Celebrations
tell us something about ourselves
and
where we find our joy.
Proverbs 15:15 tells us --
A cheerful heart has a continual feast.
And with those thoughts, perhaps we do not need big occasions for reasons to merry-make.
Celebrate is the basic theme of Joyce Meyer's book, Eat the Cookie; Buy the Shoes. She believes balance is a core value, and an occasional indulgence (such as cookies or shoes) is healthy. Joyce encourages the reader to find reasons to celebrate and supports her encouragement with words from the Bible.
The Bible is full of celebrations.
*When Jacob met Esau, his brother, in Genesis 33:10, Jacob said, For what a relief it is to see your friendly smile. It is like seeing the smile of God.
*Leviticus 23 tells of five great festivals--and speaks of the blood that saved and of the food that sustains.
*John, in the New Testament, tells of Jesus changing water into wine at a wedding--the first of His miracles.
*In the Parable of the Lost Son, Jesus tells of a man with two sons. When the lost son returned, the father said, . . . We had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again.
*Psalm 150-- . . . praises the Lord in his sanctuary, in his mighty heavens, for his acts of power, for his surpassing greatness. We are to praise with sounding trumpet, harp and lyre, tambourine and dancing, strings and flute, and clash of cymbals.
Talk about a celebration!
If we take the time to look at a morning sunrise or the way of the clouds in the sky, we can rejoice. One does not need a decorated cake, a present, or hats and horns. Instead, celebrate with a kind word, a smile, or a considerate gesture. In doing this, we celebrate ourselves and others and provide encouragement and hope.
One of my daughters felt like celebrating on a day with nothing particular happening. Stopping at a floral shop, she bought a bouquet and drove to a hospital where she asked who of the patients had not had visitors. With name and room number, she walked into a stranger's room with a smile, a bouquet, and heart-felt words.
Philippians 4: 8 tells us . . . whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.
Philippians 4:4 tells us . . . Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Joyce Meyer likes to celebrate by "eating the cookie." My husband has a t-shirt announcing, "I'm the Cookie Bear." Me, I prefer brownies. As I become more conscious of healthy food choices, I consider nutrition. I leave you today with a recipe for Brainy Brownies. You can indulge, you can celebrate, you can stay healthy while giving praise for your many blessings. You can even share one with a friend.
BRAINY BROWNIES*
1 C black beans (drained, rinsed, pureed)
1/2 C canola oil
2 eggs
2 T molasses
1/4 C unsweetened dark cocoa powder
2/3 C sugar
1 1/2 tsp instant coffee, ground coffee or espresso
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 C dark chocolate chips
1/3 C whole wheat flour
1/2 C walnuts (chopped)
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1 T ground wheat germ
1 T ground flax
Mix all well. Bake 325 degrees in 8 x 8 pan for 30 minutes or until done.
*Nutritionists tells us that black beans, canola oil, dark cocoa, coffee, walnuts, cinnamon, wheat germ, and flax are healthy in a number of ways. {This recipe was from WellMark Newsletter, Summer 2012; however, I added the molasses, wheat germ, flax, walnuts and suggested dark cocoa.}
Enjoy your healthy brownie.
Enjoy your day.
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