~ JOY IN THE KITCHEN ~ 
 
Isa 51:1-2 / Isa 54:2-3 / Heb 10:24 ,25

THE PLAN
By Shannon Parish (JoyfulArt@aol.com)

"We need a vacation. Do you know where you want to go?" My husband and
I were sitting at the kitchen table looking out the window at the snow
capped Rocky Mountains, relishing every bit of the early morning hours.
Dewayne had read my thoughts. "Let's decide where we want to go, for
how long, and what we want to do - and when we want to go." Of course.
Before one can go on a vacation one needs to have THE PLAN. 

People are funny. Some things in life we spend hours and enormous
amounts of money planning, when they will pass quickly in our lives.
(Like a wedding) Did we spend as much care and time in choosing our
mate? How about our employers? We may have chosen our spouse carefully
who we will live a life time with, but did we take the first position
that came along? Or did we choose carefully the church or company that
we will be spending as much time with, if not more than our spouse? 

What plans do you have in the works at this time? Has God ordered your
steps? Now, don't be too hasty in answering. God is simple. He gives us
a passion, and He gives us the provisions we need for our vision. If
the provisions are not there - have you accepted the first thing that
came along as an idea, or course to take? Or have you been amazed at
the excitement, inspiration and motivation that is accompanying your
journey? 

Not all the time are our hard times and road blocks "the enemy's doing"
or "spiritual warfare". More times than we want to admit, it's often
our loving Father in Heaven saying, "No. My child, this is not the path
I have for you."

But many times, like stubborn children, we insist on our own way, until
'Dad' says..."Okay - do it your way. But you'll be sorry!" And later,
after the entire congregation has suffered from strife, division and
turmoil, along with the finances and a mass exodus of members, do we
learn what the consequences of our prideful, stubborn thoughts were.
Once the 'smoke' clears and our flesh has burned can we see what God
had touched and what was our assumptions. 

Take time to draw away from the voices, the crowds, the busy-ness of
life. Go somewhere where you can enjoy the peace and quiet of your
loving Heavenly Fathers voice ... showing you THE PLAN. If you strayed
from the course, count your losses and turn back. To continue on your
way on the wrong path will only bring disaster and grief. (Some choices
will seem impossible to make, because the stakes are high. Where then
is your faith? In your plans? Or in the favor of a Living God?)Ask
yourself honestly, "Who is being exhalted by our journey?"

1 Peter 5:5
"God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble." 
NKJV

Ps 46:10
Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!
NKJV

__________________________________
Ps 37:23-24
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD,
And He delights in his way. 
Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down;
For the LORD upholds him with His hand. 
NKJV
_________________________________


BOOK REVIEW 
By: Pattie Reitz (pattierwr@ivillage.com)

"Bookends" by Liz Curtis Higgs

I wrote a review of Liz's first novel, "Mixed Signals," a few months
ago. I loved that book! I thought it was a delightful read and a
great story. When I found out that she had another novel coming out, I
was thrilled. I bought it as soon as I could! 

To be honest, when I started reading it I didn't like the book. The
characters in it are nothing like the ones in her first novel, and I
really wasn't sure where she was taking the story line either. I
wasn't even sure I LIKED Emilie and Jonas. Emilie is too much of a
scholar, and Jonas "plays with dirt" (his words, not mine!). 

Well, it didn't take long for me to become engrossed with this book. I
got so engrossed, in fact, that I figured out how to balance the book
on a pillow, holding it with one hand while I nursed the baby! (That's
dedication, let me tell you!) 

I really liked this book. There are many twists and turns in the love
story between history professor Emilie and land developer Jonas. They
are a true example of how opposites attract (hence the title "Bookends"
- these two main characters face opposite directions at first, just
like bookends do). Probably my favorite part, as it is with other
novels of this particular genre, is when Emilie realizes the difference
between knowing who God is and truly knowing God. The changes in her
life are just wonderful to read and vicariously experience!

Another great thing about this novel is that it concerns the Moravian
Church. Because Emilie is a history professor on sabbatical writing a
book about the Moravian denomination, there are lots of interesting
little facts and tidbits scattered throughout the novel. I found it
fascinating!

All in all, I really loved this novel and ended up reading it twice. 
Of course, I can't tell you much more without giving everything
away...so I'll leave you with just these brief comments and a
recommendation to read the book whenever you get the chance!

Pattie Reitz

______________________________

"Just the knowledge that a good book is waiting one 
at the end of a long day makes that day happier." 

______________________________

I know that everything God does will remain forever; there is nothing
to add to it and there is nothing to take from it, for God has so
worked that men should fear Him. ECCLESIASTES 3:14

_______________________________

??WHAT'S NEW??

