EARTHQUAKE!
(Recipe: Orange Tapioca Salad)

EARTHQUAKE! What do you mean an earthquake here on the East coast of all places? I was at my table having lunch when I heard this news over the radio. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Then my husband said, “Yes, my desk at work moved and my computer was shaking” and we live in Pennsylvania!

I immediately thought of the verse in Matthew 24:7-8 where Jesus, along with his disciples, were on the Mount of Olives speaking with Jesus privately. They were asking “what sign will signal your return and the end of the world?” One comment Jesus spoke seems appropriate for today when he said, “Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.”

We are in the beginning of those birth pains!!

Truly our world is in chaos. Could one of the reasons be because we have forsaken the God who loves us? We have taken him out of all that is good. People want to do their own thing. Things which bring pleasure to themselves – forget God. One day we know that God’s patience will cease and we will know the fury of his anger. God says in Amos 3:10 – “My people have forgotten how to do right, says the Lord.” Certainly this is true of our nation.

We need to be praying for our nation, its people, and our world to humbly come back to the God who loves them. Read through the book of Amos. We can learn some wonderful lessons from this man of faith. Amos tried to warn the people. They would not listen. Amos 7:14-16, “But Amos replied, “I’m not a professional prophet, and I was never trained to be one. I’m just a shepherd, and I take care of sycamore-fig trees. But the Lord called me away from my flock and told me, ‘Go and prophesy to my people in Israel.’ Now then, listen to this message from the Lord.” But they would not listen.

God used a humble man like Amos, untrained, uneducated, to speak to a lost nation. He can use you and me as well. God speaks these words in Amos 8:11-12, “The time is surely coming,” says the Sovereign Lord, “when I will send a famine on the land – not a famine of bread or water but of hearing the words of the Lord. People will stagger from sea to sea and wander from border to border searching for the word of the Lord, but they will not find it.”

America is experiencing a famine – of hearing the words of the Lord. But God is calling you and me who believe the Gospel message to share the Good News of hope, peace and joy. Will you do your part to turn our land from a land of spiritual famine into a land that bows down and worships the Almighty God? It might mean taking you out of your comfort zone. Truly, it was for Amos, but he remained a faithful servant. I want to be that kind of faithful servant – do you?

ORANGE TAPIOCA SALAD

3 cups water
1 package (3-oz) orange gelatin
1 package (3.4 oz) INSTANT vanilla pudding mix
1 package (3 oz.) tapioca pudding mix
1 can (15 oz) mandarin oranges, DRAINED
1 can (8 oz) crushed pineapple, DRAINED
1 carton (8 oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed

In saucepan, bring water to a boil. Whisk in gelatin and pudding mixes. Return to a boil, stirring constantly; boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat and cool completely. Fold in oranges, pineapple and shipped topping. Spoon into a serving bowl. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours. Yield 12-14 servings.

GOD IS ALWAYS GOOD
(Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff)

We have all heard the saying, “when the going gets tough, the tough get going.” This has been my experience this week. I don’t know how “tough” I am, but I have a feeling I am about to find out. Having not felt well for a number of weeks, I finally went to the doctor. He did an EKG. You know you are in trouble when your doctor says “oh-oh”. I said, “Is that a good oh-oh or a bad oh-oh.” He replied, “We have a new problem.”

He said, “you have A-Fib.” Not exactly the words I wanted to hear. He immediately sent me to my cardiologist who confirmed his suspicion. A-Fib (arterial fibrillation) a rapid and irregular heartbeat. They scheduled a Cardioversion (shocking the heart back into rhythm), along with a TEE (internal echocardiogram). This was done last Thursday. After shocking the heart three times, the procedure proved to be a failure.

Disappointing news to say the least. But, the doctor went on to explain because they had done the internal echo they discovered my Mitral-Valve was leaking more seriously than they realized, which caused the A-Fib, which meant I would need open heart surgery to repair/replace the valve.

As I lay digesting the news, I couldn’t help but smile as I contemplated the goodness of God, even in this difficult situation. Had I not been feeling well, I would never have gone to the doctor and we would never have discovered the real problem. My Mitral Valve Prolapse had taken a turn for the worse. God is so good!

In the next few weeks/months my faith is going to be tested. I have a feeling God is smiling as he says, “OK, Marilyn. Let’s see what you’re really made of. Let’s see if all your years of teaching My word to others will prove to be real in your own life.” I believe God is good and powerful; loving and kind; gracious and good; and is and always will be my Jehovah Rapha – my Healer. He continues to be the Great Physician, the Good Shepherd, my Savior, and this week it is my privilege to teach 20 moms for DVBS this truth about God. Yes, God is good. What I am about to experience is simply a “bump in the road” and bumps don’t hurt all that much!!

