In the Pot 20 years Old

image courtesy photobucket

In the mid 1960’s our church ladies enjoyed bi-weekly woman’s ministry meetings where we sewed for the missionaries, and also wrapped bandages from old sheets for the Lepers.  One faithful lady was not even a member of our church, but she did take pleasure in working with our group.

Each week our faithful lady would place her dollar into the offering, and remark that she wished she had a million dollars so she could give it all to the Lord.  I thought to myself that the Lord doesn’t want the million dollars we don’t have, but he does desire the ten percent of the dollars in our pocket.

At each of our meetings, at noon we usually made a pot of coffee to go with our sandwiches. Often one of the ladies would bring a cake, and that was always a treat as well. There is special fellowship around the table when family and friends get together.

One day our faithful lady brought us a gift of a large can of coffee. We heartily thanked her for her gift and placed it into the cupboard, because we already had an opened can that we were using.

A few weeks later we had a work day at church and there was a nice turn out. My husband asked me to make the big pot of coffee to enjoy with the lunch that had been prepared  for the workers; and so I did - - opening the can of coffee that our faithful lady had brought.

Lunch was ready and my husband decided to sample the coffee.   He gasped, "Awful - terrible" and spit at the same time. “What on earth is this? It is the most horrible thing I have ever tasted,” blurted my husband.

I took him at his word, and we carefully examined the offensive can. It seemed that this can contained coffee that had been hoarded during World War II when coffee was so scarce. At that time, there was rationing coupons for many items including coffee. Our faithful lady and her husband had stocked up on coffee and kept some of the cans for over 20 years. The coffee inside the can was old, rancid and stale.

Needless to say, we dumped all the offensive coffee, and opened a new fresh can.

We gave our faithful lady the benefit of the doubt, and never revealed to her how bad her gift actually was.

I am reminded that in the Bible, God always required a sacrifice that was without blemish and was the best that the person could offer.

As we prepare to gift our offerings to our church, may we always bring to the Lord that which He requires! 

Allow your attitude be one of Joyful giving as you cheerfully bring your sacrifice to our God.

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This Post is shared at:  Laura’s Faith Filled Friday
Stacy’s Heartprints of God, Hallelujah Link Up
Also linked with Ann Kroeker’s, Food on Fridays

Scroll down for my easy to make Cake has some instant coffee in the recipe, Enjoy

image courtesy Folgers Coffee Recipes

Mocha Chocolate Cake flavored with Coffee 

INGREDIENTS:
•  Cooking Spray
• 2 tablespoons Instant Coffee
• 1 1/4 cups water, divided
• 1 (18.25 oz.) package Devils Food Cake
• 1/2 cup Pure Vegetable Oil
• 3 large eggs

• MOCHA FROSTING
• 1 (16 oz.) container Chocolate Fudge Frosting
• 2 teaspoons Instant Coffee Crystals
• 1 teaspoon hot water

Directions

1. HEAT over to 350°F. Coat two 8- or 9-inch round cake pans with no-stick cooking spray. Dissolve 2 tablespoons coffee crystals in 1/4 cup hot water. Stir in 1 cup cool water to total 1 1/4 cups liquid.

2. BLEND cake mix, coffee mixture, oil and eggs in a large bowl until moistened. Beat with mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes. Spread evenly in prepared pans. Bake 27-36 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire rack 10 minutes. Remove from pan and cool completely before frosting.

3. DISSOLVE 2 teaspoons coffee crystals in 1 teaspoon water. With a table knife, make a well in center of frosting in container. Add coffee mixture. Slowly stir until well blended.

4. PLACE 1 cake layer, top side down, on serving plate. Spread with frosting. Top with second layer, top side up. Frost sides and top of cake with remaining frosting.