"It would be entirely mistaken to make the equation 'salvation equals justification'. 'Salvation' is the comprehensive word, but it has many facets which are illustrated by different pictures, of which justification is only one. Redemption, as we have seen, is another, and bears witness to our radical deliverance from sin and guilt. Another is recreation, so that 'if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation' (1 Cor 5:17). Yet another is regeneration or new birth, which is the inward work of the Holy Spirit, who then remains as a gracious indwelling presence, transforming the believer into the image of Christ, which is the process of sanctification. All these belong together. Regeneration is not an aspect of justification, but both are aspects of salvation, and neither can take place without the other. Indeed, the great affirmation 'He saved us' is broken down in its component parts, which are 'the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit' on the one hand and being 'justified by His grace' on the other (Tit 3:5-7). The justifying work of the Son and the regenerating work of the Spirit cannot be separated. It is for this reason that good works of love follow justification and new birth as their necessary evidence. For salvation, which is never 'by works', is always 'unto works'."
- John Stott, The Cross of Christ, page 188
ground beef
1/2 sweet onion, diced
1 c celery, diced
3 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
1 c fresh mushrooms, sliced (or 1 can)
1 red pepper, diced
1 28 oz can diced tomatoes, drained
1 can plain tomato sauce
1 jar specialty tomato sauce (we like Classico)
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tbsp oregano
1 tbsp Italian seasoning
1-2 tsp basil
1 tsp salt
dash of pepper and thyme
1. Fry up the ground beef with the onion, garlic, celery, mushrooms (if using fresh) & red pepper until beef is cooked through
2. Add rest of ingredients and simmer 20 - 30 min or so
3. Serve on spaghetti or other favourite noodle
A couple of notes:
Often I brown up a lot of ground beef at once, then set aside half of it and freeze it for another meal requiring ground beef. This saves a step later on, and requires no extra time to do.
Also, I often use the frozen portion of spaghetti sauce as a base for chili. After thawing it, I add it to the crock pot along with:
1 can mixed beans
1 can kidney bean
1 can brown beans in sauce
1 c frozen corn (or can)
1 tbsp cocoa powder
1 tbsp or so of chili powder
cayenne pepper to taste
Cook on low for 6 - 8 hours or on high for 4 - 6 hours. This makes a very hearty chili.
Your turn! Simply, add your name to Mr. Linkey below or if you don't have a blog, but do have a recipe you want to share, simply leave it in the comments section and I will post it up front on my blog later in the day.
Most of us have seen the Dove Evolution video by now, but check out these new ones from Dove: Dove Onslaught and 'Daughters'. The messages our daughters absorb daily are frightening.
Lot's of news for October and so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving season.
Secondly, I am grateful for a freezer full of food. Once my mother-in-law heads home this weekend I will be on my own, so I am glad to not have to be on cooking duty for a couple weeks! This leads another announcement: Yes, I crazily signed up to host this month's roundup, knowing full well I'd be giving birth at the top of the month. But I thought it would be fitting as this month's theme is:
Looking forward to adding a few more recipes to my file box! See you next Thursday and Happy Thanksgiving (even if it's not until next month for you)!
"Our body has not only been created by God and will one day be resurrected by Him, but it has been bought by Christ's blood and is indwelt by His Spirit. Thus it belongs to God three times over, by creation, redemption and indwelling. How then, since it does not belong to us, can we misuse it? Instead, we are to honour God with it, by obedience and self-control. Bought by Christ, we have no business to become slaves of anybody or anything else. Once we were slaves of sin; now we are slaves of Christ, and His service is the true freedom."