Love for the World

FAITH:
2 Timothy 4:9-18
"The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen."
2 Timothy 4:18

It was a cold December morning. Dressed in a white execution gown, he was led to the wall of the prison courtyard with the others. Blindfolded, he waited for the last sound he would hear: the crack of a pistol echoing off the prison walls. Instead, he heard fast-paced footsteps, then the announcement that the czar had commuted his sentence to 10 years of hard labor.

So intense was that moment that he suffered an epileptic seizure—a malady he would suffer the rest of his life.

Fyodor Dostoevsky was sent to prison, where he had only a New Testament to read. In it he discovered something more compelling than his socialistic ideals. He met Jesus, and his heart was changed. Upon leaving prison, he wrote to a friend that the Lord was so dear to him that if he were to find out that Jesus was not in the realm of truth, he would rather have Jesus than the truth.

Dostoevsky returned to civilian life. He wrote feverishly and produced the novels The House of the Dead and Crime and Punishment, followed by his personal memoirs and many other works.

The sorrowful end of this story is that he never grew as a believer in Jesus. His church attendance was sporadic. He neglected Bible study and the fellowship of other believers. He began to drink heavily, and gambling left him penniless. He had left prison with his heart aflame for Jesus, but he died with nothing more than smoldering embers.

As a writer, Dostoevsky left a legacy that places him among the literary greats. One wonders what impact his life could have had if he had stayed faithful to God. In the words of the great poet John Greenleaf Whittier, "Of all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'"

Keeping on track for Jesus in good times and in bad is the only way to finish life and face eternity with few regrets. by Joe Stowell

* What things in my life have sidetracked my passion and enthusiasm for Jesus?
* Why is it so hard to stay faithful to Him?
* What will I do differently today to reflect my love for Jesus?


10 THINGS I AM THANKFUL FOR
1. People that still find my opinion valuable
2. Being able to make change the old way..no machines
3. New friends
4. A warm home
5. God's wonderful care for my foster Grandson
6. Silence
7. Being able to pay my bills
8. That God brought me to California especially with all
the snow they are having back home.
9. Sitting next to my grandchildren at church
10. Being able to share my pain with a friend

FRIENDS:
Father, When we confront temptation, when we stand face to face with evil, we pray that you would give us strength and that you would use your power to block the path of evil. Thank you for your promise that if we do what is right, eventually truth and justice and goodness will prevail. As we face the dilemmas and options of this tijme, remind us that good does reign supreme. In Jesus' name, Amen

FOOD:
Does anyone make these anymore. I remember them from my
childhood.
Basic No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookie
* 1 cup brown sugar
* 1 cup granulated sugar
* 1/2 cup milk
* 1 teaspoon vanilla
* 1/2 cup cocoa powder
* 3 cup quick cooking oats
* 1/4 cup peanut butter
* 1/2 stick of butter

1. In medium saucepan combine brown sugar, granulated sugar,
cocoa powder, butter, and milk.
2. Stir over medium heat until sugars are dissolved and all
ingredients are well blended.
3. Add vanilla and heat to boiling. Remove from heat.
4. Stir in oats and add peanut butter to mixture.
5. Drop on to wax paper by teaspoon for drop style cookies
or by tablespoon and shape (to look more like cookies).
6. Cool to room temperature (about 45 minutes)

FUN:
Are you flying somewhere this holiday season? Maybe you will hear some of these in the friendly skies...
1. "Weather at our destination is 50 degrees with some broken
clouds, but we'll try to have them fixed before we arrive.
Thank you, and remember, nobody loves you, or your money,
more than Southwest Airlines."

2. "Your seat cushions can be used for flotation, and, in the
event of an emergency water landing, please paddle to shore
and take them with you with our compliments."

3. "As you exit the plane, make sure to gather all of your
belongings. Anything left behind will be distributed evenly
among the flight attendants. Please do not leave children
or spouses."

4. And from the pilot during his welcome message: "Delta
airlines is pleased to have some of the best flight attendants
in the industry. Unfortunately, none of them are on this flight!"

5. Overheard on an American Airlines flight into Amarillo, Texas,
on a particularly windy and bumpy day: During the final approach,
the Captain was really having to fight it. After an extremely hard
landing, the Flight Attendant said, "Ladies and Gentlemen,
welcome to Amarillo. Please remain in your seats with your
seat belts fastened while the Captain taxis what's left of our
airplane to the gate