The Attack

Have you ever noticed the pattern of attack that comes your way at certain times? Our enemy is not creative.  However, he is relentless.  His whole plan is to use people, things, and circumstances as tools to do his dirty work.  We must constantly remind ourselves that we are wrestling against spiritual forces.  They are the root of the problem.  It is not people and things.  

Photo by Sarah Pflug

Think about it.  You have just finished up attending a conference at church, listening to a spirit-filled sermon or podcast, and in the mode of feeling really hopeful and joyous about your future.  Right after allowing the joy to come in, you begin to meditate on how different your reality is in comparison to the miracle that you are believing in. 

If the enemy can get us to feel depressed and down-trodden right after allowing the spirit of joy come in, then he knows that he has us.  We begin to think thoughts like, “Well, you know what happened last time.  So, don’t even feel happy about it.”  Satan knows that if he remains relentless in stealing our joy, then he knows we will choose to squash it when it comes up.  We decide to forego the feeling of having joy altogether.

When we are feeling under the weather, it also becomes the perfect time for the enemy to attack. 

The following is a story that I shared as a guest blogger on another site a little over a year ago:

A couple of weeks ago, the air pressure had changed.  I was having problems forming thoughts in my head.  My nose had started running, and I could feel pressure in my head and nose. 

I started to think to myself, ” My sinuses and allergies are in full swing.”  I didn’t manage my time well that morning, and thus, I ended up rushing out of the house while my daughter was waiting outside in the car.  As we were pulling off, I could hear a voice inside my head stating that it was my daughter’s fault that we were rushing.  Right away, I rebuked it.  I noticed that there was a spiritual force trying to blind me from seeing and speaking the truth. 

It took a few minutes.  However, I had narrowed it down to a spiritual attack involved the spirit of blame.  It left.  When I arrived at my writer’s group, I was fighting against it again.

Ephesians 6:10-18 King James Version (KJV)

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

It was at this time, that I knew I needed an extra set of armor for the day.  I had to pray scripture over myself, and fight to keep myself grounded in the truth.  Praise God for his deliverance from this attack!  I also thank him for making me aware of what the real source of the problem was.  Satan always wants you to believe that you haven’t made any progress.  That you will always be the same.  We must fight his words with the words of truth that God tells us about ourselves.

Barbecue Vegetarian Meatballs

Background on Vegetarian Meatballs

As our kids are in the process of becoming young adults, it gets more and more challenging to carve out connection time. They have their lives. You have yours. And to top it off, if both of you are working, then you are presented with even more of a challenge.

About a week and a half ago, my son was home to visit. We were both working and extremely busy. However, we were able to carve out some connection time together a little bit before he left, and we decided to explore listening to French music, catch up on each other’s lives, and make vegetarian meatballs.

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Photo by Katina Horton

I hope that you enjoy them as much as we did.

Here’s the recipe:

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Photo by Katina Horton

Ingredients

  • 1 pack of Lightlife Smart Ground Mexican crumble (little bit of a spicy kick to it) per bowl
  • 4 teaspoons of chili powder, garlic powder, parsley, cumin, curry, onion powder, and garlic powder per bowl
  • 1 pack of shredded cheese
  • bread crumbs
  • 1/3 cup of oatmeal
  • 2 tablespoons of flaxseed meal
  • 4 eggs (2 per bowl)
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Photo by Katina Horton

Directions

  • Place one pack of vegan meat in two medium sized bowls.
  • Add 2 eggs, 2 tablespoons of flaxseed meal, oatmeal, seasonings, and desired cheese amount per bowl.
  • Mix the ingredients in each bowl.
  • Grab two cookie sheets and line with parchment paper.
  • Use one cookie sheet per bowl.
  • Use a cookie scoop the size of your choice to scoop the meatball mixture, carefully leveling off and pressing the scoop against the side of the bowl to solidify the mixture.
  • Place the cookie scoop as close to the parchment paper as possible and then release the ball onto the sheet to reduce crumbling.
  • Heat on 325 degrees for about 25 minutes and drizzle with barbecue sauce when done.
  • Enjoy!

What are some of the things that you like to do for fun with your young adult children?

Freedom or No Freedom: Reconciling Past Hurt

Are you walking in the freedom of Christ? What are we refusing to let go of as a result of someone else’s unhealed brokenness? What did someone say or do to us to make us want to keep hustling for self-worth? Why do we continue to void out the cause of the cross? What are some coping mechanisms/survival strategies/weird behaviors have you found yourself in because you are still trying to prove to your offender/person who hurt you, that you are enough? Would love to hear your comments!

