~ ENVISAGE the BIG picture !! ~

(slightly condensed version)

To my friends.k.

"A story is told of two Eskimos sitting on a frozen lake fishing. One Eskimo had a hole in the ice about the size of a manhole. The other Eskimo had a hole the size and shape of a whale! THAT is vision. He was ready for every EVENTUALITY.

VISION is the ability to be able to see (envisage) the big picture. It is the ability to be able to understand where you want/or need to go and how you are going to get there.

THERE are many biblical examples of those who had vision. We celebrate the victory of David over Goliath but what was the difference between David and the soldiers of the Israelite army?

It was a matter of vision.

THE enthusiasm generated by vision creates power to achieve the seemingly impossible.

ANOTHER quality needed in leaders is that of courage!

WHEN Walt Disney wanted to see his dream realised he needed a bank to finance the new theme park. He had to visit 317 banks before one would finally believe that what he was proposing was worthwhile. CAN you imagine 317 banks?! It takes courage to keep going to see a dream realised. (* That paragraph reminds me of the Movie "Pursuit of Happyness" with Will Smith and his son Jadyn. Mine interpretation.k.)

IT TAKES COURAGE TO OVERCOME THE FAILURE THAT WILL COME! IT TAKES COURAGE TO OVERCOME THE RESISTANCE THAT WILL COME! IT TAKES COURAGE TO OVERCOME THE FEAR THAT WILL BE INEVITABLE! IT TAKES COURAGE TO OVERCOME FATIGUE THAT WILL CREEP UP ON YOU!

IT is important that a leader leads from the front. By nature that position will take courage because it is a lonely place.

AUSTRALIAN evangelist, Bill Newman has written, "SUCCESS IS NEVER FINAL, AND FAILURE IS NEVER FATAL. IT'S COURAGE THAT COUNTS."

ANOTHER thing a leader needs to be doing is developing quality relationships. RECENTLY I received a report on an assignment I had written on leadership. The marker wrote: "You may need to link with other like-minded people as leadership can be a lonely task."

LEADERSHIP can be lonely and so leaders need to discipline themselves to develop quality relationships.

LEADERS need friends outside their ministry to help them keep perspective on life and situations. Leaders need quality relationships within their ministry to make things happen. Leaders are those with the ability to mobilise a group of people toward a common objective to fulfill a strategic purpose. Leadership involves relationships and we need to develop them so that we can be more effective in ministry.

ANOTHER area where a leader needs to develop a quality relationship is with a person who can be a trusted mentor to them. Someone who can check on their personal and spiritual growth.

LEADERS need to be developed. Good leaders need to be people of vision, courage and they must be able to develop quality relationships." A. Collins (International Teams, AUSTRALIA)

(Reprinted by permission of International Teams Australia.)

~ Day TO Day Details !! ~

"Do not say, "I'll pay you back for this wrong!" WAIT for the LORD, and he will deliver you." PROVERBS 20:22. WHILE we may NOT know the day to day details of God's plans, we can trust him because we know the end result is GOOD! God bless. In Him (in his service), Kim.

~ Carrot & Potato "Hash Browns" !! ~

2 lge (about 360g) 'coliban' (white frying) Potatoes, 3 med (about 260g) Carrots-peeled, 1 Egg-lightly whisked, 1-1/2 tabs Plain flour, Pinch of Salt, Sunflower or Olive oil to shallow-fry, 125g light Sour cream, 60g 'baby' Spinach leaves, 2 green Shallots, ends trimmed-chopped, 1 Garlic clove-finely chopped, grated or minced. COARSELY grate potato and place in a Colander. USE your hands (after washing first) to squeeze out as much liquid as possible. TRANSFER to a bowl. ADD the carrot, chopped spinach leaves, chopped shallots, garlic, light sour cream, egg, flour and salt and stir until well-combined. DIVIDE into 12 equal portions. ADD enough oil to a frying-pan to reach a depth of 2cm. HEAT over med-high heat! SPOON 4 portions of carrot mix around edge of pan and flatten slightly. COOK for 2 minutes each side or until cooked through. Bon Apetit

~ WAITING for the LORD !! ~

"WAIT for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD." (Psalms 27:14 NIV)

