Do our pets go to Heaven??

    Recently my family lost our beloved dog, Blackjack, after he was attacked by a stray dog. It has brought the question up in our household as to whether or not our beloved pets enter God's kingdom. Honestly, I hadn't given it much thought, as I had never lost a pet until now. Blackjack had been with us for almost 7 years and he was my dog. He loved the kids, but he was mama's boy. 

As I examine the scriptures today I am pleased to read what the Lord left us in His love letter to us.

Although He left us no for sure answers about the afterlife of our pets, He does indicate that there will be animals in heaven and the new earth. And guess what??? There's only one way to know for sure, go there for ourselves one day. I can promise you that if you haven't believed on Jesus as your Lord, that God raised Him from the dead on that third and glorious day, then you won't make it to heaven to find out. That's harsh, but it is true. The Lord made the plan of salvation so simple, He wrote it perfectly in John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Will you open your eyes and heart to Him?

Wherever you are my sweet Blackjack, rest in peace and know how much you are loved and missed!

Homemade Shake and Bake Mix

Ingredients

3 cups bread crumbs

1 tbsp salt

1 tbsp dried onion flakes

3 tsp paprika

2 tsp sugar

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp black pepper

½ tsp cayenne pepper

½ tsp dry parsley

½ tsp dry basil

½ tsp dry oregano

Mix all ingredients until well blended and store in tightly sealed container for up to 2 months. 

For Pork Chops:

Heat oven to 425°. Line pan with aluminum foil sprayed with cooking spray. Place desired amount of mix in gallon size zipper bag. Moisten chops under running water. Drop chops individually into bag, shaking until well coated. Place on foil and bake for 30 mins or until done. 

For Chicken:

Heat oven to 400°. Line pan with aluminum foil sprayed with cooking spray. Place desired amount of mix in gallon sized zipper bag. Moisten chicken under running water. Drop pieces in mix individually, shaking until well coated. Place on foil and bake.

Bone in: 1 hour

Boneless: 30 minutes

Worlds Best Pinto Beans (Oven Style)

World's Best Pinto Beans~~in the oven

1lb dried Pintos (or any other dried bean if you prefer)
Salt to taste
Onion, cut in quarters
Meat seasoning (ham bone, bacon etc)

Sort & rinse beans. Cover with water above beans by 1 inch. Salt to taste & add meat seasoning & quartered onion. Bring to boil on stove top. Cover pot with tight fitting lid (cast iron or other oven safe cookware recommended). Place in oven that has been preheated to 250° for 2 hours, checking water level every 30 minutes. ENJOY!