Take-Off Ready | July 2015

Lilies in the City - July 2015 - Issue 7

lilies city

Top 5 Beauty

Essentials for Traveling

THINK

LIKE A PILGRIM

Take-Off

Ready

Traveling SELFLESSLY M ock Chickpea Tuna

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6 11

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lilies city Lily Lifestyle Glowing Lily Lily Eats Practical Lily

6 Think Like a Pilgrim

8 Top Five Beauty Essentials for Traveling

10 Mock Chickpea Tuna

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Traveling Selflessly

Unless otherwise noted, all scripture references are taken from the Authorized Version of the Bible (The King James Version)

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EDITOR'S NOTE

FirstClass S

ome years ago, while in my undergrad, the Lord blessed me with flight privileges through a dear family member. These privileges let me travel across the world paying next to nothing for my trips.

On one of my excursions, as I was coming up to the boarding gate, I noticed only a handful of people also boarding.

When it was time, the agent at the counter looked over my ticket, handed it back to me with a smile, and asked me to wait to the side.

Although confused, I complied.

Shortly after, she called me back and still smiling asked if I wanted to be bumped up to first class. There were a few open seats and my upgrade would be free of charge.

I traveled first class for the rest of that trip; "first class" as the airline saw it. The kind flight attendant made me feel like the most important person on the flight. And the little attentions reminded me of Christ’s perfect example of unselfish service while He was on the earth. After hearing of his cousin, John the Baptist’s death, he went “into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot” (Mt 14: 13).

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Instead of sending the multitude away so that he could mourn or spend time with His Father, He “was moved with compassion toward them, and healed their sick” (vs 14). Christ was traveling and laid down His current plan, pain and sorrow to attend to the needs of others.

Christ traveled first class: truly traveling first class is not to be served but to serve.

As Christians on this earth, we are just passing through. And as we go, we can travel first class by following Christ’s example of unselfish service: by looking to be a blessing wherever we go. And with this, let’s remember the essential tools of constant prayer and daily Bible study. Whether your summer includes road trips, flights, camping or summer camps, attending conferences or family reunions, strive to be blessing.

Are you ready for your journey?

This issue gives you practical and spiritual preparation before you take off, wherever your destination. And, may you always travel first class .

Administrative STAFF Almarie Hill Almarie is the Editor-in-Chief at Lilies in the City (LIC). Of things seen on this earth, she loves only sweet potatoes and bananas more than words, writing and editing. Almarie lives for ministry and has a passion for Christ's wholistic method of healing - naturally. Wholly Whole is her personal ministry, reflecting her journey to completeness in Christ.

Akilah Ballard As the Financial Manager at LIC, the Lord has blessed Akilah with a knack for organization and attention to detail: two skills fundamental to finance and accounting. When not analyzing numbers, she loves to admire God through His created works: gardening has become one of her favorite interests.

She suspects that the same excitement she has watching seeds grow is the same that God has in watching His Word bear fruit in our hearts.

Sarah Victor Sarah is LIC’s Account Manager and she has made it her personal goal to make the service of God the most attractive thing in the world. Whether she is sharing tasty, healthful recipes, sharing object lessons while gardening, or while making her all natural hair and body butters for Jane's Butters, there is always one goal: to show that there is great peace, safety, and most of all joy in the service of our loving God!

Have Any Questions For The Lilies Staff?

Contact us: admin@liliesinthecity.org

Rochelle Mekowulu Rochelle, the Business Manager, provides strategic guidance to ministries in their marketing and development efforts. She has always had a passion for ministry and the furtherance of the gospel. When not working on various projects, she can be found in nature, doing a bible study or writing.

Jaleesa Almarales Jaleesa, the Marketing Manager, believes that Christ's method alone will give true success in reaching people. Therefore counseling and teaching combined with a few other talents are tools that God has given her to prepare people, especially an army of youth, to meet our God. In her spare time, she can be found working on a DIY project, painting or trying to learn to play the piano.

