The Anchor Holds

By Ray Boltz

I have journeyed through the long, dark night 

Out on the open sea,

By faith alone, sight unknown, 

And yet His eyes were watching me.
 

Chorus:

The Anchor holds, though the ship is battered.

The Anchor holds, though the sails are torn.

Well I have fallen on my knees, as I faced the raging sea,

But the Anchor holds, in spite of the storm.

I've had visions and I've had dreams; 

Well I've even held them in my hands,

But I never knew those dreams could slip right through 

Like they were only grains of sand.



Now I have been young, but I am older now.

O and there has been beauty these eyes have seen;

But it was in the night, when I faced the storms of my life.

Oh, that's where God proved His love to me.

The Haven of Rest

By Henry L. Gilmour  

My soul in sad exile was out on life’s sea, 

So burdened with sin and distressed, 

Till I heard a sweet voice, saying,

 “Make Me your choice”;

 And I entered the “Haven of Rest”! 

 

 I’ve anchored my soul in the “Haven of Rest,” 

I’ll sail the wide seas no more; 

The tempest may sweep over wild, stormy, deep, 

In Jesus I’m safe evermore. 

 

I yielded myself to His tender embrace, 

In faith taking hold of the Word, 

My fetters fell off, and I anchored my soul; 

The “Haven of Rest” is my Lord. 

 

 The song of my soul, since the Lord made me whole, 

Has been the old story so blest, 

Of Jesus, who’ll save whosoever will have 

A home in the “Haven of Rest.” 

 

How precious the thought that we all may recline, 

Like John, the beloved so blest, 

On Jesus’ strong arm, where no tempest can harm, 

Secure in the “Haven of Rest.” 

 

Oh, come to the Savior, He patiently waits 

To save by His power divine; 

Come, anchor your soul in the “Haven of Rest,” 

And say, “My Beloved is mine."

We Have An Anchor

by Charles R. Swindoll Hebrews 6:19

The word picture of an anchor is used often in ancient literature, but it's used only once in the New Testament in picturing hope as an anchor for our soul. Lots of hymns and gospel songs make use of this anchor metaphor. Every one of them comes back to Hebrews 6:19: "This hope we have as an anchor of the soul . . ." 

 

There's something beautiful in this word picture that I would have missed without the insight of one very capable scholar: 

 

The picture is that of an ancient sailing vessel finding its way through the narrow entrance to a harbor. This was one of the trickiest maneuvers the captain of a ship had to make. As his ship moved through the opening, he had to guard against a gust of wind running it onto a reef or a sandbar. The skeleton of many a ship could be seen on the rocks, giving testimony to the fact that its captain had failed his navigation test. 

 

To minimize the risk, the olden-day skipper would lower the ship's anchor into a smaller boat, which would then be rowed through the narrow entrance of the harbor. The anchor would then be dropped and this ship, with sails down, would be pulled past the obstacles, through the narrow opening and into the safety of the harbor.¹ 

 

The point of all of this, of course, is not anchors and skippers, ships and harbors. The point is this: That is exactly what Jesus Christ does when the bottom of life drops out. Look closely at the verse:

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil. (v. 19) 

 

The imagery of that verse may not be clear at first glance. Let me put it in today's terms. In the days of the Tabernacle, the Hebrews gathered around it and within it as a place of worship. Within the Tabernacle were veils; behind the innermost veil was the holiest place on earth, the place we might call the "God-room." In this God-room, the light (it was actually called the shekinah) of God resided. It's my understanding that the light of God was a brilliant, blazing radiance that shone down into the God-room. Within that room was an ark, or a small chest, much lower and smaller than most pulpits. On top of that chest was a grail, with golden cherubim on either end (angel-like creatures with their wings folded in front of them). That entire piece of unique furniture was too holy for words. 

