DANCING WITH JOY

(Recipe: Caramel-Pecan

Cheesecake Pie)

This past week was DVBS at our church (Daily Vacation Bible School). I had the privilege of teaching 26 moms during the week. We discussed such topics as: Deep Love; Deep Faith; Deep Humility; Deep Compassion and Deep Worship. On our final day as we discussed worship, I was drawn to a verse of Scripture from Psalm 90 verse 14 which says (I quote from The Message)….”Surprise us with love at daybreak; then we’ll skip and dance all the day long.”

Isn’t this what worship should be like. God pouring out his many “surprises” on us, and as we encounter each one of them we can “skip and dance all day long” as we think about and worship our Awesome God. I was reminded of two other people in Scripture who worshiped God through dancing.

In Exodus 14 we have the story of the crossing of the Red Sea. Verse 31 says, “And when the Israelites saw the great power the Lord displayed against the Egyptains, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.” Exodus 15:1 begins, “Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord.” The people start to sing to the Lord regarding the many “surprises” God brought to them as they escaped the hand of the Egyptains. Exodus 15:20-21 concludes with these words, “Then Miriam the prophetress, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her, with tambourines and dancing. Miriam sang to them: Sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted. The horse and its rider he has hurled into the sea.” Can you sense their enthusiasm as they danced for joy before the Lord because of all God had done for them?

2 Samuel 6 is the story of the Ark being brought back to Jerusalem. David was responsible for seeing that this was accomplished however there was a period of time when David thought this task might be utterly impossible. In fact in verse 9 David says, “…..How can the ark of the Lord ever come to me?” Surprise! God does allow the ark to return for we read in verse 12b-13 “……So David went down and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with rejoicing. When those who were carrying the ark of the Lord had taken six steps, he sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf.” Then David does something a bit unusual for a king. Verse 14-15 says, “David, wearing a line ephod, danced before the Lord with all his might, while he and the entire house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets.” It was not beneath David to dance before the Lord because of God's blessings.

With each new day look around and see the wonderful surprises God has just for you: a beautiful sunrise or sunset; a rainbow; a thank-you; an unexpected compliment – then give God praise for his wonderful "surprise" as you "skip and dance" through the rest of your day.

Caramel-Pecan Cheesecake Pie

1 8-oz. cream cheese, softened

½ cup sugar

4 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

1 unbaked pastry shell (9 inches)

1-1/4 cups chopped pecans

1 cup caramel ice cream topping

In small mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, 1 egg and vanilla until smooth. Spread into pastry shell; sprinkle with pecans.

In small bowl, whisk remaining eggs; gradually whisk in caramel topping until blended. Pour over pecans.

Bake at 375 for 35-40 minutes or until lightly browned (loosely cover with foil after 20 minutes if pie browns too quickly). Cool on a wire rack for 1 hour. Refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight before slicing. Refrigerate leftovers.

THIS CAN BE FIXED!!

(Recipe: Monkey Bread - Breakfast Treat)

When something is broken what is the first thing we attempt to do? We want to fix it. When my computer is broken, I take it to someone who can “fix” it. When I am not feeling well, I go to a doctor who can offer me something to “fix” the illness. When I am having trouble with my marriage, I go to a counselor who can help me “fix” the problem. While on vacation, I was thinking about this word “fix”. I did a little research and would like to share with you what I discovered God has to say about this word “fix”.

Deuteronomy 11:18 tells me, “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.” The NLT says it this way, “So commit yourselves completely to these words of mine. Tie them to your hands as a reminder, and wear them on your forehead.” God is reminding me of the importance of keeping His words securely locked inside my heart and mind. Not a bad reminder.

2 Corinthians 4:18 tells us, “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” Again, the NLT reads this way, “So we don’t look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.” Where are your eyes directed today? On all your troubles, or on the joys that are to come? Fix your eyes on what you can’t see – the promise that Jesus has everything under perfect control.

Hebrews 3:1 is a powerful reminder of where our thoughts should be. “Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.” The NLT says, “And so, dear brothers and sisters who belong to God and are bound for heaven, think about this Jesus whom we declare to be God’s Messenger and High Priest.” Of whom are you thinking today? Is Jesus first and foremost on your mind and heart? If not, why not.

One last thought. Hebrews 12:2 says, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Again, the NLT reads, “We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward. Now he is seated in the place of highest honor beside God’s throne in heaven.”

God’s Word says “we do this….” - why? Why do we need to keep our eyes on Jesus? Because we are running a race according to verse 1 and the only way we will be able to win this race is if we let Jesus take the lead. Verse one says (NLT) – “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress, and let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus…….”

We need to fix God’s words securely in our minds and hearts; we must fix our eyes not on our circumstances, but on our Savior; we must keep our minds pure and holy and we do this by “fixing” our thoughts on Jesus; and if we are going to win this race of life and come through it with great reward, we must KEEP our eyes fixed on Jesus who will NEVER lead us astray.

