Lesson Of The Day: Prosperity....

Keeping It Real: There are a lot of folks preaching about "prosperity".  But what does prosperity truly mean - better yet, what does it mean to YOU? 

 

God said He would give us the desires of our heart (Psalm 37).  Which is a scripture that can be completely taking out of content.  It's not that God does not desire to bless you, but the scripture read, "Trust in the Lord, and do good: dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart". So there are stipulations and consequences for everything, including the the promises of God. 

 

When we operate and feed on His faithfulness we live a life of contentment and favour.  When we have the favour of God we are prosperous.  Money can't buy you love!  Money can't buy you a ticket to heaven? But money can purchase you a ticket straight to ????  My point is this - prosperity is not simply money.  When we learn to fix and focus our eyes on Christ, we live a prosperous life. God will bless you in ways that money can't touch - walk in the land of favour and blessings in Christ Jesus. Amen... Ya Dig?...

 

Lesson Of The Day: May You Always...

Keeping It Real: May you always have Love to Share , Health to Spare, and Friends that Care! Ya Dig?...

Lesson Of The Day: UNwishful Thinking...

Keeping It real: Be careful what you wish and pray for! People tend to forget things they have done when they were younger or may have a close family member, unbeknownst to them that may be doing things and they just wished death and or ill will on somebody else for doing it!

I heard a woman say before that she wish anybody that used drugs would just die after using the 1st time AND THEN HER DAUGHTER SAID, well Ma, all of your children would be dead because all your children have smoked weed!!

pin drop....mmmm hmmmmm Ya Dig?....

Lesson Of The Day: Blessed And You Don't Even Know It....

Keeping It Real: "If you have food in your fridge, clothes on your back, a roof over your head, and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of the world.

If you have money in the bank, your wallet, and some spare change, you are among the top 8% of the world’s wealthy.

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the million people who will not survive this week.

If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the agony of imprisonment or torture, or the horrible pangs of starvation, you are luckier than 500 million people alive and suffering.

If you can read this message you are more fortunate than 3 billion people in the world who cannot read it at all."

We would all be more happy and have plenty to be grateful for...if only we would count our blessings rather than our problems.'' Ya Dig?...

Lesson Of The Day: Simple Lemon Scrub...

Keeping It Real: Take a lemon, cut it in half. Dip one half in sugar, then scrub your face and lips.

Lemon – A natural source of Vitamin C; an ingredient commonly used to lighten sun and age spots and even out skin tone.

Sugar – A natural exfoliator; a natural source of glycolic acid which evens out skin tone, cleans pores, and improves overall skin texture by removing dead, dull skin cells.Exfoliating your skin not only gets rid of dead cells that limit moisturizer penetrating your skin, but it also leaves the skin feeling smooth and silky. Ya Dig?..

 

Lesson Of The Day: Dramatized Children....

Keeping It Real: I often wonder if we actually realize, as if some even care, the emotional damage that we cause our own children. We don't want them to grow up too fast and we are quick to tell them to "stay in a child's place"...only to drag them into adult drama. Unfortunately by the time we realize the damage we have caused, if we realize it at all, it is often too late! Ya Dig?...

Lesson Of The Day: Transform, Renew and Then Change...

Keeping It real: Looking unto Jesus, the author and the finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2).

 

Change - who likes changes?  But think about this for a moment - we all come to Christ as the natural man, accepting Him as our Lord & Savior and through this acceptance we have been transformed, renewed, thus changed.  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new (2 Corinthians 5:17).   The old has pasted away, all things become brand new.  Change is never easy, in fact as we develop in our relationship with Christ, things are really difficult.  The adversary comes at you with everything and then some.  But this doesn't stop - we have to continue to renew, restore and yes, change. 

 

Let's look at this from a different prospective.  When was the last time a prominent author called you to write a chapter in one of his/her novels?  They didn't and won't because authors of any good story, have full rights and access to story.  Jesus is writing your story each and every day but you have to give Him full access.  You must learn to surrender - oh yes, surrender it all to Him.  When we allow God to use us as only He can, our story is masterfully scripted with fewer do overs.  Yes, when we try to write our own story, and God doesn't endorse it, it is a do over.  God is the author and the finisher of our faith - He has so carefully and wonderfully placed you just were He wants you at this moment, surrender it all to HIM. Amen...Ya Dig?...

Lesson Of The Day: Ya Dig?...

Keeping It real: It's true that we don't know what we have until we lose it, but it's also true that we don't know what we've been missing until it arrives! Ya Dig?...