 

Once a year, the high priest of the Israelites would enter that God-room with a small pan of blood which, precisely as God required it in the Law, he poured out on the grail (which was called the "mercy seat") there between the golden cherubim. God, witnessing the spilling of the blood and pleased with the sacrifice that had been made correctly by the priest, graciously forgave the Hebrew people for their sin. It was an annual event, the most sacred of all events. The Hebrews must have held their breath as the high priest went in with the pan, poured the blood, and came out of this room where God dwelled. The first-century Jews who read this word veil in Hebrews 6 understood all that. Look closely:

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. (vv. 19-20) 

 

In other words, our Savior has gone through life, has taken all of life's beatings and buffetings, and has gone before us. And now? Now He pulls us toward Himself! He invites His followers within the veil. He says, "Come in. Find healing for your stress fractures. Find here the rest that you need, the relief from the burdens and buffetings of doubt." 

 

Doubt, you see, will always try to convince you, You are all alone. No one else knows. Or cares. No one else really can enter in and help you with this. In Hebrews, however, the writer says that Christ is a constant priest---not once a year, but forever. He lives in the God-room. He is there, sitting alongside the Father, representing your needs to Him. And, child of God, there is nothing so great for you to endure that He does not feel touched by it and stay by you through it. 

 

 1. Walter A. Henrichsen, After the Sacrifice (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1979), 83.

Excerpted from Stress Fractures, copyright © 1990 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide

October

O hushed October morning mild, 

Thy leaves have ripened to the fall; 

Tomorrow's wind, if it be wild, 

Should waste them all. 

The crows above the forest call; 

Tomorrow they may form and go. 

O hushed October morning mild, 

Begin the hours of this day slow. 

Make the day seem to us less brief. 

Hearts not averse to being beguiled, 

Beguile us in the way you know. 

Release one leaf at break of day; 

At noon release another leaf; 

One from our trees, one far away." 

 - Robert Frost

Short and Sweet

by Charles R. Swindoll 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! Excerpted from Day by Day with Charles Swindoll, Copyright © 2000 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. (Thomas Nelson Publishers).

Chicken Salad with Grapes and Pecans

"This recipe was inspired by a favorite dish served at the former Sweetbriar restaurant in Gadsden, Alabama," says reader Linda Banning. Serve it with assorted crackers and grapes for a filling lunch or a delicious brunch contribution.

Yield: Makes 4 servings

Ingredients
1/2 cup light or regular mayonnaise
1/2 cup light or regular sour cream
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 pounds skinned and boned chicken breasts, cooked and chopped
3 cups red and white seedless grapes, halved
1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
Lettuce leaves (optional)

Preparation
1. Stir together 1/2 cup mayonnaise and next 4 ingredients in a large bowl. Add chopped chicken and grapes, tossing gently to coat. Cover and chill at least 1 hour. Stir in pecans just before serving. Serve in stemware lined with lettuce leaves, if desired.

Linda Banning, Decatur, Alabama, Southern Living, AUGUST 2006

Cream Cheese Brownies

Courtesy of Cooking Light Magazine

Yield: 16 servings (serving size: 1 brownie)

Ingredients
Filling:
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup (3 ounces) 1/3-less-fat cream cheese, softened
2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg white

Brownies:
Cooking spray
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/4 cup butter or stick margarine, melted
1 tablespoon water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg
2 large egg whites
3 tablespoons raspberry preserves

Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°.

To prepare the filling, beat the first 5 ingredients at medium speed of a mixer until well-blended, and set aside.

To prepare the brownies, coat the bottom of an 8-inch baking pan with cooking spray (do not coat the sides of the pan). Lightly spoon 3/4 cup flour into dry measuring cups, and level with a knife. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Combine 1 cup sugar and the next 6 ingredients (1 cup sugar through the 2 egg whites), stirring well with a whisk. Add to the flour mixture, stirring just until moist. Spread two-thirds of batter in bottom of prepared pan.

Pour filling over batter, spreading evenly. Carefully drop the remaining batter and preserves by spoonfuls over filling; swirl together using the tip of a knife to marble. Bake at 350° for 40 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out almost clean. Cool on a wire rack.

