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God is so good! As the scripture says, His mercy endures forever! Never-Ending is a concept that we, as humans, sometimes have trouble grasping. Everything here on earth is temporary - no matter what we tell ourselves. Riches fade, civilizations crumble, best laid plans fall short, and physical lives end. Isn't it comforting to know that Jesus is forever? Isn't it reassuring to know that His life was cut short so that ours could be extended throughout eternity -- for anyone who calls on the name of Jesus will instantly be transformed and eternally in His light -- never-ending! Thank You, Jesus! In His Service, Matt TABLE OF CONTENTS ACROSTIC FOR NOVEMBER BIRTHDAY GREETING INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT POINTS TO PONDER QUOTE OF THE MONTH NEVER-ENDING A MOMENT OF 'HA HA' TESTIMONY TIME CHALLENGE OF THE MONTH RECIPE OF THE MONTH QUICK TIP OF THE MONTH CRAFT OF THE MONTH SKIPPING STONES BIBLE QUIZ CHECK IT OUT! JEM'S PUZZLER OF THE MONTH ACROSTIC FOR NOVEMBER By: Denise Imbody Now is the time for Everyone to stand and Victoriously proclaim that the Earth and everything in it belongs to our Creator and Redeemer, soon and coming King. Each day is a New day to thank Him, our Dear sweet Savior for His Indescribable blessings that flow day and Night from His Heavenly throne...Oh how Gratefully we sing His praise! --Back to TABLE OF CONTENTS-- BIRTHDAY GREETING Happy Birthday to those celebrating their special day during the month of November. We give thanks to the Lord for the life He has given each of you and for the work He is doing in your lives each and every day. May your heart swell with abundant love and gratefulness as you walk with Him each and every day. --Back to TABLE OF CONTENTS-- INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT By: Gwen Tweedy When our days are filled with sorrow When there seems no hope for tomorrow, Jesus lead us through the fire, And lead us safely home. When our way is filled with stones And we feel so alone. Jesus lead us through the fire, And lead us safely home. When cloud and rain appear, and we see no sun, Clear our way and light our path. Show us you're the only one, Jesus lead us through the fire, And lead us safely home. When we can't see the difference from friend or foe, Direct us with your mighty hand and show us where to go. Jesus lead us through the fire, And lead us safely home. When we finally leave this world and meet on heaven's shore Cease our tears, still our fears, and banish our worries so we can rejoice forever more. Jesus lead us through the fire, And lead us safely and finally home. --Back to TABLE OF CONTENTS-- POINTS TO PONDER By: Barbara Lea Campbell Has anyone seen Thanksgiving? It seems we've misplaced it. Almost the second children return to school, we are bombarded with decorations for Halloween and the moment that ends (if not sooner!) Christmas is upon us. Now I love Christmas.. I love all that goes with it... the sights and sounds and fun! But there is a really important day that falls between October 31st and December 25th... and no, it isn't the first official shopping day of the Christmas season! It is the 4th Thursday in November... Thanksgiving Day. Do you even know how it started? Do your kids know? Do they realize the hardships the Pilgrims faced that first year and how little they had to be thankful for from an earthly perspective? Think about it... the majority had died... they were one step above starving... the winter was harsh and cold and they had little or no shelter... they were in a strange land... basically stranded... and yet they chose to take a day (really a week) and offer up Thanks. To whom? to God of course! I wonder what they were thankful for? I imagine they were thankful that the Lord had provided. They might not have had an over abundance at that time, but they had enough to survive. They would have been thankful for life... for surviving that first winter... but more importantly, I hope they were thankful for God.. for who He is and all He does. We need to take the time to FIND Thanksgiving this year. To ponder on what we have to be thankful for... and no matter what has happened to you in the past year, you do have something to be thankful for. If you have any doubt, open your Bible and start to read. That privilege alone is worthy of our Thanks. Christmas will come with or without a Thanksgiving. But how much better we can enter a time of Advent where we anticipate the coming of the Christ and a celebration of His birth, if we first have a time of Thanksgiving to our Almighty Father. --Back to TABLE OF CONTENTS-- QUOTE OF THE MONTH God's work done God's way will never lack God's supply. -- Hudson Taylor --Back to TABLE OF CONTENTS-- NEVER-ENDING By: Barbara Lea Campbell When my children were younger, they loved to watch the movie The Never-Ending Story. In this movie, the main character was a young boy named Bastian. Bastian finds an old intriguing book entitled The Never-Ending Story. As he reads it, he is drawn into the adventure and finds himself part of the story. In fact, his actions and decisions move the story along. It is as if the book is being written as he reads. The point the story makes is that as long as children have imagination and use it, the story will never end. You know we have our own never-ending story.... the Bible. Jesus tells us that heaven and earth will pass away, but His words never will. (Matt. 