Photo credit (cover, pg 2, 3, 11, 12, and 13) - Ricky Skrzepa Layout & Design - Abiola Osinjolu

Associate Editor: Delnita McDavid

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THINK

LIKE A PILGRIM – Rochelle Mekowulu

G

rowing up, I loved the summer. In fact it was probably my favorite season: the cold and dreariness of the winter had given way to blue skies and warm weather, the longer days, and not to mention the two months off from school.

I also loved summer for another reason – road trips. I love to travel. The sights and sounds of different cultures, exploring the way other people live has always been intriguing to me. As I meditated on my love of traveling, the Lord brought some spiritual lessons home to me that I am excited to share.

Whenever I travel there is always the dilemma of knowing exactly what to pack; though I know that I need to focus on the essentials, I still feel a desire to pack everything, including the kitchen sink. A few years ago I had the privilege of going to Italy, a 6

place I had longed to go because of its rich history. When I arrived in Rome, I didn’t fully unpack my suitcase or start to personalize my hotel room. After all, it was not like I was going be living there on a full-time basis. I was only a tourist, a visitor and a stranger. In a few days I would be back on the plane returning home.

The scripture taken from Hebrews 11:13-16 was impressed upon my mind and the lesson was driven home that the mindset of a visitor differs a lot from that of a resident. “…and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is,

"I didn’t fully unpack my suitcase or start to personalize my hotel room..I was only a tourist, a visitor and a stranger." an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.”

Just as I was when traveling to Italy, the true Christian should relate to this world as though he or she is a visitor and not a permanent dweller; as though he or she is a stranger and pilgrim seeking a “better country”. Unfortunately for many that profess Christianity, this world is their home. The glitz and glamour of this world has

"The fact that many professed Ch ristians do not long for their heavenly hom e exists because Jesus does not have their heart." blinded them, leading many to forsake their heavenly citizenship in favor of permanent residency on this earth.

Are you homesick for heaven?

There is an old saying, “home is where the heart is.” What has your heart is what occupies your thoughts and conversations.

Where your heart is, is revealed by how you make use of your time.

So, the question becomes, where is your heart? Is your mind captivated with thoughts of that “better country” or with the pursuit of worldly glitz? How can you tell if you have lost the pilgrim’s mindset?

For a number of months, I have been involved in a long distance relationship, communicating via the phone, FaceTime, Skype and Google Hangouts. This relationship has given me some valuable

insight into how God feels.

You see, while I am thankful for technology, nothing substitutes for face-to-face communion. Likewise, we can talk to God through prayer but He desires something much more than that. When you truly love someone, your heart longs to be where he or she is. The fact that many professed Christians do not long for their heavenly home exists because Jesus does not have their heart.

I can imagine the pain in Christ’s heart. He has gone to prepare a beautiful home for His people, a bejeweled city the likes of which eyes have never seen. He has built and fashioned mansions for them to inhabit mortgage free... and yet, year after year they remain empty.

He greatly desires to be with His people, but often it appears that those feelings are not mutual. He sees the fear that the thought of His second coming invokes in the hearts of those that profess to be His children.

He hears them express the wish that His coming might be delayed so that they can finish school or get married. His heart breaks that they don’t miss Him as much as He misses them.

Maybe you have lost sight of the fact that you are just a pilgrim in this world. Maybe you have become too comfortable down here on Earth. However, it’s not too late to change your mind set. Today you can ask God to remove the love of this world from your heart and input a love for that “better country.”

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t n e s s E ty u a e B 5 p o T

S

ummer teems with adventure, exploration and travel! Whether you are going on a long mission trip overseas, to a family reunion or traversing the narrow path heavenward, Lily Glows wants to help you maintain not just your natural beauty, but perfect health! Here are five low maintenance beauty essentials ideal for any excursion."

1. Shampoo Conditioner Bars Liquid shampoos and conditioners are great for every-day use but are not so great for packing.

Avoid spills on your favorite dress by opting for solid shampoo and conditioner bars instead.

Not sure what a shampoo or conditioner bar is?

Conditioner bars have all the nourishing properties of regular conditioners, and shampoo bars cleanse your hair just as effectively - only they’re both in solid states. Visit Etsy.com toand findcondisome great natural handmade shampoo tioner bars.

