~
There's JOY in the Kitchen ~
~When we realize that ~
A pint of example is worth a barrelful of advice.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * FOLLOWING
FOOTSTEPS
By JoyfulArt
To the tune of 'Mission Impossible' I tear
open the secret envelope containing direct orders
from the Big Man upstairs. Reading carefully the
words printed on the page, I cringe. "THIS
IS IMPOSSIBLE!!" I cry, throwing my hands up
in the air. But wait, if I pause long enough this
envelope is supposed to self destruct, right?
Tick - tick - tick - tick, the watch on my
wrist counts out the seconds. Still no smoke, the
envelope lies before me, the words demand my
attention.
"Go therefore and make disciples . .
." ~ Jesus Christ (Matt 28:19)
Shaking myself I look again at the letter
before me. Only this time it is not in the
envelope of my imagination, it is written in the
leather bound Bible now laying on my lap. This
commandment will not self destruct so that I
don't have to look at it. It is not just for a
few brave men, nor is it just for pastors.
However, if the pastor has not been discipled,
how will he pass on the legacy? Many cry out for
mentors in the Body of Christ today. Ask any
congregational member, or the pastor for that
matter. Their heart cry is to have someone show
them the way. Are you willing to take the first
step? After all, EVERY journey begins with the
first step.
~ ~ ~ ~
Phil 3:13-14 Brethren, I do not count myself to
have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting
those things which are behind and reaching
forward to those things which are ahead, I press
toward the goal for the prize of the upward call
of God in Christ Jesus.
~ ~ ~ ~
COUNTDOWN!!
By Lambiee
You know how we will just be going along in
our daily routine, and something will happen that
we might otherwise overlook, but then the Lord
taps us on the shoulder and says, "Pay
attention to that!" I just wanted to share a
small thing that happened to me the other day
that was just that way.
My 8 year old son was roller skating up and
down the hallway one rainy day (thank God for
patience and large houses!) and at first I wasn't
really listening to him. Pretty soon, though, I
heard him saying, "Fifteen........Oh, man!
Fourteen. (heavy sigh) Thirteen......"
I said, "Joseph, what are you
doing?" He said, "I started out giving
myself 20 points, and every time I touch the
wall, I take away one point." (He was trying
to improve his skill so he could really rock at
the roller rink, but I noticed that the downward
count was moving along pretty quickly.) That was
when I felt the "tap" on the shoulder.
I said, "Joseph, come here for a minute,
please." When he came, I said, "I can
see that you're trying to improve, and that's
really good, but what you're doing is, you're
keeping score on yourself in the negative."
(I don't like negative, so I taught my
children early what that means! They are not
allowed to ask questions in the negative, such as
"Why CAN'T I do such and such?" They
must ask, "CAN I do such and such?"
Pretty simple, but we are such negative
creatures, aren't we? I just wanted to get it out
before it got in too good.)
Anyway, I said to Joseph, "Instead of
starting out with 20 points and taking one away
when you touch the wall, why don't you start out
with nothing and then add one each time you go
down the hall WITHOUT touching the wall? That way
all your points will be for something good, and
you'll see the number go up instead of
down." His face brightened and he went off
to try it. As I was sitting there marveling at
the wisdom of God, and listening to the number
count go up as fast as it had gone down before,
Joseph came back into the room and said,
"You know, Mom, I really feel like I can do
it much better this way!"
Isn't that just like us? We keep score on
ourselves in the "negative"......always
counting our failures, our defeats, all our
"undone things". We expect so much from
ourselves: clean homes, fresh laundry, delicious
meals, well-mannered children, happy husbands,
well-cared-for congregations, even finished
projects!; and when things don't all fall into
place, we are quick to take the blame. We count
our defeats; but how often do we add up our
victories? The bible says in Lamentations 3:22
and 23: "It is of the LORD'S mercies that we
are not consumed, because his compassions fail
not. They are new every morning: great is thy
faithfulness." I just had to thank God for
not counting our lives "in the
negative", but giving us a fresh start every
day.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
So teach us to number our days, that we
may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalm 90:12
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
IN NEED OF MENTORING
By PrasHm
"We've seen two other licensed ministers
sitting in the same church for two years and
never doing more than that. They were NEVER
encouraged what so ever!!!! One has given up his
call and gone back to Business College. That is
TERRIBLE! What a waste!" ~ Kellie
There is a problem in the church today where
people are slipping through the cracks and
missing what God has called them to do! These
people are the ones that God has called into the
ministry!
Many times when my husband and I are in our
Run with the Vision chat and in our own personal
lives we have seen this happening. The problem is
usually due to an unapproachable pastor, be that
intended or not. The person knows they are called
by God to minister, and are either afraid to
approach the pastor for fear of rejection, or
even if the pastor acknowledges their call he
chooses to let them go it alone, or has no clue
as to how to mentor them!
