Goodbye 2010

I cannot believe we have come to the end of another year. Five more days and we will be celebrating 2011. As you reflect back upon 2010, what kind of year was it for you? For all of us, we experienced those moments of joy, sorrow, excitement, laughter, fun, disappointment, encouragement and – hopefully – Spiritual growth. I know all of this has been true in my own life.

I also know that during each of these moments I have felt the presence of God in my life. And, God delights to be a part of each of these moments as well. I could never have walked through 2010 without Him, and I know I cannot walk whatever journey God has for me in 2011 without him either.

As you look forward to 2011, consider the words of Psalm 121 and claim them as a promise from God to you, then walk this New Year with confidence knowing God is watching over you.

121 1 I look up to the mountains—
does my help come from there?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth!

3 He will not let you stumble;
the one who watches over you will not slumber.
4 Indeed, he who watches over Israel
never slumbers or sleeps.

5 The Lord himself watches over you!
The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.
6 The sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon at night.

7 The Lord keeps you from all harm
and watches over your life.
8 The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,
both now and forever.

“Father, thank you that I can confidently enter this New Year knowing you watch over me, you will not sleep, you will protect me, you will watch over me, you will keep me – now and forever – amen.”

Butternut Squash Gratin

Salt (to taste)
1 butternut squash (2-2-1/2 pounds) peeled, seeded, and cut grosswise into ½” half-moons.
½ c. chicken broth
1 Tbsp. butter, cut up
½ cup planko (Japanese-style bread crumbs)
½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 tsp. fresh thyme, chopped
¼ tsp. crushed red pepper

Preheat oven to 400. Grease 2-qt. dish. Sprinkle ¼ tsp. (or less) salt over all squash. In prepared baking dish, arrange squash in overlapping layers; pour broth into dish. Dot squash with butter. Cover tightly with foil and bake 35 minutes or until a knife pierces through squash with only slight resistance.

Meanwhile, in small bowl, combine panko, Parmesan, oil, thyme, red pepper, and ¼ (or less) tsp. salt until well mixed.

Uncover squash and sprinkle evenly with panko mixture. Bake, uncovered, 12-15 minutes longer or until crumbs are golden brown. Garnish with thyme springs.

JOSEPH’S STORY

At Christmastime we have no trouble viewing the birth of Christ through the eyes of Mary. A very young woman who sacrificed everything – her reputation, her family, her fiancé – for the sake of obeying her God and bearing a Child she did not conceive naturally. We sympathize with her, admire her, love her and lift her up – and rightly so.

How often have we stopped to think about what Joseph was dealing with? His fiancé was pregnant, and he was not the father. He had every right to put her away. Yet, he too was a godly man and obeys a Voice who spoke quietly to him. His story is found in Matthew and I would like to take a few minute for us to consider his thoughts. He too dealt with the pressures of the day in a way we cannot imagine. He had the added pressure of taking care of a woman, and her Child, while claiming them both as his own. I admire Joseph. A lot of responsibility was thrown on his young shoulders, yet he handled them all with grace and courage. I share this Scripture from The Message:

Matthew 1:18-25

18 The birth of Jesus took place like this. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. Before they came to the marriage bed, Joseph discovered she was pregnant. (It was by the Holy Spirit, but he didn't know that.) 19 Joseph, chagrined but noble, determined to take care of things quietly so Mary would not be disgraced.

20 While he was trying to figure a way out, he had a dream. God's angel spoke in the dream: "Joseph, son of David, don't hesitate to get married. Mary's pregnancy is Spirit-conceived. God's Holy Spirit has made her pregnant. 21 She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus — 'God saves' — because he will save his people from their sins." 22 This would bring the prophet's embryonic sermon to full term:

23 Watch for this — a virgin will get pregnant and bear a son;
They will name him Emmanuel (Hebrew for "God is with us").

24 Then Joseph woke up. He did exactly what God's angel commanded in the dream: He married Mary. 25 But he did not consummate the marriage until she had the baby. He named the baby Jesus.

How Joseph loved Mary. How Joseph loved his God. And, although Scripture does not tell us, I know Joseph loved Jesus as only a father can love his son.

