G Rated / Mrs Amy Sapp

G RATED

Do YOU live a G RATED LIFE?

G for Godly, Godly is "Good content for all ages!"

Do YOU live a Godly life?

Has the Lord convicted you about something in your life?  If he has, you should follow through with whatever it is that He is convicting you about?

I know "Halloween" is tomorrow.  Has the Lord convicted you about not taking your kids "trick or treating"?  Your kids do not have to feel like they are being deprived just because they don't  go "trick or treating".  Do something special to make that day fun for them.

Has He convicted you on a certain way that you dress?
I have a friend that the Lord has convicted them about wearing sports team's apparel, for various reasons.  When they first expressed this conviction to me, it did not make me feel convicted.  However, I think they are super awesome for following the direction that the Lord is leading them.  And it gave me a great respect to see this person following through with their conviction.

Has the Lord convicted you about the type of music that you listen to?  Don't just throw the old music out, replace it with good God honoring music.

Has He convicted you on maybe something that you have said to someone else, or maybe a way you have acted?  If so, do your best to make that situation right.  THREE simple little words...  "I am sorry" or "Please forgive me"  will do wonders!!

Maybe the Lord has been convicting you on the type of movies / TV that you watch?  Or maybe the amount of time that you watch them?  Is what you are watching something that would please the Lord?  Is what you are watching something that you could watch with Jesus sitting next to you?  Do you have to "skip" parts or do a lot of "muting"?

Maybe you have something you are addicted to?  Maybe it isn't really a sin, but it takes up way too much of your life?  Are you addicted to sports?  Do you know more sports players stats than you do know the details of Noah's life?  Do you know who won the World Series the past ten years?  Do you know all the books of the Bible?  Do you spend as much time talking about the Lord as you do talking about a certain sport?

Maybe you are convicted about your time spent using the internet?  Whether it be on Facebook, Pinterest, Playing Games, or YouTube. 

Maybe you have something that you have been convicted of or have given up??  Have you given it up completely or have you just given it up in public?  Do you live the same way at church or in the grocery store, that you live at home, or when you are alone in the car?

***************NEWSFLASH**************

Jesus....  is ALWAYS with you!  Jesus is with you at church, He is with you while you are shopping, He is with you while you are driving alone in the car, He is in your thoughts, He is in your heart.

If the Lord has done a work in your heart in a certain area, work on that area in your life!  Do your best to live a G RATED life!  Do not push your convictions on anyone else, everyone is at a different place in their walk with God.

The Bible gives us a GREAT list of things to think on to live a G RATED life!!

Philippians 4:8
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report;  if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

Mrs Amy Sapp
O'Fallon, MO
 

Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Recipe / Ms Diana Stephens

Pumpkin Snickerdoodles

Yield: 3 dozen cookies

Prep Time: 25 min (plus chill time)

Cook Time: 10 min

Ingredients:

COOKIES:
1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, at room temperature
1 cup granulated white sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar
3/4 cup pure unsweetened pumpkin puree
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
ROLLING SUGAR:
1/2 cup granulated white sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon allspice

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the butter until fluffy. Add sugars and pumpkin puree and beat well. Mix in egg and vanilla, scraping down sides of the bowl to incorporate all of the ingredients.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt and ground cinnamon. Beat flour mixture into liquid mixture a little at a time just until incorporated.
3. Cover dough with plastic and chill at least an hour, or until dough becomes slightly firm.
4. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper (or spray with nonstick spray). Mix rolling sugar ingredients in a small bowl.
5. Remove cookie dough from refrigerator. Use a medium cookie scoop (1 1/2 Tablespoons) or a large spoon to scoop out dough and roll into balls. Use your hands to roll the balls in the cinnamon sugar and make sure they're coated really well. Place 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Use a glass with a nice, flat bottom to dip in sugar and flatten the balls.
6. Bake at 350°F. for 10 to 14 minutes, or until they are slightly firm to the touch. Let cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes or so, then remove them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips:

*Store in an airtight container. These cookies freeze well too. Place them in freezer zip bag and remove from freezer when the craving hits.


***The only thing I did different, was I didn't use the ginger and allspice in the rolling sugar. Oh, and I went "cinnamon crazy" in the dough. I put more like 2-3 teaspoons in!!


Ms Diana Stephens
Spokane, WA

A String / Mrs Charissa Andrews

A String

“And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him...”

