Due to popular request, here's my recipe for Thai stir-fry ... if you do it right, it tastes quite authentic.
Serves 4-5
Vegies:
1-2 broccoli heads, cut into small flowerets
2-3 carrots, julienned
½ bunch shallots cut into 2 inch strips
Dozen beans, headed + tailed, cut into 2 inch strips
Dozen snow peas, headed, tailed + stringed
2 medium onions, halved and sliced into ½ cm thickness
1 large red capsicum, julienned
4-5 mushrooms, quartered
¼ sugarloaf cabbage, cut into large chunks
400-500gms hard stir-fry tofu, cubed, fried
Flavourings:
Dark soy sauce
Chilli relish (Asian section of supermarket)
Sesame oil
“Thai Basil and Garlic stir fry sauce”
Water
Granulated garlic
Fresh basil leaves
Cashew nuts
Fresh chopped chilli (optional)
In a large wok or frying pan, heat a little oil on highest temp. setting until nearly smoking. Take ¼ of all vegies and add to fry pan, except for mushrooms and tofu. Keep stirring vegies while adding a small amount of dark soy, a few drops of sesame oil, 1 t chilli relish, 1 t basil stir-fry paste, granulated garlic to taste, and a small amount of water. Cook and stir until vegies look fairly cooked, and add tofu, mushrooms, cashew nuts, basil leaves, and fresh chilli. Stir through, and serve immediately.
Top with fresh bean sprouts, and serve with jasmine rice or rice noodles.
Repeat process for remaining ¾ of ingredients.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
"Stand your ground, you're being tried"
Are problems closing all around
And heartache heard in every sound?
Do you wish for peace but all breaks loose?
Is the world closing in, around on you?
There's no escape, you think thats it
Your entire world just falls to bits
But from the distance you hear a cry
“Stand your ground, you're being tried”
Are battle scars now deeply set?
Your rivers of tears make all things wet?
The sun is setting on the battle field
You feel you've lost and ready to yield
Commander not found, but He is there
You offer up one final prayer
And from the distance you hear the reply
“Stand your ground, you're being tried”
Your family is all but fallen apart
And with each fight it tears your heart
There seems no reconciliation here
As you shed another silent tear
The very last friend you seem to own
Has now left you to suffer a broken home
But from the distance you hear the cry
“Stand your ground, you're being tried”
With childhood gone you face the teens
And life is closing in it seems
Confusion is beginning to set on in
What's happened to where your life begins?
But growing, you're learning the lesson here
It won't be long, so have no fear
You're only young and facing life
So “stand your ground, you're being tried”
Ill health has come to ail you
The sky is gray, no longer blue
Why would God have permitted this?
Its just unfair, thats all it is
You wish to die, as it seems the way
To end your suffering of present day
But death is only what fools would try
You must “stand your ground, you're being tried”
This life is trying, and full of pain
There comes a new trial with each new day
But tears of joy will flow as much
As tears of pain, sorrow, and such
There's beauty in flowers, and not just thorns
Your heart may be healed, where once it was torn
Life's burden is heavy, I can't deny
But “stand your ground, you're being tried”
When life is nearing its final end
Don't be sad and gloomy friend
There's much more left after setting sun
Your life in God has just begun
Stay firm and true until the day
The saints are raised from earthly graves
See the present as temporary life
“Stand your ground, you're being tried”
Whenever you feel like giving in
To sorrow, temptation, or some loved sin
Don't give up, there's another day
Fall to your knees, my friend, and pray
“Lord, I'm sick of all my woes
Trial follows where ever I go
But all my needs You have supplied,
So I'll stand my ground, I'm being tried
-Lucinda Ramsay
And heartache heard in every sound?
Do you wish for peace but all breaks loose?
Is the world closing in, around on you?
There's no escape, you think thats it
Your entire world just falls to bits
But from the distance you hear a cry
“Stand your ground, you're being tried”
Are battle scars now deeply set?
Your rivers of tears make all things wet?
The sun is setting on the battle field
You feel you've lost and ready to yield
Commander not found, but He is there
You offer up one final prayer
And from the distance you hear the reply
“Stand your ground, you're being tried”
Your family is all but fallen apart
And with each fight it tears your heart
There seems no reconciliation here
As you shed another silent tear
The very last friend you seem to own
Has now left you to suffer a broken home
But from the distance you hear the cry
“Stand your ground, you're being tried”
With childhood gone you face the teens
And life is closing in it seems
Confusion is beginning to set on in
What's happened to where your life begins?
