Recipe #6 Beer Chicken and Sausage

This crock pot dish ended up reminding me more of jambalaya with a ton of flavor and was quite enjoyable with not a ton of carbohydrates (actually, I did not eat it with any rice at all - even though it would be delicious served over a bowl).

Here's what I included:

2 -3 boneless chicken breasts chopped
1 pound of smoked turkey sausage sliced
1 bottle of ice cold Miller Lite
1 onion chopped
1 red pepper diced
1 can of diced tomatoes
2 tbs hot sauce
1 tbs chili powder
1 tsp paprika
3-4 sprigs fresh thyme
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
pinch of salt


And here's what I did:

Layer the crock pot insert with the onions, chicken, sausage, peppers, tomatoes and seasonings. Cover all with the beer. If you need more liquid to submerge the meat, add more beer or you can use chicken broth.
Cook on Low for 7-8 hours or High for 3-4 hours.
Enjoy with bread or rice

Pax!


Thank you to halfbakedharvest.com for the recipe this is based on!

I love my android phone

My Sweetie and the birthday basket she put together for her sister this past weekend

I was going to do a time lapse series of the sun rising over Brighton this morning but I got impatient and only took 5 photos

These two angels have captivated our hearts. They live with our Airman in Wyoming

Mom and dad in Westland on the Fourth, 2014. Mom is wearing her flag shirt

With the Lord Begin Thy Task

The Lutheran Hymnal #540

1. With the Lord begin thy task, Jesus will direct it;
For His aid and counsel ask, Jesus will perfect it.
Ev'ry morn with Jesus rise, And when day is ended,
In His name then close thine eyes; Be to Him commended.

2. Let each day begin with prayer, Praise, and adoration;
On the Lord cast ev'ry care, He is thy Salvation.
Morning, evening, and at night Jesus will be near thee,
Save thee from the Tempter's might, With His presence cheer thee.

3. With thy Savior at thy side, Foes need not alarm thee
In His promises confide, And no ill can harm thee.
All thy trust do thou repose In the mighty Master,
Who in wisdom truly knows How to stem disaster

4. If thy task be thus begun With the Savior's blessing,
Safely then thy course will run, Naught thy soul distressing.
Good will follow everywhere While thou here must wander;
Thou at last the joy wilt share In the mansions yonder.

5. Thus, Lord Jesus, every task Be to Thee commended;
May Thy will be done, I ask, Until life is ended.
Jesus, in Thy name begun Be the day's endeavor;
Grant that it may well be done To Thy praise forever.


Col.3:17
Fang dein Werk mit Jesu an
German author unknown, 1734
Re., W. Gustave Polack, 1937

Fand dein Werk
Peter Frank, 1657

Ear Fodder

Learning to play this on my new little acoustic guitar - I have always loved the chord progression and bass line of (White Man) In Hammersmith Palais by The Clash. So, for your weekend entertainment, I"ve included my favourite version, the one on the green album I owned so many, many years ago.

Pax

What is Via de Cristo??

From the Good News! Via de Cristo's web (gnvdc.org):

What is Via de Cristo?

Via de Cristo, a Spanish phrase meaning "Way of Christ," is a spiritual method for the renewal of Christian Life.
The Via de Cristo method includes an inspirational three-day weekend designed to strengthen and renew the faith of Christians and bring them to a new awareness of living in God's grace.
The purpose of Via de Cristo is, above all, to see the world reconciled to Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:20). The Via de Cristo method assists individual Christians to actively be the Church. Laypersons are encouraged to strengthen their partnerships with their pastors, to be "extensions," building up the body of Christ.
Via de Cristo is a movement within the Church of Jesus Christ. The focus is not on Via de Cristo, but on the local church -- your church and my church. The objective of the movement is to inspire, challenge, and equip local church members for Christian action in their homes, churches, and communities.
Through the Via de Cristo method, we are encouraged to persevere and grow in our faith, to become an effective channel of God's love to others, and to strengthen a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

To attend a weekend, you must have a sponsor - that is, you have to be invited by someone who considers you a leader or potential leader in your environment. The weekend begins Thursday evening and ends late Sunday afternoon, and is very spiritually, intellectually and emotionally intense.
The weekend is centered on a series of 14 talks given by folks who have already made a weekend. Each talk is followed by a table discussion, and at the end of each day, the tables share the main points of their discussion with the larger group.
Time is spent together in the chapel, in prayer and meditation, and while eating meals (a highlight for me!)
All the folks involved in the weekend have already attended a prior weekend, and each Participant is encouraged to help in any way on future weekends. The weekend 'team' meets several times during the months preceding the actual weekend to clearly define each members' role, and to build community.

