Marriage Post For Missional Motherhood Blog

I shared some things I've learned from being married 12 years at the Missional Motherhood blog recently.  You can check it out here:

16 Ways To Prioritize Your Marriage

None Like Him Book Review

Throughout scripture we are reminded that “there is no one like the Lord our God” (Ex. 8:10, 9:14, Deut. 4:35, 39).  Elaborating on this truth, Jen Wilkin has written a book on ten incommunicable (not shared with us) attributes of God.   Her book, which was published in 2016, is entitled appropriately None Like Him: 10 Ways God is Different From Us (and why that’s a good thing).  

A group of women at my church recently went through Wilkin’s book together discussing each chapter which focuses on a different attribute of God.  From the title, we came in to the study knowing we were going to learn about God and why it’s good that we are not like Him in many ways.  A practice Wilkin incorporated throughout her book was thinking through practical ways we strive to achieve these unachievable qualities of God.  There are a few “questions for reflection” at the end of each chapter, which makes this a helpful resource for women discussing its contents.  

Wilkin begins her book by crediting authors such as Sproul and Tozer with writing at length on the character of God.   She shares how her desire for this book is to take knowledge gained from their works and ask the question

“How should the knowledge that God is __________ change the way I live?”  

The first chapter sets the stage for the rest of the book by stating,

“Human beings created to bear the image of God instead aspire to become like God.”

And we are reminded throughout each chapter that, try though we might, we are not self-sufficient, omnipresent, sovereign, etc…  The main take away I got from this book was to humbly acknowledge my human limits and be in awe of the One greater than I. 

“By all means, employ the gifts he has entrusted to you to create a home for your family, a career path, a ministry, but know that you do so as a steward.  By all means, speak and act in a manner that points those around you toward the beauty of the gospel, but know that only God can create righteousness in the heart of another person.  Find freedom in knowing that your human creativity is an echo intended to inspire worship of your Creator.”

Perhaps one of the biggest draws for women when they hear or read Wilkin’s work is her depth of knowledge rooted in the scriptures with a wit and humor that draws out practical application without being irreverent. Jen is a speaker, writer, and teacher of women’s Bible studies. I for one am thankful for women like Jen who are producing theologically driven studies for women.  In a world focused on self awareness and esteem, women would benefit greatly from this study which highlights the attributes of God that set him above us.  Truly, there is no one like our God!

“Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised.”  Psalm 145:3

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Pie

This pie is as delicious and rich as it looks!  I was given this recipe by my cousin when I got married.  There is a yummy seafood restaurant in Gulf Shores, AL that serves this pie and I'm not sure how she got the recipe from them, but I'm glad she did!  I like to keep it in the freezer and cut off a small sliver when I have a sweet tooth.  It keeps in the refrigerator or freezer a long time and tastes just as fresh as the day you made it.  Make sure the cream cheese is softened or it can be quite a workout stirring together, unless you have a stand mixer that can do the work for you.  You can use a chocolate pie crust if an oreo pie crust is hard to come by, but the oreo crust makes it a little better.

Ingredients:
8 oz cream cheese
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 cup peanut butter
8 oz Cool Whip, thawed
3/4 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
Oreo pie crust (or chocolate works just fine)

Directions:
1.  Blend first three ingredients.
2.  Fold in next two ingredients.
3.  Put in pie shell and refrigerate for several hours.

Lasagna

Lasagna is one of my favorite meals.  I've always been a big fan of Italian food, and lasagna is one of those meals I typically like best homemade.  There's a lot of different versions of lasagna out there, and I've tried several over the years, but this one is the best I have found.  When it comes to homemade lasagna, it's best to make the meat sauce from scratch instead of using the premade jars of marinara.  If you're short on time the premade versions comes in handy, but you can taste the difference!  You can make your sauce the day before you put your lasagna together to help cut down on the time it takes to make your lasagna on baking day.  Here is how I make lasagna for our family.

Ingredients:

1 lb ground sausage
1 lb lean ground chuck
1/2 cup diced onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
28 oz can crushed tomatoes
12 oz tomato paste
13 oz tomato sauce
1/2 cup water
2 Tbsp sugar
1 1/2 tsp dried basil
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
4 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
12 oven ready lasagne noodles
16 oz ricotta cheese
1 egg
1/2 tsp salt
12 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

1.  In a large pot over med-high heat cook sausage and beef until brown.
2.  Pour off grease and add onion and garlic.  Cook over medium heat about 3 minutes.
3.  Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water and stir.
4.  Add sugar, basil, Italian seasoning, 1 1/2 tsp salt, pepper, and 2 Tbsp parsley and stir.
5.  Simmer, covered, for at least an hour stirring occasionally.
6.  After meat sauce is ready, combine ricotta cheese, egg, 1/2 tsp salt, and 2 Tbsp parsley in bowl.
7.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
8.  To assemble, spread 1 1/2 cups meat sauce on bottom of 9 x 13 dish and cover with a single layer of 4 noodles.
9.  Cover noodles with half of ricotta cheese mixture.  Top with 4 oz of mozzarella cheese.
10.  Spoon 1 1/2 cups meat sauce over mozzarella and cover with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
11.  Add another single layer of 4 noodles and then spread the rest of the ricotta cheese mixture on top.
12.  Cover with 4 oz mozzarella cheese, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, another single layer of 4 noodles, the rest of the meat sauce, 4 oz mozzarella, and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
13.  Cover with foil and bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes.
14.  Remove foil and bake another 25 minutes.
15.  Remove from oven and let stand for 10-15 minutes before serving.

We like to eat ours with a side of Ceasar salad and garlic bread.

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Meal Plan: 1-29-17 - 2-4-17

Sunday - Yummy Chicken, Rice, and Vegetable meal at church

Monday - Cheeseburger Pie, Fruit Salad

Tuesday - Salmon, Angel Hair Pasta with Sauce, Ceasar Salad

Wednesday - Grilled Chicken salad at Zaxby's (church night)

Thursday - Chicken, Baked Sweet Potatoes, Steamed Broccoli 

Friday - Deer Roast in crockpot with Red Potatoes and Carrots, Green Beans

Saturday - Chicken, Quinoa, and Kale Soup