Deuteronomy 32:4

He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.

Marvelous Grace

Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God's grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God's grace.

God Can

When we have done what we can, God will do what we can't.

The Image of God as Parent

Author Unknown

It is impossible for the human mind to fathom our infinite God in His totality. But He reveals His nature in pictures, images of what He is like and who He is. The Bible is filled with powerful illustrations of God—He is strong as a fortress, a shield, a rock; yet He is graceful and beautiful as the wings of a dove. And there is one image that speaks more powerfully than any other.

God is our Father.

No image could be more universally appreciated than that of a parent. The love from our parents or the lack thereof, does so much to forge our image of who we are and how we see the world. And this month in Today in the Word, we'll walk through the Word looking at the many ways in which God is the perfect parental figure for us. He is the heavenly representation of the wonderful parents we have, or even the missing source of nurturing love we so desperately long for.

Luke 2:8-14

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Isaiah 9:6

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Emmanuel

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

The Reason for the Season

Matthew1:18-25:

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS

Luke 1:26-39:

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

For with God nothing shall be impossible.

And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;

And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.

.

Anchor of Renewal

by Charles R. Swindoll (Acts 27:33-38)

Can you imagine fighting a storm for two weeks and getting virtually no nourishment? That's what the men on Paul's ship experienced. Even more amazing, that's how most people respond to life's storms. We run our tanks dry fighting the battles on our own, and we end up physically weak, emotionally drained, and unable to sleep. The anchor of renewal guards against that sort of anatomical depletion. Instead, Paul encouraged the men to eat and be renewed. But first he prayed. They all prayed.

Can you imagine that scene? The storm raged about them, while almost three hundred men bowed in prayer as Paul gave thanks for the meager fare, then everybody on board joined together in the meal.

Your personal nourishment is crucial during times of storm. In panic moments, you'll cut a corner on your meals. You'll also fail to get sufficient sleep. It won't be long before you will set aside prayer altogether and you'll find yourself drained, spiritually. Increased emotional pain mixed with decreased spiritual renewal can be lethal to your faith.

Spiritual renewal comes primarily through prayer. Few disciplines are of greater importance when all seems bleak. Simply talk it out. Wrestle with the reason for the storm. Seek His direction. Don't let up until you're satisfied you've got the Lord's mind. That's what Paul modeled on the deck of that rugged ship.

For some of the men on board, I'm confident it was the first time in their lives they had prayed. Certainly, it was the first time they had prayed to Almighty God! It may have been the only time in their lives they'd ever heard a prayer offered for a meal. In the middle of a howling wind-and-rain storm, they paused and witnessed a reverent, humble man offering a prayer of gratitude to the Lord God, Maker of heaven and earth, Captain of the winds and waves. That encouraged them. It was simple, but its impact was profound. Paul had shown them the anchor of renewal---a glimpse of hope.

Joseph's Letter Home

Dear Mom,

We're still in Bethlehem--Mary and I and little Jesus.

There were lots of things I couldn't talk to you about last summer. You wouldn't have believed me then, but maybe I can tell you now. I hope you can understand.

You know, Mom, I've always loved Mary. You and dad used to tease me about her when she was still a girl. She and her brothers used to play on our street. Our families got together for supper. But the hardest day of my life came scarcely a year ago when I was twenty and she only fifteen. You remember that day, don't you?

The trouble started after we were betrothed and signed the marriage agreement at our engagement. That same spring Mary had left abruptly to visit her old cousin Elizabeth in Judea. She was gone three whole months. After she got back, people started wondering out loud if she were pregnant.

It was cloudy the day when I finally confronted her with the gossip. "Mary," I asked at last, "are you going to have a baby?"

Her clear brown eyes met mine. She nodded.

I didn't know what to say. "Who?" I finally stammered.

Mom, Mary and I had never acted improperly--even after we were betrothed.

Mary looked down. "Joseph," she said. "There's no way I can explain. You couldn't understand. But I want you to know I've never cared for anyone but you." She got up, gently took my hands in hers, kissed each of them as if it were the last time she would ever do that again, and then turned towards home. She must have been dying inside. I know I was.

The rest of the day I stumbled through my chores. It's a wonder I didn't hurt myself in the woodshop. At first I was angry and pounded out my frustrations on the doorframe I was making. My thoughts whirled so fast I could hardly keep my mind on my work. At last I decided just to end the marriage contract with a quiet divorce. I loved her too much to make a public scene.

I couldn't talk to you. Or anyone, for that matter. I went to bed early and tried to sleep. Her words came to me over and over. "I've never cared for anyone but you.... I've never cared for anyone but you...." How I wished I could believe her!

I don't know when I finally fell asleep. Mom, I had a dream from God. An angel of the Lord came to me. His words pulsated through my mind so intensely I can remember them as if it were yesterday.

"Joseph, son of David," he thundered, "do not fear to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit."

I couldn't believe my ears, Mom. This was the answer! The angel continued, "She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

The angel gripped my shoulders with his huge hands. For a long moment his gaze pierced deep within me. Just as he turned to go, I think I saw a smile on his shining face.

I sat bolt upright in bed. No sleep after that! I tossed about for a while, going over the words in my mind. Then I got up and dressed quietly so I wouldn't wake you.

I must have walked for miles beneath the moonless sky. Stars pricked the blackness like a thousand tiny pinpoints. A warm breeze blew on my face.

I sang to the Lord, Mom. Yes, me, singing, if you can imagine that. I couldn't contain my joy. I told Him that I would take Mary and care for her. I told Him I would watch over her--and the child--no matter what anyone said.

I got back just as the sun kissed the hilltops. I don't know if you still recall that morning, Mom. I can see it in my mind's eye as if it were yesterday. You were feeding the chickens, surprised to see me out. Remember?

"Sit down," I said to you. "I've got to tell you something." I took your arm and helped you find a seat on the big rock out back. "Mom," I said, "I'm going to bring Mary home as my wife. Can you help make a place for her things?"

You were silent a long time. "You do know what they're saying, don't you, son?" you said at last, your eyes glistening.

"Yes, Mom, I know."

Your voice started to rise. "If your father were still alive, he'd have some words, I'll tell you. Going about like that before you are married. Disgracing the family and all. You... you and Mary ought to be ashamed of yourselves!"

You'd never have believed me if I'd tried to explain, so I didn't. Unless the angel had spoken to you, you'd have laughed me to scorn.

"Mom, this is the right thing to do," I said.

And then I started talking to you as if I were the head of the house. "When she comes I don't want one word to her about it," I sputtered. "She's your daughter-in-law, you'll respect her. She'll need your help if she's to bear the neighbors' wagging tongues!"

I'm sorry, Mom. You didn't deserve that. You started to get up in a huff.

"Mom," I murmured, "I need you." You took my hand and got to your feet, but the fire was gone from your eyes.

"You can count on me, Joseph," you told me with a long hug. And you meant it. I never heard another word. No bride could hope for a better mother-in-law than you those next few months.

Mom, after I left you I went up the road to Mary's house and knocked. Her mother glared at me as she opened the door. Loudly, harshly she called into the house, "It's Joseph!" almost spitting out my name as she said it.

My little Mary came out cringing, as if she expected me give her the back of my hand, I suppose. Her eyes were red and puffy. I can just imagine what her parents had said. We walked a few steps from the house. She looked so young and afraid. "Pack your things, Mary," I told her gently. "I'm taking you home to be my wife."

"Joseph!" She hugged me as tight as she could. Mom, I didn't realize she was so strong.
I told her what I'd been planning. "We'll go to Rabbi Ben-Ezer's house this week and have him perform the ceremony."

