Broccoli Salad

Recipe courtesy of Paula Deen

Ingredients:

1 head broccoli

6 to 8 slices cooked bacon, crumbled

1/2 cup chopped red onion

1/2 cup raisins, optional

8 ounces sharp Cheddar, cut into very small chunks 1 cup mayonnaise

2 tablespoons white vinegar

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup halved cherry tomatoes

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions: Trim off the large leaves from the broccoli stem. Remove the tough stalk at the end and wash broccoli head thoroughly. Cut the head into flowerets and the stem into bite-size pieces. Place in a large bowl. Add the crumbled bacon, onion, raisins if using, and cheese. In a small bowl, combine the remaining ingredients, stirring well. Add to broccoli mixture and toss gently.

Take Heart

by Charles R. Swindoll Read Esther 8:1--8 

 The king's heart is like mush, like soft putty, or we could say like Play-Doh in the hands of the Lord. Just for a moment imagine another name in that proverb in place of "the king." Someone who is giving you grief perhaps. 

It may be one of your own grown, wayward children. Maybe it's someone who represents a formidable presence. Someone who haunts you and maybe wishes to bring you down. 

Stubborn person, right? Strong-hearted individual, correct? Imagine that heart that is so hard, so granitelike, changing into soft putty in the hands of the Lord. 

It's possible! There is no heart so stubborn that it cannot become breakable in the hands of the Lord. 

Many years ago, in another place and at another time in my life, I went through a dreadful experience with a person who decided to make me his enemy. I still don't know why. It remains a mystery. Nevertheless, it occurred. 

This individual decided to make my life miserable. He watched my every move. He questioned my decisions. He cast doubts on my ministry. This person applied pressure, sometimes to the point where I thought I would scream. 

I don't know how much he said to others. I never asked. But he said enough to me and was bullying and intimidating enough that I became frightened, especially when I realized he carried a gun. 

Eventually, on one occasion, he threatened me with it. One bitterly cold Sunday after church, I went home and fell across our bed, not even taking off my overcoat. I cried out to the Lord. I wept audibly until I could not cry another tear. I had come to my wit's end. I was exhausted, trying everything I knew to do to bring about a change. 

Nothing changed! This man had a heart like King Ahasuerus. There is no wall so strong that Almighty God is not stronger still. There is no will so stubborn that He is not able to soften it. If God can change the heart of an Ahasuerus, He can change any heart---any heart! 

Read that again. You who live your days intimidated and threatened, anxious over the falling of the next shoe, listen to this counsel! God is able to take the heart of anyone and change it, just as He did with the heart of this king. Yes, anyone.

Psalms 118:6

The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?

Work From Your Heart

An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer contractor of his plans to leave the house building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife enjoying his extended family. He would miss the paycheck, but he needed to retire. They could get by. 

The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said yes, but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end a dedicated career. 

 When the carpenter finished his work the employer came to inspect the house. He handed the front-door key to the carpenter. 'This is your house,' he said, 'my gift to you.' 

The carpenter was shocked! What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently. 

So it is with us. We build our lives, a day at a time, often putting less than our best into the building. Then with a shock we realize we have to live in the house we have built. 

If we could do it over, we'd do it much differently. But we cannot go back. You are the carpenter. Each day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. 'Life is a do-it-yourself project,' someone has said. Your attitudes and the choices you make today, build the 'house' you live in tomorrow. Build wisely! - Author Unknown -

Calm, Wise and Confident

by Charles R. Swindoll Read Esther 5:1--3 

No king has ever intimidated God, no matter how wealthy his treasury, how extensive his kingdom, or how powerful his armies. God can handle anyone. Anyone! 

He can handle your husband. He can handle your wife. He can handle your kids. He can handle your pastor. He can handle the person who gives you grief. He can handle your ex-mate, that person who made you all those promises and broke most of them. He can even handle your enemy. He can handle the most intimidating situation, because in the hand of the Lord, any heart is like water. 

