WEEK TEN: PEACE

First and foremost, I want to remind everyone to mark your calendars for our Chili Cook-Off! Don't forget to tell your family members so they can mark their calendars as well...

WHEN: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10th at 6:00
WHERE: RACHAEL'S HOUSE (I WILL SEND OUT DIRECTIONS PERSONALLY)
WHAT TO BRING: CHILI!!!! We currently need 2 more chili contenders for the cook-off and a few more side items. I will be in touch to finalize the sign-up sheet next week.
WHO: YOU AND YOUR IMMEDIATE FAMILY (SPOUSE, KID(S), SIGNIFICANT OTHER...)

Also, please remember to bring your Operation Christmas Child shoebox to the church in the next couple of weeks. It is suggested to make one shoebox for each member in your family. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

We had a great time this week, and were so happy to have a visitor with us, Laura's best friend Janice!

Left to right: Camdyn, Rachael, Janice, Janet, Sharon, Julie, Caleb, Laura, & Misty

Janice, Caleb being enamored with Misty, & Julie

Pretty ladies! (Sharon & Janet)

A very rare sighting of me holding a baby

Delish!

My mouth is watering...

This week we covered the two chapters in Kelly Minter's The Fitting Room on peace. As an overall reminder, each week we are making our way through the virtues outlined in Colossians 3:12-15 which says "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." Here are some highlights from our discussion plus some excerpts from the chapters:

• Key words to define peace: completeness, soundness, tranquility, fullness, rest, harmony, and (my favorite) the absence of agitation or discord.
• Jesus Christ is the true, sole source of our peace. Christ is the only way to God and the forgiveness of sin and all our future hope as Christians lie in this truth. There is no peace if there is not first grace, because it is through this grace that we are forgiven and can have a secure relationship with God, and that relationship brings peace to our restless souls.
• Paul writes in Romans 5:1 "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Since God sees Jesus' righteousness when He looks upon His children, we have peace with Him. Peace with God means we have a restored relationship with Him. Intimacy that is unbroken by sin. When Jesus takes that sin away, peace is given.
• When waves of disruption play havoc with our lives, only God can give us the deep, abiding peace that we need. The problem is, most of the time we're willing to settle for a much weaker version of it. We'll drink the extra glass of wine or spend an hour of fruitless chatter, hashing through our troubles with a friend. But all along, God wants to speak deeply to what is troubling us and desires to give us His peace which "transcends all understanding" (Phil. 4:7).
• It is the Lord who grants us peace, a gift that comes solely from Him. This is vital to understand because often times we think that peace comes in our lives when we're healthy, happy, wealthy, whole, and everyone around us is doing exactly what we need them to. But biblical peace is far more then things falling into place. It's a steadying anchor even in turbulent waters. It has little to do with external circumstances and everything to do with the voice and nearness of God.
• Worldly possessions and thoughts may delude us into thinking that they can provide security and freedom from anxiety. Yet all the time they are the very source of all anxiety.
• "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:8-9
• Living our lives in accordance with the will and commands of God, as He has outlined for us clearly in Scripture, will bring us true peace. Living without peace is often a direct result of not following the loving commands of God. If we are not following His commands, remember that God is eager to restore peace to our troubled hearts. If you are longing to find inner peace once again, confess your sin to Him and peace will be your reward.

I know that was longer than usual, but you have to remember that it covered two chapters :) 

Now, let's talk about these delicious recipes!!!

NO BAKE COOKIES

Contributed by: Julie Conn

Cook to boil:

2 cups sugar

1/2 cup cocoa

1/4 cup butter

1/2 cup milk

Add while hot:

1/2 cup peanut butter

3 cups instant oats

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup chopped nuts (if desired)

Drop on greased pan until firm.

