Blessed Hope!

Hope fills the afflicted soul with such inward joy and consolation, that it can laugh while tears are in the eye, sigh and sing all in a breath; it is called "the rejoicing of hope" (Hebrews 3:6).
—William Gurnall

Breakfast Fruit Cup

2 cups cubed cantaloupe
2 large red apples, chopped
1 cup red or green grapes

1 orange, sectioned
1 medium firm banana sliced
1/2 cup Lemon yogurt
1 tablespoon
Orange juice concentrate

Preparation: In a serving bowl, combine the fruit. Combine the yogurt and orange juice concentrate; drizzle over fruit.

Easy Breakfast Bake

2 packages (12 oz each) bulk pork sausage
1 medium bell pepper, chopped (1 cup)
1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
3 cups frozen hash brown potatoes
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (8 oz)
1 cup Original Bisquick® mix
2 cups milk
¼ teaspoon pepper
4 eggs

Heat oven to 400ºF. Grease rectangular baking dish, 13x9x2 inches. Cook sausage, bell pepper and onion in 10-inch skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until sausage is no longer pink; drain. Stir together sausage mixture, potatoes and 1 1/2 cups of the cheese in baking dish.

Stir Bisquick mix, milk, pepper and eggs until blended. Pour into baking dish.

Bake uncovered 40 to 45 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake 1 to 2 minutes longer or just until cheese is melted. Cool 5 minutes.

Shake It Off

A parable is told of a farmer who owned an old mule. The mule fell into the farmer's well. The farmer heard the mule 'braying' - or - whatever mules do when they fall into wells.

After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the mule, but decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving. Instead, he called his neighbors together and told them what had happened...and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery.

Initially, the old mule was hysterical! But as the farmer and hisneighbors continued shoveling and the dirt hit his back...a thoughtstruck him. It suddenly dawned on him that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his back ... he should shake it off and step up!

This he did, blow after blow."Shake it off and step up...shake it off and step up...shake it off andstep up!" he repeated to encourage himself. No matter how painful the blows, or distressing the situation seemed the old mule fought "panic" and just kept right on shaking it off and stepping up!

It wasn't long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, stepped triumphantly over the wall of the well.

The dirt that seemed would bury him, actually blessed him ... all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity.

Coping with Stress

A lecturer, when explaining stress management to an audience, raised a glass of water and asked, "How heavy is this glass of water?"Answers called out ranged from 20g to 500g.

The lecturer replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long you try to hold it.

If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem.
If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm.
If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance.

In each case, it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes."He continued, "And that's the way it is with stress management. If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won't be able to carry on."

"As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again. When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden."

"So, before you return home tonight, put the burden of work down. Don't carry it home. You can pick it up tomorrow. Whatever burdens you're carrying now, let them down for a moment if you can."

Here are some great ways of dealing with the burdens of life:

Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue.
Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.
Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.
Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be recalled by their maker.
If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.
If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.
It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply be kind to others.
Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won't have a leg to stand on.
Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.
Since it's the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late.
The second mouse gets the cheese.
When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.
You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.
Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.

We could learn a lot from crayons... Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names, and all are different colors, but they all have to live in the same box.

No spring, nor summer beauty hath such grace

As I have seen in one autumnal face; —John Donne (1572–1631) "Elegy IX: The Autumnal"

Pumpkin Bread

4 eggs
2-1/3 cup sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
1 - 15oz. can solid pack pumpkin
3 cups flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 3/4 teaspoons baking soda
2 3/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon*
3/4 teaspoons ground nutmeg*
3/4 teaspoons ground cloves*
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice*
1 cup chopped walnuts
1/3 cup golden raisins, optional
1/4 cups sugar, for topping
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, for topping

* You may substitute 4 1/2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice for the starred ingredients. Be sure to note that you still need cinnamon for the topping.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Grease two loaf pans or 24 muffin cups. Combine the eggs, sugar, oil, and pumpkin in a large bowl, and stir until smooth.

In a medium bowl, mix the dry ingredients and the spices with a wire whisk.

Add the nuts (and raisins) and stir together. Add to the egg mixture and mix thoroughly. Fill the loaf pans or muffin cups with the batter.

Mix the sugar and cinnamon together in a small bowl, and sprinkle over the bread or muffin batter.

Bake the bread at 375 degrees F for 1 hour and 10 minutes, or the muffins for 35 to 40 minutes. When the bread is done, a toothpick inserted in the center will come out clean.
Yields 2 loaves or 24 muffins.

Pot Roast

1 (2 to 3 lb.) Beef Chuck Top Blade Boneless Pot Roast (Or English Cut)

1 TBS. butter

2 c. beef stock (stock adds great flavor)

4 potatoes, peeled & quartered

4 carrots, peeled & cut into 1 inch pieces

4 celery stocks cut into 1 inch pieces

1 med. Vidalia onion, quartered

1 small carton of whole button mushrooms

Salt and Pepper to taste

1 TBS. Soy sauce

1 TBS. water

1 TBS. cornstarch

Directions: Preheat oven to 375º F.Season roast with salt and pepper. In a medium skillet sear all sides of the seasoned roast in the TBS. of butter until browned.In a roasting pan place seared roast (along with the juices and bits from the skillet) in middle and arrange your veggies around it. Season veggies with salt and pepper. Pour the beef stock over it all and cover with foil.
Cook for 2.5 to 3 hours or until the roast falls apart with a fork. Transfer roast to cutting board or serving platter and let rest for 5-10 minutes.

While roast is resting, using a slotted spoon, remove vegetables and transfer to serving platter or other dish and pour broth and juices into a small sauce pan and add a slurry made of 1 TBS. soy sauce, 1 TBS. of water and 1 TBS. of cornstarch. Stir constantly over medium-high heat until gravy thickens. Actually this makes an au jus/gravy combination type sauce.

Seventy Times Seven

"Go again seven times."—1 Kings 18:43.

Success is certain when the Lord has promised it. Although you may have pleaded month after month without evidence of answer, it is not possible that the Lord should be deaf when His people are earnest in a matter which concerns His glory.

The prophet on the top of Carmel continued to wrestle with God, and never for a moment gave way to a fear that he should be non-suited in Jehovah's courts. Six times the servant returned, but on each occasion no word was spoken but "Go again."

We must not dream of unbelief, but hold to our faith even to seventy times seven. Faith sends expectant hope to look from Carmel's brow, and if nothing is beheld, she sends again and again.

So far from being crushed by repeated disappointment, faith is animated to plead more fervently with her God. She is humbled, but not abashed: her groans are deeper, and her sighing more vehement, but she never relaxes her hold or stays her hand.

It would be more agreeable to flesh and blood to have a speedy answer, but believing souls have learned to be submissive, and to find it good to wait for as well as upon the Lord.

Delayed answers often set the heart searching itself, and so lead to contrition and spiritual reformation: deadly blows are thus struck at our corruption, and the chambers of imagery are cleansed. The great danger is lest men should faint, and miss the blessing.
Readers, do not fall into that sin, but continue in prayer and watching.

At last the little cloud was seen, the sure forerunner of torrents of rain, and even so with you, the token for good shall surely be given, and you shall rise as a prevailing prince to enjoy the mercy you have sought.

