We Love God!

God: "I looked for someone to take a stand for me, and stand in the gap" (Ezekiel 22:30)

The biblical evidence : Matthew 1:18-25 1. Joseph and Mary were betrothed (1:18, 20, 24), a relationship regarded as the legal equivalent of marriage. In other words, betrothal could be broken only by a formal divorce. This is why Joseph is referred to as her “husband” (v. 19). 2. Although betrothed, the relationship had not yet been consummated sexually (see vv. 18, 25; also Luke 1:34). 3. Mary’s pregnancy is attributed to the Holy Spirit: a. Verse 20 – “of the Holy Spirit.” b. Verse 16 – “and to Jacob was born Joseph the husband of Mary, by/of whom [feminine] was born Jesus.” Matthew clearly excludes Joseph. c. Note that the repeated active verb (“was the father of” or “begot”) gives way to a divine passive in v. 16 (i.e., God is the active agent in the conception and birth of Jesus). 4. Joseph is instructed to take Mary into his house and to name the child (vv. 20-21) thereby establishing for Joseph legal paternity of the child. Hence the community came to believe that Joseph was Jesus’ father (Lk. 2:48; Mt. 13:55). Luke 1:26-38 1. Mary is explicitly identified as a “virgin” (parthenos, v. 27), a fact she confirms in v. 34. 2. Verse 35 clearly attributes the conception to the work of the Holy Spirit. 3. The terms translated “come upon” and “overshadow” (v. 35) are not euphemisms for sexual relations. They are simply figurative expressions for divine intervention by which God will supercede the natural order of things. 4. For the term “overshadow,” see Ex. 40:35; Psm. 91:4; 140:7; Mt. 17:5; Mk. 9:7; Lk. 9:34 (cf. also Gen. 1:2). The emphasis is on the powerful creative presence of the Spirit in bringing to pass the conception of the man Jesus.

Sam Storms

We Love God!

God: "I looked for someone to take a stand for me, and stand in the gap" (Ezekiel 22:30)

Cranberry-Glazed Pork Roast

January 22, 2023

CATEGORY	CUISINE	TAG	YIELD
Meats		Crockpot, Pork	12	Servings

INGREDIENTS

16	oz	Jellied cranberry sauce
1/2	c	Sugar
1/2	c	Cranberry juice cocktail
1	ts	Dry mustard
1/4	ts	Cloves
1		Sirloin pork roast, extra-lean and boneles
2	tb	Cornstarch
2	tb	Cold water
		Salt to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

In a medium bowl, mash cranberry sauce with a fork or a potato masher. Stir
in sugar, cranberry juice, mustard, and cloves.  Place pork roast in slow
cooker and pour cranberry sauce mixture over it.  Cook on low setting for 6
to 8 hours or until meat is tender.  Remove roast and keep warm.  With a
metal spoon, skim the fat from the liquid in the slow cooker.  Pour 2 cups
of the liquid (add water to fill out the measure, if necessary) into a
small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Blend cornstarch and
cold water to make a paste; stir gradually into boiling liquid. Continue
cooking, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens.  Add salt to taste.
Serve with pork  Makes 12 servings.
Posted to MC-Recipe Digest V1 #231
Date: Fri, 4 Oct 1996 09:55:00 -0700
From: tpogue@IDS2.IDSONLINE.COM (terry pogue) (by way of Evelyn Mangham
<emangham@ix.netcom.com>)
NOTES : Nutrition (per serving) 316 calories

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