This is a tragic mistake! How many people have
jumped out and tried to go into the ministry
ahead of God and fell flat on their faces? These
are the same people that usually become so
discouraged and blame God that they give up and
never become what God had intended. A better
solution would be to disciple them and begin to
help them along. Let them make announcements, go
with you when you are ministering outside of the
church. Help them find a Bible College if this is
a course they want to take. Most importantly, let
them know that you believe in them and support
them.
I imagine the great ministers of this
generation and before had mentors. Billy Graham,
Kenneth Hagin, Rod Parsley and Lester Sumerall.
These men and others have had an impact on the
world! Imagine what would have happened had they
fallen before they ever got a chance to start?
Please take a look around your congregation at
those that you know have that call, and don't
become unapproachable to them. Remember, Jesus
made disciples that made disciples that made more
disciples! You have the opportunity to do the
same.
Remember how Paul taught Timothy? He discipled
and mentored him. Was a father spiritually in a
sense. Here are some scriptures that show what I
mean...here are examples of what I think pastors
today should do unto the future generations of
pastors and ministers that are coming up under
them.
1Ti 1:2 Unto Timothy, [my] own son in the
faith: Grace, mercy, [and] peace, from God our
Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. Identifies
Timothy as a young minister coming up and being
mentored and fathered spiritually by Paul.
1Ti 1:11 According to the glorious gospel of
the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
1Ti 1:12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord,
who hath enabled me, for that he counted me
faithful, putting me into the ministry;
1Ti 1:13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a
persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy,
because I did [it] ignorantly in unbelief.
Identifies Paul as a minister of many years, one
that has gone before and is wise.
1Ti 1:18 This charge I commit unto thee, son
Timothy, according to the prophecies which went
before on thee, that thou by them mightiest war a
good warfare; 1Ti 1:19 Holding faith, and a good
conscience; which some having put away concerning
faith have made shipwreck:
1Ti 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of
all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, [and]
giving of thanks, be made for all men;
1Ti 2:2 For kings, and [for] all that are in
authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable
life in all godliness and honesty.
1Ti 2:7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher,
and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ,
[and] lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in
faith and verity.
1Ti 2:8 I will therefore that men pray every
where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and
doubting. Paul teaching, training, and exhorting
Timothy.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Sarah's Tent Book Club
(Meeting the last Thursday of each
Month)
Selection for the Month of March is: "
I'm Trying To Sit At His Feet, But Who's Going to
Cook Dinner?" by Cathy Lechner Creation
House Publishing
March 26 8:00 pm Eastern The Book
Club Save This Link!
Also, see new Sarah's Tent Book Club info page.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
1 Pet 2:21 For to this you were called,
because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us
an example, that you should follow His steps:
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Sarah's Tent FIRST Annual PW Retreat Vintage
Resort in the mountains of WinterPark, CO April
30 - May 2 If you would like more information on
this OR If you are interested in helping to
sponsor a pastors wife to one of our retreats,
please contact us at SarahsTent@aol.com.
You will not only be sowing into a faithful
warrior in the Kingdom - you will be sowing into
a whole congregation!
Also, see new Sarah's Tent Retreat info page.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
WHAT'S NEW??
Take a look at our new web pages!!!
Sarah's
Tent
http://ionanet.com/sarah/sarahs.htm
Joy
in the Kitchen
http://ionanet.com/chrst/sarah/joy.htm
Thanks to ionanet for a terrific job!!
ionanet
Home Page
http://ionanet.com/index.htm
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
POT LUCK!
EASTER STORY COOKIES
Submitted by PrasHm
You need:
1 c. whole pecans
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch salt
1 c. sugar
zipper baggie
wooden spoon
tape
Bible
Preheat oven to 300¡ F. Place pecans in
zipper baggie and let children beat them with the
wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain
that after Jesus was arrested he was beaten by
the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.
Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp.
vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus
was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to
drink. Read John 19:28-30.
Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent
life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us
life. Read John 10:10-11.
Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand.
Let them taste it and brush the rest into the
bowl. Explain that this represents the salty
tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the
bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27. So
far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add
1 c. sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the
story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He
wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Ps. 34:8
and John 3:16.
Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15
minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain
that the color white represents the purity in
God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed
by Jesus. Read Isa.1:18 and John 3:1-3.
Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto
wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each
mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body
was laid. Read Matt. 27:57-60.
Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the
door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a
piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain
that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matt. 27:65-66.
GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to
leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus'
followers were in despair when the tomb was
sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22. On
Easter morning, open the oven and give
everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and
take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first
Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the
tomb open and empty. Read Matt. 28:1-9.
HE HAS RISEN!
This is by Wanda Long and appeared in Home
Life magazine.
For even MORE recipes, click on these!! More
Recipes and Once-a-Month
Cooking (OAMC)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
HEARTPRINTS
Submitted by JeffNet
Whatever our hands touch---
We leave fingerprints!
On walls, on furniture,
On doorknobs, dishes, books,
As we touch we leave our identity.
