Listen, and Live

Sharon M. Knudson

Jane sat across from me at the dining room table, sipping the soup I’d prepared for our lunch. Tears dashed down her cheeks when she explained that her daughter, only 14 years old, was madly in love with a 30-year-old man.

“She doesn’t realize the dangers,” Jane said. “I’ve pleaded with her to wait until she’s older. I’ve forbidden them to date, but she’s relentless about seeing this man. There seems to be no way of stopping her or even slowing her down…. and now she’s pregnant.”

Jane’s concerns reminded me of how God pleads with His error-prone children. “Repent,” Scripture says. “Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live” (Ezekiel 18:30-32).

Can you hear God pleading in those words? They drip with love and concern for us. Many times He sounds like a parent pleading with a daughter or a son…. and He yearns for His words to have impact. He wants to humble us and make us more teachable so we can live.

Do you realize repentance is a gift?

Thank God for Jesus Christ. His sacrifice on the cross annihilated sin’s hold on us and reconciles us with our Heavenly Father. The Holy Spirit brings to remembrance what we need to confess and reminds us that the passage of time alone does not erase sin (just because we’ve forgotten about a transgression doesn’t mean it’s been forgiven).

Unconfessed sin is deadly, so stop! Listen to God! Heed the pleading voice that gives you warning. Maybe it’s a Scripture verse. Maybe it’s the voice of your mother, a pastor, or a dear Christian friend. They’re trying to keep you from destruction and death.

Let’s thank God for those who will plead with us to confess our sins, be cleansed, and live forgiven.

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Blackberry Shortcake

This delectable dessert is so easy to make. I usually bake the biscuits while I am making dinner to save time. By the time we are finished eating, they are cool enough to not melt the whipped cream. Serve with a side of ice cream, if desired.

1 package refrigerated Pillsbury biscuits (5 pack)
1 cup blackberries
1 tub Cool Whip
1/2 package Neufchatel cheese, softened

Cook biscuits according to package directions. Let cool. Cut biscuits in half and spread with the cheese. Top with whip cream and berries. Serves 5.

Wind Turbines

Mary Fran Heitzman

An article in a recent issue of the Minneapolis Star Tribune focused on troubling shadows cast by a local wind turbine. Because the turbine blades move almost constantly, the family living across the road is subjected to ominous and unrelenting slices of light and shadow all day long. Light-shadow, light-shadow, light-shadow. Even when the family pulls the shades and closes the blinds, they cannot block their sinister and unsettling light-shadow existence.

The Bible tells us that God, too, is light and shadow. The difference is that His light and shadow offer fellowship and shelter. And the best part of His offer is that He never forces Himself on us. Even if we pull the shades and close the blinds to God’s presence in our lives, He waits patiently until we’re ready. Then unlike the flashes of the wind turbine’s blade, God’s light and shadow offer fellowship and security, and as we bask in the light or rest in the shadows, we enjoy the rhythm and serenity of living under His plan. This is how the Apostle John puts it: “And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:5, 7).

Savory Turkey with Roasted Carrots

Recipe and Photo by Susie Reuter

Who says turkey is just for holidays? Many stores sell fresh turkey breast, thigh, or drumstick portions for around $2.00 per pound. We buy the bone-in breast portion, and roast it in the oven with fresh lemon and herbs. Try this simple recipe for an every-day dinner.

1 turkey breast, about 4 pounds
1/2 lemon
2 tablespoons fresh or dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound carrots, peeled
2 tablespoons water

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Set turkey bone-side down into a cake pan or roasting pan. Squeeze the juice from the lemon over the top, then sprinkle with most of the  thyme, salt, and pepper (set a little aside for the carrots). Drizzle olive oil lightly over the top. Cover tightly with foil and place in oven for 30 minutes, then lower heat t0 350 degrees. Bake 30-40 more minutes, taking off the foil during the last 10 minutes for browning. Let stand 5 minutes before slicing.

For the carrots, peel and place in a separate oven-proof baking dish. Sprinkle with thyme, salt, and pepper. Add water. If desired, drizzle with a little olive oil. Cover tightly with foil. Cook the carrots in the oven during the last 30 minutes that the turkey is cooking.

A Visit with Cindy Sigler Dagnan

Cindy Sigler Dagnan is a writer and international speaker who serves “the God of Second Chances.” Her full-length story is featured in our book, Starting From Scratch When You’re Single Again, under the name of Aubrey Claxton. Cindy is the author of five books, and loves snowflakes, fires in the fireplace, hot chocolate and flannel PJs.