Recipe for Friendship

2 cups of patience
1 heart full of love
2 handfuls of generosity
2 cups of loyalty
1 cup of understanding
dash of laughter

Mix ingredients well. Sprinkle generously over a lifetime. Serve everyone you meet.

Merry Christmas to all my Blog friends. Thank you for visiting my page. God bless you in the New Year.

WISDOM
(Recipe: Date Cookies)


I checked the calendar this morning. There are 12 days until Christmas. Many of you are still trying to find that “perfect” gift for your friend or loved one. How often during the Christmas season have we heard someone say, perhaps to you or another friend - “please give me a little wisdom on what I can buy ___?___.” I have said those same words to my children as I was trying to think of something to buy their dad.

What we are asking them is this. “HELP. I don’t have a clue here and I need some good advice!”

Sometimes their advice on what to buy is good, and we pick out that perfect gift which causes the person to say “ahhhhh, just what I wanted” – like the year I gave my husband his Kindle Reader. He absolutely LOVES it!

At other times, their advice on choice of gift has not been received quite as well. We realize too late we made a mistake and rather than hearing the words “ahhhhhh, good choice” we get the raised eyebrow, the confused expression, and a very cool “oh, thank you”. My advice – take seriously the words of wisdom you are given, and then pray before you act.

It’s a little different when we ask God for wisdom. James reminds us that when we ask God for wisdom, he gives it to us generously – James 1:5 reads – “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you.” Will his wisdom always be right? Yes. Will his wisdom always cause us to say, “ahhhhh, good choice?” Absolutely.

Again, we read in James 3:17 these powerful words – “But the WISDOM from above is first of all PURE. It is also PEACE LOVING, GENTLE at all times, and WILLING TO YIELD to others. It is full of MERCY and GOOD DEEDS. It shows NO FAVORITISM and is always SINCERE.”

Think about it. When I need wisdom; when I ask God for HIS wisdom; he gives me the best kind of wisdom. It is always pure (perfect). It leads to peace. It is gentle. It will cause me to live harmoniously with others. His wisdom extends mercy and leads to good deeds. AND God gives this wisdom to anyone who asks and it is given with a loving and sincere heart. I dare say, the advice and wise counsel I get from my friends can’t even begin to compare to this, for they give counsel out of their own experience and understanding. God gives wisdom out of his character and who he is –

El Shaddai – All Powerful God
El Olam – Eternal God
El Gibbor – The Mighty God
Yahweh-Yireh – The Lord who provides
Immanuel – The God who is always with us.

The next time you cry “Help – I need a little wisdom here” don’t go to your friend, rather go to the source who can give wisdom to you perfectly – Our Awesome, Almighty Heavenly Father – Jesus the Messiah, and he will give you wisdom generously!!

Date Cookies

1 cup shortening
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
3 eggs
4 cup flour
1 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
16 oz. package dates – either chopped or pitted and cut into pieces
1 cup white sugar
1 cup boiling water

Cream shortening and the first two sugars together. Beat in eggs. Add the dry ingredients and vanilla. Stir or beat until a soft dough. Refrigerate several hours.

Boil dates in water and sugar until thickened – cool

Divide dough into two or three sections. Roll out between wax paper. Divide date mixture between the sections of dough. Spread date mixture over dough. Roll up and wrap in wax paper. Chill.

Heat oven to 375. Slice dough into cookie size slices, place on baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes until lightly browned. Cool slightly. Remove to cool

JESUS
(Christmas Mice Recipe)

I once heard an interesting quote. It went something like this:
When you were born
You cried and the world rejoiced,
Live so when you die
The world cries and you rejoice.

As I was thinking about this statement, I was reminded this is NOT what Jesus experienced when he came into the world. The world did not rejoice. Yes, he probably cried as Mary gave birth to him. The only people present to rejoice at the birth of this little boy were his mother and father. Hours later a handful of shepherds came to the manger to rejoice, and some angels rejoiced – but what about the people who had filled the inns of Bethlehem? Did they come out to rejoice? I think not. Did they even know a baby had been born? Chances are they did not. Had I been there I would have rejoiced at the birth of this beautiful baby – this Son of God.

