~
There's JOY in the Kitchen ~
~When we realize that ~
The people of God need an eternal mindset
recognizing the reality of rewards and judgments.
"The Vanguard Leader" By Frank Damazio *
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"OUCH!! That Hurts!"
By Shannon Parish
The first time the Chiropractor pushed on my
spine and popped my bones back into place I let
out a yell that I'm sure could be heard two doors
down. He told me what he was going to do, and he
had already explained in great detail the
adjustment that was going to be done on my kinked
up spine. Even though I knew all of that, the
actual adjustment still took me by surprise. I
guess I just hadn't REALLY known what to expect.
In theory I did, but not in experience.
"Hello?" I had said as I made my
first appointment with the Dr.'s office. "A
friend recommended I call to have you look at my
stiff neck and weak back. I'm in quite a bit of
pain and they are convinced that you can
help." The appointment was made and I found
myself coming in an hour early so that the whole
chiropractic therapy could be thoroughly
explained.
As I now understand it, there are times when
our bones slip out of joint due to a wrong move,
or carrying a burden we shouldn't have carried.
(I hope you are catching the analogies here.)
When that happens, the tissues surrounding the
area become inflamed and irritated, which puts
pressure on the surrounding areas, causing them
to lock up or slip out of place as well. A chain
reaction occurs all the way up and down the spine
throwing everything off balance. Without proper
maintenance and care we just learn to shift our
positions and adjust ourselves to relieve the
pain. Some people can become so twisted that they
can hardly stand or even be recognized by their
walk. Many will eventually die in their old and
set ways never knowing that they could have been
relieved of the excruciating pain that they had
learned to adjust to.
Listening to all of the information which was
being given to me, as well as discussing my
personal history with the Dr. I was struck by how
much I could see our Christian walks and
relationship with Christ reflected in my office
visit. There have been times when I had either
entered into sin, or been deeply wounded by
someone else, and instead of going to "Dr.
Jesus", had simply learned to adjust my
emotions and beliefs around the pain or trespass.
Never before had I realized that in so doing - I
had thrown everything else off whack and my walk
with the Lord had become unrecognizable. It had
become a "walk" filled with anger, and
irritability, pain and grief.
It was through my loving Father's strong
discipline and chastening of my life, like the
adjustment in the office, that I found relief. No
"adjustment" is pleasant. We know the
Word and know what it says - in theory. But it
isn't until we experience the actual adjustment
and cry out to Him, that we will ever feel
relief. The actual adjustment only lasted but a
moment. But the results have brought everything
else into focus. I now walk straighter than I
have ever walked, and I've been told that my
Heavenly Father is recognized in my walk these
days. Amazing isn't it? Will I never again
experience His chastening? I doubt it, like most,
every once in awhile my back gets weak, and my
neck gets stiff - and it's time for another
adjustment!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * **
Special, loving relationships are more
than just good. They are essential. A shortage of
friends will destroy you.
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LOOK WHO'S WATCHING
(Words in Italics are mine ~ Shannon Parish)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a
great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off
everything that hinders and the sin that so
easily entangles, and let us run with
perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us
fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter
of our faith, who for the joy set before him
endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat
down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Consider him (her) who endured such opposition
from sinful men (people), so that you will not
grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle
against sin, you have not yet resisted to the
point of shedding your blood. And you have
forgotten that word of encouragement that
addresses you as sons (& daughters): "My
(daughter) son, do not make light of the Lord's
discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes
you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son
(daughter)."
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating
you as sons (daughters) For what son (daughter)
is not disciplined by his father? If you are not
disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline),
then you are illegitimate children and not true
sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who
disciplined us and we respected them for it. How
much more should we submit to the Father of our
spirits and live!
Our fathers disciplined us for a little while
as they thought best; but God disciplines us for
our good, that we may share in his holiness. No
discipline seems pleasant at the time, but
painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest
of righteousness and peace for those who have
been trained by it.
Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and
weak knees. "Make level paths for your
feet," so that the lame may not be disabled,
but rather healed. Make every effort to live in
peace with all men and to be holy; without
holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that
no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter
root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.
See that no one is sexually immoral, or is
godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his
inheritance rights as the oldest son. Afterward,
as you know, when he wanted to inherit this
blessing, he was rejected. He could bring about
no change of mind, though he sought the blessing
with tears. Heb 12:1-17 (NIV)
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
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!!!
