I was recently with a few friends for a time of fellowship and prayer.  We were honest with one another. We shared our hearts – “I’m struggling with this…”  “Really? I doubted God with this…”  “I keep failing here…” 

Strange what a comfort – (and sometimes a surprise) it is to know that other people struggle just like we do.  It’s not that we want them to fail, but it’s easy to think we’re the only ones that have selfish motives in our hearts or hateful words that slip from our tongues. 

Peek inside the parsonage and you will see that your pastor and his wife – whether it’s The Cunningham’s or another preacher and wife, have sin issues that they deal with just like you.   I get discouraged some days because of my sin, but I’m so thankful that when I read God’s Word, I see there, too, that I am not alone.  In Hebrews 7, we read that the priests in the Old Testament offered up the sacrifice, first for their own sins, and then for the people’s. They were aware of their sin and their need for cleansing.  I am also aware of that very need every single day and therefore rejoice in I John 1:9 and the truth that God cleanses and forgives. 

Why do I make this point?  Just to remind those in the church – don’t put your pastor and his family up on a pedestal, for they will surely disappoint you.  We stand just as needy before God as you do.  Pray for us to desire to be pure before God and to say no to sin.  Pray for us to keep short accounts of our sin that we walk in fellowship with our God.  Pray that we will love what the Lord loves and hate what He hates.  Pray for their children to have tender hearts towards sin – not because they want to please the church, but because they want to please God.

When you go down to the altar some Sunday because the Lord’s dealt with your heart, and you find someone next to you, and realize it’s me, you’ll say, “Oh, yeah. I know all about that girl. She’s just like me!”

From my parsonage windows,

See you tomorrow.  Blog writing time was replaced with recuperating from a migraine. Feeling better already, thank the Lord.

Dessert was a simple pie, but a favorite recipe for summertime with only 3 ingredients that get poured into a graham cracker crust!  Frozen Lemonade Pie is a nice treat on a warm day.

Tomato-Feta Salad
1 1/2 Cups crumbled Feta Cheese
1/4 to 1/2 cup chopped onion – I used a Red onion
1 1/2 tsp Olive Oil
1 tsp dried oregano
6 medium tomatoes (about 2 1/2 pounds), cut into wedges
Boston lettuce leaves

Combine first 5 ingredients; toss gently.  Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours.  Spoon onto lettuce leaves to serve.  Yield 6 to 8 servings

Carrot-Pineapple Skillet

2 T margarine
7 carrots, cut in thin strips I used baby carrots until I had a couple of cups worth
1/2 C drained pineapple chunks
1/2 t salt
1 T chopped onion
1 T brown sugar
Melt margarine in skillet.  Add carrots, salt and onion.  Cover and cook over low heat for 10 minutes.  I did the steps up to this point before going to church, then I finished the rest when I got home.  Add pineapple, sprinkle sugar; cover and simmer 10 minutes longer or until carrots are tender.   Sprinkle with parsley.
Makes 4 servings

Frozen Lemonade Pie

1 small tub Cool Whip
6 oz. Frozen Lemonade concentrate
1 can Sweetened Condensed Milk
You can add a little yellow food coloring, if desired.

Mix and pour into a graham cracker pie shell.  Freeze.

 I have lots of carrots left from my bargain bag, but have plans to grate and freeze them for some carrot cakes in the future.  How about you? What do you do when produce is expensive and you don’t have a garden in your backyard?

From my parsonage kitchen,

Okay, so you love to get in the kitchen and stir up some delicious recipe, but then you turn around and look at the sink and counter behind you, and you groan.  Dirty Dishes are piled everywhere! 

Then you think to yourself, “This is why I don’t like to cook!  There’s such a mess when I’m finished!” 

Here’s a simple way to refresh yourself instead of causing yourself grief when in the kitchen cooking:

• Fill the sink with hot soapy water. 

A sink of dishes in hot soapy water sure looks better than a counter full of a mess!

• As you’re working, put the dirty utensils in the hot water to be soaking. 
• When there’s a lull in the action (you’re waiting for the first batch of cookies to bake, or the water has to boil for spaghetti), go to the sink and wash up whatever is in the sink. 
• Keep doing that the whole time you’re in the kitchen, and by the time you’re finished baking or cooking, most of your prep dishes should be clean and in the dish drainer!
• Also, as you’re cooking/baking, put away each ingredient when you’re finished using it, rather than just setting it on the counter. 

A clean kitchen will even refresh you as you sit down to eat the meal you’ve prepared!

Now, fill that sink up and make this Baked French Toast for a breakfast for this weekend.  You’ll love it!

For 8 pieces of toast:

1/4 cup melted butter (1/2 stick)
1/2 cup brown sugar

Mix and pour half into 8 x 8 pan.  Reserve other half of sugar mixture.

Bake at 350 30-35 minutes in the morning.

What are your tips for keeping things clean as you cook or bake?

See you in church Sunday!

Be refreshed,

What did we do before Google? 

• We ran to the store for taco seasoning instead of finding out how to make our own. 
• We used the encyclopedia to research the history of the pilgrims. 
• We flipped through magazines looking for a recipe to make for supper. 
• We called the a friend who knows a nurse to ask what to do for the rash our little one is wearing. 

Did you know that if you Google the word God, you will get 1,870,000,000 results?  That is mind-boggling!  I didn’t pull up even one of the sites, because the first one listed was from the Mormons, and one not far below it was supporting the idea that God is not real, but imaginary.  It’s not healthy to even look at sites or books that teach erroneous doctrine.  Steer clear.  Don’t even satisfy your curiosity!

I was just thinking about how wise it would be for us to “Google God” (what I mean is, PRAY) first in every situation we face.  Have an issue with your child and don’t know what to do?  Google God.  PRAY.  Wondering how to spend your vacation time this year?  Google God.  PRAY.  Need wisdom to teach that Sunday school class, serve in a ministry, or witness to a friend?  Google God.  PRAY.  Need a provision?  Google God. PRAY.  Want to see God at work in your home?  Google God. PRAY. 

Before we run to the computer, call a friend, consult a counselor, refuse a service opportunity, take out a loan or waste our time, let’s Google God by spending time on our knees praying and seeking His wisdom and grace to help in our time of need.  Hebrews 4:16 

Unlike Google, God will never give lead us astray!  Make Him your first source for every need today!

Do you keep a prayer journal?  What has it meant to you?

With love,