~ SUMMER Rice Salad !! ~

*Serves 4 - 6. *250g packet 'Smart Rice' (quicker cooking) Jasmine Rice with Mild Spices. 1/3 cup Boiling water. 1/4 cup Currants. 1/4 cup slivered Almonds, toasted. 1 green onion (Shallot), sliced. 1 tbs. Mint, shredded. *DRESSING: 2 tbs. virgin Olive oil. 2 tbs. Orange juice. 1 tsp. grated Orange rind/'zest'. 1/4 tsp. ground Cumin. *COOK rice according to packet directions. TRANSFER to a serving-dish and separate grains with a fork. COOL. WHILE rice is cooling, pour boiling water over currants and set aside for 5 minutes to soften. *DRESSING: PLACE all ingredients in a screw-top jar and shake to combine. DRAIN currants. ADD to rice with almonds, green onion and mint. TOSS well to combine. *TIP: ADD other dried fruit (e.g. glace Cherries, chopped, dried Apricots, chopped) or chopped anti-pasto vegetables for a delicious variation! Bon Apetit

~ POTATO Tortilla ! ~

2 tabs. Olive oil 2 med. Potatoes, sliced thinly 1 small Onion, chopped finely 6 Eggs, beaten lightly. HEAT 1 tabs. of the oil in a 24cm. non-stick pan; cook potatoes and onion, stirring for about 5 mins. or until potatoes are tender. REMOVE from pan; combine in medium-sized bowl with eggs! HEAT remaining oil in same pan; pour in egg mixture. COOK, tilting pan, over medium heat, until eggs are almost set. PLACE pan under heated grill until top is browned lightly. SERVE hot or cold, cut into wedges ( * makes 4 - 8 ). STORE covered in refrigerator for up to 2 days! ( * May be served with Garden Salad! )

~ * FOCUS of my heart ! ~

YOU give me strength to continue when troubles assail me, by filling my heart with hope. AS I trust in You, LORD, strength fills my entire being. WHETHER I face hard times or good ones. YOU are forever the focus of my heart. In Jesus name. Amen.

~ * EACH Day ! ~

"Do a little more each day than you think you possibly can." - Lowell T.

~ STRAWBERRIES in ORANGE Jelly !! ~

An easy BUT effective tasty dessert recipe !! DISSOLVE Orange Jelly crystals OR make the Orange Jelly from scratch (try "blood" Oranges - for natural sweetness ?). GENTLY wipe (with paper towel) as many ripe Strawberries that you believe will suffice the quantity of made Jelly. Cut the Strawberries into halves, after wiping them (cater for more enjoyable eating by "packing them in"); fully placing those halved fruit pieces into a reasonably-LARGE - depending on catering needs -Serving-bowl of the completely dissolved Jelly. CHILL, covered (plastic wrap ?), overnight in refrigerator before serving it the next day as a special dessert-treat ! *** JUST as delicious for a similar surprise dessert-treat IS to use the directions as for the above-mentioned 'Strawberries in Orange Jelly', BUT instead, use 'Petite (small; tender) WHOLE green grapes in completely dissolved LIME Jelly' !! Bon Apetit !!!

~ * + Valid BIBLICAL knowledge through BASIC good SPIRITUAL growth !!! ~

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father EXCEPT through Me." - JOHN 14:6. "There aren't many ways into heaven; The Bible says there's ONLY one; Good works won't gain anyone entrance by themselves; It's ONLY through faith in God's precious good Son." - S. ONLY through Christ Jesus can we enter the Father's presence ! * You may like to READ: John 14:1-10. ++ "By this time you ought to be teachers." - HEBREWS 5:12. "You've given us Your Spirit, LORD, To help us grow, mature, and learn, To teach us from Your written Word, So truth from error we'll discern." - Sper. GOOD Spiritual GROWTH requires the solid FOOD of God's Word !! * You may like to READ: Hebrews 5:12-6:2. ++ "He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the LORD." - ACTS 11:24. "LORD, help us be compassonate To people in their grief; Then tell them of the love of Christ, Who'll bring THEIR souls relief." - Sper. True compassion is love in action ! * You may like to READ: Acts 11:19-26. ++ "Is it time for your checkup?" - BC. "Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup." - 1 CORINTHIANS 11:28. "Search me O God, my heart discern; Try me, my inmost thoughts to learn. Help me to keep from sin, I pray, Guarding my mind throughout this day." - Anon. Self-examination is one test from which no CHRISTIAN is excused ! * What is accepted by your mind IS automatically accepted by your heart !! (PAUSE and THINK of THAT.) * You may like to READ: 1 Corinthians 11:27-29.

