Letter from the Editor...

Dear Folks,

Critical issues are arriving along with our new year. We're hearing debates about whether there is such a thing as original sin from Tony Jones. Pro-life laws are in danger of being overridden by the new administration's agenda. Our country is continuing to be embroiled in a cultural war it seems. The standard by which we live is being challenged and changed very quickly. For those who struggle with what they believe, it can be very confusing. Our leaders, in both the secular and religious worlds are speaking a new message. Who is right?

Today, we need to go back to our roots, the truth of God's Word, for direction and guidance. Our foundation must be centered in obedience to God's Word. There lies our moral compass. God's Word is true, infallible, and inerrant. It is made alive through the power of the Holy Spirit who gives us understanding and interpretation. Put aside publications, books, and programs that contradict or confuse the Word.

Let us not embrace the wicked ways of a misguided world and religions who worship false gods. In these days, let us be reminded that we are to strengthen ourselves in His Word, that we might stand as salt and light in an increasingly dark world. Truth will not be extinguished.

We may find ourselves sorely tested and tried. Yet, our strength is found in the promises of our Lord.

Let us resolve to follow Jesus in obedience and truth. Let us instead choose to "suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season" (Hebrews 11:25).

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Romans 12:2

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IN THIS ISSUE

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Do you know for sure?

The Believer's Mission

When Danger is All Around

Musings

Promises You Can Count On

Here Comes the Bridegroom

Grandmother's Scrapbook

Home School Tips

Thought Provokers

Recipe Corner

Tract Catalog

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The Believer's Mission...

"Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,

Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient; whereunto also they were appointed.

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy."

1 Peter 2:1-10

WHEN DANGER IS ALL AROUND...

"A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished." Proverbs 22:3

One time I was walking at the edge of the woods with my dogs. Suddenly, it was impressed upon me that there was a snake. I hadn't seen it yet, but I stopped immediately. Then as my eyes focused in the shade, I saw it. It was a very long, large cottonmouth crossing the grassy clearing in front of me. One of the dogs was just ahead of me and hadn't seen it yet. Thankfully he came when called, so we could move away until the snake was past. Living in the South at the time, I knew to be aware, but I just wasn't thinking about danger.

Another time, I was alone at my workplace when a former client came in. He locked the door and sat down. He placed a call explaining he would be awhile. I never spoke, and I never moved from the chair I was sitting in. I prayed silently. Eventually he got up and left. I know that God protected me that day. I had not expected trouble that day from that person.

Unfortunately our habit tends to be too trusting and too unaware. I was reminded again to be aware of what is going on around me at a Josh McDowell conference I attended. After a break, Mr. McDowell came back on stage and looking around focused his attention on a new topic. Instead of continuing his discussion about youth, he started explaining how we need to always be aware of who is around us and what is going on around us. We are to be alert to possible danger. For a moment it seemed he caught my eye as I sat there in the front row. My attention was caught, for I knew that I was guilty of drifting along through the crowd not really paying attention. Tiredness had me a little foggy.

Each of us has had our moments where our life was in danger. If we had known ahead of time, we would have been prudent and hidden ourselves. But danger comes unexpectedly. We don't have time to prepare. We can only trust in our Lord.

Jesus knew when He went to Jerusalem just before Passover that He would lay down His life on a cross at Golgotha. He knew the prophecies and He knew His Father's will. He spent the night before in a garden on the Mount praying, "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." (Matthew 26:39) In the end, when it was time, He allowed Himself to be arrested and brought before the authorities, both religious and secular. After a mock trial, He allowed Himself to be crucified. Like any prudent man who knew of danger, He could have hidden Himself, but He didn't. There was a purpose behind the planned crucifixion--salvation and redemption for all who would accept Him. Jesus is mankind's only hope.

In every situation we encounter, we must seek our Lord's guidance. Let us not allow the dangerous world we live in to paralyze us from being obedient to our Lord. We must continue the work He has appointed us to do, even when our lives get complicated by our circumstances. Let us not live in fear of the future and what it may bring us, but live a victorious life, trusting in Him for all our needs, both large and small. Make each day count for Him.

"So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Return, O Lord, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants. O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days." Psalm 90:12-14

(Psalm 90 is a prayer of Moses, the man of God.)

