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.

WHY?

(Baked Brie with Pecans and Brown Sugar)

Several things have occurred in my life this past week, and I am left wondering how it all fits into God’s plan for me. Have you ever wondered the same thing? We go through illness or injury and ask the question, “Why is this happening at THIS particular time? I have too much to do. I can’t be set aside NOW.” We lose someone we love unexpectedly and seem to say, “How can this be something good? They are too young to die. I’m not ready to let them go.” We face all kinds of disappointments, frustrations, the “unexpected”, a crisis – and we stand before God asking the question “Why?” “Why now?” “Why this?” “Why?”

I wish I had an easy answer for you. I don’t. Even the Son of God asked the question “Why?” Remember when he was on the cross dying for your sin and mine how He cried out to his Heavenly Father, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” God didn’t respond at that moment, never answered his question, but Jesus laid the question aside and obediently carried out the task before him.

This is what God expects from us. Ask your question, then obediently lay your question aside and follow Him – even if you don’t know where God is taking you. I have never known God to lead his children astray.

Reading through Isaiah 55, I was again reminded of verse 8-9 (one of my favorites). “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”

The next time you are going through a difficult time – remember - God has a purpose. God has a plan. God is doing something “far beyond anything you could imagine.” Keep your eyes on the face of God, your hand in the hand of Jesus, then ask the Spirit for strength to help you choose to obediently follow the path God has chosen for your life at the moment, even if you don’t understand and are wondering “why.” Something good is awaiting you at the end of your journey - just hang in there!!!

Baked Brie with Pecans and Brown Sugar

1 8-oz. round of brie with rind intact

3 Tbsp. brown sugar

½ tsp. ground cinnamon

½ cup coarsely chopped pecans

1 sheet puff pastry (thawed)

Granny Smith Apples, sliced

butter crackers or light crackers

Preheat oven to 350. Line a baking pan with parchment paper for baking. Spread out puffed pastry on a flat surface.

In separate bowl, mix pecans, sugar and cinnamon. Spread nut mixture onto the center of the pastry. Place brie atop the nut mixture. Fold pastry over the brie to enclose everything like a package and pinch the pastry closed so it is sealed. Flip pastry package over and place on baking tray with folds on the bottom.

Bake in oven for 20-30 minutes or until the pastry is browned and golden. Serve with crackers and sliced apples.

MY SOLID ROCK
(Recipe: Olive-Spaghetti Casserole)

My husband and I have just returned from a wonderful 5 day vacation to Bar Harbor, Maine. While there, we celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary. Fifty years ago I would never have guessed that we would choose Maine as a place to celebrate this special anniversary. Europe – maybe. Hawaii - possibly. Maine – not even on the radar chart!!

But, I’m glad we did. This is a beautiful part of our great United States. Acadia National Park is filled with impressive things to see and beautiful rock formations. You can walk for miles along the rocky cliffs, enjoying a fantastic view. The ocean is wonderful, you can see for miles. September trees were beautifully dressed in their bright yellow, gold, red and orange. The town of Bar Harbor is unique and quaint – with lots of little shops and fun places to eat.

As we were walking in Acadia National Park, along a rocky cliff one morning my husband captured the moment with these simple words, “These rocks give a whole new meaning to the Scripture about ‘building your house on a rock’. If your building stood here, your house wouldn't fall down.” Indeed, any house that would have been build on that solid rock foundation would NEVER have been destroyed.

Matthew 7:21ff tells us this: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock…..”

Since we are instructed to build upon a solid foundation, namely the Rock, why do we continue to try to build our lives on something less superior? We try the world – only to find that a life built by the world’s standards will not satisfy. (1 John 2:15-16). We try wealth, and find that wealth does not last. (Ecclesiastes 5:10) We try pleasures, only to find they don't last. (Proverbs 21:17).

When all these fail, why not turn to the ROCK – Jesus Christ. Only a life (house) built upon Jesus will stand the storms of life. Only a life in which Jesus is supreme, will know and enjoy safety and security. Deuteronomy 32:4 tells us, “He (Jesus) is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.” Isaiah 26:4 gives this word of encouragement, “Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal.” Edward Mote, (1834) wrote the words to a beautiful hymn, The Solid Rock, capturing this idea of building your house on the solid Rock, Jesus.

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name. (Refrain)

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand. (Refrain)

When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil. (Refrain)

His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay. (Refrain)

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne. (Refrain)

On what is your house (life) built? Have you built on sinking sand, or upon the solid Rock? 1 Corinthians 10:4 reminds us “……that rock was Christ.” Jesus is the only Rock upon which you can build to assure you will stand firm.

