No Jesus, No Power
(Recipe: Italian Pasta and Bean Soup)

What an interesting week. It began Saturday October 29 when a Nor’easter came through the North East, making certain Allentown, PA was in its path! That Saturday morning began with a gentle snowfall. As it fell, the world outside became beautiful. There is something about new fallen snow as it sprinkles the ground with its white and blankets the branches in the trees. Breathtaking really.

Soon, however, its beauty turned to “oh-no” as the weight of the snow on the trees caused branch after branch to break off and land in yards all around us. It almost looked as though a tornado had gone through. The final straw came at 3:00 on Saturday afternoon when we lost power. We’ve lost power before. Normally within a few hours we have it restored. Not this time!! Forty-eight hours later we finally had power restored.

It had been a LONG time since I experienced an outage of this length. And I don’t remember it happening during cold weather. It was not fun! As I pondered how to make this a teachable experience, I was reminded of the following:

Without electricity we are helpless. All we have ever known that makes life comfortable has been taken away in the snap of a power line. Without power we had no electricity (reading by candle light is for the birds). We had no stove (how I missed my morning coffee). We had no heat (we wore layers of sweaters and wrapped in heavy quilts). We got tired of eating PB&J (the one food we did have available and didn’t need to cook). We had no TV to entertain us. No CD player to sing along with. And worst of all – NO INTERNET! (Thankfully we did have a battery powered radio so had access to what was happening in the world).

My two-day experience made me appreciate my Pioneer Fathers and how they lived (and survived) every day! Simply; unencumbered; yet with appreciation for everything they had.

As I thought about our week, I was reminded that a life without Jesus causes us to be helpless as well. Jesus gives us the power to live a successful life. (Philippians 4:13). With his power we can be a light in this dark world. (Matthew 5:16) With his power we can share the Gospel with people who are walking in darkness, facing an uncertain future. (Matthew 28:18-20). With his power we can offer food to a hungry soul (the food that comes through God’s Word). (Ezekiel 3:1-3; 2 Timothy 3:16). With the power of Jesus in our life we find he brings us joy, gives us a reason to sing, and sets our feet to dancing. (John 15:11; Psalm 30:11,12; Psalm 150:4).

Do you know this Jesus? Is his power what motivates you? Can you face the future with peace and joy; or do you face it with dread and fear? If the world around you seems dark and foreboding, why not accept the light Jesus offers. Can you face the future with peace and joy; or do you face it with dread and fear?

Meditate on these words which were spoken by Jesus in John 3:16-21- "For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. "There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God's one and only Son. And the judgment is based on this fact: God's light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants." (NLT)

How can I be assured I am walking in the light? Romans 10:9-13 – “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile – the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

You don’t need to walk in darkness. Jesus offers you wonderful light.

Italian Pasta and Bean Soup

1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 med. chopped onion
¼ tsp. Salt and pepper
1 thinly sliced clove garlic
6 cups chicken broth
1-1/2 cups farfallini (small bowtie pasta)
2 15-oz. cans cannellini beans, rinsed
1 14-oz. can diced tomatoes in juice
½ cup fresh chopped parsley
¼ cup grated Parmesan (1 oz.)

Heat oil in Pan. Add onion, S & P. Cook until onion softens (4-5 minutes). Add garlic, cook 1 min. until brown.

Add broth and pasta. Bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer until pasta is tender (8-10 minutes)

Stir in beans and tomatoes. Cook until heated through. Remove from heat and stir in parsley. Serve with the cheese.