Grace and Good Coffee

Finding grace and good coffee to survive every day.

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Emily

let in the light

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The first thing I do each morning when I walk into my living room is to open up all of the blinds and let in the light. It’s second nature. I am drawn to the light. It’s warm, inviting, and lovely. I want it to fill my home and brighten everything it touches. I want to sit on the window bench in my breakfast nook and soak up every drop of sunshine, while holding a warm cup of good coffee and counting my blessings.

It’s hard to imagine anything brighter than the sun. Every day, the sun warms the Earth and gives life to everything it touches. The plants, animals, waterways, and humans all need the sun in order to survive. Our Creation was designed in this way. Everything needs the light.

But there is one light that is even brighter and more life-giving than the sun!

“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you:
God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.”
~ 1 John 1:5

Can you imagine how bright God’s light must be, if there is NO darkness in Him at all?? No shadows, no clouds, no haziness. His light is SO bright and He is SO holy that man cannot look upon Him and live. (from Exodus 33:20)

But how do we gain access to a God this holy? How do we approach Him? How do we get to know Him? How can we possibly spend eternity with Him? There are many things to learn about His ways, but the most important point to understand is this:

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.'”
~John 14:6

No one enters the gates of Heaven except through Yeshua (Jesus). But what does this mean? Many things in the Bible are a great mystery, and there are some things we will never understand on this side of Heaven. However, this passage is one that we can easily break down and translate because we must — it is the KEY to understanding salvation.

The WAY: Believing in Yeshua as the Son of God is the ONLY WAY to God. He is the perfect High Priest and the Lamb of God that is without flaw. By first studying the Old Testament (particularly Leviticus), we gain an understanding of what it takes to be seen as holy to God (and WOW, do we ever fall short of that endeavor).. And when we do fail to remain holy, we see that the way to atonement for sin is through blood sacrifice, as defined by God in unmistakable detail. God makes it abundantly clear to Moses and his people how they can make atonement for their sins; He tells them what types of sacrifices are acceptable and exactly how to present the offerings in order for them to be holy and pleasing to God. God is perfectly thorough in His instructions; He does not leave out any details or room for error. Therefore, by first understanding these Old Testament laws, we can see why Yeshua’s birth and death was absolutely necessary in order to restore our relationship with God, and save us from eternal death in sin. In this way, God essentially wrote the check HIMSELF for the payment that was needed to make atonement for OUR sins.

The TRUTH: God’s Word (the entire Bible) is the Truth. Yeshua is the Living Word of God. He is the Wisdom of God. Yeshua is the embodiment of God’s holy Word. His ways are perfect. He came to fulfill the law of God, not to abolish it. Yeshua is the true and perfect example for us in how we should live according to God’s laws. John 1:14 says, “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” And from John 1:17, “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” AMEN!

The LIFE: For this one, we can flip back to John 1:4 which says, “In Him was life, and that life was the light of men.” Now we’ve come full circle back to the light. Yeshua as God’s Son is the life and light of men. Through Yeshua, we can now receive eternal life with God the Father in Heaven.

I encourage you to let in the light today, and every day. Open all the blinds and curtains. Grab a good cup of coffee, and dig deep into God’s Word. Spend time with Him every day. Study the Truth, so that when you encounter false teachings (and you certainly will), you will be able to discern them from the Truth.

If you’re like me and need some guidance on where to start and how to study the Bible, take a look at the free study plans that are offered on the free YouVersion Bible app, which is available in both app stores for your mobile device.

Friends, we are living in dark times. Many believe that we are the last generation before the return of Yeshua the Christ. Although no one can know exactly when He will return, by studying God’s Word, we will be armed with the Truth and we’ll know what signs to look for so we can be ready.

Blessings!
Emily

the remedy

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As I was talking with a good friend the other day about the state of the world, we commiserated in our shared struggles with anxiety — something which has heightened significantly for me in the past few months. There are so many things happening in our world right now that it’s hard not to be affected by it all. Blow after blow, the bad news explodes all over the TV, radio, and social media. It’s impossible to escape it. These dismal tidings can suck the pure joy out of simply being alive and healthy.

Aside from the coronavirus pandemic, murder hornets, Democrats vs. Republicans, and rising racial tensions due to inequalities, there’s another huge problem in our country that is rarely talked about nowadays — sex trafficking. During our talk, my friend shared her knowledge on this subject, speaking about how certain children are more at risk than others, how some politicians are working to fight the problem, and how she wishes she didn’t know as much as she does about exactly what is happening to our children.

She wished for blissful ignorance. And the second she uttered those words, my heart heaved a huge AMEN — wouldn’t that be wonderful?!

It’s so easy to wish we didn’t know difficult things, because living with the truth can sometimes be unsettling, heartbreaking, sickening, and maddening. And with knowledge often comes a responsibility and/or desire to act. When we are unable to do anything, or don’t know how to help change things, anxiety can quickly take over.