I know it was awfully sudden, Mom, but I figured the sooner we got married the better it would be for her, and me, and the baby.

"Mary, even if our friends don't come, at least you and I can pledge our love before God." I paused. "I think my Mom will be there. And maybe your friend Rebecca would come if her dad will let her. How about your parents?"

I could feel Mary's tiny frame shuddering as she sobbed quietly

"Mary," I said. I could feel myself speaking more boldly. "No matter what anyone says about you, I'm proud you're going to be my wife. I'm going to take good care of you. I've promised God that."

She looked up.

I lowered my voice. "I had a dream last night, Mary. I saw an angel. I know."

The anguish which had gripped her face vanished. She was radiant as we turned away from the house and began to walk up the hill together.

Just then her mother ran out into the yard. "Wait," she called. She must have been listening from behind the door. Tears were streaming down her cheeks.

"I'll get your father," she called, almost giddy with emotion. "We," she cried as she gathered up her skirts. "We," she shouted as she began to run to find her husband. "We ... are going to have a wedding!"
That's how it was, Mom. Thanks for being there for us. I'll write again soon.

Love, Joseph

Paula's Loaded Oatmeal Cookies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Ingredients:

 

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

1/2 cup vegetable shortening

1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar

2 eggs

1/2 cup buttermilk

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 teaspoon ground allspice

2 1/2 cups quick-cooking oatmeal

1 cup raisins

1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Brown Butter Icing, recipe follows

 

Directions: 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 1 or more cookie sheets. Using an electric mixer, cream together butter, shortening, and sugar in a bowl until fluffy. Add eggs and beat until mixture is light in color. Add buttermilk. Sift together flour, baking soda, salt, baking powder, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, and allspice; stir into creamed mixture. Fold in oatmeal, raisins, walnuts, and vanilla, blending well. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto cookie sheet. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Drizzle with Brown Butter Icing.

 

Brown Butter Icing:

 

1/2 cup butter

3 cups sifted powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 to 4 tablespoons water

 

Directions: In a small saucepan heat the butter over medium heat until golden brown, stirring occasionally. Remove saucepan from heat; stir in 3 cups sifted powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Stir in enough water (3 to 4 tablespoons) to make an icing of drizzling consistency. Drizzle on warm cookies.

 

Yield: enough to ice 5 dozen cookies

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Ease of preparation: Easy

Anchor of Stability

by Charles R. Swindoll (Acts: 27:1-26) 

 The anchor of stability holds firm when your navigation system fails. 

It's easy to lose your bearings in the storm. You can't find your way through the circumstances you face. Life rolls along fairly smoothly until suddenly the seas grow rough. Unseen problems occur.

They were not in the forecast. In Luke's words, "All hope of our being saved" is abandoned. Those are treacherous moments when we reach the point of abandoning hope. 

At that difficult, gut-wrenching moment, God says, "Don't be afraid, I have a plan." 

People facing intense adversity find it difficult to focus on anything other than the towering waves and stinging winds. 

Paul firmly announces, "Be of good cheer . . . we've heard from the Lord that none will be lost." 

We find stability in storms through what God has said. Your tendency will be to turn to another source for strength rather than the Word of God. Don't go there! 

The only anchor of stability that will hold you firm, no matter how intense the gale-force winds, is God's written Word. 

All this reminds me of a statement made by one of the ancient Jewish prophets, which supports the reliability of God and His Word. 

The following words flow from the seasoned hand of Isaiah: "But now, thus says the LORD, your Creator, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel, 'Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you'" (Isaiah 43:1-2). What encouraging words! "Do not fear, I have called you by name." 

What a great thought! Isaiah was not writing of literal waters or actual rivers. His figure of speech emphasized encroaching circumstances that threatened the stability of one's faith. When the waters rise to dangerous depths, when difficulties reach maximum proportion, when your ship seems to be disintegrating board by board and starting to sink by life's inevitable storms, God is faithful. He promises, "I will be with you." He is your anchor.

Seven Layer Bars

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ingredients  

1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted 

2 cups graham cracker crumbs or vanilla wafer crumbs 

2 cups flaked coconut 

1-1/2 cups miniature marshmallows 

1 cup chopped nuts, chef’s choice 

2 cups of any combination of chocolate, butterscotch, peanut butter, or toffee chips 

1 can (14 ounces) fat-free sweetened condensed milk

 

Preparation:  

Preheat oven to 350° F. Melt butter in the microwave safe bowl . Add the graham cracker crumbs, stirring until they are thoroughly combined. Wet your fingers a little bit. Pour the mixture into the 9 x 13 pan and press down with your wet fingers, forming a bottom layer. Sprinkle coconut, marshmallows, nuts, and candy chips, in that order, over top. Drizzle over all the condensed milk (open can with opener and scoop out the contents as milk is very thick.) Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until well browned. Cool in pan on a rack. Using a wet knife, cut into small bars. Recipe makes about four dozen cookies.  

Variations Yummy combinations: macadamia nuts with white chocolate chips and butterscotch chips almonds with semi-sweet chocolate chips and toffee chips walnuts with semi-sweet chocolate chips and peanut butter chips pecans with milk chocolate chips and butterscotch chips

Room for Jesus

She brought forth her firstborn Son...and laid Him in a manger,because there was no room for them in the inn.~~ Luke 2:7 ~~

No room for Jesus? No room for the King of kings? No, but room for others and for other things. There was no room for Jesus in the world that He had made -- imagine!

Things have not really changed since that Bethlehem night over two thousand years ago. God is still on the fringes of most of our lives. We fit Him in when it is convenient for us, but we become irritated when He makes demands on us.

If God would only stay in His little box and come out when we pull the string!Our lives are so full. There is so much to be done. But in all our busy activities are we in danger of excluding from our hearts and lives the One who made us?

"Oh, come to my heart, Lord Jesus; there is room in my heart for you."The Reverend Billy Graham in Hope for Each Day...Words of Wisdom and Faith

Go Tell It on the Mountain

John Work, 1907

Go, tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain,
That Jesus Christ is born.


While shepherds kept their watching
Over silent flocks by night
Behold throughout the heavens
There shone a holy light.


The shepherds feared and trembled,
When lo! above the earth,
Rang out the angels chorus
That hailed the Savior’s birth.


Down in a lowly manger
The humble Christ was born
And God sent us salvation
That blessed Christmas morn.

Straight Thinking

by Charles R. Swindoll

Acts 23:11-22

Have you ever felt the ground move under your feet? Do you know what it's like to pitch from side to side in a small boat on strong seas? Have you ever had to run for cover, dodge bullets, or duck out of the way of advancing troops? Remarkably, some people around the world could answer, Yes! to all three questions. Most of us only imagine such scenes.

Still, everyone sooner or later faces the reality of feeling as if life is spinning out of control. That may describe you today. Left unchecked, fear will run its course and paralyze you to the point of helplessness. If you're not careful, you'll spend your days wringing your hands and obsessing over your encroaching circumstances. That will cause you to focus on what might happen instead of what God has promised.

Not Paul. He understood something about the sovereignty of God. That clear understanding allowed him to think straight and remain calm in crisis. That kind of straight-thinking calmness is rooted in the promises of God's Word. Take, for example, the promise in Psalm 46: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride" (Psalm 46:1-3).

Like Paul, we need to learn to think straight, even if the foundations of the earth shift beneath our feet. That takes a heart willing to trust His Word, submit to His plan, then deliberately and consciously relax.

