Fort Bend Christian Magazine | February / March 2018

Faithfully Serving Sugar Land, Missouri City, Richmond, Rosenberg and Stafford

FORT BEND

Family Friendly News with an Eternal Purpose Inside this Issue:

Dear 19-Year Old Me; Faith Will Come

2018 Christian Voter Guide

Sugar Land Prep Senior Receives President’s Volunteer Service Award

Hurricane Harvey Boosts Home Sale Prices in Fort Bend County

Something Spicy and New

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February / March 2018

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Letter from the Publisher FORT BEND

Volume IV, Issue I

7

Bible Trivia

8

Young Love is Indeed Real

13 A Greater Plan – Mark Kimbrough 16 Dear 19-Year Old Me, Faith Will Come 18 Sugar Land Prep Senior Receives

President’s Volunteer Service Award 21 Hurricane Harvey Boosts Home Sale

Prices in Fort Bend County 24 Paul and His Team 27 Dear Doctor: What is An Arrhythmia?

29 Something Spicy And New 34 2018 Christian Voter Guide 37 Faith West Grad Enters

Washington DC Mayoral Race 39 The Buzz About Fort Bend 42 Judicial Endorsements 46 Healthy Eating: Brown

Rice Stir-Fry with Vegetables Our Mission Statement: “Our mission is to have a magazine devoted to His glory, provide cutting-edge stories important to today’s Christian, promote Christian-Judeo values we find important, and editorial content that your entire family can enjoy.”

For advertising information, contact Joseph Menslage at (281) 497-6455 or email joseph@houstonchristianmagazine.com

© 2018 Fort Bend Christian Magazine. All rights reserved. No part of this publication or website may be distributed or reproduced without prior written consent of the publisher. Advertisements and or editorial content published in Fort Bend Christian Magazine does not necessarily reflect the views of Fort Bend Christian Magazine.

My father passed on January 20, 2018, at the age of 83. He was with his loved ones.

I infinitely appreciate all of the support and love I’ve received from countless friends and loved ones. Please pray for my family during this time.

Everything I know about God and parenting, my father taught me. Growing up, he used to make me go to church every single Sunday. Like most kids, I thought it was stupid at the time and would’ve preferred to play outside with friends. Looking back, I am grateful. My father taught me to bend a child’s will, but not to break their spirit. He passed on many great qualities to all of his children; I can never measure up to the man he was. He fought the good fight.

He is with his wife Glenda Menslage in Heaven now. I know that he is no longer suffering, but unfortunately that doesn’t make it any easier.

Back in October 1998, when my mother passed away, my father shared with me something that I carry with me to this day: “At the end of the day son, all that we have left are memories.” What memories and legacy are you leaving behind for your kids?

As a parent, I have made many mistakes. I am a single, widowed father of four children, and every step of the way was met with difficulties and tribulations. Yet despite my shortcomings, I can say one thing with certainty; my children are loved, and I have tried to lay a strong foundation in their lives with Christ being the cornerstone.

I pray that when it’s my turn to leave this world, my children will be able to pencil in words similar to the ones I used to describe my dad.

Joseph R. Menslage President/Publisher Fort Bend Christian Magazine joseph@houstonchristianmagazine.com

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Meet Our Staff

To SUBSCRIBE: send a check or money order for 30.00 for a 12-month subscription to Fort Bend Christian Magazine, 650 West Bough, Suite 150-170, Houston, TX 77024. For EDITORIAL or calendar submissions, please mail them to Fort Bend Christian Magazine, 650 West Bough, Suite 150-170, Houston, TX 77024.

CUSTOMER SERVICE For 24/7 service, please visit our website: www. FortBendChristianMagazine.com. You can also call (281) 497-6455 or write to us at 650 West Bough, Suite 150-170, Houston, TX 77024.

Joseph Menslage

Laritza Garcia

Alberto Aguilera

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February / March 2018

Bible Trivia

Help a Child in Need

Test Your Knowledge By Answering the Trivia Questions Below

1.) What is the common name given to the first four books of the New Testament?

A) The Holy Four B) The Prologue C) The Gospels D) The Beginning 2.) Who wrote most of the books in the New Testament?

A) Paul B) John C) Luke D) Jesus 3.) Who wrote the Acts of the Apostles?

A) Paul B) Washington C) Luke D) Gabriel 4.) Which book comes last in the New Testament?

A) Ezekial B) Numbers C) Genesis D) Revelation 5.) What does the word gospel mean?

A) Hymns to God B) Good News C) Stories

D) Eternal Salvation

6.)Who was the king of Judea at the time of Jesus’ birth?

A) Herod the Great B) Samuel the Brave C) King James III D) King James II

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7.) Which gospel records the fewest of the miracles performed by Jesus?

A) Matthew B) Luke C) James D) Mark 8.) In what water was Jesus baptized?

A) The Nile River B) The Mississippi River C) The Dead Sea D) River Jordan 9.) What miracle did Jesus perform at the marriage in Cana?

A) Turning grain into bread B) Turning grape juice into wine C) Turning water into wine D) Turning fish into bread 10.) Who was the tax collector that climbed up a tree so he could see Jesus?

A) Zacchaeus B) Ezekial C) Abraham D) Joseph

Answers: 1) C, 2) A, 3) C, 4) D, 5) B, 6) A, 7) A, 8)D, 9)C, 10)A

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Young Love is Indeed Real

By Dr. Rebecca Deurlein It is the month of romance and love and many will celebrate with fancy dinners, roses, and chocolates. If you’re like me, you’ll treat Valentines Day like any other day except that you’ll make a point of staying home to avoid the mad restaurant rush, the pink and red balloons, and the inflated prices on everything. It’s not that I’ve lost that lovin feeling; it’s just that after 30 years of marriage, being told when to be romantic just doesn’t work for me anymore.