~ Churches burned in Ethiopia ~

Thousands of Islamic extremists set fire to 59 churches and at least 28 homes in western Ethiopia during the first week of March. One Christian was killed and others injured, plus more than 4,000 believers have been displaced. The attacks began on March 2 after Muslims accused a Christian of desecrating the Quran by tearing up a copy, sources said. The security forces that arrived were overwhelmed by the attackers. Evangelical church leaders have asked officials for more police protection, but little action has so far been taken. Ethiopia is 34% Muslim but has a Christian majority and was one of the FIRST nations to accept Christianity. (COMPASS DIRECT, 7 March)

~ IN FACT: ~

Approximately 4,000 new churches are currently born each week. However, over 3 million pastoral leaders worldwide lack basic Biblical training and ministry skills. [http://topic.us]

~ Uzbekistan customs seizes 15,000 Bibles ~

Uzbekistan authorities have refused to release some 15,000 Bibles that were seized by customs. The State Religious Affairs Committee and Justice Ministry officials stated they ordered the Bible Society to return the books to Russia at their own cost as "there is no need to import Bibles into Uzbekistan since there's an electronic version on the Internet." Christian workers say, however, that since the average income in Uzbekistan is about $10 a day, internet access may not be very accessible to the average person. (BosNewsLife, 28 Feb.)

~ Displaced New Zealand churches mourn their dead ~

The Sunday after a massive 6.3 earthquake in Christchurch New Zealand, left 166 dead on 22 February, worshippers gathered outdoors, meeting in unfamiliar churches and next to damaged buildings to reflect, pray, mourn and give thanks. "Some of our churches were run in the open air outside the damaged buildings," said the Rev. Dugald Wilson of St. Mark's Presbyterian Church on the outskirts of the city, which suffered minor damage. Like many buildings, Christchurch Cathedral is still unstable and remains cordoned off. 10,000 homes face demolition; some parts of the city cannot be rebuilt. (MISC. REPORTS)

~ God IS .. ENOUGH !!! ~

"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all you need, you will abound in every good work." ( 2 CORINTHIANS 9:8)

GOD is ENOUGH. He is our all-suffcient One. He is able to make all things possible for us through His grace! The ORIGINAL word for this grace is "charis" or "free blessing." IT is spontaneous and universal. SO it is in God's adequacy that we find the provision which abounds with every blessing we need. He will keep nothing from us to fulfill His glorious purpose.

FOR what reason are these wonderful gifts supplied? "So that in all things at all times, having all you need, you will abound in every good work." Or, as one writer put it, you will have ample means in yourself to meet each and every situation with enough and more to spare for each cause!

AS we abound in all the lovely gifts of our Almighty God, there should be a natural overflow of grace from our lives. THIS overflow can touch those around us who are in need.

We need to ask God to make our service for Him more abounding. REMEMBER: He is able to equip us with the abilities to meet the task.

Daily WAIT upon Him for His grace.
Be WILLING to be emptied of your own desires and to follow His direction for your life.
Seek WISDOM from Him for each day.
Work WORTHILY of God's high calling through diligence and faithfulness.

ARLISS M. ALLEN

LONG Life !

"MY son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity." - PROVERBS 3:1, 2 (NIV)

"EVEN to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you." - ISAIAH 46:4 (NIV)

BAKED Ricotta, Zucchini and "baby" Pea SPAGHETTI !!

SERVES: 4. PREP: 15 mins. COOK: 8 mins.

1/4 cup pine nuts
375g spaghetti
1/3 cup olive oil
2 leeks, thinly sliced
2 zucchini, halved lengthways, sliced
2 cups FROZEN "baby" (tender) peas
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tblsp fresh lemon thyme leaves
200g packet baked ricotta, crumbled
1 tsp finely grated lemon rind
Salt and pepper, to taste
Shaved parmesan, to serve

1 PLACE pine nuts in a non-stick frying pan. COOK over a medium heat, stirring constantly, for 1 minute, or until golden. REMOVE. Set aside.
2 COOK pasta in a large saucepan of boiling, salted water. DRAIN. TRANSFER to a large bowl.
3 MEANWHILE, heat oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. ADD leeks. COOK, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes, or until softened! ADD zucchini, "baby" peas, garlic and thyme. COOK, stirring, for about 3 minutes, or until zucchini and peas are both cooked to tender!
4 POUR zucchini mixture over pasta. ADD ricotta and finely grated lemon rind. SEASON with salt and pepper. TOSS to combine!
5 SPRINKLE with shaved parmesan.
6 SERVE immediately!