Esther walks in that confidence. Look at her. She doesn't cringe and cower; she stands. Esther stood in front of the king's rooms. "The king saw Esther the queen standing" (emphasis mine.) She's not trembling. Though she's doing what's never been done before, she is standing tall, confident in the Lord. And when the king saw her standing in the court, she obtained favor in his sight, and he extended his golden scepter to her. 

Remember, without that gesture from the king, she would die. And now, confident, she touches the top of the scepter, making a connection with the king. "Then the king said to her, 'What is troubling you, Queen Esther? And what is your request? Even to half of the kingdom it shall be given to you' " (Esther 5:3). 

I love that. Esther doesn't know what to expect, and the king says simply, "What's on your mind? What's troubling you?" In fact, he goes further. He says, "What can I do for you? Name it. There's no limit; it's yours." 

Now this is her moment to bring down the roof on Haman---but she doesn't. Not now. This is a wise woman who understands the value of timing. She isn't in a hurry, nor is she revengeful. You know why? She has been waiting on the Lord. 

We get in a hurry when we don't wait on the Lord. We jump ahead and do rash things. We shoot from the hip. We run off at the mouth, saying things that we later regret. But when we have sufficiently waited on the Lord, He gets full control of our spirit. At such moments, we're like a glove, and His hand is moving us wherever He pleases. Having known that experience, I can testify, there's nothing to compare it to. It's marvelous! Wait on the Lord.

The Power of Encouragement

The power of encouragement comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, He brings us alongside someone elsewho is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us.~~ 2 Corinthians 1:4 ~~ 

Do you delight in the victories of others? You should. Each day provides countless opportunities to encourage others and to praise their good works. When you do so, you spread seeds of joy and happiness. 

American poet Ella Wheeler Wilcox advised, "Talk happiness. The world is sad enough without your woe." 

Her words still apply. Life is a team sport, and all of us need occasional pats on the back from our teammates. 

So, let us be cheerful with smiles on our faces and encouraging words on our lips. By blessing others, we also bless ourselves, and, when we do, God smiles.

 Giving encouragement to others is a most welcome gift, for the results of it are lifted spirits, increased self-worth and a hopeful future. Florence Littauer

Old-Fashioned Potato Salad

Ingredients

1 cup water
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/4 cup vinegar
2 eggs
1/4 cup sugar
4 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon salt
3 stalks celery, diced
3/4 cup salad dressing
3/4 cup heavy cream, whipped
6 lbs red potatoes, peeled,cooked and diced
1 1/2 cups chopped onions
1/4 cup green onion, sliced
1/2 teaspoon pepper
salt
diced green pepper (optional)
paprika (to garnish)

Directions:

In top of a double boiler over boiling water, heat water, butter and vinegar. In bowl, beat eggs, add sugar and cornstarch. Add to butter mixture, cook and stir constantly until thick, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool.

Stir in the salad dressing and fold in the whipped cream. In a large bowl, toss the potatoes, onions and green onions, celery, green pepper if using, salt and pepper. Pour dressing over, toss and mix gently. Chill. Garnish with sliced hard cooked eggs and paprika.

Calico Baked Beans

Ingredients:

1 lg. can green lima beans
1 lg. can red kidney beans
1 lg. can baked beans
6 slices bacon, fried and cut up (may substitute 1/2 lb. pork sausage or ground beef)
1 1/2 c. chopped onion
1/2 c. vinegar
3/4 c. brown sugar
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. dry mustard
1 clove minced garlic (optional)
1/2 c. catsup

Directions: Combine all beans in large casserole. Fry 6 slices bacon, drain and cut up. Add onion and fry briefly. Add remaining ingredients. Mix well and add to beans. Bake at 350 degrees, uncovered, for 1 1/2 hours.