If you have teenagers, however, especially teenagers who have a boyfriend or girlfriend, Valentines Day is anything but old hat. Teens look toward this day with either dread or hopes reaching fantasy level, depending on their relationship status.

Valentines Day, when you’re a teenager in love, is a statement to the world and validation so many of them need that someone has chosen to love them, that they are the lucky ones.

Therefore, as parents, you shouldn’t minimize or tease them about their relationships. Nor should you tell them they are incapable of being truly in love, no matter how much you believe that, and no matter how many personal experiences you can share. Have you ever noticed your reaction when someone forewarns you based on their experience? Your initial reaction, if you’re like most humans,

is to think to yourself, Well, that was their experience. Mine is different.

We always think we’re the exception, rather than the rule.

Teenagers, especially, without the benefit of fully developed frontal lobes

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February / March 2018

that allow them to see the whole picture or fully understand the consequences of their actions, generally dive in, head first. Impulsivity and recklessness are hallmarks of the teenage world. The same applies to romance. In their minds, your story is not their story. You can’t possibly understand the level of their connection with their boyfriend/girlfriend. They are in love. It’s real.

They know it’s real because they feel the extreme emotions that come

with love. They feel hurt, they feel joy, they feel that wonderful sense of togetherness. Their hormones are on fire, clouding their judgment. They are experiencing - in real life - everything they have seen on the movie screen or read about in books. They are giddy with love.

So imagine what it does to them, and to their feelings about you, when you dismiss all of this by telling them they can’t possibly be in love. They don’t know what love is, you tell them.

They’re too young to love. Imagine how condescending that must sound to them. And imagine how likely they’ll be to talk to you about matters of love again.

It is extremely important to your parent-child relationship that you acknowledge your teen’s feelings and understand they are very real. You don’t have to encourage teen love, but when your child finds it, or thinks he finds it, you should listen. Try to be happy he’s happy. Ask questions such as What do you like about her? What do you enjoy doing together? What makes her different from other girls?

Then sit back and listen to what your child tells you not only about this person he’s drawn to, but about himself, what he’s looking for, and what makes him happy. Don’t judge, don’t ask a hundred questions about

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the girlfriend’s family, grades, and interests. And whatever you do, don’t smirk and tell him he is too young to be in a relationship or to love someone. It’s too late for that by the time you find out about it. He’s already in it and he won’t willingly leave it.

It’s true that if parents attempt to break up a young couple, they usually succeed in driving the couple closer together. It’s the whole Romeo and Juliet thing. So instead, stay informed by keeping your relationship with your kids solid and the lines of communication open. Be respectful of your kids’ feelings and decisions, and they will come to you on their own for advice and counsel.

And remember, “real” is relative. Love is as real as it gets in the teenage mind, so be patient, understanding, and supportive as your teens navigate the rocky road of romance.

Rebecca Deurlein is the author of Teenagers 101: What a top teacher wishes you knew about helping your kid succeed, and CEO of Teenager Success 101, a one-on-one tutoring and life coaching company dedicated to helping kids find success. She blogs and writes internationally, speaks to parents across the nation, and loves every minute of living in Sugar Land, TX. Find her on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Huffington Post, or through her own blog A Teacher’s Guide to Understanding Teenagers. All can be accessed at rebeccadeurlein.com.

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A Greater Plan – Mark Kimbrough

By Caitlin Richards Born and raised in Springdale, Arkansas, Mark Kimbrough has now found a home in Texas at the First United Methodist Church (FUMC) of Katy as their associate pastor. Mark never imagined a life outside of Arkansas but God had a greater plan for his life.

Mark grew up in the church and while in high school began to feel God tugging on his heart to pursue a career in ministry.

Most of his family had careers in dentistry, so the notion of a career in ministry was something very unfamiliar for Mark.

“I wrestled with it quite a bit,” Mark said. “My first semester of college is when I really knew God was calling me into ministry and it was time for me to go in that direction.”

Mark began working as a youth intern at his own local church while finishing his bachelor’s degree at the University of Arkansas. He then became the youth director for the church, but began to feel God pushing him again towards something even greater.

“It was like He was saying, ‘you have taken a step and that’s great but there’s certainly bigger things for you to keep doing,’” Mark said. “I knew that next thing would automatically mean leaving home and if I did that I didn’t know if I would ever come back. I grew up my whole life in Arkansas and loved it. I didn’t really ever want to move away.”

Leaving home was something Mark wrestled with, but he continued to follow God’s call for his life. Mark and his wife, Hannah, moved to

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Atlanta, Georgia where he enrolled in seminary at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University.

While earning his Master of Divinity, Mark also worked at North Point Ministries Decatur City Church.

“I enjoyed my work and loved my time in Atlanta,” Mark said. “As I began to wrap up my degree, my wife and I began thinking about what the next thing would be and it was actually a weird combination of a couple of things that led us to what was next.”

The Kimbrough’s had no plans to ever move to Texas. Ironically, some of the friends they made while in Atlanta had a lot of connections to Texas ministries. Already a licensed mental health therapist, Hannah was looking to go back to school to get her Ph.D. in social work. She applied to numerous schools in various states but the one they decided upon was the University of Houston – in Texas.

“Once we decided we were moving to Houston, again all of those connections starting popping up,” Mark said. “It was through them that I ended up landing at FUMC Katy.”

FUMC Katy Senior Pastor Dr. Richard White called on Mark to join him at FUMC Katy and to help with a particular new ministry. While in seminary, Mark had been particularly interested in the church planting

and new ministry portions of his studies. Pastor White’s call to join him to help with a new ministry really excited Mark and the Kimbrough’s were headed to Texas.

Since 2015, Mark has helped start a number of new ministries at FUMC Katy including community groups and most recently a new worship service called Confluence. At FUMC Katy, Mark primarily oversees family ministries and focuses on adult discipleship. Besides planning events for families, youth and children to fellowship and connect, Mark uses his

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February / March 2018

passion for new ministry to help FUMC Katy grow into the future.