Elijah was a man of like passions with us: his power with God did not lie in his own merits. If his believing prayer availed so much, why not yours? Plead the precious blood with unceasing importunity, and it shall be with you according to your desire. C. H. Spurgeon

Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients:

2 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
4 large eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups pumpkin puree or cooked mashed pumpkin
cream cheese frosting, below
1/2 cup chopped pecans

PREPARATION:
Directions for pumpkin cake Combine sugar, vegetable oil, and eggs in a large mixing bowl; mix well. Sift dry ingredients into a separate bowl; stir into oil mixture, beating well. Stir in pumpkin puree.

Pour batter into a greased and floured cake pan. Bake at 350° for 35 to 40 minutes. Turn out onto a rack to cool. Frost pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting and sprinkle with chopped pecans.

Cream Cheese Frosting
1/4 cup butter
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, room temperature
1 pound confectioners' sugar, sifted
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Combine all ingredients in large mixing bowl; beat well until smooth. Makes enough for 2-layer pumpkin cake.

Crock Pot Beef Stew

Ingredients:

2 pounds cubed beef stew meat
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons margarine
1 onion, chopped
4 carrots, sliced
3 stalks celery, sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon white sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
4 cups water

Directions: Dredge beef cubes in flour until evenly coated. Melt butter in saute pan and saute coated beef cubes until evenly brown.

Transfer beef to slow cooker and add onions, carrots, celery, garlic, bay leaves, salt, sugar, pepper, paprika, cloves, lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce. Pour in water and stir.

Cover and cook on Low 10 to 12 hours or on High 5 to 6 hours. Serve hot!!

Dinner Rolls

Ingredients:

1 cup whole milk
2 pkg. dry yeast
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
4-1/2 to 5 cups flour
more melted butter

Directions: Warm the milk in a small saucepan over low heat. Mix 1/3 of the milk with the dry yeast in a small bowl and let sit until bubbly. In a large bowl, combine remaining milk, melted butter, salt and sugar and beat until the sugar is dissolved. Then add the beaten eggs and bubbly yeast.

Add flour, 1/4 cup at a time, beating on high speed of stand mixer. This step should take at least 5 minutes. When the dough gets too stiff to beat, stir in rest of flour by hand, if necessary, to make a soft dough. Turn out onto floured surface and knead for 5 minutes, until smooth and satiny. Place dough in greased bowl, turning to grease top. Cover and let rise in warm place until light and doubled in size. (I have also covered the dough well and placed it in the refrigerator overnight. This works really well.)

Punch down the dough and roll out on floured surface to 1/2" thickness. Cut with 3" round cookie cutter. Brush each roll with melted butter and fold in half to make half circles. Pinch edge lightly to hold, so the rolls don't unfold as they rise. Place in 2 greased 13x9" pans, cover, and let rise again until double. (If you refrigerated the dough, this will take a little longer.)

Bake rolls at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pan immediately and brush with more melted butter. Makes 24 rolls

Kind Words

"Kind words do not cost much. They never blister the tongue or lips. They make other people good-natured. They also produce their own image on men's souls, and a beautiful image it is."

Blaise Pascal 1623-1662, Scientist and Philosopher

Power of Forgiveness

by Marie Williams

School days, school days, good old golden rule days. I remember my school days. They were days of lessons both in schoolwork, and some important lessons in life.

The elementary school I attended was a short, half block from my uncle’s grocery store, and another half block to my piano instructor’s home. Both were two of my favorite people.

This particular day, I had a piano lesson on my lunch hour, so I decided to stop and say a quick hello to my uncle. He was busy waiting on a customer, so I looked through some coloring books while I waited.

Shifting from one foot to the other, my eyes were drawn to a particular book. It was one of my favorites, Disney characters. I picked it up flipping through the pages. Time slipping away from me, I glanced quickly towards my uncle. He was still in deep conversation.

” I’d better get to my music lessons, or I’m going to be late, I thought.” The problem was, I wanted the coloring book. What was I to do? My heart told me what to do, but the thoughts of leaving the book….well, after all, if I had to come back later, it might be gone! Nervously, I bent down and picked up the duffel bag I had dropped on the floor while browsing. With fumbling hands, I opened the bag and slipped the coloring book into the bag.

Racing past my uncle, I said a quick, “See you later, gotta go!” Out the door I flew. As the door shut, I heard my uncle’s reply, “Love you, Sissy.” (A nickname the family attached to me.)

My legs weren’t the only thing racing. My heart was doing a double beat per second. The music lesson was a disaster, and I felt as if my instructor was looking deeply in to my heart. She never said a word, but I sensed that she may know what was bothering me.

Afternoon led to evening. My appetite diminished. “Marie, do you feel ok?” My mother asked. “It’s not like you not to eat. Are you running a fever?” I felt ill all right, but it wasn’t from a sick body, it was a sick heart. I avoided her gaze and excused myself to do homework.

Tears filled my eyes and threatened to spill, as the realization of what I had done became more than I could bear. I knew I had done wrong, and not only that, I had tried to conceal my wrong. I placed my hand on the doorknob to confess my actions, when I heard a gentle knock from the other side. “Come in,” I called out with a quivering voice.

“We need to talk,” my mother started….”I know, Mom, I’m so sorry.” Weeping, I fell in her arms. “You know you will have to take it back and confess that you took it: And, I want you to apologize and pay for the book. It will come out of your allowance.” “Yes ma’am,” I replied. “I’ll never do it again.”

Relief washed over me like a gentle washing.... to be free from the horrible secret, was such a relief. Even though I dreaded facing my uncle, it was a relief to know the truth was out. My mother and I went together to face my uncle. Looking him in the eyes and admitting my guilt was one of the hardest lessons I had to learn, but it stayed with me for the rest of my life.

But this is not the end of the story. I had another lesson to learn...one of forgiveness. Not once did I hear accusations, or condemnation. Big, burly arms encircled me, as I stood before my uncle in all my guilt. I was swallowed up in love and forgiveness. The only words I heard were, “I forgive you Sissy.” Handing him the money from my allowance, I held the book out to him. “Keep the book,” he said. “You have more than paid for it.”

I don’t believe I ever colored in the book. It was a reminder each time I saw it of a lesson that would follow me for the rest of my life. Even at the tender age of seven, I believe God was dealing and preparing my heart to receive His gift of love and forgiveness. It was, and still is, a wonderful gift of Grace and Salvation.

To this day, I'm not certain who told my mother about the book, but I'm thankful they did.

Psalms 4:8

I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

Complete Safety

And of Benjamin he said, The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by him; and the Lord shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders. (Deuteronomy 33:12)

Yes, there is no safety like that which comes of dwelling near to God. For His best beloved the Lord can find no surer or safer place. O Lord, let me always abide under Thy shadow, close to Thy wounded side. Nearer and nearer would I come to Thee, my Lord; and when once specially near Thee, I would abide there forever.

What a covering is that which the Lord gives to His chosen! Not a fair roof shall cover him, nor a bomb-proof casement, nor even an angel's wing, but Jehovah Himself. Nothing can come at us when we are thus covered. This covering the Lord will grant us all the day long, however long the day. Lord, let me abide this day consciously beneath this canopy of love, this pavilion of sovereign power.

Does the third clause mean that the Lord in His temple would dwell among the mountains of Benjamin or that the Lord would be where Benjamin's burden should be placed, or does it mean that we are borne upon the shoulders of the Eternal?