TOP TIP: BAKED ricotta can be found in the cheese section of supermarket (or local deli?) nationally. ALTERNATIVELY, you can use fresh ricotta or a mixture of ricotta and fetta cheese (low-fat cheese).

Bon Apetit

CRUNCHY Chicken & Nectarine Salad !!

SERVES: 4. PREP: 15 mins. COOK: 25 mins.

400g packet reputable FROZEN chicken breast steaks
3 ripe nectarines
100g mixed lettuce leaves
1/4 red cabbage (350g), thinly shredded
1 red capsicum, cut into thin strips
3 green spring onions, thinly sliced
DRESSING -
2 tblsps light olive oil
2 tsps finely grated orange rind
1 tblsp fresh orange juice
1 tblsp red wine vinegar
2 tsps Dijon mustard
2 tsps brown sugar
Salt and pepper, to taste

1 PLACE frozen chicken on lightly greased oven tray.
2 COOK in a very hot oven (240deg.C.) for about 25 minutes, turning halfway through cooking, or until chicken is golden brown and cooked through! REMOVE. Cut chicken into thick slices.
3 TO make dressing, place all ingredients in a small jug. WHISK to combine.
4 CUT nectarines in half. REMOVE stones. CUT halves into thin wedges.
5 COMBINE nectarines, lettuce, cabbage, capsicum and spring onions in a large bowl. ADD warm chicken slices and lightly drizzle with dressing. GENTLY toss salad to coat. SERVE immediately!

Bon Apetit

SPARKLING Apple, Blackcurrant & Berry Punch !!

Makes about: 2.5L Prep: 10 minutes.

250g punnet strawberries
125g punnet raspberries
1-1/2 cups chilled apple and blackcurrant juice
1 tblsp lime juice
1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
2 cups ice cubes
750ml bottle chilled non-alcoholic apple cider

1 REMOVE and discard stems from strawberries. Chop strawberries.

2 PLACE strawberries, raspberries, apple and blackcurrant juice, and lime juice in a large serving jug (three-litre capacity).

3 JUST before serving, ADD fresh mint leaves and ice cubes. SLOWLY add apple cider. STIR gently to combine.

4 POUR into chilled serving glasses.

TOP TIP: Berries can be either frozen OR defrosted!

Bon Apetit

I.D. - "chicken meat." ? (their works shall follow them !)

"And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing WHAT is right (2 THESSALONIANS 3:13)."

"WE live in the wake of good deeds done by Christians who lived before us! Our good deeds and acts of kindness, too, are not done in a vacuum but in a world of interaction where their effects will go on and on.

On the mission field we live and minister in the wake of Christians who never tired of doing good. The harvests we reap, the hospitals where we receive care and any understanding attitude of government officials are ours because of the effects of a few who served God with small and, to them, inconsequential deeds.

The Bible tells us our good works not only benefit others, they also follow us. RECENTLY, I had a very vivid reminder of this truth. At Christmas, the Christian dry cleaner who provides door-to-door service on his motorbike, was severely burned in a fire that also cost him his daughter and his business. As a community of believers, we responded with prayer, money and clothing.

The first day he was back at work, I slipped a canned chicken into his backpack along with the clothes so that his wife, who was also injured, would not have to cook dinner.

SOME time later we noticed that he had tagged our returned clothing with a strange I.D. - "chicken meat." He could not remember our name, but he remembered that one act of kindness and marked us by it.

AS we have opportunities to show kindness to others, let us use them joyfully, as gifts of ministry to the Lord that will follow us into eternity." - C.S.

90-percent obedience ?

* Read 1 Samuel 15:1-23.

"Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you." - 1 Samuel 15:23.

THE COST OF OBEDIENCE IS nothing COMPARED TO THE COST OF DISOBEDIENCE !

KNOWING God PERSONALLY !

"He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel." - Psalm 103:7

"Most Christians would prefer to see God perform mighty miracles rather than to have fellowship with Him and learn His ways.

