This picture, the Bouillabaisse’s, and the chapter header’s, were all taken at the Liggett’s beach house. Their beach house is by far one of my favorite places to be and gives me some of my most peaceful memories of being with God and my family. I can remember the beautiful wide beaches, their colors, the smells of the ocean, sandy feet, and the Mexican restaurant’s spicy habanero salsa. I always find strength in the LORD by going there in my mind with Him in my heart.
The beach was also a perfect place to make seafood for this cookbook. My family
went down to the local grocery store and got some fresh ‘fruits from the
sea.’ We made this recipe and the bouillabaisse all at the same time,
because we were there just for the night. This was such a fun evening, thanks
to God and the Liggetts!t55 Mind you, it was busy, but didn’t
seem so at the beach!
The structure of clams and shrimp hold a great lesson that fits with my
memories of being with God and family at the beach. Their outer shells protect
them from the powerful maritime conditions. The outer shell or protection from
God is similar, and yet unique, in that it not only protects, but is joy! This strength is evident when at the beach in my head, or on
vacation. “Nehemiah said, ‘Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send
some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not
grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength’” (Nehemiah 8:10). Let us
grow in memories of times with God just as we would our loved ones. Let us hold
on to these as reminders that He is our strength and shield. And let us
give thanks! The Psalmist David writes, “The LORD is my strength and my
shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy
and I will give thanks to him in song”
(Psalm 28:7).t56
To make this light summertime
recipe, start by de-shelling and deveining the shrimp, discarding any clams (or
mussels too) that are already opened and rinsing both in cold water. Then, sear
the shrimp on high heat for about 7-10 minutes with half of the ingredients
except for basil (adding garlic at the end). They will be done when pink and
flaky. For the clams, use the rest of the ingredients and steam for 5-7 minutes
until opened, discarding any that remain closed. Serve with fresh basil and
olive oil. Enjoy finding strength in His wonderful fruit of joy that He freely
gives you! God bless your Holidays at the sea!!t57
1 lb raw, wild caught shrimp
1 lb raw, wild caught shrimp
1 lb wild caught clams or
mussels
2/3 cup dry white wine
1 lemon
1/3 cup fresh basil
7-8 garlic cloves
Marjoram, oregano, thyme, rosemary,
red pepper flakes, chili powder, olive oil
red pepper flakes, chili powder, olive oil
and fresh black pepper
♥ Footnotes:
t55 We love the Liggetts and their beach house!
Seriously, thank you so much Liggetts for letting us stay there. We always feel Jesus' joy and peace in
your home! It is one of our family's favorite places in the whole world. I
cannot write enough about how blessed I have been to spend time with the LORD
and our
family there! Thanks so much and God Bless you all too!
t56 Only with God's help, David was shepherd at one point, the David who defeated Goliath, later a king, the writer of many Psalms, and an ancestor of Jesus! He seems like a pretty cool guy. He made mistakes in his life though, like all of us do in heart or deed, and needed God for forgiveness to be in a righteous relationship. And, he relied on God for continual guidance and strength! Here, in Psalm 28, David is describing how he worshiped God and gave thanks through song. We also should worship God! It is really fun, amazing, and is a gift God gives to us for entering into a conversation with Him. Simply being with God is really the best gift, and is only made possible through Him, by the Holy Spirit (John 14:16, 26; 15:26, and 16:7 to start). So let's enjoy the gift He has given us for Him!
t57 Worship though, should not be religious, or boring. For example, David suggested a song, but really anything we do can be done for God with a spirit of worship (look at pg. 41 or footnote 37 too)! Jesus said of some people, "They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men" (Mark 7:7). Therefore, what Jesus really desires is our heart, soul, mind and strength to be with Him (Mark 12:30-31). It is like a husband and wife relationship, where their lives are invested in each other's. Jesus has already invested in us. He laid down His life for us because He loved us so much! "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him" (John 3:16 17). God sent His only Son to die for our sins so we don't have to! Just by having faith in His work we now have eternal life in Jesus! Let's use anything that God has given us to thank Him! Colossians 3:23-24 says, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." In everything we do, we get to thank God!
t57 Jesus also talked about true worship in John 4:23-24. This contrasts worshiping in vain, and using rules taught by men. Jesus says instead, "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth" (John 4:23-24). God has given us so much including Jesus' sacrifice! Let's truly worship Him with every gift! (See also pgs. 41 and 131!)
t57 "A holiday at the sea" is definitely what we had here, both literally and in time spent with God. This phrase is from C.S. Lewis', "The Weight of Glory," where Lewis is describing how some people are like young lads who are too preoccupied, or whatever, with their grime to look at what God has to offer. Lewis says, "Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased." The holiday at the sea is all of the joy and peace and freedom that we can experience in Christ, because that is really who He is. Those are some of His character traits! God is so awesome and worthy of praise and time spent with Him. Let's look to Him in everything! "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him, endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and loose heart" (Hebrews 12:1-3).
t56 Only with God's help, David was shepherd at one point, the David who defeated Goliath, later a king, the writer of many Psalms, and an ancestor of Jesus! He seems like a pretty cool guy. He made mistakes in his life though, like all of us do in heart or deed, and needed God for forgiveness to be in a righteous relationship. And, he relied on God for continual guidance and strength! Here, in Psalm 28, David is describing how he worshiped God and gave thanks through song. We also should worship God! It is really fun, amazing, and is a gift God gives to us for entering into a conversation with Him. Simply being with God is really the best gift, and is only made possible through Him, by the Holy Spirit (John 14:16, 26; 15:26, and 16:7 to start). So let's enjoy the gift He has given us for Him!
t57 Worship though, should not be religious, or boring. For example, David suggested a song, but really anything we do can be done for God with a spirit of worship (look at pg. 41 or footnote 37 too)! Jesus said of some people, "They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men" (Mark 7:7). Therefore, what Jesus really desires is our heart, soul, mind and strength to be with Him (Mark 12:30-31). It is like a husband and wife relationship, where their lives are invested in each other's. Jesus has already invested in us. He laid down His life for us because He loved us so much! "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him" (John 3:16 17). God sent His only Son to die for our sins so we don't have to! Just by having faith in His work we now have eternal life in Jesus! Let's use anything that God has given us to thank Him! Colossians 3:23-24 says, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." In everything we do, we get to thank God!
t57 Jesus also talked about true worship in John 4:23-24. This contrasts worshiping in vain, and using rules taught by men. Jesus says instead, "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth" (John 4:23-24). God has given us so much including Jesus' sacrifice! Let's truly worship Him with every gift! (See also pgs. 41 and 131!)
t57 "A holiday at the sea" is definitely what we had here, both literally and in time spent with God. This phrase is from C.S. Lewis', "The Weight of Glory," where Lewis is describing how some people are like young lads who are too preoccupied, or whatever, with their grime to look at what God has to offer. Lewis says, "Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased." The holiday at the sea is all of the joy and peace and freedom that we can experience in Christ, because that is really who He is. Those are some of His character traits! God is so awesome and worthy of praise and time spent with Him. Let's look to Him in everything! "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him, endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and loose heart" (Hebrews 12:1-3).
♥ Praise the Lord! 'He Art cooking' the cookbook is done! Here is a sneak peak of what you can order (if you please, order here!). God Bless your cooking and enjoy the recipes (Scripture) from the LORD as well!
