* SUFFICIENT Grace !!

One of my favourite people was a tiny, energetic missionary in the southern Philippines - Annetta Holsted, our language supervisor. But more than that, she was an excellent role model because of her love for the Filipinos and her devotion to prayer and the reading and memorization of Scripture.

After we had completed our two years of language study, Annetta returned to the United States for a year of furlough and, in God's providence, was near enough to New York City to be on hand when we were evacuated from the Philippines for a medical emergency. Both our two-year-old daughter, Debbie, and my husband, Bob, (in the same year the Salk vaccine was released) had contracted polio.

After the ambulance ride from the airport to the hospital, I was driven to the missionary guest house. Completely exhausted from the 36-hour trip, I turned our two other children over to my parents and started down the hall to the bedroom to get some rest. Down that hallway came Annetta. She put out her arms to me and said these words, "The Lord has given me a message for you: "Grace is better than healing."

At the time, I did not realize the importance of the message and even wondered what it meant. But years later when Debbie returned to the Philippines as a missionary, Annetta's words came back to me with full force. In the midst of the most difficult circumstances, it is possible to experience the full measure of God's grace and peace in our lives, trusting Him to use our weakness to further His kingdom.

M. COWLES

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9)."

* With A BREATH !

Jesus; my Lord and Saviour, it is true blessing to know that my relationship with You will last forever.
With every breath, I whisper "thank You !"
In Your precious name, Jesus. Amen.

* Justice !

Justice IN Jesus.

Pause and think of that.k.

* THE inspired singing PRAYER !

Wonderful - click on below.

"http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/5b6XuIqielQ"

* Only a Guest !

Three months after the moving van had carried our furniture and other possessions to another house, I had not finished unpacking. Leaving "Bethesda," the large home traditionally occupied by the college president's family, and moving across town was unsettling. And 14 weeks later, even waiting for new carpet could not hide the stacks of boxes. I was grateful to have the packing behind me but longing to build a new nest.

As I was reading in the Psalms, one phrase caught my attention - a phrase that accurately expressed my state. It took on new meaning to view myself as a guest. "I'm cared for as I stop over in this world," I mused. With conviction I reminded myself that this is a transitiory existence.

Carpet is now laid and boxes are unpacked. Yet that moment of truth has corrected some natural tendencies. Though provision has been made by the Creator and Sustainer of the whole universe for the "guest stay" of His creatures, He counsels me to remember that I am "passing."

Our natural desire for permanence is always evident as we resist change. It is quite evident in the popular trend toward owning one's home and putting down roots. Unlike the majority who are very much at home in this world, we know that our place and our home is in heaven. As Paul expressed it "As long as we are at home in the body, we are away from the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:6).

When I become encumbered with the baggage of life, I hope to repeat with gratitude my true state of being - I am but a "passing guest."

R. RAMBO

"For I am thy passing guest, a sojourner, like all my fathers." (PSALM 39:12b RSV, Harper's Study Bible).

* God's LOVE !!!

Some time ago I read a story about a widow who, when taking her infant son across a mountain to visit relatives, was caught in a sudden fierce storm. The next day her body was found. Most of her clothing had been removed and wrapped about her baby, who was sheltered quite safely in a nook.

Years later, the son of the minister who had conducted the mother's funeral went to Glasgow to preach. Somehow he felt led to repeat the story he had so often heard his father tell.

A few days later, the minister was called to the bedside of a dying man. "You do not know me," said the man. "I have never attended a church, but the other day I happened to pass your door as it began to snow. When I heard singing, I slipped into a back seat, and there I heard the story of the widow and her baby son." The man paused, and weeping he said, "I am that son. I never forgot my mother's love, but I never saw the love of God in giving Himself for me until now. My mother did not die in vain. Her prayer is answered."

If we as Christians would continually focus our minds on the love of God and realize what that love really means, it would put an end to our selfish living. The old gospel song by F.M. Lehman says it so well:

The love of God is greater far,
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell.

