Because of our union with Christ, we are not hated. Weakness, wrongdoing, and failings cling to us, yes. But they do not establish who we are. We are the beloved of God. Though sin still exists in our lives, we have the status of the One who gave his life for us and to us – God’s own Son. And because of the love of that Child who now indwells us, we have the ability to change and progress in our Christian walk. Yes, there is still work to do, but as we seek to obey our God we must remember that we can obey him because of who we are. We are God’s beloved children for whom he gave his Son, and to whom he has given his Spirit. As the Bible says, “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (I John 3:1).

Bryan Chapell

CATEGORY	CUISINE	TAG	YIELD
Meats, Dairy	Italian	Pasta, Sauces, Low-cal, Low-fat	4	Servings

INGREDIENTS

1	c	Reduced chicken broth (boil 2 cups down to 1)
1	tb	Cornstarch
6	oz	Peas in the pod, shelled
2	oz	Carrots, cut into 1/4" dice
		(approximately 1/2 cup)
2	oz	Zucchini, cut into 1/4" dice
		(approximately 1/2 cup)
2	oz	Golden squash, cut into 1/4" dice (1/2 cup)
2	oz	Button mushrooms, cut into 1/4" slices (1/2 cup)
1	c	Low-fat yogurt
1	oz	Grated Parmesan cheese
2	tb	Fresh Italian parsley, chopped
2	tb	Basil leaves, shredded fine
		Freshly ground pepper
		Cooked spaghetti, linguine or penne

INSTRUCTIONS

Pour 1/4 cup of the broth into a small bowl or cup, and stir in the
cornstarch until dissolved. Set aside. In a medium saucepan, bring the
remaining broth to a boil over moderate heat. Add the vegetables and simmer
until tender-crisp, about 3 minutes. Stir in the broth-cornstarch mixture,
the yogurt, Parmesan, and herbs, and simmer just until thick, 1 to 2
minutes. Pour the sauce over cooked pasta. Season to taste with black
pepper.

A Message from our Provider:

“Let Him therefore send and do what He will. By His grace, if we are His, we will face it, bow to it, accept it, and give thanks for it. God’s Providence is always executed in the ‘wisest manner’ possible. We are often unable to see and understand the reasons and causes for specific events in our lives, in the lives of others, or in the history of the world. But our lack of understanding does not prevent us from believing God. #Don Fortner”

Think about the insanity of...ministry idolatry. The people in your congregation did not become active participants in your ministry so that collectively they could make you feel better about yourself and more secure with your ministry gifts. God didn’t call you to your particular ministry position so that you could finally cobble together an identity that you could live with. The leadership of the church didn’t call you to be their pastor because they knew that you needed a forum where you could find meaning and purpose. The troubled people in your congregation did not come with their troubles so that you could feel needed, essential, and appreciated. The people who faithfully give don’t give so you can build a successful ministry and bask in the security of your accomplishments. So you will never find in your ministry the rest of heart that every human being seeks. And when you look there, it only ends in anxiety, frustration, hurt, disappointment, anger, and bitterness and may ultimately lead you to question the goodness of God... The only defense against this the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is only when we are living out of the life that grace alone is able to give that we quit seeking life elsewhere. It is only when we are embracing the rest of the forgiveness of grace that we can look at ourselves honestly and grieve without wallowing in debilitating guilt and shame.

Paul David Tripp