Foiled Herbed Vegetables

Ingredients:

2 foot strip heavy-duty aluminum foil

1 small onion, sliced thinly

3 C. broccoli florets or entire head

2 medium carrots, sliced thinly

2 medium zucchini and/or yellow summer squash

1 t. dried basil

1 teaspoon garlic salt

2 ice cubes

2 T. butter

1 T. olive oil

Directions: Center vegetables on foil. Sprinkle with seasonings. Top with ice cubes, margarine and olive oil. Bring up foil sides. Double-fold top and ends to seal, making one large foil packet, leaving room for heat circulation inside. Grill over medium-high coals 15-20 minutes in covered grill.

Makes 4-6 servings.

Lemon Iced Tea

Ingredients:

2 large lemons

1 1/4 cups sugar

2 cups fresh mint leaves, plus more for garnish

6 black tea bags

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

Directions: Using a vegetable peeler, remove bright yellow peel from lemons.

Combine lemon peel and sugar in a medium saucepan with 1/2 cup water and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Lower heat and simmer 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in mint. Cool to room temperature; strain.

Steep the tea bags in 4 cups of boiling water, covered, for 5 minutes. Then remove tea bags. Stir in syrup, lemon juice, 4 cups cold water, and ice cubes. Serve in tall glasses filled with ice and a few mint leaves.

Yield: Makes 8 servings (serving size: 8 ounces)

Peace in the Midst of the Storm

When the world that I've been living in collapses at my feet

 When my life is shattered and torn 

Though I'm windswept and battered, 

I can cling to His cross 

And find peace in the midst of the storm 

 

There is peace in the midst of my storm-tossed life 

Oh, there's an anchor, there's a rock to cast my faith upon 

Jesus rides in my vessel, so I'll fear no alarm 

He gives me peace in the midst of my storm 

 

When in twenty-four short hours, 

Years of living are brought to moments 

And when life's final picture is taking form 

In the dark room of my suff'ring 

There's a light comes shining through! (shining through)

 He gives me peace in the midst of my storm

Psalms 95

1 O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. 

2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. 

3 For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. 

4 In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. 

5 The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. 

 6 O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker. 

7 For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.

Not Forgotten

by Charles R. Swindoll Read Esther 2:1--7 

God's presence is not as intriguing as His absence. 

His voice is not as eloquent as His silence. 

Who of us has not longed for a word from God, searched for a glimpse of His power, or yearned for the reassurance of His presence, only to feel that He seems absent for the moment? Distant. Preoccupied. Maybe even unconcerned.Yet later, we realize how very present He was all along. 

Though God may at times seem distant, and though He is invisible to us, He is always invincible. 

This is the main lesson of the book of Esther. Though absent by name from the pages of this particular book of Jewish history, God is present in every scene and in the movement of every event, until He ultimately and finally brings everything to a marvelous climax as He proves Himself Lord of His people, the Jews. 

Mordecai was a descendant of one of those exiled Jews. He was a godly man, and his most significant role was his relationship to Esther. Esther, which is this young woman's Persian name, means "star." This seems appropriate, since she is truly the star of the show, the heroine of the story. The immortal, invisible, all-wise hand of God is working behind the scenes, hidden from human eyes. 

Only such a gracious and all-knowing Being would have His hand on some forgotten orphan, a little girl who had lost her mother and father and was left to be raised by her cousin Mordecai. 

There is a beautiful message here for anyone who has ever experienced brokenness, for anyone who has ever been crushed by life, for anyone who has ever felt that his past is so discolored, so disjointed, so fractured that there is no way in the world God can make reason and meaning out of it. 

We are going to learn some unforgettable lessons from Esther. Here was a little girl who must have cried her heart out at the death of her parents, bereft and orphaned, yet who, years later, would become key to the very survival of her people, the Jews. God and God alone can do such things---

He, in fact, does do such things, working silently and invisibly behind the events of history. And he is working quietly behind the scenes of your life too.