~
There's JOY in the Kitchen ~
~When we realize that ~
"That not being able to understand God
makes him bigger than us.
If we could understand him,
He would be on our level
- and that's a scary thought!"
Joseph M. Palmer
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
A Word from JoyfulArtThe
quote above is from my son, Joe. As most young
men do, he tried very hard to understand what -
or whom God was. As he pondered this very heavy
question, the above thought came to him. It
didn't take him but a split second to thank God
that HE was there, and in charge.
This past week was an interesting one for us
to say the least. It began with my modem dying,
and my being offline for three days, which at
first, from what the technicians said, would be
two weeks!! Instead of my usual panic, I thanked
God that there were such wonderful faithful
ladies here online carrying out business as usual
with Sarah's Tent. Now, I KNOW that God had to
have sent them to me, and that they are called to
do what they do. Where in the world would I have
been able to find such loving, faithful workers
which I could trust? Only God knew. Not only did
they write and produce the newsletter in my
absense, they greeted our new members, carried on
chats, and continued to pray and love on Sarah's
Tent family members. I was even blessed to have
several of them call me on the phone and update
me with all that they were doing!! GOD KNEW!! My
heart sings when I think of what a wonderful
provider He is!! Thank you ladies for the
wonderful job you all did in my absense!! (Ready
in season and out!)
My two week down time was cut dramatically
short with the purchase of another modem for our
little notebook computer which we had just gotten
back from the shop. I shipped off my other modem
last Friday, and today at noon time, I received
it back repaired!! Amazing service!! (Now I have
to figure out how to put it back in!! LOL)
My husband and I closed on the sale of our
church building which most of you have known we
were selling. All business has now been settled
in regards to that transaction, and we are off to
a glorious new start! If you have been standing
in prayer for us and would like to know more
about this, please feel free to drop me a line,
and I will update you to God's victorious
solution!
As you know, Christmas is upon us. . . next
week in fact. All week long I have talked with
many who are stressed, overburdened, hopeless,
pressured, irritable, and broke. In past years, I
was right among them. For some reason this year
has been different. There is a peace that passes
all understanding in my heart as I ponder what my
son said above. God IS bigger than us. For us to
make Him so small as to think we can only worship
Him by buying bigger and better presents, or
create bigger and better plays,. . . or make
bigger and better cookies. . . . my heart grieves
that we so quickly loose sight of such a BIG God.
His requests of us are so simple, they don't cost
anything but our love. He just wants to spend
time with you. God is bigger than your lack of
presents. He is bigger than your dirty house, or
all those invitations you feel pressured to
attend. He is bigger than the play, or the
relatives coming over. He is simple. . . . . and
He is BIG.
It is through the fires and trials of life
that we discover this. Only when the three young
men exited the firey furnace did they KNOW that
they had been with God, and that He would provide
their salvation. They trusted He would before
they entered, but don't you know there had to
have been some emotions churning inside of them
as they entered the flames? But what glory when
they exited!!! Don't you know they were changed
by their fire? If your fire is causing emotions
to churn inside of you this Christmas, recieve
the GREATEST gift that was given to you at this
time. Lay all thing aside, and recieve JESUS.
After all. . . it's been said before. . . . HE IS
THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!!
All my love and blessings to you all on this
Joyous Christmas Season!!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Heb 12:1-2 Therefore we also, since we
are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which
so easily ensnares us, and let us run with
endurance the race that is set before us, looking
unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,
who for the joy that was set before Him endured
the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down
at the right hand of the throne of God.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Pushing Against the Rock
Submitted by Justaservn
There was a man who was asleep one night in
his cabin when suddenly his room filled with
light and the Savior appeared. The Lord told him
he had a work for him to do, and showed him a
large rock, explaining that he was to push
against that rock with all his might. This the
man did, and for many days he toiled from sun up
to sun down; his shoulder set squarely against
the cold massive surface of the rock pushing with
all his might. Each night the man returned to his
cabin sore and worn out, feeling that his whole
day had been spent in vain.
Seeing that the man was showing signs of
discouragement, Satan decided to enter the
picture, placing thoughts in the man's mind, such
as, "Why kill yourself over this, you're
never going to move it," or "Boy!
You've been at it a long time and you haven't
even scratched the surface," etc. . . .
giving the man the impression that the task was
impossible and that he was an unworthy servant
because he wasn't even moving the massive stone.
These thoughts discouraged and disheartened
the man and he started to ease up in his efforts.
"Why kill myself?" he thought.