He lived a perfect life. Through his life and his teachings, he showed the world how to die, but live - eternally. Yet, did mankind reach out and embrace this Gift of eternal life. No, they put him to death. Did the world cry when he died – no! They laughed. They rejoiced. They were pleased and satisfied that they had destroyed this Man who brought them so much grief. Even the soldiers gambled over his clothing.

Yes, there were a few who cried. Mary, his mother; along with the women gathered at the foot of the cross. Perhaps the disciples (although most of them ran off to hide except John). Perhaps Joseph of Arimathea, who gave his tomb for Jesus to be buried in, and Nicodemus. Even though Jesus lived a life of sacrifice, love, devotion, and testimony. Even though He healed many, forgave sins, encouraged the broken, and ultimately died so man might live – it seems very few cried at his death. Yet we know that Jesus rejoiced that the victory over sin had been won – Jesus was that victory!

This Christmas can you rejoice at the birth of this Child – this Son of God – this baby who came into a broken world, to live a perfect life, to die a horrible death so you and I can know the joy of having our sins forgiven and the assurance of eternal life?

This Christmas will you determine to live your life as a testimony of God’s Grace at work in your life, letting your light shine in a dark world, sharing the Good News to all God puts into your path so when you ultimately die the world will rejoice – rejoice because of who you are - and were – in Jesus.

Christmas Tree Mice

24 Oreo cookies
2 cup (6 oz.) semisweet chips
3 tsp. shortening
24 red cherries with stems, well drained
24 milk chocolate kisses
48 sliced almonds
1 small tube green decorative icing gel
1 small tube red decorative icing gel

Carefully twist cookies apart. Set aside the halves with cream. In microwave, melt chocolate chips and shortening till smooth. Dip cherry into chocolate, then press unto bottom of kiss. Place on cookie with stem pointing outward. Ears: place slivered almonds between the cherry and kiss. Refrigerate till set. Dot eyes with red gel. With green, make leaves and dot with red gel. Store in airtight container at room temperature. Makes 24.

THANKSGIVING DAY!

A Thanksgiving Day history lesson. In 1621, the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast that is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies. For more than two centuries, days of thanksgiving were celebrated by individual colonies and states. It wasn't until 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November. The early Pilgrims celebrated days of thanksgiving as part of their religion. But these were days of prayer, not days of feasting.

Thanksgiving has become a tradition in many homes – not a tradition filled with prayer and thanksgiving – but a tradition of feasting, football, and family. I think this combination is wonderful. I love it also. But I give a challenge to you this Thanksgiving Day – let’s take time to make it truly a day for which we give thanks. We are quick to thank God for our family, our health, our financial security; for food and clothes; thanks that our daily needs are met – but God’s word gives us a number of other things for which we should be thankful, yet we may tend to forget. May I share them with you?

1 Chronicles 16:34 – “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”
How wonderful the love of God that endures forever! His goodness to us is beyond words.

1 Chronicles 29:13 – “Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.”
There is NO name as glorious as the Name of Jehovah! And NO other name worthy of our thanks.

Psalm 7:17 – “I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.”
Let us give thanks that OUR God is a righteous God. Let us sing about the truth that OUR God is the Lord Most High!

Psalm 118:21 - ”I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation.”
What other God can answer our every prayer? What other God can provide us with
salvation? Thank you, God. You are the author of both.

1 Corinthians 15:57 – “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Thank you Jesus because your death, burial and resurrection won the victory over eternal death. Because of you, I do not fear death.

2 Corinthians 9:15 – “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! “
Father, thank you – thank you – thank you for giving us the best Gift possible – the gift of your Son.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving Day with your family. Enjoy your afternoon of football. Enjoy the feasting that a day like this brings – but most important of all - enjoy spending time giving thanks and praise to our God Most High for all he has done, and all he has given to us.


Pumpkin Spice Cookies

1 18-oz. Spice Cake Mix
1 15-oz. can solid pumpkin
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350. Combine above and mix well. Drop by spoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake 10 minutes. Let cookies set 5 minutes before removing from tray to continue to cool on a wire rack. These are very good!

