~
There's JOY in the Kitchen ~
~When we realize that ~
I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do
everything, but still I can do something; I will
not refuse to do the something I can do. Helen
Keller
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A weekly newsletter from Sarah's Tent, an
online ministry tailored towards Pastor's Wives.
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Isa 51:1-2 / Isa 54:2-3 / Heb 10:24 ,25
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Giving Thanks
By JoyfulArt
Fresh back from our retreat in Alabama, I'm
struck by the incredible love of an Awesome God.
Imagine if you will, walking on a snow white
beach at 2:30 AM in the morning, singing with
dear friends, pausing to pray, then singing some
more. How about laughing around a wonderful meal
in a special restaurant and having the privilege
of praying with a terrific waiter while
encouraging him in his chosen line of work
supported by his moon lighting as a waiter. New
friends. New places. New hope. New blessings.
How often we forget to be thankful for what
God gives us and instead take things for granted?
God is good...ALL THE TIME. There aren't words to
express my deep gratitude to those who made that
special time come to pass. God ALWAYS has a plan,
and only He knows the lives that were changed and
touched by such a simple retreat to a white sandy
beach.
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1 Tim 4:4 4 For everything created by God
is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it is
received with gratitude; (NAS)
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DRASTIC CHANGE?
Last week we asked Pastors Wives who have
experienced drastic changes in their lives to
write and share with us where the Lord has
brought them. Below is our first letter. If you
would like to share with us a change that totally
took you out of your comfort zone and placed you
in a new place where you had to totally trust on
God, please share it with us. Just send your
experience to SarahsTent@aol.com
. If you are concerned about your writing skills,
we will be happy to help you edit your story.
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Ministry in Cherokee
By FAM4JESUS
When the phone rang and I thought it was my
friend Pam calling just to "chat"
pretty late in the evening....I had no idea that
the person on the other line would cause my life
to change so drastically.
For several months we had waited and waited
and waited. My husband James had finished his
educational requirements to be licensed as a
minister in the Wesleyan Church. We had several
doors open to us throughout this time and for
whatever reason they were closed with no
opportunity for a trial sermon or a meeting or
anything. We were very discouraged. We prayed and
prayed. It was common knowledge that if you
didn't get a church by district conference....
then you could just count on waiting a whole year
before the chance came again with few exceptions.
We were so sure that this is what God wanted us
to do. We had prayed that God would let us sell
our house in time for us to go into the ministry
and relocate. Our house was sold and no prospect
for a church. James was elected Lay Delegate to
conference so we went...with no hope of being
moved to a new church. At conference I was
comforted by the fact that there were other
pastors that had resigned churches that had no
idea where they were going either. I wanted them
to get a church before us because James still had
a good job and they counted on that
pastorate...yet I wanted God's will.
The person on the phone that night was our
District Superintendent offering us a trial
sermon at the Cherokee Wesleyan Church on the
Indian Reservation. He said that we should take
time to pray about it. He said that the parsonage
was a trailer and we would probably have to drive
up on weekends because they couldn't pay us full
time and there weren't any jobs available. At
first I was very disappointed. How could we do
this....driving 2 hours each way every weekend
and James working 40+ hours thru the week. We
would be miserable. The District Superintendent
told us that even if we just took the job for 1
year that it would be experience and we
recognized this....any experience is better than
none...and this would get James his license. In
the days to follow we prayed and talked about
this as we anticipated the trial sermon. We
decided that if God allowed us this opportunity
that we would not halfway do it. We felt like if
it was God's will for us to do this then we are
going to move there... get a job making enough to
get by and really minister to this church and
pour ourselves into outreach.
The day that James preached the trial sermon
we were nervous as to whether they would want us
or not but after it was over there was never any
question. We went back to Lenoir, NC making
preparations to be back in two weeks. This was
quick!! The following Wednesday James took a day
off his job in Lenoir and went to Cherokee, NC to
look for a job. We needed Health insurance and a
small wage to supplement what the church was
paying...just to make our bills. That day he got
three jobs. The Lord was really with us. We moved
that weekend.
