Psalm 119 : Kaph-Nun

Yesterday, our "Chocolate" ladies met for the fourth time. We reviewed the four stanzas of Kaph, Lamedh, Mem and Nun. The author of the book "Sweeter than Chocolates", Pam Gillaspie, was with us on Skype for about half an hour before the internet connection went off.

Kaph - In this stanza we see depressing words like "my soul languishes", "I have become like a wineskin in the smoke", "they almost destroyed me" and questions such as "When will You comfort me?" "When will You execute judgment?" But in the midst of all these the psalmist chose to WAIT for GOD's Word, hoping in the LORD because GOD's commandments are faithful. In digging deeper from the life of Joseph in Genesis 37, 39-41 we learnt that Joseph WAITed on GOD and continued to do what seems the best of the situation he was in.

Lamedh - "Forever, O LORD, Your Word is SETTLED in heaven." This stanza is about the big picture perspective, viewing things from the point of eternity. Vs 94a the psalmist says "I am Yours." We are GOD's. Last Friday, during our CG worship we sang "All Heavens Declare" accompanied by some magnificent powerpoint pictures of galaxies, planets - a glimpse of what GOD has created. Compared to all these we are so minute in His creation yet GOD love us soooooooooooooooo much to make us His. Do you feel the warmth in your heart, being reminded about how special we are to GOD? :)

Mem - "How sweet are Your Words to my taste! Yes, SWEETER than honey to my mouth." Here the psalmist expressed his love for GOD's law and it is his meditation all the day, praising GOD for His Word made him wiser than his enemies, gave him more insight than all his teachers, helped him understand more than the aged and restrained his feet from every evil way. The reason why he claimed the above is in vs 102b " You Yourself have taught me." - because GOD was his Teacher.

Nun - Vs 105 is very familiar to many of us -"Your Word is a LAMP to my feet and a Light to my path." Why LAMP and not headlights or big beams? In the ancient days they only have oil lamps and candles. The idea is, that the Word of God is like a torch or LAMP to a man in a dark night. It shows him the way; it prevents his stumbling over obstacles, or wandering off into paths which would lead into danger, or would turn him away altogether from the path to life. GOD will lead us one step at a time. May we by faith follow Him step by step. Observe also the actions taken by the psalmist "I have sworn and I will confirm it that I will keep Your righteous ordinances." Wow, despite what he says in vs 109 "my life is continually in my hand" meaning - uncertain - his adversaries could kill him at any time, yet he inclined his heart to perform GOD's statutes forever, even to the end, not gone astray or forget GOD's law.

"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet

And a light unto my path (x 2)

When I feel afraid

Think I've lost my way

Still You're there right beside me

And nothing will I fear

As long as You are near

Please be near me to the end

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet

And a light unto my path ( x 2)

I will not forget

Your love for me and yet

My heart forever is wandering

Jesus be my Guide and hold me to Your side

And I will love You to the end

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet

And a light unto my path (x 2)"

Homemade Savoury Herb Croutons

Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken :) Eliza and myself had this for dinner last night.

I bought ready made Kraft Caesar salad, Mini leaf lettuces, added honey tomatoes, toasted almonds and my homemade savoury herb croutons. No need to describe how the Caesar Salad tasted - you can imagine, right ;)

These are the extra croutons and croutons bits which I have refrigerated. Can't wait to enjoy the crouton bits on the salad - image the crunch and flavour they will add to the dish. I plan to make some for CG this Friday :)

The simple croutons started with these homemade Olive Herb Bread. I cut them into small pieces, sprinkled some olive oil, salt and pepper and baked at 150 degrees C for about 30mins.

Classic Lemon Tart

As I mentioned before, baking is therapeutic for me. After coming back from church today, I baked this Classic Lemon Tart. This recipe is different from the one I used to bake. I like the texture of the filling - it is light and not very lemony. You can enjoy it with whatever fruits you like. I just bought these SA Blueberries. Doesn't it look pretty? It is very delicious too :)

The pastry for this tart crust is quite simple to make and I shall try out more recipes using this basic tart crust :)

Here's the ingredients for the tart crust:

200gm of flour

100gm of butter

1/2 an egg

For the filling:

Juice of 2 lemons and 1 orange,

zest of one lemon

120gm caster sugar

3 eggs

150ml of milk and a teaspoon of cornstarch.

