Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: For Foodies


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Chestnuts

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 45:3  “I will give you hidden treasure, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.”

These chestnuts are all over the ground of the forest up above our house.  They are brown and furry by the time they drop and look like something out of a Star Trek TV episode (the mythical “tribble”).  When they are still green and fresh, the chestnut is difficult to handle with its spiny bur.  But getting at that delicious treasure is worth all the effort!  There can be up to seven chestnuts in one bur.

The chestnut here in France is most often roasted but is also candied, boiled, steamed and grilled.   For Christmas and New Year’s the “marron glacé” is traditional fare, a chestnut that has been glazed in sugar syrup.  For some, the chestnut is an acquired taste, but I enjoy them!

Our verse for today talks about treasures that are hidden.  The riches that the Lord reveals are not so obvious.  Like the chestnut, they are sometimes stored in places difficult to see.  The outside of that hidden treasure makes it easy to miss.  Getting at that treasure may involved going through some tough prickly times.

It is through the hard times that I see God’s love and gentleness with me.  It is when life is difficult that He reveals the treasure of who He is.  His comfort and His grace are the unexpected surprise behind that negative experience.  Through a trial He becomes MY Lord, calling me by My name.  Faith becomes very personal as He reveals to me the treasure of His power and presence.

Help me, Lord, to discover that treasure.  Reveal to me the secret places of Your love!


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A Little Leaven

Scripture for Today:  Luke 12:1b-2 “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.  But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.”

Working with yeast is not my strong point.  Waiting for dough to rise and punching it down is just too much of a hassle.  It is especially difficult to be motivated to bake my own bread when there is so much fresh wonderful bread available here in France.

The chemistry behind the leavening process is interesting being that yeast is a fungi.  This living organism as it reproduces creates two by-products; alcohol (evaporating during baking) and carbon dioxide.  It is this gas which filters through the dough creating loft.  It seems so mysterious as one does not actually see it happening.

Leaven is a symbol in the Bible often representing sin or false teaching.  In our verse for today Jesus was very specific about naming the leaven of the Pharisees; hypocrisy.  They had a public image that did not correspond with their private behavior.  They had a very high standard for everyone but themselves.  They could seem very spiritual but be leading a double life.

Christ warns that nothing remains secret.  One day, everything formerly hidden will be revealed.  Like leaven, my behavior or thoughts can be covered up for a time.  But eventually, the evidence of that leaven is seen.  I may be able to fool others around me but the Lord knows my heart!

When I read warnings like this I am reassured that God will not be mocked.  At the same time I need to examine myself.  Am I faking it?  Do I fall into this same trap of projecting a false image of “super saint?”  Lord, punch down this dough and keep me humble!


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Buffet!

Scripture for Today:  II Timothy 3:16-17  “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”

I have a love/hate relationship with buffets.  I enjoy the chance to see my choice before taking it.  I love having variety and control over my portions.  But I feel that to really get my money’s worth I need to stuff myself silly!  Invariably, I leave too full!

My parents would often take my siblings and me to buffets.  I still remember their strict injunctions to stay away from the carbonated drinks!  If left to ourselves, that would be all we would take as we did not have them at home.  The other danger when young was to make straight for the desserts!

Picking and choosing can be carried over to our attitude to God’s Word.  There is a real temptation to avoid those parts that are difficult to understand.  Some sections of the Bible just do not seem to apply.  Other parts speaking of God’s judgement are just too uncomfortable.

Certainly, Thomas Jefferson took the “buffet approach” to God’s Word.  On display at the Smithsonian Museum of American History, one can see his version of the New Testament.  He created it by slicing out the miracles and the texts that presented Jesus as God.

Our verse for today says that all Scripture is inspired by God.  It is not up to me to decide which passages seem credible and which do not.  Although it is less convicting to ignore some verses, all of the Bible is His inspired and powerful Word.  His Word is true and not a buffet.  It is “all or nothing” and I choose “all.”


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Sugar Overload!

Scripture for Today:   Proverbs 27:7  “A sated man loathes honey, But to a famished man any bitter thing is sweet.”

When I was a little girl I had a very strong taste for sugar!  My siblings remember to this day how my voracious appetite quickly depleted not only my candy but their hidden stores as well!   The resulting cavities were so alarming that my dentist put me on a “sugar diet!” During that time sugar was off limits, even in the form of some fruits!

Thankfully, I do not crave sugar quite as much today.  Perhaps I got to that sated stage mentioned in our verse.  I reached a “sugar overload” that diminished my cravings. The more I abstain from sugar the more I can discern its presence in products.  I had no idea that some potato chips contain sugar.  Now, a little sweetness goes a long way!

There is a profound truth in this verse.  One can quickly become sated and spoiled by all the good things this life has to offer.  What is new and exciting today becomes old and mundane when always available.  I may be initially thrilled with something that later loses its appeal.  By contrast, those less fortunate than I am are perhaps more appreciative.  A little hunger can sure change one’s perspective!

The Lord knows how to make my life sweet without any overindulgence.  He puts into life a mix of pain and pleasure, mingling toil with peace and rest.  (from Day By Day)  He does not want me sated or famished but in an attitude of trust.  He cares not only about my needs but my desires and cravings!

Overindulgence usually sounds so good at the time, but in the end, satisfaction does not come with “more.”  It is You, Lord, who makes my life sweet!


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Churning Butter

Scripture for Today:  Proverbs 30:33  “For the churning of milk produces butter, and the pressing of the nose brings forth blood; so the churning of anger produces strife.”

It was fun to look up the process of churning butter.  The cream is shaken or agitated until it ruptures the fragile membranes surrounding milk fat.  Then the fat droplets join with each other to form clumps.  Further along in the process foam is formed (buttermilk) and drained off.  Churning butter takes time and requires repetitive movement.

There were several words in this description that seem to go with along with the concept of anger: shaken, agitated, rupture, fragile, and foam.  When angry, I am definitely agitated and shaken.  There is damage done to fragile relationships and they can rupture.  It can seem like “foaming at the mouth” when one is so angry one loses all control.  Strife with colleagues, friends, or family is the very natural result.

What is so interesting about the image used in our verse is the time element.  Anger, whether justified or not, can become sin when allowed to churn in our hearts over time (Eph.4:26).  Going over and over an offense in our minds is that repetitive movement.  Eventually, strife and division are produced making everything worse.

My anger often hurts me more than anyone else.  It certainly hurts me more than my offender.  Sometimes there are even physical consequences to my anger.  That churning inside me can lead to heartburn, tension, or sleeplessness.  How much better to stop the churning and let it go.

Lord, keep me as “sweet cream!”  Do not let my hurt pride or my trampled rights churn away inside!  Help me let it go.