A Prayer for Marriages, Ours and Friend's

(Written by: Scotty Smith, Pastor for Preaching, Christ Community Church)

For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. Eph. 5:29–32

Lord Jesus, we come before your throne of grace today bringing marriages with us—our own and those of our friend’s. Everywhere we look, there seems to be a growing number of friends who are discouraged, disconnected, despairing—even dying in their marriages. This makes us sad, but it doesn’t really shock us, for a couple of reasons.

It makes complete sense that the powers of darkness would assault the one relationship meant to tell the story of your great love for your bride. Of course marriage is going to be a war zone—the front lines of spiritual warfare until the day you return. Satan hates you, he hates the gospel, and therefore he hates your bride and he hates marriage. Of course marriage is going to be difficult—for there is no other relationship on the face of the earth which has more power to expose us and make us vulnerable, and arouse our longings and desires. Of course marriage is going to require your daily mercies and your steadfast love.

Like so many of us, I came into marriage with a little gospel and big naïveté. I had no clue about the depths of my brokenness, the degree of my selfishness, or the devices of my sinfulness. I had no clue about what a “normal” marriage was supposed to look like, much less a healthy one. I had no clue about what it would take to love one person well the rest of my life (or even in the next hour)—a person who needs the gospel just as much as I do.

And I certainly had no clue that only your love is better than life; that only your love can slake the deepest thirst of my heart; that only your love can offer the intimacy we crave and for which we’ve been made. Jesus, only your love can free us to love another sinful spouse the way you love us as your spouse—for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. Only your love, only your love is enough.

Lord Jesus, we pray for our friends, and we pray for ourselves. Protect us from the evil one and rescue us from ourselves. Show us how to care for one another in ways that bring your glory. Bring hope to the hopeless, conviction to the foolish, nourishment to the famished, grace to the betrayed, and repentance to the betrayers. When we want to “bolt,” may we bolt to you, quickly and surely. During this Advent season, prove yourself, yet again, to be Immanuel—the God who is for us and with us. So very Amen we pray, sobered and expectant, in your loving and powerful name.

Thanksgiving in Nashville

Reality has set in. I no longer have multiple days off for Thanksgiving, not to mention essentially two months off for Christmas (due to "Jan Term" at Samford). Oh the joys of post-grad life. Now, let me just tell you that because I have don't have quite as many "days-off," those non-working days are enjoyed to the fullest especially since I am completely free of everything. No lingering papers or projects to turn in at the return of a break.  

I digress. 

It's been exactly a week since Thanksgiving and what a year truly filled with blessings it has been. The Lord has been so faithful.

This year Nathan and I spent Thanksgiving in Nashville with the Kirkpatrick side of the family. In college I had many a friend from the Nashville area so it was especially fun to explore their stomping grounds and much of what the city had to offer.

Despite getting to Nashville around 1am on Wednesday, the excitement about the Boulevard Bolt didn't dwindle due to a lack of great sleep. For years I have seen the Boulevard Bolt t-shirts and I was utterly thrilled to have my very own (that is the best part of races). Those of us running the race headed over to Belle Meade and I was able to rendezvous with my racing buddy, Smo (fun fact: the last race we did was a 5k in the Cayman Islands). It was at the start line that I realized the Boulevard Bolt was actually a five mile race, not a 5k (two mile difference here people). Though this came as a little bit of a shock, I couldn't help but be excited due to people being decked out in turkey hats and reindeer costumes. This year, there were 8,000 other people who decided a Thanksgiving Day race would be fun, so it wasn't until about mile two that Smo and I were really able to get our pace and find a hole in the pack to actually run. Five miles later, I was an official Boulevard Bolt runner. The race was such a fun experience and I loved getting to see my dear friend Smo and being a part of a Nashville tradition. 

Post Race Pic

The Kirkpatrick Runners: Post Race.

It was a wonderful weekend of delicious food and fellowship. Oh, and of course a Saturday filled with stellar rival football games. Another one added to the "W" column for my Dawgs (pumped for the SEC Champ on Saturday btw).

On our last day in Nashville Nathan took me to the famous Loveless Cafe. Let me just say, it was as good as advertised. Those blackberry preserves are divine and from this no-jelly/jam/preserves girl, that is sayin' a whole lot. Of course the biscuits added to the divine nature of the preserves. Simply delightful and so glad we were able to go.

Spinach Tomato Orzo Soup

This recipe is divine. It makes a TON and the longer it sits, the better it gets. Enjoy!

via.

