FOCUS

The Excellent Wife

There isn’t a one of us who doesn’t desire to become an Excellent Wife. For some it appears to come so easily. They seem to be the perfect example of the Excellent Wife. Maybe their personality type displays these excellent qualities easily with what seems to be no effort on their part. Then again, age may be the key and over time they have been tempered and they have indeed learned how to become an Excellent Wife. Truly it is a process of becoming. We do seek to “become” but we will never fully arrive at the “perfect” until we’re HOME!! You’re in safe company here (we haven’t arrived yet!) as we journey together in our understanding of what an Excellent Wife is. During the 2011 year we will discuss the Foundational Truths of the Excellent Wife and also the Faithful Commitments of the Excellent Wife. New topics concerning these areas will be posted six times a year (every two months). Please join us.

WORDS TO INSPIRE

THE EXCELLENT WIFE – WHO CAN FIND?

Based on the book “The Excellent Wife” by Martha Peace

Even a cursory look at the Proverbs 31 wife, brings to mind the question “but who can meet this standard?” Trusted, kind, fears the Lord, blessed by her children, careful, good to her husband, etc. these and more are the traits of an excellent wife. Let’s ask ourselves…are these the qualities I want in my life? Now, be honest… Or perhaps the question you’re asking is: Is it even possible to reflect these qualities? The answer is YES – maybe difficult to accept, but the answer is YES. Any Christian woman who knows the Lord personally and obeys Him can become a godly woman and an excellent wife. “His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His Own glory and EXCELLENCE.” (II Peter 1:3) God has broken the grip of sin in a woman who has truly committed her life to Him, and He has given her the supernatural power of the indwelling Holy Spirit to enable her to obey His Word and submit to His way and His will. (refer to John 14:16,17) Let us, each one of us, begin by humbly confessing that we have not been the wife that the Lord wants us to be and ask Him to teach us what we need to know so that our lives and our relationship with our husbands will glorify Him.

Let’s encourage ourselves as we begin this year - long topic “EXCELLENT WIFE” by regularly and faithfully praying that your marriage will glorify and please God. Be specific about sins, name weaknesses, confess, and ask God to change your weaknesses and your husband’s weaknesses into strengths. Ask the Lord to take the log out of your eye (Mt. 7:3-5). The question may arise, “How does God show us our sins?” By convicting us when we read His Word (Heb. 4:12) and by having someone tell you (Eph 5:25).

“having someone tell you….” That’s a tough one, isn’t it? The author calls it “mutual sanctification.” Just as God helps us as individuals become more like Christ, He also helps couples grow and mature and help each other become more like Christ. “If your brother sins, go and reprove him in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother.” (Mt 8:15) “You who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness each one looking to yourself, lest you too be tempted.” (Gal. 6:1) Note that the reproof needs to be done privately, with gentleness, and with the motive of restoring the other person. If a husband or wife are unwilling to gently reprove one another, they may be more concerned about “the effect it could have on me” rather than on helping their spouse.

How then should we women respond to a husband’s reproof?
1. Be willing to consider whether the reproof could possible be valid?? J
2. Take time to think about the revelation.
3. Search the Scriptures to determine what the sin is and how to put it off. (Eph 4:22-24)

4. Ask your husband to give specific examples.
5. Confess your sin. (I Jn 1:9)
6. Stop doing the sin and start doing the right thing. (Heb. 12:11)
7. Do not justify or defend yourself.
8. Listen and learn from the reproof.
9. Consider the question, “What is God trying to teach me?”
Learn to see each other’s reproofs from God’s perspective and be grateful that your husband loves you so much that he wants to tell you his complaint instead of clamming up and becoming embittered. “Better is an open rebuke than love that is concealed.” Prov. 27:5 When a husband and wife love the Lord Jesus Christ, they will participate in and submit to the process of mutual sanctification. It helps each other become more like Christ so that each can glorify HIM more.

