Georgia better win

All I have to say is Georgia had better win this game! Why? Well, it isn't because I'm a really devout GA fan. I mean I want them to win b/c they're GA. But they have to win b/c Justin made a bet at work with his Alabama co-workers that whoever loses has to wear a mustache for a week! The score is presently 23-0 Alabama, and I'm getting worried...GO DAWGS!

from Bible Study

I continue to be so blessed by my Bible Study at dear Ruth's house. This year we are reading the book Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands. Ruth has so many quotes memorized; it is really astounding (esp. her knowledge of the word)! Here are a few that came up tonight.

"Faith is trusting in God when life gives you reason not to."
Corrie ten Boom (author of The Hiding Place, which I highly recommend)

"The root of all sin is the suspicion that God isn't good."
Oswald Chambers

"All of our sins can be traced back to pride, unbelief, and self (or p.u.s.)." Gross but true! Apparently, Bob went into great detail about how our sin is like a great boil full of pus waiting to burst, and it bursts forth from pride, unbelief, and (love of) self.
Bob Flayhart (Pastor of Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church in b-ham)

Yummy Salmon Dish

Justin doesn't even like salmon but we both LOVED this recipe. It sounds weird but it really is delicious (if you like flavorful foods).

Barbeque Saucy Salmon (Rachael Ray)
1 T olive oil
1/4 red onion, chopped
2 T red wine vinegar
1/2 cup maple syrup
1 T tomato paste
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp ground pepper
2 fillets salmon or salmon steaks
salt

Make the glaze: Heat a small saucepan over medium heat, add olive oil then onion, and cook onion 3 min. Add vinegar and cook until reduced by half. Add syrup, tomato paste, Worcestershire, and pepper. Bring to a bubble and simmer.

Meanwhile, start the salmon: Heat up a grill pan over med.-high heat. Drizzle salmon with olive oil and season with salt. Grill (I used cast-iron skillet) for 5 min. and baste liberally with the glaze. Flip salmon and glaze opposite side for 5 more min.

1966 Yearbook Photo

Thanks, Marisa. That was fun!

Steadfast Patience

Notes from my pastor last Sunday on James 5:7-12:

Patience in Suffering
7 Be patient, therefore, brothers, [1] until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. 10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
12 But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.

-God wants to grow godly character in us. The soil of suffering and adversity yields godly character.

-Patience=self-restraint that does not retaliate

-We must have a determination not to fall away in the face of suffering.

-Jesus's maturity came through suffering.

-To be patient you must have a resolute heart (settled, determined, focused heart).

-We establish our hearts by grace and by the anchor for our souls--the gospel.

-The gospel reminds us how much slack God has given us. We are called to love others in the same way.

Questions:

-Do I believe grace grows best in the soil of suffering?

-Do I see the end and know that patient edurance is worth it?

-What do I expect of God and why?