FOCUS

Endurance

“Your name, O Lord, ENDURES FOREVER, your renown, O Lord, through all generations. For the Lord will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants.” Psalm 135:13&14

WORDS TO INSPIRE

By Linda Papillon

“What a caterpillar calls the end of the world, the Creator calls a butterfly.” (From A Path Through Suffering by Elisabeth Elliot).

My husband loves to roam among the book shelves of Goodwill and recently found a novel about a family in Colorado having to become refugees because of their offensive Christian beliefs--being right wing home schoolers, pro-life, attending a “fundamentalist” church, etc. This book was published in 1996 and what might have seemed far out 13 years ago, is actually becoming reality today. As I write this, the so-called “hate crimes” legislation has already passed the House and is in the Senate. Basically, this would make it legal to investigate, prosecute, and persecute anyone whose actions reflect their faith. Will our pastor husbands end up being arrested and hauled off to jail for reading a Bible passage that might offend certain minorities in America? Could this actually happen in the land of the free and the brave? How could we endure such hardship? It’s tempting to panic and give in to fear and isolation, maybe even stockpile food and ammunition to survive a little longer.

Life is a boot camp of sorts, learning endurance in various ways. There’s the physical kind like training for a marathon or 5K. Some of us have emotional trials like praying a prodigal child back into the faith or the ups and downs of caring for a loved one with cancer. But we all need to build up our strength in the spiritual disciplines of daily time with the Lord, memorizing His Word, and waiting on Him in prayer and meditation. God uses all of these ways to teach us to depend on His faithfulness.

Mark 11:22b simply states: “Have faith in God.” Hold on to His faithfulness. Christians who look forward to the future are Christians who have looked back at the faithfulness of God. Is there any doubt of God’s faithfulness? Read through Psalm 136 without skipping a word and you will read “His steadfast love endures forever” 26 times! It’s been so helpful for me to then journal what that means to me for even the routine things of the day. As we learn more of Who He is and what He’s done, we will have to humbly bow and worship the One who is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

NEEDS OF THE REAL WORLD

GIVING GRACE

To be honest, there is only one relationship in my life where I struggle with harmony, and that is with our mentally-handicapped son. Many of his problems are not his fault. Because his birth-mother drank alcohol before he was born, his brain was permanently damaged. When we adopted him at one year of age, we knew he had “special needs,” but no diagnosis. I assumed that love, God’s Word, good training, discipline, and God’s healing would “fix it.” That is not the case. You have no idea how many times I have “died” to my hopes and dreams for Josh. I’ve had to learn to love and accept him JUST AS HE IS.
Josh is now 20, and the effects of fetal alcohol syndrome are very evident: ADHD, he’s impulsive, immature, has poor self-control, struggles academically and socially, and will probably never live independently. He doesn’t face an easy life as a vulnerable adult.
My biggest shock as a mother was realizing my own sin, critical spirit, and impatience. The greatest struggle that I have right now is that Josh doesn’t want his mother telling him what to do! I still correct him too much and praise him too little. Lyndon is much better in patience and understanding of Josh.
Here are a few thoughts I would share with parents of “special-needs” (and all!) children:

• Set priorities of the most important things you focus on. You can’t correct everything.
  
• Realize that some things will never change. Let them go and don’t make them an issue.
  
• Jesus never used shame to motivate anyone, and neither should we.
  
• There is no condemnation (to declare guilty, worthless, or unfit for use or service; conveying the idea of utter rejection, doom) in Jesus (Romans 8:1). Make sure to distinguish that you LOVE your children but hate their SIN.
• 
  Learn to laugh more. That eases the tension.
  