NEEDS OF THE REAL WORLD

Quietness of the Wife’s Spirit

My mother always said to me when I was young and first married, “Mary, a little bit of honey makes the medicine go down.” I knew she was right but my selfishness, differentness and self-rightousness would take over and I didn’t want to do what my mother suggested. She was suggesting that the honey is the Word of God and prayer. The best way to communicate to my husband in a biblical manner when conflict arose was in a Godly manner. I needed to find out what that Godly manner by using the Word of God and prayer as my guide. Unity is difficult because we all sin but it is one of the most important things to keep between a husband and wife.

My negative thoughts of: he is impossible, or it’s no use, or the problems are too big to be solved need to be changed into correct biblical thoughts. When these thoughts are turned to biblical thinking, then I can work through conflict. I need to be transformed by the renewing of my mind. (Romans 12:2) Instead my thoughts should be, “What can I do differently to make it easier for us to solve this conflict. My selfishness needed and still needs to be changed as it says in Philippians 2:3 says “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself.” Selfishness only leads to conflict in a marriage.

It is amazing how continuous wrong thoughts without biblical thoughts influence our emotions and they take over and make it almost impossible to resolve the conflict. Our natural heart wants its own way.

I need to learn how to respond when conflict arises. I need humility, gentleness, patience and forbearance. God gets the credit when obedience to His Word and prayer achieves and maintains unity and peace with my husband.

CHECK IT OUT

Book Review
Treasures of Encouragement - Women Helping Women in the Church
by Sharon W Betters

During my husband's pastoral internship a dear godly woman shared with me this precious book on encouragement. Not only did my own heart need to be encouraged I was at a loss as to how to encourage others. As I read through the book statement after statement seemed to leap off the page to minister to my hurting heart. I found I wanted to underline or highlight passage after passage soaking up every word of encouragement to bathe my hurting heart. As Sharon states, Biblical encouragement is soul work.

Through events in her own life and those of other women, Sharon Betters shares how Christ has shown her what true Biblical encouragement can do to revive hope in hurting hearts. When we have Christ in us, we have the treasures of His encouragement at our fingertips. Each chapter opens with one or more true encouragement stories, an Encouragement Principle and six days of daily devotions. "Women who know Christ and the power of His resurrection realize that God does not leave us helpless in the face of difficulty. He miraculously transforms our meager offerings and uses even the simplest acts to bring about dramatic change. Although this book was written from the crucible of suffering, it is not about grief. It is about how God uses us--His children--to do soul work as we become His promise keepers. It is about the privilege of giving to others from the treasure chest of our salvation."

Encouragement Principle #5 - The directing force behind encouragement is God's Word. As the author states, " When we turn to Scripture, we enter the presence of God. And that is where we learn to face the life He has for us. We cheat our fellow believers if we neglect God's Word, for how can we minister in the name of Jesus if we don't know the power of that name in our own hearts? It is only through the knowledge of His Word and the power of His Spirit that we can become His promise keepers."

2 Corinthians 4:7 "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." How often I have failed to speak encouragement to someone because I felt inadequate to share. As Sharon explains, the truth is we are inadequate, we are but jars of clay. It is when we allow God to break apart our jars of clay that He can display the treasure of the Gospel. I am learning that the process shows His power and not my weaknesses.

This is a book you will not only treasure for the work it does in your own heart, you will want to share the message with other women in your church too. It is not a quick read but solid food for the soul. I am so thankful and praise God for the lovely sister in Christ who shared this book with me

HELPFUL HINTS FOR HOME

EMERGENCY HOSPITALITY

Do you find that some of your most ministry focused hospitality moments are unplanned? The doorbell rings and you see a church member, neighbor, or friend who is hoping youhave a moment to talk? Often, these stop by visits catch us by surprise. Because life in the parsonage, or in your own home, is many times marked by unscheduled, but divinelyappointed moments, it’s helpful to have an “Emergency Hospitality Plan.”

