We Love God!

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

Grace is reward, or favor, given to those who deserve judgment. If a judge found a serial rapist guilty, and then stepped down from his bench, agreed to take the death penalty in the criminal’s place, and sent the rapist on an all-expense-paid vacation to Hawaii for thirty years, that would be grace. The severity of the criminal’s crimes would be the measure of the judge’s grace. In the same way, the knowledge of what we deserve, and what it cost God to be gracious, is the measure of His fatherly grace. When it is said and done, the cross is the tape that measures the length and breadth of God’s grace. Like God’s wrath, His grace is holy. It transcends all human conceptions.

William Farley

Reasons why church discipline is ignored or neglected? 1. Ignorance of biblical teaching on the subject (many believe that it is infrequently mentioned in Scripture and therefore unimportant; others are ignorant of the purpose of discipline and see it only as destroying the person). 2. Calloused, insensitivity toward sin (unsanctified mercy). 2. The spirit of individualism ('Am I my brother's keeper?' Discipline is costly because my brother's/sister's business now becomes mine). 3. 'Judge not, that ye be not judged' (misunderstanding and misapplication of Mt. 7:1-5). 4. Fear of rejection (i.e., fear of being told by the offending party: 'Mind your own business. You have no authority to tell me what I can and can't do'). 5. Fear of reprisal (lawsuits). 6. Dislike of confrontation (talking directly about personal sin with an offender is difficult; it makes us feel uneasy and uncomfortable; why rock the boat?). 7. Fear of driving the person away (especially if the offending person is a major financial contributor to the church). 8. Fear of church splits. 9. Preference for avoiding problems (just ignore it long enough and it will go away; time heals all). 10. False concept of discipline because of observed abuses (discipline is associated in the minds of many with heresy hunts, intolerance, oppression, harshness, mean-spiritedness, self-righteousness, legalism, etc.). 11. Belief that preaching alone will be a sufficient remedy. 12. Fear of being labeled a cult. 13. Fear of change (the power of tradition: 'We've never done it before and we've done o.k. Why risk messing things up now?').

Sam Storms

We Love God!

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

Chocolate Dixies

January 25, 2023

CATEGORY	CUISINE	TAG	YIELD
Eggs, Grains		Choco4	36	servings

INGREDIENTS

2	c	Flour
2	ts	Baking powder
1/2	ts	Salt
1/4	c	Butter or margarine
4		Squares chocolate
2	c	Sugar
4		Eggs
1/2	c	Nuts; chopped
		Confectioner's sugar

INSTRUCTIONS

Sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Melt butter or margarine
and chocolate in saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat and cool
slightly. Blend in sugar and eggs, one at a time. Beat 1 minute each.
Add chopped nuts and dry ingredients; mix well. Chill at least 1
hour. Shape in small balls (1 tablespoon dough). Roll in
confectioners' sugar. Place on greased cookie sheet. Bake in 300
degree oven for 18 to 20 minutes. Makes 3 dozen.
Recipe by: Diana Rattray <DIANAR@DELPHI.COM>
Posted to CHILE-HEADS DIGEST V3 #, converted by MM_Buster v2.0l.

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