The Importance of the Napkin

FAITH:

The Gospel of John 20:7 tells us that the napkin, which was placed over the face of Jesus at his burial, was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes. The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that the napkin was neatly folded, and was placed at the head of that stony coffin.

John 20:1-7: [NIV] “Early Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, ‘They have taken the Lord's body out of the tomb, and I don't know where they have put him!’ Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see. The other disciple out ran Peter and got there first. He stooped and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there, but he didn't go in. Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus' head was folded up and lying to the side.”

Why did Jesus fold the napkin? Is that important? Absolutely! Is it really significant? Yes!

In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have to understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day. The folded napkin had to do with the Master and Servant, and every Jewish boy knew this tradition. When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it. The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating, and the servant would not dare touch that table, until the master was finished. Now if the master was done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, his mouth and clean his beard and would wad up that napkin and toss it onto the table. The servant would then know to clear the table. For in those days, the wadded napkin meant, "I'm done". But if the master got up from the table, and folded his napkin, and laid it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table.

Because the folded napkin meant, "I'm coming back!"

John 14:1-3 [NIV] “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so I would have told you. I am going thee to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and taker you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

When we celebrate Jesus’ coming to earth, living as a man, being crucified as a sacrifice for our sins, raising from the dead and returning to the Father in heaven. Let us remember the folded napkin. HE IS COMING BACK.
by Bob Creamer

FRIENDS:

Father, You have revealed Yourself to me and have called for my complete surrender and yet I shrink back and hesitate. I have given a measure of surrender but have not given You the utter abandonment, without any reserves that You have asked for. I am afraid that it involves too much and is too great a risk. But You say that You love me and will manifest yourself to me. You have given all and so should I . Help me to meet Your measureless devotion with such devotion of my own. In Jesus' name, Amen.

DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE - JUNE

Luke Ephesians Psalms 1 Kings
1. 1:1-25 1:1-14 119:1-8 1
2.. 1:26-38 1:15-23 119: 9-16 2-3

~First Kings~

The book starts with Solomon and ends with Elijah. The difference between the two gives you an idea as to what lies between.

Solomon might never have been born had it not been for the palace scandal between David and Bathsheba. Not the best of beginnings. He picked up some of his father's traits, both good and bad. Like his dad, he got off to a good start. But like his dad, he had a weakness for women that undid him.

You have to wonder what it was like growing up in a house where your father had several wives and your siblings wore swords to the dinner table. Solomon did well at first, praying for wisdom and building a temple that would have bankrupted most nations.

He took seven years building it. But then he spent thirteen years building a palace for himself. Somewhere around mid-life he got off track. His taste for wives (he was known to have accumulated some seven hundred or so) led him to worship whom they worshiped. This, in turn, led him away from God. His nation followed suit, and even the preaching of Elijah couldn't bring them back.

Not that Elijah didn't try. Toward the end of this book you'll read of the contest between Elijah and the prophets of Baal. In a classic my-God-is-greater-than-yours encounter, Jehovah won hands down. God was exhaulted. But Queen Jezebel, a leading Baal-worshiper, was infuriated.

She ordered Elijah's death, so Elijah ran. He ran until he was so tired and discouraged that he sat down under a bush and said, "Let me die" (19:12).

What does God do with tired servants who want to quit? In a tender moment the God who'd brought fire on the mountain sent food to the prophet and shispered his affection in a "quiet gentle sound" (19:12)

What a Father.

What a book! In between Solomon and Elijah, you'll find it all. Rebellion, corruption, courage, faith. You'll see that their world is much like ours. Things haven't changed much.

And God? God hasn't changed at all. The quiet, gentle sound that encouraged Elijah? Listen as you read. It will encourage you.

FOOD:

Starbucks (Copycat) Chocolate Espresso Pudding

1/2 Cup Packed Brown Sugar.
1/4 Cup Cornstarch.
3 Tablespoons Unsweetened Cocoa.
1 Tablespoon Instant Coffee Granules.
1/8 Teaspoon Salt.
2 Cups Whole Milk.
2 Ounces Bitter-Sweet Chocolate (Chopped).
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract.

Combine first 5 ingredients in a medium, heavy-saucepan, stir well with a whisk.
Gradually stir in milk and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat and simmer 1 minute or until thick. Remove from heat, add chocolate and stir until melted. Stir in vanilla. Pour about 1/2 cup pudding into each of 4 dessert dishes; Cover surface of pudding with plastic wrap. Chill at least 4 hours. Remove plastic wrap just before serving.

FUN:

JUST GIVE ME 2 MINUTES. 2 MINUTES IS ALL I NEED AND I WILL BE GOOD AS NEW!


This was me (except that I am an old dog, not a pup) when the lovely Mrs. Fairchild was here visiting me a short time ago. And this is me now, resting up for her return visit.

Your calling is?

FAITH:

Life is tough enough as it is. It's even tougher when we're headed in the wrong direction.

One of the incredible abilities of Jesus was to stay on target. His life never got off track. Not once do we find him walking down the wrong side of the fairway. He had no money, no computers, no jets, no administrative assistants or staff; yet Jesus did what many of us fail to do. He kept his life on course.

As Jesus looked across the horizon of his future, he could see many targets. Many flags were flapping in the wind, each of which he could have pursued. He could have been a political revolutionary. He could have been a national leader. He could have been content to be a teacher and educate minds or to be a physician and heal bodies. But in the end he chose to be a Savior and save souls.

Anyone near Christ for any length of time heard it from Jesus himself. "The Son of Man came to find lost people and save them" (Luke 19:10). "The Son of Man did not come to be served. He came to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many people" (Mark 10:45).

The heart of Christ was relentlessly focused on one task. The day he left the carpentry shop of Nazareth he had one ultimate aim--the cross of Calvary. He was so focused that his final words were, "It is finished" (John 19:30).