H. HIERS

"We love because He first loved us" (1 JOHN 4:19).

* The ULTIMATE " T u r n - K E Y " !!!

DEFERRED hope makes a sick heart.

Acts 16:31-34

31 They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved - you and your household." 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God - he and his whole family.
(New International Version - NIV Bible)

Pause and think of that.k.

* ESPECIAL 'Dining-room' TOMATO and ONION Pie ("side-dish" RECIPE) !!

Number of serves: 6.

Oven temperature: 350deg.F. (moderate oven).

Cooking time: 1 hour.

Cooking utensil: pie dish or casserole dish.

Ingredients:

1lb. (400g.) tomatoes
2 medium white onions
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1 dessertspoon butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 shakes pepper

parsley sprigs

Method:

1. WASH tomatoes, peel if desired, and slice into 3/4" (2cm.) slices.
2. PEEL onions and slice thinly.
3. IN pie dish arrange alternate layers of tomato and onion slices, sprinkling each layer with salt and pepper.
4. SPRINKLE with breadcrumbs and dot with butter.
5. BAKE and SERVE while hot garnished with parsley.

TIP: BREADCRUMBS FROM A LOAF OF BREAD (NOT PROCESSED BOUGHT) FOR THIS RECIPE GIVES THE BEST RESULT. TOMATO AND ONION PIE IS USUALLY SERVED WITH A HOT MEAT DISH !

"Lovely".k.

* Traditional EGG "flip" SMOOTHIE (a meal IN a glass) !

Number of serves: 1.

Ingredients:

1 egg
3/4 cup warm OR cold milk
1 teaspoon sugar
4 drops vanilla

* nutmeg (if desired)

Method:

1. COLLECT ingredients.
2. BREAK egg into basin; add sugar.
3. BEAT eggs and sugar until frothy.
4. ADD milk and vanilla. STIR thoroughly.
5. STRAIN, pour into glass and SERVE. * Nutmeg may be sprinkled on top !

TIP: A BLENDER ("Vitamiser") CAN BE USED INSTEAD - TO REDUCE THE TIME NEEDED TO MAKE THIS original RECIPE.

Enjoy.k.

* MEDIATION !!!

I read today from the Bible: "In his pride the wicked does not seek Him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God" (Psalm 10:4). The Bible's theme (Gospel; the tidings preached by Jesus; the record of His life) of Salvation discloses the same pattern throughout the first and second testament, and after reading those words of that Psalm there was an immediate correlation (to bring into reciprocal relation) regarding another verse in His holy word that there was "no room for them in the Inn" (Luke 2:7); for the one and ONLY Saviour and His family.

"FROM the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger" (Psalm 8:2). PRAISE means strength to the Lord !
The meaning of the word praise is from the NIV (New International Version) Bible.

Pause and think of that.k.

* CHRISTMAS Cooking: "DELIGHTFUL" 'Powder' PUFFS recipe !!

Number of 'puffs': 72 single, 36 double.

Oven temperature: 375deg.F. (moderate oven).

Cooking time: 6-8 minutes each tray.

Cooking utensils: greased oven trays.

Ingredients:

3 eggs *(preferably free range or barn laid)
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup cornflour
1/8 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup caster sugar
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon bi-carbonate soda

whipped cream and icing sugar

Method:

1. WEIGH and measure ingredients. SIFT flour, cornflour, cream of tartar and bi-carb. soda.

2. BEAT eggs for 2 minutes, ADD caster sugar gradually and continue beating for 10-15 minutes until mixture forms a figure "8".

3. FOLD in dry ingredients.

4. PLACE in 1/2 teaspoonfuls on prepared oven trays, and bake.

5. LIFT on to cake cooler. THESE will keep well if packed into air-tight tin when cold !

6. SANDWICH together in pairs with whipped cream and dust with sifted icing sugar.

"Bon Apetit".k.

* Revealing life !!

