Does God mend toys?

FAITH:

Psalms 27:1-28:9

David sought to be close to God. He asked God for instruction and waited patiently for God to act. God sustained, protected, helped and taught him.

Recognize that only God can assist when we stand helpless.

Waiting certainly plays an enormous role in the unfolding story of God's relationship to man. It is God's oft-repeated way of teaching us that His power is real and that He can answer our prayers without interference and manipulation from us.

But we have such trouble getting our will, our time schedules out of the way. Much of the time we act like a child who brings a broken toy to his father to be mended. The father gladlly takes the toy and begins work. Then after a while, childlike impatience takes over. Why is it taking so long?

The child stands by, getting his hands in the father's way, offering a lot of meaningless advice and some rather silly criticism. Finally in desperation, he snatches the toy from the father's hands and walks off with it, saying rather bitterly, that he hadn't really thought his father could fix it anyway. Perhaps it isn't even "his will" to mend toys.

On the other hand, when ever we are trustful enough to leave our "broken toy" with the Father, not only do we eventually get it back gloriously restored, but are also handed a surprising plus. We find for ourselves what the saints and mystics affirm, that during the dark waiting period when self-effort had ceased, a spurt of astonishing spiritual growth took place in us. Afterwards, we have qualities like more patience, more love for the Lord and those around us, more ability to hear His voice, greater willingness to obey. by Catherine Marshall

Applying it: Do you catch yourself being impatient with God? Do you think you know the best way to handle a problem? While waiting, don't stew over your problem. Praise God for his solution to the problem. Instead of focusing on yourself and your problem, focus on God's care for you.
Exploring it: Waiting--Psalm 40:1; Hosea 12:6; Micaah 7:7; 2 Peter 3:8-9. Seeking the Lord--Psalm 145:18; Isaiah 55:6; Hosea 10:12; Matthew 6:33

FRIENDS:

Father, we want only to please you. We cherish your promise to take care of your children. And yet we often come to you with muddled ideas, unsure of what is best, uncertain of your will. Thank you, Father, for the assurance that our imperfect prayers cannot hinder your incredible power. In Jesus' name, Amen.

10 THINGS I AM THANKFUL FOR TODAY;
1. My new computer only glasses. Why did I wait so long to get them?
2. Having a friend that calls and asks for help with a project because they have confidence in your ability.
3. Someone that cares about God's church and want to plan events for God's people.
4. My car that keeps running even though it's old and not in the best shape.
5. Friends with leftovers.
7. To still be able to be excited over an idea. Not jaded to life as some older people get.
8. People who ask, "so how did your day go?"
9. God's blessing me with the ability to still be creative.
10. Godly store personnel who are willing to share their faith.

FOOD:

TUNA SQUARES
This was in the Everett, Washington newspaper in 1966, and it is really good.

2 C Bisquick
2/3 C milk
1/3 c water
3 eggs
1/2 t salt and 1/8 t pepper
2 cans tuna, drained
(in those days probably oil packed)
1/2 c shredded cheese
1Tb. chopped onion
1/4 c pimento
1/3 c celery
Grease 9 x 9 x 2 pan. Blend 1st 5 ingredients. Beat well 30 seconds.
Mix in 1 1/2 cans tuna,
1/4 C cheese, onion, pimento and celery.
Spread in pan. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top. Bake at 400 for 30 to
35 minutes
Serve with sauce
SAUCE
Gradually add 1 C milk and 2/3 c water to 2 Tb Bisquick, 1/2 t salt and pepper.
Add remaining tuna. Heat to boiling. Boil 1 minute.

FUN:
.
One Sunday morning, the priest noticed Little Johnny was staring up at the large plaque that hung in the foyer of the church. It was covered with names, and small American flags were mounted on either side of it. The seven-year old had been staring at the plaque for some time, so the priest walked up, stood beside the boy, and said quietly, "Good morning, Little Johnny."

