Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Nothing Withheld

God has withheld nothing from us that could promote our happiness or secure to us eternal riches. This Day with God, p 162

Utter Despondency?

Are you tempted to give way to feelings of anxious foreboding or utter despondency? In the darkest days, when appearances seem more forbidding, fear not. Have faith in God. He knows your need. He has all power. His infinite love and compassion never weary. Fear not that He will fail of fulfilling His promise. He is eternal truth. Never will He change the covenant He has made with those who love Him. And He will bestow upon His faithful servants the measure of efficiency that their need demands. Prophets & Kings, pp 164-165, White

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Love & Care

…the greater our love for God, the stronger should be our love and care for those whom He has given us. The Saviour never taught idleness and abstract devotion, to the neglect of the duties lying directly in our pathway.

Life Sketches 80 E G White

Nothing to Fear

Let us look to the monumental pillars, reminders of what the Lord has done to comfort us and to save us from the hand of the destroyer. Let us keep fresh in our memory all the tender mercies that God has shown us, the tears He has wiped away, the pains He has soothed, the anxieties removed, the fears dispelled, the wants supplied, the blessings bestowed, thus strengthening ourselves for all that is before us through the remainder of our pilgrimage. Steps to Christ 89 E G White

God never leads His children otherwise than they would choose to be led if they could see the end from the beginning and discern the glory of the purpose, which they were fulfilling as co-workers with Him. Desire of Ages 224
E G White.

We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history. Life Sketches 196 E G White




Saturday, February 8, 2014

Gasoline!

Back when Andy and I were separated, I was left without money. I secured a position, but my first payday was 4 weeks away! I needed gasoline for my big, old car to get me to and from work, and for that I needed money!

On the first day on the job the fuel indicator showed less than a quarter tank. Every morning before work I prayed in faith that the car would get me to work without running out of gas, and every evening I would pray the same prayer for the drive home.

During those 4 weeks the fuel indicator would get down to zero, than the next morning it went back up to 1/4 tank then a couple days later the indicator showed zero and than the next morning it was back up to 1/4 tank - and this continued for that month! I thought perhaps the fuel indicator was wacky, and couldn't wait until I could afford fuel.

Finally I received my pay check, the fuel indicator was zero again, and when filling the car it took a full 18 gallons. This proved to me that the Lord had been miraculously giving me fuel for an entire 4 weeks!

Oh, the Lord blessed me greatly - how He loves to bless! But we must have faith!

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie UPDATE

INGREDIENTS
Bag of frozen Trader Joe's Vegetable Melange' in butter sauce
2 cups of vegetarian brown gravy
6 servings of prepared mashed potatoes (I use instant) made with soy or almond milk
paprika and dried parsley for decoration


INSTRUCTIONS
Pour frozen veggies into casserole dish
Pour prepared gravy over veggies
Top with prepared mashed potatoes – smooth over veggies
Sprinkle paprika and parsley over top

Bake 375 for 50 minutes

VARIATION
2 lbs frozen california style vegetables
2-3 c gravy
6-8 servings of prepared potatoes


Happiness & Safety

Your only safety and happiness are in making Christ your constant counselor. You can be happy in (Jesus) if you had not another friend in the wide world. Your feelings of unrest and homesickness or loneliness may be for your good. Your heavenly Father means to teach you to find in Him the friendship and love and consolation that will satisfy your most earnest hopes and desires.

…Do not be overanxious about anything. Go quietly about your duty which the day brings you. Do the best you can, ask God to be your helper.

