Springfield Today, Feb 2, 2010
Good Moanin’ Springfieldians,
“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.” (Psalm 34:8 NIV)
I am always amazed by people who are willing to eat anything or taste anything. You see, I’m a picky eater. I don’t like to admit it, but you can’t deny the facts. It’s not just because I don’t want to eat the chocolate cakes Jean brings into the office once she informed me (after I had eaten a piece) the cake had beets in it. Another time she let me know (after I had eaten a piece) she had put sauerkraut in it. Who, in their right mind, would ever think of putting beets or sauerkraut in a perfectly good chocolate cake? My refusal to eat chocolate cakes brought into the office is not enough to convince anyone I’m a picky eater. The fact that I don’t like seafood, casseroles, peas, carrots, and a whole plethora of others things though is enough to convince anyone.
Once when Teri and I were first married she decided to make Chicken Strata (another name for a chicken casserole) for dinner. Being inexperienced at cooking Teri didn’t realize she needed to cut down the size of the recipe since there were only two of us. Trying to be a “good” husband I said nothing derogatory the first time she served it I bit my tongue and said nothing after the second, third, fourth, and fifth days of eating the same chicken casserole. When she served it for a sixth day in a row, and I think the mayonnaise in it was starting to go bad, I finally made Teri promise me to never make “Chicken Strata” again in our married life until I said I was ready to try it again. Well, every so often, over the last 31 years Teri has asked if I’m ready for Chicken Strata – and that question has always made me break out in a cold sweat and have flash backs to that fateful and terrifying week.
Teri on the other hand is one of those people who can eat anything. She doesn’t have to know what it is; she doesn’t have to be able to recognize it; she doesn’t need to know what secret ingredients might have been added. She has a cast iron stomach and if someone calls it food she’s ready to give it a try.
But once, even Teri’s non-discriminating taste buds revolted. This too was early in our marriage. We were in our very first church where our entire food budget for the week was $25 for the three of us. We had to be very frugal to make that stretch and Teri did great at stretching that grocery budget. But one day she was watching some show on TV where a chef was talking about an amazing product called Tofu. At the time Teri had never heard of this soybean by-product. But the chef on TV convinced her she just had to try it. He told her that it would take on the flavor of what ever you cook it with, and was a cheap substitute for meat.
Teri found Tofu in our little grocery store, brought it home, and was so excited about the new recipe she was going to try out on me. I think that is the day another one of “Fred Prince’s Rules for Living” was born. From that day on we no longer are allowed to follow any recipe that has the words surprising or delightful in it. The Tofu recipe had both the words surprising and delightful in it. And while it was surprising, it was far, very far, from delightful.
Teri, even Teri, Teri who will eat anything, didn’t like how it squeaked between her teeth when she tried to chew, and was repulsed by the flavor that didn’t take on the cream of chicken soup she cooked it in.
Even though it broke our budget, and even though the local A&W was known by the teens in town as “the puke and choke” because of the green hotdogs they served, we left the Tofu on the table and went to “the puke and choke” for dinner and had a surprisingly, delightful dinner.
Now you would think after that experience it would be enough to convince Teri to never, and I mean never, try Tofu again, but while her good forgetter has saved our marriage many times, because she couldn’t remember what rotten thing I had done – her forgetter worked perfectly and just this last week she tried Tofu again. She had read or heard about these low cal noodles – so she made them up, put a spaghetti sauce on them, and we sat down to what would prove to be a surprisingly delightful meal. And I mean that in the most sarcastic of ways.
Even Teri couldn’t stomach it. And my hope is, never again will this form of torture be introduced into our home.
All that said, if you would be willing to “taste the Lord”, you would not be disappointed. If you would seek refuge in Him, you would not be disappointed. His word is true when we are challenged, “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.” (Psalm 34:8 NIV)
DID YOU KNOW????
We’ve started “The Pursuit” this last Sunday, a nine-week spiritual adventure. We will be studying the life of David together, reading the same Scripture during the week, memorizing Scripture, and committing to prayer and fasting, and service to others. If you haven’t signed up yet and want to join others in pursuing the heart of God you can sign up Wednesday or this Sunday or e-mail the office. Pick up a booklet at the information center Wednesday or this coming Sunday
If you didn’t pick up your end of the year Contribution Report from Jean the last 2 Sundays, she’ll be in the foyer next Sunday, February 7th, to hand out the remaining reports. Or you can contact the office and she will mail your report to you.
