Easy Corn Chowder

This is the easiest, and oh, so yummy corn chowder that I discovered on the back of a Del Monte can a few years ago. Forget taking all day to make it, you can get this and a pan of corn bread done within 30-45 minutes. The best part is that it tastes like you worked much harder! Enjoy!

You will need:

1 1/2 cups milk

1 can (14 3/4 oz) cream style corn

6 oz cubed cooked ham, or sausage

1 can (14 1/2 oz) new potatoes

1 can (15 1/4 oz) sweet kernel corn

1 cup shredded smoked cheddar, swiss or gouda cheese

green onion slivers (for garnish)

2 oz cream cheese

1tsp butter

sugar, pepper, garlic salt, and salt free seasoning to taste

Stir all ingredients together in large pot over medium heat. Bring to a boil, stirring regularly.

Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer, continuing to stir regularly.

serves 4

Asian Chicken and Rice Recipe

Here's the stir-fry recipe I tried tonight. It was so easy and yummy that I know my husband won't ever let me go back to the way I used to do my stir-fry! Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 tbsp. vegetable oil

2 tbsp. soy sauce

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

1/4 tsp. paprika

1 can (10 1/2) oz. condensed cream of chicken soup

1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

1 tsp. ground ginger

1 1/4 cups water

2 cups minute rice

2 cups frozen stir fry vegetables (thawed)

1. Heat oil in 10" skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until well browned on both sides. Remove chicken from skillet.

2. Stir soup, water, soy sauce, paprika, black pepper and ginger in skillet. Heat to a boil.

3. Add rice and vegetables to skillet. Stir. Reduce heat to low. Return chicken to skillet. Sprinkle additional paprika and black pepper, if desired, over chicken. Cover and cook 5 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and rice is tender. Remove from heat. Let stand, covered, 5 minutes before serving.

Makes 4 servings

Here are the changes I made:

I used frozen chicken breast...they're easier to just pull out as much as I need for a recipe. I defrosted them in the microwave, cut them in bite sized chunks, and then browned them in olive oil, not vegetable oil.

Happy Cooking!

Bon Appetite!

Thanks, But No Thanks!

Ok, so this morning while hubby is getting dressed for work, I sat on the couch to finish my coffee and look at the new JCPenney summer catalog that came in the mail yesterday. As I'm looking through the catalog a particular set of "paintings" caught my attention. They were just my style so I thought I'd read a little more about them and see how they were described. Here's a peek:

"Set of hand-painted wall decor with crackle finish. Lust floral designs add rich color and an elegant touch of nature..."

Ehhhh? Well, I THOUGHT they were just my style, but I think I'll pass on the lust!!!!

Hope this gives you a little laugh and that you're all having a wonderful day!

Dinner Table Philosophers

I wrote this several months ago but I wanted to let it simmer for a while before I posted it...I think it burns stronger in my spirit today than it did back then...

At a meeting not too long ago, my husband and I sat in a restaurant eating our dinner.  The meeting consisted of many Pentecostals and there were several other tables filled with brothers and sisters.  Over my right shoulder, a group of men were seated at a table that was so close that I could not help but overhear their conversation (you know they had to be loud because I have a hard time hearing in crowded, loud situations).  They began to discuss some “hot button” issues that the UPCI is facing right now.  They went back and forth for a while and I had the privilege of being an outside observer.  I did not know anyone in the group, nor did I even get a good look at them to see if I knew them by sight.  But in listening to the things they had to say I felt something rise up in my spirit.  I asked my husband if he could hear the topic of conversation.  He had caught a few words and I explained what I was hearing. 

As we talked, it occurred to me that if anything is wrong in our churches it is because there are too many who are making decisions about what is right and what is wrong - what it takes and what it doesn’t take – in the wrong places.  We have misunderstood Paul’s words that we should, “Work out our own salvation...”  The dinner table, the living room, the coffee house, etc., has never been where God intended these decisions to be made…He intended these things to be worked out at an altar and with the word of God in full view.  We have become too wise in our own eyes.  Our education has replaced consecration; our blessings have become our curse.  We believe we are rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing; yet we do not realize that we are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked!  I know who my friends are.  I know what they believe.  If I am looking for someone to agree with a “liberal” idea I have had, I know who to call.  If I want someone to pat me on the back for my “conservative” view, I know who to talk to.  However, the Word of God never changes.    In the end, it is His word that will judge us.  With that in mind, we should examine our lives in the light of His word to see “what it takes”.  As we do this, I believe that the Holy Ghost will lead and guide us into all truth.  There is no new truth revealed outside of the word of God; there is only undiscovered (and sometimes unlived) truth in the word of God.

