Sacrifice with Shouts of Joy

Hello, breakfast creation connoisseurs! Yesterday morning's "Recuperation Edible Sculpture" for my mom was her portrait in breakfast food. French toast, made soggy in the middle like she likes. Her white hair was concocted with whipped cream. The ever necessary prunes made perfect eyes. And despite major surgery, her lovely smile is captured with a tangerine slice.

Having completed all needed morning care, it was time to go cross-country ski. The sun was out, and it was not as frigid as it has been. Mom and Dad were happily munching french toast, and I had an hour to dash out. While skiing, I had a brainstorm for my lunch time creation.

Avocado slices make surprisingly perfect cross country skies for egg salad sandwich halves. I had to serve it to her fast, but it held together long enough to deliver the desired chuckle.

My mushroom curry artichoke soup was a bit spicy for our dinner fare, but yummy. I had no idea curry could have a hot afterburn. Did you? I am learning more about cooking in this two weeks at my folks goading Mom to eat than I have in my entire life. Food can be fun. Like I've mentioned, I don't like to cook. But this is different. This is cooking with purpose.

My Bible study today included Psalm 27:6...I will offer in His tent, sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord.

I love that line! I do not live it nearly as often as I should, but it is the way I want to live. I want to sacrifice my time, my energy, my talents, my resources to God with shouts of joy, with a heart full of song. Best of all, may it not just be noise, but a melody - something pleasing and purposeful that all who hear it may see God.

**************

Psalm 26 Psalm 28

The Lord Is My Light and My Salvation

Of David.

1The Lord is my light and my salvation;

whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life;

of whom shall I be afraid?

2When evildoers assail me

to eat up my flesh,

my adversaries and foes,

it is they who stumble and fall.

3 Though an army encamp against me,

my heart shall not fear;

though war arise against me,

yet I will be confident.

4 One thing have I asked of the Lord,

that will I seek after:

that I may dwell in the house of the Lord

all the days of my life,

to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord

and to inquire in his temple.

5For he will hide me in his shelter

in the day of trouble;

he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;

he will lift me high upon a rock.

6And now my head shall be lifted up

above my enemies all around me,

and I will offer in his tent

sacrifices with shouts of joy;

I will sing and make melody to the Lord.

7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;

be gracious to me and answer me!

8You have said, “Seek my face.”

My heart says to you,

“Your face, Lord, do I seek.”

9 Hide not your face from me.

Turn not your servant away in anger,

O you who have been my help.

Cast me not off; forsake me not,

O God of my salvation!

10For my father and my mother have forsaken me,

but the Lord will take me in.

11 Teach me your way, O Lord,

and lead me on a level path

because of my enemies.

12 Give me not up to the will of my adversaries;

for false witnesses have risen against me,

and they breathe out violence.

13I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord

in the land of the living!

14 Wait for the Lord;

be strong, and let your heart take courage;

wait for the Lord!