Today's text says that God made known His mighty acts to the people of Israel, but to Moses He "made known His ways." Exodus 33 records a great crisis in which Moses humbly prayed, "If I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way." He wanted to know God and His plans for His people more than to see another mighty miracle. No wonder the Lord conversed with him "as a man speaks to his friend" (v.11).

COMMENTING on the difference between ways and acts, F.B. Meyer wrote, "Ways, or plans, are only made known to the inner circle of the saints (saints are those born-again in Christ Jesus); the ordinary congregation learns only His acts."

A talented friend of mine, Jennifer, learned this difference after spending several years in a wheelchair. One day she tearfully prayed, "Lord, I could have done so much for You, if only I could have been healthy." God's response was inaudible but clear: "Many people work for Me, but very few are willing to be My friend."

IF you desire to know God personally more than you long to see His mighty miracles, you'll be satisfied." - JEY

* Read Philippians 1: 9-11. (Pause and think of that!)

Once it was the blessing, now it is the Lord;
Once it was the feeling, now it is His Word;
Once His gift I wanted; now the Giver own;
Once I sought for healing, now Himself alone. - Simpson.

KNOWING God is not only seeing His works but also learning His ways!

~ SUCCESS in Failure !! ~

"Ours is a success-orientated world, where one's value is often measured by wealth, social position or profession. Failure in such a world is frowned upon.

Thankfully, that is not the way of God's kingdom. The Lord has a different way of measuring, for He "does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7).

BUT Christians still fall prey to the world's standard for success. STRUGGLES, unmet goals and unrealised expectations can lead to despair, a sense of failure and a feeling of worthlessness. THE Scriptures, however, present a different outlook. God's Word says STRUGGLE and FAILURE can become sources of STRENGTH and PERSONAL GROWTH. THEY can be stepping stones to heavenly success (Psalm 37: 23-24).

THE supreme human example is our Lord. His crucifixion was, by all wordly standards, a failure - a failure to justify His three years of ministry, a failure to overcome the might of Rome and an apparent failure to keep the promises He made to His followers. BUT their verdict of failure was ONLY an illusion! His death and resurrection raised Him into glory and broke sin's hold over us. (* Sin's actual worldly hold over us can be destroyed by our personal choice if we just obey the one-triune God by pledging ourselves to the Lord's requirement of sincerely asking Jesus to come into our heart. IF your pledge is genuine He will then give us the desire to follow Him).

Our struggles and apparent failures can raise us up to a new maturity in Christ which will sustain us and give us ministry to others. This is God's promise to us, and His promises NEVER fail! (Joshua 23:14)".

Carol Nazaretian.

"Now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved GENUINE" (1 Peter 1: 6-7).

* VIEW the associated post in this blog dated 27/11/2010 !!

'SAVOIARDI' biscuits !!

Makes approximately: 35. Prep. AND cook time: 40 minutes.

THESE are light, flavoursome biscuits that are great for "dunking" or using in a tiramisu!

4 eggs (preferably free range or barn laid), separated
1 cup (220g) RAW Caster sugar - Yes! we can buy it.
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 teaspoons finely grated lemon rind
1 cup (250ml) sunflower oil
{3 cups (450g) self-raising flour, sifted
{1 teaspoon baking powder, sifted; COMBINED with the self-raising flour (as listed above)
1-1/2 cups (240g) icing sugar, sifted

1. PREHEAT oven to 170deg.C ( *150deg.C fan-forced). GREASE and line three (3) baking trays with baking paper. * Any recipe being used in a FAN-FORCED oven needs to be reduced twenty (20) DEGREES from the original stated temperature - OTHERWISE, the temperature will overall be too hot!

2. BEAT egg whites in an electic mixer until soft peaks form. GRADUALLY beat in sugar. ADD egg yolks, one at a time, beating well BETWEEN each addition. BEAT in vanilla extract and lemon rind (rind is known as zest in other Countries).

3. WITH motor running, add oil in a THIN steady stream. FOLD in combined SIFTED flour and baking powder. STAND mixture for ten (10) minutes.

4. PLACE icing sugar into a large bowl. * FOR round biscuits, drop tablespoonfuls of the mixture into icing sugar; roll into balls. * FOR finger-shaped biscuits, roll into logs. PLACE biscuits on prepared trays. BAKE for 10 - 12 minutes or until very lightly golden-browned.

Bon Apetit

(Suitable to freeze. NOT suitable to microwave.)