There are two Via de Cristo movements in the Great Lakes State: Lutheran Via de Cristo of Central Michigan, based in the Saginaw/Midland area (lvccm.org), and Good News! Via de Cristo, based in South East Lower Michigan (gnvdc.org).

Beauty All Around

I'm always so thankful for the cooler temperatures whenever they arrive. So much of our summer has been muggy 80's and even muggy 70's, which when the sun is shining can be uncomfortable (unless, of course, you're on a lake, and Lord willing we will be soon.)

It still doesn't seem like autumn in our corner of south-eastern Lower Michigan; so very much foliage is still green and the flowers are holding their vibrant colors. Soon though, we may leave off the air conditioning for good, as we prepare for the winter that is to eclipse even last winter in intensity.

We are not afraid though!

We are Michiganders, after all! (Or Michiganians, if you don't prefer the goosey nomenclature.)

...

We've had two of our four team meetings for the Good News Via de Cristo Weekend #55 coming the second weekend in October. (Please sign up to pray for the Participants at http://www.3dayol.org/Vigil/GetComm.phtml) No meeting this weekend but brats on the grill are calling my name loudly I believe.

Our Tigers have jumped up into a tie for first in the AL Central by beating the Royals two nights in a row. Max got the win last night and Sloppy Joe the save.

Dad's getting more comfortable at his new place of employment, Abbey Floor and Design.

Prayer

IN the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit

Dearest Lord, please protect those who are fighting to eliminate evil in this world. Guide them, give them wisdom and peace in all their decisions, and help them to fight the good fight.

Dearest Lord, please grant rest to those who are tired.

Dearest Lord, please grant comfort to those in pain.

Dearest Lord, please grant a renewed enthusiasm to those who believe life is dreary.

Dearest Lord, give purpose and meaning to those who don't see their calling just right now.
Give a renewed hope to those who are desperate, despondent.

For the sake of Christ's sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us, and on the whole world.
 
Father, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.


 
 

Messiah

It's never a bad time for G.F. Handel.

Sit back, relax, and enjoy the 'Messiah'.

Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty

I had this hymn on my heart this morning as I drove to work. We sung this also at our wedding some18 years ago, loudly and with guitar strumming...

"Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty"
by Reginald Heber, 1783-1826

1. Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
God in Three Persons, blessed Trinity!

2. Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
Which wert and art and evermore shalt be.

3. Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide Thee,
Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see,
Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee,
Perfect in power, in love, and purity.

4. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All Thy works shall praise Thy name in earth and sky and sea.
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
God in Three Persons, blessed Trinity!

The Lutheran Hymnal
Hymn #246
Text: Rev. 4:8
Author: Reginald Heber, 1827
Composer: John B. Dykes, 1861
Tune: Nicaea

Saturday Prayer

Dearest Lord of Heaven and Earth,

Into Your loving care I commit this day. I lay at Your feet all my wants, hopes, aspirations, and dreams, all I will do and all will say and all I will think this day. I commit my plans to You and ask for Your grace and guidance in carrying this out. 
I pray for Francis and all the priests, bishops, and shepherds of Your people. I pray for Your Church all over the world, that You would comfort and guide Her.
I pray for each child conceived to-day, each child born to-day, and each child living to-day; that they would be brought up in a loving, nurturing home, and grow to know and love You.
I pray for Stan and Rita, for Stan and Charlotte and Kathy and Justin and Joey and Dana and Stosh (rest his soul) and Stacie and Carter, for Ryan and Emma and Dean and Mary Ann and Brett M and Kacie E and Court and Rusty and Mason and Drew and Meggie and Jake and Quinn and Quinns little sister! and Moni and Bob and Jon and Jay (rest his soul) and Liam and Joslin and Jen and Denise and Meredith and Kenny and Pam and Ken and Kendall. I pray for Carolyn and Doug and Terrence David and Jeanie and Rindy and Tigh and Sofia and Trent and Kevin Paul and Kaley and Kristine and Tori and Michael and Michael's mom.
I pray for mom and dad and Nancy and Ruben, Ray, Carlos, Alex, Belle, Rick, Benjamin, Gary, Susie, Joshie, Taylor, and Jeremy. I pray for Kevin and Hilda, Roger, Sheri, and Benjamin, Tommy and Shelly, Vic and AJ, Peggy, Ninny, John, Betsie, Little John, and their daughter.
I pray for Ron and Jeana, Sofie, Cas, and Nina, for Mike and his wife and kids, for Mike and Drake and Drake's mom, and for Mr and Mrs Mijal.
I pray for the two guys I sat at table with last fall and for the both the Mens and Womens #55 team, as well as the participants you have chosen for these weekends. I pray for Bob and Kurt, my brothers in Christ, and for Monica, the wife of my youth.
Protect us, guide us, lead us to eternal life with You.
Thank You for Your love, Your mercies, Your graces. Thank You for calling us into fellowship with You and each other. Bind us together Lord, with ties that cannot be broken. 
Lord to whom shall we go, You have the words of eternal life - alleluia!
Lord, I am not worthy to receive You, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.
All praise and honor and glory to You, almighty and everlasting God, and to You Jesus Christ, Son of the Father, and to You Spirit of God.