Nowadays, I often wonder what life might have looked like if Eve had never eaten the apple from the forbidden tree in the garden. Since then, we have been cursed with the knowledge of good and evil; we’ve been cursed with SIN.

But understanding that sin is the root of all evil in the world is powerful knowledge. Once you know what your enemy is, you can figure out how to fight it. In the case with sin, only good can wipe out evil. Only God can defeat sin.

During the past few months, I have never felt such a strong urge to be closer to God. My soul craves His presence. My heart cries out for healing — from my own grief and anxiety, for our nation, for our children at risk, for healthcare workers, for anyone else who is hurting or in need, etc. My prayers are a constant stream to Heaven.

While the world tears itself apart, I have somewhat distanced myself from it as much as I could. I have withdrawn to my prayer life and often solitude, seeking God in a myriad of different ways… even replacing my usual TV shows with a wonderful new series about Jesus called The Chosen by Dallas Jenkins, which I highly recommend to everyone everywhere.

Until we, as a society, replace the garbage that is constantly in our ears, eyes, and minds with Jesus and The Gospel, things will never change and we will never heal. This happens ONE person at a time. It happens in the wee small hours of the morning when we’re in a state of prayer. It happens while worshiping. It happens while sitting down to some quiet time to read His word and journal our thoughts. It can also happen around the dinner table with our families and friends.

So rather than continuing to feel anxious, or judged, or helpless, or hopeless, I’m going to focus my thoughts on Him. Rather than listening to the masses, I’m going to lean into Him and let Him speak to me about what I need to say or do. Rather than trying to come up with my own words to speak eloquently to others about these trying times, I’m going to use His perfect words. Whenever possible, I will point the world to Him.

We all need more of His grace and goodness. This applies to EVERYONE.

In John 3:30, the Bible says “He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.”

Reading these words makes me think of a great contemporary Christian song by Colton Dixon. I’ll share those lyrics below, as well as the video.

I hope this message blesses you, providing His comfort and peace.

I made my castle tall
I built up every wall
This is my kingdom and it needs to fall
I want You and no one else
Empty me of myself
Until the only thing that’s left is

More of You
Less of me
Make me who I’m meant to be
You’re all I want all I need
You’re everything
Take it all I surrender
Be my king
God I choose
More of You
Less of me
More of You

This life I hold so close
Oh, God I let it go
I refuse to gain the world and lose my soul
So take it all I abandon everything I am You can have it
The only thing I need is

More of You
Less of me
Make me who I’m meant to be
You’re all I want all I need
You’re everything
Take it all I surrender
Be my king
God I choose
More of You
Less of me
More of You

All to You I surrender
All to You my blessed Savior
I surrender all

Grace and Blessings,
Emily

a helping hand

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Even though my daughter is nearly 3 years old now, I still have very vivid memories of those long days and nights with a newborn. As a brand new mama, I was completely overwhelmed. It doesn’t matter if you’re 20 or 40; no one has all the answers in the beginning.

Those first late nights with a crying, hungry baby are nerve-racking. Trying to figure out breastfeeding is not for the faint of heart. Even bottle-feeding is scary when you realize that newborns are just learning how to eat – how to swallow without choking.

The prayers are countless.

Having your mother or a good friend to talk to during the day is wonderful, but the nights are different. As a new mother, the nights are often dark and lonely. Your hormones are all over the map, and you are absolutely terrified of doing something wrong and causing harm or discomfort to that precious baby. Without someone there with you, especially in those wee hours, it can feel like the entire world is crashing down around you.

If there is one piece of advice I can pass on to new parents who have just been blessed with an angel from Heaven, it is this; get up TOGETHER.

Yes, I know many people advise couples to take turns getting up so they can each get more rest, but here’s a newsflash; most new moms don’t really rest, even when the baby is sleeping. Nature is working overtime on her, fueling her mind and body to stay awake at all hours, fully focused on that baby’s needs and survival.

What a new mama needs most of all, is a helping hand.

I remember the blessing of having my husband wake up with me every time, night after night, without any prompting. His company in those dark hours was such a welcomed blessing. He would change the dirty diaper while I got myself ready to attempt to breastfeed a child who had zero interest in all of that work. Sigh. Then he would lie awake in bed, waiting for me to finish the feeding routine and put our daughter back in her bassinet next to our bed. He would stay up with me, just to be available in case I needed something.

The bonding that took place between us during those wee hours is absolutely priceless.

It’s hard to put into words just how much that small gesture meant to me, as a nervous new mama. And now, on the hardest days of toddlerhood and potty-training, during the occasional times when I want to choke my husband… I think back on those first nights as new parents when he stayed up with me, and I remember just how blessed we are.

