I've been there a few times in my life. Most don't understand it. That's understandable. However, it hit home to me when the Apostle Paul said, 'Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches' (2 Cor. 11:28). A number of years ago, the pain was so intense that the physical affliction Paul spoke about earlier in 2 Corinthians 11 would have been much preferred. I can take the long hours and the hard work. I can even take the pressures on my family. But the emotional pain is the one and only thing that forever tempts me to throw in the towel. When I feel that way, I can almost hear the Lord saying to me, 'Are you in it for Me or are you in it for yourself?' That's gut-check time. Am I really a servant of Christ (2 Cor. 11:23)?

Randy Smith

CATEGORY	CUISINE	TAG	YIELD
Meats, Grains		Chili	1	Servings

INGREDIENTS

3	lb	Lean hamburger meat
1	tb	Olive oil
2		Medium yellow onions,
		Finely chopped
2		Jalapeno peppers, seeded
		And chopped
28	oz	Can, crushed tomatoes
3	lg	Garlic cloves, chopped fine
1/4	c	Chili powder
6	oz	Can, tomato paste
1	c	Chicken stock
4	oz	Can, green chilis, finely
		Chopped
1	tb	Ground cumin
1	ts	Powdered red pepper
1	ts	Sage
1	ts	Cayenne pepper
15	oz	Can, dark red kidney beans
1	tb	Cider vinegar

INSTRUCTIONS

In a large skillet, brown the beef and drain. In a large stockpot, heat the
oil over medium high heat. Add onion, peppers, and garlic and saute until
onion is translucent.  Add the hamburger, crushed tomatoes, and tomato
paste and stir well.  Add chicken stock, chili powder, and remaining spices
and cook over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil. Reduce the heat to
low and simmer 30-35 minutes until chili thickens. Rinse kidney beans well
and add to the pot. (If you like your chili with a touch of fire, add hot
sauce or crushed dried hot peppers at this point.) Return pot to
medium-high heat and bring to a boil again. Remove pot from heat, let stand
covered for about 10 minutes, and serve.

A Message from our Provider:

“Jesus: there is no substitute”