dream about doing? Being? Experiencing?
What are you willing to risk to get to point B? When I speak of taking risk, I am not speaking of anything that would personally harm yourself or your family. A risk is stepping out in faith, but also the willingness to walk through the fear of the unknown. To be willing to accept the possibility of obstacles along the way. We all have capabilities, talents, gifts, skills, and the ability to choose to use them or not. Some have been told their whole life that they won’t amount to much. However, God disagrees with that. After all he created us in his image, not the image of who someone says you are. He has graciously given us each abilities that have yet to be tapped into due to lack of confidence, fear of failure, rejection, and the ultimate unknown. Genesis 1:26-28 (The Message) God spoke: “Let us make human being in our image, make the reflecting our nature. God created human beings; he created the godlike, Reflecting God’s nature. He created them male and female. God blessed them: “Prosper! Reproduce! Fill earth! Take charge! According to this passage, God made man in his likeness. When you think of God do you think of the heavens and earth creation? How He keeps this world spinning in place with us down here held on by gravity not missing a beat of life that goes on? He isn’t like the one teaching a child to ride a bike. He is still holding on to hold you up. It isn’t He that let’s go, it is so often us! Psalms 37: 23-24 The steps of a man are established by the LORD, And He delights in his way. 24 When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, Because the LORD is the One who holds his hand. God constantly reassured Joshua, and others alike in the Bible that they were not to fear, that He was with them at all times. 14
Joshua 1:5 - There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. As far as rejection and lack of confidence possibly due to the opinions of those who discourage you, or feel that you are not ‘qualified’, according to their level of critical thinking, just read this and know that you are more than qualified if God has indeed called you to get to point B. He didn’t ask for anyone’s pious opinion when He called a stuttering Moses to lead the Israelites, nor did He with a frightened boy, Jeremiah who was called to reveal the sins of the people and explain the reason for the impending disaster (destruction by the Babylonian army and captivity), Jeremiah 1-5 The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin: 2 To whom the word of the Lord came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign. 3 It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the carrying away of Jerusalem captive in the fifth month. 4 Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, 5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. He also didn’t wait for the judgement of a village, church, or organization to decide the fate of Rahab who was a young Canaanite prostitute and as such not a very likely candidate for a heroine of the faith. (Joshua 2:8-14, 15-24) Rahab has special significance for Christians: she is among the four women listed in Matthew's gospel as ancestors of Jesus of Nazareth. If you read the lineage it will give you chills! It will blow your ever-lovin’ mind! God warns those who feel the need to decide for Him who is called according to His purpose. He states that those whose hearts are stuck on Him will not be defeated no matter what.
They will always get back up. He also mentions that they will get knocked down. YOU WILL GET KNOCKED DOWN! BUT, you won’t stay down!!!! Unlike the wicked, whose words, attitudes, and judgmental decisions will end them face down to the ground. Proverbs 24:16 (The Message) Don’t interfere with the good people’s lives; don’t try to get the best of them. No matter how many times you trip them up, God-loyal people don’t stay down long; Soon they’re up on their feet, while the wicked end up flat on their faces. Luke 10:19 (Amplified) Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you. You have the authority and power to disallow the scoffers, Satan’s pesky little ankle biters, and the slimy slithering speeches torpedoed to trip you. Notice he states (physical and mental strength and ability), he doesn’t promise that you won’t get scraped knees or a bruised ego. He does however, state that you have the ability to get beyond that! You can get back up over and over again! However, many times it takes for you to get from point A to point B. Just get there! Sometimes you just got to throw ‘caution to the wind’! A ship in port is safe, but that is not what ships are built for. -Admiral Grace Murray Hopper Those who wait for perfect weather will never plant; those who look at every cloud will never harvest crops. -Ecclesiastes 11:4 So what are you waiting on? -Brenda A. Graff
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When I met Jon and his wife, Denise…I had no idea that it was going to be a divine appointment. Our worship leader had taken a position at another church, and Jon was called in to work with us until our newly appointed leader would start. Aside from Jon’s phenomenal voice, and lyric writing, his raw candor grabbed my attention immediately. Being a writer, I was enthralled with wanting to read his book. I couldn’t just read a page or two and put it down. I was taken back at the similar circumstances we had both faced. His soul expression on these pages grabbed your heart! Denise had shared a little bit more as we became close. She not only had the sweetest disposition despite all the pain her and Jon had endured, but had me laughing in hysteria when she accidently spilled hot coffee on my shoulder while trying to console me one Sunday. Apparently, I was going through that desert Jon described in his book. My husband and I would take turns reading and were just dumb-founded at the situations hitting