Joy in the Kitchen vol III-1

~ JOY IN THE KITCHEN ~

Isa 51:1-2 / Isa 54:2-3 / Heb 10:24 ,25
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STRUGGLING AGAINST POOR SOIL

As I sat at my computer at work, entering data, my attention was
suddenly caught up with a commercial that came across the office
radio. A man who owned a fine vineyard was explaining to the narrator
why he chose a certain place for his vineyard.

What caught my attention was this comment: "I chose this place
because the soil is so poor. When you plant a vine, the soul must be
poor so that the vine will struggle against it. This builds character
and makes the grapes into the fine fruit we need with body and robust
character to make our fine wine..."

Needless to say, my mouth fell open as I saw another of God's amazing
truths from nature. When times are poor and we struggle against
them, we are tempted to wonder where God is. Yet the great
Vinedresser knows just what He is doing. He knows that we are right
where we need to be to produce fruit with character that will bring
new wine to a thirsty world.

The following letter is from a young lady that I met through casual
conversation. However, as I continued to speak with her I heard a
heart beating with passion for the love of her Lord. She is one who
struggled against poor soil, and is now producing fruit with
character to those who have lost hope and have no where to turn, and
who are struggling against the same poor soil she struggled against.

Now a Christian recording artist out of Nashville, I asked her to
please share her testimony with all of you. I will be placing her
photo on our web page as our first guest visitor, highlighting the
things God has done in her life and what new wine she brings to our
thirsty world.

Enjoy!

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Hi everyone!

My name is Sarah. I am ninteen years old; and a new Christian music
artist. I am working on a record contract that is in the making. But
it was a long hard road growing up, that got me to where I am today.

I was born and raised my whole life in a Christian home; but the
circumstances around me played a part in the struggles that I had
growing up. When I was seven years old, I began to be sexually abused
by a friend's step father. She lived next door to where we lived. The
abuse went on for almost three years. In the middle of that when I
was nine years old, my Dad died of cancer. I was very close to him.

By the time I was ten years old, because of the sexual abuse, and
because of my Dad's death and the way I felt about myself; I began to
do weird things with food. It was like a release for me; if I was
thinking about food all the time, I didn't have to think about how
the abuse made me feel; I could force myself to put my emotions to
the side. I didn't have to deal with my Dad's death; I didn't have to
think or deal with anything except food. By the time I was ten and a
half years old, my mom had re-married, and I was a full blown
anorexic and bulimic.

I kept my former eating disorder hidden until I was fourteen years
old. I remember I couldn't even take a shower without wearing a
bathing suit; I couldn't stand to see myself naked. I wore baggy
cloths because I thought I was so heavy; when in reality I was NEVER
overweight. When I was fourteen, I remember I put on a bathing suit
to go into the pool and as I was about to put on a baggy t-shirt over
top as I had usually done; my mom walked by my room and she happened
to look in. As soon as she saw me, she freaked out. She started
crying. I thought that I was fat and could not understand why she was
crying. I thought maybe she thought I was fat to.

I was sent to treatment centers and hospitals quite frequently; but I
kept gettting worse and losing more weight. I would run about ten
miles a day. I had this burst of energy when I exercised; it was like
I had to do it. One day I was running on the track; and I passed out.
When I woke up, I was in the hospital on all sorts of machines. I was
at 58 pounds and had had a minor heart attack. The doctors told me
that if I didn't get better, I could die. So I decided to begin to
get better.

From age fifteen to eighteen, I fought hard to get better and two
months before my eighteenth birthday, I was considered fully
recovered. But then about two weeks after my eighteenth birthday, I
was violently raped by a guy who was supposed to be my best friend. I
was inpregnated from the rape and ended up having an abortion. I had
a somewhat of a "nervous breakdown" after the rape. I went through
some intensive counseling; but my former eating disorder came back. I
was able through the grace of God; to get through that rough time.

Now here I am today at age 19; fully recovered from my former eating
disorder. I am writing my own music and lyrics for piano and voice
and singing. I have been singing and writing for about five years. I
am going to be engaged soon to the most wonderful man in the world.
And I love my Savior Jesus Christ with all of my heart. I accpted
Christ as my Savior when I was nine years old; after my Dad died of
cancer. I want to encourage all of you; that no matter what you're
going through; it's NOT bigger than God.

If you just give your struggles over to the Lord and learn to trust
Him in everything; He will richly bless your life. I have never been
happier; my soon to be fiance and I are serving the Lord with our
music together and as a contract is signed with a Christian record
company, singing contemporary Chrsitian music with the style that I
write; we are side by side. We work together for the good of Jesus
Christ; just as a Pastor and his Wife do.

I would love to hear from you and would love to be of help or service
to you whether through chatting, or through music to you or your
church; whatever you desire. My main goal in life, is to reach people
for Jesus Christ; to touch people in a way and in a place that
nothing else can. May God richly bless each and every one of you.