"Good morning, Father," replied the young man, still focused on the plaque. "Father Scott, what is this?" Little Johnny asked. "Well, son, it's a memorial to all the young men and women who died in the service." Soberly, they stood together, staring at the large plaque. Little Johnny's voice was barely audible when he asked, "Which service, the 9:45 or the 11:15?"

At least 10 things to be thankful for

FAITH:

Psalm 136:1-26
People cannot put a limit on God's patient care. He painstakingly created every detail of the universe and patiently provides for his people.

Thank God because he has more resources than we can ever exhaust.

We should never take any blessing for granted, but accept everything as a gift from the Father of Lights. Whole days may be spent occasionally in the holy practice of being thankful. We should write on a tablet one by one the things for which we are grateful to God and to our fellow men. And a constant return to this thought during the day as our minds get free will serve to fix the habit in our hearts.

In trying to count our many blessings, the difficulty is not to find things to count, but to find time to enumerate them all. Personally, I have gotten great help from the practice of talking over with God the many kindnesses I have received from my fellow men. To my parents I owe my life and my upbringing. to my teachers I owe that patient line-upon-line instruction that took me when I was a young, ignorant pagan and enabled me to read and write. To the patriots and statesmen of the past I owe the liberties I now enjoy. To numerous and unknown soldiers who shed their blood to keep our country free I owe a debt I can never pay. And I please God and enlarge my own heart when I remind the Lord that I am grateful for them. For every man and woman of every race and nationality who may have contributed anything to my peace and welfare I am grateful and I shall not let God forget that I am. by A.W. Tozer
Applying it: How has God blessed you? How have others contributed to your life? Take time to thank God for ten blessings today.
Exploring it: Thanksgiving--2 Chronicles 20:21-22; Psalm 103: 1-5; Revelation 4:9-11

MY TEN BLESSINGS TODAY:
1. Listening to Ruben pray at Bible study last night. He has come so far.
2. My home that God found and provided for my old age.
3. The simple fact of having someplace to go for Thanksgiving.
4. Still having time left to try to make a difference in someone's life.
5. Watching my DIL Dianna's face light up when she talked about she and Mark's new financial endeavor.
6. The Farmers Market that has been started here in our building. Helps me to eat more fruits and veggies and maybe lose some weight.
7. The church that meets at Sonoma Ave.
8. The lovely tile Jerry gave me just because I admired it.
9. Having just enough.
10. Wonderful friends who love me and great kids who tolerate me.
11. and blogging....I love it!




FRIENDS:
Father, today as we are busying about preparing things for the day that has been set aside for Thanks, please let us remember you Lord. Remember who is in control. Remember your goodness for things that are now past. Remember your closeness here in the present. Remember your power for our future . In Jesus' name, Amen.

FOOD:

Too many leftovers? Here is a helpful website for recipes.
http://busycooks.about.com/od/leftoverrecipes/a/Thanksgleftover.htm


FUN:

'Twas the night of Thanksgiving,
but I just couldn't sleep...
I tried counting backwards,
I tried counting sheep.
The leftovers beckoned...the dark meat and white,
but I fought the temptation with all of my might.
Tossing and turning with anticipation,
the thought of a snack became infatuation.
So, I raced to the kitchen, flung open the door
and gazed at the fridge, full of goodies galore.
I gobbled up turkey and buttered potatoes,
stuffing with gravy, green beans and tomatoes.
I felt myself swelling so plump and so round,
till all of a sudden, I rose off the ground.
I crashed through the ceiling, floating into the sky
with a mouthful of pudding and a handful of pie
But, I managed to yell as I soared past the trees...
Happy eating to all -- pass the cranberries, please.

The love of the Father.

FAITH:


Psalms 137:1-138:8
During the Babylon captivity, the Israelites mourned for their last land.

In times of trouble it is easy to wonder if God hears us.
But God does hear our prayers, and he carries us through the difficulties.

Since God is more moved my our hurt than our eloquence, he responds. That's what fathers do.

That's exactly what Jim Redmond did.

