We often forget that temptation can come from any quarter, even from within our own family circle. We expect the Devil to assault us like a roaring lion, as ugly and fearsome as can be. We don’t expect him to come to us dressed up like an angel of light, speaking in the honey-sweet tones of the ones we love. Yet the Bible warns us that such an approach is easy for him to adopt (2 Cor. 11:14). Thus, Satan didn't only confront Jesus head-on in the wilderness (Matt. 4:1-11); he also tempted him more subtly through the words of one of his closest disciples, Peter (Matt. 16:23).

Iain Duguid

CATEGORY	CUISINE	TAG	YIELD
		Dips	1	Servings

INGREDIENTS

2	cn	8-oz minced clams
50		Ritz crackers
1/2		Stick margarine
4	cl	Garlic
		Liberal oregano

INSTRUCTIONS

Melt margarine in casserole dish in 350 degree oven. In bowl crush
crackers. Add all ingredients including melted margarine. Mix together.
Pour back in casserole dish. Sprinkle top with more oregano. Bake 30-35
minutes. Serve with Ritz crackers.
From Gemini's MASSIVE MealMaster collection at www.synapse.com/~gemini

A Message from our Provider:

“We don’t change God’s message — His message changes us.”

Why do we give our efforts in the church a pass when it comes to excellence? Are we hypercalvinists? Hey, just get the biblical part right and nothing else will matter. Are we all about just applauding good effort even when the product produced is an outright embarrassing representation of Christ? Maybe that individual is not the most gifted for the job. Are we erecting a double standard? We take the “real world” seriously and anything goes in the “spiritual world.” Are we settling for second best because after all, “it’s better than nothing?” Are we grieving the Spirit in assuming that He will always “bless our mess?” Are we not getting paid so we think we can kick it back a bit? Are we using grace, God’s acceptance of us, as an excuse to give Him halfhearted efforts?

Randy Smith