Unfailing Love
by Max Lucado
"Love," Paul says, "never fails" (1 Cor. 13:8 NIV).
The verb Paul uses for the word fail is used elsewhere to describe the demise of a flower as it falls to the ground, withers, and decays. It carries the meaning of death and abolishment. God's love, says the apostle, will never fall to the ground, wither, and decay. By its nature, it is permanent. It is never abolished.
Love "will last forever" (NLT).
It "never dies" (MSG).
It "never ends" (RSV).
Love "is eternal" (TEV).
God's love "will never come to an end" (NEB).
Love never fails.
Governments will fail, but God's love will last. Crowns are temporary, but love is eternal. Your money will run out, but his love never will.
How could God have a love like this? No one has unfailing love. No person can love with perfection. You're right. No person can. But God is not a person. Unlike our love, his never fails. His love is immensely different from ours.
Our love depends on the receiver of the love. Let a thousand people pass before us, and we will not feel the same about each. Our love will be regulated by their appearance, by their personalities. Even when we find a few people we like, our feelings will fluctuate. How they treat us will affect how we love them. The receiver regulates our love.
Not so with the love of God. We have no thermostatic impact on his love for us. The love of God is born from within him, not from what he finds in us. His love is uncaused and spontaneous.
Does he love us because of our goodness? Because of our kindness? Because of our great faith? No, he loves us because of his goodness, kindness, and great faith. John says it like this: "This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us" (1 John 4:10 NIV).
Doesn't this thought comfort you? God's love does not hinge on yours. The abundance of your love does not increase his. The lack of your love does not diminish his. Your goodness does not enhance his love, nor does your weakness dilute it. What Moses said to Israel is what God says to us:
The LORD did not choose you and lavish his love on you because you were larger or greater than other nations, for you were the smallest of all nations! It was simply because the LORD loves you. (Deut. 7:7-8 NLT)
God loves you simply because he has chosen to do so.
He loves you when you don't feel lovely.
He loves you when no one else loves you. Others may abandon you, divorce you, and ignore you, but God will love you. Always. No matter what.
This is his sentiment: "I'll call nobodies and make them somebodies; I'll call the unloved and make them beloved" (Rom. 9:25 MSG).
This is his promise. "I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself" (Jer. 31:3 NLT).
FRIENDS:
Father, thank you for loving me. Where would I be without your love?.....In Jesus' name, Amen.
FOOD:
Chicken in Coconut Milk
serves 4
One 3-3.5 pound whole chicken
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 ounces (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
2 tablespoons sesame oil
1 pound fingerling potatoes
2 cans (13 - 15oz) regular or light coconut milk
1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
10 whole garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
Zest of 2 lemons
2 tablespoons chopped lemon grass stems
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
1 cinnamon stick
Preheat oven to 375°F.
Season the chicken with salt and pepper at a rate of about 1
tablespoon salt per pound and 1 tablespoon pepper per three pounds.
Heat the butter and sesame oil in a pot that will fit the chicken
snugly, like a Dutch oven, and set the chicken in the hot oil. Cook,
turning the chicken to get an even golden color on all sides, about 5
minutes total.
Remove from the heat, put the chicken on a plate, and dispose of the
fat left in the pot. Return the chicken to the pot with the rest of
the ingredients, and cook in the preheated oven, basting with the
cooking juices every 20 minutes, for 1 - 1.5 hours. It is done when
the meat pulls away from the bone without much effort and the potatoes
are tender when pricked with the end of a paring knife.
To serve, pull the meat off the bones and divide with potatoes between
plates or serve on a platter. Spoon over a hefty helping of the milky
sauce.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Noah...
When You Are Low on Hope by Max Lucado
Water. All Noah can see is water. The evening sun sinks into it. The clouds are reflected in it. His boat is surrounded by it. Water. Water to the north. Water to the south. Water to the east. Water to the west. Water.
He sent a raven on a scouting mission; it never returned. He sent a dove. It came back shivering and spent, having found no place to roost. Then, just this morning, he tried again. With a prayer he let it go and watched until the bird was no bigger than a speck on a window.
All day he looked for the dove's return.Now the sun is setting, and the sky is darkening, and he has come to look one final time, but all he sees is water. Water to the north. Water to the south. Water to the east. Water to the ...
You know the feeling. You have stood where Noah stood. You've known your share of floods. Flooded by sorrow at the cemetery, stress at the office, anger at the disability in your body or the inability of your spouse. You've seen the floodwater rise, and you've likely seen the sun set on your hopes as well. You've been on Noah's boat.And you've needed what Noah needed; you've needed some hope. You're not asking for a helicopter rescue, but the sound of one would be nice.
Hope doesn't promise an instant solution but rather the possibility of an eventual one. Sometimes all we need is a little hope.That's all Noah needed. And that's all Noah received.
Here is how the Bible describes the moment: "When the dove returned to him in the evening, there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf!" (Gen. 8:11 NIV).
An olive leaf. Noah would have been happy to have the bird but to have the leaf! This leaf was more than foliage; this was promise. The bird brought more than a piece of a tree; it brought hope. For isn't that what hope is? Hope is an olive leaf—evidence of dry land after a flood. Proof to the dreamer that dreaming is worth the risk.
Don't we love the olive leaves of life? "It appears the cancer may be in remission." "I can help you with those finances." "We'll get through this together." What's more, don't we love the doves that bring them? Perhaps that's the reason so many loved Jesus.
To all the Noahs of the world, to all who search the horizon for a fleck of hope, he proclaims, "Yes!" And he comes. He comes as a dove. He comes bearing fruit from a distant land, from our future home. He comes with a leaf of hope.Have you received yours? Don't think your ark is too isolated. Don't think your flood is too wide. Receive his hope, won't you? Receive it because you need it. Receive it so you can share it.
Love always hopes. "Love ... bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things" (1 Cor. 13:4-7).