A Lesson in Life

It was going to be a very different sort of Christmas, possibly my worst ever. Nine months before, my then-husband had just walked out on me and our 16-month-old daughter.

Forty nine resumes and 82 boxes of Kleenex later, I secured the only history teaching job I could find that didn’t require me to also coach football. But it was in the town of our courtship, and juggling life as a single parent wasn’t my idea of a holiday.

For the first time in my life, I didn’t want Christmas to come. My parents purchased a Christmas tree for us anyway—a fake tree from Wal-Mart. A poor stand-in for the fresh ones my husband and I had always cut together.

I told my little daughter the history of some of the ornaments and turned away so she didn’t see the sparkle of my tears when I came to the sparkling glass ball stamped, “Our First Christmas Together.” At last we placed the star on the tree’s tip top and plugged in the lights. Eden clapped her little hands and let out a rapturous squeal. I grinned in spite of myself; her excitement was catching.

Ever the little helper, Eden stood beside me as we unwrapped each piece of the nativity set [another wedding gift]. I explained the story of Jesus’ birth. As I unwrapped the last piece, Eden exclaimed, “Oh, I know, Mommy! That’s baby Jesus!” Such simple adoration.

The next morning was hectic. I overslept. When I went to awaken Eden, she was not in her toddler bed and nowhere to be found. How had she managed to slip past my room? I went to the kitchen, and there she stood in front of the Christmas tree, bathed in the soft glow of twinkling lights. Her face was tilted upward in delight. Snowflakes danced outside the window.

A few days later we took a harried trip to the grocery store in the bitter cold. A Salvation Army man was there ringing that bell. “Merry Christmas, Ma’am,” he called out. I snorted under my breath.

Eden looked at me questioningly. Slowly I turned and handed him my last dollar bill. “Put this in there,” I told her. “It’s so other children can have a good Christmas too.” She squeezed my neck. And I knew Jesus had been born in Bethlehem as the Savior of the world whether I was still married or not.

****

NOTE: Cindy is now happily married to a police chief, and they have four daughters. She is the author of five books, the newest of which is Hot Chocolate for Couples. For more information, or to sign up for her monthly newsletter, please visit www.cindydagnan.com

Chocolate Cake with Dark Cherries

Recipe and Photo from Susie Reuter

Not only is this cake extremely moist, it is quite easy to make. Simple enough for every day, yet rich enough to be served to guests.

1 package dark chocolate cake mix (16.5 ounces)
15-ounce can dark sweet cherries
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
Powdered sugar or container of chocolate frosting
Whipped topping, if desired

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease bunt pan with margarine, butter or nonstick cooking spray and lightly dust with flour. Drain the liquid from the can of cherries into a liquid measuring cup. Take the cherries out of the can and cut into quarters on a cutting board, or use a cooking shears to chop them up.

Top off the cherry liquid in the measuring cup with water until you have 1 cup of liquid. Empty the dry mix, cherry liquid/water, oil and eggs into a large mixing bowl. Beat at high speed for three minutes until the batter is thick and smooth. Use a spatula to gently fold the cherry halves into the batter.

Bake for 35-45 minutes, testing with a toothpick to make sure cake is cooked thoroughly. When the cake is ready, the toothpick should come out clean, with no batter sticking to it. Cool in the cake pan for 10-15 minutes before removing. Sprinkle confectioner’s sugar on top when the cake is fully cooled, or soften the frosting in the microwave for 30-60 seconds and pour over the cake. Top with a generous dollop of whipped topping.

How to Hear from God

Sharon M. Knudson

No doubt we consider the Bible as one of the most important books in our possession. But how can we receive personal meaning from its pages? How can we hear from God when we sit down to read?

Give this a try:

1. Sit down and settle your thoughts. Say a short prayer inviting the Holy Spirit to come and direct your study. Decide that nothing will rob you of this next few minutes, and determine ahead of time to fight all distractions.

2. Read a short portion of Scripture, maybe a paragraph or two long. Go back and read it again. What stands out? Notice key words and phrases.

3. Keep your mind active and ask yourself questions. If you have a tendency to get bored or to zone out, fight it! Who are the main characters? What is the setting and the time frame? Who is speaking, and what is the point they’re trying to get across?

4. Pick up a pen and journal some thoughts. Write down the Biblical reference. Copy down some key phrases or verses. Underline points that you’ll want to remember later.

