Heaven as we see it....

FAITH:
Today someone else is sharing what the series about Heaven meant to them.

It's hard to put into words or even correlate my beliefs in Heaven. There are so many aspects described in the Bible, and so many possibilities.

When I was growing up in the church the subject wasn't brought up much and assumption was that we would automatically go there if we are saved. That "there", wasn't talked about except that it would be a wonderful place with streets of gold and the alternative would be the fires of hell. Much like being in the abstract, abstruse or hard to really understand.

Sometime back my father called me with excitement in his 95 year old voice, about a study they were doing in their congregation. It was Randy Alcorns book, "Heaven". He had come to believe and wanted to share the good news with his California family. After reading the book, listening to Barney's sermons and studying the subject in small group my eyes were opened to new and exciting possibilities.

Could it really be as it is now, only without sin, pain and suffering? With all the beauty, riches, activities, family and friends. A new healthy body plus the added and most precious blessing of all, being with God and his son Jesus, praising and serving. Developing a friendship with Moses and Paul and all the saints who have gone before. How great will that be! Indescribable!!

If we have something concrete to share with our unchurched friends and family in regard to life after death, it could help them have more of a desire to know Jesus. by Lorie Melling

FRIENDS:

Father, Thank You for providing us a way to make it to Heaven. Thank You for sending Your Son to set an example for us. He showed us a life of balance and consistency with the reward of Heaven at the end of a life well served. Help us to be more like Him. Mostly we thank You for sacrificing Him for our imperfect selves. In Jesus' name, Amen.

DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE

15. LUKE 18:1-8; 2 TIM 3:1-9; PROVERBS 12:15-28; NEHEMIAH 9
16. LUKE 18:9-17; 2 TIM 3:10-17; PROVERBS 13:1-12; NEHEMIAH 10

Facts about the Bible
Total chapters-1189
Total verses-31,173
Shortest chapter-Psalms 117
Middle chapter of Bible-Psalms 118
Longest chapter-Psalms 119
Shortest NT verse-John 11:35
Shortest OT verse-1 Chron. 1:25
Longest verse-Esther 8:9
Largest word found in Isaiah 8:1
Has been translated in about 1,000 languages
First English Translation-1384 (Wyckliffe)


FOOD:

Broccoli Turkey Supreme
this easy rice casserole always gets good reviews

4 cups cubed cooked turkey breast
1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1 package (10 ounces) frozen broccoli florets, thawed and drained
1 package (6.9 ounces) chicken-flavored rice mix
1-1/3 cups milk
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup chopped celery
1 can (8 ounces) sliced water chestnuts, drained
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup chopped onion

Directions:
In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients. Transfer to a greased 3-qt. baking dish. Cover and bake at 325° for 1 hour. Uncover; bake 15-20 minutes longer or until rice is tender. Yield: 8 servings.

FUN:

Are you an influence?

FAITH:

"Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It's the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts." James 3:13 (MSG)

It all started with a girl named Debbie.

Debbie was about 18 when she attended my family's local Baptist church. I was 8 and entering an awkward stage. She was brunette and beautiful. All the boys wanted to date her, and all the girls wanted to be her. I just wanted her hair.

Debbie successfully got her hair to form glorious, sweeping cowlicks in the front, with perfection matched only by 70's singers on album covers. I admired it from afar, coveting its style. I bugged my mom so bad about wanting it, she finally decided to pick up the phone and ask Debbie how she did it. Seems a little Aqua Net and the blast of a hairdryer did the trick. At least for Debbie.

You may be interested to know that I never did achieve the style of my hair-icon Debbie. Apparently Debbie did not have fine hair such as mine. But boy did she give me a good reason to spray, tease and blow-dry my little heart out trying. She wore her hair so beautifully that I believed I would look just as beautiful if I had her style.

This silly childhood example reminds me of the very real influence we have on each other. Even as adults we see another woman's fashion style and we try to copy it. We watch another woman's success, and we try to match it. We want what others have...try to be what others are...and believe that we will be more and live better if we can only become like someone else.

The truth is, even though I want to be a trendsetter, an individualist, a unique woman with a mind of my own, I have to admit I am just as impressionable as the next person. Let's face it, no matter our age, we influence and are influenced by each other.

As ironic as this may sound, the thought of how impressionable we are gives me great hope as to how we can help other women find Jesus.
I Corinthians 11:1 talks about the type of influence we can have on one another -- a way of living that comes from within and attracts those around us to want what we have. "Imitate me, just as I imitate Christ," speaks directly to this type of Godly influence.

It's about wearing Christ with the authentic beauty of a heart that's been changed, giving other women a reason to want what we have. To look like we look. To live like we live. To be what we are. Make no mistake, our hurting girlfriends are looking for one good reason to change their lives. The reality is that our lives may be the only reason they find to seek out something different than what they have known. It's a beautiful, important responsibility.