His son Derek, a twenty-six-year-old Briton, was favored to win the four-hundred meter race in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Halfway into his semifinal heat. a fiery pain seared through his right leg. He crumpled to the track with a torn hamstring.

As the medical attendants were approaching, Redmond fought to his feet. "It was animal instinct," he would later say. He set out hopping, pushing away the coaches in a crazed attempt to finish the race.

When he reached the stretch, a big man pushed through the crowd. He was wearing a t-shirt that read "Have you hugged your child today?" and a hat that challenged, "Just Do It". The man was Jim Redmond, Derek's father.

"You don't have to do this," he told his weeping son.

"Yes, I do," Derek declared.

"Well then, " said Jim, "we're going to finish this together."

And they did. Jim wrapped Derek's arm around his shoulder and helped him hobble to the finish line. Fighting off security men, the son's head sometimes buried in the father's shoulder, they stayed in Derek's lane to the end.

The crowd clapped, then stood, then cheered, and then wept as the father and the son finished the race.

What make the father do it? What made the father leave the stands to meet his son on the track? Was it the strength of his child? His son was hurt and fighting to complete the race. So the father came to help him finish.

God does the same. Our prayers may be awkward. Our attempts may be feeble. But since the power of prayer is in the one who hears it and not the one who says it, our prayers do make a difference. by Max Lucado

Applying it: God wants us to pray to him without getting bogged down in
proper words and phrases. Forget the fancy words and eloquent phrases. Don't get caught up using the right prayer words. Pour out your joys, fears, concerns, and requests. He hears you and will aid and comfort you.

Exploring it: God hears his people: Exodus 2:23-25; 22:27; Psalm 18:6; 145:18; Isiah 65:24; Jeremiah 33:3; Romans 10:12-13.

FRIENDS:
Heavenly Father, we know we are here on earth to be your people and we need to show others the same God who came to be a friend to the earth by our love and hospitality. Lord, please make us aware of others who have no family or no where to go for Thanksgiving. Please open up our eyes and our hearts to the needs of others. In Jesus' name, Amen.

FOOD:

THE BEST CHOCOLATE ICING IN THE UNIVERSE

1 cube butter
1 box powdered sugar
6 Tb. buttermilk
4 Tb. Hershey's Baking Cocoa powder
1 tsp vanilla
1 C nuts

Boil the butter, buttermilk, and cocoa for 1 minute.
Remove from stove, add vanilla and nuts and beat well then
pour onto a 9 x 13 cake. Let cool and cut.
I am warning you this is a killer. Back in the early 80's my
wasbund paid $25 for a cake with this icing on it at a youth
group food auction for camp scholarship money.
And back then this was a lot of money.
Denise was so excited that her cake fetched that amount of money.

FUN:
A couple lived near the ocean and used to walk the beach a lot. One summer they noticed a girl who was at the beach almost every day. She wasn't unusual, nor was the travel bag she carried, except for one thing; she would approach people who were sitting on the beach, glance around and then speak to them.

Generally, the people would respond negatively and she would wander off. But occasionally someone would nod and there would be a quick exchange of money and something that she carried in her bag.

The couple assumed that she was selling drugs and debated calling the cops, but since they didn't know
For sure, they decided to just continue watching her.

After a couple of weeks the wife said, 'Honey, have you ever noticed that she only goes up to people with boom boxes and other electronic devices?' He hadn't and said so.

Then she said, 'Tomorrow I want you to get a towel and our big radio and go lie out on the beach. Then we can find out what she's really doing.'

Well, the plan went off without a hitch and the wife was almost hopping up and down with anticipation w h en she saw the girl talk to her husband and then leave .. The man then walked up the beach and met his wife at the road.

'Well, is she selling drugs?' she asked excitedly. 'No, she's not,' he said, enjoying this probably more
Than he should have.

'Well, what is it then? What does she do ?' his wife fairly shrieked.

The man grinned and said, 'She's a battery salesperson.'

'Batteries?' cried the wife..

'Yes!' he replied.

PLEASE SCROLL DOWN

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OOOOH! You're gonna dislike me for this -
But it will make your day!