James 5:16

James 5:16 (King James Version)

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Life, Love, Chocolate

An entry I read on a favorite blog caught my eye. It was the morning of his ninth wedding anniversary. Not having a lot of money, the writer ran out to get his wife, Heidi, their favorite French pastry—pain au chocolate. 

After sprinting several miles, he arrived home, exhausted, to find her in the kitchen just pulling a chocolate-filled croissant out of the oven. It was pain au chocolat. 

 That husband, Jeff, compared his life with Heidi to the lives of the people in O. Henry’s short story “Gift of the Magi.” It tells of a man who sold his lone possession of value—a pocket watch—to buy hair combs for his wife, who had sold her long, beautiful hair to buy a gold chain for his watch. Having no money concerns would be great—but realizing the immeasurable value of the people we care about is more important. 

We sometimes need a reminder that acquiring “things” is not nearly as important as appreciating the people God has placed in our lives. When we practice putting others’ interests before our own (Phil. 2:3-4), we learn what it means to love, serve, and sacrifice. 

In fact, that’s how we pattern Christ in our relationships (Eph. 5:1-2). Life, love, and chocolate taste better when shared with others. — Cindy Hess Kasper 

 I want to share with those I love The highest joy I’m thinking of, Not just what brightens all their days But what will give God highest praise. —Hess 

Love is never afraid of giving too much Courtesy of Our Daily Bread

25 Secrets of Endless Love

1. We remember the moments in life, not the days.
2. Face-to-face conversations don't work by phone.
3. Gifts are not a substitute for caring.
4. People are not yo-yos. Drop them, and they may not return.
5. When kids are ready to talk, be ready to listen.
6. An ounce of love outweighs a pound of promises.
7. You can prepare your children for life, but you can't live it for them.
8. Uncles and aunts are the parents who didn't give birth to you.
9. A strong marriage is the union of two staunch individualists.
10. Turning your back and walking away ends more than just a conversation.
11. Marrying for money is a high price to pay.
12. Yell at your children and get the same in return.
13. If you take things for granted, you won't have them for very long.
14. Caring should be demonstrated 365 days a year, not just on holidays.
15. A well-fed child can still be starved for affection.
16. The most important things a child can inherit are fond memories.
17. Sharing an hour of memories with an elder is often better than a week's worth of medicine.
18. The two greatest time savers are saying, "I don't know" and "I was wrong."
19. Watch your children grow, and they will teach you what you've taught them.
20. Never go to bed before settling an argument.
21. There's a difference between nurturing your children and smothering them.
22. Relationships are built on the little things.
23. If we give our children everything, we deprive them of aspirations.
24. Celebrate holidays as a family.
25. Never stop courting your spouse.

Stillness

Be still, and know that I am God....~~ Psalm 46:10 KJV ~~ 

 Are you so busy that you rush through the day with scarcely a single moment for quiet contemplation and prayer? If so, it's time to reorder your priorities. 

 If we are to maintain righteous minds and compassionate hearts, we must take time each day for prayer and for meditation. 

We must make ourselves still in the presence of our Creator. 

We must quiet our minds and our hearts so that we might sense God's will, God's love, and God's Son. 

Has the busy pace of life robbed you of the peace that might otherwise be yours through Jesus Christ? Nothing is more important than the time you spend with your Savior. 

So be still and claim the inner peace that is your spiritual birthright: the peace of Jesus Christ.

 A Woman of Prayer - 365 daily devotions, Freeman-Smith LLC, Publisher

Lemon Bar Trifle

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup butter, melted

LEMON LAYER:

1-1/2 cups sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1-3/4 cups cold water
3 egg yolks, beaten
2/3 cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons butter
4 teaspoons grated lemon peel



CREAM CHEESE LAYER:

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
3 cups confectioners' sugar
1 carton (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed

Directions: In a small bowl, combine flour and pecans; stir in butter. Press into an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Bake at 350° for 18-20 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.

In a small heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, cornstarch and flour. Stir in water until smooth. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat. Stir a small amount of hot mixture into egg yolks; return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat. Gently stir in the lemon juice, butter and lemon peel. Transfer to a bowl. Cool to room temperature without stirring. Cover surface with waxed paper; refrigerate until chilled.

