~
There's JOY in the Kitchen ~
~When we realize that ~
It's the little things in life that determine the
big things.
_____________________________________________________________________
A weekly newsletter from Sarah's Tent, an
online ministry tailored towards Pastor's Wives.
_______________________
Isa 51:1-2 / Isa 54:2-3 / Heb 10:24 ,25
______________________
HEY LUMPY!!
By JoyfulArt Are they calling your name?
Yes, you!! The one with the screaming
imperfections, bad habits and odd way of doing
things. "Who is calling? " you ask,
recognizing that you may very well be 'Lumpy'.
"
The "they" are the mental darts
bombarding you constantly during your days on
this earth. Ever screaming at you that you are
not good enough, that you are an annoyance, and
people would rather you just get out of the way.
Oh, you know those darts well. Some days you can
deflect them easily because you have your shield
of faith held high. Then again, there are days
when you find yourself stepping into agreement
with them.
Perhaps it was the day that you thought you
would cheerfully interject a comment in a
conversation you were witnessing, only to be
given a cold stare and the conversation continue
without you. Or it could have been the time that
you opened your mail, only to find that every
check you had written had bounced, because you
had transposed some numbers in the register. Or
it could have been the moment that you
volunteered to do something for someone else,
only to find that you spoke before you thought,
and you had no clue what or how to accomplish the
task. But now you are stuck with it.
Before you answer to the name
"Lumpy" recognize where the poison
arrows are coming from. Recognize what
"Lumpy" really means. It means you are
a diamond in the rough. A work in process of
being completed. Nothing suddenly BECOMES
successful, or perfect. Everything takes time.
Time to grow, time to strengthen, time to
learn...
Remember that God always speaks in the future
- your future. What He sees is a completed work.
An artist looks at a blank canvas with the
picture already formulated in his or hers mind.
The colors begging from their palate to be placed
in just the right places, the masters heart
swelling with inspiration. The Master of the
universe looks at you like this, His great heart
swelling with anticipation of the final glorious
work.
He is patient. It would be folly to rush an
excellent thing. He smiles because He knows, that
you are "Somewhere in the future, and you
look much better than you look right now!"
Don't panic!! What you are feeling right now is
the Masters touch...working out the lumps.
* * * * * *
Teacup Story Submitted
by Lambiee
A man came into an antique store. As he was
looking around, something very beautiful caught
his eye. There, very high on a shelf, was the
most perfectly crafted teacup that he had ever
seen, delicate and lovely in shape. The man said
to himself, "I must have this teacup! It is
absolutely beautiful. I must have it!" It
was at that moment when the teacup began to speak
to him. "I haven't always been
beautiful," it stated. "Would you
believe me if I told you that I once was nothing
more than an ugly clump of gray clay? Let me tell
you about myself. In the beginning, my Master
took me and rolled me over and over and over.
Then He would pat me ever so hard - 'OUCH', I
said to Him as he pounded me over and over.
'Could you please stop? That hurts!', I would
tell Him. 'Not Yet' was His reply.
When He finished rolling and patting me, He
put me on this wheel that went around and around
so fast I thought that I would fly right off it.
'I'm getting dizzy!', I cried out to Him.
'Please, sir, will you stop?' He again replied,
'Not yet'. While I was on this wheel, my Master
started to shape me, pressing on me really hard
at times. I asked Him to please stop pushing and
poking at me but again He answered me with, 'Not
yet'. After molding and shaping me perfectly, I
thought He was finally finished with me, but the
worst was yet to come! He then painted me all
over with this horrible smelling paint. It was
awful! I choked and sputtered as He applied the
paint and I cried out to Him, 'Why are you doing
this to me? What have I done to deserve this?'
Just when I thought for sure that there was
relief in sight, He picked me up and put me in
this VERY hot oven. As I sat there in that oven I
saw Him looking at me through a window in the
oven door. The sweat was pouring from me and I
begged Him, 'Please will you take me out now?'
'Not yet', was His reply again. How long was this
going to go on, I wondered?
