Hey, friends!
Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. — 1 Peter 5:7
It’s summer! Time for fun in the sun! I hope you’ve got plans to get your toes in the sand, or to get out on the lake or river, or to grill up some juicy steaks or fresh-caught fish with your favorite people. Get out and enjoy yourself and praise God for this season!
As awesome as this season is, everyone I know has something hard going on in their lives. Difficulties just don’t take vacations, do they? But let’s not lose our joy no matter what challenges we face, and let’s continue persisting in our faith, enduring to the end, leaving our stresses and worries with the God who cares for us.
I have a long history of carrying around my anxieties like they were some kind of prized possession. I have placed them at the foot of the cross only to discover that they jumped right back on me! Is it the same way for you? Maybe that’s why Peter uses the word “cast” {your cares} in 1 Peter 5:7. The CEB says “throw” all your anxiety on Him. I think Peter might be envisioning the believer hurling those heavy thoughts and worries to Jesus like a medicine ball. Sometimes, I have to heave them off of me and onto Him, but I can do that because He never intended me to carry them. He loves me and wants to bear my burdens, and the same is true for you!
The reality is that we don’t always see it coming. The diagnosis that came out of nowhere, the infidelity that upended everything, the friendship that exploded unexpectedly, the loss that took your breath away. That’s why I love the story of Joseph. Do you know the story? Dreams, wild twists and turns, betrayal, abandonment, and yet Joseph experienced the undeniable presence of God, His protection, providence, and placement. God used Joe’s life to preach to all of history that even the worst of circumstances, in His hands, can end in hope, healing, miraculous provision, and restoration. Joseph’s life story is one you and I need to cling to when ours turn upside down, and we wonder how God can possibly bring redemption through our circumstances. Friends, I’m so excited to invite you to our next Online Bible Study — God Won’t Leave You There by Anne Graham Lotz and Rachel-Ruth Lotz Wright, starting July 13th! We’re going to study the life of Joseph and discover the unshakable presence of God in every season or circumstance of our lives. I can’t wait!
But, before we jump into July, this month we get to celebrate the dads in our lives! HOORAY for the wonderful men who have poured themselves out for us, trained us, protected us, and modeled Christlikeness in sacrificial ways. I hope you’re planning something memorable and fun for your dad. I’m so grateful for my dear Poppy (now in Heaven). He truly was the best!
Here are my book recommendations for Father’s Day:
If you haven’t been on our blog in a bit, check out these articles: 25 Bible Verses for Parents Praying for Their Kids of All Ages, Christian Fathers and Grandfathers: How to Pray for Your Children and Father Well, and Top Bible Study Ideas: Guided Studies for Spiritual Growth.
Don’t lose heart this summer. Keep going for Jesus! Give Him all your worries and trust and hope in Him.
Grace and peace,
Laurie McClure, Editor
P.S. – ☀️ Our Summer Savings Event is here, and it’s the perfect time to stock up on meaningful reads for Sum-sum-summertime! Whether you’re planning quiet devotion time, leading a group study, or packing for family travel, there’s something for everyone in this sale. Get $10 off $45+ with code SUMMER now!
P.P.S. – Here’s a recipe for dear old Dad from The All-American Cowboy Cookbook by Ken Beck & Jim Clark.
HOSS’S BIG TEXAS CHILI
Makes 10-12 servings
Ingredients (Not that Dan really measured the ingredients!)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 pounds boneless chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
2-3 garlic cloves chopped
4-6 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon oregano
2 10 ½-ounce cans beef or chicken broth
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 15-ounce can pinto beans (optional)
Shredded Longhorn cheese
Jalapeño peppers
Sour cream
Lime wedges
Heat oil in a 4-quart pan over medium heat. Add the beef and stir until meat changes color, but do not brown. Lower heat and stir in garlic.
Combine chili powder, cinnamon, flour, and oregano, and stir into meat. Add broth, salt, and pepper. Stir and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to simmer and cook, partially covered, for 1 ½ hours. Stir occasionally.
Add beans, if desired, and cook for 30 more minutes. May be prepared in advance and refrigerated. Re-heat before serving. Serve with “serve yourself” side dishes of shredded cheese, jalapeños, sour cream, and lime wedges. Enjoy!
~ Dan Blocker, actor
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