Flying Solo

Saturday Soup and A Movie

Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup

 

 

Ingredients:

1 onion, chopped
1 (16 ounce) can chili beans
1 (15 ounce) can black beans
1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle beer
2 (10 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
1 (1.25 ounce) package taco seasoning
3 whole skinless, boneless chicken breasts
shredded Cheddar cheese (optional)
sour cream (optional)
crushed tortilla chips (optional)

Directions:

Place the onion, chili beans, black beans, corn, tomato sauce, beer, and diced tomatoes in a slow cooker. Add taco seasoning, and stir to blend. Lay chicken breasts on top of the mixture, pressing down slightly until just covered by the other ingredients. Set slow cooker for low heat, cover, and cook for 5 hours.
Remove chicken breasts from the soup, and allow to cool long enough to be handled. Stir the shredded chicken back into the soup, and continue cooking for 2 hours. Serve topped with shredded Cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and crushed tortilla chips, if desired.

 

 
  
The Peanuts gang celebrates Halloween, with Linus hoping that, finally, he will be visited by The Great Pumpkin; while Charlie Brown is invited to a Halloween party.

Do you have a favorite recipe and Movie you would like to share? Email [email protected]

Fridays with Ken

I shared with our readers this week about you coming to speak to our Bible Study and talking to our ladies about the pictures that we have. And how I didn’t have any! You said, “We always have some kind of picture.” Why is this so?

The pictures we carry come from our desires and/or fears.  They are symbols of destination.  The picture I carried, as a youth was; get married, have 3 boys, a dog, live in a 2-story brick home with a fireplace.  That was my destination. Pictures aren’t necessarily a bad thing but they can be limiting because they may not give God any room to move or for us to change.

 

How can we effectively release our pictures to God when we come to the realization that we actually have one? Or when we’re willing to admit it.

Release is the right word.  The biggest problem with any picture is how tightly we hold on to it.  Are we going to be self-sufficient or God dependent?  We are far better far when join God’s story for our lives then trying to write our own.

Ken Edwards is a graduate of the University of Arkansas and has earned a Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Counseling and a Master of Arts in Religious Education of Southwestern Seminary. But his discernment matches his education and for me often the greater gift. He lives with his wife Janet and three children in Franklin, Tennessee. And this is him enjoying what he loves, the mountains in Wyoming. Except he's usually behind the camera. And he has been kind enough to spend Friday’s with us. What he is offering us regarding his time is a gift. I hope we will take advantage of it.

Got Question's for Ken? Email your questions to [email protected]

 

Wednesday 1 on 1 with Martha

 Our interview this month is Martha Wolfe from Atlanta, Georgia. Martha and I met in January at my friend and mentor, Ann Platz's, "fun and frolic" excursion this past January at her mountain house. I fell in love with Martha instantly. She got me like a sister and I got her the same way. She is one of the sweetest and wittiest women I know. And she is an amazing counselor. She has never been married and I wanted her to share some of her beautiful story with you. Here is my friend Martha Wolfe.

I know you have a picture in your office called “Changing Pastures”. Can you share with us what the Lord showed you about that picture and where your heart was during that season of your life?

Denise, first I will try to set up what this picture in my office called “Changing Pasture” looks like. It is actually an engraving, done in the mid 1800’s by Rosa Bonheur.
It shows an ancient shepherd and two oarsmen in a boat with about 25 sheep. They are crossing a large expanse of water. There is almost no color in the picture. It reminds me of a cloudy and gloomy day, spoken of in Scripture. So many of us have experienced days and even winter seasons that feel so very cloudy and gloomy, and it is important to acknowledge that pain. The stance of the ancient shepherd is one of confident focus. He knows exactly where he is going. The two oarsmen are looking to the ancient shepherd for direction. One day I was looking carefully at the picture and I asked myself, “What if that ancient shepherd represents God the Father?” The Holy Spirit broke into my thoughts and said, “Yes, and the two oarsmen are the Son and the Holy Spirit. They are going only where the Shepherd instructs them to go. These sheep represent all the types of people you have counseled through the years. For example, look at the two sheep in the back of the boat. They are looking longingly at the old pasture they have left behind. This represents your clients who have a hard time letting go of the past. They are afraid to let go and move out into the future and into the new pastures I have for them.” He added, “Another sheep doesn’t like how slowly the oarsmen are rowing. This represents the clients you have seen who do not like how long I am taking to answer their prayers. They think they know a short cut and so they try to tell Me how to do My job. They even want to take the oars into their own hands and row at their own speed and go where they want to go. The problem with this is they usually do not know the pasture I am taking them to. And they haven’t a clue what My path is to get there. It is best to leave the journey to Me and let Me take you at My speed. I will be sovereign over the temperature of the water you travel on, the size of the white caps on the water you may have to endure and who will make the journey with you.”