 Recently, one of my precious speech students gave a devotion that included the following quote:

The true follower of Christ will not ask, "If I embrace this truth, what will it cost me?" Rather he will say, "This is truth. God help me to walk in it, let come what may!"
--A.W. Tozer

“This is truth. God help me to walk in it, let come what may!”  When we walk close to Him, no price will be too high.  “What must I do to be saved” is entry-level Christianity and not at all appropriate for someone who claims to know Him.  When we love Him, we will keep His commandments…regardless of the cost.  And yes, it will cost. Today, however, I encourage you to stop fixating on the cost of discipleship.  Instead, Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face.  And the things of this world will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.

My prayers lately have turned in this direction: Lord, help me to walk in your ways and to live a life that honors you.  Give me a spirit of purity and submission that I may be pleasing to you.  Change my desires to reflect your desires.  Fill me with the desire to live according to your commandments.  Forgive me for being guilty of dinner table philosophies and help me to live according to your word.

 

Ken Lee

This video made me laugh so hard I cried!  But not because I think I could do it better...because I know that anytime I try to sing a song in Spanish this is probably what I sound like to people who actually speak it (and understand it)! LOL

I Wanna Testify!

A few weeks ago, we headed east to BOTT. My husband drove the first half of the trip and I drove the second half. Just after we crossed the Texas-Louisiana border, I noted that the speed limit changed...but as I drove I gradually picked my speed back up until the officer in Many clocked me doing 70 in a 55 M.P.H. zone. He was polite, all the while writing a ticket and explaining what I had to do. I got back in the car and was determined to be more mindful of the speed limit.

 I was sick about the amount of money that was sure to cost. I knew we had a special offering coming up, we were working on paying off debt, etc. and I just didn't want to "waste" money. But we discussed it and decided that when we got back I would take defensive driving, it wouldn't go on my record, and maybe our insurance would even go down...this could be a blessing in disguise! So I prayed and told the Lord, "This is not our money, it's yours. I know I was wrong for speeding and I'll pay whatever consequences you think necessary. But Lord, you see what we're trying to do with our money and I just ask that you would have your perfect way in this matter."

Well, we got home, I called the Many Sheriff's office, and I was disappointed to learn that taking defensive driving for a ticket wasn't an alternative they allowed...and this ticket would cost me $190! But, the girl said, I could talk to the District Attorney's office and see if they would amend the ticket to a lesser charge. So, I did. They told me the DA would review my request and I would receive a letter in the mail.

Now, to be honest, I didn't think for a minute that they would do it. I mean, why would they? Just because I asked? So I just resigned myself to the fact that I was going to have to pay the full amount. A few days ago, though, in my prayer time, the Lord reminded me that I had placed that situation into His hands and He convicted me of my unbelief. So I repented and placed it into His hands again.

Yesterday, I got a letter from the District Attorney's office in Many, LA. I'd like to share it with you:
"Dear Misti Ferguson:
In reference to the above traffic citation, I am pleased to inform you that I have amended it to NO SEATBELT which will not affect your driving record. You will need to remit a fine in the amount of $50...."

Isn't God AMAZING? He is so faithful to hear and answer our prayers if we will just bring them to Him and then trust Him! I'm so thankful for his constant care in my life....God is Good!

Happy Birthday, Mr. Darwin!

In honor of Charles Darwin's 200th birthday...

Pictures from Licensing

Waiting......waiting......waiting......



Rev. Adam Slatter and Rev. Chris Ferguson

Introducing Rev. Chris Ferguson....

It’s official! Chris Ferguson is now a licensed minister of the United Pentecostal Church! Thanks to all of you who have prayed for us and to Bro. and Sis. Smith for all your help. We couldn’t have made it this far without you.

We actually went to Lufkin on Monday night and spent some time visiting with my Mom and Dad. We got up on Tuesday morning, ate breakfast, spent some time relaxing and then decided to take them to lunch. We took them to eat at Manhattan’s Italian restaurant in downtown Lufkin. We went there with Bro. and Sis. Smith, Bro. and Sis. Patrick and Redonia during campmeeting last year and we thought Mom and Dad would like it, too. We were right. They enjoyed the meal and the atmosphere was very nice, elegant, and quiet. After we left there, we had a few minutes before we needed to head to the camp grounds so we all went and poked around The Antique Mall.