If He was able to stir up four hundred and seventy-two earthly bodyguards to get Paul from Jerusalem to Caesarea, safely and securely, He will have no trouble getting you from here to wherever He wants you to be, safely and securely. After all, how many angels are there?

And by the way, when you think straight about all this, you'll realize you only need one

Do You Hear What I Hear?

Said the night wind to the little lamb,

"Do you see what I see? Way up in the sky, little lamb,

Do you see what I see?

A star, a star, dancing in the night

With a tail as big as a kite,

With a tail as big as a kite."

Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy,

"Do you hear what I hear? Ringing through the sky, shepherd boy,

Do you hear what I hear?

A song, a song high above the trees

With a voice as big as the the sea,

With a voice as big as the the sea."

Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king,

"Do you know what I know? In your palace warm, mighty king,

Do you know what I know?

A Child, a Child shivers in the cold--Let us bring him silver and gold,

Let us bring him silver and gold.

"Said the king to the people everywhere, "Listen to what I say!

Pray for peace, people, everywhere,

Listen to what I say!

The Child, the Child sleeping in the night

He will bring us goodness and light,

He will bring us goodness and light."

A Christmas Story

Author Unknown

It's just a small, white envelope stuck among the branches of our Christmas tree. No name, no identification, no inscription. It has peeked through the branches of our tree for the past 10 years or so.

It all began because my husband Mike hated Christmas---oh, not the true meaning of Christmas, but the commercial aspects of it... overspending...the frantic running around at the last minute to get a tie for Uncle Harry and the dusting powder for Grandma---the gifts given in desperation because you couldn't think of anything else. Knowing he felt this way, I decided one year to bypass the usual shirts, sweaters, ties and so forth. I reached for something special just for Mike.

The inspiration came in an unusual way. Our son Kevin, who was 12 that year, was wrestling at the junior level at the school he attended; and shortly before Christmas, there was a non-league match against a team sponsored by an inner-city church. These youngsters, dressed in sneakers so ragged that shoestrings seemed to be the only thing holding them together, presented a sharp contrast to our boys in their spiffy blue and gold uniforms and sparkling new wrestling shoes. As the match began, I was alarmed to see that the other team was wrestling without headgear, a kind of light helmet designed to protect a wrestler's ears. It was a luxury the ragtag team obviously could not afford. Well, we ended up walloping them. We took every weight class. And as each of their boys got up from the mat, he swaggered around in his tatters with false bravado, a kind of street pride that couldn't acknowledge defeat. Mike, seated beside me, shook his head sadly, "I wish just one of them could have won," he said. "They have a lot of potential, but losing like this could take the heart right out of them."

Mike loved kids-all kids-and he knew them, having coached little league football, baseball and lacrosse. That's when the idea for his present came. That afternoon, I went to a local sporting goods store and bought an assortment of wrestling headgear and shoes and sent them anonymously to the inner-city church. On Christmas Eve, I placed the envelope on the tree, the note inside telling Mike what I had done and that this was his gift from me. His smile was the brightest thing about Christmas that year and in succeeding years. For each Christmas, I followed the tradition---one year sending a group of mentally handicapped youngsters to a hockey game, another year a check to a pair of elderly brothers whose home had burned to the ground the week before Christmas, and on and on. The envelope became the highlight of our Christmas. It was always the last thing opened on Christmas morning and our children, ignoring their new toys, would stand with wide-eyed anticipation as their dad lifted the envelope from the tree to reveal its contents. As the children grew, the toys gave way to more practical presents, but the envelope never lost its allure. The story doesn't end there.

You see, we lost Mike last year. When Christmas rolled around, I was still so wrapped in grief that I barely got the tree up. But Christmas Eve found me placing an envelope on the tree, and in the morning, it was joined by three more. Each of our children, unbeknownst to the others, had placed an envelope on the tree for their dad. The tradition has grown and someday will expand even further with our grandchildren standing around the tree with wide-eyed anticipation watching as their fathers take down the envelope. Mike's spirit, like the Christmas spirit, will always be with us.

May we all remember Christ, and "give" in a Christ-like manner. After all, he is the reason for the season, and the true "Christmas spirit" this year and always.
God bless

Chocolate Crinkles

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Courtesy of Aimee Holland  

Ingredients:

 

1 cup cocoa

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 cups granulated sugar

4 eggs

2 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 teaspoons vanilla

1/2 teaspoon salt

 

Directions: Combine ingredients, mixing well, and refrigerate overnight. Form balls and roll in powdered sugar. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Courtesy of Barefoot Contessa

Ingredients:

12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter at room temperature

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

3 extra-large eggs at room temperature

1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1 1/4 cups sour cream

2 1/2 cups cake flour (not self-rising)

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

For the streusel:

1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces

3/4 cup chopped walnuts, optional

For the glaze:

1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

2 tablespoons real maple syrup

Directions: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 10-inch tube pan. Cream the butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment for 4 to 5 minutes, until light. Add the eggs 1 at a time, then add the vanilla and sour cream. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. With the mixer on low, add the flour mixture to the batter until just combined. Finish stirring with a spatula to be sure the batter is completely mixed.

For the streusel, place the brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, salt, and butter in a bowl and pinch together with your fingers until it forms a crumble. Mix in the walnuts, if desired. Spoon half the batter into the pan and spread it out with a knife. Sprinkle with 3/4 cup streusel. Spoon the rest of the batter in the pan, spread it out, and scatter the remaining streusel on top. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until a cake tester comes out clean.

Let cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes. Carefully transfer the cake, streusel side up, onto a serving plate. Whisk the confectioners' sugar and maple syrup together, adding a few drops of water if necessary, to make the glaze runny. Drizzle as much as you like over the cake with a fork or spoon.

Broken Cars and Broken Dreams

by Anabel Gillham

Give your burdens to the Lord. He will carry them - Psalm 55:22 TLB

You have seen me tossing and turning through the night. You have collected all my tears and preserved them in Your bottle! You have recorded every one in Your book - Psalm 56:8 TLB

In the early years having four boys around the house meant toy cars . . . all sizes, shapes, makes, and models. My youngest, Wade, came into the kitchen one afternoon, tears on his cheeks and one on the tip of his nose -- a favorite Hot Wheels car in a viselike grip.

"I . . . broke . . . my car . . . Mom," -- uttered between gasping sobs.

I'm ready to do anything I can to erase his tears and put his small four-year-old-world back together.

"Let me see it, Honey." Sure enough. The axle was bent and the little car wouldn't roll. "Hey, I think I can help. I'm real good at fixing broken things . . . want me to try?"

"Yes . . . (gulp), ma'am."

I stepped into the garage and found two pairs of pliers. (You have to have one pair to hold the tip of the axle steady while you straighten it with the other pair; I had faced this serious mechanical problem before.) I went back into the kitchen where Wade was waiting -- crying because something he loved so dearly was broken beyond his ability to repair.

He had the car clutched tightly in his fist.

"You want me to work on it?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Well, then -- you're going to have to let me have it in my hands." I got down on my knees so he could watch while I worked. I loved his head being so close to mine . . . and his leaning against my leg.

Wade's precious little broken cars: Anabel's precious dreams -- broken beyond my ability to repair.

Sobbing, I show them to my Father and He gently says, "Do you want Me to work on them?"

"Yes, Lord."

"Well, then -- you're going to have to let Me have them in My hands."
"But, Lord, that means I'll have to give up control! I've got to keep trying...."

"The choice is yours, Anabel. You may keep them or give them to Me."