Last Tuesday we began with "The Seduction
of Adultery". We will be continuing along
this line through at least the next 3 weeks. If
you are interested in receiving a log of the chat
which you can download, write JoyfulArt, and I
will be happy to send you one.
The Monday evening chats will be under going a
face lift as well. Your host, JeffNet (Nettie)
has informed us that the last chat of every month
is for FUN and will be an open chat. Great time
to let your hair down and share all those
hilarious church and family happenings. Laughter
does GOOD like a medicine.
NEW!!! Homeschool chat---Tues. @ 1:00 Central
Time / Sept. 30th Next Tuesday! With your Host,
PrasHm (Kellie)
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God is not concerned with how quickly you
build but how well you build.
"The Vanguard Leader" By Frank
Damazio
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FRIENDS
To have a friend, be a friend. --Old saying
We have been friends together in sunshine and
in shade. --Caroline Norton
Things are never quite as scary when you have
a best friend. --Bill Watterson
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Friends
A friend is:
A push when you've been stopped
A word when you're lonely
A guide when you're searching
A smile when you're sad
A song when you're glad
He who has many friends, has none.
After the friendship of God, a friend's
affection is the greatest treasure here below.
In so much as anyone pushes you nearer to God,
he or she is your friend.
Few delights can equal the mere presence of
one whom we trust utterly.
No problem is ever as dark when you have a
friend to face it with you.
The only way to have a friend is to be one.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
POT LUCK!
Sloppy Joes
Time: 2 hrs. Servings: 5-6
1 1/4 lb. hamburger
1 chopped onion
1 Tbl. brown sugar
1 cap lemon juice
1 Tbl. Worcestershire Sauce (say THAT five times
real fast!)
1 bottle catsup
1 lrg. celery chopped
1 chopped green pepper
salt & pepper
DIRECTIONS: Brown hamburger & onions. Then
add rest of ingredients (except lemon juice)
which you add around 15 minutes before serving.
Simmer 1 hour
For even MORE recipes, click on these!! More
Recipes and Once-a-Month
Cooking (OAMC)
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CHUCKLES
A TALL , SKINNY KID
It must have been my handwriting . When I asked
our new church secretary to put a birth
announcement in Sunday's bulletin , this is what
she typed and what the congregation read;
"Born to the Smith family on March 3 , a
baby girl , 22 oz., 9 feet 3 inches long ."
THE REV. HARVEY HANNEMAN
A DEVIL OF A TIME
I'd never seen a prouder father in my life. In
fact, everyone in the baptismal party was
positively beaming. Behind us, friends and
relatives watched and listened carefully. So I
decided to give the best performance I could. I
did--until the part where the pastor
asks,"Do you renounce the devil and all his
works...?" Instead of the devil, I blooped
out the family's name( let's use Smith here).
What I said, then, was "Do you renounce the
Smith, and all his works....?" That simply
wasn't right, so I tried again Do you renounce
the Smith and all his works....?"Mercy! I
was stuck in a rut, so I moved on to next part.
After the service, I was relieved when no one
said a thing about my mixing up the Smiths and
the devil. But a few weeks later, they asked for
a letter of transfer to another congregation.
Can't say I blame'em. THE REV. F. E. GESKE
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For your Exploring Pleasure,
Michael W.
Smith Official Site I grew up listening to Michael W.
Smith's music (in fact my mother thought he was
too upbeat in the mid-80s, and she was talking
about his song "Great is the Lord"
because it had some electric guitar! Go
figure...), and he remains one of my favorite
artists now that I'm an adult. This site offers a
link to an AU file with an excerpt from his new
single to be released in October. I think it
sounds awesome!!!
Today's Christian Woman Articles and
features for today's woman.
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COMMENTS IN THE MAIL BOX
Periodically comments come in the mail that I
thought you would enjoy reading. If it weren't
for all of you, Sarah's Tent would not be here.
Because of your humor and love, many are touched
by this ministry.
" . . . After about a month here in
Sarah's Tent I must tell you that my heart has
been so encouraged. I did not even realize how
much I needed this. My heart is being touched
daily by the ladies here. God is using this
ministry in my life in a very special way. I
appreciate you and all of the work that you do
here to make it possible. God Bless you" -
K.
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