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'She Sells C Cells by the Seashore!'

Do you really mean well?

No matter what I do Maxine will not let put her at the end of this devotional so here she is.

FAITH :
Job 18:1-19:29
Because Job rejected his advice,Bildad grew frustrated. In an effort of convince Job, he told of the horrible fate of sinners. Job firmly believed that in the end god would vindicate him because of his innocence.

Job listened to Bildad, even though he knew Bildad was incorrect. Only when Bildad was finished speaking did Job answer.

Let me introduce you to several kinds of people how express various forms of destructive criticism. First are the blamers. They avoid accepting responsibility for their actions by criticizing other people or blaming past experiences which cannot be changed or undone...

Another negative critic is the hurtful joker. Humor is a positive method of relating to others....But hurtful jokers make others the butt of their humor. They specialize in laughing at people instead of laughing with them....

A third kind of critic is the fault-finder. This person seems to have an insatiable need to point our others' defects....And do you know what is so maddening about this person? He usually does what he does with a smile, saying, "I'm just trying to be helpful."...

Another kind of critic at large in the world today is the cannibal. These people don't criticize in a joking manner or settle for mere nitpicking. they go for the jugular....They attack through the most severe forms of personal criticism and put downs with complete disregard for the feelings of others....

Destructive critics may say they are only interested in remodeling you into a better person by sharing a little constructive criticism. But in reality, [these] critics....are intent on putting you down, tearing you down, punishing you, and manipulating you. Their brand or criticism does not nourish; it poisons....

When you are the target of another person's destructive criticism, the natural response is to become defensive. But in reality, the least effective way to respond to criticism is to defend yourself, make excuses, or counterattack....

Remind yourself that you are resonsible to answer to God and to yourself, not to the critical person. Being responsible to God, you look to Him for direction and approval. Being responsible to yourself, you take ownership of your feelings, attitudes, and behavior. If you are aligned with God and with what He wants you to be, you don't need to fear criticism or try to justify your position. You have the power to make your own choices and grow through the experience of criticism.

As a nondefensive person, you respect and feel good about yourself. You believe in your worth and your capabilities. You possess your own identity and sense of security. Being nondefensive, you can listen to others more objectively and evaluate better what they are saying, even when they express themselves in a negative manner. You can accept the critical person for who he is, even if you don't agree with him. You can accept his right to see the world as he sees it, whether or not it coincides with your view. You're able to relate to him without making disparaging comments or negative judgments about him. by H. Norman Wright

Applying it: What is your first response to criticism? Are you thin-skinned, touchy, or sensitive? Ask God to help you listen with interest. Take the criticism, evaluate it, and apply what will be helpful.
Exploring it: Criticism--Job 6:24; 19:3-5; Proverbs 10:17; 27:6.

FRIENDS: Heavenly Father, may your name be praised. Lord, may we see the joy that is before us. would you pull back the eternal curtain and give us a glimpse into the everlasting? Would you hear the secret yearnings of our hearts? Will you keep us close to you this day? In Jesus' name, Amen.

FOOD:
Microwave Orange Marmalade
Makes a nice gift and was one of my families favorites.
2 well scrubbed unpeeled large navel oranges,* cut in 1-inch chunks
2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
In food processor or with sharp knife, chop oranges into 1/4 inch pieces. You should have 2 1/2 cups.
Place in 2 quart microwave safe bowl; stir in the sugar. Microwave on high 4 to 5 minutes until mixture comes to a boil, stirring once. Microwave on high 4 to 5 more minutes until syrupy.
Let cool and beware as this is very hot. Put in clean hot clean jars or containers. Cover and cool completely before refrigerating.
Store tightly covered in refrigerator up to 1 month.
*May also use lemons or grapefruits.

Only God Knows

FAITH:
Job 11:1-20
Unsympathetic, Zophar tried to convince Job that his troubles stemmed from a hidden sin. Zophar believed that God was punishing Job for this sin.

No one can claim complete understanding of God's ways.