In any case, the Lord is the support and strength of His saints. Lord, let me ever enjoy Thy help, and then my arms will be sufficient for me. C. H. Spurgeon

Come as You Are, No Jacket Required

"For by grace are ye saved through faith: and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)

I shook my head in disbelief. This couldn't be the right place. After all, I couldn't possibly be welcome here. I had been given an invitation several times, by several different people, and had finally decided to see what this place was all about. But, this just couldn't be the right place.

Quickly, I glanced down at the invitation that I clutched in my hand. I scanned past the words, "Come as you are. No jacket required" and found the location. Yes, I was at the right place. I peered through the window again and saw a room of people whose faces seemed to glow with joy. All were neatly dressed, adorned in fine garments and appeared strangely clean as they dined at this exquisite restaurant. Ashamed, I looked down at my own tattered and torn clothing, covered in stains. I was dirty, in fact, filthy. A foul smell seemed to consume me and I couldn't shake the grime that clung to my body.

As I turned around to leave, the words from the invitation seemed to leap out at me, "Come as you are. No jacket required."I decided to give it a shot.

Mustering up every bit of courage I could find, I opened the door to this restaurant and walked up to a man standing behind a podium. "Your name, sir?" he asked me with a smile. "Jimmy D. Brown," I mumbled without looking up. I thrust my hands deep into my pockets, hoping to conceal their stains. He didn't seem to notice the filth that I was covered in and he continued, "Very good, sir. A table is reserved in your name. Would you like to be seated?"

I couldn't believe what I heard! A grin broke out on my face and I said, "Yes, of course!"He led me to a table and, sure enough, there was a placard with my name written on it in a deep, dark red.

As I browsed over a menu, I saw many delightful items listed. There were things like, "peace," "joy," "blessings," "confidence," "assurance," "hope," "love," "faith," and "mercy." I realized that this was no ordinary restaurant! I flipped the menu back to the front in order to see where I was at. "God's Grace," was the name of this place!

The man returned and said, "I recommend the 'Special of the Day.' With it, you are entitled to heaping portions of everything on this menu." You've got to be kidding! I thought to myself.
You mean, I can have ALL of this! "What is the 'Special of the Day,' I asked with excitement ringing in my voice?” Salvation," was his reply. "I'll take it," I practically cried out.

Then, as quickly as I made that statement, the joy left my body. A sick, painful ache jerked through my stomach and tears filled my eyes. Between my sobs I said, "Mister, look at me. I'm dirty and nasty. I'm unclean and unworthy of such things. I'd love to have all of this, but, but, I just can't afford it."

Undaunted, the man smiled again. "Sir, your check has already been taken care of by that Gentleman over there," he said pointing to the front of the room. "His Name is Jesus."

Turning, I saw a man whose very presence seemed to light the room. He was almost too much to look at. I found myself walking towards Him and in shaking voice I whispered, "Sir, I'll wash the dishes or sweep the floors or take out the trash. I'll do anything I can do to repay you for all of this."

He opened His arms and said with a smile, "Son, all of this is yours if you just come unto Me. Ask Me to clean you up and I will. Ask me to take away the stains and it is done. Ask me to allow you to feast at my table and you will eat. Remember, the table is reserved in your name. All you must do is accept this gift that I offer you."

Astonished, I fell at His feet and said, "Please, Jesus. Please clean up my life. Please change me and seat me at your table and give me this new life." Immediately, I heard the words, "It is finished."

I looked down and white robes adorned my squeaky clean body. Something strange and wonderful had happened. I felt new, like a weight had been lifted, and I found myself seated at His table. "The 'Special of the Day' has been served," the Lord said to me. "Salvation is yours."

We sat and talked for a great while and I so enjoyed the time that I spent with Him. He told me, me of all people, that He would like me to come back as often as I liked for another helping from God's Grace. He made it clear that He wanted me to spend as much time with Him as possible.

As it drew near time for me to go back outside into the "real world," He whispered to me softly, "And Lo, I am with you always." And then, He said something to me that I will never forget. He said, "My child, do you see these empty tables throughout this room?" "Yes, Lord. I see them. What do they mean?" I replied. "These are reserved tables... but the individuals whose names are on each placard have not accepted their invitations to dine. Would you be so kind as to hand out these invitations to those who have not joined us yet?" Jesus asked. "Of course," I said with excitement as I picked up the invitations. "Go ye therefore into all nations," He said as I turned to leave.

I walked into God's Grace dirty and hungry. Stained in sin, my righteousness as filthy rags. And Jesus cleaned me up. I walked out a brand new man... robed in white, His righteousness. And so, I'll keep my promise to my Lord. I'll go. I'll spread the Word. I'll share the Gospel...I'll hand out the invitations. And I'll start with you. Have you been to God's Grace? There's a table reserved in your name, and here's your invitation..."Come as you are. No jacket required."Author Unknown

Peace, Perfect Peace

I will give you assured peace in this place.~~ Jeremiah 14:13 NKJV ~~

"Worry," says Vance Havner, "is like sitting in a rocking chair. It will give you something to do, but it won't get you anywhere."

Worry and anxiety have hounded the human race since the beginning of time, and modern man with all his innovations has not found the cure for the plague of worry.

What is the answer? Imagine in your mind a ferocious ocean storm beating against a rocky shore. The lightning flashes, the thunder roars, the waves lash the rocks.

But then imagine that you see a crevice in the rocky cliff -- and inside is a little bird, its head serenely tucked under its wing, fast asleep. It knows the rock will protect it, and thus it sleeps in peace.

God promised Moses, "I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand" (Exodus 33:22). That is God's promise to us. Christ is our Rock, and we are secure in His hands forever. The storm rages, but our hearts are at rest.

Rev. Billy Graham in Hope for Each Day - Words of Wisdom and Faith

Mediterranean Crescent Pinwheels

Ingredients:

1 (8 ounce) can Pillsbury(R) Refrigerated Crescent Dinner Rolls
1/2 pound prosciutto or cooked ham, thinly sliced
4 ounces crumbled feta cheese
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon olive or vegetable oil
6 tablespoons chopped fresh basil


Cooking Directions: Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray cookie sheets with nonstick cooking spray. Separate dough into 4 rectangles; place on lightly floured surface. Firmly press perforations to seal. Press or roll each to form 8x5-inch rectangle.

Arrange 1/4 of prosciutto slices evenly over each rectangle. In small bowl, combine cheese, pepper and oil; mix well. Sprinkle mixture evenly over prosciutto on each rectangle. Sprinkle with basil.

Starting at short side of each rectangle, roll up; seal long edges. With serrated knife, cut each roll into 5 slices. Place, cut side up, on sprayed cookie sheets.

Bake at 375 degrees F. for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from cookie sheets. Serve warm. Yield: 20 servings

The Peacespeaker

It was such a lovely day and the sun was shinning bright
A gentle breeze was blowing my way, not a storm cloud in sight
And suddenly without a warming, a storm surrounded my life
But even in the storm, I could feel the calm, and here´s the reason why

I know the Peacespeaker, I know Him by by name
I know the Peacespeaker, He controls the winds and waves
When He says "peace, be still", they have to obey
I´m glad I know the Peacespeaker, yes I know Him by name

There´s never been another man with the power of this friend
By simply saying "peace, be still" He can calm the strongest wind
And that's why I never worry when storm clouds come my way
I know that He is near to drive away my fear, and I can smile and say

Peace, peace, wonderful peace. Coming down from the Father above
When He says "peace, be still", they have in obey
I´m glad I know the Peacespeaker, yes I know Him by name
I´m glad I know the Peacespeaker, yes I know Him by name

The Safest Shelter

And a man shall be as an hiding-place from the wind and a covert from the tempest. (Isaiah 32:2)

Who this Man is we all know. Who could He be but the Second Man, the Lord from heaven, the man of sorrows, the Son of Man? What a hiding place He has been to His people! He bears the full force of the wind Himself, and so He shelters those who hide themselves in Him. We have thus escaped the wrath of God, and we shall thus escape the anger of men, the cares of this life, and the dread of death. Why do we stand in the wind when we may so readily and so surely get out of it by hiding behind our Lord? Let us this day run to Him and be at peace.

