~
There's JOY in the Kitchen ~
~When we realize that ~
We don't pray for opportunities.
We pray that we'll be ready when opportunities
come. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* *
R.E.S.T. (Releasing Excesses Simply
& Thoroughly)
by Shannon Parish
We are a society of excesses. Surely I don't
need to tell you that. . .but let's go over a few
examples anyway. . . let's start with the
INTERNET! (AHH- H-H-H-H-H-H!) I can hear you
already. . . "Now Shannon, don't go
there!" Okay, I won't. . . heh heh heh. I
don't have to, because the Lord has already dealt
with you on that one. (Me too)
He's also dealt with you about how much T.V.
you are watching, the movies you see, the food
you eat, your lack of exercise, the stress in
your life. Just think about it. Because of all of
our excesses, we have created a monster in our
society of always wanting everything NOW! We have
instant mashed potatoes, TV dinners, Microwave,
Dishwashers, Clothes washers, faster speed
limits, every store imaginable (who needs to MAKE
anything any more?) The more instant, the better.
. . right?
Maybe not! We want things instantly so we can
save time. . . because we are soooo busy. . . .
that way we can cram more things into our
schedules. . . . . because we are sooooo busy. .
. . we need MORE things. . . . . because we are
soooo busy. Somewhere in the bustle of being
soooo busy, and wanting more THINGS, we have lost
the art of just resting. Resting and meditating
on the goodness of God, stopping long enough to
wonder at the rose you just stopped to smell.
Resting long enough to gasp at the wondrous
clouds in the deep blue sky above, to take note
of the gentle breeze brushing across your cheeks.
. . . . listening to the Robin chirruping it's
joyful song, or the Meadow Lark ecstatically
proclaiming to the world "He is the Lord On
High!" Resting long enough to use our
imagination to even "hear" him sing
that!
Do you know what happens to us when we DON'T
make rest a priority? We become rushed, and
entangled with the things of this world.
Frustration sets in and anger builds, we yell at
the driver next to us who just made a mistake in
their driving skills and give them an ugly look
(hopefully, that's ALL we give them . . because
that's bad enough!) We snap at our kids and
ignore our spouses emotional pleas for
companionship. . . . sigh, and if that isn't bad
enough. . . we leave Jesus Christ, our Heavenly
Father and the Holy Ghost in the dust. . . . . on
our way to do more "stuff" for God.
(Ahem - could it be that this is cloaked in
pride. . . the fact that we don't take any rest?)
Our hearts become hardened and the joy of
ministry isn't even a fond memory anymore. . . it
is hardly even in our vocabulary. We find
ourselves griping and complaining about the
congregation and their apathetic attitudes. . .
while we "slave" over MORE details and
things we've thought up that just HAD to be done.
Here's a thought, if you knew that you only
had one week to live. . . what would suddenly
become a priority? Guard your hearts! It is too
easy for them to become hardened with the things
of this world. As you find rest, you will
suddenly realize that life is full of wonder and
joy, that you love your family more than you
thought you did, that your spouse is indeed the
guy (or gal) you married. . . . but MOST of all,
you will discover that somehow God's voice is
easier to hear, His Majesty is greater, His love
more passionate, and His Grace more than enough
for you.
Beware of the snare of the enemy!
Gal 5:1
Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which
Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled
again with a yoke of bondage. (NKJ)
2 Pet 2:20
For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of
the world through the knowledge of the Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in
them and overcome, the latter end is worse for
them than the beginning. (NKJ)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
What Man, while on his death bed, wished
he had worked more hours?
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Some people are always grumbling because
roses have thorns; I am thankful that thorns have
roses.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
POT LUCK!!!
zucchini cheese casserole
2 lbs. zucchini, cut into 1/2 inch slices
1/2 cup boiling water
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 lb. cottage cheese (2 8oz. cartons)
1 cup cooked brown rice
1 onion, finely chopped
1/2 tsp. marjoram
1 T. chopped chives
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
Salt, to taste
Place zucchini in pan with boiling water.
Cover and boil for 5 minutes. Drain. Combine
eggs, cottage cheese, rice, onions, salt,
marjoram and chives. Place 1/2 zucchini in bottom
of a buttered casserole. Top with 1/2 rice
mixture, then repeat layers. Sprinkle with
Parmesan cheese. Bake 45 minutes at 350 degrees.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I am sure that I have already printed this
poem by Justaservn (Carol), however
due to the content of this weeks newsletter, I
believe it bears repeating. . .
thanks Carol!
Be Still And Know That I Am God
Psalms 46:10
Be still my child...
and in that stillness
you will come to know
that I AM GOD.
Stop the rush of thoughts, ideas, tasks to be
performed...
Lay all aside and be still before Me.
I will not compete with your thoughts.
You must choose Me;
for then and only then, will you know, and I
know,
that I AM your GOD.
In My stillness there is peace.
In quietness I dwell.
In my presence is the fullness of your joy.
My presence will restore you.
It will renew and strengthen you.
Rest from the battle and I will make you strong
for the next conflict.
When you know...
when all doubts, fears, and anxieties
bow their knee to My name
and are dissipated by My presence,
when you truly know who I AM, and what I AM,
you will never fear again.
All the resources of heaven stand ready to move
on behalf of those who trust Me,
who believe that what I have said in My Word is
true.
Know this well.
There is no greater power on earth than I.
I AM GOD!
I love you deeply.
I care for your life.
I sent my most Precious Possession to earth
to live a life before you that would strengthen
and encourage you.
He came that you might have My life force within
you.
Then He bowed His life unto Me in humble
submission
and allowed His Precious Blood to be extracted
from Him
as settlement for all that you would ever do
wrong.
I have done all for you that needs to be done
in order for you to live your life in the power
of My Spirit.
I have forgiven you;
I indwell you; and all I need from you is
agreement and consent.
Then My Power will flow from you
as it did from My First Born.
You will order the affairs of your adversary.
He has no dominion over you anymore.
My Glory will be manifest in your life!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
>From time to time, as relationships are
built we will find a few "surprises"
along the way that we hadn't counted on. Rather
than pass judgement and think. . . . "well I
don't believe I care much for that. . . ."
Take a moment instead and practice REALLY
listening with God's love and His heart. You
might surprise yourself and learn something. . .
as well as gain an unexpected friend!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
*
Prov 22:11 11 He who loves purity of
heart and has grace on his lips, the king will be
his friend.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * *
* * * *
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
|
