~
There's JOY in the Kitchen ~
~When we realize that ~
Character is what a man (or a woman) is in the
dark.
D.L. Moody * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * *
HEY!!! Somebody Turn On The Light!!!
By Shannon Parish
Most likely you've been there. Hearing a noise
in the dark, or having to attend to some
"business" in the dark, you gingerly
walk through the house without turning on the
lights groping along to find your way, only to
step on a toy, or stub your toe. Perhaps you
jumped up and down holding your throbbing toe and
crashed into a wall or coffee table, creating
greater discomfort. If you were smart, you turned
on the light. If you were smart, you would've
already had a light on so that you could see your
way through the dark. If you were smart. . . . .
How many times have we thought that? "If
I had a been smart - I would've seen that coming.
. ." But all to many times, we don't see
those "things" coming. We take our
chances and grope along in the dark, trying to
find our way. . .
Did you know that Satan is the ruler of
darkness? Of course you do - and you can prove it
by going to Ephesians 6:12, and Jude 1:6! Right?
Of course! (Sneaky way of getting an obvious
verse in the article, right?) So what does that
have to do with you? More than you would probably
like to know!
Have you ever had times where you just can't
seem to get on top of things? People everywhere
frustrate and irritate you. The bills continue to
mount up and panic begins to set in, worry
consumes your thoughts as you try to find your
way out of the storm. You and your spouse seem to
never agree on anything and you sometimes wish
that you had never been married. (Aw come on, now
don't look at me like that - you can't tell me
you haven't had your moments.) Anger rises as you
pray furiously for God to change your spouse, or
your child, or that infuriating congregational
member.
Ever notice how in these times of stress and
thundering emotional storms, all "hell"
breaks loose? Your car breaks down, you and your
spouse can't seem to speak a civil word to
each other, a rumor begins to spread and fear
strikes your heart at the possibilities of a
church split.
Ever feel like Job? Faithful, devoted to God,
a righteous man. Doing everything right - and
somehow nothing seems to work. Your enemies
ridicule you and it seems as though vultures are
circling above and all around you waiting to pick
on your bones. You comfort yourself by saying
that God is testing your faith. And you bravely
stand tall and strong. . . . even if you ARE a
little weak in the knees. Watching as all that
you have worked for and believed for is destroyed
before your very eyes.
Did GOD really test Job? Or did Job open a
door for Satan to come in and destroy his family?
God was proud of Job - He wanted to show Job off
- but when Satan demanded Job, God could do
nothing but confirm the fact that Job was in
Satan's hands. How, You ask? Well, let's look at
where Job lost it - let's look at the darkness
that Job allowed in his life.
Job 3:25-26 (NKJ)
For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me,
and what I dreaded has happened to me. I am not
at ease, nor am I quiet; I have no rest, for
trouble comes."
What ever is not of faith is sin - right?
(Romans 14:23) Where sin is, there is darkness,
because there is no light, which is the presence
of God. Where darkness is, there Satan rules. And
where Satan rules - is his kingdom, given to him
by us. Job gave Satan an area of his life - in
other words, without realizing it, Job opened the
door wide and invited Satan in. Satan knew he had
a right to Job because the darkness belongs to
him.
Could you relate to what Job was saying?
"I am not at ease, nor am I quiet: I have no
rest . . ." WHERE are you saying this and
why? Restlessness, lack of peace, the fruits of
the flesh - these are all signs of darkness and
sin. These are our warning signs that somebody
needs to turn on the light!
Have you judged your spouse unrighteously? How
about that member that hurt you, have you
forgiven them? Are you afraid of losing control
over your child and trusting God with him or her?
Do you trust God at all? Sure that sounds strong,
but, do you? Are you trusting Him to guide your
steps and teach you to be a good steward with
what He has placed in your hands? Do you trust
God to change your spouse and calm your fears?
Remember, what ever is not of faith is sin, and
where sin is darkness rules, and where darkness
rules - you give Satan permission to do as he
wishes. What Satan wishes is to steal, kill and
destroy - your peace, your mind, your emotions,
your relationships . . . your call.
