Reverend David Hamilton | Healing Hands

OMG!  Has it really been that long??? I guess it has, WOW!   Hello AGAIN!    Over the last year ( actually year and and three months)  I have been unemployed form my former career, I was a real estate appraiser.  A noble job indeed.   Real estate appraisers really get a bum rap.  EVERYBODY wants to blame than for all the real estate crisis that has haunted all of us for the past few years.  “You over valued my house, you under valued my house.”  Well let me tell you a truth….. all a real estate appraiser does is (by law) gives you an opinion of value based upon an analysis of the CURRENT real estate market.  The current real estate market is based upon  real sales that have happened  from that day , back about 6 months.  If a real estate agent has offered a property  for sale at an above average price, AND the buyers representative encourages that this IS a reasonable price, the property is purchased.  NOW, some entities (be it a bank or other mortgage entity) did not require an appraisal, some did.  SOME appraisers felt (pressured, very pressured)  a need to “find” the value, while others did their actual job and researched and deduced a reasonable opinion of value from market analysis.  There were many properties that were over values, AND loans that were  really unsecured (no verification of ability to pay for the loan).  In the real estate appraisal industry ( and all of us were affected <good & bad alike>), business dropped just as it did everywhere else.  The TRUTH of it all (and as I always invoke – there is your side, my side, and THEN there is the truth!), WE are all to blame, all of us.  I see a lesson within us, one that is telling us to curb this inner-borne obsession to have more that the other person.  Let us all know the REAL lesson here – WE ALL have enough! There is unlimited potential all around us.  The stock market, which seems to rule everything we know, is only based upon FEAR.  Fear that : “I might not have enough, make enough, I will be poor, I have to sell now to get more,or not loose more. and MANY, MANY other STUPID idea, which all boils down to this one word -  GREED, and greed my friend is nothing more than FEAR .  Don’t even try to deny it, if you do , you are only lying to yourself!    We all have whatever we need to survive and prosper, we just sometimes forget that.   We always will have whatever we need.  The Divine Creator thinks so, and that is good enough for me! I prosper in all that I do, and so do you – remember that.

Thought for the day: ” When people are ruled by fear, they strive to prevent the very changes that will abate it” – Alan Paton

Spiritual Stirrings:   “Devils Omlet” If you don’t like it hot, don’t try it!

I made these for breakfast today and they wer so good ( and HOT!) OUr neighbors, Gibson and Hollis invited us to harvest some of their Tobasco peppers.  They really have a way with raising peppers!   Rall y huge plants with sooooooo many peppers on them. SO thank you to Gibdon and Hollis for the main ingredient for this recipe.  I hope you will try this.

Ingredients:

2 – large eggs

1 -tomato ( heirloom) medium size

1/2 – teaspoon finlet chopped garlic

4- Basil leaves ( torn, not sliced with a knife)

1/4 – cup chopped onion

small handful of grated Parmesan cheese ( or Swiss,)

1 -small  Tobasco pepper, chopped very, teensy tiny pieces.  THIS IS VERY HOT

In a skillet, add aabout one teaspoon of oliv oil.

Heat to a medium , medium -high heat.

Saute the onions, garlic until just starting to brown, add tomato, then basil.  take out of skillet and put aside.

Scramble the eggs, for best results user a mixer ( or even better a “Majic Bullet” to foam up the eggs.  Place in a heated and slightly oiled, non-stick pan.  Once heated, add eggs, swirl around to evenly distribute th eeggsd.  Let slowly cook and slightly stiffen.  Add the cooked filling, evenly distributing arounf the eggs.  Using a spatula, start at one end and little by little roll the omlet to one side of the pand and roll onto plate.  Sprinkle some of the cheese letf over on top.  Enjoy – Oh yes, lots of cold something to drink, we did Mimosa.

Love & Light – always, The Rev.

Continue reading →

WOW, It’s a fantastic day!  I feel great!

Yesterday, was the annual Joyce Rennolds Prosperity Seminar.   This was a very needed recharge.  I feel excited again. Thank you Joyce.

First Metropolitan Community Church hosted the event at their location.  Thank you Reverend Graetz  and your wonderful community for making us welcome.

The seminar is an all day event 9:30am and goes until about 4 pm.   This seminar mainly deals with prosperity in all its forms.  There are prizes too!  I won a fabulous tea mug (see below).

TEA MUG

One side says: Opportunity & the other says: God can do anything…Far more than you could ever imagine.  I love this mug!  Thank you Joyce!

Joyce has classes on Monday and Tuesday of each week (unless holidays or bad weather).  You will meet a variety of wonderful peopple there to make networking  connections.