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and confectioners' sugar until smooth. Fold in whipped topping. Crumble the baked pecan mixture; set aside 1/2 cup for topping. Just before serving, in a 3-qt. trifle bowl, layer 1 cup each pecan mixture, lemon mixture and cream cheese mixture. Repeat layers twice. Sprinkle with reserved pecan mixture. Refrigerate leftovers. Yield: 9 servings.

BBQ Chicken and Strawberry Salad

Ingredients
4 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves
(1 lb.) 1/2 cup KRAFT Original Barbecue Sauce
1 pkg. (10 oz.) mixed salad greens
2 cups fresh strawberries, cut in half
1/2 cup sliced red onions
1/2 cup KRAFT Light Ranch Dressing

Directions

HEAT greased grill to medium-high heat.

GRILL chicken 10 min. on each side or until done (170F), turning and brushing occasionally with barbecue sauce. Cut into strips.

COVER plate with greens; top with berries, onions and chicken.

TOP with dressing.

NotesKraft Kitchens Tips:

Substitute - Substitute blueberries or blackberries for the halved strawberries.

Special Extra - Brush French bread slices with KRAFT Tuscan House Italian Dressing and Marinade. Add to grill for the last few minutes of the chicken grilling time. Grill until toasted on both sides. Serve with the salad.

A New Sense of Joy

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. ~~ Matthew 11:29-30 ~~  

Even the most inspired Christian women can, from time to time, find themselves running on empty. 

The demands of daily life can drain us of our strength and rob us of the joy that is rightfully ours in Christ. 

Are you tired or troubled? Turn your heart toward God in prayer. Are you weak or worried? Take the time -- or, more accurately, make the time -- to delve deeply into God's Holy Word. 

 Are you spiritually depleted? Call upon fellow believers to support you, and call upon Christ to renew your spirit and your life. When you do, you'll discover that the Creator of the universe stands always ready and always able to create a new sense of wonderment and joy in you. 

But while relaxation is one thing, refreshment is another.We need to drink frequently and at length from God's fresh springs, to spend time in the Scripture, time in fellowship with Him, time worshiping Him. ~~ Ruth Bell Graham ~~

Do You Need Wisdom?

James 1:5 

 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Balance

by Charles R. Swindoll 1 Kings 9:3-5 

Both adversity and prosperity confront our equilibrium, but prosperity is perhaps the more challenging test. 

Today we look at another biblical person who rose to the top and kept his balance. The classic example is David. According to the last three verses of Psalm 78: [God] also chose David His servant And took him from the sheepfolds; From the care of the ewes with suckling lambs He brought him To shepherd Jacob His people, And Israel His inheritance. So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart,And guided them with his skillful hands.(Psalm 78:70-72, emphasis added) 

As Jehovah scanned the Judean landscape in search of Saul's successor, He found a youth in his mid-teens who possessed a unique combination: the humility of a servant, the heart of a shepherd, and the hands of skill. And by his thirtieth birthday, Jesse's youngest son held the premier office in the nation. King. At his fingertips were a vast treasury, unlimited privileges, and enormous power. And how did he handle such prosperity?

Read that final verse again. He shepherded the nation "according to the integrity of his heart." In spite of his limitations and imperfections, he was one of the few who passed the test of prosperity. 

Are you? If so, when you give your word, you do it. Exactly as you said you would. Because integrity means you are verbally trustworthy. Furthermore, when bills come due, you pay them. Because integrity means you are financially dependable. Also, when you're tempted to mess around with an illicit affair, you resist. Because integrity means you are morally pure. You don't fudge because you're able to cover your tracks. Neither do you fake it because you're now a big shot. 

Being successful doesn't give anybody the right to call wrong right. Or the okay to say something's okay if it isn't okay. Adversity or prosperity, both are tough tests on our balance. To stay balanced through prosperity---ah, that demands integrity. The swift wind of compromise is a lot more devastating than the sudden jolt of misfortune. That's why walking on a wire is harder than standing up in a storm. Height has a strange way of disturbing our balance.  