This morning in my Bible time I read of this true account. Here is what we know of this man:

1. He was born blind. He had been blind from the very beginning. We don't know exactly how many years that was, the Bible doesn't say. However we know he was considered “of age”. The Bible says that he was a “man” and verse 23 says, “Therefore said his parents, 'he is of age; ask him'”. At the very LEAST we are reading of a person that could not see for 12 years. More likely, we are reading of a person who had spent anywhere from 20-40 years in darkness. Never seeing a sunrise, never seeing a rose in full bloom. Never seeing his mother smile. Never seeing a rainbow. Never seeing a hummingbird or spring robin. Never watching a summer evening sky turn into a delightful canvas of pink. Never. Not one. Single. Time.
2. Because of his blindness, he suffered greatly. In all probability, he was lonely. He could not provide, protect, or care for a wife or family. Men are created with an inner desire to be, to do, to create, to build. I live with 5 amazing guys. From the time my boys could crawl to the blocks and trucks they started building. Their play was often that of imitation and preparation of one day being a man. Building things, making things, creating things. Just like the little 1 year old girls I care for, who love their baby dolls and love rocking and “feeding” them. Boys are created with a natural desire to provide, create, build, make a difference, leave their mark. This young blind man was no exception. Those desires would be naturally born inside of his chest as much as is in my own 4 sons. He never felt the pride of a job well done. My boys enjoy working hard and then being able to stand back and admire their work. The pride of a job well done. It brings them fulfillment. This man never experienced that. The Bible says of this man in verse 8, “The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, 'Is not this he that sat and begged?'” This man was reduced to sitting along side the road and begging. You know, the man you see at the stop light with the sign that reads, “I'm hungry, will you help me?”. That was THIS man.
3. This is the part that the Holy Spirit really yanked on my heart this morning. “...Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.” There are times that we suffer because of our own poor choices. There are times that our finances, health, even children suffer because of sinful or selfish choices. But this wasn't the case here. Not at all. Jesus made it as clear as crystal. This man was born blind for one purpose: to magnify God. He hadn't caused his blindness. It wasn't a punishment. It wasn't a consequence. It wasn't even “just one of those things”. It was on purpose. It was planned. The purpose that this man would spend years of his life never seeing, not having a family of his own, not feeling fulfilled as a man, being a beggar – so that God would be glorified.

At first this sounds, or feels harsh. When we really take the time to experience God's Word instead of just reading it...when we try to “live” this story in our minds, the magnitude of it becomes so real. One more thing I want to point out about what the Bible teaches us of this blind man.

4. Once the blind man was healed, notice his response. He was questioned greatly by the Pharisees. They asked him how his eyes were opened. He explained that a man named Jesus made clay and anointed his eyes. The Pharisees asked him several more times how he received his sight, where was the Man that had healed him. They even went to his parents and neighbors. The blind man just kept pointing them back to Jesus. When the Pharisees scolded the blind man and told him to give God the praise instead of Jesus (silly Pharisees) and even went so far as to call Jesus a sinner, this young blind man schooled them a bit. I LOVE this part of the story, “...one thing I know, that whereas I was blind, now I see”. The Pharisees were relentless and asked one more time, WHAT DID HE DO TO THEE? HOW OPENED HE THINE EYES?? Can you just see them getting angry. Jealous. Seething. And the blind man tells them basically, “I've already answered your questions. I've told you numerous times and you haven't listened. Do you really want me to tell you again? Are you interested in becoming one of His followers? (Boy oh boy did that set them off!!) The Pharisees try to belittle our Jesus, calling Him, “some fellow”, as if He were just any other man on the street. Yet this man who was a blind beggar says to the very scholarly, self-righteous and lofty Pharisees, “...why herein is a marvelous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes”. He goes on to teach them a thing or two about exactly whose prayers God will answer. Standing up for Jesus. He even challenges them by asking them who else they know of personally or ever heard of since the beginning of time that was born blind and then was healed?? Anyone?? In my mind's eye I can just see the looks on those pompous faces and can hear the crickets chirping. It's at this point I want to run up to that now seeing man and give him a fist bump!! He finishes by saying, “If this man were not of God, he could do nothing”. The Pharisees are not great students. They love to teach and have authority. However, learning is not something they enjoy so much. Notice their response, “They answered and said unto him, Thou was altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out”. Now to be cast out of the temple was a huge thing. It was not just being removed from a building. He was an outcast now. This had a whole huge set of consequences that we won't look into right now. Remember, he had suffered many things already. Now being cast out. What does he do? How does he respond? How would he deal with another huge blow? Would he get bitter? Would he quit? Would he shake an angry fist at God or accuse Him of not really caring? Verse 35-38 tells us the answer. Jesus finds him and asks if he believes on the Son of God. The blind man asks Who is He? Jesus tells him, “...it is He that talketh with thee”. And now is when I'm jumping up and down and shouting at the awesomeness of this true account. The once blind-now seeing man says, “Lord, I believe. And he worshiped Him.” Do you get what happened here? It was so much more than just a man that was born blind and then healed. So much more than a man that stood up to scoffers and was then persecuted and kicked out of town. This is a man that suffered for years. He gets healed & the joy he must have felt to see. But wait...he finds out he was blind for one purpose. He had suffered so that God could get glory on this very day that Jesus touched him! He could have gotten angry. “Wait a minute Jesus, this isn't fair. I didn't do anything to deserve my blindness. You said so Yourself. Do you know how I have longed to see? Do you know how many tears I cried as a boy because I was so different? Do you understand the deep, deep wounds because I never felt that I mattered. I never felt that I had a purpose. My parents grieved and worried what would happen to me when they were no longer around. My mother wept wondering who would care for me. And this was all for You? So that You could get glory?” Ah...he could have. But he didn't!! He fell down and worshiped Jesus!! All of a sudden he realized he WAS fulfilling the very purpose for which he was created – to bring glory to God. And what an amazing purpose to have, to bring joy and glory to the God of the Universe.

