October 2013

T � � W � � � � ’ M � � � � � � � F � � � F � � � � � � � � C � � � � �

T � � U � � � � � � � F � � � � � � � � C � � � � �

L � � � � � � V � � � � ! E � � � � � � � � � _Éäx Tuning in to Nature: God’s Broadcasting Station

“I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in.”

The author of this quote, George Washington Carver, is probably best known for devising hundreds of innovative uses for the peanut. (Yes, hundreds!) Born into slavery in the 1800’s, he went on to become a celebrated scientist and teacher…and man of faith. He believed that every created thing spoke of the proof of God’s existence, if only people would listen.

Long before broadcasts from radio, TV, Facebook, Twitter, and text messaging monopolized our time and attention, Carver knew people needed to stay tuned in to nature. Nature—where God speaks and teaches through the beauty, wonder, and mystery of his creation on the real Nature and Discovery channel. Nature—where tweets come from birds and no devices, apps, or Wi-Fi connections are necessary to hear from God.

When we tune in to this unlimited broadcasting station, we find it’s well worth the time and effort. If we listen closely as we walk through a field or forest, up a mountain or along a shore (cell phone off, of course), can we hear the mountains singing and the trees clapping their hands as they testify to the power, glory, and love of our God? See the colorful flowers that remind us of God’s love and the promise that sown tears are the seeds of future joy? Behold in awe the mighty oak trees that demonstrate to us the importance and value of establishing deep roots of faith to endure the storms of life?

Nature—God’s unlimited

broadcas4ng system.

Why not change your

remote control se9ngs

this autumn, take a walk

with God, and

experience the beauty

of this home he gave

you—complete with his

discovery channel!

TH E WO R D

“The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known.”

— Psalm 19:1-2

Prayer for Today

“I thank you God for this most amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the blue dream of sky and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes.”

— E. E. Cummings

October 2013 | Page 2

Tempta�on!

Temptation comes in all sizes and

shapes

Its desire is that no one escapes

It tells of its sweetness in life

Stating it will not cause any

strife

The fact is that it’s a liar

Temptation is like a wild fire

It burns where it wills

The heart disruption fills

There is no more peace

Worry and fear increase

And we ask ourselves why

All this because of a lie

So temptation do not entertain

In your thought let it not remain

Pray and ask God to help you

To resist and make you strong,

too.

Debbie Baxendale

Tweets Worth Listening To?

Tweets are being broadcast all around us, but it’s not the birds we’re listening to anymore. According to recent statistics, there are about 177 million tweets broadcast through Twitter each day. Seventy-one percent of those get no reaction—none at all—from Twitter users. That’s more than 125 million tweets a day deemed by listeners as not worth listening to!

Thankfully, there are a few tweeters broadcasting that we should consider listening to. A recent study by the Barna Group revealed that over the last two years, pastors and churches have taken a big leap from the traditional communication nest and are increasingly using social media outlets to broadcast their messages of faith. In fact, from 2011 to 2013, the use of Twitter by pastors has increased 77 percent!

What tweets will you listen to today? The birds or a short string of words?

October 2013 | Page 3

Cara Adams & mom

THE STOVE….Memory

Pauline Hayward

My dad was a man of few words, but when he did

speak, we knew it was important. Two of his

comments were the same every spring and fall, and

when I remember them, it always invites memories.

In late September or early October, depending upon

the weather, one night we would hear these words as

we were finishing supper: “It’s 4me to bring in the

stove”. So, my three brothers would spring into ac4on

out in the shed with dad, while my sister and I would

start the kitchen cleanup. Mom would be finishing the

prepara4on of the corner in the living room reserved

for the stove. She probably looked longingly at the

clean floor, no4ceably free of wood chips and dust,

thinking it would not look like that again for 6-7

months.

Soon the claTer and chaTer told us the stove was here.

We watched as the boys put it in place, dad fiTed the

pipe, checked the damper and the protec4ve shield

against the wall in back of the stove. Then came my

least favorite part…..the dreaded woodbox was placed

beside the stove. Because my mother liked things neat

and preTy, our living room was always invi4ng. That

old scarred woodbox didn’t fit in that scene. That was

my opinion, and no one was asking my opinion so I just

grumbled to myself and scowled when I walked past

that woodbox. (What I wouldn’t give to see that old

relic now!)

So, the stove was in place and we all knew the

unspoken rules. Dad had been busy transferring the

wood from his seasoned pile to the woodshed closest

to the house and it was my brothers’ job to keep the

woodbox filled. We girls did our best to keep the

house free of woodchips and dust.

