August 10, 2016

Regardless of the Jelly Belly (circumstances of life) given, choose how you will respond!
As for Larry and I, we are responding with great joy over the service we had during the annual Flekkefest festival in Elbow Lake, Minnesota last Sunday...

Happy August! The months continue to fly by at increasing speed, don't they? 

 

Recently, I was craving something sweet, and just had to satisfy the hunger! I purposely try to hide the sweets in our motorhome for health and weight gain reasons, but there I was on the hunt for anything sweet.

Then…I found it! A small bag of Jelly Bellys I had hidden from Larry as he tends to be a sugar-aholic. I nestled up on the front couch and anxiously opened the little bag and looked on them longingly as if little gold pieces. One by one, I put them in my mouth. Oh…were my taste buds ever happy! First the pineapple, then orange, next came coconut, followed by caramel, onto popcorn— by now, my taste buds were dancing because they were so yummy! I continued to pop another one in. Ugh…it was so bitter, it literally made me shake. That bitter Jelly Belly cancelled out all of the precious scrumptious ones. In fact, it was so offensive, I hesitated to try another "unknown" Jelly Belly as I wasn't sure what the next flavor exploding in my mouth would be. Out of nowhere, I began to chuckle. I told myself, "This is like life—you never know what the next event, good or bad, will be."

 

That bag of Jelly Belly's reminded me of life in general. One day, it seems sweet to the senses, all goes well. The next day, it can turn bitter and painful, discouragement sets in and the devil races to attempt to deplete the joy of the previous day. In desperation, we grab another "Jelly Belly," praying it will be a sweeter day. It is in those distraught times, I have to make a choice—TO GROW BITTER OR BETTER THROUGH THE TRIALS!

1 Peter 1:6 says, "Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations (trials)." I don't know about you, but when the bitter days come, I don't feel like rejoicing, I don't like those trials, but I also know I have no choice but to GO and GROW through them. For me, it takes a complete attitude adjustment. Vs 7 continues, "That the trial of your faith, be much more precious than a gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ." I have to be willing to go through the fiery trials and look beyond the pain—to the gain—for when it is over. Truthfully, it may go on, possibly even until we meet Jesus, but I must remain faithful. Verse five of the same passage says, "Who (you and I) are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last times." Your faith walk can and will keep you. Be strong…don't let satan steal your faith. I truly believe we are in the end times and that the fires and trials are going to intensify. We will need to lock into Jesus as never before.

 

Let me leave a couple of tips:

 

#1 Keep the Word.

#2 Keep praying and praising.

#3 Keep the right company. (Stay away from negative people).

#4 Keep your mind on Christ. (Not on the problem.)

#5 Keep in fellowship with your church. (You will need a support group.)

#6 Keep encouraging others. (In turn, it will encourage you.)

#7 Keep looking up! He is still on the throne!

 

Regardless of the Jelly Belly (circumstances of life) given, choose how you will respond!

 

 

As for Larry and I, we are responding with great joy over the service we had during the annual Flekkefest festival in Elbow Lake, Minnesota last Sunday. Here are some testimonies:

 

 

"It was great being at the park for your service. My parents used to take me and my sister as children to your services in Duluth, Virginia, and all over. Now that I have my family, I am bringing my children. I had 3 of them with me at Elbow Lake in the Veterans Park for Flekkefest and they wanted to go forward and pray a prayer to ask Jesus into their hearts. I loved the music and the excitement and the message."

 

Theresa Fossel, mother to 9 children

Micah, Mary and Rita pictured

Virginia, MN

 

 

 

 

 

"Larry and Gloria we have known you for many, many years - we're so happy we got to come and see you during the Flekkefest in Elbow Lake, MN. We loved the music and were touched by the anointed message. Most special of all was to see my special friend step forward at the altar call."

Connie & Spence Howe

Alexandria, MN

 

 

 

We were thrilled by many first-time commitments to Christ at the altar call!

Altar Call at Elbow Lake, MN

 

 

"Thanks for coming to Elbow Lake! My life was changed when I gave my heart to Christ at your rally at Victory church 4 years ago.  I have so much joy and peace in my life now. You ministered so much to my wife Lois and I at the Veterans Park. We loved your music and your presentation and loved seeing the connection between the two of you. The message was powerful. Thanks again for being faithful to preach the Word."

Lois & Merlin Windom

Alexandria, MN

 

 

 

Here are the services for the rest of August - we'd love to see you there!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gloria

 


{Reflection}

 

 

 


{Recipe}

 

Rotini Salad

1 lb. rotini noodles, cooked

1 pt. mayonnaise

1 c. water

½ c. vinegar

1 c. sugar

1 med. Onion, chopped fine

1 c. celery, chopped fine

½ tsp. turmeric spice

Salt and pepper to taste

 

Mix all ingredients well in large bowl. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Stir well before serving. Dressing will be thin when made, but fine the next day.

 


{Household Hint}

 

Cook pasta for salads al dente (slightly chewy to the bite). This allows the pasta to absorb some of the dressing and not become mushy. 

 

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