Have you ever held up a string in the air and blown on it? Even just lightly. What does the string do? It moves easily, willingly. Try that with a thick stick, or piece of metal. Non moving. This man was a string. He let the winds of God blow, and whatever that meant for his life, for his string, he would worship, love and serve God. How about you? Maybe you recognize some of your own hurts and sufferings in this account. Have you suffered physically? Do you suffer from an illness that doesn't make sense to you? Do you sometimes question why God would allow __________ to happen to you? Perhaps you've been “kicked out of town” so to speak when you were doing nothing other than trying to live for Christ. It could be that you were given a diagnoses, or a “pink slip”, or have suffered the severance of a friendship. Would you, like this once blind-now seeing man, be willing to just be a string? You see, God does love us. Even when we suffer. Especially when we suffer. Sometimes we can live as though it were, “God's glory for my life” instead of “my life for God's glory”. Let's be a string. Let the winds of God blow. Let's allow God to use our lives totally and completely. For our good. For His glory. 

Mrs Charissa Andrews

Pastor's Wife

Amazing Grace Baptist Church

St. Peters, MO 

What is YOUR Super Power?? / Mrs Amy Sapp

Matthew 9:8
"But when the multitudes saw it , they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men."

What is YOUR Super Power?? 

What are you good at?!?!  Everyone has something that they are very good at!! 

What is your thing?  What ministries are you involved in at your church?   I want to challenge you to take the things that you are involved in, and be a part of those things as if you had SUPER POWERS in that area!! 

Does your church have a cleaning schedule?  Are you on that schedule?  If you have a part in the cleaning of your church property or building, when you clean, make it fun, do your best, get your children involved, clean the building as if you were a cleaning SUPER HERO!! 

Do you work in the nursery at your church??  While you are in the nursery do YOUR best!  If you are able, get on the floor and play with the children!  Teach the kids Bible songs!  Read to them, color with them, work puzzles with them.  Make it your goal to be the nursery worker that every child loves!!

Do you teach a Sunday School class or do you work in Junior Church??  Make your class so exciting and unforgettable and make those involved in your classroom feel loved!  YOU be the teacher that no one will ever forget! 

Are you an altar worker?  When someone gets saved or comes forward do you help fill out decision slips?  Don't let your Pastor be searching for someone to come help.  If you notice that something needs to be done.  Be READY!!

Are you good at being a GREETER?  Put a smile on your face, when people come through the door, or you notice some visitors sitting in the auditorium, go out of your way to introduce yourself!!  Talk to them like you have known them all of your life.  If a visitor feels welcome, there is a good chance they will be back!! 

Maybe your thing is making baskets for visiting Pastors or Missionaries?  Try to find out the things that they like, or that their wife may like, or the ages and likes of their children.   Don't just throw random things into basket.  When they look in the basket, let it be the basket that makes them feel like....  "This church really cares about my family."