Our church in Lenoir gave us a wonderful send
off and took up a love offering for us. Which
really met our needs in paying for insurance
until the new kicked in. There are 3 cities in
our area code where you can access AOL I was
afraid I would not be able to continue that. This
tiny town has local access to one of those
cities. God is watching out for us!! For the
important things and the trivial.
On our way a lady pulled out on top of my van
and almost totaled it. We had to wait to see if
the estimate that the mechanic turned in to the
insurance company would be taken or if they would
just total it. I was happy that they accepted it.
We were on our way with the van loaded with
things including our computer. Praise God no one
was hurt. The next day James had a minor
accident. Praise God again no one was hurt. I
spent all evening with James in the E/R that
evening (nothing to do with the accident). He was
very sick but they gave him a shot of pain
medicine and the next day he was fine. Praise the
Lord it wasn't more serious. When we got here I
was miserable. We had no phone (which means no
internet) no cable and not very much air
conditioning (the first day we had none). I was
really feeling spoiled to all those things!!! No
one from the church came to visit. Through much
prayer and the support of the people back home
things began to get better the next week. I was
able to talk with people again!!!
The place where we live is very small. We had
to store a lot of our things. James father had
just built storage units to rent out and he gave
us one free of charge to use as long as we
needed. Praise the Lord....he has again met our
needs. His dad also gave us a monetary gift which
help us pay to get our things to Cherokee with a
U-haul (I didn't realize how expensive it
was!!!).
Ministering on an Indian Reservation is not
the easiest thing in the world. The people are
nice but a lot of them are very quiet. We had 18
in attendance last Sunday and 17 this Sunday. It
is very small. The culture is different
obviously. The people that live across the road
spend much time congregating and drinking. That
has made me a little nervous. The thing that is
turning this poor community into a not so poor
community is a casino!!! It is very hard to call
the thing that is changing the financial lives of
these people a sin. At any rate it is what it is.
Everyone from the beginning has told me that it
would be hard. My cousin who has a Master's
degree in Theology from Duke University has told
me all along that the ministry would be hard. Now
hard takes on a new meaning. Now people are
telling me that these particular people in this
culture are hard to minister to. "It sure
would be nice if you could get another church
somewhere that would be easier and you would have
support" has been said to me. In reflection
to that (and I won't lie that those thoughts
haven't gone through my head before anyone
mentioned it to me) does God expect us to take
the easy road? Is being a Christian, period,
easy? Don't we have to pray and draw from the
strength of the Lord to carry us through hard
tasks? Is it easy to leave the country and go to
a foreign land to tell people that have never
heard the gospel about Jesus? Why should our
ministry be easy? I imagine if the Lord had
intended things to be easy then he would never
have given us the great commission.
Then as late as last night I was driving home
and listening to Christian radio. The preacher
was talking about an African American who started
a church against all odds in a poor white
neighborhood in the south (Charlotte, NC). This
community was where some of the leaders of the
KKK lived. This church was started in 1988 and
now has 1200 people according to this preacher.
The pastor of this church in this Charlotte
community gives all the credit to prayer and
relying on God's strength. What a testimony to
me. How that ministered to my heart. Why can't
God do something wonderful here?
Another concern of mine and other people have
voiced this concern...How will I make
friends....well, God has answered this prayer
also. One of the ladies at church told me today
that she heard that I homeschooled. She told me
that her sister did to and was real involved with
the homeschool group around (it's 30-45 minutes
away) and within the next 2 weeks we would have
lunch so that she could introduce me to her. This
means a lot when you are new in town. A man came
to our table at the place we were eating this
afternoon and asked us how our services went. As
the conversation went on he asked us if we would
like to go out to eat with his wife and him
sometime and he took our phone number. He
attended another church in town. Companionship is
very important and I praise God for this and for
my online friends who have helped me to have
adult conversation in the midst of my days alone
with children!!!
