No relationship

FAITH:
Romans 2:1-3:8
Paul encouraged the church in Rome to be set apart from the world. God made a right relationship with him available to all people.
God hates sin and desires all to follow him in word and action.

I've wondered, at times, what kind of man this Judas was.What he looked like, how he acted, who his friends were...

But for all the things we don't know about Judas, there is one thing we know for sure he had no relationship with the Master. He had seen Jesus, but he did not know him. He had heard Jesus, but he did not understand him. He had religion, but no relationship.

As Satan worked his way around the table in the Upper Room, he needed a special kind of man to betray our Lord. He needed a man who had seen Jesus, but did not know him. He needed a man who knew the actions of Jesus, but had missed out on the mission of Jesus. Judas was this man. He knew the empire but had never known the Man.

We learn this timeless lesson from the betrayer. Satan's best tools of destruction are not from outside the church, they are from within the church. A church will never die from the immorality in Hollywood or the corruption in Washington. But it will die from corrosion within--from those who bear the name of Jesus but have never met him, and from those who have religion, but no relationship.

Judas bore the cloak of religion, but he never knew the heart of Christ. Let's make it our goal to know...deeply.
by Max Lucado

Applying it: Spend uninterrupted time with Christ today. Tell him your thoughts, dreams, worries, sins.
Exploring it: Relationship with Christ--Matthew 12:50; John 1:12; 15:5; Romans 8:15-17; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 6:18; Philippians 3:8

FRIENDS:
Oh God, How mighty are your works in all the earth! I want to thank you for the times you have made Your presence felt in a mighty way. Please, prick the hearts of mankind that we might seek you with all we are and that we might experience a mighty revival among believers and a great awakening among those who have yet to believe and accept you as their God. I praise you, Lord, and want to bless you with my life. I love you. Amen.

FOOD:
Ms. J. Faye Farkle's Famous Frozen Concoction (not sure if it's dessert or salad but it's really good)

8 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup mayo
3/4 cup evaporated milk
1 T lemon juice.

whip together till creamy.

Add:

2 cups frozen strawberries, sliced
1 cup chopped walnuts
2 sliced bananas

Line 9 x 13 pan with foil then freeze. Cut into squares to serve.


FUN:
You know you're a bad cook when:

You use the smoke alarm as a cooking timer.
You consider it a culinary success if the pop-tart stays in one piece.
Your dog goes to the neighbors' to eat.
Your family buys Alka Seltzer and Kaopectate in bulk.
When you barbecue, two of your kids hold water guns and the third
stands ready by the phone with 911 on speed-dial.
Your family automatically heads for the dinner table every time they
hear a fire truck siren.
The EPA insists that all your garbage cans be marked with biohazard symbols.
Your microwave display reads "TILT!"
Your two best recipes are meatloaf and apple pie, but your dinner
guests can't tell which is which.
Your pie filling bubbles over and eats the enamel off the bottom of the oven.
You've used three boxes of scouring pads and a bottle of Drano and a
crowbar, and that macaroni and cheese still won't let go of the pan.
Pest control companies keep pestering you for your recipes.
You make tuna noodle surprise and the surprise is that it glows in the
dark and melts the silverware.
Your kitchen is labeled as a toxic waste site.
The post office and UPS will not deliver your cookie packages
because of past incidents in the delivery trucks...

Your family prays AFTER they eat!

Is this what you've been up to?

Have you switched any tags lately?

FAITH:
2 Kings 10:1-36
King Jehu drastically reformed society. He spoke out against practices that disregarded God's law and called the people back to God's standards. He killed wicked Ahab's household and the prophets of Baal. Although he led the way in these reforms, he failed to finish the job, he did not remove the idols set up in Dan and Bethel.

Jehu passionately opposed practices that were dishonoring to God, but some of his own efforts were sinful (Hosea 1:4-5)

It seems a couple of prowlers broke into a department store in a large city. They took nothing. Absolutely nothing. No merchandise was stolen. No items were removed. But what they did was ridiculous.

Instead of steeling anything, they changed the cost of everything. Price tags were swapped. Values were exchanged. These clever pranksters took the tag off a $395 camera and stuck it on a $5.00 box of stationery. The $5.95 sticker on a paperback book was removed and placed on an outboard motor. They repriced everything in the store.

Crazy? You bet. But the craziest part of this story took place the next morning. The store opened as usual. Employees went to work. Customers began to shop. The place functioned as normal for four hours before anyone noticed what had happened.

Four hours! Some people got some great bargains. Others got fleeced. For four solid hours no one noticed that all the values had been swapped.

Hard to believe? It shouldn't be--we see the same thing happening every day. We are deluged by a distorted value system. We see the most valuable things in our lives peddled for pennies and we see the cheapest smut go for millions.

The sales man who defended his illegal practices by saying, "Let's not confuse business with ethics."

