~
There's JOY in the Kitchen ~
~When we realize that ~
Expectancy is the atmosphere for miracles! * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
A Word from JoyfulArt
"OWW-W-W-W RRR" "MOM!! Stop
ripping through my hair!!" My daughter was
gripping her head with her face all screwed up
and sweat was running down my face.
"Will you STOP???" "I'll never
get your hair combed for church if you continue
to struggle against me!" I said gritting my
teeth. This battle had been going on ever since
she was four and her long beautiful brown hair
had grown to the point of cascading down her
shoulders in a Rapunzel like fashion.
All my life I had wished for long hair. I
begged my mom to let my short, straight, puny
hair grow longer, and she would sigh and try to
tell me that it just wasn't that kind of hair.
Both my sister and myself had wished for
"Indian Braids" and had finally
convinced our mom to braid our puny locks into
the most pitiful of braids that you had ever
seen. Just one braid wasn't the width of our
pinkies and the length was barely as long and
stood straight out from our heads. But those were
OUR braids - and we thought we looked like indian
princesses!!
Now I had a REAL princess in my arms, and she
had the most lovely brown hair, all the way down
to the small of her back. How I loved to comb and
play with her hair, creating all kinds of braids
and fashionable styles. It was sheer joy and I
would make a point to tell her how lovely it was
and how well she kept it. Her hair was the
definition of feminine beauty and her dad was
just as proud of it as I was. There was something
special about people stopping us in the stores
and on the street and telling us how lovely her
hair was and what a beautiful daughter we had.
I sighed while I combed her shiny locks, now
smooth and silky beneath my fingers. "What
shall we do today with your hair?" I asked.
Rolling her eyes in an annoyed fashion she
replied in an exasperated tone, "I don't
care mom, just pull it back!!! When can I get my
hair cut?" "Oh!!! Honey! You don't want
your hair cut!! There are people who would give
their right arm for your kind of hair!!" My
heart would break at the thought of short,
ordinary hair. "Whatever!" She would
mumble, stomping off to go play and stand on her
head in the stair well (her favorite 7 year old
activity).
Then a dreaded day came, as she called from
the office of her elementary school. "Mom, I
have to come home, I have head lice."
"WHAT??" I couldn't believe it!! The
school nurse got on the phone and explained to me
that several of her class mates, along with
herself had to go home that day because of the
infestation.
The treatment was a nightmare, thinking we had
gotten it taken care of, only to have her come
home two more times in the next three weeks.
Either the products we were using were
ineffective, or her hair was just to thick to get
at all of them, we weren't sure. She was pushing
heavy to get her hair cut now, and I was feeling
more hopeless than ever.
God began to deal with me and asked me why I
was holding her in bondage to her hair.
"Excuse me?" I asked innocently,
"What do you mean holding her in
bondage?" He played back my motives and
thoughts and showed me how I and my husband
wanted her hair long for US. Her hair was NOT her
own, and she didn't gain any pleasure in it
whatsoever. She was trapped. He showed me that
the longer I held on to it, the more bitter she
would become and the more it would effect other
areas of her life.
I had to repent. Her hair was hers, it wasn't
mine. There was a period of grieving as I gave up
"my" beautiful princess hair. Speaking
to my husband, he also saw how our wishes were
being forced upon her and that it was not bearing
good fruit in her life, it was only a source of
constant strife and battles. Together we both
gave in, being pushed along with the recent
plague from the public school.
You should have seen her eyes that day when I
took her to the beauty shop! She knew EXACTLY how
she wanted her hair cut! Not wasting a moment,
she hopped up into the chair and chatted
excitedly with the beautician on how she wanted
her hair. I held my breath as the long pony tail
was cut off, nine inches of it. The beautician
was kind enough to put rubber bands on both ends
and handed it to me. MY hair. . . . . ahem. . . .
was now my own.
Since that day our daughter began to change.
The joy that she expresses in her dancing and
singing and play amazes me. Never did I expect
that the shy, quiet little girl we had was such a
flamboyant life of the party!! Each day I am
pleased and amazed at the life that has sprung
into her as she has possessed her life and her
own appearance. It takes great control for me to
not "fix" her lopsided, messy pony tail
with the odd barrette fashioned to one side and
half way up her head. That is HER creation, thank
you! She is discovering herself. She is enjoying
herself. How could I have been so blind?
She has come to me again and asked to cut her
hair shorter. I asked her if she missed her long
hair and she doesn't even flinch,
"NOPE!!!" She'll says, and trots off.
(Give me some time Hon, you can cut it, but let
me adjust to the stages, okay?)
