SB Faith & Family

G iving Thanks

November 2012

THANKSGIVINGIntros and Endings

Greek Pastries for your Holiday Table

Faith and Family sbfaithandfamily.com2

November 2012

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From the Publisher

Quips & Quotes

Ad Directory

Servant LeadersAdd a Little Greek to your Holiday Table

Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving Intros and Endings

Wise WordsOur Hymn of Grateful Praise

Marriage MattersGod Desires Brokenness

Pressing UpwardsGreatful for His Greatness

Faith Under FireThrough a Glass Darkly

Chick ChatLifetime Warranty

The Single LifeThe Greater Reality of Singleness

Little BitsA Glorious...UGH!

Beautiful FeetGet Involved

Dave SaysFinancial Straight Talk with Dave Ramsey

Close to HomeThanksgiving Day Proclamation 1789

on the coverWise Wordscolumns in every issue

contents

Faith Under FireThrough a Glass Darkly11

Pressing UpwardsGreatful for His Greatness

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Wise WordsOur Hymn of Grateful Praise

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Marriage MattersGod Desires Brokenness7

Lifetime Warranty

The Single Life15

Little BitsA Glorious...UGH!

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Beautiful FeetGet Involved

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Dave SaysFinancial Straight Talk with 19

Close to HomeThanksgiving Day Proclamation22

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contentscontents

from the publisher

Faith and Family sbfaithandfamily.com

A s a child, I wondered what in the world my grandmothers meant when they used the phrase, “time fl ies.” It certainty didn’t seem that way. At six years old everything I dreamed doing was decades away. It was taking a very long time!

Two decades later I had three children. The phrased changed to “enjoy these times, they go by fast.” Had they EVER had screaming kids, 20 diapers to change, writings on the wall that did not come from Jesus?! Time does not go by fast. Well, maybe when they are asleep or taking naps. But when they were awake I was praying for the day to end.

We have since had three more children. This year I began to realize just what those phrases meant. These days I can’t slow time down. The kid that would never get out of the terrible twos, I now have to decide what high school she will be attending next fall. Those family members I thought were immortal, we lost this past year.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

1. For everything there is an appointed time,And an appointed time for every activity on earth:2. A time to be born, and time to die;a time to plant, and a time to uproot what was planted.3. A time to kill, and time to heal;a time to break down, and a time to build up.4. A time to weep, and time to laugh;time to mourn, and a time to dance.

5. A time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones;a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing.6. A time to search, and a time to give something up as lost;a time to keep, and a time to throw away.7. A time to rip, and a time to sew;a time to keep silent, and a time to speak.8. A time to love, and a time to hate;a time for war, and a time for peace.

The important thing to remember is God has ordained times for various events of life (opportunities, responsibilities, trials). Although, some times seem as though they were ordained by the evil one himself, you realize with age that tomorrow everything could change; those snotty nose children are now graduating or your most valued possessions gone.

Each year, during Thanksgiving, we have a service called “Akathist of Thanksgiving”. This hymn came to be known through Archpriest Gregory Petroff, who died in a Soviet prison camp in the 1940’s. I leave you with a few verses to remember during this fall season. Glory to You, O God, unto ages of ages.

Ashley FosterPublisher

Glory to You in the stillness of evening, Glory to You Who has bestowed great peace to the

world, Glory to You for the last rays of sunlight,

Glory to You for rest and the gift of sleep, Glory to You for Your presence in darkness, when the world

is so remote, Glory to You for prayer from the depth of a heart touched

by You, Glory to You for the promise of awakening to the joy of

eternal, unending day, Glory to You, O God, unto ages of ages.

Glory to You for Your constant care of me, Glory to You for providential encounters with people,

Glory to You for the love of relatives, the devotion of friends,

Glory to You for the gentleness of animals who serve me, Glory to You for the luminous moments of my life,

Glory to You for the bright joys of the heart, Glory to You for the happiness of living, of moving and

contemplating,Glory to You, O God, unto ages of ages.

* Read the Akathist in its entirety at www.stnickolasdc.org/fi les/prayers/Akathist-of-Thanksgiving.pdf

Cherish the Time “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

1 Thessalonians 5:18

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This our hymn of grateful praiseOld hymns still resonate:

For the Beauty of the Earth For the beauty of the earth, For the beauty of the skies, For the love which from our birth Over and around us lies, Lord of all, to thee we raise This our grateful hymn of praise. For the beauty of each hour Of the day and of the night, Hill and vale, and tree and fl ower, Sun and moon and stars of light, Lord of all, to thee we raise This our grateful hymn of praise. For the joy of human love, Brother, sister, parent, child, Friends on earth, and friends above, Pleasures pure and undefi led, Lord of all, to thee we raise This our grateful hymn of praise. For each perfect gift of thine, To our race so freely given, Graces human and divine, Flowers of earth and buds of heaven, Lord of all, to thee we raise This our grateful hymn of praise. For thy Church which evermore Lifteth holy hands above, Offering up on every shore Her pure sacrifi ce of love, Lord of all, to thee we raise This our grateful hymn of praise.