Once there was an old man who lived in a tiny village. Although poor, he was envied by all, for he owned a beautiful white horse. Even the king coveted his treasure. A horse like this had never been seen before--such was its splendor, it majesty, its strength.

People offered fabulous prices for the steed, but the old man always refused. "This horse is not a horse to me," he would tell them. "It is a person How could you sell a person? He is a friend, not a possession. How could you sell a friend?" The man was poor and the temptation was great. But he never sold the horse.

One morning he found that the horse was not in the stable. All the village came to see him. "You old fool," they scoffed. "We told you that someone would steal your horse. We warned you that you would be robbed. You are so poor. How could you ever hope to protect such a valuable animal. It would have been better to have sold him. You could have gotten whatever price you wanted. No amount would have been too high. Now the horse is gone, and you've been cursed with misfortune.

" The old man responded, "Don't speak too quickly. Say only that the horse is not in the stable. That is all we know; the rest is judgment. If I've been cursed or not, how can you know? How can you judge?"

The people contested, "Don't make us out to be fools! We may not be philosophers, but great philosophy is not needed. The simple fact that your horse is gone is a curse."

The old man spoke again, "All I know is that the stable is empty, and the horse is gone. The rest I don't know. Whether that be a blessing or a curse I can't say. All we can see is a fragment. Who can say what will come next?"

The people of the village laughed. They thought that the man was crazy. They had always thought he was a fool; if he wasn't, he would have sold the horse and lived off the money. But instead, he was a poor woodcutter, an old man still cutting firewood and dragging it out of the forest and selling it. He lived hand to mouth in the misery of poverty. Now he had proven that he was, indeed, a fool.

After fifteen days, the horse returned. He hadn't been stolen; he had run away into the forest. Not only had he returned, he had brought a dozen wild horses with him. Once again the village people gathered around the woodcutter and spoke. "Old man, you were right and we were wrong. What we thought was a curse was a blessing. Please forgive us."

The man responded, "once again, you go too far. Say only that the horse is back. State only that a dozen horses returned with him, but don't judge. How do you know if this is a blessing or not? You see only a fragment. Unless you know the whole story, how can you judge? You read only one page of a book. Can you judge the whole book? You read one word of a phrase. Can you understand the entire phrase?"

"Life is so vast, yet you judge all of life with one page or one word. All you have is a fragment! Don't say that this is a blessing. No one knows. I am content with what I know. I am not perturbed by what I don't."

"Maybe the old man is right," they said to one another. So they said little. But down deep, they knew he was wrong. They know it was a blessing. Twelve wild horses had returned with one horse. With a little bit of work, the animals could be broken and trained and sold for much money.

The old man had a son, an only son. The young man began to break the wild horses. After a few days, he fell f rom one of the horses and broke both legs. Once again the villagers gathered around the old man and cast their judgments.

"You were right," they said. "You proved you were right. The dozen horses were not a blessing. They were a curse. Your only son has broken his legs, and now in your old age you have no one to help you. Now you are poorer than ever."

The old man spoke again. "You people are obsessed with judging. Don't go so far. Say only that my son broke his legs. Who knows if it is a blessing or a curse? No one knows. We only have a fragment. Life comes in fragments."

It so happened that a few weeks later the country engaged in war against a neighboring country. All the young men of the village were required to join the army. Only the son of the old man was excluded, because he was injured. Once again the people gathered around the old man, crying and screaming because their sons had been taken. There was little chance that they would return. Then enemy was strong and the war would be a losing struggle. They would never see their sons again.

"You were right, old man," they wept. "God knows you were right. This proves it. Your son's accident was a blessing. His legs may be broken, but at least he is with you. Our sons are gone forever."