How could Jesus say he was finished? There were still the hungry to feed, the sick to heal, the untaught to instruct, and the unloved to love. How could he say he was finished? Simple. He had completed his designated task. His commission was fulfilled. The painter could set aside his brush, the sculptor lay down his chisel, the writer put away his pen. The job was done.

Wouldn't you love to be able to say the same? Wouldn't you love to look back on your life and know you had done what you were called to do?
by Max Lucado

FRIENDS:

Father, I pray for true repentance, the repentance that occurs when we begin to see our sin from Your point of view, when we see how our sin has broken Your heart. We want to have victory over our sins and we are asking You to show us what our sin does to You so we may really understand how important it is for us to turn away from that sin and no longer grieve Your heart. This will be the test of our sincerity and of the level of our desperation to be right with You. In Jesus' name, Amen

10 Things To Be Thankful For
1. The smell of the beach when the tide comes in
2. Camping
3. Completing a large scrapbook project
4. The sound of the woods in the morning
5. Having a snooze before dinner
6. Fresh shelled peas
7. Listening for that still small silent voice inside you
8. Living each day for itself
9. A secret smile that passes between friends
10. Sunsets

FOOD:

Chocolate Cappuccino Coffee Mix
1 cup powdered coffee creamer
1 cup powdered chocolate milk drink mix (NESTLE QUIK)
2/3 cup instant coffee
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg

Mix all ingredients together. Store in airtight container. Use 1 heaping tablespoons per cup of boiling water.

FUN:

THE STUFF WE LOVE ABOUT ARIZONA

You notice your car overheating before you drive it.

You no longer associate bridges or rivers with water.

You can hear the weather forecast of 115 degrees without flinching.

You discover, in July it only takes two fingers to drive your car, because your steering wheel is so hot.

The best parking is determined by shade.....not distance.

It's noon in July, kids are on summer vacation and yet all the streets are totally empty of both cars and people.

You actually burn your hand opening the car door.

Sunscreen is sold year round and kept right at the checkout counter.

You put on fresh sunscreen just to go check the mail box.

Some fools will market mini-misters for joggers and some other fools will actually buy them. Worse.....some fools actually try to jog.

You can pronounce Saguaro, Tempe, San Xavier, Canyon de Chelly, Mogollon Rim, Cholla, Gila and Tucson.

You can fry an egg on the hood of a car in the morning..

You can say "Hohokam" and people don't think you're laughing funny.

You hear people say "but it's a dry heat!"

Your Christmas decorations include sand and l00 paper bags.

You think a red light is merely a suggestion.

All of your out-of-state friends start to visit after October but clear out come the end of April.

You think someone driving wearing oven mitts is clever.

Most of the restaurants in town have the first name "El" or "Los."

You think 60 tons of crushed red rock makes a beautiful yard.

Vehicles with open windows have the right-of-way in the summer.

Most homes have more firearms than people.

Kids ask, "What's a mosquito?"

People who have black cars or black upholstery in their car are automatically assumed to be from out of-state or nuts.

You know better than to get into a car with leather seats if you're wearing shorts.

You can finish a Big Gulp in 10 minutes and go back for seconds.

When a rainy day puts you in a good mood.

You "hug" a cactus only once in your lifetime.

When you have to look up "mass transit" in the dictionary.

A hundred ten in the shade is sorta hot, but you don't have to shovel it off your driveway.

Petrified doesn't mean scared.

The temperature drops below 95, you feel a bit chilly.

You've lived in AZ your whole life and have never been to the Grand Canyon

You would give anything to be able to splash cold water on your face.

You can attend any function wearing shorts and a tank top.

You realize that asphalt has a liquid state.

You realize that snowbirds aren't really birds at all, but just really bad out of state drivers that you learn to hate

Even thinking about not having air conditioning makes you sweat

You travel out of state and any sort of humidity nearly kills you

You have no idea why 48 other states (Hawaii doesn't do it either) insist on changing their clocks twice a year for this thing called "daylight savings time"

Praying the scriptures

FAITH:

1 Samuel 17: Goliath, the Philistine, challenges Israel's army.

When God goes to war, there are no accidents. Just as He uses Gideon and an army of only 300 to rout the Midianite army that was "without number," so He uses a boy with a slingshot to rout the Philistine army. In 2 Chronicles 18:33, "a certain man drew a bow at random," but it "struck the king of Israel between the joints of his armor." There are no accidents when God goes to war.

We can take comfort in this fact in relationship to the spiritual warfare in which we all find ourselves. The obstacles may seem insurmountable. But if we are on God's side, no foe is too great.

PRAYER

· Offer to the Lord this psalm of praise as you rejoice in the power He uses in controlling the events of history:

We have heard with our ears, O God,
Our fathers have told us,
The deeds You did in their days,
In days of old:
You drove out the nations with Your hand,
But them You planted;
You afflicted the peoples, and cast them out.
For they did not gain possession of the land by their own sword,
Nor did their own arm save them;
But it was Your right hand,
Your arm, and the light of Your countenance,
Because You favored them
(Psalm 44:1-4).

· Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving. Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:

O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your anger,
Nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure.
Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak;
O Lord, heal me, for my bones are troubled.
My soul also is greatly troubled;
But You, O Lord-how long?
(Psalm 6:1-3).

· Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pause to pray this affirmation to the Lord:

Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
You will revive me;
You will stretch out Your hand
Against the wrath of my enemies,
And Your right hand will save me
(Psalm 138:7).

· As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:

· greater courage in the midst of trials,
· your pastor,
· whatever else is on your heart.

· Finally, offer this closing prayer to the Lord:

Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever;
Do not forsake the works of Your hands
(Psalm 138:8).

FRIENDS:

Father, Thank you for calling me to prayer and I know how important this is to my relationship with you. I promise to share my inner thoughts and feelings with you and to Praise and worship You for all that You have done for me. I am so grateful for your answers to my prayers and I need you help in carrying out what you would have me do. I can not do anything in my own strength, but only in Yours. In Jesus' name, Amen.

