Press On

When the valley is deep
When the mountain is steep
When the body is weary
When we stumble and fall

When the choices are hard
When we're battered and scarred
When we've spent our resources
When we've given our all

Chorus:
In Jesus' name, we press on
In Jesus' name, we press on
Dear Lord, with the prize
Clear before our eyes
We find the strength to press on

In Jesus' name, we press on
In Jesus' name, we press on
Dear Lord, with the prize
Clear before our eyes
We find the strength to press on
To press on

(lyrics and music by Selah)

Divine Communication - casting lots

The casting of lots was frequently used in the ancient Near East, by Jew and Gentile alike. For example, the Roman soldiers cast lots for Jesus' garments in Matt 27:35. The obvious reason for its use in this way was to get an impartial decision — rather like flipping a coin today.

But in Ezekiel 21:21-23, we also see that the king of Babylon cast lots as a means of divination:

For the king of Babylon will stop at the fork in the road, at the junction of the two roads, to seek an omen: He will cast lots with arrows, he will consult his idols, he will examine the liver. Into his right hand will come the lot for Jerusalem, where he is to set up battering rams, to give the command to slaughter, to sound the battle cry, to set battering rams against the gates, to build a ramp and to erect siege works. It will seem like a false omen to those who have sworn allegiance to him, but he will remind them of their guilt and take them captive.

He also "will examine the liver." Isn't that strange? But apparently people in the ancient Mesopotamian region would often examine the internal organs of animals, interpreting what they saw as implying such and such, because such and such had taken place when a similar observation had been made.* And as we see in Ezekiel, God could choose to use that.

Sometimes I find it hard to understand why God communicated the way He did with the Israelites, but it helps me to remember that they lived in a different society and thought differently than I do. And since God works with people where they are, this may explain why He chose to use the form(s) of communication He did. Additionally, God's will was very specific when He was forwarding His plan of redemption, so He had to give His people specific directions.

The practice of casting lots is actually mentioned 70 times in the Old Testament and seven times in the New Testament. However, despite the many references to casting lots in the Bible, nothing is known about the actual lots themselves. They may have been sticks of various lengths or marked pebbles; but nobody really knows for sure.

Casting lots seems to have occurred most often in connection with the division of the land under Joshua (Josh ch 14-21). Instructions for this procedure can be found in the Book of Numbers (Num 26:55; 33:54; 34:13; 36:2). God also allowed the Israelites to cast lots in order to determine His will for different situations (Josh 18:6-10; 1 Chron 24:5,31; Prov 16:33). For settling disputes (Prov 18:18). And setting a date (Esth 3:7). Various offices and functions in the Temple were also determined by lot (1 Chron 24:5,31; 25:8-9; 26:13-14). And the sailors on Jonah's ship (Jonah 1:7) cast lots to determine who had brought God's wrath upon their ship. The last recorded case is in Acts 1:24-26, when the apostles cast lots to determine who would replace Judas.

While casting lots was commonly done in Old Testament days and during the early part of the New Testament, it is no longer the way we determine God's will. People during that period of time didn't have the Holy Spirit indwelling them or a completed Bible to guide them. But we do, so we don't need to cast lots.


* This analogic type of reasoning is characteristic of thought in ancient Mesopotamia; cf. G. Contenau, Everyday Life in Babylon and Assyria, London, 1954, pp. 158ff. Inductive, deductive, and syllogistic ways of reasoning were not typical of Mesopotamia (or of the ancient Near East in general)
(from the book, The Bible and the Ancient Near East by Cyrus H Gordon and Gary A Rendsburg)

Ice Cream Cake

This is yet another recipe from an old church (not the church I attend) cookbook, though this cookbook is even older (1981) than the last one (1992).

Written in the Forward of this cookbook:

"Women's Christian Fellowship is pleased to share with you the favorite recipes of many of those attending our church. The numerous hours of committee work have culminated in a product that can help create family mealtimes, encourage friends to get together, and enhance parents as they teach their children the joy of serving others through cooking."

..."enhance parents"??? What does that mean? It almost seems like they'd glow in the dark or something. Ha! Maybe they meant to say "enhance parents' ability to teach ..." Believe me, I am very capable of writing something like that, too. (Just read through my blog.) But I'm okay with that. Besides, I rather think glow-in-the-dark parents would be pretty cool.