"I'll just put in my time, putting forth
just the minimum of effort and that will be good
enough."And that he did, or at least planned
on doing until one day he decided to take his
troubles to the Lord. "Lord," he said,
"I have labored hard and long in your
service, putting forth all my strength to do that
which you have asked me. Yet, after all this
time, I have not even budged that rock half a
millimeter. What is wrong? Why am I
failing?"
"My friend . . . when long ago I asked
you to serve me and you accepted, I told you to
push against the rock with all your strength, and
that you have done. But never once did I mention
to you that I expected you to move it! At least,
not by yourself. Your task was to PUSH! And now
you come to me, your strength spent,thinking that
you have failed and ready to quit. But is that
really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong
and muscled; your back sinewed and brown. Your
hands are calloused from constant pressure and
your legs have become massive and hard. Through
opposition you have grown much and your ability
now far surpasses that which you used to have.
Yet still, you haven't succeeded in moving the
rock; and you come to me now with a heavy heart
and your strength spent. I, my friend, will move
the rock. Your calling was to be obedient and to
PUSH, and to exercise your faith and trust in my
wisdom . . . and this you have done."
~ Author Unknown
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
2 Tim 2:4 No one engaged in warfare
entangles himself with the affairs of this life,
that he may please him who enlisted him as a
soldier.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS
by D. Michael Barrett, J.D., Ph.D.
Submitted by Justaservn
Two ladies sat together in a restaurant. They
were both slumping and had their eyes cast down.
I overheard the first one say, "I hate
Christmas. I don't have enough money. My husband
and I have had another fight about if we're going
to his folks or mine. The kids are grumpy and
time is running out for shopping. I just hate
this season."
As soon as she quit speaking, the other one
began. "I don't think I will make it through
the next few weeks. We're separated -- and it's
just awful. What will I tell the kids? I'm afraid
we'll just miss Christmas this year. Whatever
happened to comfort and joy?"
"Yeah," replied the first woman,
"Where is the Spirit of Christmas?"
Good questions . . . What did happen to
comfort and joy? Where is the Spirit of
Christmas?
We sometimes forget the setting of the first
Christmas. It was not sleigh bells in the snow
and chestnuts roasting on an open fire. Bethlehem
did not look like a Neiman-Marcus Christmas
catalog or a Norman Rockwell print.
Christmas was set in a land where citizens
were terrified of their secular leaders. Mighty
Rome ruled their land and injustice was
everywhere. It was a dark, dark world. And then
Jesus came. Born in a manger, and not a palace.
Born to peasant stock, and not to the "over
the mountain" crowd. There was no room at
the inn, but we all know that story. Joseph was a
carpenter and most believe that Mary was barely
16. Herod, jealous of any contender to his
throne, killed every boy baby he could find.
Jesus escaped into exile in Egypt. It was a dark
time. It was a time of confusion. I believe those
people also longed for comfort and joy.
Where can we find the comfort and joy? Well,
we won't find it in the presents. And we won't
find it in the malls. We won't even find it in
the drop-in visits, the huge family gatherings,
or the sporting events . And a few will discover
they won't find it at their cocktail parties
either. None of these things is the real
Christmas.
When it arrives, the Spirit of Christmas and
its antecedent comfort and joy will come upon us
as it did upon Palestine on that first Christmas
morning. It will come as a gift from our Heavenly
Father.
We cannot buy or program spirituality,
mystery, or wonder. We cannot dictate God's grace
toward us. We can just open our eyes, stand back
breathlessly, and watch.
"Watch for what?," you ask. Watch
for the little things. Remember? Bethlehem, a
manger, poor, pious parents . . . the little
things.
Don't look for the Spirit of Christmas in the
drama and spectacle of our day. I tell you that
if it is to be found it will be found in the
quiet and unexpected.
One year I found the Spirit of Christmas in
North Birmingham on a cold winter evening. After
the congregation had finished a fellowship meal
which consisted mostly of cheese and balogna
sandwiches, the caroling began. An eight year old
began to sing quietly, "Come, O Come,
Immanuel and ransom captive Israel." And for
me the Spirit of Christmas came at that moment.
It still burns in my memory.
One year I found the Spirit of Christmas in my
Tennessee hometown. I had delievered fresh
Florida citrus fruit to most of my family and
close friends but still had a box left over. My
father suggested that we take some to a man we
knew by the name of Wayne.
I hadn't seen Wayne in many years. He was an
unmarried man in his fifties. His parents were
dead and his only brother lived in another state.
Wayne cut and sold firewood during the warm
months in order to survive during the cold ones.
He lived alone in a delapidated shack and had few
visitors.