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MarriagearriageMatters

November 2012

In our lives, some� mes things never seem to change. Have you ever wondered why? Have you ever been broken over your choices and your sin? Have you ever allowed yourself to look at what your sin has done to the hearts of those you love? We tend to want people to excuse our behavior and forgive it without any implica� ons for our own life. If we never experience brokenness, then we never truly change.

The Bible says that God “will not reject a broken and repentant heart” (Psalms 51:17). He longs to see us desire brokenness, for it is in our brokenness and weakness that his strength is made perfect (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Here are the Benefits of Brokenness:

1. You lose your need to control. When we

have a faulty trust in God, we don’t think he can control our lives as well as we can, so we manipulate. When we choose brokenness and surrender, we trust that God is in control, and we submit to what he desires and chooses. There’s freedom in knowing he’s in control.

2. You lose your need to impress. When we choose

brokenness, we lose your need to impress others. We begin to live out of an iden� ty that isn’t based on others’ opinions, valida� ons, or acceptance. When we live only trying to impress God, we discover a confi dence and freedom that we’ve o� en tried to provide for ourselves but never could.

3. You lose your desire to pretend. When you

embrace brokenness, you stop pretending! You stop pretending you’ve got it all together, you’ve got all the answers, you have the perfect marriage and have overcome all sins. You lose your desire to pretend to be a be� er friend, husband, or parent than you really are, and you desire to be more of who God calls you to be. You actually want to wake up and be the person you’ve been pretending to be, realizing that brokenness is the only way to get there.

4. You lose your need to hide. As you embrace it

and fi nd brokenness, your need to hide fades away. And all you are le� with is freedom.

Confession is necessary, but brokenness is available to anyone willing to pursue it. It’s a narrow path and many will not walk it, but if you do......real life and in� macy will begin!

Many of these comments came from a book from our dear friends, Justin and Trisha Davis.

Check out their book...”Beyond Ordinary”

Steve & Debbie Wilson

www.marriagemattersnow.com

God D ir Brokenness

www.barksdalebaptistchurch.org

Barksdale Baptist Church

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ADD A LITTLE GREEK TO YOUR HOLIDAY TABLE!


The Ladies Philoptochos Society of St. George Greek Orthodox Church is now taking orders for its annual Greek Pastry Sale. Preordering is the only way to guarantee your selection and prepaid orders receive priority. Very limited quantities and types of pastries will be available the day of the sale so don’t risk waiting until the last minute – order by Nov. 13. They make a delicious addition to your holiday meal.

This year’s offering includes a variety of pastries, sweet bread and frozen items. A gift box of 17 assorted pastries is also available so you can sample a variety and new to the sale this year is the “Festival of Greek Flavors” cookbook.

Preorders are to be picked up Tues, Nov. 20 at the St. George Activities Center, (542 Wichita in Shreveport) between 10:00a.m. & 5:30p.m.

For more information or to get an order form, call 318-747-4478, fax 318-861-3255, visit the church website at www.gosaintgeorge.org or email [email protected].

Proceeds from this sale fund the Philoptochos’ many charitable activities.

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Let’s be honest, each of us has questioned God’s greatness at some

point in our lives. Maybe it happened after losing a job you really loved or quickly followed devastating news delivered in a hospital. Whether it was an unfaithful spouse or a fi nancial disaster, we’ve all seen God as uncaring and untrustworthy at some point. Much like the wandering Israelites in the desert, our painful circumstances can cause us to question a sovereign God. One thing we need to understand is that God welcomes our questions. He invites us to bring our doubts, fears and hurts to Him. This is one of the qualities that makes God so great. He is a confi dent God that knows the answers to our questions and reminds us that He is trustworthy, He is good and His plans will prosper us and give us a future.

So, why would a good God allow us to go through diffi cult seasons in life? He led the Israelites into the desert because He wanted their dependence on Him to grow. He knew what was awaiting them in the Promise Land. It was described as the land of “milk and honey.” God knew that once in the Promise Land, it would be easy for them to forget that He delivered them from slavery in Egypt. In the desert, He wanted to teach them to depend on Him and not on the provisions of this promising land. He wanted to remind them that He is the

source of everything good, and they needed Him more than they needed “milk and honey.”

