Pasta Making Take Two

In July, I retook the pasta making class with Diane at Eat Local. To make a long story short, the original class was intended to be took with her. It was really fun, and I think my dough turned out better this time around.

I recommend the class. I think pasta making would be a great group activity.

The location

The assignment

The recipe

The ingredients

Our dough

Stretching the dough

Di stretching her dough

I made fettuccine this time. Last time, I made angel hair.

With our pasta

Men of the Bible - Nehemiah

This is an article I wrote for the Men of the Bible section of the newsletter.

Name: Nehemiah

Meaning: Jehovah has comforted

His Character: Nehemiah was a leader who had the courage to see out his vision. He was a planner who was able to organize and motivate the people to accomplish what seemed impossible. Nehemiah also understood the importance of prayer.

His Sorrow: Nehemiah was deeply troubled by the state of Jerusalem. Although he never had previously been there, Nehemiah longed for where he knew was home.

His Triumph: Nehemiah accomplished what seemed impossible. He accomplished what he felt was his call, which was to rebuild the wall surrounding Jerusalem.

Key Scriptures: Book of Nehemiah

Nehemiah was a Jew living in exile in Babylon. The Jewish people had been defeated by the Assyrians and taken as slaves to the foreign land. The Assyrians were conquered by the Persians. Nehemiah was the cup bearer, adviser, and escort to Artaxerxes, who was the king of Persia. In his position, Nehemiah was the food taster for Artaxerxes and had the trust of the king and with that came influence.

As a Jew exiled in Babylon, Nehemiah was concerned about the present and future of Jerusalem. Nehemiah’s story picks up 70 years after Zerubbabel rebuilt God’s Temple and 13 years after Ezra had returned to Jerusalem to deal with the spiritual needs of the people. Nehemiah learned of the poor conditions of Jerusalem from his brother, Hanani. Hanani told of walls that had been torn down and gates that had been destroyed by fire. Nehemiah mourned this information and fasted and prayed.

Nehemiah saw a problem, and he sought God’s help in being part of the solution. Nehemiah’s prayer, found in verses 4 – 11 of chapter one, was a sincere plea asking for God’s guidance. His prayer thanked God for who He was, confessed his shortcomings, reminded God of His promises to His people, and asked for God’s favor and power to make a difference.

Nehemiah was able to use his position with King Artaxerxes to gain clearance and the material he would need for his assignment. Rebuilding the wall seemed like an impossible task, but like Nehemiah, we serve a God who can do the impossible. And remember Nehemiah started his task with prayer.

Nehemiah started with prayer, and he prayed throughout his assignment. He understood the power of prayer. Nehemiah was a leader who rebuilt the wall quickly and efficiently despite opposition and resistance. Nehemiah faced the opposition and resistance calmly with faith. Even the enemies of Israel recognized God’s favor over His people.

Nehemiah’s accomplishment also caused a spiritual awakening in the people of God who had been living in sin. The success was another reminder of God’s favor over them and His never-failing mercy toward Israel. After the wall was rebuilt, Nehemiah focused on social and economic issues. Nehemiah worked with Ezra to lead the people in worship and Bible study. Nehemiah also helped form a needed sense of community.

Nehemiah is an example of how God works through us. He places us in strategic positions. Through these positions, we develop relationships with people whose resources and/or influence help us to accomplish what seems impossible. God uses our gifts, talents, personalities, experiences, and backgrounds to serve His purpose, with each seemingly random twist preparing us to fulfill His purpose.

Nehemiah is also an example of the importance and power of prayer and walking with God. Interestingly enough I had shared with Sister Crystal how I needed to focus on my prayer life. Reading and writing about Nehemiah has inspired me and is another example of God’s perfect timing in all things.

We must begin all things with prayer. In your prayers, talk to God and also share your concerns, fears, questions, dreams, and feelings with Him. He knows already. Our prayer lives will lead to us walking closer with God as we live out our lives and fulfill our purposes, even those that are seemingly impossible, through Him.

Editor's Corner

This is an article I wrote for the Editor's Corner section of the summer issue of the newsletter.

As I was thinking about this issue’s theme of “Equipping Others,” I began to think about examples from the Bible of people being equipped and mentored to walk out their purpose (or walk in their destiny) through the instruction and counsel they received from people they had close relationship with. The mentors walked with their “mentees” and spoke words that helped destinies be fulfilled.