Excerpted from Come Before Winter and Share My Hope, Copyright © 1985, 1994 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission

Reach For His Hand

The Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you.~~Deuteronomy 31:8 ~~ 

 Once many years ago when I was going through a dark period I prayed and prayed, but the heavens seemed to be brass. I felt as though God had disappeared and that I was alone with my trial and burden. It was a dark night for my soul. 

I wrote my mother about the experience and will never forget her reply: "Son, there are many times when God withdraws to test your faith. He wants you to trust Him in the darkness. Now, Son, reach up by faith in the fog and you will find that His hand will be there." 

In tears I knelt by my bed and experienced an overwhelming sense of God's presence.Whether or not we feel God's presence when our way seems dark, by faith we know He is there. You can stake your life on His promise: "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5). The Reverend Billy Graham

Think with Discernment

by Charles R. Swindoll Proverbs 3:21-22; Philippians 1:9-10 

Discernment is essential. Undiscerning love spawns and invites more heresy than any of us are ready to believe. 

One of the tactics of survival when facing "the flaming arrows of the evil one" (Ephesians 6:16) is to make certain we have cinched up the belt of truth rather tightly around ourselves. 

And what helps us do battle with the enemy also strengthens us in relationships with friends. 

A Christian without discernment is like a submarine in a harbor plowing full speed ahead without radar or periscope. Or a loaded 747 trying to land in dense fog without instruments or radio. Lots of noise, a great deal of power, good intentions, until . . . bam! Disaster. It happens day in, day out . . . with frightening regularity. 

Do I hear you say you want discernment but don't know where to go to find it? Go to your knees. James 1:5 promises wisdom to those who ask for it. Go to the Word. Psalm 119:98-100 offers insight beyond our fondest dreams. Go to the wise. Discernment is better caught than taught. Those who have the disease are often highly contagious. This offer is good throughout life and comes with a satisfaction-guaranteed clause. All are welcome to apply.

Faith

Faith is not a storm cellar to which men and women can flee for refuge from the storms of life. It is, instead, an inner force that gives them the strength to face those storms and their consequences with serenity of spirit. ~ Sam J. Ervin, Jr. ~

Master

There is a thread of truth woven through the opinions of man, but the truth of the Master Weaver is absolute. ~by Roger C. Hall~

Bread Pudding

Courtesy of Paula Deen

Ingredients:

2 cups granulated sugar
5 large beaten eggs
2 cups milk
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
3 cups cubed Italian bread, allow to stale overnight in a bowl
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, softened
1 cup chopped pecans

For the sauce:

1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
1 egg, beaten
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 13 by 9 by 2-inch pan.
Mix together granulated sugar, eggs, and milk in a bowl; add vanilla. Pour over cubed bread and let sit for 10 minutes.

In another bowl, mix and crumble together brown sugar, butter, and pecans.
Pour bread mixture into prepared pan. Sprinkle brown sugar mixture over the top and bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until set. Remove from oven.

For the sauce:

Mix together the granulated sugar, butter, egg, and vanilla in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir together until the sugar is melted. Pour over bread pudding. Serve warm or cold.

Beatty's Chocolate Cake Recipe

Cake Ingredients:

Butter, for greasing the pans

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pans

2 cups sugar

3/4 cups good cocoa powder

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 cup buttermilk, shaken

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 cup freshly brewed hot coffee

Chocolate Buttercream, recipe follows

Cake Directions:

1) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter 2 (8-inch) round cake pans. Line with parchment paper, then butter and flour the pans.

2) Sift the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and mix on low speed until combined. In another bowl, combine the buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry. With mixer still on low, add the coffee and stir just to combine, scraping the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Pour the batter into the prepared pans and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until a cake tester comes out clean. Cool in the pans for 30 minutes, then turn them out onto a cooling rack and cool completely.

3) Place 1 layer, flat side up, on a flat plate or cake pedestal. With a knife or offset spatula, spread the top with frosting. Place the second layer on top, rounded side up, and spread the frosting evenly on the top and sides of the cake.