FRIENDS:
Father, you created us for a purpose beyond our understanding. We cannot discern this purpose by our own powers, but you revealed it to the world by the death and resurrection of your Son. He revealed to us that we are your children, and that you created us to dwell with you in love for all eternity. He overcame sin and death to reconcile us with you. Free us from every form of bondage that separates us from you and purify us by the fire of your love. Guide us by the light of your truth, and lead us to the eternal life you have prepared for us. In Jesus' name. Amen.
DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE
14. JOHN 11:1-16; 1 JOHN 3:1-10; JOB 13; EZEKIEL 35-37
15. JOHN 11:17-37; 1 JOHN 3:11-18; JOB 14; EZEKIEL 38-39
16. JOHN 11:38-44; 1 JOHN 3:19-24; JOB 15:1-16; EZEKIEL 40-41
17. JOHN 11:45-57; 1 JOHN 4:1-6; JOB 15:17-35; EZEKIEL 42-44
FOOD:
3-in-1 Eye-Opener Mix
from The Frugal Foodie Cookbook: Waste-Not Recipes for the Wise Cook
8 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup baking powder
1 tablespoon kosher salt
3 tablespoons sugar
8 ounces (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold
Mix the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar in a large bowl with a wire whisk. Cut the butter into small chunks and add them to the dry mixture. Toss the butter to coat. Then, use a pastry cutter or slash two knives across each other to cut the butter chunks into smaller pieces. Keep cutting until the mixture is sandy in its consistency. You can also use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment for this step. Store in freezer bags or an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Use the 3-in-1 Eye-Opener Mix in the following recipes or the same way you would use Bisquick. Yield: 9 cups dry mix.
Biscuits
2 cups Eye-Opener Mix
1 cup milk or buttermilk
Preheat oven to 400 F. Grease a muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray. In a large bowl, mix the milk and Eye-Opener Mix with a wooden spoon until combined. Then, beat the dough briskly with the wooden spoon for 30 seconds. Using 2 tablespoons, drop 1/4 cup dough into each muffin cup. Bake for 23 minutes. Remove biscuits from the oven and serve warm, slathered with butter and drizzled with honey or molasses. Yield: 12 biscuits.
Pancakes
2 cups Eye-Opener Mix
1 1/2 cups milk
Butter for cooking and garnishing
Maple syrup
Mix the milk and the Eye-Opener Mix until the batter is blended, but still lumpy. Don't over mix.
Preheat a griddle or large nonstick frying pan over medium to medium-high heat. Butter the griddle. It will be ready when the butter foams on it.
Turn the heat down to medium-low and pour a scant 1/4 cup batter onto the griddle for each pancake. When bubbles on the pancakes start to pop and the edges are set, flip the pancakes and cook another half-minute or so. Serve hot with butter and syrup. Yield: 16 4-inch pancakes.
Waffles
4 eggs
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cups milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 cups Eye-Opener Mix
Preheat the waffle iron. Separate the eggs, putting the yolks in a bowl large enough to accommodate the final batter. Whip the egg whites until they form soft peaks, and set aside. Using a whisk, beat the egg yolks with the oil, milk and vanilla extract. Whisk in the Eye-Opener Mix, and lightly whisk half of the egg whites into the mixture. Fold the remaining egg whites into the batter with a rubber spatula.
Spray the waffle iron with nonstick cooking spray right before adding the batter. Use 1 cup batter for each waffle, cooking for about 4 minutes, or until the waffle iron stops steaming. Yield: 6 7-inch waffles.
from The Frugal Foodie Cookbook: Waste-Not Recipes for the Wise Cook
FUN:
Returning from a trip to visit my grandmother in Canada, I was stopped by a state trooper in New York for exceeding the speed limit.
Grateful to have received a warning instead of a ticket, I gave him a small bag of my grandmother's delicious chocolate-chip cookies and proceeded on my way.
A short time later, I was stopped by another trooper.
"What have I done?" I asked.
"Nothing," the trooper said, smiling."I heard you were passing out great chocolate-chip cookies."
Water. All Noah can see is water. The evening sun sinks into it. The clouds are reflected in it. His boat is surrounded by it. Water. Water to the north. Water to the south. Water to the east. Water to the west. Water.
He sent a raven on a scouting mission; it never returned. He sent a dove. It came back shivering and spent, having found no place to roost. Then, just this morning, he tried again. With a prayer he let it go and watched until the bird was no bigger than a speck on a window.
All day he looked for the dove's return.Now the sun is setting, and the sky is darkening, and he has come to look one final time, but all he sees is water. Water to the north. Water to the south. Water to the east. Water to the ...
You know the feeling. You have stood where Noah stood. You've known your share of floods. Flooded by sorrow at the cemetery, stress at the office, anger at the disability in your body or the inability of your spouse. You've seen the floodwater rise, and you've likely seen the sun set on your hopes as well. You've been on Noah's boat.And you've needed what Noah needed; you've needed some hope. You're not asking for a helicopter rescue, but the sound of one would be nice.
Hope doesn't promise an instant solution but rather the possibility of an eventual one. Sometimes all we need is a little hope.That's all Noah needed. And that's all Noah received.
Here is how the Bible describes the moment: "When the dove returned to him in the evening, there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf!" (Gen. 8:11 NIV).
An olive leaf. Noah would have been happy to have the bird but to have the leaf! This leaf was more than foliage; this was promise. The bird brought more than a piece of a tree; it brought hope. For isn't that what hope is? Hope is an olive leaf—evidence of dry land after a flood. Proof to the dreamer that dreaming is worth the risk.
Don't we love the olive leaves of life? "It appears the cancer may be in remission." "I can help you with those finances." "We'll get through this together." What's more, don't we love the doves that bring them? Perhaps that's the reason so many loved Jesus.
To all the Noahs of the world, to all who search the horizon for a fleck of hope, he proclaims, "Yes!" And he comes. He comes as a dove. He comes bearing fruit from a distant land, from our future home. He comes with a leaf of hope.Have you received yours? Don't think your ark is too isolated. Don't think your flood is too wide. Receive his hope, won't you? Receive it because you need it. Receive it so you can share it.
Love always hopes. "Love ... bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things" (1 Cor. 13:4-7).