I have several areas that I serve in, but the one thing that the Lord has given me and has put in my heart, is to ENCOURAGE! 

If you are not currently serving in some sort of ministry, now is a good time to start.  Talk to your Pastor, it would bring a smile to his face, and I am sure he could point you in the right direction!

I guarantee if you put everything you have into everything that you do, YOU will make a difference!! 

Not everyone is good at everything, but everyone has a SUPER POWER!!

Jude 22
"And of some having compassion, making a difference:"


Mrs Amy Sapp
O'Fallon, MO

Cheeseburger Soup Recipe / Mrs Chris Richter

Cheeseburger Soup

1 pound ground turkey or beef

3/4 c. chopped onion or 2 tsp. onion powder

3/4 c. shredded carrots

3/4 c. diced celery

1 tsp. dried basil

1 tsp. parsley flakes

4 Tbsp. butter

3 c. chicken broth

4 c. diced potatoes

1/4 c. flour

1/2 pound cheese (or 8 oz. Velveeta cheese) cubed

1  1/2 c. milk

3/4 t. salt

1/4 - 1/2 t. pepper

1/4 c. sour cream

In a 3 quart sauce pan, brown meat, drain and set aside. In the same pan, sauté onion, carrots, celery, basil and parsley in 1 T. of butter until vegetables are tender. (about 10 minutes). Add broth, potatoes and meat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Mean while, in a small skillet melt remaining butter. Add flour and cook and stir for 2 minutes or until bubbly. Add to soup, bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Add cheese, milk, salt and pepper, cook and stir until cheese melts. Do not boil. Remove from heat and blend in sour cream.

Yields 8 servings

Mrs Chris Richter

Pastor's Wife

Fircrest, WA

A Wrinkled Mess / Mrs Cindy Crutcher

                                                   

A Wrinkled Mess

I had the privilege thirteen years ago to be in the birthing room and see my first granddaughter come into this world. It was exciting and I was thrilled to get to be a part of everything. I couldn’t wait to see her and hold her and show the world what a beautiful granddaughter I had! I’ll never forget it.  As soon as she was born the doctor held her up and said, “It’s a girl!” I looked at her and said to myself (of course)  Oh my, I have the ugliest grandchild in the world!! My heart sunk. I couldn’t believe how red and wrinkled and horrible she looked! I was petrified. But as the time went by and they washed her and cleaned her up her skin begin to smooth out and she started getting prettier and prettier. I was amazed at the transformation and change that took place right before my very eyes. The more the nurses cared for her the more beautiful she became. However my new little granddaughter did not like it at all. The more they cleaned her and checked everything the more she would cry and the angrier she became. It was uncomfortable for her.

That’s what our lives feel like sometimes. We are born a sinful mess but the Lord brings parents, teachers,  pastors and pastors wives into our lives to help us “get the wrinkles out.” It doesn’t always feel good when we are being “helped” it sometimes feels uncomfortable to us as it did to my granddaughter when the nurses were “helping” her. But if we will allow the help we will find a less wrinkled life. We can become prettier and prettier as the time goes by. I don’t know about you but I want to look better to others and to my Lord so that one day when he holds me like I held my grandchild He will say, “What a beautiful child of mine. Well done thou good and faithful servant.”

I hope you will allow your pastor and other Godly leaders the Lord has given in your life help  “clean” you up and that you will take the time to thank God for them. God (nor you pastor) wants you to change so that they can love you more but rather they love you more so that He can change you. Get the wrinkles out! As time goes by you will be glad you did!

Mrs Cindy Crutcher

Assistant Pastor's Wife

Parkside Baptist Church

Mesquite, TX

Wakey Wakey Eggs & Bakey / Mrs Amy Sapp

How do you like your eggs?  
Poached, Scrambled, Soft Boiled, Hard Boiled, Over Easy, Over Medium, Fried, Sunny Side Up, Double Yolk, Deviled, or Pickled?

Is your Christian Walk anything like the way you like your eggs??

A POACHED EGG is an egg that has been cooked by poaching, that is, in simmering liquid. This method of preparation is favored because a very consistent and predictable result can be obtained with precise timing, as the boiling point of water removes the temperature variable from the cooking process.
ARE YOU PREDICTABLE?  DO YOU HAVE PRECISE TIMING?  Do your neighbors know that on certain days of the week at certain times you are getting in your car to go to church?  Does your Pastor know he can look to where you sit each service and know that you will be in your spot at the right time? 

