Reading THE Manual

It would be very revealing to take a survey asking how many people always read their instruction manuals. Most likely the percentage of people who regularly read each instruction manual that comes across their hands would be very low. This case would be true for MOST manuals at our house. Take for example the experience we had one time coming home from a trip to our neighbor state. We began our trek early in the morning to avoid heavy later traffic. Just after loading up we started off down the road. Soon we noticed that the back inside lights were on and started looking for a switch on the dashboard that could be flicked to put them out. We both perused intently, trying this knob and that, to no avail. Well, guess it was just time to read the owner's manual. Many miles down the road later it was discovered that in order to put out the lights, the lights themselves had to be pushed. Apparently we had inadvertently pushed on the lights when putting our hangup clothing on the hooks positioned directly in front of those lights. ALWAYS READ YOUR INSTRUCTION MANUAL!

Then we had another experience, (again with a vehicle-what's that about?) Last fall we purchased a Chrysler PT Cruiser. You know...those funny, retro-looking cars. We really like our little "Plum" but it had a few flaws that could use fixing, like the little sun visors. They work fine when used in front, but when positioned on the sides they are too short to block out all of the sun's rays. We thought we had fixed the problem by attaching a CD holder, sliding it out as needed. Then one day we tugged on the holder harder than normal. Instead of sliding out from the visor, the visor came along with the holder. Eureka! The little visor slides out from where it attaches to cover that area that was a problem. So, maybe it's time to read the owner's manual. We haven't found the instructions for that operation yet, but we are pretty sure it's there somewhere. The manual is setting handy in the pocket behind the driver's seat. Unfortunately, it is still not completely read. ALWAYS READ YOUR INSTRUCTION MANUAL!

Though we seem to have problems taking time to read these manuals, especially for our vehicles, these are not the only instruction manuals. Most appliances, put together furniture pieces, electronic devices, and even cell phones all have instruction manuals. Many of these manuals sit in our home and your homes, all unread. But there is one supreme instruction manual that when left unread, could cost you your life. Here we are speaking of the Bible, God's holy word of instruction to all people. Let's face it, sometimes it can be a bit boring. And at times it can be very confusing. But it is vital to read this manual very carefully and absorb all that you can from its pages. You can learn how to have a relationship with Jesus. Your eternal life is at stake. ALWAYS READ YOUR INSTRUCTION MANUAL!

Faith, Family, Fellowship

Our church is having Faith, Family, Fellowship Nights each Wednesday for the next 6 weeks. The fellowship meal doesn't start until 5:45 p.m. which is about an hour later than our normal evening meal time. So we won't be planning on going for that. Each person could sign up for various things of interest to begin after the meal: Bible study of Acts, Book study, service project, Singing. We signed up to sing through the supplemental worship book called Sing the Story. Unfortunately they started the singing earlier than we anticipated so we didn't get in on all of it. We thought the classes and such would be starting at 7p.m., but obviously we were wrong. Next week we are planning on arriving at 6:30p.m. just so we won't miss any singing. The singing was enjoyable.

There are other children activities for all ages, as well as youth activities, planned on Wednesday evening also. The Bible study of Acts is being led by our pastor. The book study is on the book Power of Enough by Lynn Miller. The service project is the building of the inside of our food trailer used to raise money for our women's group.

Though we normally don't like going out in the evenings, especially during winter time, we feel that our efforts will be rewarded. And it should make these frozen months go by a little faster.

Tuna Tortilla Melt

Here's an easy, delicious and original recipe that we had tonight for supper.

Enjoy.

Tuna Tortilla Melt

5 large flour tortillas, broken into bit sized pieces

1 large packet of tuna

1 cup shredded combined cheddar and mozzarella cheese

1 cup French onion dip

1 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup mild salsa

1/2 cup finely chopped onion

1/2 cup finely chopped celery

3 tablespoons of butter

1 cup crushed taco chips

In a bowl combine the onion dip, buttermilk, salsa, onion and celery. In a large casserole place a spoonful of the liquid mix in the bottom. Next layer some of the tortilla pieces, some tuna, some cheese and then a few spoonfuls of the liquid mixture. Repeat the layers. Melt the butter and combine with the crushed taco chips and sprinkle this on top.

Chill the casserole for at least 3 hours. Bake in a preheated oven at 300 degrees for 1 1/2 hours.

Serves 6 generously.

Marys and Marthas

Our latest transitional transparency meeting had quite the agenda. We spent 1 hour in small discussion groups as follows: first, 15 minutes to quickly choose a leader, scribe and reporter--then discuss Processing Women in Leadership (10 minutes) and complete a response sheet (5 minutes); second, spent 30 minutes to discuss Taking "The Story of a Family" to the Next Level or our church story and it's impact on where we are today; third, spent 15 minutes to discuss Learning to Process Better or whose call is it, anyway? Then the rest of the time was spent sharing with the congregation what were the 3 most important points of discussion from each group.