FRIENDS:
Father, you created us for a purpose beyond our understanding. We cannot discern this purpose by our own powers, but you revealed it to the world by the death and resurrection of your Son. He revealed to us that we are your children, and that you created us to dwell with you in love for all eternity. He overcame sin and death to reconcile us with you. Free us from every form of bondage that separates us from you and purify us by the fire of your love. Guide us by the light of your truth, and lead us to the eternal life you have prepared for us. In Jesus' name. Amen.
DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE
14. JOHN 11:1-16; 1 JOHN 3:1-10; JOB 13; EZEKIEL 35-37
15. JOHN 11:17-37; 1 JOHN 3:11-18; JOB 14; EZEKIEL 38-39
16. JOHN 11:38-44; 1 JOHN 3:19-24; JOB 15:1-16; EZEKIEL 40-41
17. JOHN 11:45-57; 1 JOHN 4:1-6; JOB 15:17-35; EZEKIEL 42-44
FOOD:
3-in-1 Eye-Opener Mix
from The Frugal Foodie Cookbook: Waste-Not Recipes for the Wise Cook
8 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup baking powder
1 tablespoon kosher salt
3 tablespoons sugar
8 ounces (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold
Mix the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar in a large bowl with a wire whisk. Cut the butter into small chunks and add them to the dry mixture. Toss the butter to coat. Then, use a pastry cutter or slash two knives across each other to cut the butter chunks into smaller pieces. Keep cutting until the mixture is sandy in its consistency. You can also use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment for this step. Store in freezer bags or an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Use the 3-in-1 Eye-Opener Mix in the following recipes or the same way you would use Bisquick. Yield: 9 cups dry mix.
Biscuits
2 cups Eye-Opener Mix
1 cup milk or buttermilk
Preheat oven to 400 F. Grease a muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray. In a large bowl, mix the milk and Eye-Opener Mix with a wooden spoon until combined. Then, beat the dough briskly with the wooden spoon for 30 seconds. Using 2 tablespoons, drop 1/4 cup dough into each muffin cup. Bake for 23 minutes. Remove biscuits from the oven and serve warm, slathered with butter and drizzled with honey or molasses. Yield: 12 biscuits.
Pancakes
2 cups Eye-Opener Mix
1 1/2 cups milk
Butter for cooking and garnishing
Maple syrup
Mix the milk and the Eye-Opener Mix until the batter is blended, but still lumpy. Don't over mix.
Preheat a griddle or large nonstick frying pan over medium to medium-high heat. Butter the griddle. It will be ready when the butter foams on it.
Turn the heat down to medium-low and pour a scant 1/4 cup batter onto the griddle for each pancake. When bubbles on the pancakes start to pop and the edges are set, flip the pancakes and cook another half-minute or so. Serve hot with butter and syrup. Yield: 16 4-inch pancakes.
Waffles
4 eggs
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cups milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 cups Eye-Opener Mix
Preheat the waffle iron. Separate the eggs, putting the yolks in a bowl large enough to accommodate the final batter. Whip the egg whites until they form soft peaks, and set aside. Using a whisk, beat the egg yolks with the oil, milk and vanilla extract. Whisk in the Eye-Opener Mix, and lightly whisk half of the egg whites into the mixture. Fold the remaining egg whites into the batter with a rubber spatula.
Spray the waffle iron with nonstick cooking spray right before adding the batter. Use 1 cup batter for each waffle, cooking for about 4 minutes, or until the waffle iron stops steaming. Yield: 6 7-inch waffles.
from The Frugal Foodie Cookbook: Waste-Not Recipes for the Wise Cook
FUN:
Returning from a trip to visit my grandmother in Canada, I was stopped by a state trooper in New York for exceeding the speed limit.
Grateful to have received a warning instead of a ticket, I gave him a small bag of my grandmother's delicious chocolate-chip cookies and proceeded on my way.
A short time later, I was stopped by another trooper.
"What have I done?" I asked.
"Nothing," the trooper said, smiling."I heard you were passing out great chocolate-chip cookies."
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Problems = Promise
FAITH:
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
We often develop strategies, game-plans, life-plans – and then, at some obstacle or critical point, we say – “Just stick to the plan!” It’s usually good advice.
Life is always sending unexpected surprises, but praise God, nothing takes Him by surprise. He’s the master planner. Our family might turn against us, our friends let us down, illness, afflictions, problems and “situations” on every side…God still has a plan, for you, and for me.
Joseph is a prime example of life’s surprises. It took 13 years of endurance and character-building for him to fulfill this part of God’s plan. Sold as a slave into Egypt by his own brothers, betrayed and imprisoned, he must have wondered a lot where God was and what He was doing. But finally, as a prepared vessel, Joseph was placed in the highest position in the land, second only to Pharaoh, and commissioned to execute God’s plan for saving the world from famine. So the Lord had surprises of His own. Revealing himself to his brothers, Joseph summed it up beautifully:
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good, in order to bring it about as [it is] this day, to save many people alive. .” (Genesis 50:20)
When our situations are difficult to handle and downright impossible to explain, we need to remind ourselves that God said, “I know the plans I have for you.” Through these situations we discover how faithful and sovereign He truly is. He knows what we can handle and He will never give us more. When the test is completed, we come out with character, stronger in faith, more in love, more useful to Him, and ready……….. for our next test. (Oh yeah…)
The fact that we have problems is a sign that we also have a promise. It’s only a matter of time before God reveals His good intentions – so until then, let’s stick to the plan! His !!!
FRIENDS:
Father, in our present need, help us to believe that You are aware of all our anxiety and will do what is best for us. Give me the strength to trust You and put the present and future in Your Hands. Grant this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE
10. JOHN 9:26-41; 1 JOHN 2:1-11; JOB 9:1-20; EZEKIEL 27-28
11. JOHN 10:1-10; 1 JOHN 2:12-17; JOB 10; EZEKIEL 29-30
12. JOHN 10:11-21; 1 JOHN 2:18-23; JOB 11; EZEKIEL 31-32
13. JOHN 10:22-42; 1 JOHN 2:24-29; JOB 12; EZEKIEL 33-34
FOOD:
Here we are again, at the beginning of the holiday season. Time to bake to share and give for gifts. Here is a great one to start.