Unless you are extremely organized, it is difficult to have the whole house “visitor ready” 24/7. It’s helpful to remember that when people stop to see you it’s because they want tosee YOU, not necessarily take a tour of your whole home -although that can be fun too.

One way I’ve found to take off some of the pressure of the unknown, is to simply try andkeep one room (in our case - the front living room) reasonably free of clutter and dust. I also try and keep one simple box of crackers and/or cookies on hand for hungry guests. Knowing that I have either a bottle of yummy fruit juice, or a box of herbal tea in thecupboard, takes the panic of figuring out what to serve a friend in need.

Another helpful hint is to have a child-friendly box filled with toys, coloring books, crayons, for little guests who may be along with parents who stop by. Having something toentertain their hands, gives more time to dedicate to find out what’s on Mom’s heart and to hear how you can be of help to her.

What about when your husband calls saying that someone is in need of a place to stay forthe evening? Even if you don’t have a room dedicated to being your guestroom, you canhave a “room in a box” by having a comfortable air matress, sheets, blankets, and a pillowall stored together for use on short notice. Adding a set of towels to the linens saves evenmore last minute time.

Hopefully you can enjoy and come to see drop-in visitors as opportunties to exercisehospitatily and to consider your home an ER for those in need of the encouragement wecan offer in Jesus.

IDEAS THAT WORK

HEALTH for BODY (Physical) SOUL (Mind, Will, Emotions) SPIRIT (Spiritual)

LIVE ENZYMES

They are vital for digestion, nutrition, health and longevity. As newborns, we produce 100 times more enzymes than an elderly person. As we age, production decreases. Our liver manufactures enzymes as needed. We task our liver to do this when we eat too much cooked food with “dead” enzymes. This taxes our immune system because it over taxes our liver: the principle immune organ. Low production of enzymes in the body leads to poor nutrition, aging, disease and death. Two sources of enzymes we can use to improve those levels are eating raw or steamed foods with live enzymes and enzyme supplements.

Live enzymes are in raw foods – vegetables, fruits, nuts, sprouted nuts, sprouted grains and sprouted legumes. Digestive enzyme supplements contain live enzymes. Raw foods and supplements help improve poor digestion and the absorption of nutrients from the foods we eat.

Cooked or processed food over 118 degrees destroys the enzymes in the food. Cooking contributes to nutrient loss. When cooked foods are eaten, our bodies react as if it has an acute illness. Within 30 minutes of eating the cooked food, our white blood cell count increases dramatically. Pasteurization, sterilization, radiation, freezing and microwaving makes food enzymes useless or alters the food’s structure. Cooked food still can be eaten but reduce it to 1/3 of your diet.

Fiber is essential for proper elimination. By middle age many people have about 20 pounds of undigested food in their colon. If nothing is done about it, our bodies begin a self-poisoning process, which weakens the immune system. Fiber is found in raw foods or grains such as ground flax.

Our bodies make 300,000 million new cells every minute. The question we need to ask is, “What are our bodies making those cells from?” Answer: “The food we give it!”

Resolve: Let’s eat responsibly!

Resources: Food Enzymes by Tonita d’Raye and http://www.hacres.com/

HERE'S WHAT'S COOKING

Chicken Fajitas with Spice Rub – Disney Family Fun

Ingredients
1 ripe avocado, cut into chunks and tossed in 1 teaspoon of lime juice
Salsa
Sour cream
Fresh ciliantro, chopped
4 teaspoons ground cumin
4 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in half
1 small red or yellow pepper, sliced
1 onion, sliced
2 teaspoons olive oil
4 8-inch flour tortillas