Often the common wind of trouble rises in its force and becomes a tempest, sweeping everything before it. Things which looked firm and stable rock in the blast, and many and great are the falls among our carnal confidences. Our Lord Jesus, the glorious man, is a covert which is never blown down. In Him we mark the tempest sweeping by, but we ourselves rest in delightful serenity.

This day let us just stow ourselves away in our hiding place and sit and sing under the protection of our Covert. Blessed Jesus! Blessed Jesus! How we love Thee! Well we may, for Thou art to us a shelter in the time of storm. C H Spurgeon

Peanut Butter Cheese Cake Minis

Courtesy of Paula Deen

Crust:

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs

4 tablespoons sugar

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, melted

12 bite-size peanut butter cups

Filling:

2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, at room temperature

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract or almond extract

2 eggs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place a paper cupcake liner in each cup of a standard muffin pan.

To make crust, in a bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar and melted butter until crumbs are moistened. Press crust into bottom of each muffin cup. Put 1 peanut butter cup into the center of each crust.

Beat cream cheese with a handheld electric mixer until fluffy. Add sugar, flour, and vanilla, beating well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Spoon cream cheese mixture over peanut butter cups and graham cracker crusts. Bake until just set, about 20 minutes. Allow to cool completely before serving.

Crabbies

Courtesy of Paula Deen

8 ounces good white crabmeat, picked free of all shells

1 (5-ounce) jar Cheddar-horseradish spread (recommended: Kraft Old English)

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 cup butter (1 stick), softened

Dash hot sauce or cayenne pepper

8 large toasted bread rounds

Chopped parsley leaves, for garnish

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

In a large bowl, combine crab, cheese spread, mayonnaise, garlic powder, butter and hot sauce. Divide mixture evenly over bread rounds and spread. Score each round into quarters and place on a greased baking sheet. Bake until topping is heated through and golden brown on top, about 10 to 15 minutes.

Sprinkle with parsley. Serve hot. These freeze and store well for drop-in company.

Hogs in a Sleeping Bag

Courtesy of Paula Deen

1 (16-ounce) package polska kielbasa

2 sheets puff pastry, thawed and lightly rolled out

1 egg

Honey mustard, barbeque sauce or apricot jam, for serving, optional

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Cut kielbasa into 6 (4-inch) pieces. Cut puff pastry sheets into thirds (6 strips). Roll each piece of kielbasa in puff pastry and place on a baking sheet.

Beat egg in a small dish and brush generously over pastry. Bake until pastry is golden brown and puffed, about 20 minutes. Serve with mustard, barbeque sauce, or jam, if desired.

How Does the Shepherd Speak?

When the Good Shepherd speaks to His own, He never uses words of - Despair, Hopelessness, Frustration, Defeat, Discouragement, Confusion or Failure.

Instead, He gives His sheep words of - Hope, Rest, Victory, Peace, Joy, Triumph, and Love.

Lovely Thoughts!

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Philippians 4:8

Thoughts

by Charles R. Swindoll

Philippians 4:8

Thoughts are the thermostat that regulates what we accomplish in life. If I feed my mind upon doubt, disbelief, and discouragement, that is precisely the kind of day my body will experience. If I adjust my thermostat forward to thoughts filled with vision, vitality, and victory, I can count on that kind of day. Thus, you and I become what we think about.

Neither Dale Carnegie nor Norman Vincent Peale originated such a message. God did. “For as [a man] thinks within himself, so he is” (Prov. 23:7). “Therefore, prepare your minds for action” (1 Peter 1:13).

The mind is a “thought factory” producing thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands, of thoughts each day. Production in your thought factory is under the charge of two foremen. One we shall call Mr. Triumph, the other Mr. Defeat.

Mr. Triumph specializes in producing reasons why you can face life victoriously, why you can handle what comes your way, why you’re more than able to conquer. Mr. Defeat is an expert in the opposite. He develops reasons why you cannot succeed, why you’re inadequate, why you should give up and give in to worry, failure, discouragement, and inferiority.

Give a positive signal, and Mr. Triumph will see to it that one encouraging, edifying thought after another floods your mind. But Mr. Defeat is always standing by, awaiting a negative signal (which he would rather you call “reality” or “common sense!”), and when he gets it, he cranks out discouraging, destructive, demoralizing thoughts that will soon have you convinced you can’t or won’t or shouldn’t.

Thoughts, positive or negative, grow stronger when fertilized with constant repetition. That may explain why so many who are gloomy and gray stay in that mood . . . and why those who are cheery and enthusiastic continue to be so.

What kind of performance would your car deliver if every morning before you left for work you scooped up a handful of dirt and put it in your crankcase? The engine would soon be coughing and sputtering. Ultimately it would refuse to start. The same is true of your life. Thoughts that are narrow, self-destructive, and abrasive produce needless wear and tear on your mental motor. They send you off the road while others drive past.

You need only one foreman in your mental factory: Mr. Triumph is his name. He is eager to assist you and available to all the members of God’s family.

His real name is the Holy Spirit, the Helper.

If Mr. Defeat is busily engaged as the foreman of your factory, fire yours and hire ours! You will be amazed at how smoothly the plant will run under His leadership.

Steak Diane

Courtesy of Paula Deen

Ingredients:

6 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
2 tablespoons minced onion
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons snipped fresh parsley leaves
1 pound beef tenderloin, cut into 8 slices

Directions: Melt 4 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the mushrooms, onions, garlic, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and salt, and cook, stirring, until the mushrooms are tender. Stir in the parsley; pour the sauce into a small metal bowl or saucepan, cover, and keep warm.

Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in the skillet. Cook the steaks over medium-high heat, turning them once, for 3 to 4 minutes on each side for medium. Serve the steaks with the mushroom sauce.

Mandarin Orange Tea Cake

Ingredients:

1 package (16 ounces) pound cake mix

1/2 cup orange juice

1/3 cup milk

2 eggs

1 can (15 ounces) mandarin orange segments in light syrup, drained

Peel of 1 orange

2 tablespoons orange juice

3/4 cup powdered sugar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 9-inch diameter Bundt pan.

Place cake mix, 1/2 cup orange juice, milk and eggs in large bowl. Beat until light in color and fluffy. Fold in orange segments; pour batter into pan.

Bake 45 minutes or until golden in color and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 15 minutes before removing from pan.

Combine peel, juice, and powdered sugar. Drizzle over cooled cake. Allow glaze to set up about 5 minutes before serving.