Thank you Joyce for a wonderful day and all you do for us.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:  From the Joyce Rennolds 2011 Prosperity Seminar—

“Live completely in the NOW!   Monitor “lack” thought”

Good morning, it’s a fantastic day!  I’m sad, yes it’s that time again.  The Christmas tree must come down finally.   I just love Christmas time. The tree is crispy, the needles are sharp, and its not a green as it once was.  So as with all  things, even our favorite things, must come to an end. BUT, the good news is, I get to plan for this all over again!

So now we turn the page and start a new story…Lots of things have happened since I was last here.  Crazy came to town (a story about an ex-maid and boy was that a doozy)! , snow and ice, me falling three times (and yes it hurts).  I will have to have a serious talk to my mother about some bad behavior on her part. Still trying to create a business of Reiki and Ministerial work.

There are lots of friends to catch-up with.  Even with email, facebook and other social media, there is nothing like a good ole fashion face to face conversation, even if it is over the phone. I just love hearing their voices, besides seeing words written does not reflect their feelings or emotions.

I really am a champion of scripting (many of you know what that is) .  Scripting is where we take a journal and write down what we want in our Lives, how we want our Lives to be. It is always written in the present tense, in the NOW.  I will go into that more on a later “rant”.

I also see the value is speaking what we write.  Here’s why….GOD said let their be light.  “GOD said”  is the key.  When we speak, it causes a vibration, and every thing is vibration.   All the best things in Life that have been manifested were spoken into existence.  Yes, it started with a thought, but it was created after being spoken/talked about.   So yes, speaking is important especially when dealing with the ones we love like family, friends, business associates.clients  and even those we don’t know.

Thought for the day:   “Speak your truth!” – authors: a common theme from all the great teachers throughout history!

Spiritual Stirrings:  Baked Squash with Cheese

4 Cups sliced, cooked yellow squash (2 1/2 pounds)

5 Tablespoons  butter

2 Eggs, beaten

1 Cup grated sharp or mild cheddar cheese

1/2 Cup flour

1 Tablespoon baking powder

1/2 Teaspoon pepper

1 Tablespoon salt ( or to  your taste)

Cook squash until tender then mix all ingredients together ( use half od cheese inthisand pour into a 13 X 9 inch, greased dish or a 1 1/2 quart casserole.  Top with 1/2 cup cheese. Bake at 350 degrees (F)  for 30 to 40minutes or until a knife comes out clean when inserted into middle of casserole.   (You may also use zucchini and add onion if you like)  Enjoy.

Love & Light -always! The Rev.

Wow, a new year is here!  Happy New Year to all.  It’s a fantastic day!  Is there a better way to start a new year than with magic numbers?  1-1-11.  The best number of the year and it’s the first day.  I will go back later and add pictures to this blog, so if there are no pictures, check back later.

Lots has happened in the past two weeks my friends, lots!  The holidays have come and gone (again!) and now we get back to the business of Life.

Lots of cookies have been made (and eaten).  Lots of traveling, and lots of present wrapping, stocking making & stuffing.  LOTS of cooking!

Christmas Eve, Paul and I drove over to Birmingham with stockings and presents for my ex-wife-in-law’s foster child.  The trip was fast and furious, but worth all the effort.  We left Atlanta at about 11 pm and got to Birmingham about 12:30 their time.  We unloaded the presents  and chatted a while then jumped in the sleigh and headed back to Atlanta.  Paul was a real trouper to do that with me since he had worked all day too.  I appreciated that so much.

Once we got home, Christmas Day-4am,  we went to bed (I slept for 2 hours).  Up early to cook the Christmas dinner.  We had six people coming over for Christmas dinner at 3pm. Menu:  Pork Crown Roast with Apple & Onion Stuffing, Goose (OMG!-how good!), Wild Rice and Chestnut Dressing, Turnip Greens with Turnip Roots, Brussels Sprouts with Caramelized Onions, Green Bean Casserole,  home-made Cranberry Sauce and Rolls.   Also Tea, Water, Wine and of course Champagne!  Oh, and Pumpkin Pie!  Let me tell you about goose fat….you can pour some on a brick and it will taste so good you may eat the whole brick and ask for more, it’s that good  YUM!

Well some magic must have happened – it snowed on Christmas Day, first time since 1882 that has happened here.  The whole day was just perfect, PERFECT!  Good friends, good food, good times and snow – wow, just perfect.

December 30th:  Paul and I went to Birmingham to see family.  This time it was tricky time-wise.   First we went to Paul’s Dad’s and Stepmother’s house, exchanged gifts and chatted.  Left there and went to my mom’s house.  At age 81, my mother now has a laptop computer and I had to be there for the install.  Going back on Tuesday to  teach her how to use it (God, bless me please).  Paul will go Geocaching that day.  Mom and I will have a great time (somehow).  Then we went to my Ex-Wife-In-Law’s for dinner where Paul’s daughter and boyfriend were staying. We went to exchange Christmas with them to dine.  Erin made the main dish…..Kidney Bean Stew.  It smelled amazing, tasted amazing – then I was told it was a curry dish!  Oh, I forgot to mention , I have never  liked curry.  The traditional curry dishes I have encountered, the aroma has never settled with me.  BUT, I admit this dish was a Northern Indian dish and was just scrumptious!  Thank you Erin, it really was fantastic, AND thank you for the lesson learned (you little trickster!).