God’s word continues to be my source of strength, and my cry to him continues to be the words of Psalm 95:1-3, “Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the Lord is the GREAT GOD, the GREAT KING above all gods.”

So, friend, whatever trial you may be facing in your own life today; persevere. God is in control. He will walk the journey with you. You can trust Him!!

SLOW COOKER BEEF STROGANOFF

2 pounds beef stew meat
1 cup chopped onion
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) condensed cream of golden mushroom soup
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) condensed cream of onion soup
1 jar (6 ounces) Green Giant® sliced mushrooms, drained
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, cubed
1 container (8 ounces) sour cream
6 cups hot cooked noodles or rice

1. 1 In 3 1/2- to 4 1/2-quart slow cooker, mix beef, onion, soups, mushrooms and pepper.
2. 2 Cover and cook on low heat setting 8 to 10 hours or until beef is very tender.
3. 3 Stir cream cheese into beef mixture until melted. Stir sour cream into beef mixture. Serve over noodles.

WHEN CHANGE COMES
(Recipe: Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream Cake)


I have been teaching through the book of Ruth in my home Bible study. I love this little book. Although very little of God is mentioned in the book, God is vividly portrayed throughout its pages.

A few years ago when Paul retired from District ministry, I also left my post as the DS wife. I remember sharing with the other pastors’ wives a devotional from this book. I used the acronym CHANGE for my message. Ruth was the perfect book for this as there were certainly many changes that took place in her and Naomi’s life. Let me share these thoughts with you.

C – Contentment. In the beginning of Naomi’s life (as well as Ruth) they were women who enjoyed contentment. They were content in their surroundings, their family, their relationships and where God had placed them. Life seemed to be good.

H – Heartache. Then they were asked to endure some heartache. First Naomi’s husband died. Then the husbands of Ruth and Orpah died; who were Naomi’s only sons. None of these women were prepared for this kind of heartache. Not only did they lose the love of their lives, they lost the men who provided them security.

A – Accepting a new plan. Alone and frightened these women had to make a choice that would drastically change their circumstances. Naomi was returning to her homeland. She encouraged Ruth & Orpah to return to their homeland as well. Naomi was insistent they do this. Orpah agreed; Ruth did not. She accepted a new plan for her life. Rather than return to Moab and the land of idols, she returned with Naomi to Bethlehem.

N – Nothing but God. Ruth had come from a very idolatrous country. Having lived with Naomi and Elimelech; being married to their son Mahlon, and being taught about the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Ruth fell in love with their God. She had come to depend on him. Trust him. Love him. And when heartache entered her life, she confessed she wanted to follow him no matter where he took her. She said to Naomi, “Your God will be my God.” If God was enough for Naomi, God was enough for her and her future was safely in His hands.

E – Enjoying God’s blessings. Truly, with God in your life you have no need for anything else, and with God in your life, he keeps pouring out blessing upon blessing. This was true for Ruth. Within God’s plan for her life, she found the right field to glean barley in. When the owner saw Ruth working, he was taken with her character and showed her kindness. The field she chose was owned by a near relative (although Ruth did not know this). When confronted with the possibility of becoming her Kingsman-Redeemer, he did not hesitate. Ultimately Ruth and Boaz were married. A son was born to them. Naomi was overjoyed. God’s blessings continued throughout many generations. It was through their son Obed and the lineage to follow that our Savior, Jesus was born.

Does God have some changes taking place in your life today? You can trust him. Through heartache or joy, let God be at the center and He will see you through. Don’t run from CHANGE in your life; embrace it as an exciting adventure you and God will go on together.

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER ICE CREAM CAKE

4 cups rice cereal (such as Rice Krispies)
6 oz. semisweet Chocolate, chopped
¾ cup creamy peanut butter (not natural)
3 pints chocolate chip or other ice cream

Place cereal in bowl. In small pan, combine the chocolate and peanut butter. Cook over low heat, stirring until the chocolate melts and the mixture is smooth (about 2 minutes). Add the chocolate-peanut butter mixture to the cereal and mix to coat. Spread into the bottom and 1-1/2 inches up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Freeze until set, about 10 minutes.

Let the ice cream soften at room temperature just until spreadable, about 10 minutes. Spread ice cream evenly into the chilled crust and freeze until firm – 4 hours and up to 2 days.

INDEPENDENCE DAY
(Mamie Eisenhower’s Million Dollar Fudge)

As I stand at my kitchen window I can see the fireworks display coming from a local park. I love the noise, the beauty in the shower of lights, the excitement – all to celebrate July 4th – our Independence Day, which has been celebrated every year on July 4 since l776 – 215 years ago.

Independence Day honors the birthday of the United States of America and the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. It's a day of picnics and patriotic parades, a night of concerts and fireworks, and a reason to fly the American flag.

In July 1776, the estimated number of people living in the newly independent nation was 2.5 million.