In Him,
Sarah Baronofsky
Sarah4God79@aol.com

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This is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith.
1 John 5:4
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JUST THINK

If you never felt pain, then how would you know that
He is your Healer?
If you never went through difficulties, how would you know that
He is your Deliverer?
If you never had a trial, how could you call yourself
an overcomer?
If you never felt sadness, how would you know that
He is your Comforter?
If you never made a mistake, how would you know that
He is forgiving?
If you knew all, how would you know that
He would answer your questions?
If you never were in trouble, how would you know that
He would come to your rescue?
If you never were broken, then how would know that
He can make you whole?
If you never had a problem, how would you know that
He can solve them?
If you never had any suffering, then how would you know what
Jesus went through?
If you never went through the fire, then how would you
become pure?
If He gave you all things, how would you
appreciate them?
If He never corrected you, how would you know that
He loved you?
If you had all power, then how would you learn to
depend on Him?
If your life was perfect, then what would you
need Him for?

=====
And we know that in ALL THINGS God works for the good of those who
love Him
and are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

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"THIS POWER DOES NOT WORK JUST AS DYNAMITE TO BRING ONE EXPLOSIVE
EXPERIENCE IN YOUR LIFE. IT IS CONTINUAL POWER!"
John Osteen

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WHAT'S NEW ?

Check out our new web site home: www.sarahstent.com

Be certain, when you are there, to take a look at the Buddy Groups
page!

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Hi from Christina,

Just a note to tell you that I will be taking a reprieve from JITK
for about 3 weeks... I have been doing this off and on since getting
pregnant but now, on top of everything else, our family will be
moving to another house. I really appreciate all the love and
support I have received from so many of you regarding my pregnancy
and the newsletter. Shannon and I truely have been blessed beyond
words with what the Lord is doing in SarahsTent.

Once I am moved in and such I will begin writing and helping out with
the newsletter... until then my faithful friend and partner will be
bringing the wonderful JITK for you to enjoy. Have a great week and
and joyous celebration as we look to the coming Easter celebrations.
Love, Christina aka (TentDwellr@aol.com)
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"UNTIL YOU MAKE THE WORD TOTAL AUTHORITY OF YOUR SITUATION, IT IS NOT
GOING TO BE THE TOTAL AUTHORITY IN YOUR SITUATION."
Marilyn Hickey
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DOES YOUR CHURCH OR YOU HAVE A WEB PAGE?

Have you wanted to share what God is doing in your life, or wanted to
see what He is doing with another that you've met through Sarah's
Tent?

Here is the perfect opportunity for you to do just that. Sarah's Tent
is beginning the process of adding a new page to the web site that
will highlight all the church web pages from the family of Sarah's
Tent.

If you have a web page that you would like listed on our web page,
send it to us! We are now gathering those URLs for the new page!

Send to: Shannon@sarahstent.com
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DOT'S DELIGHTS

Are you involved with some type of reception this spring--
graduations, weddings, anniversaries, an open house, etc? You'll
need a good recipe for mints in your file. Here are two old ones
that are always good...

This is my favorite that has been used by our family to make
thousands of mints over the years.
BUTTER MINTS
1/3 c. light corn syrup
1/4 c., butter, oftened
1 t. peppermint extract
1/2 t. salt
1 lb. powdered sugar
(approximately 70 patties)
This can be used in a mint mold or made into round balls and criss-
crossed with a fork. (dip in sugar before molding)

CREAM CHEESE MINTS
2 lbs. powdered sugar
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 t. peppermint extract or flavor of your choice
Food Coloring of your choice

Mix well and roll into small balls. Dip into sugar and press
into a rubber mold or powdered Jello.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"The atmosphere of expectancy is the breeding ground for miracles."
- Rod L. Parsley
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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!!

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!

Shannon@sarahstent.com
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CHUCKLES & THOUGHTS
All Kids do it

Whenever your kids are out of control, you can take comfort
from the thought that even God's omnipotence did not extend
to God's kids. After Creating heaven and earth, God created
Adam and Eve.

And the First thing he said was: "Don't".
"Don't what?" Adam replied.
"Don't eat the forbidden fruit," God said.
"Forbidden fruit? We got forbidden fruit? Hey, Eve...
we got forbidden fruit!"
"No way!"
"Yes, way!"
"Don't eat that fruit!" said God.
"Why?"
"Because I am your Father and I said so!" said God
(wondering why he hadn't stopped after making
the elephants).
A few minutes later God saw his kids having an apple
break and was angry.
"Didn't I tell you not to eat the fruit?" God asked
"Uh huh," Adam replied.
"Then why did you?"
"I dunno" Eve answered.
"She started it!" Adam said.
"Did not!"
"Did too!"
"DID NOT!!"

Having had it with the two of them, God's punishment was that
Adam and Eve should have children of their own, Thus the
pattern was set and it has never changed. But there is
reassurance in this story: If you have persistently and
lovingly tried to give them wisdom and they haven't taken
it, don't be hard on yourself. If God had trouble handling
children, what makes you think it should be a piece of cake
for you?

Advice for the day: If you have a lot of tension and you get
a headache, do what it says on the aspirin bottle: Take two
and keep away from the children.
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FOUND A WEB SITE THAT OFFERS GREAT RESOURCES?

Send to: webmaster@sarahstent.com

"As with all web pages, Sarahs Tent cannot be responsible for web page
content, especially when referring to non - Christian links that we
feel may be of interest to you. Please surf the Internet carefully!
Use common sense when exploring deeper and deeper links, or inventing
Keywords to try to find something. "

Joy in The Kitchen Volume 4 Issue 8