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"But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil." 2 Thessalonians 3:3

MUSINGS...

"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory." Colossians 3:1-4

"But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.

For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

For when they shall say, peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day; we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.

But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

Who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another even as also ye do." 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

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"For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God." Hebrews 11:10

PROMISES YOU CAN COUNT ON!

"...love covereth all sins." Proverbs 10:12b

How does one handle the sin of others? Cover it. Cover it with your love, mercy, and grace. That's what our Lord does. He covered Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden when they became aware after eating the fruit of the tree of good and evil. He covers our sin with His blood and restores us to a righteous relationship with the Lord God Almighty. Why? Because He loves us.

It's easy to overlook a fault in others when we recognize that we have faults. Sin is not to be taken lightly, but it is not always up to us to address it. Sometimes it's better to pray that the eyes of the sinner will be opened, and that dear one will be brought to repentance. Sometimes we must confront sin in love, identifying to the sinner our concern, while praying for their repentance.

"Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained a brother." Matthew 18:15

If your heart is angry and hurtful words are filling your thoughts, avoid confrontation to avoid sinning, until you can bring your angst to the Lord allowing Him to cleanse you and remove it to His own shoulders. Don't let yourself sink into bitterness and hatred. Fight against it and pray to Him who can calm your storm, for "hatred stirreth up strifes..." (Proverbs 10:12a).

Love covers sin by extending a hand "pulling them out of the fire" (Jude 23). Love rescues those in need, having compassion for their plight. Love doesn't give up. "And of some have compassion, making a difference" (Jude 22)

When you know you've let others down, and blown your testimony as a follower of Jesus, know that "love covereth all sins". Don't keep kicking yourself, remembering the sin. Place it in the hands of Jesus and let Him put it as far as the "east is from the west" (Psalm 103:12a). He has forgiven and forgotten our sin. In His eyes we have a clean slate. He doesn't keep score. We shouldn't be either, on ourselves or anyone else.

Love is never self-serving, keeping knowledge for later use. Love buries it, and refuses to benefit from the unwise words and deeds of another.

Seek the truth and never assume guilt, until you have all the facts. Believe the best about others. Give people a second chance. How many times must you forgive another? As many times as it takes.

"Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, until seven times: but, until seventy times seven." Matthew 18:21-22

Don't make the mistake of rehashing hurts and offenses, especially with others. You'll wear out your friends! There is a time when venting must stop, to be replaced with prayer and supplication to the Lord. Then healing can take place.

"If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." Romans 12:18

Love is a precious gift and must be protected and nurtured. Love covers all our sins.

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"We love Him because He first loved us." 1 John 4:19

HERE COMES THE BRIDEGROOM

by Joanne Lowe

“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.” Isaiah 61: 10 (KJV)

Yesterday, I watched as a bride walked down the aisle to meet her bridegroom. The wedding was beautiful. The people stood as the organist began to play “Here Comes the Bride”. As the bride was walking down the aisle she kept her eyes on her soon husband-to-be. He was smiling at her and she was smiling at him as they realized that they soon would be husband and wife. They are so much in love with each other that you could almost feel their love.

One day our precious Saviour is going to return for His bride. It will be a glorious reunion and a day of great joy and excitement for those who have accepted Him as his or her personal Saviour. For the ones who have rejected Him, it will be a day of horror, agony and regrets. However when Jesus walked that long and lonely road to Calvary and purchased our salvation on that cruel cross, there were no smiles or music. It was a day of great sadness.

Some brides have told me that it seemed like it took forever to reach their bridegroom. I think that Jesus feels the same way as He is still waiting for people to accept Him as their Saviour. For some people, He has been knocking on their heart’s door for years and they have never opened the door to invite Him in.

There are people that He has been calling for years into full time service for Him but they have rejected His calling and are living in disobedience. How it must hurt and break the heart of our dear Saviour to be rejected, criticized and scorned so many times. He paid an agonizing price for the right to be our bridegroom. He hung there on that cross of horror and shed His blood so that we may be His bride. I’ve said this countless times and will continue saying it until Jesus calls me home, “There is no one like Jesus! No one loves us like Jesus loves us. He is a friend beyond compare”.