Mercifully, He removed me from the oven - only
to put more of that nasty smelling paint on me
and put me back in the oven again - only this
time, He turned it up 7 times hotter!! 'Why are
you doing this to me? I thought you loved me!!
Oh, why is this happening? Please, Lord, are you
finished yet?' At that moment He came and removed
me from the oven again and sat me on a shelf to
cool.
The next day He came to me smiling and
lovingly held a mirror up to me. As I looked at
the reflection, I could hardly believe my eyes! I
was changed - completely transformed - I didn't
look at all the same. I was truly amazed.
You see, my Master had turned what was once
just a clump of ugly gray clay into a beautiful
work of art - a masterpiece! I had to endure many
trials and much pain to become what you see
today. Yes, my Master knew all along what He was
doing - He was teaching me that no matter how
desperate our situation is and no matter how much
pain we must go through, we must trust in Him for
it is during those times when He is doing the
greatest work in our lives. The finished product
will be a 'masterpiece' ".
~ ~ ~ ~
Ability will enable a man to go to the
top, but it takes character to keep him there.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Be strong and of a good courage, fear
not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God,
he it is that doth go with thee: he will not fail
thee, nor forsake thee. Deuteronomy 31:6
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
DANIEL'S STORY
By Tcmah96 (Trish just gave birth to
Daniel about a month ago)
This is Daniel's story. A story of our lesson
in trust and God's miraculous power. Some of you
have heard parts of this story and a few know the
whole amazing tale; however, here it is all
together. While you read this true tale of a
miracle, join us in praising our awesome God.
We enthusiastically peered at the ultrasound
screen. Another boy! Wonderful.
Then the practitioner grew intent as she
looked at his upper left arm and upper left leg.
Hmmm? What is going on here? The bones look a bit
crooked. We could see it too. The bones were
angled. Every thing else looked fine. Organs,
brain, face, size...
The room began to spin and as we talked with
various doctors and a genetic counselor an iffy
diagnosis was made: possible fractures which
could indicate Osteogenisisimperfecta, or OI for
short. The most severe forms are fatal. The rib
cage does not develop and at birth the baby can
not breath. The most mild forms translate into
fragile bones and would mean no contact sports
for our second son. The bottom line was that we
would not know any more until he was born. We
would have more ultrasounds to keep an eye on
those bones and watch for more signs of problems.
Wait...I hate waiting.
That was the message from the medical
profession. The message we received from God was
much different. Daniel, as we now called him,
would be fine. I clung tentatively to that
feeling of peace and started everyone I could
find to praying. Relatives, friends, churches...
Two more ultrasounds showed the bones to be
straighter, but still slightly crooked. We have
all the ultrasounds on video tape and can look at
those crooked bones even now.
When it came time to decide about delivery
both David and I felt that we should do a
cesarean. "Just in case..." We talked
this over with the doctor on three separate
occasions. Each time we felt strongly that we
should do the c-sec. It seemed strange to me that
God would say that Daniel would be fine, but we
should still do a c-sec. However, I put my faith
in the strong feeling that He was directing us. I
learned a long time ago to follow God even if he
doesn't make sense.
I went into labor 2 and 1/2 weeks early. We
got to the hospital in time for a rush C-section.
Just before they went in to get Daniel, he turned
and put his feet DOWN! Hence the reason for the
c-sec. God's wisdom is awesome.
His first cry was music to my ears and brought
tears to my eyes. His Daddy said that he looked
great. No crooked arm or leg. The doctors were
guarded, but said he looked good to them too. As
I recovered, positive reports kept coming and
soon Daniel was evicted from the special care
nursery. :-D Halleluia! Praise God!
X-rays showed no evidence of past or present
fractures or angles or anything abnormal. The
doctors had no explanation except to say,
"ultrasound technology is not an exact
science."
If it had just been one ultrasound, I could
understand that something went haywire with the
film or sound waves. But we saw the same thing on
three separate occasions. Each were at least a
month apart.
God healed Daniel. PERIOD! It is a miracle.
And, God counseled us to have a C-section because
He knew Daniel was going to turn breech.