That old stove kept us warm all winter. My brothers,

sister and I slept upstairs and we never worried about a

house fire. We knew mom and dad were sleeping in a

room very close to the stove and they would know if

there was danger. Thinking back, I’m blessed at the

faithful hand of God. No smoke and fire alarms, no fire

department nearby and no telephone to call for

help….and we slept peacefully all winter.

Now, back to my dad’s second memorable comment:

“Time to take the stove out”. This happened as soon

as he discerned that the cold was over and spring had

sprung. I have a feeling that his logic must have

been….why take it out if we have to put it back in 5

months? I think it was because of his quiet love for my

mom, and how she loved “clean”. So out went the

stove and the dreaded woodbox to its home for the

summer with the dust and the woodchips. The very

next day, a preTy table appeared in the corner, with a

doily and a dish on top.

October 2013 | Page 4

Cara Adams & mom

By Pauline Hayward A N OCTOBER RECIPE

T ake one brilliant blue sky Add the glory of the sun Put a smidgen of chill In the air, just for fun

A dd bushels of leaves Of all colors and hues. Some on the trees, Some under your shoes.

S prinkle into the air The delightful scent Of a wood fire burning, For the joy of content.

S tir in a brisk breeze For a sweater’s sake Then put one on And pick up a rake.

A dd a drink of cold cider And a simmering of pot Of soup on the stove…

Oh, I almost forgot…..

F or a sweet, add some apples Baked in a crisp Popped in the oven For heavenly bliss.

N ow all senses are alive… A free gift from the Lord. A day to remember That we all can afford.

Photo by Brenda Allard

October 2013 | Page 5

Thanksgiving & Christmas

Dear Women of God,

I am looking forward to exci4ng issues of Spice for November

& December. I know that you have some wonderful holiday

stories and delicious recipes. If you are willing to share them

or any of the items below with your sisters in Christ then

please email them to me at Office@faith4square.org

♥ Thanksgiving or Christmas decora4ng ideas with pictures

♥ Holiday crab ideas

♥ Pictures of your favorite holiday moment

♥ Your own holiday tradi4on

♥ A Thanksgiving or Christmas Prayer or Poem

♥ How to survive Christmas with a toddler (My mother used

to put the Christmas tree IN the playpen to keep my liTle

brother out of the gibs and tree trimmings!)

♥ What else have you got?????

The Editor

Overnight Crockpot Oatmeal Breakfast from Stella Pileggi

I would like to share a recipe that I got off of Face Book. I've tried it

and we like it too. Makes 4 healthy servings

2 apples, sliced or cut up

1/3 cup of brown sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

2 cups of regular (NOT instant) Oatmeal

4 cups of water or a combina4on of water, and or milk,

almond milk, I used coconut milk

Layer all ingredients from apples to liquids into a Pam sprayed

Crockpot

Cook overnight on Low for 8 - 9 hours.

Op4ons: add raisins, craisins, or nuts to add flavor and taste. The

nuts may be added just before serving.

hTp://www.healthhomehappy.com/2013/08/overnight-crockpot-oatmeal-with-fruit-and-vanilla.html

The L.O.V.E. ministry team is

planning a Christmas “Splash” event

for women and girls. The details

have not quite all gelled at this

moment but prepare to bring one of

your favorite Christmas treats to

share. We will have a hot chocolate

“bar” and of course, hot cider to

enjoy your Christmas treat with.

We are hoping to be able to have

tables for some of our very talented

crabers

October 2013 | Page 6

Gala4ans 5:13, "You, my brothers, were called to be free. But

do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather,

serve one another in love."

All these passages translate as the Greek word sarx which

means the "flesh." At the cross He who did not have sin

became sin so that you could become the righteousness of

God in Christ. You were made a new creature at salva4on. You

are a new crea4on; passing from death to life. And now you

have the ability and the opportunity to go boldly before the

throne of grace. Your sin was a big deal to God and we see that

through Him sending Jesus to die for us, but "where sin

increased, grace increased all the more," Romans 5:20. Does

this mean we can go around sinning or it is license to sin? No.

Grace is the empowering presence of God and we see that

through the cross as well. The cross empowers people to

become righteous through believing in Him; for it is by grace

through faith that we are saved. Marty Pronovost, a former

pastor from when I was in California said, “Grace empowers

you to connect with heaven, not live like hell.” The focus of

believers should not be a sin focus, it should

be a Jesus focus. Your sin is gone. It is cast as

far as the East is from the West. Your sin died

on the cross with Jesus and He won't punish

you for your sin because Jesus was already

punished for it. The Father looks on you with

love, compassion, kindness, goodness, He is smiling at

you. You are righteous before God. Perfect and flawless. He

sees you the way He sees Jesus. Is Jesus righteous? Is He

perfect before the Father? Is He favored before the Father?