Instructions
1. Place your toppings (avocado, salsa, sour cream and cilantro leaves) in separate bowls and set them on your table.
2. Next, make the rub. Combine the cumin, chili powder, oregano, and salt in a shallow bowl. Lightly rub the spices into the chicken with your fingertips until the meat is coated on all sides. Heat your grill to medium. Grill the chicken on both sides, just until cooked through, about 8 minutes. Remove from the heat, slice thinly, and set it on a platter.
3. While the chicken is cooking, toss the pepper and onion in the olive oil. Set them on the grill, using a vegetable screen, if desired, and cook for 5 to 8 minutes, turning once. Remove from the heat and set on the platter with the chicken.
4. Place the tortillas on the grill for 5 to 7 seconds on each side, turning with tongs, until hot. Set out the grilled chicken, pepper, and onion with the toppings and tortillas. Let guests assemble and roll their own fajitas. Serves 4 to 6

Chop Chop Salad – Disney Family Fun

Ingredients
1 romaine lettuce heart
4 to 6 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked until crisp, cooled, and chopped
1/2 pint grape tomatoes, halved
2 carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
1 English cucumber, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Salad Dressing (we suggest Ranch or Blue Cheese--see above)

Instructions
1. Chop the lettuce heart into 1- to 2-inch pieces. Combine it with the bacon, other vegetables, and nuts in a large bowl and toss the mixture well.
2. Keep the salad chilled until serving time. Then toss it again with enough dressing to lightly coat the vegetables, and season it with salt and pepper. Serves 6.

TOGETHER THROUGH PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father,
May we boldly place our trust in You so that we may confidently live for You. Help us to remember your Word that tells us our beauty is not merely outward, "but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God." 1 Peter 3:4 When we are trusting in your sovereign will for our marriages, homes, friendships, and business endeavors, we may know that quietness of spirit, knowing that nothing touches us without your permission. When moments of panic and anxiety set in, remind us Lord, that you are our Father. Quiet our hearts. May our marriage relationships reflect that strong, peaceful confidence that can be found only in You. Amen.

FOCUS

Biblical Womanhood

What is the Legacy of Biblical womanhood? What is Biblical Womanhood? It is not surprising that the secular world is confused about the identity and calling of woman. But what can be distressing is the extent to which this has happened within the evangelical world. To understand this heritage ourselves enables us to pass it on to the next generation (a Titus 2 approach to relationships) During the 2010 year we would like to present a series of 5 Themes concerning the topic of Biblical Womanhood. (these are possibly not all inclusive concerning the subject BUT they do give “food for thought”) We may also conclude our series with thoughts on seeing Biblical womanhood “lived out “ in our churches. God Bless you in your pursuit of holding to a Biblical Womanhood perspective in a secular world. LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE!

WORDS TO INSPIRE

Older Women mentoring Younger Women
a covenantal approach

The past articles in this year’s series have dealt with what Biblical womanhood is and how it relates to us personally. Yes, how we grow in our relationship with the Lord is personal but it is not individualistic. This means that when we come into His family-the family of God- we are also related to his other children we are accepted by Him by His grace. He accepts us and forgives us and then that grace we receive is to be given to others. This is NOT a way of isolation and independence. We are our brothers and sister’s keepers. Women nurturing/mentoring women is simply one way we live this out It is NOT an option. The easiest way this is done is when it is crafted by the church and will teach God’s truth about womanhood. However, the Titus 2 mandate can’t just be a program in our church . It is to be the lifestyle that we live out daily. We , as women, are created to be a helper, life-givers, and supporting pillars. These are concepts that have practical implications for the women’s ministry in a local church. And it probably will take some programming in the church to start this. Ask yourself these tough questions: How is your women’s ministry enabling your church to obey Titus 2;3-5? What opportunities are women provided to develop nurturing relationships with one another? In what settings are girls and teens being taught the principles of biblical womanhood? May God give us grace and wisdom to develop women’s ministries in our local churches that teach His daughters the TRUTH about biblical womanhood and equip them to be life-giving. supporting, pillars for the glory or God and the advancement of His kingdom.