 Our High Calling, p 64, E G White

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Colorful Corn Salad

INGREDIENTS
2 – 11 oz cans of canned sweet corn niblets
2 c diced green pepper
2 c diced red pepper
2 c diced celery
1 c chopped green onions or ½ c chopped white onion
¼ c dried minced parsley or 1 c minced fresh parsley
2 t ground cumin
3 T olive oil
¼ t minced fresh garlic
6 T lime or orange juice


INSTRUCTIONS
In large bowl combine all ingredients except oil, garlic and juice.
Sauté garlic in oil. Cool. Whisk in juice.
Pour over corn mixture and toss to coat.
Cover and refrigerate at least one hour.
Yields 16 to 18 servings





Black Bean Chili - Vegan

INGREDIENTS
Three 16 oz. cans of black beans plus juice
46 oz. can of tomato juice or V8 juice
28 to 32 oz. of diced tomatoes - canned or fresh
1 medium chopped onion or 3T dried chopped onion
1 cup cracked bulgur wheat (use as meat substitute)
dash chili powder
1/2 t paprika
dash garlic powder
1/4 t onion powder

INSTRUCTIONS
Add all ingredients into stock pot.
Stir well.
Simmer 60 to 90 minutes until thickened.
Stir often.
Place pan in refrigerator on hot pad overnight to let everything season though.

This Chili tastes good poured over cooked brown rice seasoned with a little curry or ground cumin.

For a change add: carrots and celery.

In using dry black beans:
Use one bag (16 oz.) of black beans, clean beans of any debris
soak beans overnight in salted water in stock pot
Drain and rinse beans the next day
Add water to almost fill pot and simmer beans for 2 hours
always scrape off the foam that the beans produce, this will help the beans from being "gassy"
Drain beans, add water to almost fill pot
Simmer another 1 hour or so until beans are soft, save water - always remove foam
Now the beans are ready to use in the soup!

Tofu Olive Patties - Vegan

INGREDIENTS
2 blocks tofu (firm or very firm)
1 medium red pepper diced
1/2 medium onion diced
1/2 cup minced or sliced black olives
1/2 cup minced green olives
1 (10-12 oz) bag of seasoned croutons or bread crumbs
1 T Italian Seasoning
3 slices fresh bread (broken)
1 T Parsley flakes
1 ½ - 2 cups uncooked rolled oats
2 T prepared mustard
1 Cup Ketchup
1 t Garlic powder


INSTRUCTIONS
Mix together. Form into patties. Fry in small amount of oil or bake at 350 degrees on oiled cookie sheet

Monday, February 3, 2014

Emergency Bible Numbers

Emergency numbers may be dialed direct.
No operator assistance needed!
Heaven’s lines are open 24 hours a day!
Call (pray) direct - No waiting!

When discouraged about your work …………………………… call Psalm 126
When in sorrow … ……………………………………………. call John 14
When men fail you ……. ……………………………………. call Psalm 27
When you have sinned ……………………………………….. call Psalm 51
When you worry …………………………………… call Matthew 6:19-34
When you are in danger …………………………………… call Psalm 91
When God seems far away ………………………………… call Psalm 139
When your faith needs building…………………………… call Hebrews 11
When you are lonely and fearful …..………………………… call Psalm 23
When you grow bitter and critical …………………. call 1 Corinthians 13
When you feel down and out …………………………… call Romans 8:31
When you want peace and rest …………………… call Matthew 11:25-30
When the world seems bigger than God ………………………call Psalm 90
When you want Christian assurance …………………… call Romans 8:30
When you leave home for work or travel ……………………call Psalm 121
When your prayers seem narrow or selfish …………………. call Psalm 67
When you want courage for a task ………………………….. call Joshua 1
When you think of investments and returns …………………. call Mark 10
For Paul’s secret to happiness …………………. call Colossians 3:12-17
For understanding Christianity ……………. call 2 Corinthians 5:15-19
For a great investment or opportunity ……………………. call Isaiah 55
How to get along with fellow men …………………….. call Romans 12
If you are depressed ………………………………………… call Psalm 27
If you want to be productive ………… …………………… call John 15
If your wallet is empty ……………………………………… call Psalm 37
If you are losing confidence in people ……………… call 1 Corinthians 13
If people seem unkind ………………………………………... call John 15

