The Professional Pastors by Women Who Rock with Success

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THINKING OF OTHERS Have you ever experienced a situation that has consumed much of your time? It has caused the issue to succumb your role or activity? Issues that we face can cause us to take the focus from others and on that situation. We've all been in these types of barriers. It's as if you're on the job working for the Lord, and all of a sudden something occurs which navigates your focus. This is where I find the most of time in the Word of God. The Word and meditating on Him will serene all my thoughts towards His will.

Obstacles will occur which are beyond our control. Someone else can give you the right answer for every situation, but not until they've walked in your shoes. Reading, fasting, praying, and praising have been the four major keys on this Christian journey to success. God loves you. 4

When God has appointed us for a divine mission, the enemy will try to distract Gods' servants from accomplishing the task through obstacles. It can be easy to shift from one task to another without completion. One of my favorite projects is providing care and goodie packs for the community.

This includes shelters, homeless centers, senior citizen homes, and more. I went to the Lord one day to inquire why things were not in alignment? And God had the answer, it was that I had shifted from one project to another and left out some important details and instructions.

Now, I'm back in the saddle once again, doing the things that matter most to God and what I so love to do fro Him. Thinking of others can allow God to work on our situations more quickly. Why? Because we're focusing on what He wants, and that is others. There was a phrase which the elderly people would say. The Bible states that ; " For God loveth a cheerful giver." (See 2 Corinthians 9:7.)

My goal is to please God by faith, and through thinking of others. Never allow lifestyle, money, or materialistic possessions to detour you from His plan. 5

BY LAUREN M IYASHIRO

BEST ROAST TURKEY RECIPE 6

Wh et h er you 'r e r oast in g you r f ir st bir d f or Fr ien ds-givin g or h ost in g f or t h e 26t h t im e, w e all n eed n ew cook in g t ips, r igh t ?! Th is f oolpr oof m et h od h as been t est ed? an d t est ed? by t h e Delish k it ch en an d w e've got t a adm it : It m ak es on e deliciou s t u r k ey. 1. BRING IT THE TURKEY TO ROOM TEM P. While the oven is preheating, bring your bird to room temperature for even cooking. 2. USE A ROASTING

RACK.

It allows the air to in the oven.

circulate around the bottom of your turkey Sayonara, soggy skin!

3. BLAST IT WITH HEAT FOR 30 M INUTES. We like to blast the turkey with super hot heat (450Â°) for the first 30 minutes to get things moving, then we drop the temp to 350Âş so that it doesn't burn. 4. USE SO M UCH BUTTER. Before the bird goes in the oven and while it roasts. It's key for crispy and golden skin. 7

INGREDIENTS 1 12- 14 l b. w h ol e tu r key, n eck an d gi bl ets r em oved

DIRECTIONS -

Posi ti on r ack to th e l ow er th i r d of y ou r oven an d p r eh eat oven to 450 °. Pat tu r key d r y w i th p ap er tow el s an d season th e cav i ty gen er ou sly w i th sal t an d p ep p er . Stu f f th e cav i ty w i th on i on , th y m e, r osem ar y, sage an d gar l i c. T i e th e l egs togeth er w i th k i t ch en tw i n e an d tu ck th e w i n g ti p s u n d er th e bod y. - Br u sh bu tter al l over tu r key th en season gen er ou sly w i th sal t an d p ep p er . Pl ace tu r key br east si d e u p on a r oasti n g r ack i n si d e of a l ar ge p an . Pou r ch i cken br oth i n to th e p an . T r an sf er to oven an d i m m ed i ately r ed u ce oven h eat to 350 °.

