~ JOY In The Kitchen ~ 
A FREE weekly newsletter from Sarah's Tent, a Loving Internet Community of Pastor's Wives. 
Isaiah 51:1-2 ~ Isaiah 54:2-3 ~ Heb 10:24 ,25

THE MAKING OF A SOLDIER
By Shannon Parish

"The process is brutal! Throughout history, innocent recruits join the military with visions of glory.  Once in boot camp the awakening is abrupt and unsettling.. Pushed beyond physical, mental, and emotional boundaries, blinding emotions hammer the brain and tempt one towards panic and despair. 

"This is not what I signed up for!" the recruit wails. The process continues - forcing the recruit to make a choice. Will he or she collapse and give in to failure? Or will a determination arise that will strengthen and push the young soldier into a strength never before known or experienced?

Boot camp passes - as does the time spent in service to ones country.  Once a young doubting, insecure and innocently naive recruit, the soldier is now seasoned, stronger and wiser beyond years, who knows that nothing is impossible to accomplish. Tested beyond known endurance, the seasoned soldier has been tried and found true. Now nothing is impossible to accomplish. Discipline has been achieved, character has been built, choices have been made."

These are the reflections of a mother who has said goodbye to her first born as he enters military service.  Not knowing exactly what each moment is like for my son, I can only imagine.  Stories are shared from soldiers long since retired from duty. And in their sharing, I've been struck with the similarities of what is described as the emotions that a young recruit is likely to face, compared to what we as young in-experienced pastors encountered in our first pastorate.

Taking a church in trouble is like taking a wounded animal by the tail and trying to shove pills down it's throat, not knowing that any creature that is wounded may possibly be blinded by pain and will be distrusting of any body that comes near.

I would not wish upon anyone what we learned the hard way - and yet, I would not trade it for any experience I've ever lived through because it has made me who I am today.  I encourage you as ministers to not give up hope or grow weary in your well doing.  Seek wise counsel, and always examine the depths of your own heart.  The trial you are now encountering, or will encounter is spiritual boot camp.  It is in these times that you will discover the purity of your faith, the depth of your character and those around you.  It will test to the limits your faith in an Almighty God. Cherish these times.  Don't be carried away mindlessly with the emotions that assail you, but rather open your ears and listen to the Holy Spirit as He teaches you and molds you. This IS a season - and seasons come ... to pass.  You are learning right now, things that you could not possibly learn by any other means.  In these last days it is vital that you know your calling and what you are made of.  It is not a shameful thing to be tried by fire.  Rather, it is an honor and one to be embraced with joy.

1 Peter 4:12-18
"Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 
but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 
If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, 
for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 
On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. 
But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters. 
Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. 
For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?" 
________________________

