December 2, 2013 - "A Rose By Any Other Name"

Good Monday morning! I pray your Thanksgiving was filled with life as was mine. I was tying to explain to someone at church Sunday what a sugar-free, starch-free Thanksgiving tasted like. I am not certain they comprehended how wonderful our lunch was, as their faces spoke volumes. That's okay. I did enjoy left over turkey last night, however, but added an apple and some celery. I was satisfied without all the "other" stuff. Our health is certainly worth the break from tradition, huh? Anyway, Life Group is this Sunday evening at 6. Pretty dishes, colorful stemware and great, healthy Christmas dishes. Can you bring a healthy item and a recipe to share? That would be great, but if you are still learning to cook healthy, come anyway. Get some recipe ideas for THIS YEAR'S CHristmas. Paulette has asked that I share the mac and cheese with quinoa noodles. GREAT dish although the noodles have a slight texture issue. But my family LOVED it! I may also do my sugar-free, starch-free red velvet cake. Hope you can come and bring a friend. This is our last one of 2014. As we sat at the table on Thanksgiving Day, there was a discussion as to "where we came from." I have always been told that I have Cherokee Indian heritage from one side and an Irish heritage from another. Thursday I also discovered that my father's people came from Scandinavian decent and therefore so did my green eyes. As I am not a genealogy buff, I really haven't done the research and it all sounds good to me. I know this...I came from somewhere. LOL But today I read from Ephesians that all family names, once coming into God's family, have their origin in Him. Ephesians 3:14-15 (AMP) 14 For this reason [seeing the greatness of this plan by which you are built together in Christ], I bow my knees before the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 For Whom every family in heaven and on earth is named [that Father from Whom all fatherhood takes its title and derives its name]. I know people spend mega dollars trying to determine their family name, crest, and origin. And that's ALL GOOD. But Paul informs us this morning that my family is named from God's family. I don't know another family name I would desire to be connected with more than God's. How about you? The third chapter of Ephesians is addressing the issue of family names between Jews and Gentiles. In God's kingdom, there is His name and we are brought into His family in spite of our earthly origin. The next time someone asked about my family name and origin, I will simply say my name comes from God. Can you imagine what our family crest will be like when we arrive in Heaven? Now that makes me smile this morning. As you go throughout your day, be reminded that God brought into His family through the spirit of adoption with His son, Jesus Christ. And regardless or your location all around the world, when God brought you in He gave you His name. He is the Father of all fathers and my name and origin comes from Him. Praise Him - PK