One thing we need to understand is that God welcomes our questions.

What does God know about you that you don’t know about yourself? Could there be defi cits in your life that will be dangerous later if they are not corrected soon? Could the hardships you are going through right now actually be a gift from Him to grow you in these defi cits? James 1:2-4 in the Message says, “Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not defi cient in any way.” God knows that the deserts in our lives bring a tremendous opportunity, and what we do with the opportunity is our choice. In The Land Between, Jeff Manion writes, “The wilderness where faith can thrive is the very desert where it can dry up and die if we are not watchful.”

As we enter into the Thanksgiving season, I wonder if your heart is able to celebrate the goodness and greatness of our God. Are you thriving in the midst of hardship recognizing that God is

trustworthy? Maybe you have begun to doubt God, your faith, and His calling on your life. May I encourage you to recognize the season you are in as an incredible opportunity? You see, our responses to our situations in the desert either bring life or they bring destruction. They can either grow our dependence on God or they can lead us to doubt God and depend more on self. I pray that you, “Will you trust me?” By placing our trust in Him and not in our own understanding, He assures us that our path will be straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6) If you fi nd yourself journeying through the desert right now, may I encourage you to remember His unfailing love and his His greatness. What is it that He wants you to learn before you enter into the next season? Press into Him, listen for His voice and trust Him. I’m certain you will fi nd yourself

Grateful for His greatness too.

Lee Smith has been married to Jenni for eleven years. They are the proud parents of Ford (4) and Millie (17 mos.). The Smiths are eagerly awaiting their third child whom they are adopting from Ethiopia. Lee is a Marriage & Family Therapist at Summit Counseling. He can be reached by dialing 601.949.1949.

Grateful for His Greatness

wanted to remind them that He is the

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– physical, mental and spiritual – were continually surprised by beauty. Click, click, click went the cameras, the images now safely stored on a smart card and forever in my heart. On the return trip, we were cruising above the clouds at more than 38,000 feet (7 miles high). Never having fl own at night, I casually looked out of the window into the inky-black sky and was astounded that the constellations were so close! The Big Dipper was absolutely huge, taking up half of the panoramic view. I pressed my head against the window for a long time, mesmerized by the nearness of the stars, and sharing an intimate moment with their Creator. Of course, the Dipper was not really that big. It was the same size it has always been. Yet through the miracle of fl ight, I was transported to a proximity I had never before experienced. Although I could not extend my hand through the pressurized cabin window to grasp the handle of the Dipper, it felt as if I did – and God gave me a drink of Living Water that fi lled my weary soul. It was no accident that He showed me that particular constellation on that night when I needed it most.

He reminded me that the closer we come to Him, the more we see. In the Episcopal Holy Eucharist service in the Book of Common Prayer, participants repenting of their sins are asked to “Draw

Through a Darkly

Dianne B. HowellShreveport, LA

November 2012

Take a moment to study the photo on this page. What do you see? Ice patterns on a window? Broken glass? And, what can you perceive through the mottled pattern? Earth, sky, sand or sea? Can you know with any certainty? Probably not, because seeing is all about perspective.

The photo was taken from inside the 70th Street Post Offi ce looking out to the parking area through a “picture” window marred by a half-inch-diameter bullet hole. The outward (or inward – I never knew which) force of the bullet’s progress created an intricate “crackled” effect without actually shattering the glass. In the view, you can see the sky, a blooming crape myrtle, the yellow caution tape strung by police, and the sandy color of my car. I remember being struck by the pattern, running outside to get my camera, and thinking – all in a moment’s time – “Through a glass darkly” from I Corinthians 13:12.

Last month, through the extreme generosity of a discerning friend in Christ, I had the privilege of taking a lovely vacation to a paradise destination where my eyes

– physical, mental and spiritual – were continually surprised by beauty. Click, click, click went the cameras, the images now safely stored on a smart card and forever in my heart. On the return trip, we were cruising above the clouds at more than 38,000 feet (7 miles high). Never having fl own at night, I casually looked out of the window into the inky-black sky and was astounded that the constellations were so close! The Big Dipper

near with faith, and take this holy Sacrament to your comfort; and make your humble confession to Almighty God, devoutly kneeling.” What will we see if we dare to draw near? Jesus the Christ, the radiance of God’s glory, the expressed image of the Father’s nature, the very language of God, the One enthroned on High. Hebrews 1:1-3.

