SUNDAY THOUGHTS: SHOULD A CHRISTIAN CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN?

 

Rick's Recopies: Crockpot Pasta e Faggioli Soup ~ just like Olive Garden

 

Crockpot Pasta e Faggioli Soup ~ just like Olive Garden

Ingredients:

2 lbs ground beef

1 onion, chopped

3 carrots, chopped

4 stalks celery, chopped

2 (28 ounce) cans diced tomatoes, undrained

1 (16 ounce) can red kidney beans, drained

1 (16 ounce) can white kidney beans, drained

3 (10 ounce) cans beef stock

3 teaspoons oregano

2 teaspoons pepper

5 teaspoons parsley

1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce (optional)

1 (20 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce

8 ounces pasta

 

Directions:

Brown beef in a skillet.

Drain fat from beef and add to crock pot with everything except pasta.

Cook on low 7-8 hours or high 4-5 hours. Add pasta the last 30 minutes.

Serve with a nice crisp green salad and some garlic bread!

Enjoy

 

FRIDAY FUNNIES: SKIT GUYS AWKWARD INVITES TO CHURCH

 

Devotional: Putting God's Word Into Practice, Being 'doers' not just 'hearers

 

The things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things [in daily life], and the God [who is the source] of peace and well-being will be with you.                                                                           - Philippians 4:9 (AMP)

 

This verse carries on from v.8. which talks about thinking on things that are pure, lovely, kind, wholesome, worthy of praise etc…. We are not only to think on these things, but to practice them in daily life. Everything that we have learned of Christ, everything we read in  God's Word and have heard preached from God's Word, we need      to apply it to our daily living. Even if it's just one word or phrase that has spoken to us, we need to set our hearts and minds on it and    bring it into our everyday lives, so that it becomes our new normal. This is how we 'transform'.

 

Romans 12:2 tells us to "...be transformed by the renewing of our minds...", but how do we "renew our minds"? We renew our minds    by meditating on God's Word—allowing His Word to 'soak' us. It's by aligning our thinking and beliefs to His Word—then living it out in our everyday lives. No change can happen if we don't put into practice   the truths God shows us in His Word.

 

We need to be 'doers' of the Word, not just 'hearers', and as a result   of this, God will cover us with His peace. We will live in His peace   and walk in His presence. Remember, He is there beside you helping you put into practice what you have learned, received, heard and  seen in Him.

 

 

© By M.S.Lowndes

The Road of Life

 

The Road of Life

At first, I saw God as my observer,
my judge,
keeping track of the things I did wrong,
so as to know whether I merited heaven
or hell when I die.
He was out there sort of like a president.
I recognized His picture when I saw it,
but I really didn't know Him.

But later on
when I met Christ,
it seemed as though life was rather like a bike ride,
but it was a tandem bike,
and I noticed that Christ
was in the back helping me pedal.

I don't know just when it was
that He suggested we change places,
but life has not been the same since.

When I had control,
I knew the way.
It was rather boring,
but predictable . . .
It was the shortest distance between two points.

But when He took the lead,
He knew delightful long cuts,
up mountains,
and through rocky places
at breakneck speeds,
it was all I could do to hang on!
Even though it looked like madness,
He said, "Pedal!"

I worried and was anxious
and asked,
"Where are you taking me?"
He laughed and didn't answer,
and I started to learn to trust.

I forgot my boring life
and entered into the adventure.
And when I'd say, "I'm scared,"
He'd lean back and touch my hand.

He took me to people with gifts that I needed,
gifts of healing,
acceptance
and joy.
They gave me gifts to take on my journey,
my Lord's and mine.

And we were off again.
He said, "Give the gifts away;
they're extra baggage, too much weight."
So I did,
to the people we met,
and I found that in giving I received,
and still our burden was light.

I did not trust Him,
at first,
in control of my life.
I thought He'd wreck it;
but He knows bike secrets,
knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners,
knows how to jump to clear high rocks,
knows how to fly to shorten scary passages.

And I am learning to shut up
and pedal
in the strangest places,
and I'm beginning to enjoy the view
and the cool breeze on my face
with my delightful constant companion, Jesus Christ.

And when I'm sure I just can't do anymore,
He just smiles and says . . . "Pedal."

Author Unknown

LISTEN TO YOUR INNER CHILD

 

Monday Quotes: - Theodore Roosevelt

 

A thorough knowledge of the Bible is worth more than a college education.                                          - Theodore Roosevelt

It's a rather silly statement, coming from a graduate of Harvard - but it might indicate something about the quality of a Harvard education in 1880. Or it might point to the quality of the home schooling Roosevelt received before attending Harvard.