Ingredients:

1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 lb spinach, fresh or frozen, defrosted
1 – 15 oz can diced Italian tomatoes (with oregano and basil)
1 lb package orzo pasta
2 quarts chicken or vegetable stock
2 quarts water
olive oil

Instructions:

1. Preheat a large pot. Drizzle with olive oil. Add onions and saute until tender. Add garlic and saute for 2 – 3 minutes. Add canned tomatoes, spinach, chicken or vegetable stock and water. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to medium.

2. Add orzo cook for 12 – 15 minutes, or until orzo is tender

The Grove Park Inn

My mom's Carolina (no need to specify, North Carolina is the only "Carolina") roots run deep and for the past several years we have made it a Thanksgiving tradition to return for some Carolina history at the Grove Park Inn.

The Grove Park Inn, surprisingly was built by workers who worked 'round the clock for a measly one dollar per day (actually really impressive for the time). The architecture is immaculate and with a back drop of the blue ridge mountains anyone is sure to fall in love with the place.

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One of the reasons my family has always loved to visit The Grove Park Inn during the holiday season is because it's serves as the host of the National Gingerbread House contest and display. These gingerbread houses are the best around and are so detailed you would never know everything was edible.

Grand Prize Winner.

This year our trip to Asheville was simply perfect and a great time was had by all. Lunch at the Sunset Terrace followed by a tour of the gingerbread houses was a fantastic combo for our thanksgiving with the Hart fam.

Loved having Adam back from the Windy City.

# 20.

(Disclaimer: This blog post may be a little "bragadocious" at the beginning but just know this wife's heart and her pride for the role that orange ball has played in her husband's life.)

Basketball has played a significant role in my husband's life. His jersey was retired in high school, he played basketball at Covenant College, he headed across the country to be a coach at Colorado State and then came back east to be the head men's basketball coach at Covenant, his Alma mater. 

Though I could not be more proud of my husband's accomplishments in the basketball arena, this list of things related to basketball just gets me bummed out. Why? Well, that is because I met Nathan after all of this. Thus, I never ever saw him play or coach a single game of basketball (Ok, I did see one game he coached...the Downtown Falcons 6th grade boys' team). 

That all changed last Friday. Now it wasn't at the collegiate level (I had to take what I could get), but it was his high school alumni basketball game. I proudly donned my husband's practice jersey from college (yes, the arm holes did hang down to my knees) and sat on the bench (camera right up against my eye) with a huge smile the entire time simply because I finally was able to see Nathan in action on the court. 

It truly is the little things...

Grateful

Since it is "thanksgiving season" (as I've deemed it) I figured it would be a good time to document a few things I'm especially grateful for... as a resident of a small little college town.

* in no particular order...

1. Simply just living in a college town (of which Nathan nor I are alums) and experiencing those perks. 

2. Sidewalk are everywhere. This makes running around town much more enjoyable.

3. Being able to walk to Earthfare. Every Wednesday we get 5% off and they give us free things like flavored seltzer water and salad kits just to name a few. (I told you there were perks)

4. Having a walking trail, a lake, soccer/football/baseball fields, a basketball court and tennis courts all in our backyard. 

Exhibit A. Please excuse the odd coloring from my phone.

5. 5am track runs with SEC football players. Well, maybe a better way to phrase that would be: 5am track runs where we see the football players doing sprints. Either way we love our behind the scenes Tuesday mornings. 

These are just a few fun things of which I am so grateful. It's been a fun journey thus far and I am so blessed to be sharing it with Nathan. 

Zucchini, Black Bean and Rice Skillet

Nathan and I have been in a rut lately when it comes to food. The word "rut" seems to have a negative connotation but in this case, we've just been lovin' our staples. When perusing through the endless pins on Pinterest I found this dish that sounded delightful; so we pulled out our skillet and gave this baby a try.

Picture snagged from readyseteat.com

Zucchini, Black Bean & Rice Skillet

What you need:

- 1 Tablespoon Canola Oil

- 1-1.5 Cups Quartered Lengthwise Zucchini

- 1/2 Cup Diced Green Bell Peppers

- 1 Can of Black Beans (drained and rinsed)

- 1 Can of Diced Tomatoes (undrained)

- 3/4 Cup of Water

- 1 Cup of Instant Rice (this is a great way to throw in some seasoned rice that goes with the dish)

- 1/2 Cup of Cheddar and Monteray Jack Cheese Blend (we used a sheep cheddar cheese from Trader Joe's)

What to do:

- Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add zucchini and bell pepper; cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add beans, undrained tomatoes and water. Increase heat and bring to a boil.

- Add rice; stir well. Cover; remove from heat and let stand 7 minutes or until liquid is absorbed (this might take a little longer). Sprinkle with cheese.

I would highly recommend this dish. It is full of flavor and has a great texture, similar to chili. Perfect for this time of year. 

Original Recipe: Zucchini, Black Bean & Rice Skillet