Three Questions

(Crockpot Cashew Chicken)

In John 21:15ff, Peter was asked three very important questions by Jesus. These questions were not meant to trick Peter. Not meant to embarrass him. Rather, Jesus wanted to know what was really going on inside the heart and mind of Peter. What did Jesus really mean to Peter?

After Jesus had prepared breakfast for his disciples of fish and tasty bread, he drew Peter aside and begins to question him. Question one, “Peter, Do you love me MORE THAN THESE?” This was a personal question. Jesus was testing Peter to see inside his heart. How great was his love toward Jesus. He loved his friends, but what about Jesus? Peter had spent three years with these friends. He would have done anything for them. He loved them dearly. Jesus knew that. What Jesus wanted to know was, “Would Peter do anything for Jesus? Did he love Jesus more than he loved his family and friend?

The second question he asked him was, “Do YOU love me?” Peter, how deep is your love? Will you step out of your comfort zone for me? Are you willing to die for me? Will you fight for me?” “Peter, do you really and truly love me enough to go where I send you, say what I tell you to say, live as I expect you to live, die in the manner I choose for you, all without giving objection or argument?” “Peter, does every part of you love Me?”

His third question was, “Peter, Do you love ME?” Peter, am I the most important person in your life? If you had no one else, would I be enough? Do you love me enough to trust my lead? Do you love me enough to win a lost world to Me? Peter, do you love me more than life itself?”
“Peter, is your love toward me an intimate kind of love. Only Me, and no one else?”

Without hesitation, Peter answered “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”

Jesus then tells Peter to go out into the world and live the name of Jesus before others, sharing the Good News of the Gospel, winning lost souls into the Kingdom of God. Peter does a pretty good job of proving his love to Jesus. It was Peter who penned the words in 1 Peter 2:21, “For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.” Peter walked in the steps of Jesus.

Jesus asks the same thing of us. How do we respond? How deep is our love? How sincere is our love? What are we willing to risk for Jesus? How much of my life am I ready to surrender to prove my love? Am I willing to go where he asks me to go, speak what he asks me to speak, and share the Good News with those God brings into my path?

There is a lost world around us. The only way mankind will be brought into the Kingdom of God is if we do what we were designed to do – “Go into all the world and preach the Good News”. It may require risk. It may require sacrifice. It may result in the lost of friendships. Do we love Jesus enough to step up and step out, completely surrendering my comforts for the sake of the Gospel?

Jesus said to Peter, “Feed my sheep.” His message to us is still the same. “Feed my sheep.” Feed them the story of the Good News of the Gospel so they may leave their life of wandering and come into the safety of the sheepfold.

Crockpot Cashew Chicken

2 lbs. boneless chicken tenders
¼ cup flour
½ tsp. pepper
1 Tbsp. olive oil
¼ cup soy sauce
2 Tbsp. rice wine vinegar
2 Tbsp. ketchup
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 clove garlic, crushed
½ tsp. fresh ginger
¼ tsp. red pepper flakes
½ cup cashews

Combine flour and pepper. Dip chicken in this mixture. Heal oil. On medium heat, brown chicken in oil (1 minute per side). Place in slow cooker. Combine soy sauce, vinegar, ketchup, sugar, garlic, ginger and pepper flakes in bowl. Pour over chicken. Cook in crock pot on low for 3-4 hours. Add cashews and stir. Serve over rice. Makes 4-6 servings.

Unnamed Servants!

(Peach Cobbler)

Must a person be “important” to be an effective minister for God? Do they need to be “well known”. We often think that unless we have a visible ministry, we really are not doing much for God. I truly believe that God is more pleased with those who minister “behind the scenes” than those who are the “players on the stage.” Think of the many people in Scripture, who have no name, and yet God placed them in the right place at the right time so they might carry on a particular ministry that only they could accomplish for the glory of God. They will be greatly rewarded – just as those of us who serve anonymously will be greatly rewarded.

With this thought in mind, I would like us to think about a few of these “unnamed” individuals that God used so mightily.

