But God....

Ephesians 2:1-10

“BUT GOD is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so much….”  Ephesians 2:4

I love this verse. Paul is reminding us as to what we once were before our salvation – that we were once dead, destined for eternal separation from God. Then Paul says, “But God….”  Sweet words to a yearning hungry soul!  He then goes on to explain in verses 5-10.  Think of it, life forever with God the Father, Jesus Christ, His Son and our Savior and the precious Holy Spirit. What a future we have!!!  And to think it is none of our “doing” and all of God's, as verses 8-9 declare.  Our only work is that of “faith.”  Just to take Him at His word and believe that He has saved us. As someone has said, “God said it and that settles it.”

But Paul also reminds us that He created us for “good works” that we might walk in the ways He has prepared for us (vs10) after we accept His sacrifice for us. That is, to “behave what we believe” as Mrs. Wesley told her boy John.

Verse 4 says He has great love and mercy for us even while we were yet sinners, and He still does after we believe. What a word of assurance!!!  With grateful hearts, we can walk in those good works and tell what Jesus has done for us.

Yes, I love the words, “But God...”

LDiz

Oh, What Love!

John 3:16, Revelation 13:8, Ephesians 1:3

Today as I sit in my sun room, I am acutely aware of God's love for me. As I pray and thank God for my salvation – how in the council of God before the foundation of the world it was decided that Jesus would die for the sins of mankind – I am a grateful soul.

The Bible states that Jesus knew what was in the hearts of men (John 2:25). Yes, God is all knowing, and He created us even though He knew we would sin and need a Savior and that He would send His Son. Jesus knew also the agony He would experience on the cross, even before He came to earth, but He came to earth anyway to save us.  (Read Psalm 22 – it is considered a prophetic Psalm of the crucifixion.) So all glory and praise is due a Savior who, the Bible says, “set His face like flint” to go to Jerusalem, even though it meant agony and death (Isaiah 50:6-7).

I hear the words of a song rumbling around in my mind reminding me, “He could have called ten thousand angels.”  The song goes on to say, “to destroy the world and set Him free,” and then the last line says, “but He died alone for you and me.”

I can just picture Heaven and all the angels standing in awe – some with swords drawn, ready to come should God give the word, but God knew that this was the only way mankind could be restored to fellowship with Him, so He permitted it. He even had to look away when the sin of the whole world – past, present and future – was placed on His Son, because God cannot look upon sin. That was the real agony of the cross for Jesus.

How could we not love and serve God and a Savior who were willing to give their all for the likes of us, so undeserving?  Even afterward, He sent us the precious Holy Spirit to indwell us, to live His life through us and guide us into all truth.  Are we listening?  Are we loving with God's love and serving our Savior and others?  OH, what a love He has for us!

LDiz

Gingerbread Oreo Truffle Recipe

What a fabulous time for a truffle post!  How do you plan to show love to others this Valentine's Day?  It may be sharing these yummy truffles or a sweet note of encouragement.  We have a couple of days, Ladies!  Let's get going!  :-)

1 Thessalonians 4:9  "Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other."


At one of my first Sunday School class parties at FBC, almost 10 years ago now, I was introduced to Oreo Truffles.  They've been a family favorite ever since.  The original recipe calls for basic chocolate Oreos with the cream centers.  In December, we discovered Gingerbread Oreos, & I snagged a package before they were gone along with the holidays.  It's been hidden away from the Oreo eaters so I could pull them out & try making gingerbread Oreo truffles for Valentine's Day.


Here's the recipe for you to try.  Next time, I may try Birthday Cake Oreo Truffles!

Oreo Truffles

Ingredients:

1 package Oreo cookies (NOT double-stuffed)
1 8ounce package cream cheese (softened)
chocolate almond bark
(mixed nuts are for leftover almond bark)

 

• Crush the package of Oreos until you have fine crumbs.  I've done this in a plastic bag with a hammer or rolling pin but it's much faster in a food processor.
• Add cream cheese & process in food processor or mix well by hand.
• Form mixture into walnut size balls.
• Lay the balls on a baking sheet & place in the freezer for at least 60 minutes.
• Melt the almond bark according to package directions.  Dip the balls in the almond bark & set to dry on wax paper.
• Let dry at room temperature.  That's it!