I tried to find the source of this quotation to put it into context. But, I could not find a primary source. The earliest attribution I could find was the 1941 book, Stepping Stones: The Complete Bible Narratives by John Thomas Clark.

This could lead one to suspect that it was an invented quotation. However, it is in character. Roosevelt was deeply religious and frequently used biblical quotations and allusions in his speeches and writings.

One astounding anecdote* I encountered while trying to source the quotation was as follows:

On June 2, 1902, during the height of an extremely tense diplomatic showdown with Britain and Germany over their forcible recovery of debt service in Venezuela, several key military advisors were summoned to the White House.

Upon entering Roosevelt’s office they found him pouring over a well worn Bible and an exhaustive concordance. After a long and uncomfortable silence during which the president failed to acknowledge their presence, one of the generals cleared his throat and addressed the great man: “You asked for us, sir?”

Without looking up from the books before him the president responded, “Well don’t just stand there, men. I need help. I can’t remember why I hold to the Monroe Doctrine. I know that it’s got to be in here somewhere.”

Still not quite comprehending what it was that he wanted them to do, the men moved toward his desk whereupon the president handed each of them a Bible of there own to peruse.

“Get to work, men,” he told them. “I can’t act without warrant. I can’t pronounce without precedence of precept.”

Looking in the Bible to understand why he supported the Monroe Doctrine???!!! Looking in the Bible for a precedent for applying the Monroe Doctrine???!!! He would have done better to have taken a course or two in American History in university.

If true, this anecdote illustrates just how wrong the idea is that a thorough knowledge** of the bible is superior to a college education.

 

Notes:

*The Theodore Roosevelt Center website makes no mention of this tale in its discussion of the Venezuela Debt Crisis. Perhaps the anecdote is invented. Perhaps the Theodore Roosevelt Center chose not to include it. It should be noted, however, the closing quotation - “I can’t act without warrant. I can’t pronounce without precedence of precept” - is also widely attributed to Roosevelt.***

** I'd originally intended this article to suggest that a thorough knowledge of the bible would require an education, formal or informal, far greater than that provided by any college education. In that sense, the quotation may be true. However, there are very few people - even amongst those with doctorates in theology - who can legitimately claim such a thorough knowledge of the bible. In any event, that version of the article did not get written - it looked like just too much work to identify all the fields of study required so as to obtain a genuinely thorough knowledge of the bible.

 

*** Subsequent to all the above, I found the anecdote originally comes from Carry a Big Stick: The Uncommon Heroism Of Theodore Roosevelt by George Grant. George Grant is "an evangelical educator."

 

 

Have your say...

Please take a moment to share your thoughts, pro and con, on this in the Comment Section…

Sunday Thoughts: How to Treat Others in the Workplace.....

 

For far too long, being nice has been mistaken for being weak. In reality, niceness is an necessary quality of leadership for the world we’re living in. It has become so rare that when someone does a kind act or goes out of their way to be nice to someone, it goes viral on social media. Being nice doesn’t mean you can’t make hard decisions or stand up to difficult people, it just means you are respectful, kind, and show empathy to your employees.

 

When kindness isn’t modeled in the workplace, we find ourselves in an environment that is, unhealthy and at worst, toxic. Today people are clamoring for a more human style of leadership. In an age of automation and AI, leaders hard skills are easily being replicated by smart technology. What will make the difference in effective leadership is soft skills.

 

Here are 7 ways I’ve found being nice can bring you more success as a leader at work. You can start to encourage a culture of being nice to others by carrying out random acts of kindness during your day.

 

1. Be considerate: Hold the door open for the person behind you. If you are going to the water cooler, ask someone close to you if they would like you to fetch water for them also.

 

2. Smile at a colleague. When you make eye contact and smile at someone you are showing that they matter which gives them a boost of happiness.

 

3. Mind your manners. Say “Good morning” or “Hello” to colleagues more often.

 

4. Show appreciation: Be more vocal in your praise. Acknowledge the contribution and efforts of others.

 

5. Listen more. Learn to listen with the intent to understand. Don’t just dismiss or ridicule others’ viewpoints. Listening shows that you care.

 

6. Offer support and help to team members who are struggling.

 

7. Treat everyone with the same level of respect, whether it be the janitor or the CEO.

 

Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind always.

The way you treat others shows your values and true character. You can’t influence others if you aren’t authentic. Employees are looking at you as a leader to determine if they can trust you.

