It is probable that in most of us the spiritual life is impoverished and stunted because we give so little place to gratitude. It is more important to thank God for blessings received than to pray for them beforehand. For that forward-looking prayer, though right as an expression of dependence upon God, is still self-centered in part, at least, of its interest; there is something we hope to gain by our prayer. But the backward-looking act of thanksgiving is quite free from this. In itself it is quite selfless. Thus it is akin to love. All our love to God is in response to his love for us; it never starts on our side. "We love, because he first loved us" (1 John 4:19).

William Temple

CATEGORY	CUISINE	TAG	YIELD
Grains, Meats	California	Crockpot, Beans	1	Servings

INGREDIENTS

1	lb	Dry pinto beans
3 1/2	c	Water
1	md	Onion; chopped
1		Green pepper; chopped
1	sm	Hot pepper; chopped/optional
1	lb	Ground meat
1	cn	(16 oz) tomatoes; cut up
2	tb	Chili powder
		Salt; to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

Rinse and sort beans. In slow cooker: add beans and water, cover, turn heat
control to high. Cook 3 hours or until beans are tender. Turn heat to low.
Add remaining ingredients, toss, cover. Cook 4 hours. Makes 6 - 8 servings.
Posted to recipelu-digest Volume 01 Number 412 by James and Susan Kirkland
<kirkland@gj.net> on Dec 28, 1997

A Message from our Provider:

“If you’re too open minded, your brains will fall out”