Oh please where ever I go today,
Help me leave heartprints!
Heartprints of compassion
Of understanding and love.
Heartprints of kindness
and genuine concern.
May my heart touch a lonely neighbor
Or a runaway daughter,
Or an anxious mother,
Or, perhaps, a dear friend!
I shall go out today
To leave heartprints,
And if someone should say
"I felt your touch,"
May that one sense be...YOUR LOVE
Touching through ME...
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
~ PRAYER ~
PRAISE REPORT!!
I have the MOST WONDERFUL praise report that I
want to share with you. You know that I am very
hard of hearing and that I have been praying for
the Lord to heal me for quite some time now.
Well, this past Sunday night at church the sermon
was about healing, at the end of service I went
down for prayer. The senior pastor came and layed
hands on me and anointed me with oil and prayed
for me and at the alter nothing happened with my
ears but WOW the presence of the Lord was so
strong that I could hardly keep standing
there.... I don't think I have ever felt the
Lords peace and presence SO STRONGLY in my
life!!! It was literally as if Jesus himself was
standing there with me... there is no way to
describe the feeling... it was AWESOME!!! Later
that night after we had gotten home, Mark said
something to me and I heard him talking to me in
my left ear... the one that I was TOTALLY deaf
in!!!! I cannot yet hear full volume in that ear
but am DEFINATLY hearing in it. Am even able to
pick out several words out of a sentence without
looking at the person to read lips!! And on
Sunday morning I was TOTALLY deaf in that ear!!!!
PRAISE THE LORD. I went in to my audiologist this
week for a hearing test and there is a 35%
improvement in hearing in my left ear (the one
that I WAS deaf in!!) and a slight improvement in
my right ear!! It is SO WONDERFUL. I am too
excited for words about the work the Lord is
doing!! He is SO GOOD. Julia (JMT214)
For Prayer Please send prayer requests 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
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
CHUCKLES
Submitted by MamaBrrr As you shall make
your bed so shall you...............mess it up.
Better be safe
than...........................punch a 5th
grader.
Strike while the
...................................bug is close.
It's always darkest
before.................daylight savings time.
You can lead a horse to water
but............................how?
Don't bite the hand
that.............................looks dirty.
A miss is as good as
a........................................Mr.
You can't teach an old dog
new..............................math.
If you lie down with the dogs, you'll.......stink
in the morning.
The pen is mightier than
the................................pigs.
An idle mind is............................the
best way to relax.
Where there's smoke,
there's...........................pollution.
Happy the bride who........................gets
all the presents.
A penny saved
is........................................not
much.
Two's company,
three's............................the
musketeers.
Laugh and the whole world laughs with you, cry
and..
....you have to blow your nose.
Children should be seen and
not..............spanked or grounded.
When the blind leadeth the blind..............get
out of the way.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
CHRISTIANITY ONLINE CHATS
Do you consider yourself a part of any of the
following groups: women,
men,
students,
kids,
seniors,
family,
church
leaders, or singles?
Then participate in one of our dynamic
communities! Each includes chats, message boards,
hosts, and great resources! **
Are you a Pastor's Wife looking for
fellowship? In addition to the private chats that
are hosted by Sarah's Tent, we recommend that you
also check out the Pastor's Wives Chat in the
Women's Connection Womens
Connection on Christianity Online. We meet
each week on Wednesday mornings, 11:00 Eastern
time. Hosted by CoHostShan, and Co-Hosted by
SHANShlpr. We look forward to seeing you there!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
For your Exploring Pleasure,
Lent
& Easter on the Internet
aol://4344:122.EastLink.1261730.573428324
This is Christianity Online's AOL site for other
links to Lent and Easter sites on the Web. I
think it is always interesting to learn more
about traditions linked to our Christian
holidays.
Thanks to Lisa (LLsGran) for these sites.
Happy surfing!
Amen
Ministries Christian WebZine
http://www.jcxpress.com/ "Amen Ministries,
bringing help a little closer to those who need
it most." This is a web magazine, with links
all over the place. I liked the graphics and the
article titles. I will definitely revisit this
site regularly to read the new issues.
Audio-Bible
Welcome Page http://www.audio-bible.com/ has
links to RealAudio samples of the Audio Bible.
This page gives the history of the Audio Bible
and its founder, and their primary focus of
ministry. I thought it was interesting reading.
JoshuaNet:
Bible Study
http://www.primenet.com/%7Ejpmill/trivia/index.html
This site is sure to preface its heading
"Bible Trivia" with an explanation
about why that term is an oxymoron (if you don't
know what that is, look it up! That's what my Dad
always told me, and now I'm an English teacher
and say it every day!). Then it gives links to
several sites for the questions about the Bible
for study. I'm not brave enough to try even the
less difficult questions, so I'll leave it for
you Bible scholars. Let us know if you win a
ribbon!
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!
__________________________________________________________________
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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