Are you clothed with the garments of salvation and the robe of righteousness? Have you opened your heart’s door to the bridegroom of our hearts, our precious Saviour? If not, then you are not only going to spend all eternity in hell with Satan, you are hurting Jesus. Please don’t hurt Him anymore. Say yes to Jesus and invite Him to become your personal Saviour before it is too late. One day it will be too late for you to be saved. I urge you; I plead with you to give your heart and life to Jesus now!

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"And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son." 1 John 5:11

GRANDMOTHER'S SCRAPBOOK

"Inspired by great-grandmother's scrapbook, compiled before 1918."

Let Christian Faith and Hope Dispel

- Author Unknown

Let Christian faith and hope dispel
The fears of guilt and woe;
The Lord Almighty is our friend,
And who can prove a foe?
The Savior died, but rose again
Triumphant from the grave,
And pleads our cause at God's right hand,
Omnipotent to save.
Who then can e'er divide us more
From Jesus' saving love,
Or break the sacred chain that binds
The earth to heaven above?
Let troubles rise and terrors frown,
And days of darkness fall;
Through Christ all dangers we'll defy,
And more than conquer all.
Not death, nor life, nor earth, nor hell,
Nor time's destroying sway
Can e'er erase us from his heart,
Or make his love decay.
Each future period that will bless
As it has blessed the past;
Christ loved us from the first of time;
Christ loves us to the last.

*Public Domain, http://www.utmostchristianwriters.com/

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"O love the Lord, all ye His saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord." Psalm 31:23-24

HOME SCHOOL TIPS

Don't Be Afraid to Teach

One of the biggest problems we moms face as homeschool teachers is taking authority over our homeschool. You as the teacher will be held accountable before God. Okay, that's scary, but truthfully you are the one in charge. You set the pace and you are responsible for the learning experience. To some extent, you are also responsible for making sure your children are learning.

Teaching our own is a little daunting, particularly if you fear being compared to a "real" teacher. Guess what? We are real teachers. Be encouraged because you've been teaching and training your child since birth. They also are comfortable with you as teacher; in fact sometimes too comfortable. Our kids know our weaknesses too, and know how to bend us to their will. It's okay to give in once in awhile to their pleas, but don't let it become a habit. Stick to your guns about what you expect from them.

Don't be ashamed of using traditional training methods. Reading aloud is an excellent tool to improve your child's reading ability. It also lets you know that the reading is being accomplished. Going back through the reading section to underline key points is also helpful. Your child will learn to pick out the main point of each paragraph and understand how the detail sentences support the main point. Writing essays will become easier as your child learns sentence and paragraph structure. Practice using a dictionary to learn new words, confirm pronunciation, and learn meanings. Writing down important points in a notebook helps with handwriting skills as well as implants the information in the brain. Repetition and memorization helps students learn formulas, language rules, Bible verses, and more.

Listening skills are sadly lacking as we are more geared to visual learning because of our love for television and computers. Playing audio tapes or listening to radio stories helps develop listening skills. We always enjoyed reading aloud to our kids. Talking about a story afterwards with the kids helps you to reinforce key concepts. Calling out spelling words and holding spelling bees is another tool to improve listening skills.

Train them to observe what is around them by handing them binoculars and doing a little bird watching. Make sure you keep a field guide handy so you can help them identify their find. My kids used to prefer to watch the neighbor's cat across the street or spy on the neighbor in his garden.

Always hold a devotion time with your children. Don't leave out Bible study and prayer as a start to your day. Inviting our Lord to be a participant in your school day is essential. You are establishing the importance of a personal relationship with Jesus and fostering a quiet time that hopefully your children will continue as they get older. Teach them the meaning and importance of the passages you read.

As you teach, help your children to practice excellence and exercise diligence in carrying out a task to completion. Grade their work right away so errors can be corrected. You will also know if more teaching is needed to clarify a concept.

Don't worry what others will think of your teaching abilities. Your children will learn; they can't help themselves! It's okay to be proud of their accomplishments and yes you may congratulate yourself on a job well done.

For excellent reading materials check out Lamplighter Publishing.

Find more resources by scrolling down...

If you want to homeschool, but don't know where to find information and need help to get started, check out my new booklet: Homeschooling: The Modern Day One Room Schoolhouse.

To ask questions about homeschooling please contact me!