The old man spoke again. "It is impossible to talk with you. You always draw conclusions. No one knows. Say only this. Your sons had to go to war, and mine did not. No one knows if it is a blessing or a curse. No one is wise enough to know. Only God knows. by Max Lucado

Applying it: When someone else suffers, ask God for wisdom to be an instrument of healing. Remember that no matter what you feel, God is always good.
Exploring it: God is incomprehensible--Deuteronomy 29;29; Ecclesiastes 3:11; Isaiah 40:12-14; 55:8-9; Proverbs 25:2; 1 Corinthians 2:16. God is compassionate-- Exodus 22:27; 34:6; Psalm 65:3; 78:38; 103:3; 106:1


FRIENDS:
Father, forgive us for the times that we have questioned you; forgive us for the times we have doubted you; forgive us for the times we've shaken our heads and pounded our fists against the earth and cried, "Where are you?" For Father, we know that you have been here---you've carried us through the valley and you've given us strength.....in Jesus' name, Amen


FOOD:

I just made this the other day and it has cold fall evening stamped all over it and it was simply deelish.

PORK, BUTTERNUT SQUASH and SWISS CHARD STEW

Ingredients
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika salt, pepper
1 pound pork stew meat
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
3 garlic cloves, minced
12 ounces brown ale
2 cups chicken stock
1 28-ounce can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
1 cup black beans*
1 butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into chunks (you could
substitute another kind of winter squash, if you like)
1 cup corn kernels (optional)
1 small bunch swiss chard, stems removed and leaves chopped into
bite-sized pieces

Directions
In a medium bowl, mix together the cumin, chili powder, coriander, and
smoked paprika.
Add the cubes of stew pork and toss them well in the spice mixture.
Season well with coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper, and toss
again, rubbing the spices into the meat.

Heat a large heavy pot over medium-high heat, then add the olive oil -
it should shimmer.
Add the cubes of stew pork and let them get nice and browned on all sides.
Don't be impatient — you want them to get a nice brown crust!
Once all the cubes of pork have been browned, remove
them from the pot with a slotted spoon and set aside (you can just
keep them on a plate to the side of the stove.)

Add the onion and garlic to the pot, and cook them over
medium heat until they soften and become translucent.
Don't turn the heat on the pot up too high, or the nice brown
fond that's developed on the bottom from browning the meat will burn.
When the onions have softened, add the ale and use a wooden spoon
to scrape the brown bits up from the bottom of the pot.

Return the pork to the pot, and add the chicken stock and diced
tomatoes. Bring to a boil, then turn the heat down and simmer
for 1 hour (*note: if you are using dried beans that have been
soaked overnight, add them now, with the pork.)

Add the butternut squash cubes to the pot, and cook for another
20 minutes. (*note: if you are using canned beans that are already
cooked, you can add them at this point, with the squash cubes.)

Finally, add the chopped swiss chard and corn kernels, if you're
using. Cook for another 5-10 minutes, until the chard is bright green
and wilted. Taste the chili and season with more salt or pepper as
needed.

For a little fun, just keep scrolling......

WHAT? No spell check?

Man Kills Self Before Shooting Wife and Daughter This one I caught in the SGV Tribune the other day and called the Editorial Room and asked who wrote this. It took two or three readings before the editor realized that what he was reading was impossible!!! They put in a correction the next day. I just couldn't help but sending this along. Too funny. Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says No, really? Ya think? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers Now that's taking things a bit far! ----------------------------------------------------------- Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over What a guy! --------------------------------------------------------------- Miners Refuse to Work after Death No-good-for-nothing' lazy so-and-so's! ------------------------------------------------------ Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant See if that works any better than a fair trial! ---------------------------------------------------------- War Dims Hope for Peace I can see where it might have that effect! ---------------------------------------------------------------- If Strike Isn't Settled Quickly, It May Last Awhile Ya think?! ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures Who would have thought! ---------------------------------------------------------------- Enfield ( London ) Couple Slain; Police Suspect Homicide They may be on to something! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges You mean there's something stronger than duct tape? Oklahoma's new construction program! ---------------------------------------------------------- Man Struck By Lightning: Faces Battery Charge He probably IS the battery charge! ---------------------------------------------- New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group Weren't they fat enough?! ----------------------------------------------- Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Spacecraft That's what he gets for eating those beans! ------------------------------------------------- Kids Make Nutritious Snacks Do they taste like chicken?**************************************** Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half Chainsaw Massacre all over again! *************************************************** Hospitals are Sued by 7 Foot Doctors Boy, are they tall! ******************************************* And the winner is.... Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead Did I read that right? ***************************************************