In all twenty-five sheep in the boat, there are only two of them who are looking straight in to the face of the Ancient Shepherd, God the Father. The Lord showed me that when He is changing our pasture the process could feel scary. We may even experience depression. We don’t know where He is taking us and we begin to feel frightened and insecure. The way to get to the new pasture is to keep looking at the Father. He knows exactly where He is going and how to get there. Do not keep looking back at the past. Do not moan, murmur, whine and complain like the children of Israel in the wilderness. (James 5:9). Do not demand that you take over because you just don’t like what He is doing and how long it is taking. Stay looking into His face and He will bring you to His new pasture for you. It will be greener and richer than the old pasture because the old pasture has dried up. It is no longer His will for you to be there. Press on with Him and He will take you to new heights and bring into your life new relationships and experiences that you will be simply amazed and astounded.

There was mental illness in my family background. I had far too many days of depression growing up. The interpretation the Holy Spirit gave me in picture form helped me to see what He is doing when the bottom is falling out in my life, and it feels as though it is in shambles. He always wants to take me to greater heights in Him. He asks me to explore new pastures with Him. The reason I feel so insecure when He is changing my pasture is because I have no flesh to support me. This is by design. He wants me clinging only to Him.

Tuesday Tips

Tips for Letting Go of Your Picture

- Ask God to clearly let you know if there is anything in your life that you are not giving Him room to design and direct.

- Repent

- Release it.

- Thank Him that He is going to bring you His best.

- Walk in the joy and trust of that truth. Refusing the enemy to rob you of any day of your journey being in fear that God will give you less than His best.

- Enjoy the journey and wait to see what He will bring! You are going to love it! I promise!

Got some of your favorite tips you would like to share? Email [email protected]

Monday Musings

Before we start today's musing, I want to let you know that my friend, and our faithful contributor Ken Edwards, will be doing our blog next month and it is all about SEX! Yep, he said it was a topic we hadn't talked about, so I told him he would have to talk about it. So, this is your opportunity. If you have questions you want to ask, or things you want us to talk about, let us know. We won't use your name, so you have complete freedom. Email us at [email protected] with any thoughts or questions you have.

Now, back to our musing...

In our Bible Study last semester, while I was teaching a series I had written on Esther, my counselor Ken came and talked to us about the “pictures” we have. He talked about how we go around with this picture of what we think our lives should look like and there is no room for God to get in the middle of that picture. That we have to let go of the picture before God can do all that he wants to do.
 As he was teaching I thought, “Woohoo! I don’t have any pictures left! All my pictures are gone!” And right at the end of my celebration of personal liberation, I felt that Holy Spirit tug. I was like, “What? I don’t! No pictures.” And I felt the Lord whisper, “You have a picture of what you think the man I should send you should be.”
And He had me there. I did. I had a picture of what I thought I needed, if He decided to send me someone. I knew what his relationship with the Lord needed to look like, what his story should be, how many kids he needed to have, what kind of job he needed to have. And I realized I had me a good old picture there. And in that moment I released my picture. I told the Lord, “I have no idea what I need. I honestly don’t. My track record should prove it. So, I completely surrender this to you. Whatever you want to bring me I know it will be the best thing for me. And you will love me well through it.”
 I don’t know what your picture may be today. A picture of a job, a ministry, a family, a spouse, but I encourage you today to let go of it. There is no room for God in pictures that we have designed. God is more than capable of doing an amazing job of getting to us what we need, when we need it. And when He brings it our hearts will be so delighted, because when we surrender our hearts, completely surrender our hearts, we can trust that he will engage our hearts, in His perfect will.
 Let go of your picture. Give God room to bring you His best. Because trust me that is all He has…

Sunday Reflections

This is your time. Reflect with us about your week, your friends and what God has become to you. This is your space. Your time.