May we always remember that our mission in life is not one of perfect hair or worldly achievement, but of living and breathing the message of Jesus Christ by our words, our actions, and most importantly, our life. May we embrace the privilege of imitating Christ, so that our girlfriends and others we have influence over will see something in us that they want desperately to have. May we wear Him well so His beauty is fully and completely represented. For the influence we have through Him will last much longer than a fashion fad...a social trend...or even, a coveted hairstyle like Debbie's.

Let's have what they want, and show them how to get it. by Lisa Whittle

FRIENDS:

Jesus, You are the reason to love, to live and to breathe. You alone make the journey possible. May we remember that we represent You always, and help us understand how to do that in such a way that it will lead others to a saving relationship with You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE

13. LUKE 17:11-19; 2 TIMOTHY 2:1-13; PROVERBS 11:16-31; NEHEMIAH 7
14. LUKE 17:20-37; 2 TIMOTHY 2:14-26; PROVERBS 12:1-14; NEHEMIAH 8

10 Things To Be Thankful For
1. The taste of ripe fruit
2. The smell of sheets that have been dried outside
3. The feel of early morning sun on your back
4. The touch of a loved ones hand
5. A rainstorm at night when you are safe in bed
6. A snail mail letter from an old friend
7. When too much to do becomes manageable
8. Being able to reach a compromise
9. Crawling out of a tent on a frosty morning
10. The smell of campfire coffee

FOOD:

Tito's oven-roasted beans
Roasting in the oven frees you from watching the pot cook and allows you to relax!
I use a large lasagna pan, but a nice clay pot would be fabulous or a Dutch oven. I prefer to cook these beans before I really need them, as I think they are much better the next day

The recipe is an idea, can be doubled no problem.Beans will double in volume when cooked. If needed, more water can be added. I like to have
the rich garlicky broth for soups.

2 cups cannellini beans, rinsed and soaked
4-6 cups water
1/4 cup olive oil
1 sage branch
1 head of garlic, left whole, but with the top cut off
salt, to taste
( Italians don't like to eat a lot of garlic, save the roasted garlic and serve the cloves spread on toast for those that
love garlic!)

Place all the ingredients in the pan except the salt and cook at 350 degrees until beans are tender. ( Depending on the beans can be up to 2 hours)

Stir the beans once or twice during the cooking time, approx 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours.The olive oil will create a "crust" on the top
layer of beans, this adds some texture, much like cassoulet, but can also dry that top layer, which is why you want to stir.

Salt the beans at the end of the cooking time.

FUN:

God is sitting in Heaven when a scientist says to Him, "Lord, we don't need you anymore. Science has finally figured out a way to create life out of nothing. In other words, we can now do what you did in the 'beginning'."

"Oh, is that so? Tell me..." replies God.

"Well", says the scientist, "we can take dirt and form it into the likeness of you and breathe life into it, thus creating man."

"Well, that's interesting. Show Me. "

So the scientist bends down to the earth and starts to mold the soil.

"Oh no, no, no...." interrupts God,

(I love this)




"Get your own dirt."

Anger.....what does God say?

FAITH:

I love watching people. People seem to be more and more angry these days. They walk around with frowns and grimaced looks. And of course people driving have gone nuts. Around here if you drive the speed limit on a two-lane road, at least one car will be tailgating you. Stoplights - they might as well take them down. I go through two on my way to work every morning, (yes it is a small town). Everyday without fail I see someone running the red light. Today I just want to open the Bible up and see what God has to say about anger.

Proverbs 12:16 A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.

Proverbs 14:29 A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly.

Proverbs 29:22 An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins.

Proverbs 30:33 For as churning the milk produces butter, and as twisting the nose produces blood, so stirring up anger produces strife."

Ecclesiastes 7:9 Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.

Colossians 3:8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

Psalms 37:8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret-it leads only to evil.

Ephesians 4:26,27 In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold.

Ephesians 4:31,32 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

James 1:19,20 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
by David Massey

FRIENDS:

Father, Many times I have been deeply touched by the mercy of those who took the time to try and understand me and my short comings. Those who cared enough to forgive so many of my faults and who, in mercy, made me their friend. Christ has called me to be merciful. He calls us to be forgiving and compassionate. He will cleanse, re-create, and renew in His loving-kindness and tender mercy. In Jesus' name, Amen.

DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE

11. LUKE 16:19-31; 2 TIM 1:1-7; PROVERBS 10:17-32; NEHEMIAH 4-5
12. LUKE 17:1-10; 2 TIM 1:8-18; PROVERBS 11:1-15; NEHEMIAH 6

Do you need some good scripture references when talking to people:

~Appointments Everyone Must Keep~

Birth
Eccl. 12:7- spirit given by God
Death
Heb. 9:27- appointed to die
Rom. 5:12- death passed to all men
Resurrection
1 Cor 15: 12, 19- cannot say, "no resurrection"
Acts 24:15- everyone, just and unjust. Rev. 1:7; John 5:28, 29; John 6:54
2 Tim 2:18- it is yet to come
Judgment
Acts 17:31- a day appointed and assured. Matt 13:40-43; 1 Cor 15:51-58
Rev 20:12, 13- for all according to works
John 12:48- by words of Jesus
Matt. 7:22, 23 -some thought saved lost
2 Thess 1:7, 8- when Christ comes again
Mark 13:13:31-33- time is unknown 2 Peter 3:10-13; 1 Thess 5:2


FOOD:

Kale and Potato Gratin
makes 6-8 servings

1 1/2 pounds thin-skinned boiling potatoes such as red potatoes
1 bunch kale
1/4 cup olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoon coarse salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1/3 cup bread crumbs
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350° F.

