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Are you tired of always being the one in charge, planning, cooking, and cleaning up? Don't be dismayed. It's a godly place to be!
Luke 12:42-43 – The Lord answered, "Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns." (NIV 2011)
My friend Belinda gave me this recipe, and I served it instead of traditional mashed potatoes for Christmas dinner last year. What a hit! I made it a day ahead and heated it while we carved the turkey! Yum! If you are not in charge of Christmas menu planning, then you might gain brownie points by passing it on to the one who is!
My version of Belinda's Christmas Potatoes:
- 9-10 medium-sized potatoes, peeled, cooked, mashed
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
8 oz. sour cream
1/2 cup melted butter
1/3 cup chopped green onions
1 clove minced garlic
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
Sprinkle of paprika
Mix the cream cheese and the sour cream together with an electric mixer. Add potatoes and all other ingredients but paprika. Mix thoroughly. Spoon into 9"x12" greased baking dish. Sprinkle with paprika, cover, and refrigerate overnight. To reheat, remove cover, bake at 350F for 25-30 minutes until heated through.
Prayer: Father, when we get tired of "doing" for our family, remind us that it is indeed a dependable and common sense way to live. After all, someone has to feed the crew. In Christ, we pray. Amen.
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Monday, March 24, 2025 – In the Middle East — We recently received a message telling us that one of our dear local friends has passed away. This was so hard, as we are on home assignment which makes it even harder. Please pray with us that the Lord will comfort his family and children and that Christ's name will be glorified. Help them to stay strong in their faith in the face of opposition..
friend: "Update March 21, 2025; Please continue to pray for Hilde who has had dizziness for many months..." 
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Thank you Brenda for the encouragement and the recipe. I think I’ll try it out! Blessings.
Nice devotional and a good reminder. Thanks for the recipe. Even with all those calories might serve it once a year!
Dear Brenda, This one made me smile and thanks for the recipe.
God bless and keep writing.
Amen to that, and thank you for the recipe. Sounds real good.
Hope you all have some good family time today. Praying for your safety while travelling.
Actually, your devotional hit the nail on the head for many of us. It is good this day to have a change of heart about the whole business of preparing the feast. Thank you so much.
What a nice way to share a recipe – thanks Brenda! It really looks delicious; can’t wait to try it!
Christmas blessings to you and your family.
Wishing you all the best for 2014!
Well Brenda
It had to be you. I bet many in this ice storm with no hydro (electricity) would love to have your “guck” in the refrigerator. Since this storm likely is up your way too. Eat hardy, even if it is cold.
Bless you.
Good morning Brenda and Merry Christmas. Thank you for the perfect advice from His Word and the wonderful make ahead recipe. I am always so glad to read your devotionals. Seems you are a talented vessel of His word and a great cook as well. Blessings to you and yours this great season and beyond.
Dear Brenda,
How really sweet of you to think of all of those, and there must be so many, who are tired as you plainly understand. I see this for my daughters and my sister for sure and am not there or able to lift them up. I will be forwarding this on to others.
Thank you.
Brenda, You knew just how I was feeling as I was iced in this a.m. and could not go to church.
My sister has taken on Xmas dinner but she too is very tired. We will have visitors and I will be in charge of meals and all then as they will go away to refresh.
It has been years since I went away to refresh.
But I have had the privilege of seeing my mother age and sharing some good memories with her.
But I heard recently of an Inuit tradition.
A girl at age of puberty was set a part from the group and family for a year at that time and lived in a tent alone to learn the ways of the community. It was for her to learn how important was the care of the clothing and food and preparation to ensure the hunt would be good for the men. If she did not take care then it failed and she was alone to hear about it from the entire town.
Well I am not for this type of only women can do it but I see cheerful heart in any task given makes life so much better for all.
God has given each of a part to play with a cheerful heart. It is with gratitude I can do this. Thank you for reminding me.
Many thanks for the kind and helpful thoughts and the recipe I plan to prepare for Christmas.
Dear Brenda,
I think I can read between the lines that you are a motherly, nourishing person.
God has given each of us talents, and he is pleased when we use them for his glory, and the salvation of many.
I am humbled by the work of creative food providers, for I am one who does not care to do very much with foods beyond being careful to have healthy foods and balanced meals.
We need both food for our bodies and sustenance for our souls.
In book of Deuteronomy at 8:2&3 in the Old Testament, we read, “… Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and test what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands … causing you to hunger then feeding you with manna … to teach you that man does not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. And in the New Testament, Matthew at 4:4 tells us that (when Jesus was hungry and Satan wanted to deceive Jesus to succumb to the temptation of worshiping Satan) Jesus quoted these words from Deuteronomy to rebuke Satan, “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
Jesus also said, ” I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life. I am the bread of life” (John 6:47, 48). As food saves the body from physical death, Jesus saves the soul from spiritual death. This the great purposes for which Jesus came into the world.
May God bless you at this Christmas season and forever.
Brenda: Looks yummy, but so rich. And I am much too fat already.
I must try this – Have a beautiful Christmas with your family and thank you for all your wonderful devotions.
Thanks for the devotional. I could have used the reminder on the 25th as I was “feeding the crew.”
A very practical and inspirational thought for those of us who are “Marys” but who have to be “Marthas” much of the time.
Dear Brenda:
Thank you for a most delightful and down to earth Devotional. Coming from a background in Boy Scouts, I can only agree that Yes, indeed, some on has to feed the crew, and to feed them well!