We Love God!

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

The biblical evidence : Matthew 1:18-25 1. Joseph and Mary were betrothed (1:18, 20, 24), a relationship regarded as the legal equivalent of marriage. In other words, betrothal could be broken only by a formal divorce. This is why Joseph is referred to as her “husband” (v. 19). 2. Although betrothed, the relationship had not yet been consummated sexually (see vv. 18, 25; also Luke 1:34). 3. Mary’s pregnancy is attributed to the Holy Spirit: a. Verse 20 – “of the Holy Spirit.” b. Verse 16 – “and to Jacob was born Joseph the husband of Mary, by/of whom [feminine] was born Jesus.” Matthew clearly excludes Joseph. c. Note that the repeated active verb (“was the father of” or “begot”) gives way to a divine passive in v. 16 (i.e., God is the active agent in the conception and birth of Jesus). 4. Joseph is instructed to take Mary into his house and to name the child (vv. 20-21) thereby establishing for Joseph legal paternity of the child. Hence the community came to believe that Joseph was Jesus’ father (Lk. 2:48; Mt. 13:55). Luke 1:26-38 1. Mary is explicitly identified as a “virgin” (parthenos, v. 27), a fact she confirms in v. 34. 2. Verse 35 clearly attributes the conception to the work of the Holy Spirit. 3. The terms translated “come upon” and “overshadow” (v. 35) are not euphemisms for sexual relations. They are simply figurative expressions for divine intervention by which God will supercede the natural order of things. 4. For the term “overshadow,” see Ex. 40:35; Psm. 91:4; 140:7; Mt. 17:5; Mk. 9:7; Lk. 9:34 (cf. also Gen. 1:2). The emphasis is on the powerful creative presence of the Spirit in bringing to pass the conception of the man Jesus.

Sam Storms

We Love God!

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

Creamy Crab Bisque

January 25, 2023

CATEGORY	CUISINE	TAG	YIELD
Dairy, Meats		Curtis aike, Flash1	1	servings

INGREDIENTS

2		Shallots
5		Scallions
4	tb	Unsalted butter
1/4	c	Flour
3	c	Milk
1/2	c	Half and half
1	c	Heavy cream
1/4	ts	White pepper
1/2	ts	Ground mace
1	ts	Paprika
		Hot pepper sauce
1	lb	Lump crabmeat
		Salt and black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

Saute shallots and scallions in butter over medium heat until
softened. About 2-3 minutes. Blend in flour. Cook 4 minutes. Slowly
stir in milk, half and half and cream. Cook just until warm stir
occasionally. Stir in white pepper, mace, paprika and Tabasco. Gently
stir in crabmeat. Heat, do not let boil, and serve hot.
Approximately 5-7 minutes.
Per serving: 2442 Calories; 181g Fat (66% calories from fat); 122g
Protein; 87g Carbohydrate; 956mg Cholesterol; 1857mg Sodium
By Patty <designwest@ameritech.net> on Nov 9, 1998.
Recipe by: FOOD IN A FLASH  SHOW#2051
Converted by MM_Buster v2.0l.

A Message from our Provider:

“Jesus: He’s holding your atoms together”