At 12:30 we headed over to the campgrounds so that we could take our time and be a little early for the devotion at 1:00. We shouldn’t have worried since we didn’t actually get started until 1:15. Then, they called us back to the boardroom. Bro. Gerald gave the devotion entitled, “The Preacher’s Greatest Temptation”. It was good teaching and I really enjoyed it, even though I’m not a preacher! One of the highlights of the day happened while Bro. Gerald was speaking. He was getting towards the end of his message and really starting to wind up. “What I do….” Brrrrriiiinng. Brrrrriiiinng. The veteran never missed a beat. “….when my phone rings and I’m in the middle of something important, is, I take it and turn it off because there’s nothing more important than what’s going on right here!” The room erupted into laughter! I have a snapshot image in my mind of Bro. Russo leaned back in his chair, head thrown back laughing with gusto! Priceless!

Then began the waiting game. We were really blessed to be there with our friends Adam and Tara Slatter. We haven’t seen them since MAP and their company really made the time go by fast. We also enjoyed visiting with Sis. Elms and meeting some of the other couples who were there for licensing.

Finally, they called my husband to meet a panel of three presbyters. That was the most nerve wracking 15 minutes of the day! Chris says it wasn’t a big deal but I was having a hard time breathing! I guess the reason it’s so hard for the wives is because we don’t know what’s happening. Even if we weren’t allowed to speak if we could just “see” and “hear” what was going on we would feel so much better! Wives are usually more alert to body language, voice tone and facial expressions…if I could have just seen and heard the interview, then the rest of my day probably wouldn’t have been so long!

As it was, we and the Slatters had a great time laughing with each other. We were mostly laughing at our own nervousness and imagining that the couches we were sitting on had special trap doors under them where the board members would just push a button and “flush” us somewhere into the nether regions of “The Campground” (said in an ominous voice). You know, that’s what they do to preachers that don’t “make the cut”. LOL The phrase of the day was, “And the board rushes out….” Always, of course, in response to something we’ve done or said wrong…that’s when they would flush us. Wives included.

However, I’m happy to say that, to my knowledge, no one was flushed yesterday. I’m not even aware of any initiation swirlies! That’s good news, is it not?

At around five-ish they finally called a list of men back to the boardroom. My husband was included. I was having heart palpitations and hoping this was the right group to be in. When my husband came out he was a Rev. Just like that. And all the breath holding, lip biting, toe tapping, etc., was over. We all congratulated each other…everyone hugged everyone else; and then we did what all good Pentecostals do after an emotional rollercoaster ride: we went to eat! This time with Rev. and Mrs. Adam Slatter!

For those who had the privilege of being raised in the truth (like myself), you may find it hard to understand why this is such a huge milestone. Children raised in the church are taught from a young age what truth is and that preaching this great truth is the greatest thing a person could ever aspire to….even greater than the Presidency of the United States of America! And it is! But for men like my husband, they are not handed this beautiful truth all wrapped up in beautiful packaging, just waiting to be explored at will. For him, he had to dig out of a lot of false doctrine to be able to find this precious truth. Since this post is a bit long (ha!) I won’t go into his testimony here, but suffice it to say that he has come a long way and I am so very proud of him.

I love you, babe. You’re my hero.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine’s Day to the love of my life! For those of you who don’t know, here at CUPC we are also known as “the Mushy-sons”. That was coined last year by one of my wonderful students who played me in the end of the year “Roast the Teachers and the Seniors” skit. (I think Trent put her up to it! LOL) We are thus ridiculed because I happen to like to tell stories about my husband. Everyday…. All the time…. To a captive audience I call “students” LOL! Actually, I don’t do it so much these day (I have too much teaching to do!) but I did it quite a bit a few years ago – when Trent was a student. What’s ironic is that Trent and Calah are just as mushy as Chris and I ever were, so now they get it, too! They’re the new “Mushies”! LOL


So this past Monday we went to a wonderful restaurant called Jasper’s in The Woodlands. Monday night was the only night this week that we had free due to his work schedule and church and family responsibilities. We had a delicious dinner and then afterwards we strolled through Market Street looking in the stores. We ended up at Borders bookstore reading books and magazines. We enjoyed spending time with each other so very much…it really means something to get to spend time with someone when you feel like much of your life is spent rushing from one thing to another.