EMOTIONS !

EMOTIONS ... WHERE would we be without them ?? (PAUSE and THINK of THAT !)

DON'T Miss God's BEST !

"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (JOHN 10:10b.).

TO encourage daily Bible reading among Zairian high school students, we all use a calendar prepared for us by Scripture Union. WHAT terrific lessons it contains for teacher and students alike.

THIS morning we looked again at the life of Joseph. I thank the Lord again for revealing Himself to me the night I first met Him, even as Joseph revealed himself to his guilty brothers. God changed my tears of fear to those of joyous recognition and brought me to the place where I could forgive myself (Genesis 45:5a.).

AND what a marvellous provision God has made for us because His Son went before to prepare the way for us. WHY do we even give one thought to the old life in the desert where we are starving or try to hold on to some earthly treasure and miss the very best God has prepared for us ?? WHAT we hold on to looks so worthless when we see the accomplishment of His purpose (verse 20).

The forgiven brothers went back home to their father with this amazing story, "Joseph is still alive! IN fact, he is ruler of all Egypt". AND what was poor Jacob's reaction? He was stunned; he did not believe them (verse 26).

OUR faith is as weak as Jacob's when we just "hear" the good news, but when we begin to see and experience the first-fruits in our own lives, then we know that our Redeemer is alive!

LET us not be like Jacob. LET us not sit here "starving to death", trying to hold on to something of this life and missing the VERY best God has prepared for us, as we stay close to Him (* by consistent prayer, being constantly in His Word and .. always trusting Him).

Norma Hart.

* (JESUS said), "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing" (JOHN 15:5 NIV).

* WHEN some worthwhile project of mine fails for no obvious reason, Lord, remind me that I may be working out of season. I need to get in step with Your timetable. In Jesus name. Amen.

Plugged In !

A few months ago, my husband and I decided that our old vacuum cleaner needed help. AFTER a lengthy discussion, we drove to the shopping centre and bought a powerhead attachment.

WHEN I brought my new "toy" home, I was anxious to try it out. AFTER unpacking the powerhead, I took my vacuum cleaner out of the closet and went to work.

About 15 minutes later, I stopped pushing the powerhead back and forth. I was greatly disappointed, for the cleaner was performing no better than before I had spent a small fortune for the attachment. WHAT a letdown!

SUDDENLY, I realised that the powerhead was not receiving any power. I had fogotten to plug it in! I had workd hard, going through all the right motions, but without the flow of power, I had achieved little.

THIS same principle holds true for our spiritual endeavours. We can go through all the right motions, say the right words and do the right things without achieving the desired results. HAVE you ever wondered why?

The disciples of Jesus knew the source of His power. On one occasion, they asked Him, "Lord, teach us to pray". The Lord drew strength and wisdom from the Father - and so can we!

In the morning, we can ask Him for direction and strength for that day. In the evening, we can "thank" Him for being with us.

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness (2 PETER 1:3).

Joyce strecker.

The Lord, My Friend (a paraphrase of Psalm 23)

"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep" (JOHN 10:10-11).

THE Lord is my friend. He remains closer to me than a brother.

He never leaves me to struggle alone;
He is always there, watching over me to prevent me from stumbling.

He writes love letters to me. They strengthen me, uplift me, encourage me and give nourishment to my soul.

He provides love for me when I am lonely and discouraged.
He gives wisdom when I need it most.

AS I go through life, He is my best friend, and some day I shall go to where He is. There I shall spend eternity with Him where I can forever be by His side.

Melba Stumbo.

OVEN baked FRIES

Serves: 6.

4 large potatoes, cut into fries
1 tablespoon sunflower or grapeseed (makes potato more crisp) or olive oil
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon chilli powder

PREHEAT oven to 475deg.F.
IN a medium size bowl, toss together the potatoes, oil, paprika, and chilli powder. SPREAD out on a baking sheet. BAKE, turning occasionally, until golden, about 30 minutes. SERVE immediately - hot!

Bon Apetit

'ORANGE' bulgur Pilaf !

Serves: 4.

1/2 cup raisins
1/3 cup slivered blanched almonds
grated zest/fruit rind and juice of 1 orange
1/2 tablespoon Asian sesame oil
3/4 cup bulgur
1 small onion, chopped
1-1/2 cups water

COMBINE the raisins, slivered blanched almonds, orange zest, and orange juice in a blender. BLEND for 5 seconds.

