We Love God!

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

We must not observe any religious holiday. We should attach no spiritual, religious significance to any day. Yet, we do not need to act like super-pious religious idiots over a day that has absolutely no religious significance. I would never teach a child that such a thing as Santa Claus exist, or that Christ was born on Christmas day. But, as Paul said concerning idols, Santa Claus is nothing and Christmas is nothing. Did you know that every DAY of the week, every PLANET in the universe, and many of the CARS we drive are named after pagan gods? Yet, we still call Sunday Sunday, Mars Mars, and a Saturn a Saturn. No one would ever dream of calling us pagans for doing so. We worship our God on Sunday, and would laugh at anyone who suggested that we observe the pagan Roman holiday called “Sun’s Day” in doing so. If your car is a Saturn, use it for the glory of God; and laugh at anyone who thinks that you are worshipping the Roman god of agriculture by driving it. We must not, and I trust do not, worship Christmas trees and lights, or even attach spiritual significance to Christmas day. However, I do suggest that we seize this opportunity afforded us by Divine providence to tell people who Christ is, why he came into this world, what he did, and how they may obtain his salvation. It is no accident that once every year every human being in the world is confronted with the fact that the Son of God assumed human flesh and came into the world to save men. Certainly, no one can think that it is wrong for believers, during this season of the year, to express thanks and praise to God for his unspeakable gift, the Lord Jesus Christ. It is never wrong, but always right to think of him, speak of him, and sing his praise. Rather than not singing Watts’ grand old hymn, Joy To The World, we ought to sing it year round.

Don Fortner

Various forms of pride: 1. Self-admiration – “Look at me!” a. Natural - my abilities, talents, assets. b. Spiritual - my spiritual gifts, my ministry. 2. Self-aggrandizement – “Don’t I look good/great?” a. Natural - my looks, my importance. b. Spiritual - my position in the church. 3. Self-attention – “Listen to me!” a. Natural - my understanding and viewpoint. b. Spiritual - my Biblical and theological knowledge. 4. Self-justification – “I am right!” a. Natural - my way is the right way. b. Spiritual - our doctrine and polity is right. 5. Self-sufficiency – “I can do it!” a. Natural - my abilities, my leadership. b. Spiritual - our programs will make it happen. 6. Self-aspiration – “Let me win!” a. Natural - competitive spirit; one-up-manship. b. Spiritual - our statistics will prove us successful. 7. Self-seeking – “Give me mine!” a. Natural - my rights; what I deserve. b. Spiritual - our political rights and physical edifice. 8. Self-exaltation – “Praise me!” a. Natural - my credit, glory, commendation. b. Spiritual - our procedures and success.

James Fowler

We Love God!

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

Minature Cheesecakes

January 25, 2023

CATEGORY	CUISINE	TAG	YIELD
Dairy, Eggs		Cakes, Desserts	12	Servings

INGREDIENTS

2/3	c	Graham cracker crumbs
2	tb	Sugar
2	tb	Margarine; melted
2	pk	Cream cheese; 8 oz
1/2	c	Sugar
1	ts	Grated lemon peel
1/2	ts	Vanilla
2		Eggs

INSTRUCTIONS

CRUST
FILLING
Preheat oven to 325 F
Crust Mix crumbs, sugar and margarine. Press rounded measuring tablespoon
full of crumb mixture onto bottom of each of 12 paper lined muffin cups.
Bake 5 minutes.
Filling Beat cream cheese, sugar, juice peel and vanilla at medium speed
with electric mixer until well blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing well
after each addition. Pour over crusts, filling each cup 3/4 full. Bake 25
minutes. Cool before removing from pan. Refridgerate. Top with preserves
just before serving.
NOTES : I substitute Vanilla Wafer Cookies for the crust.  It works very
nicley and saves time.
Recipe by: unknown Posted to MC-Recipe Digest V1 #691 by Chris and Amy
Kiger <akiger@delanet.com> on Jul 26, 1997

A Message from our Provider:

“To ignore God is the height of selfishness”