FOOD:

Crockpot Tamale Casserole

1 1/2 lbs ground beef
1 box Jiffy cornbread mix
1 C milk
1 egg
1 package chili mix
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
1 can corn, drained
1 can sliced black olives (optional)
1 C Mexican style cheese

Brown and drain ground beef. In the meantime, mix the next 3 ingredients together. Batter will be thin. Add browned ground beef and next 3 ingredients. Pour into crock pot. Cook on high for 3 hours. Top with olives and cheese, cover and cook another 15-20 minutes.

Notes on cooking....
I cooked mine on high and the edges were a bit brown, as my crock pot cooks a little high, so I would probably cut my time down a bit or cook on low for a longer time. Also, I used half a can of corn and a half a can of black beans, drained.

FUN:

An Old Farmer's Advice:

Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight and bull-strong.

Keep skunks and bankers at a distance.

Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.

A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor.

Words that soak into your ears are whispered...not yelled.

Meanness don't jes' happen overnight.

Forgive your enemies. It messes up their heads.

Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you.

It don't take a very big person to carry a grudge.

You cannot unsay a cruel word.

When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.

The best sermons are lived, not preached.

Most of the stuff people worry about ain't never gonna happen anyway.

Don't judge folks by their relatives.

Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll enjoy it a second time.

Don't interfere with somethin' that ain't bothering you none.

If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin'.

Always drink upstream from the herd.

Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.

Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin' it back in.

If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around.

Don't pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you.

Your Estimate of You

A SPECIAL PRAYER FOR OUR MILITARY ON THIS MEMORIAL DAY
Lord and Holy Protector,
you called Abraham and Sarah to leave their homeland
and to journey away from their own people.
Yet you kept them safe wherever they went.
Protect our children, our husbands and wives,
our mothers and fathers, and our friends and loved ones
who now must leave to fight in this war.
Walk by their side and calm any fear.
Be their companion and guide their thoughts;
Encircle them with your light, and keep them from harm;
And when their service is ended, lead them safely home again.
For you, O God, are our shelter in every storm
and our refuge in times of danger.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen

FAITH:

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Romans 12:3

With pride as our teacher, we become arrogant and our sense of worth get overinflated. Under inferiority's tutelage, we belittle ourselves into thinking we're insignificant to God and other people. But Paul exhorts us to have a sane or "sound" estimate of ourselves. And we can have such an estimate only as we accept God's view of us.

Pulling all this together, we can draw out four statements of application.

First: Realize you were prescribed before birth. Realize that God made you. You are not just a product of chance, but rather a work of art from the mind of God. He has placed His signature on you with the indelible ink of His image. Nothing about you or the days of your life---even before you had taken your first breath---has escaped the loving scrutiny of your heavenly Father.

For Thou didst form my inward parts;
Thou didst weave me in my mother's womb.
I will give thanks to Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Thy works,
And my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from Thee,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth.
Thine eyes have seen my unformed substance;
And in Thy book they were all written,
The days that were ordained for me,
When as yet there was not one of them.
Psalms 139:13-16

Second: Remember that the growth process is still going on. At times we become frustrated with our slow growth and open the door to self-defeat: "I'm no good....I keep making the same mistakes....God is probably sick of me." But Paul tells us, "Hold on. Get your eyes off of yourself, and stay confident in the fact that God is at work in you---even if you don't see it.

FOR I AM CONFIDENT OF THIS VERY THING, THAT HE WHO BEGAN A GOOD WORK IN YOU WILL PERFECT IT UNTIL THE DAY OF CHRIST JESUS. Phil.1:6

Third: Refuse to compare yourself with others. 2 Corinthians 10:5b states: "We are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ." Our feeling of inferiority thrive on those renegade thoughts we allow to pass through our minds uncontested. They can run by so quickly sometimes that we are not even aware of thinking them. To get control of them, we must train ourselves to constantly stand guard at the door of our minds with the truth. Inferiority never rests. It will seize every opportunity we give it to continue brainwashing us with its doctrine of wothlessness. It boils down to this: Will you submit to the lliberating truth of Christ, or will you submit to being held prisoner to the lies of inferiority?

Fourth: Respond correctly to your shortcomings. We all have defects, scars, or shortcomings that we mujst learn to deal with. Paul provides us with a personal glimpse in 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 into how he handled one such problem.

7 To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

From this we can discern three things: first, we can feel the freedom to pray to have these things corrected. Second, if the Lord chooses to leave them with us, we must learn to accept our shortcomings as a way for God to display His power in and through us. Third, Paul points out that the news of shortcoming is not all bad. For it is often in our areas of weakness that we see most clearly the reality of the Saviour's work in our lives.

Feeling of inferiority that have built up over the ears are difficult to overcome. But it can be done! We must resist the pull to place our self-worth, and the worth of others, in the same values the world buys stock in. To do this, we must follow God's advice in Romans 12:2 to renew our minds in His truth. As members of the Body of Christ, we must help one another sensitively and faithfully apply the God-provided truths about our worth. by Chuck Swindoll

Because of our relationship with the Holy Spirit, we can be assured of competence.
John 14:16-17
16 I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper[a] to be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it does not see him or know him. But you know him, because he lives with you and he will be in you.
John 16:13-15
13 But when the Spirit of truth comes, he will lead you into all truth. He will not speak his own words, but he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is to come.14 The Spirit of truth will bring glory to me, because he will take what I have to say and tell it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine. That is why I said that the Spirit will take what I have to say and tell it to you.
Romans 8:26-27
26 Also, the Spirit helps us with our weakness. We do not know how to pray as we should. But the Spirit himself speaks to God for us, even begs God for us with deep feelings that words cannot explain.27 God can see what is in people's hearts. And he knows what is in the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit speaks to God for his people in the way God wants.

