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Greetings!
It's here! That time of year where we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ....Christmastime!
Best Life Ministries & Staff bring you encouragement & hope, and wish you the merriest of Christmases! |
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Ex. Director,
Kathy Weckwerth |
At Christmastime!
"and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6
The excitement begins, as the calendar turns from November to December, and our hearts and minds prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Each year, I bring out the same treasured ornaments, as my youngest daughter, Jenessa, decorates the tree. This year, I tried to hold back a few of the worn ones, the ones that are missing paint or the yarn is frayed, but Jenessa wouldn't stand for it....each memory, each tradition, each treasured ornament would be valued and celebrated.
For years, my family has held onto traditions that my parents passed down, and many that we created wtih our children. Mom's candy cane cookies, Aunt Laurel's spritz, Grandma Florence's puffed rice balls tied with green and red ribbons, decorating the tree to the movie Rudolph, watching "A Christmas Carol," and reading the Christmas story, are all on our must do list.
And time flies by in the short 4 weeks that make up the season of Christmas.
In the busyness of our lives, I encourage you today to make time for what is most important. Cast aside anything that gets you sidetracked from focusing on Christ and His birth! Don't stress over every detail. Tell yourself it's okay to not be perfect. And make time for traditions like taking care of those around you and investing in their lives with encouragement, hope, and some extra attention.
The greatest gift of all came at Christmastime....a Christ Child....a Savior.
Celebrate and make the focus of Christmas...Christ... your tradition.
Come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.
Merry Christmas!
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 | | Rev. Bev Modlin |
A Christmas Perspective: Mary
By Rev. Bev Modlin
It's hard to ignore that the Christmas story is wrapped around real life women and men whom we think we know.
A young woman in her early teens, still living with her parents first appears in the scriptures, in the presence of an angel. And because most marriage agreements were made when the children were fairly young, she was most likely engaged when Gabriel spoke to Mary saying; "Greetings, you who are highly favored," Even though Gabriel makes it clear that Mary was chosen by God as an act of grace, she must have wrestled with the consequences that would come in her life if she accepted God's call.
Perhaps her thoughts went something like this:
"How am I going to explain this to my family? What will Joseph say? What will the townspeople think of me? Am I headed for a life of being a single parent? Will I live my whole life under a cloud of suspicion from my family and neighbors? I can't help but feel anxious about how I was to face the man I love, having to tell him that I am pregnant, knowing he is not the father. How will I tell Joseph? We are betrothed, so Joseph has every right to put me away or even have me stoned. What if he didn't believe me?...I'm frightened, yet humbled. I never dreamed God would actually choose me! I have mixed feeling with the honor God had given me."
Mary's decision to be fully submissive to the call of God was her willingness to trust and if need be, to suffer contempt and loneliness and be ridiculed. Mary had no guarantee that her beloved Joseph would understand or even believe her miraculous conception story so her decision was made with no assurance that anyone, except God, would ever fully understand.
Maybe the conversation went something like this:
"I'm sure you can't believe what I'm about to tell you, Joseph, I'm pregnant.
Did you know that Joseph actually entertained the idea that I might be joking? But it's true, I am pregnant. Joseph's conscience was clear, so his first question was the same question any man would ask in the same situation, Who's the father? He knew the baby wasn't his so he questioned me about my visit to Elizabeth's. (He apparently thought that I was not the person he thought I was). I tried to explain that an angel appeared to me saying I would conceive miraculously and that my son would be the promised deliverer, the Messiah, God's Son. But, Joseph didn't want to listen, he began to walk away. I pleaded, "Joseph, Joseph, don't leave." But without saying another word, (even though I begged him to stay ) he walked away and went home to cry. But in a dream, God spoke to him.
Because of a census, Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem. Mary gives birth to Baby Jesus in Bethlehem, and there's Joseph, right beside her.
This whole story involving these two people, is a story of trust. Mary had to trust God's promise. Joseph had to trust Mary. Mary had to trust Joseph. Joseph had to trust God. Both Mary and Joseph had to say to God, I am your servant. Whatever it costs, wherever it takes me, I will do it.
God continues today looking for women and men like Mary and Joseph. God is calling people for His purposes who will pursue obedience, whatever the cost. People who will trust God, even though the outcome seems unsure.
She was found to be with Child through the Holy Spirit. And Joseph and Mary went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth, to Judea to the City of David. For unto us a Child is born, to us a Son is given. Worship the Lord with gladness, come before Him with joyful songs.
Matthew 1:18, Luke 2:4, Isaiah 9:6 & Psalm 100:2
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"Come, Thou long expected Jesus,
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us;
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel's strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart."
~Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
written by: Charles Wesley
1774 |
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 Christmas Table Settings
This year, Best Life Ministries really went green in our decorating!
Try cutting off a couple of branches from the pine tree in the backyard. We purchased big rolls of burlap for $7.00 at the local Runnings store and cut into loose pieces. At Goodwill, we found various sized glass containers wtih lids ranging from 2.99-6.99, and filled them with pine cones that were scattered throughout the lawn. A quick trip to Walmart produced white candles for $6.88, and add a few sprigs of holly, and a couple of small branches from the white birch tree out back, to make your table setting complete. |
Creative Cooking With Josh
By Josh Garland
Creating: Winter Spice Maple Granola (step by step photos by Josh Garland)
Breakfast has always been my favorite meal of the day, and there's nothing quite like crawling out of bed, getting situated at the table, and filling up on a big, healthy bowl of homemade granola.
