ISSUE: #5

MEM

Message

The other morning I was explaining a verse from proverbs to my 11-year-old daughter. In the process I benefited as well as her. The verse was Proverbs 16:16 How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver!

Since it is always easier to look at others, can you think of someone whose goal is merely to gain great riches? One of the purposes of this section is our improvement. Are your top goals in life prosperity and wealth?

There is nothing wrong with prosperity and wealth if you can properly handle it, but is it your ultimate goal? Too many today would say Yes!

But what is better than money? According to the proverb, wisdom and understanding.

Where does this wisdom come from? For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding; (Proverbs 2:6)

Think about this in relation to your goals in life. Consider your motivation; consider the outcome. Get wisdom instead of gold and choose understanding instead of silver. Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed (Prov 16:3)

Proverb

Saying

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV)

People are like tea bags: you see their true colors only when they get in hot water!

(Author Unknown)

Youth Quiz

1. In Luke 4:41, who shouted, "You are the Son of God"?
2. Historically, the book of Ruth is connected with what other book?
3. In which two cities did David reign?
4. Which plague did the Egyptian magicians try to duplicate but failed?
5. Who tried to flee from the Lord by sailing to Tarshish?

Recipe for Marshmallows

With this recipe, you can again enjoy such classic treats as roasted marshmallows and s’mores.

No more searching the stores for kosher marshmallows. Make you own!

2 tbsp beef gelatin (see link for source)
1/3 C. cold water
½ C. white sugar
2/3 C. light corn syrup
¾ tsp. Vanilla
powdered sugar in a bowl

Soften gelatin in cold water and dissolve over low heat. Add sugar and stir until dissolved. Put in large mixer bowl along with corn syrup and vanilla. Beat at high speed for fifteen minutes or until mixture is very thick (go by texture rather than time). Mixture should now be of a marshmallow cream consistency. Dust bottom of 9x9 pan with powdered sugar. Pour mixture into pan and smooth top.

Let stand in cool place 1 hour or until set. Cut into squares; tap each side of each square in the powdered sugar.

**We recommend that mixing be done with a hand mixer as gelatin is more effectively spread through the mixture with this method

**Use only beef gelatin; vegetable gelatin does not set well in this recipe.

Hebraic Lesson

Most observant Jews recite many blessings daily. Yet they never bless their food. This may seem very strange. Instead, they bless Adonai (Lord) for providing the food.

Consider the traditional blessing that is recited for bread:

(Transliteration)

Baruch atah Adonai eloheinu melech haolam hamotzi lechem meen haaretz

(Translation)

Blessed are You the Lord our God King of the Universe who brings forth bread from the Earth.

Every day, thousands of people around the world recite this prayer, praising God for bringing forth bread. Of course, the spiritual meaning of this Bread is our Messiah. Remember when Yeshua (Jesus) said, "I am the bread of life"? Yeshua, of course, is the first of the first fruits, and when He was resurrected, He was the first spiritual "Bread" brought forth from the earth after 3 days in the grave. Praise God.

Again I say, Blessed are You the Lord our God King of the Universe who brings forth bread from the Earth.

Did you know:

What is the shortest chapter in the Bible?

Answer – Psalm 117

What is the longest chapter in the Bible?

Answer – Psalm 119

Which chapter is in the center of the Bible?

Answer – Psalm 118

Fact: There are 594 chapters before Psalm 118

Fact: There are 594 chapters after Psalm 118

Add these numbers up and you get 1188.

What is the center verse in the Bible?

Answer – Psalm 118:8

"It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man."

Humor

Ever Notice?

The most important item in your order will no longer be available.

The less you enjoy serving on committees, the more you will be pressed to do so.

When travelling overseas the exchange rate improves the day after you purchase the foreign currency.

If a situation requires undivided attention, it will occur simultaneously with a compelling distraction.

Bible Software/Links/Hints

The free "Online Bible" Software (latest version 1.31) is downloadable from the internet at http://www.onlinebible.net/ This software was introduced in an earlier Mem issue and on our web site. In this issue I would like to explain about the "Right Click" popup menu. The menu that pops up when you right click in the bible text area of Online Bible is a handy shortcut that allows you to quickly call up installed commentaries, set bookmarks, open another version, view cross references, copy verses to clipboard, and much more.

The next time you can’t remember how to open Strongs numbers, try the right click popup menu.

Another feature on the pop up menu and on the various pull down menus are the shortcut keys listed by the item on the menu you want to select. For example:

Say you want to scroll through the bible text one verse at a time.

1. You could use the scroll bar on the right of the window.
2. Right click the text and from the popup menu select "Next note or verse".
3. Or you could simply use the right (for forward) or Left (for reverse) arrow keys on the keyboard to move through the bible text.

So remember, when in doubt, Right Click.

Children’s Story

Installment #3

Tama and Elisabeth had just returned from gathering the Manna as father Jeremiah finished the older cart.

Mother Tama got out the mortar and pestle and began grinding up some manna. Elisabeth had brought back an armload of sticks. She put them in the fire area and stirred the hot ashes. Soon the fire was blazing as she added some larger pieces of wood. Elisabeth had watched her mother hundreds of times and knew what to do to get the fire restarted. She now placed the griddle over the stones surrounding the fire pit; all this was being done under the watchful eye of Tama.

When the manna was ground, fine oil was added to make it like a paste. Some oil was placed on the grill; a small curl of smoke rising from its surface indicated the griddle was ready. Then a ladle was used to pour the mix. A gentle hiss was heard as each spoon full was added to make round flat cakes about six inches across. These cakes were the favorite of the whole family, and could be kept for the rest of the day. They could be used as quick snacks and were energy boosters. Time did not allow for anything more elaborate.

Tama was putting the manna cakes on a clean rock to cool before stacking them in a container for the trip. Father Jeremiah could not resist the tempting smell and his stomach began to growl. Slipping up on the cooks he snatched a hot cake off the rock. Holding it up he said, "Blessed are you Adoni, for you have faithfully sent forth this manna, which nourishes us and reminds us of your loving kindness." Taking a bite from the cake he savored the sweet taste. Reaching into the cheese storage container he removed a large piece of goat cheese and cut several slices for everyone with the knife from his leather belt. This cheese and hot manna cakes would melt in your mouth.

Sari had just returned from her first trip of carrying two water containers suspended from a shoulder yoke. She selected a cool cake and wrapped it around a piece of cheese, enjoying the taste knowing she would need the added strength. After a dipper of fresh water she was on her way back to the Rock, the source of the precious water. Two more trips would be required to fill the necessary water vessels.

With most of the manna now in the form of sweet fried cakes Tama and Elisabeth allowed the fire to die down. They removed the griddle and spread out the rocks to cool, as these rocks were also to be loaded into the wagon. Once the cakes were cool, she put them in a small clay pot with a cover. The rest of the manna was placed in a jar to be eaten plain or placed in water for a nourishing drink. The boys often sprinkled it on cheese for a treat or just ate it by the handful.

Quiz Answers

1. Demons
2. 2. Judges
3. Hebron and Jerusalem – I Kings 2:11
4. Third (gnats) Exodus 8:18
5. Jonah - Jonah 1:3