I have tried to say with as much clarity as possible, and often, that the assurance a (child) has that he or she is actually a Christian does not have to do with praying a prescribed prayer, being affirmed by a Christian leader, walking an aisle, signing a card or raising a hand, but whether that person has life from God… What are these signs of life? 1. There is the sign of repenting and believing itself. The dead boy or girl now trusts Christ as his or her only hope for heaven. There is no mixture of trust in self or works or religion, but only in Christ and what He has done and will do. 2. There is a new valuing of the Scriptures. I cannot say this clearly enough. If I am to know you, I will know you principally by your words as you express yourself and communicate your thoughts. God’s Word is His principal communication of Himself. But it is more than just the words themselves that is important in this change. It is the Spirit working in the words that gives understanding and that “knowing” of Christ. Christ said, “It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me” (John 6:45). This is granted – and not to all (Matthew 13:11). 3. There is obedience from the heart. All kids may be taught to obey like Pavlov’s dogs. If there is enough discipline and incentive, any child can straighten up. And, it is right for parents to expect this obedience even from unconverted children. Yet, when a child is made alive there is a new sensitivity to sin and a new and higher motivation and inner compulsion to obey. You will see obedience from the heart as if the child were newly constituted. In fact, he is. I am not saying that he will be perfect, any more than you are. But something has taken place on the inside that is unmistakable.

Jim Elliff

CATEGORY	CUISINE	TAG	YIELD
Grains	Brazilian	Salads	1	Servings

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2		Head mixed romaine and
		Leaf lettuce washed well,
		Gently patted dry
3		Tomatos peeled and sliced
		Thin
1	lg	Onion sliced thin
1	cn	(14-oz) hearts of palm
		Drained and sliced
1	cn	(6-oz) drained black olives
1	cn	(15-oz) drained garbanzo
		Beans
		Fresh chopped parsley to
		Garnish
		Olive oil

INSTRUCTIONS

Line serving platter with large lettuce leaves. Break the remaining lettuce
into bite size pieces and place over the top of the large leaves. Arrange
tomato slices, overlapping down the center of the lettuce bed, tucking
onion slices in between the tomatos. Arrange sliced hearts of palm next to
the tomatos. Add rows of olives and garbanzos. Serve with a sprinkle of
parsley and olive oil or other favorite dressing on the side.
From Gemini's MASSIVE MealMaster collection at www.synapse.com/~gemini

A Message from our Provider:

“Many favors which God gives us ravel out for want of hemming through our unthankfulness; for though prayer purchases blessings, giving praise keeps the quiet possession of them. #Thomas Fuller”