* * *
There are people in your congregation, that are
keeping you in bondage with THEIR desires and
visions of what the perfect pastor or pastor's
wife is supposed to be. Or maybe you are not a
pastor or minister, but find yourself in the same
position as your spouse, or family members demand
that you 'jump' certain hoops because of THEIR
expectations.
The joy in your life has been snuffed out and
you find yourself irritable and pressured. Your
life is not your own, even your wardrobe is not
your own as others dictate to you what you should
wear and how you should look. This is not God's
best. Jesus came that you may have LIFE and have
it more abundantly!! You are a one of a kind
creation, an expression of HIS joy and love. Ask
God to show you where you have not given yourself
permission to express yourself, and His praise,
by who you TRULY are. I say ask, because some of
us have been in bondage for so long, we don't
know who we are!!
God loves to show off His creation - just look
at how flamboyant and colorful nature is all
around us. All creation shouts His name!!! How
much more should we be by all we say and are!!
Give yourself permission to be who you REALLY are
next year. As this year closes and the new
begins, take that exciting leap to be all that
you dream of being. Be aware that others around
you may go into withdrawal. But also be aware
that God is just as capable of dealing with them
on your behalf as He was on our daughters behalf.
There is no need to do it all at once either.
Take pleasure in each step you take (besides,
that will give others around you a chance to
adjust! )
And if you are one who has been convicted of
holding another in bondage by your desires, even
though they may be "for their own
good". Release them, they do not belong to
you, nor are you God in their life. You have
enough to work on in your own life without trying
to control anothers. (Ouch!)
LET GOD BLESS YOU IN THE NEW YEAR!!!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
We are motivated to become what we
imagine ourselves to be.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
TONIGHT!!!
New Year's Eve Celebration!
Join Christianity Online and comedian MARK
LOWRY on New Year's Eve, Wednesday, December 31
at 2 pm ET in the CO Chapel as we ring in the new
year. Mark will be online to answer your
questions and share the humor that has made him
popular among all Christians. Chat
with comedian Mark Lowry on New Year's Eve!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
ANNOUNCING!!
SPECIAL ADDITION Joy In The Kitchen
Newsletters Once a month beginning the first of
January, you will receive a SPECIAL EDITION of
the JITK highlighting the Theme Topic Chat for
that month. In these SPECIAL EDITIONS, you will
read testimonies of people who have been set free
from various bondages and trials in their lives,
as well as from those who still find themselves
groping in the dark trying to find their way out.
Included will be Web Sites, and books as well as
various resources which will help you.
You may be struggling with a particular issue
yourself and feel that you are all alone, or have
a family member or friend or congregational
member which is crying out for help. It is our
wish that this information will help open your
eyes and better facillitate deliverance and give
hope.
Due to the nature of these chats and topics,
all names, unless otherwise requested will be
kept confidential. You are welcome to come in
anonymous screen names to chats that you feel
might be of particular interest to you, and if
you are needing to connect with other ministries
or HAVE a particular ministry which you would
like to network with Sarah's Tent for this
purpose, please contact me, Shannon Parish at JoyfulArt@aol.com.
BEGINNING IN JANUARY 1998 Sarah's Tent will be
hosting very special theme chats. Some of the
topics will be very challenging. The purpose of
this is to open our eyes and better equipt us to
minister to the lost and wounded. Not only will
there be special guest speakers, the chats will
be open to all who participate in this ministry.
Resources will be provided for you at the time of
each chat as well. Our topics will be areas such
as, Homosexuality in the church (this will be for
the first three weeks of January), Eating
Disorders in February, then topics such as Grief
Counseling, Alcoholism, Suicide, Physical
Challenges, Ministry Marriages, Finances, and the
list goes on. You name it, you request it, and we
will do all that we can to bring it before you.
These chats will run along side the open chats
on Monday nights, but in a separate private room.
Because of the sensitivity of some of the
subjects, if you feel more comfortable in
entering the room under an anonymous screen name,
you may do so. The purpose will always be to
bring salt and light to ALL of those who are
dealing with dark areas in their lives, families,
or congregations.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Responsibility for success depends on the
willingness to be responsible for failure.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
LETTERS PENNED FROM FAR AWAY
Perhaps you may not know that there are
several Pastors Wives and Missionaries (or
Foreign Ambassadors) connected with Sarah's Tent.
We have sisters in Albania, Indonesia, and
Africa. All too often it is easy to forget to
pray, or support in other ways our fellow
Ambassadors who give up all to go out on the
foreign mission field.
This portion of the Joy In The Kitchen
newsletter is reserved for letters from our
sisters on the mission field. I encourage you, if
you are one of these faithful few, to please
write and let us know about your country and all
that you desire to share about your life there.
Drop them a line and let them know they are
not forgotten.