Baste ever y 30 to 45 m i n u tes w i th th e ju i ces on th e bottom of th e p an , an d r oast f or 3 to 4 h ou r s, or u n ti l th e ju i ces r u n cl ear w h en y ou cu t betw een th e l eg an d th i gh . (T h e m eat tem p er atu r e sh ou l d be 165°). Cover cooked tu r key w i th al u m i n u m f oi l an d l et r est f or 20 m i n u tes bef or e car v i n g.

kosh er sal t Fr esh ly gr ou n d bl ack p ep p er 1 on i on , cu t i n t o w ed ges 1 bu n ch t h y m e Sm al l h an d f u l of r osem ar y sp r i gs 1 sm al l h an d f u l sage l eaves 1 h ead gar l i c, h alved cr ossw i se 1/ 2 c. m el t ed bu tter 2 CU PS O F CH I CK EN BRO T H

Baste ever y 30 to 45 m i n u tes w i th th e ju i ces on th e bottom of th e p an , an d r oast f or 3 to 4 h ou r s, or u n ti l th e ju i ces r u n cl ear w h en y ou cu t betw een th e l eg an d th i gh . (T h e m eat tem p er atu r e sh ou l d be 165Â°). Cover cooked tu r key w i th al u m i n u m f oi l an d l et r est f or 20 m i n u tes bef or e car v i n g. 9

JONI

T h e Pr o f essi o n al Past o r s: Tel l u s abou t Jon i Jon i : I w as 17, ath l eti c, r eck l ess an d a bi t of a r i sk taker w h en I h ad a d i v i n g acci d en t i n th e Ch esap eake Bay back i n 1967. I m m ed i ately m y h ead h i t th e bottom , sn ap p ed m y back , cr u sh ed m y sp i n al cor d at th e f or th - cer v i cal l evel , an d l ef t m e p ar aly zed f l oati n g f ace d ow n i n th e w ater . I d i d n ?t take i t w el l ; I h ad been a ver y acti ve teen ager . T h e f i r st y ear i n th e h osp i tal , I d i d n ?t even get ou t of bed . T h er e w er e n i gh ts I w ou l d jer k m y h ead back an d f or th to tr y to br eak m y n eck com p l etely, h op i n g to d i e. I h ad w on d er f u l f r i en d s, f am i ly, an d k i d s f r om ch u r ch th at u sed to com e by th e h osp i tal . T h ey d i d n ?t tr eat m e as a cr i p p l e, or an i n v al i d . T h r ou gh th e p r ay er of f r i en d s, I w as f i n al ly abl e to cr y ou t to God : ?I f I can ?t d i e, sh ow m e h ow to l i ve.? Ei th er I w as goi n g to ch oose h op e an d get bu sy l i v i n g, or gi ve u p an d get bu sy d y i n g. O n e d ay I f i n al ly u n d er stood th at m y acci d en t w as actu al ly a d r asti c an sw er to m y p r ay er . Bef or e m y acci d en t, I h ad becom e a ver y l u kew ar m Ch r i sti an ? I asked God th at h e w ou l d d o som eth i n g i n m y l i f e to ch an ge m e. N ow, I r eal i ze th at I am alw ay s i n d esp er ate n eed f or H i m .

JONI'S STORY

We want to get the word out that God has not abandoned those with disabilities ? he is working through them. God?s power shows up best through weakness. We are called to speak up for those who can?t speak for themselves and defend the rights of the weak. We do that every day at Joni and Friends. Our ministries include: The Christian Institute on Disability, through which we are the advocates, the champions of those with disabilities, whether the issue is right to life, end of life, physician-assisted suicide, euthanasia, we speak God?s truth to the disability community and to society. · Our Wheels for the World program, which offers practical help by providing professionally-fitted wheelchairs while also sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with people struggling with disability worldwide, where in less-resourced countries, people with limited mobility are tragically often excluded from life in their communities because they have no way of moving around. · Our Family Retreats provide a week of Christ-centered acceptance, connection, respite, and support for whole families whose lives are affected 24/7 when a child is diagnosed with a disability. Rarely is relief or support available to them, and the challenges they face daily are made worse by isolation. But there?s one week out of the year that?s different! · Through our International Family Retreats (IFRs), hundreds of families affected by disability all around the world will enjoy fun games, crafts, outdoor recreation, and much-needed rest. At each Retreat, these families will hear the Gospel message, some for 14

