Angela Breidenbach is Mrs. Montana International 2009, a multi-award winning inspirational speaker and the author of the Gems of Wisdom: For a Treasure-filled Life and the new release of Cooking for Simple Elegance. Other works by Angela include compilation books and devotionals from Guidepost, Group, and articles in magazines, ezines, and newspapers. She connects missions to her work with Hope’s Promise Orphan Ministries and the Jadyn Fred Foundation. Angela serves as an assisting minister for her congregation in Missoula, MT. She served as the American Christian Fiction Writer's past Publicity Officer. Angela Breidenbach on the web: http://www.AngelaBreidenbach.com, http://www.GodUsesBrokenVessels.com, http://TheFaithGirls.com on Wednesdays each week. Visit her new Christian Speakers Service http://www.christianspeakersservices.com/angela-breidenbach-christian-speaker-author.html

Do you live a missional lifestyle? Can people tell just from watching your daily habits what you believe in or what kind of ministries you support?

Living missionally is putting Christ’s purpose for your life front and center. As Jesus walked the Via Dolorosa, the Way of Suffering, we can see His mission in action. But His example wasn’t only in that one action. Jesus lived his mission daily. His purpose was always on His mind and heart. Every choice He made had to do with how it would affect that mission. Jesus is the example of living a missional life, and at this Easter season, we have the perfect opportunity to examine ours.

How do we live missionally? It’s not as hard as some think. Daily missional living is about conviction. It is the deep conviction that what you do matters, that you affect the lives and world around you, and that you do it for a greater purpose than your own sense of self. It’s the desire to make the world better and to leave a legacy.

We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. 1 Thessalonians 1:2–5

As we walk our own road toward eternity, we make choices along the way. They can be reactive or pro-active. Each choice must be weighed against our ultimate goals. If you fall, sometimes God has someone standing alongside that will step onto the path and lift your load so you can continue on, as Simon of Cyrene did for Jesus.

If the road crosses another, ask which way you should go. But don’t turn off the path that you know heads to your goal. Instead, ask yourself, “Does this choice fit into my plans? Does it interfere with the goals I’ve set?”

When you’re intentional about your choices, goals are much easier to reach. It may feel easier just to take life as it comes at you, but that’s how to become reactive. Reactive people find themselves frequently having to manage emergencies, and they often feel ineffective, hopeless, and frustrated. Proactive people set their goals, make choices that support those goals, and feel a sense of purpose and satisfaction. There’s vibrancy around them, like the gorgeous gem orange zircon, rich and glowing with life.

You have a purpose. The Lord gave it to you when He knit you in your mother’s womb. The discovery of it comes with getting close to God in prayer, living in your true giftings, and training for the skills that support your gifts. As you make intentional decisions, even those to avoid misdirection, you’ll begin living your mission.

I think we’ll all be surprised when we stand before the throne and God shows us how our mission here during our lifetime fits into His entire eternal plan. Won’t it be wonderful to see the full picture when we meet Christ in person?

Pique Point: Ask your friends how they see you living out your beliefs and convictions. Ask them what they think those beliefs and convictions are. Do they match what you think? If not, consider what you need to change to get back on the road to God’s plan for your life.

Polishing Point: Like the orange zircon in my book Gems of Wisdom: For a Treasure-filled Life stands for pro-activity, create something as a tangible reminder of your goals. Write them down. Then schedule activities toward those goals in your daily planner. You’ll live out your mission if you plan to live it.

Gems of Wisdom: For a Treasure-filled Life releases May 1! It’s available online or from any bookstore. Angie is available to lead women’s retreats, speak at events, or even Skype to your book club. Visit http://www.AngelaBreidenbach.com.

Scotch Eggs

The perfect use for dozens of those leftover Easter eggs .

One dozen hard-boiled eggs, peeled
1/3 cup flour
2 beaten eggs
1 lb. maple breakfast sausage
2 cups of breadcrumbs
Oil for deep frying
Roll peeled, hard-boiled eggs in flour.
Form maple sausage around each egg until it’s a ball that completely coats the egg with no break.
Roll sausage covered eggs in beaten, raw egg mix.
Roll and cover each ball in breadcrumbs.
Deep fry in 350° oil until deep, rich golden brown (5–8 minutes).
Pull out of oil and drain on paper towels.

Cut in half to serve. The Scotch Eggs are beautiful with the yolk, white, and sausage layers forming a visual bull’s eye. Half an egg is one serving and is traditionally served in Scotland with a green salad and ale. We serve it at Easter Tea with other fun finger foods, lots of veggies, and specialty teas.

Tips:
*Use plastic wrap to form thin sausage patties by smashing sausage in between layers. I get easily a dozen equal portions out of a pound of sausage by using the plastic wrap method. *Be sure there are no cracks in the sausage and you don’t see the egg through it before moving to the next stage.

*Use a small fryer or a deep, heavy saucepan for deep fat frying, and a slotted metal spoon.

*If you don’t have a deep fat fryer, use a candy thermometer to monitor your oil heat. Let it stand in between batches of 3–4 eggs at a time to allow the oil to get hot again. By keeping the heat as steady for each batch, you’ll have crisp Scotch Eggs and not soak up much oil into the food. Too cool and the oil soaks into your food, adding heavy calories and soggy coatings.