The Unrivaled Power of Prayer

FAITH: We do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered —Romans 8:26
We realize that we are energized by the Holy Spirit for prayer; and we know what it is to pray in accordance with the Spirit; but we don't often realize that the Holy Spirit Himself prays prayers in us which we cannot utter ourselves.
When we are born again of God and are indwelt by the Spirit of God, He expresses for us the unutterable. "He," the Holy Spirit in you, "makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God" ( Romans 8:27 ).
And God searches your heart, not to know what your conscious prayers are, but to find out what the prayer of the Holy Spirit is.
The Spirit of God uses the nature of the believer as a temple in which to offer His prayers of intercession. ". . . your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit . . ." (1 Corinthians 6:19 ).
When Jesus Christ cleansed the temple, ". . . He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple" ( Mark 11:16 ). The Spirit of God will not allow you to use your body for your own convenience. Jesus ruthlessly cast out everyone who bought and sold in the temple, and said, "My house shall be called a house of prayer . . . . But you have made it a 'den of thieves' " (Mark 11:17 ).
Have we come to realize that our "body is the temple of the Holy Spirit"? If so, we must be careful to keep it undefiled for Him. We have to remember that our conscious life, even though only a small part of our total person, is to be regarded by us as a "temple of the Holy Spirit." He will be responsible for the unconscious part which we don't know, but we must pay careful attention to and guard the conscious part for which we are responsible.
by Oswald Chambers

FRIENDS:
Father, help us renew our commitment to you, to release everything and to be owned and possessed by you. We long to submit ourselves to you so that we might know the holy freedom available to us only through your grace.....in Jesus' name, Amen

FOOD:
Fabulous Homemade Bread "Best Homemade Bread "- 6 loaves in less than 3 hours! With this much yield from one batch of bread, wouldn't this make a great gift to give to someone!!!
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup warm water
3 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast
1/4 cup bread flour
1 tablespoon white sugar
2 cups quick cooking oats
2 cups whole wheat flour
4 1/2 cups warm water
1 1/2 tablespoons salt
2/3 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup vegetable oil
10 cups bread flour
DIRECTIONS: 1. In the mixing bowl of an electric mixer, stir together 1/2 cup warm water, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1/4 cup bread flour, and yeast. Let grow for about 5 minutes. It will bubble almost immediately.
2. Measure oats, 4 1/2 cups warm water, whole wheat flour, salt, 2/3 cup sugar, and 2/3 cup oil into the mixing bowl. Mix on low speed with a dough hook for 1 to 2 minutes. Increase speed slightly, and begin adding bread flour 1/2 to 1 cup at a time until dough pulls away from sides of bowl. Humidity determines how much flour you need before the bread pulls away from the edge of the bowl. It is normal for the dough to be sticky.
3. Place dough in an oiled bowl, and turn to coat the surface. Cover with a damp cloth. Let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
4. Divide dough into 6 pieces. Shape loaves, and place in greased 8 x 4 inch pans. Let rise until dough is 1 inch above rim of pans, usually 1 hour. 5. Bake at 350 degrees F ( 175 degrees C) for 35 minutes, or until tops are browned. Let cool in pans for 10 minutes, and then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.