Amen and Amen

Finally...

I have decided to make some lifestyle changes toward a healthier me. Yestreday, 21 August 2014, I took a walk around the block and thought I was going to pass out from heat exhaustion and lack of oxygen. So the time has come, and hopefully it did not come too late.

I am committing to make wiser choices regarding my physical state of being.

Primus, I am giving up alcohol for a time. The severe swelling in my right lower leg will be diminished as a result I am sure.

Secundus, I am greatly reducing the amount of processed food I intake. All that sodium!! My leg will benefit from this also.

Tertius, I am going to go for the brown carbs, as opposed to the white ones. This will help with my blood sugar levels as well.

Quartus, I plan to move my body around vigorously (well, at least to a degree greater than 'sedentarily') at least six days a week at least until Christmas of this year. This will help my blood sugar levels and also my general overall well-being.

Coffee, ice cream, and acocadoes are still in; Burger King, gin and diet dews, and my favourite Pioneer Woman Chicken Rice Soup are all out, for a time. I need to see progress, and I believe I will sooner rather than later with these changes. After a time, when I get to the point that I don't need to see any more changes and just want to maintain the healthy lifestyle, then maybe I can indulge myself once in a while.

I have begun a separate weblog to document my progress toward these goals:
http://blogtolose.com/profile/DavidFrederickBaldner


Dearest Father in Heaven, I commit my journey to You. May You bless my efforts at attaining a healthier heart, mind and body; may You give me the persistence and grace to make the choices I need to make. And You get the glory, Lord! Praise God from Whom all blessing flow!!

Prayer to Our Father

Merciful Father,
on the night before his Passion
your Son prayed for the unity of those
who believe in him:
in disobedience to his will, however,
believers have opposed one another,
becoming divided,
and have mutually condemned one another
and fought against one another.
We urgently implore your forgiveness
and we beseech the gift of a repentant heart,
so that all Christians, reconciled with you
and with one another,
will be able, in one body and in one spirit,
to experience anew the joy of full communion.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.


from http://www.ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/JJP2UNPR.HTM 

The Church's One Foundation

1. The Church's one foundation
Is Jesus Christ, her Lord;
She is His new creation
By water and the Word.
From heaven He came and sought her
To be His holy bride;
With His own blood He bought her,
And for her life He died.

2. Elect from every nation,
Yet one o'er all the earth,
Her charter of salvation
One Lord, one faith, one birth.
One holy name she blesses,
Partakes one holy food,
And to one hope she presses,
With every grace endued.

3. The Church shall never perish!
Her dear Lord, to defend,
To guide, sustain, and cherish,
Is with her to the end.
Though there be those that hate her.
False sons within her pale,
Against both foe and traitor
She ever shall prevail.

4. Though with a scornful wonder
Men see her sore oppressed,
By schisms rent asunder,
By heresies distressed,
Yet saints their watch are keeping;
Their cry goes up, "How long?"
And soon the night of weeping
Shall be the morn of song.

5. Mid toil and tribulation
And tumult of her war
She waits the consummation
Of peace forevermore,
Til with the vision glorious
Her longing eyes are blest
And the great Church victorious
Shall be the Church at rest.

The Lutheran Hymnal
Hymn #473
Text: Eph. 2:20
Author: Samuel J. Stone, 1866, cento
Composer: Samuel S. Wesley, 1864
Tune: "Aurelia"

Prayers

Pray with me for the Ladies who will be making their LVCCM Weekend #82 starting tonight in Midland (lvccm.org, @LVCCM) - that their hearts would be open to the message presented.

Also, for those of us called to serve on GNVDC #55 team in October - that we might be self-less servants.

Also, for every child conceived to-day, every child born to-day, and every child living to-day - that they may be brought up in a safe and loving home to know and love God.

Also, for my friends Roger, Kevin, Tommy, John, AJ, and Ron - that God would guide their decisions and would bring each to a closer relationship with Him.