  Still growing in GRACE,
  Linda Korhonen

CHECK IT OUT

Daughters of the Faith Series

For your daughter in early teen years, consider the following book series: Daughters of the faith Series This collection of historical fiction tells the story or courageous women when they were still girls. It includes Courage to Run the account Harriet Tubman’s childhood. Events she experienced as a slave teach us to trust God to create the underground railroad . Another story The Tinkers Daughter tells of Mary Bunyan. Our favorite volume Shadow of His Hand, introduced us to aspiring ballerina Anita Dittman who survived the holocaust. Each young woman faced circumstances which required more strength than they had in themselves. They learned to depend on God. They found him faithful and claimed peace and joy, even as they experienced great personal loss.

Becoming a True woman—Discipleship Journal by Susan Hunt

Question? Who is teaching our teen and preteen girls what it means to be a Woman---the church or the culture? In a world where there are so many uncertainties, Becoming a True woman—Discipleship Journal by Susan Hunt will teach and train younger women how to become a True Woman. It is a curriculum that will help you to speak Biblically and boldly to the issue of womanhood. A curriculum is available for both teen and pre-teen girls. It can be for individual or group use. Check it out!

IN MY OPINION

In response to last blog's question: Which area of the country are you from?

100% of respondents stated they were born in the Midwest.

"In my Opinion" will be replaced by Helpful Hints for Home from now on.

HELPFUL HINTS FOR HOME

From Kristie Swenson

Are you sick of cooking the same old thing every month for supper? After only three years of marriage, I already found myself in the rut of repeating my menu plan. Then my mom tipped me off to a better way to meal plan that takes advantage of the weekly deals in the supermarket ad and provides new, good recipes.

1. Check out your local grocery ad from the newspaper or online and mark down the sale meat and/or vegetables your family likes.

2. Go online to www.allrecipes.com

3. At allrecipes.com, there is a search box where you can type in an ingredient(s). (I will often times type in the sale meat or vegetable to see what new recipe I can make with them.) The site will display all of the recipes that include that particular ingredient.

4. Print off the recipe(s) you would like to use.

5. Plan out your meals for the week and make a grocery list.

6. At the grocery store stick to your list or you may overbuy and overspend!

This website will give ingredients, directions, and the nutrition facts of each recipe, It also has ratings, reviews and recipe tweaking suggestions from other viewers. I have found this site to be very helpful. Other sites that I have found and liked are: www.cookinglight.com and www.rachaelray.com

IDEAS THAT WORK

By Mary Pollestad

Let me encourage each women’s group to always have one special event that women enjoy and one which they can invite their friends to come along. Every woman like to bring their friends to something just so they can be together. This also enables the Christian gal to bring her non Christian friend to a non threatening event in the church. This has really proven to be a wonderful time for outreach. Also, it helps the younger gals to have a special time with their Christian friends. In this busy world women don’t all have the time to get together. What could be a more wonderful way to get together than at the church around a Christ centered event. It proves to be a wonderful time for all! Away provide childcare for those single gals with children. The money issue of a sitter is not a stumbling block to sand in the way for the single gal. and don’t forget the older generation. They enjoy being there. It is a wonder time for them being around the younger gals. Hope this is can idea that you can possible use and that all can enjoy!

HERE'S WHAT'S COOKING!

Warm Nutty Caramel Brownies

Ingredients:
1 pkg (12 oz) semi-sweet chocolate morsels, divided
1 pkg (18-21 oz) brownie mix (plus ingredients to make cake-like brownies)
¾ cup packed brown sugar, divided
1 cup salted mixed nuts, divided
5 rolls (1.7 oz each) milk chocolate-covered chewy caramels, divided (40 pieces total)
Vanilla ice cream (optional)

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly brush Large Bar Pan with vegetable oil using basting brush. Chop 1 1/2 cups of the chocolate morsels using a chopper. In medium bowl, combine brownie mix, water, oil, eggs and 1/4 cup of the brown sugar; mix well. Fold in chopped chocolate; pour batter into bar pan, spreading evenly using spatula.

2. Chop nuts using food chopper. Combine half of the nuts and remaining 1/2 cup brown sugar; sprinkle evenly over brownie batter. Bake 20-22 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.