Approx. 30 mins; Serves 6-8

BACON AND CHEESE APPETIZERS

Contributed by: Laura McInish

2 - 10 oz cans of biscuits

8 oz cream cheese

8 to 10 slices of bacon

2 tbsp milk

3 tbsp onion

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

Divide each biscuit into 2 parts and flatten into mini muffin pan. Mix all other ingredients well and place a small amount of mixture on each flattened biscuit. Bake on 350 until biscuit is browned.

Approx. 30 mins; Serves 8-10

BUFFALO CHICKEN CASSEROLE

Contributed by: Mallory Bradley

1 to 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/3 cup Frank's hot sauce
1 - 32 oz bag frozen southern-style hash brown potatoes, thawed (I used Publix brand)
1 cup light ranch dressing (or blue cheese if desired)
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 (10 oz) can condensed cream of chicken soup
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
A few handfuls of finely crushed corn flakes (you can make the crust as thick or sparse as your prefer)
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted

In a large bowl, stir together the potatoes, ranch dressing, cheese, soup, salt and pepper; blend well. Spoon into a 9x13 greased baking dish. In the same bowl, stir together chicken pieces and hot sauce to coat. Arrange chicken pieces over potato mixture. Top with corn flakes and butter. Cover with foil and bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake 20 to 25 minutes longer or until the potatoes are tender and chicken is no longer pink when centers of thickest pieces are cut. Broil for 1-2 minutes to make crust crispy.
Approx. 1.5 hrs; Serves 8-10


PEANUT BUTTER PIE
Contributed by: Janet Posey

1 large tub Cool Whip
4 oz cream cheese
1 cup powdered sugar
3/4 cup peanut butter
Graham cracker crust

Blend all ingredients together well and pour in graham cracker crust. Refrigerate over night.
Approx. 15 mins; Makes 1 pie


PINWHEELS
Contributed by: Janet Posey

1 - 8 oz cream cheese
1 - 8 oz sour cream
1 small can chopped black olives
1 small can diced green chiles
Flour tortillas

Blend together and spread over flour tortillas. Roll and slice.
Approx. 15 mins; Serves 10-12


PUMPKIN BREAD
Contributed by: Rachael Nichols

2/3 cup shortening              
1 ½ tsp salt
2 2/3 cup sugar
½ tsp baking powder
4 eggs
1 tsp cinnamon
1 can pumpkin(2 cups)
1 tsp cloves
2/3 cup water
2 2/3 cup chopped nuts
3 1/3 cup all purpose flour
2/3 cup raisins
2 tsp baking soda

Heat oven to 350. Grease 2 9x5x2” loaf pans. In large bowl cream shortening and sugar until fluffy. Stir in eggs, pumpkin, and water. Blend in flour, soda, salt, baking powder, cinnamon and cloves. Stir in nuts and raisins. Pour into pans. Bake about 70 minutes or until wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Enjoy!
Approx. 100 mins; Serves 8-10


MINI PIZZAS
Contributed by: Sharon Evans

4 to 5 tortillas
1 jar pizza sauce
Shredded mozzarella cheese
Sliced pepperonis
1 tsp each basil and oregano
1/2 tsp garlic powder

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spray muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray. Cut circles out of tortilla with a biscuit/cookie cutter, and press into muffin tin. Mix pizza sauce and spices together and drop spoonful of sauce onto each tortilla circle, sprinkle with mozzarella and add pepperonis or other topping of choice on top. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until cheese is melted and lightly browned.
Approx. 30 mins; Serves 8-10

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Tonight, I leave you with two things:

1. A picture of my Buddy.

2. The word of God. Philippians 4:6 tells us "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Lord, I come to you in prayer tonight with sincere humility and awe. Thank you for who you are. Thank you for what you've done for me. I pray that you be with me this week and in the weeks to come and give me the peace that only you are able to provide.

I'm reminded of one of my favorite hymns:

When peace like a river attendeth my way;

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!

My sin, not in part but the whole,

Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;

The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,

Even so, it is well with my soul.