Buttercream Frosting Ingredients:

6 ounces good semisweet chocolate (recommended: Callebaut)

1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 extra-large egg yolk, at room temperature

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 1/4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar

1 tablespoon instant coffee powder

Buttercream Frosting Directions:

1) Chop the chocolate and place it in a heat-proof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Stir until just melted and set aside until cooled to room temperature.

2) In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium-high speed until light yellow and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the egg yolk and vanilla and continue beating for 3 minutes. Turn the mixer to low, gradually add the confectioners' sugar, then beat at medium speed, scraping down the bowl as necessary, until smooth and creamy. Dissolve the coffee powder in 2 teaspoons of the hottest tap water. On low speed, add the chocolate and coffee to the butter mixture and mix until blended. Don't whip! Spread immediately on the cooled cake.

Makes 8 servings

Recipe via Barefoot Contessa at Home by Ina Garten

Thought for Today

"Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections but instantly set about remedying them -- every day begin the task anew." Saint Francis de Sales

Whole Wheat Bread or Rolls

Ingredients:

2 tbsp. yeast

2 c. lukewarm water (16 oz.)

1/4 c. honey (2 oz.)

3/4 c. olive oil (6 oz.)

2 fresh eggs

6 c. whole wheat flour

2 tsp. salt

Dissolve yeast in water and honey for about 5 minutes. Place all ingredients in mixing bowl and knead until it loosens from sides of the bowl. Place in large oiled bowl, cover and let rise until about double. Be sure it is in a warm place. Remove and shape into loaves, rolls, or buns.

Bake at about 375 degrees until browned

Vegetable Beef Soup

Courtesy of Lady & Sons (Paula Deen)

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons vegetable oil (if using chuck roast)
2 1/2 to 3 pounds beef short ribs or 2 1/2 to 3 pounds boneless chuck roast*
4 quarts cold water
1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 1/2 cups chopped onion
3 tablespoons dried parsley
2 tablespoons beef bouillon granules
1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon House Seasoning, recipe follows
1 tablespoon seasoned salt, plus extra for seasoning
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon celery salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus extra for seasoning
2 bay leaves
1 cup thinly sliced carrots
1 cup diced celery
1 cup sliced green beans, fresh or canned
1 cup frozen black-eyed peas
1 cup frozen butter beans
1 cup cut okra, fresh or frozen
1 cup corn kernels, fresh or canned
1 cup diced potatoes
1/2 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
Chopped fresh parsley leaves

Directions:

If using chuck roast, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place the roast in the skillet and cook until browned on both sides, about 5 minutes per side. Remove the roast from the skillet and cut it into 1 1/2 to 2-inch cubes; discard the fat. Place the beef cubes in a large stockpot. (If using short ribs, you can put them right in the pot with no preparation).

Add the water, tomatoes, onions, dried parsley, beef bouillon, dried Italian seasoning, House Seasoning, seasoned salt, Worcestershire sauce, celery salt, garlic powder, black pepper and bay leaves. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cover the pot; reduce the heat so that the liquid simmers, and cook for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until the meat is very tender. If using short ribs, remove them from the pot and cut the meat from the bones, discard the bones and fat, and return the meat to the pot. Add the remaining vegetables and the macaroni and return the soup to a boil, stirring to distribute the ingredients. Reduce the heat and simmer for 45 minutes. Just before serving, season with salt and pepper and add fresh chopped parsley. To remove excess fat from the surface of the soup, swirl a lettuce leaf around the surface—it will pick up a lot of the fat.

*The chuck roast will yield more meat, but the bones from the short ribs give the soup an incredible flavor.

House Seasoning:

1 cup salt
1/4 cup black pepper

Flying the Flag of Joy

by Charles R. Swindoll Proverbs 15:13, 15 

 Solomon left us many statements about the value of joy in his book of Proverbs. 

Yesterday we read: "A joyful heart is good medicine, / But a broken spirit dries up the bones" (Proverbs 17:22). 