The answer to all these is "yes!" Then that is how you are too

because you are found in Christ as a believer.

I DENTITY by Rachel Rizun

This 4me around I wanted to talk a liTle bit about the

iden4ty that Jesus gives His daughters and I love this

subject because it radically changed my life. Scripture

says in 2 Corinthians 5:21 that "He made Him who

knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become

the righteousness of God in Him." Our posi4onal iden4ty

tends to fall on deaf ears and we don't act like we are the

righteousness of God. We s4ll act like God calls us sinners and

He is in heaven wai4ng for you to mess up so He can punish

us. Some experiences that I had as a child made me think

along these lines.

However we are saints and that is stated throughout the

en4re New Testament. It also says we are a new crea4on (2

Corinthians 5:17) with a new nature. Our sins are forgiven;

they are removed when we accepted Jesus into our hearts at

the point of our salva4on. The original Greek word, for what

most transla4ons call the "sin nature," for

born again Chris4ans actually translates as

the "flesh." There are too many passages

for examples, but for the sake of credibility

I will provide some:

Romans 7:18, "For I know

that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my sin nature; for

the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not."

Romans 7:25, "Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our

Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law,

but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin."

Romans 8:3-5, "For what the law was powerless to do in that

it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his

own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And

so he condemned sin in sinful man in order that the righteous

requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not

live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.

Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds

set on what that nature desires; but those who live in

accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the

Spirit desires."

The focus of believers

should not be a sin focus, it

should be a Jesus focus.

October 2013 | page 7

Media Morsels

Book Review: This book is available at the Emmaus Library

Book Review

This page is designed to inform and educate you and is not an endorsement. Our prayer is that you will make informed decisions on what you see, listen to.

Rock-Bottom Blessings

Author: Karen Beattie

Publisher: Loyola Press

“I was unemployed. We were thousands of dollars in debt, and my job prospects were bleak, with the economy tanking. And besides all that, our adoption was starting to look like a pipe dream.” In fear and disappointment, Karen Beattie began questioning the goodness of God and his blessings. If God was so good, why did he seem to withhold those blessings when his people were desperate for them?

In an inviting and relatable read, Beattie describes her journey through unemployment, infertility, and a difficult quest to adopt. She details a spiritual journey that took her to a new understanding of what it means to be blessed by God.

As you read, consider how your own suffering and disappointment when life doesn’t go as planned can lead you to a deeper relationship with God.

There will, no doubt be some who pick up this book, read the cover and say, “I am familiar with this teaching; it is more of the same.” That is far from the truth. The first time I heard Kerry Kirkwood teach I realized he was a man with whom God had entrusted transforming truth. I begged him to get this into print for the benefit of families and those in marketplace ministries. If I had another 100 years to live, this book would remain in my library. This will be a book that you read and reread; it will be a book you give to family and friends. You will find yourself going back to it for reference. It is a line upon line book. I think we are living in a day when we have a tendency to fix single meaning to truths that we have heard. In doing this we shut ourselves out from future revelation. This is one of the those timely books I have ever had in my hand; it is a book written by a man of God whose time has come. Faithful men and women will pass this book on to faithful men and women. Cleddie Keith, Senior Pastor, Heritage Fellowship, Florence, Kentucky

October 2013 | page 8

Harvest Time Pumpkin Soup It’s harvest time, and pumpkins are plentiful. Use them for festive autumn décor during the day, and warm up on cool nights with this yummy autumn soup!

1 cup chopped onion

2 tablespoons butter, melted

2 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth

1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin (or squash) puree

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon ginger

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

1 cup heavy whipping cream

Sauté the onion in the buTer un4l sob. Add 1 can of chicken broth, and bring to a

boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 15 minutes. Use a hand blender or food processer to blend

un4l smooth. Add the second can of broth and remaining ingredients, except cream. Bring to a

boil, cover, and reduce heat to simmer for 10 minutes. S4r in whipping cream and serve. Top

each bowl of soup with cinnamon croutons or roasted sunflower seeds. Serves 6.

The Nature of Faith “Reading about nature is fine, but if a person walks in the woods and listens carefully, he can learn more than what is in books, for they speak with the voice of God.”

— George Washington Carver

“Just living is not enough…one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.”

— Hans Christian Andersen

“What the caterpillar calls the end of the world the master calls a butterfly.”

— Richard Bach

“Hope is the only bee that makes honey without flowers.”

— Robert Green Ingersoll