Get a pot of water boiling large enough to accommodate the potatoes.
Also prepare an ice bath.

Meanwhile, slice the potatoes 1/4"-thick. Set aside. Remove and
discard the spines from the kale then chop the remaining leaves in
1/2"-thick ribbons by stacking the leaves and slicing in the direction
of the veins. This doesn't need to be exact, as long as you end up
with a pile of roughly 1/2"-thick shreds of kale.

When the water is boiling, add a dash of salt and gently drop in the
potatoes, cooking for about 2-3 minutes, until tender, but not cooked
through. Drain and plunge into the ice bath. Drain again and dump onto
a dish towel and blot.

In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper. Add
the kale and rub the olive oil mixture aggressively into the leaves.
Layer the kale and potatoes alternately with a sprinkling of bread
crumbs and Parmesan in a 9"x12" rectangular casserole or glass or
ceramic baking dish.

Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake another
15 minutes, until top is crispy.

In a 9"x12" glass or ceramic casserole/baker

FUN:

IDIOT SIGHTING IN FOOD SERVICE:

My daughter went to a local Taco Bell and ordered a taco She asked
the person behind the counter for 'minimal lettuce.' He said he was
sorry, but they only had iceberg lettuce.

From Kansas City

Woe. Be Gone!

FAITH:

"We have here only five loaves and two fish." (Matt. 14:17)

How do you suppose Jesus felt about the basket inventory? Any chance he might have wanted them to include the rest of the possibilities? Involve all the options? Do you think he was hoping someone might count to eight?

"Well, let's see. We have five loaves, two fish...and Jesus!" Jesus Christ. The same Jesus who told us:

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. (Luke 11:19 NIV)

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. (John 15:7 NIV)

What ever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (Mark 11:24 NIV)

Standing next to the disciples was the solution to their problems...but they didn't go to him. They stopped their count at seven and worried.

What about you? Are you counting to seven, or to eight?

Here are eight worry stoppers to expand your tally:

Pray, first. "Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him...(I Peter 5:7 AMP)

Easy now. Slow down. "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him (Ps. 37:7).

Act on it. The moment a concern surfaces, deal with it. Don't dwell on it. Head off worries before they get the best of you. Be a doer, not a stewer.

Compile a worry list. Over a period of days record your anxious thoughts. Then review them. How many of them turned into a reality?

Evaluate your worry categories. Detect recurring areas of preoccupation that may become obsessions. Pray specifically about them.

Focus on today. God meets daily needs daily. He will give you what you need when it is needed.

Unleash a worry army. Share your feelings with a few loved ones. Ask them to pray with and for you.

Let God be enough. "Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." (Matt. 6:32-33 NLT).

Eight steps. Pray, first. Easy, now. Act on it. Compile a worry list.Evaluate your worry categories. Focus on today. Unleash a worry army. Let God be enough.

P-E-A-C-E-F-U-L
by Max Lucado

FRIENDS:

Father, We give thanks to You and we trust you and we feed on the truth. We know when we ask you will meet our needs, not our desires and for this we are thankful as Your understanding of our needs may be different from ours. We know you will supply us according to Your riches. We trust in You, Lord, and we look upon your supply with gratitude. In Jesus' name, Amen.

DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE

9. LUKE 16:1-9; 1 TIMOTHY 6:1-10; PROVERBS 9; NEHEMIAH 1-2
10. LUKE 16:10-18; I TIMOTHY 6:11-21; PROVERBS 10:1-16; NEHEMIAH 3

~ 2 Timothy~

I have kept the faith.

They have taken everything else. They have taken his freedom--he's locked in a Roman prison. They have taken his possessions--he hasn't even a shawl to keep him warm. They have taken his churches--he will not see them again. They have taken his future--he is sentenced to die.

What do you have left, Paul? What do you have left to show for your life? Had you stayed a Jew in Jerusalem, you'd have a seat of status and a house of retirement. Had you been more compromising, you might have gone unnoticed by the Romans. Had you been less passionate, you might have pastored a church and stayed in one city. But you were too convinced to compromise--too convicted to stay home.

And now, with the end in sight, with the verdict rendered and the end in sight, what do you have left?

The old apostle leans forward with eyes twinkling and says, I have kept the faith.

That was the heart of the apostle. And that is the heart of this Epistle. As far as we know, this is the last one he ever wrote. Paul picks up his pen one final time. He knows the end is near, "I am being poured out like a drink offering," he tells Timothy, his son in the faith.