 

In my experience, tough and nice doesn’t have to be incompatible. Managers, please use the human-to-human approach when dealing with employees. It’s people you are dealing with, not just a statistic on a graph. Get to know your people, meet them where they are, and be flexible. Employees want to be treated as human beings.

 

In the end, people make companies successful. Any strategy or business plan relies on motivated and engaged people to make it happen! It’s just like a relationship. For a relationship to last, there must be mutual respect, love, trust, understanding and appreciation. Without these, the foundation is shaky.

 

This is why the most successful companies focus on people and relationships, and make sure both are not just managed but lead and cared for.

Rick's Recipes: Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

 

Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

Ingredients

Ingredient Checklist:

• 1 (1 pound) loaf frozen bread dough, thawed
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• ⅔ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup chopped walnuts
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon water, or as needed
• ⅓ cup heavy whipping cream
• ⅔ cup sifted confectioners' sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 dash vanilla extract

 

Directions:

• Step 1 
Lightly grease 2 round cake pans with butter.
• Step 2 
Roll bread dough out to an 6x18-inch rectangle. Brush with melted butter. Combine brown sugar, walnuts, and cinnamon in a small bowl; sprinkle over butter. Roll dough into a log, starting at the long edge. Moisten edge with water and seal. Cut log into 20 slices; arrange rolls, cut sides down, in prepared cake pans. Cover with a towel and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 90 minutes.
• Step 3 
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Pour heavy cream over dough.
• Step 4 
Bake in preheated oven until golden brown, about 25 minutes.
• Step 5 
Mix confectioners' sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl; drizzle over warm cinnamon rolls to serve.

 

Cook's Note:

I wanted the bread to hold onto the sugar and nuts and cinnamon, so I used the extra butter. Mine don't hold together very well, so I just make sure that the edges are all next to the pan or each other. I usually add extra nuts and cinnamon because my husband likes them.

 

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving: 157 calories; protein 2.9g; carbohydrates 22.9g; fat 6g; cholesterol 10.1mg; sodium 143.7

 

FRIDAY FUNNIES: Clifford and Daisy May

Clifford and Daisy May were married for many years.

 Whenever there was a confrontation, yelling could be heard deep into the night. Clifford would shout, "When I die, I'll dig my way up and out of the grave and come back and haunt you for the rest of your life ol' woman!!"

 Neighbors feared him. Old Clifford liked the fact that he was feared.  He died at the ripe old age of 98.

 After the burial, Daisy May's neighbors, concerned for her safety, asked, "Aren't you afraid that he may indeed be able to dig his way out of the grave and haunt you for the rest of your life?"

 She replied, "LET HIM DIG. I HAD HIM BURIED UPSIDE DOWN...AND I KNOW HE WON'T ASK FOR DIRECTIONS."

 

“Now Is the Time!”

 

“Now Is the Time!”

 

At Elisabeth Elliot’s memorial service at Wheaton College, Joni Earekson Tada shared this message: “If you have not experienced  the washing away by Christ’s blood of your sin, now is your time!”

There it is! - The critical most important decision to be made on the battlefield of life. Resolving it pays immense dividends in our capacity to experience the fullness of joy here and in eternity.

 

Now is the time!

Prominent Georgia church leaves United Methodist Church over pastor’s reassignment

 

Mt. Bethel UMC has made clear the root of its conflict with its bishop is not over its stance on LGBTQ inclusion, which previously caused conflict at the church.

The Rev. Jody Ray delivers his sermon at Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church in Marietta, Georgia, Sunday, April 18, 2021

 

Video screengrab

(RNS) — The largest United Methodist church in the Atlanta metropolitan region announced it is leaving the denomination over the reassignment of its lead pastor.

 

Earlier this month, Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson reassigned the Rev. Jody Ray, pastor of Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church in Marietta, Georgia, to a newly created position related to racial reconciliation in the North Georgia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.

 

Rather than leave the church, where he has served since 2016, Ray announced at a virtual press conference Monday morning (April 26) that he was surrendering his credentials as an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church.

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RELATED: United Methodist bishops cancel virtual special session of General Conference

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“Unfortunately, my options were to accept the move, take a leave of absence or surrender my credentials,” he said. “That’s not consultation. It’s just notification, and it violates both the spirit and letter of the covenants that bind us together.”

 

Along with Ray’s announcement, Rustin Parsons, co-lay leader of the congregation, said that the congregation has decided it will not accept a new pastor and that its administrative council had unanimously approved a resolution directing church leadership of the church to proceed with the disaffiliation process.

