Food That Comforts Body and Soul: From a Mother's Heart

By Sheila Bertram-Byrd

The devotions in this book are from the heart of a mother learning to live in the joy of the Lord in spite of her circumstances. Quiet time with the Father and creating comfort food in her kitchen have brought harmony to her life, while blessing others in the process. Time spent within the pages of this book can feed your soul as well as your body. Open the book, take a look; youre the cook! Bon appetit!

A portion of the sale of this book will go to help support the efforts of Hope Again International. Hope Again is committed to ending the plague of human trafficking through awareness and support of the children it has touched. Wont you be a partner with us by logging on to www.hopeagaininternational.org and doing your part to educate those who remain silent?

Let the branches of HOPE extend to those whose bark of innocence has been stripped away. I am hope. We are hope. Saving ourselves one child at a time.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Oct 3, 2012
• ISBN: 9781449767464

Sheila Bertram-Byrd

Sheila Bertram-Byrd is an ordained minister who resides in Greenbrier, Tennessee, with her husband, David, who is also a minister. She has a daughter and two grandchildren, two stepchildren, and two step-grandchildren. She clarifies by stating, “Truly there are no steps in this family. They all belong to me, and God has richly blessed me.” Sheila is passionate about the Word of God and spends much of her time leading Bible studies and speaking at women’s seminars and conferences. With a servant’s heart, she also enjoys cooking for family and friends. Her table is a feast for the senses. Whether you are eating one of her delectable dishes or gathered around her table for a Bible study, you are sure to leave full.

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The Shaping

As a result we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming. but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head even Christ, from the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. (Eph. 4:14–16)

A pebble that is tossed and turned in a river with rapid current seems as though it has no purpose, yet the river’s speed and precision shape the very landscape we see. It gives life to everything living in it and around it.

Perhaps your life seems to be in a current of rapid speed, tossing and turning. However, as with the pebble, when the current slows and you arrive at a resting place, you will find the edges that were once rough and jagged have been made smooth by the life-giving water that has surrounded you during your turbulent journey. The water of the river is like the life-giving Word of God. It envelops you and sweeps you round about to smooth the rough edges that life has caused. Open your eyes and see the face of the one who crafts beauty out of stone. He is shaping you now.

Though your eyes have seen the hardness of the world, much has been kept from you. The Father has held His hand firm and stated, She is mine. Though the Enemy wants you, your Father said no! The Enemy struggles for you like a playground bully, filling your mind with contempt. Stay, stay, he pleads, yet something keeps you from his grip.

God says, Don’t cry, My child; I have my grip on you. Soon all of this confusion will cease, and your purpose will become clear. You strive too much. Relax, I am right here. I will never leave you nor forsake you. You are most precious to Me. Look again into that mirror. If you look with expectancy, you will see Me, your Papa, holding you, His precious one.

Life sometimes throws you a curve, and when it does, God will use it to smooth the rough edges. Don’t ask why; ask what He is trying to show you.

Tossed Mediterranean Salad

1 box of Near East couscous (herb flavor)

1 box of Near East pearled couscous (basil flavor)

1/2 cup of green olives

1/2 cup of black olives

1/2 cup of cilantro

1 palm full of chopped broad-leaf parsley

1 Tbs. minced garlic

3 scallions chopped finely (more if you like onions)

1 Tbs. of balsamic vinegar

1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil

Coarse-ground pepper and coarse-ground salt to taste

2 avocados, firm but ripe

Cook the couscous as the box directs, and let it cool. Add olives cilantro, parsley, garlic, and scallions. Toss with vinegar and olive oil, and then add pepper and salt to taste. If it appears too dry, add more olive oil or balsamic vinegar. Allow the mixture to cool in the fridge. Chop the avocados into small cubes and toss into salad. When you remove it from the fridge, add more olive oil if it is dry. Roasted pine nuts are optional.

Breath of the Father

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled nor let it be fearful. (John 14:27)

Things always seem different at night. Sometimes you may be overcome with fear in the night for one reason or another. I’ve spent nights when I felt as if an evil presence was in the room with me, or I have awakened with fear from a lie the Enemy tried to put in my mind.

Whispers in the night, awaken me with fright.

Hold me tight, Lord, I’m too tired to fight.

Hold me tight.

Tears fall freely as confusion sets in.

This is not of the Lord, it’s that ol’ Devil again.

The fear suffocates and the pain cripples.

Like a stone cast into the water,

Rejection comes in ripples.

Then a quiet breeze blows over me.

Here it comes again, like a longtime friend.

Bringing a peace to my spirit like no other can.

Giving me strength and the will to stand.

It’s the breath of the Father.

The presence of the King.

This peace rides in upon His wings.

A sigh of relief, He has stopped the thief.

The battle is won by the quiet warrior.

A silent breeze, a wave of His hand.

I’ve been lifted to dry land.

It’s the breath of the Father that carries me.

The breath of the Father that makes me free.

Only Jesus can give you peace and clear away the cobwebs you allow to gather in your mind. These cobwebs will cloud your thinking, which can leave open doors for the Enemy to come in and torment and whisper. Don’t leave open doors for the Enemy. Blanket yourself in the Word of God. Fill your heart with songs of praise and the Enemy will have to flee.

Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My load is light. (Matt. 11:28)

When fear creeps in under the darkness of night, shed some light on the subject. Speak God’s Word into your situation, and everything that threatens you will flee into the darkness from where it came from. Sleep in peace, dear child of light, and call on Him for rest tonight.

Creamy Chicken

Enchilada Casserole

(The Ultimate Comfort Food)

3 large chicken breasts (boneless and skinless)

4 to 5 large flour tortillas

4 cans of mild green chilies (chopped)

1 cup of black beans (drained)

1 cup of Spanish rice (prepared)

1 10 ounce can of cream of chicken soup

1 16 ounce can of cream of chicken soup

1 1 pound container of sour cream

1 12 ounce jar of mild taco sauce

1 small bunch of chopped cilantro

6 fresh green onions (chopped)

1 large bag of extra-sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)

Boil the chicken until the juices are clear, and then remove them from the water and set to the side to cool. In a medium bowl, mix the cans of soup. Add the sour cream and two cans of green chilies. Then mix well and place the mixture to the side. In a separate bowl, mix the two remaining cans of green chilies, black beans, cooked Spanish rice, cilantro, onions, and one cup of cheese. Shred the cooled chicken, and add it to the second bowl. Mix these ingredients well, and then add a quarter cup of taco sauce and mix. Place the mixture into the tortillas and roll them up. Pour about one cup of the soup and sour cream mixture into casserole dish and spread it out. Place the filled tortillas into a dish long-ways. If you have space at each end, you may cut one in half to fill in the space. Take the leftover sour cream mixture and spread it over tortillas and then spread the remaining cheese over the top evenly. (Freeze any extra filling until the next time you need some comfort food to go along with your Scripture.) Bake in a 350-degree oven for