FROM: gholloway@npc.net (Georgetta Holloway)

A friend of mine is going to teach a ministers wives class at a School
of Religion week here in the city. They have never had this done before
and she felt led to do this. She ask me since she knows I am on this
list to give her some ideas. The other thing she will have to deal with
is ministers wives that don't understand the needs of working pw's.
This district meets once a month, but they meet in the day time. A lot
of us new pw's here work so we can not go. They also have meetings and
do not deal with issues related to being a pw. They just talk about
maybe fashion, makeup etc.... I appreciate your suggestions.
_______________________
WHERE CAN A TENT GO?

You would be amazed at all the places a simple 'tent' can go! It begins
in your own room, in front of your computer and mine. Two women with
similar paths in life talking about what they have seen and experienced
on those paths. Learning from each other, sharing a few laughs and a
few tears, gaining understanding.

Sarah's Tent is growing faster and faster, and along with that change
is changing in appearance. This newsletter (for those who are on AOL)
Is the second change you are seeing. The cheerful colors are gone - but
the cheerful women behind the stories are still in living color!

The first change you became aware of was last week's announcement of
many new Buddy Groups forming. Some of you are a little unsure of what
this can mean for you, and others ran back into the locker room,
changed into your swim suits, ran out and jumped right in! I encourage
you to 'test the waters'. There are new friends to be gained and a
guarantee that your life will never be the same as you 'taste and see
that the Lord is good!'

If you would like a list of these new groups, send an email to
SarahsTent@aol.com and request our list. Then "Jump on in! The water is
fine!"

We are very close to moving the web page to our new location, and will
give you that announcement as soon as it happens.

Have you wondered just what we do and where WE as a community are going?
The vision is simple. It begins with meeting one another and developing
relationships.

As those relationships grow, needs arise. We share resources,
experiences and prayer to meet those needs. In the past, thanks to
loving members who give financially, we have flown couples in crisis to
counselors who impart healing and hope. We've also been able to sponsor
several pastors wives in enabling them to attend our first retreat,
paying for their airfare and costs of their room. More times than we
would like to, we've been able to send flowers to those who have
experienced deaths in their families, "from your family in Sarah's
Tent". At times, baby clothes have been packed up and shipped to a dear
pw friend to share with her new baby as ours outgrow their clothes. 
Letters, cards, and gifts suddenly appear in the mail boxes to cheer
you, or tell you how much you are loved and appreciated. Not all are
'sponsored' by Sarah's Tent, but by women who develope the dearest of
relationships, all because of meeting inside the 'Tent'.

Our vision is to continue to expand and develop an abundance of
resources to do more. You will hear more on our web page of where we
have come, and where we are going. What part would you like to play?
Just think...from your room...your computer...you can touch the world!

_______________________

Rise up, be our help, And redeem us for the sake of Thy lovingkindness. 
PSALM 44:26

_______________________

Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield.
PSALM 33:20
_______________________

"I am always ready to learn, but I do not always like to be taught."
- (Winston Churchill)

_______________________

DOT'S DELIGHTS (DOTMI@aol.com)
I think you'll like this chicken recipe! My family does!

OVEN-FRIED CHICKEN
Combine in large bowl: 2 c. buttermilk
1 T. honey
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. dried oregano
1/4 t. cayenne pepper
Cut up chicken (best of fryer, or whatever)

In a shallow bowl combine: 2 c. fine breadcrumbs (plain)
1/8 c. parsley
1/4 t. salt
1 T grated parmesan cheese

Dip chicken in buttermilk mixture. Dredge in crumb mixture. Put 
chicken in jelly-roll pan and drizzle 3 T. oil over top.
Bake without turning for 50-60 minutes @350.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"The saddest of all prisons is a man's own heart."
----Nathaniel Hawthorne

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 
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

A sweet little boy surprised his grandmother one morning and brought
her a cup of coffee. He anxiously waited to hear the verdict on the
quality of the coffee. The grandmother had never in her life had such
a bad cup of coffee, and as she forced down the last sip, she noticed
three of those little green army guys in the bottom of the cup. She
asked, "Honey, why would three little green army guys be in the bottom
of my cup?"
Her grandson replied, "You know grandma, it's like on T.V. 'The best
part of waking up is soldiers in your cup.'"
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 
Web Links
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
http://home.att.net/~moms_fellowship

Mom's Fellowship was created in order to bring women from around the
world closer to a living and loving God through Bible Study, Prayer,
and Fellowship. We invite you to come and meet other Godly, Spiritual
women from around the world who have been where you are and will hold
you up before the Lord in prayer
###################################################################

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Joy in The Kitchen Volume 4 Issue 4