2. Water While your skin is drinking in the sun’s rays be sure to stay hydrated! Summer is peak time for outdoor activities such as canvassing and biking and hiking, which inhibit the ability to readily tote around a water bottle.

Thanks to one company, CamelBak, packing your water has never been easier! They offer an innovative way to quench your thirst hands free!

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Their hydration packs, a spin on IV bags, allow water to flow through a tube.

The best part is how the hydration packs are carried – on your back! Thus, as the company states on their website, allowing you to “haul your gear and cover your back”. Check them out at CamelBak.com or Wal-Mart.com (for more pocketfriendly prices).

3. Jane's Hair & Body Butters Try a body butter that will melt on your skin – not in the jar! Jane’ s Butters are hair and body butters that are a blend of vitamin nourishing oils and butters (such as mango, shea and cocoa butter and castor and avocado oil). This rich mixture is smooth and moisturizing – yet thick enough to withstand summer’s sweltering heat. Visit www. mkt.com/janesbutters for your made-to-order jar.

4. Activated Charcoal What health and beauty list is complete without activated charcoal? This one unassuming element can do wonders for skin and might even save your life! Great for emergencies, activated charcoal is a definite must have for mission trips or even day-to-day outings. What’s so great about it? It is a powerful adsorbent. Its negative ionic charge attracts bacteria, chemicals and other toxins (all of which have a positive charge) to itself and eliminates them when a bowel move-

tials for Traveling

– Akilah Ballard

ment occurs. You can mix a few teaspoons in water for an internal cleanse, use it in a DIY face mask recipe or as a poultice to draw out toxins.

Poultice Recipe: 2 tsp Activated charcoal 2 tsp Flaxseed meal Enough warm water to make a paste consistency Mix all ingredients together and place between a folded paper towel. Place the paper towel on the infected area. To prevent mixture from drying out, cover with saran wrap (poultice will be effective as long as mixture is moist). Cover the saran wrap with a cloth to keep the area warm and protected.

Leave on for a few hours, and replace with a fresh poultice as needed.

5. A Godly Character The destination of the journey determines to a great extent what is brought along the way. For those of us traversing the narrow path, the ultimate destination we desire is heaven. As such, the robe of righteousness is the most fitting option to “pack” for a place where perfect purity and harmonious love reigns.

Each day, take time to “wash your robe and make it white”; set apart time for personal Bible study and prayer, to subdue evil temperaments, and to disinterestedly minister to another’s need. As we await the blessed hope of Christ’s return, let us now deck ourselves with the majesty, excellence and beauty of a Christ like character.

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Mock Chickpea Tuna Directions:

3 cups cooked chickpeas 1 1/2 cup homemade mayo 1 medium onion, diced 3 celery ribs, diced 1/4 cup chopped parsley 1/4 - 1/2 cup Pa's pickle relish 2 tsp to 1 Tbsp kelp powder 1 Tbsp onion powder 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp dill weed Salt, to taste

Directions:

– Elvir Rousseau

Place all ingredients, except for Instant Clearjel, into blender and blend until smooth.

Add 1 tablespoon at a time of Instant Clearjel and blend into mixture.

Place in a clean, airtight container and store in refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Yummy Benefits of Chickpeas1 One cup of raw chickpeas provides 50% of daily potassium, 2% vitamin A, 21% calcium, 13% vitamin C, 69% iron, 55% vitamin B6, and 57% magnesium. Chickpeas also contain folate, phosphorus, zinc, copper, manganese, choline, and selenium.

While choline reduces inflammation and In a bowl, crush chickpeas using a masher or helps maintain the structure of cellular place in a food processor, pulsing until coarsely membranes, the presences of selenium chopped and flakey like tuna. Be sure not to grants chickpeas anti-cancer properties, over-process the chickpeas or a paste-like con- which allow this vegetable to aid the body sistency will result. in the detoxification of cancer causing Add all other ingredients to newly mashed chick- compounds. peas and mix well.

Store in an airtight container. The mock tuna can Additionally, the makeup of chickpeas be stored in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. encourages bone health, lowers glucose levels and improves blood sugar and lipid Homemade soy-free mayo and insulin levels in diabetics.