FRIENDS:
Father, What a precious gift You have given me. Your Holy Spirit abides within me and will be with me forever. You are the Spirit of Truth who reveals everything to me. O Lord, help me to always look to You for wisdom. I am dependent on the power of Your Spirit to guide my life and bring honor that I may in turn bless those You have allowed into my life. In Jesus' name, Amen.

FOOD:

Five Minute Ice Cream
Serves: 4
Hands-On Time: 5 Minutes
Total Time: 5 Minutes
What you need:

1 (10 ounce) package frozen sliced strawberries
2/3 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup sugar

What you do:

Combine the frozen strawberries and sugar in a food processor or blender. Process until the fruit is roughly chopped. With the processor running, slowly pour in the heavy cream until
fully incorporated. Serve immediately, or freeze for up to one week.

FUN:


CAN YOU BELIEVE WHAT THIS DUDE LOOKS LIKE WET? HA HA HA

Your Worth in the Body

FAITH:

The body of Christ is the entire family of God on earth today. Every living soul, around the world, who is a born-again believer in Christ is a member of His body. Christ is the Head of this body, and the rest of us, as Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 12, are fingers, arms, knees, toes, or even tiny organs that are rarely seen. However, instead of being content to be the parts God has designed us to be, we invite inferiority to creep in as we compare ourselves to each other.

14 The human body has many parts.15 The foot might say, "Because I am not a hand, I am not part of the body." But saying this would not stop the foot from being a part of the body.16 The ear might say, "Because I am not an eye, I am not part of the body." But saying this would not stop the ear from being a part of the body.17 If the whole body were an eye, it would not be able to hear. If the whole body were an ear, it would not be able to smell.

When the eye wants to become an ear, when the foot decides that what it really want to be is a nose, when the thumb wants to become an elbow; we put more value on who we think we should be and less on who God wants us to be, and the body cannot function. But in verses 18-25, God tells us that He has placed each of us where He wants us--that all the parts of the body seen or unseen, are essential and share an equal value.

18-19 If each part of the body were the same part, there would be no body. But truly God put all the parts, each one of them, in the body as he wanted them.20 So then there are many parts, but only one body.

21 The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the foot, "I don't need you!"22 No! Those parts of the body that seem to be the weaker are really necessary.23 And the parts of the body we think are less deserving are the parts to which we give the most honor. We give special respect to the parts we want to hide.24 The more respectable parts of our body need no special care. But God put the body together and gave more honor to the parts that need it 25 so our body would not be divided. God wanted the different parts to care the same for each other. by Charles Swindoll

Because of our relationship with the Son of God, we can know feelings of worth.

John 1:12-13
12 But to all who did accept him and believe in him he gave the right to become children of God.13 They did not become his children in any human way—by any human parents or human desire. They were born of God.

John 10:27-30
27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.28 I give them eternal life, and they will never die, and no one can steal them out of my hand.29 My Father gave my sheep to me. He is greater than all, and no person can steal my sheep out of my Father's hand. 30 The Father and I are one."

Romans 5:6-8
6 When we were unable to help ourselves, at the right time, Christ died for us, although we were living against God. 7 Very few people will die to save the life of someone else. Although perhaps for a good person someone might possibly die.8 But God shows his great love for us in this way: Christ died for us while we were still sinners.

Romans 8:35-39
35 Can anything separate us from the love Christ has for us? Can troubles or problems or sufferings or hunger or nakedness or danger or violent death? 36 As it is written in the Scriptures:
"For you we are in danger of death all the time.
People think we are worth no more than sheep to be killed." Ps 44:22

37 But in all these things we are completely victorious through God who showed his love for us. 38 Yes, I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor ruling spirits, nothing now, nothing in the future, no powers,39 nothing above us, nothing below us, nor anything else in the whole world will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

FRIENDS:

Father, we have learned that in the world we must show ourselves lovable in order to be loved and when we fail to do this, we discover that we are cut off. How amazing and incredible that your love is not like this. I love the simple truth that your love for me does not in any way depend on my worthiness of it. Your love restores, redeems and remakes us and we thank you for that love. In Jesus' name, Amen

DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE
May 23
Mark 15:33-41; Galatians 5:1-12; Psalms 116; 2 Samuel 20-21
May 24
Mark15:42-47; Galatians 5:13-26; Psalms 117; 2 Samuel 22
May 25
Mark 16; Galatians 6; Psalms 118; 2 Samuel 23-24
And that is the end of the readings for the month of May.

10 Things To Be Thankful For
1. A bad situation that turns out better
2. A Grandchild's graduation from High School
3. Cherry season
4. Having your spirit fortified
5. Friendship
6. The noon bell in a small town
7. Simple great truths
8. Sharing plates in a restaurant
9. Roads that lead to the ocean
10. Celebrating the differences in a friendship

FOOD:

Starbucks Lemon Loaf

1-1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
2 Tbsp. softened butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. lemon extract
1/3 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup vegetable oil

Lemon Icing
1 cup plus 1 Tbsp. powdered sugar
2 Tbsp. milk
1/2 tsp. lemon extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
In a separate bowl, blend eggs, sugar, butter, vanilla, lemon extract and lemon juice with an electric mixer.
Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix until smooth.
Pour into a well-greased 9 x 5 loaf pan and bake for 45 minutes.
When loaf is cool, remove from pan and ice with icing.
Slice into 1" slices.
Makes 1 loaf

FUN:

The Lord's Estimate of You

FAITH:

Most of us struggle with inadequacy, yet we cover it up so well that it may not be detectable even to those who are closest to us. To get a handle on this painful problem, let's look at how our relationship with God can be vital in validating our worth.

Because of our relationship with God the Father, we can know we are accepted and feel that we belong.