Good Things God Does
(Recipe: Hot Apple Cider)

I love reading through the Psalms, and no matter how many times I read through them, God always shows me something new. Even when I read a familiar passage, each time I read it God points out something different. I love that about God! I love that about His Word! The Holy Spirit opens our eyes and shows us something new each day. Does this happen to you as well?

Case in point. I have read Psalm 103 many, many times, but as I was reading through this Psalm this morning I was struck with the very first verse, “Let all that I am praise the Lord.” I realized that I don’t always do this. Yes, I praise the Lord – but do I praise him with all that I am? Not always.

Verse 2 says, “May I never forget the good things he does for me.” God stopped me right there and asked, “Marilyn, what good things have I done for you? I share some of these good things in this passage. Have you considered them seriously before?” I had to admit that I had not. But I am this morning. I invite you to consider the good things God has done for you as well.

In verse three God says “I forgive all your sins, I heal all your diseases.” ALL my sins he forgives. That is reason enough to know God is good. ALL my diseases. Yes, Jesus heals our physical needs, but our greatest disease we battle every day is sin. In Scripture, sickness is sometimes used as a picture of sin and healing as a picture of salvation. (Luke 5:17-25).

Verse four says, “He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies.” A wonderful reason to praise God – he redeems me from my sinful past and his mercies are new every morning!! Mercy means – “kind and compassionate treatment of an offender”. Thanks for your merciful heart!

Verse five reads, “He fills my life with good things.” My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!” When I need extra strength – God gives it to me. Even in my old age, I can serve Jesus with the strength and energy of someone younger. He still has work for me to do!

Verse eight reminds us, “…..(God) is slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.” Boy, do I need this assurance every day. How often do we fail God; sin against him; disappoint him; yet we are told God is slow to get angry. Unlike how I would sometimes treat my children. I would get angry at them over the smallest thing – shame on me! God loves us deeply. H does not easily get angry with us – a very good reason to praise Him.

I love the promise of verse 12 when God says, “(I) remove your sins as far as the east is from the west.” I’m so glad God doesn’t remember my sins. When I ask him to forgive them, he does. Why then do I tend to remember every sin someone has sinned against me? If God can forgive and forget mine – am I any better than God? I don’t think so. I need to follow this same principle in my life. Forgiving and forgetting.

Why do I remember all the good things God has done for me? Verse 17 says, “The love of the Lord remains forever…….” If no one else in this world loves me – God will. If no one else in this world adores me – God does. If my enemy won’t forgive me, God will. If my own father has disappointed me – God won’t. That’s why I love Him!!!

“Father, today, we give you praise for all the good things you have done for us – too many to count, too many to list. Bring to each of our minds those things you have done SPECIFICALLY for each of us and let us give you the praise due your Holy Name today. Amen.”

Hot Apple Cider

½ gallon apple cider
¼ cup red hot candy pieces
¼ cup brown sugar
1 tsp. cloves
1 tsp. allspice
1 orange – cut into slices
4-5 cinnamon sticks

Combine 2 cups cider, red hots and brown sugar. Microwave (medium heat) for 7-8 minutes. Add cloves and allspice. Mix with remainder of the cider. Heat in a crock pot and let flavors blend together 2-3 hours. During the last hour add 4-5 cinnamon sticks, and orange slices. Serves 14-16.

Hall of Faith
(Recipe: Bite-size Crab Quiches)


As a believer we often talk about our “faith”. For the believer faith means; “trust in God and in His promises as made through Christ and the Scriptures by which humans are justified or saved.” This is definitely true. We could never become a child of God without faith in what His Son accomplished for us at Calvary.

But, does faith mean something else? Faith is also defined as; “reliance, loyalty, or complete trust in God or someone else” or “trust in God and in his actions and promises”. As I thought about this little word “faith” I was reminded of Hebrews 11 which we know as the ‘Hall of Faith’ – men and women who have passed on to us a legacy of what it means to live by faith. As I read through this passage it became very clear to me what the benefits of having faith might be. Let me share my observations with you.

