Over c^6ûpOf Goffee OP NEW WINE, he says, “ It wasn’t so much that people lied. We just had an unspoken agreement not to press the truth — when it seemed that the truth might hurt the leader’s or some one else’s feelings — or really rock the boat.” I’m really very happy that when Paul was writing to the Christians at Ephesus he did not say, “ Now that you never lie, I’m so proud o f you.” More honestly he said, “ Stop your lying” and “ constantly renew y o u r spirit and minds.” It has to be a daily, conscious wanting to live honestly before the Lord. We may never be able to say with George Washington, “ I cannot tell a lie” but we can pray, “ Father, help me to live and walk and speak in loving truthfulness each moment so I will not grieve Your Spirit.” As I write this, I’ve just stopped my comment to Laurie, for I was about to say, “ I’ve told you a million times to pick up that sweater!” Method: Cook 3 lbs. potatoes with jackets and peel and slice. Fry 3 lbs. bacon until crisp and break into small pieces. Partly cook celeiy (about 5 minutes) in a small amount of water (approx. 1 cup water). Add 1 1/2 cups green onion; add 1 1/2 cups green pepper; add vinegar, pepper, salt and sugar; and crisp bacon and sliced potatoes. Mix with a fork and serve hot. Thanks to Mrs. E. P. Norling of Anaheim. INSTANT COBBLER (serves 6-8) You'll Need: 1 cup flour 1 cup sugar 1 teasp. baking powder Green apples, fresh, frozen or canned peaches Whipping cream or ice cream 1 egg Powdered cinnamon Butter Method: Set over 350 degrees, grease an 8" by 12" pan, slice green apples (or fresh, frozen or canned peaches) into pan almost to the top. Cover with y2 cup sugar and li^Htly sprinkle cinnamon on top. Cover with topping. Topping: Mix 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, 1 teasp. baking powder and add 1 beaten egg and mix well. Spoon topping over fruit and dot with butter. Bake 1 hour. Serve with whipping cream or ice cream or just plain. Serve warm or cold. . . . r thanks to Mrs. Esther Paulson of Idaho. HOT GERMAN POTATO SALAD 3 lbs. potatoes 3 lbs. bacon 2% cups chopped celery 1% cups chopped green onion 1/3 cup white vinegar 1 ’/2 cups chopped green pepper % teasp. pepper 2’/a teasp. salt 1y2 tablespoon sugar You'll Meed:
THE CHERRY TREE INC IDENT A s k a n y s c h o o l child what George Washington’s character was like and you’ll get the 24-caret gold answer, “ He did not tell lies!” Bless old George’s heart when he said, “ I can not tell a lie.” I wish I could have said that during my childhood — or even, on occasion, now. Somehow, I can lie. It’s not that I ’m fond o f sinning or that there is pleasure in breaking one of the Ten Commandments, but combine my imagi nation with a real necessity and I’ll lie every time. Well, maybe that’s an exaggeration too, but really. . . . Just like today . . . I was behind schedule and when I knew I was going to be engaged in a lengthy conversation on the phone, I told the caller I was just leaving. (I did leave, but much later.) Was it a lie? Yes, it was a lie even if there was an element of truth in it. Our daughter told me two “ facts” about lying the other day. (1) Every one lies. (2) Little lies don’t matter. I was shocked at her statements but have had time to consider them and whether I like it or not, it is true. Everyone does, to some degree, lie. We lie on the phone probably more than any other place and we lie to our chil dren (“ I don’t know whether you can go or not; I’ll think about it and give you my answer” but we have already decided and we do know our decision). Let someone ask you how old you are and listen to your direct or indirect answer. Open a gift and discover it’s just horrible, then listen to your words as you thank the giver. Eat a burned casserole, then compare your remarks to the hostess with your words to your husband on the way home. Tell the preacher how great his sermon was and then listen as you discuss it at dinner. Yes, everyone lies and we rationalize it all away by saying, “ It’s not really a big black lie.” Laurie questioned her piano teacher, “ If you knew the exact moment Christ was coming back, say, in two weeks, would you try every day o f the weeks not to tell any lies?” Her wise teacher, Ruth Calkin, answered, “ I don’t have to wait until He comes back, Laurie, He is already here — right now, so I must not lie even now, but live to please Him each and every moment.” This must be one o f the things God had in mind when Paul wrote, “ And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind, having a fresh mental and spir itual attitude, and put on the new nature created in God’s image” (Eiph. 4:23-24 Amplified). The entire fourth chapter of Ephesians tells us about our lying and Paul says in the 15th verse, “ Rather, let our lives lovingly express truth in all things, speaking truly, deal ing truly, living truly. Enfolded in love, let us grow up in every way and in all things into Him, who is the head, Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One.” He ends his thoughts on lying with the warning not to grieve the Holy Spirit. In Keith Miller’ s book THE TASTE
by Joyce Londorf
"DEAR BROKEN-HEARTED . . ." You stood there alone at the card counter reading sentimental Valentines. A thousand painful memories flooded your heart. No one in the world knew how you really felt that cold, empty day. You were a victim o f loneliness, and loneliness is a sad, frightening ex perience. Life seemed nothing more than a series of monotonous minutes and hours strung together to make an other dull day. With every fiber of your being you wanted to buy one special card. It seemed so right for him — almost as if you had written it. You could mail it without signing it, and he’d know! What difference would it make? Surely God would understand! Pour weeks ago you said a final goodbye. The break seemed unbearable. He was so important to you, so alive, so much fun, and you were sure you loved him. But time after time, date after date, he insisted that he didn’t need God. It was very clear that he had no desire to become a Christian. “ Let’s take our moments of pleasure now,” he laughingly said. E ven th ou g h he laughed, you knew he meant it. When he asked you to marry him, you knew it was coming, and you knew, too, that you should have broken the relationship sooner. The conflict was overwhelming. You wanted to say yes, but long ago you had settled it with Jesus Christ. You belonged first to Him, and you wanted a Christian home. A compromise at this point would bring disaster. You knew that nothing in your life — including mar riage — could have any real signifi cance apart from Jesus Christ. What did you do that lonely day — buy the card? No, for in your deepest heart you knew it would only prolong the agony and hurt. Wounds need to heal and God uses time creatively. What did you do — cry until you were literally exhausted? Yes, and it helped tremendously. Tears are a safety valve. If you refuse to allow them to become a neurotic indulgence, God can make a lovely rainbow out o f tears! What did you do the following weeks — think inwardly toward a long, un bearable future of self-insulation? No, for God gently reinforced you with His own unalterable Word: “ But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
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THE KING'S BUSINESS
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