But he has no regrets, only counsel--practical, inspirational counsel for young Timothy, who has been left to lead the church in Ephesus. His tenderness for the young minister peeks out from behind every word. "Make every effort," he urges, "to give your self to God as the kind of person he will accept. Be a worker who is not ashamed and who uses the true teaching in the right way" (2:15).

Timothy never had another teacher like Paul. The world has never had another teacher like Paul. He was convinced of two facts--he was once lost but then saved. He spent a lifetime telling every person who would listen.

In the end it cost him everything. For in the end, all he had was his faith. But in the end, his faith was all he needed.

FOOD:

Baked Doughnuts Recipe

Don't over bake these, if anything, under bake them a bit - they will continue baking outside the oven for a few minutes. You want an interior that is moist and tender - not dry. Also, be sure to cut big enough holes in the center of your doughnuts - too small and they will bake entirely shut. Remember they rise, and they rise even more when they are baking. These really need to be made-to-order, but you can make and shape the dough the night before if you want to serve them for brunch. Instructions: after shaping, place doughnuts on baking sheet, cover and place in the refrigerator overnight. Pull them out an hour before baking, and let rise in a warm place before baking.

1 1/3 cups warm milk, 95 to 105 degrees (divided)
1 packet active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
2 tablespoons butter
2/3 cup sugar
2 eggs
5 cups all-purpose flour (alternately, white whole wheat might work - haven't tried it yet)
A pinch or two of nutmeg, freshly grated
1 teaspoon fine grain sea salt

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon

Place 1/3 cup of the warm milk in the bowl of an electric mixer. Stir in the yeast and set aside for five minutes or so. Be sure your milk isn't too hot or it will kill the yeast. Stir the butter and sugar into the remaining cup of warm milk and add it to the yeast mixture. With a fork, stir in the eggs, flour, nutmeg, and salt - just until the flour is incorporated. With the dough hook attachment of your mixer beat the dough for a few minutes at medium speed. This is where you are going to need to make adjustments - if your dough is overly sticky, add flour a few tablespoons at a time. Too dry? Add more milk a bit at a time. You want the dough to pull away from the sides of the mixing bowl and eventually become supple and smooth. Turn it out onto a floured counter-top, knead a few times (the dough should be barely sticky), and shape into a ball.

Transfer the dough to a buttered (or oiled) bowl, cover, put in a warm place (I turn on the oven at this point and set the bowl on top), and let rise for an hour or until the dough has roughly doubled in size.

Punch down the dough and roll it out 1/2-inch thick on your floured countertop. Most people (like myself) don't have a doughnut cutter, instead I use a 2-3 inch cookie cutter to stamp out circles. Transfer the circles to a parchment-lined baking sheet and stamp out the smaller inner circles using a smaller cutter. If you cut the inner holes out any earlier, they become distorted when you attempt to move them. Cover with a clean cloth and let rise for another 45 minutes.

Bake in a 375 degree oven until the bottoms are just golden, 8 to 10 minutes - start checking around 8. While the doughnuts are baking, place the butter in a medium bowl. Place the sugar and cinnamon in a separate bowl.

Remove the doughnuts from the oven and let cool for just a minute or two. Dip each one in the melted butter and a quick toss in the sugar bowl. Eat immediately if not sooner.

Makes 1 1/2 - 2 dozen medium doughnuts.

FUN:

SENIOR BUMPER STICKERS

This is just what Heaven means to me........

FAITH:

"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 there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. John 14:1-3

**Barney has recently been a series of sermons about what Heaven will be like. I have asked several people to write their summation of the series for me. We have also used these sermons as the outline for Bible study time in our individual groups that meet weekly. Here is the first one.
*****************************************

There are still many unanswered questions as to what Heaven is and will be, as well as when we will actually get there.

I believe that God has given us just enough information to keep us curious. As humans we have an overwhelming desire to “know” what lies ahead for us and the loved ones around us. I am convinced that if it were clear to us in the Bible then there would be no need for faith. Humans also need to have “an idea” of what/where we’re going in order to achieve that faith. I believe that God continues to allow us to stay here on earth before taking us home to be with him so that we can grow in our faith and help others around us grow in Christ. This led me to believe that when we get to Heaven we will not all be exactly the same type of heavenly person. Our personal struggles here on earth are similar to other folks but different enough so that we are individuals on earth and also when we get Heaven. These struggles, I believe, are what God has us working on so that when we get to heaven we will all be doing different things, God created us in His own image but not identical.

Probably one of the biggest struggles that occur here is due to the people around us that are not living a Godly life. I believe this is one of the biggest reasons God doesn’t take us up to Heaven the second we accept Him into our hearts as Lord and Savior. I don’t know if I’m justifying this in my own mind but my wife and I have discussed this in great detail since finding out about my Mother to be terminal with cancer. She was supposed to leave this earth over a year ago, according to the doctors, but we believe that God has a plan for the people around her since she is a born again Christian woman.