IN a non-stick sanucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. ADD the bulgur and onion and saute for 3 minutes. REDUCE the heat to low and add the orange mixture. ADD the water. COVER and cook until the bulgur is tender, 15 - 20 minutes. FLUFF with a fork before serving!

Bon Apetit

Purpose !

"To everything there is a Season,
A time for every purpose under Heaven ... ."
Ecclesiastes 3

(Pause and think of that!)

FRESH Ginger (ice cream)

FRESH ginger is readily available these days, and it's so "tangy and flavourful" (apart from being healthy) that I don't know why everyone isn't using it!

One of my favourite ways to use grated fresh ginger is to add it to a little of ice cream. People aren't expecting to taste it in their dessert bowls, and they immediately discover what a great flavour that ginger imparts. *IT'S also known as being an effective natural breath freshener if you chew on it before going out.

Yoghurt : The Secret Weapon

One of the best tips for successfully pursuing a low-fat diet is to have a container of plain low-fat yoghurt in your refrigerator at all times. Just a few spoonfuls of yoghurt can add creaminess and a bit of "zip" to nearly any recipe.

You can forget about sugared, flavoured yoghurts for the most part. IF you would like some variety, however, a cup of lemon-flavoured low-fat yoghurt can add flavour and a lemony zest to rice or even to Indian Raita.

~ My life ! ~

My life is but a drop of breath in the ocean that when revealed can make the fish of that water suffocate. Does not my life have a constituency of fragrance for a reason? I am consumed as a commodity and yet it can be said that it is alright. Alright, because it is safe. Completely safe - as it is "well with my soul." And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28). Kim.

~ TRUE friendship ~

Lord God, You continue to offer me Your friendship today through Your Word and actions. Thank You for never giving up on me. In Jesus name. Amen.

ZESTY Spanish Rice !

Serves 6.

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 bunch fresh parsley, finely chopped
1 large onion, finely chopped
1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic
3 cups water
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 cup peeled and chopped tomatoes
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 package (10 ounces) spinach, stemmed and chopped
1 cup white rice

In a large saucepan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. ADD the parsley, onion, and garlic, and saute until translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. ADD the water and bring to a boil. ADD the tomato paste, chopped tomatoes, salt, and pepper. MIX thoroughly. ADD the spinach and rice, reduce the heat to low, and cook, covered, until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender, about 30 minutes.
SERVE at once!

Bon Apetit

"ORANGEY" Sweet Potatoes !

Serves 6.

3 large sweet potatoes
1/4 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon reduced-fat butter
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
3 oranges, peeled and cut into small pieces
1/4 cup toasted almonds, slivered (optional)

Preheat oven to 400deg.F.
Pierce potatoes with fork and bake until tender, about 1 hour. Remove from the oven and leave the oven set at 400deg.F. Halve the sweet potatoes lengthwise and scoop out the pulp into a bowl, being careful to keep the skins intact. Set the skins aside. Mash the pulp, then add the orange juice, reduced-fat butter, salt, pepper, and ginger. Stir the orange pieces into the mixture. Spoon into the skins and place on a baking sheet. Top with the toasted almonds, if desired.

BAKE until heated through, about 15 minutes. SERVE hot!

Variations: Use 8 ounces ripe crushed pineapple and its juice in place of the oranges.

Bon Apetit

~ STORMS of Life !! ~

I know that as a Christian I need not fear the storms of life. WHEN I feel afraid, help me to focus my eyes on You, Lord. In Jesus name. Amen.

(Hymn CHORUS: 'Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus.'
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of the earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace!)

Pause and think of that.

WONDERFUL Stuffed Potatoes !

Serves 8.

4 baking potatoes
3/4 cup 1% (percent) low-fat cottage cheese
1/4 cup 1% (percent) milk
2 tablespoons reduced-fat butter
1 teaspoon dill weed, dried
3/4 teaspoon herb seasoning
4 to 6 drops Tabasco sauce
2 teaspoons grated Parmesan cheese

PREHEAT oven 425deg.F.
Prick the potatoes with a fork. BAKE until easily pierced with a fork, about 1 hour. REMOVE from the oven and leave the oven set at 425deg.F. HALVE the potatoes lengthwise and scoop out the pulp into a bowl, leaving "shells" about 1/2 inch thick. MASH the pulp, then, mix in all the remaining ingredients except the Parmesan cheese. SPOON into the potato shells. PLACE on a baking sheet, and sprinkle the top of each with 1/4 teaspoon Parmesan cheese. BAKE until tops are golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes.