SCRAMBLED EGGS - to prepare (eggs) by mixing the white and yellow parts together and then stirring the mixture in a hot pan, fluffing with hot air. 
ARE YOU FULL OF HOT AIR?  ARE YOU ALWAYS ALL MIXED UP, NEVER KNOWING WHAT DIRECTION YOU ARE GOING IN?  DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOU STAND, OR ARE YOU SCRAMBLED? 

HARD BOILED EGGS, are hard shelled as well as a harder inner core.
Is your shell hard? Is your heart hard?  If the Lord speaks to you during a service, do you stay in your pew or do you hit the altar? 

 FRIED EGGS are prepared by cracking a whole egg into some sort of fat--butter, bacon grease or vegetable oil. The egg may be cooked through by basting it with the fat in the pan, or flipped to brown it on both sides.
Is your Christian life coated in some sort of unhealthy lifestyle?  Do you live one way at church and a totally different way at home?  If Jesus made a visit to your home, would you be able to open the door and let him in without any hesitation? 

SUNNY SIDE UP EGGS are fried on one side (unturned), with the yolks golden. 
IS YOUR SUNNY SIDE UP BRIGHT AND SHINING?  IS YOUR SUNNY SIDE GOLDEN AND SINCERE?  CAN OTHER'S SEE JESUS IN YOU? 

DEVILED EGGS are hard-boiled eggs, shelled, cut in half, and filled with the hard-boiled egg's yolk mixed with other ingredients such as mayonnaise and mustard, but many other variations exist.  
Deviled eggs are soooo YUMMY!  Despite the name, I like the idea of how the egg is made.  It was once a hard boiled egg, willing to be shelled and cut in half, mixed with new ingredients, making a newer softer inner core!  Are you willing to let the Lord transform your heart?  Are you willing to let Him break your shell, cut you in half, and make a newer, better inner core? 

PICKLED EGGS are typically hard boiled eggs that are cured in vinegar. This was originally done like many foods as a way to preserve the food so that it could be eaten months later, not changing for a good period of time.
ARE YOU A HARD BOILED EGG, being cured in vinegar?  Is your hardness being cured so that you don't let the Lord change your heart right away?  When the Lord does a work in your heart, do you push it off for months, deciding to make a decision later on down the road, instead of at that moment? 


1 Samuel 12:24
Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart:  for consider how great things he hath done for you. 

Serve Him with your whole heart!!!

Proverbs 4:18

But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. 

Let your light so shine!!

Hosea 10:12

Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy;  break up your fallow ground:  for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you. 

Break up your ground, it is now time to seek the Lord!!!!

Do you need to change the type of egg you are?? 

Mrs Amy Sapp
O'Fallon, MO

Crunch Top Ham & Potato Casserole Recipe / Mrs Anna Cannon

1 package (32 ounces) frozen cubed hash brown potatoes, thawed

2 cups cubed cooked ham

2 cups (16 ounces) sour cream

1-1/2 cups (6 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese

1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted

1/2 cup butter, melted

1/3 cup chopped green onions

1/2 teaspoon pepper

TOPPING:

2 cups crushed cornflakes

1/4 cup butter, melted Directions In a large bowl, combine the first eight ingredients. Transfer to a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Combine topping ingredients; sprinkle over top. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 1 hour or until heated through. Yield: 10 servings. Mrs Anna Cannon Roseburg, OR

Grace / Mrs Beth Spilger

                                                 Grace

September 17, 1980, while flying back to St. Louis with three other pastors, my husband was the only survivor and was severely burned in an airplane crash. Because 30% of his body was 3rd degree burns - many deep tissue burns, he spent 59 days in the hospital. Less time than what they initially predicted. He went through 3 skin grafts (it was a miracle that it was not more), the removal of most of his calf muscle on his left leg, some of his toes, and fingers. He spent most of a year going through physical therapy. To say this did not effect our whole family would be an understatement.


God’s wonderful amazing grace carried us through the difficult time of his being in the hospital, dealing with the severe burns, dealing with the surgeries, and the upheaval of our daily schedule. The day finally came when Ken was able to come home. It was a joyous day for our family. The only reason Ken came home was because I was at home and I could care for him. I could care for the last of his still open wounds. I could soak and debride the wounds. I could bandage them. I could help him with his pressure garments on his hands and legs (JOBSTs). I could feed him the HUGE amount of calories required to grow skin. AND I could help him with his therapy.