This also helps me to understand why she has had to suffer so much here when a Godly woman, such as her, does not appear to deserve to suffer so much pain. When I pray for her I truly struggle with asking God to heal her so we can have her here longer or asking God to take her home to be with Him so she can enjoy His grace in person. My only resolve is that He has something or someone here he wants to use her for.

This is a difficult process for my sister to understand since she is not a Christian. She always wants to know why God would do this to our loving Mom. I have tried to explain it to her but she just pushes me away. I am convinced she will understand someday. I just hope it’s not on Judgment Day. All I can do is be a good witness to Christ’s grace and love my unsaved family and friends as God has commanded.

Someday I’ll get to Heaven and be able to have these things answered for me but until then I have to keep my faith in Him and hope that I get to see His hand working in and around me until such time as he takes me Home.

This has been a wonderful eye opening experience that helps us to have a deeper faith in our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus.
by Don Roberts Jr.- Deacon @ Sonoma Ave Church of Christ

FRIENDS:

Father, I need to stop for a moment and focus my eyes on what I can not see. Please help me to have the kind of life that allows me to stand before you with clean hands and a pure heart. I want to spend eternity with you as my glory and light forever. I praise you for your eternal glory that is to come. In Jesus' name, Amen.

DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE

7. LUKE 15:1-10; 1 TIMOTHY 5:1-15; PROVERBS 7; EZRA 9
8. LUKE 15:11-32; 1 TIMOTHY 5:16-25; PROVERBS 8; EZRA 10

~Nehemiah~ (starts on Friday)

You are about to meet the Abraham Lincoln of the Old Testament. A respected leader with a tender heart. You will see his tears in the oval office as he weeps for people oppressed and vulnerable.

You are about to meet the General George Patton of the Old Testament. A rugged leader. Intolerant of compromise. Relentless in demanding perfection. He punished those who were soft by pushing them down and cursing their names.

You are about to meet the Winston Churchill of the Old Testament. A statesman. Tested and tried. Resisting the enemies who seek to lure him away from the task. Rising above the squabbling factions who could distract him.

The tenderness of Lincoln. The fire of Patton. The savvy of Churchill. All found in the same man. Nehemiah.

When we meet him he is wearing the robe of royalty. He is the king's cupbearer. But though he was in a position of power, his heart beat for people in Israel. He was a Hebrew in Persia. When word reached him that the Temple was being reconstructed, he grew anxious. He knew there was no wall to protect it.

Nehemiah invited God to use him to save the city. God answered his prayer by softening the heart of the Persian king. Artaxerxes gave not only his blessing, but also supplies to be used in the project.

Nehemiah exchanged the royal robe for coveralls and got to work. The project took twelve years and was uphill all the way. He was accused of everything from allowing faulty construction to being power hungry. In spite of grumpy workers and lurking enemies, he made it. With the wall built and the enemy silent, the people rejoiced and Nehemiah went back to Persia.

After twelve years he returned. The walls were strong, but the people had gone to pot. Faith was forgotten and discipline was a bad word. So Nehemiah got busy again.

He went to his closet, hung up his royal robe, bypassed his coveralls, and dusted of his frock and set about the task of teaching the people a few things about morality. He didn't mince words. "I argued with those people, put curses on them, hit some of them, and pulled out their hair" (13:25). Not what you'd call a typical Bible class.

But Nehemiah wasn't what you'd call a typical fellow.

FOOD:

Italian Noodle Medley

8 ounces medium wide egg noodles, uncooked
3 cups (about 28 ounces) spaghetti sauce
2 cups chopped cooked chicken
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded Mozzarella cheese, divided
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Heat oven to 375 degrees F.

Cook noodles according to package directions for 3 minutes;drain.
Meanwhile, in medium saucepan, heat spaghetti sauce and chicken until warm.
In 2 quart casserole, spoon enough sauce to cover bottom. Layer with one half noodles; 2 cups sauce and 1 cup Mozzarella cheese; repeat with remaining noodles, sauce and Mozzarella. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese; bake uncovered, 20 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
Makes 4 servings

FUN:
Very good idea from a reader:

My Mennonite ancestors had a Pickle Trick that kept us entertained as young people. When the cucumbers were growing they would slip them on the vine inside a variety of bottle. The old Ketchup bottles, pop bottles, anything with a thin neck. The cucumber would grow to fill the entire bottle. Then they would pickle it. You had a huge pickle inside a bottle with a skinny neck. To a 5 year old, that was magic. Dale from NV.....

God In The Driver's Seat

FAITH:

"If you will only obey me and let me help you, then you will have plenty to eat. But if you keep turning away and refusing to listen, you will be destroyed by your enemies. I, the LORD, have spoken!" - Isaiah 1:19-20 (NLT)

Last week as I made my way to the office, I felt a familiar "thud" as the car approached a red light and the automatic transmission down-shifted. It was a symptom I knew all too well, since the same problem three years earlier had necessitated a long and costly rebuild of the transmission. Now with over two-hundred-thousand miles on the odometer and a whole host of other small mechanical problems, I knew it was time to retire this car and start shopping for a new one.

