For Wednesday, December 13th, 2023

 

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE 

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13TH, 2023

The moments of our lives may be bright with possibility, dark with fear or sadness, or even plain everyday gray, but God's glory never fades.  May God's glory shine into the exciting lights, upsetting darks,  and boring grays of your every day.

Slightly adapted from one of my morning devotionals

8 DAYS UNTIL WINTER 

In Ohio

   Sunrise:   7:46 am

   Sunset:    4:’59 pm

Life is a special   

occasion!

Hallmark!

 

Today is National Cocoa Day which is celebrates a hot drink to have on a cold day.  Cocoa is made from the dried, fully fermented seeds of the cacao tree.  These seeds are ground to make cocoa powder, which is a main ingredient in hot cocoa that we all know and love.

Monkeys were the first creatures to discover the cocoa plant was edible and tasty.  Over 1500 years ago, monkeys began to eat the pulp of the plant and spit out the beans.  Humans soon caught on and the rest is history.

Cacao trees are grown worldwide, but it is thought that the first trees grew in South America.  Lucky for us, cacao trees are plentiful because it takes 300 to 600 cocoa beans to make 2 pounds of chocolate.

To celebrate today, make your favorite type of cocoa to enjoy.  For a holiday twist, try adding a candy cane.

If you cannot see the bright side, polish the dull side

 

THOUGHT FOR TODAY 

Cacao is not just a food; it is a superfood.

David Wolfe 

I often put a candy cane in my hot chocolate, making it taste like mint chocolate.  

I like it with or without but usually do put marshmallows in mine.  Some like to top it with whipped cream.

Since I’ve been busy this week it’s good to have a day off and go to lunch with my 

 high school grad group.  We are also having a gift exchange.  I got a small gift wrapped up here to take with me too.

I usually drink coffee at lunch but today I think I’ll have hot chocolate instead. It’s in the upper 30’s and cold out.

Usually I’d be cooking dinner, but since I’m going to lunch, I’ll eat leftovers from lunch today.

I did make up a new menu for next week and I’m sharing that:

Monday - Creamy Chicken Rice Soup

Wednesday - Chicken and Mushroom Shepherds Pie

Friday - Garlic Sautéed Shrimp

Weekend -  Paprika Baked Pork Tenderloin with Potatoes and Broccoli 

I hope you all have a WONDERFUL Wednesday

 !

COUNTING MY BLESSINGS 

The superiority of chocolate, hot chocolate, both for health and nourishment, will soon give it the same preference over tea and coffee in American which it has in Spain.

Thomas Jefferson

 

Counting at least 3 things every day that I'm thankful for.  There is truly is always something to be thankful for.

11,888. for a hot cup of chocolate on a cold day 

11,889. for candy canes to add a peppermint twist

11,890.for friends to have lunch with

Enter into His courts with thanksgiving — and in His presence is fullness of Joy!

PRAYER FOR OUR 
TROOPS

Please pray for God's protection of

our troops and HIS wisdom for their

commanders.

 

Almighty and eternal God,

Protect our military

as they discharge their duties

with the shield of your strength,

may the power of your love

enable them to return home in safety

that with all who love them

they may ever praise you for your loving care.

AND bless our Police Officers, Firefighters and EMT’s.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen

GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

ADVICE FOR TODAY

You cannot have chocolate without cacao. The cacao bean is chocolate. All chocolate contains at least some ground up cacao beans.

David Wolfe

a smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

ma

 

 You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought

Matthew 5:5 (MSG)N