I Corinthians 13:12 establishes this promise for believers: “For now [on this earth] we see in a glass [mirror] darkly, but then [in heaven] face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully, just as I also have been fully known.” What an immeasurable miracle! We are not required to fully know or see Him as a prerequisite to Grace. Instead, Mercy Himself knows us, see us, loves us, redeems us – fi rst and completely! In Christ.

“Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see!” Give Thanks.

What do you see?

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G iving our spiritual existence is this meal we share together with our church families where we collectively give thanks unto God for the life, death, burial and resurrection of Christ. When we do this we preserve, protect and pass on what has been handed down to us from the previous generation.

The act of giving thanks to God existed in the Old Testament before the advent of Christ. The Greek word eucharistia meaning “thanksgiving” corresponds perfectly to the Old Testament sacrifi ce known as the ‘todah’ off ering. In Hebrew, the word todah also means “thanksgiving.” Accordingly, the New Testament authors use the word eucharistia as a Greek translation of the Hebrew todah meaning “thanksgiving sacrifi ce.”

In the Old Testament, we read that the todah thanksgiving sacrifi ces were off ered with wheat fl our and wine (Num 15:1-10). This sacrifi ce of wheat and wine evokes the sacrifi ce of bread and wine off ered by Melchizedek who blessed the patriarch Abraham (Gen 14:18). We learn that Christ is a ‘priest according to the order of Melchizedek’ (Heb 7:1-17), and so Jews would expect the Messiah to off er a sacrifi ce of bread and wine. Moreoever, we read that King David off ered the todah sacrifi ce with bread and wine (1 Chr 16:3). We also read about how the prophet Jonah, having been swallowed by the great fi sh, vowed to the Lord a todah sacrifi ce if

Harvest time and giving thanks in Keithville.


At the heart of Christian worship is the act of thanksgiving. No matter what our church

affi liation, at some point in time during the week, month or year we take the fruit of the earth (wheat and grapes) that represent the blessings of God that sustains our physical existence and off er them back up to God. Quite often we refer to this ritual act as the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:20), ‘the breaking of the bread’ (Acts 20:7) or Communion. Unlike the common practice today, the earliest Christians shared an entire meal together known as an agape feast. It is similar to our common potlucks today. One of the major reasons for this communal meal was to provide food for the less fortunate. One of the reasons the celebration of the Lord’s Supper was separated from the agape meal was the wealthy were taking advantage of the poor. They would eat and drink before the needy arrived. In turn, the ‘love feast’ did not live up to its name. Unfortunate as the events in Corinth were, the church still gathered to participate in an eff ectual memorial of Christ’s broken body and spilt blood and give thanks for it. This act, as referenced by St. Paul before 100 AD, the Church referred to as Eucharist ‘And when he had given thanks (Greek: eucharistésas or “eucharisted”), he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me” (1 Cor 11:24).’ Later, another late fi rst or early second century document known as the Didache records similar language, ‘Now as regards the Eucharist, give thanks after this manner...’ Moreover, Christ Himself, at the Last Supper, following the Jewish meal tradition, gave thanks before the cup and the bread. Therefore, we see at the center of

he should be delivered from death after spending three days in darkness (Jon 2:3-10). The earliest Christians came to perceive that the Last Supper of Christ was in fact a todah sacrifi ce of bread and wine in union with the sacrifi ce of Christ. The Davidic todah—thanksgiving theme and the promised todah—thanksgiving of Jonah who also rose from the belly of the fi sh on the third day confi rmed that the wheat and wine ritual of Christ hearkened back to the bread and wine “thanksgiving” off ering of the Old Testament.

In the Old Covenant, bread and wine were off ered in sacrifi ce among the fi rst fruits of the earth as a sign of grateful acknowledgment to the Creator. But they also received a new signifi cance in the context of the Exodus: the unleavened bread that Israel eats every year at Passover commemorates the haste of the departure that liberated them from Egypt; the remembrance of the manna in the desert will always recall to Israel that it lives by the bread of the Word of God; their daily bread is the fruit of the promised land, the pledge of God’s faithfulness to his promises. The “cup of blessing” at the end of the Jewish Passover meal adds to the festive joy of wine an eschatological dimension: the messianic expectation of the rebuilding of Jerusalem. When Jesus instituted the Eucharist, he gave a new and defi nitive meaning to the blessing of the bread and the cup- a meaning that was passed down among the Christians by way of oral tradition and recorded by the Apostles (Paul, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) approximately 25 to 35 years later, respectively.