3. Meanwhile, using utility unife, cut 16 caramels into quarters. Place remaining 1/2 cup chocolate morsels in Prep Bowl; microwave on HIGH 1 minute or until melted, stirring after each 20-second interval. Spoon melted chocolate into resealable plastic bag; set aside.

4. Remove bar pan from oven to Stackable Cooling Rack. Immediately press remaining 24 caramels evenly into brownie in four rows of six caramels each. Sprinkle quartered caramels and remaining nuts over brownies. Trim corner of chocolate-filled bag with Utility Knife; drizzle chocolate evenly over brownies. Cut into squares; serve warm using Mini-Serving Spatula. Serve with ice cream, if desired.

Yield: 24 servings

Nutrients per serving: Calories 300, Total Fat 16 g, Saturated Fat 4.5 g, Cholesterol 25 mg, Carbohydrate 38 g, Protein 3 g, Sodium 135 mg, Fiber 2 g

Recipe taken from Pampered Chef

Cheese Bacon Hamburger

Ingredients:

3 lbs lean ground beef
1 cup American cheese
1 cup bread crumbs
5 slices bacon sliced with kitchen scissors
3 small onions, finely chopped
Webber grill grinder as desired

1. Heat coals or gas grill for direct heat. Mix beef, onions, bread crumbs, seasoning, bacon, and cheese. Shape into 12 medium sized patties, about ¾ inch thick

2. Cover and grill patties 10-11 minutes turning once, until no longer pink in center and juice is clear.

3. Serve and enjoy

Kirk Rautio

TOGETHER THROUGH PRAYER

Each HEARTLINE will present you with a corporate prayer suggestion for AFLC Pastors' wives.

Lord, sometimes we are tempted to feel overwhelmed and beaten down by the circumstances of our day. We see so many issues in our government that have been deemed "OK" that go against your precepts. So many life issues such as embryonic stem cell research and abortion are now rationalized as ethical and progressive. Our economy has found many losing jobs, homes, and financial security. Help us to remember that you are sovereign, and greater than our circumstances. Our security is not in our government or our finances, but rather in claiming the promise that you Lord are in control. We pray you would work in the minds of our elected officials, remind them of your precepts. You Lord are the creator of life, and we pray that our country would once again protect all life as sacred. Keep our minds stayed on you, for in that you promise to bring us peace. Amen

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

Interview with

KAY RAMSBACHER

by Mary Pollestad

Kay is the mother of one daughter. Her husband serves Bethel Community in Culbertson, Montana and Faith Free in Brockton, Montana.

When I asked Kay what she felt her ministry was within the church she said she thought it was “Filling in the Gaps”. “As a pastor’s wife you don’t want to take over in the church you want the people to lead but when there is a need I try to fill the “gap” wherever I can when I am asked.” “Of course, she said, praying and encouraging my husband would be my first ministry calling.”

When I asked Kay about the word “Endurance” and what came to her mind she said with a lot of confidence, “It reminds me of I Peter 4:19 Commit yourself to the Savior continue doing what is good.” She said when the tough times come and the road ahead is rough don’t run and hide from it but continue in what is good.” Maybe you can’t give as much in one area but in the areas you can continue doing good for the Lord in that area.” She discussed with me that it is just simply keeping the faith at all times in the good and in the bad. She was reminded of the song “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” In that song it says to take everything to God in prayer. “That is what we must do too.” She said.

I said, “As we look at our world today and all that is going on what words of encouragement would you give to our ladies”? She said, “get involved with your community even on a small scale like the “Food Bank” and in that you will see how your little community is doing good and then the whole picture of our world doesn’t look so overwhelming.” “I guess, she said with a sigh, that helps us see that there is good going on.” “Whatever it is that you can do even on a small scale in your community will help you see how the Lord is working and that helps.” she said.

So to us gals as pastor’s wives Kay would encourage us to Commit to the Savior and continue doing what is good.