If someone asked you where you were staying, in what situation do you think the question was asked? You might be away on vacation and they want to know what motel you’re staying in. You might be on a weekend retreat at The Wilds and someone asks where you’re staying on the campsite. Are you staying in the duplexes? Are you staying in the inn? Those “stays” are usually short-lived. You can’t live at a resort after your week’s reservation is over (sad, huh?). And as much I always hate leaving The Wilds I eventually have to go home. My stay is over.

One morning his week I studied Isaiah 26:3 – Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee. I thought on the verse all day and then that night I heard a message from a godly pastor and he was speaking about this same verse. He had shared with the congregation that his adult son has cancer. Then he said, “Where are you staying? Right now I know where I’m staying – I’m staying on Jesus!” He shared that he was having to rest on the Lord heavily and think upon Him while going through this trial. He was keeping his mind, his thoughts stayed on the Lord. Only then can peace saturate our hearts.

The trial won’t last forever, and even after it’s over, we can keep on staying on Jesus, keep on thinking on Him, keep on trusting in Him. As a matter of a fact, when it’s all said and done, you’ll find it easier to “stay” on Him because you’ve seen the benefits and the joy of staying with Him!

So, today – right at this moment, where are you staying? Are you fretting and worried, or are you staying on Jesus and enjoying the peace that only comes when you trust in Him? Your reservation is never over! Stay!

Just imagine that someone very dear to you is in the hospital and awaiting surgery. You call your pastor and make him aware of your loved one’s condition and you ask if he would come and pray with the family before the surgery. He says he would be happy to do that.

The next morning before your loved one is wheeled to the operating room your pastor walks into the room. He looks around and surveys the situation. He sees that things are critical, that the family is very concerned, and that this could be a risky operation. Then he holds the hand of the patient and begins to pray for all the needs that he has just seen. Your pastor isn’t God, but his presence and his prayer comforts you and reminds you of the Truths of God’s Word as he prays Scripture. You’re so glad he came.

Now, let’s imagine that when you called him the day before to ask if he’d come and pray with the family before surgery he said instead, “You know, I can pray just as well at home. God will hear me whether I’m there at the hospital or here. Be assured that I will be praying for your loved one.”

Aside from being hurt by the response, what would be missing if the pastor prayed at home? He would have missed some of the details he saw when entering the hospital room – the seriousness of the situation or the worried looks on the faces of the family members. He wouldn’t have been able to reach out and hold the hand of the patient, or give a compassionate hug to the worried family members. They wouldn’t have been reminded of the truths in the pastor’s prayer. God indeed would have heard his prayer, but the pastor’s presence there in that hospital room had a great deal of effect on his own prayer and on those that heard it.

How often have you heard your pastor plead with you and the church to come to a prayer meeting? Perhaps it is a prayer meeting for upcoming revival. Perhaps it’s the pre-service prayer meeting, or even the regular Wednesday night service where we spend time in prayer. Have you ever said, “I can pray at home just as well and I will do that!”? Making the connection to the hospital room prayer, can you see what you may be missing by not praying together with other believers in the church where the services are going to take place?

• You will miss the connection with the people. You won’t understand their immediate needs or be able to pray and encourage them with your prayer for them.
• You will miss out on the specific needs. Once you gather in the church you may become more aware of the needs of the pastors, the lost that will gather there, with the teachers that will stand and proclaim the Word of God. Sometimes just being there will open your eyes of things to pray about. Your pastor is undergoing spiritual warfare! Someone needs to lift him up before the throne so he can preach the Word in its truth and power!
• You will be more distracted.

These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication… Acts 1:14 Can we not gather together to pray for the needs “in the hospital room?” The needs are great. Will you meet us there?

Sunday morning 8:30 – Pre-service prayer meeting

Wednesday night 7:00 – Prayer meeting

As I think about the name of my blog I think about the things that refresh me. One thing for sure is a good deal or saving money on needed items. A few weeks back I stopped at Walgreens for an item. As I walked towards the front of the store I noticed a cart with 5 pound bags of Domino Sugar. It grabbed my attention because: 1. I needed sugar and 2. it was on sale for $1.99. That’s not a bad price and it would save me a trip to the dreaded Walmart. I picked up a bag and headed to the cash register. When the girl gave me the total for my order I said, “I don’t think you charged me enough.” “Oh, it’s correct,” she replied. “The sugar is ringing up at eighty cents.” Making a dash to the cart I said, “I’ll take the other three bags that are over there!” Wow! That made my day! That sugar will take me through my holiday baking!