It is important to note that the tradition the bread. Therefore, we see at the center of

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T hanks

As our country prepares to collectively participate in a day of thanksgiving for the blessings of God upon our Land, let us make sure to keep that same spirit alive when we gather in our local churches to do this throughout the year. By doing so, we will realize being thankful is who we are as a people. Furthermore, the meal we share together with our Christian brothers and sisters in our local church connects us to the tradition of Christ and His apostles and to those that will come after us that will continue to gather in order to break bread and drink the cup of salvation.

Faith and Family

November 2012

of giving thanks continued after the death of the Apostles. We clearly see the Apostolic Fathers, those that followed the Apostles, emphasizing the need to gather for the Eucharist. One of the earliest accounts we have of Christians gathering together outside of the New Testament is found in the writings of St. Justin Martyr, 150 AD. The Roman offi cials were accusing Christians of being cannibals, along with other things, because they participated in the Body and Blood of Christ in a ritual meal. In his Apology (65-67 in particular )to the pagan Emperor Antonius Pius (138-161 AD), St. Justin explains what Christians actually did when they gathered as church and celebrated the Eucharist:

On the day we call the day of the sun [i.e. Sunday], all who dwell in the city or country gather in the same place.

The memoirs of the apostles and the writings of the prophets are read, as much as time permits. When the reader has fi nished, he who presides over those gathered admonishes and challenges them to imitate these beautiful things.

Then we all rise together and off er prayers for ourselves...and for all others, wherever they may be, so that we may be found righteous by our life and actions, and faithful to the commandments, so as to obtain eternal salvation. When the prayers are concluded we exchange the kiss.

Then someone brings bread and a cup of water and wine mixed together to him who presides over the brethren. He takes them and off ers praise and glory to the Father of the universe, through the name of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and for a considerable time he gives thanks “eucharists” that we have been judged worthy of these gifts. When he has concluded the prayers and thanksgivings, all present give voice to an acclamation by saying: “Amen!”

When he who presides has given thanks and the people have responded, those whom we call deacons give to those present the eucharisted bread, wine and water and take them to those who are absent.

Here we fi nd not only the use of Paul’s word eucharistia, but also the structure that he laid down in the Church at Corinth. Therefore, we see the act of thanksgiving continuing in the Christian tradition.

Stop by and visit the historic Keithville United Methodist Church or attend a service.

For almost 150 years Keithville Methodist has been gathering to celebrate the Lord’s Supper.

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overwhelmed in this life – He is there! He WILL strengthen you and hold onto you forever.

Yes, our God comes with a LIFETIME WARRANTY when we accept Him! Live that out today and be encouraged that the God of the universe loves you and is holding you and will never let you go. If you are reading this today and do not know Him – and desire that ‘lifetime warranty’ send me an email or message on Facebook and I will show you the way.

November 2012

overwhelmed in this life – He is there! He WILL strengthen you and hold

“Like Christian marriage, Christian singleness lived in its fullest expression is a powerful testimony to the gospel. In the unchanging commitment of love and submission expressed between husband and wife, Christian marriage testifi es to God’s faithful covenantal love toward his people and their submission and reception to his sovereign love. Christian singleness is a testimony to the supreme suffi ciency of Christ for all things, testifying that through Christ life is fully blessed even without marriage and children. It prophetically points to a reality greater than the satisfactions of this present age by consciously anticipating the Christian’s eternal inheritance in the kingdom of God. Christian singleness lived as testimony of this gospel truth is a redeeming singleness.”

- Barry Danylak

The Greater Reality of SinglenessBecause sometimes we just need to be reminded that this time in our lives counts for so much more than a lesson in patience:

Have you ever gotten something and you

discovered it had a lifetime warranty? Did it really last? I once bought a razor with a lifetime warranty to shave my legs with and some 10 years later it was not working and I began to investigate why. It needed a new kind of razor blade...can I tell you that the company I bought it from was out of business! So – the ‘lifetime warranty’ was not for life! Instead the offer was to trade that in on a newer, different kind of model!

The powerful lesson I learned through that and other things is that there is NOTHING in this life that lasts forever except the love of Jesus. All things fade away eventually or you can’t find parts or the company closes or wants you to upgrade to a newer model.

God lasts for eternity – that is His Promise from the Bible in Isaiah 41:9-10 “I took you from

Have you ever gotten something and you

discovered it had a lifetime warranty?

the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

God is never letting go of the child who believes Him and receives Him! That is good news for us girlfriends! When we have fear in this life – we have to believe God is with us. He is never going to wear out; get tired; let us go or trade us in on a newer model.