But growing, you're learning the lesson here
It won't be long, so have no fear
You're only young and facing life
So “stand your ground, you're being tried”
Ill health has come to ail you
The sky is gray, no longer blue
Why would God have permitted this?
Its just unfair, thats all it is
You wish to die, as it seems the way
To end your suffering of present day
But death is only what fools would try
You must “stand your ground, you're being tried”
This life is trying, and full of pain
There comes a new trial with each new day
But tears of joy will flow as much
As tears of pain, sorrow, and such
There's beauty in flowers, and not just thorns
Your heart may be healed, where once it was torn
Life's burden is heavy, I can't deny
But “stand your ground, you're being tried”
When life is nearing its final end
Don't be sad and gloomy friend
There's much more left after setting sun
Your life in God has just begun
Stay firm and true until the day
The saints are raised from earthly graves
See the present as temporary life
“Stand your ground, you're being tried”
Whenever you feel like giving in
To sorrow, temptation, or some loved sin
Don't give up, there's another day
Fall to your knees, my friend, and pray
“Lord, I'm sick of all my woes
Trial follows where ever I go
But all my needs You have supplied,
So I'll stand my ground, I'm being tried
-Lucinda Ramsay
"I Am"
I AM
I was regretting the past
and fearing the future.
Suddenly my Lord was speaking:
"My name is I AM"
He paused.
I waited. He continued,
"When you live in the past
with its mistakes and regrets,
it is hard. I am not there.
My name is not I WAS.
When you live in the future,
with its problems and fears,
it is hard. I am not there.
My name is not I WILL BE.
When you live in this moment
it is not hard. I am here,
My name is I AM."
Helen Mallicoat
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Interview with God
An Interview With God
With my newly acquired title as a journalist, I decided to strike a high note.
"Come in," God said to me, "so, you would like to interview Me?"
"If you have the time," I said.
He smiled and said: "My time is called eternity and is enough to do everything; what questions do you have in mind to ask me?"
"None that are new to you. What's the one thing that surprises you most about mankind?"
He answered: "That they get bored of being children, are in a rush to grow up, and then long to be children again.
"That they lose their health to make money and then lose their money to restore their health.
"That by thinking anxiously about the future, they forget the present, such that they live neither for the present nor the future.
"That they live as if they will never die, and they die as if they had never lived..."
His hands took mine and we were silent. After a long period, I said, "May I ask you another question?"
He replied with a smile.
"As a Father, what would you ask your children to do for the new year?"
"To learn that they cannot make anyone love them. What they can do is to let themselves be loved."
"To learn that it takes years to build trust, and a few seconds to destroy it.
"To learn that what is most valuable is not what they have in their lives, but who they have in their lives.
"To learn that it is not good to compare themselves to others. There will be others better or worse than they are.
"To learn that a rich person is not one who has the most, but is one who needs the least.
"To learn that they should control their attitudes, otherwise their attitudes will control them.
"To learn that it only takes a few seconds to open profound wounds in persons we love, and that it takes many years to heal them.
"To learn to forgive by practicing forgiveness.
"To learn that there are persons that love them dearly, but simply do not know how to show their feelings.
"To learn that money can buy everything but happiness.
"To learn that while at times they may be entitled to be upset, that does not give them the right to upset those around them.
"To learn that great dreams do not require great wings, but a landing gear to achieve.
"To learn that true friends are scarce, he/she who has found one has found a true treasure.
"To learn that it is not always enough that they be forgiven by others, but that they forgive themselves.
"To learn that they are masters of what they keep to themselves and slaves of what they say.
"To learn that they shall reap what they plant; if they plant gossip they will harvest intrigues, if they plant love they will harvest happiness.
"To learn that true happiness is not to achieve their goals but to learn to be satisfied with what they already achieved.
"To learn that happiness is a decision. They decide to be happy with what they are and have, or die from envy and jealousy of what they lack.
"To learn that two people can look at the same thing and see something totally different.
"To learn that those who are honest with themselves without considering the consequences go far in life.
"To learn that even though they may think they have nothing to give, when a friend cries with them, they find the strength to appease the pain.
"To learn that by trying to hold on to loved ones, they very quickly push them away; and by letting go of those they love, they will be side by side forever."