The community groups, Mark shared, were created for young adults who didn’t connect in the traditional Sunday school world to find fellowship and community. The new worship service Confluence has been one of the biggest and longest on-going projects at FUMC Katy for Mark.

The worship service was the new ministry Pastor White originally mentioned when he called Mark to join him at FUMC Katy. Over the past two years, Mark has worked beside members of the congregation to see this new ministry come fruition.

With so many young adults moving to Katy, FUMC Katy wanted to create another worship service that was different from their traditional services for the younger demographic.

After two years of research and planning, FUMC Katy held their first preview service in November followed by another in December and January. Starting on January 21 the Confluence service will now be a weekly service at 11 a.m. alongside FUMC Katy’s two traditional services at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.

“We feel like there is a long incredible stream of what God has been doing here with our traditional services,” Mark said. “We feel like there is another thing God is bringing in with this new service that is only going to make us stronger and healthier.”

The notion of new ministry has been a passion for Mark that started at a young age.

Mark’s own youth director always thought about church and faith in a new ministry way.

Consequently, it shaped Mark’s faith and own ministry today.

“He was always asking these big mission questions about how are we making space for people who are not here yet,” Mark said. “It was how my faith was shaped and allowed me to always think there is an opportunity

to do something new.”

For more information about the new ministries Mark has been a part of at FUMC Katy, visit katyfirst.org or contact him at mkimbrough@firstmethodistkaty.com.

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Dear 19-Year Old Me, Faith Will Come

By Jordan Harrell Dear 19-Year-Old Me, You’re probably wearing a t-shirt and baggy sweatpants, a ponytail wagging back-and-forth as you bee-bop around your Christian university in between chapel and the campus center. The whole concept of “college” as an educational experience is beyond you, but you sincerely enjoy it nonetheless. Yours is a good place full of good people. A safe place. You are good at being safe.

What you lack in social skills you make up for in kindness and wit.

You have enough of a wild streak to make you fun but an equal amount of self-righteousness to make you just a bit stuck up, even if you hide it well.

You resent the fact that you inherited your mother’s guilty conscience and crave the freedom to make terrible decisions. You are keenly aware of your weaknesses (still are) and paranoid that others might find them out, too.

Life tip: it’s okay if they do. They might even like you more. People don’t appreciate perfection nearly as much as you think.

You haven’t felt God much in your life yet. You’ve heard countless sermons and been to boat-loads of Christian camps. You’ve gone on a couple of mission trips that involved you and your giggling friends passing buckets of mud to boys you had crushes on in the mornings and playing soccer with the locals in the evenings. You’ve even cautiously raised your hands up in the air while worshiping once or twice.

But if I asked you to pinpoint one time in your life in which you genuinely felt God’s presence, a moment that proved his real-ness to you, well, trust me… You’ve got nothin’.

Remember how good you are at being safe? Caution often impedes the miraculous. It’s hard to spot God if you never need him.

Somewhere between 19 and 31, you figure a few things out about faith and how to get it. If you’d like a head-start, here are a few things you

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should know: Use It or Lose It – Faith, that is. You’re in the best physical shape of your life right now. But soon, you will know what happens to muscles when they are not used. Ever. They get squishy and puny. They get lost. Like, literally, you won’t be able to find them. Faith is no different. You want your faith to grow? You have to do things that require it. You have to work it out.

Your cushy life right now does not require faith. When was the last time you prayed fervently for God to intervene in miraculous ways? When was the last time you NEEDED Him? When was the last time you cried out to your Father and saw Him SHOW UP? You will. But not until you …

Stop Trying to be so Christian and Start Trying to be More Like Christ – Hang out with the outcasts instead of the in-crowd. Be proud of your unpopular opinions instead of worrying about fitting in. Be more concerned with saving souls than saving seats on Sundays. Stop judging people for their decisions and start walking alongside them and urging them on. Your goal is not to be the best Christian in the crowd but to show the crowd more of Christ (Spoiler Alert: You are not him).

Get Uncomfortable – Holy comfort zones, girlfriend. You are the reigning queen of comfort. Have you ever noticed growth doesn’t occur on the peaks? You never see vegetation up there on the snow-caps. All the good stuff, the green and hearty stuff, happens down in the valleys. Lean into the uncomfortable. Let God undo you. And if you start feeling comfortable again, find a way out. Comfort is the Enemy’s home for you. Don’t let him steal your growth.

Trust the Hard – Sometimes you completely bypass the uncomfortable and head straight into the hard. All those doubts you have about your faith will be answered in the hard. When the only explanation is God’s hand coming down from the heavens and injecting his goodness into such badness, the hard becomes a breeding ground for trust, depth, submission, vulnerability, and surprisingly, joy. You will not become You until you’ve hit

the hard. God will not really become your God until the hard.

Before I go, because I know your 19-year-old heart, let me leave you with a little bit of love. You don’t right now, but I want you to know in

your bones that you are exactly as you should be. Don’t insult your creator by wishing he’d made you any differently. Trust him. You are beautifully and wonderfully handcrafted for a specific purpose in His kingdom. Pursue that purpose passionately.

Oh, and watch out for leeches in the Frio River. Not a good look.

Sincerely, Your Older, Wiser, More Boring Self

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Sugar Land Prep Senior Receives President’s Volunteer Service Award

By Aly Mathews Danielle Turk, a senior at Sugar Land Preparatory Academy, recently was awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Award for her involvement in the Homeless Period Project: Houston Chapter. The President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) is the premier volunteer awards program, encouraging citizens to live a life of service through presidential gratitude and national recognition.

Although Danielle wasn’t seeking recognition for her project, we are incredibly proud of her achievement. Here’s what she had to say: “The Crimson Wave, Aunt Flo, Shark Week, that time of the month: The amount of euphemisms is endless, because regardless of her station in life, it’s an issue every woman deals with, many of which are underprivileged and unable to afford even the basic necessities. These women must face this –every – single – month. Believe it or not, menstrual products are the least donated items to shelters, although the need for them is endless. As a woman, this struck a chord with me, and I decided to do something about it. Thus, the Homeless Period Project (HPP) Houston was born.