I heard a story yesterday that touched my heart so deeply. I have to share it with you here. Grab a tissue and read on…

My nephew’s six year-old son had heard about their church’s upcoming ministry to provide a Thanksgiving meal for the poor in their area and he wanted to help. Unbeknown to his parents he took his little money box to church with him this past Sunday and desired to give its contents to the church. Between the Sunday School hour and the preaching time Connor approached the pastor of their church and told him he had $7 dollars that he wanted to give for the Thanksgiving dinner. He lamented that it wasn’t very much, but he wanted to share it. The pastor inquired, “Are you sure you don’t want to keep this for yourself and buy something?”
“Oh no. I want to give it so the poor people can eat.”

During his message on “Little is much” the pastor called Connor to the platform to join him. Giving him a microphone he asked him to tell the folks what he’d brought to church with him. Conner replied,
“I brought $7 with me so the poor people could eat Thanksgiving dinner. I also have three stones in my box. They are real pretty; they came off my mom’s bracelet when it broke. I thought maybe the church could sell the stones and get some money for them.”

These stones were of no great value, but they seemed it to little Conner, and they were valuable to the Lord too…

The pastor asked Connor if he would pray. He did, 350 people in the auditorium not withstanding! At the end of the service two people approached the pastor and wanted to buy those stones. One was purchased for $20; the other for $100! God took that $7 and turned it into $127 because of the faith and the giving heart of a little boy that wanted to serve.

Wow! What a rebuke to my own heart. Am I willing to share what I have in such a generous way so that people’s needs can be met? Isn’t that what Christ did and what He calls us to do? Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. Oh that we would be as willing to reach out, to care for the physical as well as the spiritual needs of others instead of being consumed with ourselves!

Is our faith as strong as this child’s? What is it that you’re needing today and for which you’re doubting God’s concern? He’s as concerned about your needs as He was in providing a buyer for Conner’s stones. Come to Him as a little child. Pour out your heart before Him and watch Him provide.

Thanks, Conner, for teaching your aunt a valuable lesson!

1. making the broccoli salad

2. baking the apple dumplings (I made them earlier in the week and froze them unbaked).

Here are the apple dumplings (a new recipe to me…why do I always do this when I’m having company?!). When I served them I warmed them a bit, placed a scoop of praline ice cream beside the dumpling and then poured the warm caramel sauce over top of the both the dumpling and the ice cream. Pretty yummy and it makes for a nice presentation.

We were honored to have David and Rachel Fisher join us,

as well as their daughter and son-in-law (our music minister). The beautiful centerpiece was a gracious hostess gift from the Fishers. How thoughtful!

Allison’s no guest, but it was great having her home for the weekend. She was really happy to hear what I was making for Sunday dinner because this chicken is one of her favorites!

Lemon-Greek Chicken

2 tsp. lemon zest

1/4 cup lemon juice

2 tbl. olive oil

4 large garlic cloves, pressed

2-3 tsp. dried oregano leaves

3/4 tsp salt

1/8 tsp. black pepper

2 medium baking potatoes

1 medium red bell pepper, but into 1-inch pieces

1 medium red onion, cut into wedges

8 ounces fresh whole mushrooms

4 split (bone-in) chicken breast halves (I usually use a cut-up fryer)

 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees (to bake this on Sunday I put it in a 300 degree oven when I left for church). Combine lemon zest, juice, oil, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper; set aside. Cut each potato lengthwise into 8 wedges; place in 9 x 13 pan. Add bell pepper, onion, mushroom, and half of the lemon juice mixture; toss to coat. Place chicken on top of vegetables; brush with the remaining lemon juice mixture. Bake 1 hour or until chicken is no longer pink in the center, brushing chicken and vegetables with pan juices after 30 minutes.

I added baby carrots today and that gave another good vegetable to the meal. I cover the dish with foil when it’s going to bake that long.

Herbed Biscuits (these are a great quick biscuit)

3 tbl. butter or marg., melted

1/2 tsp dried oregano leaves

1/2 tsp dried basil leaves

1 package refrigerated buttermilk flaky biscuits

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Pour butter into a 8″ or 9″ cake pan; tilt pan to evenly coat bottom of pan. Sprinkle evenly with herbs. Separate dough into biscuits. Place cheese in small bowl. Add biscuits; turn to coat both sides. Arrange in single layer in cake pan; sprinkle with any remaining cheese. Bake 15-18 minutes or until golden brown. Invert onto serving plate; serve warm.

We had a great time sharing a meal and visiting with our guests today. I love having guests over on Sunday – it’s just such a blessing. If you haven’t invited someone over in a while, do a dish like this chicken dish with chicken, potatoes and carrots, add a simple salad and even a Pepperidge Farm Cake and you’ll have a great meal to share!

What did you have for Sunday dinner? Did you eat out, eat at home, have guests over? Do tell!