Unknown
God give us women
God Give us women who know what it means
To pray and work behind the scenes,
Who know their God in such a way,
Who will cling to Him, let come what may.
God gives us women with hearts aflame,
Who will raise their children to be the same.
Who look to the ways of their household well,
Yet yearn for those who are headed to hell.
God give us women who will fast and pray,
For her husband and children night and day.
Whose heart is submissive in everything,
Who honors her husband, for he is her king!
God give us women who will stand the test,
Who in big or small things, will do their best.
Who know that all they say or do,
They do as they would do to You.
God give us women full of grace,
With hearts serene as they run the race.
Whose desire is not for a life of ease,
Who long the most their Master to please.
God give us women who find great delight,
In the lot that God gave them in life.
Who embrace with joy the little things,
Who fulfill their duty with a heart that sings.
God give us women with a vision clear,
Who live in reverence and Godly fear.
Who abide in Christ all through the day,
And seek to please Him in every way.
~Mary Troyer~
God can move your mountain
God Can Move Your Mountain
When things seem so impossible
And life’s so hard to bear,
God can move your mountain
Before you reach despair
He’ll never leave you or forsake you-
Trust in Him always.
Be anxious then, for nothing
And never cease to pray.
So keep on climbing higher,
Be patient while you wait.
For God is never early
And also never late.
~Author Unknown
For the greatest sinner
"For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."
We all sin, we all fall, and I've come to realise this a lot lately in my own life... but there's always help for us when we do fall. I hope you'll all find some encouragement in these words.
"None are so low, so corrupt and vile, that they cannot find in Jesus, who died for them, strength, purity, and righteousness, if they will put away their sins, cease their course of iniquity, and turn with full purpose of heart to the living God." 2T 453
"We shall often have to bow down and weep at the feet of Jesus because of our shortcomings and mistakes, but we are not to be discouraged. Even if we are overcome by the enemy, we are not cast off, not forsaken and rejected of God. No; Christ is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." SC 64
"Satan may whisper, 'You are too great a sinner for Christ to save.' While you acknowledge that you are indeed sinful and unworthy, you may meet the tempter with the cry, 'By virtue of the atonement, I claim Christ as my Saviour. I trust not to my own merits, but to the precious blood of Jesus, which cleanses me." SD 224
We all sin, we all fall, and I've come to realise this a lot lately in my own life... but there's always help for us when we do fall. I hope you'll all find some encouragement in these words.
"None are so low, so corrupt and vile, that they cannot find in Jesus, who died for them, strength, purity, and righteousness, if they will put away their sins, cease their course of iniquity, and turn with full purpose of heart to the living God." 2T 453
"We shall often have to bow down and weep at the feet of Jesus because of our shortcomings and mistakes, but we are not to be discouraged. Even if we are overcome by the enemy, we are not cast off, not forsaken and rejected of God. No; Christ is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." SC 64
"Satan may whisper, 'You are too great a sinner for Christ to save.' While you acknowledge that you are indeed sinful and unworthy, you may meet the tempter with the cry, 'By virtue of the atonement, I claim Christ as my Saviour. I trust not to my own merits, but to the precious blood of Jesus, which cleanses me." SD 224
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
"Lord, I want to be a coffee bean!"
Hey all... was feeling a little low tonight, and remembered this story I read once. It meant a lot to me then, and still does now ... hope it will help you all through whatever it is you're facing right now too. :)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A carrot, an egg and a cup of coffee... You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again. A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose. Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil, without saying a word. In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me, what do you see?" "Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied. Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg. Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?" Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity .. boiling water . Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water. "Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?" Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength? Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart? Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean? May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A carrot, an egg and a cup of coffee... You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again. A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose. Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil, without saying a word. In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me, what do you see?" "Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied. Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg. Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?" Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity .. boiling water . Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water. "Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?" Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength? Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart? Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean? May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy.
Unexpected
I was shocked, confused, bewildered
As I entered Heaven's door,
Not by the beauty of it all,
Nor the lights or its decor
But it was the folks in Heaven
Who made me sputter and gasp --
The thieves, the liars, the sinners,
The alcoholics and the trash.
There stood the kid from seventh grade
Who swiped my lunch money twice.
Next to him was my old neighbour
Who never said anything nice.
