Spiritual Gifts - or rather Responsibilities

Do you know your spiritual gifts? Do you understand them? Do you use them? Do you know how important they are? They are an amazing tool God has given each believer for the sole purpose of building the church and ultimately bring glory to God.

Paul compares them to the various parts of the body and that is such an excellent comparison. Having a child ourselves whose body does not function as designed and some parts aren’t even working at all, we have seen first hand what happens to the whole body; it cannot grow and function as fully as possible. The church is that body and without the various parts doing their job, it cannot grow and blossom as God has in mind.

Spiritual gifts are often not understood or underestimated. Too many people do not even know their gifts let alone how to employ them. The Bible is very clear about the greatness and importance of these gifts. Just read Ephesians 4, especially verse 16 and 1 Corinthians 12. They are not only a blessing but it is our duty to know them and use them in the building up of our church, see Romans 12. The Bible is also very clear about what happens when a church does not and Revelation has many examples of God’s judgment on various churches that have grown cold or lukewarm. Churches who have the form of godliness but lacking the power thereof. There are many passages in the Bible that can be difficult to read and apply. The important point is that just because it is hard doesn’t make it less true and we cannot pick and chose from the Bible however we feel like as if it is fast food menu giving us a quick fix to a problem.

I ran from my gifts for many years because I did not understand them and did not want them. But, I am no longer running rather standing firm. I finally understand them and know that my God will help me use them correctly for His glory. Our reward? We get to have a part in God’s plan and see phenomenal things happen and our church will be able to grow as God intended.

God is amazing.

Wienerbroed (Danish Pastry)

We just love Danish pastry!! This is my attempt at making a "smoerkage", which would translate into "buttercake". It turned out delicious. There are many recipes out there for Danish pastry but they continually seemed to be missing the point. The dough has to be "sweet", without being sweet. It also needs to be flaky, without being too flaky. I tried for years to get the delicate balance between the dough and the filling and we saw anything from a soupy mess to something like a solid coffee cake.

So, here is my way of doing it and you are welcome to try it. If you find a better way or make an improvement, please let me know.

Dough:

2 1/4 tsp. yeast

1 1/2 dl. water

1 egg

1 tbsp. sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

pinch ground cardamom

about 325 gr. flour

300 gr. sweet butter, cool room temperature

Make a dough of the first 7 ingredients, using just enough flour to be able to roll the dough out. Chill the dough 1/2 hour. Roll dough out to a square. Cut the butter in slices and lay in a square in the middle of the dough. Fold the four corners of the dough in on the butter and roll the dough out in a rectancle. Use a little of the left over flour if needed. Fold in thirds, wrapped in clingfoil and chill 1/2 hour. Repeat this two more times and chill dough. Dough is now ready to be shaped into any type of Danish Pastry. For this particular type, I mixed together a bit of soft butter, powdered sugar, and almond paste and spread it thinly out on the dough. I had rolled out 2/3 into a rectancle as if I were to make cinamon rolls and the other 1/3 is used as crust in a 9"-10" spring pan. Drizzle a few raisins on the butter/sugar and then a thin layer of custard. Bake on 350 F until brown and done. Drizzle with glaze. Next time I make it, I will take pictures of the process and post them too. That should clarify these instructions.

Are you praying for your pastor?

Do you know of churches who are not praying for their pastors? I do, unfortunately. They will ask for prayers for cousin Suzie-third-times-removed and her broken toe nail, but they cannot pray for his safe travel when he goes somewhere, his recovery when ill, or let alone that he will always seek and find God's guidance in leading His people.

It seems there are three variations: the ones who pray for him, the ones who don't care, and the ones who by default are always mad. If you like your pastor, pray for him. If you don't like him, pray for him. If you don't care, read Rev. 3:15-16.

There is actually a fourth variation; the ones who wish the pastor and his family ill. Those I can only ask, what is the name of the spirit you follow? I know it is not from God.

"I am just so offended"

Some people will be afraid to "offend" someone when sticking to Biblical principals and teachings. But the fact is that, if you present the message truthfully, they will be offended of what Christ says, not what you say.

You cannot pick and choose and alter Christ's message to avoid "offending" people and then claim it is the message of Christ. When you chose to be a Christian (and that is a concious choice) you accepted the whole message and you stand behind it. If you don't, you should wonder if you understood the whole message, because there really is nothing offensive about His Love and Sacrifice. If people get offended it is because of two reasons: 1. They cannot accept that they are sinful and that their good deeds are like filthy rags (this is straight from the Bible). 2. Maybe they need to get of the throne that belongs to Christ.

To all of those who habitually get "offended" (meaning more than once per year!), I have this to say: look at and to the cross. He suffered so much physically and mentally and was scorned and ridiculed. He suffered a not only horrificly grusome death, but the most despicable and humuliating death within the culture. And not once did he whine about being "offended".

If someone says or does something that hurt your feelings, why don't you take it to Christ in love and ask Him to help you. Why don't you pray for the person who said or did that and then go talk to them, lovingly This is the Biblical way. How can that possibly offend anyone.

People who continually get offended or "mad" need to re-examine themselves. It is much more often an excuse to not support and participate in some else' idea, sabotaging it. Let me rephrase, it is much more a problem with not being in control and getting the glory, even when it is portrayed to be "humbly".

There are several key reasons why churches die: complacency, not employing spiritual gifts (or spiritual responsibilities as I prefer to think of them), and not following Biblical principals. It is a guaranteed recipe for death.

And then the solution is to again desperately look for another scape goat to add to an already long, long list.....

STARZ- Brookings

In the summer of 2007 David had gotten so strong that the doctor OK'ed him to ride horses. We were put in touch with a phenonemal group of people who volunteer their time and horses to provide hours of smiles on kids' faces.

THANK YOU to all who are involved in the great program.

We heard about this program through Family Support (Nancy Olson) in Brookings who also helped us get started. There are not enough words to explain how much we appreciate them. Nancy has helped us with so many items and programs for our son but also just being there to talk to, advise, locate people, etc.

The Cove, North Carolina

Oh wow!!! We just returned from the most wonderful time down at Billy Graham School of Evangelism. There are no words to convey how our spirits are lifted up. Worshipping with nearly 500 other Christians who genuinly love The Lord and are not afraid of showing it nourished our spirits so much. It was as if the mountains were roaring with praise. In between a hectic schedule of seminars, which all were so incredible worth while, we had a chance to meet other people. It was amazing to hear so many fellow pastors from all over be concerned about the same issues we see. It was so, so good to hear so many people and great leaders telling my husband that he has done everything by the book right to empower this church to grow. After so many years of trying, trying, trying and blamed for things he not only did not do, but actually did the opposite, this was much needed. He is responsible for his deeds and cannot be blamed for people's choices and plans.

We came home with rekindled love for The Lord, strengthened in our faith, and given so many tools to continue the fight behind enemy lines. This was truly a direct blessing from God.

I am so thankful.