Week of February 20, 2000
Nancy E.

"I will give you a new heart
and put a new spirit in you."
Ezekiel 36:26

This week's devotional lets you solve a mystery and provides a sweet reward. You, in this case, can be one person, a family, a few members of your family or, possibly, you and one or more of your friends. You decide what works best for you. You must set aside a little time each day to solve the mystery. You will need your Bible to identify the unknown "other things" and thus be able to "earn" the reward.

The readings will expose you to some unfamiliar Bible texts and provide you with the way to solve the mystery of identifying the "other things." Start your readings on Sunday and continue throughout the week. By Saturday, you will know what the "other things" are and can use them in the kitchen to claim the reward.

Sunday: read Judges: 5; the key verse is 25 (the last clause); the amount is 1 cup; Hint: fat-free cottage cheese can be used if you don't have any; then read Jeremiah: 6; key verse is 20; the amount is 2 cups.
 
Monday: read 1st Samuel: 14; the key verse is 25 (last clause); the amount is 2 teaspoons; read Jeremiah: 17; the key verse is 11, the amount is 6; Hint: "beaters" work.
 
Tuesday: read Judges: 4; the key verse is 19; the amount is 1-1/2 cups; then read 1st Kings: 4; the key verse is 22; the amount is 4-1/2 cups.
 
Wednesday: read Amos: 4; the key verse is 5; the amount is 2 heaping teaspoons; baking powder will do; then read 1st Samuel: 30; the key verse is 12 (second phrase); the amount is 1 cup.
 
Thursday: read Nahum: 3; the key verse is 12; the amount is 1 cup; then read 2nd Chronicles: 9; the key verse is 9 (second phrase); the amount is to taste. (Hint: "all" works well)
 
Friday: read Leviticus: 2; the key verse is 13, the amount is 1/4 teaspoon (optional).

Mix all the "other things" together and pour into a greased/floured loaf pan. Bake 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until a toothpick (inserted in the center) comes out clean. Cool 15 minutes in pan and then turn out onto a rack to finish cooling. Enjoy!

Dear Lord, teach us that both the reward of reading your Word
and the tangible result of our labors are sweet. Amen.

Contributed by Nancy E.
Published Sunday February 20, 2000
Week 13 of Liturgical Year B