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Dove of Peace

/ pastorpete51 / 1 Comment

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:                 Ecclesiastes 3:1

Pete Seeger was sort of quoting from King Solomon when he sang

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“A time for peace, I pray it’s not too late!” in the song “Turn Turn Turn” At the time the song became a number one hit in 1965, the unspoken reference was to the Vietnam war though very few of us teens had read the verses from Ecclesiastes which had inspired the song. However, as King Solomon also pointed out:

What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. Ecclesiastes 1:9

As Christmas approaches we also are faced with the continued threats of terrorism and war. Whether people are, dining out, going to the movies or even attending their weekly prayer meetings it seems that there is no place exempt from violence. But in these moments when everything seems to be closing in, we have to remind ourselves that Jesus never promised peace on earth, for now…BUT

Because Jesus went to the cross, true peace is always possible – Thank God it is never too late! Peace is not the absence of war, though we would wish it so. Peace is the presence of the dove of peace ruling in our hearts no matter what comes.

 

Dreaming of a Sweet Christmas

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And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:11 ESV

Yes Mary and Joseph faced immediate persecution and exile not long after the birth of Jesus, but God saw to it that for at least one night something beautiful would fill their home. Have you ever stopped to think that the wise men were not known by name but by the gifts they brought? In fact it is their gifts that set the stage for our gift giving at Christmas today. Those gifts meant that their long journey was filled with the risk of attack and the loss of what may have cost them their life’s savings. But all the worry and difficulty were forgotten in the moment when they opened their treasures and worshiped.

When I think of the wise men’s gifts I am reminded of my wife’s gifts of home made candy which she has been baking and sending off to family and friends over the last forty years. The candy factory opens here in the Caligiuri household just after the Thanksgiving left overs are put into the refrigerator. Our dining room table becomes a work surface. Christmas tins, bags of chocolate chips and sliced almonds fill our kitchen along with the wonderful aroma of  butterscotch. In much the same way as the wise men Nancy gives the best she has each year for people, some of whom rarely step into a church. For those have little thought of worship her message carried by the sweetness of butter crunch has left an indelible memory of the love of Jesus Christ on their hearts. 20181207_220625.jpg

Here is her Christmas recipe. You will just have to add your own love for it to taste as good as hers!

 

Nancy’s Almond Butter Crunch

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups slivered almonds (chopped)
  • 2 sticks Margarine or butter
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • 3 Tbsp. light corn syrup
  • 3 Tbsp. water
  • 1 – 8 oz. pkg. semi-sweet chocolate chips

 

Directions: Toast almonds on cookie sheet for 10 minutes at 375°. In medium saucepan combine butter (or margarine) sugar, syrup, and water. Stirring constantly over a medium heat bring to 300° (hard-crack). Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup of the chopped toasted almonds and pour into a greased 15” x 10” x 1 ½ ” pan (cookie sheet).Spread quickly and evenly then immediately cover with chocolate chips and spread as the chocolate melts with the back of a stirring spoon. Top chocolate with the remaining ½ cup of toasted almonds while it is still hot then set aside to cool. Once pan is cool place in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours then candy can be broken into small pieces (Enjoy!)

 

 Caligiuri Family Cookbookcookbook

 

 

 

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Come and See

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Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” They said “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”  “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.” John 1:38-39a

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Jesus had a way of dealing with new followers which was a lot different than ours. He didn’t say, “Come and do” or “Come and give.” In fact Jesus began the conversation with a question, “What do you want?” Whether at the door of the church or alone on a mountain trail, God asks us every morning, “What do you want?” Am I following just because someone told me to or do I really want to for myself? His test is not about our ability to serve Him but our desire to know Him.

When we go looking for Jesus we will find Him. He knows us but He waits for us to long to know Him. Then Jesus extends the invitation, “Come and see!” Jesus wants us to get to know Him because He isn’t afraid of what we will find. Every day is an opportunity for a new discovery of His character, His will and His heart. Maybe you have received an invitation that says: RSVP. That stands for the French “Répondez s’il vous plait” – “Respond if you please. “ We have received an invitation to come to know Jesus. Jesus waits to see if we will respond. Do we really want to know where He lives? He calls out, “Come and see!”