As Founder and President of this chapter, I collect and drop-off donations for shelters and schools, manage the project’s social media accounts, and network with volunteers and other non-profit organizations. After

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the devastation of Hurricane Harvey, we partnered with the Unmentionables, a non-profit similar to the Homeless Period Project, to host a “free shopping event” for Harvey’s victims. At this event, I was able to witness first-hand the effect that HPP had on women’s lives; as they walked by my station, the women’s eyes would light up as they stuffed their shopping bag with items that were seldom found in the donation bin. I was truly making a difference in my community.

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To this day, we have distributed over 40,000 period products. I hope that with my help, women will be able to focus on the future and not that one annoying week of the month, because being a woman should never be a disadvantage. Period.”

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Hurricane Harvey Boosts Home Sale Prices in Fort Bend County

By Jerome Love Hurricane Harvey, which slammed into the Texas coast in late August 2017, was a natural disaster of historic proportions. In the Greater Houston area, the tropical cyclone caused as much as $108 billion in property damage and economic loss. It damaged an estimated 203,000 homes, of which 12,700 were destroyed. At the storm’s peak one-third of Houston was flooded, forcing 39,000 people out of their homes and into shelters.

Part of the reason for the severity of the flooding is geography. The Houston-Galveston area occupies the northern portion of the Gulf coastal plain, a 50-mile-wide swath along the Texas Gulf Coast. As you go inland from sea level, the elevation rises only about one foot per mile. Because of the low-lying topography, when trillions of gallons of water falls from the sky, it doesn’t quickly run off—it collects in gigantic pools.

But some counties are higher in elevation than others. If you look at a map of the Greater Houston-Galveston area, you can see that the storm damage, and the resulting impact on the housing market, was not evenly distributed.

One Houston County Fared Better Than Others The City of Houston lies in three counties: Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery. The Greater Houston-Galveston area is also comprised of several other counties including Brazoria, Galveston, Liberty, Waller, and

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Chambers counties. When it comes to susceptibility to flooding, they’re not created equal.

According to TexasCounties.net, Galveston County lies only seven feet above mean sea level. Brazoria County is only 30 feet above mean sea level, as is Chambers County and Liberty County. Harris County, home of downtown Houston, is 43 feet. To the north, Montgomery County is the highest in the area, at 205 feet. (Just for comparison, the highest county in Texas is Jeff Davis County, at 4,892 feet.)

Meanwhile, Fort Bend County lies 92 feet above mean sea level. Of all the counties immediately surrounding Houston to the west, south, and east, it has the highest elevation. This is not to say the county escaped unscathed.

According to the Fort Bend County Office of Emergency Management, no part of the county received less than 20 inches of rain, and some areas received 40 and 50 inches of rain. The Brazos River, San Bernard River and the Barker Reservoir all reached historic water levels. Twenty-two percent of the county was impacted by high water, forcing about 200,000 residents to evacuate their homes.

But by the end of the hurricane, 6,820 homes had been damaged, a number far lower than in surrounding counties. Fort Bend was well positioned for a quick rebound.

The Rebounding Real Estate Market

Overall, the Houston real estate marketed came back quickly, perhaps spurred in part by affected residents urgently seeking undamaged rental and sales homes in familiar communities near their work and schools.

Despite the destruction of Hurricane Harvey, the year 2017 ended strongly. According to reports from the Houston Association of Realtors (HAR), in 2017 sales of all property types totaled 94,726 units, a 3.5% increase over 91,530 posted in 2016. Total dollar volume for single-family homes sold in 2017 rose 6.5 percent to $23 billion.

Fort Bend County is doing particularly well. Perhaps because of its relative safety from the worst flooding potential, Fort Bend has become a good market if you’re a homeowner looking to sell. According to the Houston Association of Realtors’ Multiple Listing Service (MLS), from September through December 2016 (the year before Harvey), Fort Bend saw 3,600 sales with an average sales price of $305,215 and a median sales price of $274,000. A year later, from September through December 2017 (the period immediately after Harvey), the county recorded an increase to 3,800 sales, with the average sales price rising to $308,099 and the median sales price rising to $275,000.

Remember, these are the months immediately following one of the worst hurricanes in American history, with historic flooding in the entire Houston metro area. You’d think people would avoid buying, but the robust economy is spurring record-setting growth. And Fort Bend County is particularly desirable. As the wealthiest county in Texas, it’s ranked as one of the fastest growing counties in the nation with a quality of life that is so sought after by families looking for the right place to call home. It’s also a good place to own a home you hope to sell at a premium price. As the Fort Bend Economic Development Council reports, out of 741,237 residents, 88.5% are high school graduates or higher, 41.4% are college educated, and 83% are families. The dynamic workforce of nearly 306,000 people has attracted numerous new industries to the area including software developers, engineers, and other high-tech businesses, keeping Fort Bend County at the forefront of the phenomenal Greater Houston economic powerhouse. If you have a home to sell in Fort Bend County, the market looks very bright!

Jerome Love is broker and owner of LHS Realty Group and resident of Fort Bend County. A residential listing specialist with more than 20 years of experience, his firm LHS Realty Group works extensively throughout Fort Bend, Brazoria, and Harris County. If you are considering selling your home and interested in a complimentary market analysis please visit www.lhsrealty.com.

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Paul and His Team This fall, Moody Publishers released a book

by Dr. Ryan Lokkesmoe, lead pastor of Real Hope Community Church in Richmond, called “Paul and His Team: What the Early Church Can Teach Us About Leadership and Influence.” In his doctoral work, Lokkesmoe focused on the historical setting of the New Testament and how the first-century Christians negotiated external social pressures and internal leadership struggles. He believes that we can learn a lot from the early Church about how to approach the challenges facing our families and communities in the 21st century.

