Grace Alone…

Yes, I said “I Do” 30 years ago this very day. May 20th, 1983 my beloved and I got married. Looking at this picture, I said to my hubby “What Baby-Faces”. He had to laugh too and said – “30 Years ago is ancient, they did not even have internet back then.” Goodness, how did we communicate back then? I guess the old fashioned way; by letter or regular land-line phones. No texting, no Facebook, no email. Oh, and my beloved and I didn’t even own a car back then. Ha, times have changed, haven’t they?

Has our marriage been smooth sailing? Oh goodness, no!!! There were bumpy roads, sweat, blood and tears. There were a couple times I wanted to call it quits. But God had other plans; we are still together, even though some of our old friends gave us only a couple of years. The funny thing is that those old friends are no longer married.

Marriage is hard work; it takes commitment and honesty with each other. But the most important thing in a marriage is that God leads. You have two sinful beings that want to do things their own way. But that does not work in marriage; or any kind of relationship. You have to make concessions, and you have to be unselfish. It really boils down to this verse:

However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
(Ephesians 5:33 ESV)

Love & Respect in a marriage is the most powerful thing. Years ago, I read the book “Love & Respect” written by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs. Believe me when I tell you that this book has changed my way of thinking and our marriage. The book is one of the best resources that you can use to either save your marriage or make it better. Yes, marriage is hard work, but I tell you that after 30 years, it is very much worth it.

Lord of mercy and grace. This morning I want to thank You for Your guidance in our marriage. Lord, I ask that You continue to bless this marriage as You have over the past 30 years. Help us to stay together, for better or worse, healthy or sick, for richer or poorer. You are the source of our strength in this marriage. In the precious name of Jesus, Amen.

Love & peace,
Iris

Current Mood: Blessed †

Sodium-savvy living does not mean you have to eat bland foods. I certainly am not a gourmet cook, but I had to rethink my preparation of foods for my beloved and me. As you may remember, Mark was in the hospital for a week last year, and we had to switch to a low-sodium diet. Believe me, I have learned so much about sodium in foods and drinks. I call myself now the sodium-savvy lady. And I love to share what I have learned. So, here is the quick recipe of my Southwest Tuna Salad.

What you need:
2 cans of very low sodium tuna (StarKist), Green Onions, couple of Sweet Mini Peppers (by Wilson Produce), ¼ cup of No-Salt Sweet Corn, ¼ of Organic Black Beans (Fry’s/Kroeger Brand), Mango Tequila Jalapeno Sauce (by Earth & Vine), Extra Virgin Olive Oil (light – your favorite brand), Pepper (4-Corn Pepper Blend by Penzeys is my personal favorite), Red Chili Pepper Flakes, and Low Sodium Tortilla Chips (I get On-The-Border)

Preparation:
Drain the water of the tuna and flake it so you do not have big chunks. Chop the green onions, sweet peppers and add to the tuna. Rinse the corn and the organic black beans, add as well to tuna. In a small bowl, combine the Mango Tequila Jalapeno Sauce with the extra virgin olive oil. Use a ratio of two parts of the sauce and one part of the EVOO. Rub the Red Chili Pepper flakes in the palm of your hands to release the oils (don’t touch your eyes after this process – wash your hands first – trust me on this). Add the pepper flakes to your sauce/EVOO mixture. Pour the mixture over your tuna salad and mix well. Chill at least for 2 hours. Serve with your favorite kind of Tortilla Chips (check the sodium content on the back of the package)

The recipe is for two people and two lunches. You may need to adjust the quantity of tuna, and the rest of the ingredients. And from my experience: the salad tastes better the second day.

Honestly, you don’t know how much sodium we consume each day until you have to change your diet. If you want to reduce your sodium intake, please read the labels of the products you are buying. You will be surprised how much sodium is in the products we purchase every day.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope to share more recipes in future.’

Love & peace,

Iris

Current Mood: Happy

Tags: Food, Salad, Southwest, Tuna

One my current favorite groups is “The Afters“. I first got ‘hooked’ on their song “Every Good Thing”. Last month “The Afters” released their new album called “Life is beautiful“. The title song of the new album reminds me of the things that are truly beautiful: a grateful heart!

I guess that is why love photography so much. You can capture truly beautiful moments and share them with others. On Sunday afternoon I created a very short (30 second) picture slideshow with Animoto from my Germany trip last year:

Yes, Germany is my ‘happy’ place, but life is beautiful anywhere God places me. He has given me the greatest gift anyone can have: His love for me.

Lord of mercy and grace. Thank You for the family and friends You have placed in my life. Thank You for the gift of photography; it helps me to remember the beautiful moments in my life. But the true beauty in my life is Your incredible love. Help me to remember that all the days of my life. Life is Beautiful! In the precious name of Jesus. Amen

Photo Copyright © Iris Nelson

Current Mood: Blessed †

Tags: Beautiful, Hallelujah, Life, Music, peace

“For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14 ESV)

This past weekend, I read the book of Esther. It is an interesting story of plots, secrets, drama and intrigue. After Vashti gets disposed by the King of Persia, Esther becomes the new queen. Esther has a secret though; she is one of the exiled Jewish people. Haman (a high official of King Xerxes) plots against the the Jewish people, because he has a run-in with Esther’s uncle, Mordecai. At the end all turn out well for Esther, Mordecai, and the Jewish people.

What baffled me most about the book of Esther is that God was not mentioned once. So, why is this book in the Bible, I am wondering. I really don’t have an answer, but maybe it shows that God places us in certain areas so that we can be faithful, no matter what?!? I don’t know.

But one thing I know for sure is that God has placed you and me where we can be best utilized by Him. I have shared more than once that I really do not enjoy Arizona. But I know in my heart that He has me here for such a time as this to serve Him. I just need to be open to Him so that He can use me wherever He needs me.

Lord of Mercy and Grace. You know my heart and You know that I would be rather somewhere else. But I also know that You are faithful and placed me here for such a time as this. May I follow You without resistance and keep close to You. In the precious name of Jesus. Amen

Photo Copyright © Iris Nelson

Current Mood: Blessed †

Tags: Esther, Excile, Life