Hello Dolly Bars
1 1/2 cups crushed cinnamon graham crackers (about 8 graham crackers)
2 cups of chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups of shredded coconut
1 1/2 cups of chopped pecans
1 14 oz. can of sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup of butter
Method:Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.Melt the butter in a saucepan.Pour melted butter into an 11x7 or 8x8 cake pan.Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs into pan, and mix well with melted butter to form a crust.Layer on top of graham-cracker crust chocolate chips, coconut and pecans.Evenly pour sweetened condensed milk over everything.Bake in oven for 25 to 30 minutes, top should be light brown.Let cool in pan for at least half an hour, cut into bars and serve.
Variations: Some recipes use butterscotch and chocolate chips. Likewise, you can use walnuts or any other nut you like as well. I used cinnamon graham crackers because that's what I had in my pantry, and while plain graham crackers are more traditional, I thought the cinnamon added a nice touch.
Method:Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.Melt the butter in a saucepan.Pour melted butter into an 11x7 or 8x8 cake pan.Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs into pan, and mix well with melted butter to form a crust.Layer on top of graham-cracker crust chocolate chips, coconut and pecans.Evenly pour sweetened condensed milk over everything.Bake in oven for 25 to 30 minutes, top should be light brown.Let cool in pan for at least half an hour, cut into bars and serve.
Variations: Some recipes use butterscotch and chocolate chips. Likewise, you can use walnuts or any other nut you like as well. I used cinnamon graham crackers because that's what I had in my pantry, and while plain graham crackers are more traditional, I thought the cinnamon added a nice touch.
FUN:
Can you figure these out? Read this when you really have the time to think, I bet you can figure most of them out.
1. A murderer is condemned to death. He has to choose between three rooms. The first is full of raging fires, the second is full of assassins with loaded guns, and the third is full of lions that haven't eaten in 3 years. Which room is the safest for him?
2. A woman shoots her husband. Then she holds him under water for over 5 minutes. Finally, she hangs him. But 5 minutes later they both go out together and enjoy a wonderful dinner together.. How can this be?
3. What is black when you buy it, red when you use it, and gray when you throw it away?
4. Can you name three consecutive days with out using the words Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday?
5. This is an unusual paragraph. I'm curious how quickly you can find out what is so unusual about it. It looks so plain you would think nothing was wrong with it. In fact, nothing is wrong with it! It is unusual though. Study it, and think about it, but you still may not find anything odd. But if you work at it a bit, you might find out. Try to do so without any coaching!
DON'T PEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Answers:
1. The third. Lions that haven't eaten in three years are dead.
2. The woman was a photographer. She shot a picture of her husband, developed it and hung it up to dry.
3. Charcoal.
4. Sure you can: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow!
5. The letter "e" which is the most common letter in the English language, does not appear once in the long paragraph.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Climbing.....with Jesus
FAITH:
Matthew 14:23
And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.
There were times that Jesus separated himself from the multitudes — and there are times when we need to separate ourselves from our lives and ministry, and spend some time with our Lord.
I love how Jesus climbed a mountain. It made me think of an interesting analogy. Picture the shape of a mountain. It starts out wide at the bottom — the higher we climb, the narrower it becomes — and the more we must stay close to the center. As we go even higher yet, there’s less room to move to the left or the right — and there’s less and less ground that can be compromised — the more focused we need to be and the less we can afford to be distracted. The higher we go, the less room we have to fool around!
Whatever you may be dealing with, you may just need to separate yourself and climb up to spend time with the Lord — get centered on Him and focused on what He’s calling you to.
God wants us to learn to climb to the top and focus all of our lives on His will! Let’s take out some time this weekend to try it!
FRIENDS:
Father, help us to see what is important, what is eternal., and what is lasting. Let us make decisions based on our eternal life and not on temporary things. Help us to put into practice the timeless truths found in your Word and most of all, thank you for loving us. In Jesus' name, Amen.
DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE
7. JOHN 8:48-59; 2 PETER 3:10-18; JOB 7; EZEKIEL 20-21
8. JOHN 9:1-12; 1 JOHN 1:1-4; JOB 8; EZEKIEL 22-23
9. JOHN 9:13-25; 1 JOHN 1:5-10; JOB 9:1-20; EZEKIEL 24-26
~ 1 JOHN ~
Tolerance. A prized virtue today. The ability to be understanding of those with whom you differ is a sign of sophistication. Jesus, too, was a champion of tolerance.
--Tolerant of the disciples when they doubted.
--Tolerant of the crowds when they misunderstood.
--Tolerant of us when we fall.
But there is one area where Jesus was intolerant. There was one area where he was unindulgent and dogmatic. Were he to share his opinion today, he would be accused of being narrow, biased, one-sided, even bigoted.
But as far as he was concerned, when it comes to salvation, there aren't several roads . . .there is only one road. There aren't several ways . . . there is only one way . . . there aren't several paths . . . there is only one path. And that path is Jesus himself.
That is why it is so hard for people to believe in Jesus. It's much easier to consider him one of several options rather than the option. But such a philosophy is no option. Jesus closed that door. Jesus positioned himself as the peerless Savior of the world. In defining who he is, Jesus is bold and unapologetic.
His disciple John was equally firm.
First John was written to dispel doubts about Jesus. False teachers had entered the church, denying the incarnation of Christ. John steps up to the bench and makes his defense. John knew him, walked with him. lived with him. He saw him heal. He heard his words. John had been to the empty tomb and he knew . . . Jesus is not one of many options. He is the only option or nothing at all.
There are times to be tolerant. And there are times to take a stand for truth. In this letter, John takes a stand.