No matter where you are in this life or what you are going through – you can hold fast to this Promise of God! If you have fear – He is there! If you feel rejected – He is there. If you are

-JoAnne Timothywww. h e a r t s f i r em i n i s t r y. c om

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Little Bits

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

Candace ChaneyShreveport, LA


Gloriousugh

A

I’ve never really c o n s i d e r e d gleaning any

sort of profundity from a toothpaste dispenser.

But after this week, I’ve realized that the path of fl ouride-laden destruction left by my children each morning reminds me of something really profound. It speaks to me. What I realized is that it reminded me of that list I made- the list of some of the things that make us yearn for Jesus.

Believe it or not- it’s not the pasty tri-

colored mess itself that makes my heart long for His return, but my own heart’s response to that mess.

Instead of being eternally grateful for the clean teeth and the healthy children who obediently brush their teeth daily, I scowl at the mess. Instead of being thankful for a husband who works hard and who loves me despite my foul moodiness, I complain. Instead of being very present with my boys who will only want me to play Hot Wheels with them for a handful of years, I’m thinking about all the other things I could do with my time.

I have been selfi shly ungrateful. At best.

Ugh.

In the moment, it’s hard to see and I can kind of rationalize my emotions, but

afterwards, I’m starting to see my utter depravity and my sin as plain and ugly as it is. And that UGH of mine can be a discouraged UGH or it can be a glorious UGHfull of repentance and hope. Maybe the Lord is just opening my eyes a bit. Maybe it’s His great mercy. Maybe this repentant UGH can propel me to yearn, yearn, yearn for Jesus more and more and more.

It’s no Autumn wind or blazing fi re or astronomical wonder- it’s just the simple truth that I need Him- desperately- that makes me yearn for more of Him.

Who knew that Aquafresh could make that list?

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Providence House

GET INVOLVED

November 2012

Project Mission Tree benefits the Shreveport Bossier Rescue Mission guests—homeless men, women, and children. Each guest can request up to three gifts. We ask that no more than $30 is spent on each gift. The tags are picked off our Mission Tree and the gift is returned, wrapped with the original tag attached to it. The gifts are then distributed at the Christmas party we have for our residents. A few Christmas trees are available to display the tags—first come, first served.

Tags can be picked up starting November 12, 2012 at the Rescue Mission at 901 McNeil Street. Gifts must be returned, wrapped with the original tag securely attached no later than December 6, 2012 to the Rescue Mission.

This is an opportunity to give back and know that your gift will impact someone’s life right here in Shreveport-Bossier. Thank you for helping to make sure that homeless men, women and children have a wonderful, joyous Christmas season.

Contact: Anna Adams, 318-227-2868, ext 104. [email protected]

Help Feed a Homeless Family this Holiday Season

Providence House is currently helping 85 families in our program everyday. Our goal is to grant all of our families the opportunity to enjoy the kind of meal that you or I will enjoy this Thanksgiving.

We are asking that you help us provide turkey or ham with all the fixings. With your support, these families will have a brighter holiday season.

Suggested ItemsTURKEY OR HAM, CRANBERRY SAUCE, STOVE TOP STUFFING MIX, CORN BREAD MIX, CHICKEN BROTH ,GREEN BEANS, CORN, CAKE/CAKE MIX, YAMS, PIE SHELLS, CANNED MILK, JELLO, DINNER ROLLS

Things to Remember1. Drop off items from November 5-9 at the front lobby of Providence House, 814 Cotton Street - Monday-Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.2. Please place all items in a basket to help make transporting the items easy for our families.

This year, you can help Operation Christmas Child surpass 100 million shoe box gifts packed and distributed since 1993. Visit www.samaritanspurse.org for more information on how you can help fi ll a shoe box. National Collection Week is November 12-19Drop off Location: First Baptist Church, Bossier City.

Project MissionTree

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DaveSays...

November 2012

Dear Dave, When it comes to taking control of your money and living on a budget, what’s the biggest thing a family can live without?

WillDear Will, There are always the shiny things people can do without. Sometimes people sell a fancy car or boat and get rid of a $600-a-month payment right off the bat. But on a regular, day-to-day basis, I think maybe the biggest and best thing you can amputate from your life is eating out.I love a good restaurant, and I’ve got nothing against the industry. The problem, though, is that people are struggling to pay their bills or set aside something for retirement because they’re eating out all the time. Most folks simply don’t realize how much money they throw away by heading to the drive-through for lunch or going out to dinner “once in a while.”I want people to enjoy life, and a great part of that can be going out and having a meal with your family and friends. Just don’t do it when you’re broke. If you’re having fi nancial issues, the only time you should see the inside of a restaurant is if you’re working there!

