Whom Should I Seek to Please?

The story is told of a painter who desired to produce one work that would please the entire world. She drew a picture which required her utmost skill and took it to the public marketplace. She posted directions at the bottom of the piece for spectators to mark with a brush each portion of the picture that didn't meet their approval. The spectators came and, in general, applauded the work. But each, eager to make a personal critique, marked a small portion of the picture. By evening, the painter was mortified to find the entire picture had become a blot.
The next day the painter returned with a copy of the first picture. This time she asked the spectators to mark the portions of the work they admired. The spectators again complied. When the artist returned several hours later, she found every stroke that had been panned the day before had received praise by this day's critics.
The artist concluded, "I now believe the best way to please one-half of the world is not to mind what the other says."
People will always have an opinion about what we say or do. That is why we live our lives according to the words of the Bible - God's opinion. Then we will not fret over the opinion of others.
"Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10

I strive to keep this ever before me as a goal to achieve. Pleasing Him will be my success.

Jane's Recipe Box

My Favorite Biscuit Recipe



1 pkg Active Dry Yeast

3 Tbsp. warm water (105 F)

6 cups all purpose & unbleached flour

1/4 cup sugar

5 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 cup vegetable shortening

2 cups buttermilk - room temperature



Preheat oven to 400 F. Mix yeast and water and set aside. Mix all dry ingredients together and cut in shortening until mixture is like coarse crumbs. Mix buttermilk with yeast mixture and stir into dry ingredients.

Turn out on floured board and knead a few times. Roll out dough to 1/2-inch thickness. Cut biscuits and place on greased baking sheet.

Bake 15 - 18 minutes. Yield: 3 dozen biscuits.

Loving Lavishly

I love celebrating birthdays in our family. We have a tradition: to make that person feel very special. I cook their favorite foods, make a wonderful dessert, get a special gift and then watch as the whole family gathers to celebrate! Their eyes twinkle in anticipation. They have an extra bounce in their step. Their whole attitude is a little different because it is their day. A very special day. The day they were born - and into our family! Our special family; a place of love and acceptance. A place where they know they are welcome anytime. When they are up, riding the crest of success, or down, feeling depressed and downtrodden.
I believe that is how our Heavenly Father treats His children too! His word says “While we were yet sinners”, not much good for anything really, He sent Jesus, His only Son to die for us. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believed on Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 (TLB) Wow! What lavish love the Father demonstrated to us. We are his creation and He loves us; with extreme love, generous love, lavish love!
If you want to see a grandmother giddy with extreme love just ask me about my grandsons! They are definitely the “apple of my eye.” I love taking them for a few hours and just hangin’ out. A favorite place for a six year old and three year old is, of course, McDonalds Play Area. They run and squeal and slide and bounce to their hearts content. Showing off their special skill crawling through the tunnel and coming down the slide, they yell at me to watch them and wave as they go by, happy as clams! I adore David Michael’s chocolate-brown eyes twinkling with mischief, and Benjamin, with his cherub face and bright blue eyes, how can I resist them? I just look at those two and melt with extreme and lavish love. Because they’re mine! They come from me - or an extension of me anyway! I wonder if that is how God feels when He looks down on us, His creation, His workmanship? His word says in Psalms 139 that “we are marvelously and wonderfully made.” He must be proud of his own workmanship, don’t you think? For He says “But I lavish my love on those who love me and obey my commands, even for a thousand generations.” Exodus 20:6 (TLB)
And I ask,“Father do I love you to extreme? Would I rather spend time with you than anything else on earth? Do I take the time to tell you and show you by my actions how much I love you? Do I really love you “with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength” as you desire? Do I love you lavishly - as you love me?”
I want to Lord! Help me to follow your example of loving and give it all I’ve got! Loving lavishly - You, my Heavenly Father; my family, those who bring me so much joy and pleasure; friends, the wonderful people you have put into my everyday life to help and encourage me along the way, and myself too. Help me to appreciate who I am in You. Your child who is welcome at your table anytime. A child of the King! Someone of worth to You because I belong to your family, the family of God!