Today, the nation's estimated population on this July Fourth is 311.7 million.

We claim our Nation is ‘The Land of the Free’ – and it is. Yet I’m afraid we take our freedom for granted. Yet this should not be. Freedom always comes with a cost. Many men and women have given their lives so this country might remain free. We are deeply indebted to each one of them. Without their sacrifice, this Nation and our lives would be very different.

To be “free” is defined this way - “enjoying personal rights or liberty, as a person who is not in slavery; a land of free people”.

Every day we enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness because we are not enslaved to bondage or slavery. We are a free people.

As Christians, we are indebted to the One who was willing to sacrifice His life so that we could be free from slavery to sin. Jesus went to the cross and died for you and me. If he had not done this, where would we be? Still living a life enslaved in our sin. Still living a life which offers no joy or peace. We would have no hope, and no assurance of eternal life. But Jesus did die. He willingly gave his life. He became our sacrifice for freedom; just as men and women have done in the past.

On this Fourth of July, I want to thank these brave young people who sacrificially gave their lives so this Nation might remain free. Thank you.

I want to thank God’s Son, Jesus, who sacrificially gave His life on the Cross at Calvary so this sinner might be free from slavery to sin. Because of Jesus I can enjoy freedom from the bondage of sin and have assurance and hope of eternal life.

Are you enjoying this same freedom? I truly hope so. If not, ask Jesus to show you how you can experience the joy of being free from the bondage of sin.

Romans 5:6-8 – “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this, While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 10:9-10 – “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.”


Mamie’s (Eisenhower) Million Dollar Fudge

4 1/2 cups sugar pinch of salt 2 tablespoons butter 1 tall can evaporated milk 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate bits 12 ounces German-sweet chocolate 1 pint marshmallow cream 2 cups nutmeats

Boil the sugar, salt, butter, evaporated milk together for six minutes.

Put chocolate bits and German chocolate, marshmallow cream and nutmeats in a bowl. Pour the boiling syrup over the ingredients. Beat until chocolate is all melted, then pour in pan.

Let stand a few hours before cutting. Remember it is better the second day. Store in tin box.

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!
(Recipe: Apple Blueberry Pie)

He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.
-C.B Kelland

I had no idea when or how Father’s Day began, so I did a little research. Perhaps this is something you did not know either.

Father's Day started in 1910 and is credited to Sonora Smart Dodd from Spokane.

The story is that she got the idea while listening to a Mother's Day sermon in church. The June holiday is recognized for being the birth month of Dodd's own father, who raised six children after their mother died in childbirth.

The event received almost immediate support, including that from William Jennings Bryan, President Woodrow Wilson and later by President Calvin Coolidge, who recommended it for national holiday in 1924. It wasn't until 62 years after its origin that it became a national holiday by President Richard Nixon.

It could be debated that the holiday started as early as July 5, 1908, when Grace Golden Clayton suggested to her Fairmont, WV congregation that the 250 fathers killed, including her own, in the nearby Monangah Miners Disaster in December of 1907, be honored.

Because of the many events that take place within the same holiday timeframe, this event was not promoted well. It didn't pick up momentum or gain awareness outside of Clayton's community to catapult into the modern holiday that we celebrate today.

The white and red rose was made the official flowers for Father's Day celebration. While the white rose commemorated gratitude for a father, who was deceased, a red rose expressed thankfulness to one, who was living.

And now you know!

To all dads everywhere, thank you for your part in providing for your family. You are the tower of strength to your wife and children – at least my husband has been for our family – thank you. God bless each of you.

"The greatest gift I ever had
Came from God, and I call him Dad!"
~~Author Unknown.

Apple Blueberry Pie

3/4 c sugar
3 tbsp. cornstarch
1/2 tsp. salt
5 C. apples, peeled and sliced
1 C. blueberries, fresh if possible
1 tbsp. lemon juice
1 unbaked double pastry shell (or make your own pie crust)
2 tbsp margarine
Double-Crust Pastry for 9" pie

In a large bowl, stir together sugar, cornstarch and salt. Add apples, blueberries and lemon juice; toss to evenly coat the fruit.

Turn into pastry lined 9" pie plate. Dot with margarine. Add top crust; seal and flute edge. Bake in a 425 degree oven until crust is browned and filling is bubbly.

WHAT GOD SAYS ABOUT ME
(Recipe: Coconut Macaroon Brownies)

Recently my husband and I attended a retreat. it was an awesome few days away, especially since the retreat was held on the beach! There is something magical about standing on the ocean’s shore and looking out at the massive expanse, amazed at God’s creation.