NEEDS OF THE REAL WORLD

A Spiritual-Mothering Ministry

A Spiritual-Mothering Ministry. What is that you ask? First, when we think of a mother we think of someone who is nurturing her children spiritually, emotionally and physically. Even as the children grow the nurturing process never seems to stop. A Spiritual-Mothering Ministry is one of that same kind. If you are in a mentoring program in your church or if you are mentoring on your own that nurturing goes on for however long the two women are together. Sometimes one may move away but sometimes that spiritual-mothering stays even when there is distance in miles. It may be over the phone, e-mail or letters. A Spiritual mother takes her mothering very serious with the Lord. She will follow what the Bible teaches. She prays over the needs of her children and tries to meet those needs whenever she can. A Spiritual Mothering Mentor will follow the same also for the woman/women she is mentoring. First of all she knows and loves Jesus and believes that He died for all of her sins. Secondly she lives the life of a spiritual woman following what the Bible teaches and teaches it to the woman she is mentoring. Will she fail, yes, but she knows that she must always be in a right relationship with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thirdly she will pray that the Holy Spirit will give her insight into the woman’s life that she is mentoring. The Holy Spirit can be her guide for the woman’s emotional and physical needs also. She takes the growth very serious in the life of the woman she is mentoring. She watches and prays for that woman. She encourages. She loves, helps and holds her whenever the need arises. She is lead by the Spirit to help be a deliverer of that need even though the woman has not expressed her need. When you think of a mother and all that she does for her children spiritually, emotionally and physically you can put all of those three together to be a Spiritual Mother and mentor.

CHECK IT OUT

The Table Experience by Devi Titus

Has the pace of life got you and your loved ones running in too many directions? Are you looking for deeper, more meaningful relationships even with the ones you love the most?

The Table Experience will help you transform home to a place of peace, a place where love lives, and where relationships thrive and flourish. The author of this book has effectively merged academic research with historical biblical research to reveal why eating at the table makes such a difference in relationships. Her insights and practical applications will inspire your creativity. Enjoy reading and learning from this helpful book . Let the legacy of your table be something worth passing on to future generations!

HELPFUL HINTS FOR HOME

Sensing The Season

The five senses - remember learning about them in grade school? Did you do the blindfold taste test experiments? Put your hand in a bag and guess the object enclosed by just using your sense of touch? Somewhere along the way, we perhaps lose some of the wonder of the gifts God has given us through touch, sight, sound, taste, and scent. This season of all seasons, let's rediscover the use of all fives senses, as we prepare our homes for celebrating Christ's Birth!

Years ago I read a book, now out of print, that beautifully presented ideas of how to make one's home an all-around sense-filled picture of beauty. The author's main message was to make all of our holiday decorating efforts point to Christ. and to show the hope and light He is in our lives. I'd like to share some of the inspiration that book ignited in me so long ago by sharing the following ideas:

Sight - this usually impacts us first, doesn't it? Lights brightening up both the exterior and interior of our earthly homes, reminiscent of the star that lit the night sky the eve of our Savior's birth. Trees laden with precious ornaments, table linens used year after year, Christmas mugs given to us by special people - all bring back cherished Christmas memories just by their sight. Photos displayed of past Christmases can also be wonderful visual reminders of previous celebrations.

Sound - of course Christmas music brings us right to the heart of the season - the birthday of our King! Each year I try to add one new Christmas CD to my collection. It has become quite eclectic, but each selection helps me celebrate the Reason we have this Season! How about bells on your doorknob to herald the entrance of family and friends? And there is the blessed sound of silence as we make sure to spend quiet time with Jesus, contemplating His coming to earth for you and me.

Touch - a hug given and received - a wonderful Christmas feel. The comfort of your favorite cozy sweater, a soft throw on your sofa used just during this season, the warmth of a fire. Touch, it's a gift that's free! To people in your life who spend much time alone, or who are far from family, a Christmas hug can be a treasured gift.

Scents - we remember them more than we realize. The luscious smells of sugar cookies baking in the oven can quickly bring back memories of visits to Grandma's house. The scent of freshly cut pine trees brings us back to Christmases long since passed. Create new memories, and re-live old ones, through the gift of scent. Do you have a favorite candle you use this time of year? How about cutting up some orange slices, a stick of cinnamon, a few cloves, all set to simmer in some water on your stove?