Lesson Of The Day: Baked Spaghetti

Keeping It Real: 

1 (26oz) jar of Ragu Chunky Tomato, Garlic, Onion or make your own..
1/2 cup diced onion
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon pepper
2 small bay leaves
1 pound ground beef
8 ounces uncooked angel hair pasta
1 1/2 cups grated cheddar
1 1/2 cups grated Monterey Jack or whatever cheese you like..

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Saute onion and garlic in a tablespoon of olive oil until tender and translucent. In large saucepan, add the onions garlic, and Ragu sauce and stir over low heat. Add in parsley, and other seasoning. Bring to a boil over high heat, and then reduce the heat and let simmer, covered, for 30 minutes.

Crumble the ground beef in a large skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until fully cooked, with no pink color remaining. Drain the fat from the meat, and then add the ground beef to the stockpot. Simmer for 20 more minutes.

Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Cover the bottom of a 13 by 9 by 2-inch pan with sauce. Add a layer of pasta and then a little less than 1/2 of each cheese; repeat the layers, ending with the sauce. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes. Top the casserole with the remaining cheese, return it to the oven, and continue to cook until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 5 more minutes. Cut into squares before serving.  Ya Dig?...

 

Lesson Of The Day: Crab Cakes...

INGREDIENTS:
1 large egg
2½ tablespoons mayonnaise
1½ teaspoons Dijon mustard 
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ cup finely diced celery (you’ll need one stalk)
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
1 pound lump crab meat
½ cup panko bread crumbs...
Canola oil

DIRECTIONS:
1. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.

2. Combine the egg, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire, Old Bay, salt, celery, and parsley in a large bowl and mix well. Add the crab meat (be sure to check the meat for any hard and sharp cartilage) and panko; gently fold mixture together until just combined, being careful not to shred the crab meat. Shape into 6 crab cakes (about ½ cup each) and place on prepared baking sheet. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

3. Preheat a large nonstick pan to medium heat and coat with canola oil. When oil is hot, place crab cakes in pan and cook until golden brown, about 3-5 minutes per side. Be careful as oil may splatter. Serve immediately with tartar sauce or a squeeze of lemon.

Quick Tartar Sauce

Ingredients:
1 cup mayonnaise
1½ tablespoons sweet pickle relish
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon minced red onion
1-2 tablespoons lemon juice, to taste
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions:
Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl. Cover and chill until ready to serve. Ya Dig?...

Lesson Of The Day: Be Mindful....

Keeping It real: Between yesterday’s regrets and tomorrow’s expectations lies today’s accomplishments. Be present. Ya Dig?...

Lesson Of The Day: Got God?...

Keeping It Real: The devil seeks whom he may devour and he ain't no joke--you must have God as your shield!!! Ya Dig?...

Lesson Of The Day: Classic Southern Caramel Cake

Keeping It Real:

1 cup butter (2 sticks)
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
3 cups flour, self-rising
1 cup buttermilk
2 teaspoons vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare three 9-inch cake pans by greasing them and adding optional parchment paper. Beat butter until light and fluffy and then add sugar and beat for about 5 more minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, and mix well after each. Add flour and buttermilk, alternately, beginning and ending with flour and mix well after each. Add vanilla and beat well. Divide among pans and bake for 25-30 minutes until set.

Turn out of pans onto cooling racks and allow to cool completely. Prepare Southern Caramel Icing as cakes are cooling then frost the cake.

Southern Caramel Frosting

2 cups sugar
1 cup buttermilk
½ cup Crisco
½ cup butter
1 teaspoon baking soda

Mix all ingredients in a 3-4 quart pot.
Swirl pan to keep ingredients moving in the pan. Cook to softball stage, remove from heat and beat with a wooden spoon until creamy and ready to spread. Ya Dig?..

Lesson Of The Day: Birth Of The Church...

Keeping It Real: You should not stay away from the church meetings, as some are doing, but you should meet together and encourage each other.

 LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, LORD.  Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy (Habakkuk 3:2).

 

This prayer is a prayer of renewing - reviving the spirits of the church, believers.  All that suffer under the afflictions of trials.  The church is made up of many bodies and we all have a part in the church hence the afflictions of the church is birthed.  Therefore we must remain on one accord and in accordance to the Will of God.  The prophet Habakkuk wasn't just asking for renewing of God's work but he references God's deliverance of the 3 Hebrew boys from the fiery furnace - His fame. 

 

We must always remember where God has delivered us from and hold fast to His unchanging hand during difficult times.  Bringing ourselves together in fellowship and pray as the prophet did for His people.  As a prophet it was Habakkuk responsibility (Genesis 20:7) to pray and often  prophesied and even those who he prophesied against he also prayed for. 