Therapy was hard. It required learning how to use his hands and legs again. He had to learn to walk, get in and out of chairs, roll over, etc. The things we take for granted. It also meant that he had to learn how to write, pick up little things off flat surfaces, button his shirts, dress himself, etc. Again, things we take for granted. Occupational therapy was harder for him because of the loss of fingers and the positioning of what remained.!
! After being warned that I was NOT to help Ken dress himself and promising the therapist and doctors I would not help, the “rubber hit the road.” The next morning he put on a dress shirt with little buttons all the way up the front. The task was challenging to the extreme! After trying several times, he asked me to button it for him. I refused. He tried again and then begged me to do it. In the process we began to quarrel. Suddenly, in the middle of the quarrel Ken began to laugh! Puzzled, I stopped in mid sentence!  “We can handle a plane crash,” Ken said, “but it is the nitty gritty of life that gets us down!”
 We both began to laugh. He buttoned his shirt! We move on to the next event of the day.


In retrospect we KNEW God’s grace had carried us through those difficult days while Ken was in the hospital. But …  when Ken came home … the reality of life hit, full force! The everyday things that stretched us to our limits stretched us even more! Would we let God’s grace carry us through those also?
 Scripture tells us that God’s gives grace when we humble ourselves to Him (James 4:6). The key to our being able to handle the “nitty gritty” of life was humility. Would we humble ourselves when we felt the challenges of everyday life come our way? Or would we hold on to our pride? God resists the proud but gives grace to those who humble themselves to Him. Grace is that inner working of God’s Spirit in our soul to give us the power and ability to obey Him. It is evidenced by our gratefulness.
 I know I am not the only one who faces daily challenges. “Life is real!” (We coined that phrase during the challenges after the plane crash.) So, how are you facing your challenge today? Are you grateful? Have you made the choice to lay aside your pride and let God back His “Grace Truck” up to you and dump a load of His wonderful grace to help you walk through your difficulty? Have you told Him you can't do (you fill in the blank) on your own? When you come humbly to Him, He’ll give you the power and ability to obey Him as you accomplish that challenge you are facing! Yes, the one you are facing right now! He’ll give you wisdom to know what your responsibility is and what you need to let Him do without your help. I know! This is still something I have to practice daily! I still have to make the choice to humble myself and receive His grace or hang on to my pride and become exhausted because I am working in my own power and strength and trying to do it my way.
 May I challenge you to give whatever obstacle you think is insurmountable today to the Lord, humble yourself, and let His grace carry you through? Are you needing to forgive? Are you overloaded? Are you struggling to juggle your schedule? Do you have small children that stretch your limits? Are your finances so tight you don’t know what you will do about groceries this week? … You fill in the blank!
You are loved by a God Who wants to help you handle your “nitty gritty” — everyday. Let Him. Practice humility and let Him give you His grace.
“But he giveth more grace, Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.” James 4:6


Mrs Beth Spilger
Pastor's Wife
Grace Baptist Church
St Louis, MO


----  The Spilger's are working on having a book called "Plucked from the Burning" published.  You are able to preorder the book at:
http://www.reflectionspublications.com/


This is going to be a book that you are going to want to own!! 

Be the PUMPER UPPER!! / By Mrs Amy Sapp

 

 

 

 

 

1 Timothy 5:17
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double the honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 



We should always appreciate our Pastor, but this month in particular let's make sure that he knows that we are thankful for him, and appreciate him.  In 1 Timothy 5:17 it says that he is worthy of DOUBLE the honour!!  Let's double our appreciation!!  He goes week after week, service after service trying to PUMP up the people that the Lord has given him to Pastor.  Who pumps your Pastor up?  Pumping up can be as simple as, a note of encouragement from your family, or a "Preacher, just so you know we appreciate you!" or "Preacher thank you for that message, it really touched my heart."  How about having your children color him pictures?  Anyone can be a PUMPER UPPER!  YOU can be a PUMPER UPPER! 