 

“Given the recent actions of our bishop and the direction of the United Methodist denomination, both the leadership and members of Mt. Bethel strongly believe it is time for us to part ways with the denomination,” Parsons said.

 

“It is our hope that our disaffiliation will be amicable, orderly and timely. We long to go our separate way in peace so we can give our full attention to being the church God has called us to be in this community, the greater Atlanta area and our missions around the world.”

In the meantime, Mt. Bethel’s Staff Parish Relations Committee has hired Ray to be the church’s chief executive officer and lead preacher, according to the church. 

 

The Rev. Jody Ray, from left, Casey Alarcon, chair of the Mt. Bethel UMC Staff Parish Relations Committee, and Rustin Parsons, lay leader of Mt. Bethel during a press conference Monday, April 26, 2021, in Marietta, Georgia.

 

Video screengrab

Church leaders said Monday that Haupert-Johnson hadn’t given a reason for reassigning Ray, though the pastor said, “Many people know my heart for the important matter of racial reconciliation.” The pastor had not requested the change, which he called “unforeseen and disruptive,” and the congregation reportedly asked the bishop to allow him to remain.

 

Had the bishop engaged the pastor in conversation about shaping the position and given him time to pray about it, the outcome may have been different, Ray said.

 

“I will not engage in trying to read the bishop’s mind for why she has taken this hasty and ill-conceived action, but I do know she has undermined her credibility with the people of Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church and jeopardized both the health and vitality of this congregation that is a beacon of hope and light in this community and beyond,” he said.

 

In a pastoral letter published online Monday, Haupert-Johnson said the North Georgia Conference announces new appointments every spring. This spring alone, the conference has announced 70 new appointments, according to the bishop’s letter.

 

“The reassignment of a pastor is not done out of spite. The placement of a pastor is not done as a form of punishment. The reassignment of a pastor is not designed to persecute,” she wrote.

 

But when the district superintendent called Ray to discuss his new appointment, she said the pastor responded that he did not accept the position and hung up on the superintendent. Since then, the church has “cast this as a ‘hostile takeover’ by an evil, ungodly woman bishop and denigrating The United Methodist Church,” Haupert-Johnson wrote.

 

“This reckless behavior has caused a great deal of pain to the congregation and threatens its covenant with The United Methodist Church,” she added. 

 

This isn’t the first time Mt. Bethel, a 175-year-old church with two campuses in the Atlanta area, has made headlines.

In 2016, Atlanta NPR station WABE reported the church’s former choir director, Ira Pittman, had filed a federal complaint saying he was forced to resign from the job because he is gay.

 

That year, the United Methodist Church’s global decision-making body, the General Conference, voted to hold a special session to decide matters of LGBTQ inclusion in the denomination — which has come up at every General Conference since the 1970s.

 

That special session approved what’s known as the Traditional Plan, which strengthened the denomination’s existing bans on the ordination and marriage of LGBTQ United Methodists.

 

In the pushback that followed, a group of 16 United Methodist bishops and advocacy group leaders from across theological divides negotiated a proposal to split the denomination, called “A Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace Through Separation.”

 

The proposal would commit $25 million over the next four years to form new, conservative “traditionalist” Methodist denominations. Churches and conferences would be able to vote to join those new denominations and take their properties with them.

 

Last month, the Wesleyan Covenant Association, a conservative group that had backed the Traditional Plan and organized to leave the denomination if it had not passed, unveiled its plans for one such traditionalist denomination: The Global Methodist Church.

 

But the 2020 General Conference — and any vote on the proposal to formally split the United Methodist Church — has been pushed back to August and September of 2022 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

 

Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church in Marietta, Georgia.

Photo via Google Maps

 

Parsons, the lay leader at Mt. Bethel, referred to the “long, contentious and destructive debate over theological and ethical matters” within the denomination during Monday’s press conference.

 

“It is widely known our denomination stands on the brink of a major division,” he said.

 

The church made clear in a FAQ on its website, however, that the root of its conflict with the bishop is not over differing stances on LGBTQ inclusion. Rather, it said, church leadership feels Haupert-Johnson did not properly consult with the church or its pastor before reassigning Ray.

Wesleyan Covenant Association President Keith Boyette, who helped negotiate the proposed protocol, described Mt. Bethel as “a very prominent church in our movement,” but said he had no insight into the church’s decision beyond what was said at the press conference.

 

The church hosted the association’s 2018 Global Gathering, and it likely would join the Global Methodist Church next year if the Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace Through Separation is approved by the General Conference, according to the Wesleyan Covenant Association website.

