A Willing Heart

A Willing Heart
Can you say, as Jesus did, “I delight to do thy will, O God.” In order to do that you must look beyond the immediate to what lies ahead. How did Jesus endure the agony of the cross and all the horrible treatment that was a part of it? “For the joy that was set before Him, He endured the cross. . . .” Heb. 12:2

Jesus laid down His life willingly! “. . . I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.” John 10:17-18
And Jesus told Peter, “Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?” Mt. 26:53 “He could have called 10,000 angels to destroy the world and set Him free!” but how then would we have been saved? It was His love and His grace that contrained Him and motivated Him.

And it is that same love that He gives to us who know Him as Savior “ because God's love (agape love) has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Romans 5:5 We know that love is from God and not from us because our fallen natures are self- centered and preoccupied with ourselves. But God gives a measure of His love to His children. Love is part of the fruit of the Spirit. Gal. 5:22

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:16-18 NIV

I share with you the greatest experience of my life when my wife and I experienced God’s love poured into our hearts with a depth we had not known so deeply. We both loved each other a great deal for 54 years. Eros married love, phileo friendship love, and God’s unselfish agape love–God had given all that to us. My wife was by far my best friend in my entire life. But when she was stricken with pancreatic cancer, we both faced by far the greatest test or trial of our lives. And God sustained us with His love, with His peace, and with His joy in the midst of that three-year trial. We prayed together and asked the Lord not only for His sustaining grace and His peace and joy, but also for a depth of love that would carry us through it all. He immediately answered with His approval and we both gained an insight into the depth of God’s love greater even than we already knew.

Those three years were by far the worst experience of our entire lives (and I’m 77) and also the greatest because we experienced a love for each other and for and from the Lord that made it all worthwhile, painful though it was and still is. The apostle Paul experienced tremendous pain and hardship in his life and yet he could pray, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, “I pray that you may . . . grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge–that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Eph. 3:17-19

God gave me such a strong desire to care for and serve my wife in her terminal illness and how thankful we both are that He enabled her to stay at home (except for surgeries and a 12-day hospital stay and later a 22-day stay). What a wonderful gift from God is a willing heart to serve Him and to serve others. If you don’t have it, ask him for it “for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.” Phil. 2:13 It is God who gives you the motivation; you don’t generate it of yourself, but if you realize you are lacking it, then you look to Him and ask Him to change your attitude. “Lord, I believe; help thou my unbelief.”

There’s an additional by-product of all of this. If God’s love is at work in your life as you serve Him and because of your love for Him, you serve one another as He commanded, then you have no room left for discouragement. “We faint not” because “we know that our labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Cor. 15:58 “A cheerful heart does good like a medicine” and a willing heart makes a cheerful heart. Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

“My cup runneth over” with joy; let’s pray that it will also “run over” with God’s love. “Bear ye one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Bear those burdens with a willing heart, going the second mile knowing you are pleasing the Lord. “We make it our ambition to please the Lord.” 2 Cor. 5:9 “See that you love one another with a pure heart fervently.” 1 Peter 1:22

[Note: thank you for the parts of this devotional I borrowed from last night’s message at Covenant Church in Siloam Springs, Arkansas.]
–Pastor Burnside

A Thanksgiving Prayer

A Thanksgiving Prayer
Thank you, Lord, for being who you are, for the marvelous works you have done, and for what you are presently creating for the future glory that awaits us who know you as Savior. May we rejoice in your works and may we be satisfied with what comes to us from the good hand of our God.

And yet, Lord, we know that our full satisfaction will come only when we can say, “ As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be fully satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.”

The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a beautiful inheritance. I thank you, Lord, that you lead me and guide me and give me counsel even in the night watches as I meditate on your goodness and your providence and your grace and you bring marvelous truths to my remembrance from your Word.

You are always with me. Because you are at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Satisfy us each morning, O Lord, with your unfailing love that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, and for as many years as we have seen sorrow and suffering. Let your work and your purposes be shown to your servants and your glory unto our children and grandchildren. And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us and your glorious power demonstrated in our lives.
We pray in Jesus’ Name, Amen *Psalm 17:15; 16:5-11; 90:14-17

"I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times." Psalm 77:5 We don't have to go quite that far back to remember the good Thanksgiving holidays God has given us in the past. God has made us in His image so we can transcend time and space in our minds and go back and remember so many of God's blessings from the past and the sweetness of fellowship with those we love and laugh together and enjoy each other's company. And do what you can to make the present pleasant and memorable in kindness and cheerfulness towards others. "We spend our years as a tale that is told" so, under God, let's make it a good story!

We are in a special season of thankfulness so thank God for who He is! 1) "For the Lord is good; 2) his mercy is everlasting; 3) and his truth endureth to all generations."--including this one! Psalm 100:5 Share with every generation whatever age God's goodness, His mercy, and His truth. "The counsel of the Lord stands for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations." Psalm 33:11

God was faithful in the past; He is faithful now in the present; and He will always be faithful for He changes not. "The contrast between being and becoming marks the difference between the Creator and the creature. Every creature is continually becoming. It is changeable, constantly striving, seeks rest and satisfaction, and finds this rest in God, in Him alone, for only He is pure being and no becoming. "You remain the same, and your years will never end." Heb. 1:12 Hence, in Scripture God is often called the Rock. . . ." (Herman Bavinck)

Acknowledging our dependence on God is one of the ways we glorify Him. "Be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me. For you are my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me." Psalm 31:2-3 We pray for God to be our Rock because He is our Rock and we look to Him for stability and strength--and then thank Him for His leading and guiding. Leading and guiding are almost the same. "We require double direction, for we are fools, and the way is rough. Lead me as a soldier, guide me as a traveller! lead me as a babe, guide me as a man. . . . lead me by thy hand, guide me by thy Word." and by thy Holy Spirit. (Spurgeon) " He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness." Psalm 23:2-3 --Pastor Burnside