Burning Thirst

The author of the one hundred and seventh Psalm knew something of the agony of a burning thirst, even as you and I. But he found his way to the spring. He shouts the good news to you and me. "He satisfieth the longing soul." (Psa. 107:9)

And Isaiah in his day saw the hot and restless crowds about him hurry from one booth to another and buy and buy, only to come away in the end the more restless and dissatisfied. At last, when he could endure the tragedic sight no longer, he cried after them:

"Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labor for that which satisfieth not? Harken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness." (Isa. 55:1-2)

"Why pay your last penny for what can never satisfy," he asks in bewilderment, "when he who meets your needs may be had for the taking?" Why indeed? But with a veritable passion for being cheated, we keep up the sorry business from generation to generation.

This claim that God can satisfy every man's need becomes, if possible, even more emphatic upon the pages of the New Testament. It reaches its climax in the magnificent and daring appeals of Jesus.

With what sublime audacity he flings out this invitation, "If any man thirst, let him come to me and drink" (John 7:37). If any man - there is no single exception. He claims to be able to meet every man's need regardless of who that man is or what his circumstances may be. "I am the bread of life," (John 6:35) he declares again, "he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. ... But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."

And those who have accepted this invitation have never been disappointed. Countless millions through the centuries have been able to sing out of their own experiences:

"I heard the voice of Jesus say,`Behold, I freely giveThe living water; thirsty one, stoop down, and drink, and live.'I came to Jesus, and I drank of that life-giving stream;My thirst was quenched, my soul revived, and now I live in him." Author Unknow

Psalm 42

As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God.

The Dew of Heaven

C. H. Spurgeon

His heavens shall drop down dew. (Deuteronomy 33:28)

What the dew in the East is to the world of nature is the influence of the Spirit in the realm of grace. How greatly do I need it! Without the Spirit of God I am a dry and withered thing. I droop, I fade, I die. How sweetly does this dew refresh me! When once favored with it I feel happy, lively, vigorous, elevated. I want nothing more. The Holy Spirit brings me life and all that life requires. All else without the dew of the Spirit is less than nothing to me: I hear, I read, I pray, I sing, I go to the table of Communion, and I find no blessing there until the Holy Ghost visits me. But when He bedews me, every means of grace is sweet and profitable.

What a promise is this for me! "His heavens shall drop down dew." I shall be visited with grace. I shall not be left to my natural drought, or to the world's burning heat, or to the sirocco of satanic temptation.

Oh, that I may at this very hour feel the gentle, silent, saturating dew of the Lord! Why should I not! He who has made me to live as the grass lives in the meadow will treat me as He treats the grass; He will refresh me from above. Grass cannot call for dew as I do. Surely, the Lord who visits the unpraying plant will answer to His pleading child.

Romans 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

In His Time

In His time, in His time
He makes all things beautiful in His time.
Lord, please show me every day
As You're teaching me Your way
That You do just what You say
In Your time
- Diane Ball

Pineapple Upside-Down Biscuits

Ingredients:

1 (10-ounce) can crushed pineapple

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, at room temperature

10 maraschino cherries

1 (12-ounce) package refrigerated buttermilk biscuits (10 count)

Directions: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Grease 10 cups of a muffin tin. Strain the can of crushed pineapple, save juice for later. Combine the pineapple, sugar, and butter, and mix well. Divide the pineapple mixture among the muffin cups. Place a cherry in the center of each muffin cup, making sure cherry hits bottom of cup.

Place 1 biscuit in each cup on top of sugar and pineapple mixture. Spoon 1 teaspoon reserved pineapple juice over each biscuit. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until golden. Cool for 2 minutes. Invert the pan onto a plate to release the biscuits. Serve warm.

Wedge Salad

1 head iceberg lettuce, cut into quarters

Blue cheese dressing

1 tomato, minced

2 green onions, chopped

1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese

1 cup cooked bacon, crumbled

On each salad plate, place 1 wedge of lettuce turned on its side. Pour blue cheese dressing on wedge. Sprinkle with tomatoes, green onions, crumbled blue cheese, and crumbled bacon.

Chicken and Rice Casserole

Courtesy of Paula Deen

2 tablespoons butter or vegetable oil
1 medium onion, peeled and diced
3 cups diced, cooked chicken
2 (14 1/2-ounce) cans green beans, drained and rinsed
1 (8-ounce) can water chestnuts, drained and chopped
1 (4-ounce) jar pimentos
1 (10 3/4-ounce) can condensed cream of celery soup
1 cup mayonnaise
1 (6-ounce) box long-grain wild rice, cooked according to package directions
1 cup grated sharp Cheddar
Pinch salt

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Heat butter or oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add onion and saute until translucent, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer to a large bowl.

Add all remaining ingredients to bowl and mix together until thoroughly combined.

Pour into a greased 3-quart casserole dish. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until bubbly. Let stand for a few minutes before serving.

Timing

by Charles R. Swindoll

Psalm 31:14-15: But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God. My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.

In September, Terry Shafer was strolling the shops in Moline, Illinois. She knew exactly what she wanted to get her husband, David, for Christmas. A little shop on Fifth attracted her attention, so she popped inside. Her eyes darted toward the corner display. “That’s it!” she smiled as she nodded with pleasure. “How much?” she asked the shopkeeper.

“Only $127.50.”

Her smile faded into disappointment as she realized David’s salary as a policeman couldn’t stand such a jolt. Yet she hated to give up without a try, so she applied a little womanly persistence. “Uh, what about putting this aside for me? Maybe I could pay a little each week, then pick it up a few days before Christmas?”

“No,” the merchant said, “I won’t do that.” Then he smiled. “I’ll gift-wrap it right now. You can take it with you and pay me later,” he said. Terry was elated.

Then came Saturday, October 1. Patrolman David Shafer, working the night shift, got a call in his squad car. A drugstore robbery was in progress. David reacted instantly, arriving on the scene just in time to see the suspect speed away. With siren screaming and lights flashing, he followed in hot pursuit. Three blocks later the getaway vehicle suddenly pulled over and stopped. The driver didn’t move. David carefully approached the suspect with his weapon drawn. In a split second, the door flew open as the thief produced a .45-caliber pistol and fired at David’s abdomen.

At seven o’clock in the morning a patrolman came to the door of the Shafer home. Calmly and with great care, he told Terry what had happened.

Stunned, Terry thought how glad she was that she had not waited until Christmas to give her husband his present. How grateful she was that the shopkeeper had been willing to let her pay for it later. Otherwise, Dave would have surely died. Instead, he was now in the hospital—not with a gunshot wound, but with only a bad bruise. You see, David was wearing the gift of life Terry could not wait to give—his brand-new bulletproof vest.

Within the movement of events is the Designer, who plans and arranges the times and the seasons, including the minutest detail of life. You question that? Many do.

But unless I miss my guess, David and Terry Shafer don’t. It’s funny . . . people who survive a calamity don’t have much struggle with sovereignty.

Behind the maze is the Master

One Step at a Time...

To get through the hardest journey we need take only one step at a time, but we must keep on stepping.

Apple Crisp

Ingredients:

3 pounds tart apples
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup rolled oats
4 tablespoons cold butter (1/2 stick)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Directions:

Peel, core and chop apples, toss in a bowl with lemon juice to prevent darkening. In a separate bowl, combine brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg; stir into apples. Set aside.
In another bowl combine flour, sugar and oats.