FOOD:
15-Minute Chicken Fried Rice
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Salt and pepper to taste
1/8 teaspoon onion powder, or to taste
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon sesame oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 eggs, slightly beaten
1 (16-ounce) bag frozen peas and carrots
7 cups cooked jasmine or basmati rice, cold
1/4 cup soy sauce, or to taste
5 green onions, chopped
Cut chicken into small cubes and place in a bowl. Season generously with salt, pepper and onion powder. Add oyster sauce and stir well to coat chicken. Heat butter and oil in large skillet or wok over high heat. Add garlic and chicken. Stir constantly and cook until chicken Is no longer pink, 2 to 3 minutes. Add beaten eggs to the meat. Cook
for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring constantly until eggs are scrambled. Add frozen peas and carrots and stir to incorporate. Add cold rice and soy sauce. Stir-fry rice mixture until light golden brown. Stir in chopped green onions just before serving. Serves: 6 to 8.
Pork Fried Rice for Two
1/8 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
1/8 cup brown sugar
1/8 cup, plus 1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce, divided
6 ounces boneless pork loin, cut into 1/4 inch cubes
1/2 teaspoon fennel seed, crushed
2 tablespoons canola oil, divided
2 cups broccoli florets
1 celery rib with leaves, sliced
1/2 cup shredded carrot
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1 1/2 cups cold cooked brown rice
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1 1/2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
Combine brown sugar, 1/8 cup of soy sauce and five-spice powder in a bowl. Stir in cubed pork, cover and allow to marinate for several hours (or overnight) in the refrigerator. In a large nonstick skillet, stir-fry pork over high heat for 3 minutes or until brown. Remove and keep warm. Stir-fry fennel seed in 3/4 teaspoon oil for 30 seconds. Add the broccoli, celery, carrot and onions. Stir-fry for 3 minutes or until crisp but tender. Remove and keep warm.
Stir-fry the rice in remaining oil for 2 minutes. Stir in 1 tablespoon soy sauce, pepper, garlic powder and hoisin sauce. Return pork and vegetables to the pan. Cook, stirring frequently until heated through.
Serves: 2.
FUN:
~New Look On Grand Dad~
I have always had a beard.
One day, I decided to shave it off. I came into the room where my 3 year old granddaughter Tiffany was and asked her, "Notice anything different?"
To which she replied, "No," with a puzzled look on her face.
I then said to her, "My beard's gone."
Now the puzzled look disappeared and the innocent eyes appeared when she said "I didn't take it!"
Matthew 14:23
And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.
There were times that Jesus separated himself from the multitudes — and there are times when we need to separate ourselves from our lives and ministry, and spend some time with our Lord.
I love how Jesus climbed a mountain. It made me think of an interesting analogy. Picture the shape of a mountain. It starts out wide at the bottom — the higher we climb, the narrower it becomes — and the more we must stay close to the center. As we go even higher yet, there’s less room to move to the left or the right — and there’s less and less ground that can be compromised — the more focused we need to be and the less we can afford to be distracted. The higher we go, the less room we have to fool around!
Whatever you may be dealing with, you may just need to separate yourself and climb up to spend time with the Lord — get centered on Him and focused on what He’s calling you to.
God wants us to learn to climb to the top and focus all of our lives on His will! Let’s take out some time this weekend to try it!
FRIENDS:
Father, help us to see what is important, what is eternal., and what is lasting. Let us make decisions based on our eternal life and not on temporary things. Help us to put into practice the timeless truths found in your Word and most of all, thank you for loving us. In Jesus' name, Amen.
DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE
7. JOHN 8:48-59; 2 PETER 3:10-18; JOB 7; EZEKIEL 20-21
8. JOHN 9:1-12; 1 JOHN 1:1-4; JOB 8; EZEKIEL 22-23
9. JOHN 9:13-25; 1 JOHN 1:5-10; JOB 9:1-20; EZEKIEL 24-26
~ 1 JOHN ~
Tolerance. A prized virtue today. The ability to be understanding of those with whom you differ is a sign of sophistication. Jesus, too, was a champion of tolerance.
--Tolerant of the disciples when they doubted.
--Tolerant of the crowds when they misunderstood.
--Tolerant of us when we fall.
But there is one area where Jesus was intolerant. There was one area where he was unindulgent and dogmatic. Were he to share his opinion today, he would be accused of being narrow, biased, one-sided, even bigoted.
But as far as he was concerned, when it comes to salvation, there aren't several roads . . .there is only one road. There aren't several ways . . . there is only one way . . . there aren't several paths . . . there is only one path. And that path is Jesus himself.
That is why it is so hard for people to believe in Jesus. It's much easier to consider him one of several options rather than the option. But such a philosophy is no option. Jesus closed that door. Jesus positioned himself as the peerless Savior of the world. In defining who he is, Jesus is bold and unapologetic.
His disciple John was equally firm.
First John was written to dispel doubts about Jesus. False teachers had entered the church, denying the incarnation of Christ. John steps up to the bench and makes his defense. John knew him, walked with him. lived with him. He saw him heal. He heard his words. John had been to the empty tomb and he knew . . . Jesus is not one of many options. He is the only option or nothing at all.
There are times to be tolerant. And there are times to take a stand for truth. In this letter, John takes a stand.
FOOD:
15-Minute Chicken Fried Rice
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Salt and pepper to taste
1/8 teaspoon onion powder, or to taste
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon sesame oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 eggs, slightly beaten
1 (16-ounce) bag frozen peas and carrots
7 cups cooked jasmine or basmati rice, cold
1/4 cup soy sauce, or to taste
5 green onions, chopped
Cut chicken into small cubes and place in a bowl. Season generously with salt, pepper and onion powder. Add oyster sauce and stir well to coat chicken. Heat butter and oil in large skillet or wok over high heat. Add garlic and chicken. Stir constantly and cook until chicken Is no longer pink, 2 to 3 minutes. Add beaten eggs to the meat. Cook
for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring constantly until eggs are scrambled. Add frozen peas and carrots and stir to incorporate. Add cold rice and soy sauce. Stir-fry rice mixture until light golden brown. Stir in chopped green onions just before serving. Serves: 6 to 8.