At this Wednesday’s Prayer Gathering, we will be celebrating communion.
Upward games started last Saturday! It was a great beginning. The games will take place for the next 7 weeks.
Peter Adams has now been placed for his Advanced Training. Here’s his new address:
SPC Adams, Peter B.
Bldg. #18026 BCO 16th ORD BN
210 Edgewood Rd.
Ft. Lee, Virginia 23801
Angel Food Ministries February order dates are Wednesdays Feb, 3, 10, 17 from 5-6:30 p.m. and 7:30-8:00 p.m., and Saturday Feb, 13 from 9-11:00 a.m. at the church. Of course you can order online through our website anytime, www.springfield first.com. Pick up day will be February 27th from 11:00-12:00 noon. Did you see the great story Channel 20 did on this important ministry to our community?
Lee School Boxes are in the foyer for your convenience. One is for school supplies (the usual) and Treasure Box items (new or gently used Beanie Babies, small toys, books, stickers, etc.) The other box is for soup labels and box tops. Also, any gently used or new outerwear for those in kindergarten through age 20 are being accepted.
The next Craft Connection will bet his Saturday, February 6th. Ladies bring a snack, a friend, and a craft to work. Drop in, and stay as long as you’d like from 5:00-11:00 p.m. Enjoy a night out.
The next Blood Drive will be Wednesday, February 10th. Call Pat Fowler (529-9597) for an appointment between 3:00-7:00 p.m., or see her at the church to make an appointment. There is a critical need for blood this time of the year.
Seasons of Celebration – Our next special Wednesday Family Service will be on February 17th. This is an opportunity for the entire family to worship and praise the Lord together.
TEAM DAY Decatur is February 20, 9:00 AM at Decatur First. $15 will include all seminars and lunch. Contact the office if you plan on attending. This will more prepare us to minister effectively.
Anyone interested in being baptized contact Pastor Fred.
Did you know that you can go online to our website (www.Springfieldfirst.com) and listen to the Sunday sermons? Just click on the sermon you want to hear…it’s that easy! You are now able to subscribe through I-tunes and receive the sermons.
Spiritual Leadership for Men- All men are invited to be a part of a Small Group meeting on Thursday evenings from 6:30-7:30 p.m. They will be meeting this Thursday.
Wednesday Night Connection dinner is from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. The menu is: Pulled Pork BBQ, Cole Slaw, Potato Chips, Assorted Cakes. Our Prayer Gathering, Velocity (teens) And Caravan will take place from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
This coming Sunday, February 7th , our wonderful nursery volunteers are Kathleen Hochstetler with the infants, and Keith Nelson and Brytani Young with the toddlers, and our floater will be Nicole Montalbano. Wednesday, February 3rd, the nursery will be staffed by Mindy Palmer and Dawn McLain. Thank you!
CHILDREN MINISTRIES
Children’s Mission Project is to help support the Good Samaritan Mission in Washington Park, Illinois. From now until February 21st our kids will be collecting pounds of pennies for this very worthy and needy mission.
Children’s Quiz Practice will not be held this Sunday, February 7, because of Super Bowl Sunday. The next practice will be on Sunday, February 21st, 5:30 p.m.
TEEN MINISTRY
Youth Super Bowl Party (7th -12th grade) will take place Sunday, February 7th starting at 4:30 p.m. at Pastor Jay and Roxanne’s home. See Pastor Jay if you plan on attending. Cost is $8 per teen. (There will be no youth small groups because of Super Bowl Sunday.)
Teen Ski Trip February 13-14. $50 deposit was due Jan. 31st. No small group on Sunday February 14th, because of the ski trip.
There will be No Momentum February 5th or 12th.
District Celebrate Life will be March 19-20 see Pastor Jay for all the details. Deadline was Jan. 31st to register.
The Haitian Relief Effort – to make a contribution go to www.ncm.org (This is the Nazarene Compassionate Ministry website), and click on Contribute to fill out the form. If you prefer to write a check, make it out to “General Treasurer”, list Caribbean Response ACM 1204 and Springfield First Church in the memo area, and send it to Global Treasury Services, P.O. Box 843116, Kansas City, MO 64184
PRAYER REQUESTS……….
Those listed in Sunday’s bulletin
Julie Duncan’s mom (lung cancer) and dad
Kay Gottrich
Norm Castleman
Dorcas Chandra
Tricia Hofman
