Obscure Bible Heroes {Blogging Through The Alphabet - Y}

Y is for Young Timothy

1Timothy 1:2- "Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord."

The Apostle Paul ministered to many people and wrote many very specific letters that are included in the New Testament, but some of his most prominent personal writings were directed to young Timothy, Paul's "son in the faith".

We can learn some interesting things about Timothy by searching through the Scriptures. We know that he had an interesting spiritual background, in that his mother was a Jewish believer and his father was Greek.

Acts 16:1-3 "Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:  Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.
Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek"

Timothy's spiritual heritage can be traced back to his mother and grandmother, godly women who instilled faith in young Timothy.

2 Timothy 1:5- "When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also"

Throughout the New Testament, we see how Timothy accompanied Paul on various missionary journeys to the churches, and had a wonderful testimony of faithfulness and dedication to the cause of Christ. He was "well reported of" and had a good reputation among the believers. Paul encouraged Timothy to be a godly example, and assured him that by doing so, people would not disregard him just because he was young.

1Timothy 4:12- "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."

By reading through the New Testament, we are able to see how Timothy overcame many difficult circumstances in his youth, and was a godly example of a faithful soldier of Jesus Christ. He leaves a wonderful example to young people all throughout history that they too, can be a faithful servant and follow Christ with their whole hearts, and that young people can be some of the greatest examples of Christianity in action. They don't have to wait until they are 'all grown up'.

Like Timothy, I want to serve God by giving Him the best years of my life - my youth. When I grow old, I want to encourage the young people in my life and pass on my faith to them, like the mother and grandmother of Timothy did.

Copyright 2012-2014 - "Be The One" - www.aclassofone.blogspot.com  All rights are reserved. No text, photos, or content may be reproduced without direct permission from the author

Portable Salads {So Many Ways To Eat A Rainbow}

I have been really enjoying all the fresh vegetables and fruits this time of year - the fall harvest has been so blessed and bountiful. In looking for ways to incorporate more of these veggies into our everyday eating, I have come across several great ideas to share.

Like most people, I am a busy person who has great intentions to eat right, but often fail in the practice due to not taking time to prepare.

These canning jar salads are a great way to prepare healthy lunches or meals ahead of time, and they are also portable! With the method shown here, you can also prepare several days' worth of salads ahead of time, and keep them in the refrigerator so they are readily available when needed.

First thing to start off with is quart sized wide mouth canning jars. It is important to use wide mouth jars, as they make packing and eating the salads much easier!

In the bottom of the jar, pour your salad dressing. I typically use about 1 tablespoon of dressing for a salad this size, but you can adjust it to your own tastes. Vinegar based dressings work especially well, but as you can see from the picture above, I have also used cream based dressings with success.

On top of the dressings, layer chopped veggies - whatever suits your fancy. I like to use crispy veggies and let them marinate in the dressings. I have found that carrots, celery, and broccoli work well here. I also use tomatoes, peppers, and onions. 

Other toppings that can be used are shredded cheeses or small cuts of meat such as chicken or turkey. On the top, pack your lettuce leaves in. 

It is important to pack the layers into the jar tightly so they stay put while transporting. The most important consideration is to pack the salads in such a way that the dressing and lettuce leaves do not mix until you are ready to eat it. Once the lettuce leaves touch the dressing, they begin to wilt, and if not packed carefully ahead of time, the salad will be a soggy mess by lunchtime.

When you are ready to eat your salad, you can shake the contents of the jar to mix first, or just stir with your fork (another reason that a wide mouth jar is handy). The plastic screw-on lids come in very handy for these salads, although sometimes if they are not leaving the house, I will just use a plastic bag and rubber band over the top to keep it covered and fresh while it is sitting in the fridge.

These salads can be made ahead of time, and kept for up to several days in the fridge. Line up your jars, chop up your veggies, and pack your salads for the week! You'll be eating healthy and saving time and money.

Copyright 2012-2014 - "Be The One" - www.aclassofone.blogspot.com  All rights are reserved. No text, photos, or content may be reproduced without direct permission from the author.





Linked up with Lisa Boyle at "Try A New Recipe Tuesday"

Obscure Bible Heroes {Blogging Through The Alphabet - X}

X is for "EX"amples of Christianity

Acts 11:24-26:  "For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:
26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch."


Not long after Saul's miraculous conversion, he was looking to join in fellowship with the other believers. Since he recently had been the chief persecutor of the church, not all the brethren were eager to embrace him and bring him in to the fold without some serious doubts and considerations.

In Acts chapter 11 we read of Barnabas, a good man and spiritual leader, who was sent out to teach and minister to the saints from the church at Jerusalem all the way to Antioch, a city in the Turkish region just north of Syria. Barnabas faced the dilemma of what to do with Saul. I'm sure there were plenty of opinions about the matter, but as a leader, Barnabas was responsible for making the right decision.

He took Saul under his wing, brought him to Antioch, and spent the next year there teaching and discipling both Saul and the young believers. I find it fascinating that the term "Christian" was first used to describe this group of people. They did not call themselves this, but rather those who were watching came up with the descriptive name. Why were they called 'Christians'? What is the significance of that name?

The word 'Christian' means "Christ-like". Perhaps those who were watching these believers recognized the same spirit and mannerisms as they remembered from listening to and following Jesus Christ. Whether they meant it as a compliment or insult, we cannot tell, but we do know that this group of believers lived out their Christianity in such a way that they earned the nickname "Christian".

I would like to think that this name and reputation had something to do with their forgiveness and care for Saul. Where else in this world will you find someone who will love and care for their former enemy in such a way, but in true Christianity?

Their tremendous spirit and attitude are a great example. The fact that others took note and compared them to Jesus Christ is the highest compliment they could have been given. And to think that they had the privilege to train and disciple the man who would become the great Apostle Paul and be responsible for the conversion of thousands, as well as the earthly pen to nearly a third of the New Testament! What a great blessing and special privilege these Antioch Christians had! They are certainly a fine example of true Christianity.

May I, like the Antioch believers, live a life that is worthy to be called "Christian" and may I always have a Christ-like spirit and attitude to those that God places in my life. May I always remember that there are no hopeless cases, and no lives that are too difficult for God to touch, and may I look for ways to be an instrument that God can use to train and influence others for Jesus Christ. May my life be an example of true Christianity!

Copyright 2012-2014 - "Be The One" - www.aclassofone.blogspot.com  All rights are reserved. No text, photos, or content may be reproduced without direct permission from the author.