Pork Fried Rice for Two
1/8 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
1/8 cup brown sugar
1/8 cup, plus 1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce, divided
6 ounces boneless pork loin, cut into 1/4 inch cubes
1/2 teaspoon fennel seed, crushed
2 tablespoons canola oil, divided
2 cups broccoli florets
1 celery rib with leaves, sliced
1/2 cup shredded carrot
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1 1/2 cups cold cooked brown rice
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1 1/2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
Combine brown sugar, 1/8 cup of soy sauce and five-spice powder in a bowl. Stir in cubed pork, cover and allow to marinate for several hours (or overnight) in the refrigerator. In a large nonstick skillet, stir-fry pork over high heat for 3 minutes or until brown. Remove and keep warm. Stir-fry fennel seed in 3/4 teaspoon oil for 30 seconds. Add the broccoli, celery, carrot and onions. Stir-fry for 3 minutes or until crisp but tender. Remove and keep warm.
Stir-fry the rice in remaining oil for 2 minutes. Stir in 1 tablespoon soy sauce, pepper, garlic powder and hoisin sauce. Return pork and vegetables to the pan. Cook, stirring frequently until heated through.
Serves: 2.
FUN:
~New Look On Grand Dad~
I have always had a beard.
One day, I decided to shave it off. I came into the room where my 3 year old granddaughter Tiffany was and asked her, "Notice anything different?"
To which she replied, "No," with a puzzled look on her face.
I then said to her, "My beard's gone."
Now the puzzled look disappeared and the innocent eyes appeared when she said "I didn't take it!"
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Choosing Intimacy
FAITH:
Luke 10:38-42
38 While Jesus and his followers were traveling, Jesus went into a town. A woman named Martha let Jesus stay at her house.39 Martha had a sister named Mary, who was sitting at Jesus' feet and listening to him teach.40 But Martha was busy with all the work to be done. She went in and said, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me alone to do all the work? Tell her to help me."
41 But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things. 42 Only one thing is important. Mary has chosen the better thing, and it will never be taken away from her."
So often in ministry, the Lord deals with my own spirit, saying – “You need to step back and get refocused!” And we all know how hard it is at times when we get so busy with the normal every day stresses of life tugging at our limited time.
Recently I was reading the story of Mary and Martha, and how Mary chose the better part, while Martha was doing the housework. Now let’s not deny the real importance of housework and practical matters; let’s face it, with nobody doing that stuff, what would get done? Life would be a mess! But according to Jesus, something was wrong, and Martha had her priorities out of line. And He made it very clear, Mary had chosen the better part! Mary preferred and chose relationship and intimacy with the Lord over the physical preparations and housework associated with His visit. And Jesus blessed and protected her choice.
And so the Lord has had to remind me, over and again of the importance of intimacy with Him…before getting down to the work!
It’s a constant temptation to slip into an emphasis on DOING the work at hand; and even in our own personal prayer time, to be mainly focused on those “urgent ministry needs”…and completely forgetting the most important thing, the “better part”- intimacy, personal communication, just BEING with Him.
Let’s resolve to choose intimacy with Jesus! Let’s choose the better part! Let’s resolve to spend time with the Lord and develop that intimate relationship He so wants with us. That way we will constantly experience how deep and awesome His love for us is. And it will make the work we’re called to do — so much easier!
FRIENDS:
Father, Give us strength as we try to be more like Jesus in our lifestyles. We ask you to keep the evil one away from us; keep us close to you. Let our lives be testimonies to those who see us and let it be about your love for us. In Jesus' name, Amen.
DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE
4. JOHN 8:12-20; 2 PETER 2:10-16; JOB 4; EZEKIEL 13-15
5. JOHN 8:21-30; 2 PETER 2:17-22; JOB 5; EZEKIEL 16
6. JOHN 8:31-47; 2 PETER 3:1-9; JOB 6; EZEKIEL 17-19
FOOD:
Southwestern Beef & Bean Burger Wraps
The beans make the burgers a little fragile, so be careful when taking them off the broiler pan.
INGREDIENTS
12 ounces 93%-lean ground beef
1 cup refried beans
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon chopped pickled jalapenos
1 avocado peeled and pitted
1/2 cup prepared salsa
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
4 whole-wheat tortillas warmed
2 cups shredded romaine lettuce
1/2 cup shredded pepper Jack cheese
1 lime cut into 4 wedges
To warm tortillas: Wrap in foil; bake at 300°F until steaming, about 5 minutes. Or wrap in barely damp paper towels and microwave on High for 30 to 45 seconds.
Position oven rack in upper third of oven; preheat broiler. Coat a broiler pan with cooking spray.
Gently combine ground beef, beans, cilantro and jalapenos in a medium bowl (do not overmix). Shape into four 5-by-2-inch oblong patties and place on the prepared pan.
Broil the patties until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reads 165°F, 12 to 14 minutes.
Meanwhile, mash together avocado, salsa and garlic powder in a small bowl.
Place tortillas on a clean work surface. Spread each with the guacamole, then sprinkle with lettuce and cheese. Top each with a burger and roll into a wrap. Serve immediately, with lime wedges.
FUN:
This looks like my "grand cat" Jasmine when she was younger..
Luke 10:38-42
38 While Jesus and his followers were traveling, Jesus went into a town. A woman named Martha let Jesus stay at her house.39 Martha had a sister named Mary, who was sitting at Jesus' feet and listening to him teach.40 But Martha was busy with all the work to be done. She went in and said, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me alone to do all the work? Tell her to help me."
41 But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things. 42 Only one thing is important. Mary has chosen the better thing, and it will never be taken away from her."
So often in ministry, the Lord deals with my own spirit, saying – “You need to step back and get refocused!” And we all know how hard it is at times when we get so busy with the normal every day stresses of life tugging at our limited time.
Recently I was reading the story of Mary and Martha, and how Mary chose the better part, while Martha was doing the housework. Now let’s not deny the real importance of housework and practical matters; let’s face it, with nobody doing that stuff, what would get done? Life would be a mess! But according to Jesus, something was wrong, and Martha had her priorities out of line. And He made it very clear, Mary had chosen the better part! Mary preferred and chose relationship and intimacy with the Lord over the physical preparations and housework associated with His visit. And Jesus blessed and protected her choice.