My wife and I discussed which manufacturers we would consider and which we would not. We solicited recommendations from friends and family and spent hours on the Internet reading reviews. Finally, we narrowed the list to two manufacturers. Since each had only two models in our price range, we essentially had two cars from which to choose. I test-drove each one and carefully priced them with the options we needed. We considered safety, reliability and fuel economy. We calculated the monthly payment based on the available interest rate and finally made our choice. I went in to the dealership knowing exactly what I wanted and what I was willing to pay, and gave the salesman one of the quickest and easiest commissions he would ever have. Four days after the first signs of transmission trouble, we had signed the paperwork on a new car.

As I lay in bed that night waiting to fall asleep, I considered how thorough and efficient I had been in choosing the right vehicle for our family's needs. I had not succumbed to emotion, nor had I impulsively purchased the first good deal I found. No, I had made a very well-educated and informed decision. "What a smart and responsible man I am", I thought.

Just then, I heard the small voice which I have come to recognize as the Holy Spirit. He whispered, "You never asked me what I wanted you to do."

I immediately felt convicted and ashamed. It was true! During the entire four days, I had not even once stopped to pray and ask God which car was right for us. I never asked for His guidance or assistance. I never even asked God if we should be buying a new car at all. Worse still, I never thanked Him for allowing us to have the ability to buy a new car at a time when so many others are suffering financially. For four days, I never once spoke to God about the situation even though it was the most important issue on my mind at the time. I simply forged ahead, relying on my own limited judgment to guide me.

I should know better. In the three years that I have been publishing devotionals, I have written frequently about the need for relying on God, surrendering to His will and allowing Him to be in control of everything we do. Yet, here I had a perfect opportunity to put these concepts into action and failed miserably. As a result, I may never know what God intended to give us or what consequences we might face as a result of not seeking His will. I don't believe that God punishes us each time we wrestle with Him for control over a situation. No, he does something much worse - He leaves us to our fate and permits us to bear the full brunt of all the consequences of our choice.

We must not make the mistake of thinking that surrendering to God is something we do once and never again. Total surrender to God is not a state of being which we can achieve and then ignore. It is a moment by moment way of living that we must practice every day of our lives. Some are better at it than others, though with practice, each of us can become more experienced at living this way. Yet, even those who have become very good at daily surrender still need to put it into action at every opportunity.

We should not think that surrender is an abstract, intangible concert with little practical application to our daily lives. Every choice you make, no matter how small, presents a real opportunity for you to surrender your desires to God and to seek His will. The practical application is this - before you contemplate the decision before you, pause for a moment and speak with God about the issue at hand. With every choice, there will be something you desire and something you do not. Tell God that what you want is not as important as His will and that you will accept and embrace His will, even if it is not what you desire for yourself. Next, ask God to reveal His will to you. Pray for the wisdom and discernment to know what direction He would have you take. Ask Him to reveal the paths you should follow, and hide those which you should not.

Once you have done all this, take some quiet time alone and carefully listen for God to speak to you about the issue. Be patient, and await the arrival of that sense of peace which informs us that we have understood the message which God is trying to convey. Do not act until you have that peace to guide you unless the matter is urgent and you need to move quickly. Even then, do not act until you have at least taken a few moments to call upon God and request His help.

All of these I failed to do as I considered my purchase. It would have taken mere moments for me to spend some time in prayer, but I was too wrapped up in my own cleverness and my own desires for a new car suited to my liking. Thankfully, today and tomorrow will present new opportunities for me to surrender, and hopefully I will have learned my lesson. I also hope that each of you can learn from my mistakes, and that you will be able to recognize your own opportunities to surrender to Him. by Michael Lane

FRIENDS:

Father, keep pressing us to trust you more. Keep pressing us to have faith in You and to keep looking to You during our struggles. Forgive us when we give up. Forgive us for thinking that You have given up on us. We know Lord that you are faithful to us. In Jesus' name, Amen.

DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE

5. LUKE 14:15-24; 1 TIMOTHY 3:11-16; PROVERBS 5; EZRA 7
6. LUKE 14:25-35; 1 TIMOTHY 4; PROVERBS 6; EZRA 8

FOOD:

Pho in a Slow Cooker
This wonderful soup dish is from Vietnam and it is pronounced (Fu as in the beginning of the word Fun)
--6 cups beef broth or stock (purchased stock is just fine)
--2 inch chunk of ginger (I just read that author of the recipe said to use 1/4-1/2 inch of peeled ginger. oops. I didn't peel and just threw a hunk in)
--3/4 t anise (go easy on this one)
--1 cinnamon stick (I don't know if I would use this or not)
--2 sliced green onions
--1 lb thin sliced beef (I used stir-fry meat from the butcher)
--package of rice noodles (usually in the ethnic aisle in the grocery store)
--1 t fish sauce (anchovies, salt, water. ethnic aisle again. it is very important to the dish and cheap to buy)
--1/2 t kosher salt
--1/2 t black pepper

The Directions.
Put all of the broth into the crock pot. Add the meat, green onion, ginger, fish sauce, and spices. Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours, or on low for 4-6. It's done when the meat is fully cooked. I used a 6qt Smart Pot for this recipe and it took a good 4 hours on high for the large amount of broth in my crock to get hot enough to cook the meat.

