TEACH

“Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.”  Psalm 86:11

            I came across a quote yesterday and burst out laughing. "One of the advantages of being disorderly is that one is constantly making exciting discoveries."

- A. A. Milne

            I sent it to my daughter and told her to cling to this idea when her disorganized musician side emerges and she stares at her cluttered desk. That’s right! You never know what exciting discoveries are hidden under an overdue library book.

            The flip side is that disorganization can get us into trouble: we need a recipe for a women’s luncheon and we know we just “put it somewhere.” Our electric bill is due, and we’re sure we put it in the stack of papers on the desk, but who moved the papers? Do I have my dentist appointment this week or next? Where in the world is my calendar? We can laugh, can’t we? Maybe even identify. Sometimes our clutter and disorganization interfere with our regular devotional time. We run late, and put our quiet time aside. We can’t find our Bible. We finished a devotional book and forgot to buy another. The acronym TEACH might encourage you and help organize your approach.

Time:  Set aside a regular time that works for you. For some it is with their morning cup of coffee; for others while the children have an afternoon nap. Still others prefer some quiet meditation to end their day.

Efficiency: Assemble all of your materials in one place. Keep your Bible and study book or devotional, journal and pen in the same place such as on your desk or in a basket, where you can easily find it each time you look.

Approach devotions with variety.  Use different books or choose to read through a book of the Bible. Read devotionals that come into your e-mail inbox.

Challenge yourself:  Ask the hard questions such as, “What am I going to do about what God just showed me?”  “Is there something God wants me to do or change?”

Heart:  Expect God to renew your heart each day and teach you what you need to know. Hold on to your treasures.  You are sure to find a principle, a promise, or an example every time you read God’s Word. Actually, I think you might even make some exciting discoveries!

Reflection: Read Psalm 25, Proverbs 1 and 2  and discover what God says to you about being “taught.”

© Marilyn Nutter 2008

Angel Delight

1 cup sugar

2 cups milk

2 eggs, separated

1 small package lemon Jell-o

½ pint whipping cream, whipped

1 large can crushed pineapple, drained

1 large angle food cake, cut into pieces

Cook sugar, milk, and egg yolks in a double boiler. Stir until creamy.  Add Jell-o and stir until absorbed in the custard. Let it stand and cool until it begins to set. Beat egg whites until stiff and add egg whites and whipping cream to cooled mixture. Put half of the angel food pieces on the bottom of a 9x12 pan. Pour half of the lemon custard over the cake. Spoon half of the pineapple on top. Repeat the procedure with remaining ingredients. Refrigerate until firm. Garnish with additional whipped cream and sliced strawberries when you serve it, if you like. You can also prepare this in a trifle bowl if you prefer.