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"That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises." Hebrews 6:12

THOUGHT PROVOKERS

A beautiful testimony of God's faithfulness to answer prayer...

"My Dad passed away this evening. It was a shock to me. I talked to him on the phone each week. We were going down to Florida see him in March or May. I hadn't seen him in three years. He just died in his sleep. The nursing home called me at 10:45 PM. He was 97 ½. Guess I thought he would live to be 100 or was hoping so. He changed so much in the past few years. He was finally the father I always wished I had. I really wasn't ready to lose that father, though I know he was tired of living in his crippled up body. He was a changed man. I would never have believed he could change so much. God can change even the hardest heart. He gave my Dad a long life and years of sitting in a nursing home where he was able to think back over his life…and people prayed with him….and explained salvation to him. Though I can't be 100% sure because only God knows that state of one's soul, I think…hope he truly found forgiveness in Christ. There was certainly evidence that something very real took place. Even the people in the nursing home noticed it. He went from being the most cantankerous patient to being the sweetest. In fact, that is the word some of the staff used to describe him…a "sweetheart", they called him!

We must never give up hope for our unsaved loved ones. All those years I prayed yet with really so little faith thinking Dad was a lost and impossible cause. But God can even save a hardened, selfish old man in his 90's. That he died so quickly and peacefully..with no struggle at all..is like a sign to me from God that my prayers were answered. He just came in and took him home. What a blessed way to go. Still, I will miss him…"

*used by permission

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"But as were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts." 1 Thessalonians 2:4

RECIPE CORNER

"And having food and raiment let us be therewith content." I Timothy 6:6

MENU

Click on the links to go to the recipe or scroll down.

Raisin Bran Muffins

Beef Ragout

Fried Apples

TIP OF THE MONTH

"Hear, and understand: Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man." Matthew 15:10-11

* More recipes can be found at Free Recipes or Free Cooking Recipes.
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Raisin Bran Muffins

1 15 oz. raisin bran type cereal

5 cups flour (half wheat and half white to make 5 cups)

1 cup oil

1 quart buttermilk

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/2 cups white sugar

1 1/2 cups brown sugar

5 teaspoons baking soda

2 teaspoons sea salt

4 eggs, beaten

1 cup walnuts, chopped

Sift all dry ingredients into large bowl. Add oil, eggs, and buttermilk. Mix well. Bake in greased muffin tins at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes.

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Beef Ragout
2 1/2 lbs. sirloin meat, cubed into small 1" pieces
1/2 cup flour, seasons with salt and pepper
1/4 cup butter
1 can onion soup
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1/2 teaspoon savory
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon basil
2 3 oz. can button mushrooms
1 cup carrots, sliced
2 cups potatoes, peeled and diced
1 pkg. frozen peas
Place meat and seasoned flour in covered container. Shake to coat meat with flour. Sauté meat in butter in large soup pot until browned. Add onion soup, tomato paste, and seasonings. Mix well. Add carrots and potatoes. Bring to a boil, then simmer until meat and vegetables are tender. Add mushrooms with liquid and frozen peas. Cook until peas are done.

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Fried Apples
Melt 1/2 stick of butter in skillet. Slice 5 medium sized unpeeled tart red apples into the skillet. Cover with lid and simmer over low heat until apples are soft. Uncover and sprinkle with 1/4 cup brown sugar and a 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon or to taste. Continue to fry apples, gently turning to brown, adding butter as needed.

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"Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh." James 5:8

TIP OF THE MONTH

Stay healthy during the winter months by drinking more water to stay hydrated. Supplement your body's need for Vitamin D by drinking enriched milk, rice milk, or other dairy products when you can't get sun exposure.

Combat dry skin with a lanolin based cream or lotion. Use hair conditioner to fight static and dry hair. Use a natural bristle brush to brush away dead skin before showering. Apply lotions or creams before drying off to trap moisture.

Stay warm with hot soups, hearty breads, and hot teas.

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Thank you and God bless you!

Let Christian Faith and Hope Dispel

- Author Unknown

WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT

In This Issue

Letter From The Editor

Letter from the Editor...

Dear Folks,

IN THIS ISSUE

GRANDMOTHER'S SCRAPBOOK

HOME SCHOOL TIPS

THOUGHT PROVOKERS

RECIPE CORNER

Thank you and God bless you!