-----------
FROM ALBANIA:
Shannon,
As we reflected on the reason for the season,
here in Albania it was much different than other
years. This was our 6th Christmas on the field.
Many seemed apathetic before. With the crisis
Albania had in March 1997, most churches were
full this Christmas. It is the first Christmas
that I know where the Christian faith was
actually mentioned in the news. The country being
mainly Moslem, with some Catholic and Orthodox,
Christians finally had a place and were
recognized. We even get an hour each Sunday
afternoon on the state TV to show various
protestant church services. This is a great
praise.
Christ love has been shared but still many
have never even heard the name Jesus. We know the
door may not be open long here so every day
counts. Training nationals to carry on is the
best investment we can make.
My specific work in the medical clinic has
been greatly needed. The state medical system has
been badly destroyed during the crisis and
supplies are at a minimum or non-existent. God
has blessed and kept the clinic safe during the
days that the foreigners had to leave the
country. The Albanian staff handled things well.
The investment into their life had paid off. We
continue in staff meeting to share that the
greatest gift we brought was Jesus and then how
to live the life of faith. Pray for them to
continue to live and shine in a difficult place.
Debbie HFTW@MAF.ORG
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells
in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to
you. 2 Tim. 1:14
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
You will never know the joy of success
until you have experienced the sorrow of failure.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
". . . and I pray that the
fellowship of your faith may become effective
through the knowledge of every good thing which
is in you for Christ's sake." Philemon 6
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
POT LUCK!
VEAL CHOPS
By Tiziana (the "Morning Coffee" guys
wife!)
(Submitted by Justaservn)
Veal chops = 3 or 4
Flour them and brown on each side in a little oil
with 2 or 3 garlic cloves
add 1/2 cup white wine 3 chicken cubes and 1 cup
of water or more to cover the
meat add salt and pepper cover and cook until
tender usually 20 25 minutes
cook spaghetti remove meat from the pan add 2
teaspoon of corn starch to
thicken the sauce and pour on top of spaghetti
and on top of meat
Buon appetito ~ love Tiziana
http://members.aol.com/ImFreeNDd/TMC.html / Today's
Morning Coffee
http://members.aol.com/NHsFrmGrip/MCArchives.html
/ Morning
Coffee Archives
For even MORE recipes, click on these!! More
Recipes and Once-a-Month
Cooking (OAMC)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
When you limit yourself, you limit God.
When you limit God, you limit yourself.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
~ 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
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
HOUSE OF MERCY UPDATE
PrasHm
(This is a letter from PrasHm, (Kellie)
regarding her mother in law.) What an awesome
priviledge to be able to move mountains through
prayer, right where you are - and touch so many
lives!! Aren't you glad that we have a private
line to the Creator of the universe?
Dear Shannon,
Thank you so very much for publishing my
letter in the JITK. The prayers are being heard
and manifestations are being seen. As of
yesterday afternoon the following had ocurred:
Helen was so much better physically. She was
able to carry out her work at the House of Mercy.
She was so excited at the sudden turn abouts that
were/are happening.
When she and her husband went to start cooking
the food for the people in the shelter, they
found a large truck waiting for them. Inside was
more food than they could imagine----already
COOKED. Also, someone donated a microwave and
inside it was a fully cooked ham ready to eat.
There were some monitary donations also--which
was a major help.
For her personally, someone donated an air
filter system that she needed. The doctor had
told her while she was in the hospital that she
would have to get one of these systems, but a
little out of their price range. The day she was
released from the hospital, her husband went to
check on the shelter and found a BRAND NEW filter
system waiting in Helen's office for her. It was
a donation!
She is very excited and is thanking God and
all the praying people. Please remember the House
of Mercy as it now faces the moving of the
donated house to its new location and the
purchased house with being remodeled to make it
habitable. Those two things will need alot of
prayer---but God is in this, and I am sure He
will make a way.
Thank you and God Bless,
Kellie & Tim
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
CHUCKLES
Sent along by job33-4@juno.com
A Sunday-school teacher was talking about
Christmas and the coming of Christ
and asked, "And what was the name of Jesus'
mother?"
"Mary," all said.
"Now, what was his father's name?"
One little fellow raise his hand.
"Virg."
"Virg? Where did you get that idea?"
"Well," answered the boy, "they
always talk about the Virg'n'Mary!"
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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: Women
of Faith Ever hear of Promise Keepers? (And
who hasn't?) This is the site of the WOMEN'S
version of the same uniting, encouraging and
hopegiving type of ministry. You will find them
on a Joyful Journey!!!
Church
Leaders Forum If you haven't had a chance to
visit Christianity Onlines Message Boards, now is
your chance.
Welcome
to AOL 4.0 How would you like to download the
next version of AOL? Here it is!!
|