Taste - so many to choose from! The enjoying of traditional foods and tasty treats bind us together as families. Our Christmas meals are a fusion of Norwegian, Brazilian, and Korean foods. Not everyone's idea of what Christmas menus consist of, but for us it holds a world of meaning. What are your family's favorite Christmas foods? Keep the traditional, and try adding a new taste or two through a new side dish, dessert, or even a new flavor of cocoa or tea.

Here are some websites/blogs I hope you find helpful as you prepare to celebrate the first coming of the King of Kings. Have a SENSATIONAL CHRISTMAS everyone!

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2329186/christmas_decoration_for_all_five_senses.html?cat=74

http://www.eduguide.org/library/viewarticle/1125/http://www.suite101.com/content/holiday-decorating-tips-a174687

IDEAS THAT WORK

HEALTH for BODY (Physical) SOUL (Mind, Will, Emotions) SPIRIT (Spiritual)

STOP STRESS BEFORE IT BEGINS

Since stress is the top reason for many diseases, we need to address it.

Philippians 4:6-9 provides a meditational list: true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, admirable, virtuous/praise worthy.

Before letting something into your mind, ask these questions?

True = Is this true?
Honorable = Does this honor God?
Just = Is this morally right or wrong?
Pure = Will this purify or contaminate my soul?
Lovely = Will this renew or refresh me?
Admirable = Will I be able to recommend this to someone who looks up to me?
Virtuous and/or Praise Worthy = Will I be more motivated or less motivated to follow after Christ after that DVD, video game, computer website, book, magazine, music, motivational speaker, etc.?

God blends His living, powerful Word with the Holy Spirit’s help so we can then apply it to our lives. He wants to protect us but we need to keep bad things out of our minds and put good things into our minds – especially His Word!

STOP! Being conformed to this world!
START! Pondering and dwelling on the things of God!

Things of This World = DEATH!
Things of God = LIFE AND PEACE!

WORD FOCUS

Our time with Jesus is vital to our spiritual life and physical health! There is a different between knowing God as our Savior and knowing Him as our Lord. Lord means He’s the boss.

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal His will through the following verses: John 14:23; John 6:66; James 4:7,8; 2 Corinthians 3:14-18; James 4:17; John 8:31-32; James 1:22-25; Psalm 1:2-3; Deuteronomy 4:30-31; Deuteronomy 30:19-20; Psalm 94:12-15; Matthew 7:21-24; Joshua 1:7-9.

Consider journaling. Answer these questions regarding passages: What does it say? What does it mean? How can I apply it? The Holy Spirit will help us to understand so we can apply His knowledge.

Let’s MEDITATE! = Pondering by talking to oneself.

Resources: “Less Stress” CDs
www.store.livingontheedge.org/store/product/238

A Time Well Spent with Jesus Notes, loriwillard@gmail.com
Request a copy.

HERE'S WHAT'S COOKING

BBQ Meat Loaf by Pampered Chef

Ingredients:
1 ½ pounds lean (90%) ground beef
¾ cup quick or old fashioned oats
½ cup finally chopped green bell pepper
½ cup finely chopped onion
½ cup barbecue sauce, divided
1 egg
1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper


Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Combine ground beef, oats, bell pepper, onion, 1/4 cup barbecue sauce, egg, thyme, salt and black pepper in Bowl; mix lightly but thoroughly.
2. Shape meat mixture into loaf in Loaf Pan. Insert Digital Thermometer into center of meat loaf. Bake 50 minutes.
3. Spread remaining 1/4 cup barbecue sauce over meat loaf. Bake an additional 10 minutes or until meat is no longer pink in center of meat loaf and internal temperature reaches 160°F using Digital Thermometer. Remove from oven. Let stand 10 minutes before slicing.

