What Does It Mean To You?!?!?! (Cajun Chicken, Cornbread Cassarole, Cherry Pie Filling)

Work was a little crazy today..  did quite a bit of everything and I am exhausted,  but I am going to go lose myself in making dinner..  and well maybe even go so far as to make Cherry Pie Fillins..  we shall see!!  

I have been thinking a lot lately about friendship and what it should mean to us..  I got this from a Devotion this morning and wanted to share.. 
"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

What makes a good friend? Someone who runs errands for you when you're sick? Who takes your kids off your hands when you need a break? Who sits with you over a cup of coffee and listens? Someone you can count on to see the latest chick flicks with you? Someone who challenges you to be a better person and follower of God?

In each of these examples, we see friendship taking an active form. As I have studied the Bible, I see three instances of friendship in action. Job 2:11-13 shows us how Job's friends came to help him as he faced hardship. Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar dropped everything to go comfort their friend - even if it was just to sit silently beside him. They knew that just their presence and willingness to listen would comfort him.

Acts 28:15 gives us a glimpse into how just the sight of trusted friends can encourage us. Paul's friends heard he was coming so they traveled a great distance to greet him. For Paul this was a huge blessing. Sometimes just knowing someone is willing to make an effort on your behalf will put wind in your sails. I love that Paul first thanked God for his friends. I want to remember, like he did, that friends are a gift from God.

Acts 12:12-19 tells us how Peter's friends couldn't be with him because he was imprisoned. But that didn't stop them from doing what they could. They gathered together to pray. The King James Version of Acts 12:5 says that they were literally praying "without ceasing." These friends knew that corporate prayer was an action they could take on behalf of their friend who needed them.

Whether we physically go to our friend's side or spiritually partner with them in prayer, we can look to these examples from the Bible as to how to be friends in action.

In a society that is more and more driven to social media, texting, and emailing as a way to stay connected, we cannot overlook what taking physical action in real time can mean. We can be active in faith, in love, in joy, in kindness. We choose to act because we understand that we are God's hands and feet to those He puts in our lives. Yes, it takes extra effort, time, and even money to be an active friend. But the blessings outweigh the effort as we live according to the examples God has given us.

Cajun Chicken

3 to 4 chicken breast
flour
salt
pepper
garlic powder
cajun seasoning
paprika
red pepper flakes
melted butter

In a large shallow bowl mix the flour and spices,  rinse the chicken and dredge in the flour mixture,  place in a 9x13 pan sprayed with cooking spray,  drizzle with a little melted butter and bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 30 to 45 minutes depending on how big and thick the chicken breast are.

Cornbread Cassarole

1 pkg corn muffin mix
1 egg
2 tbsp melted butter
1 can whole kernel corn, drained
1 can cream style corn
garlic powder
cajun seasoning
paprika

Mix all together and pour into a greased baking dish,  bake at 350 for 30 to 40 minutes until done in the middle..

Cherry Pie Filling

8 c pitted dark sweet cherries
1 c sugar
zest and juice of 2 lemons
1/2 c water
2 tbsp cornstarch
1/2 c water

In a large saucepan bring cherries, sugar, lemon juice, zest and water to a boil,  reduce heat and simmer for about 5 to 10 minutes,  stirring occasionally..  mix the cornstarch and water together and slowly add to the cherries..  stir and cook for another 2 to 5 minutes.. remove from heat and cool..