Is someone in charge at your church to make sure your Pastor gets appreciated from the church family?  I have found that a majority of the time people want to give but they won't unless encouraged to do so.  Or some may have the funds to give 1 or 2 dollars but wouldn't give that just by itself, but if there was a collection they would like to take part.  At our church I have been doing this for several years.  About a month ahead of the occasion I pass out a paper, making everyone aware of the upcoming event, when it will take place, and what we are presenting.  Then about a week later, I get a card and go around and get every family to sign it, this is another reminder for them to give.  Don't be discouraged if they don't give, let them sign the card, they may not have the money at the time.  Then I take the money and purchase whatever is to be presented.  A lot of the time people do not want to be the "in charge" person.  However, if someone is "in charge" they are more than willing to participate.  I always run everything by my hubby, and he will check with other men in the church. 



We have done such things as....  Gift Cards, Suits, Shoes, Money Tree, Special Fellowships, Ipad, Bible, Candy Bar Posters, Decorating His Office Door....  If you need ideas just ask...  I have a ton!!!

This coming Sunday is Pastor Appreciation Day, October 12th!!  Don't forget!  Show your Pastor that you love him!


If no one is "heading up" anything in your church, go to the person that is in charge under your Pastor, it is time to start!!  If no one wants to take on the responsibility of heading it up, you ask if you can do it!  You could have a GREAT opportunity to be a blessing to your Pastor and his family!



Along with this special time, don't forget other holidays and occasions!!  Make your Pastor feel special!! 
Christmas, His Birthday, Your Pastor's Wife's Birthday, Their Anniversary, Their Anniversary at the church!!  Don't miss any time to be a blessing to the "Man of God" that the Lord has blessed you with!  And who works to be your PUMPER UPPER! 



YOU CAN BE THE PUMPER UPPER!!!

PUMP YOUR PREACHER!!



Mrs Amy Sapp
O'Fallon, MO

Peanut Butter Cup Cookie Recipe by Mrs Katie Windsor

 

1 3/4 cup all purpose flour                 1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp salt                                          2 tbs milk

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 butter                                            1 package of mini Peanut butter cups

1/2 c white sugar

1/2 c peanut butter

1/2 brown sugar

1 egg beaten

350 degree's for about 8-12 minutes, now with my recipe I put in a full cup of peanut butter because we are peanut butter fanatics, and instead of just milk I put in sweeten condensed milk, and instead of mini p.b cups I use the large ones.  lol we crazy 

Mrs Katie Windsor 

Roseburg, OR

Do you have JOY? / Mrs Vicky Mutchler

Do you have JOY? 

When I was a little girl my mother used LEMON JOY dish washing liquid....so we had always had JOY ! 

Once we were invited to a friends home for lunch after church. The lady had cooked a roast and mashed potatoes. She took the roast out and was getting the dishes of food ready to serve and my mom asked, " No, gravy?" . The lady mentioned she wasn't good at making gravy. My mom offered  to make some really quick. The lady said the pan with the drippings is on the stove. My mom heated it up, added some flour and a little water and Viola', we had gravy. Everyone heaped their plates with the mashed potatoes and gravy! The man of the house was the first to take a bite after the prayer was said. My mom was smiling proudly....waiting for him to brag on the gravy. He had a funny look on his face, "Uh, what flavor is this gravy?" At that instant everyone took a test bite....then everyone had a funny look! My mom said, " I made it just like I always do!" Then my dad said," It taste kinda 'lemony'. "  Then the lady of the house smiled sheepishly and confessed to forgetting that she had squirted lemon joy in the pan, thinking that she wasn't going to use the drippings! That day we all had JOY!

Psalm  5:11    But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

Mrs Vicky Mutchler

Pastor's Wife

Grandview Baptist Church

Beavercreek, OR

Each One Reach ONE! / Amy Sapp

Can you imagine if each of us brought one person to church with us this Sunday???  Our churches would be packed!!!   Invite someone to be your visitor before Sunday!  Offer to feed them lunch if they come with you as an added incentive! 


Here is another park idea!  I have young children, so a lot of things tend to revolve around the park!


I have one park in particular that I like to go to with my friend and our kiddo's.  All good parks have baby swings.  Typically they will have 2-3 baby swings right next to each other.  I babysit for a one year old.  I put the one year old in the swing, and chit chat with my friend.  With my pocket full of church tracts, of course!  Without fail, someone will come and put their baby in the swing next to the swing we are using.  My friend and I now tag team engaging them in our conversation for a couple of minutes.  Then, you start in with....  "Do you all go to church anywhere?" chit chat about your church for a bit, and by the time they leave they have a tract in their hand, and an invite to church.  And so you may have a good chance to share the Gospel with them.  That all takes place in a matter of 10 minutes or less, then comes along the next parent.  In a park visit I can go through that rotation a good 5 times.  Almost the same conversation with everyone.  If there are 3 baby swings, be sure to put your baby in the middle, so you are right next to both swings.  When chatting about your church, be EXCITED!!  If you are not excited about your church, no one else will be either!! 