Most Christians know who the Apostle Paul is, but he was not the singular heroic figure we make him out to be. He was part of a team.

Who were his teammates and what can we learn from how they wrestled with the spiritual and interpersonal challenges they faced? In Paul and His Team, Lokkesmoe brings the first-century Church to life by highlighting the lesser-known members of Paul’s team, people like Silas, Luke, Priscilla, Erastus, Phoebe, Onesimus, Tychicus, Epaphras, Titus, and Timothy.

This team worked together to apply timeless, Christ-centered leadership principles like finding common ground, maintaining relationships in the midst of discord, empowering behind-the-scenes leaders, fighting the battles that really matter, working for unity, relentlessly pursuing reconciliation, and relying on God in the face of adversity.

While Paul and His Team is clearly relevant for ministry professionals, it is not written with just pastors in mind. It is accessible, written in plain language, and meant to inspire and equip anyone who wants to be a more effective

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February / March 2018

influencer for Christ. Parents, teachers, coaches, mentors, neighbors, supervisors, community leaders, grandparents – anyone with any influence over someone else can gain wisdom from this book.

Paul and His Team is a fairly quick read (200 pages), and is available wherever books are sold. It includes discussion questions at the end of each chapter, making it an ideal choice for a church small group or staff team to read together.

merely theoretical. Ryan has not simply studied these topics in the classroom; he is also a practitioner who has learned these valuable lessons in the trenches of real-life ministry.

-Heather Zempel, Author of Amazed and Confused and Community Is Messy

What people are saying about Paul and His Team: We can learn so much from the lives of the earliest Christ followers—a small group of ordinary people who, obedient to God’s leading, propelled the spread of faith that now circles the globe. In Paul and His Team, Ryan Lokkesmoe gives us a fascinating look into the hearts and actions of these pioneering believers, yielding valuable insights into how we, too, can be salt and light in a challenging world.

-Richard Stearns, President of World Vision U.S. and author of The Hole in Our Gospel Ryan takes a powerful yet practical look at not just the apostle Paul, but at Paul’s team, as it applies to leading in the church. If you are a leader, the people and team you build are critical to moving the mission of the church forward. In Paul and His Team, Ryan pulls out important insight on church leadership and influence.

-Carey Nieuwhof, Founding Pastor, Connexus Church Ryan Lokkesmoe has given us a fresh window into Paul’s leadership and influence, focusing on the team he recruited, developed, entrusted, and unleashed. While Ryan has the academic credentials to give us a deeply theological understanding of the life and ministry of Paul, this book is not

Ryan Lokkesmoe explores the real-life implications of how the body of Christ is supposed to work together to fulfill the Great Commission. In a day and age where there is far too much emphasis upon upfront leaders and not enough on the power of a team, Ryan offers a helpful contribution that is both accessible and scholarly. If you are a leader or part of a leadership team, you will find his insights helpful.

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both pastors and lay leaders. Helpful questions at the end of each chapter make this an excellent group study book.

-Lynn Cohick, New Testament department chair at Wheaton College Viewing leadership as Christ-centered influence, Ryan Lokkesmoe insightfully lays out the principles employed by Paul and his ministry cohorts. With solid biblical scholarship and practical application to Christian leadership, Ryan has provided a significant, readable gift to the church. This book is much richer than the trendy “how-to” leadership books currently on the market. Highly recommended for pastors and lay leaders!

-Dennis P. Hollinger, President & Colman M. Mockler Distinguished Professor of Christian Ethics at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

Popular-level leadership manuals abound. Many Christian manuals exist as well, often prooftexting principles initially derived from sources other than the Bible. Ryan Lokkesmoe carefully studies Paul and his coworkers, fully abreast of the highest levels of scholarship, and discovers principles that really are in Scripture! But he wears his learning lightly and writes with the heart of the church planter that he currently is. Easy to read and highly recommended.

-Craig L. Blomberg, Distinguished Professor of New Testament, Denver Seminary Build bridges, be voices of reconciliation, seek common ground, stay focused on your mission as Christ’s ambassadors: Paul and His Team offers practical advice to advance the gospel, rooted in solid biblical teaching for

In a day when we only think about the “super leaders” in the big lights, Lokkesmoe insightfully highlights the whole cast of lesser known men and women who supported Paul’s apostolic mission. In the process we learn valuable lessons about leadership, conflict resolution, and true kingdom collaboration. This book quietly turns most leadership books on their heads, demonstrating the real work of God through the lives of ordinary, flawed people who offer their disparate gifts to the Master. I heartily recommend it.

-Timothy C. Tennent, President and Professor of World Christianity, Asbury Theological Seminary

Ryan Lokkesmoe (PhD), is the Lead Pastor of Real Hope Community Church, a church that launched right here in Fort Bend County in 2016. Real Hope meets on Sundays in two locations near W. Bellfort and Grand Parkway. Learn more at realhopecc.org.

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February / March 2018

Dear Doctor: What is An Arrhythmia?

Dear Reader: An abnormal heart rhythm, known as arrhythmia, is when the heart beats too fast, too slow or irregularly. The heart is composed of a complicated system of valves, nodes and chambers that control how and when blood is pumped. If the rhythm is disrupted in any way, it can change the effectiveness of the heartbeat.

There are several different types of arrhythmia. The most common are: Tachycardia – This is a heart rate that beats too fast.

Bradycardia – This means your heart beats very slowly (less than 60 BPM).

Atrial flutter –This typically occurs in the right atrium, one of the two upper chambers of the heart. It is caused by a single circular electrical impulse that travels rapidly in the affected atrium, resulting in a fast, but regular, heart rate.

Atrial fibrillation – It happens when multiple unstable electrical impulses misfire (usually in the left atrium), causing the heart rate to increase and become erratic, revealing irregular beats on an electrocardiogram.

