God sanctifies us though our trials. It’s been said, the same boiling water will soften a potato, but harden an egg. Trials don’t naturally shape our hearts, but our response to them will make us either bitter or better. What is the Gospel-centered response to trials? To live the crucified life with our Savior. Growing in humility. Becoming less and He becomes greater in us. It’s making a name for Jesus and not ourselves. It’s finding greater identity with Him. In Philippians 3:10 Paul said, “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings.”

Randy Smith

CATEGORY	CUISINE	TAG	YIELD
Eggs, Vegetables	Russian	Cakes, Cake mixes	8	Servings

INGREDIENTS

1	pk	Devil's food cake mix
1	pk	4oz instant choc. puddingmix
4	x	Eggs, beaten to blend
3/4	c	Brewed strong coffee rm.temp
3/4	c	Creme de cacao
3/4	c	Coffee liqueur
1/2	c	Vegetable oil

INSTRUCTIONS

Pre heat over to 350. Grease and lightly flour 10 in. bundt pan. Using
electric mixer, blend first 7 ingredients at medium spped until batter
forms.  Pour into prepared pan. Bake until tester inserted in center
comes out clean, about 45 minutes.  Let cool in the pan 10 minutes.
TOPPIMG: 1 cup sifted powdered sugar, 2T brewed strong coffee at room
temp, 2 T creme de cacao, 2T coffee liquer.  Combine all remaining
ingredients except additional powdered sugar in a small bowl. Invert
cake onto rack. Pierce top surface with fork. Spoon glaze over. Cool
completely. Can be prepared three day ahead. Store in an airtight
container. Dust cake with additional powdered sugar just before
serving.
Posted to MM-Recipes Digest V4 #2 by Beynong@AOL.COM on Jan 3, 1999

A Message from our Provider:

“Don’t let your worries get the best of you. Remember, Moses started out as a basket case”

What about those areas in which Christians differ in their convictions as to God’s will? Paul speaks to this question in Romans 14, where he takes up the problem of eating certain food. He lays down three general principles to guide us. The first is that we should not judge those whose convictions are different from ours (verses 1-4). The second principle is that whatever our convictions are, they must be “to the Lord,” that is, developed out of a sense of obedience to Him (verses 5-8). The third principle is that whatever convictions we have developed as “to the Lord,” we must be true to them (verse 23). If we go against our convictions, we are sinning, even though others may have perfect freedom in that particular thing.

Jerry Bridges