This recipe is packed full of delicious flavors that we all enjoy eating during this time of year, like nuts, dried fruit, toasted oats, maple syrup, and honey. However, it is also very nutritious, low in bad fats, and contains less processed sugars than many store bought cereals.
Here's what you'll need to get started:
Old-fashioned Oats, Sunflower seeds, Raw Cashews, Raw Almonds, Raw peanuts, Raw Walnuts, Ground Flaxseed (optional,) Salt, Cinnamon, Pure Maple Syrup, Honey, Vanilla Extract, Dried Cranberries, Raisins, and Chopped Apricots.
Feel free to add or substitute other ingredients that appeal to your personal liking.
Let me show you, step by step, how to create your own delicious granola!
 1) Mix together the Old-fashioned Oats, Sunflower seeds, Raw Cashews, Raw Almonds, Raw Peanuts, Raw Walnuts, Ground Flaxseed (optional,) Salt, and Cinnamon in a large mixing bowl.
2) Mix together the Pure Maple Syrup, Honey, and Vanilla Extract. Then, pour the syrup mixture into the dry ingredients and mix until thoroughly combined.
3) Next, mix together the Pure Maple Syrup, Honey, and Vanilla Extract. Then, pour the syrup mixture into the dry ingredients and mix until thoroughly combined.
4) Now, spread the oat and syrup mixture onto a foil lined baking sheet, and bake it at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Be sure to stir the granola every ten minutes to prevent over toasting.
5) Once the granola has baked for 30 minutes, remove it from the oven and let it cool. Once it has completely cooled, mix in the dried fruit.
6) At this point, you can either serve up a big bowl of delicious granola goodness, or store it for later in an airtight container. This is a recipe that leaves a lot of room for personal creativity and inventiveness. Try using different types of nuts, such as hazelnuts or pecans. Maybe leave out the apricots and mix in chopped dates instead. You could also sneak in extra flax seed, coconut, or bran. The sky is the limit. Have fun and enjoy!
7) Sit down and enjoy!
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BLM's Top Picks for Movies & CDS
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BEST LIFE MINISTRIES PRESENTS 2013's TOPIC: Closed Doors/Open Windows: God's Possibilities
Next Conference: January 26, 2013~ Horizons Community Church, Ham Lake, MN
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Jenessa's Cookie Give Away Idea:
College students don't have time or money, so Jenessa decided to create something fun for her friends that was quick and inexpensive.
Pillsbury now offers peppermint sugar cookie dough that comes in a roll. She took the dough and let it set out to room temperature.
Then, she rolled it, cut into shapes and baked.
When cooled, she dipped one quarter into melted white chocolate cooking bark, and sprinkled with crushed candy canes.
Once they had dried, she purchased a set of Martha Stewart cookie boxes at Michaels (on sale with a coupon) and boxed them up, six at a time.
The results: pretty, affordable, and delicious! Try it yourself!
 | | Jenessa Grossman |
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Christmas Eve Service at Frank Lake Covenant Church in the Grove, 1025 Hwy 29 SE, Benson, MN Dec. 24th 5:00-6:00 p.m.
Limited Seating: Call for reservations
For 112 years, Frank Lake Covenant Church stood tall and strong, overlooking the nearby fields and waters of Frank Lake.
This past August, it was lifted up and moved 20 miles down the road to our grove here on Hwy 29 outside of Benson, MN.
We rejoice, and we celebrate that God has blessed Dean and I, and our ministry, Best Life, with such a wonderful representation of God's goodness, His great work, and His dealings in our everyday lives.
Join us this December 24th, as we present drama, worship, and a candlelight celebration of Silent Night, as we remember all that God has done, by sending His Son, Jesus, to be born as a child in Bethlehem, to save us from our sins.
Seating is limited. Call to reserve your spot today! 320-444-6082.
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Year-End Donation to Best Life Ministries
It's the Christmas season, the end of another year, and your chance to donate to our ministry, and we need your help. Each year we present our conferences to churches, and your contribution helps us to travel and present the gospel of Christ to women everywhere. We are an approved 501(c)(3) Ministry, so your contributions are tax deductible.
Please consider putting us on your support list for 2012, and for this year-end reminder, donate today! You can mail us a check to Best Life Ministries @PO Box 73, Benson, MN 56215, or use our paypal and your charge card.
For more information about donating, visit: http://bestlifeministries.com/donate-to-best-life-ministries
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At Christmas, and all through the year, remember to take time to thank God for sending His Son, Jesus
At the end of this year, 2012, it's time to say thank you to God for all He's done this past year. For your health, your family, your friends, jobs, cars, homes, churches, and all that God has provided.....remember to be thank-filled.
It's time to look back and be thankful. It's time to be awe-filled. It's time to get ready to look ahead at 2013 and get ready to live your best life.
Remember, it's never too late to make changes.
Start today. Start living your best life!
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