C.H. Spurgeon's Evening Devotional
Tuesday May 20, 2025

"I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love."-Hosea 11:4
    
    Our heavenly Father often draws us with the cords of love; but ah! how backward we are to run towards Him! How slowly do we respond to His gentle impulses! He draws us to exercise a more simple faith in Him; but we have not yet attained to Abraham's confidence; we do not leave our worldly cares with God, but, like Martha, we cumber ourselves with much serving. Our meagre faith brings leanness into our souls; we do not open our mouths wide, though God has promised to fill them. Does He not this evening draw us to trust Him? Can we not hear Him say, "Come, My child, and trust Me. The veil is rent; enter into My presence, and approach boldly to the throne of My grace. I am worthy of thy fullest confidence, cast thy cares on Me. Shake thyself from the dust of thy cares, and put on thy beautiful garments of joy." But, alas! though called with tones of love to the blessed exercise of this comforting grace, we will not come. At another time He draws us to closer communion with Himself. We have been sitting on the doorstep of God's house, and He bids us advance into the banqueting hall and sup with Him, but we decline the honour. There are secret rooms not yet opened to us; Jesus invites us to enter them, but we hold back. Shame on our cold hearts! We are but poor lovers of our sweet Lord Jesus, not fit to be His servants, much less to be His brides, and yet He hath exalted us to be bone of His bone and flesh of His flesh, married to Him by a glorious marriage-covenant. Herein is love! But it is love which takes no denial. If we obey not the gentle drawings of His love, He will send affliction to drive us into closer intimacy with Himself. Have us nearer He will. What foolish children we are to refuse those bands of love, and so bring upon our backs that scourge of small cords, which Jesus knows how to use!
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Thursday, October 31, 2013

A Frightfully-Fun Recipe Round-Up



Ahhh Halloween night. A perfect time for tricks, treats, ghosts, Draculas and of course amazing food! We love to snack on candy all night, but we also always serve up a hearty favorite to keep those trick-or-treaters full as they out scaring up some fun. Warm soups & chilis, hearty sandwiches or cozy casseroles...you just can't go wrong!
So tell us...
What are YOUR favorite HALLOWEEN treats?
Share 'em all in today's Recipe Round-Up!



Fill up your ghouls and ghosts a big serving of Meatball Sub Casserole before they head out gathering all that candy. This tasty classic from 101 Cozy Casseroles is a sure-fire favorite.


Meatball Sub Casserole
This recipe was shared by our good friend Christi Wroe of Bedford, Pennsylvania. Christi writes, "We love to serve this casserole with a fresh green salad and buttery, tasty garlic bread. It's like eating your favorite meatball sub with a fork!"
 
101 Cozy Casseroles1 loaf Italian bread, cut into 1-inch thick slices
8-oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
1/2 c. mayonnaise
1 t. Italian seasoning
1/4 t. pepper
2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1-lb. pkg. frozen meatballs, thawed
28-oz. jar pasta sauce
1 c. water
Arrange bread slices in a single layer in an ungreased 13"x9" baking pan; set aside. In a bowl, combine cream cheese, mayonnaise and seasonings; spread over bread slices. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup cheese; set aside. Gently mix together meatballs, spaghetti sauce and water; spoon over cheese. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Serves 4.

Click here to see a printable version of this recipe.

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Perfectly pinnable!
Gooseberry Patch Halloween Recipe Round-Up
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