If you haven't figured it out already, we go to Chattanooga, Tennessee a lot.  A few years ago, we discovered a little gem tucked away over on the North Shore.  It's a little Tex Mex restaurant called Taco Mamacita.  They serve a large variety of southwestern foods.  You can check out their complete menu in more detail here on the Taco Mamacita website.

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living (Tina Truelove)

 Places to Eat in Chattanooga, Tennessee:  Taco Mamacita

One of our favorite items is their Sloppy Joe Taco.  Yes, a Sloppy Joe Taco.  I had never heard of one until we visited this little tucked away North Shore restaurant.  I like Sloppy Joe sandwiches and I like Tacos.  Well, the folks at Taco Mamacita figured out how to combine these two yummy foods into one and it is soooooo good.

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living (Tina Truelove)

Look at that photo.  This really huge soft taco is filled with Sloppy Joe filling, loads of cheese, jalopeno peppers and I don't even know what else.  It is simply amazing.  Some days I want to drive the 2.5 hours up there just to eat one.

So, if you find yourself on Chattanooga's North Shore at meal time, head over to Taco Mamacita's and order one of these Sloppy Joe Tacos - or choose from a huge variety of other mouth-watering menu items.

Their Chattanooga address is:

109 North Market Street
Chattanooga, TN  37405

Check them out on Facebook here.

Learn about more interesting places here.

Looking for an easy keto chicken recipe?  I've got you covered.  This lemon garlic cinnamon chicken recipe is keto friendly and it only takes a short time to make it.  My husband loves a lot of spices so I loaded this recipe with them.

 Keto Lemon Garlic Cinnamon Chicken

You'll need:

2 - 4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
2 TBSP Lemon Juice
2 TBSP Chili Powder
2 TBSP Ginger Spice
2 TBSP Garlic Powder
2 TBSP Coriander Spice
2 TBSP Onion Powder
2 TBSP Cinnamon
2 TBSP Butter
1/2 Cup Heavy Cream
1 Can Rotel Tomatoes
1 Cup Chicken Broth

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living (Tina Truelove)

Instructions:

First, you'll need to dice up the chicken.  Then, in a medium size bowl, add the diced chicken and 1 TBSP each of lemon juice, chili powder, ginger spice, garlic powder, coriander spice, onion powder, and cinnamon.  

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living (Tina Truelove)

Mix it all up and let it marinate for a few minutes.  Then, add 2 TBSP butter to a deep skillet.  After the butter melts, add the chicken mixture.

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living (Tina Truelove)

While stirring frequently, cook on medium heat until the chicken is cooked through.

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living (Tina Truelove)

While the chicken mixture is simmering, add to a medium size bowl 1/2 cup of heavy cream, 1 can  of Rotel tomatoes, and 1 cup of chicken broth.  Add in 1 TBSP each of lemon juice, chili powder, ginger spice, garlic powder, coriander spice, onion powder, and cinnamon.  Mix it all up and then pour the mixture over the simmering chicken.  Continue simmering for 10 or 15 minutes, stirring frequently.

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living (Tina Truelove)

It's not a  pretty dish, but trust me, it's good!

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living (Tina Truelove)

Serve with steamed broccoli.  If a keto friendly recipe is not important to you, this tastes good with mixed vegetables too.

This recipe is not keto friendly but if you love pork chops and you're not following the keto lifestyle plan, try these bacon ranch pork chops in gravy sauce.

Bacon Ranch Pork Chops in Gravy Sauce

What is Your God Story? (from the Study on Galatians Series)

Our pastor has started his new series.  We are going through a study on the book of Galatians.  Previously, he taught us about freedom in Jesus.  This week, his sermon is titled "Your God Story."  Our key verse in Galatians for this series is Galatians 5:1.

Image Credit:  Ben White - Public Domain Image via Freely Photos

It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. - Galatians 5:1

The following are my notes based on my pastor's sermon.  You are invited to view the entire sermon here.

Free - Your God Story - May 12, 2019 (Message) from Christ Place Church on Vimeo.

 What is Your God Story?

God stories encourage us.

¹¹ For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. ¹² For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

¹³ For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it; ¹⁴ and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions. ¹⁵ But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, was pleased ¹⁶ to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, ¹⁷ nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus.

This scripture wall art is available here.

¹⁸ Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and stayed with him fifteen days. ¹⁹ But I did not see any other of the apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. ²⁰ (Now in what I am writing to you, I assure you before God that I am not lying.) ²¹ Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. ²² I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea which were in Christ; ²³ but only, they kept hearing, “He who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith which he once tried to destroy.” ²⁴ And they were glorifying God because of me. - Galatians 1:11-24

No one is beyond the reach of God's grace.  Paul led a terrible life of persecuting Christians before he knew Christ.  Before Paul knew Christ, he believed he was the best pharisee.

And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions. - Galatians 1:14

Being good will not get us into Heaven.  No one is "good."  We all need Jesus.  Paul thought he was doing God's work, being advanced in Judaism.  He thought he was doing God's work by getting rid of Christians.  Yet, Paul was lost until He believed in Jesus.

When did you start believing in Christ?

¹⁵ But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, was pleased ¹⁶ to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles. - Galatians 1:15-16

Before Paul knew Jesus, his name had been Saul.  Take a few minutes to learn about Saul's conversion here in Acts 9.

 Paul was pursuing Christians but God was pursuing Paul.   

If you are persecuting followers of Jesus, you are persecuting Jesus . . . just as Paul was doing.

BUT God has set Paul apart even when he was still in the womb.  God had a plan for Paul.  

Paul's eyes were opened and he saw that he needed Jesus.  Have your eyes been opened?

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. - Galatians 2:20

God had prepared Paul to preach to the Gentiles.  

God is preparing you for what He has planned for you. He loves you and He is pursuing you for His good.  

In case you missed it, see Kim's God story here.

   

What is your God story?

 Read all posts in the Galatians Bible study series here.