Do you know the name of Paul’s nephew who so courageously saved him from death? His story can be found in Acts 23:12-22. Paul’s nephew hears of a plot to have Paul killed. He carries this news to Paul, who asks that he be taken to the commander. The commander listens, taking this news seriously. Paul is safely led out of the prison to another location – all because ‘someone’ was brave enough to share news he had overheard. Paul’s story would have been entirely different had it not been for his nephew!

Do you know the name of the little boy who gave Jesus his lunch? I wonder why God doesn’t share this with us? Would it really matter if he had? Would the story have turned out any differently? One little boy, perhaps sitting with his parents listening to Jesus teach. It was announced that it was lunch time. The disciples encouraged people to go on their way. Jesus said that lunch was on him. Only problem, he needed some food. A little boy left the safety of his parents and went to Jesus offering him what he had. Five loaves and two fish. It wasn’t much, but it was enough. Jesus took this offered lunch, gave it back to God, and God multiplied it to feed the crowd of 5,000 plus. God used an unnamed boy to complete a miracle.

Do you know the name of the little maid who had great influence in the life of Naaman? His story is found in 2 Kings 5. Naaman, who was a great warrior and commander of king Aram’s army suffered from leprosy. Naaman’s wife had a little maid who worked for her. One day this little girl came to her mistress and said, “I wish my master would go to see the prophet in Samaria. He would heal him of his leprosy.” One little girl who had a great amount of faith!
These words get back to the king, who told Naaman to go visit this prophet. How the king must have loved this man! When Naaman meets the prophet Elisha, he is given this response – “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River. Then your skin will be restored, and you will be healed of your leprosy.”

What? Seems like an odd request. Naaman thought so too. In fact, he becomes angry at these words and stalked away. Thank God for rational people who traveled with him! They encourage him to do as he was told by the prophet. Naaman does. He goes to the river. Dips himself seven times and is immediately healed. He exclaims, “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel....” One little girl, with no name, changed the course of this great man.

Where are you serving the Lord today? Does anyone know? Does anyone even care? God does. He knows exactly what you are doing, why you are doing so, and to whom you are ministering to. Keep working. The only person we truly have to please is God and the only person who really needs to know is God. I love doing things “behind the scenes” and knowing God is smiling at my service. “Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.” – Psalm 100:2 (KJV)

Peace Cobbler

1 cup Original Bisquick® mix
1 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
1 cup sugar
1 can (29 ounces) sliced peach, drained

1 Heat oven to 375ºF. Stir together Bisquick mix, milk and nutmeg in ungreased square baking dish, 8x8x2 inches. Stir in butter until blended. Stir together sugar and peaches; spoon over batter. Bake 50 to 60 minutes or until golden.
Serve warm with ice cream, a drizzle with caramel topping and a sprinkling of toasted pecans--a delicious way to dazzle your family!
Sprinkle coarse decorating sugar over the dough before baking.
Double the recipe! Make as directed, except double all the ingredients and use a rectangular baking dish, 13x9x2 inches.

Why God Called You

(Recipe: Oven roasted corn-on-the-cob)

I would like to share some “Food for Thought” with you today. Something I came across while cleaning out some old papers. The author of this little piece is unknown, but the truth of what is written is priceless.

WHY GOD CALLED YOU

There are many reasons why God shouldn’t have called you. But don’t worry. You’re in good company. MOSES stuttered. DAVIDS' armor didn’t fit. JOHN MARK was rejected by Paul. TIMOTHY had ulcers. HOSEAS' wife was a prostitute. AMOS’ only training was in the school of fig tree pruning. JACOB was a liar. DAVID had an affair. SOLOMON was too rich. JESUS was too poor. ABRAHAM was too old. DAVID was too young. PETER was afraid of death. LAZARUS was dead. JOHN was self-righteous. NAOMI was a widow. PAUL was a murderer. So was MOSES. JONAH ran from God. MIRIAM was a gossip. GIDEON and THOMAS both doubted. JEREMIAH was a bullfrog (just kidding); he was depressed and suicidal. ELIJAH was burned out. JOHN the BAPTIST was a loudmouth. MARTHA was a worrywart. MARY was lazy. SAMSON had long hair.