Here's the recipe:

36 Oreo cookies, coarsely crushed (don't use the double-stuffed cookies or your crust will turn out too hard)
2/3 c melted butter
1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream, softened (I use reduced fat ice cream — it's not quite so rich, then)
4 squares baking chocolate
1 c sugar
2 tbsp butter
1 1/3 c evaporated milk (I use skim variety)
1 tsp vanilla
1 large Cool Whip (I use the light variety — I don't know why I bother with all these "lighter variety" substitutions, because no matter how you "cut" it, it's still not good for you.)

Combine cookies and 2/3 c melted butter. Press into 9" x 13" pan. Spread with soft ice cream. Put in freezer. Combine chocolate, sugar, 2 tbsp butter and milk. Cook in double boiler until stiff and thick. Add vanilla. Cool. Pour over ice cream. Top with 1 large container Cool Whip. Freeze overnight. Serves 16-20.

Creamed Corn Casserole

I got this next recipe out of an old church cookbook. I greatly reduce the amount of butter and also use reduced fat sour cream, and I think it tastes just as good, if not better.

Here's the original recipe:

1 1/2 c (3 sticks) butter, melted (I only use 1 1/2 sticks of butter)

1 c sour cream (I use reduced fat variety)

1 (8 oz) can creamed corn

1 (8 oz) can whole kernel corn

2 beaten eggs

1 box corn muffin mix (I use Jiffy brand)

Mix corn with melted butter and sour cream. Add eggs. Stir in muffin mix. Place in buttered 7 x 11 inch baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.

Italian Potato Salad

Everybody I've ever served this potato salad to, loves it. I got it from an old, ordinary Betty Crocker cookbook, but made a few changes here and there. And because I never measure anything, every batch I make is a little different. :) So this recipe is only an approximate.

2 pounds potatoes (about 7 medium)
1 small onion, finely chopped (about 1/4 cup)
1/4 c Italian salad dressing
1 tbsp dried oregano leaves
1/3 c Parmesan cheese
1/2 c sliced green or black olives
1 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
3/4 c mayonnaise (I use reduced fat variety)
3 hard boiled eggs, coarsely chopped

Boil whole, unpeeled potatoes in salted water until done. Peel off skins and cut into cubes; stir in onion, Italian salad dressing, oregano, Parmesan cheese, sliced olives, salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours.

Just before serving, toss with mayonnaise until potatoes are well coated. Stir in eggs. Serves about 6 people.

Danish Kringle

My niece and nephew have been visiting us for the past couple of weeks. Unfortunately they're on their way back to Arkansas now, but we had a great time together while they were here. My niece has asked for several of my recipes, so I plan to post them all over the next several days.

I got this first recipe from a lady who lives is northern Wisconsin. She's a wonderful cook/baker, and I have gotten several recipes from her over the years.

2 sticks butter
2 c flour
8 oz sour cream
1 can filling (I usually use the Solo brand. I think the almond or raspberry fillings are the best.:)

Cut butter and flour together until it resembles streusel. Work sour cream into the butter and flour mixture. Cover and chill dough at least 4 hours (or freeze). Divide dough into 4 parts. Roll each into a 9" x 12" rectangle on a floured board. Make sure you use PLENTY of flour or it will stick to the counter and you'll have a real mess on your hands (not that I've ever experienced this, of course - LOL!).  Spread 1/4 can of filling lengthwise down the center of the dough. Cut the dough on either side of the filling portion into 1 inch strips, and fold them over the top of the filling portion of the dough. Remove excess flour with a pastry brush.

Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or until golden brown (or freeze until wanted). Frost while still warm.

Frosting
(makes enough for all 4 kringles)

2 tbsp melted butter
1 c powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 tbsp milk (more or less)

Before the Throne of God Above

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong, a perfect plea
A great high Priest whose Name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me

My name is graven on His hands
My name is written on His heart
I know that while in heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me there depart
No tongue can bid me there depart

When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end to all my sin

Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me
To look on Him and pardon me

Behold Him there the risen Lamb
My perfect spotless righteousness
The great unchangeable I AM
The King of glory and of grace

One with Himself I cannot die
My soul is purchased by His blood
My life is hid with Christ on high
With Christ my Savior and my God!
With Christ my Savior and my God!

http://www.imeem.com/people/3kavOo/music/ZOgL-zWR/selah-before-the-throne-of-god-above/