Spa Day…Yaaaay!

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul. (Psalm 23:1-3)

My last post described how stressed and run down I was feeling. What a difference a few days make! Today I spent a couple of hours at the spa to use a gift certificate my honey gave to me. (Lord knows I LOVE that man!) I was treated like royalty and left the spa feeling like a new woman!

It has been quite a while since I’ve enjoyed a treat like this! As soon as I arrived I was greeted by my attendant, Christie. She escorted me to the changing room where she offered me a comfy robe and soft slippers. Once changed, I relaxed in a comfortable chair, soaked my feet in a Caribbean foot bath, and sipped a steaming cup of chamomile tea.

A short while later, Christie whisked me off to a quiet, softly lit room where she gave me a wonderful neck and shoulder massage, an awesome facial, a dynamic and MUCH needed eye treatment (I could pack groceries in the bags I’ve been sporting under my eyes this week!), and a soothing hand massage.

Though the massages and treatments are fabulous, one of my favorite parts of the spa experience occurs at the end of the session. The attendant leaves me alone in the room to relax for a little while. The calming nature music plays softly, the lights are turned down low, and herbal aromas swirl around room.

While relaxing today, I took some time to pray and thanked God for this time of rest. The Lord brought Psalm 23 to my mind and I recited it to myself. When I returned home, I read it again. I love the way this passage of scripture is translated in The Message:

God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word,
you let me catch my breath
and send me in the right direction.

May your soul be refreshed this weekend and may God lead you in the right direction!

For Sale?

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Yesterday was one of those days. The weather was cold and rainy, my spring allergies flared up, and I was really, really tired. Throughout the day, I sent up little prayers asking God to give me the strength and patience I needed to tackle my “to do” list. Thankfully God heard my prayers and gave me enough energy and endurance to do what I needed to do.

Even though yesterday was not one of my greatest days, I was having a much better day than a man I read about earlier this week. After a painful breakup with his wife, a man from Australia plans to put his entire life up for sale on eBay. In June, bidders will have an opportunity to vie for Ian Usher’s house, his car, his job, and even his circle of friends. He hopes to make at least $500,000 from the sale!

My heart went out to this distraught man as I read his story. I thought about how he could not find comfort among family or friends and how his material belongings could not satisfy his deepest needs. Some of Usher’s own words struck me as particularly important: “It’s time to shed the old, and in with the new,” and I couldn’t help but draw a Biblical parallel.

The Bible tells us that it is possible to shed the old and take on the new. First, we must admit that we are sinners. Next, we need to believe that Jesus died on the cross and rose again to pay for our sins. Finally, we must confess our faith in Jesus Christ. When we put our faith in Jesus Christ, we become new creations! Out with the old and in with the new! Thankfully, we don’t need to sell everything we have or give away everything we have in order to make a fresh start. Jesus gave away his own life just so each of us could have a clean slate!

I am praying for Ian Usher. I’m praying that he will find peace as he walks away from one life and begins another. Most importantly, I’m praying that he’ll find Jesus along the way and that he experiences the life changing gift Jesus Christ has offered to us all.

Taste Tested Tuesday: Orange Cranberry Pork Chops

I love the sweet and tangy combination of oranges and cranberries. We all know this dynamic duo works well in sweet treats like muffins, cakes, and breads, but did you know the combination tastes just as wonderful when added to pork?

This week, I’m sharing a recipe I created using the flavorful combination of oranges and cranberries (as well as a few other things I snatched from our pantry). Give them a try and let me know what you think.

Orange Cranberry Pork Chops

4 boneless pork chops
2 tablespoons minced garlic
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons maple syrup
3 tablespoons orange marmalade
2 tablespoons brown sugar
¼ cup white wine
½ cup cranberry juice
¼ cup dried cranberries

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the pork chops with salt and pepper. Add the minced garlic and pork chops to the skillet. Brown the pork chops on both sides and remove them from the skillet.

Add the maple syrup, orange marmalade, brown sugar, white wine, cranberry juice, and dried cranberries to the skillet and stir to combine. Place the pork chops back into the skillet and turn the heat down to low. Allow the pork chops to simmer for 10 minutes or until done.

My notes: As usual, feel free to adjust the amounts to your liking. If you like more of an orange flavor, add more marmalade. If you like more tartness, add more cranberry juice. Be sure to watch the pork chops as they simmer. This recipe contains lots of sugar which can easily burn. I always serve these pork chops over rice.