"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all these things will be added unto you." Matthew 6:33

What are we seeking? While doing a partial fast with two friends, praying for forty days, I discovered that in the food deprivation, I was actually gaining weight. I had to question my motives. I told myself this was an unselfish pursuit to focus more on God. But a fringe benefit (weight loss perhaps?) would compensate me for my suffering. I didn't expect to gain weight! I had to come to terms, resolving to accept the "sacrifice" of weight gain if that was the consequence, because my first priority should be my relationship with God, not with my scale.

I did end up blessed after all. The above verse really hit home. All things have been added unto me, not by my striving, but by God's provision. It's awesome.


"Soul" Food: Recipes For Loving God

The back of our New Deli T-shirts has a quote, "For man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." MATTHEW 4:4 (NIV)  And it's so true. Great recipes are quite satisfying, and make my stomach happy! But true nourishment comes from the soul food. God's word is rich in wisdom and insight. My recipe books instruct me in the kitchen, but the Bible instructs me in life. The "maker/manufacturer" knows His product; seeking His advice yields a joyful life, and comfort in the anticipation of eternity.

"From the Land of Milk and Honey" is more than a collection of favorite recipes that family and New Deli patrons have enjoyed. Read between the lines: Scripture and meditations are an addition to the recipes, with applications for wives, mothers, friends, gardeners, homemakers...

It is indeed a blessing to have higher purposes in life. The hope of sharing God's love with others brings true meaning; seeing God's love received brings true joy. Exodus 3:8 reminds us: We come from a land of strife and adversity, but we can enter a land of God's promises, a land flowing with milk and honey.