Cut butter into 8 pieces, and cut butter into flour until mixture looks like crumbs. Stir in nuts. Butter a 10 X 10-inch baking dish. Spread apples in bottom of baking dish then sprinkle with flour mixture. Bake at 375° for 30 to 45 minutes, or until apples are tender and topping is lightly browned. Serve warm or at room temperature

Best Lasagna

Ingredients:

1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 pound hot breakfast sausage
2 cloves minced garlic
2 14.5 oz. cans whole tomatoes
2 6 oz cans tomato paste
2 tablespoons dried parsley flakes
2 tablespoons dried basil
1 teaspoon salt
1 10-oz package lasagna noodles
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 cups lowfat cottage cheese
2 beaten eggs
1/2 cup Kraft Parmesan Cheese

Directions: In a skillet, combine 1 1/2 pounds ground beef, 1 pound hot breakfast sausage, and 2 cloves minced garlic. Cook until brown.

Add two 14.5-oz cans of whole tomatoes, two 6-oz cans of tomato paste...2 tablespoons of dried parsley flakes, 2 tablespoons dried basil. Add 1 teaspoon salt.

Mix together thoroughly and simmer, uncovered, about 45 minutes.

Boil a 10-oz package of lasagna noodles. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt to the water, as well as 1 tablespoon olive oil to keep the noodles from sticking. Cook the noodles "al dente" so they'll still have quite a bite to them. When they're finished cooking, drain, rinse with cool water, and lay the noodles flat on a sheet of aluminum foil. That way, they'll be easier to handle later.

While the meat mixture and noodles are cooking, mix 3 cups lowfat cottage cheese in a bowl with 2 beaten eggs. Add 1/2 cup Kraft Parmesan Cheese...2 tablespoons dried parsley flakes, and 1 teaspoon salt. Mix together well.

Build your assembly line: meat mixture, 1 pound sliced mozzarella cheese, cottage cheese mixture, and cooked lasagna noodles.

Lay four cooked lasagna noodles in the bottom of the pan, overlapping as you go. Spread half of the cottage cheese mixture evenly over the noodles. Lay 1/2 pound of mozzarella cheese slices on top of the cottage cheese mixture. With the spoon, make a line through the middle of the meat mixture so you'll distribute it evenly. Spread a little less than half of the meat mixture over the mozzarella cheese slices.

Repeat the process! Add another layer of four lasagna noodles and top with the remaining half of the cottage cheese mixture.Top the cottage cheese mixture with another 1/2 pound of mozzarella and finish with the rest of the meat mixture. Spread evenly.

Sprinkle a generous layer of Kraft Parmesan Cheese over the top of the lasagna.

Place in a 350-degree oven for 20-30 minutes, until hot and bubbly. (Or, cover and freeze it, unbaked, at this point. OR cover and refrigerate, unbaked, for up to two days before baking.)

Running the Race

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2

Our Eyes on the Goal

Our Eyes on the Goal

The other night Jack and I watched a television drama called "See How She Runs." The story concerned a 40-year-old divorced teacher from Boston who decided to become a jogger and eventually entered the 26 Mile Boston Marathon. To finish the race became her goal, and in spite of being harassed, jeered at and assaulted, she did not lose sight of it. The day of the race came and she faced her ultimate test.

As she ran, huge blisters developed on her feet. She was also hit and injured by bicycle. And several miles short of the finish line found her utterly exhausted. Yet she kept going. Then, within a few hundred yards of the finish line, late at night when most other runners had either finished or dropped out, she fell and lay flat on her face, too tired to raise her head. But her friends had put up the crude tape across the finish line and began to cheer her on. She lifted her head with great effort, saw the tape, and realized her goal was within sight. With a supreme effort she got up on her bruised and bleeding feet, and in a burst of energy dredged up from deep inside her courageous heart, she ran the last few yards.

She had kept her eyes on the goal and for the joy of finishing, she endured. We are to do what our example, Jesus Christ, did on earth. He kept looking at the goal, not the going. He was seeing the prize, not the process; the treasure, not to trial; the joy, not the journey.

And we must do the same! By Carole Mayhall

Texas Sheet Cake

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Ingredients: 

 

2 cups all-purpose flour 

2 cups sugar 

1 teaspoon baking soda 

1/4 teaspoon salt 

1 cup butter 

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 

2 eggs 

1/2 cup buttermilk or sour milk 

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla .  

 

Chocolate Frosting: 

 1/4 cup butter 

3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa 

3 tablespoons buttermilk 

2 1/4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla 

1/2 cup chopped pecans, optional

 

Directions:

 

Cake

Grease a 15 x 10 x1-inch or jelly roll pan or a 13x 9x 2-inch baking pan; set aside. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt; set aside. 

 

In a medium saucepan combine 1 cup butter, 1/3 cup cocoa, and 1 cup of water. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. With an electric hand-held mixer on medium speed, beat chocolate mixture into the dry mixture until thoroughly blended. Add eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla. Beat for 1 minute (batter will be thin). Pour batter into the prepared pan.

 

Bake in a 350° oven about 25 minutes for the 15 x 10-inch pan or 35 minutes for the 13 x 9-inch pan, or until a wooden pick or cake tester inserted in center comes out clean. Pour warm chocolate frosting over the warm cake, spreading evenly. Place cake in pan on a wire rack; cool thoroughly before cutting. Makes 24 servings.

 

Frosting:

In a medium saucepan combine 1/4 cup butter or margarine, 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, and 3 tablespoons buttermilk. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat; add 2 1/4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Beat until smooth. If desired, stir in 1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans.

Don't Worry!

Deuteronomy 31:6 "Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you."

Taco Salad

Ingredients:

1 head of lettuce, torn into bite-sized pieces
1 pound ground beef
1 taco seasoning packet
2 medium tomatoes, diced
2 medium sweet onions, diced
8 oz. shredded yellow cheddar cheese
1 13-oz. bag of nacho cheese-flavored tortilla chips
1/4 c. white vinegar
1/3 c. vegetable oil
1/3 c. ketchup
1/4 c. sugar
1 tbsp. worcestershire sauce
1 pinch of salt
1 dash of pepper

Preparation:

1. In a blender, mix vinegar, vegetable oil, ketchup, sugar, one diced onion, worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper.

2. When mixture is smooth, pour into a sealable container and refrigerate for at least one hour

I Don't Know About Tomorrow

by Elaine Ingalls Hogg

Matthew 6:31, 33-34 - So do not worry, saying, "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" or "What shall we wear?" But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (NIV)

On September 11th, 2001, the acts of a few individuals changed the way we in North America regard our world. In the weeks following this morbid desecration, terror lurked in the shadows of our thoughts, ready to pounce again when we least expected it. Our society changed, as fear and distrust reigned foremost in everybody's mind.

During yet another news program replaying the scenes of devastation from New York City, my phone rang. "Elaine, would you be able to help us out this morning? We need someone to play for the service at the senior's home."

When I arrived at the nursing home, the residents were lined up in their chairs, waiting expectantly. I ran my fingers over the keys. Oh no! The "sustain" button was stuck, and I cringed at the sound it made. Was there any ministry in this noise? Doing my best to ignore the sound, I began to play. When we were finished the hymns that the visiting pastor had chosen, an attendant asked if anyone had a favorite. A lady in the back asked if I knew number 558. "It's my favorite," she said.

I turned to the page and played the introduction. Cracked voices rose, filling the room with their melody. I knew that song. My mother used to sing it when I was a child. As these seniors sang, I paid close attention to the words: "Many things about tomorrow, I don't seem to understand. But I know who holds tomorrow and I know who holds my hand."

What a beautiful message they shared that morning as they sang. They knew a God who had been there for them through every trial in their past, and they knew that he was still there holding their hand now and during the uncertain days in the future.