Ventricular fibrillation – This condition can stop the heart muscle from beating and cause cardiac arrest. It occurs in the ventricles, where blood is pumped out of the heart to the body and brain. It is a serious condition that can lead to death if not immediately treated.

Premature contractions – Although benign, this is when early beats arise, frequently making the heart appear to skip a beat when the pulse is taken in the wrist or chest. The skipped beat may be so faint or weak that it is not felt in the pulse.

Should you experience any symptoms including palpitations or

fluttering in the chest, a racing or slow heartbeat, chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, dizziness, please speak with your health care provider.

Arrhythmia is typically treated with medication, but there are other management approaches including catheter ablation procedures or implantable devices.

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February / March 2018

Something Spicy And New

By Caitlin Richards Katy is now the home to one of Houston’s top Chinese restaurants, Pepper Twins.

Opening in October of 2017 off of Grand Parkway, marked the fourth location for the Houston based restaurant, which opened its first location at Montrose in September of 2015.

“I hope the people in Katy like our food just like the people in downtown Houston,” Yunan Yang owner and founder of Pepper Twins said.

Over the past two years, Pepper Twins has also opened locations at River Oaks and Kirby. They continue to grow not only their business, but also their reputation in Houston. Pepper Twins has been featured in “GQ Magazine” and “Texas Monthly” for its authentic and organic country style Chinese food.

“It is a spicy and tingly type of cuisine authentic to Southwest China called Szechuan,” Yang said. “It is authentic food from my hometown in China.”

Yang said her mother-in-law taught her how to cook this authentic cuisine in 2003 while in her hometown of Chongqing, China. Yang’s love for creating delicious, homemade food started then but she never thought of it as a career option.

Yang was first a cancer research. She came to the United States for a post-doctorate fellowship program in Madison, Wisconsin. Over her five years as a researcher, she produced 27 different publications and received a grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to support her research.

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Houston.”

With Houston’s foodie culture, Yang thought her authentic Szechuan cuisine would do well and be something the diverse city would enjoy. Yang was right.

Her husband and two children moved to Houston in the summer of 2015 and have already made a name for Pepper Twins.

“I wanted to offer people the authentic Chinese food of my hometown with its unique spicy and tingly flavor that is different from the spicy Mexican food around here,” Yang said. “Plus, it is very healthy.”

Everything Pepper Twins serves is high quality, organic and local if possible. Yang tries to find farms

While doing her research, Yang began to have some health problems that led to a complicated second-pregnancy. Through her research, Yang became friends with researchers and scientists in Houston. They shared with Yang how similar Houston’s climate was to her own hometown and that it might be a good fit for her and her family.

“I got to thinking that I really wanted to change my career,” Yang said.

“I still loved making delicious food and I thought maybe I could do it in

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that can send their produce directly to their restaurant. Pepper Twins’ authentic Chinese ingredients are imported directly from China every three months to ensure freshness.

“I find homemade food to be more delicious than anything else,” Yang said. “I wanted to translate that concept into the restaurant.”

The name for the restaurant was actually inspired by Yang’s two children. As a going away gift from a colleague in Madison, Yang received a drawing of her two children that is now the focus of the Pepper Twins logo.

“Both of my children from a young age have loved my food,” Yang said. “Even with it being spicy, they loved it at a young age. So we thought Pepper Twins would be a good name for the restaurant and using the drawing as the logo went along with it.”

Yang is excited to bring Pepper Twins to Katy and share her hometown’s food with the people of Katy. The Katy menu has over 30 new authentic Szechuan Chinese dishes for customers to explore.

Pepper Twins is located at 1315 W Grand Parkway S and is open Tuesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner. The Katy location also features a large party room for guests to reserve that accommodates up to 25 people.

For more information about Pepper Twins, visit txpeppertwins.com.

There you will find menus, locations and a full list of Pepper Twins awards

and accolades.

Pepper Twins is also running a special for Katy Christian Magazine readers. Guests who mention they saw this story in the Magazine will receive a special discount Tuesday through Thursday. Be sure to stop in and let them know where you heard about them!

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Fort Bend Christian Magazine’s

2018 Christian Voter Guide This issue, we’re highlighting our endorsements for local, regional, and state-wide races.

We believe that Christians have the opportunity to make a difference in the political process and we encourage you to participate by voting, volunteering, or getting involved.

U.S. Senator Ted Cruz

U.S. Representative District 22 Pete Olson

Governor Greg Abbott

Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick

Attorney General Ken Paxton

Comptroller of Public Accounts Glenn Hegar

Commissioner of Agriculture Sid Miller

Railroad Commissioner Weston Martinez

Member, State Board of Education, District 7 Matt Robinson

Justice, Supreme Court, Place 2 Jimmy Blacklock

Justice, Supreme Court, Place 4 John Devine

Justice, Supreme Court, Place 6 Jeff Brown

Presiding Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals

Justice, 1st Court of Appeals District, Place 8

Sharon Keller

Michael Massengale

Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals Place 7

Justice, 1st Court of Appeals District, Place 9

Barbara Parker Hervey

Jennifer Caughey

Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals Place 8

Justice, 14th Court of Appeals District, Place 3

Michelle Slaughter

Brett Busby

State Senator, District 17

Justice, 14th Court of Appeals District, Place 4

Joan Huffman

State Representative District 85 Phil Stephenson

State Representative District 26 Rick Miller

State Representative District 28 John Zerwas

Justice, 1st Court of Appeals District, Place 2 Jane Bland

Justice, 1st Court of Appeals District, Place 6 Harvery Brown

Justice, 1st Court of Appeals District, Place 7 Terry Yates

Marc Brown

Justice, 14th Court of Appeals District, Place 5 Martha Hill Jamison

Justice, 14th Court of Appeals District, Place 6 Bill Boyce

Justice, 14th Court of Appeals District, Place 8 John Donovan

458th Judicial District Court Ken Cannata

328th Judicial District Court Walter Armatys

268th Judicial District Court John “Hawk” Hawkins

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February / March 2018

240th Judicial District Court

County Court at Law #6

Justice of the Peace, Pct 3

Chad Bridges

Lewis White

Kelly Crow

District Attorney

County Judge

County Chairman

Shawn McDonald

Robert E. “Bob” Hebert

Jacey Jetton

County Court at Law #1

County Court Commissioner, Pct #4

Chris Morales

James Patterson

County Court at Law #2

County Clerk

Jeffery McMeans

Laura Richard

County Court at Law #3

District Clerk

Harold Kennedy Tricia Krenek

Annie Rebecca Elliott

County Court at Law #4

Bill Rickert

County Treasurer

Amy Mitchell

Faith West Academy

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Your knowledge and experience will be invaluable as judge of the 458th Judicial District Court.