The military men who sold top-secret information (as well as their own integrity) for $6,000.

The cabinet member of a large nation who was caught illegally dealing in semi-precious stones. His cabinet position? Minister of Justice.

The father who confessed to the murder of his twelve-year-old daughter. The reason he killed her? She refused to go to bed with him.

Why do we do what we do? Why do we take blatantly black and white and paint it gray? Why are priceless mores trashed while senseless standards are obeyed? What causes us to elevate the body and degrade the soul? What causes us to pamper the skin while we pollute the heart?

Our values are messed up. Someone broke into the store and exchanged all the price tags. Thrills are going for top dollar and the value of human beings is at an all-time low.....

And you've seen the results of this. Our system goes haywire. We feel useless and worthless. We freak out. We play games. We create false value systems. We say that you are valuable if you are pretty. We say that you are valuable if you can produce....

Now please understand, this is man's value system. It is not God's.

In God's book man is heading somewhere. He has an amazing destiny. We are being prepared to walk down the church aisle and become the bride of Jesus. We are going to live with him. Share the throne with him. Reign with him. We count. We are valuable. And what's more, our worth is built in! Our value is inborn. by Max Lucado

Apply it: Make a list of things the world values (money, good looks, nice cars.) When you've completed your list, ask yourself, "Which of these do I value? Which does God value? How can I spend my time and money better to reflect what God values?"
Explore it: Distorted Values--Job 21:14; Psalm 82:5; Proverbs 14:12; 30:20; Isiah 44:18-20: Jeremiah 9:3-6; Zephaniah 3:5; John 1:5; Romans 1:21-32; Ephesians 4:18; 2 Peter 2:19

FRIENDS:
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 time, remind us that good does reign supreme. In Jesus' name.....

FOOD:
NOT FOOD EXACTLY BUT SOMETHING FROM THE KITCHEN

• Safe stacking: Put a coffee filter between plates when storing. For nonstick pots and pans, use one to keep the surface from being scratched when you stack them.
• "Snack bowls": Use coffee filters as a disposable "snack bowl" for popcorn, chips, etc.
• Prevent spills: Wrap a filter around a taco shell to prevent spills -- this is especially good for little ones.
• "Drip catcher:" Great for wrapping around frozen pops and ice creams.
• Glass cleanser: Clean windows and mirrors using a filter.
• Mini cutting board: Put down a coffee filter when chopping (not slicing) one tomato, onion, etc.
• Handi-wipes: Keep filters in your car for window cleaning, to use as napkins and for quick cleanups.
• Flower-pot liner: Put a filter in the bottom of a small pot when repotting.

SORRY, nothing is funny today........you will have to wait until tomorrow to smile.

How simple is this?

The simple touch of a hand...

FAITH:
Romans 13:1-14
1 ALL OF YOU MUST YIELD TO THE GOVERNMENT RULERS. NO ONE RULES UNLESS GOD HAS GIVEN HIM THE POWER TO RULE, AND NO ONE RULES NOW WITHOUT THAT POWER FROM GOD. 2 So those who are against the government are really against what God has commanded. And they will bring punishment on themselves. 3 Those who do right do not have to fear the rulers; only those who do wrong fear them. Do you want to be unafraid of the rulers? Then do what is right, and they will praise you. 4 The ruler is God's servant to help you. He has the power to punish; he is God's servant to punish those who do wrong. 5 So you must yield to the government, not only because you might be punished, but because you know it is right.
6 This is also why you pay taxes. Rulers are working for God and give their time to their work. 7 Pay everyone, then what you owe. If you owe any kind of tax, pay it. Show respect and honor to them all.
8 Do not owe people anything, except always owe love to each other,because the person who loves others has obeyed all the law. 9 The law says, "You must not be guilty of adultery. You must not murder someone. You must not steal. You must not want to take your neighbor's things". All these commands and all others are really only one rule: "Love your neighbor as you love yourself." 10 Love never hurts a neighbor, so loving is obeying all the law.
11 Do this because we live in an important time. It is now time for you to wake up from your sleep, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The "night" is almost finished, and the "day" is almost here. So we should stop doing things that belong to darkness and take up the weapons used for fighting in the light. 13 Let us life ina right way, like people who belong to the day. We should not have wild parties or get drunk. There should be no sexual sin of any kind, no fighting or jealousy. 14 But clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ and forget about satisfying your sinful self.(New Century Translation)