Take a quick look at a couple more: "A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, / But when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken" (15:13); and "a cheerful heart has a continual feast" (15:15). 

There is no more effective testimony of a changed life than a winsome spirit. The joy that oozes from that kind of person is contagious. Christians talk a lot about love and faith and hope, but we often fail to emphasize the value of joy. 

How strange! Especially since it appears next to the top of the list in the fruit of the Spirit, remember? "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23). 

If God handed out ribbons to those who bear the right fruit, those who demonstrate love on a regular basis would win the blue . . . and those who model joy would wear the red. Laughter that pours out of a joyful heart is one of the most delightful of all sounds on earth. God loves it! As someone once said, "Joy is the flag flying high above the castle of the heart, announcing that the King is in residence there." (Read that again.) 

So, let's lighten up. Let's allow ourselves to rest and relax more often during spontaneous segments of each day, filling those moments with a little fun. Let's stop suppressing our laughter (remember those "hips" from yesterday's devotional!). Let's remind ourselves that a healthy and well-exercised sense of humor is as much a mark of spirituality as being faithful in prayer and being committed to the truths of Scripture. It's time to unwrap that flag, raise it to the top of the mast, and fly it high.

Priorities of Spiritual Nourishment

by Charles R. Swindoll 1 Timothy 4:6; Psalm 55:22 

No one can deny the importance of nutrition. Our level of energy, our ability to cope with life's challenges, and even our mental attitude are directly linked to the proper intake of the right foods eaten regularly and in proper amounts. 

We've all experienced times when we have not eaten a balanced diet or we've eaten too many sweets or we've been in a hurry and completely skipped a meal.

Invariably, we have endured the consequences of feeling sick, light-headed, and occasionally depressed, or we became irritated and jumpy, sometimes we got a little shaky---in our family, we call that "getting the jitters."

 It's the body's way of letting us know that it's lacking nourishment. It's a fact: "optimal health requires optimal nutrition." The same is true spiritually speaking. Without sufficient and regular nutrition, our inner life begins to suffer the consequences. Our souls long to be fed, nourished, and energized on a regular basis. When we fail to set aside time to absorb healthy spiritual food, it isn't long before the consequences kick in . . . and it's not a pretty sight. 

We start to operate in the flesh rather than under the control of God's Spirit. We get shallow and selfish, more demanding and less gentle, quick to react impatiently, rashly, angrily. These are all signs of inner malnutrition. 

For the next few moments let's think about what's needed to maintain a healthy level of spiritual nutrition. It isn't rocket science. 

1. We need a regular diet of God's Word. Just as we must eat each day, so we must take the time to read the Scriptures each day. Our souls must be "nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine" (1 Timothy 4:6). 

 2. We need to pray regularly. In reading the Bible, God speaks to us; in prayer, we speak to Him. Prayer helps us realign our lives to the Lord's timing and direction. It also shifts the load off our shoulders and onto His. David wrote, "Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you" (Psalm 55:22). 

3. We need time to be still, to meditate on the things of God. Such moments of quietness calm our nerves, clear our thinking, and enable us to refocus. 

After directing Joshua to structure his life around God's truth, the Lord added, "you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it" (Joshua 1:8). 

Tragically, meditation is a lost art of the twenty-first century. How few truly take time to "cease striving and know that [He is] God" (Psalm 46:10). How seldom do we make deliberate plans "to do according to all" that we have observed.

How to Use Apples

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roast a juicy chicken: The next time you roast a chicken, stuff an apple inside the bird before placing it in the roasting pan. When it's done cooking, toss the apple. Your roasted chicken will be juicy and delicious.

 

Keep cakes fresh: A simple way to extend the life of a homemade or store bought cake is to store it with half an apple. It helps the cake maintain its moisture considerably longer than just storing it in the fridge.

Ripen green tomatoes: You can quickly ripen green tomatoes by placing them in a paper bag with a ripe apple for a couple of days. For best results, use one apple per five or six tomatoes. 