Park visits are GREAT this time of year!!


Amy Sapp
O'Fallon, MO

Pastor Appreciation / Paula St Amour

When Amy asked me to write a blog post for her (her computer is acting crazy) I have to admit that I was a little hesitant. Not because I didn’t want to write anything, but because I don’t really think that I had anything to say that others would want to read. I prayed about it, and finally figured out what I wanted to write.

Let me start off by saying, October is Pastor’s Appreciation Month, and October 12th is Pastor’s Appreciation Day. Don’t forget to tell your Pastor that you appreciate him, or show him how much you appreciate him.


Sometimes we think that our Pastor “knows” that we love them so we don’t have to show them, and that is where you are wrong. What if we gave birth to a brand new baby and never showed that baby how much we loved them. That baby would suffer greatly. I read in a book that, Physical, social and emotional interaction and contact during infancy is critically important in physical, neurological, sensory, cognitive, intellectual, social and emotional development. The more an infant is handled and held, the more it is touched and spoken to, and the greater the visual divergence of their surroundings, the greater will be its resilience and capability to adapt to negative onslaughts and to withstand stressful extremes later in life. Loving maternal contact promotes psychological development, maximizes emotional stability and will increase a persons overall intellectual capabilities and IQ. Similarly, the more physical interaction received during adulthood, e.g. hugging, touching, the better is one able to cope with crisis and the stresses of every day life.


I have heard it said, “Well, I go to church on Sunday morning and pay my tithe, so that should let the preacher know that I’m thinking about him.” Or “I go to church on Sunday’s isn’t that enough?” or “It’s the Pastor’s job to show me that he loves me, it’s not my job to show him that I love him.” If we were to only show our children, spouses, or family members that we loved them once a week, how do you think that it would make them feel? How would your spouse treat you if you only physically, emotionally, and verbally said “I Love You!” on Sunday. When you are in your place on Sunday Morning, Sunday Night, and Wednesday night, it is not only showing your pastor that you love him and respect him, but it is showing God that you love him and respect the Man of God that you have chosen to lead you and your family. I understand that sometimes you have to work, or problems arise and you can not make it to church, but that is when you need to take the time to go out of your way to make sure your preacher and pastor’s wife know that you are thinking about them and love them. When you don’t go to church or a church related function, you are missed, not only by the people that are there, but by God. God says in Hebrews 10: 22-27  “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,”


My favorite part of that passage is Hebrews 10:24 “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:” I personally think that part of the problem in today’s society is that we do not think about others. We first think about ourselves, and then secondly think about how if we HAVE to help someone else, what we could get out of it in return, or what we think they will do for us in return. Matthew 25:40 “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Helping out someone else is helping out God. There is ALWAYS someone that needs help, and working full-time in the ministry for the past 5 ½ years I have seen this. People around the neighborhood, people in the church, people across the country are always calling someone, somewhere, and looking for help in someway. Monetary help. Physical help. Emotional help. Spiritual help. Just looking for Help! Most of the time they don’t really need “help” they need love, they just don’t know it. I may not be able to give someone money to go buy a meal, but I may be able to cook a little more dinner tonight than my family needs, and take it to that person who is asking for money for food. Or if someone is needing help with something around their house, I may not be the person who can fix their refrigerator, but I know a wonderful Maytag Repair man that I call for them or give them his number. It isn’t always a BIG thing that you have to do to show someone that you love them, but it is always something. It could be as simple as, “Hey Preacher, I prayed for you this week.” Trust me when I tell you, that little statement right there can go a LONG way!


            This October 12th, or sometime during the month of October, please show your pastor that you love and appreciate him, better yet, show him and his wife that you love them both!


I am not anyone other than what God has made me. I strive my best every day to please the Lord, and when i fail, i get back up and try again. Only God knows our hearts and He will be the judge when it comes to what He has commanded us to do, but I hope I gave you some food for thought.

               I hope you all have a wonderful day!


Paula St. Amour
               Belleville, Michigan