Written By Mother Teresa
~~~
People are often unreasonable, illogical,
and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, People may accuse you
of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some
false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank,
people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone
could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness,
they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today,
people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have,
and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis,
it is between you and God;
It was never between you and them anyway.
__________________

Mark Twain might have put it best when he said, "Inherently, each one of us has the substance within to achieve whatever our goals and dreams define. What is missing from each of us is the training, education, knowledge and insight to utilize what we already have."
______________________________

BUDDY GROUP TIPS

 When I belong in a Buddy Group and want to talk to just one person, how do I do that without sending letters to everyone else in the group?
Notice the emails that come to you from your group. Each one of them includes the email address of the one who authored the letter. All you have to do is to copy and paste the desired email address into a new letter. If you only hit Reply - everyone in the group will receive your letter.

I'm really enjoying participating in my Buddy Group - how can I become more involved?
If you enjoy greeting people and making them feel right at home, you might have just what it takes to become a group Moderator.  For more information regarding this, please write to: groupleader@sarahstent.com  

I've written to joyinthekitchen@egroups.com and my letter was returned saying it was undeliverable. How come?
This particular address is ONLY for sending out the newsletter. Your letter will be seen by Shannon or Christina, but no one else will receive it, and you will receive a notice saying that it was undeliverable. Check the web site for the correct  email addresses that you are looking for.  The web address is: www.sarahstent.com
_________________________________

GREAT VICTORIES COME OUT OF GREAT BATTLES.
~ Smith Wigglesworth
_________________________________

WHAT'S NEW?

The first stage of our web sites face lift has been completed! Come and visit us at www.sarahstent.com to view the changes.  Don't forget to bookmark it! You'll want to come back time and again! 

All of the bad email links on the web page have been fixed. You can now write to the emails that are listed on the various pages.  Thanks to those who alerted us to the problem!
_____________________________

BUDDY GROUPS OF THE WEEK

Fellowship
Bi-Vocational Pastors = It wasn't quite what you were expecting was it? Fulltime ministry, and a need to actually provide for your family outside the ministry position. Here is a place where you can meet others in a similar situation, encourage, fellowship and share experiences. 
st-2jobs-subscribe@egroups.com

Support
Healthy = Did you make a resolution to reclaim your health through eating wholesome foods, exercising, drinking plenty of water, etc.? If you have, this group is for you! Share recipes, success stories, encouragement and resources. (Don't be chicken now - we aren't experts - just folks with a desire to get healthy!) 
st-healthy-subscribe@egroups.com  

Special Interest
Book of the Month = How can you possibly know all the great books that are in your area of interest? Share with friends who are in the same walk of life as you! Got your cup of tea? Got your book? Are you online to talk about it? 
JUST BEGINNING! 
st-books-subscribe@egroups.com

___________________________________

SHEEP GOT YOU DOWN?
Need MAJOR encouragement? Visit our web page; www.sarahstent.com and click on the words "Are You Hurting?"
______________________________

DOES YOUR CHURCH OR YOU HAVE A WEB PAGE?
If you have a ministry web page that you would like listed through 
www.sarahstent.com send it to: Shannon@sarahstent.com
_______________________________ 

DOT'S DELIGHTS 
This is a delicious and special recipe! I think you can use it with confidence for something special without trying it on your family first. The recipe calls for chocolate pudding, but I made it last week with coconut cream pudding, which is what I happened to have on hand. I believe I prefer it to chocolate. I used it for a bridal shower, and it was great for a light, but yummy dessert. Let me know if you try it!

Tunnel cake
1 Angel Food Cake (I make the Betty Crocker one)
1 small package of jello chocolate instant pudding
1 12 oz tub of cool whip
1 1/2 cups milk

bake cake as directed on box and let cool
Slice 1" layer off the top
Gently hollow a trench 1 1/2"w x 2" deep (I use a fork to hollow out)
Tear the cake into small pieces
Combine milk and pudding mix
Beat on low for 2 minutes
Fold in the cake pieces and 1 3/4 cup of the cool whip into pudding mix
Fill the trench with this mix
Put top back on and frost with remaining cool whip
Refrigerate... tastes best if you make it the day before.

DOTMI@aol.com 
________________________________

2 Tim 2:1-4
"You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier."
______________________________

LOVE TO PRAY?

There is always a need for prayer warriors! If you would like to be a 
part of the intercessors at Sarah's Tent, then please drop us a note, 
and we will add you to our Intercessors Group!

SarahsTent@aol.com
______________________________
CHUCKLES & THOUGHTS
More funny stories from the "Tent"!

From Kathy Rateliff
Actually, it happened to my dad!!!

Al was singing in rare form that Sunday morning His deep, bass tones rang
clear. His wonderful white beard and dark suit mirrored the dignity and
awesome majesty of his anthem. When he finished singing and turned to
re-enter the choir loft as small child's voice rang out.
"Grandma, is that GOD???"
My father, who was rising to begin his sermon almost couldn't start for all
the titters and guffaws that rang out.

Kathy
_____________________________

WANTED! WANTED! WANTED!

YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY! You don't have to be a writer to have something you want to share with others.  All you need is an experience or lesson learned that brought you closer to Jesus.  We can help smooth the rough edges! Just send it to shannon@sarahstent.com
______________________________________________________________

WEB SITES & RESOURCES

 Visit our LINKS page at: www.sarahstent.com!

Joy in The Kitchen Volume 4 Issue 11