FUN:
A man in Jacksonville calls his son in San Diego the day before Thanksgiving and says, 'I hate to ruin your day, but I have to tell you that your mother and I are divorcing; forty-five years of misery is enough.
'Pop, what are you talking about?' the son screams. We can't stand the sight of each other any longer,' the father says. 'We're sick of each other, and I'm sick of talking about this, so you call your sister in Denver and tell her.' Frantic, the son calls his sister, who explodes on the phone. 'Like heck they're getting divorced,' she shouts, 'I'll take care of this,' She calls Jacksonville immediately, and screams at her father, 'You are NOT getting divorced. Do not do a single thing until I get there. I am calling my brother back, and we will both be there tomorrow. Until then, don't do a thing, DO YOU HEAR ME?' and hangs up. The old man hangs up his phone and turns to his wife. 'Okay,' he says, 'they're coming for Thanksgiving and paying their own way.',

Learning, Listening, Following

FAITH:
2 Kings 5:11-12

"But Naaman went away angry and said, 'I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy'".

Naaman was an army general who needed healing from Leprosy. A young servant girl of the king's house suggested that the prophet Elisha could heal him. He followed her advice and Elisha sent a message to him to do the following: "Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed" (2 Kings 5:10). However, when the instruction came as to what he was to do, it seemed ridiculous to him.

Like many of us, Naaman expected God to perform his miracle through Elisha in a dramatic and "religious" way. Sometimes we fail to recognize that God can work through a simple act of obedience that seems unrelated to the problem. God told Joshua to walk around Jericho seven times to win the battle. He told a man to put mud on his eyes to be healed. He told Peter to catch a fish to get a coin to pay his taxes.

There are other times God calls us to use the natural to receive a breakthrough. Sometimes we simply need to change our diet or go see a doctor to see a breakthrough in our health. Sometimes we need to change the way we are doing our work to get a breakthrough in our careers.

Samuel the prophet told King Saul that obedience is better than sacrifice. Learning to listen to the Lord and following His instruction is the key to success in God. Sometimes God chooses the dramatic and sometimes He chooses the ordinary. In either case, both are miracles because God is the God over all creation.

Ask Him what steps you are to take for your breakthrough.

FRIENDS:
Father God,
You are Sovereign, Our Lord God Almighty. I pray that your hand will be upon those who the majority of American citizens have chosen to lead this great nation. I pray that our leaders who are Christians will be encouraged and rely on the strength and guidance of your Holy Spirit. I pray that those who are not Christians will see your work in the lives of those who are, that they will recognize the need for your help and your blessing, and that they will feel their need for the Savior. I pray that all will have wisdom and work together to solve the problems we face, the crises that come, and the many decisions that must be made. I pray for protection for our leaders and our country. I pray for our people to remain united. I pray for your Spirit to knock on the doors of every heart. And I pray for your mercy. Thank you, Father. In the name of Jesus, amen.

FOOD:
Remember these?

Impossible Chicken, Spinach and Cheese Pie

* 13 ounces chicken breasts (may use left over cooked chicken as
well as fresh)
* 1 1/2 cups shredded swiss cheese
* 1 chopped onion
* 1 1/4 cups Bisquick
* 1 3/4 cups milk
* 4 eggs
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1 package frozen spinach, thawed and drained

1. Boil enough water to cover chicken breast.
2. Place chicken in water; cover and remove from heat.
3. Let sit for 10 minutes.
4. In greased 13x9 inch baking dish or 2 pie pans, combine spinch,
chopped chicken, shredded swiss cheese, and onion.
5. In bowl or blender, mix together Bisquick, milk, eggs, and salt.
6. Pour over chicken mixture.
7. Bake in preheated 350°F oven about 30 minutes or until knife
inserted in middle comes out clean.

FUN:

IF YOU CAN GET 4 RIGHT, THAT'S CONSIDERED GOOD....YIKES

1. How long did the Hundred Years War last?

2. Which country makes Panama hats?

3. From which animal do we get catgut?

4. In which month do Russians celebrate the October Revolution?

5. What is a camel's hair brush made of?

6. The Canary Islands in the Pacific is named after what animal?

7. What was King George VI's first name?

8. What color is a purple finch?

9. Where are Chinese gooseberries from?

10. What is the color of the black box in a commercial airplane?

All done? Here are the answers:

1. 116 years
2. Ecuador
3. Sheep and horses
4. November
5. Squirrel fur
6. Dogs
7. Albert
8. Crimson
9. New Zealand
10.Orange