NOAH got drunk. Did I mention that MOSES had a short fuse? So did PETER, PAUL –well, lots of folks did. But God doesn’t require a job interview. He doesn’t hire and fire like most bosses, because He is more our Dad than our Boss. He doesn’t look at financial gain or loss. He is not prejudiced or partial, not judging, grudging, sassy, or brassy, not deaf to our cry, not blind to our need. As much as we try, God’s gifts are free. We could do wonderful things for wonderful people and still not be...Wonderful.

Satan says, ‘You’re not worthy.’ Jesus says, ‘So what? I AM.’ Satan looks back and sees our mistakes. God looks back and sees the cross. He doesn’t calculate what you did in ’88. It’s not even on the record. Sure there are lots of reasons why God shouldn’t have called us. But if we are magically in love with Him, if we hunger for Him more than our next breath, He will use us in spite of who we are, where we’ve been, or what we look like.

I pray that as Christians, we will step out of our limitations into the illimitable nature of who God is. Then our passion for God and our passion to communicate to Him will make mincemeat of our limitations.

“When Jesus heard this, he told them, ‘Healthy people don’t need a doctor-sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.’” - Mark 2:17 (NLT)

“For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” - Romans 10:13

Oven Roasted Corn-on-the-Cob

Place your un-husked corn on a baking sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. (baking your corn seals in the juices and flavor)
Remove from oven. Cut the large end of the cob, and peel back the husk and the silk. The silk will be easily removed. Serve with butter, S & P.

YELLING FOR JESUS

(Recipe: Crunchy Shrimp & Mango Lettuce Cups)

We just returned from vacation. A trip to Atlanta, Georgia. Why take a trip there? For one very special reason. Our 16 yr. old grandson was playing in a baseball tournament and we wanted to be there to cheer the team on. We were willing to drive 13 hours, 7 minutes some 796 miles to spend time with our grandson, his parents, and his team.

Call us crazy!

But it is what we like. It truly was a vacation, even though we sat in the hot sun watching 7 baseball games. We enjoyed the team spirit. Getting to know the other parents. Watching the boys both win, and lose, graciously. And bragging about the “NJ Twins”.

We laughed. We cheered. There were tense moments. But it all came down to one thought. Our boys were the best – no matter what. No, they didn’t win the tournament, but they learned some valuable lessons. They had fun. They know they are loved. And there is always next year!!

As I thought about my passion for baseball, and being willing to drive to “who knows where” just to see a baseball game, I wondered if I had the same passion for my Lord. Am I willing to go “wherever” to share the Good News with someone? Do I get excited about telling others about Jesus, like I do about sharing the story of my grandson’s team? Would I be willing to stand up and yell like a fool for Jesus just as I do for his team?

Why is it we are okay with these kinds of actions at a simple, stupid sports event – yet we hesitate to open our mouth to speak to someone about what is really important - Jesus?


There is still work to be done in my life concerning this very topic. How about you?

Let’s consider the commands God gives us in his word. Namely these:

Nahum 1:15 – “Look! A messenger is coming over the mountains with good news! He is bringing a message of peace.” - Am I that messenger?

Psalm 107:2 – “Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies”. – Jesus is our Redeemer, taking our sin on himself at the Cross. Look around you. There are many who need to hear about this Redeemer.

Acts 18:9-10 – “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me.” - Hey!! No need to be afraid. Three promises God gives if we are willing to share the Gospel. I am with you. No one will attack you. No one will harm you. Bottom line, I have no excuse.

Romans 15:20 – “My ambition has always been to preach the Good News where the name of Christ has never been heard, rather than where a church has already been started by someone else.” It’s so easy to speak about Christ within the church walls – but our ambition and desire should be to share Christ to those outside the church. Your neighbor. Your co-worker. That team player. Perhaps a family member. Be the messenger. Don’t be afraid.

May God help each of us to get as excited about Jesus as we do about our favorite sports team.

Crunchy Shrimp & Mango Lettuce Cups

½ C. lowfat sour cream
2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
S & P
1 lb. medium cooked, peeled and deveined shrimp (thawed if frozen)
2 stalks celery, cut into ¼ inch pieces
2 sliced scallions
1 mango, cut into ½ inch pieces
6 oz. sugar snap peas, thinly sliced
½ C. fresh basil, torn
1 small head butter lettuce, leaves separated

In a small bowl whisk together the sour cream, lemon juice and ½ tsp. each S & P
Add the shrimp, celery and scallions and toss to coat. Fold in the mango, snap peas and basil. Serve in the lettuce leaves.