"But Lord, You -- You seem to move so slowly! I've given them to You before and nothing happens!"

"Anabel, dear -- I never had them in My hands."

Lord, I stand here holding my precious shattered dreams -- fully intending to give them to You -- but clutching them so tightly. They're badly broken, and I've been trying -- unsuccessfully -- to fix them for a long time now. I choose -- this day -- to open my fists and let them go. Please take them in Your hands and fix them. And Lord -- may I lean on You and watch?

Pecan Squares

Courtesy of the Barefoot Contessa

We make these all year long and when we want to go "over the top" we dip half of each square in warm chocolate.

Crust:

1 1/4 pounds unsalted butter, room temperature 3/4 cup granulated sugar

3 extra-large eggs

3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

Topping:

1 pound unsalted butter

1 cup good honey

3 cups light brown sugar, packed

1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

1 teaspoon grated orange zest

1/4 cup heavy cream

2 pounds pecans, coarsely chopped

Directions: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

For the crust, beat the butter and granulated sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, until light, approximately 3 minutes. Add the eggs and the vanilla and mix well.

Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix the dry ingredients into the batter with the mixer on low speed until just combined.

Press the dough evenly into an ungreased 18 by 12 by 1-inch baking sheet, making an edge around the outside. It will be very sticky; sprinkle the dough and your hands lightly with flour. Bake for 15 minutes, until the crust is set but not browned. Allow to cool.

For the topping, combine the butter, honey, brown sugar, and zests in a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan. Cook over low heat until the butter is melted, using a wooden spoon to stir. Raise the heat and boil for 3 minutes.

Remove from the heat. Stir in the heavy cream and pecans. Pour over the crust, trying not to get the filling between the crust and the pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the filling is set. Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until cold. Cut into bars and serve.

Life

Life is mostly froth and bubble. Two things stand in stone. Kindness in another's trouble. Courage in your own.

Cast Down but Not Destroyed

By A. B. Simpson

How did God bring about the miracle of the Red Sea? By shutting His people in on every side so that there was no way out but the divine way. The Egyptians were behind them, the sea was in front of them, the mountains were on both sides of them. There was no escape but from above.

Someone has said that the devil can wall us in, but he cannot roof us over. We can always get out at the top. Our difficulties are but God’s challenges, and many times He makes them so hard that we must get above them or go under.

In the Providence of God, such an hour furnishes us with the highest possibilities for faith. We are pushed by the very emergency into God’s best.

Beloved, this is God’s hour. If you will rise to meet it you will get such a hold upon Him that you will never be in extremities again; or if you are, you will learn to call them not extremities, but opportunities.

Like Jacob, you will go forth from that night at Peniel, no longer Jacob, but victorious Israel. Let us bring to Him our need and prove Him true.

Living by Faith - Not by Sight

A daughter had asked the local minister to come and pray with her father. When the minister arrived, he found the man lying in bed with his head propped up on two pillows. An empty chair sat beside his bed. The minister assumed that the old fellow had been informed of his visit. "I guess you were expecting me," he said.

"No, who are you?", said the father.

"I'm the new minister at your church," he replied. "When I saw the empty chair, I figured you knew I was going to show up."

"Oh yeah, the chair," said the bedridden man. "Would you mind closing the door?"

Puzzled, the minister shut the door."I have never told anyone this, not even my daughter," said the man. "But all of my life I have never known how to pray. At church I used to hear the pastor talk about prayer, but it went right over my head. I abandoned any attempt at prayer," the old man continued, "until one day about four years ago my best friend said to me, 'Joe, prayer is just a simple matter of having a conversation with Jesus. Here is what I suggest. Sit down in a chair; place an empty chair in front of you, and in faith see Jesus on the chair. It's not spooky because he promised, 'I'll be with you always.' Then just speak to him and listen in the same way you're doing with me right now."

"So, I tried it and I've liked it so much that I do it a couple of hours every day. I'm careful though. If my daughter saw me talking to an empty chair she'd either have a nervous breakdown or send me off to the funny farm."

The minister was deeply moved by the story and encouraged the old guy to continue on the journey. Then he prayed with him, anointed him with oil, and returned to the church.

Two nights later the daughter called to tell the minister that her daddy had died that afternoon.

"Did he die in peace?" he asked."

"Yes, when I left the house about two o'clock, he called me over to his bedside, told me he loved me and kissed me on the cheek. When I got back from the store an hour later I found him dead. But there was something strange about his death. Apparently, just before Daddy died, he leaned over and rested his head on the chair beside the bed. What do you make of that?"

The minister wiped a tear from his eye and said, "I wish we all could go like that."We live by faith, not by sight.- - - 2 Corinthians 5:7 - - -

Happy Thanksgiving

Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving. --W.T. Purkiser

True Thanksgiving

Oh, give thanks to the Lord,for He is good!~~ Psalm 107:1 ~

Separated from friends, unjustly accused, brutally treated -- if any man had a right to complain it was this man, languishing almost forgotten in a harsh Roman prison. But instead of complaints, his lips rang with words of praise and thanksgiving.

This was the apostle Paul -- a man who had learned the meaning of true thanksgiving, even in the midst of great adversity. Look carefully at what he wrote during that prison experience: "Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:19-20, NIV).

Think of it. "Always giving thanks...for everything," no matter the circumstances. His guards and fellow prisoners must have thought him crazy -- but that didn't stop him. Thanksgiving for Paul was not a once-a-year celebration, but a daily reality that made him a joyful person in every situation. May that be true of us. The Reverend Billy Graham in Hope for Each Day, Words of Wisdom and Faith

Thanksgiving

By Paula Moldenhauer

The aroma of pumpkin pie wafts through the air, mingling with the scent of baking turkey. You pause, smiling as you hear the sizzle and pop of the bird dripping into the roaster. Soon, real potatoes, creamed with milk and butter, will be added to the repertoire. Maybe you’ve pulled out a beautiful tablecloth and set the table with grandma’s china, or if you’re expecting a large group, it might be potluck style, served on paper plates, with friends and family tucked into every corner of your kitchen and living room.

As homemakers, we are in a unique position to make the Thanksgiving holiday a special time for our families. Thanks to the hard work of women in my life, Thanksgiving holds many special memories. Growing up it meant all the cousins at Grandma’s, tons of food, a game of “Annie Over”, and people with bulging paper plates in most every room of the house.

Since having children of my own, Thanksgiving has meant everything from a pilgrimage to family out of state to hosting in my home.

But as good as the memories are there have been plenty of Thanksgivings that I didn’t feel too thankful as the holiday approached. Financial difficulties, grief, or strained relationships made it difficult for me to focus on creating something special for my family. Other times, I was just too worn out from the daily tasks of home schooling and caring for small children to be excited about something that meant more work.

As the Thanksgiving season approaches this year, I’m thinking about what it means to be truly thankful. I’m digging for what I really want to give my family. As I’ve looked for this deeper meaning, I did a little research into the roots of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Thanksgiving didn’t simply grow out of the abundance the pilgrims experienced. It also grew out their suffering. The winter before the first American Thanksgiving, in 1621, about half of the pilgrims had died. They had spent their first year in the New World praying for their very survival. When they gathered to celebrate a good harvest, the memories of great loss were not far behind them.

In 1777, General George Washington and his army paused to acknowledge the first Thanksgiving of the newly formed United States of America. They stopped in open fields in the bitter cold. They were on their way to Valley Forge where a winter of suffering awaited them.