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Faith West Grad Enters Washington DC Mayoral Race

By Rebecca Deurlein It’s a long way from Faith West Academy to Washington, DC, but Michael Christian Woods seems to have made the journey with aplomb. A 2016 graduate of Faith West, Woods, at 19 years old, is running for Mayor of DC. Why would a 19-year-old college student run for a position that is admittedly gritty and riddled with challenges? Woods explained, “Everyone has a purpose in life. I believe my purpose is to serve as a role model for my peers and those younger than I who maybe are too afraid to express or lead their desires for change. Despite all of the possible criticism, I hope that others will find the courage to do so as well, to stand up and be the ones who lead the change they desire.”

Woods has worked hard to position himself for this important role. He spent his Faith West years earning straight A’s and creating an organization to bring together other high achievers. While in high school, he took classes through Harvard University and earned enough credit that he is already a

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second-semester junior at George Washington University. Despite his accomplishments, he is aware of the criticism he will face in the mayoral race. After all, what can someone so young bring to such an important position?

“Having someone young like myself who truly cares and wants to make a difference-- bringing positive ideas and positive approaches -- should be encouraged rather than scrutinized,” Woods said. “As Barack Obama said, ‘The future belongs to young people with an education and imagination to create it.’” I have acquired the education, exposure, and experience in prior leadership positions to prepare me to run for DC Mayor. I think it is time that younger people step up and seek leadership positions.“ Woods is campaigning on several platforms of special interest, including the affordable housing crisis, homelessness, equal business opportunities, and property tax solutions. Through his internship with the NAACP Washington, DC, branch and his current involvement with the George Washington University chapter of DC, he has been engaged in finding solutions to the problems plaguing not just the nation’s capital, but our entire nation.

January began Woods’ mayoral journey as he filed papers and began to collect the 2,000 signatures he needs from registered voters before he can begin his official run. For more information about his campaign or to become a supporter, visit md4dcmayor.com.

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February / March 2018

The Buzz About Fort Bend

Parks Youth Ranch invites area high school juniors and senior students to be a part of Another Night Out — Homelessness 101! This awareness event is about the hardships and struggles of at-risk and homeless youth. Event participants will have an overnight opportunity to experience a small part of what some of their not-so-fortunate homeless peers must endure regularly in order to survive.

Calvary Episcopal Preparatory’s talented musicians from age 4-18 worked hard to prepare for the annual Christmas program, and it was true to its title: “Oh, What a Glorious Night.” Of course, the actual glorious night was the birth of Jesus, and that story was skillfully told by members of the third grade class.

The Central Fort Bend Chamber welcomed MedExpress at their ribbon cutting on December 12, 2017. The Richmond MedExpress is the first in the city and third in the state of Texas, and is located at 4050FM 762 in Richmond and expanding. MedExpress is open to walk-ins from 8:00 am – 8:00 pm, 7 days a week. MedExpress centers welcome a variety of medical services including urgent care, treatment of common illnesses, and employer health services.

Calvary Episcopal Preparatory firmly believes that service learning and giving back to the community is an essential part of developing the whole child. Each grade level has service learning incorporated into their school year. Here, Middle School Students spend the morning packing lunches at Lunches of Love in Rosenberg.

Calvary Episcopal Preparatory hosted their 12th annual “Teeing Off for Teachers and Technology” golf tournament at Pecan Grove Country Club in November. With nearly 80 golfers and countless sponsors the event was a success, profiting $18,000 which goes directly back to the students.

Congratulations to fifth grade student Zara Chinwuba, winner of Calvary Episcopal Preparatory’s spelling bee. Zara is pictured below with spelling bee sponsor, Ms. Julianna White. Students in grades 1-8 participated in the bee, with two competitors per grade.

It was a heated competition, with students hanging in there for many rounds before the winning word was finally spelled by Zara.

February / March 2018

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The Buzz About Fort Bend

Fort Bend Christian Academy students across all three campuses received awards from the 2018 Rodeo Art Competition. Middle School winners from left to right, top to bottom: Ava Edwards, Sophia Vrielink, Erin Kram, Berkeley Ho, Ryan Bevington, August Vrielink, Lexi Rivers, Tammy Dang, Emily McCoy and Nicole Pfister.

Fort Bend County Judge Bob Hebert celebrated 15 years of service with the County in January. On January 23, 2018, Kent Edwards, Fort Bend County Human Resources Director, presented the 15-year certificate and pin on behalf of the County to Judge Hebert and his wife, Pat, who has been by his side for 56 years.

On December 7, 2017, County Judge Bob Hebert visited Fort Bend County Animal Services (FBCAS) to congratulate the department on their recent recognition from the Petco Foundation. In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, the Petco Foundation delivered more than $2.5 million to Houston-area animal welfare organizations. FBCAS received a $75,000 investment in recognition of the lifesaving efforts done at the shelter.

Multiple Fort Bend Christian Academy students across all three campuses received awards from the 2018 Rodeo Art Competition. High School 1st Place Blue Ribbon Winners from left to right: Emily Fernando, Julia Welch, Emily Shih, Tracy Wang, Faith Avila, Trinity Pace* and Savannah Orsak.