Yield: 6 servings Nutrients per serving: Calories 280, Fat 13 g, Sodium 660 mg, Fiber 2 g

Quick Fudgy Brownies by Pampered Chef

Ingredients:

½ cup (125 ml) pecan halves
¾ cup (175 ml) butter (1 ½ sticks)
4 oz. (125 g) unsweetened chocolate for baking
¾ cup (175 ml) all purpose flour
1 ½ tsp. (7ml) baking powder
¼ tsp. (1ml) salt
1 ½ cups (375 ml) sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp (5ml) vanilla
2 bars (2 oz/60 g each) cholocate-covered caramel peanut candy (3/4
cup/175 ml coarsely chopped)
Vanilla ice cream (optional)

Directions:
1. Place pecans into Square Baker. Microwave on HIGH 2-3 minutes or until fragrant, stirring every 30 seconds. Set pecans aside in (1-cup/250-mL) Bowl. Cut butter and chocolate into pieces using Knife; place into small Bowl. Microwave on HIGH 1-2 minutes or until melted and smooth, stirring every 30 seconds. Sift flour, baking powder and salt into (2-qt./2-L) Mixing Bowl using (7-in./18-cm) Strainer.
2. Combine sugar, eggs and vanilla in Bowl. Whisk using Whisk. Slowly add chocolate mixture to egg mixture, whisking constantly until smooth. Fold in flour mixture until incorporated using spatula.
3. Pour batter into baker. Microwave on HIGH 5-7 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean and edges are firm. Meanwhile, coarsely chop pecans using a Food Chopper. Cut candy bars into 1/4-in. (6-mm) pieces. Top brownies with pecans and candy pieces. Let stand 10 minutes. Serve with ice cream, if desired.

Yield: 9 servingsNutrients per serving: Calories 500, Total Fat 31 g, Saturated Fat 16 g, Cholesterol 115 mg, Carbohydrate 54 g, Protein 7 g, Sodium 310 mg, Fiber 3 gCook's

Tips: Any candy bar can be substituted for the chocolate-covered caramel-peanut candy bars, if desired.

For best results, use a microwave oven with a built-in turntable.

TOGETHER THROUGH PRAYER

Dear Father,

May we quiet our hearts this busy time of year to remember and celebrate only You. The lists, programs and plays, shopping, and cooking, often clutter our minds and hearts. We get so wrapped up in getting ready to celebrate Your birth, that we forget that it's not about what we do, but about what You did. You humbled yourself and came to earth in the form of a little babe. Thank you for the indescribable gift of Your Son, given to us freely so that we may be truly free. May we continually celebrate the gift of You in our lives and live out our gratitude that the world may know the hope and freedom You alone can give. Amen.

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

An Interview With
Faith Nelson

Faith Nelson is the wife of Pastor Eldon Nelson. She has four children and six grandchildren. As Faith looks back over the years that she was in churches and living in Minneapolis while her husband served as Home Mission director she recalls blessings, encouragements and the Lord’s leading in her life. When I asked Faith what she was involved in for ministry she promptly stated, “I mainly was caring for my family.” “Sometimes it is all you get done.” “I found this to be true especially with a handicapped child.” I allowed the Lord to use me wherever needed in ministry.” “I didn’t come with my own agenda into a church.” Later on Faith was involved in music, children and women’s ministries. Later God opened the doors to allow her to have a day care in her home. She was able to touch a lot of children’s lives and her life was an open book to the parents.

If Faith were to encourage us it would be to say to allow the Lord to work in your life and allow Him to focus on our spiritual growth. She said, “I experienced a tremendous amount of growth in my spiritual walk having a handicapped child.” “He still is working in my life but that time was a special time for my spiritual walk with the Lord.” I noted that we should use those times to let the Lord stretch us and allow the growth to come from Him. “Yes, she said, “Spend quality and quantity time in the Word of God.” Another encouragement would be to allow our husbands to lead in the ministry and God will speak through our husbands. “Support your husband at all times,” She said. “Be submissive to our husbands even in the difficult times too” she said. Another encouragement that she had for us is that “we would be transparent to the Lord and honest and then that will allow us to be transparent to our children, husband and the people we come in contact with.” “Let the light of the Lord shine in us to glorify God.” Another encouragement would be to make our family and home life important. “Orchestrate time that you can develop good and enduring relationships.”

