~
There's JOY in the Kitchen ~
~When we realize that ~
It's what you learn AFTER you know it all, that
counts. THIS WEEK:
* WHAT LOAD? = There is more to running the
race as a servant that you might not have
expected!
* PASTOR'S CHAT! = Just for the pastors!
* RECIPES - POEMS - NUGGETS - LAUGHTER -
THOUGHTS = All from you! * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * *
WHAT LOAD?
By Shannon Parish
1 Cor 9:19 For though I am free from all men,
I have made myself a servant to all, that I might
win the more; 1 Cor 9:23-24 Now this I do for the
gospel's sake, that I may be partaker of it with
you. Do you not know that those who run in a race
all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such
a way that you may obtain it.
There is a wonderful benefit that is not often
spoken of in being a loving servant of Jesus
Christ. A servant is only responsible to obey and
carry out the Master's orders. . . . he or she is
not responsible for the Master's decisions, nor
is he or she responsible for the response of
those the Master sends the servant to minister
to.
When we get that revelation, we realize the
added benefit of what Jesus spoke of when he said
that our burden would be light and our yoke easy.
If we take "ownership" of our churches,
we are stealing from the Master. If we take the
same ownership over people's responses to Him and
their sins and behavior - we have stolen once
again. Whether it is the finances, the church,
the people, the glory, the victories, the wars
and defeats - if we take ownership of these
things, we are stealing from the Master. They are
not ours to carry, nor are they our
responsibility. Our loving Master is well able to
deal with the hearts of men, locate finances,
heal the sick and the broken hearted, and judge
those who are in sin. (So . . . there goes THAT
load! )
He is also the only one who is to receive
Honor, Glory, and Praise. . . . that is a burden
that many have been crushed by when they tried to
take it on. (AND. . . . there goes that load as
well) Why do you think He calls us VESSELS and
not gods? ~ To be poured out by HIM. ~ Why do you
think He calls us to become servants? ~ To be
protected and provided for by Him - without being
responsible for the burdens. By the way. . . THIS
is the "simplicity that is Christ's"
and this is what it is to become like a little
child. Trusting, obedient, able to receive His
love without question, and quick to take pleasure
in Him and rejoice.
What is left to carry? The next time you are
feeling burdened or suffocated by
responsibilities, stop and ask yourself - what
have you stolen from the Master? Repent, give
back to God what is God's and look at your hands
. . . . . . are they empty now? Then lift them up
and praise His Holy Name! That is what they are
there for anyway. . . . . now, wasn't that easy?
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"When Someone Questions Your
Beliefs"
(This article was submitted by
Justaservn, and came from a ministry online
called Morning Coffee.)
"David was four and in his 'why?' phase.
And I, as his father, was seriously trying to
answer all his 'why' questions. One Sunday noon
our family was enjoying a spaghetti dinner with
several students we had invited to join us.
Midway through dinner I noticed David messing
with his noodles, and I said the fatherly thing:
'David, eat your spaghetti.'
'Why?'
"'Because Mother made your spaghetti for
you to eat.'
"'Why?'
"'Well, because you like spaghetti.'
"'Why?'
"'Because different people have different
tastes and likes, and you like spaghetti.'
"'Why?'
"'Well, it's a function of freedom to
choose what we want in life in non-moral issues.'
(The students were starting to enjoy this
interchange.) It didn't take many 'whys' to get
to some very heavy theological issues.
"'Why?'
"'Because, David, you're free, you're
free in Christ.'
At this last comment David dropped his head
and stared at his plate. He looked as if he had
been wounded. He slowly shook his head, and said
sadly, 'I'm not free.' You could hear a pin drop.
What bondage could a four-year-old know in his
heart? The students stared at David in his pain.
His lower lip was quivering. Leann and I glanced
at each other. David has always been thoughtful
and sensitive; what insight did his little mind
carry about spiritual freedom?
While those thoughts were going on in my head,
David seemed to again some kind of inner
strength. Still looking at the plate, his
knuckles went white as he gripped his Sesame
Street fork. He looked up, spaghetti sauce
smeared over his mouth, his brown eyes flashing
with righteous anger. He drew a deep breath.
"Daddy, I'm not free. I'm *four*.
-- by Mack Stiles
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * *
SO FAR . . . So far today,
God, I've done all right. I haven't gossiped,
haven't lost my temper, haven't been greedy, or
grumpy, nasty or self-centered. I'm really glad
about that.
But in a few minutes, God, I'm going to get
out of bed, and then I'm going to need a lot of
help. Thank You. (Submitted by Mama Brrr)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
POT LUCK !
Recipes The recipes that I have been sharing
with you such as the one below are from the book
"LifeStyle For Health" by Cheryl
Townsley. This is the woman that I have invited
to speak at our conference next May. Please visit
her web site: Just click on the following:
LifeStyle For
Health
SLOPPY JOE LENTILS
An easy and tasty alternative to hamburger sloppy
joes.
This is better the second day and freezes well.
1 med. onion, fresh, chopped
1 tbs. canola oil
1 clove garlic, fresh, minced
------------
1 whole carrot, fresh, chopped
3 tbs. parsley, fresh, chopped
1/2 tsp. basil, ground
1 tbs. tamari
------------
4 cups vegetable broth, canned
2 cups lentils, uncooked
------------
3 cups tomato sauce
DIRECTIONS: 1. Sauté' onion and garlic in oil
until translucent. 2. Add carrot and spices,
simmer 5 minutes. 3. Add lentils and stock simmer
for 30 minutes. 4. Add tomato sauce and simmer
until veggies and lentils are tender. Add water
if too thick. 5. Serve in whole grain buns or
over brown rice.
NOTES: This can be prepared in a crockpot and
cooked on low all day. Serves Six
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
One reason the dog has so many friends:
he wags his tail instead of his tongue. (An evil
man sows strife; gossip separates the best of
friends. Prov. 16:28 TLB)
* * * * *
WHAT RETREAT?
For those of you who don't know. . . we are
planning a retreat in Winterpark, Colorado for
the end of May, 1998! You will be staying in one
of the luxurious ski condos at off-season prices.
Start planning now to attend. There are already
things in the "works" to make your stay
a fun, refreshing, and joyful time. Stay tuned
for more information as it develops! (Wouldn't
want to tell you too much . . . . now, would I?
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
*
For your Exploring Pleasure,
click on these hyper links and find
something new to investigate!
LifeStyle For
Health
Guide
to Christian Camping and Retreats
Lanier's
Bed & Breakfast Guide Online
(If you have discovered a web site that you
think others would be interested in, please let
me know, and I will put it in our newsletter.
Just click & drag the sight from your
Favorite Places and drop it into your letter.)
_______________________________________________________________
YOUR TAX DEDUCTIBLE GIFT to
Sarah's Tent is used for things such as
Scholarships for Annual Pastors Wives Retreats
across the U.S., Financial Aid towards Crisis
Counseling for the Pastors Family.
Make checks payable to Sarah's Tent and send
in care of LIVING STONES CHURCH / P.O. Box 964 /
Broomfield, CO 80038-0964 / USA ~ (Sarah's Tent
is a World Wide Internet Ministry hosted by
LIVING STONES CHURCH and as a co-operative effort
of churches and pastors throughout the United
States.)
__________________________________________________________________
Joy In The Kitchen is an extension of Sarah's
Tent An online ministry devoted to gathering
together God's silent warriors, the wives of
pastors and ministers of all denominations and
cultural backgrounds, as well as their families,
for fellowship, support, laughter and prayer. Isa
51:1-2 / Isa 54:2-3 / Heb 10:24-25
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