路 for the very first time. 路 The Joni and Friends Radio Program is a five-minute inspirational program that airs each weekday, sharing a biblical perspective on a wide range of topics. I share encouragement, tackles issues related to disability awareness, and provides uniquely personal insights into life's tougher questions. We seek to provide hope for those who find themselves faced with life's crippling blows. 路 Our Cause 4 Life programs equip students to become leaders in disability ministry to transform lives through the Gospel, impact their churches and communities for Christ, and advocate for justice, freedom, and equality for people affected by disability. 路 Our Church Relations department exists to help churches create disability ministries, support groups, workshops, fun and fellowship ? making churches Irresistible.

Th e Pr of ession al Past or s: Tell the readers about your latest release; ?Heaven: Your Real Home.? 15

Joni: The longer you journey with your eyes on heaven, the more you begin to see. And that?s why I?ve put together an updated version of my 1995 book, ?Heaven: Your Real Home.? Nearly 25 years ago, I poured my heart into that book. I had been dreaming of heaven and longing for heaven almost since the beginning of my quadriplegia. When the opportunity came to write about my heart?s desire, it filled me with excitement. How wonderful to capture in paper and ink so many of my reflections and long hours of searching Scriptures. In my late sixties now, I?m much closer to heaven than I was in my midforties. My earthly life looks different to me now. And so does haven. I?ve seen more, studied more, suffered more, endured more, learned more, prayed more. Most important, I?ve fallen more in love with Jesus. That?s the nub right there. That?s the beating heart of what I want to say.

At the end of each chapter in this revised book, I?ve included some additional reflections that speak to where I am now, further along on life?s winding trail and higher up on the hill of perspective. I?ve called these thoughts ?Climbing Higher,? and that?s my invitation to all who make this journey with me. 16

Joni: There are one billion people on the planet with disabilities, 80 percent of them in developing nations. This means 99.99 percent suffer far worse than me. Even though I'm a quadriplegic without use of my hands or legs, in comparison, I know nothing about suffering. I remember a lady polio survivor in Ethiopia, limping home with her children in the rain following a meeting we held there. We pulled over and offered her a ride. I asked where her husband was and she told me ?Oh, Joni, you don?t understand. Here, those of us who are like this have no husbands and are the habitual targets of rape and abuse.? That?s the life of those with disabilities in most of the world, especially the women and children, they are treated as the targets and the refuse of society. That?s what inspires me to keep going and meet the needs of the people in the rest of the world. I want to do everything I can to make a difference in their lives. In our journey through life, we all need people to inspire us along the way? and I?m no exception. I thank God for sending me true models of inspiration. People who inspire are usually those who are able to push you to reach higher, further, and longer ? especially spiritually. One of the best things about Joni and Friends is the "and Friends." Our ministry is a marvelous network of servants and leaders, young and old, able and disabled, from the U.S. and around the world, all of whom share a special love for the Lord Jesus, as well as a deep desire to make Him real to a skeptical world. As we share our stories, burdens are lifted and joy is multiplied when we open our hearts to each other. I?m so thankful for 17

thankful for the many who write me and tell me about the Lord's work in their lives.

Th e Pr of ession al Past or s: What would you like to leave with our audience for encouragement? Joni: I think the Bible calls suffering a ministry for good reason. We can?t see the big picture. Even if we were to try to ascertain God?s fairness, it would be like us walking into a room halfway through someone?s argument and being asked for an opinion. We don?t have the facts this side of eternity. If God were to eradicate suffering he would have to eradicate sin. To eradicate sin he would have to eradicate sinners. Jesus could have done that at the cross, ushered in the Kingdom of God and done away with Satan and sin and suffering, but then you and I would never have had the chance to hear the Gospel.