Paul encouraged Christians to obey the government even though submitting to a pagan government would be difficult. He also encouraged Christians to love each other.
Christians should be well known in their communities for their obedience to government and for their love for each other.
Let us pray for each other so that we grow in tender love, that we allow God to love us, and that we allow God to love others through us.
Where does that showing of love begin? At home; so let us bring that love to the sick, to the old, to the lonely, to the unwanted. For people do not hunger only for bread; they hunger for love, they hunger to be somebody to somebody.
I will never forget that I once met a man in the street who looked very lonely and miserable. So I walked right up to him and I shook his hand. My hands are always very warm; and he looked up, gave me a beautiful smile, and he said, "Oh, it has been such a ling, long time since I felt the warmth of a human hand!" How very wonderful and very beautiful that our simple actions can show love in that way.
And let us remember to bring that kind of love into our family. We can do this through prayer; for where there is prayer, there is love. And where there is love, there is the complete oneness that Jesus was talking about when he said, "Be one, as the Father and I are one. And love one another as I love you. As the Father loved me, I have loved you." (from Who is for Life? by Mother Theresa)

Applying it:
Have you received love in an unusual way from someone? look fpr a new way to show love to those who normally hear you say, "I love you."
Exploring it:
1 Cor 13; 1 John 3:16, 4:7-8

FRIENDS:
Things to remember when we pray~
Remind the believers to yield to the authority of rulers and government leaders; to obey them, to be ready to do good, to speak no evil about anyoje, to live in peace and to be gentle and polite to all people.
In the past we also were foolish. We did not obey, we were wrong, and we were slaves to many things our bodies wanted and enjoyed. We spent our lives doing evil and being jealous. People hated us, and we hated each other. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior was shown, he saved us because of his mercy. It was not because of good deeds we did to be right with him. He saved us through the washing that made us new people through the Holy Spirit. God poured our richly upon us that Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ our Savior. Being made right with God by his grace, we could have the hope of receiving the life that never ends.
This teaching is true, and I want you to be sure the people under these things. Then those who believe in God well be careful to use their lives for doing good. These things are good and will help everyone. Titus 3:1-8

FOOD:

Pan Release, Better Than Pam Spray! (Professional Pan Coating)
If you bake and cook everyday then this is a must to have in your
cupboard! Absolutely *NOTHING* will stick to your pans with this, it's
so much cheaper than using cooking spray and works even better than
Pam cooking spray, no chemical fumes and will not leave burnt on black
residue on the edges of your pans like cooking spray will and will
keep forever in your cupboard --- for baking recipes using chocolate
you may use 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder in place of white flour
or 1/4 cup each cocoa powder and flour --- this may be increased or
decreased successfully just make certain that *all* three ingredients
are the same amounts or the mixture will not work as well


* 1/2 cup corn oil or canola oil or vegetable oil
* 1/2 cup vegetable shortening, like Crisco, room temp
* 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1. Place all ingredients in a mixing bowl.
2. Using an electric mixer beat until mixture has increased in
volume slightly and resembles marshmallow cream.
3. Place in a container with a lid and store on the counter or
in a cupboard (in hot weather it may be refrigerated).
4. The mixture tends to separate slightly upon sitting in your
cupboard or refrigerator so mix before using, then brush pans
using a pastry brush or a clean paper towel.


FUN:

Some people are kind, polite, and sweet-spirited until you try
to sit in their pews.
Many folks want to serve God, but only as advisers.
The good Lord didn't create any thing without purpose, but
mosquitoes come close!
People are funny; they want the front of the bus, middle of the
road, and the back of the church.
Some minds are like concrete, thoroughly mixed up and
permanently set.
I don't know why some people change churches; what difference
does it make which one you stay home from?
A lot of church members singing 'Standing on the Promises' are
just sitting on the premises.
Be ye fishers of men. You catch 'em - He'll 'em
Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous
Don't put a question mark where God put a period
Don't wait for 6 strong men to take you to church.
Forbidden fruits create many jams
God loves everyone, but probably prefers 'fruits of the spirit' over
'religious nuts.
If God is your Co-pilot, swap seats
Don't give God instructions -- just report for duty
--

VOTE ~ VOTE ~ VOTE ~ VOTE ~ VOTE ~ VOTE

REMEMBER, WHEN WOMEN STICK TOGETHER IT DOES MATTER.....

Retirement or a new assignment

FAITH:

The following was sent to me by a very dear friend. With elections so close I thought it was appropriate to share it. Also, I am struggling with the trappings that go with old age and this is sure an encouragement.


For a man may do his work with wisdom, knowledge and skill...
(Eccl 2:21).

He didn't begin this job until he was sixty-nine years old. He had already had a successful Hollywood movie career and decided to try his hand at politics. He would be known by one job more than any other. He would also be known as one of the United State's greatest statesmen.
He had a faith that was genuine but not intruding or very public, but you knew where he stood. He always treated people, even his detractors with grace. He was known for his extraordinary love he had for his wife.
His name was Ronald Reagan, and he did not begin his greatest work until he was sixty-nine years old. By this season of life, most are thinking of retirement in Florida. Ronald Reagan decided to run for President of the United States and successfully served two terms as our 40th President.