I don't know why God chose to bless Daniel and
our family with this miracle. Perhaps we will
never know. However, ever ytime Daniel reaches
another mile stone we will remember and we will
be thanking and praising God for His gift to us
and our miracle son.
Thank you all for your prayers. He lives. He
reigns. Our God is an awesome God!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
God plus one is always a majority!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
SEXUAL ABUSE CHAT
In the April issue of our SPECIAL EDITION, we
presented some testimonies of sexual abuse and
gave several web sites where help can be
obtained. The response to these issues never
ceases to amaze me!!
Many of the topics that are highlighted in
these issues are unpleasant and would be easier
to sweep under our proverbial rugs. However, it
still would not eliminate the many victims who
have been preyed upon by this humiliating event.
If you are interested in attending a specially
hosted chat regarding this topic for
encouragement and greater understanding, please
contact us at SarahsTent@aol.com
. A special announcement informing you of the
time and place will be sent out the beginning of
next week.
______________________________________________________________
WOMEN EMBRACING THE WORLD
I would like to make you all aware of a
wonderful ministry located in Colorado called
WOMEN EMBRACING THE WORLD. This ministry
specializes in encouraging women missionaries in
many various ways. Ladies from various churches
from all over will write encouraging letters, and
have fund raisers for the faithful women who are
in the ministry overseas. With this money they
bring their Ambassador to a glorious retreat in
Colorado to be pampered, refreshed and validated.
The number of lives touched by this ministry
staggers ones mind!
As we continue to advance in our technology,
our horizons are expanded, and the potential for
other women to become encouragement to other
ladies in the ministry expands with it. The
internet and e-mail are many times a great life
saver to these women who feel at times that they
have long been forgotten, or who hunger for a
piece of news from home. If you would like to
know how to become a part of this ministry by
encouragement, or are interested in beginning a
ministry like this in your own home church,
please contact Claudia Porter at: c-porter@pcisys.net
.
___________________________________________________
ADOPTION
What does Women Embracing the World and
adoption have in common? Yes, yes, both adopt
those who need a loving touch. The founder of
W.E.W., Claudia Porter, has also adopted a dear
baby from China. Claudia will be sharing her
testimony of this glorious adoptions in one of
our next SPECIAL EDITIONS highlighting Adoptions.
If you have adopted, or are considering
adopting, or have knowledge of some excellent
resources and information regarding this, we
would like to hear from you! Please send your
testimony, or information to SarahsTent@aol.com
____________________________________________________
Sarah's Tent Book Club
(Meeting the last Thursday of each
Month) Contact WeesaS@aol.com
or SarahsTent@aol.com
to find out more. You are welcome to attend
whether or not you have read the book of the
month.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
POT LUCK!
Recipes courtesy of DOFFYCOOKS Doffycook's
Nethome
CABBAGE AND BEEF SOUP
1 lb. lean ground beef
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/4 tsp garlic powder
2 stalks chopped celery
1 16 oz. Can kidney beans (drained)
1/2 medium sized head cabbage (chopped)
1 28 oz can tomatoes (chopped)
1 28 oz tomato can of water
4 beef bullion cubes
small amount of chopped fresh parsley
Brown the beef in a small Dutch oven, add the
remaining then cook until the cabbage and celery
is tender.
For even MORE recipes, click on these!! More
Recipes and Once-a-Month
Cooking (OAMC)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"...If God be for us, who can be
against us?" Romans 8:31b
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
~ PRAYER ~
Please send prayer request to C.O.P.E.
Ministries (Christians Online Praying by Email) C.O.P.E.
Ministries Home Page http://members.aol.com/PrayWOCsng/COPE
Prayer requests can be sent to either Michelle
at LazarusArb@aol.com or to Sherry at Jcjspj@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 Justaservn
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Died And Went To Heaven
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I was at the beach with my children when my
four-year-old son ran up to me, grabbed my hand,
and led me to the shore, where a sea gull lay
dead in the sand. "Mommy, what happened to
him?" The little boy asked. "He died
and went to heaven," I replied. My son
thought a moment and then said, "And God
threw him back down?"
By Joan Turner
__________________________________________________________________
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
|