Ask your Heavenly Father to turn on the light
in your own soul. Stop groping in the dark -
Satan knows his way around in there and loves to
thrown stumbling blocks in your path. You will be
amazed at how much easier and peaceful it is when
God shines the light of His Word on your deepest
thoughts and motives, and heals those gaping
holes in your soul. And you will be amazed at how
much easier it is to see your way around!!
~To know whether or not you are walking in the
dark, take another look at Galations 5:16-26 ~ *
* * * * * * * * James 5:16 Therefore confess your
sins to each other and pray for each other so
that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous
man is powerful and effective. (NIV)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
UNSEEN FRIENDS
By Christina Weimer
Although you are a friend of mine, and letters
we exchange
I would not know you on the street, and doesn't
that seem strange?
You hold a place within my life, unusual and
unique
We share ideals and special dreams, and still we
do not speak
I picture what I think you are perhaps you
picture me.
An intriguing game for both of us for someone we
cannot see.
So for this friendship we possess we owe this
mail a debt
Perhaps the charm lies in the fact that we have
never met.
And, though I don't know you from sight,
I still feel as close to you as I do to the
friends that I see everyday!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
ANNOUNCEMENT
The Tuesday morning chats will be under going
a face lift. Instead of discussing the same
topics as discussed in the other chats, this
particular chat will be reserved for more
"nitty-gritty" issues. Things like
unforgiveness, lust, adultery, grief, marital
problems, etc. Bring your Bible!!!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
1 Cor 13:4-8 Love suffers long and is
kind; love does not envy; love does not parade
itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely,
does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no
evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices
in the truth; bears all things, believes all
things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails. (NKJ)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
SOWING & REAPING
By Teri
sow a thought
reap an action
sow an action
reap a habit
sow a habit
reap a lifestyle
sow a lifestyle
reap a destiny
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
BOOK REVIEW!!
" In case you haven't already had it
recommended to you, one of the best books on
being a minister's wife is "Being a
Minister's Wife and Being Yourself" By Nancy
Pannel. It was given to me by my mother-in-law, a
pastor's wife and minister of music and/or youth
for 44 years. It changed my outlook in many
ways!"
~ ~ Karin
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
RETREAT & REFRESH!!
Many have expressed an interest in attending
the retreat in Winterpark, CO next May of 1998.
We are now in the process of planning several
retreats through out the year in various areas of
the United States. If you are interested in
hosting a retreat, or helping to plan one in your
area, please contact JoyfulArt. We are keeping
these retreats simple and pleasurable,
ministering to the mind, body soul and spirit
through fellowship, discussions, worship and
praise, prayer, and having shopping available, as
well as hot tubs!! There are plenty of
conferences with many guest speakers and busy
schedules, and the last thing we need are more of
those. . . . what we are providing are times of
refreshing and healing so you can return to your
family and congregation as new women!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
POT LUCK!
CHICKEN ENCHILADA CASSEROLE
By Lupe G. Garcia of Earth, TX
2 to 2 1/2 lbs. diced, cooked skinless chicken
breasts
1 chopped onion
3 T. butter
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 to 1 can chicken broth
1 sm. can chopped green chilies
12 to 15 corn tortillas
1 lb. grated Longhorn cheddar cheese
DIRECTIONS: Saute' onion and chilies in
butter. Add cooked chicken and soups. Cook,
stirring constantly, until mixture boils. Remove
from heat. Cut tortillas into quarters. In
greased 9 x 13 inch casserole, layer tortillas,
chicken and soup mixture and cheese, two layers
of each. bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 30
minutes or until bubbly. Serve with sour cream if
you wish.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
CHUCKLES
In our church we do a reading out of the back of
the Hymnal each Sunday called a responsive
reading. This is out of the scripture. Sometimes
you wonder if anyone is really paying attention
to what we are reading. Yesterday my 4 yr.old
said she was playing church with her 2 yr old
brother. She then told me that they were doing
the "responsible" reading. I believe
she understands what we are doing better than the
adults. May we all learn to be responsible for
the word of God.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
For your Exploring Pleasure:
FamilyLife
- "Timeless Principles for your Marriage and
Family" & Related
Web sites These are about Campus Crusade's
FamilyLife conferences. The web site page has a
slew of interesting sites for all ages and
interests, with a special section for children's
sites. A must-do for the dedicated web surfer!
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