~
There's JOY in the Kitchen ~
~When we realize that ~
Jesus is a friend who walks in when the world has
walked out.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * HOTPACKS
AND EXHALING
(What in the world do they have in
common?)
By Shannon Parish
Okay, so I have a confession to make. Every
time I have gone into the Chiropractors office,
the sweet receptionists have asked me if I needed
a hot pack. Up till today, I have always refused.
I figured that only "wimps" needed the
hot packs - I could tough it out, no problem!!
The truth is, however, that I didn't have a clue
about why I needed to have one in the first
place, so I ASSUMED that they were for people who
couldn't handle the adjustments. Ahem.
This time I decided to accept the hot pack,
thinking it would simply be a hot little towel
that wrapped around your neck. After being
ushered into the office, I was instructed to lay
face down on the table and relax. Then the
assistant came back with an arm full of what
appeared to be out of the corner of my eye,
towels and a blanket. Laying the bundle down on
my back, I realized that this hot pack covered my
entire back!! As she left the room, she said,
"Enjoy!!" and closed the door behind
her leaving me to myself. At first it didn't seem
so hot. Now alone with my thoughts, I had nothing
to do but to relax and receive the heat.
Slowly but surely the heat began to sink in
and increase in intensity. My mind began to
wander - I think I may even have had a quick
dream or two. Coming to myself once in a while, I
noticed that the heat was penetrating everything,
and before I knew it, I was all toasty, head to
toe.
The door opened and in walked the Dr. I jumped
up after he removed the hot pack and he told me
to go ahead and lay back down, he would work on
my back while I was still hot. "Take a deep
breath," he said, "and blow it
out". When all the air was exhaled he thrust
his hands at just the right place, and the bones
popped back into place. I asked him about the hot
pack, and he said that it was much easier to make
adjustments when heat has been applied because
there isn't the resistance.
That got me to thinking. When God has to deal
with an issue in our lives, many times we can
feel Him calling us into His presence. Once in
His Holy presence we prostrate ourselves before
Him to receive His mercy and love. That glorious,
unimaginable love which covers a multitude of
sins. Who can comprehend that kind of love? It's
not just a little kiss on the 'owie', it covers
us from head to toe. His love not only brings
healing to our souls, it also brings
"heat" to those areas that need to be
adjusted in our lives.
Too often, just like I did before, we refuse
His love and forgiveness. . . thinking that we
can "tough it out", that we don't need
the forgiveness - we stiffen up and adjust our
pride suit to make sure it looks like there
aren't any wrinkles in it. After all, we don't
want anyone to think we have wrinkles!!! Little
do we realize that in resisting what He has so
freely offered us, we are in for a much harder
time of adjustment. Remember when the Dr. told me
to exhale?
Remember also that I am in a prostrate
position before the God of the Universe, Lord of
Lord's and King of Kings? There are thoughts that
come to mind, things that the Father needs to
deal with. There are other thoughts as well.
Reasonings, excuses, frustrations, compromises,
blame, unforgiveness, anger, resentment, fear,
loneliness, lusts, and the list goes on. Now, in
all seriousness, do you think that pretending
that you don't have these feelings, that it is
going to be any easier on you? Do you seriously
think that you have GOD fooled? You are only
fooling yourself, and your pride is in the way.
Time to EXHALE!!!!!! Blow it all out, confess it
all . . . vent like you have never before vented
. . . every struggle, every bit of anger and
frustration, fear and lust. Let it all out. Once
you release it all, the Father can do the
adjustment that is needed. Quickly and
efficiently.
Ever read the Psalms? Ever notice that King
David had no problem with just "Letting It
all Hang Out"? He didn't hold anything back.
Go ahead - read them again. Try on Psalm 35 for
size. How about Psalm 6? Or Psalm 22:14-19. How's
that for RAW emotion? Notice something else -
once David exhaled all of his emotion, he was
finally able to receive God's love, grace and
mercy. Finally, after all the junk was released,
he saw God for WHO God was. Omnipotent, Almighty,
All Powerful, Majestic, Holy and Anointed one.
Suddenly, David got an adjustment. How about you?
Want a hot pack? Ready? EXHALE!!!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
She who cannot forgive breaks the bridge
over which she herself must pass.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
WE PAUSE NOW FOR A WORD FROM OUR
SPONSOR
Submitted by JeffNet
God is like Coca-Cola
He's the real thing.
God is like General Electric
He lights your path.
God is like Bayer Aspirin
He works wonders.
God is like Hallmark Cards
He cared enough to send the very best.
God is like Tide
He gets out stains that others leave behind.
God is like VO-5 Hair Spray
He holds through all kinds of weather.
God is like Dial Soap
Aren't you glad you know Him?
Don't you wish everyone did?
God is like Sears
He has everything.
God is like Alka Seltzer
Oh, what a relief He is!
God is like Scotch Tape
You can't see Him but you know He's there!
God is like American Express Card
Don't leave home without Him!
( Author Unknown, Probably God?)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Those who deserve love the least need it
the most.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Rom 8:38-39 For I am persuaded that
neither death nor life, nor angels nor
principalities nor powers, nor things present nor
things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any
other created thing, shall be able to separate us
from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our
Lord.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
POT LUCK!
Apple Pie
by DOTMI
6 c. thinly sliced, peeled apples
3/4 c. sugar
2 T. flour
1 t. cinnamon
1/4 t. salt
1 T. lemon juice
Heat oven to 425 degrees. In large bowl,
combine all filling ingredients; mix lightly.
Prepare bottom crust (unbaked) using a 9"
pan. Add filling and top with crust. Bake at 425
for 40 to 45 minutes or until apples are tender
and crust is golden. (I use foil around outside
edges to prevent over browning) Pillsbury
refrigerated pie crusts are a good substitute in
a pinch.
For even MORE recipes, click on these!! More
Recipes and Once-a-Month
Cooking (OAMC)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
If a care is too small to be turned into
a prayer, it is too small to be made into a
burden.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
CHUCKLES
A Recipe For Cooking A Husband
A good many husbands are utterly spoiled by
mismanagement. Some women may go about it as if
their husbands were balloons, and blow them up.
Others keep them constantly in hot water. Others
let them freeze by their carelessness and
indifference. Some keep them in a stir by
irritating words and ways. Some keep them in a
pickle all their lives. Others roast them. No
husband will be tender and good, managed this
way. But they are delicious when properly
treated. In selecting your husband, don't be
guided by the silvery appearance as in buying a
mackerel. Be sure to select him yourself, as
tastes differ. See that the linen you wrap him in
is nicely washed and mended with the required
number of buttons and strings tightly sewed on.
Tie him in a kettle with the strong silken cord
called "comfort", as the one called
"duty" is often weak. If he sputters
and sizzles do not be anxious. Some husbands do
this until they are quite done. Add a little
sugar in the form of kisses, A little spice
improves him, but it must be used with judgement.
Don't stick any sharp instrument into him to see
if he is tender. Stir him gently. Thus treated,
you will find him reliable, unless you become
careless and set him in a cold place.
(Anonymous)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
For your Exploring Pleasure,
A
Guide to Christian Literature on the Internet I
This site has tons of resources and Bibles to
refer to.
Christian
Resources on the Internet (1 of 55) A guide
to Christian resources on the internet http://www.crosssearch.com/
Anything you ever wanted to find in regards to
religion this will assist you.
CROSSWALK Home
Then there is the CrossWalk Home page with links to
many other sites. they have devotions, books,
boards and much more.
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