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There's JOY in the Kitchen ~
~When we realize that ~
Success is a journey, not a destination.
Dr. Robert Schuller * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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Mistakes are not failures. They are simply
stepping stones to success. That is, if we dare
take the first step! Several opportunities await
you in this week's newsletter. Which step will
you be tempted to take?
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Mark 3:3 And He said to the man who had
the withered hand, "Step forward." (NKJ)
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Identity Crisis
By Shannon Parish
"Would you like to take the next week's
women's meeting?" my pastor's wife told me.
"I believe that you can plan it and speak
without any problems. I have confidence in
you!"
"Okay. . . . " I thought, "I
can do this, I can do this," as my heart
started pounding in my ears. The week came by
faster than I could have imagined and all seemed
to go well. It was different carrying the full
responsibility of the meeting - somehow the load
seemed heavier. But all I could think of was how
glad I would be when it was over!
The praise and worship went well, and there
was a nice group of ladies present. Hardly able
to breath I choked out a few songs and tried to
maintain consciousness due to the fear rising up
in my throat. Suddenly the music stopped. I
wanted to run. I couldn't catch my breath.
Somewhere in the distance of my mind, I heard my
name being called. My body began to move forward.
In automatic pilot I noted my hands lifting my
Bible to the podium. Louder and louder I heard my
heart beat and my ears began to burst from the
ringing and the swishing sound surging back and
forth in them.
Barely able to speak, I whispered out to the
waiting faces in the crowd. "You all had
better pray for me. . . . " and my voice
trailed off. I was terrified that I was going to
faint in front of all these trusting faces. Who
was I anyway? What did I have to tell these
women? Some of them were by far more educated
than me!!! How in the world did "I" of
all people find my way up front to the podium?
"Oh God," I pleaded inwardly, "I'm
gonna die, I'm so frightened."
The ladies never knew that what I was trying
to say to them was "Please pray for me, I'm
going to faint." All they knew was I said,
"Please pray". Obediently they had
bowed their heads and began to lift the meeting
and up myself in prayer. God spoke to my spirit.
"Perfect love casts out fear".
"What?" I asked in my heart as my mouth
blessed the meeting. "Perfect love casts out
fear." the voice said again. "Okay
Lord, what ever you say, I accepted it by faith.
The fear began to subside and peace began to
take it's hold on my mind, body, soul and spirit
as I realized how very much God loved those who
were sitting in front of me. I wasn't God. They
knew that. It would be silly to compare myself to
him, and audacious for me to expect them to see
me as a god. (Well, isn't that what our flesh is
really wanting?) All I was, was a vessel, pouring
out God's love to His beloved daughters.
Many times, we won't step forward and stretch
forth our withered souls because we are afraid
that we will be hurt further. But an amazing
thing happens when we lay OURSELVES aside and
just pour out the Father's love. In so doing, we
find that He heals us in the stretching.
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You are about to experience a turning
point. Stay in the game - it's too soon to quit! Van
Crouch
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WHO IS HE TO ME?
Submitted by PrasHm
To the artist, He is the one altogether lovely
(Song of Sol. 5:15).
To the architect, He is the chief cornerstone (1
Pet. 2:6)
To the astronomer, He is the sun of righteousness
(Mal 4:2).
To the baker, He is the bread of life (John
6:35).
To the builder, He is the sure foundation
(Isa.28:16).
To the carpenter, He is the door (John 10:7).
To the doctor, He is the great physician (Jer.
8:22).
To the educator, He is the great teacher (John
3:2).
To the engineer, He is the new and living way
Heb. 10:20).
To the farmer, He is the sower and reaper of the
harvest (Luke 10:2).
To the florist, He is the rose of Sharon (Song of
Sol. 2:1).
To the geologist, He is the rock of ages (1 Cor.
10:4).
To the horticulturist, He is the true vine (John
15:1).
To the jeweler, He is the pearl of great price
(Matt. 13:46)
To the judge, He is the only righteous judge of
Men (2 Tim. 4:8).