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RELATED: Conservative United Methodists announce new name, logo, website for planned denomination

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With the delay, United Methodists are anxious and want a decision, Boyette said. But the process and the cost to disaffiliate is “significant,” he added.

 

“The Wesleyan Covenant Association is not encouraging churches to disaffiliate except in unusual circumstances, like what has been presented for Mt. Bethel. There, we understand why a church will not continue to be part of a system that is taking actions that the church itself regards as being injurious,” Boyette said.

 

 

April 26, 2021

By  Emily McFarlan Miller

During the filming of The Passion of the Christ, Jim Caviezel

During the filming of The Passion of the Christ, Jim Caviezel:

1. Lost 45 pounds

2. Was struck by lightning

3. Accidentally scourged with a whip TWICE...leaving a 14-inch scar

4. Had his shoulder dislocated

5. Suffered from pneumonia and hypothermia while hanging mostly naked on a cross for several hours outside.

6. His body was so stressed and exhausted from playing the role that he had to have 2 OPEN HEART SURGERIES after the production!

The crucifixion scene alone took 5 weeks of the 2-month filming time.

The Passion of the Christ is the highest-grossing rated-R movie of all time, at $370.8M

Worldwide it grossed $611M.

Mel Gibson paid $30M out of his own pocket for the production because no studio would take on the project.

Jim Caviezel was warned not to take the role of Jesus because it would ruin his career.

Jim Caviezel and Mel Gibson proudly proclaim their faith in Christ, amidst the godlessness of Hollywood.

Most importantly, it reached and helped convert many souls around the world.

 

He Will Cover You With His Feathers – Psalm 91:4

 

He will cover you with His feathers,
    and under His wings you will find refuge;
    His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

 

Reflection:

 

We need protection from the battles taking place in our lives. Even if you cannot see your battle right now (physically), rest assured there is a battle raging all around you in the spiritual realm. Because of this we are told to be ever vigilant; to suit up in the Armor of God complete with (spiritual) weapons and shields (Eph. 6:12-13). It is interesting to note, however, that this particular verse of Psalm 91describes the Lord’s protection as feathers and wings. This is because, in part, many of our earthly, day-to-day battles are emotional, mental and psychological (working hand-in-hand with spiritual attacks). Thus, in addition to protection, we are in need of tender, loving care. What great comfort it is knowing that God is so all-powerful, He need only feathers and wings to protect our heart, mind, body and soul. Thank You, Jesus!

 

If you are in a battle today, struggling to keep peace and joy at the center of your heart, abandon yourself completely to the Lord’s protection. Keep in mind that God’s ways are not our ways. He will not fight (all) our battles with physical strength and might, but rather with gentleness, kindness, and an all-consuming love — wrapping you in His soft and merciful, yet powerful wings. The Lord’s faithful promises are your daily armor and protection. Rest in this knowledge today. Give all your worries to your Father in Heaven, believing that His faithfulness is your impenetrable shield and rampart in battle.

 

 

Prayer

Jesus, thank You for covering us in Your feathers of comfort and peace today. Thank You for allowing us to gather our strength under Your light and gentle wings of protection. Please give us the fortitude to suit up in our spiritual Armor daily, and the perseverance to fight the “Good fight of faith” moving forward. It is in Your good and Holy Name we pray, Amen.

 

“He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart” –Psalm91:4.

 

Rick's Recipe: Pillsbury Crescent Roll Taco Bake

 

Pillsbury Crescent Roll Taco Bake

 

Ingredients

• 2 Cans Pillsbury crescent rolls
• 1 lb. Ground beef
• 1 Packet taco seasoning
• 1 ½ C. Shredded cheddar cheese
• Shredded lettuce
• 1 C. Tomatoes chopped
• Sour cream and chopped green onions for garnish

 

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Add the ground beef to a skillet over medium high heat on the stove, and cook until completely browned. Drain any excess fat.
• Stir in the taco seasoning to the meat until combined.
• Unroll the crescent roll dough from the tubes, and layer it in the bottom of a 9” pie pan or casserole dish. You may not need all of the dough to complete this.
• Layer the cooked meat on top of the dough, and sprinkle the cheese on top of the meat.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes until the dough is browned and cooked through.
• Let cool for 10 minutes, top with shredded lettuce and chopped tomato.
• Add a garnish of chopped green onions and sour cream if desired before serving

 

FRIDAY FUNNIES: PREGNANCY Q&A

 

SIX IMPORTANT GUIDELINES IN LIFE: