The month of July is marked by Independence Day. When the patriots drafted the Declaration of Independence they included the rights of individuals to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Signing the document meant a new day for those who had come to America. My family immigrated to the United States in the early 1900’s and when they disembarked from their ships, they too recognized that it was a new day for them and for their future family. They had no idea what the future held, but they were optimistic that it would be better than the life they left behind. They were courageous and strong in the face of many obstacles and left us a heritage to cherish.

The book of Joshua in the Old Testament is filled with many new days for the Israelites. They fought battles in different ways as God directed, obeyed and disobeyed God with consequences, and acquired property divided among the tribes. Joshua’s parting words to them before he died were reminders that God had fought for them. He told them to “hold fast to the Lord” and to “be very careful to love the Lord your God.” He warned them about being overconfident and self-sufficient. Their life, liberty and pursuit of happiness rested on their dependence days on God. Finally, Joshua says that God kept every one of His promises. God was there for them in every circumstance and already on the other side of each of their battles. So it is with us, God never leaves us or forsakes us. He keeps His promises. He is already in our future. We can totally depend on His faithfulness to us and when we do, we have life.

Reflection: There are twenty-four chapters in the book of Joshua. If you read one a day, you can finish it this month. Look at the times God tells the Israelites that he has already delivered the enemy into their hands. How can that encourage you and give you confidence?c) (c) Marilyn Nutter 2007 All rights reserved.

Red White and Blue Trifle

This is my mother’s recipe for custard. Prepare custard the day before and refrigerate.

½ cup sugar 2 cups milk

8 Tbsp. flour 2 egg yolks, beaten

Dash of salt 1 tsp. vanilla

Mix sugar, flour and salt together. Slowly add milk and beaten egg yolks and place on top of double boiler. Mix well and stir until mixture comes to a boil and is thickened. Remove from heat and pour into a bowl. When cool, add vanilla. Refrigerate.

To prepare trifle:

1 commercial pound cake, cut into cubes

1 pint heavy cream whipped, sweetened to taste or one 12 oz container of frozen whipped topping, thawed

1 quart strawberries, sliced

1 pint blueberries

Custard

Place cubes of pound cake on bottom of individual goblets. Layer custard, strawberries, blueberries, and whipped cream. Repeat layers. You may use frozen strawberries and blueberries. However, prepare just before serving or the blueberries will color the entire dessert.