Through no fault or choice of my own, I am unable to express my sexuality in the beauty and intimacy of Christian marriage, as God intended when He created me a sexual being in His own image. To seek to do this outside of marriage is, by the clear teaching of Scripture, to sin against God and against my own nature. As a committed Christian, then, I have no alternative but to live a life of voluntary celibacy. I must be chaste not only in body, but in mind and spirit as well. Since I am now in my 60’s I think that my experience of what this means is valid. I want to go on record as having proved that for those who are committed to do God’s will, His commands are his enablings... My whole being cries out continually for something I may not have. My whole life must be lived in the context of this never-ceasing tension. My professional life, my social life, my personal life, my Christian life - all are subject to its constant and powerful pull. As a Christian I have no choice but to obey God, cost what it may. I must trust Him to make it possible for me to honor Him in my singleness. That this is possible, a mighty cloud of witnesses will join me to attest. Multitudes of single Christians in every age and circumstance have proved God’s sufficiency in this matter. He has promised to meet our needs and He honors His word. If we seek fulfillment in Him, we shall find it. It may not be easy, but whoever said that Christian life was easy? The badge of Christ’s discipleship was a cross. Why must I live my life alone? I do not know. But Jesus Christ is Lord of my life. I believe in the sovereignty of God, and I accept my singleness from his hand. He could have ordered my life otherwise, but He has not chosen to do so. As his child, I must trust His love and wisdom.

Margaret Clarkson

CATEGORY	CUISINE	TAG	YIELD
	Chinese	Breads, Chinese	32	Servings

INGREDIENTS

1	tb	Yeast
1	tb	Sugar
1 1/2	c	Warm water
4	c	All-purpose flour

INSTRUCTIONS

In a small bowl, sprinkle yeast and sugar over 4 tablespoons of the warm
water and leave it for 15 minutes. Place the flour in a bowl and make a
well in the center. Pour in the yeast mixture and the remaining water. Mix
everything to a dough. Turn it onto a floured board and knead until smooth.
Return dough to the bowl, cover and let it stand in a warm place for about
an hour or until doubled in size. Punch down, cover again and let it stand
for 20 minutes longer. Knead the dough again and shape into rolls. Bring
the water in the bottom of a steamer to a boil. Place the rolls in the
steamer, leaving a 1- inch gap between them. Cook for 10 minutes, or until
firm and cooked through. Serve them hot.
Posted to MC-Recipe Digest V1 #630 by Newdiamond@aol.com on Jun 1, 1997

A Message from our Provider:

“God: so personal that in comparison we are cold unfeeling machines”

We must heed the memorable words written by Robert Murray McCheyne to the Rev. Dan Edwards on 2 October 1840 after his ordination as a missionary to the Jews: “I trust you will have a pleasant and profitable time in Germany. I know you will apply hard to German; but do not forget the culture of the inner man – I mean of the heart. How diligently the cavalry officer keeps his sabre clean and sharp; every stain he rubs off with the greatest care. Remember you are God’s sword – His instrument – I trust a chosen vessel unto Him to bear His name. In great measure, according to the purity and perfections of the instrument, will be the success. It is not great talents God blesses so much as great likeness to Jesus. A holy minister is an awful weapon in the hand of God.”

John Stott