New Year – Wow, what fun.   On New Years Eve, we went to Steve & Mike’s house for dinner with friends.  There we had a fabulous  seven course meal, fantastic conversations    (especially about the alphabet – or more like the letter “C”)  Prosecco (Italian Champagne), and magnificent desserts.  AND – fireworks! (you DID not hear me say that!).  Just an amazing night.  We also did a burning bowl.  This is where you take a piece of paper and write down all the things you want to get rid of or to lose for the new year   Then you take another piece of paper and write down what you want in your Life for the new year ahead.  You take the first paper and burn it (we used flash paper  -it burns in an instant and with a bright flare), you take the latter and put it in your pocket or wallet and keep.

New Years Day:  We were invited to a neighbor’s house  for a New Years Day meal at 2pm.  The host cooked an amazing Boston Butt on their smoker, made Black Eyed Peas and Collard Greens.  I made an incredible Eggplant Parmesan.   I have never liked  Eggplant before this.  I will post the recipe here.

So – now – it’s all over, at least until next year.  I will start tomorrow to plan for next year (after all I am Captain Christmas / Kris Kringle and several other names).   And now that it is all over for the moment, I look back and see just how blessed  I truly am!  I am lucky, as are you.

As I look back, I really appreciate all the presents in my Life – All of your “presence” in my Life – that’s what is truly magical for me, so THANK YOU ALL!

Thought for the day:  “If you do not find peace in yourself, you will never find it anywhere else.” – Paula A. Bendry

Spiritual Stirrings:  Eggplant Parmesan

8-10 Italian Eggplants, small & male (explanation below) Cut into 1/8th inch slices

Large can of petite diced tomatoes (I use either Cento or Hunts 28 oz. size)

2 Table spoons (more) plus more for brushing

2 garlic cloves, chopped  OR I use a heaping tablespoon of the chopped in a jar

2  – 3 medium onions , chopped

Trio of Cheese- Parmesan, Asiago & Romano Cheese

1 cup cracker crumbs or bread crumbs

2-3 table spoons butter

Oregano (dry flakes)

salt and pepper

I use a Mandolin to slice my eggplant.  Slice 1/8 inch thick, place in a large colander and sprinkle with pinch of salt each layer placed.  Let that drain in sink for about an hour.

Meanwhile -  chop (fine chop) and brown onion and garlic in a sauce pan, in olive oil on medium heat -caramelizing, but not burning. Add the tomatoes, salt pepper, and oregano. If you want , try adding some red pepper to the mix to spice it up.  Stir let bubble, reduce heat to reduce liquid.

Pat dry , place in a large casserole dish and  wrap with plastic wrap and steam in the microwave for about 4-5 minutes.   Turn on oven broiler to high. Line a large cookie sheet with aluminum foil, brush foil with olive oil .  Place sliced eggplant on foil and brush tops with olive oil.  This will take multiple cookie sheets or several times repeated under the broiler.  Place eggplant under the broiler until golden brown , take out, turn over and place under to  broil other side.

After all eggplant is broiled, take a casserole dish, spray with non-stick spray .  Layer the eggplant on the bottom of the dish.  I use a gravy ladle to spoon the sauce lightly over the eggplant, a thin layer of tomato sauce.  Next take about 1/2 tablespoon of the cheese trio and layer very lightly over the tomato sauce (It is really important to make this cheese layer VERY light – just a hint of cheese – trust me). Repeat the eggplant layer, then tomato sauce and cheese over and over to the top ( leaving room for the cracker crumbs).

Take a single bag of saltine crackers and grind them into powder. Sprinkle over the top of the casserole, top with generous layer of cheese trio.  Take the butter and cut into tiny pieces and place around the top of the casserole , place in oven at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes OR until tops is golden brown. I have a Le Creuset casserole dish with a cover.  after the top browns, I cover it and let stand in the oven after I turn the oven off

ENJOY!  I have never liked eggplant.  I tried this when making it for Paul.  I thought he would  faint when he saw me eat this!  It really is good. We converted 3 other people to liking this dish today.  I hope you like it as well.

Explanation of male eggplant:  FYI there are male & female eggplant.  Discovered this from a friend watching an old Julia Child episode.  The female eggplant has more seeds and is more bitter in taste.  The male eggplant has less seed and is more tender when cooked.  How you tell the difference is this.  At the end of the bulb-part of the eggplant there is (for the lack of a better word) a small  round nipple, no bigger than a dime.  The female eggplant has a more “line” like nipple (it is usually twice as long as the male mark but only a narrow line-width” mark). Look this up on the internet for yourself, it is interesting.