I truly do adore my sweet husband. Words cannot express what he means to me. I am also very proud of him…About four years ago he became manager of the Baskin’s Department Store here in Conroe. When Chris took the store it was a strong #3 out of 14 stores. Through hard work, prayer and God’s blessings, he has taken the store to the #1 position (out of 16 stores now) for the year 2008. What was really awesome was that one of the stores that he beat was the flagship store that has more square footage, more volume, a better location, more advertising, and an internet store that runs out of it. We give God all the glory! When the owner or the president of the company asks him how he’s doing this (they want to duplicate his success in other stores), Chris always responds, “I pray and I pay my tithes!” LOL


I’m also very proud of the minister he is becoming. In the past few years, he has accepted his call to the ministry and has dedicated himself to preparing for that role. As he has managed his store, he has commented many times about how he can see how this experience is going to help him in the ministry. At church he has tried to be anything Bro. Smith has needed him to be - whether that meant covering the foyer doors with black paper for a special program or bringing a Bible lesson to the church (and everything in between!). Last month we attended the MAP seminar in Lufkin. The MAP seminar is a weekend of instruction and testing for ministerial applicants. We enjoyed it immensely and Chris (thankfully!) passed his test. We will go before the board this Tuesday to see if they will approve our ministerial application. Pray church pray!


Our future in the ministry is an uncertain adventure but I can honestly say that I wouldn’t want to take it with anyone else. I have never trusted anyone like I trust Chris Ferguson. He is sensitive to the Holy Ghost and - just as important - he is obedient to the Holy Ghost. He truly desires to follow after God and makes time for that very special relationship every morning. Today, I want to say thank you to my sweetheart for how he loves God and always strives to lead me to a closer relationship with HIM. Like the old song says “…I trust you with my love because you’re His. I see Him in you!”


I love you, sweetness…Happy Valentine’s Day!

When Are We Alive?

The following devotion is taken from Roy L. Smith’s “Sidewalk Sermons.” This book becomes more interesting when you realize it was written in 1938!

Dr. Merton S. Rice, of Detroit, tells a strange story of a murder trial somewhere in the West. A man had been found dead in an alley with all the circumstantial evidence pointing to a certain individual as the murderer.

When brought to trial, the accused man made no effort to prove his innocence, but demanded that his accusers prove that the dead man had ever been alive. Then it developed that no one in the town had ever seen him alive. His name was unknown and nothing could be found upon the body to establish its identity. That he was dead everyone could see. That he had been alive no one could prove. On this flimsy and fanciful defense the accused man was acquitted.

Other men, besides this unfortunate victim, have left little proof that they have ever been alive, too. Living in a community which supported churches for the moral uplift and the religious instruction and inspiration of the people, they never contributed or assisted in the work in any way.

In all the world there is no youth who was inspired by them to go to college, learn a trade, start a savings account, or overcome a bad habit. They filled up no mud holes in the road, warned no traveler of danger down the way, and took no pains to be useful to any other citizen.

Of course they attended to their own business – but to nothing else.
They never started scandals nor stopped them. They never helped elect good men to office, nor did they make trouble for the officers of the law. They died, leaving neither debts nor bequests for charity. They never made any enemies because they never made any friends.

An old Scotchman years ago was accustomed to pray, “Lord, keep me alive as long as I live.”

Jesus once said, “A man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of things which he possesseth.” Then a little later he remarked, “Let him who would be greatest among you be servant of all.” To the Master the real test of life is the measure of helpfulness we bring to the community.

To be alive does not consist of owning something upon which we must pay taxes, but in being something which makes us so useful that we cannot disappear without being missed.

Have you made yourself so useful today that you could not disappear without being missed?

Resting in Him...

He holds the key of all unknown
And I am glad.
If other hands should hold the key,
Or if He trusted it to me,
I might be sad.

What if tomorrows cares were here
Without its rest?
I'd rather He unlocked the day,
And as the hours swing open say,
"My will is best."

Enough, this covers all my wants!
And so I rest.
For what I cannot, He can see,
And in His care I safe shall be,
Forever blessed!
-Grace Livingston Hill

Tonight I'm just so thankful for Him. His peace is encompassing and His love wraps around me like a warm blanket. What a privilege to know Him!
I pray peace and blessings on all of you...sleep tight!

Despise Not the Day of Small Beginnings...