so close to home. The real-life stories of their journey through life’s relentless and often railroaded situations will bring you to a place of understanding of God’s presence even in the desert. I found hope, and a renewed confidence in Christ to carry me through our circumstances. Jon wrote several songs during the seasons of dryness, and derailment. His unique voice, and lyrics are compelling, and soul-wrenching. They are healing as the words of “Find Me in the Desert” are. It was an honor to accompany him in worship. This beautiful couple and these life-giving words of truth and inspiration bring you through the brokenness, and change when diving into their story of divine delays, and difficult moments of which we all have felt at times. Jon is currently working on producing the music CD’s. He has competed in several Texas fair shows, winning 1st place most recently in the Austin County Fair – 2016, in the past he was also the winner of the 34th Annual Country Showdown for Austin County presented by KTEX 106. I cannot wait to hear his voice hit the radio someday nationwide. I know it will draw the hearts of those who listen. -Brenda Graff/FFS Magazine
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AVAILABLE ON AMAZON - CLICK HERE TO ORDER
Born in Brooklyn, Jonathan (Jon) Gundersen lived in New York until graduating high school. He attended John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, and then moved to Oklahoma City, eventually leaving Oklahoma for Texas, where he now resides. He has been a poet from a very young age and has been a songwriter for more than 30 years, writing over 300 songs in his lifetime. God has placed him as a worship leader in a number of venues, churches, cultures, and denominations over the past 16 years.
My family's life turned on a dime. Some of it was at the expense of other people's decisions. Some of it was due to our own way of coping with life. Not all of it was what it seemed to be! Life started to careen out of control and it was as if our hands could not embrace it (life). The blame game started. Addictions rose to the surface dysfunction became the norm and absolute chaos reigned in our lives. Almost always inevitable darkness loomed. How could God do this? Why would God allow this to happen to us? In our desert there was pure Hell. Yet in the darkness a light would shine intermittently. There were epiphanies about ourselves. Some beautiful, some very painful. But slowly good overcame evil. We needed more wholeness in our lives. We didn't know how bad off we had become. What we needed we received. In the Desert you may find that • God is not always who we think He is. • Sometimes we need to be pushed over the edge to become healthier. • It does make a difference how we live our lives. • There can be beauty where there were once ashes. • Life is not random. 17
Saying “Good-by” It’s hard to say “good-by”—it’s just hard. This has come to the forefront for me lately. In late December, a few days before Christmas, my neighbors and I were stunned by sirens from two firetrucks, manned with EMTs, an ambulance, and two county constable cars. It was evident that something drastic had happened to the 35-year-old man who had lived just next door to me for three years. He was a high energy young man, so proud of his young family—his almost two-year-old boy and his beautiful wife. I talked with him briefly every few weeks about the lawn, his family, and the repairs to our houses. “If you ever need anything, just call me.” These were the words he always ended our conversations with, and he meant them. He knew how to repair our commode once and he knew how to give good lawn advice. Every garbage day I would find my can brought to my garage door. These were the words Justin left me with just two days before I saw him being taken from his house on a stretcher, and an oxygen mask sealed to his face. It’s hard to say, “good-by”. But the memories of his kindness and of how much he was loved, and how no matter how much we loved him here, God loves him even more. So it’s easier to release him now to a place of peace, where he doesn’t have to worry about finding a job and how he will provide for his family. This God who will receive him is also the God who will cover his wife and little son with God’s love and protection. This is God’s way of showing His love to those we love here on earth. We will also pray. We will lift our prayers for Justin’s wife and for his son. We will pray that Justin’s short life will be remembered as a helpful part of God’s plan to show God’s love to each of those whom Justin touched. Heavenly Father, Thank you for the reassurance we have as believers that you enclose each of us with your love anytime, especially during times of distress. -Brenda McAninch Author of “As the Ice Thaws” Available at Amazon
If you would like to help out this family, please donate by visiting link on this page. The beneficiary will receive the donation directly. CLICK HERE TO DONATE
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A Recipe for Restoring the Body and the Soul Tips for a quick Healthy meal while winding down from your busy day. Dinner doesn’t have to be a chore…
Baked Lemon Grass & Parmesan Swai INGREDIENTS:
6 pieces of Swai or Basa fillets 1 stalk Lemon Grass ¼ tsp Thyme ¼ tsp Turmeric ¼ cup Olive Oil ¼ cup Dried Parmesan Pinch of Sea Salt & Black Pepper to taste
1. Start with a clean kitchen, and clear counter. 2. Make it a family affair, get hubby, and the kids involved. 3. Turn on your favorite music, (mine is mindless world instrumental soul soothing songs). Some days its French, Spanish, or Italian, whatever it takes to relax you or put a pep in your step. 4. Pour your favorite wine, herbal tea, or flavored coffee. 5. Focus on the task at hand, no answering phone, text, or any social media. 6. Laugh, sing, dance with your loved ones or yourself. It really does the body good!