Love & Light – always!  The Rev.

Good morning, it’s a fantastic day!  Well off we go.  Its time for that family Christmas.  3 & 1/2 hours to eat, drink and be merry, exchange gifts, argue, hug and go back home.  Norman Rockwell wouldn’t even have tome to set up his canvas or nothin’.

Presents are wrapped.  Got a surprise gift for the niece.  have plates, cutlery and napkins, yep, ready!

Oh I decided to use a background for my computer wallpaper.  I’ll try and pop up a picture here so you can see it.   Much like the “Who-Hat” it may stay up all year too! SO here’s the picture of the  wallpaper.  Yeah… that’s me alright.  Later good people,its off the grandmother’s house we go ( actually adopted sister’s)

Thought for the day: “Live as you will wished to have lived when you are dying” – Christian Fuchtegott Gellert

Spiritual Stirrings:  None today folks, I’ll have one tomorrow

Love & Light – always.   The Rev.

Hello my friends, it’s a fantastic day!

Yep……It’s an early Christmas!  Several years ago, Christmas 2004 in fact,  I was “adopted”  by my boss’ family.  His sister, Mickey and her three daughters, Karen, Kin  and Gwen, all adopted me into the Sapp family.  We usually have the family Christmas the weekend before actual Christmas.

This year, now that the grand children are older, we are having it  tomorrow, Sunday, December 12th.  this is the only day open for all of us to get together.  We have a “White Elephant ” Christmas, the most silly, funny, embarrassing  gift twenty bucks can buy.  Boy have there been some hum-dingers!    So, if Paul and I are invited to a “White Elephant” Christmas swap – LOOK OUT!

Well, not much more to tell ( at least not until I get back from Albany!)  I will leave  you with this short blog tonight, plus a thought and a recipe.   Let me offer you a little history about my thought for the day spot. I was out Christmas shopping today, plus helping Paul deliver some books to a high school recently, so you may understand the quote… and understand not much has changed.

Thought for the Day: “Children today are tyrants. they contradict their parents, gobble their food and , and tyrannize their teachers.”  – Socrates(470-399 B.C.)

Spiritual Stirrings: Gingerbread Cookies!!!  I found this recipe and it taste great.  I fact a good friends, Steve and Mike gave them a “9.3″  This recipe will make abour 3 dozen medium cookies

2 Cups All-purpose flour (spoon into cup and then level)   You will need more for dusting/rolling dough

2 & 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 healthy teaspoon  ground nutmeg

1/4 healthy teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon soda

1/4 teaspoon salt (I omit if I use salted butter)

1/4 Cup (1 stick) butter, unsalted (either room temp or melted in microwave)

1/3 Cup packed dark-brown sugar

1/3 Cup unsulfured molasses

1 Lg egg  (always make sure the eggs are room temp also, maybe out into a small bowl and run warm water over them)

1)    Mix the flour, spices, baking soda and salt together in a bowl and put aside.  In your electric mixer, mix together the butter and brown-sugar until smooth.  Now add in the molasses and then the egg.   Lower the mixer speed to low and now add the flour mixture to the wet mixture.   Just when a dough forms, shut off the mixer, place on plastic wrap and place into fridge for about 2 hourd (or over night).

2)     When you take the dough out of the fridge, turn oven on , to 350 degrees.  Sprinkle some flour onto a clean, dry surface (such as a counter top).  Cut dough into 1/3′s  and place on the floured area . remember to put some flour on your rolling pin also!  Roll dough  forward  once and turn 1/4 turn, do the same , sometimes flipping the “patty” over  (you may need to add flour to the surface once in a while). roll in this fashion until dough looks to be about 1/8 inch thick ( a little thick  won’t hurt).  If cut-outs are too floury, dust with a pastry brush.   Place on a cookie sheet lines with aluminum foil or use a silicone baking sheet. Bake for 12-14 minutes ( 13 is best, and yes 13 is a good number).

Icing:  1 & 1/2 cups powdered sugar and about 8 or 9 Table spoons HOT water) mix with a wish until smooth.    Now this IS my way of icing the cookies because I do not like trying to outline and make smiley faces .  I rather like the abstract decorating method.   Bu y that I mean this…I put the icing mixture into one of those plastic , picnic mustard bottles 9Cake Art in tucker has the clear ones for baking and decorating here’s the link to their website…. www.cakeart.com.  OK, now, only going 3 cookies wide I “swizzle the icing back and forth side to side, then I do the same thing up and down 3 cookies wide.  I repeat this until all cookies are iced. PLEASE make sure the cookies have totally cooled before icing. Create your own icing procedures, have fun and enjoy these cookies!  Let me know how you like them, please.

Love & Light – always!  the Rev.