In 1863, after the horrors of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln asked all Americans to celebrate Thanksgiving on the last Thursday in November. For our ancestors, Thanksgiving was not only a celebration of the good, but also a determination to honor God no matter the circumstances.

In 1990, in President George W. Bush’s Thanksgiving proclamation, he said the first Thanksgiving was one of the “many occasions on which our ancestors paused to acknowledge their dependence on the mercy and favor of Divine Providence.”

Perhaps this is the deeper meaning my heart searches for as I embrace the Thanksgiving season; the determination to acknowledge my dependence on the goodness of God. I want to offer Him my thanks in happy times and sad, and to pass that on to my children.

For some people across our nation, Thanksgiving comes in the midst of personal wartime sacrifice. For many of us, the daily grind of home schooling, a season of financial difficulty, or unexpected sickness threatens our decision to spend this holiday in gratitude. And without a thankful heart we find it even more difficult to give ourselves to the task of serving our families this Thanksgiving.

Whether you are experiencing a time of abundant harvest in your life, or reaching for the ability to be grateful, let me encourage you to seek the Lord today for a grateful heart. Proverbs 15:15 says that a cheerful heart is a “continual feast.”

In my experience, a cheerful heart is an outgrowth of a thankful heart. What more can I offer to my family this season than a continual feast of gratitude? But how do we do that when the cares of life push us down? It is necessary to remember that Proverbs 15:13 says, ‘heartache crushes the spirit.’ We don’t have to feel guilty that we don’t have a cheerful heart, but we do need to take our cares to the Lord.

Recently, I sought to stand in faith during a difficult, heart-crushing time. I found it hard not to succumb to my emotions of despair as I tried to walk in faith. I was comforted when I read that the psalmist poured his complaints before the Lord (Psalm 142:2). This Scripture encouraged me to find a place by myself and I laid it all before Him. Through tears, I told Him how I didn’t like what He was allowing in my life. It was much easier to offer God my thanks AFTER I’d laid my complaints before Him.

An important part of finding that ‘attitude of gratitude’ is being honest with the Lord. After we’ve allowed the Lord to carry our complaints, we can ask Him to give us a thankful heart. Here’s a simple illustration. As a young mother I was completely overwhelmed with the drudgery of keeping our home. I pushed through the many tasks that befell me and felt I would drown. I began to pray for a thankful, content heart.

One day a rush of pleasure flooded me while folding a worn-out, faded dishcloth. That sudden feeling of accomplishment made me realize that the services I performed for my family really did make a difference. I know God answered my prayer for a thankful heart. Never before or since have I rejoiced over a neatly folded rag!

While we surrender to God’s transforming power, we can also choose to thank Him daily, no matter what life brings us. In First Thessalonians, we are encouraged to give thanks in all circumstances. The very institution of our Thanksgiving holiday is a testimony to that verse.

When I think of the suffering of thepilgrims or the soldiers at Valley Forge, I’m inspired by our forefather’s determination to bow their knees before the King of the Universe, whatever the situation. Jeremiah says, “Give thanks to the LORD Almighty, for the LORD is good; his love endures forever.” (Jeremiah 33:11b, NIV).

No matter what we face, we can always thank the Lord for His goodness and His love. As we prepare for our Thanksgiving celebrations this year, may the Lord give us the grace to not only peel the potatoes, baste the turkey, and make that pumpkin pie, but also to live and model a thankful heart. And as we offer sincere thanks to our Father, may we, like our pilgrim ancestors, be laying a foundation of faithfulness for our children to build upon.

Thought for Today

Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?-- Corrie Ten Boom

Pumpkin Bread

Ingredients:

3 cups canned pumpkin puree
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
4 cups white sugar
6 eggs
4 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour three 9x5 inch loaf pans.

In a large bowl, mix together the pumpkin, oil, sugar, and eggs. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves; stir into the pumpkin mixture until well blended. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.

Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour. The top of the loaf should spring back when lightly pressed.

Ask

Matthew 18:19-20

19. Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

20. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

None to Help But God

"Lord, there is none beside thee to help." (2 Chronicles 14:11).

Remind God of His entire responsibility. "There is none beside thee to help." The odds against Asa were enormous. There was a million of men in arms against him, besides three hundred chariots. It seemed impossible to hold his own against that vast multitude. There were no allies who would come to his help; his only hope, therefore, was in God. It may be that your difficulties have been allowed to come to so alarming a pitch that you may be compelled to renounce all creature aid, to which in lesser trials you have had recourse, and cast yourself back on your Almighty Friend.

Put God between yourself and the foe. To Asa's faith, Jehovah seemed to stand between the might of Zerah and himself, as one who had no strength. Nor was he mistaken. We are told that the Ethiopians were destroyed before the Lord and before His host, as though celestial combatants flung themselves against the foe in Israel's behalf, and put the large host to rout, so that Israel had only to follow up and gather the spoil. Our God is Jehovah of hosts, who can summon unexpected reinforcements at any moment to aid His people. Believe that He is there between you and your difficulty, and what baffles you will flee before Him, as clouds before the gale. --F. B. Meyer

"When nothing whereon to lean remains,
When strongholds crumble to dust;
When nothing is sure but that God still reigns,
That is just the time to trust.

"'Tis better to walk by faith than sight,
In this path of yours and mine;
And the pitch-black night, when there's no outer light
Is the time for faith to shine."

Abraham believed God, and said to sight, "Stand back!" and to the laws of nature, "Hold your peace!" and to a misgiving heart, "Silence, thou lying tempter!" He believed God. - Joseph Parker

Orange Yeast Rolls

Ingredients:
1/4 cup warm water
1 package dry yeast
1 cup milk, scalded
1/4 cup shortening
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
5 to 5 1/2 cups sifted flour
2 eggs, beaten
2 tablespoons grated orange peel
1/4 cup orange juice
Orange icing (recipe follows)

Directions: Dissolve the yeast in the warm water (105 to 115 degrees); set aside. Scald milk. Add shortening, sugar and salt. Cool to lukewarm. Place in mixing bowl. Stir in about 2 cups of the flour and beat well. Add eggs and mix well. Stir in yeast, orange peel and juice and remaining flour (or enough to make a soft dough). Cover and let rest 10 minutes.

Turn dough out on a lightly floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 to 10 minutes. Place dough in a lightly greased bowl, turning once to grease surface. Cover bowl and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 2 hours. Punch down, cover and let rest 10 minutes.
Divide dough in half. Roll each to a 12-by-9-inch rectangle, 1/4 inch thick. Spread each with filling.

Orange Filling
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon grated orange peel
1/4 cup melted butter
Combine all ingredients.

Spread filling on dough. Roll up dough like a jelly roll. Seal edges and cut in 1 inch slices.
Place rolls on a slightly greased cake pan or cookie sheet. Cover and let rise untill double (about 45 to 60 minutes). Bake at 400 degrees for 12 minutes. Makes 24 orange rolls.

Orange Icing
1 teaspoon grated orange peel
2 tablespoons orange juice
1 cup sifted confectioners' sugar
Combine all ingredients. Stir until smooth. Icing may be drizzled over hot or cool rolls.

Rest

by Anabel Gillham

To rest. What a pleasant thought.

"Surely I have composed and quieted my soul; Like a weaned child rests against his mother, My soul is like a weaned child within me."Psalm 131:2

"I am quiet now before the Lord, just as a child who is weaned from the breast. Yes, my begging has been stilled."Psalm 131:2

Where once, when close to his mother he kept searching and wanting, restless, feeling that in this position he should be receiving—having his needs met, being fulfilled, constantly pampered — now he is content to be held, content with her closeness. He makes no demands. He is quiet. He is still.