We have only been here a few short weeks and
already God is working. It is hard getting
adjusted to a different culture and a new life
but God is helping me much faster than I
expected. Please keep us and the Cherokee
Wesleyan Church in prayer. Pray that we will grow
spiritually and be able to reach this community
through Christ.
Matt 10:7-8
And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom
of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the
lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely
ye have received, freely give. (KJV)
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Letters To Sarah's Tent
Hello to all women of God who read Joy In The
Kitchen!
I am a lady pastor in Denver involved with
Prison Ministries, many of them. For example we
have several groups that minister to wives and
moms of prisoners who feel forgotten by churches
due to their own personal shame and various other
emotions. Burdens roll off as these women find
the reality of the Gospel. Very few churches get
involved in the problems of jail inmates and
their families, and only a little outreach goes
such a long way. Is there a neighbor near you who
has a teenager in jail ? Mom needs a friend right
now, someone to go to court with her, to cry with
her, to pray with her. Is there a family in your
church with a child on drugs? That family needs a
friend today. If God speaks to your heart about
this, please let me know how I CAN HELP YOU
BECOME INVOLVED IN MINISTRY. Remember the
prisoners.
God bless you, Pastor Sheilah psheilah@orci.com
____________
>From Skylark265
Just wanted to share with all of you this poem
that my hubby brought home to me. It kind of says
it all, about our life here on earth.! Last night
I went into a support chat for people who have a
disease called Sarcoidosis. I have two very
special friends who have been battling this
malady. As I sat there and watched what all these
people had to say about their lives and their
troubles, I was overwhelmed to say the least, and
all I could do is pray for them one and all. But
I thought of this poem and my two special friends
who have exemplified this poem to the last
degree. No matter what they are going through on
any given day, they look with positive words and
actions, believing in the One who created them ,
and trusting Him to see them through their race.
Let us all remember how blessed we really are!
I pray this touches your hearts as it did
mine!. Blessings to you my friends! I applaud you
for the races you have run! Turn your eyes upon
Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the
things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the
light and love of His face!
Love you all greatly! Sharon
Life is not a sprint but a marathon: and the
only way in which to perform is to fix my eyes on
the One who ran the perfect race. Step by step, I
run the race. Eyes focused on the goal, with
aching muscles and labored breath, I strain
toward the prize. My crown will not be of gold or
fame. But, "Welcome Home, My Child. Well
done." May the mind of Christ, my Savior,
Live in me from day to day, by His love and power
controlling All I do and say. May the Word of God
dwell richly in my heart from hour to hour, so
that all may see I triumph only though His power.
May I run the race before me strong and brave to
face the foe, looking only unto Jesus as I onward
go.
Kate B. Wilkinson
This poem was sent to me by one of my special
friends I wrote to all of you earlier today, This
is the outlook we all need to have! Amen!
Love you all, Sharon (Skylark265)
THIS MOMENT
I may never see tomorrow; there's no written
guarantee,
And things that happened yesterday belong to
history,
I cannot predict the future, I cannot change the
past,
I have just the present moment, I must treat it
as my last.
I must use this moment wisely for it soon will
pass away,
and be lost to me forever as part of yesterday,
I must exercise compassion, help the fallen to
their feet,
Be a friend unto the friendless, make an empty
life complete.
The unkind things I do today may never be undone,
And friendships that I fail to win may nevermore
be won,
I may not have another chance on bended knee to
pray,
And thank God with humble heart for giving me
this day.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Matt 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach
all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I
have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway,
even unto the end of the world. (KJV)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
FREE NEWSLETTER!
Born Again Marriages now has a quarterly
newspaper called, "The Marriage
Encourager" that we would like to make
available for No Charge to any members of Sarah's
Tent for one full year.
This 20-24 page newspaper has wonderful
stories of marriages that made it through
difficult times, poems, encouraging words, and
more. To subscribe please E-mail to us and give
us your snail mail address: Directors@bornagainmarriages.org
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POT LUCK!