When my dad presented him with the box of
fruit, tears came to his eyes. He said it
reminded him of when his parents were alive and
they always had oranges at Christmas. At that
moment compassion met joy and for me the Spirit
of Christmas came again.
Another year a client's mother sent me a
Christmas card. It only said, "Thanks."
She remembered that earlier in the year I had
helped her son get his Social Security benefits
reinstated. And for me the Spirit of Christmas
came once more.
Maybe we expect too much. Why shouldn't we? We
already have more than we need . . . fine houses,
fine furniture, fine cars, fine jewelry, and
unequalled in knowledge and learning. We are
righteous too . . . at least we suppose.
But I tell you that when the Spirit of
Christmas comes to us it will come as it came to
Mary and Joseph, the Wise Men, and the Shepherds.
It will come in what the world views as "a
small event." Without true spiritual
discernment in our lives it could go unnoticed or
be overlooked.
Even though life may not have worked out as we
planned, Jesus still knows us and loves us. Paul
counsels that we "should seek after the Lord
. . . and find him, though he be not far from
every one of us." (Acts 17:27).
We may see our Lord in the face of singing
child, a box of oranges, or a card. He may become
visible to us in the faces of those we love.
"I was an hungred, ye gave me meat: I was
thirsty and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger,
and ye took me in: Naked and ye clothed me: I was
sick and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye
came unto me . . . Inasmuch as ye did it unto one
of the least of these my brethren, ye have done
it unto me." (Matthew 25:35-36, 40).
Maybe we should take to heart the message,
"Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour
your Lord doth come." (Matthew 24:42).
Let us pray that our Father in heaven will
again open our eyes. We shouldn't miss a single
thing. For at the moment when we least expect it,
the Spirit of Christmas may come upon us. When it
comes it will be in a wonderous way bringing with
it true comfort and joy.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
You can spend your life any way you want
to, but you can only spend it once.
Dwight Thompson
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
A Special CHRISTmas Tree For You!!
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JESUS
SAVIOR
MASTER
IMMANUEL
REDEEMER
LIVING WORD
KING OF kINGS
ALMIGHTY GOD
LORD OF lORDS
PRINCE OF PEACE
HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL
EVERLASTING FATHER
WONDERFUL COUNSELOR
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The Greatest Christmas Gift
John 3:16 16 "For God so loved
the world that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him should not perish
but have everlasting life. (NKJ)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Heb 13:5 Let your conduct be without
covetousness; be content with such things as you
have. For He Himself has said, "I will never
leave you nor forsake you."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
You will become as small as your controlling
desire; as great as your dominant aspiration.
James Allen
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Heb 13:15-16 Therefore by Him let us
continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God,
that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to
His name. But do not forget to do good and to
share, for with such sacrifices God is well
pleased.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
LETTER FROM DACIA
(Dacia and her husband were called to Africa in
November to minister to the deaf)
We have a web page! A friend of ours has
graciously agreed to maintain a web page for us.
You can find it at: http://members.aol.com/luthdeafmi/ghana.html
It is still under some construction, but all
of our letters are there and soon they will send
pictures. We also hope to get the Nebraska
District Logo to use as the background (now just
a color).
This is a good way to give the members
information about what's happening. Share the WEB
site with your members who have computers and the
Internet. Tell them to check it every so often as
we will add pictures, etc., as soon as we receive
them.
Blessings, John & Dacia
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
POT LUCK!
HEALTHY COOKIES!!!
From Cheryl Townsley LifeStyle For
Health http://lfhealth.com/
Almond Clusters
1 cup almonds, raw, ground
1/2 cup syrup, brown rice
1/2 tsp. cinnamon, ground
1/2 tsp. almond extract - or vanilla
3 tbs. almond butter, plaiin - or cashew butter
3 cups cereal - Oat Flakes
DIRECTIONS:
1. Mix all ingredients but flakes. Stir in flakes
and mix well.
2. Shape into small balls. chill.
NOTES:
Ingredient Option: Other cereals may be used. Try
a mixture of several of
your favorites. Two cookies per serving. yields 4
dozen
ALMOND COOKIES
1 cup almond butter, plain - or cashew butter
1/2 cup syrup, brown rice
2 tbs. canola oil
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
---------
1/4 tsp. salt, sea
1 1/2 cups flour, spelt - or barley1/2 cup
oatmeal, regular, uncooked
DIRECTIONS:
1. Mix liquid ingredients.
2. Mix dry ingredients and add to sweet mixture a
little at a time, stirring
to mix.
3. Roll into balls. Place on oiled cookie sheet
and flatten with fork tines.
4. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes. Be
careful not to overbake or
burn.