Herb, who I always thought
Was rotting away in hell,
Was sitting pretty on cloud nine,
Looking incredibly well.
I nudged Jesus, "What's the deal?
I would love to hear Your take.
How'd all these sinners get up here?
God must've made a mistake."
"And why's everyone so quiet,
So sombre--give me a clue."
"Hush child," He said, "they're all in shock.
No one expected you..."
As I entered Heaven's door,
Not by the beauty of it all,
Nor the lights or its decor
But it was the folks in Heaven
Who made me sputter and gasp --
The thieves, the liars, the sinners,
The alcoholics and the trash.
There stood the kid from seventh grade
Who swiped my lunch money twice.
Next to him was my old neighbour
Who never said anything nice.
Herb, who I always thought
Was rotting away in hell,
Was sitting pretty on cloud nine,
Looking incredibly well.
I nudged Jesus, "What's the deal?
I would love to hear Your take.
How'd all these sinners get up here?
God must've made a mistake."
"And why's everyone so quiet,
So sombre--give me a clue."
"Hush child," He said, "they're all in shock.
No one expected you..."
I Know All About Scars
"I Know All About Scars"
Mark Bishop
Possum Run Music/Centergy Music
Verse 1
You've always been there for everyone else.
You've always been brave and strong.
But lately I've noticed that your smile has faded,
And I can tell something is wrong.
I've heard the prayers of those who love you.
I haven't forgotten your pain.
So if you've been searching for someone to talk to,
I promise that I can relate.
Chorus
Cause I've been broken, I've been betrayed.
I've been rejected, I've felt afraid.
I've cried out to God, "I don't know where you are."
I know the pain you're going through.
And I can more than promise you,
I'll do what it takes to mend your broken heart.
I've been right there where you are.
I know all about scars.
Verse 2
Life can be filled with love and laughter.
It's beauty surrounds us each day.
I used to stand and stare at the sunset.
And I used to watch children play.
But I've known the pain of losing a close friend,
I've heard angry words from my foes.
And still I remember that cross on a hillside.
So take it from someone who knows.
Repeat Chorus
Bridge
And everything you're feeling now, I've been feeling too.
And I'm the first one to know, now that I'm a part of you.
Repeat Chorus
Mark Bishop
Possum Run Music/Centergy Music
Verse 1
You've always been there for everyone else.
You've always been brave and strong.
But lately I've noticed that your smile has faded,
And I can tell something is wrong.
I've heard the prayers of those who love you.
I haven't forgotten your pain.
So if you've been searching for someone to talk to,
I promise that I can relate.
Chorus
Cause I've been broken, I've been betrayed.
I've been rejected, I've felt afraid.
I've cried out to God, "I don't know where you are."
I know the pain you're going through.
And I can more than promise you,
I'll do what it takes to mend your broken heart.
I've been right there where you are.
I know all about scars.
Verse 2
Life can be filled with love and laughter.
It's beauty surrounds us each day.
I used to stand and stare at the sunset.
And I used to watch children play.
But I've known the pain of losing a close friend,
I've heard angry words from my foes.
And still I remember that cross on a hillside.
So take it from someone who knows.
Repeat Chorus
Bridge
And everything you're feeling now, I've been feeling too.
And I'm the first one to know, now that I'm a part of you.
Repeat Chorus
On our doorstep...
These cheeky little wonders landed on our doorstep looking for food, the second week of our honeymoon.... how could I resist ? :D
Monday, March 23, 2009
Welcome
Welcome to my humble a-blog. :) I make this in hope that I can find writings, quotes, photography, even recipes that will point our minds to the Lighthouse - Jesus. In these days of uncertainty and trouble, it seems like life is just one big storm decending upon us. We must never lose sight of the light that is before us, guiding us through the storm, and onto safety with Him. Jesus truly is the Lighthouse in these dark hours of earth's history!
"I thank God for the Lighthouse
I owe my life to Him
Jesus is the Lighthouse
And from the rocks of sin
He has shone a light around me
That I might clearly see
If it wasn't for the lighthouse
Tell me, Where would this ship be?"
-The Lighthouse
~Lucinda
"I thank God for the Lighthouse
I owe my life to Him
Jesus is the Lighthouse
And from the rocks of sin
He has shone a light around me
That I might clearly see
If it wasn't for the lighthouse
Tell me, Where would this ship be?"
-The Lighthouse
~Lucinda
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