October 11 - Friends Take Care of Friends

Then He said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to him at midnight and says to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him'; and from inside he answers and says, 'Do not bother me; the door has already been shut and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.' I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs. So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened. Luke 11:5-10

Friends take care of friends. In this passage a friend persistently asks for what he needs for his guests. And his neighbor—who is his friend—fulfills his request. That’s what friends are for…like in the song of that title…

Keep smiling, keep shining
Knowing you can always count on me, for sure
That's what friends are for
For good times and bad times
I'll be on your side forever more
That's what friends are for...

Written by; Peter W. Allen, Burt F. Bacharach, Christopher C. Cross, Carole Bayer Sager
So to your friends…and God…ask, seek, knock. Then when they come knocking at your door…seeking and asking, be prepared to help them out with whatever they need. 

Training Tip – Read this scripture passage (Luke 11:5-10 also found in Matthew 6:33) with your family.  Then discuss what friends do for each other—providing food, shelter, care and encouragement. Teach your kids the “Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God” song. Read the scripture (Matthew 6:33) before this passage so that you can explain that God will provide everything we need--those are the things that shall be given to you (added unto you).

http://www.lyricsty.com/maranatha-singers-seek-ye-first-the-kingdom-of-god-lyrics

Seek ye first the kingdom of God
And His righteousness
And all these things shall be added unto you
Allelu, alleluia

Ask and it shall be given unto you
Seek and ye shall find
Knock and the door shall be opened unto you
Allelu, alleluia

Seek ye first the kingdom of God
And His righteousness
And all these things shall be added unto you
Allelu, alleluia

Man does not live by bread alone
But by every word
That proceeds from the mouth of God
Allelu, alleluia

 

Lord Jesus, I am asking You to help my friends and relatives who are struggling with health issues. I am seeking Your healing touch for them and will keep asking for them…and to bring You glory. Bring on the healing!

 

Friday’s Feast at the Lord’s Table

One of the best dishes I had when we visited South Carolina recently was Lobster Bisque at a little Irish Pub, Madra Rua, in North Charleston. This recipe is pretty close to the soup we enjoyed.

 Lobster Bisque  - adapted from Food.com

1/2 lb lobster meat, cut into small chunks

2 tablespoons minced shallots

2 tablespoons chopped green onions

3 garlic cloves, crushed

1/4 cup white wine

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

2 teaspoons Tabasco sauce

1 tablespoon fresh thyme

6 tablespoons dry sherry

1 teaspoon paprika

1 cup hot water

1 teaspoon lobster base

4 ounces tomato paste

2 bay leaves

2 cups heavy whipping cream

4 tablespoons butter

In a medium sized pan heat a little oil over med-high heat and saute shallots, onions, and garlic for one minute. Deglaze the pan with the white wine. Add the Worcestershire, Tabasco, and thyme and saute for another minute. Deglaze the pan with the sherry. Add the paprika, hot water and lobster base and combine well. Stir in tomato paste and add the bay leaves. Simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the bay leaves. Whisk in heavy cream and the butter and just bring to a boil. Add the lobster and simmer until cooked through. Enjoy served with crusty Irish Soda Bread or crackers. Serves 4.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

© 2013 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.