In The Light

By Charlie Peacock, and my prayer to-day

I keep trying to find a life
On my own, apart from You
I am the king of excuses
I've got one for every selfish thing I do

What's going on inside of me?
I despise my own behavior
This only serves to confirm my suspicions
That I'm still a man in need of a Savior

[chorus]
I wanna be in the Light
As You are in the Light
I wanna shine like the stars in the heavens
Oh, Lord be my Light and be my salvation
Cause all I want is to be in the Light
All I want is to be in the Light 

The disease of self runs through my blood
It's a cancer fatal to my soul
Every attempt on my behalf has failed
To bring this sickness under control

Tell me, what's going on inside of me?
I despise my own behavior
This only serves to confirm my suspicions
That I'm still a man in need of a Savior 

[chorus]

Honesty becomes me
(There's nothing left to lose)
The secrets that did run me
(In Your presence are defused)
Pride has no position
(And riches have no worth)
The fame that once did cover me
(Has been sentenced to this Earth)
Has been sentenced to this Earth

Tell me, what's going on inside of me?
I despise my own behavior
This only serves to confirm my suspicions
That I'm still a man in need of a Savior 

[chorus]
[chorus]


(There's no other place that I want to be)
(No other place that I can see)
(A place to be that's just right)
(Someday I'm gonna be in the Light)
(You are in the Light)
(That's where I need to be)
(That's right where I need to be)

Beautiful Friday!

Another glorious morning in southeastern lower Michigan. Rent being due, I stopped and dropped off our envelop designated as such. Had time for a quick CVS stop (no, I don't need help finding anything) for morning biscuits and later lunchtime sandwich buns.

Prayer vigil for LVCCM Men's #82 began last night and there are still slots to commit to if you will: http://www.3dayol.org/Vigil/GetVigil.phtml?pvid=9384&commid=130 

I recently talked to three brothers in the Lord whom I have not talked to in years and thank God for their friendship: Kurt - we've laughed, cried, and sung loudly together; Ervin was Rector on the weekend I gave the Apostolic Action talk - my first rollo; Bob - high school religion teacher (back when religion meant little to me) and then cursillista one time I was on team, now a spiritual director for the Lutheran Via de Cristo of Central Michigan and serving on team for the Women's #82 later in August (http://www.3dayol.org/Vigil/GetVigil.phtml?pvid=9490&commid=130  for prayer sign-up).

Homeowner's insurance, life insurance, ceramic tile, getting out of out trailer and into a stick home, vehicle issues, fantasy baseball slumps, .... I give it all to You, LORD; guide and direct me, that my decisions are based on Your wisdom and bring you honor and glory!


Blessed be God forever!

Love Divine, All Loves Excelling

From Charles Wesley, 1747

Love divine, all loves excelling,
Joy of Heav’n to earth come down;
Fix in us thy humble dwelling;
All thy faithful mercies crown!
Jesus, Thou art all compassion,
Pure unbounded love Thou art;
Visit us with Thy salvation,
Enter every trembling heart.  

Breathe, O breathe Thy loving Spirit
Into every troubled breast!
Let us all in Thee inherit;
Let us find that second rest.
Take away our bent to sinning;
Alpha and Omega be;
End of faith, as its beginning,
Set our hearts at liberty.

Come, Almighty to deliver,
Let us all Thy life receive;
Suddenly return, and never,
Nevermore Thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
Serve Thee as Thy hosts above,
Pray and praise Thee without ceasing,
Glory in Thy perfect love.

Finish, then, Thy new creation;
Pure and spotless let us be;
Let us see Thy great salvation
Perfectly restored in Thee;
Changed from glory into glory,
Till in Heav’n we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before Thee,
Lost in wonder, love, and praise.

Praying on this Beautiful Friday...

...for

the LVCCM Men's #82 coming up next weekend, that the hearts of the candidates would be open to the message of the love of Christ;

the Church worldwide, especially where there is violent persecution, that Christ would be glorified somehow through this;

all our priests and bishops and leaders, that they would continually be fed and nourished by God, His Word, and His people;

our families and friends, for protection and peace in their lives, and that they would know in a very real way the love of Christ;

my beautiful bride Monica, that You would protect her and heal her and give her peace in her heart;

the men of Livingston County, that we would turn our hearts wholly toward You, that we would be agents of change in our environments;

the team of GNVDC #55, which is currently being formed, that we would enter into our service without any sense of self-ish-ness, that our hearts would be open to our specific are of service, and that we would reflect Christ in all we do;

my boss and his family, especially during this trial that they are engaged in;

our little business here in Brighton, that You would provide clients and then allow us to meet their needs in a timely manner, may You be glorified by our work here;

LORD, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.


 

Pearl of Great Price

Thank you to the nice folks at Grooveshark for making all types of music available to the masses.

The one linked here is from an Acapella Scripture Songs album from the 90s.



http://grooveshark.com/#!/search/song?q=Acappella+Music+Group+Matthew+13%3A45-46+--+Pearl+Of+Great+Price

“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it. ..."

           ~~ Matthew 13:44-46

It IS Well With My Soul

This is not your grandma's sitting in the front pew version.

Rocked by Jars of Clay.

Pax Christi ad vos