SPICED CRAB APPLES
By CWEIMER4
12 pounds of crabapples
2 cups honey
1 quart vinegar
1 stick cinnamon
1 tablespoon cloves
1 teaspoon allspice
1 teaspoon mace
Wash apples well; be sure to remove blossom
ends. Place the spices in a spice bag and add it
to the honey and vinegar. Bring the mixture to a
boil.
When this syrup is cool, add the crabapples
and heat slowly so as not to burst the fruit.
sometimes it is well to prick each apple to avoid
bursting. Bring to a boil..Allow to cool
overnight.
Remove spice bag. Heat to boiling point. Pack
crabapples into hot, sterilized jars, fill to
within 1/4 inch of the top with syrup. Adjust
seals and process 10 minutes in a boiling water
bath.... Yields 12-15 pints
Be sure to check out other recipes at: Doffycook's
Nethome
For even MORE recipes, click on these!! More
Recipes and Once-a-Month
Cooking (OAMC)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
To love what you do and feel that it
matters - How could anything be more fun?
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
NEEDING PRAYER?
Contact Sarah's Tent at SarahsTent@aol.com
, and not only will we pray, but your request
will be sent to the proper prayer chains as well.
Just be sure to send your praise report when God
moves on your behalf!!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
CHUCKLES
Sent in by CWEIMER4 A blonde had a near
death experience the other day when she went
horseback riding. Everything was going fine until
the horse started bouncing out of control. She
tried with all her might to hang on, but was
thrown off. With her foot caught in the stirrup,
she fell head first to the ground. Her head
continued to bounce on the ground as the horse
did not stop or even slow down. Just as she was
giving up hope and losing consciousness, the
Wal-Mart manager came out and unplugged it. Thank
goodness for heroes.
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Pattie's Picks
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Phyllis (Phywmgf) sent this link to me with a
great description of what's in it, so I'll
reprint her comments. I couldn't say it better if
I tried! (Thanks Phyllis!) www.cardcentral.net
- I just found this place this week. It has more
websites for free cards than I've ever seen. It
has a list of over 200 subjects to choose from.
You can search by different categories: Special
Occasions, Cards by subject which includes
Christian Themes, choosing a site by it features;
such as animated or musical. Or just search the
sites alphabetically. I was excited when I found
this one, now I just have to find the time to use
it! [Don't we all!]
Here are some sites from the Christianity
Online newsletter: Men
of Integrity
(aol://4344:122.micurr.1284093.577142003) (also
available through CO's web site at
www.christianity.net)-- a new magazine offered
for CO users. "Published in association with
Promise Keepers, this daily devotional guide
offers stories and insights to help men develop
godly character. The July/August issue starts out
with a focus on friendship and
accountability."
http://www.htmlgoodies.com/
Are you looking for a good, solid source of
information on how to create a web page?
"HTML Goodies" is a great place to go!
You'll find HTML primers (starting from scratch),
tutorials, a library, discussions, free images,
books, software, java stuff, and many other
"goodies!" If you want to take your
ministry to the World Wide Web, this is a great
place to learn how.
For those of you who have sent me suggestions
for the web site reviews and I haven't done them
yet, please forgive me. I intended to get ahead
this summer and have instead fallen
"behinder!" Please know that I still
have them and will get to them eventually. Thanks
for everyone who has sent me suggestions; I
couldn't do it without you!
If you have any web sites you would like to
recommend, please send them to PattieRWR (Pattie)
We'll be happy to write reviews for the
newsletter!
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Joy In The Kitchen is an extension of Sarah's
Tent An online ministry devoted to gathering
together God's silent warriors, the wives of
pastors and ministers of all denominations and
cultural backgrounds, as well as their families,
for fellowship, support, laughter and prayer. Isa
51:1-2 / Isa 54:2-3 / Heb 10:24-25
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