We must never forget the thief of the cross (Lk. 23:39-43). He is often used as an encouraging example of a deathbed conversion, but certainly much more is involved. Instead of seizing his last opportunity to be saved, perhaps it was his first opportunity! And think of the courage needed to confess Christ openly before that derisive mob. However one interprets the passage, one thing is clear: where there is life, there is hope. We never know what transpires between the soul and God as that soul is about to enter eternity (Warren Wiersbe and David Wiersbe).

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CATEGORY	CUISINE	TAG	YIELD
Vegetables, Meats	Belgian	Vegetables	4	Servings

INGREDIENTS

8	md	Heads Belgian endive
3	tb	Unsalted butter
2	tb	Flavorless cooking oil
1/2	c	Low-sodium chicken broth =OR=- Water
1/2	ts	Salt

INSTRUCTIONS

CUT EACH ENDIVE IN HALF lengthwise and set aside. Heat the butter and oil
in a large skillet over medium heat on the stove. Add the endive in one
layer and cook until the outer leaves are nicely browned, about 7 minutes.
Turn endives and brown the other side, about 4 minutes. (Do this in two
batches, if necessary.) Add the broth, sprinkle with salt and cook until
the liquid is reduced, about 10 minutes. Transfer the endive and its juices
to a serving platter. Serve immediately.
From Gemini's MASSIVE MealMaster collection at www.synapse.com/~gemini

A Message from our Provider:

“An active faith can give thanks for a promise, though it be not as yet performed, knowing that God’s bonds are as good as ready money. #Matthew Henry”

So, what’s so bad about complaining? One – it reveals a thankless heart. How much easier is it to complain about the two things we don’t have as compared to being grateful for the thousands of things we do have? How can we follow the commands to rejoice always (Phil. 4:4) and be thankful for all things (1 Thes. 5:18) if there is a mere morsel of complaining in our hearts? Two – complaining reveals greater sins. Why do we complain? Because we are jealous that someone has what we want. Because we are selfish that things are not going our way. Because we are discontent and unsatisfied in Christ’s sufficiency. And three – complaining distrusts the sovereignty of God. Complaining implies that God made a mistake; that He not ruling the world with perfect justice and wisdom and quite frankly, we could do a better job. That He’s personally unloving and unkind to us. Can we rightly accept the fact that God has a good plan for our lives, or do we complain in believing ours is better and thus cast doubt on our sovereign Creator?

Randy Smith