 

Thanks be to the Glory of God, that He gave us His Holy Spirit to comfort us during these trials.  We no longer have to wait on the answers or payers of the prophet but may approach His Holy Throne of Grace and petition Him day and night. God is Able.

 

He not only wants you to praise Him, Life him up but also serve and work for Him as well!  Ya Dig?..

 

Lesson Of The Day: 7UP Cake...

Keeping It Real:

Ingredients Have All Ingredients at Room Temperature
3 Cups Sugar
3 Cups Flour
2 Sticks Butter
½ Cup Butter Flavor Solid Crisco
6 Eggs
¾ Cup 7-Up
1 Teaspoon Lemon Flavor Extract
2 Teaspoons Vanilla
1 Teaspoon Butter Flavor Extract

Directions
Cream Together sugar, butter and Crisco. Add flour and eggs alternately to the mixture and mix. Add extracts and add 7-Up last and mix. Bake at 325º for 55-60 minutes in Bundt pan sprayed with Pam. You can drizzle cake with icing of powdered sugar and 7-Up! Ya Dig?...

 

Lesson Of The Day: Count Your Blessings...

Keeping It Real: There’s always so much to be done, it makes me feel stressed but I go on. I stop and think about another lady who sits alone and bored saying there’s not much for her to do. When she says I don’t know what to cook for dinner, I am sick of chicken, pasta or rice but a homeless man rummages in a bin, thinking a slice of bread would be nice. Or how a teenager's music is far too loud, it’s almost driving you crazy, Yet others are strung out on drugs, their minds all muddled and hazy. When we as women, sometimes think our husbands are late home from work, I find this annoying each day when another woman's husband is looking for work; and its been a long time since he had a pay. Just when you're thinking how others struggle in life, who are you to complain? I have so much to be thankful for! THANK YOU GOD FOR YOUR BLESSINGS..Ya Dig?...

Lesson Of The Day: Closed Mouth....

Keeping It Real: At times we feel the need to say certain things to certain people, hoping that something will change or that it will at least make us feel better to get it off our chest!; only to find out that by saying something we only made the situation worse! The hard part is NOT knowing if it's worth it to say anything at all! Ya Dig?..

 

Lesson Of The Day: He Will Hold You Up...

Keeping It Real: Stand proud... Stand tall... In Jesus name I will not fall... Ya Dig?..

Lesson Of The Day: Strong Woman...

Keeping It Real: A woman is just like a tea bag, you never know how strong she is until she is dipped in hot water. Ya Dig?...

Lesson Of The Day: Sliced Baked Potatoes...

Keeping It Real:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (Can also do in Microwave for 6 plus minutes)

Slice potatoes into circles. Brush both side of potato slices with butter; place them on a cookie sheet. Bake in the preheated 400 degrees F oven for 30 to 40 minutes or until lightly browned on both sides, turning once. 

When potatoes are ready, top with bacon, cheese, green onion; continue baking until the cheese has melted.

Add a dollop of sour cream when done and enjoy! Ya Dig?...

 

Lesson Of The Day: Fruits Of The Spirit...

Keeping It Real: The Fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.  Against such there is no law.  And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-25).

 

What area of the fruit of the Spirit do you struggle with the most? The truth is, that we all struggle from time to time in various aspect of our Christian Walk.  But one thing I have found out, that when you add a little extra love in the equation, you can almost find all the other ingredients working together - God is love.  Love can cure and maintain the circumstances and situations.  When you have learn to love those who are unlovable and throw a little extra love in the pot just for good measure, well  it like a good pot of greens.  It does matter if you start off with a little mustard and some collard, maybe some kale,  just cook them in one pot, and oh my, call me when you are through. 

 

The way we prepare our day, each and everyday can determine the outcome.  When you are able to start off your day filled with the Spirit of Christ, you have already created the atmosphere fit for a Queen. Jesus is able to help you change your attitude while changing your altitude. When you lift Him up, He can and will provide you covering and favor when man would have simply left you at the side of the road.  Love that conquers all - Jesus Christ! Ya Dig?...

Lesson Of The Day: No Strain Tomato Basil Pasta..

Keeping It Real: Pasta, Tomatoes, Veggie Broth, Olive Oil, and Seasonings (details below)

Throw it all in the pot, INCLUDING the uncooked Pasta, and cook! - Bring it to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. The starch leaches out of the pasta and makes a rich, warm sauce for the noodles. The other ingredients cook right along with the pasta
Ingredients

12 ounces pasta (I used Linguine)
1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes with liquid ( I used zesty red pepper flavor)
1 large sweet onion, cut in julienne strips
4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves
2 large sprigs basil, chopped
4 1/2 cups vegetable broth (regular broth and NOT low sodium)
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Parmesan cheese for garnish

Directions

Place pasta, tomatoes, onion, garlic, basil, in a large stock pot. Pour in vegetable broth. Sprinkle on top the pepper flakes and oregano. Drizzle top with oil.