As I like to say, ?God permits what He hates to accomplish what He loves.? He despised the suffering that lead to His Son?s crucifixion, the hate, treason, injustice, and murder. But God allowed something He hated to accomplish something He loved and desired: salvation for a world of sinners. The same principle is true in my life, or in any Christian?s life. 19

God allowed something he hated, my spinal cord injury, in order to produce something in my life that He loves: Christ in me, the hope of glory. It?s clear that God allows all sorts of things He doesn?t approve of, but He always does it for reasons that are wise, specific, and good -- although some of those reasons aren?t always clear this side of eternity.

The Professional Pastors: How can the audience connect with you and your ministries for support? Joni: They can visit www.joniandfriends.org to learn more about all of our programs to serve people with disabilities. They can also contact us for information about starting a special-needs ministry in their church, or even to make a donation. 20

SWEET POTATO CAKE BY LENA ABRAHAM

What makes this sweet potato cake so completely irresistible? We think it's the frosting. It's got a super fun secret ingredient? marshmallow fluff! Sweet potato casserole lovers will FLIP.

INGREDIENTS FOR CAKE 2 1/2 c. all-purpose flour 2 tsp. baking soda 2 tsp. baking powders 1 tsp. kosher salt 1 tbsp. ground ginger 1/2 tsp. ground cloves 22

1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg 1 c. (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature 1 3/4 c. granulated sugar 1/4 c. brown sugar 3 large eggs 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract 2 1/2 c. mashed sweet potatoes 1 c. buttermilk FOR FROSTING 1 c. (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened 1 (7-oz.) container marshmallow fluff (about 2 cups) 23

1/2 tsp. kosher salt 2 c. powdered sugar Pinch of kosher salt Chopped toasted pecans, for garnish DIRECTIONS -

Preheat oven to 350Â°, grease 2 9" cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.

Make cakes: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking, soda, baking powder, salt, and spices.

In another large bowl using a hand mixer, cream together butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then beat in vanilla and sweet potatoes until just combined.

Add half the dry ingredients and half the buttermilk and beat on low to combine. Repeat with the remaining dry ingredients and the remaining buttermilk and beat until just combined. 24

Divide batter evenly between prepared cake pans and bake 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Set aside to cool on a cooling rack while you make your frosting.

Make frosting: In a large bowl using a hand mixer, add butter and beat on medium-high speed until smooth. Add marshmallow fluff, salt, and 1/2 cup of the powdered sugar and beat until combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and continue adding sugar 1/2 cup at a time until frosting is completely smooth and looks fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes.

Spread one round cake layer with marshmallow frosting, then place second cake on top of it. Frost top of cake, then sprinkle pecans around the outer edge of the top cake. 25

JONI & FRIENDS Her StoryContinues

M USIC BY FRANKLIN JENTZEN

Happy Th an k sgivin g 28

Hom e Fr eezin g Foods

M i st ak es o f Sear ch i n g f or a H om e T h e bi ggest m i st ake I see p eop l e m ake i n t h e p u r ch ase of a h om e i s n ot sel ect i n g t h e best p r of essi on al t o r ep r esen t t h em . Too of t en t h ey sel ect a f r i en d or r el at i ve t h at h an d l es a cou p l e of sal es a y ear f or f r i en d s an d r el at i ves t h at ar e n ot f u l l t i m e, f u l ly t r ai n ed , h i gh ly ex p er i en ced p r of essi on al s.

T h e h om e bu y i n g p r ocess i s n ot ju st abou t f i n d i n g a gr eat h om e. I t i s ad ver sar i al . You n eed a p r of essi on al w h o i s an ex p er i en ced , ex p er t n egot i at or . T h e p r ocess i s em ot i on al . You n eed an ex p er t at m od er at i n g em ot i on s t o p r even t y ou f r om m ak i n g bad em ot i on al d eci si on r at h er t h an a good bu si n ess d eci si on .