HEALTH BENEFITS A 4-ounce fillet has 100 total calories, with 45 calories coming from fat. Of 5 grams of fat, 3 grams is hearthealthy unsaturated fats, while 2 grams is saturated fats. A Swai fillet also has 15 milligrams of cholesterol and 300 milligrams of sodium, approximately 5 percent and 12 percent of your daily allowance, respectively. It is remarkably rich in omega-3 fatty acids and other heart-healthy fats. These fats, keep your blood flowing freely, preventing clots from forming and thus protecting you against clottingrelated health risks, such as major heart attack and stokes.
DIRECTIONS: Lay your fish in a flat 1” deep pan, drizzle olive oil coating both sides, add dry seasonings on top. Take the Lemon Grass which looks like (mini bamboo in your produce department), and lay on unmovable flat surface. You will then take a flat wide knife and press hard against it to release the oils. Layer the top of the fish with the peels. The Lemon Grass not only adds great flavor without the citric acid, but it also removes and takes away any ‘fishy’ taste or odor. The flavor is incredible. Bake in oven on 325 for approximately 25 minutes or until fish is done. Serve with your favorite side. This fish in particular is one you can reheat the next day and taste amazing. 19
Dishing Out Delays? -Brenda A. Graff Where did the year go? Summer is almost over, and school, busyness, and holidays follow shortly. I think back on all the things I wanted to do over these past few months, but didn’t. I allowed circumstances to hinder much. Often the biggest obstacle in accomplishing goals is procrastination. Change isn’t always easy. Growth is painful. I remember when my children were growing up complaining about certain joint pain. Often, I would respond with, “Oh, those are just growing pains”. And sure enough, as they matured, the pain ceased. Change is going to sting a bit. Being a mom of six, I can relate this to the birthing process. I will never forget my first pregnancy, there were nine months of morning sickness that lasted morning, noon, and night. Why on earth would they call it morning sickness? There were six months of feet swelling, backaches, and headaches. Three months of insomnia the last trimester. Nine months of weight gain, and painful moments looking in the mirror. Then the day of delivery arrives. I spent eighteen hours in excruciating labor, exhausted, and vowing to NEVER EVER DO THIS AGAIN! Yet, when that precious miracle of life made entry into this world, it was the most beautiful sight I’d ever experienced. At that very moment, I truly forgot the pain. It was suddenly worth every nauseating, painful moment. The nine months of grueling changes within my body and war scars left were worth every single stinging moment. Worth it so much I did it five more times! It takes risk to be willing to move forward in goals. Sometimes it takes tears shed, loneliness as you focus, unpopularity, scoffers, and failure. There will be some sleepless nights, and tiresome days. Some weeks you may feel the thrill of approaching the top of that mountain, and then other times painfully sliding down the bumpy foothill. Success is never achieved without failure. How do you know if you can achieve anything if you never try and try again? Here are just a few examples of the ones who took risk, and never gave up. Walt Disney was fired by a newspaper editor because "he lacked imagination and had no good ideas." In 1921, Walt formed his first animation company in Kansas City, where he made a deal with a distribution company in New York, in which he would ship them his cartoons and get paid six months down the road. He was forced to dissolve his company and at one point could not pay his rent and reportedly survived by eating dog food. Also, When Walt first tried to get MGM studios to distribute Mickey Mouse in 1927, he was told that the idea would never work because a giant mouse on the screen would terrify women. Fred Astaire was told he "can't act." In his first screen test, the testing director of MGM noted that Astaire, "Can't act. Can't sing. Slightly bald. Can dance a little." Astaire later insisted that the report had actually read: "Can't act. Slightly bald. Also dances." David O. Selznick, who signed Astaire to RKO and commissioned the test, stated in