Matthew 10:29-31
29 Two sparrows cost only a penny, but not even one of them can die without your Father's knowing it.30 God even knows how many hairs are on your head. 31 So don't be afraid. You are worth much more than many sparrows.

Romans 8:15-17
15 The Spirit we received does not make us slaves again to fear; it makes us children of God. With that Spirit we cry out, "Father." *16 And the Spirit himself joins with our spirits to say we are God's children.17 If we are God's children, we will receive blessings from God together with Christ. But we must suffer as Christ suffered so that we will have glory as Christ has glory.
* "Father" Literally, "Abba, Father." Jewish children called their fathers "Abba."

Ephesians 1:3-6
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In Christ, God has given us every spiritual blessing in the heavenly world.4 That is, in Christ, he chose us before the world was made so that we would be his holy people—people without blame before him.5 Because of his love, God had already decided to make us his own children through Jesus Christ. That was what he wanted and what pleased him,6 and it brings praise to God because of his wonderful grace. God gave that grace to us freely, in Christ, the One he loves.

In Matthew 6 Jesus shares a profound truth that can dispel our dark clouds of self-doubt.
26 Look at the birds in the air. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, but your heavenly Father feeds them. And you know that you are worth much more than the birds.

Even though the subject of this verse is worry, the point made about our value cannot be missed. If god is concerned about the little birds in the sky, will He not be all the more concerned about you? God love you to the immeasurable extent of sacrificing His Son. Can any greater value be bestowed on your life? by Charles Swindoll

FRIENDS:

Father, Please make us aware and help us to stop running around trying to milk acceptance and self-esteem out of the world like lost people. Help us to understand that we are accepted and of infinite worth to you. Your precious Son was not accepted by all but He knew he was accepted by you. Please teach us this. In Jesus' name, Amen.

DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE
May 21
Mark 15:1-15; Galatians 4:1-20; Psalms 114; 2 Samuel 16-17
May 22
Mark 15:16-32; Galatians 4:21-31; Psalms 115; 2 Samuel 18-19

10 Things To Be Thankful For
1. Knowing where you stand with people
2. Solitaire for passing time
3. A really ripe peach
4. Being spontaneous
5. Exploring with friends
6. Sharing good food with friends
7. How different kinds of music affect you
8. Sitting and watching people
9. A street musician
10. The rhythms of speech

FOOD:

Low Fat Lemon Pie Dessert
Tastes exactly like lemon meringue pie

Number of Servings: 4
Weight Watcher points: 2

1 sm. package Lemon Jell-O Sugar Free
1 sm. package Vanilla Fat Free Sugar Free Pudding
2 cups water
1/2 cup Cool Whip Free
2 Honey Maid Low Fat Grahams

Pour 2 cups water into a saucepan. Stir in vanilla pudding and heat to a boil. Remove from heat, stir in dry lemon Jell-O, stir until thoroughly dissolved.

Break graham cookies into two squares. Crumble one graham cookie square into each of four dessert cups. Pour 1/4 of pudding mixture over cookie crumbs. Chill thoroughly

Top each with a dollop of Cool Whip Free before serving.
Number of Servings: 4

FUN:

An elderly couple had been experiencing declining memories, so they decided to take a power memory class where one is taught to remember things by association.

A few days after the class, the old man was outside talking with his neighbor about how much the class helped him.

"What was the name of the Instructor?" asked the neighbor.

"Oh, ummmm, let's see," the old man pondered. "You know that flower, you know, the one that smells really nice but has those prickly thorns, what's that flower's name?"

"A rose?" asked the neighbor.

"Yes, that's it," replied the old man. He then turned toward his house and shouted, "Hey, Rose, what's the name of the Instructor we took the memory class from?"

Living in Exile. Is it good or bad?

FAITH:
2 Chronicles 36:2-23

The final four evil kings of Judah reigned and fell into sin. Babylon conquered Jerusalem, looted, and burned the temple. The Babylonians carried God's people into exile. But in the end, Judah returned from exile in Babylon, to rebuild.

God used the exile to cause the people to repent, and he used a pagan king to rebuild Jerusalem's temple.

The exile was the "crucible of Israel's faith." They were pushed to the edge of existence where they thought they were hanging on by the skin of their teeth and they found that in fact they had been pushed to the center, where God was. They experienced not bare survival but abundant life. Now they saw their previous life as subsistence living, a marginal existence absorbed in consumption and fashion, empty ritual and insensitive exploitation. Exile pushed them from the margins of life to the vortex where all the issues of life and death, love and meaning, purpose and value formed the dynamic everyday participation-demanding realities of God's future with them.

It keeps on happening. Exile is the worst that reveals the best. "It's hard believing." says Faulkner, "but disaster seems to be good for people.

All of us are given moments, days, months, years of exile. What will we do with them. Wish we were someplace else" co plain? Escape into fantasies? Drug ourselves into oblivion? Or build and plant and marry and seek the shalom of place we inhabit and the people we are with. Exile reveals what really matters and frees us to pursue what really matters, which is to seek the Lord with all our hearts.
(From Run with the Horses by Eugene Peterson.)

Applying it: Do you feel as if you are in exile? Let disaster develop your character. Do not spend all your time seeking relief but reflect on what God wants to teach you.Ask him to show you what is really important.
Exploring it: Restoration--2 Chronicles7:13-14; Psalms 23:3; Jeremiah 30:10-11; Galatians 6:1-2

FRIENDS:

Father, We don't look like we're afraid, but we often have hidden fears. You know them. We're afraid of being alone. We're afraid of being jobless. We're afraid of pain. Father, we offer these fears to you and ask you to give us more courage as we look at you, the One who knows no fear. In Jesus' name, Amen.

DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE
MAY 19
Mark 14:53-65; Galatians 3:1-14; Psalms 112; 2 Samuel 13
MAY 20
Mark 14:66-72; Galatians 3:15-29; Psalms 113; 2 Samuel 14-15

10 Things To Be Thankful For
1. Small town parades
2. Cold water on a hot day
3. A slow walk in the cool of the evening
4. Back up Moms
5. Potlucks
6. Knowing where people stand
7. A husband who misses you when you are gone
8. Exploring unfamiliar places
9. Looking to the future with anticipation
10. Looking to the past with pleasure

FOOD:
My very favorite coleslaw recipe

KFC Coleslaw.....copycat but as good as if not better

Resting time of two hours needs to be done for sure....

8 cups very finely chopped cabbage (1 medium head)
1/4 cup shredded carrot (1 medium carrot)
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 1/2 tablespoons white vinegar
2 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Cut the cabbage and carrot into very fine pieces about the size of rice kernels.
In a large bowl, combine remaining ingredients; whisk until smooth. Add cabbage and carrots; mix well, cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.

Serves 8.

FUN:

No Pep Talks

FAITH:

The key question in life is not "How strong am I?" but rather "How strong is God?"

Focus on his strength, not yours. Occupy yourself with the nature of God, not the size of your biceps.

That's what God told Moses to do. Remember the conversation at the burning bush? The tone was set in the first sentence. "Take off your sandals because you are standing on holy ground" (Exodus 3:5). With these eleven words Moses is enrolled in a class on God. Immediately the roles are defined. God is holy. Approaching him on even a quarter-inch of leather is too pompous...No time is spent convincing Moses what Moses can do, but much time is spent explaining to Moses what God can do.

You and I tend to do the opposite. We would explain to Moses how he is ideally suited to return to Egypt... Then we'd remind Moses how perfect he is for wilderness travel...We'd spend time reviewing with Moses his résumé and strengths.

But God doesn't. The strength of Moses is never considered. No pep talk is given, no pats on the backs are offered. Not one word is spoken to recruit Moses. But many words are used to reveal God. The strength of Moses is not the issue; the strength of God is. by Max Lucado

FRIENDS:

Father, I pray that the eyes of my heart may be enlightened in order that I may know the hope to which you have called me, the riches of your glorious inheritance in the saints, and your incomparably great power to us who believe. In Jesus' name, Amen.

DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE
MAY 16
Mark 14:12-31; 2 Cor 13; Psalms 109; 2 Samuel 5-7
MAY 17
Mark 14: 32-42; Galatians 1; Psalms 110; 2 Samuel 8-10
MAY 18
Mark 14:32-42; Galatians 2; Psalms 111; 2 Samuel 11-12

~Galatians~
The Emancipation Proclamation was ready to be signed. The papers were complete. All that was lacking wast he signature of the president. But Abraham Lincoln was not ready. He had spent the morning at a reception and his hand was swollen from greeting visitors.

"Let me wait until my hand is better," he reportedly requested. "I don't want my signature to be shaky. I want people to know I set the slaves free in confidence."

Galatians states that Christ did the same for us. "He set the slaves free in confidence." No hesitation. No reservation. No reluctance. No exceptions.

The book of Galatians is the Emancipation Proclamation for the church. Written by the confident hand of one who had known slavery, it declares and defines Christian liberty. Paul wrote it to combat those in the church who were insisting that it was necessary to follow a law or code in order to be saved.

Many of the early Christians were Jewish Christians who were accustomed to following a law. Though they had accepted the gift of grace offered by Christ on the cross, some were falling away---substituting God's gift for man's works. Paul recognized this for what it was---legalism.

Legalism is not unique to the Galatians. Any time the gospel has been preached, there have been those who contend it is too good to be true. It's not enough to be saved by faith, argues the legalist, we must earn God's approval. Some teach that we earn God's favor by what we know (intellectualism). Others insist we are saved by what we do (moralism). Still others claim that salvation is determined by what we feel (emotionalism).

However you package it, Paul contests, legalism is heresy. Any gospel other than the pure gospel is anathema. Salvation comes only through the cross---no additions, no alterations.

We are free in Christ. "We have freedom now, because Christ made us free. So stand strong. Do not change and go back into the slavery of the law" (5:1). Galatians is a document otffreedom. As you read, note the confidence of the writer. His hand doesn't shake, his conviction doesn't waver, his belief doesn't falter.

And neither should ours.


Ten Things To Be Thankful For
1. True, lasting values
2. People who love to teach children
3. A cool evening after a hot day
4. A pot of Earl Grey tea
5. Introducing old friends to new friends
6. Finding a good bookstore
7. Taking a walk when the world is too much
8. Wild roses over a cottage door
9. Murals on buildings
10. A sunset that makes your spirit soar

FOOD:

SOUTHWESTERN PASTA SALAD
2 cups small seashell pasta
1/3 cup Italian-style salad dressing
salt to taste
1 (15 ounce) can pinto beans
1 (15 ounce) can black beans
1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
3 tomatoes, chopped
1 1/2 tablespoons ground cumin
1/2 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon dried red pepper
flakes (optional)
salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain and rinse pasta in cold water. Place in a large mixing bowl and add dressing and salt; mix well.
2. Combine pinto beans and black beans in a colander; rinse with cold water and add to pasta. Add corn, tomatoes, cumin, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, dried red pepper flakes and salt and pepper to taste; toss lightly.
3. Chill salad in refrigerator until ready to serve.

FUN:
For those of you that sew here is a really cute idea:
http://www.supernaturale.com/articles.html?id=70

Trusting in God

FAITH:

Matthew 6:25-34

Our problem is that we want to test God rather than trust him. We want to experiment with him rather than rely on him. we're like the boy who tests the doubtful ice instead of skating confidently where God is leading. What is our faith worth if we don't trust completely? It is perfectly natural to trust in our own understanding, to rely on our own natural strengths, gifts, or talents (and indeed some modern prophets tell us to do so!). But it is the walk of faith to trust his teaching and direction. Give him first place and let him have precedence. This is the secret of safe guidance and peaceful progression. Simple dependence upon him, committing our all to him, obeying him implicitly---this is how to acknowledge him "in all ways."
by Al Bryant
Applying it: Describe the kind of life that truly honors god. In what ways do you trust and seek God on a daily basis?

