Pamela Bell English

As the holiday season of good food, good times, and good will to men fast approaches, what will you be thankful for? With who you are, with everything you have, and all that you can do; are you thankful and grateful to God or do you whine and complain about what you don't have? Are you a blessing and a help to others or a hindrance? Do you give back or are you a taker?

Are you where you want to be or where God wants you to be? What is your motivation to get up each day? Can you verbalize what you are needing, wanting or missing? Are you anxious or fearful? Do you allow circumstances to get in your way, stop your life, or do you adept and deal with the situation, giving thanks while moving forward? Thinking on these things will allow you to evaluate your thoughts, actions, and life to better focus on God's goodness.

In Philippians 4:12 it states, "I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I learned the secret of being content, whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need." -Holman's Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

Do you have a spirit of kindness, of giving, of loving? Are you sad, angry, or depressed? Are you thankful for what you have and who you have in your life? Remember people come into your life for a reason and a season.

 In Psalm 133: 2 it states, "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!"

As you prepare to break bread with loved ones; family, friends, and maybe strangers; think about what you are ingesting for that day. Be prepared to check yourself  as you are feasting on the natural foods, and don't forget the spiritual food which is the word of God, which in return will produce the fruits of the spirit.

In Galatians 5: 22-23, 26 it states, "But the fruits of the spirit are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance, against such there is no law. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another."  (KJV)

 In everything make petitions to God; give thanks through prayer and supplication. Continue on the path of thankfulness and allow God's mercy and grace to sustain you. Holidays come and go each year, but if you trust in God, have faith, and let the fruits of the spirit reside within you, while letting gratitude be your attitude, you will be better, healthier, and richer than ever before!

Please read Pamela's short story in the August/September 2010 issue of Parables Magazine.

 www.pecantreepress.com

Dolapo Babalola

Do you ever think that "it's taking God just too long to answer your request"? Or more to the point wonder 
"why has it become too complicated"? Have you ever said, "But I know that God is all-powerful and he can do all things in a jiffy"? In this inspirational book, you will read about the journey of a young aspiring physician who, in the pursuit of a permanent residency in the United States, faced multiple obstacles and challenges. Each day through this ongoing ordeal, she experienced God in a way that she never would have imagined. God showed up in the most unexpected places, in the last minute, and always with a life-changing lesson. The greatest lesson in our darkest hours of uncertainty is that God is close by, quietly working behind the scenes, bolstering our faith for a miracle.
  

Dolapo Babalola is a debut author of the Christian Inspirational Book titled, "My God: Even in the Last Minute."

Click to learn more about Dolapo

Food For Thought

Prayer Still Works

Help heal the world

I am a child activist and I am about to put prayer back into public schools across the country. One little lady took prayer out of public schools all over our country and I am the little lady that is going to put it back.  I volunteered in the Newark public school system for nine years.  I know that our children need some serious protection, from themselves in many cases.  I am going to appeal to the hearts and minds of the parents.  My children are all grown and I have no grand-children as yet.  People ask, so why do you care about the schools?  These children are our future.  The way things are going, we are not going to have much of a future if someone doesn't do something.  Everyone is standing around waiting for someone else to do something.  I am getting old and I don't have anymore time to wait on someone else, I have got to do something.

When they took prayer out of public school, I was 12 years old.  I was a hurt little girl, because I did not believe it was going to happen.  I felt like the great leaders of the time would not allow this to happen.  Then I realized that they were to busy to think about the children and how they felt.  Through many years as an adult I can not understand how a democratic country that is now 85% Christian, and probably more then, could allow this to happen.  The fact that an Athiest, that is now not even the whole 15% and was probably even less then was allowed to do this, that makes it even worse.

People of God we have got to let this country know that prayer still works, because it does.

Any one interested in helping me can call me at, 201-776-9872.

Missionary Caroline McGhee

Sweet Potatoe Pie Recipe
Compliments of Southern Hospitality Books, LLC
 

Now to kick off your holiday season, how about trying a few great recipes!  In addition to inspiring people, I am writing my very first cookbook.  I love to create and re-create recipes for today's generation. 
Here is a sample.  Enjoy and be BLESSED!!!

3 large sweet potatoes, baked

1 Stick Butter, Softened
1 Tbsp. vanilla

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

 4 eggs

3/4 cup evaporated milk

2  9" pie crusts, unbaked

Bake sweet potatoes until tender. When they are cool enough to handle, peel skins off and mash them in a large bowl or use a mixer. Now add butter, vanilla, sugars, and spices. Mix until sugar is dissolved.  In a small bowl, combine eggs and evaporated milk. Stir this mixture into the sweet potato mixture. Mix well. Pour into the 2 pie shells and bake at 350 degrees for about 1 hour, or until center is set and not runny. If your crust edges seem to be browning too fast just cover the edges with foil, but they should be OK without covering them.