The close of 2013 is just around the corner. A new year is upon us. Will you take the challenge to forsake gossip and slander? Gossip destroys others but it destroys you more. It turns your heart from God to the lust of your flesh and pride. Will you deny your flesh and purpose to grow in grace in 2014?
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“I’ve Been Robbed!”
“The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.” Matthew 6:22
Desperate for God
“As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me. Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.” Psalm 55:16-17
“He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.” Psalm 102:17
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Nivik (Chickpeas and Spinach)
You’re frazzled with holiday shopping, Christmas programs, family gatherings, or stuck in traffic on the way home from work and forgot to take something out of the freezer. Dinner is looming on the horizon and your brain is too exhausted to think of one more thing to do. Instead of picking up take out, try this recipe instead. It will be on the table in less than 30 minutes, and is inexpensive and filling! It would also be a great beginner recipe to teach your children how to cook. It’s a one pot wonder!
The Seven Laws of the Harvest, by John Lawrence
Life is filled with choices, choices that affect us on an everyday basis in everything we do. 2 Corinthian 9:6 “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” Galatians 6:7 says, “Be not deceived: God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” That means our everyday choices are not without significance. Our choices affect us and others in dramatic ways whether we see it or not.
Handling Difficult People
Many a pastor and his wife have discovered that some of their greatest burdens in the ministry come not from great outward persecutions, but from the little frustrations that make up their everyday life. A lot of these come from immature Christians that we must work with. Few are called on to endure physical torture—in the stocks, in prison, stoning, being thrown to the lions. Those things are not commonplace in our day, at least not here in America. But all of us will have daily trials that might be likened to the nibbling of the little foxes on the grapes. You need to be prepared for this type of persecution—it is subtle but insidious in its discouraging effects on your ministry. How do you handle difficult people
Winter Wonderland?
Are you longing for balmy summer days? Are you dreaming of a winter holiday to Florida? Do you need to read The Long Winter just to encourage yourself for another cold season? Before you start your packing, your flip flops, sit back, make a warm cup of coffee and consider that there is a purpose for cold. You may even find it something you actually enjoy.
Of Fauna, Flora, Fowl, and Friends
Africa seems a bit lonely without our friends the Norbergs and Wyatts. Just knowing we’re on the same continent, even if unable to visit in person, has a sense of comfort and comradery. On October 6th our home church was blessed to have Gary Norberg in the pulpit. I had texted several ladies asking them to give Stephanie “a hug from Debbie Wilhite.” I think she received 15.
Castner Cronicles – Michelle Castner
Greetings from Botswana! I hope all of you had a good Thanksgiving. We enjoyed a traditional turkey and dressing meal with all the trimmings. Of course, when you are living in a foreign country you have to be a little more creative about some of our traditional dishes. You can’t always find the same ingredients and you learn some pretty interesting substitutions!
News fron Your Next-Door Neighbor – Sue Gable
I trust that you all had a blessed Thanksgiving holiday. The Gable family sure did. We were able to have all five of our children together around the table this year. With 15 of us this is getting more and more difficult. We were especially thankful that Sarah and her husband were willing to drive over 10 total hours to make that happen.
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Streams in the Desert – Beverly Hammett
What an interesting two months it has been! The month of October was filled with visitors. We began the month by welcoming our oldest son and his family to Africa and celebrating a few days together in South Africa. Then we had the privilege of having Connie and Kristen Nadaskay with us for a week. About the middle of the month our oldest son and his family came here to visit with us and the Castners, so we had a fun time enjoying the grandkids and spending time together. It was sad to say goodbye to them and send them back to America, but we are so thankful to our home church for letting them come to visit.
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Roy’s Laundry Soap
Laundry day, for some it’s a dreaded chore but for others it’s a welcomed privilege. Around my house there is a lot of laundry to be done and due to the nature of their business the fella’s in the family really put their clothes to work. We’ve had many different laundry detergents and as you know, they are mostly expensive. Besides the expense, many don’t do much more than make them smell clean.