1. Faith allows me to believe the universe was formed at God’s command (verse 1)
2. Faith causes us give the best offerings to God (verse 2)
3. Faith lets us experience how we can please God (verse 5-6)
4. Faith encourages us to do the impossible, knowing with God all things are possible (verse 7)
5. Faith helps us to obey and go, even when the way is not clear (verse 8-9)
6. Faith allows us to trust in a faithful God even when our faith is weak (verse 11-12)
7. Faith keeps us living for God and serving God until we die (verse 19)
8. Faith keeps us focused on heaven, our final reward (verse 16)
9. Faith encourages us through times of testing (verse 17-19)
10. Faith brings us blessings only reserved for God’s children (verse 20ff)
11. Faith helps us worship (verse 21)
12. Faith removes fear (verse 22)
13. Faith helps us make right choices (verse 24-26)
14. Faith helps us keep our eyes on Jesus (verse 27-28)
15. Faith lets us experience God’s miracles in our lives (verse 29)
16. Faith accomplishes the impossible (verse 30)
17. Faith gives us courage to act in right ways (verse 31)
18. Faith conquers kingdoms – administers justice – gains promises – does the impossible – escapes from fear – brings strength – gives power - helps when persecuted (verses 32-38)

Are you living by faith? It is really very simple. Fear Aside I Trust Him. Are you able to do this? No matter what comes into your life; where God might ask you to go; to whom he may want you to speak -will you obey?
We were just reminded of eighteen benefits (promises) that can be ours if we will only have faith and believe. Will you “trust in God and his actions and promises”? If you will, you and God together will have a marvelous adventure, and you too will leave a legacy in “God’s Hall of Faith.”

Bite-Size Crab Quiches

1 10-oz. tube large refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
1 6-oz. crabmeat, drained, flaked and cartilage removed OR 1 cup chopped imitation crabmeat
½ cup shredded Swiss cheese
1 egg
½ cup milk
½ tsp. dill weed
¼ tsp. salt

Separate each biscuit into five equal pieces. Press onto the bottom and up the sides of 24 ungreased miniature muffin cups (discard remaining pieces of dough). Fill each cup with 2 tsp. crab and 1 tsp. Swiss cheese. In a small bowl, combine the egg, milk, dill and salt; spoon about 1-1/2 tsp. into each cup. Bake at 375 for 15-20 min. or until edges are golden brown. Let stand for 5 min. before removing from pans. Serve warm.

ONE OF THOSE DAYS!
(Recipe: Swirled Pumpkin Cheesecake)

How many times have we uttered these words, “Boy, it’s been one of those days!” You know them. Everything that could go wrong does go wrong. We’ve all had them. I hate it when they come, but I don’t run from them because I have found that God is trying to teach me something – so – I persevere and go along for the ride.

Recently I had “One of those days!” It began when my husband shared with me the death of a friend’s mother. Not long after that I received an email that another friend had lost her father. My neighbor called a few minutes later to say his wife had just died. And that afternoon I opened my email to find another friend had lost her father that morning. Four dear friends had lost people they loved, all on the same day!! Yes, it was “one of those days!” I wasn’t sure for whom I should grieve first.

In reading through the Psalms, I came upon Psalm 89:48 which says, “No one can live forever; all will die. No one can escape the power of the grave.” (NLT). There it was. We would all die someday, and God knew when that day would be. Psalm 139:16 reminds us of this when God said, “All the days ordained for me were written in your book…” I guess I should not be surprised when I learn that a friend or loved one has died. God said we all ultimately will.

The question we need to ask ourselves is this, “Am I ready to die? Am I ready to stand before God?” When we have asked Jesus to forgive us of our sins; when I have confessed and repented of that sin; when I, by faith, trust Jesus alone for my salvation I then have nothing to fear. Death, although unwelcome, will not be fearful because when I fall asleep here on earth I will wake up in the presence of Jesus in heaven. I am absolutely certain of this. How about you? For more information on how you can be certain of heaven go to www.GodLovesTheWorld.com.


SWIRLED PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE

Gingersnap-Pecan Crust

24 Gingersnap cookies (6 oz)
½ cup pecans
2 Tbsp. sugar
3 Tbsp. melted butter

Filling

¾ cup sugar
2 - 8-oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
2 large eggs
¼ cup milk
1 Tbsp. flour
¼ tsp. salt
1 cup pure pumpkin (not pie filling) from a 15 oz. can
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice (or follow seasonings on can)

CRUST: In a food processer, pulse cookies, pecans and sugar until finely ground. Add butter and pulse to combine. Press mixture into bottom and sides of a 9” pie plate. Bake at 350 for 12 minutes.

