Since I’m waiting for my true “Valentine” I thought I would share some things that I love. I’ll begin with a passage in Psalms that I recently read and wrap up with some yummy chocolate treats!
I was recently drawn to Psalm 107. I’m going to print it below (it’s kind of long). When I read this Psalm, my heart was just so heavy with love and emotion for God. It doesn’t matter how many times we wander away from Him seeking direction or purpose from people and things, or we willfully rebel and give in to sin, or are just ignorant in the decisions we make, or let the storms of life cause us to falter, if we turn to him, He is always there with this steadfast love to make our way straight, to break the chains of sin and flood the darkness with His light, to heal and calm the storms and calm our souls. This passage just really spoke volumes…
Psalm 107
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble
and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.
Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in;
hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them.
Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.
He led them by a straight way till they reached a city to dwell in.
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!
For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.
Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and in irons,
for they had rebelled against the words of God, and spurned the counsel of the Most High.
So he bowed their hearts down with hard labor; they fell down, with none to help.
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.
He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and burst their bonds apart.
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!
For he shatters the doors of bronze and cuts in two the bars of iron.
Some were fools through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities suffered affliction;
they loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death.
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.
He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!
And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!
Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters;
they saw the deeds of the Lord, his wondrous works in the deep.
For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea.
They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their evil plight;
they reeled and staggered like drunken men and were at their wits’ end.
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.
He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.
Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven.
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!
Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
He turns rivers into a desert, springs of water into thirsty ground,
a fruitful land into a salty waste, because of the evil of its inhabitants.
He turns a desert into pools of water, a parched land into springs of water.
And there he lets the hungry dwell, and they establish a city to live in;
they sow fields and plant vineyards and get a fruitful yield.
By his blessing they multiply greatly, and he does not let their livestock diminish.
When they are diminished and brought low through oppression, evil, and sorrow,
he pours contempt on princes and makes them wander in trackless wastes;
but he raises up the needy out of affliction and makes their families like flocks.
The upright see it and are glad, and all wickedness shuts its mouth.
Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things;
let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord.
Powerful words that have so many layers of meaning for my life.
More V-Day favorites…
My favorite “love” songs right now:
Your Love (Brandon Heath)
More Like Falling in Love (Jason Gray)
Hold Us Together (Matt Maher)
Show Me Your Glory (Third Day)
Yummy Valentine’s Treats…
These flourless chocolate chip cookies really take the place of a traditional oatmeal chocolate chip cookie. Quinoa flakes take the place of oats, dates and honey take the place of refined sugar and crunchy roasted almond butter brings it all together. 
Triple chocolate cookies are divine! They too are flourless, made with almond meal and sweetened with honey. Plus a super special secret ingredient that really enhances the decadent blend of cocoa, bittersweet and semisweet chocolates.
These brownies have proven to be a real favorite around our house and seem to be big hit with others too. Like the previous cookies, they too are flourless. The main ingredient is creamy roasted almond butter so there is no need for any extra oil or butter either. These are sweetened with maple syrup which pairs nicely with the chunky bittersweet chocolate chips. 
In my opinion, Valentine's Day is not complete without chocolate truffles. These are virtually guilt-free too. They are raw and the only ingredients are walnuts, dates, unsweetened cocoa and unsweetened shredded coconut. Lots of vitamins, fiber, healthy omega-3 fats and other nutrients, so it's more than ok to indulge a little on these!However you choose to celebrate the day, I hope you feel loved and blessed.
No comments:
Post a Comment