To the juror, He is the faithful and true witness
(Rev 3:14).
To the lawyer, He is counselor and lawgiver (Isa
9:6)
To the newspaper man, He is the tidings of great
joy (Luke 2:10).
To the philanthropist, He is the unspeakable gift
(2 Cor. 9:15).
To the philosopher, He is the wisdom of God (1
Cor. 1:24).
To the preacher, He is the word of God (Rev.
19:13).
To the sculptor, He is the living stone (1 Pet.
2:4).
To the servant, He is the good master (Matt.
23:8,10).
To the sinner, He is the Lamb of God who takes
sin away (John 1:29).
To the statesman, He is the desire of all nations
(Hag. 2:7).
To the student, He is the incarnate truth (1 John
5:6).
To the theologian, He is the author and finisher
of our faith (Heb 12:2).
To the worker, He is the giver of rest (Matt.
11:28).
--Author unknown
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Phil 4:13 I can do all things through
Christ who strengthens me. (NKJ)
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OPPORTUNITIES TO STRETCH
Have you thought that it would be fun to host
one of our chats? Several of you have already
blessed all of us in co-hosting or hosting. There
are several opportunities to do that now. The
evening chat on Mondays is looking for a host as
Lisa, (Msp6830) has asked to be relieved of the
chat in order to attend to some church problems
they are having to deal with. (You might want to
keep her and her husband in prayer as well for
this.) Whether you will be hosting on a permanent
basis, or just taking it for a month and rotating
- we would like to hear from you! There is room
for many more chats as well. At least once a week
we get a request for more evening chats. (Just a
thought if you want to take a stretch!)
Also, COHOSTBROW from Christianity Online has
told me that they are looking for several Hosts,
male and female for various chats in their forum.
One of those chats is a Bible study for senior
ladies, another is chat hosts for the kids in
their chat room. If you would like more
information, please drop her a line and mention
your interest. Speaking from experience - there
is nothing like stretching to put you in greater
health!
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A Request
I'm doing research on pastors' children and
have been asked by a magazine to write about what
happens when your children want to go to church
somewhere else. Ever had to address that issue?
If so, I'd like to hear from you. DAllen0315 =
(Debbie)
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POT LUCK!
FRUIT SMOOTHIES This drink is a refreshing
alternative to ice cream for the entire family.
This Recipe comes from the book "Lifestyle
for Health" written by Cheryl Townsley and
is reprinted by her permission. You can visit her
web site at: LifeStyle
For Health
2 whole bananas, frozen, cut in chunks
1 cup strawberries, frozen, unsweetened - or
raspberries
2 cups apple juice, unsweetened
DIRECTIONS: Blend in blender, adding more
juice if needed. NOTES: Ingredient Option: For
the berries, substitute other fruits that are in
season, especially peaches. Serves Two.
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Judeo-Christian Theology As Explained
By Children
The following are answers given by students
from Williamston Presbyterian Church, So.
Carolina to test questions on the Bible as
printed in the 12/31/95 issue of "National
Review":
The first book of the Bible is Guinessis, in
which Adam and Eve were created from an apple
tree.
Noah's wife was called Joan of Ark.
Lot's wife was a pillar of salt by day and a ball
of fire by night.
Samson slayed the Philistines with the axe of the
apolstles.
Unleavened bread is bread made without
ingredients.
Moses went to the top of Mt. Cyanide to get the
10 commandments.
The seventh commandment is "thou shalt not
admit adultery."
Joshua led the Hebrews in the battle of Geritol.
David fought with the Finkelsteins, a race of
people who lived in Biblical times.
Solomon had 300 wives and 700 porcupines.
Jesus was born because Mary had an immaculate
contraption.
The people who followed Jesus was called the 12
decibles.
The epistles were the wives of the apostles.
One of the opposums was St. Matthew.
Paul preached holy acrimony, which is another
name for marriage.
A Christian should have only one wife. This is
called monotony.
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