LIFE reveals itself to be a general bittersweet experience ! Bitter because of the contrary eruptive influences that prove themselves as just that. Sweet because of God. GOD ! He gives HOPE when I'm challenged with the chaotic moments of potentially EVERY moment. God is sweet because of the LIVING hope that He is, and because of that same HOPE that He instills to me, "I'd much rather be in a boat with Him on the rough seas THAN without Him on smooth land". In EVERYTHING, I'm EXCEEDINGLY glad that I live WITH Him THAN WITHOUT Him !

"My God, My God .. where for art are you ?
YOU live in my soul. You are my lifeblood.
NOTHING this CURRENT world offers can ever COMPARE to YOU" !

Kim.

* CHRISTMAS Cooking: "OLD-FASHIONED" COCONUT 'Meringues' RECIPE !!

Number: 24.

Oven temperature: 325deg.F. ( slow oven).

Cooking time: 15 minutes.

Cooking Utensil: greased oven tray.

Ingredients:

2 egg whites
1-1/2 cups coconut
1 cup icing sugar
6 drops vanilla

Method:

1. WEIGH and measure ingredients.
2. BEAT egg whites until stiff, add sugar gradually and continue beating until thick.
3. STIR in coconut and vanilla.
4. PILE in teaspoonfuls on to prepared oven tray and bake until slightly coloured.
5. COOL on cake cooler.

"Happy Christmas" .k.

* LOOKING through a WINDOW !

JUST as we can look through the window of a computer screen ... God looks through the window of our soul !.k.

* POTATO, PEA and BACON Soup !

4 rashers bacon, chopped
1 onion, chopped
2 potatoes, peeled and chopped
400g can peeled tomatoes, crushed
3 cups beef stock
1 cup frozen peas
2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
sea salt and cracked black pepper, to taste

PLACE the bacon and onion in a large saucepan over medium -high heat. COOK for 3 minutes or until golden. ADD the potatoes, tomatoes and stock. COVER and cook for 6-7 minutes or until the potato is soft. ADD the peas, cook for another 2 minutes, then stir through the parsley, salt and pepper.

LADLE the soup into bowls and serve with grilled bread. SERVES 2.

Donna Hay.

* Convenient APRICOT Chicken (with style) !

2 chicken fillets
1 packet french onion soup
2 tablespoons seasoned flour
1 tin apricot nectar
1 cup uncooked rice

PREHEAT oven to 180deg.C.
CUT chicken into 4 or 5 pieces. PLACE seasoned flour in a freezer bag with the chicken pieces and shake until well coated. PLACE in a casserole dish and cover with french onion soup and apricot nectar.
COOK for 1 hour and serve on a bed of rice.

"Good Eating".

* "Yummy" CRUNCHY Fennel and Cabbage 'Slaw' !

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon shredded lemon zest
sea salt and cracked black pepper
1 bulb fennel, thinly sliced
1/4 cabbage, thinly sliced
1/2 cup basil leaves

PLACE the oil, lemon juice, vinegar, lemon zest, salt and pepper in a bowl and whisk well to combine. PLACE the fennel, cabbage and basil in a bowl and toss gently to combine. DRIZZLE with the dressing to serve. SERVES 2.

TIP: YOU CAN MAKE THE 'SLAW' TO SUIT YOUR TASTES. TRY ADDING SHAVED PARMESAN TO SERVE OR SUBSTITUTE THE BASIL WITH MINT.

Donna Hay.

~ "Kim ... THAT'S me" .. !!! ~

~

I was adopted at 6 weeks of age into an affluent dysfunctional family. My mother favoured my brother from the beginning. There was rarely a lost opportunity for her to hold me face down on the kitchen floor and whip me with the retractable kettle cord until my young skin would reveal large red welts across my buttocks.

If it wasn't the kettle cord it would be a wooden spoon until it broke. If it wasn't a wooden spoon it would be anything that she felt justified to hit me with. Nothing was allowed to be said. My brother heard my cries. Those bullying hits didn't happen while my father was present and all was "hunky dory" to the outside world.