Minnie's Pie Crust

Minnie’s Pie Crust
6 cups flour
2 ½ cups Crisco
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 Tablespoon sugar
About 1 cup cold water mixed with 1 beaten egg and 1 Tablespoon white vinegar
Makes enough for 9 single crusts.
Blend together flour, salt, sugar, and baking powder. Cut shortening in with pastry blender or 2 knives until the mixture is the size of small beans. Slowly add the cold water mixture. Lightly stir it in with a fork. Shape into 9 balls. Wrap in plastic wrap and then put in freezer bag to freeze.
When ready to use, thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature. Roll it while it is still cold.

Mimi’s Chicken Piccata + Dill Pasta

Mimi’s Chicken Piccata + Dill Pasta

I usually buy boneless chicken breasts, freeze them until they are easy to slice and slice them into thin slices. I then lightly pound them before dusting with flour which has been seasoned with salt and pepper.
Spray a saute pan with nonstick spray, add 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil, and heat over medium-high. Saute tenders 2-3 minutes on one side. Be careful of splattering. Flip the tenders over and saute the other side 1-2 minutes with the pan covered. Transfer tenders to another skillet which has been sprayed with pam; when all chicken has been removed, pour off excess fat from the pan.
Deglaze pan with 1/2 cup dry white wine [or apple cider] and add 1 teaspoon minced garlic. Cook until garlic is slightly brown and liquid is nearly gone, about 2 minutes.
Add 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth, 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice, and 2 Tablespoon capers, and drained sauteed tenders or pour sauce over the chicken you have in the other pan.. Cook on low for about 10 minutes. Add more chicken stock or broth if it seems dry.
Finish with 2 Tablespoons butter and fresh lemon slices. Remove chicken to a platter and pour the sauce over the chicken.
Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve with grated parmesan cheese on the table.

I serve this with simple pasta. Crush two or three cloves garlic or use the garlic press or chop very, very fine. Add to three tablespoons extra virgin olive oil. Saute for a couple of minutes or just put garlic in the olive oil and leave it for several hours before adding the cooked pasta. Add to the drained pasta (spaghetti or linguini) then put about 3 tablespoons dry dill weed on the top and mix well. Yummy!!

Mimi's Texas Salsa

Mimi’s Texas Salsa
1 large onion–finely chopped
4 cloves garlic–minced
4 jalapenos–finely chopped + 2 Serano peppers
1 large bunch cilantro–chopped
4 cans (14.5 oz) crushed tomatoes
or use regular tomatoes and put them in the blender–pulse on & off a couple of times
½ cup olive oil or canola oil
½ cup white vinegar
1 teaspoon sea salt or kosher salt
½ teaspoon cumin
+ a little black pepper

Heat the oil. Add onions & garlic. Cook until they are translucent. Add jalapenos. Stir well for 1 minute. Add vinegar & salt, then tomatoes & cilantro. Bring to boiling point.
Taste. If it is too picante, add another can of tomatoes. If too mild, add another jalapeno or some crushed red pepper.

Put in clean pint jars. Seal. Put in water bath. Bring to a boil and then turn down and simmer for 20 minutes. Let cool a bit and then remove jars from the water. Let cool. Then store on shelves. Once you open a jar, refrigerate it.

Variation: if you only make a pint or so–any amount that will be used within a week or 10 days–you don’t have to put it in the water bath. But keep it refrigerated and don’t keep it too long.
Mimi also suggested you could make the amount called for in the recipe, keep it refrigerated and share it with friends and family. Or you could do a half recipe.
The water bath, though is really not difficult. Be sure to wipe the mouth of each jar with a damp rag because it must be perfectly clean to get a good seal. When the jars are sealed right, the lids will kinda pop downwards a little when they cool. In fact you’ll hear the little popping sound and you can feel it by touch. (Compare to unsealed jar and you’ll see the difference.)

Minnie's Cinnamon Rolls

Minnie's Cinnamon Rolls
Cinnamon rolls seem to be everyone’s favorite. Our duplex was next to the chapel at Christ’s College and when students passed by and caught the fragrance of baking cinnamon rolls, it was common for them to find an excuse to ask us a question because they knew Minnie would share the cinnamon rolls with them. She often made them for evening “dorm devotions” when the students would come for Bible study and prayer in our home (8 to 10 at a time). When Minnie goes to her hometown in Texas, everyone expects her to make cinnamon rolls–and she does.

½ cup warm water
2 Tablespoons yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
[Let work for 5 to 10 minutes.]

Add 2 ½ cups milk
Add 3 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup sugar
Mix well.

Add 1 stick melted butter or margarine
3 eggs, slightly beaten
Add more flour, 1 cup at a time until you have a firm dough.
Work in the flour to make a nice soft dough
Let rest 10 minutes.

Lightly knead until shiny.
Oil pan–turn to bring oiled side up.
Let rise until double.
Punch down.
Divide into two parts.
On a floured surface, roll the dough into a rectangle.
Melt 1 stick butter – spread on dough.
Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. Roll up (add raisins if you want to).

Cut into rolls and put on a pan oiled with Crisco or covered with parchment paper.
Let rise until double.

Heat oven to 350o and bake 20 to 30 minutes.
Make icing–
3 cups powdered sugar
1/4 stick melted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
Add milk 1 Tablespoon at a time.
Ice the rolls.
Remove rolls from pan & dribble on icing.