Our speaker for those few days was challenging. Made us do a lot of soul searching as we spent time alone with God, and discussed together as a group. During one of our sessions he had us look at a list of things that God says about us. We all know God loves us. We are forgiven. We are part of his family. As I looked over the list we were given, I stared in wonder and humility at all the things God says about us – about me – and realized anew how very much God loves me and how very special I am to him. Let me share some of these awesome thoughts with you as well, for you to ponder and think about. (taken from Neil Andersons’s ‘Bondage Breaker’)

I AM ACCEPTED
a. I am God’s child – John 1:12
b. I am Christ’s friend – John 15:5
c. I have been bought with a price; I belong to God – 1 Corinthians 6:20
d. I am a member of Christ’s body – 1 Corinthians 12:27
e. I am a saint – Ephesians 1:11
f. I have been adopted as God’s child – Ephesians 1:5
g. I am complete in Christ – Colossians 2:10

I AM SECURE
a. I am free forever from condemnation – Romans 8:1-2
b. I cannot be separated from the love of God – Romans 8:35, 38-39
c. I have been established, anointed and sealed by God – 2 Corinthians :21-22
d. I am a citizen of heaven – Philippians 3:20
e. I have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind – 2 Timothy 1:7
f. I am born of God, and the evil one cannot touch me – 1 John 5:18

I AM SIGNIFICANT
a. I am the salt of the earth – Matthew 5:13-14
b. I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit – John 15:16
c. I am God’s temple – 2 Corinthians 3:16
d. I am a minister of reconciliation – 2 Corinthians 5:17-20
e. I am God’s co-worker – 2 Corinthians 6:1
f. I am God’s workmanship – Ephesians 2:10
g. I can approach God with freedom and confidence – Ephesians 3:12
h. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength – Philippians 4:13

If you are a child of God through faith in His Son Jesus then you are a SOMEBODY! In God’s eyes you have much worth. Take time to thank God for his awesome thoughts toward you.

COCONUT MACAROON BROWNIES
1 cup soft butter
2 cups white sugar
4 eggs
1-1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 cups four
¾ tsp. cream of tartar
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
½ cup chopped walnuts
4 cups unsweetened flaked coconut]
1 (14-oz) can sweetened condensed milk
1 Tbsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla. Combine the flour, cream of tartar and cocoa; stir into the egg mixture until well blended. Fold in walnuts. Spread half of this mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan.

Make the middle layer. In a medium bowl, stir together the coconut, sweetened condensed milk and 1 tablespoon vanilla. Carefully layer this over the chocolate layer in the pan. Top with the remaining chocolate batter. Spread to cover evenly. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes in the preheated oven, until top is no longer shiny. Cool in the pan before cutting into bars.

HOPE
(Recipe: Fruit and Spinach Salad)

I was conversing with a friend this past week. We were talking about our walk with God. What we have been learning about God. What God seems to be saying to us. Her comment was, “I keep thinking about HOPE. That is a powerful word, and yet a word of mystery.”

As I thought about it, I would have to agree with her. How do you define hope, really? The dictionary defines it this way, “to desire something with confident expectation of its fulfillment.”

Wow! Confidently expecting what I desire to be fulfilled. I was then reminded of Psalm 34:4 which says, “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

Desire means, “to have a longing for; to wish or request.”

I am getting the sense that what I desire and what God desires for me are two different things. God desires me to delight myself in him, long for him, put my hope completely in him. When I do this, everything else seems to fall into place perfectly.

Psalm 130:5, 7 says, “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. O Israel, (you could add your name), put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love, and with him is full redemption.”

As I hope in the Lord, I am fully expecting God to love me unfailingly. As I hope in the Lord, I fully expect his full redemption.

Yes, hope in the Lord is a good thing. Psalm 147:11 reminds us, “The Lord DELIGHTS in those who fear him, who put their HOPE in his unfailing love.”

And my all-time favorite verse, Isaiah 40:31 – “But those who hope (to desire something with confident expectation of its fulfillment)….those who hope in the Lord WILL
a. renew their strength
b. will soar on wings like eagles
c. will run and not grow weary
d. will walk and not be faint

An old hymn expresses these thoughts on hope well:

The Solid Rock

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale my anchor holds within the veil.

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.

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

Chorus: On Christ the solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

On what is your hope grounded this morning? On the temporal hope of the world, or on the hope that comes through knowing Jesus, through studying and obeying his Word? If you’re feeling hopeless, open God’s word and let God minister to your heart today; with confidence expect God to turn your hopelessness into hope.

Fruit and Spinach Salad

1 pound fresh spinach, torn
4 cups whole strawberries, sliced
1 11-oz. can mandarin oranges, drained
1 star fruit, sliced

Ginger Dressing:
1/3 cup lemon juice
2 T. olive oil
2 T. sugar
¾ tsp. ginger or 1 T. minced fresh gingerroot
2 tsp. grated lemon peel

Arrange spinach and fruit on salad plate. Mix the dressing well. Drizzle over salad. Serve immediately. Serves 4