***Scroll down for wonderful emails and pictures from listeners***

John 6 describes a large crowd following Jesus and He fed them with only a few fish and loaves of bread. It was a miracle but some people missed that because they were focused on the bread itself and not how it got there. They lost sight of the real value.

 In John 6:27, Jesus reminded them, “Do not work for the food that perishes but for the food that endures to eternal life…”

 When you hand make something like bread, you understand the process from beginning to end, what it takes to create it. When you put all those elements together – the labor, the ingredients, the timing – it is then you will truly appreciate what you have.

 This week bake a loaf of bread (recipe below) for your family and give another loaf away. Enjoy creating it, watching all the pieces pull together and get your hands into it, appreciating the process from beginning to end. There’s something spiritually rewarding about sharing a meal with someone, breaking bread together. And be reminded that the true bread of life comes only from God.

Simple Amish White Bread

Prep Time:
20 Min

Cook Time:
40 Min

Ready In:
2 Hrs 30 Min

Original Recipe Yield 2 – 9×5 inch loaves

Ingredients
• 2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 2/3 cup white sugar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 6 cups bread flour

Directions
1. In a large bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water, and then stir in yeast. Allow to proof until yeast resembles creamy foam.
2. Mix salt and oil into the yeast. Mix in flour one cup at a time. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Place in a well oiled bowl, and turn dough to coat. Cover with a damp cloth. Allow to rise until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
3. Punch dough down. Knead for a few minutes, and divide in half. Shape into loaves, and place into two well oiled 9×5 inch loaf pans. Allow to rise for 30 minutes, or until dough has risen 1 inch above pans.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes.

PRODUCER NEIL’S BREAD

I baked bread too! Here are some pics!

Here is one of my loaves cooling on the porch

After it cooled I made brunch for my in-laws and my mom. French toast from the fresh bread and a side of homemade hash browns…yum.

LETTERS FROM LISTENERS

Dear Jesus,

I made bread today! I haven’t made bread in a super long time. I am a culinary instructor, by avocation. By vocation, I’m a University Prof.

I travel and teach primarily to Christian groups about the Joys of the Table- the abundance of life, the fun of cooking and the gifts of good food and company. I don’t do a ton of baking for the mere reason that it takes too much perfection! All that measuring and exactness kind of drives me batty. I enjoy free form, use what you have, kind of cooking. But you made a ton of sense today!

Here are some pix of my daughter (almost 5, Amanda) mixing the bread (we cheated a little and used the Kitchen Aid). We’re keeping one loaf and bringing the other to my sisters! It’s a whole wheat bread with pecans and raisins! YUMMY!

Here also are some pictures of a recent talk I did at Azusa Pacific University, a GREAT Christian University building amazing servants to God and the community.

Anyway, thanks for the inspiration this morning! I do so enjoy your show!

Blessings (as if you need them!)

~Laura
www.inthepantry.net

Lil’ Amanda helping mommy mix the bread (and a Kitchen Aid isn’t cheating).

Whole wheat bread with pecans and raisins! How beautiful!

Laura cookin’ at Azusa Pacific University.

More bread mail…

Dear Jesus,
I just wanted to thank you for the idea of making bread and giving one away on your show today. This just made my day and it was so much fun anticipating it cooking and with your blessings it came out perfectly. I know you blessed my family with your always very special touch today!!!

Sincerely,

Ron and Family.

Still more bread mail…

Hello! I was listening to the show yesterday and I loved the idea of the bread making. I went out of my comfort zone and baked home made garlic bread for dinner. The process took most of the day (mainly letting it rise, knead, cover again). I gave a lot of thought to every step and made sure I appreciated all the work that went into it. The smell of baking bread, the delicious taste and making another batch to gift to my sister, it was a wonderful experience. Just want to say thank you for the wonderful idea and the tie in to spirituality and the lesson for the day.

I listen regularly and always seem to get something out of the program.

Thanks Again!

Lorraine