Mocha Choco Chips Bread

After waiting for about 3 hours, finally got to enjoy a piece of warm Mocha Choco Chip Bun with a cup of Peach Tea :)

The final result. I baked them for about 15 minutes at 190 degrees C. Very soft texture. To make it more "sinful", I will spread some Nutella on them for breakfast tomorrow ;)

Picture on the left shows dough for proofing. After about 1 hour, it rose to more than double the size as seen in picture 2.

The dough was quite soft and wet so I did not really roll it with a rolling pin but just fill it up with Choco Chips.

These are the ingredients I use for the bread.

Psalm 119: Vav-Yodh

At Angela's place last Sunday, our "Chocolate" ladies met to review the above 5 stanzas of Psalm 119. We also celebrated Annabel's birthday with a Black Forest Birthday cake baked by Angela.

Vav - Because the psalmist was grounded in GOD's Word, he was able to answer those who reproach him using GOD's Word as his sword. He remembered GOD's salvation and lovingkindness.

Zayin - What are the things we choose to remember? Life-giving things, GOD's grace, or things that tear down? or mistakes that you dwell on for years? Prov 17:9 says "He who conceals a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends." The psalmist chooses to remember GOD's Name and Word; giving him liberty and the ability to comfort himself in affliction; have hope and even able to praise GOD with songs.

Heth - Here the psalmist remembered that GOD is his portion, his inheritance (meaning that is all he has and need.) He hastened and did not delay in obeying GOD's commandments unlike the Israelites (except Joshua and Caleb) in Num 13-14 where they continued in their sin of unbelief in GOD despite what the LORD has done for them and the miracles He had showed them. Even GOD asked "How long will this people spurn Me?...not believe in Me....?" Not walking by faith but in their own counsel, murmuring, despising and rejecting GOD. Their continued disobedience and doubt in GOD; not entering into the promised land by faith caused them to perish in the wilderness. John 3:36 says "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the SON will not see life, but the wrath of GOD abides on him."

Teth - Remember GOD is Good. In vs 68a it says "You are Good and do good." GOD's Word teaches us good discernment and knowledge and is better than thousands of gold and silver pieces. According to A W Tozer "Our thoughts about GOD affect everything else. We need to make sure that these thoughts are based on His Word and not our imaginations."

Yodh - "In faithfulness You have afflicted me." The palmist remembered Who GOD is - "...for those whom the LORD loves, He disciplines and He scourges every son whom He receives.... GOD disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness... All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness." Heb 12:5-11

The above stanzas; Vav, Zayin, Heth, Teth and Yodh shows us the psalmist's delight and love for GOD's Word which brings liberty and comfort, calls for obedience and shows forth the goodness and compassion of GOD.

• "My GOD is Faithful,


• My GOD is Truthful,


• My GOD is Boundless in all He is.


• My GOD is Wisdom,


• My GOD is Righteous,


• My GOD is Vision for all who seek.
  


• My GOD is Power,


• My GOD is Glory,


• My GOD is Ruler over all that is.


• My GOD is Timeless,


• My GOD is Justice,


• My GOD is Mercy to the oppressed

Chorus:

So I will worship You, in the beauty of holiness. And I will worship You for the things You've done in me. And when my life's complete, I'll place my crown at Your feet. And I will worship You on bended knee.

Bridge:

• His Name is Love


• His Voice is Thunder


• His Heart is Tender


• His Hand is Strong"

Plum Tart and Beef Stew Puffs

The other day NTUC was selling Juicy Red Plums at S$1.95 per box. I bought a box home and tried making a Plum Tart. It turned out quite nice. Our family had it for breakfast.

I made beef stew for dinner and had some left over so the next day I decided to make Beef Stew Puffs. Just add some butter and a pinch of salt to some plain flour. Knead into a dough, cut into whatever shape you wish, place the beef stew into the centre and seal it up. I baked it in the oven at 200 degrees C for about 25 mins. I think they tasted better than curry puffs :)

Healthy Bread

Last Saturday we visited the home of Daniel and Ellie; good friends of ours. They have shifted to their new apartment in the East and have kindly invited our family for dinner at their lovely home. We learnt from Daniel that he had taken up a new hobby this year - bread making! And we had the privilege of tasting one of his "real" bread - chewy and very fragrant.

We are so touched to have the above bread delivered to our home in the North by Ellie today. So professionally baked - looks like those you buy from Marketplace or some upmarket bakery.

Even though it is dinner time, I could not resist but had to try a slice. It's really delicious :) Thank you Daniel and Ellie for your love :)