OLIVE-SPAGHETTI CASSEROLE

1 pound ground beef
1 small onion, diced
½ green pepper, diced
2 Tbsp. margarine or butter
1 7-oz. package spaghetti., broken into small pieces
4 cup tomato juice
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 6-oz. can tomato paste
½ cup stuffed olives, diced
salt and pepper to taste
4 or 5 slices American cheese

Cook beef, onion, green pepper in butter. Drain. Add raw spaghetti (broken into small pieces). Add the rest of the ingredients EXCEPT the cheese. Pour into a casserole dish. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes, or until bubbly. (Stir several times during baking). When cooked, lay American cheese on top and bake 5 minutes longer, until cheese melts.

GIVE YOUR BURDENS TO GOD

(Recipe: Chow Mein Cookies)

As I was reading through my “God Sightings – The One Year Bible” I came to a verse in Psalm 55 and God seemed to say “Stop, think about what I have written,” so I paused and allowed the Holy Spirit to minister to my heart.

Psalm 55:22 reads as follows: “Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.” In recent weeks God has put me around people who are carrying some very heavy burdens. Couples burdened with a difficult marriage. Men and women suffering because of physical difficulties. Moms and dads struggling with troubled teens. It seems I have spent much time in counsel and much time in prayer for these dear folks. Perhaps you find yourself with a burden on your heart today as well.

This verse encouraged me: “Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you.” This is a promise. I couldn’t help but think of a song I used to sing twenty-five years ago in my church I attended on Staten Island, NY. The title was “Take Your Burden to the Lord and Leave Them There.” I share these words with you. Perhaps you can be encouraged by them as well.

If the world from you withhold of its silver and its gold,
And you have to get along with meager fare,
Just remember, in His Word, how He feeds the little bird;
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

If your body suffers pain and your health you can’t regain,
And your soul is almost sinking in despair,
Jesus knows the pain you feel, He can save and He can heal;
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

When your enemies assail and your heart begins to fail,
Don’t forget that God in heaven answers prayer;
He will make a way for you and will lead you safely through.
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

When your youthful days are gone and old age is stealing on,
And your body bends beneath the weight of care;
He will never leave you then, He’ll go with you to the end.
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

Leave it there, leave it there,
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.
If you trust and never doubt, He will surely bring you out.
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

Friend, if you are going through a tough time today. If the burdens you have been asked to carry seem way too difficult – remember – you don’t have to carry them alone. God wants you to give them to him and he in turn will give you his peace.

Chow Mein Cookies

1 9-oz. bag of chocolate chips

1 10-oz. bag of peanut butter chips

¾ cup peanut butter

1 large can of Chinese noodles

In a double-boiler melt the chips along with the peanut butter. Remove from heat and stir in Chinese noodles. Using a teaspoon, place a drop of mixture onto a waxed-paper lined cookie sheet. Place in refrigerator and let set until hardened. Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.

GOD’S GUEST

(Recipe: Hot Cheddar-Mushroom Spread)

We will be celebrating Labor Day this week, and for many of us that means family time, picnics and having guests in your home. I love these special times. The BBQ’s. The laughter that happens when family and friends get together. For me it means entertaining. Preparing the food, having my home ready for company, even the clean-up – all things I enjoy when having guests over.

For the guest it means a time when they can be served. When they can enjoy a meal prepared by someone else. When they can relax and enjoy fellowship with good friends.

A guest is defined this way: “a person who spends some time at another person's home in some social activity, as a visit, dinner, or party.” The key word is “some.” They come for a while, and then leave. They do not stay forever (hopefully!!)

Recently I came across in interesting verse in Scripture. It is from Psalm 39:12 (NLT). This is a Psalm of David. In verse 5 David says, “You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you, at best, each of us is but a breath.”

David is reminding us how brief life is. This is made clearer in verse 12 when he says,

“Hear my prayer, O Lord! Listen to my cries for help! Don’t ignore my tears. For I am your guest – a traveler passing through, as my ancestor’s were before me.”

Our life on this earth is brief – AND – we are nothing more than a guest traveling through. As God’s guest, I am simply spending time on this earth that rightly belongs to God. I have been invited to participate in His hospitality as His guest, for a time. What kind of guest do I make? Am I enjoying all that God has prepared for me? Do I treat his created home with respect? Do I enjoy the beauty around me, all expressions of God’s handiwork and creativity? Do I enjoy sitting at his table and feasting with Him? Do I enjoy his conversation as found in his Word? Do I listen when he talks?

My prayer is that each of us may bring pleasure to the heart of God and be a guest that appreciates all God desires to give to us, until he takes us from this home and brings us to heaven where we will no longer be a “guest – a traveler passing through” but we will have a permanent home and feasting with God forever.

Hot Cheddar-Mushroom Spread

2 cups mayonnaise

2 cups (8-oz) shredded cheddar cheese

2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

4 cans (4-1/2 oz each) sliced mushrooms, drained

1 envelope ranch salad dressing mix

minced fresh parsley

assorted crackers

In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, cheeses, mushrooms and dressing mix. Spread into a greased 9-in. pie plate.

Bake, uncovered at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until cheese is melted. Sprinkle with parsley. Serve with crackers. (do not use reduced fat or fat-free mayonnaise)