a memo, "I am uncertain about the man, but I feel, in spite of his enormous ears and bad chinline that his charm is so tremendous that it comes through even on this wretched test." Astaire, who went on to become an Oscar-nominated actor, singer and dancer, reportedly kept the negative note in his Beverly Hills home to remind him of where he came from. Sidney Poitier was told to become a dishwasher. After his first audition, Poitier, who grew up poor in the Bahamas, was told by the casting director, "Why don't you stop wasting people's time and go out and become a dishwasher or something?" Poitier went on to win an Oscar for "Lilies of the Field" in 1964 and 1967's super successful "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner." 20
Steven Spielberg got rejected from film school ... three times. Steven Spielberg was rejected from the University of Southern California School of Theater, Film and Television three times. He eventually attended school at another location, only to drop out to become a director before finishing. Thirty-five years after starting his degree, Spielberg returned to school in 2002 to finally complete his work and earn his BA. "I wanted to accomplish this for many years as a thank-you to my parents for giving me the opportunity for an education and a career," Spielberg said in a statement. "And as a personal note for my own family--and young people everywhere--about the importance of achieving their college education goals." The Beatles were dropped by their record label. When The Beatles were just starting out, a recording company told them no. Decca Recording studios, who had recorded 15 songs with the group, said "we don't like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out. They have no future in show business." Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team. After being cut from his high school basketball team, a young Michael Jordan went home and cried in the privacy of his bedroom. But Jordan didn't let this early-in-life setback stop him from playing the game and the basketball superstar has stated, "I have missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions I have been entrusted to take the game winning shot, and I missed. I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed." Elvis Presley got fired after his first performance. In 1954, Elvis was still a no-name performer, and Jimmy Denny, manager of the Grand Ole Opry, fired Elvis Presley after just one performance telling him, "You ain't goin' nowhere, son. You ought to go back to drivin' a truck." Elvis went on to become the second best-selling artists of all time. Albert Einstein: Most of us take Einstein's name as synonymous with genius, but he didn't always show such promise. Einstein did not speak until he was four and did not read until he was seven, causing his teachers and parents to think he was mentally handicapped, slow and anti-social. Eventually, he was expelled from school and was refused admittance to the Zurich Polytechnic School. It might have taken him a bit longer, but most people would agree that he caught on pretty well in the end, winning the Nobel Prize and changing the face of modern physics. Isaac Newton: Newton was undoubtedly a genius when it came to math, but he had some failings early on. He never did particularly well in school and when put in charge of running the family farm, he failed miserably, so poorly in fact that an uncle took charge and sent him off to Cambridge where he finally blossomed into the scholar we know today. Orville and Wilbur Wright: These brothers’ battled depression and family illness before starting the bicycle shop that would lead them to experimenting with flight. After numerous attempts at creating flying machines, several years of hard work, and tons of failed prototypes, the brothers finally created a plane that could get airborne and stay there. Abraham Lincoln: While today he is remembered as one of the greatest leaders of our nation, Lincoln's life wasn't so easy. In his youth he went to war a captain and returned a private (if you're not familiar with military ranks, just know that private is as low as it goes.) Lincoln didn't stop failing there, however. He started numerous failed businesses and was defeated in numerous runs he made for public office.