BOTT ’09 was awesome! I’m so thankful we were able to go. Although I got sick and wasn’t able to attend all the services, I was still very blessed by the services I did attend. The biggest blessing to me actually happened on Tuesday night. Let me give you some background:

Over the past few months I have really been struggling with feeling inadequate for the role of a minister’s wife. I know, I Know, kind of late for that, right? But just because I know that God called me and my husband to ministry doesn’t necessarily mean that I automatically feel prepared to lead EVERY area that minister’s wives often lead. The funny thing is, 10 years ago, I DID feel like I could do the job. I had the world by the tail and all the answers. However, maturity has a way of making us dumb, doesn’t it? It seemed to me that all the minister’s wives I have observed lately have been super women who could do everything! I was really anxious about all of this…to the point that I would have to just stop thinking about it because I would get so stressed out about it. You see, I’m not a superwoman. Yes, God has given me certain gifts, but He didn’t give them ALL to me! You can’t believe how many times I asked God, “But what if they don’t have a _________________? I can’t ________________!” Or “Who is going to _____________________? I don’t know how to _____________________________!” Fill in the blank – I probably said it! So a few weeks ago, I finally decided to pour it out into my prayer journal. BTW, if you don’t have a prayer journal, I would recommend that you start one. It is an awesome way to see how God answers prayer.

Here is an excerpt from that entry: I’m so scared of the next step! I’m so completely unprepared to be a minister’s wife – I know you will equip me, but – what if I mess up? What if I mess up bad? I don’t want to be a liability to Chris’s ministry…I’m so scared I’m just a failure waiting to happen. Please help me, Lord. Give me a genuine God-confidence.

Well, Tuesday night as Bro. Anthony Mangun preached God began doing something in me. After the message I began to pray and I felt like the Lord touched me and reminded me that the most important thing I could ever do for our ministry is to pray. I didn’t need lessons, a personality change, or even experience to be able to do it and it was the one thing that was imperative. After that I wept and repented for thinking that the success or failure of our ministry depended on the abilities that we brought to the table; that WE could make it happen.

Last night, as I journaled my thanks, the Lord brought a scripture to mind. Now, when the Lord drops a scripture into my heart I always like to go back and look at the context. I want to be exactly sure about what He is saying. The scripture was found in Zech. 4:6 and when I went back to look at the entire chapter I was so excited! The chapter tells about Zechariah’s visit with an angel who gives him a vision of a golden candlestick and two olive trees. The angel has come to encourage him and Zerubbabel (same person, different name?) to rebuild the temple. But before he gives the word of encouragement, he reminds Zechariah that it’s only by God’s spirit and not by human effort that the house will be built. The golden candlestick is the usual golden candlestick with the seven “bowls” that hold the oil. Candlesticks are always a type of the church (as is shown in Revelation). The two olive trees on either side of the candlestick are very interesting. According to the vision, the two olive trees continually drip oil into the candlestick, feeding it the oil needed to keep a perpetual flame going. Biblical scholars don’t agree on what the two olive trees symbolize but the interpretation that I favor is the one that says that Jesus Christ serves in the dual role as both our King and Priest (both man and God)…it’s His spirit that keeps the flame of the candlestick going. Notice that there is no man needed to keep the flame going, but the olive trees supply all the oil needed themselves. Therefore, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit saith the Lord.” You see, God is going to get His work done regardless of my ability or inability. If I will stay connected to Him through right relationship, He will make sure it all comes out right. It’s His work to build a church, I can’t do it without Him (and I don’t want to!). If I will do that, then he will prepare the way to make sure that His work gets done. I was so encouraged when I read that and let me say that I had really good prayer after that!

Later, when I got ready for bed, I grabbed the latest book I’ve been reading, The Role of the Shepherdess by Sis. Ensey. I know it’s been around for a while, but I’ve just discovered it. It is a really awesome, nuts and bolts kind of book. Really great teaching! Well, I’ve been reading it for several days so I was about halfway through, somewhere in the “Ministry Wives” section. What do you think was one of the first things I read last night?

Here, I’ll share: Having a right attitude towards self means understanding that God made each of us to be different. It is not who I am but who He is and my relationship with Him that makes the difference…If He had wanted clones of some great minister’s wife, He could have done that, but that’s not what He wanted. He knew you before He chose you, and He has a special place for you in His kingdom. So don’t try to mimic or copy someone you admire. Be yourself, be real and let God use you!

So I’m really thankful for BOTT and what God did for me there. I know there will still be times that I don’t feel equal to the task, but now I have something to look back on that will help me to overcome the fear and anxiety. Isn’t the Lord so good to hear us when we cry out to Him? I’m so thankful for His patience and His grace. And now I know that He will give me that God-confidence that I need so desperately if I stay close to Him.

Bear not a single care,
One is too much for thee,
Mine is the work and mine alone,
Thy work to rest in me.
-Grace Livingston Hill