It is probable that in most of us the spiritual life is impoverished and stunted because we give so little place to gratitude. It is more important to thank God for blessings received than to pray for them beforehand. For that forward-looking prayer, though right as an expression of dependence upon God, is still self-centered in part, at least, of its interest; there is something we hope to gain by our prayer. But the backward-looking act of thanksgiving is quite free from this. In itself it is quite selfless. Thus it is akin to love. All our love to God is in response to his love for us; it never starts on our side. "We love, because he first loved us" (1 John 4:19).

William Temple

CATEGORY	CUISINE	TAG	YIELD
Grains, Dairy, Eggs			1	Servings

INGREDIENTS

1	pk	(9 oz) chocolate wafer cookies; crushed
1/4	c	Sugar
1/4	c	Butter; melted
2		Chocolate (2.07 oz) coated caramel-peanut nougat bars; coarsely chopped
2	pk	(8 oz) cream cheese; softened
1/2	c	Sugar
2	lg	Eggs
3/4	c	Semisweet chocolate chips; melted
1	ts	Vanilla
		Whipped cream

INSTRUCTIONS

Here's one that you may have to save til next year since it comes to you so
late....from "Southern Living"
Combine first 3 ingredients; press mix evenly onto bottom and 1-1/2" up
sides of 9" springform pan. Sprinkle chopped nougat bars evenly over
bottom; set aside. Beat cream cheese at high speed w/ mixer til light and
fluffy; gradually add 1/2C sugar, mixing well. Add eggs, one at a time,
beating after each addition. Stir in chocolate chips and vanilla; beat til
blended. Spoon over candy layer. Bake at 350° for 30min. Remove from oven
and run knife around edges of pan to release sides. Let cool to room
temperature on wire rack. Cover and chill at least 8 hrs. To serve, remove
cheesecake from pan; pipe or dollop whipped cream on top. Yield: one 9"
cheesecake.
Posted to KitMailbox Digest  by "Dan/Trina D." <itisme@swbell.net> on Dec
24, 1997

A Message from our Provider:

“Gratitude produces deep, abiding joy because we know that God is working in us, even through difficulties.”

But there are some who say, “It is hard for God to choose some and leave others.” Now, I will ask you one question. Is there any of you here this morning who wishes to be holy, who wishes to be regenerate, to leave off sin and walk in holiness? “Yes, there is,” says someone, “I do.” Then God has elected you. But another says, “No; I don’t want to be holy; I don’t want to give up my lusts and my vices.” Why should you grumble, then, that God has not elected you to it? For if you were elected you would not like it, according to your own confession. If God this morning had chosen you to holiness, you say you would not care for it. Do you not acknowledge that you prefer drunkenness to sobriety, dishonesty to honesty? You love this world’s pleasures better than religion; then why should you grumble that God has not chosen you to religion? If you love religion, He has chosen you to it. If you desire it, He has chosen you to it. If you do not, what right have you to say that God ought to have given you what you do not wish for?

C.H. Spurgeon