It was Reagan's faith that led him to see the Soviet Union as an "evil empire." He'll be remembered as the President who brought down communism in the Soviet Union. And it was his Christian faith that gave him the quiet confidence and self-certainty that made him a great leader and earned him the title "the great communicator."

Where did he get his spiritual values? There were a number of influences. First and foremost was his mother, Nelle Reagan. I'm confident that had Nelle Reagan died in the winter of 1918-19 - a near-victim of the devastating influenza epidemic that killed millions of healthy, middle-aged mothers around the world - Ronald Reagan very likely would not have become President. It was Nelle who insisted her boy go to church-a request he happily obliged-and it was in church that Reagan picked up not only those core beliefs and values, but also the intangibles so vital to his success: his confidence, his eternal optimism (which he called a "God-given optimism"), and even his ability to speak. Indeed, history has also overlooked the fact that the Great Communicator found his first audiences in a church. He learned to speak in a church.

Consider this: Your greatest work may yet be ahead of you. Don't let age keep you from being used by God. by Os Hillman

FRIENDS:
Here is a good outline as to how to pray for the elections as was shared by the people heading the National Day of Prayer

* First, we must repent for the personal and corporate sins that
grieve our Heavenly Father. 2 Chronicles 7:14 "If My people who are
called by My name will humble themselves and pray, and seek My face,
and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and
will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

* Secondly, we must ask that God would raise up righteous leaders,
who will seek His guidance and protection for our nation in the years
to come. Ephesians 4:1-2 "Live a life worthy of the calling you have
received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with
one another in love."

* Finally, we must submit to God's sovereignty, trusting in His
will. Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean
not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and
he shall direct thy paths."

VOTE... Your vote is similar to a rock thrown into water, that sends a
ripple across the lake.
As Americans we are blessed to live under a representative government
which allows us to choose our leaders by casting our votes. Every vote
counts! Your prayers and your vote can make a difference!

FOOD:

Spiced Cranberry Bundt Cake

cake

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 3/4 cup almond flour or almond meal* (about 2 1/2 ounces)
• 2 1/2 teaspoons Chinese five-spice powder**
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup plain reduced-fat (2%) Greek-style yogurt
• 1 cup chopped toasted almonds
• 1 cup halved fresh or frozen cranberries (do not thaw)
• 1/2 cup dried sweetened cranberries

icing

• 2/3 cup powdered sugar
• 4 teaspoons (about) orange juice

cake

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour 12-cup Bundt pan. Whisk first 8 ingredients in medium bowl to blend. Using electric mixer, beat butter in large bowl until smooth. Add both sugars and beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating 1 minute after each addition. Beat in vanilla extract, then Greek-style yogurt. Add dry ingredients; beat just until blended. Fold in almonds and all cranberries. Transfer batter to prepared Bundt pan.
• Bake cake until tester inserted near center comes out clean, about 1 hour 10 minutes. Cool cake in pan 10 minutes. Turn cake out onto rack and cool completely.

icing

• Stir powdered sugar and 2 teaspoons orange juice in small bowl until sugar dissolves. Mix in more juice by 1/2 teaspoonfuls to reach consistency of heavy cream. Spoon icing over cake, allowing it to drip down sides. Let stand until icing sets, at least 30 minutes. DO AHEAD Can be made 3 days ahead. Cover with cake dome and store at room temperature.
• *Sometimes labeled "ground almonds"; available at specialty foods stores and natural foods stores.
• **A spice blend that usually contains ground fennel seeds, Szechuan peppercorns, cinnamon, star anise, and cloves; available in the spice section of most supermarkets
• MORE INFO: Greek-style yogurt is especially thick and rich, even the reduced-fat variety.

FUN:

WHY?

Do we press harder on a remote control when we know the batteries are
getting dead?

Why do banks charge a fee on "insufficient funds" when they know there is not enough money?

Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet?

Why doesn't glue stick to the bottle?

Why do they use sterilized needles for death by lethal injection?

Why doesn't Tarzan have a beard?

Why does Superman stop bullets with his chest, but ducks when you throw a revolver at him?

Why do Kamikaze pilots wear helmets?

Whose idea was it to put an "S" in the word "lisp"?

If people evolved from apes, why are there still apes?

Why is it that no matter what color bubble bath you use the bubbles are
always white?

Is there ever a day that mattresses are not on sale?

Why do people constantly return to the refrigerator with hopes that
something new to eat will have materialized?

Why do people keep running over a string a dozen times with their vacuum cleaner, then reach down, pick it up, examine it, then put it down to give the vacuum one more chance?

Why is it that no plastic bag will open from the end on your first try?

How do those dead bugs get into those enclosed light fixtures?


Why is it that whenever you attempt to catch something that's falling off
the table you always manage to knock something else over?

In winter why do we try to keep the house as warm as it was in summer when we complained about the heat?