Dear God, help us to rest in you. Although we may not know about tomorrow, we know that you will hold our hand. Amen.

I Know Who Holds Tomorrow

By Ira Stanphill

I don't know about tomorrow;
I just live from day to day.
I don't borrow from its sunshine
For its skies may turn to grey.
I don't worry o'er the future,
For I know what Jesus said.
And today I'll walk beside Him,
For He knows what is ahead.

Many things about tomorrow
I don't seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.

Every step is getting brighter
As the golden stairs I climb;
Every burden's getting lighter,
Every cloud is silver-lined.
There the sun is always shining,
There no tear will dim the eye;
At the ending of the rainbow
Where the mountains touch the sky.

I don't know about tomorrow;
It may bring me poverty.
But the one who feeds the sparrow,
Is the one who stands by me.
And the path that is my portion
May be through the flame or flood;
But His presence goes before me
And I'm covered with His blood.

Baked French Toast

Ingredients:

1 loaf French bread (13 to 16 ounces)
8 large eggs
2 cups half-and-half
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Dash salt
Praline Topping, recipe follows
Maple syrup


Directions: Slice French bread into 20 slices, 1-inch each. (Use any extra bread for garlic toast or bread crumbs). Arrange slices in a generously buttered 9 by 13-inch flat baking dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and beat with a rotary beater or whisk until blended but not too bubbly. Pour mixture over the bread slices, making sure all are covered evenly with the milk-egg mixture. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Spread Praline Topping evenly over the bread and bake for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden. Serve with maple syrup.

Praline Topping:

1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and blend well. Makes enough for Baked French Toast Casserole.

The Package

A young man was getting ready to graduate from college.

For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer's showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted.

As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the morning of his graduation, his father called him into his private study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him. He handed his son a beautifully wrapped gift box.

Curious, but somewhat disappointed, the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with the young man's name embossed in gold.

Angrily, he raised his voice to his father and said, "With all your money, you give me a Bible?" and stormed out of the house, leaving the Bible.

Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his father was very old and thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that graduation day.

Before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things.

When he arrived at his father's house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart. He began to search through his father's important papers and saw the still new Bible, just as he had left it years ago.

With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. His father had carefully underlined a verse:

Matthew 7:11, "And if ye, being evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Heavenly father which is in heaven, give to those who ask Him?"

As he read those words, a car key dropped from the back of the Bible. It had a tag with the dealer's name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words... PAID IN FULL.

How many times do we miss God's blessings because they are not packaged as we expected?

Who Keeps You Going?

Trials keep you strong,

Sorrows keep you human,

Failures keep you humble,

Success keeps you glowing,

But only God keeps you going!

Batting My Eyelashes at You

A baby camel asked his mother, "Why do we have such large hoofs on our feet?" She turned to him. "God made us that way for a very special reason," and she began her explanation. "The big hoofs are to keep us from sinking into the sand."

"Oh! So why do we have long eyelashes?"

"It's to protect our eyes from the sand."

"Why the big humps?"

"That is to store fat and have enough energy to go long distances in the hot desert!"

"I see!" The baby camel stretched his neck and looked up at his mother, "The big hoofs are to keep from sinking into the sand, the long eyelashes are to keep the sand out of our eyes, and the humps are to store energy to travel long distances...then what are we doing in this cage in the middle of a zoo?"

Like the camel, I had asked the same kind of questions. When my blindness set in, I initially locked myself in a cage of self-pity and bitterness.

Weary from pacing within that gloomy cage, something nudged me to see beyond my circumstance and unfortunate plight.

Heavens! What was I thinking? Those bars were self-imposed. But worst of all, I'd supported them with the cold metal of my negative attitude.

Eventually, eagerness to leave my stuffy cell of discontent prompted me to open my ears to hear a reassuring whisper - God had created me for much more.

Itching to break free, I broke down those bars and stepped out into the desert of life. I trudged through the heat with determination and drive. I endured the blistering sun with perseverance and tenacity. I quenched my thirst with fresh inspiration and encouragement. And the hooves of confidence kept me from sinking into the sand of insecurity.

Thinking ahead, I made sure I'd stored a healthy supply of wisdom and positive attitude to take me through the long haul.

Goodness gracious. Each time I reached another point in my journey, my eyes saw a whole new world with opportunities to make a difference. Best of all, I was delighted with the affirmation that I was indeed created for much more!

Bars come in all sizes and shapes. Some are physical; others are emotional or even mental. But none can withstand the force of determination that breaks them down. The effort is worth it and the results, simply amazing!

So, batting my long eyelashes to keep out the sand of discouragement, I challenge you: Step back and peek at what bars limit you. Take a deep breath, break them down, and emerge into the freshness of a new life.

Janet Perez Eckles

Believe

To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe. ~ Anatole France

Apple Cake

Fall is in the air and what better way to celebrate than with fresh apple cake. Try this cake warm from the oven with a dollop of whipped cream!

4 medium Golden Delicious apples (about 1 1/2 pounds), peeled, cut into 1/3-inch pieces

5 tablespoons plus 2 1/2 cups sugar

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

4 large eggs

1 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup orange juice

1 tablespoon grated orange peel

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 cups all purpose flour

3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt
Powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350°F. Oil and flour 12-cup Bundt pan. Mix apple pieces, 5 tablespoons sugar and ground cinnamon in medium bowl. Combine 2 1/2 cups sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, orange juice, orange peel and vanilla extract in large bowl; whisk to blend. Stir flour, baking powder and salt into egg mixture. Spoon 1 1/2 cups batter into prepared Bundt pan. Top with half of apple mixture. Cover with 1 1/2 cups batter. Top with remaining apples, then batter.

Bake cake until top is brown and tester inserted near center comes out with moist crumbs attached, about 1 hour 30 minutes. Cool cake in pan on rack 15 minutes. Run knife around sides of pan to loosen. Turn cake out onto rack. Cool at least 45 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar. Serve slightly warm or at room temperature.

Makes 8 to 10 servings

Lady and Sons Chicken Pot Pie

Courtesy of Paula Deen

4 sheets frozen puff pastry

1 egg, beaten

4 chicken breast halves, or 2 cups leftover cooked chicken

Seasoned salt and pepper

2 tablespoons cooking oil

1/3 cup butter

2/3 cup all-purpose flour

1 quart heavy cream

1/4 cup chicken base

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1/2 small yellow onion, minced

1 cup frozen green peas, cooked

1 cup chopped cooked carrots

Pinch fresh grated nutmeg, optional

Crust: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Cut each sheet of frozen puff pastry into 1-inch strips, 8 inches long. On a large cookie sheet, weave strips into a lattice large enough to cover each pot pie. Brush beaten egg onto each lattice square. Bake for 5 minutes, or until dough has risen and turned light golden brown. Set aside until ready to assemble pies. Leave oven on at 350 degrees F.

Filling: Season chicken with seasoned salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and saute until cooked through. Remove from heat and cut into chunks. Alternatively, you may use precooked chicken.

In a large saucepan, melt butter and then slowly add flour, stirring until consistency of peanut butter, but not brown like a roux. Slowly add cream and keep stirring. Add chicken base, garlic, and onion and stir until thickened. Add peas, carrots, nutmeg, if using, and cut up chicken.

Remove from heat. Fill 4 individual oven-proof bowls with chicken mixture and then top each with a pre-cooked lattice square. Bake for 5 minutes or until bubbly. Any remaining pie filling may be frozen.