FRIENDS:

Father, Thank you for taking us back time and time again when we stray away and think we can do it on our own. When we return, you forgive because you are so kind and you show us so much mercy. Thank you for your great love. In Jesus' name, Amen.

DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE
MAY 14
Mark 13:32-37; 2 Cor 12:1-10; Psalms 107; 2 Samuel 1-2
MAY 15
Mark 14:1-11; 2 Cor 12: 11-21; Psalms 108; 2 Samuel 3-4

~2 Samuel~
King David
In the first ten chapters of Second Samuel he can do no wrong. His is never defeated in battle. Never wrong in judgment. He begins his reign in prayer (2:1) and continues in faith. Enemies are subdued, the nation is unified, the capitol secured, and the boundary extends from six thousand to sixty thousand square miles.

But that is the first ten chapters.

Chapter eleven is a hinge on which hangs the cellar door. David opens it and down he falls. By the time he lands on the cellar floor he is bruised, confused, and staring into the darkness.

You know what happened. On a lazy afternoon his wandering eyes found a forbidden maiden. Testosterone surged and evil urged so he summoned her, slept with her and then sent her home.

A rendezvous. So fast. So impulsive. So passionate. So pregnant.

Rather that repent, he connives and lies and leaves a soldier dead and a widow weeping and all of wondering: Is this the same David? Is this the shepherd? Is this the boy of faith? The many of prayer? Is this the man after God's own heart?

With time, confession comes and forgiveness is given, but the scars remain. Nathan's prophecy proves true: the sword never departed from David's house (12:10). Bloodshed stained his home from then on.

Some of the final words written about David are some of the saddest, "King David was very old, and although his servants covered him with blankets, he could not keep warm" (1 Kings 1:1)

Mark it down. Compromise chills the soul.

If only David hadn't opened that cellar door.

FOOD:
(these are sooooo good)

Banana Won Tons

2 Chiquita bananas, mashed
1 pkg. wonton skins
1/3 c. firmly packed coconut flakes
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 c. raisins
Oil for frying

In electric skillet or wok, heat oil to 350 degrees F.

Combine bananas, coconut, cinnamon, and raisins.

Moisten edges of won ton skins with water. Add 1 teaspoon of mixture to center of skins, fold to form a triangle and pinch edges together to seal in mixture.

Fry on both sides until golden brown.

Sprinkle with powdered sugar and/or cinnamon. Serve warm.

FUN:

Salt and Light

FAITH:

Matthew 5:13-16

Nowhere in the Bible are we commanded to bring non-Christians into the church to get saved. In fact, there is not one instance int he Bible of anyone who ever got converted in a church or synagogue. For instance, in Luke 19, our Lord did not ask Zaccheus to meet Him at the synagogue on the Sabbath. Instead, he went to Zaccheus' home. The misconception is that the pagan is supposed to come and hear; the Biblical mandate for the believer is to go and tell.

If we are to be salt and light in our world, we need to go where the lost are. That might mean inviting them into your home for dinner, going next door to visit with them, playing miniature golf together, or doing something else with them. the Holy spirit will start working in their lives as they watch our lives and try to figure out why we are different.
by Robert Tamasy.
Applying it: Think about what it means to be salt and light in the world today. What kind of lifestyle shines as a light to the world and shows people how to be saved? How do you need to change your life in order to be the salt and light God want you to be?

FRIENDS:

Father, We, your people, love you and hate evil. We are thankful that you watch over those that follow you and that you free us from the power of the wicked. We are thankful for the light that shines on those who do right and for the joby that belongs to those who are honest. In Jesus' name, Amen

DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE
MAY 12
Mark 13:1-13; 2 Cor 11:1-15; Psalms 106: 1-23; 1 Samuel 26-28
MAY 13
Mark 13 14-31; 1 Cor 11: 16-33; Psalms 106:24-48; 1 Samuel 29-31



Ten Things To Be Thankful For
1. Old friends
2. Music you love
3. Singing in the shower
4. True lasting values
5. Someone giving you a chance to speak your mind
6. Watching the sunrise
7. Having a sense of optimism
8. A Sunday afternoon bar-b-que
9. A card with loving thoughts
10. Encouraging people to be creative

FOOD:

Hash Brown Casserole

Ingredients
3/4 cup chopped onion
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 (32-ounce) package frozen Southern-style hash brown potatoes, diced
2 tablespoons butter, melted and divided
1 (10 3/4-ounce) can condensed reduced-fat, reduced-sodium cream of chicken soup, undiluted (such as Campbell's Healthy Request)
8 ounces light processed cheese, cubed (such as Velveeta Light)
1 (8-ounce) carton light sour cream (such as Daisy)
Cooking spray
2 cups cornflakes, coarsely crushed

Preheat oven to 350°.
Combine first 4 ingredients and 1 tablespoon butter in a large bowl; toss well.
Combine soup and cheese in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at HIGH 6 minutes or until cheese melts, stirring every 2 minutes. Stir in sour cream. Pour cheese mixture over potato mixture, and stir well. Spread mixture evenly in a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.
Combine cornflakes and remaining 1 tablespoon butter; sprinkle evenly over top of potato mixture. Bake at 350° for 1 hour.
Yield 12 servings (serving size: about 1/2 cup)

FUN:

A father passing by his son's bedroom was astonished to see that his bed was nicely made and everything was picked up. Then he saw an
envelope, propped up prominently on the pillow that was addressed to
'Dad..'

With the worst premonition he opened the envelope with trembling hands and read the letter.