5. Now ask, “What does this passage tell me about God?” You’ll be surprised at what you come up with. Abbreviate this in your journal as “WDTTMAG?” and write down a few thoughts. Very enlightening…

6. Now ask, “How does this apply to ME?” Again, write down a few thoughts. Then move into a time of heart-felt prayer.

The more absorbed we become in meditating upon the Word of God, the more we benefit. We will hear God speaking to us as we sit with our Bibles and surrender our agenda for His.

If this technique seems hard, try it again another day. Next time it will be easier. And if something doesn’t work for you, try something else. Keep asking the Holy Spirit to speak to you through His Word. It’s not the amount of time we put into “having our devotions,” but rather, the wonder of experiencing the touch of God’s Spirit on our spirit. This personal awareness of God can become a way of life–– a delightful, enriching way of life.
 

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Pears Poached in Wine

Photo by Susie Reuter

Recipe from John De Ryckere

I was thrilled when John made this dessert yesterday. The pears are poached whole with red wine, cinnamon sticks and cloves (see photo below), then sliced and served warm over ice cream or Greek style yogurt.  Not only was it delicious ~ it filled the house with a beautiful, spiced fragrance the entire time it was cooking! Save the leftover syrup and drizzle over cake, custard, ice cream, and other desserts.

1 bottle red wine
5 pears, peeled
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 cinnamon sticks, whole
4 whole cloves
Sprinkle of coriander seeds
Pinch of salt

Combine all ingredients in large saucepan. Bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer 30 minutes or until pears are tender. Let pears cool in the poaching liquid. Remove pears and slice, serve immediately. Serves 8.

To make spiced red wine syrup, continue simmering, covered loosely, after removing pears. Reduce to 1 cup liquid, being careful not to burn it. Let cool and refrigerate up to 1 week.

Lighten Your Load

Mary Fran Heitzman

“See the airplane way up high,” my daughter asked three-year-old Grant? “When we go on vacation do you want to ride in a plane like that?”

“No!” Grant said, his decision quick and emphatic. “I want to stay on the ground.” It took only a second for him to surmise that sailing through the sky in a shiny silver tube was way beyond his comfort zone.

It’s easy for me to identify with Grant’s reluctance to embrace the unknown. Last May my friend, Gretchen, asked me to give a 30-minute talk at a women’s retreat. I’ve been a member of Toastmasters International, an organization that trains and encourages speakers, for about three years. But giving a talk in front of a “real” audience is different than giving a talk among supportive friends. My first thought was to give a quick and decisive “No!” as Grant had done. My life felt perfectly safe just the way it was. I didn’t want to be weighed down with the pressures of uncertainty. But hadn’t I recently asked God to give me more of his work to do?

Gretchen sensed my hesitation and said, “You don’t need to answer now. Pray about it and we’ll talk later.” I did pray. Still I was in turmoil. I confided in my husband, Duff, and then prayed again. After a few weeks I made a decision. “Yes,” I told Gretchen, “I’ll do it.”

“You’ll do a super job—I just know you will,” Gretchen encouraged me. I wrote my talk, practiced my timing and prayed again. Then I showed it to Gretchen for a final polish. I felt well prepared. The burden lifted and I sailed through my talk and the entire weekend.

And Grant? He trusted his mommy and daddy and boarded the airplane. When the plane lifted off, his face warmed into a sunshine smile and he said, “See, I wasn’t too heavy.”

And that’s what happens when I trust the One who loves me most. My burdens are lifted, my spirit is light, and my soul soars like an airplane into the blue.

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my load is light (Matthew 11:28-30).

 

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Candied Sweet Potato Casserole

Recipe and Photo from Susie Reuter

This sweet treat makes an attractive side dish, and is a great way to add vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene), vitamin B, and vitamin C  to any meal. The sweet potato also has “healing properties” because it is a food rich in antioxidants. A favorite for kids and adults alike!

4 cups raw sweet potatoes, shredded or diced
1 stick butter
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 egg
1/4 cup finely chopped pecans
1/4 cup pecan halves
3/4 cup miniature marshmallows

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Place shredded potatoes in a buttered cake pan or casserole dish. In a medium bowl, mix all ingredients except for the marshmallows and pecans. Pour mixture over potatoes, stir well. Bake, uncovered, for 1 1/2 hours. Top with pecan halves and bake 15- 30 additional minutes. Add a layer of marshmallows and the pecan halves, then return to oven for about 5 minutes or until slightly brown.