—Dave

Dear Dave, We’re expecting our second child next spring, and even though we have an extra bedroom, our place is pretty small for a growing family. We also have $40,000 in student loan debt hanging over our heads, but we can save up almost $50,000 by the time the baby’s here. Should we use this money to buy a bigger home or pay off debt?

ChrisDear Chris, If it were me, I’d make sure to knock out the student loan before buying a house. Trust me, if you buy a home with a ton of debt hanging over your heads, Murphy will move into your spare bedroom and make your lives miserable. If it can happen, it will happen. And that’s especially true when it comes to buying a house when you don’t have much cash on hand.You’re telling me you can save nearly $50,000 by next year. That means you guys are making pretty good money. So there’s no reason you can’t turn around and do the same thing next year, right? I mean, this is only a one- or two-year program we’re talking about. In another year’s time, you could save up for a huge down payment with some extra savings on the side. If you waited and saved for two years, there’s a possibility you could pay cash for a bigger place outright. Imagine how cool it would be to have your own home with no mortgage payments!Just clean up the extra bedroom and fi x it up as a nice nursery. Some new carpet or hardwood is always nice. Throw in a fresh coat of paint, and you’re in business. Then, a year or two after the new baby arrives, you’ll be ready to move from a fi nancial and a family perspective. A baby can live just fi ne in a small bedroom. There’s nothing in the world wrong with that!

—Dave

Dear Dave,I’m in college with a full scholarship. I work part time and should be able to graduate with no debt. What can I do now to best utilize the money I make?

TylerDear Tyler,You’re in a fantastic position right now. First, I think your main goal is to study hard and be 100 percent certain you’re graduating on time with no money issues. The next thing is to make sure you have plenty of cash on hand to make the transition to the real world. In a case like this, transition can mean anything from moving to a new city to simply fi nding a diff erent place to live. You’re coming to a time in your life where you really can’t have too much cash saved.If it were me, I’d just save every penny I could and drop it in a savings account. You can worry about investing and growing your money later, after you’ve settled into your new life and have some stability. Just think how cool it would be to graduate with $20,000 in the bank. Then, when you change gears and move out into the real world, you can do some really cool things with the money that’s left. Set three to six months of expenses aside as your emergency fund, then you can even begin to think about buying a home and investing in Roth IRAs and other pre-tax retirement plans.But your biggest investment right now is making sure you fi nish school and have the cash on-hand to transition smoothly afterward. And you’re in a great position to make that happen!

—Dave

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Payoff debt vs. down payment

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Financial Straight Talk with Dave Ramsey

Cut Eating Out

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food for thought

T


THANKSGIVINGIntros and Endings

Make your Thanksgiving complete with these amazing appetizers and delicious desserts!

The Holidays are quickly approaching, and everyone is busy planning special meals for Thanksgiving Day. Begin the day with appetizers such as Mini Pumpkin Cheese Balls or keep it simple with sugar coated pecans. Dessert seems to be anticipated throughout the Thanksgiving meal. Try a few different desserts such as the Pumpkin Pie Cupcake. Children will delight in helping make Turkey Pop Treats.

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MINI “PUMPKIN” CHEESE BALLS

CREAMY PUMPKIN PIE DIP

recipe adapted from Kraft Canada

1 (250g/8oz) package cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup fi nely chopped roasted red peppers

1/2 teaspoon garlic powderpinch cayenne pepper1 cup grated cheddar cheese2 green onionspaprika, or dusting

1. Beat cream cheese, red peppers, garlic and cayenne until well blended. Stir in cheddar cheese. Refrigerate 2 hours or until fi rm enough to handle.

2. Roll into 1 inch balls and then coat in paprika. Make indents in the side of each one with a knife to make a pumpkin shape (refrigerate longer if needed before shaping with knife).

3. Slice green onion into 1 inch pieces (green parts only). Slice each piece in half lengthwise. Roll each half back into a circular shape and stick into the top of the cheese ball. Refrigerate until serving.

1 (250g/8oz) package spreadable cream cheese, room temperature

1 cup pumpkin pie fi lling1 teaspoon cinnamon1/2 teaspoon ginger1/2 teaspoon vanilla1/4 cup sour cream

1. Cream together cream cheese and pie fi lling until smooth. Stir in cinnamon, ginger, vanilla and sour cream. Refrigerate 2 hours before serving.

2. Serve with graham crackers, ginger snaps, cinnamon cookies or fruit such as apples and pears.

Makes: 2 cups* If using plain pumpkin puree ADD:

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves, 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg (or: 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice). PLUS: 3/4 cup icing sugar.