Dear Dad: with great regret and sorrow that I'm writing you. I had to elope with my new girlfriend because I wanted to avoid a scene with Mom and you.

I have been finding real passion with Stacy and she is so nice.

But I knew you would not approve of her because of all her piercing, tattoos, tight motorcycle clothes and the fact that she is much older than I am. But it' s not only the passion...Dad she's pregnant. Stacy said that we will be very happy. She owns a trailer in the woods and has a stack of firewood for the whole winter.. We share a dream of having many more children.

Stacy has opened my eyes to the fact that marijuana doesn't really hurt anyone. We'll be growing it for ourselves and trading it with the other people that live nearby for cocaine and ecstasy.

Don't worry Dad. I'm 15 and I know how to take care of myself.

Someday I'm sure that we will be back to visit so that you can get to know your grandchildren.

Love,
Your Son John

PS. Dad, none of the above is true. I'm over at Tommy's house.

I Just wanted to remind you that there are worse things in life than a Report card That's in my center desk drawer..
I love you.
Call me when it's safe to come home.

Jesus Touched the Untouchables

FAITH:

When Jesus came down from the hill, great crowds followed him. Then a
man with a skin disease came to Jesus. The man bowed down before him
and said, "Lord, you can heal me if you will."
Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man and said, "I will. Be
healed!" And immediately the man was healed from his disease.
Matthew 8:1-3

I wonder... about the man who felt Jesus' compassionate touch. He
makes one appearance, has one request, and receives one touch. But
that one touch changed his life forever....

I wonder about this man because in New Testament times leprosy was the
most dreaded disease. The condition rendered the body a mass of ulcers
and decay. Fingers would curl and gnarl. Blotches of skin would
discolor and stink. Certain types of leprosy would numb nerve endings,
leading to a loss of fingers, toes, even a whole foot or hand. Leprosy
was death by inches.

The social consequences were as severe as the physical. Considered
contagious, the leper was quarantined, banished to a leper colony.

In Scripture the leper is symbolic of the ultimate outcast: infected
by a condition he did not seek, rejected by those he knew, avoided by
people he did not know, condemned to a future he could not bear...

The touch did not heal the disease, you know. Matthew is careful to
mention that it was the pronouncement and not the touch of Christ that
cured the condition. "Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man
and said, 'I will. Be healed!' And immediately the man was healed from
his disease" (Matt. 8:3).

The infection was banished by a word from Jesus.

The loneliness, however, was treated by a touch from Jesus.

Jesus touched the untouchables of the world. by Max Lucado


FRIENDS:
Father, how holy and great is you promise to us about our requests we send upwards to you. You've been so good to us in all ways, but somehow, we find things about which to complain even though you answer our prayers in ways we never imagined and have also been given life eternal. Help us to be grateful to you and help us to see your hand in all we do. Help us to be busy about the right business---the business of serving you. In Jesus' name, Amen.

DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE
MAY 4TH THRU MAY 8TH
Mark 10:35 - 12:12; 2 Cor 3 - 7; Psalms 98 - 102; 1 Samuel 9 -18

MAY 9
Mark 12:13-27; 2 Cor 8; Psalms 103; 1 Samuel 19-20
MAY 10
Mark 12:28-34; 2 Cor 9; Psalms 104; 1 Samuel 21-23
MAY 11
Mark 12:35-44; 2 Cor 10; Psalms 105; 1 Samuel 24-25

~2 Corinthians~
Once there was a school in a village. Atop the school was a bell which was rung every morning to call the children to class. The boys and girls arrived reluctantly and precisely at the hour. Never a minute early. The bell would ring again in the afternoon, liberating the children to their play. The children bolted out the door at the ringing of the bell. Never lingering a minute late. This is how it was with each child.
Except one.
There was a girl who came early. She helped the teacher prepare the room for the day. The same girl would stay late---cleaning the board and dusting the erasers. During class she was attentive. She sat close to the teacher, absorbing the lessons.
One day when the other children were unruly and inattentive, the teacher used the girl as an example. "Why can't you be like her? She listens. she works. She comes early. She stay late."
"It isn't fair to ask us to be like her," a boy blurted out from the rear of the room.
"Why?" asked the teacher.
The boy was uncomfortable, wishing he hadn't spoken. "She has an advantage," he shrugged.
"And what is that?"
"She is an orphan," he almost whispered as he sat down.
The boy was right. The girl had an advantage. An advantage of knowing that school, as tedious as it was, was better than the orphanage. Since she knew that, she appreciated what the others took for granted.
We, too, were orphans.
Alone.
No name. No future. No hope.
Were it not for our adoption as his children, we would have no place to belong. We sometime forget that.
The Corinthians forgot.
They had grown puffy in their achievements and divisive in their fellowship. They argued over the correct leader, the greater gifts.They rebelled against Paul's leadership.They were indifferent to sin and insensitive in worship.
Paul defends his ministry and admonishes the Christians to remember to whom they belong. " Look closely at yourselves," Paul says (13:5). Paul's words are clear. "If anyone belongs to Christ, there is a new creation. The old things have gone; everything is made new!" (5:17)
Good reminder.
Not just for them but for us as well. For if we forget, we too will be like the students who did just enough to pass the grade and never enough to show their thanks.

FOOD:

CABBAGE CASSEROLE

1 head cabbage, medium
1 1/2 lb. hamburger or turkey
Salt, pepper and garlic salt to taste
2 cans (medium) diced tomatoes with onions
1 (16 oz.) can tomato sauce
1 pkg. frozen hash browns
2 tbsp. dried onion flakes

Chop up cabbage and microwave for 10 minutes. Brown hamburger or
turkey and rinse with warm water. Mix all ingredients together and
put in large casserole dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.


FUN:

Apologies

My apologies to all but I am on vacation and only have really bad dial up and a clunky old computer to work from. I will be in a place in a few day where I can post again. Again I apologize. I really thought I would be able to post from where I am.