Cover pot and bring to a boil. Reduce to a low simmer and keep covered and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes or so. Cook until almost all liquid has evaporated – I left about an inch of liquid in the bottom of the pot – but you can reduce as desired .

Season to taste with salt and pepper , stirring pasta several times to distribute the liquid in the bottom of the pot. Serve garnished with Parmesan cheese.

Enjoy.....Ya Dig?..

Lesson Of The Day: Godly Change....

Keeping It Real: For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. ( 2 Timothy 1:7)

 

Often times when things change and change quickly it can be overwhelming.  I don't think most folks like change because we get comfortable with things just as they are.  And the sad thing about this -  is that things don't even have to be good, but we are so used to them being bad, we just except them because we have become so comfortable with the situation.  This is truly a mind game.  We have been conditioned to believe that there is nothing better and it is as good as it is going to get.  Not true.  We all know who is the author of lies and you need to call it what it is - a lie.

 

When you call upon the Name of Jesus there is an anticipation and expectancy that things are going to change. This is were your faith is stretched out and wide, open up your heart to receive all that God is giving you.  Stop living a life of ordinary and live the extraordinary life Jesus came to give you.

 

"The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is the little "extra".  We have to give it all to God.  Just a little extra work makes an extraordinary testimony of God's goodness and His mercy.  Change isn't easy but it is necessary for growth. Ya Dig?..

Lesson Of The Day: Lemonade Pie...

Keeping It Real:

1 (6 ounce) can frozen lemonade
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 (8 ounce) container Cool Whip or whipped cream
1 graham cracker crust (I buy this all ready made)

Use mixer and mix all ingredients until fluffy. Pour into ready made crust. Refrigerate until firm. I let it set overnight. This can also be made with limeade, strawberry or any flavored frozen ade too. Top with whipped cream or Cool Whip and garnish with lemons. Ya Dig?...

Lesson Of The Day: The Blame Game...

Keeping It real: It's funny how no one wants to be accountable for their own actions, it seems that its easier to have an excuse or play the blame game! It's been that way since the beginning of time. Adam blamed Eve and Eve blamed the serpent but the truth is Adam and Eve knew better and when you know better you suppose to do better. Ya Dig?..

Lesson Of The Day: Jam Master J's Death...

Keeping It Real: I was watching Jam Master J documentary on TVOne's Celebrity Crime Files and still scratching my head! I always thought he was in the studio ALONE, not with 3 other people and one of them was shot as well! 

How in the hell do they NOT know who it was? How in the hell does the receptionist BUZZ, yes BUZZ because you had to be BUZZED in, UNLOCK a door and let in a person she DOESN'T KNOW? That is the purpose of the buzz, right? 

It is some straight up b/s how NOT one of them talked or even called in anonymously and told what really happened? Really??? 

They need to look into who picked up 50 Cent after Jam Master J died, then maybe they might find an answer!!! Ya Dig?...

Lesson Of The Day: It's Better To Give Than Receive...

Keeping It real: What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?....If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?  (James 2:14-16).

 

We are our brother's keeper!  What good does it do to have a pantry full of food yet you walk past a hungry person?  What good does it do to have a new car, and yet, not offer someone a ride to church or the grocery store?  What good does it do to have a beautiful home, yet you never invite anyone over for lunch or dinner? 

 

We talk about the Blessings of God but are we truly using the Blessings to Bless others, "remembering the words the LORD Jesus Himself said: It is more blessed to give than receive" (Acts 20:35). 

 

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the Heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows (James 1:17).

 

In James we are told that faith is not enough, although we do know without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6) we are all designed to work. Every body has a part in the "Body of Christ".  We are independent yet dependent on each other to continue the work that God has so designed our hands to accomplish on this side of glory. 

 

Please let my hands and my feet work in harmony with one another.  Let me eyes see what is before me each and every day.  These things I can only accomplish in the Peace and Glory of the All Mighty God. Ya Dig?... 

 

Lesson Of The Day: In That Order...

Keeping It Real: Do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly. Ya Dig?..

Lesson Of The Day: Folger's Coffee Is A Lie...

Keeping It Real: The best part of waking up isn't coffee in my cup..Go Jesus!! Ya Dig?..

Lesson Of The Day: After Effects...

Keeping It Real: You start a rumor  and 6 hours from the time you start it and it goes full circle, by the time it gets back to you, it will have changed drastically and all fingers will point at you! Moral of the statement, everything you do & say, will have an effect on your future, positive or negative. Ya Dig?..