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“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of Himthat sent me, and to fi nish His work” - John 4:34

November 2012

1 egg white1 Tbsp water1 pound pecan halves1 cup white sugar3⁄4 teaspoon salt1⁄2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Grease one baking sheet2. In a mixing bowl, mix together the egg white and water

until frothy. In a separate bowl, mix together sugar, salt, and cinnamon.

3. Add pecans to egg whites, stir to coat the nuts evenly. Remove the nuts, and toss them in the sugar mixture until coated. Spread the nuts out on the prepared baking sheet.

4. Bake at 250 degrees for 1 hours. Stir every 15 minutes.

Don’t let the name of these fool you -- they aren’t your ordinary cupcakes. These mini cakes have the same ooey, gooey center as a slice of the famous pumpkin pie. The fl our and sugar in the mix form a crust around the center so you get the same texture as a piece of pie. Plus, the top becomes concave while cooling, forming a perfect spot for a dollop of whipped topping! Yields: 12 cupcakes

SUGAR COATED PECANS

PUMPKIN PIE CUPCAKES

2/3 cup all-purpose fl our1/4 teaspoon baking powder1/4 teaspoon baking soda1/4 teaspoon salt1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree1/2 cup white sugar1/4 cup brown sugar2 large eggs1 teaspoon almond extract3/4 cup skim milkWhipped topping and cinnamon for garnish

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line cupcake wrappers in a muffi n pan and coat wrappers with cooking spray.

2. In a medium bowl, mix together fl our, baking powder, baking soda, salt and pumpkin pie spice.

3. In a larger bowl, combine pumpkin puree, sugar, brown sugar, eggs, almond and milk until fully combined. Add in dry ingredients and mix until no streaks of fl our remain and batter is smooth. (Batter will be runny).

4. Fill liners about 3/4 of the way full and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until cupcakes are brown. Once cooled, add a dollop of whipped topping into the concave center and sprinkle with cinnamon!

TURKEY POP TREATS

1. In large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat.

2. Add Kellogg’s® Rice Krispies® cereal. Stir until well coated.3. Using 1/4-cup measuring cup coated with cooking spray divide warm

cereal mixture into 24 portions. Using buttered hands shape each portion into ball. Insert lollipop stick into each. Place on wax-paper-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate about 10 minutes or until fi rm.

4. In microwave-safe bowl combine chocolate morsels and oil. Microwave on high for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes or until smooth, stirring every 30 seconds. Dip each ball into chocolate, allowing excess to drip off. Return to wax-paper-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate for 5 to 10 minutes more or until chocolate is almost set. Decorate with candy corn for tail feathers and beak, gently pressing candy into chocolate and cereal mixture. Press in white candies for eyes. Let stand until fi rm.

MICROWAVE DIRECTIONS: In microwave-safe bowl heat butter and marshmallows on HIGH for 3 minutes, stirring after 2 minutes. Stir until smooth. Follow steps 2-4 above. Microwave cooking times may vary.

3tbs butter or margarine 1pkg (10oz, about 40) regular marshmallows OR 4c miniature marshmallows6c Kellogg’s® Rice Krispies® cereal24 lollipop sticks/wooden ice cream sticks1pkg (12oz/2c) semi-sweet chocolate morsels1 tbs vegetable oil1 1/3 cups candy corn48 small white candies

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Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefi ts, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me “to recommend to the people of the United States a Day Of Public Thanksgiving and Prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:”

Now Therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the Twenty-Sixth Day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the benefi cent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed;-- for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish Constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted;-- for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge;-- and, in general, for all the great and various favours which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions:

- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness unto us); and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.

Quips and Quotes OUR ADVERTISERSAshley Ridge ImagingBarksdale Baptist ChurchBarksdale Federal Credit UnionCarl CochranChristLove InternationalCosse and Silmon OrthodonticsHis Grace Pediatric & KidMed ClinicImmanuel LutheranIndependence BowlLifeWayLitton MortgageMiracle 89.1/The Promise 90.7OCA Bossier MissionRatcliff Animal HospitalSharron FosterShreveport Bossier RealtyThe State Fair of LouisianaTransition Estate Sales

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Thanksgiving Day Proclamation 1789Date: October 3, 1789

By: George Washington

[email protected]

Every Tuesday and Thursday9:00am-2:00pm

Barksdale Baptist Church22

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4726 Viking Drive • Bossier City, LA 71111(318) 747-8919 Business • (318) 747-3880 FAX

November 2012 23

SB Faith & Family

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