ALTERNATE NUMBERS:
For assurance / reassurance …………………………… call Psalm 145:18
For dealing with fear ……………………………call Psalm 91, Psalm 34:7
For security ………………………………………………... call Mark 8:35

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

How to Handle Your Problems

Prayer is the answer to every problem in life. It puts us in tune with Divine wisdom, which knows how to adjust everything perfectly. So often we do not pray in certain situations, because from our standpoint the outlook is hopeless. But, nothing is impossible with God. Nothing is so entangled that it cannot be remedied; no human relationship is too strained for God to bring out reconciliation and understanding; no habit is too deep rooted that it cannot be overcome; no one is so weak that he cannot be made strong; no one is so ill that he cannot be healed; no mind is so dull that it cannot be made brilliant. Whatever the need, if we trust God, He will supply it. If anything is causing worry or anxiety, let us stop rehearsing the difficulty and trust God for healing, love and power. Review 10/7/65

For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11

Friday, January 24, 2014

A Miracle in a Storm

While grocery shopping Andy noted the weather was nice except for some lightening in the west. Suddenly, in the store, Andy hurried me into the meat lockers. Protesting, I exclaimed, "We don't eat meat! What are you doing!?" Just then ceiling insulation began falling and customers were screaming, but still I did not understand that outside a horrific storm was taking place.

Driving home Andy was darting back and forth on the street to keep from hitting tree limbs strewn about. Meeting us at the back door our three pets had bugged out eyes and tongues hanging out. They looked silly, but were afraid of something that happened to the house.

The next morning we saw the problem, the top portion of the neighbor's pine tree had broken off and was sticking out of our roof like an arrow. The tree pierced the roof, but not the interior ceiling! No wonder our pets were frightened! There were over two hundred trees destroyed or damaged at the park across the street; and it is a miracle we did not lose all our big trees or home!

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

You are SAVED!

“We have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all … By one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” Hebrews 10:10-14.

No believing Christian need worry about their status in the judgment. As long as we continue to walk with Jesus, He will finish what He has began in us (Philippians 1:6). As long as we are being made holy, we are perfect. As long as we are advancing toward the goal, we are considered as if we had already reached the goal, for the once-and-for-all sacrifice of Jesus paid the price for our sins forever.

*****

“If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment….” Hebrews 10:26, 27.

God gives this solemn warning to those who abuse His grace. This passage is not speaking of those who fall into occasional sin, but to those who cease trying to live holy lives and deliberately keep on sinning. God will judge even His own people .… and reject them if they turn away from following Him.

from Bible Readings, 2008 edition, p 204

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Kidnapping

In 1972, my boyfriend, a leading high school actor, encouraged me to try out for a play. Haughtily he challenged, "I realize you are shy and do not have my acting ability, and therefore will not land a part, but at least try-out; it might do you some good.” Accepting his challenge, I was chosen for a non-speaking role in a citywide production.

One evening, after dress rehearsal, a fellow actor, a big, muscular man in his late-fifties, forcibly kidnapped me in the parking lot badly bruising my ribs. He was serious! This was not in fun!

At the time I was 17 years old, weighed 100 pounds, with a 20-inch waist, and did not have the strength to fight him off! Being powerless to escape I continually cried out, "Take me to my car at once!" However he drove to his apartment going through rough sections of town; I was too afraid of the area to escape.

Tenaciously I hung on to my status of virgin and kept it.

Praying to Jesus for help and protection He answered my prayer of faith and I only spoke the words God gave me.

After two hours of being alone with this man in his apartment he drove me back to my car commenting how he had "special plans” for me that night, but was strongly restrained from carrying them out. Praise God for His watch care and love!

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Washed Out Bridge!

While crossing a country bridge Andy noticed, too late, that the bridge was almost completely washed out! Traveling at 30 miles per hour he had no time to stop, and the next thing he knew the washout was behind him!