Is God Getting Through to You?

Gone are the days when a real person greets you on the other end of a phone call. It seems as though whenever we try to “reach out and touch someone,” we are greeted with a computerized voice.

I’m glad this isn’t true of our Father in heaven. He is always there. No voice-mail boxes, no “press 2 for more grace” and no “call waiting” interruptions. Thankfully, “Call to Me, and I will answer you” (Jer. 33:3) has not been replaced by, “All lines are now busy. Your call is important to Me. Please stay on the line.”

Yet I wonder what kind of access He has to us?

Communication with God is a two-way street. He speaks to us through His Word when we come attentively before Him in prayer and through the clear voice of the indwelling Spirit. He paid a great price to keep the lines open so that we can experience the joy of being still long enough to know that He is God (Ps. 46:10).

As my grandmother’s favorite hymn “In the Garden” says:

And He walks with me,
And He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known. —Miles© Renewal 1940

The joy of hearing His voice is a call you don’t want to miss! - Joe Stowell

Remembering the Teachers

They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.--Carl W. Buechner

Gobs

These were one of our favorite treats! Some refer to them as Whoopie Pies. Whatever you call them, they are delicious!

2 2/3 c flour
1/2 c dark cocoa powder
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 c sugar
1/2 c shortening
2 eggs
1/2 c sour milk
Cream Filling

Preheat oven to 350. Grease a large cookie sheet. Combine dry ingredients. Add sour milk

In another bowl beat sugar and shortening until fluffy and add eggs and vanilla. Beat well. Add flour mixture and sour milk mixture alternately, beginning and ending with flour.

Drop by generous tablespoonfuls onto baking sheet, flatten slightly with wet fingers. Bake 10-12 minutes or until cookies spring back when touched lightly. Remove and cool completely.

Cream Filling:

1 c milk
1/4 c flour
1 c sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 c butter
1/2 cup shortening

Whisk 1 c milk and 1/4 c flour together until no lumps remain. Microwave, stirring every minute, until mixture is thick like paste. Set aside to cool completely.

In a medium bowl beat 1 c sugar, 1 tsp vanilla, 1/2 c butter and 1/2 cup shortening until mixed and fluffy. Beat in cooled flour mixture and whip until light and doubled in volume, about 5 minutes. If it s hot it may not whip up exactly right but chill and whip again. As long as it mounds on a spoon it will be fine.

Put a spoonful of the filling on the flat bottom side of one of the cookies and top with another cookie, so that the flat parts are against the filling. Refrigerate. Dust tops with confectioners sugar before serving if desired.

About 16 cookie sandwiches.

The Joy of Teaching!

My heart is singing for joy this morning. A miracle has happened! The light of understanding has shone upon my little pupil's mild, and behold, all things are changed.-- Anne Sullivan

Ranger Cookies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ingredients

 

2 cups all-purpose white flour

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

Generous 1/2 teaspoon salt

2/3 cup (1 stick plus 2 2/3 tablespoons) unsalted butter, slightly softened

1/2 cup white vegetable shortening

1 1/3 cups packed light brown sugar

2/3 cup sugar

2 large eggs

2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

2 cups corn flakes, crushed

1 1/4 cups (5 ounces) chopped pecans

1 1/4 cups (about 3 1/2 ounces) shredded or flaked sweetened coconut

 

Preparation:

 

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease several baking sheets or coat with nonstick spray.

In a medium bowl, thoroughly stir together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer on medium speed, beat together the butter and shortening until lightened. Add the brown sugar and sugar and beat until fluffy and smooth. Add the eggs and vanilla and beat until evenly incorporated. Beat or stir in the flour mixture until evenly incorporated. Stir in the oats, corn flakes, pecans, and coconut until evenly incorporated. Let the dough stand for 5 to 10 minutes, or until firmed up slightly. 

 

Shape portions of the dough into generous golf-ball-sized balls with lightly greased hands. Place on the baking sheets, spacing about 3 inches apart. Using your hand, pat down the balls until about 1/3 inch thick. 

 

Bake the cookies, one sheet at a time, in the upper third of the oven for 8 to 11 minutes, or until tinged with brown and just beginning to firm up in the centers; be careful not to overbake. Transfer the sheet to a wire rack and let stand until the cookies firm up slightly, about 3 minutes. Using a spatula, transfer the cookies to wire racks. Let stand until completely cooled.

 

Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 1 month.

To All Teachers

by Charles R. Swindoll

James 3:1-12

I’ve never had a strong desire to be a teacher. Don’t get me wrong. I admire tremendously those who teach. It was a teacher in junior high who taught me to love science. It was a teacher in high school who got me hooked on history. Another teacher helped me overcome stuttering and learn how to speak in public . . . how to think on my feet . . . how to pace the delivery of words . . . how to use humor. And it was yet another teacher who passed along the practical techniques I still use in digging pearls out of scriptural oysters.

So, let me firmly establish this fact: I am deeply indebted to several teachers. If you teach, be encouraged! You probably have no idea how great a contribution you are making.

If I were to teach, however, I think I would keep a personal journal of the funny things my students said.

Actually, Richard Lederer must have had the same brilliant idea. In fact, he even published the mistakes in a book cleverly titled Anguished English, in which he sort of pastes together the “history” of the world from genuine student bloopers collected by teachers throughout America, from eighth grade through college level.

Here are a few examples. Hold on tight . . . there’s a lot to be learned that you may have missed in your years in school.

For example, did you know that Ancient Egypt was inhabited by mummies who wrote in hydraulics? They lived in the Sarah Dessert and traveled by Camelot. Certain areas of that dessert were cultivated by irritation.

Then we learn that in the first book of the Bible, Guinessis, Adam and Eve were created from an apple tree. One of their children, Cain, asked, “Am I my brother’s son?”

After that, Pharaoh forced the Hebrew slaves to make bread without straw, and Moses went up on Mount Cyanide to get the ten commandments. He died before he ever reached Canada.

Later we learn that David was a Hebrew king skilled at playing the liar. He fought with the Finkelsteins. Solomon, one of his sons, had 300 wives and 700 porcupines.

See why I have no compelling desire to be a teacher?

“A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops” (Henry Brooks Adams).

Molasses Crinkles

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ingredients: 

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 

2 teaspoons baking soda 

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 

3/4 teaspoon ground ginger ( I use a full teaspoon) 

1/2 teaspoon ground allspice 

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves 

1/2 teaspoon salt 

1/2 cup vegetable shortening at room temperature 

1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, softened 

1 cup packed dark brown sugar 

1 large egg 

1/2 cup grandmas molasses granulated sugar for sugaring tops of cookies 

 

Directions: Whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, cloves, and salt in a bowl until combined. 

 

Beat together shortening, butter, and brown sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes in a stand mixer (preferably fitted with paddle attachment) or 6 minutes with a handheld. Add egg and molasses, beating until combined. Reduce speed to low, then mix in flour mixture until combined. Put oven racks in upper and lower thirds of oven and preheat oven to 375°F. 

 

Roll 1 heaping teaspoon of dough into a 1-inch ball with wet hands, then dip 1 end of ball in sanding sugar. Make more cookies in same manner, arranging them, sugared side up, 2 inches apart on 2 ungreased baking sheets. 

 

Bake cookies, switching position of sheets halfway through baking, until undersides are golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes total, then cool on sheets 1 minute. Transfer to racks to cool completely.