Can also roll dough into logs and freeze. Thaw,
slice into 1/2" slices and
bake as above. Two cookies per serving. Yields 3
dozen
CRESENT COOKIES
1 cup "yo" cream cheese (from recipe)*
2 cups flour, barley - or spelt
1/2 cup FruitSource
1 tsp. vanilla extract
-------
1/2 cup pecans, ground
2 tsp. cinnamon, ground
1/4 tsp. nutmeg, ground
--------
1/2 cup jam, all fruit, apricot
DIRECTIONS:
1. Using a food processor, whirl yogurt cheese
and vanilla. add FruitSource
and flour and mix until a ball forms.
2. Divide the ball into fourths. Wrap and
refrigerate at least one hour.
3. Roll each section into a circle. Cut the
circle into eighths. Mix the
pecans, cinnamon and nutmeg.
4. Spread jam on the circle. Sprinkle nut mixture
on top of the jam. roll
up each wedge like a crescent.
5. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350
degrees for about 25 minutes
or until done. Two cookies per serving. yields 4
dozen
NOTES:
Ingredient Option: For the apricot jam,
substitute any other flavor of fruit-
only jam.
"YO" Cream Cheese*
2 cups yogurt, plain, low fat
DIRECTIONS:
1. Line a sieve or colander with 3 layers of
cheesecloth or a paper coffee
filter.
Place sieve in a bowl to drain. Add yogurt.
2. Cover; let drain in fefrigerator 4 to 12
hours. Discard liquid. Use as
cream cheese.
NOTES:
Ingredient Note: do not use yogurt that contains
gelatin because it will not
separate and drain properly.
Ingredient Option: for snacks or a spread for
crackers, add chopped fruit,
fresh or dried or season to taste with herbs or
spices.
Ingredient Option: Or try stirring in honey, or
fruit or maple syrup with
your favorite toasted nuts.
CAROB RAISIN CHEWS
1/2 Cup peanut butter, chunk style
1/2 cup almond butter, plain
2/3 cup syrup, brown rice
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
-------
3/4 cup raisins, seedless, unpacked - or currants
3 tbs. carob flour
2 tbs. sesame seeds, whole
1 1/4 cups oats
DIRECTIONS:
1. Combine butters, sweeteners and vanilla and
mix well.
2. Combine dry ingredients and add to the sweet
mixture.
3. Roll into balls and store in teh refrigerator.
Two cookies per serving.
yields 2 dozen
For even MORE recipes, click on these!! More
Recipes and Once-a-Month
Cooking (OAMC)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The important thing to remember is that
if you don't have that inspired enthusiasm that
is contagious - whatever you do have is also
contagious. Danny Cox
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
~ PRAYER ~
Please send prayer request to C.O.P.E.
Ministries (Christians Online Praying by Email)
in care of Mama Brrr@AOL.com
DON'T FORGET TO LET THEM KNOW YOUR PRAISE
REPORTS!! ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ BAMPRAYER@aol.com
For special prayer JUST for marriages. This is
a ministry from Born Again Marriages. If you
would like to visit their web page. . . click
here: BAMWEB
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Priceless Wisdom
Submitted by Gammy123
A wise woman who was traveling in the
mountains found a precious stone in a stream. The
next day she met another traveler who was hungry,
and the wise woman opened her bag to share her
food.
The hungry traveler saw the precious stone and
asked the woman to give it to him.She did so
without hesitation. The traveler left rejoicing
in his good fortune. He knew the tone was worth
enough to give him security for a lifetime.
But, a few days later, he came back to return
the stone to the wise woman. "I've been
thinking," he said. "I know how
valuable this stone is, but I give it back in the
hope that you can give me something even more
precious. Give me what you have within you that
enabled you to give me this stone."
Sometimes it not the wealth you have but
what's inside you that others need.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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******************************
For your Exploring Pleasure,
(If you have discovered a web site that
you think others would be interested
in, please let me know, and I will put it in our
newsletter. Just click & drag
the sight from your Favorite Places and drop it
into your letter.)
NEW:
Family Values
Network :
Great site for provocative current events
commentary (Thanks Tcmah96!)
A
MAGICAL CHRISTMAS
Submitted by Believe053 = Make sure your kids are
able to see this!!!
LAST WEEK:
Here are a couple of Christmas Fun things....Have
a great week all!!!
The
Christmas Trivia Quiz -
http://www.familygames.com/quiz/
Victorian
Christmas
http://www.victoriana.com/christmas/index.html
Advent
Calendar
http://www.cyberramp.net/~billde/advent.html
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