I hope this message blesses you as it has blessed me. ❤️

Emily

keto crack crockpot chicken recipe

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I have died and gone to Heaven! This is the BEST crockpot recipe for chicken that I have ever eaten. HANDS DOWN.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 packet of Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning
  • 2 lbs of thawed chicken breasts
  • 1 package of Philadelphia Cream Cheese (8 oz)
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 2 tbsp Parmesan cheese
  • 8 slices of bacon (or bacon bits – no judgement!)

Directions:

  • Add chicken broth to the crockpot and stir in Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning packet. Then add thawed chicken breasts.
  • Cover and cook on high for 4 hours OR low for 8 hours.
  • Cook the bacon before the timer ends.
  • After the cook time has ended, shred the chicken with two forks.
  • Cut up Philadelphia Cream Cheese into chunks and add to the mixture.
  • Add in the shredded mozzarella cheese and the Parmesan cheese.
  • Re-cover for 5-10 minutes to let the cheeses melt.
  • Uncover the crockpot and stir the mixture well. It’s ready!

Now, here’s where you have some options. You can eat this chicken as-is right out of the crockpot, you can spoon it over some spinach for a delicious salad topping, or you can add it to some riced cauliflower for a keto-friendly “chicken and rice” dish. I chose the latter!

Finally, I consider the bacon to be the crowning jewel of this recipe. If you like soft bacon, you can chop it all up and add it to the pot when you add in the cheeses. However, if you’re like me and prefer crispy bacon, crumble a couple of slices over your plated chicken dish as the last touch, and….

EAT YOUR HEART OUT. 🙂

Bon Appétit!

Blessings,
Emily

the pacifier

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One week ago, my precious angel put herself to sleep for the first night without her pacifier.

We’ve only let her have a pacifier for sleeping from day one, because I had read that it actually helps to prevent SIDS in newborns, and Lord knows we have enough to worry about when they’re brand new! Also of note, my elders have always said that “a pacifier is MUCH easier to take away than a thumb!” *praise hands*

Anywho, my Grace was weened off the paci for nap times when she began preschool last year, so night time sleeping (sans paci) is the last step.

Initially, I had wanted to wait until we were done with potty training before also taking the pacifier away, but since potty training seems to be going on foreverrr… I decided to give the paci removal a shot and see if that’s easier for us. A lot happens for toddlers between 2 and 3 years old, where they turn into little people and start to understand a lot more, so it seems to be easier to talk to them and reason some things out.

Sidenote: I think a lot of parents put way too much pressure on themselves to get things done by somebody else’s timeline. Every child is different and most mothers know when their child is ready for the next thing.

I’d read somewhere that snipping the bulb off of the pacifier was a good start to taking it away. (I used suture scissors to cut as close as possible to the base and not leave any part of the bulb behind.) There are different methods and ways to explain the “broken” pacifier, but with Grace, I knew I could talk to her about her paci being broken and that although it “may be a little sad, she can still love paci”…

After that talk, and comforting some sad tears, I decided to let her keep it with her in the crib so when I left she could hold it, examine it, and decide she was over it because it was broken. (Plus, I thought if she woke up looking for it, she would still be able to find it and she would see/remember that it’s broken.)

Well, that method seems to have worked for us because the first morning after sleeping without it, she woke up talking about it being broken, and then swiftly tossed it out of her bed. *lol*

It’s been about a week after that first night, and here’s what we’ve seen so far:

She takes a little longer to soothe herself to sleep, but she hasn’t been upset during that process. (Just more talkative to all of her animal friends in her bed — which is SO CUTE!) A couple of nights she has woken up and been very vocal about being mad and sad over “broken paci” but she’s gone back to sleep after a little soothing from mama and/or daddy. She really is such a trooper!

Kids are so much smarter and more resilient than we realize. And I think it’s just as hard (or harder) for Mamas to let go of these things as it is for their babies. After all, they only grow up once.

What are some parenting hurdles you’ve accomplished, and how did you handle it?

Choose well, and Be well! 🙂

Blessings,
Emily

ten minute salad recipe

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In my effort to continue eating healthy in the middle of the covid-apocalypse, tonight I made another delicious salad. However, we were running low on spinach, so I added some steamed broccoli into the mix to get 3 full servings of greens with my lean protein.

Chicken Sausage Spinach Salad
  • 60 grams of freshly washed raw baby spinach
  • 90 grams of Steamfresh broccoli (one bag only takes 5-6 minutes in the microwave)
  • 2 wedges of Laughing Cow Light cheese
  • 2 links of Gilbert’s Bourbon Apple chicken sausage (these are individually wrapped and only take 30 seconds each to heat up in the microwave)
  • 2.5 tablespoons of plain balsamic vinaigrette

Pair this salad with a can of Pomme Baya (apple cranberry) La Croix sparkling water, and you’ve got yourself a tasty, healthy meal!

Choose well, and Be well! 🙂

Blessings,
Emily