24:35). The Word of God is Never-Ending. But there are great differences between the never-ending Word and The Never-Ending Story. The first being that the Word is truth and the story is fiction. Like Bastian and his story, as we read the Word we are drawn to it.. we find that it speaks to us... meets our needs... Hebrews 4:12 tells us that the Word is alive and active in us. However, in The Never-Ending Story the reader changed the story... the never-ending Word of God changes the reader. It teaches, admonishes, encourages, leads, guides, convicts and so much more! Refining and molding us into a reflection of Jesus. In The Never-Ending Story, it was as if Bastian brought life to the words on the page. We do not bring life to the Word, it brings life to us. Abundant... eternal... everlasting life. "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life ..." (John 5:24 NIV).... "The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life." (John 6:63 NIV). The promises we find in the Word are never-ending. So are the commands, encouragement, justice, love, grace and so much more. Unlike Bastian's story, the Word is real and truly is never-ending. We cannot come to the end of it. And unlike The Never-Ending Story, where the reader's imagination was required to keep the story going, the Word of God is here forever and it keeps us going! --Back to TABLE OF CONTENTS-- A MOMENT OF 'HA HA' Man's way leads to a hopeless end - God's way leads to an endless hope. --Author Unknown to Us --Back to TABLE OF CONTENTS-- TESTIMONY TIME My Testimony: By Mandy Hardy Let me tell you what our Father God has done for me: I have a wonderful Husband and four wonderful children because of our Father God. I believe God sent me my husband to get me away from the devil. I was on drugs, smoking pot and doing crank. When the father of my child called one night to check on his son and found out I was messed up, he said, "That's it. I am coming to get my son." That right there was enough for me to say, "Ok, I'll quit." He stayed by my side helping me do this cold turkey. With his help and our Father God's help I was able to beat my addiction. Our Father God also gave me my mother. We almost lost her and through prayers she over came her illness. I have a home, my kids, my husband, my family and my JEM family. Our Father God has blessed me with all of these. JEM Has helped me as much as my husband has. Through JEM they have helped me find my faith again. I was lost so lost. My aunt Del called one evening and told me about this group. I thought to my self, "geeze, another group." But something told me to check it out and boy I am glad I did. They helped answer so many questions and helped me stay away from the devil. I was having doubt about my religion and Denise along with others showed me that just because some people don't agree with being Pentecostal doesn't mean I don't have to be. Some people were telling me that being Pentecostal was wrong that it was a sin. I now know it was because they are not Pentecostal. They want me to be what they are. I have to follow my heart and my heart tells me that I am happy with the religion that I am now. I am 28 years old and have a lot I can show that our Father God has given me. ***If you would like to share your testimony in an upcoming issue of JEM Precious Stones, please feel free to send it to Precious_Stones@JEMMinistries.org. If we use it, you will get full credit, but please know that due to the number of contributions, and other concerns, we may not be able to use all submissions.*** --Back to TABLE OF CONTENTS-- CHALLENGE OF THE MONTH We really should be getting into God’s word, as much as we possibly can. We would like to encourage you with a challenge each month, to memorize a portion of Scripture. So, we will provide a passage, and hope that you will take the time to study it daily. If you are already doing this on your own, that is great--we just thought with prayer, and making it a bit easier for some folks, that we could help those who may not be doing this yet. All passages will be from the King James Version of the Bible. We do not mind other versions, and you can study it in whichever version you like. We have chosen KJV, because it is public domain. We pray that you will hide His word in your heart. Jeremiah 10:10 But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation. --Back to TABLE OF CONTENTS-- RECIPE OF THE MONTH Submitted by: Alice Webster Pumpkin Pie Cake 1/4 cup butter or margarine 1 cup sugar (part of it brown sugar) 3/4 cup cooked or canned solid packed pumpkin 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 eggs 3/4 cup all purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 cup raisins or chopped dates (optional) 1/4 cup chopped nuts (also optional) Grease a 9 inch pie pan. In a medium-sized saucepan melt the butter or margarine. Stir together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and spices. Add the sugar, eggs, pumpkin and vanilla to the saucepan and then stir in the flour mixture. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until top springs back when lightly touched in the center. Serve warm or cool with ice cream or whipped topping if desired. serves 6 Do you have an original recipe that you would like to share? Click here to submit it! --Back to TABLE OF CONTENTS-- QUICK TIP OF THE MONTH Submitted by: Barbara Lea Campbell Free Coin Wrappers We save change in our home. The kids have containers in their rooms and we have a bank in our kitchen that the whole family uses. When these get full, we roll the money and take to the bank to deposit into an account or exchange for paper money. One thing I have noticed recently are coin wrappers for sale in stores. No matter how inexpensive they are don't buy them until you check with your bank first. Most banks give wrappers away for free to their customers. So get your wrappers there! Do you have an original Quick Tip that you would like to share? Click here to submit it! --Back to TABLE OF CONTENTS-- CRAFT OF THE MONTH Submitted by: Denise Imbody Edible Cornucopia Materials Needed:
This craft is so unbelievably easy to do, the little ones can even do it without any help. :) All you need to do, is fill the cone with the runts. Then you can either place cling wrap over the opening, and hold it on with an elastic (rubber band), to present as a party favor, or place on a paper doily, in the middle of the table, with the fruit spilling out, as a centerpiece for folks to snack on. ***If you have an original recipe, quick tip, or craft, that you would like to share with us, please send it in with your first and last name, and your email address to Precious_Stones@JEMMinistries.org. If we use it, you will get full credit, but please know that due to the number of contributions, and other concerns, we will not be able to use all submissions.*** --Back to TABLE OF CONTENTS-- Lord, Your word tells me to "Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God"; with thanksgiving in my heart I am coming to you this morning with my petitions. I pray for my family and friends thanking you for meeting their need according to your riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Please watch over them giving them peace of mind, peace of heart, and peace in their spirit as only can come from you. Grant them protection and guidance as they go about their daily routines. I thank you Father God for this beautiful day; the gentle rain that you are giving to replenish the land; the wonderful sunshine that you have given to us; and the majestic rainbow that is a reminder of your covenant between You and Your people. Thank You Father for Your Son, Jesus Christ, who so willingly took upon Himself my sins and by whose stripes I am healed. Thank You Jesus for the sacrifice that You made in order that I will have eternal life. Lord there are many who are hurting today; some physically, some emotionally; some financially. I praise You for the healing that is taking place in the life of each one of them. Grant them a calmness and load them down with patience as they look toward You for the manifestation of their healing. I know that the thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy, But, Jesus came that we may have life and that we may have it more abundantly. Hallelujah! Father God, I thank you for providing Your whole armor that I may withstand the scheming of the devil. Therefore I take up the whole armor of God, I gird my waist with truth; I put on the breastplate of righteousness; I shod my feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace, I take up the shield of faith with which I will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one; I put on the helmet of salvation; and I pick up the sword of the Spirit, which is Your Word O God. I now STAND!! Hallelujah Father! In Jesus' name I pray and thank You. Amen --Back to TABLE OF CONTENTS-- BIBLE QUIZ In this section, you will find five questions each month. Scripture references will sometimes be provided, but other times you will have to seek out the answers. We pray this will help you to get to know God's Word more. Thanksgiving is upon us.. a time to offer thanks to the Lord. I thought it might be fun to have a Thanks themed Bible Quiz this month. Let's see what we find that the Bible tells us about giving Thanks. (note: the NIV Bible was used in creating this quiz) 1) In 1 Chronicles, we are told to give thanks to the Lord, call on His name and make known what He has done. Where do we make this known? 2) Thanks be to God because He gives us what through our Lord Jesus Christ? 3) According to 1 Thessalonians, when are we to give thanks? 4) We are to enter the Lord's courts with praise and His gates with what? 5) For what are we to give thanks for God the Father according to Ephesians 5? Click here for the answers --Back to TABLE OF CONTENTS-- CHECK IT OUT! In this section we will share, and recommend our favorite website, book, movie, or any other favorite things we can think of to share with you. These are all highly recommended. CD of the Month: Timeless Christmas by Denver and the Mile High Orchestra Recommended by: Denise Imbody I am very eclectic in my taste for music, and thankfully that seems to be a trait that is passed on to our children. Timeless Christmas by Denver and the Mile High Orchestra is a great collection of old, and some new songs, with the big band sound, and is a whole lot of fun! If you have not heard of Denver and the MHO (as they are also known), they are a Christian group, that has taken their love for the Lord and the big band sound, and has combined that style with Christian songs. They have originals, as well as hymns, done to this style...and of course this Christmas CD I am reviewing, has some great classics as well as originals. You'll find Christmas classics such as Jingle Bells, It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Let It Snow, Little Drummer