Saturday Stew and a Movie

Autumn Beef Stew
 

• 12 small red potatoes, halved
• 1 pound carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 large onion, cut into wedges
• 2 pounds lean beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1/3 cup butter or stick margarine
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper

1. Place potatoes, carrots and onion in a 5-qt. slow cooker. In a large skillet, brown beef in butter. Transfer beef to slow cooker with a slotted spoon.
2. Stir flour into the pan drippings until blended; cook and stir until browned. Gradually add water. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Add salt, parsley, celery seed, thyme and pepper; pour over beef. Cover and cook on low for 8-9 hours or until meat and vegetables are tender.

 

Movie: Dan In Real Life

Dan Burns (Steve Carell) is a local newspaper advice columnist. He has three daughters and is a widower. He brings the family to his parent's house for a family get-together. When Dan goes to a local bookstore, he meets a woman, Marie (Juliette Binoche). To catch her attention, Dan poses as a shop clerk, and convinces her to buy a random selection of books. When Marie finds out the truth, Dan proposes to make it up to her. The two share an intimate conversation and Dan starts falling for her. Marie, gets a phone call and starts to leave immediately. Dan asks for her number. Marie refuses saying that she has just started a new relationship, but relents and gives Dan her number.

Fridays with Ken

A lot of times after a divorce or death, just getting out of bed is difficult. Sometimes even if we’ve never been married, we can get so bogged down in pity that we can react the same way. What can we do to motivate ourselves during those deep seasons of grief?

If we’re walking through a season of grief or depression we can easily develop a belief that it will always be this way.  The Bible teaches us that everything has its time.  If you begin to have a hard time finding your way out of the grief or depression seek help.  Call your minister, talk with a close friend or look for a counselor to help you navigate this water.

Why is it so important to do physical things in relation to our mental and spiritual healing?

Our bodies, minds and spirits are part of the large system that we call self.  Being healthy can start with any one of these areas but to experience real freedom must include all three.  Working on one area may open a door in another.  It’s a good idea to think about any healing journey in a holistic way.

Ken Edwards is a graduate of the University of Arkansas and has earned a Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Counseling and a Master of Arts in Religious Education of Southwestern Seminary. But his discernment matches his education and for me often the greater gift. He lives with his wife Janet and three children in Franklin, Tennessee. And this is him enjoying what he loves, the mountains in Wyoming. Except he's usually behind the camera. And he has been kind enough to spend Friday’s with us. What he is offering us regarding his time is a gift. I hope we will take advantage of it.

Got Question's for Ken? Email your questions to [email protected]

 

Thursday Thumbprint

Today’s Thumbprint is from Darren Moore- Our interview from last month and a reflection of his love for his wife. Something we should all remember when God does show up with someone for us to love.

I will just feed off of Wendy’s story about our honeymoon. By the way, she was the most beautiful bride in the world. Until Wendy got sick we were having a blast, I recall on the day she was starting to get sick, she really hung in with me and tried to do everything to make me happy. Even though Wendy was feeling horrible, I remember in our cabin I said we could just stay in the cabin since you aren’t feeling well. Wendy said, "No, I want you to enjoy yourself." So, we went out and I remember going to a putt-putt golf course. Leave it to me to pick the most difficult course. I mean it was like climbing a mountain. I remember looking at Wendy and she was in major pain. She tried to climb those steps and she did it for me. Honey, thank you for sacrificing for me through those times, I won’t forget it.