* * *
Lord, I long to be quiet, to rest in Your arms, to desire nothing, to be content just to be in Your presence. The things that I think I need, the obstacles that I think need to be moved, the changes that I believe need to take place in my life—are they really that urgent? You have not abdicated Your throne. You are still very much in control of my affairs and You love me and want what’s best for me.

Help is Near!

Psalm 46:1-2

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea.

Butter and Jam Thumbprints

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ingredients:

 

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon fine salt

3/4 cup unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks), softened

2/3 cup sugar, plus more for rolling

1 large egg

1/2 vanilla bean, seeds scraped from pod, or

1/8 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/3 cup raspberry, cherry or strawberry jam 

 

Directions: 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.

Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt together in a bowl.

In another bowl, whip the butter and the sugar with a hand-held mixer until fluffy, about 5 minutes. Beat in the egg and vanilla until just combined. Slowly beat in the dry ingredients in 2 additions, mixing just until incorporated. 

 

Scoop the dough into 1-inch balls with a cookie or ice cream scoop and roll in sugar. Place about 2-inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Press a thumbprint into the center of each ball, about 1/2-inch deep. Fill each indentation with about 3/4 teaspoon jam. 

 

Bake cookies until the edges are golden, about 15 minutes. (For even color, rotate the pans from top to bottom about halfway through baking.) Cool cookies on the baking sheets. Serve.

Store cookies in a tightly sealed container for up to 5 day

God Takes the Burden

As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear him.~~ Psalm 103:13 ~~

As God's children, we are His dependents.

Dependent children spend little time worrying about meals, clothing, and shelter. They assume -- and they have a right to -- that their parents will provide everything they need.

Jesus said, "Do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'....But seek first the kingdom of God....and all these things shall be added to you" (Matthew 6:31, 33).

Unfortunately, worry is an ingrained habit for most of us. But because we are God's children, He is responsible for our welfare. That is why you should be "casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7).

In other words, let God do the worrying! He says, "I'll take the burden -- don't give it a thought -- leave it to Me."Never forget: God is bigger than your problems. Whatever worries press upon you today, put them in God's hands -- and leave them there.

Reverend Billy Graham in Hope for Each Day, Words of Wisdom and Faith

Classic Chicken Pot Pie

Crust
1 box (15 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated pie crusts, softened as directed on box


Filling
1/3 cup butter or margarine
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
1 can (14 oz) chicken broth
½ cup milk
2 ½ cups shredded cooked chicken or turkey
2 cups Green Giant® frozen mixed vegetables (from 1-lb bag), thawed

Heat oven to 425°F. Make pie crusts as directed on box for Two-Crust Pie using 9-inch glass pie pan.

In 2-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion; cook 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until tender. Stir in flour, salt and pepper until well blended. Gradually stir in broth and milk, cooking and stirring until bubbly and thickened.

Stir in chicken and mixed vegetables. Remove from heat. Spoon chicken mixture into crust-lined pan. Top with second crust; seal edge and flute. Cut slits in several places in top crust.

Bake 30 to 40 minutes or until crust is golden brown. During last 15 to 20 minutes of baking, cover crust edge with strips of foil to prevent excessive browning. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

The Magnitude of Grace

My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Our weakness should be prized as making room for divine strength. We might never have known the power of grace if we had not felt the weakness of nature. Blessed be the Lord for the thorn in the flesh, and the messenger of Satan, when they drive us to the strength of God.

This is a precious word from our Lord's own lip. It has made the writer laugh for joy. God's grace enough for me! I should think it is. Is not the sky enough for the bird and the ocean enough for the fish? The All-Sufficient is sufficient for my largest want. He who is sufficient for earth and heaven is certainly able to meet the case of one poor worm like me.

Let us, then, fall back upon our God and His grace. If He does not remove our grief, He will enable us to bear it. His strength shall be poured into us till the worm shall thresh the mountains, and a nothing shall be victor over all the high and mighty ones.

It is better for us to have God's strength than our own; for if we were a thousand times as strong as we are, it would amount to nothing in the face of the enemy; and if we could be weaker than we are, which is scarcely possible, yet we could do all things through Christ. Charles Spurgeon

Like Clay

by Charles R. Swindoll (Acts 12:25-13:5)

Keeping the clay of your will supple and flexible calls for constant attention along the way. Once you grow hard and brittle to God’s leading, you’re less usable to Him. I want to take the truths we’ve wrestled with here and make them into a softening ointment you can regularly apply when a change is on the horizon. The ingredients in the ointment you need to apply include a pinch of the negative and a smidgen of the positive.

First negative: Do not remove any possibility. Stay open to whatever it is God may have for you by removing all the limitations. Tell the Lord you’re willing to cooperate. But don’t forget, you may be the next Barnabas or Paul the Lord decides to move. Remember, we’re dealing with change—changing so we might obey.

Second negative: Do not allow a lot of activity to dull your sensitivity. Remember, God spoke while they were ministering. You can be so busy in church activities you can’t figure out what the Lord’s saying.

First positive: Let God be God. He is selective when He moves people. He picked two and left three. That was His prerogative. He could have chosen all five or only one. It’s His call. Our sovereign Lord does as He pleases, and when it’s clear, our response is to obey.

Second positive: Be ready to say yes. Don’t wait for all the details to be ironed out before you agree to release and obey. Sure, there will be hardships, some uphill stretches in the road. So what? Be ready to say yes, and trust Him to take care of the rest.

Only you and the Lord know the condition of your heart. Is it soft and pliable clay, ready to be molded and shaped by the Master sculptor? Or has it hardened into brittle and fragile pottery from years of faithless living?

You know exactly what God is asking you to do. It may be well beyond the boundaries of logic and far outside your comfort zone. You may even have a few friends telling you that what you believe He’s asking you to do is wrong, completely wrong. Still, His leading is clear. Only one thing is needed: say yes, Lord, yes.

Pumpkin Roll

Ingredients:

3 eggs
1 cup white sugar
2/3 cup solid pack pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon lemon juice
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 cup chopped pecans
confectioners' sugar for dusting

Filling:

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
4 tablespoons butter
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
confectioners' sugar for dusting

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 10x15 inch jellyroll pan.

In a large bowl, beat eggs and sugar with an electric mixer on high speed for five minutes. Gradually mix in pumpkin and lemon juice. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and ginger; stir into the pumpkin mixture. Spread batter evenly into the prepared pan. Sprinkle pecans over the top of the batter.

Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the center springs back when touched. Loosen edges with a knife. Turn out on two dishtowels that have been dusted with confectioners' sugar. Roll up cake using towels, and let cool for about 20 minutes.

In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, butter, 1 cup confectioners' sugar, and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Unroll pumpkin cake when cool, spread with filling, and roll up. Place pumpkin roll on a long sheet of waxed paper, and dust with confectioners' sugar. Wrap cake in waxed paper, and twist ends of waxed paper like a candy wrapper. Refrigerate overnight. Serve chilled; before slicing, dust with additional confectioners' sugar.

God's Perfect Timing

by Anabel Gillham

I don't understand, God. I have prayed and prayed, and nothing has changed. I believe my prayers are within the scope of Your will . . . I'm not asking for anything amiss. What's wrong, God?

These things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!Habakkuk 2:3

Do you remember Zacharias and Elizabeth, the father and mother of John the Baptist? They didn't have John until very late in life. In fact, they had reached the age at which having children was highly improbable, if not impossible: "I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years" (Luke 1: 18).