Prayer

(Recipe: No Bake Peanut Butter Pie)

Our pastor spoke on the subject of prayer this morning at church. How often we pray for something, then are amazed when that prayer is answered. Or we pray, never expecting God to answer it immediately – if at all. The church praying for Peter in Acts 12 experienced this. They gathered for prayer, praying for Peter’s release (vs. 12). There was a knock at the door. Someone spoke. A young girl recognized the voice as the voice of Peter. Without even opening the door she ran to tell the church that “Peter was here.” No one believed her! Couldn’t possibly be Peter! No way could he be released from prison! She must have heard an angel.

Were they not just praying and begging for Peter’s release?

Why did they seem so surprised that God might have answered their prayer?

I can’t really fault this group of people. At times, I have acted in the same way. I remember 47 years ago praying earnestly that God would heal our 5 year old son who had been run over by a farm tractor. Doctors were not optimistic. Children with this kind of injury do not survive.

But I prayed. Doctors didn’t know my God. Each day we saw improvement, to the surprise of the doctors.

I must admit, even I was surprised, although I should not have been. After all, I had been pleading with God to spare this young life? What a delight to admit at the end of seven days that God had indeed answered my prayer for healing. The doctors labeled him “The Miracle Child.”

Indeed, it was a miracle, performed by my God, in answer to prayer.

Our son was released from the hospital with no lasting effects from his ordeal. God answered prayer over and above all I could have imagined.

Why then was I surprised when God answered this prayer? Why did I seem to doubt it would even happen?
I’m sure God whispered, “Oh ye of little faith. You may doubt, but I will increase your belief.”

God has given his children some wonderful promises regarding prayer.

Proverbs 15:29 – “....he hears the prayer of the righteous.”
Matthew 21:22 – “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”
James 5:16 - “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”

What are you praying for today? Don’t give up. Keep on asking and believing that God will give you your heart’s desire. Don’t be surprised when the answer comes. And if your faith seems weak, ask God to strengthen it.

We have an Awesome and Amazing God who loves to do awesome and amazing things for his children. He does so each and every day. Are you watching? Do you see them? What prayer has God just answered for you today?

No Bake Peanut Butter Pie

1 8-oz. cream cheese
1-1/2 C. confectioners’ sugar
1 C. peanut butter
1 C. milk
1 16-oz. frozen whipped topping, thawed
2 nine inch prepared graham cracker crusts

Beat together cheese and confectioners’ sugar. Mix in peanut butter and milk. Beat until smooth. Fold in whipped topping. Spoon into two pie shells; cover and freeze until firm.

(Recipe: Peach and Blackberry Cobbler)

How often have you heard it said, “Where is God?” This is a question frequently asked when going through a difficult time. Like the events in Boston. Or what happened at New Town. Perhaps the trials in my own life. We may ask, “God, where are you?” Do you see? Do you care? The answer can be found in Psalm 19. Let’s look at it and see if we can answer the question “Where is God?”

Beginning with verse one (NLT), Scripture says “The HEAVENS proclaim the glory of God.” Where is God? Look up! The skies display his craftsmanship, his Almighty Hand. The SUN rises and sets. CLOUDS adorn the heavens. The STARS and MOON reveal God each night. God shows up, every day, 24/7/365 as the sun shines by day, and the moon glows each night. They speak in silence, never saying anything, yet revealing God’s power. God is not dead, indeed, he is alive!

God shows up on a clear, cloudless, sunny day. God can be seen in a starry, moonlit evening. God is also present on a cloudy, dreary, rainy day; or a stormy evening. Watching, waiting, shepherding, loving; all in the hopes of drawing us to himself. Where is God? Just look up.

Where is God? Verse seven continues. “The instructions (Bible) of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul.” His Book reveals where God is, and what he is doing. He is reviving the soul, making wise the simple, bringing joy to the heart, giving insight for living. Who but God could do all this? We take life for granted. Each day is a gift from Him.

His Words are perfect, trustworthy, right, clear, true, and fair. Where is God? Found within the pages of his Book. Those words are more desirable than gold, sweeter than honey; and when I let them penetrate my heart I find a great reward. When I revere God, there is a lasting relationship.

