Mediocrity is a sin not unlike the other sins we battle as Christians. And mediocrity, like all sins, begins in our hearts (Jas. 1:14). Mediocrity is one of those sins that we can’t blame on others. It starts with the sin of pride deep within us that spills over to indifference or selfishness and then reveals itself in mediocrity. Overall, it is a lack of faith in God. It is a lack of rightly understanding and then believing and then being overwhelmed by the greatness of our God. It is the failure to be amazed by God’s excellence. Simply put, less-than-excellent efforts are a result of not admiring a nothing-but-excellent God.

Randy Smith

CATEGORY	CUISINE	TAG	YIELD
Dairy, Eggs			1	Servings

INGREDIENTS

2 1/2	c	Flour
1	c	Sugar
3/4	c	Butter
1/2	ts	Powder
1/2	ts	Soda
1/4	ts	Salt
3/4	c	Sour cream
1	ts	Almond extract
2		Eggs
1	pk	(8 oz) cream cheese
1/2	c	Raspberry preserves
1/2	c	Sliced almonds

INSTRUCTIONS

The recipe for the Choc Mint Cake was copied from the L.A. Times years ago
from the same article I got my recipe for the Black Raspberry Cream Cheese
Coffeecake from. The coffeecake is a favorite in my house. I thought I'd
send the recipe again for people who didn't get the recipe the first time I
sent it. Both cakes were First prize winners at the L. A. County Fair Years
ago.
Grease and flour bottom and sides of 9" tube pan or 9 or 10 inch springform
pan. In a large bowl, combine flour and 3/4 cup sugar. Using pastry blender
or fork, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Reserve 1 cup
crumb mixture. To remainging crumb mixture, add baking powder, baking soda,
salt, sour cream, almond extract, and 1 egg. Blend well. Spread dough over
bottom and 1 inch up sides of prepared pan. Pat dough about 1/4 inch thick
on sides. In small bowl, combine cream cheese, 1/4 c sugar and 1 egg. Blend
well. Pour into dough-lined pan. Carefully spoon preserves evenly over
cheese mixture. In small bowl, combine reserved crumb mixture and almonds.
Sprinkle over preserves. Bake at 350 degrees until cream cheese is set and
crust is deep golden brown, 45 to 55 minutes. Remove from oven and cool 15
minutes. Remove from pan. Serve warm or cool, cut in wedges. Makes 12
servings. Each serving contains about: 422 calories; 259 mg sodium; 93 mg
cholesterol; 24 grams fat; 47 grams carbohydrates; 7 grams protein; 0.49
grams fiber. Posted to KitMailbox Digest by GAdams1350@aol.com on Jul 21,
1997

A Message from our Provider:

“Conviction of sin is God’s way of inviting you to restore fellowship with Him.”

It must by now be apparent that the great Puritan pastor-theologians—Owen, Baxter, Goodwin, Howe, Perkins, Sibbes, Brooks, Watson, Gurnall, Flavel, Bunyan, Manton, and others like them—were men of outstanding intellectual power, as well as spiritual insight. In them mental habits fostered by sober scholarship were linked with a flaming zeal for God and a minute acquaintance with the human heart. All their work displays this unique fusion of gifts and graces. In thought and outlook they were radically God-centred. Their appreciation of God's sovereign majesty was profound, and their reverence in handling His written word was deep and constant. They were patient, thorough, and methodical in searching the Scriptures, and their grasp of the various threads and linkages in the web of revealed truth was firm and clear. They understood most richly the ways of God with men, the glory of Christ the Mediator, and the work of the Spirit in the believer and the church.

J.I. Packer