And so the Lord has had to remind me, over and again of the importance of intimacy with Him…before getting down to the work!
It’s a constant temptation to slip into an emphasis on DOING the work at hand; and even in our own personal prayer time, to be mainly focused on those “urgent ministry needs”…and completely forgetting the most important thing, the “better part”- intimacy, personal communication, just BEING with Him.
Let’s resolve to choose intimacy with Jesus! Let’s choose the better part! Let’s resolve to spend time with the Lord and develop that intimate relationship He so wants with us. That way we will constantly experience how deep and awesome His love for us is. And it will make the work we’re called to do — so much easier!
FRIENDS:
Father, Give us strength as we try to be more like Jesus in our lifestyles. We ask you to keep the evil one away from us; keep us close to you. Let our lives be testimonies to those who see us and let it be about your love for us. In Jesus' name, Amen.
DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE
4. JOHN 8:12-20; 2 PETER 2:10-16; JOB 4; EZEKIEL 13-15
5. JOHN 8:21-30; 2 PETER 2:17-22; JOB 5; EZEKIEL 16
6. JOHN 8:31-47; 2 PETER 3:1-9; JOB 6; EZEKIEL 17-19
FOOD:
Southwestern Beef & Bean Burger Wraps
The beans make the burgers a little fragile, so be careful when taking them off the broiler pan.
INGREDIENTS
12 ounces 93%-lean ground beef
1 cup refried beans
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon chopped pickled jalapenos
1 avocado peeled and pitted
1/2 cup prepared salsa
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
4 whole-wheat tortillas warmed
2 cups shredded romaine lettuce
1/2 cup shredded pepper Jack cheese
1 lime cut into 4 wedges
To warm tortillas: Wrap in foil; bake at 300°F until steaming, about 5 minutes. Or wrap in barely damp paper towels and microwave on High for 30 to 45 seconds.
Position oven rack in upper third of oven; preheat broiler. Coat a broiler pan with cooking spray.
Gently combine ground beef, beans, cilantro and jalapenos in a medium bowl (do not overmix). Shape into four 5-by-2-inch oblong patties and place on the prepared pan.
Broil the patties until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reads 165°F, 12 to 14 minutes.
Meanwhile, mash together avocado, salsa and garlic powder in a small bowl.
Place tortillas on a clean work surface. Spread each with the guacamole, then sprinkle with lettuce and cheese. Top each with a burger and roll into a wrap. Serve immediately, with lime wedges.
FUN:
This looks like my "grand cat" Jasmine when she was younger..
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Stand Your Ground
FAITH:
1 Chronicles 20:4-8
4 Later, at Gezer, war broke out with the Philistines. Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Sippai, who was one of the descendants of the Rephaites. So those Philistines were defeated.
5 Later, there was another battle with the Philistines. Elhanan son of Jair killed Lahmi, the brother of Goliath, who was from the town of Gath. His spear was as large as a weaver's rod.
6 At Gath another battle took place. A huge man was there; he had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—twenty-four fingers and toes in all. This man also was one of the sons of Rapha.7 When he spoke against Israel, Jonathan son of Shimea, David's brother, killed him.
8 These descendants of Rapha from Gath were killed by David and his men.
When Saul was king of Israel, there were no giant slayers in their midst; so when Goliath stood against the armies of Israel, the Israelites trembled! There was, however, a young shepherd, whose intimate knowledge of His God inspired and empowered him to fight the evil giant, and defeat him.
David’s victory over Goliath paved the way for those after him to slay the giant’s offspring, who were also giants. So when those giants arose to fight, they already had knowledge that they could be defeated. David’s breakthrough had set a powerful precedent for all of Israel’s “mighty men”.
All around us there are “Goliaths”, evil giants…but none of them are “undefeatable”. In fact, we have an entire Bible full of examples of saints who stood their ground and routed their enemies. Let’s follow their example, and set new precedents fighting the giants of our day. We too can leave a legacy of victory, inspiring our children and grandchildren to victory over the “sons of Goliath”!
FRIENDS:
Father, we believe that when we see you, any suffering that we endured on the face of this earth will be worth it. We believe that the first five minutes we stand in heaven we will know that anything we endured on this globe will be forgotten. Father, Help us to understand and when we cannot understand, help us to trust. In Jesus' name, Amen.
DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE ~NOVEMBER
1. JOHN 7:37-44; 2 PETER 1:1-11; JOB 1; EZEKIEL 1-3
2. JOHN 7:45-53; 2 PETER 1:12-21; JOB 2; EZEKIEL 4-8
3. JOHN 8:1-11; 2 PETER 2:1-9; JOB 3; EZEKIEL 9-12
~EZEKIEL~
Out of the ruins of Jerusalem came a gutsy preacher named Ezekiel. He was among the Jews taken to Babylon after the fall of his country. He left behind his cityl. He left behind his Temple. He left behind his home.
But he didn't leave his faith.
He announced it to everyone who would listen. For twenty two years he paced the streets proclaiming both sides of the faith.
The bad side? Turn or burn. Forgive me for being so direct, but Ezekiel was.
The good side? Turn and learn. God has a great plan for his people. A great city. Justice will reign and worship will be restored. Unlike Jerusalem, God's city is eternal. Who will be in God's city? Ezekiel answers that with the final words of the book ---- The Lord Is There.
Out of the ruins came Ezekiel. Out of the ruins came the promise. Our of the ruins came the new hope.
Is your life in ruins? Look ahead to God's city: The Lord Is There.
FOOD:
Here's a twist on an old favorite - made a little healthier with chicken. This, believe it or not, is a diet recipe - only 247 calories per serving of the chicken (I use low-fat soup). Serve over noodles.