In the example of Naomi and Ruth, Naomi was able to equip Ruth through instruction and guidance. Naomi was able to help Ruth determine the way that she should go and the manner in which she should conduct herself. This insight led to a major blessing and change in Ruth’s life, which in turn had a positive impact on Naomi’s life.

In the example of Eli and Samuel, Eli trained Samuel up from a child to be a priest. Eli helped Samuel recognize God’s voice, and Samuel was able to hear God’s voice and direction. The result was Samuel served as the last judge of Israel.

In the example of Elijah and Elisha, Elijah anointed Elisha to be a prophet, and they walked together. During their time together, Elisha was able to follow Elijah and learn from him. When Elijah was being taken up to heaven, Elisha was a witness. Elisha took up Elijah’s mantle and received the double portion that he had requested from Elijah.

In the example of Mordecai and Esther, Mordecai instructed Esther on how she should conduct herself around the king. He gave her instruction and counsel. The result was that Esther was able to save her people. She became a much referenced example of the importance of timing in the lives of those who are walking out their God-given destinies.

In the example of Paul and Timothy, Paul instructed Timothy on the way he should conduct himself. Paul continually spoke into Timothy’s life and the result was that Timothy in turn spoke into the lives of others. Their relationship reminds me of a mentorship where someone older and wiser counsels someone younger who is heading down a similar path.

And, of course, we have the example of Jesus equipping His disciples to become more like Him. The disciplines, in turn, equipped others and Christianity grew. The disciples and apostles accomplished more together than they could have apart. And although trying to reach a similar goal, each one worked out of his personality and gifting to accomplish his call. Paul and Peter spoke to crowds, while Andrew preferred to do his ministry one on one.

What strikes me about the examples given above is that they all involved intimate relationships and accessibility. These are examples of people who spent time together and had the intimacy that only walking together with someone brings. They were not strangers. They were counselors and advisors who acted as mentors and spoke into lives. They understood God’s purpose and call in their own lives and were able to speak into the lives of others.

Now we have the opportunity to walk with someone and help equip them to fulfill their destinies. I encourage you to find your path and walk it.

Word of the Quarter - Equipping Others

This is an article I wrote for the Word of the Quarter section of the summer newsletter.

In this issue of the PCC Scroll, we wrap up the overarching theme of “Walking out Your Purpose.” The overarching theme began in the fall issue with the theme of “Discover Your Purpose.” In the winter issue, we continued on with the theme of “Using Your Gifts/Talents.” In the spring issue, we continued on with the theme of “Being a Good Steward.” In this summer issue, we conclude the overarching theme with the theme of “Equipping Others.”

The word equip has two meanings. One meaning is, “To supply with necessities such as tools or provisions.” The other meaning is, “To furnish (someone) with the qualities necessary for performance; prepare.”

As we have mentioned in past issues, our gifts and talents are not for us. They are to help edify and equip other members of the body of Christ. For example, if you are a teacher, you would equip the body with your teaching ministry by teaching the Word of God. If you are a writer, you would equip the people through your writing by writing pieces that inspire, encourage, and teach.

The Scroll is an example of a ministry that is meant to equip. In fact, if you look at issues of the Scroll, you will see our mission statement on the first page. Our mission is, “Spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ and equipping the People of God through the written word.”

Ephesians 4:11-16 tells us, “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.”

Of course in order to be in a position to equip others, preparation is needed on our parts. God is constantly equipping us through our  backgrounds and experiences. God also uses His Word to equip us. This is why Bible study and church attendance are so important. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us that, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.”

In the Bible, we see many examples of people equipping others. The biggest example comes from Jesus. Jesus equipped His disciples by spending time with them and imparting knowledge and wisdom into them. And look at what they did. We can also see examples of equipping through the examples of Paul and Timothy and Naomi and Ruth. In some ways, equipping can also look like mentorship.

We can equip in natural ways as well. For example, if you are a financial advisor, you could equip the people of God in the area of finances. If you are into fitness, you could equip the saints into leading healthier lives.

We encourage you to know and understand what your role is in equipping others. It is important to know what God has given you to do. You have an important role in equipping the Body of Christ. Use your gifts and talents to equip those around you!