These will keep well in the fridge for a few weeks or in the freezer for a few months - if they last that long!  Depending on the how big or small you make your truffles, it should make 4 to 6 dozen.  The chocolate Oreos seem to make more than the gingerbread.

This is the first time I've made these with gingerbread Oreos.  The cookies are more moist than the chocolate, so the filling is much softer.  You have to work a little harder making crumbs & mixing in the cream cheese, & you have to work quickly dipping them because they are softer - just be sure you freeze them well before dipping. After taste tests, we decided the chocolate Oreos are our favorite flavor.

A few tips:

• To dip the truffles use a fork & let the chocolate drizzle back into the bowl then slide off the fork onto the wax paper.

Reheat almond bark as needed.

 

Have some mixed nuts &/or dried fruit on hand when you make these. Toss in the leftover almond bark & spread on wax paper to try dry for a yummy treat & no wasted chocolate.

 

 

Enjoy!

Jenny

Hand of Hope

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)

^“3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

Thirteen years ago, I learned my 16 year old son Marc's battle with cancer was about to end. The doctors said there was nothing more they could do. As hard as my dear and close friends tried to understand my pain and anguish, they couldn't. They had never lost a child. I needed a friend who understood. Then I was introduced to Pam, a mom who had lost her 16 year old son to cancer the year before. Pam understood and was able to walk with me (through email) during those last agonizingly painful months.  She was a source of support, strength and comfort because she had navigated the path I was on. Her friendship was priceless, and the amazing thing is, she said being there for me proved helpful to her healing too.

God is so good!!!

This is the idea behind Hand of Hope.  All of us have faced challenges in life that leave us wanting someone who understands, that we can talk to. Maybe you have gone through a divorce or had an eating disorder or have lived with drug abuse and or alcoholism. Maybe you had an abortion when you were a teenager or lost a husband or have faced severe health and/or financial challenges.  The list of life's challenges is endless and the ability to comfort others with the comfort God has provided for us is priceless. We invite you to consider offering a “hand of hope” to a hurting woman.  Hand of Hope cards are available on the Heart Life table in the ministry hall.  All information provided will be kept in strict confidence.  Offering a Hand of Hope does not mean you are making a huge time commitment.  We only ask that you agree to meet one time with a hurting woman.  

Come to our Hand of Hope Orientation on Sunday evening, March 3, 6-7 pm to learn how you can offer hope to a hurting woman. Amazingly, God may use this to bring healing and redemption flowing back to you.

Childcare is available upon request.

 

Southwestern Meat & Potato Stew

This year our HeartLife ministry theme is "Living Sent, Loving Others."
'Love one another deeply, from the heart.' I Peter 1:22b

As a mom & a wife, my favorite way to show love to others is cooking. Here's a recipe that is very easy to make & share. I hope it will give you some encouragement to "Live Sent."

I love one dish suppers, & this is a favorite at our house. We eat a lot of soups & stews during the fall & winter months. I like this one because it is so flexible. I rarely follow the recipe but use up leftovers or whatever I have on hand. I found it years ago in a Taste of Home magazine & have made it every winter since.

Here are the ingredients as they're listed in the recipe.

2 pounds ground beef, chuck, turkey OR sausage (your choice)
1 large onion, chopped
1 cup water, divided
1 can (28 oz) tomatoes with liquid, cut up
1 bag (16 oz) frozen corn
3 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 cup salsa
1 tsp salt (optional)
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp pepper
2 Tbsp all-purpose flour

Directions:

In a Dutch oven or large kettle, brown meat & onion.
I used ground chuck & ground sausage this time.  I often just use one pound of meat instead of two, or I use leftover taco meat.

Drain

Add 3/4 cup of water & all remaining ingredients except flour.
This time, I used a bag of frozen tomatoes from last year's garden instead of canned & a partial bag of frozen corn. You can see it's a mix of yellow pear tomatoes & red cherry tomatoes. I just use what I have. When I'm not following the recipe, I don't add the water until later.  Sometimes you don't need the water or you may need more, depending on the leftovers you're using. For example, sometimes I use canned corn with the liquid so I don't use the water.