 

Fluff up hardened brown sugar: Place an apple wedge in a ziplock bag with hardened brown sugar. Put the tightly sealed bag in a dry place for a day or two and your sugar will once again be soft enough to use.

Absorb salt in soups and stews: If you overdo the salt, just drop a few apple wedges in the pot. Cook for another ten minutes or so and remove the apple wedges, along with the excess salt. 

 

Keep cookies soft: Place a couple of slices of apples in your cookie jar. Your cookies will stay soft for quite a bit longer than they normally do.

The Washing of Water...with the Word

by Charles R. Swindoll Psalm 51:1-10  

When our four children were young, we often spent our vacation weeks each summer camping together. We owned one of those tent campers on wheels, which we pulled behind our car to various campsites. 

One of our favorite spots was located in a wooded state park. A river ran through it. Its cool, clear water gave us a place to swim and ride the rapids on old truck-tire inner tubes. A large, natural rock formation rose out of the water on the other side. 

We'd take turns jumping off those huge boulders into the cold, deep water---talk about fun! 

Our kids are all grown now, but those memories of camping together remain vivid in all our minds. The river water served another very practical purpose: by swimming each day, we didn't have to take a shower. I smile when I remember taking a bar of soap with us, as we'd walk down to the river. 

By the time we'd spent a couple hours in the water, we'd be squeaky clean. It always felt so good when we'd crawl into our sleeping bags in the camper after a long afternoon in the river. 

One of the many benefits of water is its cleansing ability---not only on our bodies but in them as well. We read of this in Paul's first-century letter to his friends in Ephesus. 

In Ephesians 5:25-26, he reminded them of how deeply Christ is committed to the church, the body of believers: "Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word." 

Just as clear, fresh water cleanses our bodies, God's written Word washes us clean deep down inside our souls. It purifies our thoughts, scrubs our motives, and cleans our conscience as we absorb it and obey its truths. 

Stop and read the first 10 verses of Psalm 51. Notice how many times David asked the Lord to cleanse him within. Linger at those references, and make each one of them your prayer today.

The Value of a Positive Attitude

by Charles R. Swindoll Philippians 2:3-5 

Several years ago I determined to deal with my attitude. I found myself getting pretty testy, even argumentative at times. Our children were young and often had needs that required my time and attention.

More often than I'd like to admit, that irritated me---to the point where my wife said I needed to think about how negative I was becoming, and then I needed to do something about it!

At first, like most husbands would, I resisted her words, but after giving them further thought, I realized that what she was observing was painfully true. To use a popular expression, I was in need of a serious attitude adjustment! I knew that if some of my emotional outbursts didn't stop, I'd not only alienate all four of my children, I would become a lonely, bitter, and crotchety old man.

The realization of all that led me to come to terms with my negative attitude. I am so grateful I did! Among other things, it led me to sit down and write out a carefully worded statement on the importance of choosing the right attitude every single day. I had no idea how God would use it in the lives of people around the world. I've come across it in the most amazing places---and I've had friends tell me of their seeing it in such places as restaurant menus and hanging on walls in machine shops and hearing it quoted in sales conferences, memorized by cadets preparing to be highway patrolmen, and learned by students in school. Here it is:
“Attitudes” Words can never adequately convey the incredible impact of our attitude toward life. The longer I live the more convinced I become that life is 10 percent what happens to us and 90 percent how we respond to it.

I believe the single most significant decision I can make on a day-to-day basis is my choice of attitude. It is more important than my past, my education, my bankroll, my successes or failures, fame or pain, what other people think of me or say about me, my circumstances, or my position. Attitude keeps me going or cripples my progress. It alone fuels my fire or assaults my hope. When my attitudes are right, there's no barrier too high, no valley too deep, no dream too extreme, no challenge too great for me.

I share this with you in hopes that it will help you as much as it has helped so many others, including me. Thankfully, I'm a different man today because I came to terms with my attitude a number of years ago. And because I did, as I grow older, I've became a lot easier to live with. Just ask my wife . . . and our kids . . . and their kids!