2 cups filtered water 1 1/4 cup safflower oil 1/2 cup raw cashews 1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds 1/2 cup lemon juice 1/4 cup honey (optional) 2 Tbsp onion powder 2 tsp garlic powder 1 Tbsp salt 3 - 4 Tbsp Instant Clearjel (Used for thickening, but can also be omitted) 10

What's more is that chickpeas contain a significant amount of fiber beneficial for health, contain no cholesterol, and promote heart health by decreasing the risk of heart disease and lowering blood pressure. This legume will also encourage proper digestion and regularity and aid in weight loss.

1. Ware, M. (2014, Sept 15). What are the benefits of chickpeas? Retrieved from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/280244.php

Traveling SELFLESSLY – Janelle Louis

I’ve always loved traveling!

Growing up in my family, at least some portion of every summer was dedicated to traveling. When I chose to dedicate my life to Christ, this love for traveling was accompanied by a newfound love for ministry.

I began to travel nationally and internationally; I was teaching people how to live healthfully and spreading the

message of Jesus’ soon return. Bringing peace, hope, and a saving knowledge of Jesus to others has a reciprocally uplifting effect on me. These mission-vacations were some of the best traveling experiences I’ve ever had.

My spiritual experience was strengthened and my compassion increased as a result of engaging in ministerial service.

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A

s Christians, serving others sharpens our own perspective.

Giving up our own desires to help a worthy cause or someone in need helps us to re-center our lives on what is truly important— knowing Jesus and living forever with Him. Engaging in service also brings us closer to Christ: knowing that we are engaged in the very same work that He was while He walked this earth, we may humbly and freely go to Him, trusting that He will teach us how to best accomplish our ministerial commission, sharing the privilege and opportunity of eternity with Him with as many people as possible. (See Matthew 28:19,20 and John 14:1).

Give,

“

Before getting married, my husband and I decided to dedicate some portion of our honeymoon to mission work. Due to our varied responsibilities, we were unable to take an immediate honeymoon. We’ve been married for almost a year now, and, as we are now planning our honeymoon-vacation: our desire to dedicate a portion of it to service still stands. I’d like to challenge you to dedicate a portion of your next vacation to service as well.

If you do decide to accept my challenge, I am certain that you will be immensely blessed.

and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed

down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be

to you” (Luke 6:38 NKJV).

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measured back

Here are two tips for securing a good service opportunity:

even willing to house us for the time we were volunteering.

1. If you have a skill or a trade, look for opportunities to exercise it for the benefit of others first.

If you have personal contacts in the region you are planning to visit, it would also be of benefit to ask them about the opportunities that are available. If they have a thorough understanding of the culture, social infrastructure, and religious climate of the region, they will be better able to direct you toward an appropriate service opportunity.

It is certainly possible to engage in a service you know little about and still have a wonderful experience, however, I have found that it is best to seek opportunities in the fields in which you are strongest first. This lessens the learning curve and limits the time spent frantically preparing for something without really knowing what to expect.

For example, I ministered in Chile as a teenager by primarily building a church and secondarily hosting Vacation Bible School and otherwise serving the local community. Because I had no prior training in laying bricks or mixing mortar, it required a lot of time and effort to teach me how to do the work and to correct my mistakes.

While I was a blessing to the people there and I, in turn, was richly blessed, I personally believe that I can be more of a blessing teaching health or English, since I am already trained in those fields.

I hope you will take me up on my challenge. Choosing to travel selflessly truly brings rich rewards. As we give of ourselves to others, Jesus promises to repay the blessing. He commands us, “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom.

For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you� (Luke 6:38 NKJV).

2. Find your service opportunity through a trusted contact or a reputable religious or social services organization.

Locating reputable contacts is a major consideration when it comes to service. This is especially true if you are traveling to a region with which you are unfamiliar as these contacts will be of benefit. When my husband and I were thinking about visiting Haiti, we contacted The Beehive. They are a ministry that seeks to teach the connection between spiritual and physical health. They currently operate many industries in Haiti, including an orphanage and school. They informed us that they were accepting volunteers and I believe they were 13