To share your Thumbprint moment email  [email protected]

Wednesday 1 on 1 with Martha

 Our interview this month is Martha Wolfe from Atlanta, Georgia. Martha and I met in January at my friend and mentor, Ann Platz's, "fun and frolic" excursion this past January at her mountain house. I fell in love with Martha instantly. She got me like a sister and I got her the same way. She is one of the sweetest and wittiest women I know. And she is an amazing counselor. She has never been married and I wanted her to share some of her beautiful story with you. Here is my friend Martha Wolfe.

You are an amazing counselor. When did you feel like this was the field you were called into? And how did you come to the decision that you wanted to specialize in grief counseling?

At the end of the second and final year of grad school, the Lord let me know as I read through His word from Genesis to Revelation that I would be counseling at a church. He would not allow me to send out resumes, although my grad teachers told me this was a bad witness to my unsaved parents. The first Sunday after I graduated, I attended my home church, First Baptist Church of Atlanta, where Dr. Charles Stanley was pastor. After the service I went up to him to shake his hand and he asked me a question I remember to this day. He said, “Martha, what are you going to do now that you have graduated Seminary?” I said, “I don’t know for sure, Dr. Stanley, but the Lord has told me I will be counseling in a church.” As fast as grease lightening, he responded, “Make an appointment to see my secretary this week.” I did and was hired during that meeting and started seven and a half wonderful years at FBC Atlanta as their very first Counselor for Women.

In 1983 I left FBC and began my own counseling ministry called Upper Room Ministries, Inc. I counsel out of my home and counsel mainly ladies who are hurting for a myriad of reasons.

A number of years ago I took advantage of an opportunity I had to become a certified Grief Recovery Specialist. I had no idea at the time how the Lord would use this training. The Lord kept sending me clients who wanted grief counseling and results have been very fruitful and rewarding.  Word of mouth spread, and clients have continued to come to have the Lord heal years of unresolved pain and grief. Since that time, some kind of grief recovery can be found almost everywhere. I have continued in Grief Recovery because the Lord has brought such fruit.

You shared with me a story of a man you recently ran into at your class reunion and you walked him through some steps on how to process his grief. It was so impactful to me. A lot of our readers are still in seasons of grief maybe from a lost marriage, or a spouse who has died or a spouse who has yet to arrive. Would you share that process with them because I think it would be such a wonderful tool for their healing?

First of all, let me say that grief recovery involves too many facets to mention here. For our purposes in this blog, the most important thing for you to know is that grief recovery involves completing what is left incomplete in your relationship with the one who died, or divorced you, abandoned you, and many additional reasons. Grief involves incomplete communication that is stuffed or held down inside. It involves things we wish we had said and done but did not get that chance, things we wish we had not said and done. So I suggest to people to write a Good-Bye Letter that will help bring the communication to completion.

I suggest they write a letter similar to this:

Dear So and So,

I have been thinking about our relationship and the time we spent together and there are some things I want and need to say. (Use this as an opening statement)

“First of all, I want to thank you for.” (Get out the big and little things you are grateful for)

“Secondly, I want to ask you to forgive me for …………” (This is the time to get your heart clear.) 1John 1:9

“Thirdly, I forgive you for ………” (This is another chance to really cleanse and clear your heart) 1 John 1:9

Fourthly, write a paragraph using strong emotional statements, getting out your pain. This is the time to get out the intensity of your feelings.

(Examples: “I want you to know how much it crushed and hurt me when you… (Fill in the blank)…”

Another example might be, “It felt like a building had collapsed on me when you ………...It cut off my joy and zest for living.”

 Another example: “I want you know how humiliated I felt when … (fill in the blank)……….   I felt like hiding away in my house and never coming out.”

 Lastly, it is important to actually say good-bye in the actual letter. You are not saying good-bye to the person. You are saying goodbye to the pain associated with that relationship. You can say something like; “I need to say good-bye now. It is time to let go of the pain. It is killing me, (if it is). I need to go on with my life. Goodbye.”

I shared this outline with a widow of four years. She went home and wrote the letter and two weeks later she met someone. She is 83 years old and having the time of her life!!