FALL BACK, NOT FALL AWAY

Who doesn't want high standards? Even in the seediest business, there is a level of standard that employees must uphold.

Sometimes I find myself wanting, in my personal and home life, to lower my standards because they seem too high to attain to. My standards are based on God's ideal for me. Even family and friends tell me that my standards are too high, "God will understand," they say. That tell me that I put too much pressure on myself. My carnal self is prone to mediocrity as it is, so it's not a bad thing for me to aspire to something more noble.

When I listen to the words of "friendly advice", I begin to lower my standards. Unfortunately, that doesn't make me any happier. It cheapens my experience and makes me feel unfullfilled, because I'm assured that the God I serve is a High and Holy God. He can help me to accomplish what I cannot do in my own strength.

The apostle, Paul, said that he'd rather glory in his weakness, because when he is weak, he's strong. I truly know that I can do, and have done, many great things through Christ who has strengthened me over the years. When I've started feeling doubt, procrastination, discouragement, and like emotions, it was because I was looking at myself and relying on own skill and strength.

This race is not won yet. The journey is not over. We must endure to the end.
If you're felt that the race was too much for you and fell away. It's not too late to suit up and continue from where you left off. There are people who will welcome you with open arms and most of all there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels over one sinner that repents.

Let's not believe the lies of those who would have us forfeit our crown of eternal life. Press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

*Italicized text are paraphrases from the word of God.

CALENDAR EVENTS

YARD SALE & COMMUNITY FAIR
Date: Sunday, September 20, 2009
Time: 11:00am - 4:00pm
Location: Parking Lot between the Church and the Fellowship Hall
4807 42nd Place
Hyattsville, MD 20781
FMI call Isabel 240-386-9339
Included: Natural Health Talks, Activities for the children and more



COOKING CLASS
Date: Sunday, September 27, 2009
Time: 11:00am - 1:30pm
Location: Fellowship Hall
4807 42nd Place,
Hyattsville, MD 20781
FMI: Doris Hernandez
540-672-3100
Cost: $5 per plate (cash)
Note: Instruction and materials in Spanish, but your visual aquity and taste buds will compensate and be excellent translators.

Personal note: Delicious, sumptuous food with no guilt or pain afterwards


EVANGELISTIC SERIES
Speaker: Mario Torres
Dates: October 16-November 14, 2009
Days: Sundays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays nightly
Times: 7:00pm
Location: Hyattsville Seventh-day Adventist Church
4905 42nd Place,
Hyattsville, MD 20781
FMI:call Pastor Samuel (the most accessible Pastor I know) 301-318-0133

THE LEGACY OF ADAM AND EVE

In the garden of Eden, when Adam and Eve ate the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they ran and hid themselves, feeling guilt and shame for the first time. That feeling was too overwhelming to bear, so when God addressed them, they found self-justification and accusation against others much easier to bear.

Six thousand years later, we are still experiencing that strong tug of emotions when we do something wrong. The Holy Spirit convicts us of wrong so we are brought to godly sorrow, but instead of humbly confessing our sins so that we will be forgiven, we justify our wrongs and/or blame others for them.

Jesus, the Messiah, came to free us from such mental chains. Christ's love is a freeing love. He does not want any of his creation burdened with guilt and shame. There is therefore now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus, who walk after the Spirit and not after the flesh (Romans 8:1). For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace (Romans 8:6).

We are behooved to reflect upon the character of God. "And the LORD passed by before him [Moses], and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation." Exodus 34:6,7

The mental chains that Satan wants to put on us are not the Lord choosing. Let us now become the Devil's plaything.

"If the Son therefore shall may you free, ye shall be free indeed." (John 8:36)

RECENT RECIPES

MUELSI

Ingredients
3 cups rolled oats
3 cups apple juice*
1/2 cup raisins
¼ cup shredded coconut
1 tbsp cardamom
½ cup walnuts (finely or coarsely chopped)

Method
Mix all ingredients in a baking dish. Cover and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, serve with unsweetened rice, soy or nut milk. Enjoy with fresh fruit.

*may substitute 1 cup water if you don’t want your oatmeal too sweet

Serves 6

RED ONION-SUNFLOWER DIP

Ingredients
½ red onion
Fresh Rosemary
½ tsp salt or chicken-style seasoning
2 tbsp water (Extra water as needed)
1 cup sunflower seeds

Method
Heat the water and add everything except the sunflower seeds. When the onions turn clear, add mixture to a blender with ¼ cup water (more for desired consistency). Blend until creamy. May also leave it chunky if you like that texture.

Serve warm as a spread on crackers, bread, savory pancakes, wraps or pizza*

*On cooked pizza dough or savory pancakes or crepes, spread a thin layer of dip and put homemade spaghetti sauce or pizza sauce on top. Enjoy.

HARVEST NUT ROAST

Ingredients
2 cups celery, chopped
2 medium onions, chopped
½ cup walnuts, chopped
½ cup pecan or sunflower meal
1 tsp basil leaves
1 tsp salt
2 cups soy or rice milk
½ tsp sage
2 cups fresh bread crumbs (preferably Italian flavored)

Method
Sauté celery and onions in a small amount (1 tbsp water). Combine all ingredients, folding in breadcrumbs last. Place in oiled or non-stick loaf tin or casserole dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Loaf may need to be covered with foil near the end of baking if top begins to get two brown.*

Serve with gravy.

*if this happens, spread BBQ sauce or tomato paste on top.

LABOR SMARTER

"Come onto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me. For I am meek and lowly in heart and you shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" Psalm 11:28-30.

Maybe you have longed for peace. You've heard that there is more to life than you are currently experiencing, but can't seem to find it. Far too many people have gone through life just existing. It's even worse for the Christian because he or she knows that Jesus came that we might have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10).

But where is it?

The experiences from early childhood and even as far back as the womb, have shaped our thoughts and behaviors today. Oftentimes we react to situations without understanding where our feelings come from.

There is hope! There are many Christ-centered resources out there that can help you. The Holy Bible is my recommended favorite. Psalm 147:3 says of God, "He heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds."

Proverbs gives insight into the human heart
Psalm gives us examples of rough times, but also the victories and reasons for praise
Ecclesiastes gives us wisdom for everyday living
James is a character detector
Revelation is a place to go for hope of a glorious future

Search the Holy Scriptures, in them is life!

"And this is life eternal, that they may know thee the only true God, AND Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." John 17:3 [emphasis added]

RANDOM QUOTES

Reputation is what others think of you;
Character is what God knows of you.

2009 A.D. (Anno Domini which means "In the Year of our Lord")