Seasoned Chicken Breasts

Background Story on “Seasoned Chicken Breast”

I am reading about six books at one time. This is almost always the norm as of the last couple of years. One of the books that I am reading is entitled, “I Thought It Was Just Me (But IT Isn’t) by Brene Brown. I just recently started this book. This particular read hones in on shame and perfectionism, how they work together, and how we can employ shame resilience.

Although I am only at the beginning part of the book, what stuck out to me is the correlation between shame and performance. We have all been guilty of using shame to get the end result of performance. This happens everywhere, including work, home, and in our churches. However, using shame to get this result only damages both side. It damages the shamer and it damages the one being shamed.

No one is left feeling good about themselves. Why is that? Shame reaches into areas of our lives that stirs all kind of unwanted emotions. In order for people to change, we have to have a motivator for ourselves, not from the pressure of other people via shaming or any other form of pressure. Change will not last in this manner. Consequences are not always enough to produce change. Understanding what our behavior does to others will.

Now, on to the recipe. This recipe that I made two weeks ago is a quick recipe for seasoned chicken breasts that can be made in no time and then placed on buns to make a chicken breast sandwich restaurant-style. Hope you enjoy!

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Photo by Katina Horton

Activity: Making Seasoned Chicken Breasts

Total Prepping and Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

  • Parsley- 3 teaspoons
  • Onion powder-2 teaspoons
  • Curry-3 tablespoons
  • Chili powder -2 teaspoons
  • Black Pepper – 2 teaspoons
  • Cumin-2 teaspoons
  • 3 large chicken breasts
  • 1/3 cup of olive oil

Directions:

  • Rinse off three large chicken breasts.
  • Cut them up into chunks, season them on one side, and place them in a skillet of oil.
  • Turn them over after 13 minutes and season the other side.
  • Eat them paired with sides, alone, or in between two pieces of specialty bread.

Embraced

Are you feeling alone? Do you long to be embraced? Do you know that being embraced by God is the best comfort that we can have? This poem deals with just that.

Embraced

Embraced by His Love.

Redeemed by His Blood.

Enthralled by His Spirit.

Sanctification-

No need to fear it.

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Photo by Nicole De Khors

John 3:16

 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Reunion

El Roi

Episode 40: Get Out

The Valley of Grace Podcast
The Valley of Grace Podcast
Episode 40: Get Out
/

Get Out Podcast Outline

  • Dissecting Temptation
  • When to Get Out
  • When did Joseph Get Out?
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Photo by Sarah Pflug

Show Notes:

Get Out!!

Temptation is one of those things that can sneak up on you out of nowhere. It helps us to get a bigger sense of the difference between seeing and looking at something. Back in the day when I was caught up in my shopping madness, I would see something in the store after I had purchased everything I had already planned on buying. Then, I had to go over to take a closer look, and then I ended up back at the register, spending way more money than I planned. My time of escape was right after seeing it, getting out of the store quick, fast, and in a hurry. This is often how it is with temptation. We ignore that small window, and then it’s too late.

God’s word gives us example after example of this happening, while we are in our minds going, “No that is not going to happen to me.” Even now, because it was a stronghold in the past, I am constantly having to be on guard when Satan tries to get me over to the looking side. All the feelings that were back then come rushing back as a warning.

1 Corinthians 10:11-14 says:

These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.  (NIV)

Missing the Message

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Photo by Patchanu Noree

Topic Questions For Discussion:

When did you find yourself “missing the message” because you were in a rush? How did it make you feel? What happens when you slow down so that you can take in what seems to be the smallest of moments? These missed messages can be God’s time with us if we allow him the opportunity.

God bless!

Katina

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Photo by Patchanu Noree

Reunion

Do you have family members that you have been estranged or separated from? Never underestimate the power of God to allow a reunion as God did with Joseph and his brothers. We can let God do the work as we pray for willing and open hearts. “Reunion” is the story of the reunion of Joseph and his brothers. God bless!

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Photo by Samantha Hurley

They left me for dead,

But sold me instead.

Endured being in chains,

As favor surely reigned.

Became second in command,

Till the wife wanted my hand.

In charge of the prison.

NO Release.

Just indecision.

Till the king had his dream.

God revealed all the means.

Gave God all the credit.

My life story took an edit.

Then my brothers showed up in hunger.

Couldn’t take it any longer.

Told all servants to leave the room.

As I cried out deep in gloom.

Hugged them deep and cried out long.

Filled our souls and showed up strong.

The reunion wasn’t expected.

But God’s grace had it protected.

Related Poetry: Coat of Favor

Genesis 39: The Story of Joseph

Episode 33: Praying During Desperate Times

The Valley of Grace Podcast
The Valley of Grace Podcast
Episode 33: Praying During Desperate Times
/

Praying During Desperate Times Podcast Outline

  • Introduction
  • What Happened to Hannah
  • My Situation
  • Podcast Transcript
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Photo by Brodie Vissers

How many of you have had times like myself, where you’ve carried around a heavy load, done all that you can do in a certain situation, prayed several times over the situation, and yet you still feel like you’re not sure of how to proceed.  You end up being stuck in between a rock and a hard place.  We know that the bottom line is that God is in control.  Even with that, sometimes our hearts still remain heavy.

This was pretty much what Hannah had to go through.  Hannah was barren, and every year when she went to give worship and sacrifice to the Lord, her husband’s other wife, Peninnah, would taunt her to the point of fear because God had shut up her womb.  We all know that fear is from Satan himself.  

And her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb.  So it went on year by year.  As often as she went up to the house of the Lord, she used to provoke her. Therefore, Hannah wept and would not eat.  (I Samuel 1: 6-7, ESV)

Hannah’s heart was so heavy, that she went before God’s throne of grace, pleading to God to open her womb:  “And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son,

then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.” As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth.  (I Samuel 1: 11-12, ESV)

Hannah was so intentional with her prayers, that her mouth moved, but her prayers were submitted to God through her heart and her spirit.  She was on a mission.  Eli the priest thought that she was drunk:

Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman.  And Eli said to her, “How long will you go on being drunk? Put your wine away from you.”  But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit.  I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord.  Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation.” (I Samuel 1: 13-16, ESV)

It was at this point that God gave Hannah a sign through Eli that he had heard her cry, and her prayers would be answered:

Then Eli answered, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.” And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.  (I Samuel 1: 17, ESV)

And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and she brought him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh. And the child was young.  Then they slaughtered the bull, and they brought the child to Eli.  And she said, “Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am

the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to the Lord.  For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him.   Therefore I have lent him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord.”  And he worshiped the Lord there.

(I Samuel 1: 24-28, ESV)

About six years ago, when I was at the peak of my valley, everything in my home was in an uproar.  I had done everything that I could possibly do, been taken advantage of, and with a heavy heart, I went to the Lord for help in a prostrate position.  I felt led to write out the prayer that King Jehoshaphat prayed in 2 Chronicles 20:

O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.”  (KJV)

God laid it upon my heart to pray this prayer for the next forty days.  As the days went on, spiritual warfare hit from every corner.  I was on a mission, and I continued to pray.  My friend and I decided to get together to pray on one accord with this same prayer New Year’s Eve night. 

Our kids were upstairs hanging out, and we were downstairs praying.  The kids came downstairs a few times to grab food and were looking at us as if we were crazy. But just like Hannah, we kept praying.  We prayed this prayer so hard and so long till our mouths dried out, and we could no longer talk. 

Like Hannah, we needed an answer.  We joked around about whose prayer God would answer first.  And as in Hannah’s situation, God answered our requests.  My prayer was answered thirteen days later.  I don’t remember how quickly God answered hers.  It was soon after.  God split the Red Sea so that I could leave the Egypt of a toxic marriage.  Praise God for his word and his promises!

Dear Lord,

Thank you for your word and your promises.  Thank you that when our hearts are heavy with grief, you are still there.  You never change.  You are the same yesterday, today, and forever.  Please comfort our hearts when we just don’t know what to do, knowing that you are in control, and will give us instructions when the time is right.

In your precious name we pray,

Amen

Last episode

Simplicity of Plants

Plants bring so many benefits to our lives: 1) They give us oxygen and clear the carbon dioxide from the air. 2) Like pictures, they bring life and promote creativity to one’s home. 3) They bring the outside in by causing a de-stressing effect, and 4) For the most part, they are simple and low-maintenance.

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A few months ago, one of my friends blessed me with two plants. I decided to add them to my bedroom so that I could feel refreshed upon waking up in the morning. I am all about aesthetics, and especially having spaces that are light and airy. I decided to place one in the corner of my bedroom in front of a wall mirror. The second one was placed on top of my storage trunk, along with another faux plant.

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Bedroom Corner

My son was given two plants recently for his birthday. One of them is a bamboo plant. He placed them in chairs by the living room window so that they could get proper sunlight. At first, I was questioning the location. Now, I have decided that I like them there. The greenery against the natural colors of the chairs and the curtain makes you feel so relaxed.

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What simple, functional, grace-filled plants do you own? What places are you keeping them? Send in some comments and pictures below.


Have a grace-filled weekend!

Katina

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