FILLING: Clean food processor. Add sugar and cream cheese; pulse to mix. Scrape down sides and add eggs, milk, flour and salt; process till smooth. Remove 1/3 cup and save.

Add pumpkin and spices to food processor. Process until fully mixed. Scrape mixture into the baked crust (no need to cool crust). Spoon reserved cream cheese mixture over top and use a knife or spatula to swirl. Bake until center is set but still trembles – 30 – 35 minutes. Cool completely. Refrigerate until chilled, at least 2 hours or up to 2 days.

A WOMAN OF GOD

(Recipe: Beef Barley Soup)

I’m enjoying this beautiful crisp fall morning. Fall is probably my favorite season of the year. I love the many colors associated with Fall. Bright reds, yellows, oranges and gold. As we think about life, Fall is that season of life when we begin to contemplate how we are doing as a Christian. How faithful have we been? How obedient have we been? If there needs to be any changes, what are they and how do we go about making those changes? Perhaps we need to compare our journey to the check-list that Paul gave to Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:11ff. Although Paul is talking to Timothy, his advice could be given to us as well. With this Scripture in mind, I ask you this question. What should a (woman) of God look like in the various seasons of her life?

1. Vs. 11 – She would run from evil things. Paul mentions a few evils such as arguments, jealousy, division, slander and evil suspicions (vs. 4) but perhaps you could make your own check list of those evil things you need to run from that keep you from being the Christian woman God desires you to be.

2. Vs. 11 - She pursues a righteous and godly life. She lives a moral life and in that moral living reveres God.

3. Vs. 11 - She exercises faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. As you think about these four, which one do you need to work on in your life to make you a true woman of God?

4. Vs. 12 - She fights the good fight for the true faith. We can fight over many things. How well do we fight for the truth of the Gospel, for those things that concern the heart of God?

5. Vs. 12 - She holds tightly to the eternal life to which God has called her.

6. Vs. 14 – She obeys what God has commanded of her. Can you say you truly enjoy God’s commandments AND enjoy obeying them?

7. Vs. 17 – She trusts God, who richly gives her all she needs for her enjoyment. Note: Not all she wants!!

8. Vs. 18 – She is rich in good works and generous to those in need, quick to share with others.

9. Vs. 20 – She guards what God has entrusted to her, avoiding godless and foolish discussions.

Quite a list! Paul uses active and forceful verbs to describe the Christian life. Run, pursue,

fight, take hold. There are those who would think that Christianity is a passive religion that advocates waiting for God to act. This is wrong thinking, for we must have an “active” faith, obeying God with courage and doing everything we know is right. Ladies, is it time for action? Don’t wait – get moving!

Paul closes Chapter Six with these words for you: “May God’s grace be with you.”

BEEF BARLEY SOUP

2 cup sliced carrots

2 cups diced celery

1 medium onion, chopped

8 Beef bouillon cubes

1 pound cubed beef, cut into smaller pieces

1 pound mushrooms, sliced

1 gallon chicken broth

½ of 16-oz. package barley (soak overnight) then drained

½ cup vegetable oil

salt and pepper to taste

Sauté vegetables in oil until tender. Sauté meat until browned. Put into a crock-pot. Add the Add rest of the ingredients and cook several hours. Stir often.

SWEET SIXTEEN!

No, this is not a ‘Sweet Sixteen’ birthday party reminder, although it might be fun to be sixteen again. Boy, would I do things differently now that I have experienced ‘older and wiser.’

In reading 1 Thessalonians 5, I came across sixteen things that we as believers are to emulate in our lives. Sixteen commands of God which, I am afraid, we do not always keep 100% (at least I know I don’t). Yet these sixteen commands of God, if kept, will cause us to live in favor with God and man and ultimately with ourselves. They begin in verse 12 (NLT) and the verse begins…..

“Dear brothers and sisters.” You and I who claim to be a Christian, belong to a wonderful family. God is our Father; that makes you and me brothers and sisters. God is saying, “In my family, children, this is how I want you to behave.”