Does your life need fixing today? Jesus is the answer to whatever seems to be broken. Trust Him. Obey Him. Love Him. Follow Him. Keep yourself “fixed” on Jesus.

Proverbs 4:25 sums it up (NLT) – Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you.” – namely, Jesus.

MONKEY BREAD (Breakfast treat)

4 cans buttermilk biscuits, each cut into quarters

¾ cup sugar

1-1/4 tsp. cinnamon

Place sugar and cinnamon in a bag and mix well. Put cut-up biscuits into bag and shake very well, until evenly coated.

Place all into an ungreased Bundt pan.

Heat in saucepan:

1-1/4 cup sugar

¾ cup butter

1-1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Pour this mixture over the biscuits. Bake at 350 for approximately 30-45 minutes, until nice and brown. Turn Bundt pan upside down on a platter. Remove pan. Serve bread warm.

I am posting this blog early. We are leaving for vacation, to the mountains of Tennessee. I will have no internet service – thus – I am unable to post this on Sunday!

LESSON FROM A KING

(Recipe: Hawaiian Chicken)

What difficulty are you facing this morning? What decision do you have to make? What battle are you fighting this week? In my quiet time this morning, I came across an amazing verse. In 2 Chronicles 20 we find King Jehoshaphat in a situation with his enemy. The armies of the Moabites, Ammonites and some Meunites have declared war on him. A messenger warns him they are on the march.

Jehoshaphat is terrified (well who wouldn’t be!). He begs the Lord for guidance. He ordered everyone to start fasting. He did all the right things in preparing for this battle. Standing before the people he prays, “O Lord….you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you……(he reminds God of all he has done, then says)….We can cry out to you to save us and you will hear us and rescue us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.”

God’s Spirit came upon Jahaziel and these were the words God gave him to encourage the King with. “”Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow, march out against them. You will find them coming up through the ascent of Ziz at the end of the valley that opens into the wilderness of Jeruel.

But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you.!”

King Jehohaphat and all the people bow low with their face to the ground, worshiping the Lord.

The next day they go out into the wilderness. The King reminds them to “Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.” As they marched, they sang. As they sang their enemy, having reached the wilderness, started fighting among themselves, and ALL were killed. “Not a single one of the enemy had escaped.”(vs. 24).

Their impossible battle had been won! God had given them victory! All that was required was – faith. Verse 28 says, “They marched into Jerusalem to the music of harps, lyres, and trumpets, and they proceeded to the Temple of the Lord."

I don’t know what your battle might be today, but one thing I am certain of. YOU do not need to fight it. Simply take up your position of prayer and faith. Stand still and watch what God will do for you. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be discouraged. Face your battle squarely because “…..the Lord is with you.” Offer your praise to God as you watch and see what he will do for you today.

Hawaiian Chicken

10 skinned chicken pieces

1 18-oz. bottle of Russian Dressing

1 18-oz. jar of apricot jam

1 package of dry onion soup mix

Place chicken in casserole. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Pour dressing over chicken. Spread jam over next. Last, sprinkle with the soup mix. Bake in a slow oven (325) for one hour, or until appears done.

Words from Psalm 18

(Recipe: Zuchinni Patties)

In my quiet time today I was reading from Psalm 18. As I came upon verses 29 and following, I saw anew the wonderful message of encouragement God desires to share with us. Let me share this Psalm with you from the NLT (New Living Translation), starting with verse 29:

“In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall. God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. For who is God except the Lord? Who but our God is a solid rock? God arms me with strength, and he makes my way perfect. He makes me as surefooted as a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain height. He trains my hands for battle; he strengthens my arm to draw a bronze bow. You have given me your shield of victory. Your right hand supports me; your help has made me great. You have made a wide path for my feet, to keep them from slipping.”

As you meditate on this Psalm, consider what God is saying to you. When we are feeling weak, we can count on God’s strength. Because God is perfect, we can claim every promise he has written for us in his Book. When we are feeling threatened, God protects us. When we feel like we are standing on sand, God assures us He is our Rock. When we don’t know what to do, or have questions about life, we can trust God, for his way is perfect. God gives us rough roads to walk, mountains to climb and battles to fight, but even in these he will not leave us alone. It is through adversity that we grow in our walk with God. God gives us his “shield of victory” and offers his hand of support.

What challenge are you facing today? What difficulty are you dealing with? What mountain do you have to climb? Be assured, dear friend, God will not leave you alone. He is walking the journey with you. Rest in His strength. Rest in His love. Claim His victory.

Zuchinni Patties

2 cups shredded Zuchinni

2 beaten eggs

¼ cup diced onion

½ cup flour

½ cup parmesan cheese

½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese

salt to taste

With a paper towel, squeeze all moisture out of the Zuchinni. Place all ingredients in a bowl, and mix well.

In a large frying pan, add 2-3 Tbsp. cooking oil. Form patties (4-6) and fry SLOWLY on a low heat. When one side is a golden brown, turn over. Cooking time is approximately 5-6 minutes per side. Serve with a dollop of sour cream.