In the Bible there is a story found in Luke 10:38-42. In this story Jesus and his disciples came to Martha's house for a meal. Mary, Martha's sister, was simply sitting at the feet of Jesus. It wasn't long before Martha began complaining to Jesus that she needed help with all the preparations and asked Jesus to instruct her sister to 'get a move on.' But Jesus refused and said Mary had chosen "what is better" and that "it will not be taken away from her."

We are beginning to discover that our church is composed of mostly some Marys and some Marthas. The Marthas were probably happy with our last transitional transparency meeting, but the Marys were probably feeling like they were "left in the dust." While we need both the Marthas and the Marys to make our congregation effective, it is very important that we remember the Lord's words about the Marys. In our modern, fast paced times it is easy to push around those who process slower. The Marys may even appear to be doing nothing. The Marthas will sometimes need to put the brakes on and begin to appreciate the Marys with their example of the "better way."

Perhaps this idea is not new to you; Did you know that the more organized you are, the more money you save?

Maybe the reason this thought came to us is because we spent new year's day organizing (cleaning up) our storage room. Some people refer to this type of room as their "junk" room.

The way we go about the organizing is to ask ourselves; Have we used this item within the past year? If the answer is "no" then it's time to dispose of or donate away this item that is taking up valuable space.

If the thought comes to us as we see an item; Didn't know we had this! Then we try to put it in a spot that will encourage its use, instead of purchasing it new the next time it is needed. This is where the "saving money" part comes in.

One of the best ways to organize is to be sure to put all similar items together. Sad to say, but our garden supplies are scattered everywhere it seems. Some are in this storage room, some are in the garage and some are in the shed. During gardening season, some are even setting by the outside door.

This situation is repeated with tools, hardware, and painting supplies. It seems that during cold weather the outdoor shed doesn't get used. And this shed is too cold for storing paint supplies. Seldom used hardware, tools and garden supplies are often stored there. But when these items are in heavy use, they tend to be put in the garage or the storage room because these locations are handy. That's how things get scattered. And that's how it becomes difficult at times to locate an item. Thus a trip to the store, more money spent; when the item is around here somewhere, but where, is the question.

So time spent organizing is not wasted. It actually can save you money. Just be sure to label when using boxes. Better yet, use some of the money you are saving to purchase clear plastic containers. Then it will be even easier to find that thing you need, when you need it.

But oh, if we could only practice what we are preaching!

It's that time of year again when we make resolutions. We look over the past year and see some things that we would like to now accomplish or some things that need to be changed. So we decide to give these some effort, some priority by voicing a resolution. By resolving, we put forth a purposeful effort on our part to make something happen. We give this effort first place above other happenings. It becomes our focus. This focus is necessary to accomplish or change what we see needs done because life has too much in it that demands our attention. If we don't make a special effort, these things will never come to pass. We will go numbly on through life, never giving them much more consideration.

Many people make exercise a resolve for the year. In a recently read novel the author tells the story of a convict in Victorian England who was tortured in prison by the dreaded treadmill. We can believe easily that this devise had that effect! During the winter months our exercise consists mainly of walking on this devise. The activity is only tolerated by watching a video for distraction. And then only 20 minutes with this distraction is possible. What monotony!

Another resolve that is common is the effort to lose weight. The convict in the novel lost weight easily due to the restricted prison diet. This diet along with the extra treadmill exercise caused the poor man in the story to become emaciated. He began to feel hopeless. Life lost its meaning. If not for his faith, he would have lost all hope.

And isn't that what New Year's resolutions are all about? Hope. We hope that we will be able to accomplish or make changes that we have resolved. Resolutions give us a chance, or maybe even a second chance at making life what we want. Sure they are easy to break. But they are also a hopeful way to improve our lives and give us purpose.

So go ahead, resolve. And have a Happy New Year!

Million Dollar Fudge

You can smell fudge making at our house. This is a standard Christmas gift that we give to our neighbors, pastors, mailmen, paper deliverers, garbage man, office help, and anyone who we would like to thank for their help during the past year. Though we really shouldn't indulge, just the smell of making the fudge satisfies that craving. And of course licking the emptied bowl is also a treat! No calories there!

The recipe comes from Bess Truman. During the war she started women making fudge to sell in helping the war effort. This fudge was called "Million Dollar Fudge" because through their efforts over a million dollars was contributed to the war effort. Imagine what good could come if this effort was put forth for peace. Just a thought.

It's an easy recipe, already memorized. Put 2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips in a heat proof bowl. Add 1 cup marshmallow fluff or creme and stir together. In a medium sauce pan combine 2 cups sugar, 2/3 cup evaporated milk and 2 tablespoons butter. Heat on medium heat until it starts to come to a rolling boil, stirring constantly. Take a pastry brush and some cold water and clean the sides of the pan. Let the mixture boil for 5 minutes, keep stirring without touching the sides of the pan. Pour this into the chips and marshmallow fluff mixture, and stir some more. After it has combined somewhat add 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1/8 teaspoon salt, then stir until it is smooth. Add 1 cup of chopped walnuts and combine by stirring again. Pour this into a pan (or containers to give away.) It makes over 2 pounds of some of the most delicious fudge you will ever taste!

Enjoy!