Where am I from?

I watched the television show, “Where are you from?” It follows high profiled people as they look at their ancestral roots. It was interesting and got me thinking about my own family. Like most people I am a mixed breed. German, Dutch, French and a little Indian make up my family recipe. Unfortunately, this is about all I know. I have never researched on ancestry.com or followed the genealogy line. Everything I know is from the stories that have been passed down. As with most families, sometimes there have been exaggerations. Basically, I really have no idea what is the real story.

My husband often will tell of his family’s roots that go back to Wales and Ireland. This is a comical affair because he tries to speak with an accent. It’s funny but, I am not sure that is sounds anything like the real accent.

I am sure that if I researched my family history more I would find the good, bad and ugly truth of my family. Where we come from is both interesting and important. There is however a more valuable history that we as Christians are a part of.

Biblically the genealogy or family line is significant and is included in the bible for a reason. Jesus has two family lines listed. One was from his adopted father Joseph in Matthew 1 and the other was from his mother Mary in Luke 3.

I love how God placed this information in the bible. It shows us how he fulfilled his promise to David and gives us our own faith genealogy.

“When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.” 2 Samuel 7:12-13. 

The line of David reaches through the line of Seth to Noah, through the line of Shem to Abraham. Then through the lines of Isaac, Jacob, Judah, David, and to Jesus.

Jesus line was also followed through Mary through David’s son Nathan to show the bloodline.

Within the lineage of Jesus there are many different people listed. Five women are named which I just love! Then there are those who had less than stellar reputations. Jesus who was and is perfect did not come from an ancestry of perfect people! Thankfully this means that you and I can be included too!

There is hope for me! I am not required to carry on my own families traits and sins!

Father,

Thank you for new beginnings! Thank you for making a way for us to have a new life and a new identity because of Christ! Your love and plan is amazing! Help me to love and cherish the family of Christ that you have given to me! Amen!

Paleo Meatloaf

Growing up meatloaf was one of my favorite dinners.  Eagerly awaiting for it to be done I would peek through the oven window to glimpse the bubbling goodness! The meatloaf reminds me of being home with family.

For many years I stopped eating beef because it was so difficult to digest.  That was until I found out about grass fed beef! Praise the Lord I can eat it again!  This recipe is guaranteed to fulfill your meatloaf craving!

Paleo Meat Loaf

Ingredients

2Lbs Grass fed hamburger
1 Onion chopped
1 cup Kale chopped
1 Carrot diced
2 Eggs
1 Tb Minced garlic
1/2 Red Bell Pepper chopped
1 can Tomato paste 6oz
1 can Water
1 Tb Mrs. Dash
Salt and Pepper

Directions

Mix together all ingredients together except the tomato paste and water. In another bowl mix the tomato paste and water together, then add to the meatloaf mixture.

Place in a meatloaf or bread baking dish and bake for 45 minutes at 350.

I like to serve it with a mild salsa on top! Enjoy!

* I place a cookie sheet under it so it doesn't bubble onto the bottom of my oven! :)

What I learned
It is so much better to have a first hand experience rather than admiring it from afar. This meatloaf has reminded me that we are included in God's family.

• He has included us

That at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus you who sometimes were far off are made near by the blood of Christ. …Ephesians 2:12-13

• He has made us family!

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household, Ephesians 2:19

• He is our Father!

Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." Galatians 4:6

Father thank you that we do not need to look through the window admiring you and your kingdom. We are grateful that we have full access to you because you have called us your children. Thank you for making your home with us. May we always think of meatloaf as a reminder that we are at home with you!

Game night

It's all fun and game until someone gets hurt! This phrase kept running through my head as our family embarked on our annual family game night. During the holidays we love to play games together. Tonight the games of choice were Farkle and UNO Spin.

C.J our niece, a game expert, took to the role of "rule umpire" like she was born to do it!
After reviewing the rules to Farkle, the war, I mean game, began! Farkle is a dice game where any role could mean the difference of being at the bottom or at the top of the scoreboard. Often it was said , "You are just one roll away from victory". Lissa had been lagging behind in points where in one roll she acquired enough points to jump to the top of the board and one the game!

Lesson #1
Don't give up, you are only one step, one choice, one decision, one blessing away from victory!

Remember that we have a victorious warrior in our midst, who is fighting, interceding for us!

"The Lord your God is in your midst,
a victorious warrior.
He will exult with joy over you,
he will renew you by his love;
he will dance with shouts of joy for you
as on a day of festival."

Zephaniah 3:16-18

The second game UNO Spin, is a variation of the traditional game. The cards are on a spinner where at any time a player is asked to spin the wheel. Spinning the wheel could result in discarding all of your cards except 2, switching cards with the player to your left or adding cards to your hand. This wheel of fortune or misfortune adds a slight amount of tension to the game. Just when you think that everything is working in your favor, Bam you are given someone else"s cards, who have like a billion! It feels as though your whole plan is dashed in a moment.

Let's just say that the writer of this blog had a slightly competitive mindset and didn't do so well with her attitude when things weren't going her way! Fortunately, my family knows how to handle this temperamental Momma!

Lesson #2
Don't get so attached to your plans that you miss the blessings that come with the changes that God wants in your life! I am also grateful that He knows handle us temperamental ones.

For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Praying that you are blessed by these lessons.

Thank you Father

God is a father to the fatherless. Psalm 68:5

I learned so many things from my earthly father. He taught me to be kind to others, to help those in need, to give freely of your time. He was a hard and diligent worker. He always made people feel comfortable and he smiled all the time. These are some valuable things that I learned from him. I did not learn godly things however. He was not a man that followed God. I am not exactly sure why, but he did not teach me about Jesus or how to follow him. This was probably because he does not know Jesus. I will always be thankful that he is in my life and that I have good memories of times with him and I continue to pray that someday he might embrace the God the father. (Abba Avinu) Romans 8:15

Praise God that He knew I needed Godly men in my life to be examples of Fathers who love Jesus. When I became a Christian in High School, the youth pastor, Dan Webster was giving a message about God the father. Even then God knew what I needed and thus began the journey of my life. Through the next couple of years I learned through Dan's leadership what it meant to allow God the father, to love and lead me. Thank you Dan for the impact you had in my life.

In early college, Jon Byron became the next Godly man that God used to shape my image of God the father. Jon and his wife Francie lovingly showed me how a couple who loves the Lord raises a family to love Jesus and how a christian couple can glorify God. They continue to be a Godly examples for me.

Through the years I have had the pleasure of being a part of amazing fellowships where Godly men have stood in the gap to show me Godly fathers. Thank you.

Lastly I want to praise God for my husband Kevin. God has used him mightily in my life to show me the Father's love. He is an example in all of his caring ways towards our girls and continues to bless our lives with his gentle and loving leadership.

God is the father to the fatherless. We might not always have been in Christian families. We might not all have had loving fathers or any father at all. There are some who lost there fathers early or who still mourn their loss. We are not fatherless.

Abba- Thank you for choosing me and for giving me godly men to teach and love me. You are the great provider. You are an amazing daddy. Bless all who hunger and thirst after you that they might be satisfied. Happy Fathers day!

Your daughter,

Jann