Where is God? How can I find Him?

Verse twelve says my heart needs to be cleansed from sin so I can be free of guilt and in the right frame of mind and heart to see God.

Where is God? He is within reach. He is all around you. He is in you. He is your Rock and your Redeemer. If you are uncertain as to your relationship to God, go to www.godlife.com for more answers.

Verse fourteen says, “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”

Where is God? He is right where he has always been, orchestrating the events of your life into a beautiful symphony of praise to himself.

Peach and Blackberry Cobbler

4 C. peeled, sliced fresh peaches
1 C. fresh blackberries
¼ C. sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
½ C. melted butter
1-1/4 C. flour
1 C. white sugar
2 Tbsp. baking powder
½ tsp. salt
2 C. milk

Preheat oven to 350. Mix peaches, blackberries, ¼ C. sugar, cinnamon and lemon juice together in bowl.

Pour butter into 9x13 glass baking dish and evenly coat bottom and sides. Whisk flour, 1 cup sugar, baking powder and salt in bowl. Mix in milk just to moisten dry ingredients. Pour batter into baking dish, evenly distribute fruit over batter. Bake until golden brown, 45 minutes.

God Is Good!

Recipe: Lemon Drop Cake)
This past Sunday in Sunday School we had a lesson on “God’s Goodness”. Too often we miss out what God is trying to show us, or perhaps give to us. From the book, “God As He Longs For You To See Him” by Chip Ingram, Chip says, “The word goodness often refers to that quality in God that causes him to bless people, deliver them, and store up future gifts for them. It implies a sense of delight in the one giving and the gift given. God’s goodness is pleasant, desirable, fair, and generous.” Psalm 84:11, “For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.” Has God been good to you today?

Ever hear of those Good and Plenty candies? Of all the candies I enjoy, Good & Plenty is near the top of the list. Life is good when I have a handful of those luscious, sugar-coated licorice pieces! I Love licorice. I am the first to dig out all the licorice jelly beans! I’m so glad no one else in my family loves them like I do. Leaves them all for ME.

There are a lot of good things in life. But like a feast of Good & Plenty, the goodness is soon over. Even the best of the good things can afterward leave us feeling empty and even regretful. So when the psalmist declares, “I said to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord, apart from You I have no good thing’” (Ps. 16:2 NIV), I am intrigued. We all know that God is good. But when was the last time we embraced Him as the ultimate good in our life?

The psalmist in Psalm 16 explains just how good God really is: He is our preserver (v.1), our total goodness-giver (v.2), our counsel and instructor (v.7), and the One who makes known “the path of life” and fills us with “joy in His presence” (v.11). Now that’s what I call good!

Unfortunately, too often we let lesser “goods” eclipse our acceptance of the everlasting goodness of God in our lives. The fleeting nature of lesser goods will ultimately disappoint us—you can count on it. Only God is truly good! And there is plenty of Him for all we need. Indeed, God is Good... and Plenty enough!! (excerpts by Joel Stowell).
God alone is good. Don’t settle for second best.

Lemon Drop Cake

1 box Betty Crocker SuperMoist lemon cake mix
Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on cake mix box
1 C. powdered sugar
¼ C. fresh squeezed lemon juice (1 large lemon)
1 Betty Crocker Rich & Creamy lemon frosting

Heat oven to 350. Line two 8” square pans with foil, letting foil hang 2” over 2 opposite sides of pans. Grease or spray bottoms and sides of foil

Make cake batter as directed on box. Pour into pans. Bake 25-32 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 15 minutes

In small bowl mix powdered sugar and lemon juice. Poke top of warm cake every ½ “ with a long-tined fork, wiping fork occasionally to reduce sticking. Drizzle and spread lemon mixture over top of cake. Refrigerate about 2 hours or until chilled. Remove cakes from pans by lifting with foil; peel foil away.

In small microwave-safe bowl, microwave frosting, uncovered, on high 15 seconds. On serving plate place 1 cake, rounded side down. spread with half of frosting. Top with second cake, rounded side up. Frost top of cake. Garnish with lemon drop candies. Store loosely, covered.