We Love God!

God: "I looked for someone to take a stand for me, and stand in the gap" (Ezekiel 22:30)

Things that draw people to embrace legalism. 1. Legalism provides us with a sense of security in that it enables us always to know precisely what to do in every conceivable moral dilemma. There is a certain sort of psychological safety in being stiff morally. 2. Legalism nurtures pride. “Look at what I’m willing to forego that others embrace! Others may indulge themselves but I have a discipline and a moral standard they lack. I possess a will-power that really loves God. Therefore, God really loves me” (with the implication that God doesn’t really love those who choose another path, or at least doesn’t love them as much as He loves me!). 3. It provides an excuse to maintain control. One need never fear the unknown because there is always a rule or law (of my own making, of course) to govern every situation. After all, without rules things will get out control (or so legalists think). 4. There is comfort in conformity. It is always reassuring when other people live like we do, even if there is no explicit biblical warrant for it. 5. Some embrace legalism out of a genuine, heart-felt concern for other believers. They are actually motivated by love and compassion, worried that the spiritual welfare of others is at risk. They fear that others will assuredly “fall” if they walk down a certain path, even though that path is nowhere prescribed in Scripture (see especially Romans 14:4).

Sam Storms

The Scriptures always portray false teachers as deceptive and cunning, “disguising themselves as apostles of Christ” (2 Cor. 11:13-14). Jesus warned that they come to us in “sheep’s clothing” (Matt. 7:15) rather than being easy to spot. Their lies are “secretly” introduced (2 Peter 2:1) as teachings compatible with orthodoxy with only the slightest of nuances. When it came to the church at Ephesus, Paul didn’t hesitate to label these false leaders “savage wolves” (Acts 20:29, NASB), pack-hunters who stalk their prey by sending out a single wolf to increase the element of stealth and surprise. While unsuspecting sheep are drawn to the one, the entire pack lies in wait, ferociously exploiting the opportunity to destroy a life and scatter the others.

Jerry Wragg

We Love God!

God: "I looked for someone to take a stand for me, and stand in the gap" (Ezekiel 22:30)

Mennonite German Summer Salad

January 23, 2023

CATEGORY	CUISINE	TAG	YIELD
Dairy	Mennonite	Salads, Mennonite	1	Servings

INGREDIENTS

2	c	Raw spinach; finely chopped
1		Thinly sliced peeled cucumber
4		Green onions; chopped
1/2	c	Sliced radishes
2	c	Cottage cheese
1	c	Sour cream
2	ts	Fresh or bottled lemon juice
1/2	ts	Salt
1/4	ts	Freshly ground pepper
		Paprika; to taste
1/2	c	Minced fresh parsley

INSTRUCTIONS

I like to wash the spinach the day before, then wrap it in a cloth and
refrigerate it overnight.
Chop the spinach, add the cucumber, onions and radishes, then toss lightly.
Arrange in a wooden salad bowl and place a mound of cottage cheese in the
middle. Blend the sour cream with the lemon juice, salt and pepper and pour
over the salad.
Sprinkle the paprika in the middle and the parsly all around. Toss when
ready to serve.
NOTES : This is a very good meal in itself, but it's even better when
served with thin slices of lightly buttered black bread.
Recipe by: The Canadiana Cookbook/Mme Jehane Benoit/1970 Posted to TNT -
Prodigy's Recipe Exchange Newsletter  by Bill & Leilani Devries
<devriesb@cyberbeach.net> on Aug 24, 1997

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