But one day, while Zacharias was ministering to the Lord in the Temple, the angel Gabriel came to him and said, "Zacharias, your prayer has been heard."

Do you suppose Zacharias had been praying recently for a child? Do you think he was still entreating the Lord for a son? Maybe just yesterday in his prayers he had said, "O, Lord! Elizabeth and I are so very lonely. How we yearn to have a child. Please, Lord, bless our union and send us a baby. . . ."

I don't think so. I really don't think he had prayed that way for a long, long time. He had given up all hope that he would ever hear the patter of little feet around the house, for he was an "old man" and his wife was "advanced in years."

"Uh . . . what prayer is it that you have reference to, Gabriel?"

"The one you prayed years ago, Zacharias. Remember? You asked God for a son. You see, the fullness of time has now come, and the Lord is going to give you the desire of your heart -- a son, Zacharias, a son!"

In the fullness of time. When is that, Lord? I don't really have any way of knowing, do I? Zacharias and Elizabeth had some lonely years . . . until the fullness of time when everything was ready . . . and then You fulfilled their prayer.

God has an "appointed time" when every minute detail will be finished for you and for me. When that times comes, the prayer will be answered.

It may not be tomorrow
and yet it may
It will happen on
Gods set day
The burden will be lifted
The lost one will be won
The trial will be over
The long task will be done
We cannot know the hour
but we will trust Him as we wait,
for He knows just what must come to pass
He will not be a moment late!
So praise Him in the trial
give thanks for the task
rejoice and be obedient
He knows what you have asked.
It may not be tomorrow
and yet it may
It will happen on
God's set day.

We Trust The Seasons, Why Not God?

by Jon Walker

Then the word of the Lord came to me, asking, “What do you see, Jeremiah?” I replied, “I see a branch of an almond tree.” The Lord said to me, “You have seen correctly, for I watch over My word to accomplish it.” (Jeremiah 1:11-12 HCSB)

My favorite time of year is the fall. I’m energized by the cool weather, crisp air, colorful landscape, and the coming of SEC football. The season swells with holiday romance and the promise of peace on earth, good will toward man.

Ironically, fall also is the worst time of year for me, and I know I’m not alone in such sentiment. The promise of all good things violently collides with the reality of broken dreams and irretrievable relationships. Over the years, I’ve been to more family funerals and hospital waiting rooms between Oct. 1 and Jan. 1 than any other time of year. I feel relieved when the “ghost of Christmas” is truly past.

Yet, in even the worst of these moments, I wait for the signs of spring. I can’t say I always wait patiently or with God-infused grace, but God has given me a consistent reminder of his faithfulness: The seasons come and go as surely as the sun will rise tomorrow, and God set the seasons in motion as a way of saying, “Year in and year out, you trust the seasons to return, now trust me to be just as faithful.”

In a vision, God explained this to the poet Jeremiah:

“Then the word of the Lord came to me, asking, ‘What do you see, Jeremiah?’ I replied, ‘I see a branch of an almond tree.’ The Lord said to me, ‘You have seen correctly, for I watch over my word to accomplish it.’” (Jeremiah 1:11-12 HCSB)

More than likely, God chose the almond for his illustration because in Israel it is traditionally the first tree to bloom, signaling the arrival of spring. Jeremiah would know it as the “watch tree” because it was the tree you watched as you waited for the season of new life.

As God teaches Jeremiah, there is good-natured humor in his play on words (more evident in the Hebrew). In a sense, the exchange goes like this:

- God of all creation: Jeremiah, what do you see?

- Jeremiah: I see a branch from the “watch” tree.

- God of all creation: That’s right! Use it as a reminder that I “watch” over my word, that I am constantly at work whether or not you can see what I’m doing.

The ebb and flow of the seasons are greeting cards from God, reminding us that things are not always as they seem. We tend to live by sight and not by faith, but God is patiently teaching us to do it the other way around – live by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV)

What now?

· Trust the one who created the seasons – We trust the seasons to return every year; the challenge is to trust the one who created the seasons. God spoke the world into existence; he hung the moon and the stars; he spoke you into your mother’s womb; he is active in your life, even if you don’t see or understand what he’s doing. If you truly believed that, how would you respond differently to your circumstances?

· Keep your hope in God, not what you see – A tree may appear barren in winter, but that doesn’t mean it’s not alive. That’s why we call it the dead of winter! Trust in God and not your sight: “For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” (Romans 8:24-25 NIV) God says the Spirit will help us in our weakness. Pray, “Lord, I believe, help my unbelief.”

· You don’t have to understand – Read this sentence three times: “The Truth is not dependent on my ability to understand what is going on.” (OK, go back and really repeat it three times!) Let God interpret the facts; let him explain the situation. Meanwhile, focus on God and not on your limited ability to understand events or circumstances. “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV)

· Spring is coming – This season in your life will change. There will be new life. Remind yourself that spring is coming. When you feel anxiety about the holidays or dreariness during winter, explain to someone else that spring is coming. Jesus did walk out of the tomb on the third day; he is resurrected and alive, and if he has conquered death, he’s got a handle on any situation you are facing.

Fed By Ravens

"The the word of the Lord came to Elijah: 'Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. You will drink from the brook, and I have ordered the ravens to feed you there.' So he did what the Lord had told him." 1 Kings 17:2-5

It is not that pleasant a thought to have "the ravens feed you." At least they brought him "bread and meat," not worms and bugs. Still, eating the scraps dropped by crows?

Nonetheless, Elijah "did what the Lord had told him," and experienced a wonderful miracle of God. Though famine plagued the land, God kept His servant alive and well!

Often what the Lord "tells" us seems unpleasant. We balk at it, and figure out some way take a more "sane and rational" path. So we miss the miracles of God, His amazing providence and care for us! As hard as it may be, it is always best to simply do as the Lord tells us. The unpleasantness you anticipate is diminished; in its place you experience the miraculous providence and tender care of God!

Prayer For The Day

O Lord, I too balk at carrying out Your Word. I fear what others will think and do. I confess that I would rather "earn" my bread, than receive it from You. Help me to see the "ravens" that You order to feed me, and enable me to do Your will. Amen (Courtesy of Soulsearch)

Psalms 9:1

I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvelous works.

Short and Sweet

James 4:13-17

Average life spans are shorter than most of us realize. For instance, a face-lift lasts only six to ten years; a dollar bill lasts for only eighteen months; a painted line on the road remains only three to four months; and a tornado seldom lasts more than ten minutes.

There are differences of opinion, but most agree that the human life span averages somewhere between seventy-five and eighty years. That may sound encouraging to the young and disturbing to those in their sixties, seventies, and eighties. The simple fact is, however, nobody knows for sure how long he or she may live.

When we read and believe the warnings in Scripture, there is little doubt that life is short. James pulls no punches when he writes, “You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away” (4:14).

The average life span may be seventy-five to eighty years, but who can say you or I have that long? We may have less than two years or, for that matter, less than two weeks. Vanishing vapors aren’t known for longevity.

Since this is true, let’s do our best to make the time we have count. Rather than live with reluctance, let’s live with exuberance. Instead of fearing what’s ahead, let’s face it head-on with enthusiasm. And because life is so terribly short, let’s do everything we can to make it sweet.

How? Three thoughts come to mind.

First, act on your impulse. Don’t wait for the perfect moment. A woman in my former church took these words to heart and contacted a person she hadn’t talked to for a long time. The person was surprised and thrilled. “You have no idea how much your call has meant to me,” she said. Later the woman who had received the call admitted she had planned to take her life that very afternoon. The call had changed her mind.