15 minutes before serving, add the entire package of rice noodles to the pot. Push them under the liquid with a wooden spoon, and cover.

By the time you set the table, the noodles will be tender and glass-like. Serve in bowls.Traditionally this is served with bean sprouts, fresh cilantro or basil, sliced jalapenos, and lime wedges.

The Verdict.
This has a very nice mellow flavor. I loved the hint of anise (tastes like black licorice) and the cinnamon. I needed to add more salt because I used the homemade stock as the base. My husband said it tasted the same as the restaurant's, but not as oily or as salty.

The next day the flavors were even more pronounced (but the noodles got weird. Next time I'm not going to add all the noodles at once) and made a lovely lunch.
**Penni's note - Being a great fan of Pho I would cook my noodles separately and add them to the soup as it was being served. I would not add to the crock pot at all.
Also I would go easy on the cinnamon and anise unless you are sure there are flavors you like. They will over power quickly.

FUN:

I was just saying the other day that the younger generations do not know how to make change without the aid of a register telling them how much change to give back. Well it seems the problem is worse than I thought:


My daughter and I went through the McDonald's take-out window and I gave the clerk a $5 bill. Our total was $4.25, so I also handed her a quarter. She said, 'You gave me too much money.' I said, 'Yes I know, but this way you can just give me a dollar bill back.' She sighed and went to get the manager who asked me to repeat my request.
I did so, and he handed me back the quarter, and said 'We're sorry but we cannot do that kind of thing.' The clerk then proceeded to give me back $1 and 75 cents in change..

Do not confuse the clerks at McD's.

My Success is About Him

FAITH:

With success comes a problem. Just ask Nadab, Elah, and Omri. Or interview Ahab, Ahaziah, or Jehoram. Ask these men to describe the problem of success. I would, you might be thinking, if I knew who they were. My point, exactly. These are men we should know. They were kings of Israel. They ascended to the throne...but something about the throne brought them down. Their legacies are stained with blood spilling and idol worship. They failed at success. They forgot both the source and purpose of their success.

You won't be offered a throne, but you might be offered a corner office, a scholarship, an award, a new contract, a pay raise. You won't be given a kingdom to oversee, but you might be given a home or employees or students or money or resources. You will, to one degree or another, succeed.

And when you do, you might be tempted to forget who helped you do so. Success sabotages the memories of the successful. Kings of the mountain forget who carried them up the trail.
The man who begged for help in medical school ten years ago is too busy to worship today. Back when the family struggled to make ends meet, they leaned on God for daily bread. Now that there is an extra car in the garage and a jingle in the pocket, they haven't spoken to him in a while. In the early days of the church, the foundingmembers spent hours in prayer. Today the church is large, well attended, well funded. Who needs to pray?

Success begets amnesia. Doesn't have to, however. God offers spiritual ginseng to help your memory. His prescription is simply, "Know the purpose of success." Why did God help you succeed? So you can make him known.

Why are you good at what you do? For your comfort? For your retirement? For your self-esteem? No. Deem these as bonuses, not as the reason. Why are you good at what you do? For God's sake. Your success is not about what you do. It's all about him--his present and future glory.
by Max Lucado

FRIENDS:

Father, We give thanks to You and we trust you and we feed on the truth. We know when we ask you will meet our needs, not our desires and for this we are thankful as Your understanding of our needs may be different from ours. We know you will supply us according to Your riches. We trust in You, Lord, and we look upon your supply with gratitude. In Jesus' name, Amen.


DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE

3. Luke 13:22-35; 1 Timothy 2; Proverbs 3; Ezra 4-5
4. Luke 14:1-14; 3:1-10; Proverbs 4; Ezra 6


!0 Things To Be Thankful For
1. Vacation pictures
2. A cool night breeze just as it gets dark
3. An evening playing bingo with friends
4. Friends who encourage you
5. Healing from asked and answered prayer
6. Friends that just drop by
7. Driving to the ocean for dinner
8. The smell of a meal cooked outdoors
9. Finding the right size at the right price
10. Loving your church

FOOD:

HINTS

Famed chef Julia Child preferred to call them “remains of the day.” To the rest of us, they’re just leftovers. It’s a term that can mean anything from half a pan of lasagna to a dab of mashed potatoes that sit in the ‘fridge until they turn green, at which time we feel a lot better about throwing them away. These days, that’s like throwing cash in the garbage.

