Enough Readers by Brenda Leyland

Yes, there are enough readers for all of us. That's what author Jody Hedlund said in her blog post Fighting the Green-Eyed Jealousy Monster on dealing with jealousy and envy at the success of other writers and bloggers.

In my own musings about jealousy and wondering why it shows up in my own life, for me it seems to stem from a sense of lack, that there isn't enough to go round, maybe even a sense of being left out. I wonder if the root of it comes from a poverty mindset—the belief that if one person gets something, then there's not be enough for me.

But that's just it, isn't it? When we look at the world God created, there's abundance everywhere. More than enough. Enough seeds in a single cantaloupe to reap crops. Stars so freely created that they keep pushing out the expanses of the universes (just ask any Hubbles Telescope fan what they keep discovering). And, enough readers for all of us who write or blog.

Of course, maybe you have this already figured out, but as for me, I am grateful for Jody's reminder today. To read her wonderful post click here. Now, I'm off to write what's in my heart to give those dear readers something to read.



Brenda is a member of InScribe and writes on her personal life blog at It's A Beautiful Life.

Bad Recipes by Brenda J Wood

My friend decided to stop baking and gave me all her recipes. Whew! What a stack.I thought all of them would be great because after, all she had them in her possession.

Sadly this was not the case. No matter what I did to tofu, my hubby would not believe it was hamburger. (Please don't send me your favourite version...it won't wash here!)

The Rocky Road bars really were rocky while the Spinach rolls were for admiration only.

Finally I figured out her system. A barely legible recipe, with sticky edges and brown blobs met "Try me. I taste good." In a very short time, I edited that recipe pile down to a few special ones and tossed the rest.

Her most spotted recipe?

Cherry Snacks

1 cup flour

1/2 cup butter

1/4 cup brown sugar

Crumble these ingredients together and pat into bottom of 9" square pan. Bake at 350F for 8 minutes, then mix the following ingredients and spread on the top.

2 well-beaten eggs

2 tablespoons flour

1 cup walnuts

1/2 pound candied cherries

1 1/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 cup finely shredded coconut

Return to oven and bake at 325 for 45 minutes. Top with butter icing if desired.

Just like recipes, life gives us lots of opportunities. Some are worth trying at least once but too many are not worth even one experience. Only a few are really worth the money, time and effort they demand.

We've all chased a few bad recipes. Some should have been thrown out immediately because we saw others make the same mistake.

Still some of us must try.... Lesson learned the first time should be enough.

Made a mistake and tried it? Too bad. Lesson learned.

Repeated the same mistake again---and again---and again...?

Shame on us.

Brenda J Wood

http://heartfeltdevotionals.wordpress.com

He Loves You! by Ruth Sakstad

It's amazing and incredible, But it's as true as it can be,
God loves and understands us all And that means YOU and ME --
His grace is all sufficient For both the YOUNG and OLD,
For the lonely and the timid, For the brash and for the bold --
His love knows no exceptions, So never feel excluded,
No matter WHO or WHAT you are Your name has been included --
And no matter what your past has been, Trust God to understand,
And no matter what your problem is Just place it in His Hand --
For in all of our UNLOVELINESS This GREAT GOD LOVES US STILL,
He loved us since the world began And what's more, HE ALWAYS WILL!

- Helen Steiner Rice

Cracked Pots by Bryan Norford

I was reminded during this morning’s service that we have the treasure of our faith—peace with God though His amazing grace—in earthen jars, our weak human vessels. Of course, earthenware, whether rough pottery or refined china, is brittle, easily cracked and broken.

We recognize that we are all cracked to some degree, but all cracked in as many different ways as our Creator has made us different. Even Paul and Barnabas were cracked individuals who had sufficient difference of attitude to part ways, Acts 15:37–39.

Paul was concerned for the work of the Gospel, and Mark had deserted them previously. Paul was task oriented. Barnabas, the encourager, was person oriented, concerned for Mark’s growth in faith. The result was two missionary journeys instead of one.

Easy to see the cracks in others, we are sometimes blinded to our own. Differences in temperament, upbringing, our own cultural baggage, even secondary Christian beliefs, can result in strained relations or even division.

It’s hard to think that maybe we are not completely right, and others’ beliefs may be overstated rather than untrue. But beyond that, let’s remember that they are still part of the family, and deserve our love and respect, even if we disagree.

It appears Paul and Mark made up at some point, Colossians 4:10 and 2 timothy 4:11. The old saying goes, “It is as much a sin to take offence as to give it.” And let’s remember, most of the “offences” are imagined or unintended.