Later Andy drove me to the spot and we photographed and measured the washout. It was seven feet across, twelve feet long, and ten feet deep. The tire tracks could be seen plainly in the soft dirt, going right to the edge on one side of the bridge and continuing on the other side. The car had not jumped the hole! Andy felt no bumps or jolts as is common when his little car goes over even the smallest pothole; he felt only complete smoothness.

Andy explains, "I drove over on the hand of God. There is no other explanation why the car did not fall in. God saved me."

"For God will give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways."
Psalm 91:11

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Chicago vacation

For a Summer vacation we decided to drive to Chicago staying overnight in Joliet, Illinois. In the morning we debated whether to take a commuter train or Amtrak and after much debate and prayer chose Amtrak. After arriving in Chicago we learned the commuter had derailed!

While wandering around downtown Chicago we spotted several “Pompeii Exhibit” banners so walked to the museum and found a large crowd milling around. Being short I went closer to the front of the crowd to see what was going on, then started bouncing up and down to get a better view. Just then the museum guard said, “Everybody stand back! I can only let one more person in before the exhibit officially closes!” Just then Andy came over as the guard pointed at me saying, “I choose you to be the person to go in.” Squealing with delight I announced my husband was going in too and the guard agreed. The exhibit was well worth the time.

From there we walked to the Sears Tower, and went up to the observation deck on the 99th Floor. (The Sears Tower was once the world's tallest building!) From this height we saw the yellow smog below, and learned we had been in a smog alert all day! Just then the fire alarm went off!!! Women were screaming, but the security guard casually turned off the alarm. Seems a young boy pulled the fire alarm switch to see what would happen! Oh, my!

All this happened in one day! We were glad to take Amtrak back to Joliet and then back home.

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Blessings

We lose many blessings because we overlook the blessings we receive daily, yearning for that which we don't have.

The common mercies which thickly cover our pathway are forgotten and undervalued. We may learn lessons from the humble things of God in nature. The flower in dark humble places responds to all the rays of light it can get, and puts forth its leaves. The caged bird sings in the sunless tenement, as if in a sunny mansion.

God knows whether we will make a wise use of His blessings. He will never give them to us to abuse. God loves the thankful heart, that trusts implicitly in His words of promise, gathering comfort and hope and peace from them; and God will reveal to us still greater depths of His love.

based on: Our High Calling page 10, White

Sunday, January 5, 2014

Saved from Death

Being diabetic I take insulin before a meal. Just last night I took my insulin injection, and then ate a bowl of lettuce (an insulin shot is not needed to eat lettuce.) Five minutes later I became dizzy, slurred speech, light-headed, and could not stand without falling! I had no idea what was wrong! My husband half-carried me into the bedroom and I laid down. I prayed and my husband prayed. Neither of us realized that I was going into insulin shock and could die! But, God heard our prayers! In fifteen seconds I felt impressed to get out of bed and eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I was restored to health with no bad after-effects! All praise be to God!

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Guardian Angel Encounter

Due to my parent’s full house at Christmas, Andy (my husband) and I stayed at the neighbor's guesthouse. At 10 p.m., while walking to the guesthouse alone, a strange man jumped out and said inappropriate words to me. Then he was startled and looked up as if he were seeing a person at least eight feet tall. He gasped, "Wow, your husband is tall!" I replied, "Yes, he is," and the stranger ran away. Then I realized Andy was not with me and what this strange man saw was my guardian angel!
*****

One snowy day there were loud voices outside the window. Peeking out the curtains I saw two horrible men throwing beer cans at our house and trying to smash the house gutters! I prayed, “Jesus, please do something!” Just then a deep, commanding voice said, “Stop!” I thought, “who was that?” and saw the men looking around, so knew they heard the voice too. Then they started throwing things at my house and trying to take the gutters off the house. Again the deep, commanding voice called out, Stop!”, and the two men looked shocked and took off running! Wanting to see the man who spoke with such authority I stepped out the front door and found no one. I believe God came to my rescue!