Second, focus on the positive. Merchants of negativism may be strong and sound convincing, but their message is debilitating. Life's too short for that. Spread germs of cheer. Joy is contagious.

Third, traffic in the truth. Refuse to stake your claim on hearsay. Check out the facts. Be discerning. If you are a conduit of communication, speak only the truth. If you’re not absolutely sure, keep quiet. Lies can outlive lives, unfortunately.

Short and sweet. That’s the only way to go.

Have you been putting off something you really want or need to do? You don’t have forever. Get at it! By Charles R. Swindoll

Happy Birthday, Margie!

My beautiful sister Margie has been a true example of grace under fire over the last seven months. Uncomplaining, she has faced months of terrible pain; yet, she has remained positive through it all. She is truly a hero and an example for her younger sisters! We love you very much, Sis, and trust the worst is behind you!


"For when four sisters love each other with such sincere affection, the one does not experience sorrow, pain, or affliction of any kind, but the other's heart wishes to relieve, and vibrates in tenderness... like a well-organized musical instrument." ~ Elizabeth Shaw ~

To a Special Sister

A sister is one of the nicest things
that can happen to anyone.

She is someone to laugh with and share with,
to work with and join in the fun.

She is someone who helps in the rough times
and knows when you need a warm smile.

She is someone who will quietly listen
when you just want to talk for awhile.

A sister is dear to you always,
for she is someone who is always a part

of all the favorite memories
that you keep very close to your heart.

Author Unknown

Harvest Cake

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter (1 stick), softened
1 cup shortening
1 cup dark brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups flour
1 tablespoon Dutch-processed cocoa
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice

Directions:

Heat oven to 350°F. Line two 9-inch cake pans with parchment paper and lightly butter. Beat butter, shortening, and sugars together until smooth. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until smooth and light. Stir the buttermilk and vanilla together.

Sift the flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and spices together in a large bowl. Alternately stir the flour mixture and buttermilk, in thirds, into the beaten butter. Blend well with each addition.

Pour batter into the pans and bake until center tests clean -- about 35 minutes. Cool cakes in the pans on a rack for 30 minutes, unmold, and cool completely before frosting.

All the Good Things

He was in the first third grade class I taught at Saint Mary’s School in Morris, Minn. All 34 of my students were dear to me, but Mark Eklund was one in a million. Very neat in appearance, but had that happy-to-be-alive attitude that made even his occasional mischievousness delightful. Mark talked incessantly. I had to remind him again and again that talking without permission was not acceptable. What impressed me so much, though, was his sincere response every time I had to correct him for misbehaving - ‘Thank you for correcting me, Sister!’ I didn’t know what to make of it at first, but before long I became accustomed to hearing it many times a day.

One morning my patience was growing thin when Mark talked once too often, and then I made a novice-teacher’s mistake. I looked at him and said, ‘If you say one more word, I am going to tape your mouth shut!’ It wasn’t ten seconds later when Chuck blurted out, ‘Mark is talking again.’ I hadn’t asked any of the students to help me watch Mark, but since I had stated the punishment in front of the class, I had to act on it. I remember the scene as if it had occurred this morning. I walked to my desk, very deliberately opened my drawer and took out a roll of masking tape. Without saying a word, I proceeded to Mark’s desk, tore off two pieces of tape and made a big X with them over his mouth. I then returned to the front of the room. As I glanced at Mark to see how he was doing he winked at me. That did it! I started laughing. The class cheered as I walked back to Mark’s desk, removed the tape and shrugged my shoulders. His first words were, ‘Thank you for correcting me, Sister.’

At the end of the year I was asked to teach junior-high math. The years flew by, and before I knew it Mark was in my classroom again. He was more handsome than ever and just as polite. Since he had to listen carefully to my instructions in the ‘new math,’ he did not talk as much in ninth grade as he had in the third.

One Friday, things just didn’t feel right. We had worked hard on a new concept all week, and I sensed that the students were frowning, frustrated with themselves - and edgy with one another. I had to stop this crankiness before it got out of hand. So I asked them to list the names of the other students in the room on two sheets of paper, leaving a space between each name. Then I told them to think of the nicest thing they could say about each of their classmates and write it down. It took the remainder of the class period to finish the assignment, and as the students left the room, each one handed me the papers. Charles smiled. Mark said, ‘Thank you for teaching me, Sister. Have a good weekend.’

That Saturday, I wrote down the name of each student on a separate sheet of paper, and I listed what everyone else had said about that individual. On Monday I gave each student his or her list. Before long, the entire class was smiling. ‘Really?’ I heard whispered. ‘I never knew that meant anything to anyone! I didn’t know others liked me so much!’

No one ever mentioned those papers in class again. I never knew if they discussed them after class or with their parents, but it didn’t matter. The exercise had accomplished its purpose. The students were happy with themselves and one another again.

The group of students moved on. Several years later, after I returned from vacation, my parents met me at the airport. As we were driving home, Mother asked me the usual questions about the trip - the weather, my experiences in general. There was a light lull in the conversation. Mother gave Dad a side-ways glance and simply says, ‘Dad?’ My father cleared his throat as he usually did before something important. ‘The Eklunds called last night,’ he began. ‘Really?’ I said. ‘ I haven’t heard from them in years. I wonder how Mark is.’ Dad responded quietly. ‘Mark was killed in Vietnam,’ he said. ‘The funeral is tomorrow, and his parents would like it if you could attend.’ To this day I can still point to the exact spot on I-494 where Dad told me about Mark.

I had never seen a serviceman in a military coffin before. Mark looked so handsome, so mature. All I could think at that moment was, Mark, I would give all the masking tape in the world if only you would talk to me. The church was packed with Mark’s friends. Chuck’s sister sang ‘The Battle Hymn of the Republic.’ Why did it have to rain on the day of the funeral? It was difficult at the grave side. The pastor said the usual prayers, and the bugler played taps. One by one those who loved Mark took a last walk by the coffin and sprinkled holy water.

I was the last one to bless the coffin. As I stood there, one of the soldiers who had acted as pallbearer came up to me. ‘Were you Mark’s math teacher?’ he asked. I nodded as I continued to stare at the coffin. ‘Mark talked about you a lot,’ he said.

After the funeral, most of Mark’s former classmates headed to Chucks farmhouse for lunch. Mark’s mother and father were there, obviously waiting for me. ‘We want to show you something,’ his father said, taking a wallet out of his pocket. ‘They found this on Mark when he was killed. We thought you might recognize it.’

Opening the billfold, he carefully removed two worn pieces of notebook paper that had obviously been taped, folded and refolded many times. I knew without looking that the papers were the ones on which I had listed all the good things each of Mark’s classmates had said about him. ‘Thank you so much for doing that’ Mark’s mother said. ‘As you can see, Mark treasured it.’

Mark’s classmates started to gather around us. Charlie smiled rather sheepishly and said, ‘I still have my list. It’s in the top drawer of my desk at home.’ Chucks wife said, ‘Chuck asked me to put his in our wedding album.’ ‘I have mine too,’ Marilyn said. ‘It’s in my diary.’ Then Vicki, another classmate, reached into her pocketbook, took out her wallet and showed her worn and frazzled list to the group. ‘I carry this with me at all times,’ Vicki said without batting an eyelash. ‘I think we all saved our lists.’

That’s when I finally sat down and cried. I cried for Mark and for all his friends who would never see him again.

Written by: Sister Helen P. Morsia