Romans 15:13 is Faith’s favorite Bible verse. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace, as you trust in Him so that you overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. During a difficult time in her life she looked up all the verses on hope and this one became her favorite. “We can overflow with hope from the joy and peace that He give us.”

“Always be sensitive to the Lord’s working in your life and to the needs of others. “ I find that when I am focused on others then I am not so focused on myself.” “Today many are seeking for hope.” “We live in a hopeless secular world today.

FOCUS

Biblical Womanhood

What is the Legacy of Biblical womanhood? What is Biblical Womanhood? It is not surprising that the secular world is confused about the identity and calling of woman. But what can be distressing is the extent to which this has happened within the evangelical world. To understand this heritage ourselves enables us to pass it on to the next generation (a Titus 2 approach to relationships) During the 2010 year we would like to present a series of 5 Themes concerning the topic of Biblical Womanhood. (these are possibly not all inclusive concerning the subject BUT they do give “food for thought”) We may also conclude our series with thoughts on seeing Biblical womanhood “lived out “ in our churches. God Bless you in your pursuit of holding to a Biblical Womanhood perspective in a secular world. LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE!

WORDS TO INSPIRE

Passing this Legacy on to the Next Generation

Throughout the Old Testament God tells us that one generation is to tell the next generation about Him. “We will not hide them from their children,
but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD,
and his might, and the wonders he has done” (Psalm 78:4).

This instruction is not just a principle - it can be applied practically. We are to “talk to them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise” (Deuteronomy 6:7).

In Titus this command is made gender-specific:

Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanders or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled (Titus 2:3-5).

I trust that this series has aided you, as it has me. Lord, teach us to be redeemed helpers to our husbands, servants in the church, and teacher of the truth to our children, grandchildren, and other women who need this Biblical understanding.

NEEDS OF THE REAL WORLD

Nurturing Mothers
How to Raise Feminine Daughters

One of the most blessed things we can do as mothers is right away when our daughters are born is to let them sense the closeness that you have with them and the spirit of the Lord that is within you. They will feel that from the very beginning each day as you are with them. Do our daughters know that we love Jesus with all of our hearts? Do our lives show it in our actions? Can our children picture us sitting somewhere in a chair or by the bed reading God’s Word or praying every day? Do they know that you love the Lord first in your life?

A spiritual mother develops closeness with their daughter so that they don’t feel loneliness or a feeling of confusion. She instills in them that their purpose in life is God’s glory. We as mothers should teach her that in all the decisions that she makes in her life that she asks the Lord. “Doing everything to God’s glory” I Corinthians 10:31.

The strongest thing that we can give our daughters is teaching them the Word of God. There they can rest assured for everything in their lives. When the temptations come for our daughters to go to feelings they will learn from us mothers that it is to the Word of God that we go to for faith and Love. We must be wise women of faith and warn our daughters too of the temptations of life and ungodliness also.

Mothers should always be in prayer for their daughters. We should pray specifically about the areas that God wants to teach our daughters so that we can apply the scriptures that God wants us to apply to our daughter’s lives for every situation. This means then mothers, that we must know our daughters very well so that we can rightly divide the truth of God’s Word for their lives. Let us not as mothers spend too much time on happiness for our daughters but spend time on holiness for our daughters.

Another important thing to teach our daughters is how much God loves them. God doesn’t use a measuring cup to determine how much He loves them according to how good they are. He loves them. They don’t have to keep working for that love. That love for them is there all the time.

Nurturing continues for us mothers to our daughters even into Adulthood. God Bless each of us as we seek His guidance in nurturing our daughters.