The Woman

One of my favorite stories in the Bible is where Jesus talks with the woman at the well.  Why?  Because He went out of His way for this woman.  This story reassures me that Jesus will do whatever it takes to win the lost.  


He told the disciples that he needed to go through Samaria.  He needed to go through Samaria because He knew there was a woman there who needed Him.  She didn't realize she needed Him, but she did.  Her life was a mess.  She was guilt ridden.  This woman would not come draw water from the well when the other women were there, because they would shun her. They whispered about her behind her back.   They didn't like her because she was a sinner and did sinful things, but that's what sinners do.


Are we guilty of shunning people, because we don't approve of their life style?  I certainly have.  Admit it, so have you.  Am I right?  Sure, we all have.  Sometimes we think we're these goody good Christians and that we might be tainted by those no good sinners.


Jesus said we were to be light and salt in this sinful world.  He certainly let His light shine that day.  He reached out, even went out of His way for this sinful, wretched outcast.  He showed her compassion and love.  The disciples didn't understand Him.  The woman even questioned why He was even talking to her.  She was a nobody, but that day she became a born again on fire believer.  She immediately went back to town and shared the good news of the gospel.  In fact, she led others to Christ.  


That's what we're all supposed to do.  We are to lead others to Christ and the way we do that is by loving the unlovable.  


We don't want to be around those who don't smell too good or dress too nice, but they are the ones that Jesus came to save.  


When is the last time you and a I deliberately went out of our way to show someone else the Way?

Choose Joy!

Do you experience days when it seems like your fighting depression every step of the way?  You know what I'm talking about?  Days where it feels like there's a black cloud following you around every where you go?  We all have them from time to time.

Not long ago it was one of those days for me.  I felt like I had a ball and chain attached to my ankle and every movement was a chore.  


But then I decided I was going to make every effort to be happy.  I made a conscious decision to be joyful and pretty soon I did feel joyful.


Philippians 4:4 says, "Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice."  This almost sounds like a command to me.  When your feeling down, rejoice.  You see, according to Nehemiah 8:10 we're told the joy of the Lord is our strength.  Joy gives you the ability to laugh in the devil's face.  So go ahead and laugh at the devil.  He is already a defeated foe.  He knows it, but we need to remind him when he rears his ugly head.


So tomorrow, and the next day, and the day after that choose joy.  Laugh out loud.  Watch a funny movie.  Read a joke book, or just go look at yourself in the mirror.  That ought to make you laugh a little, but choose joy.

Easy Key Lime Pie

Our 2 grandsons spent the night with us this past weekend.  On Friday night we went out to eat.  Our oldest grandson wanted to make a Key Lime Pie that night, but after we went out to eat it was too late.  They settled for a chocolate dipped cone at McDonald's instead.


On Saturday morning we all went to play tennis at the park and after lunch we went by the store to purchase the ingredients to make the Key Lime Pie.  My grandson kept telling me it was easy and delicious.  


He quickly whipped up the ingredients and we put the pie in the fridge to chill for about 30 minutes.  You know what?   He was right!  This pie was quick, easy, and delicious!  It only requires 4 ingredients too.  


So here is the recipe for my grandson's Easy Key Lime Pie:
1 can Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk
1 8 oz. Cool Whip
1 pkg. lime Kool Aid
1 purchased graham cracker crust


Mix all the ingredients together and pour into graham cracker crust and chill about 30 minutes.  Enjoy!  This recipe makes 1 pie and you could use any flavor of Kool Aid.

God's Medicine and Natural Medicine

Proverbs 4:20-22 says, "My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.  Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.  For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh."  

The Hebrew word for "health" in verse 22 is "medicine."  God's word is medicine to all our flesh.  

There are several comparisons between God's medicine and natural medicine.  First, God's Word is a healing agent.  It contains the capacity to produce healing.  Second, we might say medicine is no respecter of persons.  It will work for anyone who takes it.  Third, and most important, medicine must be taken according to directions to be effective.

So it is with God's medicine.  It must be taken according to directions to work.  The directions for taking God's medicine are found in Proverbs 4:20-21:  attend to them (God's words), incline your ear to them, don't let them depart from before your eyes, and keep them in the midst of your heart.

Remember, it takes time for medicine to work.  Most people give natural medicine time to work.  They take the prescriptions back for  more refills.  They are diligent about it.  They don't just take one dose and expect a miracle.  Keep taking God's medicine.  Give it time to work.  

Make this confession of faith:  "I receive the healing that is in God's Word.  Healing is inherent in God's nature.  God is in me.  My body is the temple of God.  My body is the temple of the Lord that healeth me.  God is bigger than sickness and Satan.  God is dwelling inside of me now, healing me now.  The Lord that healeth me is my Shepherd; I do not lack healing.  My body has to respond to God's healing life and nature at work in me now.  Healing is in God, and God is in me.  I thank you, Father, because You are my Healer and You are healing me now."

Paula Deen's Peanut Butter Pie

Several years ago my husband brought home a Peanut Butter Pie that he bought at a truck stop and it was delicious!  It was the first time I had ever tasted a Peanut Butter Pie and I was in Peanut Butter Heaven.  Like so many of you, I love the taste of chocolate and peanut butter.  They were meant to go together.  Paula doesn't add chocolate to this recipe, but I would put whip cream on top instead of the peanuts and then drizzle it with chocolate syrup.


From then on just about every time we went to Birmingham we would stop and buy a whole Peanut Butter Pie to take home and enjoy, which was pretty often there for awhile:)

Speaking Faith Words

"...Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.  A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things:  and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things."  Matthew 12:34,35


Have you ever spoke words that surprised you?  After you heard the words that came out of your mouth, did you wonder, "where did that come from?"  


I think we've all done that at least one time in our lives.  The above verse gives us the answer to this question.  It came from our heart and we didn't realize we even felt that way.


I remember one time speaking some unkind words about my uncle. I didn't think he heard me, but he did and I was so ashamed.  I've said unkind words since then and hurt people.  It hurt me too, when I realized how I hurt them.


I decided a long time ago that I would rather be hurt by others than to know that I hurt someone.

Most of us try to watch what we say, but still say hurtful things.  According to the above scripture we need to guard our hearts and make sure we are walking in love.  One way to do this is to let go of offence and anger.  Forgive others quickly and do not take offence.


It all comes down to our love walk.  Let us love Jesus Christ with all our heart, soul, and mind and our neighbors as ourselves.

Evangelist Nathan Morris Preaching

This young man is on fire for God.  Listen to him preaching and be blessed.