Bon Apetit

WILD Rice Pilaf !

Serves 6.

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, diced
3 cups reduced-sodium, fat free chicken broth
1/2 cup wild rice
1 cup white rice
1/4 chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon dried basil, crumbled
salt and pepper to taste

In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat for 1 minute. Add the onion and saute until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the chicken broth, stir in wild rice, and bring to a boil. Add the white rice. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook until the rices are done, about 20 minutes. Mix in the parsley, basil, salt, and pepper and serve!

Bon Apetit

~ SAFETY and ease ? ! ! ! ~

"But whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm." Proverbs 1:33

"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul... ." Matthew 10.28

BILLY Graham's daughter was once asked the question as to why the one-triune God doesn't stop suffering. She paused a moment and then replied with the fact that God will not go beyond the boundary of order He already set from the beginning. He has given a gift of individual choice in life to each of us. He won't overstep the mark of people not wanting Him in their lives when that is the way they want it. For example, if you don't want Him in Schools, He won't be there. In fact (according to reason), if you don't want Him anywhere in your life, He won't be there. So don't be hypocrites by complaining about why He wasn't there when He wasn't even expected to be there.

* YOU judge for yourselves ! ! !

DELICIOUS "side dish" Apple-Sweet Potato BAKE

Serves 4.

3 Red Delicious apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced
1/3 cup apple juice
1 tablespoon butter, melted

PREHEAT oven to 350deg.F.
In a bowl, toss the apple slices with the lemon juice. In a 1-1/2-quart flameproof baking dish, alternate layers of the sweet potatoes and apples. POUR the apple juice and the melted butter over the layers. COVER and bake until tender and juice is "bubbling" - about 1-1/4 hours!

REMOVE from the oven. Turn the oven to broil. Uncover the baking dish and slip in under the broiler until top is lightly browned - about 5 minutes.

* Broil/broiling means to cook over hot coals or grill to be heated - depending on type of recipe!

Bon Apetit.

~ WHY suffer ??? ~

Subject: FW: why suffer??

'Comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all' - 1 THESSALONIANS 5:14.

'When evangelist Vance Havner was in his mid-thirties, he developed a troubling nervous disorder. Previously, he had been critical of people who were experiencing this condition. He said, 'For two (2) years I suffered from nervous exhaustion and I learned not to laugh at nervous people'. How easy it is to make light of the difficulties others face until we experience a similar problem! In God's school, we learn to sympathise with a variety of frailties we thought shouldn't affect Christians or should be easily overcome. We learn that God doesn't deliver us quickly and easily from such conditions. Paul was a person of great faith and strength, but his 'thorn in the flesh' (2 Cor. 12:7-10) remained with him in spite of his repeated pleas for God to remove it. Instead of resenting this 'thorn', Paul learned to welcome the resulting weakness that led him to find strength in Christ. This same apostle, perhaps because of his affliction, had earlier urged Christians to 'comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all' (1 Th. 5:14). Through the emotional and physical thorns that God allows in our lives, we learn what it means to trust Him. And in the process, we learn patience and kindness toward all'. - DM.

'Because I've grieved and tasted bitter loss,
Because I've stumbled carrying my cross,
Because I've learned of Christ's sufficiency,
I'll show His Grace to others just like me'. - G.
WE CAN COMFORT OTHERS BECAUSE GOD HAS COMFORTED US.

~ PLEDGE of a good Conscience ! ~

1 Peter 3:17 "It is better, if it is God's will to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, 19 through whom(a) also he went and preached to the spirits in prison 20 who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolises baptism that now saves you also - not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge(b) of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand - with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him." (Romans 8:38)

(a)18,19 Or alive in the spirit, 19through which (b)21 Or response

* ROMANS 10:10

~ * KEEP MARCHing !!!! * ~

I praise You, Lord, for the faithfulness that is part of Your perfect nature. It never changes or leaves me helpless. May it seep into my heart and soul as I FOLLOW You. In Jesus precious name. Amen.

~ "READ this Blog BECAUSE ..." ! ~

READ this Blog BECAUSE it's LIVING !! Cheers.k.