1.  Complaining.

2.  Blaming others.

3.  Negative self-talk.

4.  Dwelling on the past.

5.  Resistance to change.

6.  Needing approval of others.

7.  Doubting God’s plan for your life.

Have a great day

Be Joyful

Serves 4 Prep Time: 30 minutes Total Time: 30 minutes, plus 30 minutes to rest the dough

• 2 cups all-purpose flour or Tipo “00” flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled off
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Stand-Mixer Method: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the flour, eggs, oil, and salt. Mix at a medium-low speed (setting 2) for 2 to 3 minutes until the dough comes together. It will seem dry at first, but it should eventually come together into a cohesive mass. If it seems dry, you can add another teaspoon of oil but give it a chance to mix for the full 3 minutes before deciding if it’s needed. If the dough seems wet, you can add 1 tablespoon more flour at a time. Once the dough has come together, switch to the dough hook attachment and knead it at medium-low speed (setting 2) for 10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. If the dough is sticking to the bottom of the bowl during kneading, add more flour, little by little, until it no longer sticks.

By-Hand Method: In a large bowl, mix the flour and salt. Make a well in the center and add the eggs and oil. Using a fork, beat together the eggs and oil, then incorporate the flour, starting with the inner rim of the well, until a shaggy dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a clean, lightly floured surface and knead it for about 10 minutes, adding more flour as needed to prevent sticking, until it becomes smooth and elastic. This process requires some effort, but it’s essential for developing the gluten and creating chewy, resilient pasta.

After kneading, wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest at room temperature for 30 minutes. This rest period allows the gluten to relax, making it easier to roll out. If you need to store the dough for longer, you can refrigerate it for up to 2 days, but let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before rolling.

Divide the rested dough into four pieces. Flour your work surface lightly to prevent sticking. Take one piece at a time and flatten it into a rough rectangle with your hands. Set your pasta machine to its widest setting and pass the dough through the rollers two times. Fold the dough into thirds, like a letter you’re mailing, and pass it through the widest setting again. Repeat this process again, lightly dusting with flour to prevent sticking. Gradually decrease the roller setting, passing the dough through each setting twice and dusting with flour each time, until it reaches your desired thickness. (For fettuccine and other longer noodles, aim for a thickness of about 1/16 inch.)

*If you don’t have a pasta machine, you can roll the dough out by hand. Working on a clean, well-floured surface, use a rolling pin to roll the dough to your desired thickness, turning and dusting it with flour to prevent sticking.

Once rolled into sheets, cut the pasta into your desired shape. You can use the attachments on your pasta machine, a knife, or a pizza cutter. Dust the cut pasta with flour to prevent it from sticking together, and store it on a baking sheet. For longer noodles, like fettuccine or tagliatelle, form them into nests.

It’s best to cook the pasta within 30 minutes of making it. If you need to store it, cover it tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 2 months.

To Cook: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta, stir gently with a wooden spoon, and cook, tasting at regular intervals until the noodles are just cooked with a little bite, 1 to 2 minutes for thin noodles and 2 to 3 minutes for thicker noodles. Drain, reserving some of the pasta cooking water; toss with the sauce, adding a bit of the starchy cooking water to achieve the desired consistency, and serve.

Notes

Make-Ahead/Freezer-Friendly Instructions: Fresh pasta can be made up to 2 days ahead of time; store it tightly covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator. (Note that exposure to air can cause the fresh pasta to oxidize and turn slightly greenish after a day, but it is still safe to eat.) For longer storage, fresh pasta can be frozen for up to 2 months. To freeze, place the pasta in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm, for about 1 hour, then transfer it to a freezer-safe bag or container. When you’re ready to cook, there’s no need to thaw the pasta; simply cook it directly from frozen in boiling salted water; cook time will be just slightly longer.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 291kcal, Carbohydrates: 48g, Protein: 11g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 235mg, Sodium: 140mg, Fiber: 2g

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Scripture Reading: 

Romans 8:37-39 (MEV)  – “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities nor powers, neither things present nor things to come, neither height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  

Reflection:

In our journey of faith, it is essential to remember that victory is not merely the absence of struggle or challenges. Instead, it is found in the very presence of Jesus Christ in our lives. As followers of Christ, we are called to walk in the assurance that we are more than conquerors. This victory is not based on our strength, abilities, or circumstances but on the unchanging love and grace of our Savior. 

The early church faced immense trials and persecution, but they persisted in their faith, believing that their struggles were not in vain. Each trial they faced became an opportunity to testify to the goodness of God and to the power of His resurrection. Today, as we face our own battles—be it health challenges, financial struggles, or relational tensions—we must cling to the truth that our victory has already been secured in Jesus.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for the victory I have in Christ. Help me to recognize my battles as opportunities to trust in You more deeply. May Your Spirit empower me to stand strong in faith, knowing that I am more than a conqueror through Your love. Help me to share this hope with others who are struggling, that they may also find victory in You. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Moments to Consider:

Today, take a moment to reflect on the challenges you are facing. Write them down below, and next to each one, declare the truth of God’s promise of victory. Speak these declarations out loud and commit them to prayer, believing that you are walking in the victory that Christ has won for you. 

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Submitted by Christopher Massey from his newly released devotional book

Both philosophy and science show that a spirit of gratitude forms a core part of a happy life. It functions like the alchemical arts, turning base metals into gold.    The grateful person might not have more than other people, but practically speaking, the grateful person is wealthier than most because they actually notice and enjoy everything they have.  From the little to the great, everything becomes precious when seen through the eyes of thankfulness.

Ingratitude leads to psychological and emotional poverty. Can an heir really be called “wealthy” when their fortune is inaccessible in a trust? The heir has money but the money does them no good.  The ungrateful person is a bit like an heir—they may have many good things, but those things are “inaccessible” because they don’t notice or enjoy them.  They deprive themselves of their own inheritance. They’re too worried about what they don’t have to appreciate what they do have. In that sense, their wealth is of no benefit; it’s meaningless. The wealth of blessings possessed by a grateful person, on the other hand, has real value because they’re recognized and enjoyed.

Gratitude is like a pair of infrared night-vision goggles that cut through the darkness of discontent and familiarity, which tend to conceal what’s right in front of us.   Recent research has scientifically demonstrated that thankfulness leads to a happier life—among other benefits.    Harvard Health Publishing lists positive emotions, improved health, resilience in the face of adversity, and stronger relationships as benefits that flow from gratitude.