Br u ce Ailion Realt or an d At t or n ey

RE/ M AXTow n an d Cou n t r y I am a h i gh ly ex p er i en ced , ex p er t n egot i at or . I of t en m ax i m i ze m y cl i en t ?s i n t er est an d t ake ad v an t age of t h e ot h er si d e w h en t h ey ar e i n ad equ at ely r ep r esen t ed . Bu y er s m u st see t h e t r an sact i on as a bu si n ess d eci si on or t h ey w i l l p ay t oo m u ch . 30

W AYS C O N SU M ERS C A N SAV E W H I L E PU RC H A SI N G A H O M E: CNE, SRES Coach , Realt or , Speaker & Wr it er Real Est at e Pr of ession als Wor ld En t er pr ise M ar k et in g

D O W N PAYM EN T -

You can save t on s on r ed u ced , l ow or n o d ow n p ay m en t r equ i r em en t s. T h er e ar e m an y p r ogr am s ou t t h er e t h at can assi st a h om e bu y er i n t h i s en d eavor . W h et h er i t 's a gover n m en t , em p l oy er sp on sor ed , n on - p r of i t , t h ey ar e av ai l abl e an d w i t h a l i t t l e h om ew or k , y ou m ay f i n d t h e p er f ect on e. L OAN L ook f or a l en d er t h at w i l l r ed u ce t h e f ee's y ou p ay at cl osi n g. Fee's su ch as l oan or i gi n at i on , p oi n t s, t i t l e sear ch , ap p l i cat i on , t i t l e i n su r an ce, PM I , ap p r ai sal , et c. L ook f or a l en d er t h at w i l l p r ov i d e y ou bel ow m ar ket i n t er est r at es. I n qu i r e abou t M or t gage Cr ed i t Cer t i f i cat es t o p ossi bly qu al i f y f or a t ax cr ed i t . A GO O D REA L EST AT E A GEN T A r eal ly sav v y Real t or can save y ou a w h ol e l ot of m on ey. I k n ow, ask m y cl i en t s! H av i n g t h e p er f ect agen t on y ou r si d e, t h ey w i l l n egot i at e r at es an d i t em s t h at y ou d i d n 't even k n ow w er e n egot i abl e. You l ook u p an d y ou got t h i s, t h at an d t h en som e w i t h ou t p ay i n g a d i m e.

SEL L ER C O N T RI B U T I O N S You can ask t h e sel l er t o n ot on ly p ay f or cer t ai n r ep ai r s, y ou can ask f or ot h er i t em s as w el l . W h en i n d ou bt , h ave y ou r Real t or n egot i at e i t i n t o t h e d eal . T h er e ar e t i m es w h en sel l er s ar e w i l l i n g t o assi st w i t h y ou r cl osi n g cost s, t h r ow i n f u r n i t u r e, t h ey m ay even p ay f or t h at u p gr ad e y ou d esi r e. REB AT ES, PRO GRA M S & / O R GRA N T S T h ey st i l l ex i st , r ebat es, gr an t s an d p r ogr am s t h at w i l l assi st y ou w i t h d ow n p ay m en t an d cl osi n g cost s. Take ad v an t age of an y d i scou n t s y ou m ay qu al i f y f or . H ave y ou ser ved i n t h e m i l i t ar y, ar e y ou a f i r st t i m e h om e bu y er , ar e y ou i n t er est ed i n l i v i n g i n an r u r al ar ea, ar e y ou a t each er , p ol i ce of f i cer or f i r e f i gh t er , et c. W h at ever ap p l i es t o y ou , u t i l i ze t h at i n y ou r h om e p u r ch ase, i t can save y ou t on s. T H IN K OUT OF T H E BOX M an u f act u r ed or M obi l e H om es can be p u r ch ased m an y t i m es at m u ch l esser cost s. I t 's a qu i ck i n t r o i n t o ow n i n g. You r m on t h ly cost s m ay be sm al l er . You can con si d er i t as a r en t al w h en y ou p u r ch ase y ou r f i r st h ou se. I t 's a w ay t o get i n t o t h e r eal est at e m ar ket w i t h ou t br eak i n g t h e ban k .

H ow t o A r gu e t h e Ri gh t W ay i n a Rel at i o n sh i p Rel at i o n sh i p A d v i ce f o r W o m en

by T h e L ad i es C o ach C r y st al Fu en t es 33