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Vincent Van Gogh: During his lifetime, Van Gogh sold only one painting, and this was to a friend and only for a very small amount of money. While Van Gogh was never a success during his life, he plugged on with painting, sometimes starving to complete his over 800 known works. Today, they bring in hundreds of millions. Emily Dickinson: Recluse and poet Emily Dickinson is a commonly read and loved writer. Yet in her lifetime she was all but ignored, having fewer than a dozen poems published out of her almost 1,800 completed works. Theodor Seuss Giesel: Today nearly every child has read The Cat in the Hat or Green Eggs and Ham, yet 27 different publishers rejected Dr. Seuss's first book To Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street. Charles Schultz: Schultz's Peanuts comic strip has had enduring fame, yet this cartoonist had every cartoon he submitted rejected by his high school yearbook staff. Even after high school, Schultz didn't have it easy, applying and being rejected for a position working with Walt Disney. Steve Jobs was removed from the company he started. Steve Jobs was a college dropout, a fired tech executive and an unsuccessful businessman. At 30-years-old he was left devastated after being unceremoniously removed from the company he founded. In a 2005 commencement speech at Stanford University, Jobs explained, "I didn't see it then, but it turned out that getting fired from Apple was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. The heaviness of being successful was replaced by the lightness of being a beginner again, less sure about everything. It freed me to enter one of the most creative periods of my life." After his return to Apple, Jobs created several iconic products, including the iPod, iPhone and iPad, which have changed the face of consumer technology forever. And Jobs became one of the richest men in the world. All of these individuals had one thing in common. THEY NEVER GAVE UP! They didn’t procrastinate their way through. They stayed focused despite the nay-sayers, rejection, and incredible odds against them. I don’t want to be a procrastinator this year. After reading the meaning of the word… it hit me like a ton of bricks. Merriam-Webster Dictionary pro•cras•ti•nate - to be slow or late about doing something that should be done: to delay doing something until a later time because you do not want to do it, because you are lazy, etc. And there it is! “Because you do not want to do it”! I had to really chew on that for a moment, and think… “Am I procrastinating in certain areas of my life simply because I do not want to do it?” “Am I really one of the lazy?” Proverbs 22:13 The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside; I will be killed in the streets!" Proverbs 26:13-15 The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road! A lion is in the open square!" As the door turns on its hinges, so does the sluggard on his bed. The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; He is weary of bringing it to his mouth again. Delay doesn’t have to be your destiny. Is the delay due to your doing, or is it God doing? Those are the questions to ask yourself. Don’t detour what God has designed you to do over delays. Dig deeper and root yourself into the divine destiny God has destined. 22
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Salsa Verde - Green Tomatillo
Recipe Health benefits of Tomatillos
Ingredients: 10 Tomatillos 2 large Avocados ½ cup Cilantro 2 cloves Garlic ½ cup Sour Cream 1 seeded Serrano Pepper (optional) ¼ tsp Sea Salt
Directions:
Tomatillos are low in calories. They have good amounts of health benefiting plant nutrients such as dietary fiber, minerals, anti-oxidants and vitamins. Unlike tomato, tomatillo does not carry lycopene. On the other hand, it is good in different kind of antioxidant phyto-chemicals known as withanolides. Ixocarpalactone-A is one such withanolides present in tomatillo which has been found to have anti-bacterial and anti-cancer properties. Tomatillo contains small amounts of anti-oxidant vitamins like vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E. Further; ß-carotene, zea-xanthin and lutein. These compounds possess antioxidants with vitamin A, which is essential for visual health. In addition, Vitamin A is also required for maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin. Consumption of natural vegetables and fruits rich in flavonoids help protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.
Peel, rinse, and place Tomatillos in sauce pan with water. Bring to boil 2 minutes, simmer on Lo Fresh tomate is one of the vegetables that has the least for 10 minutes or until soften. Set aside to coolsodium for 5 to minutes. Drain off most of water, leaving ½ potassium ratio (0:6). Potassium is an important cup to side. component of cell and body fluids that help regulate heart rate and blood pressure.
Using a Blender, pour in cooled tomatillos, peeled avocados, rinsed cilantro, garlic, and serrano pepper (optional), and salt. Chop together till broken down. Add sour cream, salt, and ¼ cup of the left-over water from saucepan, blending together Further,until the fruit smooth. has moreIfminerals too thick weight addper rest weight of water basis thanorthat thesauce tomatoes. also goodSpanish source ofdishes. copper, from pan. Serve with your favorite tortilla chips, usein as forThey yourarefavorite iron, phosphorous, manganese, and other minerals.
Refrigerate any left-overs serve hot or cold.
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Creates Disciples Who Impact their Community for Eternity.
Rick is the Pastor of ChristBridge Fellowship who is also the author of two books: ME Addiction: Having it my way isn’t so great after all and X-Odus Files: Following God in an Alien World.
Our worship service begins at 10:30 a.m. every Sunday!
29510 Tomball Parkway
Rick is the Pastor of ChristBridge Fellowship in Tomball, TX, and has served on a City Council. He spends much time writing, speaking, and coaching others. He is married and has two grown sons and one daughter-in-law.
Tomball, TX 77375 www.christbridgefellowship.com www.rickbrown1Life2Love.com
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We are a forgetful people. We need Storytellers. We need someone to lay the drama of God’s love before us. We need to be reminded of the uncommon grace of God. -William R. White
But He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” - Matthew 4:4 (HCSB) Referenced Bible verses in magazine used versions: KSJ, NIV, NKJV, ESV, HCSB
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