The secret to stretching the food dollars is to find a delicious use for every last bit of what you buy. You need to see all leftovers as ingredients for new dishes, not just multiple go-rounds of the same thing in an effort to get rid of it. Here are some ideas that have helped me to see leftovers in a new way:

Coffee. Freeze leftover coffee in cubes to cool off hot coffee. Add black coffee to pot roast to create rich, brown gravy.

Halloween or Easter candy. Take all the chocolate candy and break it up into little pieces. Place the pieces into a zip-type bag. Many recipes call for a cup to a cup and a half of chocolate morsels. Use these to replace the morsels. Freeze until ready to use.

Cooked Ham. Brown the last bits of cooked ham in a small amount of butter or margarine in a skillet. Beat a few eggs with water or milk and grated cheese, if desired. Pour scrambled egg mixture into skillet with ham. Cook, as usual, over low heat.

Another option for ham is to thread chunks of it onto skewers, alternating with fresh pineapple chunks and squares of sweet red or green bell pepper. Brush kebabs with butter and grill until browned. Serve with rice and fresh asparagus.

Ground Ham. Mix together cooked ground ham, cold mashed potatoes and seasonings. Shape into oval cakes and roll in flour. Sauté in hot fat until brown on all sides.

Meatballs. Slice meatballs. Sauté bell pepper strips until crisp-tender. Add the meatball slices to skillet. Heat through. Use as a sandwich filling in French or Italian bread, adding warmed spaghetti sauce as desired.

Salmon. Combine chunks of salmon with chopped sweet pickles and diced onions for a great sandwich filling.

Spaghetti. Chop up cold pasta. Add diced raw vegetables and enough bottled Italian dressing to coat for a wonderful salad.

Biscuits. Split in half and spread each cut side with butter. Sprinkle with garlic powder, parsley, dill weed and shredded cheese. Bake at 400 F until the cheese is melted.

Cereal. Even if it has become stale, crush the cereal well. Dip chicken pieces into egg wash (one or two eggs beaten with a few teaspoons of water). Then, roll meat in crushed cereal. Bake according to your favorite oven-baked chicken recipe.

Chili. Reheat and spoon over cooked hamburger patties. Top with shredded Monterey jack cheese and sour cream. Or, warm leftover chili and spoon into taco shells. Add shredded cheese, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes and sour cream.

Oatmeal. Add cooked oatmeal to pancake or muffin batter.

Pancakes. Sprinkle with a cinnamon-sugar mixture. Then roll up and eat.

Roast beef. Put into a crock-pot with some canned green chilies, cumin, garlic, and a little water. Cook until the beef is easily shredded. Then, use as a taco or burrito filling.

Taco meat. Put a layer of tater tots in a baking dish. Bake according to package instructions. Top with taco meat and mozzarella cheese. Bake until the meat is heated through and the cheese is melted.

Turkey. Combine turkey, gravy and dressing. Put into a greased baking dish and bake at 350 F until golden.

Wine. Freeze leftover wine into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces.

So, are you getting the idea? Instead of trying to pawn off last night’s green beans or yesterday’s chicken, think of those things as ingredients in a new dish. No one will be the wiser while you become a kitchen magician.

FUN:

CURTAIN RODS----PRICELESS
She spent the first day packing her belongings into boxes, crates and suitcases.
On the second day, she had the movers come and collect her things.
On the third day, she sat down for the last time at their beautiful dining room table by candle-light, put on some soft background music, and feasted on a pound of shrimp, a jar of caviar, and a bottle of spring-water.
When she had finished, she went into each and every room and deposited a few half-eaten shrimp shells dipped in caviar into the hollow of the curtain rods.
She then cleaned up the kitchen and left. When the husband returned with his new girlfriend, all was bliss for the first few days. Then slowly, the house began to smell.
They tried everything; cleaning, mopping and airing the place out. Vents were checked for dead rodents and carpets were steam cleaned.
Air fresheners were hung everywhere. Exterminators were brought in to set off gas canisters, during which they had to move out for a few days and in the end they even paid to replace the expensive wool carpeting.

Nothing worked!!!
People stopped coming over to visit. Repairmen refused to work in the house.

The maid quit..
Finally, they could not take the stench any longer and decided to move.

A month later, even though they had cut their price in half, they could not find a buyer for their stinky house.
Word got out and eventually even the local realtors refused to return their calls.
Finally, they had to borrow a huge sum of money from the bank to purchase a new place.
The ex-wife called the man and asked how things were going. He told her the saga of the rotting house. She listened politely and said that she missed her old home terribly and would be willing to reduce her divorce settlement in exchange for getting the house back.
Knowing his ex-wife had no idea how bad the smell was, he agreed on a price that was about 1/10th of what the house had been worth, but only if she were to sign the papers that very day.
She agreed and within the hour his lawyers delivered the paperwork.
A week later the man and his girlfriend stood smiling as they watched the moving company pack everything to take to their new home..........
And to spite the ex-wife, they even took the curtain rods!!!!!!
I JUST LOVE A HAPPY ENDING, DON'T YOU ???