Chicken Stroganoff
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts - cut into strips
Flour, salt and pepper
2 tsp. olive oil
1 can (10 ounces) cream of mushroom soup
2 ounces onion soup mix
1/2 cup chicken broth
8 ounces fresh mushrooms
8 ounces reduced fat sour cream
Dredge chicken with flour seasoned with salt (go light on the salt because of the soup) and pepper. Heat oil and saute chicken in frying pan until browned. Place chicken in crock pot, followed by mushrooms.
Combine mushroom soup, onion soup mix and water together in a small bowl; pour over chicken. Cook on low 6 to 7 hours. Add sour cream and turn up to high 15 minutes before serving. Makes 6 servings
Low Cal Cake Dessert
"An easy, quick no-bake cake made with angel food cake, fruit, flavored gelatin, and whipped topping."
1 (10 inch tube pan) angel food cake
1 (3 ounce) package strawberry flavored gelatin
1 (15 ounce) can sliced peaches
3 bananas
1 (5 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
Directions:
Break angel food or pound cake into bite size pieces. Put into a 9x13 inch pan (preferably glass).
Dissolve 1 package of flavored gelatin in 1 cup of water and pour over cake pieces, spreading to the edges of pan. Drain the peaches and pour the juice over the gelatin in the pan. Slice bananas on top of gelatin. Arrange peach slices on top of banana slices. If desired, add crushed pineapple.
Prepare instant pudding according to instructions on box and spread evenly over fruit.
Spread whipped topping on top of the pudding. Try to keep the layers separate.
Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.
166 Calories per Serving
FUN:
1 Chronicles 20:4-8
4 Later, at Gezer, war broke out with the Philistines. Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Sippai, who was one of the descendants of the Rephaites. So those Philistines were defeated.
5 Later, there was another battle with the Philistines. Elhanan son of Jair killed Lahmi, the brother of Goliath, who was from the town of Gath. His spear was as large as a weaver's rod.
6 At Gath another battle took place. A huge man was there; he had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—twenty-four fingers and toes in all. This man also was one of the sons of Rapha.7 When he spoke against Israel, Jonathan son of Shimea, David's brother, killed him.
8 These descendants of Rapha from Gath were killed by David and his men.
When Saul was king of Israel, there were no giant slayers in their midst; so when Goliath stood against the armies of Israel, the Israelites trembled! There was, however, a young shepherd, whose intimate knowledge of His God inspired and empowered him to fight the evil giant, and defeat him.
David’s victory over Goliath paved the way for those after him to slay the giant’s offspring, who were also giants. So when those giants arose to fight, they already had knowledge that they could be defeated. David’s breakthrough had set a powerful precedent for all of Israel’s “mighty men”.
All around us there are “Goliaths”, evil giants…but none of them are “undefeatable”. In fact, we have an entire Bible full of examples of saints who stood their ground and routed their enemies. Let’s follow their example, and set new precedents fighting the giants of our day. We too can leave a legacy of victory, inspiring our children and grandchildren to victory over the “sons of Goliath”!
FRIENDS:
Father, we believe that when we see you, any suffering that we endured on the face of this earth will be worth it. We believe that the first five minutes we stand in heaven we will know that anything we endured on this globe will be forgotten. Father, Help us to understand and when we cannot understand, help us to trust. In Jesus' name, Amen.
DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE ~NOVEMBER
1. JOHN 7:37-44; 2 PETER 1:1-11; JOB 1; EZEKIEL 1-3
2. JOHN 7:45-53; 2 PETER 1:12-21; JOB 2; EZEKIEL 4-8
3. JOHN 8:1-11; 2 PETER 2:1-9; JOB 3; EZEKIEL 9-12
~EZEKIEL~
Out of the ruins of Jerusalem came a gutsy preacher named Ezekiel. He was among the Jews taken to Babylon after the fall of his country. He left behind his cityl. He left behind his Temple. He left behind his home.
But he didn't leave his faith.
He announced it to everyone who would listen. For twenty two years he paced the streets proclaiming both sides of the faith.
The bad side? Turn or burn. Forgive me for being so direct, but Ezekiel was.
The good side? Turn and learn. God has a great plan for his people. A great city. Justice will reign and worship will be restored. Unlike Jerusalem, God's city is eternal. Who will be in God's city? Ezekiel answers that with the final words of the book ---- The Lord Is There.
Out of the ruins came Ezekiel. Out of the ruins came the promise. Our of the ruins came the new hope.
Is your life in ruins? Look ahead to God's city: The Lord Is There.
FOOD:
Here's a twist on an old favorite - made a little healthier with chicken. This, believe it or not, is a diet recipe - only 247 calories per serving of the chicken (I use low-fat soup). Serve over noodles.
Chicken Stroganoff
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts - cut into strips
Flour, salt and pepper
2 tsp. olive oil
1 can (10 ounces) cream of mushroom soup
2 ounces onion soup mix
1/2 cup chicken broth
8 ounces fresh mushrooms
8 ounces reduced fat sour cream
Dredge chicken with flour seasoned with salt (go light on the salt because of the soup) and pepper. Heat oil and saute chicken in frying pan until browned. Place chicken in crock pot, followed by mushrooms.
Combine mushroom soup, onion soup mix and water together in a small bowl; pour over chicken. Cook on low 6 to 7 hours. Add sour cream and turn up to high 15 minutes before serving. Makes 6 servings
Low Cal Cake Dessert
"An easy, quick no-bake cake made with angel food cake, fruit, flavored gelatin, and whipped topping."
1 (10 inch tube pan) angel food cake
1 (3 ounce) package strawberry flavored gelatin
1 (15 ounce) can sliced peaches
3 bananas
1 (5 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
Directions:
Break angel food or pound cake into bite size pieces. Put into a 9x13 inch pan (preferably glass).
Dissolve 1 package of flavored gelatin in 1 cup of water and pour over cake pieces, spreading to the edges of pan. Drain the peaches and pour the juice over the gelatin in the pan. Slice bananas on top of gelatin. Arrange peach slices on top of banana slices. If desired, add crushed pineapple.
Prepare instant pudding according to instructions on box and spread evenly over fruit.
Spread whipped topping on top of the pudding. Try to keep the layers separate.
Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.
166 Calories per Serving
FUN:
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