Just Breathe

Just Breathe

Letting Go

During this time of isolation, I've been doing a lot of soul searching.  Unfortunately Satan has been working overtime on pointing out my past failures.  While I'm trying not to listen to him, I find it hard to forgive myself for things I did or didn't do in my past, and I'm constantly reminding myself that God has forgiven me.  I've always struggled with negative thoughts and emotions, and this is something I'm always trying to work on.

One thing I'm learning is that you can't be a prisoner of your past.  You have to remember it was just one of life's lessons.  No amount of guilt or shame can change it.  You have to accept that it's over.  No matter how many times you revisit it or regret it, it is over!  It can't hurt you anymore.  You have to focus on the lesson, not the hurt - guilt - or disappointment.

I'm learning that you should never regret a day in your life.  There will be bad days, but you have to remember they give you experience.  And there will be worst days that will give you lessons.  But then there are good days that bring you happiness and better days that give you memories.

One of the hardest lessons in life is letting go.  Whether it's guilt, anger, love, loss, abuse, or betrayal - change is never easy.  But never forget how far you've come and everything you've been through.  Remember the time you kept on going even when you didn't feel like you could.  Remember how you wanted so bad just to give up, but you didn't...you made it through another day.

You have to forgive yourself.  You have to stop replaying those negative memories in your mind.  Stop thinking about what could have been.  You have to let it go...you have to move on.  Start that new chapter in your life.  And while I'm telling you this, I'm talking to myself, as well.

Just breathe...and let it go

"Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.  
Behold I will do a new thing..."
Isaiah 43:18-19

Just Breathe

Jesus Lives

Have you ever stopped to wonder what your life would be like if Jesus hadn't been raised from the dead?  Our faith would be pointless.  Our hope for eternal life would be non-existent.  There would be no escape from our sins.  I believe life would be followed by eternal damnation.  We would have no personal, intimate relationship with God.  Our lives would be empty and have no purpose, and we would have no reason to be happy.  Pretty sad and hopeless, right?

That's why Easter is so important; it brings us hope.  Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we can be delivered from our sins...from death.  ("I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live." John 11:25)  The bodily resurrection of Jesus is proof that He was who He claimed to be - the Son of God.  God sent His Son to die so that we might live.  (John 3:16)

Jesus knew the price of sin was death.  He knew we were the source of that sin.  He couldn't bear the thought of eternity without us, so He chose to die for us.  It wasn't nails that held Jesus on that cross; it was His love for us.  He took our place on the cross to give us a place in Heaven...to give us a relationship with God, the Father.  "I love you" could not be said in a better way.

Jesus suffered and died for us, yet death could not hold Him down.  He is risen!  He lives!

Many of us know about God, but that's not the same as "knowing" God.  So I ask you, have you accepted this precious gift of Jesus?  All you have to do is believe and accept Him as your personal Lord and Savior.  He's done the rest.  He's already taken your place because He loves you so much.  Won't you please just take His hand?

"...He is risen; He is not here."
Mark 16:6

Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Pasta

My daughter, Janna really loves the Cajun Chicken Pasta you get at Chili's.  So I went in search of a copycat recipe, and this is what I came up with.

Now mind you, it doesn't really taste anything like Chili's, but my family fell in love with it, and the rest is history!  Hope you like it as much as they do! :)

Ingredients:

2 Boneless-Skinless Chicken Breasts
3 - 14.5 oz. cans of Chicken Broth (I use low sodium)
1 T. Minced Garlic
1 – 16 oz. box of Penne Pasta
2 cups of Baby Spinach  
3 slices of Thin Pepper Jack Cheese
3 slices of Velveeta Cheese
2 – 15 oz. Jars of Alfredo Sauce (I use Light)
Tony’s Creole Seasoning (to taste)
Black Pepper (to taste)
Cooking Spray
Slow Cooker Liners (Optional – but oh what a lifesaver!)


Directions:

1.  Cover slow cooker insert with liner (optional), or spray well with cooking spray;
2.  Put chicken in the slow cooker, add the chicken broth and garlic;
3.  Cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 4-5 hours (depending on your crockot);
4.  During the last 30 minutes of cooking, add the pasta;
5.  Stir pasta well, and make sure the broth is covering it;
6.  Remove chicken, shred with a fork, and put back in crockpot on top of pasta;
7.  Just before serving, add the spinach and the cheese.  Let the spinach wilt and the cheese melt;
8.  Add the Alfredo sauce and the seasonings, mix well, and serve immediately.

Enjoy!

Just Breathe