Boy, and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (with a line changed a tiny bit--which I like better--it is the line that says "if the fates allow"--Denver says "as His grace allows"), and other fun ones. I also love how they sing Joy to the World--VERY AWESOME! There are a few originals in this collection as well, and wait until you hear what they have done with Frosty the Snowman--it is a riot! :) If you are unsure if you like this type of music, or would like this type of music, I can tell you that we had a friend over recently, as this CD played in the back ground, and they thought it was Frank Sinatra. You can check out clips of this CD, or their other CD's on... http://www.cbd.com ...and type in "Denver and the Mile High Orchestra"...and their CD's should appear in a listing. Then click on Timeless Christmas..and I think there is an option to listen to each song individually, or you can click on where it says "play all" and it will play a clip of each song for you. You can also read more about Denver, his wife and son, band, and tour schedule at... http://www.denvermho.com/dmho_home.cfm Our kiddos--who are all teens (for those who don't know), plus us adults just love this CD--so it is highly recommended by this family--we hope you will check it out! Book of the Month: Moonlight on the Millpond by: Lori Wick Recommended by: Barbara Lea Campbell Lori Wick is one of my favorite Christian Fiction authors. Moonlight on the Millpond is book one of her Tucker Mills Trilogy. Set back in the 1830s, Moonlight's the story of a small western town and the people there. A great deal of the plot centers on 2 young people who, to no surprise, fall in love... but the other characters in this book are very developed and integral... no one is there just as filler. One thing I enjoyed was learning about the churches during that time and how different they were. I had never heard of Pew Fees and such! And I naively thought pioneer churches preached the gospel, but I have learned that many taught works salvation instead of salvation by grace. Moonlight doesn't sugar coat life or make sure everything ends up happily ever after. Wick does her best to be true to life. Book two is Just a Whisper. The third and final book has yet to be released. This is a terrific site to find everything you need to enjoy Christmas Carols in the coming Christmas season..... and it is all free! Pull up a carol and you'll find sheet music, lyrics, and midi files.... and more than one of some! There is sheet music for 4 part harmony and a midi to go with it, sheet music for the melody and chords and a midi to go with that, sheet music for guitars and other instruments like strings and horns. It is all here! A great resource for home and church. http://www.christmas-carol-music.org/index.html --Back to TABLE OF CONTENTS-- JEM'S PUZZLER OF THE MONTH In this section you might find a word search, An unscramble the words, OR any kind of word puzzle. We hope you will have fun with it! Ü How many words can you make out of this one word? THANKSGIVING SIDE NOTE: I found 100 words, you can see what I found in the answer section--see how many you can find! :) Click here for the answers --Back to TABLE OF CONTENTS-- Please feel free to pass this along! If you would like to be added to the JEM-Precious Stones mailing list, send an e-mail to Precious_Stones@JEMMinistries.org requesting to be added in the message field. If you are not a member of the JEM community, and you would like your name removed from this mailing list, please send a message to the above address, and request removal in the body of the e-mail. Please e-mail us with any comments, suggestions, or feedback, at: Precious_Stones@JEMMinistries.org. We would love to hear from you! We would also love it if you would visit our JEM website, at: http://www.JEMMinistries.org As we continue with this monthly E-zine, you will also find a link to past issues there. May God bless and keep you throughout this month! May He smile upon you, and show You mercy all of your days--and may You find peace in Him, and through Him! In Jesus' name, Amen Answers for this month's BIBLE QUIZ: 1) Among the nations 1 Chr. 16:8 2) the Victory 1 Cor. 15:57 3) In all circumstances 1 Thess. 5:18 4) Thanksgiving Ps. 100:4 5) for everything Eph. 5:20 --Back to BIBLE QUIZ-- --Back to TABLE OF CONTENTS-- Answers for JEM'S PUZZLER OF THE MONTH: Here are some of the possible answers you can get... 1. THANK 2. THANKS 3. GIVING 4. SING 5. THING 6. THINGS 7. HANG 8. HANGS 9. THINK 10. THINKS 11. SHAVING 12. HAVING 13. KING 14. KINGS 15. THIN 16. IN 17. AN 18. AT 19. IT 20. HIT 21. HAT 22. HITS 23. HATS 24. VISIT 25. SIT 26. SAT 27. SIN 28. TIN 29. TAN 30. SAINT 31. SHINING 32. HINT 33. HINTS 34. HINTING 35. NIGHT 36. NIGHTS 37. TIGHT 38. SHAKING 39. STING 40. SKIING 41. KNIGHT 42. KNIGHTS 43. ANT 44. ANTS 45. KIN 46. SKIN 47. GAIN 48. GAINS 49. STAIN 50. STAINING 51. TANK 52. TANKS 53. STINK 54. STINKING 55. THAN 56. VAN 57. VANISH 58. VANISHING 59. SINK 60. INK 61. NAG 62. NAGS 63. HAG 64. HAGS 65. TAG 66. TAGS 67. SAG 68. HATING 69. SKATING 70. SANK 71. SINKING 72. GNAT 73. GNATS 74. STING 75. TANS 76. SKI 77. SKIT 78. KIT 79. KITS 80. STAKING 81. TAKING 82. INKING 83. THANKING 84. ANTI 85. HANGING 86. STINGING 87. STANK 88. HINTING 89. SNAG 90. KNIT 91. KNITS 92. ASK 93. TASK 94. VIKING 95. VIKINGS 96. GAG 97. GAGS 98. GANG 99. GANGS 100. SIGHT --Back to JEM'S PUZZLER OF THE MONTH-- --Back to TABLE OF CONTENTS-- |