Cover & simmer 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally. If you're in a hurry, you really don't have to let it simmer more than about 20-30 minutes. You can use canned potatoes with leftover or precooked meat for a shorter cooking time.

Combine flour & remaining water and then stir into the stew. Cook and stir until boiling & slightly thickened. The flour is optional at this point as well. If you like your stew more like soup, leave it out.

Yield: 6 servings.

I like to serve it with cheese wedges, grapes & crackers, but it's great all by itself.  It's even better the next day.  Don't you love recipes that save you a day of cooking?!?  I usually freeze half of it to pull out on a busy day & send some to work in my husband's lunch - make sure to save some for your own lunch too!

Here are some hospitality tips:

• Make it on Saturday & serve it for Sunday lunch with guests after church. Just pour it in your crock-pot before church & let it simmer on low until you get home. It would be great served with crusty bread!
• Double the recipe & take it to a working mom to give her a day off cooking supper for her family.
• Divide into single serving sizes, add a cornbread muffin & deliver to some single friends, elderly neighbors or a college student studying for finals.
• Invite some girlfriends over for a quick lunch while your family is out during the day.
• Take it to a family going through a hard thing & let them know you care.

Enjoy!
Jenny

Forever Stamps & Forever Stamped

John 3:16, John 5:24, John 6:40

Some time ago, stamps increased to 45 cents. I was not aware of the change, so I mailed several letters (some bills), and then the next day I read of the increase in the paper. I became very frustrated and wondered why our mail lady did not put the mail back into our box for correct postage. She is usually great about this kind of thing. I fussed around and made comments about getting our mail back and having to send it again. I then mentioned it to my son-in-law, and he asked, " Did you use ‘forever’ stamps?”

Then it hit me – Yes, I did!  I only buy "forever" stamps to avoid this kind of thing. I had forgotten!

This episode reminded me of God’s love. Do I sometimes forget salvation is "forever" and that God is always present with me?  "Forever"!

The satisfaction of knowing that I would not have to re-mail all the letters was calming. The fact that I could count on the post office, though, paled when I thought of always being able to count on God. The post office is managed by humans, and they err, but my future is managed by God and He has never lost one of His and He promises never to leave me alone.

He says in John 10: 28-30 that I am saved forever, and no one can snatch me out of His hand.

I can count on God keeping His Word. He promises to be with me no matter what: joy, sadness, difficulty, pain, disease, at times of worship, and at times of sowing and harvesting. He has "Forever" stamped by my name.

 

LDiz

It's Our Choice

As we start this New Year, now's a great time to evaluate -- what choice have you made for your life?  Have you chosen to follow Christ? or do your own thing?

Deut. 30: 11-20

To serve Christ is not a mysterious thing but is plainly taught in the whole Bible – not like some magic formula or demanding service of self-abasement as in so many other religions. To serve Christ is to have a relationship with a God who cares more about us than any could ever imagine and Someone who wants the best for each one of us.

From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible tells us of God’s love for us and how He made provision for us to spend eternity with Him. But it is our choice to believe what He has said and promised. This is true, not like so many other things that sound “too good to be true” and really aren’t. From the beginning and from the day of Moses, until now, mankind has been reminded of His love.  But He is also the God of Justice, and the Justice of God demands a sacrifice of perfection. Jesus was the only One who was, has always been and always is perfect and could satisfy that sacrifice for sins. Our works can never be good enough to reach God’s standard. We can freely accept Jesus’s atoning sacrifice for us and spend eternity with Him. It’s our choice.

But after we make this choice, we are not free to choose the consequences of that choice - so in a way our choice determines our choices! As a Christian, after we choose Him, He will take the circumstances of life to make us more like Him. We’re to submit and allow those circumstances to mold us so He can use us to draw people to Him, just as He and others down through the years have drawn people to Him by our transformed lives (Rom 12:1-2).  Then we will be able to say that we will spend eternity with Him (Deuteronomy 30:20).

People often say that they believe the Bible from cover to cover, but many seldom read it and learn to count on the promises.  They really do not know what it says, except for what they have heard others say it says. It is a book that brings us closer to Christ because it is all about Him. It’s His Story.

 

May we all want to know Him more intimately beginning now for this New Year.

LDIZ