When I grew to about 17 years of age the physical hits changed to emotional hits and they persistently continued for many more years.

...

I experienced 2 breakdowns and for 6 months haemorrhaged from the uterus UNTIL I reached out to God for His help. It was by then my final call. I knew I needed Him. I had exhausted all avenues of human effort.

God healed my haemorrhaging but then still being in desperate emotional turmoil I asked Him to be my personal Saviour. I was 30 years of age.

...

Everything is good now.

...

Christ is all in all to me !!!

Kim.

~

* IF !!!

If you died tonight, where do you think you'd be going ??

*** The GREAT Impostor !!!

THE arctic polar bear feeds almost entirely on seals. To enjoy such a meal, he sometimes resorts to a cunning bit of trickery. If the hole in the ice through which the seal gets his food is not too far from the edge of open water, the polar bear will take a deep breath, slip underwater, and swim to the seal's fishing hole. He will then imitate a fish by scratching lightly on the underside of the ice. When the seal hears this sound, he dives in for a quick supper, only to find himself suddenly caught in the huge, embrace of his predator.

The devil (enemy) entices us in a similar way. He baits us with some seemingly harmless pleasure and disguises the ugliness of sin with something that looks or sounds appealing. Then, when we've succumbed to the temptation, he catches us in his trap.

Christians have no excuse for being taken in by the deception of the enemy. We can put on the armor of God, and with the "shield of faith . . . quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one" (Eph. 6:16).

As we meditate on the truths of God's Word and rely on the Holy Spirit, we can know the difference between what is truly satisfying and what only appears to be. Don't let the great imposter fool you! MRD II

The devil is subtle, deceptive, and sly,
He cleverly tricks us to swallow his lie;
But his cunning methods we're sure to discern
By making God's warnings our daily concern. - DJD

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. - Ephesians 6:11

THE ENEMY MAY LOOK LIKE AN ANGEL OF LIGHT,
BUT HE HAS THE TEETH OF A LION.

* CHRISTMAS Cooking: ' Top TURKISH Delight CONFECTIONERY ' (recipe) !

* ENJOY the rewards of Christmas Cooking ! A Recipe for ' Top TURKISH Delight CONFECTIONERY ' has been recently posted on this Blog.

** "An Allegory of Prudence" ...

In his painting "An Allegory of Prudence," the 16th-century Venetian artist Titian portrayed Prudence as a man with three heads. One head was of a youth facing the future, another of a mature man eyeing the present, and the third, a wise old man gazing at the past. Over their heads Titian wrote a Latin phrase that means, "From the example of the past, the man of the present acts prudently so as not to imperil the future."

We need that kind of wisdom to overcome the anxiety created by our past failures and the fear of repeating them in the future - an anxiety that can keep us from enjoying life to the fullest right now.

Paul was able to "forget" his past and anticipate his future (Phil. 3:13-14). This doesn't mean that his memory was erased; it means that because God had forgiven him, Paul was free of any guilt or pride he may have felt from his past. As he lived in daily fellowship with Christ, trials could only make him more like his Savior, So he had one driving passion - to know Christ better.

As we close the chapter of the year, let's rededicate ourselves to Christ next year and follow Paul's example. Jesus will enable us to live fully in the present as we gain wisdom from the past and face the future with courage. DJD

Lord, I'm standing at the door
Of this new untarnished year;
Help me to live it all for Thee,
Use me in Thy service here. - McAllaster.

"I press toward the goal . . . , join in following my example. - Philippians 3:14,17.

NEVER LET A BLEAK PAST CLOUD A BRIGHT FUTURE !!!

** It's IN CHRIST !!!

* CHECK-out the above-mentioned post title (** It's IN CHRIST !!!). It has been recently posted on this Blog.

* AM like OTHER people ? !

Yes .. I enjoy honest clean jokes and lots of clean good fun. Cheers.k.