Students Paul Lazarou, Maddie Iversen and Genesis Griffin read poetry by Mirabeau B. Lamar, 2nd president of Texas at Lamar Day on Friday. The Daughters and Sons of the Texas Revolution meet each year at Lamar’s gravesite in Morton Cemetery each year on Lamar’s birthday.

Students Paul Lazarou, Maddie Iversen and Genesis Griffin stop for a photo with reenacts during Lamar Day. The Daughters and Sons of the Texas Revolution meet each year at Lamar’s gravesite in Morton Cemetery each year on Lamar’s birthday.

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February / March 2018

February / March 2018

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Judicial Endorsements

By Gary Gillen The 2018 Republican Primary election has several opposed judicial races due to retirements and new courts. To assist our readers, we interview candidates and endorse those we feel have the strong moral compass our readers want. While we do endorse some unopposed candidates, such as Judge Ken Cannata whom we introduced to you last issue, for this issue we concentrate on those judicial races with opponents.

268th Judicial District Court John “Hawk” Hawkins A judge with strong Christian values In the race for the 268th Judicial District Court, this magazine endorses John “Hawk” Hawkins. With over 30 years of legal experience, Hawkins is currently serving as the Associate Judge for both the 268th and 434th District Courts. He has presided over hundreds of Civil, Criminal and Family Law trials. We believe judicial temperament is very important and Hawkins has the right kind. He said, “It

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is important for a judge to be tethered by a strong set of core values and be committed to following the law.”

We believe his knowledge, experience and values make John “Hawk” Hawkins the right candidate for the 268th judicial district court.

County Court at Law #6 Lewis White A constitutionalist for a new court County Court at Law #6 is a newly created court. These kinds of courts in Fort Bend County handle a variety of cases such as criminal misdemeanor cases like driving while intoxicated, assault, family violence and theft under $4000. It includes juvenile, mental health, and civil cases valued from $500 - $200,000.

Because this court has jurisdiction over such serious issues, it is important that the presiding judge strictly follows the law.

Lewis White has served in the District Attorney’s office, his own private practice, and as a Special Prosecutor. He is a constitutionalist believing judges should follow, not make, the law. He credits his grandmother for teaching, “that faith and family come first and I am firmly committed to those values.”

We endorse Lewis White for County Court at Law #6 because we

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February / March 2018

believe his experience, values and energy make him the best choice.

Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3 Kelly Crow A respectful, experienced and fair judge Going to court is frightening. For many, justice of the peace court is the only court they will ever experience. In Fort Bend County, Precinct 3 is the busiest Justice of the Peace Court, yet it has a reputation of being friendly and efficient.

Kelly Crow has been the prosecutor in that court and others as well. She also serves, or has served, as judge of several municipal courts. Crow believes a judge should be respectful to all who enter a court. Since one can represent oneself in JP Court, she believes the judge should be willing to explain the rules of the court and the law when issuing opinions.

Because JP Courts have jurisdiction in cases valued up to $10,000, it is important that the judge has legal experience, especially in a court that handles so many complicated civil matters like this court does. Crow believes everyone in court deserves, “fairness and respect; a judge who is knowledgeable and has integrity. That is the judge I promise to be for everyone, every day.”

Crow’s experience as a judge, as a prosecutor and an attorney make her uniquely qualified to serve as judge of this court. We believe she is the judge you would want to appear before and that is why we endorse Kelly Crow for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3.

Gary Gillen owns and operates Gillen Pest Control in Richmond. He is the only person in history to have served on both the Richmond City Commission and the Rosenberg City Council. He was the Chairman of the Republican Party of Fort Bend County 2006-2007. He can be reached at Gary@GaryGillen.com

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Katy & Bend was created by Johnny Hawkins. Since 1986, over 32,000 of his cartoons have appeared in leading publications such as Christianity Today, Today’s Christian Living, Guideposts, Reader’s Digest, Woman’s World, Faith Today, Focus on the Family and over 900 other publications.

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February / March 2018

Joan

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PROVEN CONSERVATIVE RECORD Passed BALANCED BUDGET with no new taxes Authored and passed VOTER ID law Authored & passed SERMON SAFEGUARD ACT Added over $800MILLION TO BORDER SECURITY budget Sponsored & passed POLICE PROTECTION ACT

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Healthy Eating: Brown Rice Stir-Fry with Vegetables • 2 tbsp tamari or soy sauce • Sesame seeds for garnish (optional)

Directions 1. Cook the brown rice according to package directions.

2. Place some water in a wok or frying pan and bring it to a boil. Then add the veggies (they must be covered by the water) and cook for 1 to 2 minutes over high-heat. Drain the veggies and set aside.

3. Heat the oil in the wok and add the garlic, cayenne powder and parsley. Cook over high-heat for 1 minute, stirring occasionally.

4. Add the vegetables, rice & tamari. Cook for about 1 to 2 min more.

5. Add some sesame seeds for garnish (optional).

6. Store the brown rice stir-fry in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Ingredients • 1/2 cup uncooked brown rice (100 g) • 1 cup chopped red cabbage (80 g) • 1/2 head of broccoli, chopped • 1/2 chopped red bell pepper • 1/2 chopped zucchini • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil • 4 cloves of garlic, minced • 1 handful fresh parsley, finely chopped • 1/8 tsp cayenne powder

• Feel free to use other grains, veggies, spices or other non-refined oil.

• To make an oil-free recipe, just cook the garlic, cayenne powder and parsley in some water or oil-free broth. You could also omit step number 3, use some garlic powder and cook it with the cayenne powder, parsley, veggies and rice for a few minutes.

• If you don’t like spicy food, omit the cayenne powder or add less.

Prep Time: 10 min. | Cook Time: 35 min. | Total Time: 45 min.

Re-Elect Fort Bend County Judge

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