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
Grains	Indian	Indian, Rice	4	Servings

INGREDIENTS

3/4	c	Basmati or Long Grain Rice
1 1/2	c	Less 2 tb Water
1	ts	Oil
		Salt To Taste

INSTRUCTIONS

Wash rice and put in a small saucepan with all above ingredients. Bring it
to a boil on high heat, then cover and simmer gently until all the water is
absorbed. The grains should be tender but firm. Set aside uncovered.
From Gemini's MASSIVE MealMaster collection at www.synapse.com/~gemini

A Message from our Provider:

“Pro-Choice: Everyone should choose Eternal Life!”

Temptation, in and of itself, is not sin. This is critically important, especially for those who suffer from an overly sensitive and tender conscience. Jesus was repeatedly tempted (Heb. 2:17-18; 4:15; Mt. 4), but he was sinless. We must resist thinking that we are sub-Christian or sub-spiritual simply because we are frequently tempted. It was the great reformer Martin Luther who first said, “You can't prevent the birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair.” His point is that a temptation only becomes a sin when you acquiesce to it, as it were “fondle” it and “enjoy” it.

Sam Storms