1. (vs. 12) – Honor your spiritual leaders. Not a suggestion, but a command!

2. (vs. 13) – Show them respect and wholehearted love. Friend, October is “Pastor Appreciation Month.” One way you could honor your spiritual leader, and show how much you love them, is by remembering him/her in a special way. Send them a card of encouragement. Take them out for lunch. Get them a cup of Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donuts! They work hard for you; let them know how much you appreciate them.

3. (vs. 13) – Live peacefully with each other. How often do we find ourselves in the middle of a dispute with another brother/sister in Christ? We disagree on something or refuse to forgive them and rather than try to work things out, we would rather be at odds with them. Don’t! Nothing pleases a pastor more than to know his “family” is living at peace with each other.

4. (vs. 14) – Warn those who are lazy. Especially those who are not using, to the best of their ability, the spiritual gifts that God has given them. Each believer must do their part to keep the church healthy. There must be no lazy Christians.

5. (vs. 14) – Encourage the timid. Help them step out of their comfort zone into a wonderful world of serving God in a new and exciting way. Show them by example.

6. (vs. 14) – Take tender care of the weak. Extend mercy to those who are still growing and maturing in their spiritual journey. Walk alongside them as you teach them spiritual truths.

7. (vs. 14) – Be patient with everyone. Who do you need to be patient with today?

8. (vs. 15) – Don’t pay back evil for evil. Rather, serve in love, and be ready to forgive. God says in Romans 12:18 (NASB), “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

9. (vs. 15) – Do good to each other. Treat others kindly. Treat them as you would want to be treated.

10. (vs. 16) – Always be joyful. Every church family has its Doubting Thomas or its Gloomy Gus. To see them and listen to them is like witnessing an autopsy, or diving into a cold lake on a winter’s day. God wants His family to be happy, and that means that each member must contribute to the joy. (quote from The Bible Exposition Commentary.)

11. (vs. 17) – Never stop praying. Not that you spend 24/7 praying, but keep your line of communication clear so when God prompts your heart to prayer, you are ready. You may find yourself praying quick and simple prayers throughout your day. Quick and simple is good, and pleases God!!

12. (vs. 18) – Be thankful IN all circumstances. And, yes, you can be thankful no matter what circumstance God has you in today. Find something to thank God for – then do so.

13. (vs. 19) – Don’t quench (stifle) the Holy Spirit. He longs to work in and through you. Let him. He knows what he is doing in your life and how he longs to use you. Even if you feel you can’t, or don’t want to, don’t tell him “no” but go along for the ride and see what the Spirit will do through you.

14. (vs. 20) – Don’t scoff at prophecies, but test everything. Know the Scriptures well so you are not easily led astray by some lie of the devil. Test everything against the Word of God to see if it is true.

15. (vs. 21) – Hold on to what is good. What is good comes from the Word of God. This is why it is important to memorize Scripture and hide it in your heart. Then you will discern the good from the bad.

16. (vs. 22) – Stay away from every kind of evil. A right kind of worship will help us to stay away from evil. William Temple, a late Archbishop of Canterbury said this: "For to worship is to quicken the conscience by the holiness of God, to feed the mind with the truth of God, to purge the imagination by the beauty of God, to open up the heart to the love of God, to devote the will to the purpose of God.” If we follow this advice, there will be no room for evil in our life.

As you look through this ‘Sweet Sixteen’ list, where do you fall short? What might you need to begin to change in your life to bring you to that place of holy living before a Holy God? Paul closes this book with these words (my prayer to you as well):

Vs. 23-24 – “Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.”

PUMPKIN CRUNCH

1 box yellow cake mix

1 15-oz. can solid pumpkin

1 can evaporated milk

3 eggs

1-1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

½ tsp. salt

½ cup chopped pecans

1 cup butter, melted

1 small carton whipping cream

Preheat oven to 350. Combine pumpkin, milk, eggs, sugar, cinnamon and salt. Beat well. Pour into a 9 x 13 pan. Sprinkle dry cake mix over all. Top the cake mix with the chopped pecans. Drizzle the melted butter over all. Bake for 50-55 minutes, until golden brown. Let cool. Serve with whipped cream.